THE PERFECT LIE BY JO SPAIN
Paperback published by Quercus 28th April 2022
ISBN 9781529407273
Five years ago, Erin Kennedy moved to New York following a family tragedy. She now lives happily with her detective husband in the scenic seaside town of Newport Long Island. When Erin answers the door to Danny’s police colleagues one morning, it’s the start of an ordinary day. But behind her, Danny walks to the window of their fourth floor apartment and jumps to his death.
Eighteen months later, Erin is in court, charged with her husband’s murder. Over that year and a half, Erin has learned things about Danny she could never have imagined.she thought he was perfect. She thought their life was perfect.
But it was all built on the perfect lie.
Unputdownable!
Part of chapter
Erin
Then July 2019 Page 8
There are two other uniformed officers in our hallway and Ben has a look on his face that tells me, for the love of all that is holy, something big has happened and the forthcoming weekend is now a non-runner.
I never learn.
Behind me, Danny enters the living space and I know he’s seen Ben’s face too. He’s probably already planning how to make it up to me.
‘Erin,’ Ben says, his voice grave, ‘I’m afraid I have bad news.’ The day your life changes can begin in the most ordinary way. I’ve experienced it once before. Just like this, the knock on the door.
I wait for it, my stomach tight, the battle response of a weary soldier.
Who’s dead?
Ben expression changes – his attention is drawn over my shoulder, to Danny.
I turn thinking Danny has caught Ben’s tone, recognises it, and is probably readying himself to confront me. I might be far from my family, but he’ll get me to them, ASAP. He’ll take care of everything.
But Danny’s not looking at me.
He’s staring at Ben, utter defeat on his face.
Then my husband walks to the French windows and out on to the small balcony.
I watch him confused.
He turns, I catch his eye.
Danny doesn’t look like Danny at all.
His expression is indescribable. A mixture of pain and apology. He opens his mouth as if to say something, but instead, just swallows. He looks away, like just the sight of me is causing him pain. He lifts one leg over the balcony.
What the fuck are you doing, I think, but am too confused to say.
Then he raises the other leg so he’s sitting on the iron grille.
He uses his hands to push himself off.
He’s gone.
Sudden movement at the door as Ben and the others rush into our apartment.
I’m paralysed.
Four floors down, there’s a thud.
That’s my husband’s body.
It’s all over in seconds.
About Jo Spain
JO SPAIN is a full-time writer and screenwriter. Her first novel, With Our Blessing, was a finalist in the Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller competition and she’s become a regular Top Ten Irish bestseller with her subsequent eleven novels. Jo co-writes and produces the internationally acclaimed Harry Wild TV series and is currently working on several TV productions, including the adaptation of her own Detective Tom Reynolds series. Jo and her family live in Dublin.https://www.instagram.com/jospainscreenwriter
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