{"product_id":"once-upon-a-lie-lisa-ballantyne","title":"Once Upon a Lie – Lisa Ballantyne","description":"\u003cp\u003eA tragedy places a child at risk and tests the bonds of family and friendship, while hidden histories and unreliable truths make it impossible to know who is really telling the truth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOnce Upon a Lie\u003c\/em\u003e combines family drama with psychological suspense, building tension through layered secrets, moral dilemmas, and emotional consequences. This standalone thriller favours character depth and unsettling uncertainty over nonstop action.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRated approximately 3.9\/5 on Goodreads. Readers praise the emotional weight, layered mysteries, and Lisa Ballantyne’s ability to weave domestic drama into suspense. Some thriller fans found the pacing more character-driven than action-packed, with the emotional storyline taking centre stage over shock twists.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePerfect for fans of \u003cem\u003eThen She Was Gone\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eThe Family Upstairs\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eThe Couple at No. 9\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eThe Innocent One\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eThe Girl on the Train\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eI Let You Go\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIdeal for readers who enjoy:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePsychological and domestic suspense\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChild-at-risk storylines\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFamily secrets and moral dilemmas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFriendships tested by tragedy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnreliable truths and hidden lies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCharacter-driven emotional mysteries\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eA trade paperback (2020) in Good condition, with moderate wear, some page yellowing, and all pages present.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jhb Preloved Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50521015451763,"sku":null,"price":65.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0651\/3357\/6307\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_0f75850c-ff34-4602-bb4b-bfed81530b33.jpg?v=1790156240","url":"https:\/\/jhbprelovedbooks.co.za\/products\/once-upon-a-lie-lisa-ballantyne","provider":"Jhb Preloved Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}