I read FREIND REQUEST by Laura Marshall last year and it was a smashing thriller. Would Marshall be able to repeat this achievement? Is THREE LITTLE LIES just as good? To be frank, not quite. It's still a good book. However, storywise didn't it capture my interest in the same way and the ending felt a bit too expected.

Still, the writing is good, there is a flow to the story that I love and the story never bores me. The change between different characters was a great move especially since I found Ellen to be a bit too naive for my taste. The story is set both in 2005 (and forward) and 2017 (the blurb says 2018, but the book says 2017). However, Ellen never felt like a grown-up to me in 2017. Like she never truly grew up. Also, that she was so blind when it came to Sasha made me a bit annoyed. They even lived together and still, she seemed so clueless.

What I found most interesting with the story was just the mystery of what really happened in 2006. I wanted to know the truth. And, even though I never truly felt connected to Ellen and the rest of the characters so did I feel that my curiosity kept me going. I just wished the ending had been a bit more of a surprise. It felt a bit flat, to be honest. Too predictable.

THREE LITTLE LIES is a book that just didn't rock my socks. It fails to be truly thrilling, however, the writing is good. It's the story that just fails to grab me, which is a bummer because I really liked FRIEND REQUEST. I hope the next Laura Marshall book will appeal more to me.

I want to thank Grant Central Publishing for providing me with a free copy for an honest review! ( )

2.5 Stars

Hmmm. I'm not sure how I feel about this one. There is definitely suspense in Three Little Lies, but I don't think I do well with novels centered around female friendships that turn dysfunctional or deceitful. Still, it was well written and I own Marshall's other book, Friend Request, which I will be diving into soon. ( )

What a tangled web we weave ......
When Ellen’s roommate and best friend disappears, Ellen seems to be the only one concerned. Everyone else says “that’s just Sasha.” After all, didn’t she do the same thing years ago?
But years ago, they hadn’t received a threatening letter from the man they helped put in prison and who is now out of prison. Sacha,Karina and Ellen had all been friends with Leo and Daniel and his brother Nicholas until one night of tragedy altered everyone’s life course. As Ellen digs further, she wonders did she ever really know Sacha? More and more she uncovers lies and partial truth and not just from Sacha.
As soon as I saw this book on the shelf in my local bookstore, I had to have it. I throughly enjoyed “Friend request” and this plot was intriguing. What took away from the intriguing was the constant jumping around from before and after and now from numerous viewpoints. I have read many books that go from past to present and this is clearly marked as to whose viewpoint it was and when, but in this case, I found it interrupting to the storyline and flow of the book. Nonetheless, I did really enjoy it, but not as much as “Friend request”. ( )

Three Little Lies by Laura Marshall is a highly recommended mystery told over two time periods.

In 2017 30-year-old journalist Ellen Mackinnon reports to police that her friend and roommate, Sasha North, is missing. Both of the young women had received threatening letters from a man in their past, Daniel Monkton, who was released from prison five years ago. Is he in London? If he is, then both women might have a reason to fear for their safety based on the events that happened twelve years ago on New Year's Eve. Ellen must dig into Sasha's friends and the past to try and uncover what happened to her.

In 2005 the glamorous Monkton's moved into Ellen's neighborhood. Ellen and Karina, her best friend at that time, were both 17 and obsessed with them. The family had two handsome teenage sons, Daniel and Nicholas. The mother, Olivia, was a famous opera singer, while their father, Tony, was a musician, and their goddaughter, Sasha, is a beautiful teen the same age as Ellen and Karina. Ellen and Sasha soon become fast friends, with Karina on the periphery. Ellen loves the family, and especially Olivia who provides her with a life-long love of music. But then the events of New Year's Eve happen when Karina claims Daniel raped her.

The novel opens in July 2007 with Olivia at Daniel's trial for rape, so you know that this is going to transpire. Ellen is the main narrator of the novel, past and present, with additional chapters from the perspective of Olivia and Karina. The story is told through current events and those that started back in 2005. The flashbacks through Ellen's point-of-view help flesh out the characters and make Ellen a sympathetic character. It is a bit difficult to comprehend Ellen's frantic search for Sasha, when it becomes clear that Sasha is not the most reliable character. Ellen is almost too desperate in her search for Sasha. It seems that after years of being her friend she should already have a few clues and more insight into Sasha's personality. You can like a person and still acknowledge that they have flaws and shortcomings.

In the end, Three Little Lies is an immensely readable, well-written novel and you will find yourself desperate to discover what happened years ago and if it has some impact on Sasha's disappearance. Marshall does an excellent job increasing the tension incrementally to keep you on the edge of your seat while reading. Likely you will also be looking for the three lies, although at the final tally, there are more than three.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Grand Central Publishing via Netgalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2018/09/three-little-lies.html ( )

Laura Marshall follows up the success of her debut novel, Friend Request, with the just released Three Little Lies.

Three Little Lies is told over the course of fifteen years, flipping back and forth between then and now. In 2005, teenage Ellen is happily drawn into Sasha's family life - until an event on New Year's Eve changes the lives of everyone concerned. In 2017, Sasha goes missing. And Ellen is afraid that the past is not done with them all. Questions arise - how well does she really know Sasha.....

I always enjoy a back and forth narrative. It lets the reader take those pieces from the past and apply them to the mystery in current day. Marshall directs the reader's attention back and forth between possible suspects, but sharp readers may suss out the whodunit before the last pages.

Although Three Little Lies is a mystery, it also explores teenage angst, friendship and coming of age. Those early years definitely affect the future. Ellen is the lead character and she fills the 'good' role. The others are all damaged, suspicious and have questionable motives. And are all pretty unlikable.

I do feel the timeline could have been tightened up a bit, but overall a solid read. ( )