Beautiful Lies (Ridley Jones Series #1)

Whirlwind Thriller With Slightly Predictable Plot Twists

Unger makes a strong debut with her first thriller, Beautiful Lies. The story focuses around Ridley Jones, a 30-something writer who, after a random act of heroism, finds herself questioning everything she knows about herself and the people she loves. The main character is enjoyable, and it's exciting to watch her make her way through a crazy maze, but like a previous review, I agree that it's awkward when Jones directs comments to the reader. These moments are awkward, and I think throw the reader out of rhythm.

While the plot idea is somewhat unique, and I was pleasantly surprised by the ending, the turns and twists were highly predictable. Oooh, in a story about truths and lies, you mean the new guy you met is possibly lying to you? How surprising. By the time the character rented a car, I knew a high-speed car chase was coming soon - it was a matter of when, not if. The predictable plot turns are disappointing, but it doesn't take too much away from an intriguing story. Also, we're supposed to believe we're following a bright writer, but seriously, she's dense quite a few times in the story. I won't spoil it for you, but after she receives a second note, she doesn't even analyze it to realize that based on the grammatical elements of the sentence, there's probably only one or two people who could have written it. But she instead plays dumb and gets herself into more situations and traps than were probably needed to get to the final conclusion.

Overall, a very good book, and if you like a little romance between the pages with your thrillers, this should definitely be added to your reading list.

11 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

INTERESTING AND INTRIGUING!

BEAUTIFUL LIES is an exciting, well-constructed thriller that I read in my book club. We all loved it from the beginning. I loved the bits of philosophy throughout and when the main protagonist speaks to the reader; so different! The fascinating storyline held our interest with the multiple twists and turns and the plot was interesting and not predictable. This isn't a dull, cookie cutter formula read, but a unique, intriguing mystery that transcends genre! Others I've read that affected me and that transcend genre are EXPLOSION IN PARIS, A DOG'S PURPOSE, CRACKED HEARTS, CUTTING FOR STONE...

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Lisa Unger's "Beautiful Lies" is THE best novel I have ever read! Her writing is outstanding, interesting, captivating, and especially 'page-turning,can't put the book down!' kind of reading...you won't be disappointed with any of her wor

Start reading 'Beautiful Lies' and the world fades into the background. You become totally absorbed in the story. It is as if you are right there, IN the book with Ridley, can almost see what she is seeing, feel what she is feeling. Never have I read a novel so totally engrossing I couldn't stop reading it!

I had the pleasure of meeting Lisa at a book signing a while back, and again recently at the release of her new novel, "Fragile". She is a warm and friendly person who makes you feel as if you have known her forever. Read her books, then plan to attend a book signing at some point. You WILL be glad you did!

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Beautiful Lies a Winner

I enjoyed reading Beautiful Lies very much. Lisa Unger, the author, knows how to create characters that come alive on the page, rachet up the suspense to a edge-of-chair degree, and carry a complicated plot to resolution.
Ridley Jones gets herself in such dire circumstances, yet stays true to her questioning of her life, her goals, and is able to face the truths that are revealed about her loved ones.
In fact, I was so entranced by Beautiful Lies, I went back to Barnes and Noble and purchased the sequel, Sliver of Truth. It too, was spellbinding, perhaps not quite as suspenseful as Beautiful Lies, because the reader was already familiar with the past action, but certainly demanded my attention to the very end.
A wonderfu pair of books about an endearing and courageous protagonist.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Awesome Thriller!

This was an excellent read, once I started I just hated putting it down! I devoured this book in 2 days. Plenty of twist & turns without going overboard. I loved this book & I'm sure you will too! Looking forward to more from this talented author!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Great Read

I would recommend this book to everyone! One of the better mysteries out there. I am only sad that B&N raised the price and took it off of lend me status.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Awesome

This was one of the few books that I have read in a very long time that I couldnt put down. It grabs you right from the start continues throughout the book and just when you think you know who dunnit wrong... I say order it. Now!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

GREAT READ!

THIS AUTHOR WAS RECOMMENDED BY SOMEONE ON THE NOOK WEBSITE ON FACEBOOK, AND DECIDED TO GIVE IT A TRY. TO MY SUPRISE IT WAS A AWESOME READ. IT HAD EVERYTHING IN IT FROM SUSPENSE TO MYSTERY AND ACTION AND EVEN A LITTLE OF LOVE THROWN IN. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE AND AM LOOKING FORWARD TO LOOKING UP AND PURCHASING SOME MORE OF HER BOOKS.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This was the first book by Lisa Unger I have read. It head my interest and was a real page turner. I couldn't belive it was a free download!!

The plot was so twisted I was never sure who you could trust. Just as I was never sure what the outcome would be. I could see this tale actually happening. I could also see how people could be put at risk if they ever found out what was happening. I read every free moment I had, because I just had to know.... was everything going to be ok? I think you will really enjoy the time you spend reading this book!!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This was an excellent book.

This was an excellent read. I couldn't wait to sit back down and find out what was happening to Ridley next. The author did a great job unrolling the plot.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Decent but predictable thriller!

Lisa Unger's debut is decent but the overall plot was pretty predictable. The writing style bothered me at times with Ridley Jones, the main charcater, talking to the reader for reasons unknown. All that being said, it wasn't bad, just a little formulaic.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

I recommend this book highly!!

Beautiful lies is a great book! Very suspensful. You wont wanna put it down! Love, sex, suspense, mystery in one!

No text was provided for this review.

Great writing!

Great storyline and terrific style. Lisa Unger has a way with words. My Nook versiin looks like it's in color from all the highlighting!

Excellent

A must read! Great story line

Awesome!

Was reading all night to finish this...a great read!

Wow!

I could not put it down! Had to read the next one!

Where it all began...

I love Lisa Unger and she has never disappointed me! This book held me from the first to the last page!

Strongly recommend

It kept getting better and better with each page. I could not stop reading it. I even missed some subway train stops because I was so engrossed in it.

must read!

this book was really good. My third by Lisa Unger, and she does not disappoint. Had a very hard time putting it down from start to finish.