Two Truths and a Lie: A Thriller by Mark Stevens
is the second book in the series that began with No
Lie Lasts Forever.
Billed as a sequel, it is in some senses. In others, it is more a continuation
of the first book as those events are predominant through the entirety of this
book. Therefore, while I am trying to minimize spoilers, some are present in
this review. Suffice it to say, if you continue reading about this very good
book, don’t blame the reviewer.
As the book begins, the trial of Harry
Kugel is underway. Harry Kugel was the man known locally as the “PDQ” killer.
He had killed several times decades earlier and then went dark for many years. His
ego brought him down as recent murders had been reminiscent of his work. He did
not like the fact that somebody was taking credit now off of his legacy. He
wanted the imposter gone. So, he reached out to TV Reporter Flynn Martin who is
a bit of a legend, for good and bad reasons, in Denver. Ultimately, she survived,
and the man who put her and others through hell was identified and exposed by
her reporting. A little over a year later, he has finally been convicted for
what he has done and was sentenced to three consecutive life terms.
Seconds before he is taken off to jail and
then to prison from the courtroom, he turns to her and promises that nothing is
over.
Several months later, long after she and
her son, Wyatt, moved to a more secure home high in a Denver tower, and just
when she finally feels like things are going back to a quasi-normal, the terror
of being stalked and a target begins again. It has been a long day in the field
with camera operator and good friend, Tamica Jones, as she sits and goes
through paperwork her teen son brought home from school. Amidst the normal
stuff is a sealed envelope that scares her at the sight of it. She’s moved and
taken drastic measures for privacy. All that seems to have been for naught as
she opens the envelope and finds a single white sheet of paper.
That single white sheet of paper is full
of cryptic sentences very reminiscent what PDQ used to send her. But, he is in
prison, so he can’t be terrorizing her again this way. Or could he? Does the
prison even look at anything he mails out? Or did he have an unknown accomplice?
Or is it one of his cult members drawn to act by the extensive media coverage
of the trial and her role in his capture? Or is it some whack job looking to
impress PDQ? These questions and others terrorize her as it is clear that
somebody got close enough to her son to send a message.
A message that scares her in every fiber
of her being, while at the same time, intrigues and pulls her into another very
high-profile story. A story that could easily get her and others killed. Which
could also be said about some of the other stories she is soon working on,
including the disappearance of a local family of four.
Two Truths and a Lie: A Thriller by Mark Stevens
again takes readers to Denver, the world of journalism, and the debate over
which stories and which victims get media coverage. Published by Thomas &
Mercer, this read is another good one in the series and a bit more intense than
No Lie Lasts Forever. This read builds on that book extensively
and keeps the momentum going as it very clearly sets up a third book in the
series.
Both books are strongly recommended as
is reading them in order. Not only are the stories in the reads strong, but one
is also given plenty to think about regarding actual journalism, the media, and
what goes on these days.
Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3NSRghi
By the way, The Poisoned Pen Bookstore
has a recent interview with author Mark
Stevens where he discusses the book. The program is on YouTube here.
My digital ARC reading copy came by way of the publisher, Thomas & Mercer, through NetGalley, with no expectation of a positive review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2026
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