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State of Lies

Page 31

by Siri Mitchell


  I could not have completed this book without the friends and neighbors who never failed to ask me how things were progressing and who were unfailingly patient in listening to me tell this story again. And again. Ginger Garrett, Maureen Lang, and Anne Mateer, author friends and fellow travelers on this writing journey—all cheered and commiserated as they reminded me that I was not alone. Or going crazy.

  Crucial to this process were the readers who kept asking when my next book was coming out. And if I was ever planning to write more contemporaries. At long last, I can tell you that I am!

  And finally, and forever, my family must be thanked. My husband, Tony, answered my questions about everything having to do with technology, computers, the federal budget, and government contracts. And my own sweet girl patiently put up with me during the weeks when I wasn’t quite tuned in to all that was going on around me because I was listening to the voices in my head.

  About the Author

  Photo by Tim Coburn

  Siri Mitchell is the author of fourteen novels. She has also written two novels under the pseudonym of Iris Anthony. She graduated from the University of Washington with a business degree and has worked in various levels of government. As a military spouse, she lived all over the world, including Paris and Tokyo. Siri is a big fan of the semicolon but thinks the Oxford comma is irritatingly redundant.

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  SiriMitchell.com

  Facebook: SiriMitchell

  Twitter: @SiriMitchell

  Advance Praise for State of Lies

  “In State of Lies, Siri Mitchell has penned a page turner that I literally couldn’t put down. I confess I kept reading when I should’ve been writing my own novel. My heart breaks with Georgia Brennan as she suffers blow after blow when a past she didn’t even know she had catches up with her. Readers will applaud her resilience and determination to solve the mystery and save the lives of the people she loves—even when the face of the boogeyman turns out to be someone she never expected. Don’t miss this thrilling ride!”

  —Kelly Irvin, bestselling author of Tell Her No Lies and Over the Line

  “In State of Lies, Siri Mitchell has created a story that will suck you in and not let go. With twists and turns, international intrigue, and danger galore, this book reads like a psychological thriller mixed with healthy doses of suspense. It’s also wonderfully written with an attention to detail that had me seeing my former haunts in Arlington, Virginia.”

  —Cara Putman, author of the Hidden Justice series

  “Stunning . . . this story is sure to impress.”

  —Publishers Weekly on Ruins of Lace

  “A fascinating story not only about lace, but about obsession, corruption, and self-worth. The ending is tantalizingly ambiguous.”

  —Historical Novel Society on Ruins of Lace

  “A well-paced and interwoven story . . . Anthony [Siri Mitchell] creates a narrative that subtly educates, poses stimulating questions and entertains.”

  —Kirkus on The Miracle Thief

  “Fast-paced and engrossing . . . The book’s wealth of historic detail will transport you back in time, and Anthony’s plucky heroines will have you alternately biting your nails over their plights and cheering over their triumphs. Hope, faith, courage, inspiration, love—this book has it all. Highly recommended!”

  —Sherry Jones, author of The Sharp Hook of Love, on The Miracle Thief

  “Christy-nominated Mitchell’s latest flawlessly crafted novel is a quietly powerful tale of love, faith, and hope set in Puritan New England. With its brilliantly formed characters and vividly detailed setting, this tale combines the best elements of inspirational and historical fiction into a richly emotional, unforgettable story.”

  —Booklist on Love’s Pursuit

  “Christy Award winner Mitchell makes a successful historical debut, immersing readers in the rich historical detail of Queen Elizabeth’s court.”

  —RT Book Reviews on A Constant Heart

  “A skillful mix of tense family drama, historical romance, and memorable characters that will stay with readers.”

  —Library Journal on A Heart Most Worthy

  “A well-written, enthralling historical novel, The Messenger will not disappoint.”

  —Portland Book Review

  Other Books by Siri Mitchell

  Kissing Adrien

  Chateau of Echoes

  Something Beyond the Sky

  The Cubicle Next Door

  Moon over Tokyo

  A Constant Heart

  Love’s Pursuit

  She Walks in Beauty

  A Heart Most Worthy

  The Messenger

  The Ruins of Lace

  Unrivaled

  Love Comes Calling

  The Miracle Thief

  Like a Flower in Bloom

  Flirtation Walk

  Copyright

  State of Lies

  © 2019 by Siri Mitchell

  All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

  Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.

  Interior design by Lori Lynch

  Thomas Nelson titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fund-raising, or sales promotional use. For information, please email SpecialMarkets@ThomasNelson.com.

  Publisher’s Note: This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. All characters are fictional, and any similarity to people living or dead is purely coincidental.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Names: Mitchell, Siri L., 1969- author.

  Title: State of lies / Siri Mitchell.

  Description: Nashville, Tennessee : Thomas Nelson, [2019]

  Identifiers: LCCN 2019007287 | ISBN 9780785228615 (paperback)

  Subjects: LCSH: Murder--Investigation--Fiction. | Man-woman relationships--Fiction. | GSAFD: Mystery fiction. | Suspense fiction.

  Classification: LCC PS3613.I866 S73 2019 | DDC 813/.6--dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019007287

  Printed in the United States of America

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