The First to Lie

A pharmaceutical dynasty, a television reporter, and multiple characters harboring secrets collide in this thriller centered on a controversial fertility drug. At the heart of the story is Nora Quinn, who takes a job as a pharmaceutical sales rep with Pharminex while concealing her true motives. An investigation into drug-related medical incidents brings together an ambitious TV journalist named Ellie and a determined woman named Meg, who both pursue the truth about Pharminex. The narrative shifts between past and present as hidden connections between the characters emerge and questions arise about who can be trusted. As deceptions multiply and dangerous revelations surface, the characters' separate quests for justice converge toward an explosive conclusion. The story explores corporate greed, medical ethics, and how far people will go to right past wrongs. This suspense novel examines the blurred lines between truth and lies, revenge and justice, while raising questions about the human cost of pharmaceutical profit and the price of keeping secrets.

Readers found the plot twists complex but sometimes confusing, with multiple unreliable narrators and timeline shifts that required concentration to follow. Many appreciated the pharmaceutical industry whistleblower angle and corporate intrigue elements. Liked: - Multiple layers of deception that come together at the end - Strong female characters - Ethical questions about drug companies and profit vs public good - Fast-paced final third of the book Disliked: - Slow start with too much setup - Challenge tracking characters due to similar names/identities - Some plot points felt implausible - Ending felt rushed to some readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (1,000+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4/5 "The first half moves like molasses but the payoff is worth it" - Goodreads reviewer "Too many characters pretending to be other characters" - Amazon reviewer "Smart premise but needed tighter editing" - BookPage review

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📚 Author Hank Phillippi Ryan has won 37 Emmy Awards and 14 Edward R. Murrow Awards for her work as an investigative reporter. 🏆 The First to Lie was nominated for the 2020 Mary Higgins Clark Award, which recognizes mystery/suspense writing. 💊 The novel explores the pharmaceutical industry's dark side, drawing from real-world cases of companies concealing dangerous drug side effects. 👥 The main character, Ellie Berensen, was inspired by Ryan's own experiences as an undercover reporter investigating medical fraud. 📖 The book's complex structure includes four different timelines and multiple unreliable narrators, with almost every character using some form of deception.