Forget folding laundry or going to the store to get groceries – "A Marriage of Lies" will have you throwing your daily to-dos out the window. Just ask your neglected houseplants – they'll tell you all about the countless nights you spent glued to the pages.

The author weaves a web of deceit so intricate, you'll suspect everyone from the goldfish to the mailman. Just when you think you've got it figured out, BAM! The rug gets pulled out faster than you can say "prenup." This book is like a mental rollercoaster, with enough jaw-dropping moments to stock a dentist's office.

If you've ever dreamt of letting the real world fade away while you devour a book, then "A Marriage of Lies" is your dream come true. Just be warned: you might want to stock up on takeout and caffeine, because once you start, there's no putting this book down!

A Marriage of Lies by Amanda McKinney
Goodreads: 4.32
Publication Date: March 29, 2024

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫 4.5/5 ⭐️’s

This book grabbed my attention from the start and kept hold of it throughout the entire book. I enjoyed the writing style, there were breaks of stories from the past, text strands, emails and more. There is a little bit of everything in this book: lies, murder, family drama, twists, jealousy and so much more! Oh and my favorite, SHORT chapters. 💕

The story is told from a few different perspectives. The main star of the show is Rowan, a female police detective with a tumultuous childhood, an aunt with dementia, a husband who reeks of alcohol and deceit & a whole lot of guilt. Her character is driven and loyal to the core. She finds herself right in the middle of an investigation on a serial killer who has murdered three women in their town. Amber, is another perspective who has a son with developmental delays and a husband who doesn’t love her. It took a bit for the storylines to merge, but when they do! Wow!

This was my first read by this author. I cannot wait to dive into Amanda’s other books! Get this book asap, you will not regret it.

FMC is a detective with a lying husband & serious abandonment issues - just how far will she go to keep the person closest to her all to herself?

A quick but attention grabbing psychological thriller! I finished it in the first sitting. This book will be available with Kindle Unlimited on March 29. Although this was my first book by Amanda McKinney, I will definitely be reading more. I could easily see her books becoming a comfort read.

I had a suspicion about the story's end game, but didn't expect several of the twists. The entire story is told in multiple POVs, which I really enjoyed, as well as time jumping from past to present - in my opinion, this really added to the character depth.. I felt like the narrators were a bit unreliable & at times the story was chaotic, but it ended up adding to the overall vibe of the story and working out well.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dark & twisty, true crime, & morally grey tropes - look no further, this is the book that will make you say "just one more chapter!"

Thanks to NetGalley & Storm Publishing for the digital ARC in exchange for my review.

This was such a quick, fast-paced, enjoyable read!  It was dark and twisty, and I was definitely hooked from the very first page.  This was my 1st book by this author, but I will most definitely be reading more.

Detective Rowan Velky and her husband Shepherd have been together since their days in the foster care system.  Both have troubling childhoods, so they cling to each other for understanding and stability.  But their marriage is in trouble.  He won't find a job, he drinks way too much, and she knows he's been cheating on her.  She's trying to keep her marriage together, but she also needs to do her job.  She gets a call in the middle of the night about a body found in a wealthy neighborhood home.  The deceased woman has been strangled, and there are Xs carved in her eyes.  While investigating this case, another body turns up, and then another.  There is a potential serial killer on the loose, and she needs to catch them, but she also needs to save her marriage.  How far is she willing to go to do both?

Told in the POV of Rowan and Amber, who is Rowan's therapist, this book was unputdownable.  I read it in one sitting because I had to know what was going on.  I really liked the dual perspectives and how they tie together.  This book was filled with secrets and lies. You don't know who to believe.  It was suspenseful and incredibly entertaining.  I would definitely recommend putting this one on your TBR.

This book had a LOT going on but in a very well thought out and non-confusing way. A Marriage of Lies is about a detective, Rowan, who is trying to solve not one but three murder cases, dealing with her strained marriage, a complex attachment to her partner, Kellen and attending therapy trying to work through her past traumas. As she gets closer to solving the murders all her worlds will collide in a shocking twist you'll never see coming.

I like to think I'm good at at least semi guessing the plot twists in books but this one I never saw coming. Again, I think it was because there was a lot going on.. too much to try and piece everything together, but Amanda did an excellent job of tying up all the loose ends and creating a very satisfying ending!

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced copy of this book. Pub date is 3/29.

Ever since reading “The Widow of Weeping Pines” (Mad Women series #2), I have been meaning to read about some more “mad women”-but ARC obligations have kept me from picking up another one of Amanda McKinney’s books. The solution? When “Marriage of Lies” was offered before publication date, I requested it! 😉

The synopsis lures us in by sharing with us that Rowan Velky’s husband Shep is lying, but that they used to be “THAT COUPLE”-you know the kind-the ‘I can’t be without you for a second kind”.

But now they are the kind who hide secrets from each other instead.

Now the only faithful companion living in her home with her is Banjo. 🐶 (Despite accompanying her to some dangerous situations, he will be fine.)

Rowan confides in us (First person POV) that Shep may have thought that she wouldn’t find out, but that she is a detective – it’s literally her job to uncover clues and solve mysteries.

She knows what he is up to.

So, how did she end up sitting in a police interview, answering the question ‘did you kill her?’ with a tremulous “YES”?

Did the pressure of her recent case, get to her?

The book opens with Detective Rowan Velky investigating a gruesome serial killer case with the Detective training under her, the town’s most eligible bachelor-“Detective Kellen Palmer.

It’s official!

Now that I have read a second book by this author, I can confirm that she writes short ADDICTIVE books, with quick “just one more” chapters that you will want to devour in a single sitting! This book is TWISTY, the pace is FAST, and it is definitely COMPULSIVE reading! As Amanda McKinney dropped clues in each of the opening chapters, I had no idea where this story was going and I couldn’t wait to find out!

I did eventually have a “guess” which proved to be correct, but I enjoyed seeing if my own detective skills would prove me right! The ending had a few time jumps which made it feel rushed and prevented me from awarding 5 stars, but it was 5 star entertainment for most of the book!

I can’t wait to read more from this author-I am definitely a fan! 🙋🏻‍♀️

You don’t have to wait long to pick up your copy-expected publication date: March 29, 2024

Thank You to Storm Publishing for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!

This is such an enjoyable and easy read for me. If you’re like me whom love digging into crime, murder & psychological thriller, I think you’ll enjoy reading this book.

I like the plot building as well as the writing style - which written mostly from character’s pov, along with clear dialogues and narration too. The plot switches between the present and the past, but it’s not confusing at all. I’ve been proven right for the twist and whodunnit & indeed satisfied with the ending as well.

The characters are great too, each of their own and they owned it. I love that there are clear details of the crimes as well, kinda giving me the vibes of watching those crime / forensic show - which taken us into the investigation of the murders and all, like we definitely feels included and together wracking our brain upon what happened and who’s the killer. I gotta say it’s pretty hazy to pin on the real whodunnit until after halfway through the story - specifically after the arrest. There are overall some minor twists in few things, which are refreshing even though I got them right except for one part - didn’t see who’s the real mistress is until almost the reveal.

Overall, at first I didn’t expected the story will go like this - which from the title I thought it’ll be more about marital stuff, yet honestly this is better than what I expected it to be. It does have the marital based things that linked through it all, and I think I can say it still true to it’s title. For me, this is indeed such a good read 👍🏻 Thank you so much for the ARC ❤️

What an absolute wild ride this book was!!

There are three different dead bodies in this town, and we get the firsthand account of the lead detective, Rowan, But in the very first chapter, Rowan herself is being questioned as the murder suspect herself.

This book was super fast paced, I devoured it so quickly. Literally, could not put this down as it was so gripping! The author’s writing style was great, I will definitely be seeking out others by her, as this was my first, I am definitely a fan now.

Read if you enjoy:
-police procedurals
-serial killer stories
-multiple POV
-mixture of therapy notes, letters, different timelines
-Kiersten Modglin books
… you’ll definitely want to add this one to your list, pub date 3/29.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my advanced copy!

A Marriage of Lies was a page turner! I partially figured out the twist pretty early on but I enjoyed seeing how everything would unfold and when certain things would come to light. I also really loved the ending! Sometimes people get exactly what they deserve.

This was my first book by Amanda McKinney and it won’t be my last! “A Marriage of Lies” is an intense, dark, and twisted thriller. Buckle up for a wild ride! The levels of intensity keep coming and they don't let up. This book keeps you turning pages until the very end. I was engaged from start to finish and I couldn’t wait to discover how each character was connected. I was blown away by how the storylines were woven together. McKinney's effortlessly blends elements of domestic suspense, psychological thriller, and police procedural, creating a story that is as complex as it is captivating. The characters are flawed and multifaceted, each with their own motivations and secrets, adding layers of depth to an already complex plot. This thriller has it all….secrets, lies, jealousy, suspense, drama, and murder! If you enjoy domestic suspense/drama, psychological thriller, and police procedural books, you’ll want to add this to your must list. 4 stars!

Thank you Netgalley, Amanda McKinney, and Storm Publishing for allowing me to read this book for an honest review.

TW: child abuse, suicide attempt, foster care, violence

A great 4 star thriller for me! This book kept me intrigued the entire time. I kept trying to guess what would happen or come next, and I didn't guess correctly! Personally, I like books that show different POVs and loved the take that this author had using Rowan's and Amber's POV. She made the emotions of the characters very believable. It really kept me guessing!

While the ending was good and all loose ends tied up, I was expecting more of a twist. I am left satisfied, but since there were multiple turns throughout the book, I figured the ending would be more of a twist as well. With that said though, I still really enjoyed it!

I would definitely recommend this book to all my thriller-loving readers!

Interesting plot and connection of characters. Kept me guessing till the end.

Thank you @netgalley

Erm what a crazy ride! I loved it

Really embarrassing but I didn’t read chapter names for like the 1st few chapters so I was so confused when they had different husbands and jobs then I realised oh it’s about two different women.

Anyways on to the book. We have this Detective called Rowan who is married to this guy Shepherd. She is investigating these cruel murders while dealing with her marriage that use to be one from the books and has now become unbearable.

Ok so this book was crazy. I had my inklings on what might happen but I think I can safely say I did not predict that ending. There were times I could feel the danger in my stomach. Anticipating what was to come. It was a great thriller that kept me on my toes. I loved the different points of view although I did get confused sometimes. I also enjoyed the glimpses of Rowan and Shepherds past.

I wish that there was more in the bulk of the book than the end. Everything came to a climax right at the end like bam bam bam and I wish it happened a bit slower but hey maybe that actually made the book better. The not knowing what was happening had me hooked.

Great book and I think of you are a fan of crazy murder mysteries and thrillers or just wanna try something new to pick it up!!

The beginning is so horrifying and intense. The book has dark secrets. It’s the kind of book where you can’t trust anyone. The writing is gripping. The book is part Marriage and part police investigation. It has twists and turns. This is a fast paced thriller.

There are secrets between husband and wife. Their bond is not how it should be. Things have changed between them. The book has been narrated in dual timelines; past and present. The characters have a painful past and loved how the author has connected their present with the past. While the book has shocking twists and revelations. Along with twists, secrets and truth, the dark revelations come in light too. The ending was jaw-dropping. Victim’s body tells a dreadful story. The book gripped me from page one and kept me at the edge of my seat till the end. This is a great page turner.

Many Thanks to Author, Publisher and Netgalley

Rowan is a smalltown homicide detective. Together, her and her partner Kellan are investigating the homicide of a woman in a wealthy part of town. At work, Rowan is competent and has everything together, but her personal life is falling apart. Her marriage to her husband, Shepard, is filled with lies. They no longer talk, they don't love each other like they used to, and Sheppard frequently comes home late at night intoxicated. As Rowan navigates her homelife and the investigation, two more women turn up murdered and she finds herself pleading guilty for murdering one of them.

Told in multiple POVs, A Marriage of Lies is a book that keeps you turning page after page, not knowing how each character story arc would connect. I was addicted to this story from the very first page. I had no idea how the storylines would weave together, but once they did, it completely blew me away. I do not want to give too much about this one away and spoil it, but this one is insanely good!! It's so good that I finished it in one day.

Thanks to NetGalley, Amanda McKinney, and Storm Publishing for allowing me to read an advanced copy of A Marriage of Lies in the return of an honest review. I received an advanced reader copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The levels of intensity in this book kept building and building on top of each other. Just when you think it can't get any higher, another layer forms. The characters were all great and I enjoyed reading from each perspective throughout the book. It was a great psychological thriller. Highly recommended.

This will appeal to fans of the genre, with its rapid changes of narrator and teasing details. It starts slow, to set the scene, but then doesn't pick up until quite near the end, when everything tumbles out. As a foray into this genre, it's probably a good one to start with, but for readers who read a lot of domestic thrillers, I think there may be disappointment as those readers work out the layers of what 'really' happened, quite quickly.

This story started off strong. It opens with Det. Rowan Velky confessing to murdering her husband’s mistress. I was intrigued. The primary narrators are Rowan and a woman named Amber, interspersed with a few others. Both Rowan and Amber are having marital trouble and are looking for ways to escape. The murder of a wealthy woman sets off a chain of events that affects both Rowan and Amber personally and professionally. Everything builds nicely until around 65% when the plot falls apart. I don’t want to give any spoilers, so I’ll just say that the way the mystery is resolved is far-fetched. The “big reveals” aren’t tethered to precious plot points, and the ending feels rushed. There are some inconsistencies that bothered me as a teacher who lives in Houston. The story is supposed to be set near Lake Conroe, which is about an hour away from Houston. There is a scene in which the sun is observed setting over a mountain, which isn’t topographically accurate. A subplot involving testing Amber’s young son for a genetic mutation and developmental delays is so far off base it’s almost comical, and Amber and her husband have a knockdown, drag-out fight in front of their six year old child, which feels weird for a therapist concerned for her child’s wellbeing to do. Overall, the resolution to the story feels forced. This book will be available though Kindle Unlimited on March 29. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the digital ARC in exchange for my review.

Amanda McKinney is again a new author to me and I thoroughly enjoyed this book which I read in a few hours.

Rowan Velky is a police detective who is a Texas resident. There is a murder in a town called Mirror Lakes and Rowan is sent to investigate, she discovers a grisly scene where a young woman has been killed and strangely the victim has the letter X carved on her eyes and she has died from strangulation, what on earth could this mean? Soon after another body is found also with an X carved into her and then a third, Rowan now has her hands full. Rowan is married but this is not currently a stable relationship, loveless and Rowan fears what her husband is up to in his spare time. She works with a partner named Kellan who she very much enjoys working with, they balance each out creating a strong team of two.. Kellan is also a very good looking man, he is the local bachelor with many women wishing they could make him a part of their lives but it seems he only has eyes for one. Rowan is also attending therapy with a psychologist Amber and this creates a side story, eventually these two stories will collide and the author has done an excellent job in tying these together.

I am not going to say any more about the plot as I feel like it is best if you go in blind and then draw your own conclusions regarding the information you are being provided with. What I will say that is everyone is keeping secrets and there is deception coming from all angles. As we approach the end of the book everything is being tied together which is very satisfying, then another twist is thrown at us. Loved it!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed this one! The story had multiple POVs, and while they were connected, it wasn't clear how they were connected at first. As the story went on and more pieces came together. The plot was intense and kept me hooked the entire time. The ending was fast paced and I couldn't wait to see how it would all unfold.