The Truth and Other Lies
A Novel
Book - 2015
On the surface, Henry Hayden seems like someone you could like, or even admire. A famous bestselling author who appears a modest everyman. A loving, devoted husband even though he could have any woman he desires. A generous friend and co-worker. But Henry Hayden is a construction, a mask. His past is a secret, his methods more so. No one besides he and his wife know that she is the actual writer of the novels that made him famous.
For most of Henry's life, it hasn't been a problem. But when his hidden-in-plain-sight mistress becomes pregnant and his carefully constructed facade is about to crumble, he tries to find a permanent solution, only to make a terrible mistake.
Now not only are the police after Henry, but his past--which he has painstakingly kept hidden--threatens to catch up with him as well. Henry is an ingenious man, and he works out an ingenious plan. He weaves lies, truths, and half-truths into a story that may help him survive. But bit by bit the noose still tightens.
Smart, sardonic, and compulsively readable, here is the story of a man whose cunning allows him to evade the consequences of his every action, even when he's standing on the edge of the abyss.
- Details
- Full Record
- Additional Info
Searching for more content…
Searching for more content…
Opinion
From Library Staff
From Library Staff
On the surface, Harry seems like someone you could like or even admire.
From the critics
Community Activity
Comment
Add a CommentA well written, really good psychological thriller about a famous author with lots of twists and turns. I don’t want to say more encase I give too much away .
This was an ok read, but somewhat frustrating because the characters were never really developed. So much potential.
Brilliant!!!!!! Well written...Funny and sad and suspenseful .......Brilliant!!!!!!
Crackerjack read. You won't add to your cultural literacy, or have a deeply moving experience reading it, but you will be riveted, amused, laugh out loud. Great book.
Great story. I was not prepared for the turn of events and had to read one page a couple of times to make sure I got it right. Not sure if it was the translation but there were a couple of lines that I thought could be nominated for worst lines in a novel, but not a problem. I was still riveted to the very end.
A excellent book in the tradition of Patricia Highsmith.
I was provided an Advance Reader Copy by Atria Books for an honest review.
Real life is never all truth -- it's usually a mixture of truth, half-truths, and full-out lies. Henry Hayden is a world-renowned crime author, known for his riveting prose and the ability to keep you on the edge of your seat. But what the world doesn't know is that Henry isn't the real author -- his wife, Martha, is the genius behind the best sellers. The book begins as Henry's life begins a mad downward spiral, all of his stability in life crashing around him. Henry weaves lies and truths to keep himself out of danger -- but soon, Henry isn't sure what's real and what's a lie anymore.
A cast of true characters surround Henry as he tries to pick up whatever pieces of his life are left. Henry's apparently got no qualms about doing anything and everything to keep his secret safe. Having an unreliable narrator has never been so captivating, which leaves me wondering -- did Martha write this book, too?
Great book, very dark. Can Henry, a psychopath with many holes in his past and big secrets to conceal, keep up the facade?
An original.
Shares familiar themes of wealth, infidelity, murder and betrayal but with a unique voice.
Couldn't put it down. In
My top five list this summer.
I read this in two days as it has a mesmerizing plot. The main character is dead evil, but we are made somewhat sympathetic by flashbacks to his childhood. The author is very hard on women, portraying them as expendable, gullible and unworthy of any kind of respect. The setting added dimension to the plot and the characterization. A thriller for sure.