This one is a sure winner! Very gripping, thought provoking and at times touching. Very well written and interesting character development. Loved it! Thank you publisher and netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Art of Deception is the second standalone psychological thriller written by award-winning author Louise Mangos and is an original read set in a glacial Suisse beauty spot. Lucie is in prison for murdering her husband, Matt. But although she is thought to have perpetrated the crime Mangos asks her readers to consider whether Lucie did kill him and if so whether it was precipitated by any particular incident or if she acted in self-defence as Matt had been incredibly cruel and abusive to Lucie for years. I appreciated that the abuse battle was depicted accurately, authentically and most importantly, compassionately.

The author effectively plays on the idea that in cases like these, when circumstances are complicated, moral and ethical considerations fall to the wayside because the situation is pressured, and not black and white as it often is. This is a great, beautifully plotted novel with a vivid sense of time and place; you can see the mountain tops white with their dusting of snow like a sprinkling of icing sugar atop of a cake, and this adds to the stunning scenery. Not only is it intense and compelling but it's also rather emotional too. It's undoubtedly a thought-provoking and interesting tale about abuse, control and constant manipulation and is both heartbreaking and bittersweet.

I felt profoundly moved by Lucie and her sons struggle to survive and was rooting for them both to summon the strength to carry on despite the hell they were going through. Deft characterisation and plot twists are set amongst a slow-burn pace and this eventually becomes a rather addictive page-turner. Above all, it's a book that highlights how sheer willpower, resilience, strength and survival instincts can overcome the most nightmarish scenarios. Many thanks to HQ Digital for an ARC.

Told in flashbacks, this is the story of how Lucie ended up in a Swiss prison for the murder of her husband Matt. Lucie was young and, frankly, naive when they met but they married and had a son- JP. Over time, Lucie understands that Matt is an abuser (we see it early on but that's the benefit of being a detached observer) but she doesn't get what this really means. Her family is in the UK, his family supports him. And now they've got her son. Thanks to net galley for the ARC. No spoilers as to what actually happened and will. happen- you'll have to read it for those!

The Art of Deception by Louise Mangos is the first book by this author that I have read. It was a good story but at times a bit slow. For the most part I enjoyed it but couldn't really connect with the characters, finding them all a bit annoying.

Lucie finds herself in a women's prison for the murder of her husband Matt. She desperately wants to prove her own nocence and get her son back. Told from the present time with flashbacks to the past we learn about Lucie and Matt, how they met and got together through to his death. Surviving in prison is a struggle and all she can think about is her son.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased

Lucie is in prison, far away from home. Accused of killing husband Matt who she met, in Switzerland, when backpacking through Europe. They have a son, JP, who is being cared for by Matt's parents. It doesn't look good for Lucie as there was an altercation with Matt, spawned from his philandering and abusive ways, and she fled the scene with JP. But she swears her innocence. Told in the present, with flashbacks to the past, when Lucie first met Matt, we see how events conspired and built up to that fateful day and follow Lucie's endeavours to free herself and be reunited with her son before it's too late.
Although I found Lucie to be a bit naive - especially with regard to the huge warning signs hanging over her relationship with Matt - I did feel for her. Stuck in prison with very limited access to her son due to her overbearing in-laws, she really had got in a right pickle. She did do some very stupid stuff but, never being in that situation myself, who am I to judge?
The story was both interesting and intriguing throughout, and kept my attention nicely along the way. Obviously we are privy to much more information about Matt and his family than Lucie but she did ignore all her friends and colleagues with regard to his past. I swung between sympathising with Lucie and shouting at her for her stupidity. I did get a bit emotionally invested in her and her fate, especially with regard to access to JP from prison. Both she and the rest of the cast were well described and some kept me on my toes throughout. I has suspicions about what actually happened but the author kept me guessing as she weaved past and present seamlessly, the past giving background and colour to the present at just the right times. Spoilers prevent me saying much more but I did find some of the key elements fascinating along the way.
I especially loved the scenes in the prison, Lucie's interactions with her cellmates and guards especially. How she battled through adversity and kept her spirits as high as she could. And then, that point when the title really made sense... And the ending, when the truth eventually came out...!
I haven't read this author's debut - Strangers on a Bridge - but, on the back of this read, I'm going to add it to my bulging TBR. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC for an honest review.
This novel was well written, well paced and descriptive. I enjoyed the author's choice to keep us in the present and also allow us to visit the past so we could fully understand the heroines journey. Lucille is a strong, determined character that survives the volatale relationship she had with Matt and the insufferable separation with her son. She fights her way out of prison and confronts the truth of her past in order to finally be free to take on the future. Great read.

This was a great book, it held my interest to the end. It was lovely to have a book set in the mountains of Switzerland, I love mountains most of all. It was also interesting with the odd insights into Swiss life, a world away from ours.
The prison life also made for interesting reading, even if allowing for an element of artistic licence. All in all I enjoyed it and look forward to more books by this author.

Lucie is convicted of killing her husband and sent to jail. I felt that the story didn’t really grip me the whole way through. The writing style seemed disjointed and I felt that the story was rushed at the end.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

The Art Of Deception by Louise Mangos is a complex contemporary crime drama that consumed me from the start.
The action alternates between present day and seven years earlier. The reader witnesses the build up to present circumstances. Louise Mangos has produced an intricate plotline. The novel deals with truth and lies, reality and twisted events. The reader realizes that the innocent are being set up but we are powerless to intervene. Money, power and influence talk. We long to see the underdog rise up.
A mother’s love is a powerful force. It can be used for good or ill. In its purest form it is protective and nurturing. Twisted love is not easy to watch.
The novel has the difficult themes of domestic abuse and manipulation.
Friendship is found in the most unexpected places.
Unsolved old crimes intersect with modern day events as we see evil intent perpetuated down the ages.
Much of the novel is set within the walls of a woman’s prison. Far from being gloomy, there is camaraderie between inmates.
The Art Of Deception was a marvelous read. It was complex and well thought out and would make a fabulous television drama.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
A word of caution: there were a couple of bedroom scenes with far too much detail for me. I skipped over the scenes. It did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the book.

Excellent psychological thriller! It moved at a fast pace with twists and turns throughout! I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Simply marvelous.

This story had me gripped from the start. It was easy to follow and simply an interesting story!

My interest never lulled during the novel as it does with so many others. I can't find the words to describe how much I enjoyed this book.

The final plot twist of this book made me physically gasp out loud... And that is exactly what you want from a plot twist.

Excellent.

Absolutely loved this domestic thriller! Excellent character development, exciting dialogue and fascinating plot. What more can you ask for?
Highly recommended.

A sure bestseller!
Lucy falls in love with Matt while on a backpacking trip through Europe. Matt, well, he falls in lust. After many warnings, 19 year old Lucie does not heed any of them until it is too late. Also, it may have been in Lucie's best interest to have pursued Swiss citizenship.

Matt is a lying, deceitful, jerk who becomes abusive. He has no room in his life for a wife and son. Matt's parents are too self-absorbed and only care for "their own". Lucie's parents are not keen on Matt, but visit when they can, as they live in England. Lucie is incarcerated in a Swiss rehabilitative prison. This, on charges of killing her husband, Matt...

JP, Lucie and Matt's son, has been living with his Swiss grandparents who try to avoid visits and phone calls to the prison. The only real peace Lucie has is through her artwork.

What was Lucie accused of in court?
How long was she sentenced for?
Will she ever be free?

One of this year's best reads! Great character development, flowing timeline and plot.
HIGHLY recommend!

Many Thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for a chance to review this suspenseful story!

The Art of Deception by Louise Mangos 🖤
Thanks to @Netgalley @louisemangos and @hqstories for my ARC
Publication date 6th June 2019
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‘No one knows the truth but her..’ •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
I’ve been looking forward to this book for a long time and I was very lucky to receive an ARC through Netgalley. Well I was not disappointed, in fact I was pleasantly surprised. It’s a little different from he authors debut ‘Strangers on bridge’ but this is by no means a criticism. I loved it. The story follows Lucie who at the beginning of the book is serving a jail sentence for the murder of her husband. The book alternated between past and present and we find out Lucie’s husband is an abusive and cruel individual. However, all is not as it seems. I will not give anymore away. A really engaging, thought provoking story. I highly recommend xxx

Interesting characters and setting make this one. The writing allows you to picture things clearly. A Swedish woman’s prison is pretty fascinating stuff (for me anyway).

This isn’t a suspenseful on the edge of your seat story but more a tragic tale. The fact that our main character, Lucie, is only 26 at the end of this saga makes it all the more of a cautionary tale for young naive love in the “if it seems to good to be true”...

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and HQ Digital for a copy in exchange for a review.

The Art of Deception by Louise Mangos is a crime thriller with a twist. Lucie is a young woman serving time in a Swiss prison for the murder of her husband. But all is not as it seems, and the destiny of the couple's young son hangs in the balance. Can Lucie prove her innocence before she loses her son forever?

Lucie is English, a young college dropout who decides that she will travel through Europe with the Greek islands as her ultimate destination. During a stint at a Swiss ski resort, Lucie falls in love with Mathieu, a handsome rogue, and, although she is warned off by various sources, the two marry and have a son. Matt's infidelity and abuse quickly become the norm. Fast forward seven years, and Lucie is six months into a sentence for murder. Was it self defence? Throughout her ordeal, Lucie remains focused solely on reuniting with her six year old son JP, and she continues to maintain her innocence.

This novel kept me engaged throughout, as I was thoroughly invested in discovering Lucie's fate. The addition of the Russian icon was an interesting element to the plotline, and I quite liked the character of Matt's sister as an ally to Lucie.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ Digital for this ARC.

I really enjoyed this novel and that it had me unsure and guessing and racing to the final turn of the page! Fans of Sometimes I Lie would love this!
Thank you so much for letting me read this advance copy Netgalley!

Okay, I often find it funny how the crime fiction publishers choose to market a book – basically to reach as many readers as possible (hey, no complaints there), but this often leads to a description which just doesn’t do the book justice. This is certainly the case with The Art of Deception by Louise Mangos.

So here’s the blurb:

Art college dropout Lucie arrives in a Swiss ski resort looking for work – but instead finds Mathieu.

Handsome, charismatic and from a good family, Matt seems like the perfect man. But as Lucie soon discovers, he has a dark side – one that will drive their relationship to a dramatic conclusion, and tear the life she has built for herself and their son apart.

Left fighting for her freedom in a foreign prison, and starting to lose her grip on reality, Lucie must summon all of her strength to uncover the truth and be reunited with her son before it’s too late.

The clock is ticking . . . but who can she trust?

Honestly – that sounds like a typical run of the mill crime fiction title which so many writers are churning out faster than you can say, “Should we make the title yellow or orange?” But this book is much better than that.

First of all, it’s two stories in one – the experiences of a young mum in a foreign prison, her day to day incidents and the drama between the inmates she shares her days with. This is the story in which we find out ‘the truth’, however, when we first start reading, it’s the back story which is the most riveting – that of a teenager meeting a dangerously handsome ski instructor (yes that’s a bit Mills and Boony) and the minutiae and drama of they’re everyday domesticity.

But yes, this kind of split time is nothing new, but the way Louise Mangos handles it is well thought out and brilliantly paced. Through the most innocent of prison activities the protagonist Lucie finds out a significant secret (no spoilers) which could change her destiny.

As Lucie is in prison and is reflecting on her what got her put away, it may seem obvious that she will (must!) find a way out – but this could have been easily (and disappointingly) accomplished by bringing in an inmate to provide the details (as they tend to do in Orange is the New Black). But let’s just say – that doesn’t happen.

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The end result is a very satisfying crime fiction read, which ties up all the strings and doesn’t offer a fashionably explosive ending. Now, if it said that in the blurb, not many people would pick up the book. Everyone’s looking for a page-turner. But if you speed-read this book, skipping descriptions to get to the dialogue, you’ll be missing out. The pleasure of this crime novel is that it’s a real story (not true obvs) but it reads like a considered work, well researched, written by an author with respect for her characters. I really enjoyed it.

The Art of Deception is out 6th June 2019 with HQ Digital

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Digital for a copy of The Art of Deception by Louise Mangos.
3* Travelling between current day and years gone past, we follow the story of Lucie as she falls for Matt.
In her mind, Matt is the perfect man, but right from the start the reader sees his dark side. Lucie refuses to acknowledge that all is not what it seems. The saying, “love is blind” shines bright throughout the story. Present day Lucie is in prison fighting to be released and reunited with her six year old son. The Russian history was an interesting add on to the storyline.

I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

Just didn’t suck me in. Normally I can appreciate jumping back and forth across time, but here I found it distracting and made it harder to engage in either narrative. Not too much in the ways of thrills, chills or suspense