Truth Stained Lies

By Terri Blackstock

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling suspense author Blackstock asks, When truth doesn’t make sense, will lies prevail?

“Crisp prose, an engaging story, and brisk pacing make this thriller another home run for Blackstock.” —Library Journal, starred review

Cathy Cramer is a former lawyer and investigative blogger who writes commentary on high-profile homicides. When she finds a threatening note warning her that she’s about to experience the same kind of judgment and speculation that she dishes out in her blog, Cathy writes it off as mischief . . . until her brother’s wife is murdered and all the “facts” point to him. The killer has staged the crime to make the truth too far-fetched to believe. Working to solve the murder and clear her brother’s name, Cathy and her two sisters, Holly and Juliet, moonlight as part-time private investigators. Juliet, a stay-at-home mom of two boys, and Holly, a scattered ne’er-do-well who drives a taxi, put aside their fear to hunt down the real killer.

Stakes rise when their brother’s grieving five-year-old son is kidnapped. As police focus on the wrong set of clues, the three sisters and their battered detective friend are the only hope for solving this bizarre crime, saving the child, and freeing their brother.

• Full-length Suspense Novel
• Includes Discussion Questions for Book Clubs
• Part of the Moonlighters series
  • Book One: Truth Stained Lies
  • Book Two: Distortion
  • Book Three: Twisted Innocence

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Release date: Mar 12, 2013
• ISBN: 9780310289333

Terri Blackstock

Terri Blackstock has sold over seven million books worldwide and is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author. She is the award-winning author of Intervention, Vicious Cycle, and Downfall, as well as such series as Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, the SunCoast Chronicles, and the Restoration Series. Visit her website at www.terriblackstock.com; Facebook: tblackstock; Twitter: @terriblackstock.  

Reviews for Truth Stained Lies

[robin661_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Truth Stained LiesTerri BlackstockBook Summary: When truth doesn't make sense, will lies prevail? Cathy Cramer is a former lawyer and investigative blogger who writes commentary on high-profile homicides. When she finds a threatening note warning her that she's about to experience the same kind of judgment and speculation that she dishes out in her blog, Cathy writes it off as mischief . . . until her brother's wife is murdered and all the 'facts' point to him. The killer has staged the crime to make the truth too far-fetched to believe. Working to solve the murder and clear her brother's name, Cathy and her two sisters, Holly and Juliet, moonlight as part-time private investigators. Juliet, a stay-at-home mom of two boys, and Holly, a scattered ne'er-do-well who drives a taxi, put aside their fear to hunt down the real killer. Stakes rise when their brother's grieving five-year-old son is kidnapped. As police focus on the wrong set of clues, the three sisters and their battered detective friend are the only hope for solving this bizarre crime, saving the child, and freeing their brother.Review: I really enjoyed this opening series. I liked that it was so clever of a plot - A clown shot Jay’s wife. Truly a twisted twist and immediately made this a must read. I liked all of the siblings and can not wait for the next book. The book did not really over use any of the new characters. I found that the mystery did not take up too much of the book and yet it was fast paced and the mystery filled my head with who did it. The only thing that I did not understand is the connection between the murderer and why he wrote to Cathy….. Overall a must read for me and a quick paced mystery.I would like to thank Net Galley and Zondervan for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.

[blmyers-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Kept me guessing and hard to put down. I really appreciated Terri's comments at the end...by comparing how she cares about and develops her characters gave me new insight into how God challenges us to learn and grow! She is very wise.

[marlaamadison · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This book is more a family drama than a murder mystery. Although the plot does center around the family, for me, it was overdone. Some may likethe way it is written, bur there was just, too much about the family relations. And the whole thing revolves around the child to the point I was tired of hearing all the characters keep repeating his name. Not suspenseful.

[jenniferrobb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked the author's thoughts in her author's note section about God writing each of our stories and how it parallels with the process of writing a book.

I found it interesting that the families reacted differently to catastrophic events. The Cramer siblings all came together to defend their brother. The Hogans have created an outcast of Michael who accidentally withheld evidence and then perjured himself on the stand during the investigation of his brother Joe's murder. This also comes up in the sibling rivalry of Michael and Max. Mrs. Haughton allows her love for her son to blind her to his faults--she doesn't want to believe he's committed the crimes others think he has and when faced with evidence that he might have, it becomes too much for her already illness-weakened body.

Some of the thoughts that Cathy has are ones I have echoed and struggled with recently.

[EvaWainaina · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It’s so real about the issues believers face. Loved it

[rosands-494665 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was tired of all of the filth and foul language in books so I decided to try a Christian fiction books.
I am so glad I did. This book was one of the best books that I have read this year. Definitely a 5 star book. Exciting from start to finish with no filth and foul language. I highly recommend reading this book.