Sophie Stava’s debut novel Count My Lies is a sleek, twist-filled thriller that demands to be read in one sitting. With its compulsively flawed narrator, sharp social observations, and escalating tension, this book belongs on the shelf of every fan of Lisa Jewell, Lucy Foley, and Laura Dave.
At the heart of the story is Sloane Caraway, a woman whose compulsion to lie is both her shield and her downfall. She tells herself her fabrications are harmless, but the small lies quickly snowball into a dangerous reality. When Sloane crosses paths with Jay and Violet Lockhart, a wealthy couple who seem to have everything, she slips seamlessly into their curated world by pretending to be something she is not. Soon she becomes their nanny, living in the shadow of their brownstone and summers on Block Island. But Sloane is not the only one telling stories. Beneath the glossy surface of the Lockharts’ lives are secrets that are just as dark, manipulative, and unsettling as her own.
What sets this novel apart is the way Stava plays with perspective. The narrative shifts between Sloane, Violet, and Jay, each one offering a voice that is both distinctive and unreliable. This structure keeps the reader perpetually unsteady, forcing us to question what we believe and who we can trust. The result is a multilayered web of deceit that grows more intricate with every chapter.
Readers will find Sloane fascinating, even when she is frustrating. She is equal parts vulnerable and calculating, making it impossible to dismiss her as simply a liar. Violet, with her privileged life and carefully maintained image, reveals a different form of dishonesty that feels just as destructive, while Jay’s narration adds yet another layer of moral ambiguity. Stava captures the way lies big or small reshape identity, relationships, and even reality itself.
The pacing is brisk and relentless. Each section builds toward revelations that are both shocking and satisfying, culminating in a finale that feels both inevitable and chilling. While some twists may feel over-the-top, the sheer energy of the writing makes them thrilling to follow. Readers who devour domestic suspense novels will find themselves flying through these pages, unable to look away from the implosion of carefully constructed façades.
At its core, Count My Lies is about trust and perception. It asks uncomfortable questions: Are some lies ever truly harmless? When does embellishment turn into manipulation? And what happens when the truth finally breaks through the surface? By the final chapter, it becomes clear that every character has been performing, crafting their version of reality, and the fallout is both devastating and irresistible.
For a debut, this is remarkably polished. The prose is sharp, the atmosphere tense, and the characters morally complex. If you are in the mood for a fast-paced, bingeable thriller with a Gone Girl edge, Sophie Stava delivers a story that is as addictive as it is unsettling.
Final Verdict: Count My Lies is a compulsive, twisty domestic suspense that will keep you guessing until the very last page. Clear your schedule before you start, because once you dive in, you will not want to put it down.
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