Tell Me Lies: A Novel

Tell Me Lies by Jennifer Crusie Maddie Martindale Faraday finds black crotchless lace panties under Brent Faraday's front seat, and she realizes her husband has started cheating on her again. On the same day Maddie's high school beau, C. L. Sturgis, shows up at her door--more muscular and sexier than 20 years ago--looking for Brent; intimate, adulterous and funny encounters follow. Maddie deals with stress by eating chocolate. Seeking chocolate which she can only find in the freezer, Maddie attempts to pry and to hack the brownie with a butcher knife--this day the microwave also happens to be dysfunctional. The doorbell rings; Maddie ends up stabbing and then eating the brownie from the butcher knife while answering the door. C.L. keeps his eye on the knife while trying to ask questions concerning Brent and his bookkeeping at Basset and Faraday Construction; humorous episode ensues. Large amounts of unexplained cash appears in golf bag and safe deposit box along with visas for Brent and Emily, their daughter; Maddie discovers her bank accounts have been emptied. She would divorce Brent except for two reasons: Emily loves her Daddy and Frog Point, Ohio, gossips will have a heyday with their divorce. The gossips will blame her since Brent is the big shot from high school that just happens to be running for mayor. Later when Brent is found dead, suspicion falls on Maddie and C.L. The strong longtime friendship with Treva is much admired and gets her through some of the harrowing days ahead. This novel has mystery, interesting characters and mirthful entertainment. An example of the amusing part of this book is the way Maddie's character handles stress: "Calm down. Be rational. Eat chocolate." I like the humor that Ms. Crusie uses with the character Maddie to deal with the stress of a cheating husband, the stress of nosey neighbors and the stressful predicaments in which she finds herself. This is a fast paced book, and you may need to lay it down just to catch your breath. This could be the only down side of such an enjoyable novel. Tell Me Lies is not your usual romance novel as it handles the sexual encounters in a hilarious way, and you just feel good after the commendable read. I would recommend Jennifer Crusie's book to anyone who enjoys a book about romance, friendship, chocolate and hilarity. Like all Crusie novels, it's wildly funny.

I am a big Jennifer Cruise fan and think she is enormously talented. So I am sure she gave the character Maddy a lot of thought, but I lost patience with her a few times because she would do and say things without thinking first. A couple of times I caught myself calling her an idiot because of mindless reactions. That being said, I still thought the story was a great one and not predictable.

Great characters, wonderful plot! Could not put this book down!! I loved the Grandmother. And the relationship with best friends.

This one was just ok -- I thought the best (and smartest) character was the little girl. The grandmother was a kick tho. The rest was tangled and while you pretty much knew how it was going to turn out, a bit too convoluted for me. Typically I have a hard time putting her books down and this one just didn't do it for me.

Thanks

Thirty Eight Years and eternity. That's how long Maddie has lived in Frog Point and stayed off the grapevine. But all that changes in one August weekend when C.L. comes back to town and life goes to hell in a basket. Great read. Fabulous dialogue, wonderful small town characters, and a great plot. Problem... I needed more pages to read.

This was a great book from a much loved author! While this wasn't my favorite book so far I still enjoyed the book and the characters. I didn't agree with some of the life choices made by the heroine but it made for some very interesting drama. For the heroine (Maddie) or star of this slightly dark comedy life has been very blase and too perfect which changes with the arrival of her old high school love interest. The story begins with Maddie's discovery of her husbands cheating (again) and continues in some very interesting twists and turns. If your a fan of Crusie's previous dark comedy/romance books then you'll love this book!

I do love Ms. Crusie’s angry heroines :>). As I read, I was truly grateful I did not grow up in a small town. Although there’s always an element of mystery to a Crusie book, it’s especially strong here, even though that’s not initially apparent. It’s certainly the hottest Crusie I’ve read to date. CL is a wonderful hero, and I loved watching Maddie grow through her ordeal/s. All the lying got on my nerves until I reminded myself of the title. Em was very believable, and I’d give Teeva a best-supporting actress award, as well as grandma and Henry. I normally try to sip a Crusie rather than gulp it down, but I couldn’t help myself with this one.

とかくこのテの小説（ラブロマンス＋ミステリー＋ファミリーヒストリー＋その他云々）は、とても抗いきれないほどいい男が主人公のために用意されている。 アニマルな色気があり、かといってイロボケばかりしておらず、 いかにも男らしい実行力があり、それが空回りしないだけの実力が伴い、 かといって真面目一本槍でなく、ちょいとワル男なとこもあり、 思いっきり頼れる存在のクセに、少年ぽさをいい塩梅で残してある、 それがためにどうしようもなく母性本能をくすぐり、 しかも成熟した男のよく響く低い声で、愛の言葉を囁いてくる、そんな男だ。 この本もご他聞にもれずだった。 主人公にそれだけの魅力があるとはどうしても思えないんだけど、とにかくこのムネキュンに強引な男が引っ付いて離れない。 内容もハラハラドキドキの連続で飽きさせなかったけど、とにかく相手役のwilson、通称C.L.氏の動向を覗き見たいがために読了してしまった。 ええ、あたしはおバカさんですとも。でも、ためしに読んでみて。キミもきっと彼に恋をするぞ。

TELL MY LIES by Jennifer Crusie had me holding my breath with excitment at the same time over the who-done-it murderous plot, just as well as over the hot romance unfolding in front of me. Maddie Faraday and C.L. Sturgis, who once were a couple twenty years ago, find themselves in the middle of murder and love right there in a small town called Frog Point. With its many twists and surprises, the novel never got boring and had me spend a whole night awake just to finish it. The characters and plot sucked me into the story right away and had me cracking up - I found myself rolling my eyes at Maddie's unnerving mother, could almost hear the gossip of the nosy neighbors, and certainly felt with Maddie through the turbulances of her suddenly not so normal small-town life. Sometimes chocolate chip cookies seem to be the only resort when life gets tough - but reading this novel to brighten up your day will most certainly do the trick as well!

Jennifer Crusie in top form in this story,if you haven't read her books this is a billiant place to start .

Great condition love the book the story is great and I just love the writer she fabulous witty and very imaginitive

This is the first book I read of Jennifer Crusie. My purchase was based on the ratings, that's why I also want to share my thoughts. Perfect for readers on their 30's. I find the book making me laughing out loud at several times. Easy reading with a lot of twist, some crime & romance. There was a little dozing-off part just before it ends. A little bit too goodie doer. But all in all, if you are looking for a lighthearted book, this one is a good read.