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The King of Lies
Jackson Workman Pickens--known to most as "Work"--mindlessly holds together his disintegrating life: a failing law practice left to him when his father, Ezra, mysteriously disappeared, a distant wife who shares their loveless marriage, and an estranged sister who bore the brunt of their childhood trauma.
And then Ezra's body is discovered.
Set to inherit his father's fortune, Work becomes a prime suspect.ÌýBut so does his sister, Jean.ÌýAs much as Work's life was overshadowed by his domineering father, Jean's life was nearly destroyed by him. But does that make her capable of a vicious murder?ÌýFearing the worst, Work launches his own investigation, crossing paths with a power-hungry detective, a string of damning evidence, and the ugly rumors that swirl within his small, moneyed Southern town.
Desperate for the redemption that has eluded him for so many years and stripped of everything he once valued, he fights to save his sister and clear his name--in this poignant and thrilling anatomy of a murder and its ripple effect within a family and a community.
And then Ezra's body is discovered.
Set to inherit his father's fortune, Work becomes a prime suspect.ÌýBut so does his sister, Jean.ÌýAs much as Work's life was overshadowed by his domineering father, Jean's life was nearly destroyed by him. But does that make her capable of a vicious murder?ÌýFearing the worst, Work launches his own investigation, crossing paths with a power-hungry detective, a string of damning evidence, and the ugly rumors that swirl within his small, moneyed Southern town.
Desperate for the redemption that has eluded him for so many years and stripped of everything he once valued, he fights to save his sister and clear his name--in this poignant and thrilling anatomy of a murder and its ripple effect within a family and a community.
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
907 people are currently reading
6,713 people want to read
About the author
John Hart
48Ìýbooks3,551ÌýfollowersJOHN HART is the author of six New York Times bestsellers, and of THE UNWILLING, which will be released on February 2, 2021. The only author in history to win the best novel Edgar Award for consecutive novels, Hart has also won the Barry Award, the Southern Independent Bookseller’s Award for Fiction, the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award and the North Carolina Award for Literature. His novels have been translated into thirty language and can be found in over seventy countries. “My only real dream,â€� John declares, “has been to write well and to be published well.â€�
He lives in Virginia with his wife, two daughters, and four dogs.
There is more than one author by this name on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ.
He lives in Virginia with his wife, two daughters, and four dogs.
There is more than one author by this name on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,481 reviews
January 27, 2019
I’m a big fan of John Hart. Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ friends turned me on to this award winning author with his books Redemption Road and Down River. I have now read 5 of his 6 books and rated them all between 4 and 5 stars.
The King of Lies is Hart’s debut. The book was nominated for the 2007 Barry, Anthony, Edgar, and Macavity awards. Set in North Carolina, the book is about Jackson “Work� Pickens, lawyer and son to Ezra the hot shot, big time lawyer in a small town. Ezra disappeared 2 years ago after the accidental death of his wife and gets found 2 years later. A local female detective decides she likes the son for his murder due to his hefty inheritance. Jackson finds himself in the position of needing to investigate his father’s murder to exonerate himself. Along the way he discovers that he has been living a lie and doesn’t like his life.
Well written for a debut, Hart’s first showing as an author is decent. I did enjoy the book, however, I would recommend reading Down River or Redemption Road first if you are new to this author.
3.5 out of 5 stars
The King of Lies is Hart’s debut. The book was nominated for the 2007 Barry, Anthony, Edgar, and Macavity awards. Set in North Carolina, the book is about Jackson “Work� Pickens, lawyer and son to Ezra the hot shot, big time lawyer in a small town. Ezra disappeared 2 years ago after the accidental death of his wife and gets found 2 years later. A local female detective decides she likes the son for his murder due to his hefty inheritance. Jackson finds himself in the position of needing to investigate his father’s murder to exonerate himself. Along the way he discovers that he has been living a lie and doesn’t like his life.
Well written for a debut, Hart’s first showing as an author is decent. I did enjoy the book, however, I would recommend reading Down River or Redemption Road first if you are new to this author.
3.5 out of 5 stars
May 21, 2016
What an absolutely thoroughly satisfying read. I’m currently in the excited phase when one discovers a new author. Combined with access to many libraries, I am in reader heaven. Good place to be, yes?!
Jackson ‘Work� retraces his younger years, beginning at age 12 when he stumbles across a terrible situation he never should have at this tender age. This is the beginning of his life, in a way, and at current day standing it appears with increased clarity what an impact this incident has had on his troubled life.
He’s a caring brother to Jean and would do anything for her � including prison and a willingness to take a huge fall. Things really begin to develop the night Barbara, a horrid woman and unfortunately his wife, is entertaining guests on the evening Work’s fathers� body has been found and absolutely loves the attention, the never ending stream of people coming in and out of their home to ‘sympathise� were endless and Work could not cope. Thus begins a downward spiral toward eventual answers.
Characters to love and respect were Work’s elderly neighbour and the ever faithful Vanessa. John Hart’s words run effortlessly from page to page, his writing really is excellent. The internal thought processes of Work and his struggles just made this a very addictive read. This book is very good, and I highly would place it in the hands of any reader who loves a good thriller and court room yarn.
Jackson ‘Work� retraces his younger years, beginning at age 12 when he stumbles across a terrible situation he never should have at this tender age. This is the beginning of his life, in a way, and at current day standing it appears with increased clarity what an impact this incident has had on his troubled life.
He’s a caring brother to Jean and would do anything for her � including prison and a willingness to take a huge fall. Things really begin to develop the night Barbara, a horrid woman and unfortunately his wife, is entertaining guests on the evening Work’s fathers� body has been found and absolutely loves the attention, the never ending stream of people coming in and out of their home to ‘sympathise� were endless and Work could not cope. Thus begins a downward spiral toward eventual answers.
Characters to love and respect were Work’s elderly neighbour and the ever faithful Vanessa. John Hart’s words run effortlessly from page to page, his writing really is excellent. The internal thought processes of Work and his struggles just made this a very addictive read. This book is very good, and I highly would place it in the hands of any reader who loves a good thriller and court room yarn.
March 11, 2017
What he wanted was a loving home with a dog and a houseful of kids. His wife wants none of those things, money and prestige will do her just fine, thank you very much. As their marriage becomes increasingly strained, the wife carries on the charade, with a fake plastic smile pasted on her face and her country club airs. What we have here is a lawyer who won't stand up for himself, just going through the motions of life. His life is about to be turned upside down, and decisions are going to have to be made, priorities lined out.
Things that are expected of us, the messiness of life and of death, choices made that cannot be unmade. There is a lot not to like about some of the characters here, but they feel real. That's talent. A good solid mystery. John Hart has become a real favorite for me.
Things that are expected of us, the messiness of life and of death, choices made that cannot be unmade. There is a lot not to like about some of the characters here, but they feel real. That's talent. A good solid mystery. John Hart has become a real favorite for me.
January 13, 2022
What a terrific work of fiction!
A deep and complex mystery thriller and a great character study.
And the writing?
Simply amazing!
For a debut (2006!) its outstanding.
The melancholy and the raw emotions are so easy to feel and so believable.
The storyline is skillfully developed.
There isn’t a lot of action but the story is gripping. I did not want to put the book down.
The last 25% was really thrilling, with some heartbreaking revelations and some twists.
This was my second book by this author.
He recently won my respect and appreciation with “Redemption Road�, and now I can’t wait to read all of his works to date.
Ebook: 131k words, 482 pages
Hardcover: 320 pages, but it did feel bigger than that. I guess it’s because of the layout and font.
A deep and complex mystery thriller and a great character study.
And the writing?
Simply amazing!
For a debut (2006!) its outstanding.
The melancholy and the raw emotions are so easy to feel and so believable.
The storyline is skillfully developed.
There isn’t a lot of action but the story is gripping. I did not want to put the book down.
The last 25% was really thrilling, with some heartbreaking revelations and some twists.
This was my second book by this author.
He recently won my respect and appreciation with “Redemption Road�, and now I can’t wait to read all of his works to date.
Ebook: 131k words, 482 pages
Hardcover: 320 pages, but it did feel bigger than that. I guess it’s because of the layout and font.
April 29, 2016
Telling lies. Big ones. Little ones to cover up the big ones. It's like stepping into something that clings to the bottom of your shoes. And it leaves a trail of complications wherever we go.
Jackson Workman Pickens, also known as "Work", has deep, deep family issues. The body of his overbearing successful lawyer father has been found. And we already know who is prime and center as the go to suspect. Work has always lived in the shadow of his mammoth father, Ezra. After the death of his mother, Work feels the need to protect his sister, Jean, who resides in her own aura of weakness and fear.
John Hart tends to showcase male characters filled with anger and frustration that spill into every corner of their relationships. The past seems to pull up a chair and take residence within their inner beings. You can readily feel their angst and despair page after page. Work has been packaged and stamped with the pain that he carries like an over-filled trunk that he just can't put down. It permeates into his lifestyle and into all his decisions. And most of those decisions have certainly not enhanced his life one bit. He walks in those shoes that leave footprints belonging to another soul.
This book completes my John Hart Shelf. I can only say that I have fallen hook, line, and sinker for the writing style of this author. Like the multiple offerings of a good red wine, this author may or may not touch the delicate buds of your own pallet. But then, it only takes a sip to turn your head.
Jackson Workman Pickens, also known as "Work", has deep, deep family issues. The body of his overbearing successful lawyer father has been found. And we already know who is prime and center as the go to suspect. Work has always lived in the shadow of his mammoth father, Ezra. After the death of his mother, Work feels the need to protect his sister, Jean, who resides in her own aura of weakness and fear.
John Hart tends to showcase male characters filled with anger and frustration that spill into every corner of their relationships. The past seems to pull up a chair and take residence within their inner beings. You can readily feel their angst and despair page after page. Work has been packaged and stamped with the pain that he carries like an over-filled trunk that he just can't put down. It permeates into his lifestyle and into all his decisions. And most of those decisions have certainly not enhanced his life one bit. He walks in those shoes that leave footprints belonging to another soul.
This book completes my John Hart Shelf. I can only say that I have fallen hook, line, and sinker for the writing style of this author. Like the multiple offerings of a good red wine, this author may or may not touch the delicate buds of your own pallet. But then, it only takes a sip to turn your head.
November 5, 2017
Our truest self is often the person we allow no one else to see--who we are when we are alone. In the real world, we edit. We compromise and prevaricate.
It is hard to believe this was Hart’s debut novel. The writing has a melancholy, brooding quality, the story is compelling, but what makes this suspenseful story a standout is that it is also a character study and, in that, it is masterful. As a lover of mysteries who is often let down by the quality of the writing in the genre, John Hart is a literary champion.
As I was reading there was something so familiar to me, a feeling I couldn’t quite pinpoint until I read a blurb from Pat Conroy and then realized, ah, it is a style so reminiscent of his and since we will never hear from Conroy again, I will follow John Hart down whatever Southern journey he takes me. Highly recommended to fans of mysteries with a literary flair.
It is hard to believe this was Hart’s debut novel. The writing has a melancholy, brooding quality, the story is compelling, but what makes this suspenseful story a standout is that it is also a character study and, in that, it is masterful. As a lover of mysteries who is often let down by the quality of the writing in the genre, John Hart is a literary champion.
As I was reading there was something so familiar to me, a feeling I couldn’t quite pinpoint until I read a blurb from Pat Conroy and then realized, ah, it is a style so reminiscent of his and since we will never hear from Conroy again, I will follow John Hart down whatever Southern journey he takes me. Highly recommended to fans of mysteries with a literary flair.
July 2, 2015
The King of Lies
just didn't do it for me. Normally I would just toss this in my ever-growing pile of unreviewed ‘m±ð³óâ€� books, but, since a couple people were curious what I thought/would think along the way, I'll offer my lame two cents. (Note: For actual review-reviews with summaries and stuff, I recommend you check out the superior commentary given by James Thane and/or Brandon).
I knew nothing about John Hart going into this, the audiobook was on sale for $4.95 as part of some audible editors' picks thing, and we all know you make money by buying things on sale (*sarcasm*), so I bought it without much thought.
The protagonist, Work , is a middle-aged lawyer whose much-reviled father has just been murdered. The setup reminded me a bit of Michael Connelly's Mickey Haller series , minus the character's likeability. I don't need perfect� I like my character's flawed, but Work just rubbed me the wrong way.
Sometimes I fail to relate to characters others love (e.g. Walt Longmire), and chalk it up to my own inability to relate to their lives, but Work was somehow exhausting. I can be a cranky reader, and that was certainly some of it, but the plot felt less mysterious than it did confusing.
So this one gets, at most, a shoulder shrug from me.
I knew nothing about John Hart going into this, the audiobook was on sale for $4.95 as part of some audible editors' picks thing, and we all know you make money by buying things on sale (*sarcasm*), so I bought it without much thought.
The protagonist, Work , is a middle-aged lawyer whose much-reviled father has just been murdered. The setup reminded me a bit of Michael Connelly's Mickey Haller series , minus the character's likeability. I don't need perfect� I like my character's flawed, but Work just rubbed me the wrong way.
Sometimes I fail to relate to characters others love (e.g. Walt Longmire), and chalk it up to my own inability to relate to their lives, but Work was somehow exhausting. I can be a cranky reader, and that was certainly some of it, but the plot felt less mysterious than it did confusing.
So this one gets, at most, a shoulder shrug from me.
March 11, 2023
El rey de la mentira
Este es el primer libro que publicó John Hart, estuvo nominado a cuatro premios como primera novela de un autor en 2007. Luego consiguió dos Edgar con sus siguientes novelas.
La historia sigue a Jackson Workman Pickens, un abogado de Carolina del Norte que se encuentra en el centro de una investigación policial después del asesinato de su padre, un hombre rico y poderoso. Pickens se ve obligado a cuestionar todo lo que creÃa saber sobre su familia y su pasado, mientras lucha por descubrir la verdad detrás del crimen.
La novela está escrita en una prosa descriptiva y emotiva que profundiza en la vida de los personajes y en la complejidad de las relaciones familiares. Hart explora temas como la ambición, la traición y la redención, y ofrece una visión crÃtica y detallada de la sociedad de Carolina del Norte.
El comienzo de la historia resulta un tanto lento mientras nos presenta a los personajes y nos ponemos en situación, pero en cuanto conocemos al abogado "Work" y sus problemas, la novela se vuelve absorbente y dan ganas de ponerse al lado de "Work" para ayudarle.
Otra muy buena novela de Hart, que no tiene muchos libros, parece que prefiere la calidad a la cantidad. Además, demuestra que puede escribir sin encasillarse en un género ni usar siempre el mismo tipo de personaje.
Este es el primer libro que publicó John Hart, estuvo nominado a cuatro premios como primera novela de un autor en 2007. Luego consiguió dos Edgar con sus siguientes novelas.
La historia sigue a Jackson Workman Pickens, un abogado de Carolina del Norte que se encuentra en el centro de una investigación policial después del asesinato de su padre, un hombre rico y poderoso. Pickens se ve obligado a cuestionar todo lo que creÃa saber sobre su familia y su pasado, mientras lucha por descubrir la verdad detrás del crimen.
La novela está escrita en una prosa descriptiva y emotiva que profundiza en la vida de los personajes y en la complejidad de las relaciones familiares. Hart explora temas como la ambición, la traición y la redención, y ofrece una visión crÃtica y detallada de la sociedad de Carolina del Norte.
El comienzo de la historia resulta un tanto lento mientras nos presenta a los personajes y nos ponemos en situación, pero en cuanto conocemos al abogado "Work" y sus problemas, la novela se vuelve absorbente y dan ganas de ponerse al lado de "Work" para ayudarle.
Otra muy buena novela de Hart, que no tiene muchos libros, parece que prefiere la calidad a la cantidad. Además, demuestra que puede escribir sin encasillarse en un género ni usar siempre el mismo tipo de personaje.
August 10, 2007
KING OF LIES (Suspense-Jackson Workman Pickens-North Carolina-Cont) –NR
Hart, John � 1st book
Thomas Dunne Books, 2006, US Hardcover � ISBN: 031234161X
First Sentence: I’ve heard it said that jail stinks of despair.
*** Jackson Workman “Work� Pickens is a defense attorney, married to a beautiful woman, living in a big house. His father, Ezra, had built a powerful legal practice and a financial fortune and disappeared. Now Ezra’s body has turned up showing he dies of two gunshots on the day he disappeared. The police suspect Work because of the money he’ll inherit and family secrets make it hard for Work to defend himself.
*** After all the hype this book received, I was so disappointed in it. The plot reminded me of a bad soap opera with everything dependent on assumptions, misunderstandings and greed. Although Hart’s first acknowledgment was to his wife, it doesn’t appear he likes other women very well as every female character was a bad stereotype; the tough-trying-to-prove-herself cop, the narcissistic-bitchy-greedy wife, the I’ve-always-loved-you doormat girlfriend, the I-was-so-misunderstood-depressive sister, the I-was-so-abused-I-hate-all-men-gay girlfriend. “Work� is basically two different characters; the I’ll-live-my-life-as-daddy-wants wimp and, after talking to the philosophic bum on the street, the I’m-going-to-take-control-of-my-life man. The plot was broadcast so loudly it nearly screamed and the villain was apparent from the moment they stepped into the story. I did read all of it, mainly to see whether it really was going where I thought it was—it did. I know some people have thought it was wonderful. I’m just not one of them.
Hart, John � 1st book
Thomas Dunne Books, 2006, US Hardcover � ISBN: 031234161X
First Sentence: I’ve heard it said that jail stinks of despair.
*** Jackson Workman “Work� Pickens is a defense attorney, married to a beautiful woman, living in a big house. His father, Ezra, had built a powerful legal practice and a financial fortune and disappeared. Now Ezra’s body has turned up showing he dies of two gunshots on the day he disappeared. The police suspect Work because of the money he’ll inherit and family secrets make it hard for Work to defend himself.
*** After all the hype this book received, I was so disappointed in it. The plot reminded me of a bad soap opera with everything dependent on assumptions, misunderstandings and greed. Although Hart’s first acknowledgment was to his wife, it doesn’t appear he likes other women very well as every female character was a bad stereotype; the tough-trying-to-prove-herself cop, the narcissistic-bitchy-greedy wife, the I’ve-always-loved-you doormat girlfriend, the I-was-so-misunderstood-depressive sister, the I-was-so-abused-I-hate-all-men-gay girlfriend. “Work� is basically two different characters; the I’ll-live-my-life-as-daddy-wants wimp and, after talking to the philosophic bum on the street, the I’m-going-to-take-control-of-my-life man. The plot was broadcast so loudly it nearly screamed and the villain was apparent from the moment they stepped into the story. I did read all of it, mainly to see whether it really was going where I thought it was—it did. I know some people have thought it was wonderful. I’m just not one of them.
March 31, 2020
Once again I am enthralled by John Hart’s stories. A fantastic read, my “who done it� guess kept changing throughout the book. This book had everything suspense, deceit, betrayal, you name it this books has it. I’m NEVER disappointed when it comes to this author. I do not get the less than 4 star reviews. I’d give it more than 5 stars if I could.
March 22, 2016
This is John Hart's debut novel, and my first time reading his work. I am impressed. I sympathized with the main character, nicknamed Work. He grew up with an awful father and a weak mother, and everything that happened to him during his childhood has culminated in this story. The night his mother died, his father disappeared. Eighteen months later, his father's body is discovered.
I loved the characterization and the mystery. Detective Mills was not very likable at first, but she was doing her job. Work's sister, Jean, and her partner, Alex, weren't likable, either. Jean was weak and Alex was overly tough. They changed in the end. I think everyone had a tough life that affected their actions and relationships. Work is 35 but actually grows up by the end of this book.
The writing reminded me of Scott Turow or Greg Iles. I thought it was strong and well paced with good dialogue. I'll be reading more from John Hart.
I loved the characterization and the mystery. Detective Mills was not very likable at first, but she was doing her job. Work's sister, Jean, and her partner, Alex, weren't likable, either. Jean was weak and Alex was overly tough. They changed in the end. I think everyone had a tough life that affected their actions and relationships. Work is 35 but actually grows up by the end of this book.
The writing reminded me of Scott Turow or Greg Iles. I thought it was strong and well paced with good dialogue. I'll be reading more from John Hart.
January 30, 2022
John Hart, who has evolved into a best-selling author noted for his evocative (and sometimes superb) legal thrillers, began his journey here - with the death of Ezra Pickens.
Ezra was a nasty piece of work; a cutthroat Southern attorney who cared more about crashing through the gate of his community's country-club aristocracy than he did just about anything else, including his family. Ezra went missing approximately a year ago, on the night of his wife's death, and while many suspected he'd met with a well-deserved end there wasn't much to be done about it in the absence of a corpse. Those things have a tendency to turn up though - especially in legal thrillers - and with them the launch of a long-avoided criminal investigation. Woe now the son of the deceased, one Jackson "Work" Pickens, who has long harbored some miserable suspicions of his own.
This is a novel fitted with a sturdy set of training wheels. A little overblown, over-written; slightly melodramatic. The pacing falters, adjusts, then falters once again. Hart's clearly learning the ropes here. The good news is, learn them he did.
I'd skip this one if I were you and head straight for the later novels.
Ezra was a nasty piece of work; a cutthroat Southern attorney who cared more about crashing through the gate of his community's country-club aristocracy than he did just about anything else, including his family. Ezra went missing approximately a year ago, on the night of his wife's death, and while many suspected he'd met with a well-deserved end there wasn't much to be done about it in the absence of a corpse. Those things have a tendency to turn up though - especially in legal thrillers - and with them the launch of a long-avoided criminal investigation. Woe now the son of the deceased, one Jackson "Work" Pickens, who has long harbored some miserable suspicions of his own.
This is a novel fitted with a sturdy set of training wheels. A little overblown, over-written; slightly melodramatic. The pacing falters, adjusts, then falters once again. Hart's clearly learning the ropes here. The good news is, learn them he did.
I'd skip this one if I were you and head straight for the later novels.
May 11, 2014
Ezra Pickens was an old, cold-hearted, womanizing son of a bitch and when his body is discovered with two entry wounds in the side of his skull, there’s no shortage of suspects. The problem for his son, respected lawyer Jackson “Work� Workman Pickens? The detective assigned to the case likes him for the murder and a hefty inheritance in his father’s will gives him one hell of a motive. The problem for the detective? Work didn't do it; he was wrapped in the arms of a woman he was seeing behind his wife’s back. Work suspects his sister but how does he clear his own name without damning his sister?
I had a tremendous experience with Hart’s Edgar Award winning novel The Last Child so I thought I would check out one of his earlier novels � specifically his first one, The King of Lies. Hart’s great flowing prose returns and while he moves the story with ease, a problem lies with his protagonist.
In an discussing his novel Iron House, Hart said that he aims to create characters that are essentially normal people trying to come to grips with abnormal situations. With Jackson Pickens, he’s certainly normal enough but his reactions to certain situations are anything but consistent and that’s frustrating as a reader. I couldn't get a handle on this guy and found it difficult to become absorbed into the story. I felt like I never really knew the character and while I’m not exactly looking for predictability in a story, I’d like for characters� reactions to be somewhat logical. And don’t get me started on Barbara or Vanessa.
I’m also kind of wishy-washy on the ending. On one hand, I do like how Hart basically recaps the entire novel and deals with any questions that he may have otherwise left unanswered but on the other hand, I don’t like where Hart leaves the characters � I was left with a bad taste in my mouth so to speak. When it comes to Work, I don’t feel like he deserved the ending he got.
Based on The Last Child, I know Hart is better than this novel and with Iron House on deck, I’m hoping for a more enjoyable experience, although I may wait a while before cracking the cover.
I had a tremendous experience with Hart’s Edgar Award winning novel The Last Child so I thought I would check out one of his earlier novels � specifically his first one, The King of Lies. Hart’s great flowing prose returns and while he moves the story with ease, a problem lies with his protagonist.
In an discussing his novel Iron House, Hart said that he aims to create characters that are essentially normal people trying to come to grips with abnormal situations. With Jackson Pickens, he’s certainly normal enough but his reactions to certain situations are anything but consistent and that’s frustrating as a reader. I couldn't get a handle on this guy and found it difficult to become absorbed into the story. I felt like I never really knew the character and while I’m not exactly looking for predictability in a story, I’d like for characters� reactions to be somewhat logical. And don’t get me started on Barbara or Vanessa.
I’m also kind of wishy-washy on the ending. On one hand, I do like how Hart basically recaps the entire novel and deals with any questions that he may have otherwise left unanswered but on the other hand, I don’t like where Hart leaves the characters � I was left with a bad taste in my mouth so to speak. When it comes to Work, I don’t feel like he deserved the ending he got.
Based on The Last Child, I know Hart is better than this novel and with Iron House on deck, I’m hoping for a more enjoyable experience, although I may wait a while before cracking the cover.
March 20, 2008
This book should have been better. It's Pat Conroy doing noir with a little bit of Grisham mixed in. Part family drama, part murder mystery. The problem? The book just sucked. The first 100 pages show promise, but that promise quickly dissolves as the protagonist turns into a self-loathing, jerky moron and the plot becomes a disaster. We're supposed to feel sorry for the character (in the noir fashion, he's supposed to be a good man caught in a web of deceit), but I found myself rooting against him. By the end of the book I just wanted a femme fatale to hit him over the head with something.
Meanwhile, the Conroy-esque parts of the book kinda take over in detrimental ways. Imagine every possible tragedy that could tear a family apart - they're probably in this story. It's too cheesy to be believable and the characters quickly lose sympathy. Besides that, the plot tends to be both predictable and implausible. The cardboard characters never seem real; the villains are too evil and the good guys are just really stupid.
Meanwhile, the Conroy-esque parts of the book kinda take over in detrimental ways. Imagine every possible tragedy that could tear a family apart - they're probably in this story. It's too cheesy to be believable and the characters quickly lose sympathy. Besides that, the plot tends to be both predictable and implausible. The cardboard characters never seem real; the villains are too evil and the good guys are just really stupid.
August 10, 2021
's debut novel centers around Jackson Workman ("Work") Pickens a North Carolina lawyer whose life is a train coming off the rails. His father, Ezra, was a successful lawyer who chose his profession for him. His wife, Barbara, is a gold digging socialite whose only interest is money, a bigger house, and her country club friends. She does not share his desire for family and children. The story opens eighteen months after the death of his mother. That same night his father left the house and was never seen again. Until now when his body is now discovered in an abandoned shopping mall.
It is almost certain that Ezra was murdered with his own gun. Work's sister, Jean, had twice attempted suicide and blamed Ezra for their mother's death. She is psychologically damaged because of Ezra and Work is afraid that Jean murdered him. He sets out to protect her. He is willing to put himself at risk. When Ezra's will reveals that Work stands to inherit a large amount of money he finds himself the prime suspect.
Work's entire life has been a lie. His career. His marriage. As the investigation into Ezra's murder unfolds the facade begins to crack. He discovers who his real friends are. Who he really loves.
It is almost certain that Ezra was murdered with his own gun. Work's sister, Jean, had twice attempted suicide and blamed Ezra for their mother's death. She is psychologically damaged because of Ezra and Work is afraid that Jean murdered him. He sets out to protect her. He is willing to put himself at risk. When Ezra's will reveals that Work stands to inherit a large amount of money he finds himself the prime suspect.
Work's entire life has been a lie. His career. His marriage. As the investigation into Ezra's murder unfolds the facade begins to crack. He discovers who his real friends are. Who he really loves.
July 14, 2022
This is a Goodread.
It's mystery, but very deep digging family drama based. Relationship between brother and sister, father and children, wife and husband, lovers....
It was little long story and slow building, but it includes very touchy moments.
It's mystery, but very deep digging family drama based. Relationship between brother and sister, father and children, wife and husband, lovers....
It was little long story and slow building, but it includes very touchy moments.
April 15, 2011
is the first book from John Hart, published three years before , the book for which he won the Edgar Award for Best Novel. Jackson Workman Pickens ("Work") is a North Carolina lawyer who's labored his entire life in the shadow of his domineering father, Ezra, also a lawyer. Work is also trapped in a marriage to a cold, scheming, social climbing witch. Work hates being a lawyer and can't stand his wife, but he's been living the lie that is his life for so long that he apparently doesn't know what else to do.
The book opens eighteen months after the accidental death of Work's mother. On that same night his father disappeared and was never seen again until his body is now discovered in an abandoned shopping mall. Work's principal affection is for his sister, Jean, who was so psychologically damaged by their father that she has twice attempted suicide. Jean ran from the house on the night of their mother's death. It's virtually certain that Ezra was shot with the gun that he kept in the house, and Work believes that Jean, who blamed Ezra for her mother's death, may well have killed him. Work launches his own investigation in an attempt to shield Jean. But then Ezra's will reveals that Work is in line to inherit a considerable fortune and Work suddenly becomes the prime suspect in the murder.
The book is well written; it moves swiftly and has a lot of unexpected twists and turns. It's a very good debut novel, although it's not in the same category as . My problem with the book was that Work, the main protagonist, was so unsympathetic. One of the other characters describes him as a "pussy," and unfortunately, it's a very apt description.
Work is a man who's allowed himself to be dominated his whole life, first by his father and then by his wife. From about the second chapter, I found myself waiting for the guy to man up and assert himself. But by the time he finally makes an effort in that direction, I was so soured on him that I really found it hard to care what happened to him.
Others, of course, may feel differently and that concern aside, this is a good book. Perhaps my problem here is that I read before I read this book and as a result my expectations may have been too high. John Hart is a very good writer; I've enjoyed both of his other books, and my reservations about this one aside, I will eagerly look forward to his fourth.
The book opens eighteen months after the accidental death of Work's mother. On that same night his father disappeared and was never seen again until his body is now discovered in an abandoned shopping mall. Work's principal affection is for his sister, Jean, who was so psychologically damaged by their father that she has twice attempted suicide. Jean ran from the house on the night of their mother's death. It's virtually certain that Ezra was shot with the gun that he kept in the house, and Work believes that Jean, who blamed Ezra for her mother's death, may well have killed him. Work launches his own investigation in an attempt to shield Jean. But then Ezra's will reveals that Work is in line to inherit a considerable fortune and Work suddenly becomes the prime suspect in the murder.
The book is well written; it moves swiftly and has a lot of unexpected twists and turns. It's a very good debut novel, although it's not in the same category as . My problem with the book was that Work, the main protagonist, was so unsympathetic. One of the other characters describes him as a "pussy," and unfortunately, it's a very apt description.
Work is a man who's allowed himself to be dominated his whole life, first by his father and then by his wife. From about the second chapter, I found myself waiting for the guy to man up and assert himself. But by the time he finally makes an effort in that direction, I was so soured on him that I really found it hard to care what happened to him.
Others, of course, may feel differently and that concern aside, this is a good book. Perhaps my problem here is that I read before I read this book and as a result my expectations may have been too high. John Hart is a very good writer; I've enjoyed both of his other books, and my reservations about this one aside, I will eagerly look forward to his fourth.
November 12, 2018
I read this when it was first released in 2006, and it holds up like a champ all these years later. "Work" Pickens is a remarkable character, the details are all spot-on, the writing is flawless, the plot never misses a beat, and John Hart--an attorney himself--does a great job of conveying what it's like to be a small-town, ham-and-egg lawyer. This is darn near a perfect novel.
September 24, 2016
This was John Hart's first novel. It was set in North Carolina, but almost completely lacked any sense of place. The narrator of the audiobook read in a "standard" American accent which was a disappointment. This is an overdrawn saga of a brutal father, Ezra Pickens, whose body is discovered 2 years after his disappearance. Suspects are his son, "Work" and his daughter, Jean. Progress is slow. In the middle of the book, it is revealed that one character is using a false name and possibly fake identity. However, nothing is investigated until much later in the story. Work Pickens isn't a particularly likeable or compelling character. His motives aren't always clear. He's a lawyer, but doesn't want to be a lawyer. His father's wealth and large estate don't interest him. But we don't know why.
Hart's was a 5 star read for me. I am glad that he developed into a top crime novel writer. is a satisfactory read, and some readers will certainly like it more than I did. I will read more John Hart such as which won an Edgar for best novel of 2010.
Hart's was a 5 star read for me. I am glad that he developed into a top crime novel writer. is a satisfactory read, and some readers will certainly like it more than I did. I will read more John Hart such as which won an Edgar for best novel of 2010.
July 29, 2016
This book is proof that a mystery can be literature.
Hart's writing reminded me so much of Conroy in The Prince of Tides, which I loved. It's beautiful writing with an interesting storyline.
My one issue was that I often wanted to slap Work upside the head to knock some sense into him. It didn't interfere with my love for the book though.
Hart's writing reminded me so much of Conroy in The Prince of Tides, which I loved. It's beautiful writing with an interesting storyline.
My one issue was that I often wanted to slap Work upside the head to knock some sense into him. It didn't interfere with my love for the book though.
August 13, 2016
Great debut! I'm looking forward to Redemption Road.
September 27, 2021
The King of Lies is John Hart's first novel. Although I have read a couple of his other books--The Last Child and The Unwilling--and easily gave them five stars, I hadn't read this one. I am certainly glad I did. Hart is an amazing writer and this is a terrific novel. Great characters and a riveting plot. One reviewer said that Hart is the Pat Conroy of this generation. A very fitting comparison. It goes on my favorites list. Highly recommended.
January 11, 2019
The King of Lies has the potential for greatness--enough, certainly, to make me understand why Hart became a successful and popular author and to make me want to seek out one of his later books. It's a fairly involving mystery with some psychological depth and appealing Southern Gothic flair. But it's also painfully flowery in parts, and some of its depth results from throwing trauma at the wall like spaghetti to see what will stick. It's a first novel that ultimately feels too much like a first novel... but also, crucially, like the first novel of someone whose second you want to read.
The book centers on Jackson "Work" Pickens, who, as our story begins, finds out that his missing father has been found dead with two bullets in his head. Work is a defense lawyer who, in the absence of his domineering father's influence, has been coasting along on court-appointed cases instead of chasing big-money personal injury suits. He has a moral sense but no backbone. He's married to a status-conscious woman he does not love, if he ever did; his true love is a "poor white trash" woman doing her best to hold onto her family's farm. His beloved sister is barely speaking to him, and her girlfriend loathes him. His mother is dead, and his father killed her--though no one's talking about that, of course. And now his father has been murdered, and Work is quickly becoming the main suspect.
The main plot is good. Ezra Pickens was the kind of man that everyone admired and hated, and he makes a good beyond-the-grave antagonist, someone who controlled sad sack Work's life for years and who is now destroying it without even trying. Work seems suspicious partly because he's trying, desperately, to remove any evidence that his sister may have killed their father--and because he's reinventing his life and becoming his own person at precisely the wrong time. Watching the noose tighten around him is compelling.
It would be more compelling, however, if the book didn't occasionally lapse into passages like this:
I knew this was wrong but hid behind closed eyes and she spoke in tongues and wove spells of terrible power; so I surrendered myself, and in surrender knew the damnation of the utterly contempt.
This is Work getting a blowjob from his wife. Maybe a teensy bit overwrought.
And the other problem, as I said, is the plot equivalent of that purple prose, Hart assuming that "more" is always better. Work's sister can't simply be estranged from him because he's linked to her father, who bullied her, or because he chose to help cover up the circumstances behind their mother's death--no, she has to have an over-the-top traumatic backstory. She was married, you see, living the perfect housewife life her father had wanted for her, when her husband was driving their young babysitter home one day... only to be hit by a car. While he was naked in the backseat with said teenage babysitter. The babysitter was comatose and then turned out to be pregnant. Work's sister tried to kill herself (twice), got committed, and her husband got custody of their child and left. I can't help but feel that a tenth of this would have done just as well.
The over-the-top traumatic backstory of Work's girlfriend, Vanessa Stolen, at least serves more of a purpose, with Work's culpability in it somewhat explaining why he let himself be maneuvered away from making a full commitment to her, and also explaining some of his perpetual bloodhound sadness. It's still overwrought, but it has a purpose in the narrative. But Hart cheats a little there, because
All that said, there's enough here that's good to make The King of Lies a promising debut, if not one that I'd fully recommend. Hart has a talent, in particular, for filling out his cast with interesting, vivid figures with their own motivations and reservations, and watching Work's social circle both expand and contract as different people come to different conclusions about his guilt or innocence, and have their own differing degrees of honor in how they act on those conclusions, is maybe my favorite part of the novel. That, more than anything else, is what I'm hoping to see in later Hart novels.
The book centers on Jackson "Work" Pickens, who, as our story begins, finds out that his missing father has been found dead with two bullets in his head. Work is a defense lawyer who, in the absence of his domineering father's influence, has been coasting along on court-appointed cases instead of chasing big-money personal injury suits. He has a moral sense but no backbone. He's married to a status-conscious woman he does not love, if he ever did; his true love is a "poor white trash" woman doing her best to hold onto her family's farm. His beloved sister is barely speaking to him, and her girlfriend loathes him. His mother is dead, and his father killed her--though no one's talking about that, of course. And now his father has been murdered, and Work is quickly becoming the main suspect.
The main plot is good. Ezra Pickens was the kind of man that everyone admired and hated, and he makes a good beyond-the-grave antagonist, someone who controlled sad sack Work's life for years and who is now destroying it without even trying. Work seems suspicious partly because he's trying, desperately, to remove any evidence that his sister may have killed their father--and because he's reinventing his life and becoming his own person at precisely the wrong time. Watching the noose tighten around him is compelling.
It would be more compelling, however, if the book didn't occasionally lapse into passages like this:
I knew this was wrong but hid behind closed eyes and she spoke in tongues and wove spells of terrible power; so I surrendered myself, and in surrender knew the damnation of the utterly contempt.
This is Work getting a blowjob from his wife. Maybe a teensy bit overwrought.
And the other problem, as I said, is the plot equivalent of that purple prose, Hart assuming that "more" is always better. Work's sister can't simply be estranged from him because he's linked to her father, who bullied her, or because he chose to help cover up the circumstances behind their mother's death--no, she has to have an over-the-top traumatic backstory. She was married, you see, living the perfect housewife life her father had wanted for her, when her husband was driving their young babysitter home one day... only to be hit by a car. While he was naked in the backseat with said teenage babysitter. The babysitter was comatose and then turned out to be pregnant. Work's sister tried to kill herself (twice), got committed, and her husband got custody of their child and left. I can't help but feel that a tenth of this would have done just as well.
The over-the-top traumatic backstory of Work's girlfriend, Vanessa Stolen, at least serves more of a purpose, with Work's culpability in it somewhat explaining why he let himself be maneuvered away from making a full commitment to her, and also explaining some of his perpetual bloodhound sadness. It's still overwrought, but it has a purpose in the narrative. But Hart cheats a little there, because
All that said, there's enough here that's good to make The King of Lies a promising debut, if not one that I'd fully recommend. Hart has a talent, in particular, for filling out his cast with interesting, vivid figures with their own motivations and reservations, and watching Work's social circle both expand and contract as different people come to different conclusions about his guilt or innocence, and have their own differing degrees of honor in how they act on those conclusions, is maybe my favorite part of the novel. That, more than anything else, is what I'm hoping to see in later Hart novels.
May 8, 2008
I met John Hart a few months ago. He is friendly, intelligent, down-to-earth guy with a good personality. He convinced me to get this book, the first of his 2 currently published ones. He didn't force sell - he just talked about it.
It is a 1st-Person POV murder mystery.
At first, it took me a little while to get into his writing style because it was so different from what I normally read (SF&F). However, once I adapted, I flew through the book. I also thought it was neat that his main character was an attorney and John had been one previously - talk about knowing your subject matter! :)
Positive:
His character dialog is great and you really feel like you know most of the characters from his descriptions. There are a lot of suspects and he did a good job of not giving the murderer away too early. The book was very enjoyable to read.
Negative:
Because I've talked with John over a casual dinner and got to experience how verbose he is and listen to his well-knowledged vocabulary, I expected a more complex sentence structure than what the book had. Also, it seemed almost as if the book had the standard mystery format applied to it. All mysteries do but for some reason his use of it popped out at me and was not hidden behind the scenes.
Overall, I would recommend giving this book a try. I think that John's books are going to only get better!
It is a 1st-Person POV murder mystery.
At first, it took me a little while to get into his writing style because it was so different from what I normally read (SF&F). However, once I adapted, I flew through the book. I also thought it was neat that his main character was an attorney and John had been one previously - talk about knowing your subject matter! :)
Positive:
His character dialog is great and you really feel like you know most of the characters from his descriptions. There are a lot of suspects and he did a good job of not giving the murderer away too early. The book was very enjoyable to read.
Negative:
Because I've talked with John over a casual dinner and got to experience how verbose he is and listen to his well-knowledged vocabulary, I expected a more complex sentence structure than what the book had. Also, it seemed almost as if the book had the standard mystery format applied to it. All mysteries do but for some reason his use of it popped out at me and was not hidden behind the scenes.
Overall, I would recommend giving this book a try. I think that John's books are going to only get better!
August 21, 2021
PRINCE OF TIDES WANNA-BE
Unfortunately, I've added this book to the ever-growing list of disappointing debuts which have received, at least initially, glowing reviews. The plot centers around the 18 month disappearance and subsequent murder investigation, (once his body is found), of Ezra Pickens - a domineering father/husband and pillar of the community. His son, "Work" Pickens, our protagonist, after a week-long drinking spree and a conversation with an enigmatic homeless man, decides to take the bull by the horns, shed his sniveling passive skin and get to the bottom of this "mystery".
This, (Work's), "epiphany", sums up any and all character development in this novel. All of the female characters are at best seriously flawed, which doesn't make them human just one dimensional, i. e. angry, helpless victim, self-centered. Much of the dialogue is painful to read. Even the story line, which does pick up after Work's "epiphany", simply because it went nowhere prior to it, is mediocre and the mystery is transparent.
Rightly or wrongly, it's difficult not to compare this book with "Prince of Tides", (starting with the title, Conroy's blurb on the cover and including its "Southern" setting), but "King of Lies" lacks any of the nuances, subtlety, depth and characters' journeys found in "PoT".
In this humble reader's opinion there's nothing here that merits more than a one star rating
Unfortunately, I've added this book to the ever-growing list of disappointing debuts which have received, at least initially, glowing reviews. The plot centers around the 18 month disappearance and subsequent murder investigation, (once his body is found), of Ezra Pickens - a domineering father/husband and pillar of the community. His son, "Work" Pickens, our protagonist, after a week-long drinking spree and a conversation with an enigmatic homeless man, decides to take the bull by the horns, shed his sniveling passive skin and get to the bottom of this "mystery".
This, (Work's), "epiphany", sums up any and all character development in this novel. All of the female characters are at best seriously flawed, which doesn't make them human just one dimensional, i. e. angry, helpless victim, self-centered. Much of the dialogue is painful to read. Even the story line, which does pick up after Work's "epiphany", simply because it went nowhere prior to it, is mediocre and the mystery is transparent.
Rightly or wrongly, it's difficult not to compare this book with "Prince of Tides", (starting with the title, Conroy's blurb on the cover and including its "Southern" setting), but "King of Lies" lacks any of the nuances, subtlety, depth and characters' journeys found in "PoT".
In this humble reader's opinion there's nothing here that merits more than a one star rating
January 9, 2018
I kept seeing great reviews from GR friends and people that I follow that I had to check this author out. I can see why so many people like him. This was very hard to put down. I can also see why Pat Conroy gave him good reviews. There were similarities that I saw between this book and Prince of Tides (which is a phenomenal book if you haven't read it). Both deal with really dysfunctional families and have really gritty, intense, tough-to-read passages in them. This starts out kind of bleak and I wasn't sure if I could ever warm up to the main character because of his many flaws, but as I kept going the main character redeemed himself for me and the mystery had me intrigued. At the end, I loved the explanation that the sister of the main character gave of why things were the way they were in the family. I also loved the ending and the feeling of peace it gave me after so much intensity. Really recommend.
March 31, 2020
Shout out to my bestie Tanya for doing this as a buddy read with me. We're huge John Hart fans, in fact, this was the only book of his that's been published that I hadn't got around to reading. He is a phenomenal author and I love how he sucks you into the story and how I NEVER know "who did it" with his books. As predicted, I had this one wrong until close to the end. I highly recommend any of his books to my mystery loving buddies or anyone looking for something with intrigue.
July 15, 2019
Just try not to love this man and his writing! He definitely became on of my favorite writers. His writing style is extraordinary and this book is simply amazing.
February 9, 2022
My first John Hart novel, definitely not the last. Thought I had this one nailed down early on, but not too shocking for me, wrong again. A good read, not sure how I missed this author's work for all these many years.....
April 12, 2011
You know what's refreshing about John Hart? He's got three novels out now and there are no recurring characters. The standalone crime novel. What a concept.
I was really in the mood for a good legal thriller. I had read a very positive review a while back for his Down River, I think it was, and it had mentioned The King of Lies has his impressive debut.
So, naturally, I like to hit a guy's debut effort first.
The King of Lies is not without flaws. There were a few passages where I found some of the sentence structures a little awkward, but this didn't happen very often (and it could have been just me). Also, there was much self-analysis of the lead character that seemed a little forced, but I probably wouldn't even bring that up if not for Greg Iles having shown how it's done brilliantly in works like Mortal Fear and The Quiet Game.
But!
I couldn't put this book down.
John Hart can sure pull you through a mystery that has you burning through pages as quickly as you can. There are so many unknowns from the beginning of the story, and these are revealed a little at a time. Very well done.
(I must say, though, that I was right early on as to who the killer was. I'm never that smart.)
His pacing and story construction is perfect, and the setting of North
Carolina with its old money society seemed genuine. The great news
is that it seems he has gotten more polished with his next two novels. I will definitely read more of him.
I was really in the mood for a good legal thriller. I had read a very positive review a while back for his Down River, I think it was, and it had mentioned The King of Lies has his impressive debut.
So, naturally, I like to hit a guy's debut effort first.
The King of Lies is not without flaws. There were a few passages where I found some of the sentence structures a little awkward, but this didn't happen very often (and it could have been just me). Also, there was much self-analysis of the lead character that seemed a little forced, but I probably wouldn't even bring that up if not for Greg Iles having shown how it's done brilliantly in works like Mortal Fear and The Quiet Game.
But!
I couldn't put this book down.
John Hart can sure pull you through a mystery that has you burning through pages as quickly as you can. There are so many unknowns from the beginning of the story, and these are revealed a little at a time. Very well done.
(I must say, though, that I was right early on as to who the killer was. I'm never that smart.)
His pacing and story construction is perfect, and the setting of North
Carolina with its old money society seemed genuine. The great news
is that it seems he has gotten more polished with his next two novels. I will definitely read more of him.
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