Welcome to another Tuesday celebrating bookish events, from Tuesday/First Chapter/Intros, hosted by from I’d Rather Be At The Beach who posts the opening paragraph (sometime two) of a book she decided to read based on the opening. Feel free to grab the banner and play along.
On 12 February 2019 The Shape of Lies by Rachel Abbott will be let loose to the eagerly awaiting fans of its chief protagonist DCI Tom Douglas. This is the eighth book in this series set in Manchester and for reasons only another booklover will understand, I’m unreasonably proud of the fact that I ‘discovered’ this author shortly after her first book was published, around the time that I first owned a kindle. Ever since, I have eagerly awaited the latest instalment. Furthermore it wasn’t until later that I realised that she is a fellow Channel Island dweller.
Blurb
Yesterday, Scott was dead. Today, he’s back.
And Anna doesn’t believe in ghosts.Scott was Anna’s boyfriend. She loved him, but he ruined her life. When he died, she should have been free, but today Scott is on the radio, threatening to spill her secrets.
Anna is a mother, a wife, and head teacher of a primary school.
And she’s a good liar.She made one mistake, and now she is having to pay for it. Scott is the only person who knows the truth about her past, but how can he be alive?
Soon, DCI Tom Douglas is going to knock on her door looking for answers. But Anna is already running scared: from the man she loved; the man she watched die; the man who has come back to life. Amazon
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
First Chapter ~ First Paragraph ~ Intro
Monday
1
We all lie. To ourselves and to each other. We make excuses by referring to our untruths as fibs or white lies, trivialising them as harmless. Or we claim that they are necessary to shelter others from hurt. However we try to justify them, whatever their shape or form, they are still lies.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I can’t disagree with this opening and when coupled with the synopsis (and title) it’s obvious that lies are at the heart of this novel.
What do you think? Would you keep reading?
Cleopatra Loves Books 
I didn’t even need the first paragraph to know I’d keep reading. I love this series!
LikeLike
Me too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a promising book to me 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
This appears to be a very cynical person narrating this story. It’s sad to think that all people lie. I wouldn’t want to spend much time around those people. I’m intrigued enough to read the books and see if things improve. Good thought provoker Cleo.
LikeLike
I understand your consternation Margot and it does make you question how true that statement is.
LikeLike
It’s an intriguing opening that no doubt rehearses some of the arguments characters in the book will use to justify or explain their actions. Hope the rest of the book lives up to your expectations.
On that second sentence… Mr. Picky champions – what he believes is – the correct use of ‘each other’ (two people) or ‘one another’ (more than two people). He produces as evidence an old school grammar book. It’s taken me ages to get it rooted in my mind. However, the rule doesn’t seem to be enforced strictly these days…
LikeLike
I do like a good premise and this book has it all in that opening.
I am possibly missing Mr Picky’s point with the second sentence…
LikeLike
Oh yes! Sounds great!
LikeLike
OOo I’m definitely intrigued!
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I should give Rachel Abbott’s books another go – I do like this opening!
LikeLike
Sometimes Margaret I think it is finding the right premise and that might not be the first book in the series. I hope you do find one that ‘gets’ you.
LikeLike
I know what you mean, Cleo, about discovering an author through a debut book. And this does sound like a compelling story! What I’ve read of Abbott, I like, so I’ll be eager to know what you think of this one.
LikeLike
I think the discovery means that a bond is there although since her books are very good, it’s just the icing on the cake.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been trying to avoid new series books lately but, I hope you love this one Cleo. It’s a new to me title.
LikeLike
I understand because you can end up reading one series after another but I do love them.
LikeLike
Yes, I’d read on. It sounds compelling.
LikeLike
🙂 It does, doesn’t it!
LikeLike
Nice choice! This sounds like a fantastic series and author. Based on your comments, I’ve just reserved the first book at my library.
LikeLike
Oh Catherine you’ve made my day I do hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
LikeLike
This one sounds good! I am a sucker for books about lying. Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog.
LikeLike
I think lies make a good premise for this type of read.
LikeLike
I have had this series on my list to try for a long time – probably as long as I’ve been reading your blog, Cleo! Ha! And I do completely understand your pride of finding this author ‘in the beginning’ – I’ve done that too. As we are moving into 2019, I’m thinking more and more that I’m going to be devoting a lot of time to series – catching up on some and trying new ones. Because I do love series…
LikeLike
Like you Kay I do love a good series, there is something so enjoyable about catching up with favourite characters and whereas I do like standalone fiction I personally don’t think you can beat a well-written series.
LikeLike
LOVE the look of this. I saved it to Pinterest!
Hope your Tuesday is going well, Cleo x
Here’s my Tuesday post. Thank you.
LikeLike
Thank you X
LikeLike
Absolutely keep reading – sounds intriguing!
LikeLike
It is a fascinating start, isn’t it?
LikeLike
Sounds good.
LikeLike
It’s such fun to discover an author right at the beginning and this sounds like a fantastic series! What an intriguing premise!
LikeLike
Sounds really good. See what Susan is featuring at Girl Who Reads
LikeLike
Everything about the book sounds great to me. 🙂
sherry @ fundinmental
LikeLike