Review: Love and Other Lies by Ben McPherson

Title: Love and Other Lies by Ben McPherson
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense
Length: 460 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

A mother and father search for the truth behind their daughter’s disappearance in this stunning psychological suspense novel that takes Nordic noir to a level that is “emotional, painful, and utterly memorable” (Alex Marwood, Edgar Award–winning author of The Poison Garden).

Cal and Elsa have the perfect relationship; they’re still deeply in love after fifteen years of marriage, they have three incredible children, and most importantly, they never lie to each other. But when their oldest daughter disappears in a summer camp shooting outside Oslo, Norway, Cal and Elsa’s lives are changed forever.

Cal believes his family is strong enough to weather this blow and hold out hope for Licia’s return, but as they all deal with the tragedy in different ways, doubts begin to creep in. Their younger daughter, Vee, is definitely hiding something from her parents. And Elsa would never lie to Cal, but is she telling him the whole truth? As the reality of what happened at the camp comes to light, each family member’s morals will be tested. In the end, will their love for one another be enough to hold them together?

Review:

Based on a true story, Love and Other Lies by Ben McPherson is a gripping thriller set in Oslo.

Cal Curtis, his Norwegian wife Elsa and their three children are currently living in Oslo. Their happy life is turned upside down in the aftermath of a bombing and mass killing. At the time of the attacks, their oldest daughter Alicia “Licia” is currently attending a summer camp on a small island.  While their baby, Franklin, is home with them, their middle daughter Viktoria “Vee” is at a friend’s house. Cal immediately picks up Vee, who is unexpectedly close to the where the bomb detonated. Unable to reach Licia, their worry turns to fear when Cal and Elsa learn shocking news. The island where their daughter is attending the summer camp is the scene of the mass shooting.  Their dread turns to hope when they discover she is not amongst the dead. But she is also not brought back to Oslo as one of the survivors. As the days and weeks pass, Cal and Elsa try to remain hopeful, but they cannot help but wonder: Where is their daughter?

Cal and Elsa’s lives are forever changed the day Licia goes missing. The police have captured the shooters, but they also have to investigate their daughter since she has vanished. All of their cell phones and computers are confiscated for examination. Cal and Elsa are also questioned by Chief of Police Ephraim Tvist. They are taken off guard when Tvist tells them shocking information about what the investigators discovered about their computers.

As the month’s pass, Cal and Elsa’s once happy marriage becomes fractured. New information comes to light about Licia’s actions on the island during the killings but she remains missing. The police come under fire as stunning revelations about their response to the tragic events is uncovered.  The shooters are seemingly connected to a local far-right religious organization and Cal befriends its leader Father Bror. Vee continues her quest to uncover any information she can about Licia. Will the families of the victims find justice? And will Cal and Elsa ever find their missing daughter? And are they prepared for what they might learn if they do?

Love and Other Lies is a compelling novel with a topical storyline. Some of the characters are more likable than others but this does not detract from the unfolding story. The plot is loosely based on the 2011 terrorist attack carried out by a far-right extremist. With stunning twists and unexpected turns, Ben McPherson brings this riveting novel to a poignant conclusion. Highly recommend this timeless novel which highlights the dangers of right-wing extremism.