A Mother's Lie
Fiction
Grand Central Publishing
April 7, 2020
Paperback
400
Free from Publisher
Beth Fraser finally has her life together. She's built a successful career in the tech sector, has a bright fifteen-year-old daughter, and she's completely erased all evidence of her troubled past. At least that's what she thought.
Dana Fraser always wondered why she's the only kid with two backup phones, emergency drills, and a non-negotiable check-in time every single day. When a stranger approaches her on the street claiming to be her grandmother, Dana starts to question what else her mother has been hiding.
Soon Beth's worst nightmare is coming true: Dana is in grave danger, and unless Beth is willing to pull one last con job for her parents, she may never see her daughter again.
My review:
This one was a wild ride, that's for sure! I changed my mind so many times about who was the con and who wasn't, that my head was spinning! Told in alternating chapters by divorced mom Beth and her fifteen year old daughter Dana, we get the present day story as we also delve into Beth's past life with her con artist parents. I don't want to give away spoilers except to say that they've come back into their lives, but to what purpose? Do they really just want to get to know their granddaughter? Have they given up their previous lifestyle? Are they telling the truth or is it all a cover? What is going on with Beth's ex/Dana's father, and does he have anything to do with their reappearance? And what part does Beth have to play in all of this? These are the questions swirling throughout the reading of this book (I told you your head would be spinning). Despite the ending being a little far fetched for my liking, I flew through this story trying to figure out who were the good guys, and who the heck was telling the truth!
Another fast paced thriller with a con man theme I haven't really ever seen explored much in books I've read. Well worth a read.
I really enjoyed this one. I particularly appreciated Beth and Dana's relationship. It helped ground some of the crazier plot points.
Such an interesting plot, and not one I've often seen in books.