Meg Hardwick and her sister Lark were products of the stereotyped 60's. Their parents -- exponents of free love -- were never intentionally negligent or uncaring; as lovers of all sexes floated through their lives, Meg the elder, learned responsibility at an early age. When the parents were killed in a car accident, Meg assumed the in loco parentis role to Lark.

Lark was in college and Meg was making her way in advertising in New York, when Lark began her affair with a married artist. Dismayed, Meg watched as Ethan, the artist, finally divorced his spouse and married Lark. Children came, and finally Lucinda, the daughter of his first wife was placed in their care as an alternative to being placed in the State's social service system. Since Ethan's first wife is an addict and dangerous psychotic, it’s not surprising that Lucinda is dysfunctional with a capital D.

Meg, in her role of supportive sister-in-law, attends a gallery opening for Ethan's work. He stuns her by claiming he is in love with her, and although she rejects him, he mounts a campaign that thrusts him into her life daily. Meg visits Lark, intending to tell her what is going on. But Lark is so glowingly happy about selling her first book, Meg can't bring herself to spoil the aura. That same weekend, she meets Ethan in his studio to tell him once again to stop. Lucinda spies on them and sees Ethan become very aggressive in his attentions.

The story takes an unexpected turn when Ethan is murdered and Lucinda is accused of the crime. What ensues is Meg's attempt to find the real murderer, driven by her affection for Lucinda and by the guilt she feels about Lucinda having witnessed the scene with Ethan. To investigate, Meg must infiltrate Lark and Ethan's social circle, where she finds a morass of sexual betrayals, hidden passions and cruelty.

In the end, we are left with the simplistic twin morals of the story: love can blind anyone; and the best of intentions can lead to the worst mistakes. In the absence of a story more gritty and complex, I can award Perfect Lies only two stars.

--Thea Davis