Weight of Lies

In this gripping, atmospheric family drama, a young woman investigates the forty­-year­-old murder that inspired her mother’s bestselling novel, and uncovers devastating truths—and dangerous lies.Reformed party girl Meg Ashley leads a life of privilege, thanks to a bestselling horror novel her mother wrote decades ago. But Meg knows that the glow of their very public life hides a darker reality of lies, manipulation, and the heartbreak of her own solitary childhood. Desperate to break free of her mother, Meg accepts a proposal to write a scandalous, tell-all memoir.Digging into the past—and her mother’s cult classic—draws Meg to Bonny Island, Georgia, and an unusual woman said to be the inspiration for the book. At first island life seems idyllic, but as Meg starts to ask tough questions, disturbing revelations come to light…including some about her mother.Soon Meg’s search leads her to question the facts of a decades-old murder. She’s warned to leave it alone, but as the lies pile up, Meg knows she’s getting close to finding a murderer. When her own life is threatened, Meg realizes the darkness found in her mother’s book is nothing compared to the chilling truth that lurks off the page.

“Twists aplenty in this searing murder mystery should leave readers dizzy, in the best way possible.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review  “The Weight of Lies is a hypnotic, suspenseful page-turner that examines the fraught relationship between a famous mother and her troubled daughter, culminating in spine-tingling twists and turns. Emily Carpenter is THE Southern Gothic QUEEN.” —Kate Moretti, New York Times bestselling author of The Vanishing Year  “Filled with twists and turns and simply unputdownable, The Weight of Lies weaves deftly between past and present-day secrets. Carpenter’s spellbinding tale, part mystery and part Southern Gothic thriller, will keep readers hooked until the final page.” —Paula Treick DeBoard, author of The Drowning Girls  “The Weight of Lies is a creepy, atmospheric thriller that plunges its heroine into the mystery behind a cult classic horror novel. An intriguing tale of secrets and lies that will keep you guessing as you race to the end.” —Laura McHugh, author of The Weight of Blood and Arrowood  “Fascinating.…An unputdownable read.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review  “A gripping, heart-pounding murder mystery/Gothic thriller sure to give readers chills.…Mystery lovers, don’t let this nail-biter of a good read pass you by!” —RT Book Reviews  “Fans of suspense or just finely crafted fiction will find Carpenter’s second outing an addicting read—they might even lose some sleep…” —Independent Publisher

Emily Carpenter, a former actor, producer, screenwriter, and behind-the-scenes soap opera assistant, was born and raised in Alabama. After graduating from Auburn University, she moved to New York City and now lives in Georgia with her family. She is the author of Amazon bestseller Burying the Honeysuckle Girls. Visit Emily at www.emilycarpenterauthor.com and on Facebook and Twitter.