Behind the Lies
On the morning of her boyfriend’s birthday, Katie Reed left their apartment and never returned…
One thing is certain.
It will change the lives of everyone around her.
2022
Tom Beatty is first in line to help his sister when she needs a transplant, but he’s left reeling by his blood results. As he searches for answers, he learns of a young woman who disappeared decades ago, and to uncover the truth, he must find her. But someone wants to keep the past hidden, and delving into it is a dangerous game. One that could be perilous for those closest to him.
Can Tom find out what is behind the lies before it’s too late?
Content Warnings: Sexual Assault • Violence • Death • Murder • Kidnapping
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9 ratings
Eva E.
Behind the Lies by Carol Gulliford is a phenomenal, heart-wrenching, and masterfully executed debut psychological thriller that will leave readers completely breathless.
The narrative seamlessly weaves between two timelines—1998 and the present day—gradually building a tense bridge between them. Gulliford crafts a brilliantly elusive plot where the connection between the eras remains beautifully hidden until a jaw-dropping twist brings everything crashing together, leaving the reader stunned. She nailed the dual-timeline structure—when the past and present collide in a way that breaks your heart and shocks you!
This book boasts a vivid spectrum of characters, ranging from deeply likeable to utterly hateful, and evokes genuine emotional investment. Fast-paced, atmospheric, and packed with a shocking emotional punch, this is a spectacular page-turner that thriller lovers will easily devour in a single sitting. 5 shocking, well-deserved stars!
There is no better feeling than digging a book out of your Kindle graveyard and discovering it's a hidden 5-star masterpiece. Yes, somehow I bought this book ages ago and it was chilling on my Kindle!
Cheyenne Joy .
Personal Copy Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Behind the lies by Carol Gulliford
Published December 2024
Thank you Carol and InsideStory for handing me this dark little disaster wrapped up as a bedtime story. Really appreciated the emotional damage before sleep. Fantastic idea.
What can I even say besides the fact that I absolutely devoured this book like some sleep-deprived raccoon digging through psychological trauma for entertainment. From chapter one it had me by the throat. It’s fast paced, addictive and written in a way that makes it stupidly easy to sink into. No complicated mental gymnastics. No pretending to be intellectual while reading. Just pure dark twisty chaos straight into my bloodstream. Honestly? It felt like watching an episode of Criminal Minds while clutching snacks and whispering “this is so messed up” every five minutes. Which, for me, is peak comfort reading apparently. Says a lot about me. Probably nothing good.
And the worst part? I caught myself rooting for the person I absolutely should not have been rooting for. Morally questionable behavior on my part. Deeply concerning. Yet somehow the story makes you understand that person enough to make you uncomfortable with yourself. Love that for me.
Then came that first revelation and my brain immediately started doing detective work like I suddenly belonged at the BAU. I knew. I felt it in my bones. And the entire time I kept reading I was begging the universe not to let me be right.
Unfortunately my inner detective deserved a raise.
And wow. Being right hurt.
Not for everyone though. One person can still choke.
What I loved most is that beneath all the darkness and manipulation, this story still carries something painfully human underneath it all. Love that was doomed before it even started. People taking things that were never theirs to touch. A sibling bond that somehow managed to warm my cold dead heart for five whole seconds. And of course the reminder that secrets never stay buried. They rot. They spread. They ruin absolutely everybody standing too close to them.
Anyway. I’m not about to spoil this beautifully twisted mess for future readers. Just know this book crawls into your head quietly and then refuses to leave with any dignity whatsoever.
Five stars from me and my emotionally compromised compass.
Toni A.
Personal Review Copy
Behind The Lies
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author Carol Gulliford
Publication date September 22, 2024
First I would like to thank the author Carol Gulliford and Inside Story for sharing this book with me.
Wow. This book completely caught me off guard. The dual timelines, the decades-old disappearance, and the family secrets uncovered through medical testing kept me constantly on edge. My feelings about the characters changed over and over as the truth slowly unraveled. A tense, emotional psychological thriller that really stuck with me.
“In 1998 Katie Reed’s disappearance becomes the catalyst for decades of secrets, fractured relationships, and dangerous truths resurfacing years later. The line “It will change the lives of everyone around her” hints that her disappearance is tied to multiple people in ways that aren’t immediately obvious — especially Tom Beatty’s storyline in 2022, where a medical discovery leads him into the unresolved past.”
This intense psychological thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Marin K.
Behind the lies is a slow paced thriller/drama that from the beginning pulls you in and doesn't let go until you read the last page.
Characters are interesting and from the early on you feel connection with them. I especially liked the relationship between the main trio (Tom, Serena and Sophie).
I also love the timeline changes from '98 to '22, so when chapter ends with a high note, it makes you want to read further, bcs you want to know what will happen next.
All in all, I loved the Behind the lies, and if you are in for tense, thriller/drama with loveable characters, I fully recommend it.
Carina P.
Tom's journey to uncover the truth about Katie's disappearance, while trying to save his sister Serena, was both thrilling and emotional. The plot twists were unexpected and kept me eagerly turning the pages. The characters were well-developed, and the plot was full of surprises.
Overall, it was a wonderful read that I recommend to anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller.
Melanie J.
Carly B.
2022: Tom Beatty is on transplant waitlist duty until his blood test unlocks a decades-old disappearance. As he chases Katie’s trail, secrets surface, and whoever buried them doesn’t want them uncovered. Time’s running out.
Spillin’ the Book Tea:
What an amazing book. It's twisty, peeling back secrets one breadcrumb at a time. The dual timeline between 1998 and 2022 never confused me. The switches were smooth and purposeful. Gulliford’s characters feel real and layered, not cardboard cutouts. Her writing drew me right into each scene. I could picture whatever dark corner or surreal setting she described. Massive thanks to Carol Gulliford for the audiobook of Behind the Lies and the opportunity to provide this candid review!
The Vibes It Brings:
Keeley W.
A young woman’s disappearance in 1998 connects to his search for answers. He uncovers truths that some will stop at nothing to keep hidden.
I enjoyed this story’s mysterious aspects and its use of dual timelines for the slow revelation of clues. I felt certain parts of the story weren’t required and acted as an unneeded filler in an otherwise excellently executed narrative.
Carol weaves the two timelines together, creating some nail biting moments. I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
Donna F.
This was my first time reading one of Carol Gullifords books and I must say I really enjoyed reading it.
The characters stay with you right up to the last page & the story had me hooked from the very first page. The twists and turns kept me guessing and I certainly didn't see the big twist coming!
A fabulous book that I'd definitely recommend 100%