Tell Me Something True

LoveReading Says

If you love a beautifully written slow-burn exploration of a mystery then this should bypass your ‘to be read’ pile to arrive straight into your hands so you can soak up the unforgettable characters and small town politics. Bestselling and award-winning author Michael Robotham explains in his acknowledgements that this was the first story he wrote back in his early 20’s, but its taken 19 previous novels for him to decide to rework it and and let it loose into the world.

It feels as though his experience of life, of writing, and his love for the story and characters were all necessary for this to be as good as it is. Arlo Hackett has spent 12 years in prison, on his release he returns straight into the storm of his home town in Australia where peoples memories are just as sharp and painful as before he left.

This is very much a character-driven story, each person on the page feels as though they are as authentic and deep and true as can be. The sense of place is just immense and the intensity of the feelings it and its occupants evoked set the words on fire. The story either side of the time spent in prison unfolds and builds an intricately placed plot of increasing tension.

Love and hope walk hand in hand with devastating actions and reactions, which means this is going to remain with me as a story and I will freely admit that the last few sentences broke off a piece of my heart. Sitting as a LoveReading Star Book, Tell Me Something True drills deep into thoughts and feelings to create a piercing and entirely captivating read. 

Reviewed by Liz Robinson
Liz has been an Editorial Expert writing reviews for LoveReading since 2014.
More reviews by Liz Robinson

About Tell Me Something True

'Tell Me Something True is unforgettable' KARIN SLAUGHTER'My book of the year. A compelling, intriguing and entertaining masterpiece' LIZ NUGENT'An epic elegy of love, family, morality and justice that deserves to be showered with awards' CHRIS BROOKMYREI look along the road and notice how many people are standing outside their houses or watching from doorways and windows. Staring. Studying.'Do you think this town will ever forgive me?' I ask.'Not in a million years.'Small towns are quick to anger and slow to forgive, but Arlo Hackett doesn't expect mercy when he emerges from a twelve-year prison sentence and makes his way back to Yulara, a waypoint on Australia's Great Southern Road. The last time Arlo was home, his brother Luke was charged with a terrible crime and Arlo was found guilty by association.His return to the goldrush town is like cracking open a time capsule full of hatred and violence, along with memories of the people he loved - the ones he couldn't save.Yulara wants Arlo gone, or worse, but every insult and humiliation pushes him to confront what really happened all those years ago.The truth will shock you, surprise you, and break your heart.'This novel and its characters will stay with me forever' DAVID BALDACCI'Emotional, startling, beautifully crafted' VAL MCDERMID'A triumph, with a plot you can't second guess and real emotional punch' CHRIS CHIBNALL'Most writers would be proud to produce a book half as good as Tell Me Something True' LINWOOD BARCLAY'One of the best books I've read all year' AJAY CHOWDHURY

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