The Last Lie Told (Finley O’Sullivan Book 1)
[{'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2022', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'This is the best book I have read in a while. So many drag on and I lose interest and read the last chapter. NOT THIS ONE! I was sad it ended. Luckily it will be a series I believe? Good plot…well developed characters…likable characters! And a bonus for me…I didnt have to read detailed sex episodes or bad language. I appreciate someone who can tell a great story without throwing in stuff that really does not add to story. Cannot wait for more Finley books!!'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2022', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': "This is the first book in a series about Finley O'Sullivan, a clever legal investigator that is focused on uncovering the truth; while also dealing with the trauma of having witnessed the brutal murder of her own husband. The book has 33 main chapters, with a total of about 301 pages.\n\nAt first Finley seems like just a typical investigator/detective in a mystery book: sharp, jaded, with a keen eye, quick thinking, and an attention to detail. This cliché mystery/thriller protagonist vibe changes though, when early on we see that there is a disturbing secret that Finley is hiding. Suddenly it seems like there might be an interesting dark side to her past as well...\n\nFinley is working on a case involving the murder of a rich and famous music mogul named Lance Legard. Legard was murdered about five years ago, but recently the man convicted of his murder has recanted his confession, and pointed to one of Legard's daughters as the real murderer. Most of the story is told from Finley's perspective in the third person; but starting in Chapter 5 we also get short chapters in the first person perspective, starting with Olivia Legard, Lance's daughter. We get pieces of the story in the first person from both Olivia and Cecelia, the two twin sisters, sprinkled in every few chapters.\n\nOverall I enjoyed reading this one. I thought it was well written, and the author did a great job of creating a compelling main character. Throughout the book the reader is trying to figure out the details of two main mysteries, both what happened with the Legards and what happened to Finley's late husband. The breadcrumbs and hints really had me engaged; and I was anxious to find out more about Finley's past. I had to finish this in one sitting, and by the end I was satisfied with the story and looking forward to reading more Finley O'Sullivan adventures. I will certainly be picking up the next book in the series."}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2022', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'I picked this as a pre-release so it was a little bit of a gamble for me without many reviews. I rarely feel that a book is perfect. But this one….it is perfect to me. That gamble paid off 10 fold.\n\nDebra Webb has skills, talent, and imagination that I could only dream of having. How can you not only pull a reader in on the first chapter, but keep that intrigue and pace the ENTIRE TIME? And if that’s not enough, the ending. My god it is perfection. You don’t expect it, everything is explained, with no loose ends but enough to still investigate that you are awaiting book two with bated breath.\n\nHer language is witty, funny, real and raw. If this isn’t made into a movie then they’re missing out on a seriously good plot.\n\nLook out for fan mail D.W. You have certainly earned it. Bravo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2022', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': '- This is a fun, entertaining, suspenseful read. This mystory story leads us down the path of finding the true killer after many years of the case being ‘resolved’.\n- I found this to be an easy read, and the story and characters are well written.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2022', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-2 review-rating', 'review_body': 'Having read all the 5-star raves, I had been hoping for a good legal mystery or thriller. While “The Last Lie Told” shows some promise at the beginning, it goes on to prove itself woefully deficient in many areas.\n\nInitially, main character Finley O’Sullivan seems like she will be an interesting character. The daughter of a powerful judge, the victim of rape during her husband’s murder, and a former prosecutor on suspension because she blew up in court, she now works as an investigator for the top-notch but alcoholic attorney who is her godfather. A strong, determined woman beset by conflict, both internal and external, she seems a character that readers can grow to like and root for.\n\nAdditionally, in the beginning, author Debra Webb seems fairly skilled at planting the kinds of questions that keep readers turning the pages to discover the answers.\n\nUnfortunately, the novel quickly loses credibility. The author seems to have very little knowledge of the law, criminal prosecution or defense, or lawyers and the rules they must live by—which is a big problem if you’re writing a novel about the law.\n\nFor example, she has the supposedly top-notch attorney agree to represent the wife and daughters, or “family,” of a murder victim. But each of the three family members is a suspect in her own right. Which means that the interests of all three conflict. In the face of such glaring conflicts—conflicts that any first-year law student would recognize—no competent attorney would agree to represent more than one of them.\n\nThis is a glaring error—as glaring as twice—yes, twice—referring to an attorney as “council” (meaning a committee or board or commission) instead of using the correct appellation: “counsel” (meaning advisor or advocate) And there are many more.\n\nFor instance, Finley, an attorney, thinks she can break laws and ethical rules because she’s working, not as a lawyer, but as a “legal investigator.” Wrong. It doesn’t matter what job she’s doing, she’s still bound by the legal and ethical duties applicable to all attorneys. And, as talented an attorney as she is supposed to be, she would know that. She also thinks that if she\'s the one to break the rules, her godfather will be shielded from any blowback. As a talented attorney, she surely would know that she is her godfather\'s agent and that he is responsible for her conduct.\n\nIt\'s also clear that the author knows very little about prisons. Finley seems to be able to waltz in and out of one of Tennessee\'s state prisons and interview anyone she pleases, either legitimately or by subterfuge. Sorry, prisons just don’t work that way.\n\nEqually disappointing, although Finley is supposed to be a top-notch investigator, her skills beyond interviewing—what makes her special as an investigator—are left unexplored. And although the novel takes place in Nashville and involves the music industry, readers will learn almost nothing about either.\n\nBottom line? In my opinion, this novel was poorly researched and lacks the necessary understanding of the worlds and concepts it seeks to explore.\n\nI also found the quality of the writing to be very uneven. At times, the prose is clear and straightforward. At others, it’s awkward and graceless and padded with unnecessary and irrelevant descriptions that add nothing to the story. And it’s filled with clichés! Consider the following passage:\n\n"She suspected the DA, the chief, maybe even the mayor wanted her to fade quietly into the sunset. She was a thorn of some sort in their collective sides. \'I’m not asking you to walk around on eggshells forever,\' Matt urged. \'Just until I have a handle on what’s going down.\'" Webb, Debra. The Last Lie Told (Finley O’Sullivan) (p. 69). Thomas & Mercer. Kindle Edition.\n\nFour, possibly five, clichés in four sentences? That’s got to be some kind of record.\n\nThe writing is also way overburdened by descriptions of characters’ physical reactions based on their feelings: guts wrench; heads explode; faces blank; deep breaths are inhaled; stomachs churn; eyes roll; etc., etc.\n\nAnd for those readers who are offended by profanity, be aware: there’s a lot of it in this novel.\n\nFinally, the solution to the main mystery is neither surprising nor particularly original. It’s telegraphed along the way, and it’s been done before in books, movies, and on TV. Other, more minor mysteries are left unresolved, apparently to be revisited in the next and/or succeeding volumes.\n\nThe novel’s “About the Author” section states, among other things, that Ms. Webb has written more than 150 novels. That’s a big accomplishment. But based on this performance, I have to wonder whether quality has been sacrificed for quantity.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2022', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': "Most of the reviews of this book talk about how well plotted it is. No arguments from me. This author is so good, she nailed every aspect of each character's mental health issues. She also has a good grasp of how lawyers and law enforcement works. I'm trying to detail as much as I can about how impressed I am about this book and author without spoilers.\n\nThere were a few instances where, while realistic, I questioned her need to add those 2 things, embellishments. I just considered it style because those instances are real occurrences that do happen.\n\nIf you're familiar with the areas of mental health and social work, or know someone in these fields, then you will have a good idea of where the book is going. And it does but the author adds some zig zags that add all the needed puzzle pieces for a satisfying wrap up.\n\nHighly recommend this book, especially if you like thrillers/mysteries. I'm going to read all of her other work I'm so impressed."}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2022', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'Full of twists and turns, lies and deceit, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning until the very end.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2022', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-1 review-rating', 'review_body': 'Unfortunately it is only in Acknowledgments at the back of the book that the author concedes that she “creates something fictional with only the slightest basis in fact”. The only fact I could find in this story is that there is indeed a city called Nashville in the state of Tennessee. It is almost shocking that she also says there that “one of my dearest friends is an attorney “, (but apparently not a dearest friend who is asked to proofread this book), for criminal procedures and practices are absolutely butchered.\nThe story revolves around a man named Charles Holmes, who confessed to and was convicted of murder, and has served 5 years of a life sentence. He tells his lawyer-the best one in Tennessee and the surrounding states!- that he’s entitled to a new trial because he has “new evidence “ to prove his innocence, and then, putting the cart before the horse, says, “You get me a new trial and I’ll tell you everything “. And thus the story begins! In Tennessee an inmate only needs to ask for a new trial, and the slate is wiped clean!! And a former prosecutor, who was suspended by the State Bar, and who is now working as an “Investigator “ for a defense attorney gets to lead the re-investigation of the original charge! Here’s my mea culpa: In chapter 2 this ex-prosecutor is told by a police detective, “Perhaps it’s time you reconsidered council, Ms. O’Sullivan”. Nota Bene to Debra Webb, the author: THE WORD IS COUNSEL !!! Check with your dearest friend!\nAnd my mea culpa is because I continued to read this awful book!'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2022', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'If you like thrilling mysteries, this one fits the bill. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2022', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-2 review-rating', 'review_body': 'I don\'t get all the good reviews, and I\'m sorry, I don\'t mean to be as harsh as this will probably sound, but I started skimming after 30 pages. The author blathers on and on about people and events, oh so many people and events without involving the reader enough to provide a reason to remember who is who. In short, the author breaks the cardinal rule of writing: show don\'t tell. She tells, and tells and tells until I couldn\'t take it anymore. Also the whole Borderline Personality Disorder and Dissociative Identity Disorder thing, oh please, it just so obviously came from a place of reading perfunctorily for "character" rather than understanding the dynamics. For me it was lazy writing that made for a boring read and I\'m sorry I wasted my free choice on it.'}]