Karin is one of my new favorite authors. I love her mysteries, they really have you on the edge of your seat. They keep you guessing at every turn. I will recommend her books to everyone. She is so hidden in America and it's a shame

Karin Nordin's Sweet Little Lies presents a gripping psychological thriller set in the small town of Braxton Falls, Ohio, where the chilling murder of a teenager reverberates through the lives of those left behind.

The story opens with the murder of Lexie’s sister, whose boyfriend, Riley, is convicted and sentenced to death. Fifteen years later, as Riley’s execution looms, Lexie begins to question whether he truly is the killer.

While the premise is compelling and filled with potential, my overall experience with the book left me somewhat underwhelmed, landing it a solid three-star rating.

The narrative flows well, making it easy to read, but I felt the characterisation could have been stronger, particularly with the main character, Lexie.

Initially, she comes across as timid and passive, which made it difficult to connect with her.

However, as the story progresses, her determination to prove Riley’s innocence brings a refreshing transformation, showcasing her growth and resilience.

The plot is intricately woven with secrets and deception, capturing the complexities of teenage relationships and the hidden truths that often lie beneath the surface.

Nordin excels in crafting multiple twists throughout the narrative, keeping readers guessing about the true identity of the killer.

I appreciated the unpredictability; some twists were anticipated while others took me completely by surprise, which is a hallmark of a good thriller.

Despite the engaging storyline and the suspenseful atmosphere, I found the pacing uneven at times.

There were moments that felt drawn out, which affected my overall engagement with the characters’ journeys.

However, for those who enjoy psychological thrillers rich with secrets and revelations, Sweet Little Lies certainly delivers an intriguing reading experience.

While Sweet Little Lies has its strengths in plot twists and an engaging narrative, it fell short in character depth for me.

It's a worthwhile read for fans of the genre, especially those who appreciate thrillers centered around uncovering dark secrets from the past.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Great book, very eady to read with believable characters. Didn't guess who the bad guy was and loved the little twist. Excellent read.

"Sweet Little Lies" by Karin Nordin is an absolute masterpiece of suspense and emotional depth. From the very first page, Nordin pulls readers into a world of secrets, betrayal, and the haunting aftermath of tragedy.

The relationship between sisters Lexie and Amber is beautifully depicted, with Nordin expertly capturing the complexities of their bond. As the layers of their shared past are peeled back, the reader is taken on a gripping journey of discovery and revelation.

Nordin's writing is exquisite, painting vivid images of the small town setting and its inhabitants. The tension mounts with each passing chapter, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they race to uncover the truth behind Amber's murder.

What sets "Sweet Little Lies" apart is its richly developed characters, each with their own motivations and secrets. Lexie is a particularly compelling protagonist, torn between loyalty to her sister's memory and the desire to escape the shadows of the past.

As the execution date looms closer, the suspense reaches a fever pitch, culminating in a jaw-dropping finale that will leave readers breathless. Nordin's skillful storytelling and masterful pacing make for an unforgettable reading experience.

Thank you Netgalley, author and HW Digital Publication for sharing the ARC in exchange for honest review.

15 years ago Lexi’s sister Amber was brutally murder by her ex boyfriend Riley and he’s on death row with days to his execution coming closer when he contacts Lexi and leaves her cryptic message. Lexi who’s life came to a standstill after the tragedy stuck in the same old town taking care of her alcoholic mother who’s drowning herself in the memories of her slayed daughter Amber and blames Lexi for it! Tired of all the incidents of the past Lexi decides she’s gonna find out the exact truth of her sister’s murder once for all , if they really have the right guy behind the bar or what did the police miss and if the real killer is out there ?

Such a twisty dark psychological thriller this one is . With chapters from current timeline narrated by Lexi to alternating chapters that tell us what happened in the past and the night of the incident, the reader is kept glued to story with shocking revelations that I couldn’t think of ! The arrow of suspicion moved to almost all characters in the storyline and keeps you guessing until the very end too which has the final big twist that will surely leave your jaws drop !!

Definitely recommend reading this one, it’s a 4/5 ⭐️ read for me .

A gripping psychological thriller that explores the complexities of identity and deception, with a twist-filled plot and an unforgettable conclusion.

This was a good story with plenty of twists in it. It flits back and forth alot so, you have to concentrate to keep up wi5h the story. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Lexie’s sister Amber is killed back in 2007 and the man arrested and charged with murder is a few days away from being executed for the crime. The man on death row was actually Amber’s boyfriend when the murder happened, he reaches out to Amber and says he is innocent.

The story flits between the current and past and deftly deals with the detestation left behind by a murder. The older Amber serves as an example of the wreckage her life baca me after her sisters death.

There are countless twists and turns and the ending will stay with you for quite a while.

An enjoyable and satisfying thriller.

Would I recommend this - definitely.

This book is told by the perspective of Lex. Lexs boyfriend killer her sister. At times , I loved the atmosphere especially when they talk about where Ambers body was found. One thing I didnt like was the repetition.,

I enjoyed this book very much. 15 years after the loss of her sister Lexie is determined to uncover the truth behind her murder. What follows is a long story of twists and turns and conspiracies amongst her friends (or at least who she thought were her friends).
Very enjoyable thriller. Well written

We meet Lexie fifteen years after the death of her sister Amber. Stuck in the same town that she vowed to leave as a teenager, Lexie’s world is further rocked when her ex-boyfriend – the man convicted of killing her sister – gets back in touch just days before his execution date to profess his innocence.

It is clear from the very start of the story that secrets are being kept, and that there is more to the night of Amber’s brutal murder than meets the eye. It is fascinating to follow Lexie as she wrestles to equate the town’s opinions of ex-boyfriend Riley with the sweet person she knew at High School. Her mother’s freefall into alcoholism and bitter resentment is another powerful theme that Amber must navigate as she digs one final time into the events of that night, to see if she can uncover anything that could back up her doubts about Riley’s guilt.

This is a great page-turner, with plenty of twists and turns along the way. I liked Lexie and her relationships with the various characters around the town rang very true. The pacing was great, building in tension as the clock ticks down towards Riley’s execution. I would certainly read more by this author.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

If you enjoy edge of your seat psychological thrillers then this book is a must read
Two young girls enter the woods only one emerges , the other brutally murdered .
A young man was convicted and sentenced to death , now his sentence is days from being carried out .
The Town thought everything would soon be over , but it is not to be ......... secrets and memories are being uncovered . Just what would you do to see they remained buried ???

This a taught , edge of the seat , page turning thriller that will keep the reader enthralled to the final page

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Loved this book. I am a fan of Psychological thriller and this book did not disappoint.
I was hooked from the first chapter itself and kept turning the pages. I really enjoy back and forth timelines and it takes an intelligent author to do justice to that.
Loved the character development. I generally spot the twist in the climax but the final twist in this book was bang on.

Perfect as usual from Nordin. I slight departure from the police procedurals we've had before, but an excellent foray into dark and twisty thriller land.

I loved the main characters and the story was really good. Not completely unique, but it gave me Jennifer Hillier vibes, which is great as she is a fabulous writer!!

All in all I loved this and can't wait to get a physical copy.

Sisters Lexie and Amber were born only ten months apart, shared everything and dreamt of leaving the small town of Braxton Falls to pursue their dreams elsewhere. That is, until Amber was brutally murdered in the nearby woods on Homecoming night, and Riley, Lexie’s boyfriend, was found guilty.

Full review: https://westwordsreviews.wordpress.com/2023/10/12/sweet-little-lies-karin-nordin/

"Teenage girls can do some pretty awful things..."
...

Having read 'Where Ravens Roost' the debut novel by author Karin Nordin, back in 2021, I was hoping that her punchy writing style and dour storylines had remained a constant, as both had resonated with me, instantly making hers a name in my mind, which is synonymous with a good, twisty psychological thriller.

If anything, 'Sweet Little Lies' was an even more intense and edge-of-my-seat experience, which I can honestly say was not over until the very last word of the final page, so make sure you keep reading and assume nothing!

In a story where no one is innocent, everyone has either committed, been a party to, or concealed at least one crime. But which one of them is guilty of THE crime?

...

It is almost fifteen years since Amber Wicker was killed and her mutilated body found in Wynwood Forest, on the same evening as her sister Lexi's High School Homecoming Dance. Amber was the youngest of two sisters, although Alexander (Lexi) was less than one year older, so they had spent most of their lives together, hanging out with the same group of friends. The girls had been adopted at a young age by their stepfather, Chief of Police, Michael Wicker, when he married their mother Audrey. Swiftly, and based on some very obvious, but unconfirmed and badly investigated evidence, Lexi's boyfriend Riley, who comes from the wrong side of the tracks, had been arrested and convicted of Amber's murder. Lexi knows that Riley's adoptive parents had taken on as many children as the authorities would allow, for no other reason than the monetary gain which came with them. All the children had been unwanted, unloved and abused at every opportunity, however Lexi truly believed that Riley had broken the mould and had decided on higher moral standards by which to live his own life. Murder definitely wouldn't have figured in his plan, surely?

Audrey never comes to terms with the loss of Amber, who could do no wrong in her mother's eyes, to the point where she ostracises Lexi, who loses her rock and only ally, her stepfather Michael, when he is suddenly taken from them too. Without the support and encouragement of her father, Lexi is treated as a pariah and outcast by most of the townsfolk and never fulfils her true potential, ending up working as a part-time caretaker in the very high school she and Amber had attended all those years ago. Still crippled by guilt, struggling with her own sexuality and ridiculed by a whole new generation of Braxton Falls teenagers, Lexi also faces unwanted attention from her new boss, the school's principal Richard Henson, her former history teacher.

So why now, after all these years and at the eleventh hour, does Riley contact Lexi with a message so cryptic it is obvious that he wants her to visit him. Against her better judgement, Lexi makes a trip to the prison, where Riley is adamant that he did not do Amber any harm and is determined to sow the seeds of doubt in Lexi's mind. As Lexi begins to trace Amber's movements, back on that fateful evening, she knows she has only a matter of days to find proof of Riley's innocence, if indeed any exists. She also has to try to keep hidden her own terrible secret from that same night, even though it was made through ignorance, rather than a conscious choice.

Little does Lexi know just how many others have secrets they would rather remain buried and how much criminal activity, totally unrelated to Amber's murder, she is going to uncover during her investigation. Lexi may indeed be ridding the local community of the scourge of society, but at what cost to herself?

...

Even for its generous 400 or so printed pages, this book was broken up into more than the usual number of short, punchy and well-signposted chapters - beginning ten days before E day, with interspersed chapters taken from the time shortly before the original murder fifteen years ago and leading up to that life-changing event, which divided a community. The majority of the narration is heard through the voice of Lexi, although the perspective does change in the final few chapters. Unorthodox maybe and I'm not going to divulge in whose voice we hear those unexpected words, but it will all make perfect sense and probably shock you, when you get to it. There are several strands to the storyline, with each one being more twisted than the last, which made it no surprise that there was never going to be a gentle dovetailing as they came together, but more of a 'What The....?' moment, when the full picture hit me right between the eyes, in the very last line of the book!

The multi-layered storyline is tense, with an atmosphere of constant suspicion pervading lives made dour and lugubrious by the weight of secrets which have remained long hidden, but which are now about to be unearthed and re-hashed in the name of 'justice'. So many social mores are also brought into sharp focus as the layers are peeled back and trigger points are ignited as the lies are exposed. Tales of sibling rivalries and small town thoughts and ideals surface. The post murder trauma of losing a child leading to a sad descent into the oblivion of alcoholism. Cowardice in the face of possible miscarriages of justice. Confronting and facing up to ones sexuality and the potential consequences. Losing the life of an unborn baby through ignorance. The deviancy of paedophilia by one in a position of trust and high esteem. And not least, the all-consuming rage and lust for revenge which has lain dormant for half a lifetime but which will be avenged at all costs.

I have read so many excellent psychological thrillers where I have met whole casts of characters I could only love to hate. However, this story takes that feeling to a whole new level, with author Karin Nordin ably managing quite a large and disparate gathering of volatile, complex, malevolent, duplicitous and untrustworthy examples of the worst of humanity. With all their names on my suspect list, it soon became apparent that they all had one thing in common, the need to make certain that none of their co-conspirators spoke out of turn or gave anything away, no matter whose shoulders they had to stand on, so to do. It would have been nice to have met at least one person with a modicum of genuine and reliable authenticity, however, that wasn't to be. Lexi is someone more to be admired than liked, with her confused emotions pulling her in all directions, which makes 'doing the right thing' all the more difficult and something she might well live to regret. Revenge and retribution were the only constants among this group of acquaintances, with one of them totally manipulating and orchestrating events for their own ends.

As an avid 'armchair traveller', despite being confined to one location, I was quite surprised to find myself relatively satisfied with my journey into small town Ohio, USA. With its mix of real and fictional locations, author Karin Nordin set about using the full palette of words at her disposal to introduce me to life in the relatively isolated and fairly non-descript town of Braxton Falls, where any status or respect depended very much on which side of the track you lived, the middle-class north, or its decidedly poor relation to the south. The descriptive quality of her words imbued a genuine sense of time and place, which was immersive to the point of being claustrophobic, sucking me in like quicksand and reluctant to let me leave when it was all over.. or at least I might have thought and hoped it was all over!

This story was predominantly all about the characters, their relationships to one another and the events which had brought them together after such a long time, so location was never really going to be a dominating factor, except for the forest, which everyone seemed to be drawn to like a magnet. If only those trees could have talked!

What always makes reading such a wonderful experience for me, is that with each and every new book I read, I am taken on a unique and individual journey, by authors who fire my imagination, stir my emotions and stimulate my senses. This story definitely had the power to evoke so many feelings, that I’m sure I won’t have felt the same way about it as the last reader, nor the next. Karin offered me a ticket to hell and I only thank goodness that for me, unlike others, it wasn't a one-way journey!

Wow!!!!

I don’t know where to start in regards writing a review for Sweet Little Lies. It had everything in it. I think I blamed every character in the book for the murder.

Absolute brilliant ending. I highly recommend it.

Lots of twists and turns (too many) and lots of characters. The book started Ok, slowed down too much and became too complicated and the plot too convoluted. I did not care for the characters .
An OK read, thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

Lexie has lived in the shadow of her sister Amber who died 15 years ago in a brutal murder. Lexie's boyfriend was sentenced to death for the murder and his execution date is looming. Doubts appear and Lexie must find out if Riley really did murder her sister. A town that is doubtful of Lexie's knowledge is dismissal of her claims and she has to figure it out herself. A great read with a stunning, shocking ending.

15 years ago Lexie's younger sister Amber was murdered in the woods near their small town home and Lexie's boyfriend was found guilty. Now as an execution date is pending Lexie is persuaded to question what went on and why her life and that of those around her is so tainted.
I have really enjoyed Nordin's police procedurals but this was a departure for me and actually at first seemed like the sort of book I would go out of my way to avoid. I found myself hooked! The plot is fairly flimsy, the twist at the end is both predictable and cliched but the whole is a really gripping read for a few hours.