Izzy Lee’s I Can See Your Lies is a brutal, haunting story that sticks with you long after you finish it. Finn, the main character, has been through ****, dealing with years of trauma caused by the terrible men in her life. She has this eerie ability to see lies as bubbles on people’s faces, and it’s such a wild, creepy concept that Lee uses brilliantly to explore deeper themes of betrayal, abuse, and generational trauma.The story doesn’t just stop with Finn’s experiences—it also dives into how the women around her have been caught in similar cycles of harm. Her quest for vengeance against her mother is raw and heartbreaking, and every part of it feels earned. Lee doesn’t pull any punches, and that’s what makes this such a page-turner. It’s dark, messy, and unsettling in all the best ways.This isn’t just a horror story; it’s an emotional gut-punch that leaves you thinking long after it’s over. Izzy Lee crafts something unforgettable here, blending smart, emotional storytelling with body horror that hits hard. If you’re into horror that isn’t afraid to tackle female trauma and the damage caused by toxic men, this is one you can’t miss.

What a great and enjoyable quick to read novel! Full of suspense, with a look back at Hollywood in the 50s, as well as the crashing coast of the Pacific Northwest. I read Izzy Lee’s first novel at the Oregon Coast, where some of this book takes place, and it’s a barn stormer of a murder mystery and ghost story, with just a sprinkling of otherworldly revenge. As comfortable as a fur coat on a cold gray cliffside, and the warm glow under the door, when you’ve had a glass of wine before dropping off to sleep… to dream of the intrigues of yesteryear. Introduces two amazing characters: a mother and daughter with an unusual power (see the books title). I didn’t realize when I read this, but Izzy Lee also has a story featuring a version of these same great characters in the Haunted Reels anthology containing stories by today’s most accomplished indie filmmakers (including Izzy Lee, and guys like Benson and Moorhead, from The Endless). Read that, read this, and have a great day, getting away from your life and in to that cozy place that borders on dream and nightmare.

This is such a marvelous novella; elegant, mysterious, and surprising. We follow Fin as she tries to figure out what happened to her mother. Fin was just two when her mother, Meredith Lyon, a successful actor, disappeared shortly after divorcing her philandering husband. Meredith had also just started an affair with her manager, a real loser, only to then fall in love with her co-star. Maybe one of them murdered Meredith; but no one really cared much that she vanished, and the police just imagine that she ran off with a lover. It’s such a Hollywood story, as the movie business is all about immediate ego gratification, losing interest once someone is no longer useful, especially if she makes the mistake of being a woman. The twist in this story that makes it so fun and intriguing, is that Fin, her mother, and her daughter Marnie see black bubbles burst on the face of others when they lie. Fin determines to leave her abusive husband, deposits Marnie with Meredith’s sister, and drives up to a small Oregon town once favored by her mother. Supernatural stuff ensues until the very satisfying ending. This is a quick read with a surprisingly dense plot that easily could have filled a much fatter book. I was disappointed only that this wonderfully well written work was not longer.

A tight page-turner, filled with wit and realism, yet exploring an interesting supernatural premise. I finished this in a single sitting, compelled to keep going by the strong characters and multigenerational premise. Moments of wry humor are intermixed with tension and an accurate depiction of both older Hollywood and the Pacific Northwest Coastal life, with an ending that is not quite a twist, but surprising and satisfying nonetheless. Lee has a knack for characters and scenery, and I found this to be a highly visual story, just the right tale for a rainy afternoon or a short trip where someone else is driving.

I haven’t read an entire book in one sitting in a long time but I could not put this down. Great characters, great story, and I cared about the ending. I’ve already pickup a second copy to give as a gift.