Lies. Deception. Secrets. Confusion. Suspense. All of these play a big part in Beautiful Lies as Ridley Jones, a freelance writer living in New York's East Village, finds out that her life isn't what she thought it was.

Random House; 394 pages; $13.95

Lies. Deception. Secrets. Confusion. Suspense. All of these play a big part in Beautiful Lies as Ridley Jones, a freelance writer living in New York's East Village, finds out that her life isn't what she thought it was.

Ridley's life starts to unfold when she saves a child from getting hit by a car and her picture ends up on the front page of newspapers and on the news. Soon after, she receives a mysterious picture and note that simply says, "Are you my daughter?" This note sends her on a mission to find out the truth. When Ridley decides to ask her parents about the note and picture, they tell her it is a joke and act like nothing is wrong.

During her mission she meets a guy named Jake who has just moved into her building and is secretly on the same mission as she. Jake and Ridley end up talking and she tells him about the note she received. He offers to help her uncover the truth, the basis of the note, and who sent it. She then receives another note that reads, "They lied," and a newspaper clipping with a headline that says, "Young mother slain, toddler missing."

Together Jake and Ridley start to investigate the situation, which eventually leads them to an organization called Project Rescue, designed for parents who didn't want their children and could abandon them to participating facilities without any questions being asked. The organization was then supposed to place the children in loving homes.

As they get further along in the investigation, they put themselves in danger by uncovering secrets that were never meant to be found. Ridley also finds out that everyone she loves and trusts has been lying to her about what is going on.

Each chapter uncovers a new piece of the puzzle, and it gets more exciting and shocking as it goes. As soon as you think you're starting to put it together and narrow it down, the author throws a new twist in the story. If you're a fan of thrillers and mystery, this is a solid book to read. | Maria Kriszt