Between The Lies is a perfectly named, and devastating listen about the way custody battles often play out, Between the Lies of everyone involved, the blinkered point of view of the system, and the manipulation of perspective it shows just how in trying to do what is best for the child, what is actually the best is missed.

Between the Lies by Louise Tickle and narrated by Lillie Flynn is a dichotomy. On one hand, a deep dive into the experience and survival of DA and a thriller where a survivor becomes embroiled in the same situation that she sees in another

Written with empathy and dynamic dialogue, narrated with skill and versatility, a great listen

Thank you to Netgalley, W.F Howes Limited, Louise Tickle and narrator Lillie Flynn. My review is left voluntarily and all opinons are my own

🎧Audiobook review🎧

This came highly recommended by a friend so I was interested to listen to it.

Cherry is a journalist who gets involved in covering a child custody case, including accusations of domestic abuse. As the family gets dragged through the family courts Cherry is at risk of getting too close to the case. How far will she go to try to protect those involved?

Cherry also carries the trauma of the night of her ninth birthday when her mother and brother died. Her father is still in prison following the events of that night.

It’s an interesting and involved plot with some unusual elements, family courts, domestic violence and the journalist’s level of involvement with a story. The audiobook narration is generally very good, although one of the characters sounded like Miranda Richardson’s Queen in Black Adder, and the children’s voices got a bit whiney.

I was really hoping for something like early Gillian McAllister, the potential was there.

My biggest and only real problem is the writing style. Overly ornate, verbose, purple prose which overpowered the story. It got in the way of the story and frequently irritated me. I can’t remember the last time I read ‘expostulated’, characters in this book expostulated at least three times. There are also words repeated three times for effect, again this occurs a few times and gets very, very, very tedious quickly. I rarely go in on a writing style like this but it really got in the way and reduced my enjoyment of what potentially could have been very good. The characters, plots and interest are all there struggling to get through the prose.

The finale was good though.

Thanks to Netgalley and W.F. Howes

What a page turner!… Absolutely breathtaking … I can’t believe I read this book in one sitting , it was so gripping

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC in audiobook format.

“Between the Lies” is a debut novel that resonates with the depth of a seasoned writer’s work. Louise Tickle weaves a narrative so compelling that it blurs the lines between past and present, truth and deception. The protagonist, Cherry Magraw, is a character sculpted by tragedy and driven by a relentless pursuit of justice. Her journey, marked by the loss of her family and the shadows of her father’s actions, unfolds into a gripping tale of domestic intrigue and legal battles.

Tickle’s background as an award-winning journalist specializing in domestic abuse and family courts lends an air of authenticity to the story. The novel is an exploration of the complexities of family dynamics and the often-hidden turmoil within. The author’s ability to capture the nuances of emotional abuse and the silent threats that bind victims is both enlightening and heartbreaking.

Lillie Flynn’s narration adds a layer of intensity to the experience. Her voice carries the weight of Cherry’s emotions, from the tremors of vulnerability to the crescendos of determination. Flynn’s performance is not just a reading; it’s an embodiment of the characters’ souls, making the audiobook a profoundly immersive experience.

“Between the Lies” is a testament to Tickle’s narrative prowess. It’s a story that stays with you, challenging your perceptions.

As a book reviewer, I find this audiobook to be a remarkable piece that not only entertains but also educates and empowers. It’s a must-listen for anyone who appreciates a well-crafted story that echoes the complexities of real life.

A beautifully written and utterly compelling book. I loved it!

Cherry is a journalist who has never come to terms with the deaths of her mother and brother, and her father's conviction for their brutal killings. When Cherry meets Kathy and discovers that she is a victim of domestic abuse and caught in a legal battle, she is drawn to helping her and becomes emotionally invested in the case, bringing back her own trauma to the surface.

Whilst this is a thriller in one sense, it also deeply and sensitively explores domestic abuse, the psychological games people play and how victims are so often let down by the legal system.

The audiobook was narrated by Lillie Flynn, who did a wonderful job of bringing the characters to life. I was completely immersed in the story from start to finish and it took my breath away.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Louise Tickle and W. F. Howes for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Cherry, a journalist investigates domestic abuse cases at family court but she has never come to terms with the deaths of her mother and brother, or the imprisonment of her father. Her latest investigation will bring her into conflict and danger.

Very enjoyable, tense novel. Well written and well narrated (I listened to the audiobook). Strong and complex characters whose lives are deeply affected by domestic abuse and the danger this can bring. Will anyone come out unscathed?

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a great job. This was a very well done book- so emotional and hard to read but written in a such a way that I couldn’t put it down.

Between the Lies is a hidden gem. A cross between a domestic thriller and a courtroom drama and both play equally well. Cheryl is a journalist and is forced to revisit past events in her own life which challenge everything she accepted. Her mother and brother were killed when she was nine and that tragedy has shaped her life.

Louise Tickle is exploring a very sensitive subject. Domestic abuse and violence doesn’t always make a comfortable read, but she handles the subject with sensitivity. The court scenes are particularly revealing, not least because of the attitude of the judge and the sadness is that this reflects real life, The characters are well developed and it’s an easy story to slip in to, once there, I found it taut and fast paced and it kept me engaged from start to finish. Well written and a genuinely strong debut. The narration throughout is excellent.

This one caught my interest straight away and it was an interesting read. It focuses on an important topic that some families face everyday. It’s a well developed and well written storyline but it did feel a little unbelievable when it came to some aspects of the storyline. It’s s fast paced listen that held my attention throughout. It has its likeable and unlikeable characters. I was a little disappointed with the outcome as I have some unanswered questions and I hate unfinished business 😜. It was an engaging listen and the narrator did a great job.

3.5/5 🌟🌟🌟/🌟

Thanks to Netgalley and W.F. Howes Ltd for the opportunity to listen to and review #BetweenTheLies

Possible trigger warning

I’m this book we meet Cherry McGraw, a freelance journalist. It starts with the memory of her 9th birthday and the night her mother and brother died.
Fast forward 20 years and Cherry is investigating family law court cases involving parents and children in possible domestic abuse situations.

As a journalist she is entitled to attend the courts but can only publish if permission is given and all identifying information is kept out. She becomes involved with mum Cathy and dad Ed as they battle to decide on visitation rights for dad Ed, who Cathy states she is worried for the children’s safety if unsupervised visits are granted.

This was a difficult but important story to listen to, the way the judge behaved was appalling and concerning that it really does happen this way far too often.

I enjoyed listening to and seeing how this story unfolds, even if I was at times shouting at both Cherry and Cathy to react differently and was at times frustrated by their actions.

This is my 1st time experiencing anything from this author but I am now keen to explore more

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this title. The narrator did a fantastic job

4.5-4.75⭐️

Impressive and accomplished debut Domestic/courtroom thriller. I had the audiobook read by Lillie Flynn who does a good job, she really brings out the emotions of those involved.

Cherry Magraw can never forget her ninth birthday when her mother and brother were ki11ed by her father. With her father in prison she lost everyone she loved.

Twenty years later she is a journalist investigating cases of domestic ab*se when her father contacts her to visit him in prison.

It shows how Cherry’s life has been affected, also looks at a woman going through the family courts with her accusation of being a victim of domestic v*o1ence. The reader gets a view into the workings of the in shrouded family court. It’s it feels very realistically portrayed. It’s very emotive, at times it made my blood boil.its desperately sad too.

It didn’t answer everything 100% which I would have preferred. There will be triggers for some. It’s one that I’d highly recommend. Look forward to more by this author.

My oh my this novel had me in a chokehold from the first words, it had such high intensity that almost rushed at you. I hardly dared breathe.

I find it so hard to conceive that this is a debut novel, Louise Tickle has portrayed outstanding character development, flawless storytelling and it’s also evident that either an abundance of research or perhaps personal experience has gone into the writing. I’ll be eager to read any future work.

Cherry, 20 years on from the murder of her mother and brother at the hands of her father, is working as a freelance journalist, she is keen to explore domestic abuse cases and particularly has an interest in the family court, which, if you have experience of them, you’ll know are usually closed sessions meaning the press and public don’t have entry, nor are reports in the public domain. Cherry does however find an in when a separated couple agree to allow her to cover their case she finds herself both personally and professionally involved with the aim of telling both sides of the story. Meanwhile in the background, Cherry’s father has requested that she visit him in prison. What he could possibly want after all this time sees Cherry having flashbacks to that night and piecing together her memories.

The court scenes in particular are harrowing, I found it difficult to detach emotionally, I was on the brink of tears many times. The insight into family court was so precise. So believable. The story is conflicting, it’s razor sharp, emotionally charged and so delicately woven that I genuinely couldn’t guess what would happen next. Moreover I couldn’t quite tell who was telling the truth at times, that was a smart move, and
makes you think.

Lillie Flynn has provide the ideal narration for this title, she has captured the intensity of the story.

This is a must read.

All the stars ✨
#Jorecommends

I would like to extend my gratitude to W.F Howes Ltd who via NetGalley provided me with an advanced listening copy of this title, the views written here are entirely my own.

Although this story takes place in England, this is a universal issue - complicated victims are failed by the family courts

Cherry is a journalist with a history of family abuse. As an adult, she investigates domestic abuse in the courtrooms. When she meets Kathy, Ed and their kids, she struggles to remain neutral when reporting in their case

This is not a popcorn thriller and some scenes are incredibly frustrating. It’s not salacious, in fact the abuse is subtle which is part of the problem - it’s a he said / she said situation - so who do you believe

Cherry was an empathetic main character and her childhood trauma was woven throughout the story. I would have appreciated a stronger resolution, perhaps with her extended family, as I was left feeling a little hollow

However, this is a very well written, honest portrayal of domestic abuse and if it’s not too triggering, I fully recommend listening to the audiobook which was wonderfully narrated

Thanks to Netgalley and W.F. Howes Ltd for access to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review

This book is truly remarkable. The author's writing style is so engaging, captivating the reader from beginning to end. Cherry, is a character that I particularly enjoyed. She's still struggling to come to terms with the murder of her mother and brother, which happened over two decades ago at the hands of her father. Now, a freelance journalist, she investigates domestic abuse and family court cases.

The story is engrossing. It tugs at your heartstrings and leaves you feeling emotional at times. The plot is well-crafted, with just the right amount of suspense to keep you hooked to the very last page. It is not excessively dramatic, making the story feel realistic, and the characters authentic.

The book also addresses some crucial points about domestic abuse, particularly the difficulty of exposing emotional abuse and how violence is often threatened to keep the victim silent. It also highlights the challenges of dealing with the situation when children are involved.

I also loved the references to the beautiful Welsh coastline.

Although I usually attempt to balance my reviews with negative feedback, I cannot seem to find anything to criticize regarding this book, except perhaps my intense loathing for the judge in the case, who was written brilliantly. I would have loved to have more questions answered at the end, but the possibility of this becoming a series is something I would love to explore.

I think Louise Tickle has demonstrated her ability to create a captivating and thought-provoking narrative. I am eager to read more of her work in the future.

Huge thanks to the author, publishers and Netgalley for the ALC. This review is my own opinion.