I can't believe I have never read any of Louise's books before, this was a great story to get involved in. Once I had sat down with it, I found it very hard to get up as I just wanted to continue to read it. It was thrilling to the point where I told my husband to be quiet just so I could savour all the twists that came with this story that I will not forget. There are parts in the story that make you think what would I do in that situation and there are parts where it is very cleverly written with twists and turns where you least expect it. Now I need to go on a hunt and pick some more of Louise's books up. This one was really good.

Single mother Nadine Fitzmaurice and her daughter Becca have been at loggerheads recently. Now that she is eighteen Becca wants space from her mother, and the friends she is choosing to spend time with are not the sort of friends any mother would like their daughter to associate with. So when Becca phones Nadine she is pleased to hear from her at last. But the call does nothing to reassure her. In fact the call terrifies her. Becca tells her she is in grave peril as she has murdered someone. Nadine hears Becca sobbing with regret as she tells her mother she is being held as a hostage. Then the phone calls start telling Nadine she must pay back a favour before they release Becca. They tell her that she must not involve the police and that if she does not help them both mother and daughter will be killed.
Nadine is determined to save her daughter’s life. However, nothing prepares her for what happens next. At first the gang test Nadine by sending her on errands collecting and delivering packages. Then they up the ante and give her instructions for what she must do. She is totally shocked but she feels so afraid the she must do what they want. What they want her to do will make her a criminal, and betray her workplace, but what else can she do? She has no choice. However she had not expected Detective Sergeant Wren Moore to arrive at her house, asking her questions and frightening her to the very core. She must be strong and make no mistakes. This is Nadine’s story of mother love, desperation and coercion.
This story is a mother’s worst nightmare. The action gathers pace from beginning to end. It’s like a runaway bus with failing brakes hurtling down a bank. Disaster is imminent and just like the title tells the reader; everyone is protecting themselves for one reason or another. Unreliable Narrators misrepresent what is going on to conceal vital pieces of information. There are multiple spills, thrills and shocks and all the time the tension and suspense is gathering momentum. The story is robust and the storyteller has a fantastic quality of writing. The characters are carefully and sometimes evilly portrayed, adding to the suspense. This novel is certainly a page-turner. The storyboard is laced with organised crime, domestic abuse, blackmail, love and loss, mental health issues and deception.
I received my copy from NetGalley and publisher Hachette Books Ireland in return for a fair and honest review. Thank you so much for this gem of a novel. I was astounded by the intricacies woven into this novel and the action was evil beyond all reason. It was exciting, terrifying and oh so enjoyable. I loved seeing the vulnerability of a mother on the edge verses the revenge, greed and hatred of the underground gangsters, both matched so equally. If you enjoy your reading matter to sizzle with energy and surprise you again and yet again, this is definitely a story to savour

From the first to the last page I was well and truly hooked. I read this book in one sitting and finally turned the last page in the wee hours. Yes this book is that good. This book has everything from gangland wars, domestic abuse and so much more. Full of tension and suspense, shocks and surprises. I finally came up for breath as I finished this book. A must read and I am a very happy reader.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

What’s the sign of a good book?

For me, it’s one that grabs my interest from the first page and I want to just down everything and keep reading

Despite having a very busy week I finished this book in 3 days

Yes, it is that good!

The characters are well depicted and, as a reader, you really get to ‘know’ them all. This book has everything from gangland wars, domestic abuse, coercion, loss and love. These are ordinary people who are unwillingly caught up in others crimes. The lies they all told continue right up to the very end and it was only then I stopped, looked up and took a breath

I would not hesitate to recommend this book, take some time out, sit and enjoy

With thanks to NetGalley, Louise Philips and Hachette Books for an ARC in return for an honest review

#TheyAllLied #NetGalley
A great story.
Nadine Fitzmaurice, a manager in an insurance company, gets a distressed phone call from her eighteen-year-
old daughter, Becca, telling her she's killed someone, Nadine's life is turned upside down.Now Becca is being held against her will and, determined to save her daughter, Nadine finds herself dragged into the
underworld of organised crime - and under the scrutiny of Detective Sergeant Wren Moore. But the more Nadine gets sucked in by those holding Becca, elements of her past, and a 'TRUTH or DARE' game that went terribly wrong years before, come to the surface.
Eighteen years earlier, teenager, Evie Nolan went missing. She never came home.
One day Becca was there, and now she is gone too.
But can Nadine help her daughter before it's too late?
Awesome characters were there with nice twists.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette UK for giving me an advance copy.