Book Review: The Best Lies by David Ellis

I adored the generosity of heart that was the basis of David Ellis’ prior thriller, Look Closer, so was really excited to dive into this latest novel of his. Even with his proven track record for writing compelling stories with unexpected twists, I did not expect to be as blown away as I was here!

My astonishment started at the twenty percent mark, where a huge plot twist had me closing my Kindle so I could go take a walk and breathe through my shock. I didn’t see how anything else in this book could possibly top that masterful execution of story, so was more than pleasantly surprised by the rest of this terrific novel. At one point, I was literally flailing with disbelief at the sheer brilliance and audacity of our main characters. It’s the very rare book that elicits such violent yet positive physical reactions from me. The Best Lies is truly one of the smartest, most propulsive mysteries I’ve ever read.

The story itself is about Leo Balanoff, a crusading attorney who’s been formally diagnosed as a pathological liar. His childhood was a mess, but it did compel him to pursue a career in the criminal justice system. While he’d originally aimed to join the Illinois state attorney’s office, a brush with the law in college derails those plans, and introduces him to the man who will eventually become his law partner:

“Something funny?” I ask.

 

“No, no.” He waves a hand. “I just enjoyed the music lesson.”

 

I sit down next to him and stare at him. I don’t follow.

 

“You just played that judge like a fiddle,” he whispers.

 

“I don’t know what you mean. I’m just a college kid. This legal stuff is a little overwhelming.”

 

He likes that, actually laughs. “Yeah, overwhelming. You looked real overwhelmed up there.” He leans into me. “You managed, without going to trial, without even testifying–through a guilty plea, no less–to convince the judge, first, that you’re not guilty of aggravated battery of a peace officer, and second, that you’re an upstanding citizen who shouldn’t go to prison.”

 

Good thing this guy wasn’t the judge, then.

One of Leo’s latest cases has him trying to shut down a notorious human trafficker, Cyrus Balik. When Cyrus is found stabbed to death, Leo isn’t exactly unhappy to have the gangster taken out of the picture for good. Unfortunately for Leo, however, his fingerprints have been found on the murder weapon, and his blood on Cyrus’ clothes. 

The FBI inevitably comes knocking, seeking Leo’s cooperation in taking out Cyrus’ boss, the even more ruthless Nico Katsaros. If Leo helps them, they’ll see what they can do about the inevitable murder charge. Even so, Leo is hesitant. There’s a strong chance that going undercover for the feds could endanger his life. The prospect of life in prison is even less appealing to him than a quick death though, so he reluctantly agrees.

With Cyrus dead, the FBI agent in charge has arranged for Leo to take over as Nico’s courier in the transfer of some sensitive but exceedingly valuable data. Leo is prepared for a lot, but not for the collision course that this will set him on with his ex, Andi Piotrowski. She’s a former police officer who left the force and now has a more lucrative position in private security. She can’t help musing over her life choices though when a new colleague asks:

“You miss being a cop, don’t you?”

 

She answers with a shrug. She misses the romance of it, good guys catching bad guys. But that ship sailed a long time ago, well before she left Deemer Park P.D., when she realized the bad guys aren’t always as bad as you thought, and the good guys definitely aren’t as good.

 

Here, at least, there’s no pretending. Quigley Crowe International sells medical products for a profit. Sure, big picture, they’re making products that help people, but in the end, QCI is a private corporation trying to make money and protect its own interests.

As Leo’s and Andi’s paths converge once more, will they be able to work through their shared history and reconcile what they once believed with who they are now? Perhaps more importantly, will they both be able to stay alive in the process?

It’s really hard to talk in any depth about how amazing this book is without giving away any spoilers. Let’s just say that this is way more than a story of the collision between industrial espionage and a vicious crime syndicate. It’s smart, humorous, heartfelt, and written so propulsively that it’s impossible to put down. I adored this book so much that it’s one of my favorites of 2024, and hopefully will be one of yours, too.