Customer Reviews

Tell Me Lies

5 star:		(70)
4 star:		(35)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

If you're from a small town, you'll recognize and appreciate a lot of real-life humor in Ms. Crusie's delightful novel. Even if you've never traveled far from a major metropolitan area, Maddy is a character worth reading about and her world will entertain you. Treat yourself to this book. It's worth the money and the time invested.

This was actually the first book I'd read by the author. I'm so glad I picked it up. [Admittedly, the feet sticking up out of the convertible on the cover drew my attention at first.] I've since located and enjoyed all of the author's books [through Amazon's Auctions & zShops, since many were hard to find]. If you love cats &/or dogs there's an added bonus in Ms. Crusie's work. She portrays animals in her books with warmth, humor, and individuality that's equal to her enjoyable human characters.

As some of my online friends know, I am from Ohio and I eagerly read any books by a Buckeye native ~~ this is the fourth book I've read by Jennifer Cruise and I love it.

I have to admit, it took me awhile to get into the book ~~ but once I did, it snared me into a hilarious story.

Maddie has it all ~~ a perfect marriage, an adorable daughter and a good reputation in her hometown that she has lived in all her life. Then one day, she finds a pair of black lace panties in her husband's car and her perfect life begins to unravel. A former lover comes back into her life and turns everything upside down ~~ there's murder, intrigue, good home-cooked meals and everything a reader loves to read ~~ suspense, great sexy scenes and funny dialogue.

If you're going to the lake for a day and need a book to while away the time, I highly recommend this book. It's not a deep, thought-provoking book, but it's a great escapism book and fun to read. You won't regret reading Jennifer Cruise's first novel. Just like her other books, it's saucy and fun to read. Have fun!

Feeling virtuous for volunteering to clean her husband's car, Maddie Faraday reaches under the front seat of the Caddy and pulls out a pair of black lace crotchless panties - Not Hers! Thus begins a roller coaster series of events that will forever change her life.

Maddie lives in Frog Point, Ohio, a very small town where everybody knows everybody's business, and the business of their neighbor's long dead ancestors to boot. Maddie, forever the good girl, has never given anyone anything but "nice" things to say about her, her daughter Emily, and her soon-to-be-in-divorce-court husband Brent. Not even her mother, nor her best friend since grammar school, know how unhappy she has been with her marriage to a man who is not often home, and disinterested when he is. She had threatened to leave him once before when he cheated on her, but this time she is positive - the marriage must end.

Then her old high school flame turns up at her door. Says he's looking for Brent. Maddie hasn't seen him for twenty plus years, and although she is distracted and upset, she still feels the chemistry radiating between them. Later, she confronts Brent with his infidelity. He becomes enraged and knocks her around - something he has never done in all their married life. He leaves, slams the door behind him, and Maddie never sees him again - alive! And Maddie is a prime suspect in the murder investigation.

This lighthearted romance, with a good mystery included, also deals with some serious issues - a youthful middle age woman's coming of age, among them. Ms. Crusie fills her novel with humor, terrific characters, and lots of good lovin'. Maddie's dilemmas just seem to grow in number, as she tries to prove her innocence, redefine her life and care for and protect her grieving daughter. Jennifer Crusie reminds me of a Midwestern, Susan Isaacs, who is from Long Island. Their ethnicity and 'regionality' notwithstanding, both women tackle humor, romance and mystery in a similar way - and both are terrific writers. This is a really good light read, with a twist - don't miss it!
JANA

I've been a fan of Jennifer Crusie's for quite some time although I haven't read too many of her books. I own them all, but it's a case of too many books, too little time. Anyhow, I'm glad I made some time for Tell Me Lies. It was a nice romantic story with a little page-turning mystery thrown in. Light and simple and perfect for a day of relaxation.

Tell Me Lies is the story of Maddie Faraday who, during the course of a clean-out of her husband, Brent's, car, finds a pair of black, crotchless underwear under the seat - and they are not hers! But that situation turns out to be the least of Maddie's problems - throw in an 8-year-old daughter who notices something awry with her parents, as well as two nosy neighbors, a best friend who has a big secret of her own, and gorgeous C.L. Sturgis, the boy who took her virginity 20 years before, back in town trying to get some answers. Oh, and then there's that pesky little murder that really sends Maddie over the edge....

This is a funny story about a marriage gone wrong in the middle of a small town that sees everything. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to finally reading the rest of my Jennifer Crusie collection. If you are looking for something light, yet page-turning, I suggest Tell Me Lies with two thumbs up - and that ain't no lie!

This is the first book that I've read by Jennifer Crusie. It is an easy going, entertaining novel that is a love story of sorts.

Maddie is the good girl of the small town who lives her life for everyone else. When she finds out that her husband is cheating on her again, she decides to get even! After a wild romp with C.L., a guy she once dated in high school, things begin to unravel and tongues begin to wag in Frog Point. It is definitely a scathing look at the character of people in a small town and the stigma of family ties. Everyone is concerned with everyone elses business.

The book is a light read with some mystery, funny dialogue, and some sexy scenes. The only thing I didn't really enjoy in the book was the daughter Emily who was only supposed to be eight years old...her thoughts and actions seemed to reflect someone much older than that.

A good fun read though overall.

Tell Me Lies led me to go out and get my hands on every Jennifer Crusie book I could find. It was the first one I read and remains one of my favorite re-reads.

I lost count of the number of times I laughed out loud while reading Tell Me Lies. While particularly appealing to those with small town backgrounds (myself included), there's something here for everyone. The overbearing mother, the old flame who still makes your heart pitter patter, a best friend who brings you chocolate - these are characters we all can relate to. Add in a dash of romance, a murder mystery, secrets from the past, a fast paced plot, and lots of chuckles and this makes for a great read. I loved Maddie's quest to redefine herself and the funny, yet poignant answers she found. On top of that, Crusie does a great job of keeping you guessing "whodunit" and then nicely wraps all the loose ends. A terrific read!

I really enjoyed this book. It was light and flowed along nicely. Some reviewers appear to have expected a lot more from this book, and indeed the author, but if you take it for what it is--a good, easy going, laughable story--you will not be disappointed.

No, it is not totally realistic, nor absolutely believable but hey, it is fiction and I personally enjoy escaping into a book and away from my all too realistic life. If I want realism, etc I just need to pick up a newspaper.

If all you want to do is read an entertaining yet light novel with a good few laughs, mixed with some more sensitive moments, then this is ideal. Great for reading on a beach or curled up on the sofa with a nice glass of wine.

I have read so many hilarious, delightful books lately and TELL ME LIES is one of the best! My favourite funny/romance writer is Susan Elizabeth Phillips but doesn't she herself say on the cover of Crusie's book:" A humerous mixture of romance, mystery and mayhem. A Winner!" And she's absolutely right! I loved all the characters - Maddie, Treva, Gran, Em, Mel and (wow!) C.L. As he says about himself:"Full service man, that's me." "That's what I heard," said Treva. The lines are funny but tender and the way C.L. sticks by Maddie and Em is admirable. Crusie is a very gifted writer ( and damned funny!). If you like Phillips and Janet Evanovich, you'll love this!

I haven't read a Cruise novel for a while and I was happy to see her sense of quirkyness has not disappeared. There is just something so realistic about Maggie and small town live (which I know about) I just had to laugh. Although sometimes I cannot understand why the main character choose to stay in a loveless marriage, this book surprised me with all its twists and cooky situations. There were even a few surprises that will make your jaw drop (which my neighbor on the train mistook for me having an anxiety attack). All in all, I enjoyed this book.

Maddie is the perennial good girl. She lives in a small town where everyone knows everyone's business and married her high school sweetheart, Brent. When she discovers a pair of sexy panties in Brent's car, she decides to have it out with him. This is not the first time he has strayed, but Maddie vows it will be the last that she will be around for. When a blast from the past shows up wanting to see Brent, she is confronted with the grown up CL Sturgis, the bad boy who took her virginity 20 years earlier. But faster than you can say "hit the road, Jack," Brent turns up dead, with Maddie as the prime suspect.

Add to that having the town gossip for a mother, a best friend who is keeping a big secret, and a confused daughter caught in the crossfire when Maddie decides to channel her inner bad girl and take up with CL again.

Tell Me Lies is another quirky romantic-suspense heavy on the comedy of manners of small town life that only Crusie can tell. It's another winner!