A.R. Torre’s The Good Lie is a fast-paced thriller that has dark secrets about human behavior while centering on the pursuit of a notorious serial killer.
The infamous Bloody Heart Killer, or BH Killer, terrorizes Los Angeles, targeting young teenage boys. When one victim, Scott Harden, escapes and names his high school teacher, Randall Thompson, as the killer, there’s a new development in the case that throws everyone off balance.
The Good Lie by A.R. Torre Book Summary
At the heart of this mystery are the main characters Dr. Gwen Moore, a well-known psychiatrist with a fascination for human minds and violent tendencies, and defense attorney Robert Kavin, a desperate and still-traumatized father. Haunted by the brutal murder of his own son, Gabe, Robert is a grieving father convinced of Thompson’s innocence, despite the accusations and mounting evidence.
His motivations lead him to enlist Dr. Moore, who specializes in criminal behavior and is known for her psych profile work. He hopes she can help him develop a psychological profile of the killer that could support his client’s case and answer the questions he has.
The plot takes a turn as Dr. Moore’s, Gwen’s, suspicion deepens over her own client’s name appearing in unexpected places. Her patient, John Abbott, had been battling violent fantasies involving his wife, and when both John and his wife suffer a mysterious death, Gwen is left with unanswered questions.
As Gwen and Robert dive deeper into the Bloody Heart Killer case, Gwen notes eerie patterns in the killer’s actions: these victims, the latest of whom Scott has just escaped, were cared for with surprising tenderness.
The psychological profile of the Bloody Heart Killer becomes the opportunity of a lifetime for Gwen but brings her close to dark secrets that threaten her own life.
This book also weaves a romance subplot between Gwen and Robert. By the final chapters, The Good Lie has readers on edge, bracing for every last secret and plot twist as Gwen uncovers the truth about the Bloody Heart Killer.
The Good Lie Spoilers
If you don’t want to know what happens, stop here. But if you’re like me and forget the twist after you’ve read a few more thrillers, then this spoiler section is for you.
Gwen pieces together clues that lead her to realize the Bloody Heart Killer is actually a duo: John Abbott and his wife, Brooke. John had dissociative identity disorder and committed the killings, while Brooke was complicit. She even cared for the victims and tended to their wounds. Brooke had a desire for control and John’s mental health struggles fueled the murders.
A couple touring the Abbott’s house stumbled upon a hidden room in the attic. Inside, they found disturbing evidence, including a bed, tools, and several amputated fingers. (Not normal, at all.)
When Gwen Moore heard the news, she reviewed John Abbott’s file and realized that his psychological profile fit the Bloody Heart Killer’s behavioral patterns. The pieces came together: John’s violent fantasies and Brooke’s role as a caretaker align with the evidence that the victims had been fed and their wounds tended to, hinting at both.
Explaining the Twists in The Good Lie
Scott Harden, the boy who “escaped” and identified Thompson as the killer, was manipulated by Brooke. Brooke convinced Scott she loved him, using his affection to frame Thompson for the murders. It was her way of taking revenge on him for assaulting her years ago. Scott, heartbroken and betrayed, discovered too late that he was used and that Brooke was never going to leave her husband, John, for him.
When Gwen uncovered the truth about John and Brooke, Robert—who suspected John’s guilt from the beginning—confronted Gwen, knife in hand. Gwen convinced him of her innocence, saying she didn’t realize John was the killer. Robert then confesses he was the one who stabbed John, seeking vengeance for his son Gabe, but he arranged it to look like a suicide.
Then Brooke died from a heart attack, which may have been brought on by the stress of their crimes coming to light.
Gwen and Robert reconciled, both coming to terms with the toll the case had taken. They made peace, and Gwen agreed to continue working with Robert, closing this dark chapter while remaining haunted by the horrors she uncovered.
The Good Lie Book Club Discussion Questions
Here are some questions to spark discussion.
1. Gwen has a knack for uncovering the truth behind violent tendencies. How did her “psych profile of the killer” shape your view of the case? Did you trust her instincts from the beginning?
2. Robert is convinced of Thompson’s innocence. How do you think his role as a grieving father influenced his investigation and his relationship with Gwen?
3. What clues made you question the killer’s identity? Were you convinced by Scott Harden’s story about the local high school teacher, Randall Thompson?
4. A.R. Torre explores the dark secrets within human behavior, with Dr. Moore’s analysis of the “psychological profile of the killer.” How did her theories about personality disorders, like paranoid schizophrenia, add to the story’s tension?
5. Which reveal left you the most surprised? Did you suspect any of Gwen’s clients or friends, like her own client John Abbott?
6. The romance subplot between Gwen and Robert adds an interesting layer. How did their connection affect their investigation and your view of the “opportunity of a lifetime” they were chasing?
7. This book explores not just dark secrets, but the lies we tell to protect ourselves and others. Which web of lies or hidden identity was the hardest for you to believe, and why?
These questions should bring out some great discussion about the story’s twists, Gwen’s insights, and the complex characters A.R. Torre has woven into this dark thriller!
The Good Lie Book Review
With short chapters and a spicy romance woven in, The Good Lie offers a compelling look at the complex identities behind criminal behavior. A.R. Torre, also known as Alessandra Torre, delivers a chilling mystery that stands out among the best books and psychological thrillers.
