A Thousand Lies by
Laura Wilson
pbk out February 06
(Orion)
at £9.99
Oh what tangled webs we weave, those who practice to deceive or something. Laura
Wilson with her sixth novel, A Thousand Lies, is certainly in parts extremely devious in
laying out her plot in this tale of deceit and counter-deceit, with a lone journalist, Amy
Vaughan, caught up in the middle.
In 1987 Sheila Shand was given a suspended sentence for murder. At her trial, it emerged
that she and her mother and sister had been forced to shield brutal and sadistic father, Leslie
Shand, while he subjected them to a reign of terror, daily beatings and sexual abuse. Years
later Amy discovers letters and a newspaper cutting about the Shand case while clearing out
her late mother's flat. Concluding that she must be related to the Shands, she decides to visit
Sheila's mother who is in a care home. Amy is curious about the elderly Iris Shand who pores
over an album of family photos, for Amy knows that photographs tell lies. As she pursues her
investigation of the Shand case, Amy realises that there is more to the murder of Leslie than
the police ever unearthed, including two long-buried skeletons in woods near the family's
home and a dark secret that explains the nature of her own far from idyllic upbringing.
A Thousand Lies is an interesting book that uncovers a great deal about domestic abuse,
without ever over-egging the pudding. The descriptions and pace are constant, while the
characters are drawn so that they create empathy and disgust in equal measure. The problem
is that Amy as the central figure does not really drive the story along, but reacts to the
situations that surround her in an almost accidental way that makes her seem somewhat weak.
If this was the intention, it is done well, but somehow this is doubtful. A woman in a responsible
job must surely possess a drive and determination and not just mere curiosity that plunges her into
very hot water.
This said, though, A Thousand Lies is still more often engaging than not and, as the back-
story unfolds, reveals a satisfying and somewhat unexpected finale to rival anything out there
at the moment. From this novel, it is clear to see why Laura Wilson has become so acclaimed,
as her style is eminently readable and her ability to tell a tale is clearly demonstrated
throughout.
(
C. H
Chris High - Author Multi-media Promotion Service www.chrishigh.com)
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A Thousand Lies by
Laura Wilson
