Living Lies (Natalie Walters) – Review – Fiction Aficionado

Look sharp, romantic suspense fans. There’s a new kid on the block! And she had me hooked from the first page of this story, invested not just in uncovering a murderer, but also in the lives of primary and secondary characters alike.

First, the suspense. Great plot! Some good, old-fashioned (with the help of technology) detective work, some high-stakes moments, but also some moments that raised the hairs on the back of my neck, even though I wasn’t quite sure whether there was anything sinister in it or not. That feeling of sensing but not knowing is such a great tension builder!

Second, the characters. There were some great secondary characters here, including Deputy Frost (who I’ve noticed will be the hero in the second book in the series—yay!) and Miguel, a reclusive Vietnam vet who’s suffering from PTSD. Deputy Frost I loved because he’s a little bit awkward and unsure of himself, a little bit nerdy, but really comes into his own as the investigation progresses. Miguel added a really strong layer of emotional tension to the story, but I can’t explain why if I want to avoid spoilers, so you’ll just have to take my word for it.

Finally, the main characters. I heartily applaud the author for the authenticity of Lane’s characterisation as a woman struggling with depression. Having struggled with it myself since my late teens, I found Lane’s emotional state of mind—her fears, her doubts, her weariness, even a certain flatness to her personality—were spot on. And I loved that there were people in her life who loved her where she was at. The way this issue was addressed in the story was really well done.

And Charlie? Well, he’s definitely the kind of hero I like to see in my romantic suspense novels. Genuine, personable, protective, and being a little bit rugged didn’t hurt any either. I thought the attraction between Lane and Charlie felt a little over-emphasised in the first part of the story, often in their thoughts (I prefer sensing the undercurrents over having lots of references to the characters’ mutual attraction in the early stages of a developing romance), but I enjoyed the way their relationship developed overall—especially the way Charlie responded to Lane’s struggles.

If you’re a fan of romantic suspense, you should definitely check this author out!