Publisher: Dutton
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: January 5, 2016
Challenges: NetGalley and Edelweiss Reading Challenge
Buying Links: Amazon* | Kobo | iTunes* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.
Blurb from goodreads:
Boston Detective D.D. Warren faces her most brutal adversaries yet—a class of jaded thriller writers—in New York Times Bestselling Author Lisa Gardner’s exclusive e-Book short story
In Lisa Gardner's second short story, after the New York Times bestseller The 7th Month, Detective D.D. Warren takes on her most intimidating assignment yet: a fifty-minute class meant to educate a horde of bloodthirsty thriller writers on the ways of actual police work. Yet sometimes life really does imitate fiction, as D.D. takes the writers through the reality of one of her most twisted cases—a case that involves a seedy motel room, drugs, prostitution . . . and a severed leg.
With Gardner’s trademark suspense, sharp observations, and thrilling storytelling, Three Truths and a Lie is a fascinating chapter in D.D.’s storied career. Includes an early look at Lisa Gardner’s next novel of suspense, Find Her, coming February 9, 2016.
I was slow to discover Ms. Gardner's writings but I am enjoying them. This story is a short story, part of her D.D. Warren series, of which I've read one or two book but this worked just fine as a standalone. In fact, if you're new to the series, this is a good introduction. Detective has agreed to conduct a workshop at a conference for mystery writers. Warren is nervous about speaking, especially as there will be big name authors at the conference and Gardner doesn't hesitate to use the names of real authors; it was a fun little detail.
Once Warren arrives to her workshop, and sees the turn out (standing room only), she promptly drops her original idea and decides the best way she can keep their attention and keep people from walking out is to present them a real mystery to figure out. She tells them of a case she worked, walking them through the crime scene and investigation, prompting them to analyze clues and determine correct procedure. It was fascinating to see her clarify and correct procedure, what books and TV shows get right, and what they get wrong.
The case is interesting and Warren (via Gardner) spins a compelling tale. I was sure, just convinced I figured out the guilty party (though not how they did it) but I was dead wrong. The title of the story refers to a challenge that Warren gives the writers in her class - determine 3 truths or accurate facts and 1 lie. She makes them work for it too, not pandering to them or patronizing them, but giving them the same info she and her partner had to work with. I was a little disappointed in the lie, I thought it was a bit facetious, but otherwise, I really liked the story. A fascinating murder and procedural wrapped in an interesting story conceit (the workshop). Whether you're new to this series or to Gardner, or you are already a fan, don't pass up this book.
Gardner is another one of those authors that I've heard of and been aware of for years but for some reason have never read any of her books. I'm glad to hear you've been enjoying her books and that this is another winner. This is the year to get that author list down!
ReplyDeleteShe was on my radar for years too. I think you'd like her.
Delete