Criminal defense attorney John Hart delivers an extraordinary debut novel that has garnered tremendous critical acclaim and invited favorable comparisons to the work of heavyweights John Grisham and Scott Turow.
North Carolina attorney “Work” Pickens struggles to build a stable career on the emotional wreckage of his personal life. His marriage is cold, his sister is deeply troubled, his mother is dead, and his father has been missing for more than a year. When his father’s corpse is finally discovered, Work becomes a suspect, forcing him to begin a search for answers. But every step that brings him closer to the truth also opens old wounds that are better left alone.
Beautifully written and expertly staged, The King of Lies is a masterful legal thriller that introduces the world to an exciting new talent.
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"thought this would be more courtroom Grishamy drama than lawyer-goes-rouge-detective. a good mystery read, even though the epilogue is unnecessarily long and kinda cliche. specifically for the narrator: could be better and changing tone when going from narrator to character "
— Michael (4 out of 5 stars)
" This was a good book with a great plot, but there was too much sex for my taste. "
— Carol, 9/8/2018" Great book by John Hart! I recommend! "
— Cindy, 2/6/2014" It was okay. I kept trying to find something about each character that I could hold onto but it just wasn't there for me. "
— Shena, 1/16/2014" I was hoping to like this better. I think this was the debut--I should check that--of this local author, and maybe my expectations were a bit high. I really liked the plot, and this was definitely a page turner once it got going. And it's always fun to read something that takes place in NC with places I recognize. I like legal thrillers in general. The characters were unique. Not all were very well-rounded, but they were intriguing, memorable people. The flaw for me was in the writing itself. Not necessarily the dialogue, but the writing felt a little like a first-timer. Which it was. I'd be interested in reading a more recent work to see if the writing has changed somewhat. I thought I'd be getting something kind of John Grisham-ish, but while the plot was there, the writing wasn't. Yet. Definite potential. "
— Tracy, 1/15/2014" A very realistic story that will grip you so hard it hurts. "
— Charlotte, 1/14/2014" Great ~ I really enjoyed this one! "
— Jody, 1/1/2014" This book is so riveting I couldn't put it down. I liked how the author kept the pace of the book going. "
— Sherrie, 12/29/2013" I enjoyed it start to finish. Stayed up late And got up early to read. Less than 24 hours to finish. I couldn't put it down., "
— Sterling, 12/18/2013" As good as the others set in the South with all the Gothic trappings. "
— Pam, 12/17/2013" John Hart is a master of the dramatic exterior. "
— Brenda, 11/30/2013" This book is a page turner! Read it almost in one sitting while traveling. "
— Mv7043, 11/28/2013" I really liked this book!! It was hard to put it down and I loved the style of writing. I'm excited to read another by John Hart! "
— Dawn, 11/17/2013" A very good novel. Perhaps one of the best I have read by a former lawyer. John Hart is a good story teller and this book is rather spell binding. I really enjoyed it. "
— Paul, 10/24/2013" Read all of his so far and can't wait for another. Outstanding talent. "
— Lynette, 10/24/2013" One of the back cover comments was that "this reads like a book on fire" and it does :) Great book. "
— Carolynn, 9/24/2013" I have read all three books by this "new" author--and this one did not disappoint. I intend to read everything he writes and hope a new book will be forthcoming soon. "
— Sue, 7/11/2013" Ok, I finished & loved it! I keeps you reading & you don't want to put it down!! You go back & forth on who you think the murderer is & then you're surprise!!! Would recommend to anyone!! "
— Melanie, 8/15/2012" Did not like, very slow moving. "
— Jerald, 5/4/2012" Starts out slow, and a bit confusing, but as the reader continues, the pieces start falling together. There are constant twists and turns in this well-written murder mystery. I am loving this author! Hope he writes more books. "
— Shae, 1/21/2012" This is an intense book that kept me interested until the end. There were parts that were a little slow and sometimes the main character, Work Pickens, is far too self-involved, but generally things were paced well right up until the end. "
— Susan, 11/7/2011" waste of time. overwrought, unbelievable "
— Elizabeth, 10/19/2011" I really enjoyed this book! My husband got upset with me because towards the end, I really could not put it down, not even to talk with him about our upcoming cruise. "
— Rhonda, 9/25/2011" There is a good story here. Written in first person as many good ones are, it lacks a lot of spoken dialogue between the characters. The reader is guided along almost entirely by the main character's naration of the story. I guess that's Hart's style, and it works. "
— Pat, 5/22/2011" Gripping storyline with plenty of twists and turns. Well written, nice ending. "
— Kacie, 5/14/2011" Usually love 1st novels... this one was predictable and too intense. Checked out his 2nd novel as his thrird was brilliant. "
— Menofamily, 5/10/2011" Better than average writing, but still a bit too florid (and way emo) for my tastes. "
— Wiggie, 5/8/2011" a fast read primarily because you can't seem to put it down. can't wait for the author to write a third. best part is, so far, he is not trying carry any of his characters to a new book. "
— Geo, 4/23/2011" Excellent! takes place in Rowan County. "
— Vickie, 4/20/2011" Grabs you from the beginning. . . "
— Nita, 4/19/2011" A very good novel. Perhaps one of the best I have read by a former lawyer. John Hart is a good story teller and this book is rather spell binding. I really enjoyed it. "
— Paul, 4/18/2011" This was Hart's first book. I had a hard time getting into it, but was glad I stayed with it to see how it turned out. "
— Marge, 4/16/2011" Liked it, but liked Last Child better. But this one was good. "
— Amy, 4/12/2011" A dark, sordid story about a small town lawyer whose missing father is found murdered. He is in a loveless marriage, his sister is a basket case and his mother died mysteriously. I can be depressed reading the newspaper so I didn't bother finishing this one. <br/> "
— Chuck, 4/3/2011" This is Jon Hart's first novel that led me to read all his subsequent ones. "
— Joe, 4/1/2011" I wanted to read this because I found Down River first and I loved that novel. King of Lies was good, I enjoyed it, but John Hart has definitely improved his writing skills with each novel. A good read, I was not disappointed. "
— Molly, 3/31/2011John Hart is the author of several New York Times bestsellers. He is the only author in history to win the Edgar Award for Best Novel in consecutive years, and he has also won the Barry Award, the Southern Independent Bookseller’s Award for Fiction, the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award, and the North Carolina Award for Literature. His novels have been translated into thirty languages and can be found in more than seventy countries.
David Chandler is an Earphones Award–winning narrator who has read numerous titles for New York Times bestselling authors William Kent Krueger and C. J. Box, among others.