Once Upon a Lie

Once Upon a Lie (2014) by Maggie Barbieri. When her childhood tormentor, a cousin named Sean, is killed, Maeve becomes a suspect. The police try to smoke her out by acting as if her father Jack is the principle suspect, but it just doesn't work. Maeve goes about her life, dealing with her ex-husband and her two daughters (one of whom is a real terror), and running her bakery (she is an excellent cook). Every once in a while her father takes an unauthorized leave of absence from the assisted-living place where he is being cared for, and Maeve has to round him up and bring him back. At 80, he is verging on senility, and Maeve can't believe the police even suspect he could have done the murder. Also every once in a while, the police detectives pop up to talk to Maeve, but she's not telling them anything useful. The identity of her cousin's killer is supposed to be the Big Reveal of this thriller, but I really wasn't surprised. If you've ever read Agatha Christie's "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd," you too will easily guess who the killer is. In fact, I would recommend you read "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" instead of this book. It's basically the same idea, but much better done. Once Upon a Lie: Grade: B