The Lie Beneath Her

by Elsa Thorne

Sometimes history doesn’t stay dead.

Kayla never had a choice. The cramped, shadowed apartment was all she could afford—a cage built on blood and secrets.

Whispers follow her through the halls. Strangers’ eyes linger too long, murmuring that she looks like Cassandra Burrows—the girl whose mutilated body was left on display, a brutal spectacle that stained this place forever.

The face in the mirror is not her own anymore.

When someone close to Kayla is slaughtered in the same grotesque way, the past claws back with a vengeance.

Trapped between reflection and reality, Kayla must confront the terrifying the lie beneath her skin is desperate to be uncovered.

And the darkness waiting for her is watching.

133 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 17, 2026

Reviews

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elsa Thorne has stepped up their game with this second installment to the Twister Truths series and I am absolutely obsessed with it! Thorne takes true crime, unsolved mysterious and sprinkles them with a dash of horror, giving readers truly unsettling and jaw on the floor books.

The Lie Beneath Her follows the mystery of the Black Dahlia murder, which as a true crime fanatic, is one of the first crimes I remember ever being fascinated by. Seeing this brutally horrific crime be brought to life and reimagined in a way within The Lie Beneath her was fascinating. I was hooked from the very beginning and repeatedly had to pick my jaw up off the floor.

Elsa Thorne never fails to keep readers on the edge of their seats with her immersive and captivating writing and plots. I cannot wait for the next installments of The Twisted Truths Series.

Thank you so much to the author for an arc of The Lie Beneath Her. All views are my own and have been left voluntarily.

[Armando Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lie Beneath Her by Elsa Thorne is a great, fast-paced novella that reimagines the infamous Black Dahlia case of 1947, adding fresh horror and psychological thriller twists to bring the story into a modern setting. Because it’s a shorter read, events unfold quickly, which can be either a strength or a drawback depending on what you’re after. Personally, I really enjoyed the pacing. The horror elements were handled in an engaging way that kept me turning pages from start to finish.Although I haven’t read the first book in this series, I found this one stands perfectly on its own. Each installment seems to focus on a different real-life crime, so you can easily jump in at any point. Overall, The Lie Beneath Her was the perfect palate cleanser: dark, immersive, and just the right length. I’ll definitely be picking up more of Thorne’s books to slip between longer series reads.

[Felicia Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever read a book that literally resonated within your very being? This one did it for me. No joke.

I am a true crime junkie, and I love a good thriller. Put the two together and BAM instant hook and sinker for me.

This book caught my attention from the very first page to the very last, leaving me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I gasped, I gagged, I laughed, I squealed I swear every single emotion ran through me due to this book and if I could forget the incredible story and read again, I wouldn’t think twice.

Plot: 10/10
Spice: 0🌶️
Character development: 10/10
Writing style: 10/10

Like seriously. If you enjoy true crime…this is the one for you. It’s phenomenal, dark and everything I desire in my books. Go read it. You won’t regret it. But when you find yourself unable to put this book down and questioning everything. Don’t say I didn’t warn you ;)

[My_Books_In_Nooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alpha/ARC for ‘The Lie Beneath Her’ by Elsa Thorne.

This is the second installment from the Twisted Truth series. A series where books are based off real cases, with a twist.
Book 2 is inspired by the Black Dahlia, and the circumstances surrounding her 💀
We follow Kayla who moves into a new place with roommates, and lets just say, weird, spooky things happen.
They were already, but ever since her arrival, it became even more.
Now, a horrible 💀 takes place too close to home.
So what secrets hide in the shadows, who or what lurks inside the walls?

If you enjoy psychological thrillers/ horror with delicious plot twists, stories based on real cases?
Then this book is just for you!
And if you missed the first book, The Axe Between Us, this should definitely go on your TBR list

5/5⭐️

[Rachel Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series combines true crime with horror. I appreciate that the aspects of the true crime case are kept pretty accurate and uses that as a means to branch off into a horror aspect. Its really well done. This isn't my usual genre, but I'm really enjoying this series.

Kayla moves into a new place and things immediately start happening. Voices. Seeing things. And then people start turning up in a similar fashion to an old, cold case. With twists you won't see coming, this is a book you won't want to put down. And being a novella, its easy to read in one sitting, while still being long enough to feel complete and not super rushed.
I did receive an advanced copy of this book.

[Read, Run and Rescue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow!! Elsa does it again. First she combines true crime and then melds it with a historical case and viola you get a master piece of a story! I can’t tell you loud enough to read this book. The characters were compelling and the pace of the story had me so captivated I was swiping pages as fast as I could. It was a bit gory but it wasn’t over the top and didn’t take away from the story. I was guessing how the characters were guessing right till the end! Fabulous job by Elsa and now I’m off to read the third installment!

[Joy Whiteside · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a read. this book had me glued to my seat and no matter what I needed to do, I had to keep reading. This book will not disappoint. Once you start you cannot put it down. It moves along at a great pace, making for an easy read, has interesting characters and a story that will not disappoint. This book needs to be read, no doubt about it.

[Nancie Blume · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a twist

Elsa Thorne's true crime novels are the 'crime' to my 'punishment' – I just can't get enough! This latest installment is a real 'killer' read, with its dark and suspenseful tone, engaging storyline, and unexpected twists. It's a 'murder' mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end, and leave you 'dying' for more.

[Jessica Stueber · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lie Beneath Her
By Elsa Thorne
Independently Published
(02/17/26)
5⭐️

When Kayla moves into a new apartment the last thing she expects is to experience the paranormal. Little does she realize that the apartment building was previously the scene of an old unsolved murder.

One of Kayla’s roommates is murdered and it is coincidentally just like the old cold case. But is it really coincidental?

Lots of twists in this great true crime novella. Quick yet enjoyable!

Thank you to Elsa Thorne for this free ARC book in exchange for my candid review.

[Elise Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book. I am in love with the crime, thriller, suspense twists throughout this book. I couldn't put it down and totally plan to continue to read the entire series as well as purchase a copy of each one.