Book Review | Let Me Lie | Clare Mackintosh

Let Me Lie

by Clare Mackintosh

Berkley Publishing

Publication Date : March 13, 2018

Pages : 400

Synopsis from Publisher:

The police say it was suicide.
Anna says it was murder.
They're both wrong.

One year ago, Caroline Johnson chose to end her life brutally: a shocking suicide planned to match that of her husband just months before. Their daughter, Anna, has struggled to come to terms with their loss ever since.

Now with a young baby of her own, Anna misses her mother more than ever and starts to question her parents’ deaths. But by digging up their past, she’ll put her future in danger. Sometimes it’s safer to let things lie…

Clare Mackintosh is an author I would follow anywhere. If Mackintosh wrote a book about drying paint, I would read it. Mackintosh consistently delivers stories which are compelling, thrilling, and leave you impatiently awaiting her next release. Let Me Lie has done what I thought impossible. It has dethroned I Let You Go as my favorite novel by Mackintosh. 

Anna Johnson has suffered a terrible loss in the form of her parent’s suicide. First her father, then seven months later her mother meets the same fate in the exact manner as her father’s suicide. Almost two years later Anna still struggles with grief and confusion. On the anniversary of her mother’s death, Anna receives a cryptic message suggesting her mother’s suicide was actually murder. Anna has always had doubts about the death of her parents but this message confirms her suspicions. As Anna digs deeper into the lives of her parents, she uncovers secrets, lies, and begins to question her relationship with her parents and everyone in her life. 

Anna is a character I could completely relate to. I felt an enormous amount of sympathy for her. On top of losing her parents in such a terrible manner, she is also a new mother. The level of stress and sadness she has to contend with is unimaginable. There were so many times I just wanted to reach in and give her hug. Mackintosh makes sure readers will be able to sympathize with Anna, but she gives her strength, resilience, and determination. While I was sad for Anna, I did not pity her. 

Mackintosh’s writing is as thrilling in Let Me Lie as her previous novels. The story is packed with twists and turns, and even a paranormal element. Also included in Let Me Lie is a shift in the plot, which I have coined “The Mackintosh Mark”. In I Let You Go and Let Me Lie, there is a point in the book, where the perspectives change and everything you thought you knew about the story is turned on its head. You have to rethink and go back over all your opinions as well as where you thought the story was going. It’s awesome and it’s the reason Clare Mackintosh is one of my favorite authors. However, Let Me Lie pulled at my heart strings much more than her previous novels, I See You and I Let You Go. Mackintosh addresses the aftermath of suicide and those left in it’s wake. The betrayal and abandonment felt by Anna is palpable. The affects of Anna’s parents suicide are felt by some outside of Anna’s family. 

In Let Me Lie Mackintosh dives into the issue of mental illness. When Anna receives the message suggesting her mother’s death was not suicide, she enlists assistance from Murray Mackenzie. Murray is a retired Detective Constable working as a civilian with the police department. During his career Murray was respected and considered to be one of the best investigators in the department. His wife Sarah suffers from borderline personality disorder. Murray is completely devoted to Sarah. I found it very refreshing to read a story in which the person suffering from mental illness was not vilified. In fact Sarah was my favorite character and was often very helpful to Murray in his investigation. 

The way Mackintosh is able to take on such sad and sensitive subject matter with respect, grace, and sensitivity is nothing short of impressive. Once again Mackintosh has delivered a novel which has raised the bar for my future psychological suspense reads. 

**Thanks to Berkley Publishing for my free copy of Let Me Lie**

Murder and Moore Rating :

5 out of 5 Stars