The Lie by C. L. Taylor Blog Tour - read an extract from the highly-anticipated follow-up to The Accident plus my 5* review for The Lie
From C.L. Taylor, author of The Accident and one of The Bookseller’s top ten debut authors of 2014, comes a much-anticipated and even darker new psychological thriller.
The Lie was published in paperback by Avon on 23rd April 2015.
Best friends are there for each other through thick and thin. You can trust them with your life. At least that's what Emma, Daisy, Leanne and Al think. But all that changes when they embark on the trip of a lifetime together. They leave a close knit foursome...but only two return...
An extract from The Lie:
It’s the next morning and I've only been at my desk for ten minutes when Geoff, my boss, wanders over. He lingers behind me, his hand on the back of my chair. I shuffle as far forward as I can so I end up perched right on the very edge of the seat.
"Late again, Emma."
"Sorry," I keep my gaze fixed on the spreadsheet in front of me, "tube was delayed."
It's a lie. We didn't get Al into bed until 2am and then I had to wait for a taxi to get me back to Wood Green. By the time I rolled into bed it was after three.
"You'll have to make up the time. I want you here until seven."
"But I was only five minutes late."
"I'll decide how long you stay."
"But I need to get to Clapham for seven, my brother's in a play."
"You should have thought about that this morning and got up earlier. Now," my chair creaks as he rests his full weight on it and leans around me so his mouth is inches from the side of my face. I can feel his breath, hot and sour in my ear. "I'm expecting that spreadsheet by lunch time so I can look over it before I speak to the sales team this afternoon. Or should I expect that to be late too?"
I want to tell him to stick his spreadsheet up his arse. Instead I curl my hands into fists and press my fingernails into the palms of my hands. "You'll get it."
***
I’ve been Geoff’s PA for three years. He’s the Head of Sales here at United Internet Solutions, a software, hosting and search engine optimisation company. I was only supposed to be here for three months, another of the countless temping jobs I took after university, but he extended my contract and extended my contract and then offered me a five grand pay rise and a permanent job. Daisy told me back then to turn it down and do something else but the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do is be a vet and you can’t do that with a business degree. And I couldn’t face temping again. I wait until Stephen Jones, Geoff's favourite salesman and self-proclaimed 'top dog', strolls into his office and closes the door and then I head for the ladies loos, my phone hidden up my sleeve. I check the stalls to make sure that neither of the other two women who work for UIS are about then I dial mum's number. It's Tuesday which means she should be at home. She works in the GP surgery she and dad set up when they were newly married and still childless but she only does Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The phone rings for several minutes before she finally picks up. She's had her mobile for years but still hasn't worked out how to install voicemail.
My Review of The Lie:
Wow! What just happened?! I've just emerged from my own little bubble after reading The Lie in one sitting, interrupted only by a few hours of much-needed sleep.
I was so excited to hear that C. L. Taylor was publishing a new book, as I thoroughly enjoyed The Accident, her debut of last year. I knew that I'd be reading The Lie as soon as I was able!
A tale of female friendships that is dark and disturbing, with fear and mistrust on every single suspense-filled page. With characters you love and loathe and an exotic setting, the author's descriptive prose brought this book to life and made me live the journey made by Jane. I smelled the rich earth and heard the waterfall, I laughed and cried, I was shocked and terrified, I couldn't put it down until I'd devoured every twist and turn and each unforseen revelation.
I defy any reader not to enjoy this book, you need to read it, it is simply stunning! C. L. Taylor has rightfully earnt her place on my 'Destined for Huge Things' bookshelf.
Gripping, nerve-wracking and ultimately shocking, The Lie acts as a reminder that the past can never be outrun – and the consequences can be deadly. Planting a seed of doubt in the closest of friendships, C.L. Taylor forces readers to ask the question: How well do you know your friends? The story of a couple with seemingly perfect lives…and the secrets they hide behind closed doors.
The Lie on Amazon:
The Accident on Amazon:
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