I found LITTLE BLACK LIES ©2015 by Sharon Bolton a complex read. The person who starts this story is angry and full of grief, and it took me several attempts over several days before I could read beyond a few paragraphs. This is a case where a Cast of Characters would have been helpful and prevented my having to go back and reread prior sections of the story. Soon I’m totally captivated, flipping pages in a whir. There’s feelings of surprise which recur because my expectations are elsewhere. The surprise is motivation enough to reclassify what kind of crime fiction is LITTLE BLACK LIES. But I’m afraid, my imaginings of what might happen worsen. By the middle of the book, I’m enjoying the relationships between the protagonists, the intellectual challenge of sorting out their stories. My expectations are tossed yet again and the dread creeps back. How can there be any other outcome than what I most fear? Then it’s worse. Better? Glorious? Breathtaking? Heartbreaking? Consuming. Gratifying. Incredibly sad. Yes, all of those things.

I am so glad to have read this book! I thought it was exceptional, and it went straight to the top of my list for the year. It was my first book by Sharon Bolton, but I won't be able to read hers quickly enough to suit me now. Little Black lies didn't lack for anything. It had great characters, especially Catrin and Callum, a mesmerizing storyline, and a picturesque setting. Catrin Quinn has been through unspeakable tragedy, and she knows she will never recover. She wants vengeance so badly that there is nothing left that she won't sacrifice. Her home, the Falkland Islands, has experienced the disappearance of a few young boys, and Catrin gets caught up in the search for the latest one. While all of the islanders are sure that the missing boys had to have experienced accidents, it finally becomes clear that there may have been some foul play behind the disappearances. Some shocking secrets come to light as the search intensifies. This is one I highly recommend for lovers of a good thriller/suspense. It kept me guessing and had my heart rate amped up. I found it fast-paced with plenty of action, as well as emotional angst and pull. Add in great characters, and a story told from the perspective of three different people, and you have an amazing book! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.