The Lies I Tell by Julie Clark

Hello everyone.  I hope you're enjoying the beginning of summer.

Before I had the luxury of becoming a housewife, and the queen of the vacuum and chicken roasting, I actually had a job.  Don't laugh, now that's not nice. Yes, someone would hire me.  I worked in banking, specifically in the credit card industry.  You know how you finally pay off your credit card and the next statement you still are charged interest?  I can tell you why AND do the extensive math to show you how it is calculated.  Want to set up a new account? No problem.  Fraud on your card, I'm your girl.  Are you a merchant in need of a great discount rate and need your accounts set up, I gotcha there too.  It was quite an education. 

One time the entire area was being bombarded by fake applications.  I was very lucky and got to go to a seminar and have lunch with a Secret Service agent.  Yes, they do more than protect people.  A gang of con men had hit the area and the Secret Service had lots of information on what was going on, including how to spot fake applications.  Surprisingly, the apps all had things in common. First, you are paying me to be out of the office, and you're feeding me, and I get to meet someone kind of interesting.  If only all days could be like that. Well, okay, maybe not, it was fraud, and I do get to stay home now.

I recently read The Lies I Tell by Julie Clark.  I was excited to read this as I read The Last Flight by Ms. Clark.  At that time, I had read 842.3 thrillers in a row, all set in a neighborhood.  The last flight is set in an airport.  Relief! While I never got around to reviewing it, I really liked the book.  I was hoping this new book would deliver the same, great thriller and something different.  I am happy to say that it does.

This is the story of Meg, who is a con artist that disappears and reinvents herself when the game is over.  Then she is on to the next victim.  Kat is a journalist who has a connection to Meg.  She is working to expose the truth about the cons and show Meg for what she truly is.  There is a problem, the closer Kat gets to Meg, the less she understands her.  Leaving her with more questions not only about Meg but herself.

This book is a quick read.  While it's not a heart racing thriller, you will find well defined characters that you will hold your attention long after the book is over.  Very interesting.  I can't imagine what Julie Clark will come up with next, but no doubt I'll be begging her to take my money.