'Beautiful Lies' searches for a true identity
BOOK REVIEW
by DAVID HANNAH Book Reviewer

("Beautiful Lies," Shaye Areheart Books, Hardcover, 384 pages, $23.)

"Beautiful Lies" is the debut novel by Lisa Unger. It is an intriguing story about a woman who finds out that she has been lied to about who she is.

The story begins when Ridley Jones commits a heroic act, which then gets put in newspapers and on television. Ridley begins to receive things sent to her that reveal that she has been lied to about her life.

With the help of her lover Jake, Ridley investigates the possibility that the people that raised her and loved her are not her biological parents.

Things begin to get dicey when she meets a man who claims to be her real father and tells her that her real mother was murdered years ago. A shocking act of violence occurs during this meeting, and Ridley is more determined than ever to get to the truth. Ridley learns that Jake is also keeping secrets from her. In the course of this story, Jake finds out something from his past and they both share a certain bond.

The title of this book implies that as we are growing up, we are told certain lies by our parents: Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy. While these are lies, they are beautiful lies because they bring children comfort and joy.

Ridley is an interesting character because she does not easily give up in her search for justice and the truth, even when danger lurks around every corner and she does not know who to trust.

The other characters in this book add to the story: Jake seems like a nice guy who wants to help Ridley, Ridley's parents are definitely keeping the truth from her, and Ridley's deceased Uncle Max, portrayed in flashbacks, had secrets of his own.

This book has plenty to keep the reader involved: Who is Ridley's father? Why was Ridley lied to about where she came from? And who can she trust in her search for answers?

By using the fist-person technique in her story, Unger makes the story more personal. I tried to put myself in her shoes, but as soon as danger came into the picture, I probably would have stopped, but Ridley persevered despite obstacles.

I will tell the reader that Ridley does find out who her father is, and why that fact was kept from her all her life. There is an inkling of who that man is earlier in the story. "Beautiful Lies" is strictly for adult readers.