State of Lies

Hard one to score, so I'm going for the middle. I loved Georgie as a character and wanted to root for her and her son Sam as some mysterious threat closes in around them. The mystery is detailed and kept me guessing as to how it would turn out. I also appreciated that there's no x-rated cussing. However, I also had a lot of objections too.

18+ only

First off, it's from a supposedly Christian publisher, but it contains three sex scenes (one pretty explicit about them doing it in an alley against a wall...) Yes, we know married folks have sex but we absolutely don't need to be in the room with them when they do it, and we don't need to enter the shower with them either.

Second, there was zero faith. The son has some mention of bedtime prayers, but they don't go to church and there's no turning to God in any way for hope or wisdom during repeated serious life crises. But we know about a former neighbor's devout Tibetan Buddhist decor and we hear about the Iraqis being depended on for compass direction in their daily prayer life. Why is a woman in serious crisis NOT looking for some sort of faith connection? When literally everyone in her life has betrayed her in some form or fashion?

Last, the story is very dark in many ways. So little hope, so many murders, so much death and loss and betrayal. It even ends on Halloween with Dracula and Elvira costumes taking a hand in a crumbling bungalow scene in the very nail-biting ending showdown.

So—brilliant concept, fast-paced plot, and sympathetic lead; but so much missed opportunity for any sort of spiritual message, and a depressing air about the whole story.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required. This review is based on a final published copy.