Book Review: The Big Lie by Julie Mayhew

Title: The Big Lie
Author: Julie Mayhew
Published: 27th August 2015
Publisher: Hot Key Books

This is exactly the kind of book I have been wanting to read for ages. This is a topic that has always interested me and got me thinking; what would have happened if the Nazi's had won the Second World War? So was obviously really excited to see Julie Mayhew's take on it.
This is an incredibly intelligent, high concept thriller. I was pretty much blown away by this story as it is so plausible. You can tell that an incredible amount of research went into this, especially because you can so easily imagine this happening. Julie has managed to reference a lot of Nazi Germany and incorporate it alongside modern day imaginings so effortlessly; this is even right down to propaganda and how Churchill has been painted the villain.
The main protagonist, Jessika is the ultimate good girl in this contemporary Nazi World. She appears to have the perfect family life and do really well at school. Jessika is the perfect example of a good Nazi citizen until her new best friend Clementine moves in across the road. When Jessika's thoughts are challenged by her best friend, her good girl personality begins to unravel. You can see how she tries to hold on to the belief that her world is still good, but as Clementine prods her further she starts to question everything that she has been brainwashed into thinking and that everything she originally thought was good is actually hidden beneath something darker.
Parts of this reminded me of 1984 by George Orwell, particularly with the idea that even your thoughts are not really allowed to be your own and that you are always being watched. Julie has written such a thought provoking story that has been executed perfectly. I really really hope there is a follow up as I just could not get enough of The Big Lie.