The Good Lie

Six teens murdered. A suspect behind bars. A desperate father. In a case this shadowy, the truth is easy to hide.

Psychiatrist Dr. Gwen Moore is an expert on killers. She's spent a decade treating California's most depraved predators and unlocking their motives--predators much like the notorious Bloody Heart serial killer, whose latest teenage victim escaped and then identified local high school teacher Randall Thompson as his captor. The case against Thompson as the Bloody Heart Killer is damning--and closed, as far as Gwen and the media are concerned. If not for one new development...

Defense attorney Robert Kavin is a still-traumatized father whose own son fell prey to the BH Killer. Convinced of Thompson's innocence, he steps in to represent him. Now Robert wants Gwen to interview the accused, create a psych profile of the killer and his victims, and help clear his client's name.

As Gwen and Robert grow closer and she dives deeper into the investigation, grave questions arise. So does Gwen's suspicion that Robert is hiding something--and that he might not be the only one with a secret.

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Published Jul 20, 2021

255 pages

Average rating: 7.41

428 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

jess.withbooks
Jun 05, 2025
4/10 stars
The main character of this book is both very bad at her job and unburdened by any ethical obligations to do…anything. If you think this would make for a good book, you will be in for a surprise!
Maddie_0513
Oct 11, 2025
9/10 stars
I really enjoyed this book and the details of killers and their psychological thought process throughout the book. It was very well written but I did not see the ending coming! There’s so much movement of who did what and trying to figure out how Scott escaped (released). I really felt bad for Robert with all his loss in his life. To represent the “killer” of his son was a bold statement. Gwen is by far my favorite. She’s so smart and catches onto things right away, at least from what I thought. I don’t believe John was being truthful with Gwen. I’m sure he was smart enough to elude Gwen and drag her along thinking he hated his wife when he really enjoyed Gwen not knowing exactly what he was doing in his attic and instead used her suggestions to “fire the landscaper”.
HelloTanyaLyn
Jul 10, 2025
6/10 stars
Thanks to my friend @neka_rae for suggesting I read this book. We just finished a "Buddy Read for this - and it was super fun!

The Good Lie by A.R. Torre is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the dark recesses of the human psyche, set against the glitz and glamour of Beverly Hills.

Carla_is_Reading
Oct 24, 2024
6/10 stars
3.5 stars
I really enjoyed the psychiatrist POV of this story. The characteristics breakdowns of all the characters. It also enhanced the air of suspicion and made it all the more enjoyable.
The plot and the pacing is what I had trouble connecting with. I would find myself distracted by other things because at that particular portion, it would just be really slow. Then it would pick back up again.
I def will still read from AR Torre, I love her lens as a writer. She makes the weird and disturbing really intriguing. I will always admire her for that.
Tamrat
Sep 24, 2024
Psychological thriller involving a psychiatrist specializing in treating violent criminals. The serial killer, psychiatrist, victims father intertwined to a surprise ending

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