Lies to Forever by Marlene M. Bell | A Fast-Paced Domestic Thriller Filled with Betrayal and Suspicion
Sometimes the people who destroy your life are the same people who once earned your trust.
Set against the cold forests and hidden dangers of Tennessee, Lies to Forever blends emotional betrayal with escalating suspense as April Manning fights to survive long enough to uncover the truth.
About Lies to Forever
Lies To Forever By Marlene M Bell
Published by Ewephoric on 03/09/2026
Genres: Suspense, Mystery, Thriller
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 316
First they stole her trust. Now they want her life.
April Manning’s generous nature has always been a gift, and her greatest weakness. After being scammed out of her life savings by a trusted friend, April is left with an eviction notice and one last hope: reclaiming her position as an interior designer at her old architectural firm, even if it means a showdown with head architect Hunter Ellis, her cheating ex.
But that’s not the only hitch. When the owner of the firm turns up dead, the last thing April expects to find is the bloody murder weapon on her doorstep.
Now the killer sets a plan for April and suspicion flares at every turn…from the mysterious new handyman, to an estranged family member she’s tried to forget. Chased from her dream home and cornered like prey, April is hemmed by the wintry forests of Tennessee with few options. As chilling memories of childhood abandonment haunt her, it seems everyone has a hidden agenda to take April down.
Only one thing is certain. A monster is stalking Smoky Creek, and April must unmask them before they land the fatal blow.
Reader Resources
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This tour also features a generous giveaway including a $100 Amazon gift card and signed prizes. Be sure to check the giveaway section near the end of the post.
Review at a Glance
| Genre | Domestic Thriller Mystery |
| Setting | Tennessee |
| Tone | Suspenseful, tense, emotionally charged |
| Length | Standalone Novel |
| Content Rating | Adult |
| My Rating | ★★★★★ (CAWPILE: 9.5/10) |
A fast-paced domestic thriller packed with betrayal, hidden motives, emotional tension, and enough suspects to keep readers guessing until the end.
Content Considerations
Murder, emotional manipulation, betrayal, financial fraud/scams, abandonment themes, family conflict, stalking/paranoia, and suspense-related peril.
Why This Book Stands Out
What makes Lies to Forever immediately compelling is the combination of emotional vulnerability and escalating danger. April is not only fighting to clear her name, but also dealing with betrayal, financial devastation, and lingering wounds from her past. That emotional foundation gives the suspense extra weight.
The isolated Tennessee setting adds another layer of tension, creating the feeling that danger could be waiting around every corner. Readers who enjoy domestic thrillers built around manipulation, hidden motives, and steadily rising paranoia will likely find themselves pulled quickly into April's nightmare.
Watch the Book Trailer
Get a quick glimpse into the tension and danger waiting inside Lies to Forever.
My Thoughts
One line from the description perfectly captures April Manning as a character: "April Manning's generous nature has always been a gift, and her greatest weakness." That emotional vulnerability drives much of the story and makes the danger surrounding her feel especially tense and personal.
April is already facing one of the worst periods of her life when the story begins, and things only spiral further from there. Between betrayal, suspicion, financial devastation, and mounting danger, the pressure never really lets up. The result is an intense, gripping thriller that keeps the pages turning quickly.
One of the strongest aspects of Lies to Forever is how many believable suspects Marlene M. Bell manages to weave into the story. Nearly everyone seems capable of hiding something, which creates constant uncertainty about who can actually be trusted. The plot remains very driven by tension and conflict, making this an easy book to keep reading "just one more chapter" at a time.
Themes of trust and revenge dominate the story, but there is also an emotional undercurrent tied to abandonment and personal resilience that gives the suspense additional depth.
I found this highly entertaining from beginning to end. My CAWPILE score landed at a very solid 9.5/10, with perhaps a tiny emotional boost because I genuinely enjoy Marlene M. Bell's entire body of work - from her standalone mysteries, to her cozy mystery series, to her delightful children's books.
In Conclusion
If you enjoy domestic thrillers filled with betrayal, layered suspects, escalating danger, and emotionally vulnerable characters fighting to survive impossible situations, Lies to Forever is well worth adding to your suspense reading list.
Marlene M. Bell delivers another compelling mystery packed with tension, paranoia, and twists while still giving readers a character they can genuinely root for through every dangerous turn.
Marlene M. Bell has become one of my favorite recurring authors to feature here on the blog. Over the years, I've enjoyed everything from her suspenseful standalone mysteries to her cozy mysteries and even her charming children's books. If you'd like to explore more of her work, you can browse all of my Marlene M. Bell reviews here:
Browse My Marlene M. Bell Reviews
Meet the Author
About Marlene M Bell
Marlene M. Bell shares many traits with the bold protagonists she writes.
Her Annalisse series stars a New York antiquities appraiser who chases dangerous criminals in far-flung locales. The series has won eight international literary awards and an avid fan base around the world.
When Marlene's not busy plotting her next novel, she's exploring her wooded Texas ranch with camera in hand and thirty sheep faithfully in tow.
As an accomplished writer, painter and nature photographer, she's always hunting for the next spark of inspiration — or the next adventure calling her name.
Explore more from the author:
Website | Amazon | Goodreads
Where to Buy
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Tour dates: May 18 to June 5, 2026. To see the full schedule of stops, visit the
iRead Book Tours - Lies to Forever Tour Page.
Giveaway
To celebrate the release of Lies to Forever, Marlene M. Bell is hosting a special giveaway filled with fun prizes for readers, including a $100 Amazon gift card. Click the image below to visit the giveaway page and enter.
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