Most days I wake up early to watch my husband sleep. The morning sun filtering through the bedroom blinds highlights auburn streaks in his thinning brown hair. Although I want to run my fingertips through the ends, I don’t touch it. He’s calm. Peaceful. Content.

His chest rises and falls. I allow my eyes to trace the deep lines which run like scuttling spiders down the side of his neck. My heart pinches. Those creases reflect our loving twenty-four years together. Two kids, long-weekend camping trips. Soft blankets spread on the backyard lawn which welcome spring BBQs and lazy summer picnics. I can’t help but smile, just thinking about it all. Simple things, laughter, cherished time well spent.

But not all mornings can be the same. Today, I have burning questions.

Where were you last night, Jim? Do you truly believe the scrape of the key in the front door at one a.m. wouldn’t rouse me? Or the tread of footsteps as you crept upstairs? Or the slight give of the mattress as you slipped into bed? No, I was awake. Waiting.

It’s not the first time you’ve arrived home late. Where have you been? Another business meeting? A round of drinks with friends? Which friends, exactly? Colleagues? The baseball team? Whoever it was had to be familiar because when I checked your texts yesterday no new names popped up in the feed. Unless a contact disappeared.

I edge closer an inch to close the distance between us. Sunlight splashes across your cheeks. Your sour breath doesn’t bother me. I’m used to it. Nose to nose on the pillow, I whisper. Who is she? I hate my suspicion, my angry thoughts. That text exchange may have deleted, but the question still stands.

You stir, then still. I smooth my salt-and-pepper hair, then return to my side of the bed. Will we make it to our silver anniversary? It would be unfortunate if we don’t, but if that’s the case, I’ve thought a lot about it. Yes, I have.

I lace my fingers behind the nape of my neck, and gaze over. Your long-fingered hands are folded across your stomach. I smile sweetly but I hate being underestimated. Fair warning, Jim. My plans are brewing.

Flat Out Lies
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Release: July 2024
Format: Print, Digital
Purchase Link

Ria Stiles is a good wife, a loving mother and successful photographer. She is also a practiced liar, with a dark past concealed by a new identity. Her husband Jim is no saint. He’s preoccupied by the threat he is about to be fired and their teenage son’s questionable antics.

When gunfire erupts in broad daylight on their street and one of their neighbours is murdered, Ria and Jim’s home life begins to unravel. Both double down to protect themselves, desperate to keep their nefarious activities hidden. As the police try and track down the shooter, Ria and Jim’s secrets collide.

But not everything is as it first appears.

In a game of lies, when only one can win…

Sometimes the truth can be deadly.

About the author
Karen Grose is from Toronto, Canada. Her debut novel, The Dime Box, was selected by Amnesty International for its 2021 Book Club. The Chinese language version, retitled as The Lost Daughters, was published by Sharp Point Press, Taiwan, in 2023. Flat Out Lies is Karen’s second novel. She has flash, poems and short stories in journals and anthologies, both in print and online. Karen is a member of Crime Writers of Canada, Sisters-in-Crime-Toronto and National, and the #thrillsandchills writing group. Track her down on X: @kgrose2, Facebook, or at karengrose.ca.