Title: Tell Me Lies
Author: Gail Chianese
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
Book Blurb:
You’d think with a guardian who’s a ghost, she’d see everything coming. But nope, that’s not how it works.
That’s not how any of this works.
Private investigator Lexie Smith has a mostly perfect—okay, satisfying life. A successful, if not super lucrative business with her best friend. A wonderful, loving companion named Bear—sure, he’s a little furry and he drools, but nobody’s perfect. A house on the beach and a wisecracking supernatural “intern” named Vinnie, who knows everything there is to know about crime and her nonexistent love life. Things are good, even if the cases are somewhat tame, until a dangerous assignment forces her to turn to the last man she can trust: Rafe Barandas, local police detective and the man who broke her heart years before.
After a decade in New York, Rafe has returned to his small hometown, burned out on big-city politics and crime. He’s looking forward to the quiet life, until he’s thrown together with Lexie (and, unknown to him, her phantom familiar) to solve what starts out as a simple B&E but quickly escalates. Leaving Lexie the first time was a huge mistake. Now that he’s got another chance, he’s determined not to blow it, so long as the job doesn’t get in the way.
As Lexie and Rafe get closer to solving one case, old hurts come back to haunt them and a new threat emerges. Can they put past lies and mistrust behind them long enough to thwart a cunning foe who seems to know every step they take and will stop at nothing, even murder? Or will one of them pay the ultimate price before they take their second shot at love?
My Review:
This book began with me laughing so hard and out loud, I needed to dab my eyes with a tissue. I was immediately a fan of this author. The friendship of Lexie and Kat is one of the best parts of the book. Vinnie, the otherworldly intern, is by far, my fave character. Vinnie is the sole person who works the truth. He states things that are 100% true. He may not say it so that it is clearly understood but his statements should be taken at face value. When Vinnie says someone is a scumbag...he is a scumbag...and that means stop dating him.
The title talks about lies and lies are the currency of this realm. If you are a fan of Jersey Shore or Kardashians or Robin Leach's Lifestyle of the Rich and Shameless, then this book is for you. If you had any question as to whether or not the 1% are so unlike normal people, read this book. There is nothing positive to say about any of the rich people in this book. I was disgusted by the whole group of them. That Rafe and Lex never had a fully honest discussion about what happened when they were 18 was disappointing.
The big bad in the book reminded me of a combination of Professor Moriarty and The Terminator. Faster, smarter, deadlier, unstoppable. If you like a bad guy who is almost undefeatable, then this book is for you. I prefer my female PIs to be able to defend themselves. I asked my wife her thoughts and she is totally over the defenseless waifs who need to be rescued. This is 2020, a female PI should know how to box, know karate, or carry a small but deadly weapon.
The action in this book is nonstop. The intrigue and mystery carry the reader on and on. I was dreaming about this book by the second day of reading it. Lexie, Kat, and Vinnie are a formidable combo and the Jersey shore may never be the same.
My Rating: 5 stars
Buy it Now:
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tell-me-lies-gail-chianese/1137082987?ean=2940163923694
Universal link from Books2Read: books2read.com/u/mgZAVK
Author Biography:
Gail Chianese is a multi-published author of contemporary romance, romantic mystery, and women’s fiction. Originally from California, (she’s lived in eight states and three countries thanks to the US Navy) and now calls Connecticut home with her real-life hero of a husband, her three amazing kids and too many animals to count.
Social Media Links:
Author Website: www.gailchianese.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GailChianese
Twitter: @Gail_Chianese
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/gchianese
Reviewed by: Mr. N