Review of First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

Elston's first adult novel ticked all of my mystery-reading boxes: a con artist, fake identity, dangerous boss, complicated mark, trusty sidekick, clever maneuvering, and non-manipulative twists. I can't wait to read her next mystery.

Evie Porter is embracing her current fake identity and getting closer to her mark Ryan--who she's lured into being her boyfriend. Now she awaits her mysterious boss Mr. Smith's instructions about the information he needs her to obtain to take down Ryan or his associates, she's not sure which.

After what happened on her last job, she can't afford to make mistakes. Mr. Smith could make life unpleasant--or abruptly shortened--if she fails. And he seems to be throwing curveballs at her on purpose. But Evie knows that since her desperate entry into this powerful, dangerous world, its tricky elements, its constant deception, and its hefty paycheck, she has always been one of the best. She expects to manage this job--whatever it may turn out to be--without much difficulty.

But the situation isn't exactly what it seems, and when a woman comes to town using Evie's birth name, which only her boss was aware of, Evie isn't sure whether she's being tested or whether she's being set up for sabotage.

I loved the key elements of this story: the capable con woman, the past coming back to haunt her, the complicated mark, the trusted sidekick, the tricky cross and double-cross, and Elston's non-manipulative, delightful twists. This was smart and intriguing, a fast and compelling read, with a main protagonist I was rooting for, and it ticked all of my mystery-reading boxes.

I can't wait to read Elston's upcoming mystery, Anatomy of an Alibi, scheduled for publication January 13.

More from Ashley Elston

This is Ashley Elston's first adult novel. She is also the author of six young adult books, including The Lying Woods, This Is Our Story, The Rules for Disappearing, and The Rules for Breaking.