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Sylvan #2
Behind the Lie
NYPD detective turned small town PI Laney Bird is in a fight to save lives—including her own—when an explosion of deadly violence at a block party exposes the crimes simmering underneath her neighborhood’s peaceful façade.
A transplant to the upstate New York hamlet of Sylvan, all Laney wants is a quiet life for herself and her son. But things rarely remain calm in Laney’s life.
When one neighbor, a Russian immigrant, is shot, and his Ukrainian wife disappears—along with Laney’s best friend—at her neighborhood summer block party, Laney will need all her skills as a PI to solve a mystery that reaches far beyond her small town.
As people closest to Laney fall under suspicion, the local authorities, and her colleagues, question her own complicity. And then there’s fifteen-year-old Alfie, her complicated, enigmatic son, obviously hiding something. Even as Laney struggles to bury evidence of her boy’s involvement, his cagey behavior rings every maternal alarm.
Laney’s personal life unravels as she’s drawn into her friend’s dark secrets, and she must ask how far would a wife and mother go to keep her family from ruin? One woman’s desperation is another’s downfall, and with treachery blazing hot as the searing summer sun, Laney realizes she and Alfie are in danger and she must fight to save lives, her own and her son's included.
A transplant to the upstate New York hamlet of Sylvan, all Laney wants is a quiet life for herself and her son. But things rarely remain calm in Laney’s life.
When one neighbor, a Russian immigrant, is shot, and his Ukrainian wife disappears—along with Laney’s best friend—at her neighborhood summer block party, Laney will need all her skills as a PI to solve a mystery that reaches far beyond her small town.
As people closest to Laney fall under suspicion, the local authorities, and her colleagues, question her own complicity. And then there’s fifteen-year-old Alfie, her complicated, enigmatic son, obviously hiding something. Even as Laney struggles to bury evidence of her boy’s involvement, his cagey behavior rings every maternal alarm.
Laney’s personal life unravels as she’s drawn into her friend’s dark secrets, and she must ask how far would a wife and mother go to keep her family from ruin? One woman’s desperation is another’s downfall, and with treachery blazing hot as the searing summer sun, Laney realizes she and Alfie are in danger and she must fight to save lives, her own and her son's included.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published February 8, 2022
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3590 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
April 19, 2022
I like me a good Mystery book, so it was rather a pity that the last two I've read weren't so great. So I was simply happy when I started reading the prologue of Behind The Lie and was thrown right into the action. No explanation, just stuff happening (during a block party) that immediately hooked me, because after this intro, I just want to find out what happened!
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Read the interview with Emilya Naymark!
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The intro gave me the urge to take a closer look into what happened.
The story then continues to alternate between two timelines, Holly a few months in the past, and her best friend Laney in the present. This is actually done quite well, because the past events will fuel your imagination about how they were leading to current events. (At around 60 % the past timeline catches up with the present and you'll know what happened right before the prologue.)
Both women - Laney and Holly - are strong female leads, their characters are well written, they're easy to sympathize with and their actions are relatable. To me, that's an important part to mysteries.
It's also means this novel is a two-pronged tale in more then one sense, a tale of two women, of family and love, loyalty and betrayal, hope and despair, new problems and old guilt. About the way we judge (and misjudge) people.
Some characters in this book seemed mighty shady from the start. And for a reason.
Laney is a former police detective turned private eye, and naturally she is the one trying to make sense of what happened. While she's busy trying to unearth the truth, things are going from bad to worse. It doesn't look good for her best friend or her son either, neither for her when she finds out her gun was stolen.
Holly's story is different. She's a good Samaritan - up to the point of self neglect. While reading her story, you can see exactly the moment she made the wrong decision, but you can't really fault her for that. The way her character is described, her actions make absolutely sense. Up to a certain point. And then it seems she just reached a point of no return.
Betrayal happens for a lot of different reasons. Do the end justify the means?
There's a part of this story that seems a little far fetched for me. I won't be going into details - no spoilers - but there is a certain cold war flavour to it, mixed with industrial espionage. It's an elemental plot part, and it does work, but I think it's a tad too much. It doesn't really vibe with the suburbia aspect of it's surroundings and the rest of the characters.
But luckily, there's Laney, slowly bringing order to the chaos.
In the end, the picture of what happened will be laid bare for you.
This is a good Mystery book, hooking it's grips into you with the psychological parts. It's becoming a little slow after it's fast start, but the end is satisfactory. Especially the fact that there is a whole different layer of what's happening behind the scenes.
I'll give this 4 out of 5 stars. A great read with a few lengths in the middle, but that's criticism on a high level.
I've come to realize that my initial rating was too low and I now changed it to 5 stars.
You can also read this review on my Blog.
******************************
Read the interview with Emilya Naymark!
******************************
The intro gave me the urge to take a closer look into what happened.
The story then continues to alternate between two timelines, Holly a few months in the past, and her best friend Laney in the present. This is actually done quite well, because the past events will fuel your imagination about how they were leading to current events. (At around 60 % the past timeline catches up with the present and you'll know what happened right before the prologue.)
Both women - Laney and Holly - are strong female leads, their characters are well written, they're easy to sympathize with and their actions are relatable. To me, that's an important part to mysteries.
It's also means this novel is a two-pronged tale in more then one sense, a tale of two women, of family and love, loyalty and betrayal, hope and despair, new problems and old guilt. About the way we judge (and misjudge) people.
Some characters in this book seemed mighty shady from the start. And for a reason.
Laney is a former police detective turned private eye, and naturally she is the one trying to make sense of what happened. While she's busy trying to unearth the truth, things are going from bad to worse. It doesn't look good for her best friend or her son either, neither for her when she finds out her gun was stolen.
Holly's story is different. She's a good Samaritan - up to the point of self neglect. While reading her story, you can see exactly the moment she made the wrong decision, but you can't really fault her for that. The way her character is described, her actions make absolutely sense. Up to a certain point. And then it seems she just reached a point of no return.
Betrayal happens for a lot of different reasons. Do the end justify the means?
There's a part of this story that seems a little far fetched for me. I won't be going into details - no spoilers - but there is a certain cold war flavour to it, mixed with industrial espionage. It's an elemental plot part, and it does work, but I think it's a tad too much. It doesn't really vibe with the suburbia aspect of it's surroundings and the rest of the characters.
But luckily, there's Laney, slowly bringing order to the chaos.
In the end, the picture of what happened will be laid bare for you.
This is a good Mystery book, hooking it's grips into you with the psychological parts. It's becoming a little slow after it's fast start, but the end is satisfactory. Especially the fact that there is a whole different layer of what's happening behind the scenes.
I'll give this 4 out of 5 stars. A great read with a few lengths in the middle, but that's criticism on a high level.
I've come to realize that my initial rating was too low and I now changed it to 5 stars.
You can also read this review on my Blog.
February 7, 2022
The second novel by Emilya Naymark, Behind the Lie continues the series of former NYPD detective Laney Bird. It begins with Laney, now a small-town private investigator, attending her neighbourhood summer block party. When a truck crashes into the front door of a house in the blocked off street, bodies are discovered. So, Laney’s quiet life turns into a search for her missing friend and her son’s possible involvement. The narrative jumps back and forward between Laney in the current day and her friend Holly’s life prior to the explosive end to the block party. An enjoyable enough read for a three-star rating, but unfortunately the two perspectives and time leaps did not flow seamlessly. With thanks to Crooked Lane Books and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given, without undue persuasion.
May 10, 2022
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I really enjoyed Behind the Lie by Emilya Naymark. It wasn't the fastest paced book, but the story slowly reveals itself like peeling layers of an onion. The writing was excellent. The plot was compelling. It held up well as a standalone. Laney, a former NYPD detective, turned small town private investigator, was a likable lead. I really have little more to say. This was a very solid read, and I can't wait to see what Laney (and company) get up to in upcoming books.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
I really enjoyed Behind the Lie by Emilya Naymark. It wasn't the fastest paced book, but the story slowly reveals itself like peeling layers of an onion. The writing was excellent. The plot was compelling. It held up well as a standalone. Laney, a former NYPD detective, turned small town private investigator, was a likable lead. I really have little more to say. This was a very solid read, and I can't wait to see what Laney (and company) get up to in upcoming books.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
March 28, 2022
Behind the Lie by Emilya Naymark is the second in the Laney Bird series.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Crooked Lane Books, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Series Background: (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
Laney Bird is a former NYPD detective, whose career ended when her cover was blown during a racketeering case against the Russian mob. Her marriage ended around that same time, and she now lives with her teenaged son Alfie in a small town. Alfie is a little different, and it can sometimes create issues in the mother-son relationship.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Lacey has now been living in Sylvan for four years, and finally has one friend she can count on, her neighbour Holly. However, Lacey's job at the PI office is busy, and dealing with her son can be a chore. Holly has been busy too, so they haven't been seeing as much of each other.
But then the neighbourhood block party gets out of control, two people end up in the hospital, and Holly is missing. Things get worse when Laney discovers that it was her own gun that shot one of the neighbours. Then there's Alfie....who seems to have again found an inappropriate friend, who may be involved in this whole mess. But of course, Alfie isn't talking.
My Opinions:
I am not sure this series is going to work for me. This is the second book, and again, I struggled to get into the story. However, it didn't take quite as long this time around, and I actually ended up enjoying it. (At least it wasn't about the mob this time).
The story went back and forth with Holly's life before and after the block party, so eventually we learned the full details of what went on. The plot was good, and moved along nicely, if sometimes a little slowly. The actual mystery was good. To be honest, Holly may have been a good samaritan, but her actions certainly didn't endear her to me. Drugged or not, mentally ill or not, I just didn't like her. I liked her husband.
I like the relationship between Laney and her son. As well, I like both Jack and Ed. So generally, the characters are growing on me.
So again, the writing was good, the story interesting, but it is just lacking something. I know I may be in the minority on this one, but it didn't have the thrill factor.
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, author information and contact details, as well as a favorite quotation or two from the book), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
February 14, 2022
This is a suspenseful and layered novel about lives in suburbia that possess some dark secrets. I really like the main character, Laney Bird, an ex-cop who investigates the disappearance of her best friend in the neighborhood after a disturbing summer party. The novel takes you deep into the life of that friend, who may have seemed to have a perfect life on the surface. Wife, mother, friend. But there is a lot to her background, a long-ago tragedy that is guiding her behavior. Newcomers to this neighborhood, a strange couple, set everything in motion, and the plot goes in many unexpected directions. The level of the prose makes this a novel that is memorable. I highly recommend it.
November 12, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley for my advance copy.
Naymark's second novel gives us two solid leads, a compelling depiction of suburban calm gone all kinds of wrong, a sharp, dry sense of humor, and a badass antagonist. All of Naymark's characters pop, none more so than Vera Volkin, who will likely haunt my nightmares (and my dreams)..
An express-train fast read that doesn't take itself too seriously and leads to a thrilling climax. A damned good time.
Naymark's second novel gives us two solid leads, a compelling depiction of suburban calm gone all kinds of wrong, a sharp, dry sense of humor, and a badass antagonist. All of Naymark's characters pop, none more so than Vera Volkin, who will likely haunt my nightmares (and my dreams)..
An express-train fast read that doesn't take itself too seriously and leads to a thrilling climax. A damned good time.
February 7, 2022
Once a NYPD, Laney Bird is now a Private Investigator and living in a small town in upstate New York with her son. A neighborhood block party turns violent and her friend, Holly goes missing. Laney investigates Holly’s disappearance and secrets begin to unfold. Told in two timelines by two POVs - Holly in the past and Laney in the present. This is a dramatic mystery with plenty of characters & suspense to keep you on your toes! Thank you to Books Forward, Crooked Lane Books, and the author for a gifted copy. This is my honest review.
August 19, 2021
Thank you Netgalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Author Emilya Naymark for this ARC.
So, it was an investigative thriller with mild thrill and decent female leads and two stories--one from the past and one in the present--that collide. Nothing extraordinary, surprising, or even really impressive. There aren't any twists, no shocking truths, no explosive revealings. Not an ounce of suspense, actually. The book is mild--just enough going on to keep you turning pages.
So, it was an investigative thriller with mild thrill and decent female leads and two stories--one from the past and one in the present--that collide. Nothing extraordinary, surprising, or even really impressive. There aren't any twists, no shocking truths, no explosive revealings. Not an ounce of suspense, actually. The book is mild--just enough going on to keep you turning pages.
December 2, 2021
This is a great mystery book! It is the second in a series, but works wonderfully as a standalone. Of course I love the thrill and mystery of the entire story, but my personal favorite part about this book is the strong female leads. Both Laney and Holly are incredibly well written and very relatable. Props to this author for writing a thrilling story while also writing deep, relatable characters!
December 6, 2021
If you haven't read this book yet, what are you doing? Emilya Naymark is the next Mary Kubica!
February 6, 2022
TITLE: BEHIND THE LIE
SERIES: Sylvan Book 2
AUTHOR: Emilya Naymark
PUB DATE: 2.8.2022 Preorder Now
Emilya Naymark nails this fast paced read told in alternating view points between Laney, the NYPD detective turned small town PI, and her friend Holly, who has been abducted and is now missing. The setting is in a small idyllic town in upstate New York, Sylvan, perfect for ex-cop Laney and her troubled son Alfie to escape to, and start their lives over. Sylvan Book 1 Hide In Place is about Alfie’s disappearance after Laney’s investigation of a high profile case turns deadly. This book worked well as a stand alone and gave enough background on the back story and her troubled teen.
The prologue really set up the tone of the story for this exciting read, and as you turn those pages, trying to figure out what lead to the violent events after the neighborhood block party. I loved the storytelling, the plotting and pacing, how the characters were so well drawn out, the twists and turns, and the multiple and alternate POV and time frame.m really made this book a really enjoyable read for me.
I am so excited for you to read this one.
SERIES: Sylvan Book 2
AUTHOR: Emilya Naymark
PUB DATE: 2.8.2022 Preorder Now
Emilya Naymark nails this fast paced read told in alternating view points between Laney, the NYPD detective turned small town PI, and her friend Holly, who has been abducted and is now missing. The setting is in a small idyllic town in upstate New York, Sylvan, perfect for ex-cop Laney and her troubled son Alfie to escape to, and start their lives over. Sylvan Book 1 Hide In Place is about Alfie’s disappearance after Laney’s investigation of a high profile case turns deadly. This book worked well as a stand alone and gave enough background on the back story and her troubled teen.
The prologue really set up the tone of the story for this exciting read, and as you turn those pages, trying to figure out what lead to the violent events after the neighborhood block party. I loved the storytelling, the plotting and pacing, how the characters were so well drawn out, the twists and turns, and the multiple and alternate POV and time frame.m really made this book a really enjoyable read for me.
I am so excited for you to read this one.
November 20, 2021
A riveting fun read I highly recommend! Small town suburbia is rife with secrets, suspense and mysterious motives in the familiar characters from this novelist’s first book. Here she delves deep into their psychological profiles, particularly Holly, a strong female protagonist, and at the same time keeps the reader guessing. People are not always what they seem even when they are acting from good intent. The novel brings up questions about morality (a mutable concept, friendships less so) and how far someone will go for family (unshakeable devotion). The sex scenes are enticing and laced with ironic humor. An overall great escape! I’m hooked on these characters and want to read more about Laney and Jack’s burgeoning relationship in future books.
December 6, 2021
Definitely keeps you turning the pages. I didn't know what was going to happen! Love this mystery and its characters! I also loved a lot of the themes!
February 19, 2022
Here I go again...reading yet another book in a series that isn't the first one 😂😂 Thankfully this can be read as a standalone, although I would like to read the first to get a better feel for Laney and the situation with her son Alfie. Guess that will be one to add to the ever-expanding list. Yay for more books!😂😂
Lately, it seems like the books that I read take off within the first chapter and stay that way throughout the book. This one is no different. Within the first sentence you can already tell this is going to be a wild ride.
I really enjoy crime fiction and thrillers mixed together, and this one has a little mix of both. What I really enjoyed more than anything was the fact that Laney, while being a former police officer, is currently a private investigator. It makes for a different type of storyline, one that was very interesting for me.
Not too long ago I read a book called Little Fires Everywhere, and loved that one. Behind the Lie gave me the same vibes...upper scale neighborhood, neighbors with good intentions, a wife who seemingly handles it all with ease that everyone loves...and then it all explodes 😂😂
Another thing I really enjoyed was the past-present timeline that eventually came together and ran concurrent. That is my absolute favorite for crime fiction and thrillers. It keeps the suspense going and holds my attention from beginning to end. For me, it's the whole "I need to know" feeling when you're jumping back and forth that keeps it flowing.
Overall, this is a really fun and fast-paced read, and one I recommend. I sincerely appreciate the publisher and Books Forward for providing me with a review copy. All opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
Lately, it seems like the books that I read take off within the first chapter and stay that way throughout the book. This one is no different. Within the first sentence you can already tell this is going to be a wild ride.
I really enjoy crime fiction and thrillers mixed together, and this one has a little mix of both. What I really enjoyed more than anything was the fact that Laney, while being a former police officer, is currently a private investigator. It makes for a different type of storyline, one that was very interesting for me.
Not too long ago I read a book called Little Fires Everywhere, and loved that one. Behind the Lie gave me the same vibes...upper scale neighborhood, neighbors with good intentions, a wife who seemingly handles it all with ease that everyone loves...and then it all explodes 😂😂
Another thing I really enjoyed was the past-present timeline that eventually came together and ran concurrent. That is my absolute favorite for crime fiction and thrillers. It keeps the suspense going and holds my attention from beginning to end. For me, it's the whole "I need to know" feeling when you're jumping back and forth that keeps it flowing.
Overall, this is a really fun and fast-paced read, and one I recommend. I sincerely appreciate the publisher and Books Forward for providing me with a review copy. All opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
February 21, 2022
Behind the Lie was an intense roller coaster of emotions and actions. Laney's life both as a private investigator and as a single mother collide and intertwine and she often can't figure out how to unwind the two. However, it does a lot to show you Laney's character in how she balances work, a moody teen, and all of her baggage. It's not always easy for her, and she sometimes makes the wrong choice, but I was rooting for her throughout it all.
There is so much going on in this book, cases Laney's working, what Holly's doing, Alfie's past, etc., that to see it all come together so smoothly in the end blew me away. The author did an amazing job of tying it all together and giving us a bit of a hint at a future. I was also surprised to realize that this is the second book in the series, so I immediately hunted out and purchased the first so I can find out what the heck happened with that poor boy of Laney's.
This twisty and fast-paced mystery was exactly what I needed. While I'm anxious to dive into the previous book, I'm also hoping that there will be more of Laney, Alfie, and the rest soon.
*Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for an advanced copy of this novel.
There is so much going on in this book, cases Laney's working, what Holly's doing, Alfie's past, etc., that to see it all come together so smoothly in the end blew me away. The author did an amazing job of tying it all together and giving us a bit of a hint at a future. I was also surprised to realize that this is the second book in the series, so I immediately hunted out and purchased the first so I can find out what the heck happened with that poor boy of Laney's.
This twisty and fast-paced mystery was exactly what I needed. While I'm anxious to dive into the previous book, I'm also hoping that there will be more of Laney, Alfie, and the rest soon.
*Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for an advanced copy of this novel.
January 6, 2022
How well do you know your friends, or your family, for that matter? How far will you go to hide secrets? Or betray the ones you love? Emilya Naymark's second installment featuring Ex-NYPD Detective Laney Bird starts with a bang (or a crash, rather) and never lets go. Secrets, lies, and betrayal rise to the surface as she races to find her best friend and make sense of the tragedy that struck her neighborhood. Naymark's flawless writing paints vivid portraits of strong, flawed women fighting for what they believe in and hold dear, no matter the consequences. A great follow-up to the wonderful 2020 debut 'Hide In Place'.
April 21, 2022
An absolute page-turner! I love how this story throws you right into the action. The ties between Laney's personal life and her investigative life flows perfectly as she starts attempting to solve a case involving her best friend, and begins to realize her son may know more than he is letting on. A story about the sacrifices that women make for those close to them.
September 16, 2022
This is the second in a series about Laney Bird; a retired police detective turned PI in a small town in New York. The cast of characters is back from the first book, but we find that her best friend Holly has a more significant role in this novel. The story is told from Laney and Holly's points of view, and while they are doing different things, their stories intersect near the end, bringing everything together. The story also flips in time between April and July of the same year. It is essential to share the events in April since it will help the current-day events make more sense.
While we don't see Alfie quite as much in this book compared to the first one, he still plays a vital role with a new friend and her impact on the situation at hand. There is also a new potential romance for Laney with one of her coworkers, Jack. Actually, Jack is the son of the owner of the PI firm, but that doesn't seem to bother him.
Multiple storylines are happening, not just between Laney and Holly, but other characters that impact both of them. I enjoyed trying to figure out what certain characters were up to and how Laney was able to make some educated guesses and ended up in the right place to find the details she needed to prove her suppositions.
I was a bit disappointed with some of Holly's actions, and I'm not sure how she could have taken out a mortgage on her home by forging her husband's signature. Usually, things like that are notarized. I also couldn't believe her brother's let her keep giving them money to support their lives. Granted, one had cancer, but this had been going on for years. I think it was guilt from her childhood that caused her to act this way. But in the end, she could recognize her issues and move forward.
Laney was a bit calmer in this book, but I suppose since it wasn't her son that was missing, she could think a bit more rationally.
I enjoyed this book more than the first one, and you don't have to read the first book to enjoy this story. It does give you a little more insight into Laney and her capabilities.
We give it 4 1/2 paws.
While we don't see Alfie quite as much in this book compared to the first one, he still plays a vital role with a new friend and her impact on the situation at hand. There is also a new potential romance for Laney with one of her coworkers, Jack. Actually, Jack is the son of the owner of the PI firm, but that doesn't seem to bother him.
Multiple storylines are happening, not just between Laney and Holly, but other characters that impact both of them. I enjoyed trying to figure out what certain characters were up to and how Laney was able to make some educated guesses and ended up in the right place to find the details she needed to prove her suppositions.
I was a bit disappointed with some of Holly's actions, and I'm not sure how she could have taken out a mortgage on her home by forging her husband's signature. Usually, things like that are notarized. I also couldn't believe her brother's let her keep giving them money to support their lives. Granted, one had cancer, but this had been going on for years. I think it was guilt from her childhood that caused her to act this way. But in the end, she could recognize her issues and move forward.
Laney was a bit calmer in this book, but I suppose since it wasn't her son that was missing, she could think a bit more rationally.
I enjoyed this book more than the first one, and you don't have to read the first book to enjoy this story. It does give you a little more insight into Laney and her capabilities.
We give it 4 1/2 paws.
January 7, 2022
A summer block party on Laney Bird's block goes massively wrong when one of the neighbors is shot in the butt, another drives a stolen pick-up into his own living room, and two women go missing.
Laney is a former NYPD detective who moved to small, rural Sylvan, New York, with her son Alfie after a difficult divorce. She is now working as a private investigator for a local firm specializing in tracking down runaways. Alfie is fifteen and a unique individual who's somewhere on the Asperger's Spectrum. He seems to have a talent for choosing really inappropriate friends.
One of the missing women is Holly Dubois who is also a one of the viewpoint characters, and Laney's first and only friend since her move to Sylvan. It is her husband who drove into their living room. The other missing woman is Vera Volkin whose husband was the gunshot victim.
Holly is the glue of the neighborhood. She's constantly busy taking care of her home, her husband, her three children, her brothers - one of whom is battling cancer and the other is recently out of drug rehab, and anyone else who comes to her attention. Holly is overcompensating because of the guilt she still feels over the death of her sister who drowned while high on drugs when Holly was only thirteen.
Holly's need to be everything to everyone has led her deep into debt. The house she inherited from her grandparent's and on which she has taken several mortgages is going to be foreclosed. Vera and Step Volkin have wormed their way into her life and have a really great plan to get her out of debt; all she has to do is steal proprietary information from her husband's lab where he is working on longevity drugs.
Meanwhile, Laney is investigating the disappearance of a teen from a camp nearby. The same camp where her son's new much-older girlfriend Mona worked. Laney learns that the boy's disappearance isn't the first from the camp and that the Volkins and Mona were instrumental in the boy's disappearance.
This is a twisty tale including missing teens, corporate espionage, and foreign agents with nasty agendas. It was a bit slow at the start, but the action picked up quickly and the story became a real page turner.
Laney is a former NYPD detective who moved to small, rural Sylvan, New York, with her son Alfie after a difficult divorce. She is now working as a private investigator for a local firm specializing in tracking down runaways. Alfie is fifteen and a unique individual who's somewhere on the Asperger's Spectrum. He seems to have a talent for choosing really inappropriate friends.
One of the missing women is Holly Dubois who is also a one of the viewpoint characters, and Laney's first and only friend since her move to Sylvan. It is her husband who drove into their living room. The other missing woman is Vera Volkin whose husband was the gunshot victim.
Holly is the glue of the neighborhood. She's constantly busy taking care of her home, her husband, her three children, her brothers - one of whom is battling cancer and the other is recently out of drug rehab, and anyone else who comes to her attention. Holly is overcompensating because of the guilt she still feels over the death of her sister who drowned while high on drugs when Holly was only thirteen.
Holly's need to be everything to everyone has led her deep into debt. The house she inherited from her grandparent's and on which she has taken several mortgages is going to be foreclosed. Vera and Step Volkin have wormed their way into her life and have a really great plan to get her out of debt; all she has to do is steal proprietary information from her husband's lab where he is working on longevity drugs.
Meanwhile, Laney is investigating the disappearance of a teen from a camp nearby. The same camp where her son's new much-older girlfriend Mona worked. Laney learns that the boy's disappearance isn't the first from the camp and that the Volkins and Mona were instrumental in the boy's disappearance.
This is a twisty tale including missing teens, corporate espionage, and foreign agents with nasty agendas. It was a bit slow at the start, but the action picked up quickly and the story became a real page turner.
January 31, 2022
I loved how this book dove right into the action. A neighborhood block party that goes sideways, someone is shot, a truck is driven through someone's front door, and another goes missing. There is no time to think, just act. Laney Bird, ex-NYPD police officer now turned private investigator is spinning in circles as she watches her once calm street, turn into a crazy crime scene. Her best friend Holly is missing, what is going on? As Laney dives deeper into her friends and neighbor's past. Layer upon layer is exposed. Leading to ties to other horrific crimes. Will Laney be able to uncover what is truly going on and save her friend?
Emilya Naymark has developed an incredibly strong, female character. Who is trying to turn her life around, be a successful single mom, and to just have some damn groceries in her cabinets! You can relate to Laney on so many levels, which makes this book even better. I absolutely devoured this book, there are so many twists and turns, and the juicy layers! This is the second book in the series and as always, I read it first. Do not worry it can be read as a standalone. But I will be ordering the first, Hide in Place. Thank you to Emilya Naymark, Crooked Lane Books, and Books Forward for sending me this suspense filled read.
Emilya Naymark has developed an incredibly strong, female character. Who is trying to turn her life around, be a successful single mom, and to just have some damn groceries in her cabinets! You can relate to Laney on so many levels, which makes this book even better. I absolutely devoured this book, there are so many twists and turns, and the juicy layers! This is the second book in the series and as always, I read it first. Do not worry it can be read as a standalone. But I will be ordering the first, Hide in Place. Thank you to Emilya Naymark, Crooked Lane Books, and Books Forward for sending me this suspense filled read.
January 26, 2022
Behind The Lie by Emilya Naymark. Thanks to @crookedlanebooks for the gifted book ⭐️⭐️⭐️
PI Laney Bird gets involved in an investigation into her on neighbors after a block party turns violent. As she looks into the neighbors, she also deals with her teenage son who is definitely hiding something.
This book was unique in that the main protagonist was an investigator, but not a cop. She was also personally tied to the case which made it double interesting. I liked the relationship between her and her teenage son; it felt authentic. I just wish I had read the first book so that I understood the back history that was referenced a few times. I think I would have gotten more out of their bond. The mystery to the book was pretty darn good and I enjoyed the scientific aspect (which was not TOO scientific).
“Detectives were full of shit. Detectives lied all the time if it meant cracking the shell of a case, getting to the meat.”
Behind The Lie comes out 2/8.
PI Laney Bird gets involved in an investigation into her on neighbors after a block party turns violent. As she looks into the neighbors, she also deals with her teenage son who is definitely hiding something.
This book was unique in that the main protagonist was an investigator, but not a cop. She was also personally tied to the case which made it double interesting. I liked the relationship between her and her teenage son; it felt authentic. I just wish I had read the first book so that I understood the back history that was referenced a few times. I think I would have gotten more out of their bond. The mystery to the book was pretty darn good and I enjoyed the scientific aspect (which was not TOO scientific).
“Detectives were full of shit. Detectives lied all the time if it meant cracking the shell of a case, getting to the meat.”
Behind The Lie comes out 2/8.
January 25, 2022
This was a fast paced mystery that had a few different story lines that surprisingly came together pretty well. It alternates between two strong female leads - Holly’s prescriptive of the past leading up to the block party, and Laney’s prescriptive in the present. Both are very relatable characters.
Being the romance lover that I am, I would have liked the romantic storyline to be developed more but I think there was already enough going on.
Overall this is a well written mystery that will keep you reading until the end. Thank you to the team at Books Forward and Crooked Lane Books for this eARC!
Being the romance lover that I am, I would have liked the romantic storyline to be developed more but I think there was already enough going on.
Overall this is a well written mystery that will keep you reading until the end. Thank you to the team at Books Forward and Crooked Lane Books for this eARC!
February 3, 2022
What started as a fun-filled neighborhood block party, ends up with one man shot, Lainie Bird’s best friend taken as a hostage, and a strange woman who seems to manipulate Lainie, son, Alfie. Working to find missing children, Lainie finds too many leads and they are conflicting. No one is talking, but time is running out.
Tough-as-nails, ex NYPD detective, Lainie will not back down in her hunt for those exploited or her friends who need her help. This is the second installment and it fits like a glove. This is becoming a must-read series. Tons of suspense, evil, and action. But Lainie’s running out of time and might need to find some new allies.
Tough-as-nails, ex NYPD detective, Lainie will not back down in her hunt for those exploited or her friends who need her help. This is the second installment and it fits like a glove. This is becoming a must-read series. Tons of suspense, evil, and action. But Lainie’s running out of time and might need to find some new allies.
March 6, 2022
This book was fast paced right from page one! What a wild ride. This is the second book in a series but can be read as a standalone. Since I really enjoyed this one I plan on reading the first book too. The story is told by two POV’s, Laney a detective and her neighbour Holly. Both women were very resilient no matter what they were faced with and their characters are well written. The book starts with an extremely eventful block party and the mayhem goes from there. After Holly disappears from the party Laney starts to investigate and uncovers a lot of secrets regarding her friend and their odd neighbours. This book has a great industrial espionage and mystery element as well as the main characters having major problems domestically. The
story had my interest throughout and I couldn’t put this book down. If you want an action packed detective story check this one out. I hope there will be a third book to see what happens with Laney and Jack!
story had my interest throughout and I couldn’t put this book down. If you want an action packed detective story check this one out. I hope there will be a third book to see what happens with Laney and Jack!
March 31, 2022
Couldn't put it down. Such a great mystery novel.
January 2, 2022
A gripping tale with vividly drawn characters. An excellent follow-up to the author's first book in her Laney Bird detective series. She vividly conveys the life in the suburbs including the trials and tribulations that lead some characters to make dangerous choices.
December 8, 2021
I'm loving this series! Awesome character development and strong female leads, which is something I always look for in a book.
December 6, 2021
I loved the female lead investigator angle of this story so much!!! I'm a sucker for strong female leads, and this one has two. On top of that, it's a thrilling, fast paced thriller! Loved this satisfying story.
December 6, 2021
Such a riveting story! This is definitely one of those mysteries that grabs you from the beginning. I loved the intricate details and the character work -- couldn't put it down!
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