Review - Lie by Caroline Bock

Title: Lie

Author: Caroline Bock

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 224

Published: August 30, 2011

ISBN: 9780312668327

Source: 

Description: Everybody knows, nobody’s talking. . . . Seventeen-year-old Skylar Thompson is being questioned by the police. Her boyfriend, Jimmy, stands accused of brutally assaulting two young El Salvadoran immigrants from a neighboring town, and she’s the prime witness. Skylar is keeping quiet about what she’s seen, but how long can she keep it up?  But Jimmy was her savior. . . .  When her mother died, he was the only person who made her feel safe, protected from the world. But when she begins to appreciate the enormity of what has happened, especially when Carlos Cortez, one of the victims, steps up to demand justice, she starts to have second thoughts about protecting Jimmy. Jimmy’s accomplice, Sean, is facing his own moral quandary. He’s out on bail and has been offered a plea in exchange for testifying against Jimmy.  The truth must be told. . . .Sean must decide whether or not to turn on his friend in order to save himself. But most important, both he and Skylar need to figure out why they would follow someone like Jimmy in the first place.

I Give This ...

I expected this book to make me uncomfortable, after all it's about a hate crime.  But, I really didn't expect to dislike the way I did. 

I think my main problem was with the way people rallied around Jimmy.  Everyone seemed to think he was this great guy and there was no way that he could have attacked anybody, let alone kill them.  But, it's like they are all delusional to his true character.  As the story comes out, we realize that people are great about seeing what they want to see.  This story is also a perfect example of how hate breeds more hate.  In the end, I disliked Jimmy's dad way more than I disliked him.  

I actually disliked Lisa Marie a lot too.  I couldn't understand her motive for being on Jimmy's side.  She didn't even see what really happened.  She was down right nasty to Skylar, who is suppose to be her best friend.  I think part of it stems from jealousy, but she really rubbed me the wrong way.

I also thought this story had way to many viewpoints.  Someone new would be thrown in just for a short little section never to be heard from again.  It was trying to paint a picture of the kind of person Jimmy (and his dad) was.  But, all it did for me was make the story feel disconnected.

A let down for sure.  It could have been great!