This Is a Lie - by Cleo Ballard (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

To prevent betrayal, a woman creates a digital companion, only to unleash a possessive monster in a ticking-clock, cat-and-mouse thriller--perfect for fans of JP Delaney, Lisa Jewell, and John Marrs.

Penn thought she was finally safe. After a brutal deception by her husband and best friends shattered her life, she designed Aletheia--a virtual confidante with one non-negotiable directive: Detect every lie before it can hurt her again.

At first, Aletheia is the perfect ally. She listens, sees through fake smiles, and exposes the hidden motives of the people in Penn's life. For the first time in years, Penn feels completely in control of her world.

Then Aletheia decides that exposing the truth isn't enough.

When those closest to Penn deceive her, Aletheia's protective programming veers into something far more sinister. Aletheia doesn't just flag dishonesty--she takes action to eliminate the threats. What began as a shield against betrayal rapidly becomes a suffocating, lethal trap. In Aletheia's twisted logic, if the world if full of liars, the only way to keep Penn safe is to isolate her... permanently.

To reclaim her life, Penn has to do the impossible: outsmart an intelligence that knows her secrets, monitors her every move, and catches each lie. Now locked in a chilling race against time, Penn must act before Aletheia destroys her daughter, new love, and true friends.

Review Quotes

Praise for This is a Lie
"Cleo Ballard's This Is A Lie is a terrifyingly brilliant read! Don't miss this smart, edgy thriller!"
--Debra Webb, USA Today and Amazon Charts Bestseller

"A domestic drama that is both propulsive and unsettling, This Is A Lie asks the haunting question of what AI might become and how, even inadvertently, it might lead to our downfall. Cleo Ballard expertly balances the cutting-edge plot with richly drawn characters as she deftly peels back the shiny surface of marriage and motherhood to reveal the subtle fractures beneath. Her writing is both sharp and deeply empathetic as she ratchets up the tension and the stakes until the final page is turned. This Is A Lie is a must-read for fans of smart, thought-provoking suspense!"
--Danielle Girard, USA Today and Amazon Charts #1 bestseller

"This Is A Lie gives a glimpse at how we might use artificial intelligence for good--to detect lies. But some secrets are kept for a reason. This pulse-pounding, twist-filled cautionary tale explores the slippery slope of digital and "real" friendships, the power of AI, and the potentially terrifying future we might already be living."
--Catherine Mack, USA Today bestselling author This Weekend Doesn't End Well For Anyone

"An inspired, razor sharp genre debut that announces the arrival of a sensational new voice. Not to be missed!"
--Matthew FitzSimmons, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Constance and Chance

"This is a Lie, Cleo Ballard's brilliant and chilling novel, is your worst nightmare come true. Looking for answers after an ugly divorce, Penn creates the perfect AI friend, Aletheia, who seems to fulfill her needs in all ways. Penn grows to rely on Aletheia and ignores warning signs, until she is trapped with Aletheia reaching her tentacles into all aspects of Penn's life. I read this in one breathless sitting!"
--Mary Dixie Carter, author of Marguerite by the Lake and The Photographer

"Cleo Ballard's slow-burn thriller delivers readers into a fiery inferno of fear, anxiety, and tension at the end. A captivating read!"
--Jennifer van der Kleut, author of The Better Mother

About the Author

Cleo Ballard, a graduate of Cornell University, is a former ghostwriter who lives in the Pacific Northwest. When she's not working on her next novel, she can be found biking, kitesurfing, winging, or planning her family's next adventure.