Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil

Chief Inspector Bish Ortley is suspended from the London Met when he learns his daughter's bus has been bombed in France. As he rushes to the scene, he discovers that one of the survivors is Violette LeBrac, whose mother was imprisoned for a supermarket bombing thirteen years ago. The investigation into the bus bombing forces Bish to question everything he thought he knew about the earlier case. He becomes entangled in both the current investigation and the reopening of old wounds as he searches for answers. The story moves between England and France as Bish navigates complex family relationships, police work, and racial tensions. Connections between past and present emerge as he works to uncover the truth about both bombings. This crime novel explores themes of prejudice, family loyalty, and the way trauma echoes through generations. It raises questions about truth, justice, and the stories we choose to believe.

Readers praise the complex character development, particularly of Chief Inspector Bish Ortley, noting his flaws and humanity make him relatable. Many highlight Marchetta's skill at weaving together family drama with the terrorism investigation plot. The dialogue and relationships between characters receive frequent mention in positive reviews. Common criticisms focus on the slow pacing in the middle sections and some confusion about keeping track of the large cast of characters. Several readers note the marketing as a thriller created incorrect expectations, as the book focuses more on relationships and grief than action. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (5,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (120+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (90+ ratings) "The character work is outstanding but I wanted more suspense" - Goodreads reviewer "Brilliant portrayal of how trauma affects families across generations" - Amazon reviewer "Too many characters to follow easily" - LibraryThing reviewer

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📚 Before writing Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil, Melina Marchetta was primarily known for young adult fiction, including her award-winning novel Looking for Alibrandi. 🌍 The book was inspired by real-world events, particularly the 2005 London bombings and their aftermath on Muslim communities in the UK. 🔄 The protagonist, Chief Inspector Bish Ortley, is connected to another character from Marchetta's previous works - his daughter Bee is the cousin of Jonah Griggs from On the Jellicoe Road. ⭐ The novel marked Marchetta's first venture into adult crime fiction after establishing herself as one of Australia's most celebrated YA authors. 🏆 Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil was shortlisted for the 2017 Ned Kelly Award for Best Crime Novel, showcasing its success in crossing genres from YA to crime fiction.