Here's the Amazon description of the book:
"In this thrilling novel from the world's #1 bestselling author, an attorney and mother of two discovers her husband’s secret life—and it might cost them all their lives. ​

"Lies He Told Me is a roller coaster from start to finish! I was hooked from the first page, and the final twist blew me away! This is a thriller you won't want to miss!" —Freida McFadden, #1 bestselling author of The Housemaid

Everyone in Hemingway Grove, Illinois, knows David and Marcie Bowers. David owns the local pub. Marcie is a former big-city lawyer who practices family law.

When David jumps into Cotton River to save a drowning stranger, he’s celebrated as a hero. His muscled physique, shaved head, and piercing blue eyes are broadcast on every news outlet.

For most people, newfound fame is a lifeline.

For David Bowers, it’s a death sentence.

For Marcie Bowers, it’s a test.

A wife knows the difference between a loving husband and father and a cold-blooded assassin ... right? "

The bulk of my review will be in the "further comments" section near the bottom.

People who like thrillers or fast-paced mystery stories.

The heroine's fierce love for her children.

The boring or confusing parts.

Read something calmer.

Incredulous at times, bored at times, totally interested for a good portion.

"About the author

James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including ‘The Idaho Four,’ ‘Walk in My Combat Boots,’ and ‘Filthy Rich.’ Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography ‘James Patterson by James Patterson.’ He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal." From the Author's Amazon page.

It was an interesting, mostly fast-paced read.

This is part of what I originally wrote for the review at Rach's Reading Club:

"4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon
4.2 on Goodreads

I borrowed this book from my local library. I think it qualifies because the husband is portrayed as both a hero and a villain. He's a super family man and [well-liked manager and] boss, and he selflessly saves a guy's life... but ... he has a deep dark secret and hid something seriously big from his wife. Not to mention five huge safety deposit boxes that he never told her about and she only found out about after being told that he was the worst kind of villain and decided to do some serious snooping (far beyond what any "normal" wife would likely do, even if she thought her husband was up to no good)...

The beginning was weird for me, but I think that was because I had planned to read a [historical romance] book set in Paris and my mind was on that (the library sucked it back before I read it so when I clicked to read it, I couldn't, and then I clicked this one)... I wouldn't say it was a roller coaster from start to finish. It had some boring parts, especially at the beginning. But by the middle, I was hooked.

The writing kept me involved and it wasn't until afterwards that I realized it was mostly ridiculous and unlikely, so it was a mostly interesting, and from whenever I got hooked on, riveting read.

I knew her husband couldn't be who they were clearly trying to get us to believe he was for the shock at the end, so I didn't have that part of the shock, but the unique combination of villains was a surprise.

I loved the secret hidden message. I loved Marcie's creativity towards the end of the book and her fierce willingness to do whatever it took for her children to be safe. I liked the bit of mystery at the end of the book too."

Overall, I enjoyed the book. There's one part that I still am not sure was resolved. Did I miss something? Or was it just left as an ambiguity? I can't really share what it is without spoiling the plot for future readers... but if you read it and are confused about a big element in the husband's history, you're not alone.

I don't care about it enough to be bothered to find and re-read the relevant sections though, and have already read another novel and started a third (for this year... it's January 10th as I write this).

I'd read another book by this pair of authors, which is a good sign.

It's a newish book, published in late September 2024 (I thought it was new though, when I requested it from the library because it was in their "newly released" section), and I'm kind of surprised that it's this high on the Amazon bestsellers list as of the time I started writing this review in the evening of January 10, 2026, though I suppose "assassination thrillers" is a very specific niche:

"Best Sellers Rank: #13,253 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)

#54 in Assassination Thrillers (Kindle Store)
#133 in Assassination Thrillers (Books)
#343 in Psychological Thrillers (Books)."

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Created Jan 10, 2026 at 10:03pm • Submit your own review...