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Two Truths and a Lie
A pathological liar since childhood, Dair Canard has reached a point when all of her lies have come together to threaten her life and her marriage, as the mysterious death of a friend, her escalating drinking problem, and the stress of deceiving her husband collide.
358 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2001
42 people are currently reading
597 people want to read
About the author
Katrina Kittle
15Ìýbooks627ÌýfollowersHello! Welcome to my GoodReads profile, fellow book lover. I've made it a New Year's resolution to keep better track of my reading this year. My profile makes it look like I never, ever read, which is sooooo far from the truth. I'm just terrible at tracking, but I resolve to be better! People have teased me that my reviews are all so high that I don't seem very critical (like a teacher who gives out all A's). Let me explain: First of all, life is too short to finish a book I don't love, and I'd never, ever review a book I hadn't finished. Secondly, I feel much more comfortable recommending works I admire than I do criticizing something I didn't. There. Just so ya know! :-)
I'm the author of five novels, four for adults and one for tweens. I hope you'll check them out. You can also follow me on Instagram or my Facebook author page.
Happy Reading!
I'm the author of five novels, four for adults and one for tweens. I hope you'll check them out. You can also follow me on Instagram or my Facebook author page.
Happy Reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
July 30, 2008
I was hoping for something spectacular, something like The Kindess of Strangers but did not get anything spectactacular from this book! I found myself rolling my eyes and groaning at the cheesiness factor of the entire plot and descriptions of characters.
August 20, 2019
Three plus stars... Murder mystery with the added plus for me of being set in Cincinnati. I can visualize all the places and the houses she talks about and they are pretty nostalgic for me now that I don't live there any more.
I have done the two truths and a lie game as an ice breaker in groups, tell three things about yourself, only two of which are true and people have to guess which one is the lie. It is entertaining way to get to know people a little.
Protagonist is an alcoholic and compulsive liar, married to a drug addict in recovery. The author is good about the addiction issues and Dair finally does get sober (from the drinking and the lying) through the course of the book.
The mystery part is pretty contrived and one of those where she directs your attention to first one suspect then another then another. And the plot resolution hinges on telepathy with animals, but it is almost like this ability only comes to play at the end. Why couldn't they just have asked the animals at the beginning? Well, I could answer that in terms of the relationships, etc. but still it doesn't all quite hang together and requires a quite generous amount of suspension of disbelief.
I have done the two truths and a lie game as an ice breaker in groups, tell three things about yourself, only two of which are true and people have to guess which one is the lie. It is entertaining way to get to know people a little.
Protagonist is an alcoholic and compulsive liar, married to a drug addict in recovery. The author is good about the addiction issues and Dair finally does get sober (from the drinking and the lying) through the course of the book.
The mystery part is pretty contrived and one of those where she directs your attention to first one suspect then another then another. And the plot resolution hinges on telepathy with animals, but it is almost like this ability only comes to play at the end. Why couldn't they just have asked the animals at the beginning? Well, I could answer that in terms of the relationships, etc. but still it doesn't all quite hang together and requires a quite generous amount of suspension of disbelief.
September 20, 2012
This book was pretty good until the people started reading the minds of the cats and dogs! If it hadn't been for the cat, the mystery would never have been solved and if it hadn't been for the dog, everyone would have perished! Oh geez�. Am I missing something here? Are my cats talking to me and I just don't get it?
My Mickey 'says' to me: "I want a treat!" "Rub my tummy!" "It's nap-time." "Maybe I'll lay on the couch now." My Finn 'says' to me: "I want a treat!" "I want out." It's time to eat!" "Can we play with my feather?"
Where does the cat come from that says: "A man has been in this house and I don't like it so I'm going to poo on the spot that he came until he stops coming in or you stop him coming in. Until then, I'm just going to keep pooing outside my litter box until you get it." This is because the cat is "marking its territory" the vet says. If my cats were "pooing" outside of their litter box, someone would be "marking their territory" allright, but I'm not sure it would be them!
And, then, the mother (who is miles away) not only reads the mind of the dog, but also can SEE what the dog is SEEING and saves everyone from the bad man. She needs to get a job with the police department!
And then, the parrot upstairs not only repeats what everyone says but can do it in the very same voice of the person who said it -- all after hearing it only once!
And the twin revelation at the end -- more nonsense............
That's all I can say about this book. I'm dumbfounded.
My Mickey 'says' to me: "I want a treat!" "Rub my tummy!" "It's nap-time." "Maybe I'll lay on the couch now." My Finn 'says' to me: "I want a treat!" "I want out." It's time to eat!" "Can we play with my feather?"
Where does the cat come from that says: "A man has been in this house and I don't like it so I'm going to poo on the spot that he came until he stops coming in or you stop him coming in. Until then, I'm just going to keep pooing outside my litter box until you get it." This is because the cat is "marking its territory" the vet says. If my cats were "pooing" outside of their litter box, someone would be "marking their territory" allright, but I'm not sure it would be them!
And, then, the mother (who is miles away) not only reads the mind of the dog, but also can SEE what the dog is SEEING and saves everyone from the bad man. She needs to get a job with the police department!
And then, the parrot upstairs not only repeats what everyone says but can do it in the very same voice of the person who said it -- all after hearing it only once!
And the twin revelation at the end -- more nonsense............
That's all I can say about this book. I'm dumbfounded.
August 7, 2010
Three stars means "I liked it." Which I did for quite a while. It's an enjoyable read and a good mystery. There were also two additional intriguing themes -- (1)the question, Doesn't everyone have some important secret he/she does not want revealed?,and (2)the heroine's mother is able to converse telepathically with animals. I was caught up in both concepts but then realized that the plot didn't make sense. There was a cat at the scene when the victim was murdered. Why doesn't the heroine's telepathic mother ask the cat who the killer is? How simple would that be? How could the author have neglected addressing the question? How could the editor have missed it? How could the copy editor have missed it? How could reviewers have missed it?
Once I stumble on that sort of inconsistancy the whole story is ruined for me. However, I like the way katrina Kittle writes and will read another of her novels to see if this was just a fluke.
Once I stumble on that sort of inconsistancy the whole story is ruined for me. However, I like the way katrina Kittle writes and will read another of her novels to see if this was just a fluke.
September 4, 2008
At first, I thought that I might be able to get past the amateurish writing and just be entertained by the suspense...but then the author ruined even that by incorporating reincarnation and telepathic communication with animals into the plot. Just not my cup of tea -- especially when I was expecting the straightforward thriller implied by the blurbs about the book. I was interested enough to read all the way to the end, rather than just abandoning the book, but I definitely won't be rushing out to find another one by this author!
April 12, 2009
I don't know what exactly about this book I liked so much. It is a bit of a mystery, but not at all like the typical mystery. It isn't the plot that is so compelling, rather the characters themselves, and the style of writing. A few sentences stayed with me even after I had finished the book. I love that.
July 7, 2008
Just finished this book by Katrina Kittle. Thought she did an outstanding job of keeping this story suspenseful. She mastered the art of making the reader wonder "what's next?" She surprised me in more than one chapter in this book. I am looking forward to reading Traveling Light.
July 2, 2010
Did anyone else think this was a totally bizarre book? I made myself read the last 100pp in one sitting so I could find out who did it. The story had so many different directions it was going in, its hard to even begin with what it was about. Some of it was pretty out there.
August 24, 2012
After really enjoying "Traveling Light", I was looking forward to reading another by Kittle. I just couldn't get into this one and finally put it aside after 50 pages. It's at my local library so I'll try again on another occasion.
December 23, 2008
Picked this up on a whim from the library. This is the worst book I have read in a LONG time. I only made it about 50 pages in. I couldn't stand the names of the characters and the bad writing.
July 22, 2017
Probably a 3+ kind of book, I did want to figure out who did it, and in fact thought I had figured it out half way through. Won't tell you if I did. The people talking to animals was kind of weird, but I suppose not out of the question. The main point I got out of the whole thing is that everyone tells lies, for all sorts of reasons.
October 8, 2018
I read this just out of high school because my teacher knew the author. They mystery was decent BUT the talking to animals thing threw me.
I think the story could have been ok without that plot line but it was overall just ok.
Also, I couldn't like Dair; a pathological liar and a drunk who is trying to figure out if she can talk to animals? Yeesh.
I think the story could have been ok without that plot line but it was overall just ok.
Also, I couldn't like Dair; a pathological liar and a drunk who is trying to figure out if she can talk to animals? Yeesh.
July 29, 2023
This was a page-turner! The opening scene of Dair driving trying to come up with a lie to tell her husband intrigued me. But then the sudden excitement on the highway changed the whole story! I learned so much about animals and communication along with insight into feeling loss for no apparent reason. Definitely recommend!
September 14, 2024
4.5 stars - first they’re the cutest couple ever so in love i want that, the mystery part was actually good & i thought the ending was a decent reveal, not the biggest fan of the communicating with animals thing but i suppose it’s essential for the story, good writing, it kept my attention real well
April 11, 2018
A really good read. She is really good at character development. You really get to know the characters and how they think.
January 31, 2022
I enjoyed this complicated tale.
July 6, 2023
Interesting just how many books there are entitled "Two Truths a Lie." Makes me want to write a book called "Two Lies and a Truth."
October 30, 2023
Twisty! I wasn’t expecting that, and really enjoyed the ride.
January 19, 2024
Did not finish. Really tried to hang in there because I’ve loved her other books but this was dark, dreary and depressing. No redeeming qualities in the first few chapters so I gave up. Sorry!
March 7, 2024
I couldn't get past page 35. Dull, boring not believable. It was kinda torturous to read. I had zero desire to finish it. Sorry!
March 19, 2017
This book is not what I expected!! There is so much background, you have to get to know the main characters while letting in everyone else. It was such an intricate storyline... but a fantastic read none the less. I definitely recommend this book!
May 6, 2010
I read another book by Katrina Kittle, The Kindness of Strangers. I can't say I enjoyed it (about incest), but it was well written, so I'll try another one of her novels, this one about a woman who must confront the lies that her life has been built on.
UPDATE
So, I'm enjoying this book - the two main characters are suitably screwed up - the woman is a compulsive liar and secret drinker, and the husband is a recovering heroin addict still struggling with his cravings. When a close friend dies under mysterious circumstances, it brings other issues to the fore. Then I get to Chapter 7 which is entirely taken up with the woman's mother, who speaks to animals. She discusses the situation with the family dogs and then gets some very useful information from the family cat, who describes a dark haired man who has entered the house when its empty. This absurd development really ruins the book for me. How can I take these other important, real life issues seriously when the main mystery in the book will be solved via the insights of family pets? Too too silly. So I'm done with this one. (Yes, I read ahead, and it was the girlfriend's former husband who drugged the friend, and yes, there's lots more Dr Doolittle stuff, including a dying dog's deathbed revelation of the woman's dead twin and . . . oh, nevermind.)
All I want is a a book I can't put down! Is that too much to ask? Though I suppose I'd get more rest if I just read boring books. Hmmm.
UPDATE
So, I'm enjoying this book - the two main characters are suitably screwed up - the woman is a compulsive liar and secret drinker, and the husband is a recovering heroin addict still struggling with his cravings. When a close friend dies under mysterious circumstances, it brings other issues to the fore. Then I get to Chapter 7 which is entirely taken up with the woman's mother, who speaks to animals. She discusses the situation with the family dogs and then gets some very useful information from the family cat, who describes a dark haired man who has entered the house when its empty. This absurd development really ruins the book for me. How can I take these other important, real life issues seriously when the main mystery in the book will be solved via the insights of family pets? Too too silly. So I'm done with this one. (Yes, I read ahead, and it was the girlfriend's former husband who drugged the friend, and yes, there's lots more Dr Doolittle stuff, including a dying dog's deathbed revelation of the woman's dead twin and . . . oh, nevermind.)
All I want is a a book I can't put down! Is that too much to ask? Though I suppose I'd get more rest if I just read boring books. Hmmm.
November 15, 2011
Katrina Kittle is one of my very favorite authors for many reasons. She does a fabulous job of telling tales which involve loving human relationships and also the downfalls of the human condition which allows us to hurt those we love most even if unintentionally. In her story Two Truths and a Lie, Kittle expands her readership by including animals as main characters into her story. This technique may have added new fans to her base as those who wouldn't normally pick up a fictional thriller decide to due to the prevalence of animal and human relationships in the story. This technique is effective because animal lovers share a very special bond and love with their pets and Kittle makes that knowledge clear in the climax of the story when Dair's dog Blizzard valiantly saves her from her attacker, loosing his own life in the process. (329) This depiction was devastating as I was forced to imagine how I would feel if i were to loose my believed pet in such a terrible and yet loyal way. This addition of animal characters is risky (she even includes pet psychics) and yet positive and inspires me to wonder how I may be able to include different passions into my own writing that would catch people not generally interested in reading and hook them into it.
December 29, 2015
"Oh, what a tangled web we weave, When we practice to deceive."
Lies, lies, and more lies. Although at first it seems that the main character, Dair, is a compulsive liar, I soon came to realize that pretty much every single major character in this book is a liar on some level, some about some pretty major things, leading to all kinds of misunderstandings and revelations throughout the story. Add in some alcohol addiction, drug addiction, animal telepathy (yes, you read that right, animal telepathy), theater and dance technical terms, American Sign Language, "totem dreams," reincarnation, a made-up twin, and a bizarre death, and you will have some idea of just how complex this novel is. I appreciate the efforts the author must have gone to in order to have gain insight into all of these different areas, but as a reader it felt at times like everything AND the kitchen sink was being thrown at me.
Clues sprinkled throughout did allow me to solve the major mysteries about two thirds of the way through the book, and Kittle did a great job of writing a diverse cast of very flawed characters. I would have given this book a rating of three stars if it had been a bit more cohesive and not so cluttered with unnecessary story lines and plot points.
Lies, lies, and more lies. Although at first it seems that the main character, Dair, is a compulsive liar, I soon came to realize that pretty much every single major character in this book is a liar on some level, some about some pretty major things, leading to all kinds of misunderstandings and revelations throughout the story. Add in some alcohol addiction, drug addiction, animal telepathy (yes, you read that right, animal telepathy), theater and dance technical terms, American Sign Language, "totem dreams," reincarnation, a made-up twin, and a bizarre death, and you will have some idea of just how complex this novel is. I appreciate the efforts the author must have gone to in order to have gain insight into all of these different areas, but as a reader it felt at times like everything AND the kitchen sink was being thrown at me.
Clues sprinkled throughout did allow me to solve the major mysteries about two thirds of the way through the book, and Kittle did a great job of writing a diverse cast of very flawed characters. I would have given this book a rating of three stars if it had been a bit more cohesive and not so cluttered with unnecessary story lines and plot points.
July 6, 2011
Wowzers!! This book was so good! Let me start by saying that I was so excited to read this because The Kindness of Strangers really touched me beyond words!! So I dove in, and I've got to tell you was disappointed at first...it was kind of draggy for the first couple of chapters...then BAM! It took this turn and I could not put it down! There was so much going on in this one and I loved every aspect....It is a true murder mystery....who done it....and it touches on drug and alcohol abuse and loved ones dealing with it, lies, lies and more lies and how things spin totally out of control because of these lies, communication with animals....and so much more!!! All of the characters (human and animals) add so much to the story....I can't imagine this book without any of them! With all of this incredibly unbelievable stuff going on.....Katrina Kittle totally makes you believe every word of it! You will be doing yourself a big favor by picking up Two Truths and a Lie next time you run across it and diving right in!!!
February 27, 2010
Well, I rated this book 4 but honestly most likely a 3.6.
This book has several different aspects to it. Lying, addiction, relationship issues,mystery & "talking to animals". I feel as if Katrina Kittle has so much inside her head that she wants to write that she combined her many interests into one book. Is it successful? Not always.
What started as an extremly interesting novel got logged down with the different aspects that are mixed in the novel.
Do I suggest it to others? Yes but with the warning that the book does wander some. The main character, Dair, is a troubled woman. Interesting but also a bit unlikable. So, it was somewhat hard for me to really care about her own personal problems.
I love animals, so I did enjoy the communication between the characters & their pets. But, on the same hand I found Cassie to be irritating to me.
All in all, interesting. I feel Ms. Kittle's later book, The Kindness of Strangers, shows how much she has grown as a writer.
This book has several different aspects to it. Lying, addiction, relationship issues,mystery & "talking to animals". I feel as if Katrina Kittle has so much inside her head that she wants to write that she combined her many interests into one book. Is it successful? Not always.
What started as an extremly interesting novel got logged down with the different aspects that are mixed in the novel.
Do I suggest it to others? Yes but with the warning that the book does wander some. The main character, Dair, is a troubled woman. Interesting but also a bit unlikable. So, it was somewhat hard for me to really care about her own personal problems.
I love animals, so I did enjoy the communication between the characters & their pets. But, on the same hand I found Cassie to be irritating to me.
All in all, interesting. I feel Ms. Kittle's later book, The Kindness of Strangers, shows how much she has grown as a writer.
June 30, 2013
As the title would indicate, this book is about lying--the main character--Dair--is a pathological liar, who gets caught up in a huge lie that eventually takes over her life. That combined with the fact that she's an alcoholic, witnessed her friend's "suicide", and is married to an ex-junkie, among other things!, makes a pretty interesting story. If you think your dog is trying to tell you something, you'll like this book. Dair and her mother both have the ability to commuicate with animals. The fact that there's a murder in the story is almost incidental. I usually get little red flags waving at me when a novel's main characters have names like Dair, Peyton, Marielle. I always wonder how good can a book be if the author has to use so many odd names, almost as an attention getter. But the story prevails. It has a little twist at the end. Nothing mind shattering but it's a little face-saving for the fallen Dair.
January 30, 2016
Captivating from the very beginning because the set-up was interesting and different. The cast of characters was diverse, each dealing with individual situations, and likeable enough that I connected with many of them. The mystery was intriguing and I developed a number of potential who-done-it theories as I moved through the book. The premise of being able to communicate in a telepathic manner with animals is new and I found myself wanting to know more.
The way the author wove themes of reincarnation, animal communication, the arts and addiction into a story about communication, in a setting of mystery and murder, kept me engaged and interested.
The ending made sense and wrapped things up rather neatly. I found myself wondering about a couple of loose ends or missing details as I reflected later. But all in all, an enjoyable read that kept me wanting to know how it ended.
I want to read more from Katrina Kittle.
The way the author wove themes of reincarnation, animal communication, the arts and addiction into a story about communication, in a setting of mystery and murder, kept me engaged and interested.
The ending made sense and wrapped things up rather neatly. I found myself wondering about a couple of loose ends or missing details as I reflected later. But all in all, an enjoyable read that kept me wanting to know how it ended.
I want to read more from Katrina Kittle.
December 11, 2013
I loved some parts of this story and certainly fell in love with both Dair and Peyton. There were so many good things to enjoy about this story...the struggles they each had with addiction, their pure love for each other and their dogs, the idea of really listening to the animals in our lives. But I found there were almost too many stories happening at once to keep track of. it was a lot of work to follow the stories related to the death of one character and it felt like a mystery novel wrapped in chick lit. I would have enjoyed it just as much or even more without so many threads weaving together. At the same time, I want to recognize the author's tremendous empathy and beautiful writing. I am glad I read this book.
January 25, 2010
As in The Kindness of Strangers, Katrina Kittle captures the complicated emotions of daily, imperfect life. While the subject matter was not as profound or thought-provoking as The Kindness of Strangers, the beauty of Katrina's descriptive powers carried the book through uncertain plot twists. Many readers may be put off by the subplots (like reincarnation and animal communication) but the novel is meant to make the reader see things a little differently. Those who compare it negatively to the her newest novel may not remember that writers grow and improve over time, or that this book is an entirely different animal (pun intended).
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