Never Lie to Me

Patterson Blake FBI Mystery #0

by A.M. Strong

A shocking murder rocks a small seaside community...

Newly minted special agent, Patterson Blake, fresh out of Quantico, hasn’t seen much action since arriving at the FBI’s New York Field Office weeks before. In fact, she’s beginning to think her life will be nothing but routine inquiries and boring paperwork.

Until she receives a call late one night with an unexpected assignment. A man has been brutally murdered. Bludgeoned to death on the stage of a community theater in the idyllic resort town of Montauk.

Now she must team up with an experienced special agent to investigate a disturbing crime that has left an entire community on edge.

As the rookie agent and her partner dig deeper into the horrific killing, they will uncover a web of deceit and betrayal that will leave them baffled. And put their very lives in danger.

Patterson Blake is about to discover that the FBI is anything but boring…

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Crime

204 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2021

About the author

A.M. Strong is a British-born writer living and working in the United States. He has worked as a graphic designer, newspaper journalist, artist, and actor.

He currently resides most of the year on Florida’s Space Coast, where he can watch rockets launch from his bedroom balcony, and part of the year on an island in Maine, along with his wife and two furry bosses, Izzie and Hayden.

A.M. Strong also writes under the pen name Anthony M. Strong.

Reviews

[Kacie ♡ · Rating 1 out of 5]

This seemed like it was going to be a fun series to read, but if the rest of the series is anything like the prequel, no fuckin thank you. This was terrible and I’m not sure how people enjoyed it.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it!!!

This book is a prequel to the new Patterson Blake Mystery Thriller Series.

I usually read horror\supernatural books but this prequel book is gripping and reels you in, it was so addictive that I couldn't put my kindle down, I could of carried on reading and didn't want the story to end.

The book gives you an insight into Patterson as a rookie in the FBI on her first assignment, it was brilliant to read especially when she thought it was going to be all boring paperwork that's what she expected.

An addictive series you don't want to miss!

[Beth Lechman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A.M. Strong is a new author for me. I was impressed with the way this book starts. It jumps right into the action and continues until the end. New FBI agent Blake Patterson is on the case of a murder for her first assignment after graduating from Quantico. Her supervisor Grant is showing her the ropes and he is not only good at his job he is also sexy. As the sparks fly Blake needs to keep her head in the game.
I highly recommend this book if you like suspens with a bit of romance thrown in.

[Cat B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prequel to Sister, Where Are You?, Never Lie to Me is a tightly written who-done-it which introduces us to Patterson Blake. Patterson is a young freshly minted F.B.I. agent on her first assignment, a vicious murder with a multitude of suspects. I like Patterson. She's a no nonsense level headed character. The story itself took me right away. It is a horrendous murder which leaves more to your imagination than regaling you with the blow by blow details, so it is not overly gory. Enjoyable read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and unbiased review.

[Michael Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written prequel to the series. The plot is good and well paced. Being Patterson's first murder case it gives you a better understanding of Patterson and her relationship with her fellow workers. While giving you a lot about her back story, it still leaves aspects of her life to be revealed hopefully in later books. This can be read as a standalone book or as a follow up to "Sister Where Are You". This is brilliant must read book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and leave a honest voluntarily review.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeremy Knight is found dead in the orchestra pit by Kaylee Roberts and Ben Ford, actors in his play. Special Agents Jonathan Grant and newbie Patterson Blake are called into the case. The local detective isn't very happy about the 'Feds' being there. The bantering between Blacke and Grant is priceless! Blake is trying to prove herself worthy of being a FBI agent and Grant is showing her it isn't like you see on tv. But who killed Jeremy? There is no short list of suspects. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book and looking forward to the next one.

[Sonya Sargent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good prequel to a great new series. I read book one, Sister Where Are You, before this prequel, and I liked having some backstory to the main character, Patterson Blake, and her first case after she joins the FBI. There are a few mentions of her sister in this book, just enough to make me curious...what happened there??? The crime had a lot of twists and turns, and I was guessing who did it until the end. All in all, a fun read, a good series, and highly recommended.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Ferne Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, the story and especially the characters. Patterson is a rookie Special Agent with the FBI. She is assigned a murder case working with her boss, Special Agent Grant. They work together so well. Lots of suspects but they don't catch a break until they catch one suspect in the one lie that solves the case. Now they have to catch the murderer. I am glad I read this and plan on reading the entire series. You should give it a try.

[David C. Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another five star read

I thoroughly enjoyed going back in time and catching up on the beginnings of Patterson Blake. The authors have done a wonderful job with creating characters that keeps you on the edge of your seat turning page after page. I look forward to getting back in the the series and seeing where it goes from here.

[Cynthia Knotts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!!!

I finished this one in a few hours and enjoyed it so much. I read all the Patterson Blake series. Everything about these books were good. I loved the stories and the characters. They kept me on the edge of my seat. I'm beginning the Soul Catcher now and fully expect to enjoy that too.

[Michael Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as ARC. Patterson Blake is a newly graduated FBI agent. She is assigned to a case with a senior agent to investigate the brutal murder of a man. As the investigation continues, they run into lies and coverups. Enjoyable read with a great plot and interesting characters

[Ej Rudiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a prequel to his other book “sister where are you” and while they are stand alone this one does fill
In some info. It’s well written and has just the right amount of action and intensity. He’s become one of my new favs to read! Buy this book and enjoy it!

[Cattie Whaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great new novel! As a huge fan of Mr. Strong's works of fiction, I can say that his foray into crime thrillers was a success! I think his lead character, Patterson Blake, is going to be an excellent, strong female lead. I can't wait to read the next book in the series! Highly recommend!

[Tam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well-written book with wonderfully-interesting characters. The suspense builds at just the right pace as the story unfolds. Worthy of your TBR list.

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

[William_Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got to 30% and stopped. The plot, although logical and easy to follow hasn’t grabbed me at all, nor have any of the characters. The writing isn’t great, and there’s so many redundant sentences and words that made it frustrating to read.

[Stephanie Remias · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very easy read but not very exciting or thrilling.

Patterson, a new FBI agent, gets called out on her first case, a gruesome murder, with an experienced agent and they work together to solve the crime.

[Patricia eurich · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

It is a great story line with a lot of twists to the story. I wish I had read this first! The complete series was very good with a continuing story that filled through.

[Emily Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A murder with no clues is Patterson Blake's first case as a FBI agent. Things get tense as she thinks somebody is following her. Great characters suspense filled.

[GERALDINMILLERE · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great prequel to the series. You won't want to stop reading these books. Grab a coffee a free hour or ten and enjoy a great book by Anthony Strong

[Sharon Blackmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is as good as the Decker series. I can't wait for the next book in this new series. You can not but love FBI agent Blake Patterson.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great short story introducing us to Special Agent Patterson Blake and her world. The story is a quick and entertaining read with all the hallmarks of a good crime thriller.

[Hilda Baard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This prequel is full of intrigue and is very well written. I was hooked from the first page.

[Mailmanr5 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This prequel is pretty weak. Boring actually. Only the action scene near the end kept the pages turning. These are dull characters with dull dialogue. Boilerplate plot.

[Lori Niemuth · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a well-written murder mystery, this fits the bill. Enjoy.

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kept me engaged enough to want to continue the series.

[Rose Haskins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Really not into murder mysteries, but this was extremely exciting and held my attention. A lady FBI Agent, and her first case.

[Ady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book. Quick read. Started it at 2 am and finished it at 4 am

[Pat Rathmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

INTRIGUING NEW THRILLER

A little lengthy prequel but does eventually set the tone for a new partnership of FBI agents as they solve their first case.

[Kate Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Go back to the beginning

After reading the whole Patterson Blake series, this was a fun quick read back to the start of her career.