The Many Lies of Veronica Hawkins: A Novel
“A story with twists and turns is enjoyable to read as the reader tries to figure out where the narrative is heading and who is involved.”
For readers unfamiliar with Hong Kong, The Many Lies of Veronica Hawkins by Kristina Pérez is an excellent choice. Pérez has either done her research thoroughly or personally experienced this area, or possibly both. Her descriptions of Hong Kong and its surroundings immerse readers in the story.
The Many Lies of Veronica Hawkins is an intriguing story featuring the main character, Martina Torres, who arrives with her husband, Spence, who is starting a new job. However, Spence turns out to be a man who chooses to dominate Martina, causing their marriage to falter.
Martina is a journalist with limited experience but a strong desire to move forward. As the story unfolds, Martina works for HK City Chic, a local newspaper, and her first assignment is to interview Veronica Hawkins, a woman of immense wealth and power. “Her family business, Hawkins Pacific, was one of the last remaining British hongs, or foreign-owned trading houses, and has been instrumental in transforming Hong Kong from a collection of fishing villages into the Pearl of the Orient.”
The story begins with Martina recounting how she is affected by her friend Veronica Hawkins’ death and questioning whether falling off a boat into the sea was an accident or murder.
After the prologue, the story returns to the time when Martina first meets Veronica, and much to her surprise, Veronica takes a liking to her. As their friendship grows, Martina’s marriage begins to sour. Her husband does not appreciate the time she spends with Veronica or the attention she shows to Martina, and he is found visiting the seedier side of Hong Kong.
In Part One, Pérez includes newspaper articles about Veronica’s death, the boat party where she fell overboard, the search for her body, and the people involved. This enhances the reader’s understanding of what may have happened while allowing them to see how the relationship between the two women develops as Martina reminisces about Veronica’s death and its effect on her.
At this point, Pérez transitions to Part Two and introduces an unexpected twist. It is now five years later, and Martina has lived during this time without her husband and without Veronica. She has used her writing skills to pen a memoir about her life with Veronica and the many people around her—the good and the bad. The book is a global hit but not popular with those closest to her.
Before her death, Veronica appointed Martina as the Executive Director of a foundation she established in memory of her deceased sister. As time passes, Martina faces accusations of embezzling funds from the foundation. Knowing these claims are false, she begins to follow small clues that lead her to discover who is behind these accusations and who is embezzling from the foundation. Simultaneously, she discovers that this person manipulated Veronica’s death. The reader will be hard-pressed to identify this person.
Martina wishes Veronica were still alive until she wonders if this is true. She follows clues that are more wishes than facts. The truth that she discovers is, at first, hard to accept, but in the end, it is the only thing she can do.
Pérez excels in character development. Martina begins the story lacking self-confidence but ends it brimming with confidence. The reader questions Veronica: Is she a good character or not? The characters surrounding both Veronica and Martina fluctuate between being good and bad, making them difficult to keep track of.
A story with twists and turns is enjoyable to read as the reader tries to figure out where the narrative is heading and who is involved. Pérez effectively guides the reader.