By: David Ellis
Narrators: Vas Eli, Emana Rachelle, Lee Osorio, Natasha Soudek, Philip Hernandez
ISBN: 9780399170935
Publisher: PENGUIN GROUP Putnam
Publication Date: 07/23/2024
Format: Hardcover
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
Bestselling and award-winning author David Ellis delivers a fast-paced, twisty thriller that will surprise readers at every turn.
Leo Balanoff is a diagnosed pathological liar with unthinkable skeletons in his family's closet. He's also a crusading attorney who seeks justice at all costs. When a ruthless drug dealer is found dead and Leo’s fingerprints show up on the murder weapon, no one believes a word he says. But he might be the FBI’s only shot at taking down the dealer’s brutal syndicate.
Risk his life going undercover for the feds or head straight to prison for murder? Leo accepts the FBI’s offer—but it comes with a price, including a collision course with his ex, Andi Piotrowski, a former cop and “the one who got away.” Forced to walk a tightrope between an ambitious FBI agent and a cruel, calculating crime boss, Leo’s trapped in a corner. But he has more secrets than anyone realizes, and a few more cards left to play …
My Review
Bestselling and award-winning (favorite) author David Ellis returns following Look Closer (top books of 2022) with his latest wild-ride twisty thriller, THE BEST LIES.
An attorney gets caught up in a web of murder, secrets, and deceit between a ruthless drug dealer, a syndicate, the FBI, and his ex in this heart-pounding, riveting, fast-paced thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat to the end.
About...
Leo Balanoff is a diagnosed pathological liar with skeletons in his family's closet. An Illinois attorney who seeks justice at all costs. However, when trying to defend a client — he gets caught up in a murder when a ruthless drug dealer is found dead.
After fighting to have his law license reinstated, the murder of human trafficker and drug lord Cyrus Balik makes him the prime suspect due to DNA found on the murder weapon. Prison or help the FBI?
Since no one believes he is innocent, the only way to stay out of prison is to work with the FBI to bring down the more prominent dangerous criminals, putting himself at even greater risk.
In the process, he contacts his ex, Andi Piotrowski, a former cop turned corporate security guard. Their relationship is complicated, filled with unresolved feelings and past betrayals, which adds another layer of tension to the story.
FBI agent Chris Roberti is a cancer survivor. They are after the boss, Nico. Leo becomes a chess piece to try to steal a formula that could cure cancer from Quigley Crowe International, a private medical technology company, and sell it to the Chinese Government. Yes, the same company where Andi works.
He also needs to protect the son of a deceased client who is being hunted down by dangerous criminals. Can Leo trust Agent Chris, Andi, or anyone?
Now, he is in the middle of an ambitious FBI agent and a calculating crime boss. Does he have more cards to play?
Told from multi-POVs and timelines (2023-2024)
~Leo Balanoff: Attorney
~Andi Piotrowski: Leo's ex (love of his life) former cop, now corporate security
~Christopher(Chris) Roberti: Special Agent FBI
~Leo (2010, 2017)
~Andi (2010)
~Marilyn (1994) Leo's past
My thoughts...
Oh my, Leo, you are quite an interesting character! THE BEST LIES is a complex, razor-sharp, multi-layered gripping crime (psychological) thriller that grabs you from page one to the satisfying ending! Ellis is a master storyteller, and this one is fast-paced and twisty—highly creative and entertaining.
From past to present, get to know all the players both past and present. Wow, the past is intriguing! From wrongly accused clients, human trafficking, crime lords, and corruption.
Whether Leo is innocent or not of murder, a conman, or a good liar, you will find yourself rooting for him! The question is, who are the better liars?
THE BEST LIES leaves you craving for more of Leo's adventures. Here's to hoping for a sequel and more of Leo's thrilling escapades!
Recs...
THE BEST LIES is a little different than Ellis' previous book; however, a favorite author and reminds me a bit of Lou Berney's DARK RIDE (loved-top books of 2023) character—Hardy (Hardly) Reed. Fans of Harlan Coben and David Baldacci will enjoy this wild ride!
Many thanks to Penguin Group Putnam/G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing me with a digital review copy via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinions. #CoverLove
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: July 23, 2024
Praise
“The Best Lies is the best book I’ve read in a long time; a complicated, high-stakes thriller in which all the characters have something to win and everything to lose. With an absolutely unpredictable plot and an ending that was as surprising as it was satisfying, I raced through this book in a single sitting. Just read it!”
– Karen Dionne, #1 internationally bestselling author of The Marsh King's Daughter
“The Best Lies is an addictive, whip-smart thriller. David Ellis is a master at writing keep-you-up-all-night books, and this is no exception.”
— Samantha Downing, internationally bestselling author of A Twisted Love Story
“It is truly the perfect thriller: twisty, surprising, and not at all predictable….It’s one of those books where everything is connected in a way that makes finishing it feel like getting a gift wrapped up in a bow. If you’re looking for your next favorite thriller, you will not be disappointed in this.”
— The EveryGirl
About the Author
David Ellis is a judge and an Edgar-award-winning author of ten novels of crime fiction, as well as eight bestselling books co-authored with James Patterson. His novels have been translated into more than ten languages worldwide. In December 2014, Dave was sworn in as the youngest-serving Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court for the First District. He lives outside Chicago with his wife and three children. WEBSITE
