Shapiro provides a good balance of Maddie's private life and her work as a PI. She agrees to look into the facts of a young man accused of rape. As Maddie digs deeper, she irritates some powerful people and her work becomes dangerous. Maddie is helped by her boyfriend, Jesse. He seems much more capable than she is, giving her frequent insights and suggestions. It seems she is still growing into her profession.

While there is no graphic descriptions, the plot may contain triggers for some who have had similar experiences as there is description after the fact. Shapiro's writing style is good although I felt sometimes there was a bit too much description of action, such as where dishes were put rather than that they were just put away.

This is a good novel for readers who like one featuring a private investigator getting to the bottom of sexual accusations to find the truth.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through BooksGoSocial. My comments are an independent and honest review.

With no means to afford a top-tier defense, Jason is left at the mercy of an overworked public defender.

Desperate for help, his mother turns to private investigator Maddie Landon, whose unexpected connection to Jason’s case brings her face-to-face with a troubling past.

As Maddie digs deeper, she uncovers a chilling link between Mia, Jason's accuser, and two victims, drawing Maddie into a labyrinth of secrets and lies. With every step bringing her closer to the truth, danger closes in. Racing against time, Maddie must unravel a sinister conspiracy that threatens not only Jason’s future but both their lives.

Will the privileged world Jason has crossed win out or will justice prevail?

Fast-paced and gripping, this mystery weaves privilege, betrayal, and the search for justice into a nail-biting thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

Loved it. WIll recommend to others.

🏙Good investigative plot🔎

I definitely liked the case the female lead private investigator was working to solve. And I thought it was realistic that, unlike many such plots, the whole case could not be wrapped up in a few days or a week.

The writing was okay, straightforward, basic, no flourishes, but a bit repetitive at times. And I found it a bit too heavy on P.I. Maddie's private life, especially the parts about her father and half siblings. They just seemed to have little relevance to the rest of the story.

Would I read more by the author? Yes, probably. She made the plot zip along and kept me interested, even once it was pretty clear which way the case was trending.

Thanks to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

A complex web of privilege, treachery, and justice entices readers in. Investigating the eerie relationships between a disturbed young man, his accuser, and a slew of victims, private investigator Maddie takes on a case with high personal consequences. With each turn, the tension is increased as the plot unveils a diabolical scheme.

The book is strong because of its complex mystery and the moral quandaries it examines, even if the prose is simple and the pacing is steady. Although Maddie's gradual maturation may not be to everyone's taste, it makes space for nuanced character growth. There will be much to enjoy for those who like solving mysteries and putting together hints.

Fans of the series might like this consistent continuation of Maddie's story as she struggles with her past to find the truth and move on, even though the language and interpersonal relationships could be more interesting.

Amazing read! I was able to figure out the plot twist towards the middle of the book, but the story was still very intriguing that it was actually hard to put the ebook down. With Ellen Shapiro's previous P.I. experience it wasn't hard to make the story more believable and didn't seem so outlandish. Definitely worth the read.

3.5/5. Trigger warning for sexual assault. Overall, this was a good book. I felt the end was a bit rushed but it was the outcome I expected. This was a nice but predictable mystery. I wish there was more to the characters but I see this is book #3 so maybe in the other books we learn more about Maddie. The main character was likeable. It kept me interested the whole time.

This book had me hooked from the beginning. I had a fun time. If you're looking for a nice cozy mystery with some action, it'll do the job.

Here are my thoughts:

I felt as though some of the writing could be improved. A lot of parts like the phrase 'I'll meet your at so and so cafe' or 'I made a cup of coffee' were repeated several times, which was frustrating but didn't completely take me away from the story. I notice some grammatical errors like not adding a question mark after a question, or sprinkled in run-on sentences. They did not degrade from the value of the book, but over time I felt as though they didn't bring the story to its full potential.

In some instances, there wasn't enough development for me to really connect with the characters. Take Jason for example. He is being framed for a crime he didn't commit, he is having to hide his sexuality from his mother in fear of rejection, and dealing with depression with suicidal thoughts. But I just wish his character was explored just a bit more, so we could get his personality and how this crime has affected him. And at the end of the book, we didn't get to see his reaction to being deemed innocent.

One question I didn't feel was answered was has Maddie accepted her relationship with Jesse? Is she ready to commit or will fear have a grip on her again? I wanted this to be explored.

Overall, it had a nice premise but the execution needed some slight adjustments. Thank you for this opportunity.

Good reads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6966727728

This books feels like a Law and Order: Special Victims Unit episode, which is one of my favorite shows!

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book for free. The premise to this book had promise, but the writing completely failed. The author went over things that had happened in previous books before finally getting to the point. She used more words than she needed to, all while making the conversation stilted and unbelievable.

"The Dangerous Lie" by Ellen Shapiro - 4.5/5 stars.

A gripping thriller expertly weaving deception, suspense, and jaw-dropping twists. Shapiro's writing is addictive, with a pace that propels you forward, and characters so real they leap off the page.

As the mystery unfolds, Shapiro skillfully exposes the dark underbelly of relationships and the devastating consequences of lies. I loved piecing together clues alongside the protagonist, and the shocking ending left me breathless.

Shapiro's masterful storytelling had me questioning everything. A must-read for thriller fans seeking a story that will keep them on the edge of their seat.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars.

A Dangerous Lie by Ellen Shapiro is a gripping tale of suspense that tackles themes of privilege, justice, and inequality. When 17-year-old Jason Demsky is falsely accused of rape, PI Maddie Landon is drawn into a case that uncovers two dead bodies and a web of deceit. Shapiro keeps readers on edge as Maddie races to untangle the mystery before Jason’s life is destroyed. While the plot can occasionally feel overextended, Shapiro’s strong character development and the high emotional stakes make this a thought-provoking and intense read. I would reccomend it.

The protagonist in this book is a really engaging character with a lot of depth to her back story. It makes it very easy to get swept along as she dives into an investigation. Her processes as a PI are interesting and the author seamlessly brings together the core plot with many interesting side stories, including some complex familial relationships.