thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review

a great story that presents a new take on historical fiction

Women pilots in WWII make a unique setting for Only One Lie. This suspense-driven historical mystery takes a female pilot hoping to be used in the war effort and throws her in the deep end of a kidnapping gone awry. While the protagonist is anxious about the welfare of her husband, a fighter pilot in the Pacific, she is happy to take up his previous work position as a private pilot for a wealthy family. What seems like a dream job, quickly goes south as she discovers not all is as it seems, and those who seem to have it all will stop at nothing to gain more.

A few of the side storylines about friends and family seemed not as well thought out and a little disjointed in their coming and going as the story weaves on to the final reveal. Not Agatha Christie, but a decent cozy-type mystery.

Thanks to #Netgalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.

I really enjoyed Audrey J. Cole’s The Pilot’s Daughter and The Final Hunt, so I was excited to read Only One Lie and it did not disappoint. The book is a combination of my two favorite genres - historical fiction and mystery/suspense. In WWII-era Seattle, Max Ellis - the heir to the wealthy Ellis banking family - is kidnapped. When his parents Vincent and Priscilla Ellis go to deliver the ransom money to the kidnapper, they find him dead at the location where they agreed to meet. Vera Chandler’s husband Hugh has been the Ellis family’s private pilot for just six months when he is deployed by the Navy to the Pacific. Vera becomes entangled with the Ellis family and learns how dangerous they are and how many secrets they’re keeping. Vera puts her own life in danger to try to help find Max Ellis. The characters are beautifully written and the story will keep you turning the pages. I definitely recommend reading this book. Thanks to #netgalley #rainierpublishing and #audreyjcole for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Murder, child kidnapping, political bribery, and more as the rich don’t think the laws apply to them. In walks Vera to replace her husband as their personal pilot when he’s sent off to fight in the Pacific during WWII. Vera wants desperately to succeed as a pilot, but she soon finds herself in the middle of the scheming family as she puts her sleuthing skills to work hunting for the kidnapped child. With lots of action in the air and on the ground, she finds herself in danger often throughout this exciting story.