First Lie Wins: A Novel (Random House Large Print) by Ashley Elston
Read sample
Customer reviews

First Lie Wins: A Novel (Random House Large Print)

by

Ashley Elston

(Author)

4.3

-

54,062 ratings


REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK | #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“This fast-paced read has everything you could want in a thriller: secret identities, a mysterious boss and a cat & mouse game that kept me guessing the whole way through.” —Reese Witherspoon

Evie Porter has everything a nice Southern girl could want: a doting boyfriend, a house with a white picket fence, a tight group of friends. The only catch: Evie Porter doesn’t exist.

The identity comes first: Evie Porter. Once she’s given a name and location by her mysterious boss, Mr. Smith, she learns everything there is to know about the town and the people in it. Then the mark: Ryan Sumner. The last piece of the puzzle is the job.

Evie isn’t privy to Mr. Smith’s real identity, but she knows this job isn't like the others. Ryan has gotten under her skin, and she’s starting to envision a different sort of life for herself. But Evie can’t make any mistakes—especially after what happened last time.

Evie Porter must stay one step ahead of her past while making sure there's still a future in front of her. The stakes couldn't be higher—but then, Evie has always liked a challenge. . . .

Kindle

$14.99

Available instantly

Audiobook

$0.00

with membership trial

Hardcover

$17.23

Paperback

$17.29

Audio CD from $42.77
Buy Now

Ships from

Amazon.com

Payment

Secure transaction

ISBN-10

0593792572

ISBN-13

978-0593792575

Print length

432 pages

Language

English

Publisher

Random House Large Print

Publication date

January 01, 2024

Dimensions

6.09 x 0.85 x 9.18 inches

Item weight

2.31 pounds


Popular Highlights in this book

  • Mama always said to be successful in life you need to do three things: learn everything you can, try your hardest, and be the best at what you do.

    Highlighted by 1,658 Kindle readers

  • The way you walk, the way you talk, the way you move your body screams more about you than anything else ever could.

    Highlighted by 1,607 Kindle readers


Product details

ASIN :

B0C1Y9RMLR

File size :

2980 KB

Text-to-speech :

Enabled

Screen reader :

Supported

Enhanced typesetting :

Enabled

X-Ray :

Enabled

Word wise :

Enabled


Editorial Reviews

Praise for First Lie Wins:

“This fast-paced read has everything you could want in a thriller: secret identities, a mysterious boss and a cat & mouse game that kept me guessing the whole way through.” —Reese Witherspoon (Reese’s Book Club January ’24 Pick)

“A relentless cat-and-mouse thriller. . . This is a classic twist-stuffed suspense for fans who plan to read late into the night.” —Elle

“The cleverly crafted plot and whip-smart protagonist mean you won’t know who to trust in this edge-of-your-seat thriller. . . Riveting.” —Reader's Digest

“Elston raises the stakes.” —The New York Times

“You’re in for a thrill ride of twists in this fast-paced novel that kept me on my toes from start to finish.” —New York Post

“First Lie Wins delivers a fun and unpredictable suspense ride that keeps the guessing going until the end.” —Atlanta Journal-Constitution

“Ashley Elston handles a highly complicated plot with the assurance of someone who has been writing psychological suspense all her life. . . No wonder Reese Witherspoon has made First Lie Wins her book club choice for this month.” —Sunday Times (London)

“One of the best thrillers I’ve ever read. . . Amazing.” —Jesse Watters

“Riveting!” —Lucy Foley, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Apartment

"Buckle up. First Lie Wins features some of the best cat and mouse suspense I've read in years, while serving up plenty of heart along this wild ride. I'm still breathless." —Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling author of One Step Too Far

“What a box of tricks! First Lie Wins flickers past like a shadow-play: just when you think you've worked out what you're seeing, the shapes shift, the scene transforms, and -- hold on -- maybe you had it wrong a moment ago? Cool and clever and full-on fun, the sort of slippery high-stakes now-you-see-me-now-you-don't thriller that few novelists are bold enough to attempt these days. Pick it up, please. This is a good one." —A.J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window and End of Story

“First Lie Wins is a high-stakes thriller that brilliantly explores identity and love, truth and deception. Smart and sharp, fast-paced and twisty, this book kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page to the very last. Ashley Elston has crafted a truly unpredictable, unforgettable story. I loved it!” —Megan Miranda, New York Times bestselling author of The Only Survivors

“Wildly inventive, diabolically clever....Filled with meticulously plotted details and stakes that will wholly consume you, Ashley Elston also delivers one of the most likeable, morally gray characters I've ever encountered. I devoured First Lie Wins and am now an Ashley Elston fan for life.” —Julie Clark, New York Times bestselling author of The Lies I Tell

“First Lie Wins is the most suspenseful game of deception I've ever read…. Ashley Elston peeled back layer upon layer of a carefully crafted plot, revealing a series of twists and reveals I never saw coming. Brilliant!” —Elle Cosimano, New York Times bestselling author of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It

"You don't know who to trust in this taut and expertly plotted thriller from Ashley Elston. First Lie Wins is an edge-of-your-seat read that's as emotionally moving as it is gripping. I loved every minute of it!" —Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of Local Woman Missing

"A suspenseful and taut page-turner that is impossible to put down! First Lie Wins captivated me with its twisty premise and left me spellbound by the memory of its richly-drawn characters." —Megan Shepherd, New York Times bestselling author of Malice House

"Who is the cat and who is the mouse? It’s hard to tell when even the bad guys are so likable that you can’t help but root for them. Clever, twisty, and suspenseful, First Lie Wins kept me on my toes right up to the satisfying conclusion." —Diane Chamberlain, New York Times bestselling author of The Last House on the Street

"Sharp, engaging, and unputdownable. Elston executes hair-pin turns masterfully, leaving readers gasping in surprise but firmly in their seats and ready for more. A smart suspense with romantic elements that keeps the thrills coming and the reader thinking of the story long after the book is done." —Alyssa Cole, New York Times bestselling author of When No One is Watching

"Outstanding! The deeply woven characters in First Lie Wins pulled me in from the first page, then took me on a spellbinding ride. Ashley Elston has crafted an ingenious, unforgettable cat and mouse thriller!" —Wendy Walker, bestselling author of What Remains

"A propulsive, note-perfect thriller." —Cesca Major, author of Maybe Next Time

"A whip-smart, twisty thriller with a surprisingly big heart. First Lie Wins is the type of book that begs to be read in one sitting.” —Kara Thomas, author of Out of the Ashes

“Prepare to trust no one on this high-speed thrill ride through timelines, identities, and motives as you work to piece together Elston's expertly crafted puzzle. First Lie Wins is a fun, clever spin on the con artist novel, perfect for fans of The Lies I Tell and The Lady Upstairs.” —Ashley Winstead, author of Midnight is the Darkest Hour

"Ingeniously plotted. . . Elston whips up plenty of suspense and delivers a satisfyingly serpentine finale. This promises more good things from Elston to come." —Publishers Weekly

"A savvy thriller with intrigue and momentum. . . from the first twist of Lucca’s arrival right up until the final showdowns. Evie is a smart and engaging protagonist, and her time on the run is anything but predictable." —Kirkus

"I really enjoyed this – very unexpected and pacy with a brilliant central character." —Harriet Tyce, bestselling author of Blood Orange and The Lies You Told

"Absolutely brilliant. I devoured it." —Heidi Perks, bestselling author of The Whispers

"An absolute CRACKER of a book—clever, original and compelling." —Rachel Abbott, bestselling author of Don't Look Away

Read more


Sample

Chapter 1

It starts with the little things: an extra toothbrush in the glass holder next to the sink, a few articles of clothing in the smallest drawer, phone chargers on both sides of the bed. Then the little things turn to slightly bigger things: razors and mouthwash and birth control pills all fighting for space in the medicine cabinet, the question changing from "Are you coming over?" to "What should we cook for dinner?"

And as much as I've been dreading it, this next step was inevitable.

It may be the first time I'm meeting the people gathered around the table, people who Ryan has known since childhood, but it hasn't escaped anyone's attention that I'm already fully embedded in his life. It's the small touches a woman brings to a man's home, like the matching throw pillows on the couch or the faint whiff of jasmine from the diffuser on the bookshelf, that every other woman notices the second she walks through the front door.

A voice floats across the candlelit table, dodges the centerpiece that I was assured was "delicate yet confident," and hovers in the air in front of me. "Evie, that's an unusual name."

I turn to Beth, debating whether to answer her question that's not really a question.

"It's short for Evelyn. I was named after my grandmother."

The women sneak glances at one another, silently communicating across the table. Every answer I give is weighed and cataloged for a later discussion.

"Oh, I love that!" Allison squeals. "I was named after my grandmother too. Where did you say you were from again?"

I didn't say, and they know this. Like birds of prey, they will pick, pick, pick all night until they get the answers they want.

"A small town in Alabama," I answer.

Before they can ask which small town in Alabama, Ryan changes the subject. "Allison, I saw your grandmother last week at the grocery store. How's she holding up?"

He's bought me a few precious moments of relief while Allison relays how her grandmother is faring following the death of her grandfather. But it won't be long until I'm the focus once again.

I don't have to know these people to know everything about them. They are the ones who started kindergarten together, their circle remaining small until high school graduation. They fled town in groups of twos and threes to attend a handful of colleges all within driving distance of here. They all joined sororities and fraternities with other groups of twos and threes with similar backgrounds, only to gravitate back to this small Louisiana town, the circle closing once again. Greek letters have been traded out for Junior League memberships and dinner parties and golf on Saturday afternoon, as long as it doesn't interfere with SEC football.

I don't fault them for the way they are; I envy them. I envy the ease they feel in these situations, for knowing exactly what to expect and what is expected of them. I envy the gracefulness that comes with knowing that everyone in this town has seen them at their worst and still accepts them.

"How did you two meet?" Sara asks, the attention once again back on me.

It's an innocent enough question, but one that unnerves me all the same.

The smile on Ryan's face tells me he knows how I feel about being asked this and he'll step in again to answer for me, but I shake him off.

Wiping my mouth gently with one of the white cloth napkins I bought specifically for this occasion, I say, "He helped change my flat tire."

Ryan would have given them more than they deserve, and that's why I stopped him. I don't mention it was at the truck stop on the outskirts of town where I worked in the small restaurant bar making sure no drink went empty. And I don't mention that while they are familiar with lots of acronyms from MBA to MRS, the only one I'm acquainted with is GED.

These people, his friends, wouldn't mean to, but they would hold such basic things against me. They might not even be aware they were doing it.

I told Ryan I was afraid of how they would judge me once they found out my background was so different from theirs. He assured me he didn't care what they thought, but he does. The fact that he caved and invited them all here and spent the week helping me get the menu just right tells me more than the whispers in the dark that he likes how different I am, different from the girls he grew up with.

Allison turns to Ryan, and says, "Well, aren't you handy to have around."

I watch Ryan. I've whittled down our entire meeting to one sentence, and so far, he's let me get away with it.

As he watches me, a small smile plays on his face that lets me know this is my show-for now-and he's happy to go along.

Allison's husband, Cole, adds, "I wouldn't be surprised if he flattened your tire just so he could be there to help you fix it."

Laughs around the table and probably an elbow to the ribs from his wife given how Cole is holding his side. Ryan shakes his head, still watching me.

I smile and laugh, not too loud and not too long, to show that I, too, am amused at the thought that Ryan would go to such extremes to meet me.

Amused that any person would have watched another long enough to know that he always filled up at that truck stop for gas on Thursday evenings after spending the day in his East Texas office. That someone knew he favored the pumps on the west side of the building, and that his eyes almost always lingered a little too long on any female who crossed his path, especially those dressed in short skirts. And that same someone would pick up on little things, like the LSU baseball cap in the back seat or the frat tee showing through his white dress shirt or the country club sticker in the bottom left corner of his windshield, to ensure when they did meet there would be things to talk about. That someone would hold a nail just so in a valve while the air whistled away.

I mean, it's amusing to believe one person would go to those lengths just to meet another.

Read more


About the authors

Ashley Elston

Ashley Elston

Ashley Elston lives in North Louisiana with her husband and three sons. She was a wedding and portrait photographer for ten years so most of her Saturday nights included eating cake, realizing no shoe is comfortable after standing for more than six hours and inevitably watching some groomsman do the alligator across the dance floor. Now, Ashley helps her husband run their small business and she writes as often as possible.

Read more


Reviews

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5

54,062 global ratings

Dori Owen

Dori Owen

5

Excellent and Original Crime Thriller

Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2024

Verified Purchase

Ashley Elston has come up with an original and thrilling whodunnit with so many twists and turns written in a unique and clever timeline using character aliases. Everything is about finding out the identity of the elusive Mr. Smith, the puppet master who assigns “jobs” of crimes engineered with new identities in new places for alleged new clients. Evie Porter designs a plan, told through past personas, to take down the increasingly evil Mr. Smith. Unputdownable…I was scared reading it! One of the best thrillers I’ve read in a long time.

Read more

2 people found this helpful

Sammy

Sammy

5

intriguing

Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2024

Verified Purchase

I was surprised how much I liked this book..it took me a minute to get into the book, but when it took off, Wow! Convoluted, but so impressive..it took a lot of imagination to even come up with this plot.. the brilliance of the main character is to be applauded…She definitely lands in the gray area though..very different and so creative, keeps you on the edge, with a good ending…

Read more

Louise A Stafford

Louise A Stafford

5

Unexpected pageturner

Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2024

Verified Purchase

When I first started reading I didn't really know that much about the book. I trust Reese Witherspoon selections so I decided this would be good to try. It started out like a typical women's drama. But it doesn't take long before you know this book has way more to offer! In fact, it is not long before you reach the point of not being able to put it down! Wow! Didn't see that coming. You are in for a great ride. The characters are well developed and well defined. The settings are real (I live in the south so I know it well). The plot is new and different and exciting. And spoiler alert - I love the ending. Can't wait until a film version comes out. I hope it will do justice to the deserving book. Will be following this author.

Read more

Yakov Bronsteyn

Yakov Bronsteyn

5

it doesn’t have to be a lie

Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2024

Verified Purchase

Lucca’s character was well developed exhibiting behavior consistent with her traits, predilections, and thought processes.

Her sharp street-smarts were astute to point where her machinations superseded my anticipations.

Aside from that her self-confidence was so acute that no courage was needed even though she thought otherwise. Her attitude was a clear result of her strong relationship with her mother. She knew that she was loved. That love superseded any feral fear that would’ve been healthy in such a situation not knowing what she was up against.

With aplomb her attitude didn’t allow concession in thinking that Mr. Smith was beyond her reach. On the contrary she assumed herself to be an equal knowing that all she had to do to escape was to figure out how to do it. There’s always time to make a decision before acting no matter how small. She always took that time.

I must admit that I didn’t figure out who Mr. Smith was and was definitely duped by her, Amy, and Devon’s deception. That was a surprise.

As the reader will find out the title of the book is to inform one that the only way to success is preparation preemptive establishment.

Having said all of this Lucca isn’t really a hero. She is a faulty character because she is a criminal engaged in wrongful behavior. But, as always people are complex and the reader eventually identifies with her plight and sentiments.

In a lot of our culture including literature, bemoaning pain of broken relationships, hardship, and most of all our own failures is very common. But, it doesn’t have to be that we way. We can live a life of principle and light. If we study such works as Proverbs and take them to heart it is possible to have happiness, satisfaction, and purpose.

A slight criticism that I have is that the book ends like a TV episode. I can almost hear the cheesy music playing in the background when everything is wrapped up in a neat bow and all the characters are chumming around together as the villain is carted away getting what he deserves in the end.

Even germination of the complex relationship between her and Ryan blooms at the end is wrapped up in the most simple manner as if the author was tying up a loose end in the story after it was such a central pivotal point at the beginning and throughout the story. But, it was so much more than that. It was the catalyst that inspired her to strive for something better and more meaningful.

Nevertheless, it was a page turner in the way it written. For that it gets five stars.

Read more

9 people found this helpful

Darren M. Reed

Darren M. Reed

5

Exciting page turn with strong characters and a deep mystery

Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2024

Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed this novel by Ashley Elston. It was my first novel I have read by her and I will be looking for more of her stories in the future.

The story centers on Evie (short for Evelyn) and her fast moving relationship with her boyfriend Ryan. They both have mysterious pasts. We soon learn that Evie is not who she claims to be, in fact she is far from her birth identity of Lucca Marino. Her life between Lucca and Evie is checkered and intriguing.

When we learn of Evie’s past we also learn of the high stakes. The mysterious Mr. Smith seems to be everywhere and apparently will not stop until he gets what he wants. Something only Evie can give him.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good psychological suspense story.

Read more

More reviews