You're not going to find a more clever or witty author than James Scott Bell. And, with the best of them, he can write murder mysteries creating all kinds of characters to twist up your focus and render you almost speechless at the end.
Liz Towne is mad at her husband (Arthur, aka Arty) for becoming a Christian and quitting his rather lucrative job. Her interests lie solely in dollars and cents and what that lucre can buy her. Their hike in Pac Canyon is not going well and Liz determines she's done. Somehow when she's hurrying to go back to their car as Arty trails behind her pleading with her to stop, Liz discovers someone else just off the trail, but that's not all she finds. And then there's an accident.
Rocky (Roxanne) Towne is fed up with her drunken boyfriend's abuse and decides to leave him. He's not happy about it. She takes off to her friend Geena's who is more than willing to accommodate her. Rocky is a freelance investigator who's just finished one job but has nothing else lined up. She wears a large mean scar on one side of her face, having been mauled by a dog as a child. She knows it's the first thing everyone sees when they look at her. Rocky loves her brother Arty but has never warmed up to Liz, suspicious of her from the start.
Mac is a veteran with a brain injury who lost his way and became a felon and now does odd jobs while being constantly vilified by his parole officer. Arty has become Mac's best friend since Mac moved into the small dwelling at the church and is doing his best to restore his life. Both are new Christians and have become fast friends. Pastor Jon ministers to both of them as they come to him for counsel.
There is a tangle of other characters who weave in and out of this story of death, theft, more death, friendships, deception, a reconciliation, and a bit of imagined haunting culminating in a major twist.
As a reader, you really can't go wrong in selecting one of the many novels by James Scott Bell. No More Lies is no exception. As I said, he's a master of wit, a creator of vivid characters, interesting locales, superb irony, and trustworthy mysteries. If you enjoy clever writing mixed with so many other factors that make reading a story worthwhile, I highly recommend this novel and any of James' other ones.
Father, you're an amazing giver of gifts and talents. You've given many to James. Thank you that he chooses to honor you in his writing. Please continue to bless his life in your abundance. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.