Secrets, lies, and a marriage unraveling—this book had me hooked from the premise alone. A detective who knows her husband is lying, a shocking confession, and a web of deception that had me questioning everything. The tension was steady, the twists were well-placed, and the unraveling of the mystery kept me flipping pages.

I really enjoyed the way this story explored trust in relationships and the dangerous power of secrets. The writing was engaging, and the alternating timelines added to the suspense. While I guessed a few of the twists, there were still plenty of surprises along the way. The ending left me satisfied but not completely blown away, which is why it lands at four stars instead of five.

If you love domestic thrillers with unreliable narrators and plenty of drama, this one is worth picking up. It’s gripping, entertaining, and will have you second-guessing everything you think you know.

Twisty, Suspenseful, and Utterly Addictive ★★★★☆

Amanda McKinney delivers a gripping psychological thriller with A Marriage of Lies, a novel packed with secrets, deception, and unexpected twists. From the very first page, the tension builds as the protagonist unravels the truth behind a seemingly perfect marriage, keeping readers hooked until the very end.

The writing is atmospheric and immersive, drawing you into a world where nothing is as it seems. McKinney does a fantastic job developing complex characters, and the emotional depth adds a compelling layer to the suspense. The pacing is steady, with just the right amount of twists to keep you guessing.

While the story is undeniably engaging, there were a few moments where the plot felt slightly predictable or leaned into familiar thriller tropes. However, the strong character dynamics and the emotional weight of the narrative more than make up for it.

Overall, A Marriage of Lies is an absorbing read for fans of domestic thrillers with psychological depth. If you enjoy novels filled with mystery, betrayal, and shocking revelations, this one is definitely worth picking up!

I love a good psychological thriller and this one left me entirely satisfied! The ending absolutely topped the cake! I had a gut feeling the whole time on which character ends up being the 'guilty party' (which my gut was correct) but all the details and twists of how it all comes together is really what made this book SO good.

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book. Unfortunately, it was released a while ago and I’m just now getting to it. Like all of Amanda McKinney’s books that I’ve read, this one was riveting. It kept me guessing until close to the end, although I had a pretty good idea of what was going on. There were enough clues sprinkled throughout to provide an inkling of who the true villain was.

The story focuses on Rowan, lead detective in a small town in Texas. Her partner/understudy Kellan and she have an odd relationship in that it’s clear they’re in love but she feels an inexplicable loyalty to her husband, even though she suspects he’s having an affair. Rowan met her husband, Shepherd while in a foster home. He promised to take care of her, even saving her life, and she feels so loyal to him that she won’t leave no matter how miserable she is. Even when she knows Kellan wishes she would. She won’t cheat on Shepherd either, so there’s this underlying current of will-they won’t-they going on. Shep comes home late, drunk, and often hostile. Rowan visits her psychologist Amber but has trouble opening up about her past and her current life. As it turns out, Amber is also having marital problems, so the women have that in common.

The narrator is omniscient. Although Rowan is the star of the story and most of it is told from her POV, chapter 8 begins with Amber’s POV. Mostly, we see her interactions with Rowan as well as members of her family. She is not happy in her marriage, overwhelmed with the health issues of her young son, and searching for something more. Interspersed in the plot are notes from other sources that seem significant, but are murky. For example, chapter 33 is a note from Special Agent Darla Thatcher, PhD. We don’t know who the note is about because she only uses the initial RS, but it’s clear it’s about a child taken into protective services. A few other POVs are thrown in toward the end, and rather than confuse matters, they actually help to clarify events, offering a window into scenes the main characters cannot see.

The story begins with the murder of a young woman who has carved X’s over her eyes. Next comes one with an X carved into her hand and finally, one with an X over her mouth. The detectives manage to ascertain that the connection between them is that each was in a position to help children being abused and turned a blind eye. But there are virtually no clues, which leads someone in the investigation to suggest that it could be someone in law enforcement who is responsible. Meanwhile, Rowan is slowly falling apart at the seams. Amber can see it. Even Rowan can see it, as she secretly follows her husband to find out what he’s doing when he’s out late so many nights. Kellan keeps trying to get Rowan to confide in him, but she’s determined to handle everything herself. Kellan is my favorite character because he quietly loves Rowan and he’s there for her, no matter what, confidently waiting for her to recognize he’s her soulmate.

There were a couple of things that made me chuckle, like when Rowan talks about a local band that performs at the bar her husband frequents. The band is described: “Bjorn Again—a dreadful punk rock band comprised of the town doctor (newly divorced), the city librarian (his mistress), and an unorthodox Amish family of four…”

Amber describes her husband at a parent-teacher conference: “My husband was scrolling through his cell phone with the kind of focus one might give a nuclear threat.” Later, she describes the receptionist in her counseling office: “Susan is twenty-two years old, and has the voice of a porn star and the attention span of a Goldendoodle.

As promised, this is a psychological thriller with lots of twists and turns. It explores the issues of childhood abuse, loyalty to the point of self-harm to someone who gives you the attention you crave, and the tendency people have to recognize others’ psychological issues without recognizing their own. I recommend it.

A Marriage of Lies by Amanda McKinney is a gripping psychological thriller that delves deep into the dark secrets lurking beneath the surface of a seemingly perfect marriage. The story follows a woman, a detective by profession, who begins to suspect that her husband is hiding something. As the tension in their relationship mounts, she uncovers a chilling truth about his actions, which threatens to unravel everything they once shared.

The novel starts with the protagonist's growing unease as her husband's strange behavior and inability to look her in the eye raise red flags. The couple, once inseparable, now lives in a world of secrets, unable to trust one another. The suspense builds as the protagonist's detective skills lead her to uncover the lies her husband has been keeping — lies that will change their lives forever.

In a shocking twist, the protagonist finds herself in a police interrogation room, accused of murder, and she responds with a single, devastating word: "Yes." What follows is a tense and unpredictable narrative that keeps readers on edge, constantly questioning who is telling the truth and what really happened.

McKinney masterfully crafts a fast-paced, emotional thriller that explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the darkness that can fester within relationships. A Marriage of Lies is a page-turner that will keep readers guessing until the very end, with a stunning conclusion that leaves a lasting impact. Perfect for fans of suspenseful domestic thrillers, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a story full of twists, lies, and shocking revelations.

Wow what a story line!!! This book was so good, it was filled with twists & turns that kept me engrossed the whole way through!!!

“Yes...I killed Cora Granger.” Detective Rowan Velky has confessed to murder. While it was ordinarily her job to unearth clues, clues are indeed piling up. But not by her. Against her.

Rowan and Shepherd’s marriage, which had been a solid foundation for years, has taken a tumultuous turn. A chasm has formed between them, and it’s only growing wider. As the narrative skillfully weaves between past and present, secrets and lies emerge, casting a shadow over their once-unbreakable bond.

Rowan’s past was deeply saddening. However, one might wonder how and why it influences the current events. Moreover, what does it have to do with Rowan confessing to murder, particularly one that was exceptionally gruesome?

As you encounter Rowan and Shepherd, prepare for an exhilarating journey, especially considering the presence of other pivotal characters in this captivating narrative. The story, its secrets, and the jaw-dropping twists that culminated in a thrilling confusion made this book a fantastic read.

Many thanks to Storm Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜 ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Marriage Of Lies was an absolutely addictive thriller. I loved every single second and was hooked from the start. From the snappy short chapters with multiple POV’s, to the non stop guessing game, it made for a truly fun ride. I loved how the plot was intricately woven, with everything just connecting in a shocking way.

Rowan is a homicide detective who is called to the scene of a brutal crime at the unlikeliest of settings, the wealthy neighborhood of Mirror Lakes. She is horrified to find a young woman strangled to death with jagged X’s carved over her eyes. Before she can even get her bearings, two more similar murders are uncovered.

The book's book switches seamlessly back and forth from Rowan's investigation of these crimes to her dealing with her crumbling marriage. After reading several books with a huge cast of characters, I appreciated the limited characters so that I could really focus on them and get to know them. I really appreciated the detailed and insightful exploration of children who grow up in "the system" that is known as foster care and how it can shape what kind of adult those children grow up to be.

The cast of characters in this one is amazing, they were just so flawed in their own way, mischievous and deranged, I loved them. They were very entertained and will keep you on the edge of your seat.

This book was just the perfect blend of domestic drama, psychological thriller and police procedural. It was all done perfectly to bring you a dark and twisty read. I thought I had some stuff figured out but wow was I wrong. She steered me one way and then jerked me on the complete opposite.

Thank you the #stormpublishing, @netgalley and @amandamckinney for this ARC!

#bookreview #bookstagram #thriller #thrillerbooklovers #policeprocedural #psychological

This is a book and story that is exciting, intense, thrilling and a rollercoaster of a psychological ride. This has all the twist and turns of a great thriller, it has love, lies and so much more, it has suspense, thrills and plenty of chilling moments.

Well written and well developed, the characters are just what you want in a book like this. You have to have the characters you love and loathe and the suspense of not knowing what is going to happen next and this book has it all. I couldn't put this one down!

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

I feel like A Marriage of Lies would be so much better if it did not start the way it did. It gave away so much within the first few pages. I feel like it made it easy to guess what was going to happen. I did really enjoy the characters and the crime scenes. I think I would have enjoyed it so much more with a different beginning. With that being said, I enjoyed other aspects so I rounded up my 3.5 to a 4.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm publishing if an advance copy in exchange for a honest review.

Amanda McKinney's A Marriage of Lies is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The story follows Sarah, a woman who is struggling to come to terms with her husband's sudden disappearance. As she delves deeper into his past, she begins to uncover a web of lies and deceit that threatens to destroy everything she knows.

McKinney's writing is both suspenseful and thought-provoking. She skillfully builds tension throughout the novel, keeping readers guessing until the very end. The characters are complex and well-developed, with Sarah being a particularly compelling protagonist.

Saw the plot twists coming way before and wasn't that surprised. Felt a boring/slow at the start, but it eventually picked up. Thankyou to the Author, the Publisher and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Firstly i am so sorry for the late review. i have been in a reading slump and i am now finally back reading and reviewing!

Thank you so much to Netgalley, the author + the publisher for the arc.

WOW, what a book to get me out of my slump, i adored it. So many twists and turns, short chapters to keep you hooked. Everything you want from a thriller.

This is my first book by Amanda McKinney and it certainly wont be the last - off to amazon i go to order a load more.

Not everyone is as they seem in this addictive thriller.

As Detective Rowan Velky and her partner, Detective Keller, dive into the hunt for a new serial killer terrorising the town, they uncover a potential link to the recent murders. But something just doesn’t add up, leaving them (and me) questioning everything.

While juggling the intensity of the case, Velky is also battling her own personal demons. Suspecting her husband of infidelity and grappling with unresolved childhood trauma, her world begins to unravel, adding layers of complexity to an already suspenseful plot.

I devoured this book in just two sittings, completely captivated by the twists and turns. Every chapter heightened my suspicions, drawing me deeper into the mystery. While I had my doubts about certain characters, the story still managed to surprise me in the end, keeping me hooked until the very last page.

A big thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I tried getting into this one but it just didn’t keep my attention. I usually love a domestic thriller but for some reason this one wasn’t for me. But thank you NetGalley for letting me read it before it’s release.

Such a thrilling ride. Loved it. I devoured it in one day couldn't put it down. Recommend it to all my friends.

A Marriage of Lies by Amanda McKinney was UNPUTDOWNABLE. Omg. The story captured you from the very beginning. This is my first read by this author and won’t be the last

Thank you Amanda McKinney, Netgalley, and Storm Publishing for approving my ARC request.

A Marriage of Lies tells the story of a serial killer that is brutally killing women in a wealthy neighborhood. We follow homicide Detective, Rowan Velky searching for the serial killer which signature mark is an X carved somewhere on the victim body.

This book is filled with twists and turns, jaw dropping moments that made it impossible to put down. I really recommend it.

A serial killer is brutally killing women in a wealthy neighborhood and homicide Detective Rowan Velky has been assigned to help catch the serial killer. The killer's signature mark is an X carved somewhere on their body.

Rowan is also unhappy in her marriage to her husband Shepherd and finds herself fantasizing about being with her partner, Kellan while they are trying to find the killer.

Now before you think this is going to be a run of the mill thriller about catching a serial killer, you are dead wrong. This book was so much more than that. Filled with twists galore and jaw dropping moments, I could not put it down. I highly recommend this thriller!

I read this over two months ago and I still think about it!

Thank you Netgalley, Storm Publishing and Amanda Mckinney

This is the first book of Amanda McKinney's that Ive read and it really was unputdownable. I pretty much read it within one setting as it's a short medium paced thriller. I found it was probably more plot driven but did have a great mix of character building. There was plenty of believable twists to the narrative and the pay off at the end was great. Im wondering if we might see more of Rowan Velky in future books.

4 stars