Superb

The Liar by Louise Jensen is a totally gripping psychological thriller that I read in just two sittings, pausing only to sleep.

Louise Jensen is masterful at the psychological suspense. Whenever I pick up one of her books, I know that I will be highly entertained.

The action is seen through various alternating points of view, in both the first and third person. The time periods are present day, recent past, and significant past events. Apart from the watcher paragraphs, the reader is told whose voice it is.

We join a social worker, her daughters, and her elder daughter’s friend and small son. They are a close unit, knitted together by a mother’s love. “Families aren’t always perfect and that doesn’t matter. It’s love that counts.”

The women in the novel are strong characters. They are closely woven together, standing united in the face of cruelty, abuse or indifference from various male characters.

It is the women who are in the nurturing roles. The mother, Mel, has a heart full of love and who will always be there for the hurting.

Not everyone is who they seem to be. Many are hiding secrets – sometimes in order to protect. At other times it is for more selfish reasons.

We see the dangers of social media. Not everyone is who they claim to be online. There are those of both sexes who will lie and manipulate the vulnerable.

As the book sped towards the conclusion, I must say, it was superb – an ending I really did not see coming. I suspected many things – none of which turned out to be correct!

The Liar is an engrossing read – I recommend picking it up when you have a few hours free because you are really not going to want to put it down!

JULIA WILSON