Lying with Strangers

by James Grippando

Book Overview

A first-year resident at a major Boston children's hospital, Peyton Shields finally has the career she's always dreamed of--even though her marriage to Kevin, an up-and-coming young lawyer, is suffering from her hard work and impossibly long hours. But a late-night drive home in a heavy snowstorm changes everything when she is forced off the road. No one, not even Kevin, believes Peyton's claims that the "accident" was deliberate. Suddenly, her wonderful...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061138398
• ISBN13: 9780061138393
• Release Date: July 2008
• Publisher: Harper
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

whodunit?

Gread read. Peyton is such an intriguing horoine. (It's hard to believe this book was written by a male author.) Grippando did an excellent job in hiding the identities of "ladydoc" and "psycho." I didn't see that one coming. I had suspicion that "ladydoc" was not real, but I wasn't sure. I also had suspicion about the real identity of "psycho." Perhaps those were the reasons that compelled me to read the entire book. Grippando gave me a good puzzle to solve. I also like how this book got its title "Lying with Strangers." Cold Eyes

Gripping all the way to the end!

This book had me from the first chapter with Peyton Shields apparently being stalked by a madman. Peyton works as a doctor for children in a clinic. To compound her problems, she is on real shaky ground with her husband Kevin, her mother is very domineering about Peyton and Peyton's relationship with Kevin, and Peyton is in trouble with the hospital over accidently shooting someone while stopping a violent man in the hospital. With all the stress in her head Peyton seems to be run off the road during a snowstorm into a pond. She is rescued by a mysterious stranger who then disappears. Her husband Kevin has his own issues, like working for a law firm where no matter how well he does he has no future. Also, on the night of Peyton's car accident, he was involved in a one night stand that left him feeling guilty and disgusted. After Peyton's accident Kevin and Peyton try to reconcile but the stalker is still around. The reader only knows him as Rudy or RJ (his Internet chatroom name). Rudy seems to be obsessed with chatting with someone by the chattroom name of Ladydoc, who he is sure is Peyton, thus his obsession with Peyton too. The book grips you from the start and never lets go. The reader is never sure if both Peyton and Kevin are totally honest and who Rudy is. When I got to the last 30 pages, I kept thinking that there is no way everything will be resolved by the end but the author does an amazing job of wrapping things up while keeping the suspense till almost the last page! This is the fourth book I have read by this author and it is by far the best!

Most Realistic Fiction about Crime

"Peyton is a first year resident at a Boston Hospital when she is rescued by a stranger in an automobile accident. No one believes her account of the events as she must confront those closest to her in this psychological thriller. Grippando continues to write the most realistic fiction about crime and criminals."

What a Thrill Ride!

I decided to read "Lying With Strangers" by James Grippando because of the praises that James Patterson has given his books. Patterson's praises certainly hold up as Grippando shows all the signs of entering the realm of the best mystery writers today--like Harlan Coben, James Patterson, Dean Koontz and many more. The book starts out with a bang as Dr. Peyton Shields is run off the road by a stalker she doesn't even realize is stalking her while her husband is out of town on business having an affair with a colleague. Kevin Stokes, Peyton's husband, is riddled with guilt, but doesn't tell his wife about the tryst. And so begins a series of keeping secrets coupled with circumstances that appear one way, but truly are not. When Peyton believes her husband really isn't being faithful, she goes out with an ex-boyfriend and his friends, gets very drunk, and wakes up the next day in his bed. From there, the book twists and turns leaving the reader to wonder what will happen next after Peyton and Kevin are indicted for murder and secrets are revealed. Although I figured out who the culprit was behind Peyton's trials and tribulations, I did find myself doubting my decision until the very end. Grippando's writing and his way of having the characters keep secrets from the reader make this an exciting read for any mystery buff. He is definitely an author to watch.

Thriller from beginning to end

This book grabs your attention from the first page, and doesn't let you go until its end. The action is almost non-stop, and there are red herrings and clues strewn all about the pages to challenge the reader. You find yourself rooting for the heroine and her husband, and trying to discover the person who is behind all of their problems. As the book gets closer to its conclusion that person becomes somewhat obvious (at least to me) but it doesn't destroy your interest in reading on to discover what happens on the next page.