Little Bitty Lies

Little Bitty Lies by Mary Kay Andrews

This sometimes confusing, sort of depressing, yet at the same time, funny and poignant novel is written by the mystery writer Kathy Trocheck. Moreover, it sure looks like the transition to a slightly different style of mystery combined with female literature seems to have been made successfully! I have not read any of the mystery series but if they are half as good as the writing in this novel, I should be pleased.

Yes, the writing was wonderful; the characters are fully fleshed out and believable. You will sometimes love and sympathize with Mary Bliss and Katherine and sometimes you want to smack them silly and hope that they end up in jail. Fortunately, while we only know of Parker, Mary Bliss’s show more sort of dearly departed husband, via her memories and his actions as told to us by the women and what they learn while snooping ---he is a cad, a rake a scoundrel and a major thief. He really isn’t a nice guy and death would be to easy for the likes of him.

Then again, Mary Bliss and Katharine are perpetuating a fraud…or are they?

There are so many characters that we could really hate, but Ms Andrews writes in such a talented way that even the most hateful of people are written so well that at times we can feel empathy for them. Well maybe except for Parker!
This is an excellent little novel about what is most important to us. And what another person can do to us to bring us to our knees if we let them. This story shows that even someone who thinks they can’t do something-really can with the right motivations and the love of good friends behind us.

This is small southern community at its best and it is a very satisfying read with a Happily-Ever-After, that I wasn’t sure was ever going to happen. I love books that keep you guessing!
Be aware there is a recipe for her fabulous chicken salad at the end of the Kindle edition! show less

In 2007 I wasn't doing reviews of everything, just a brief reminder for myself. I noted on this one "Chick lit with a Southern twist." This, while true, doesn't quite do the book justice. Mary Kay Andrews honed her writing skills as Kathy Hogan Trocheck, author of the Callahan Garrity mystery series, and that shows in her more romantic novels under the new name. It's an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours.

After reading lots of dark books for the past few months I decided to go a different direction. This was truly genteel fiction. Nothing to offend the masses, but quite humorous anyway. It was nice to see the 'good' girl win in the end :).

When Mary Bliss' husband leaves her in really dire straights, she tells a few little lies to make herself and her daughter feel better. But the next thing you know, the lies have escalated to the point that she's led everyone to believe that her husband Parker is dead.

She's broke, she's got a very angst ridden teenager daughter and a very difficult mother-in-law.
But she's also got a best friend who is willing to do pretty much anything for her.

It's funny at times, it's sweet, it's a good story about friendship and support and it includes a chicken salad recipe that you'll definitely be itching to try by the end of the book.

This author's books are just too fun.

LITTLE BITTY LIES by Mary Kay Andrews
Mary Bliss McGowan is happily married until her husband – and all their money – leave her. Keeping up appearances in her Atlanta suburb, she tells everyone he is on a business trip – until he turns up dead – maybe. This madcap adventure into deadly divorce finds Mary Bliss with two romantic pursuers, a teen aged daughter who has discovered sex, and a variety of part time jobs. Things go along smoothly (?) until she finds herself suspected of murder by one of her amorous companions.
Deftly written, with well developed characters, lots of laughs and a complex plot, Little Bitty Lies is a good way to spend some time with other people’s problems while you relax in the sunshine.
5 of 5 stars

Very fun, escapist read. An Atlanta schoolteacher is abandoned by her husband, who has stripped all their accounts bare. What happens next gives new meaning to "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."

This was a great page turner light read to pass time on an airplane. While I didn't like it as much as the other book I recently read by this author (Savannah Blues), it kept me entertained. I was a bit disappointed with the way things were tied up at the end of the book and some of the situations were definitely too neatly finished to be "real". I did have little thoughts of "you've got to be kidding" through my head, but it didn't stop me from enjoying the book. It just kept it from getting a higher rating. And I still look forward to reading more by Andrews.