Can you hide a secret with the whole world watching?When an explosion rips apart a Chicago building, the lives of three women are forever altered.A year later, Cecily is in mourning. She was supposed to be in the building that day. Instead, she stood on the street and witnessed it going down, with her husband and best friend inside. Kate, now living thousands of miles away, fled the disaster and … away, fled the disaster and is hoping that her past won’t catch up with her. And Franny, a young woman in search of her birth mother, watched the horror unfold on the morning news, knowing that the woman she was so desperate to reconnect with was in the building.
Now, despite the marks left by the tragedy, they all seem safe. But as its anniversary dominates the media, the memories of that terrifying morning become dangerous triggers. All these women are guarding important secrets. Just how far will they go to keep them?
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What A Ride. Let’s put it this way: I finished this 41 chapter book in less than 24 hours. The summary had intrigued me, and the story itself didn’t let me down. I was 20% through the book without realizing it and felt like I had barely scratched the surface (and at that point, knowing what I do now, you really *have* barely scratched the surface). Easily one of the best of the now 25 books I’ve read in 2018, which is saying quite a bit.
The plot of The Good Liar seemed interesting and full of potential since it deals with a tragic building fire and the impact it has on the lives of several different characters. What I didn’t like about this book, why I gave it only 3 stars, was that those lives become so entangled and involve so many lies that I never was clear on who was “the Good Liar”, or why it was even called that. I would not recommend it.
Another Wow! This novel was engrossing and surprising! I enjoyed the twists and turns that Catherine created throughout the story. There was an explosion one fall day in a Chicago building and hundreds of people lost their lives. This novel follows the stories of three women in particular who were affected by the explosion, along with their families. Secrets are revealed throughout the story. Lies are told and kept hidden. What is the truth and what is fabricated? This novel is about family, marriage, and love. It is about grief and loss. Be prepared to be swept in to the stories and be shocked by what happens
So who is the good liar? There’s not only one in this engaging psychological thriller, another well-crafted story from Catherine McKenzie. Perhaps liar should instead be plural — the lies are abundant, making it a satisfying page-turner that leads us toward a twisty surprise ending.
Told from three women’s points of view — Cecily, Kate and Franny — each has her own collection of secrets. THE GOOD LIAR is packed full of them, leaving hints and questions crackling throughout the book. I find it tough to review a suspense story for fear of divulging any clues, but McKenzie delivers again in this, her ninth book. Incidentally, she jokes that she is the queen of books with one-word titles — FRACTURED, SMOKE, HIDDEN, SPIN — but this one breaks that tradition.
“Perhaps liar should instead be plural — the lies are abundant, making it a satisfying page-turner that leads us toward a twisty surprise ending.”
Secrets, lies, betrayals, twists, questions, regrets and surprises are all between these two covers (or between swipes). You won’t want to put down your book or device — or your earbuds if you’re the audiobook type like me, though this one I read in hardcover, flipping madly through the pages to the end.
I often think about the real lives and the real people behind a news story, the real-life subjects of an image that becomes part of our cultural focus if even for a short time. For those living and experiencing the tragedies and “stories” we watch on our screens, what does it mean to them? What are the consequences of being unwillingly propelled into the public eye? How do people manage painful, hard-to-process emotions with the world watching?
Lately, I’ve read quite a few books with mothers leaving their children and families, and I always wonder what it takes to get to that decision. What circumstances, what inner turmoil or angst, what history or self-talk pushes someone to make such a dramatic choice? THE GOOD LIAR asks these questions for me again.
Today I posted on social media that I’d just read THE GOOD LIAR, and the comments poured in, all saying a version of “I loved that book!” You can’t argue with enthusiastic Facebook readers. In the book and #bookstagram world, McKenzie’s newest thriller is getting lots of buzz and rave reviews, and I’m adding my own here. This is one you won’t want to miss.
I couldn’t stop reading! There were so many twists and turns. Amazing! This book kept me going to see how it ended. Just when I thought I had it figured out and it was ending, McKenzie got me and completely surprised me with how she finished the story. Wow. This is a must-read and definitely has me wanting to read more of her work!!!
It was great and kept me guessing until the end.
FirstLine ~ I was late.
This book is so fantastic. McKenzie has such a talent of telling a story that makes the reader get completely lost in the world she creates. There are characters that you cannot help but be drawn to and McKenzie fleshes them out perfectly. Each of them equally interesting and engaging. How she can creates connections and maintains the flow of the story is nothing short of genius. This book captures time and place and our role in it all and how secrets can change us…a brilliant read! McKenzie is a master storyteller and not to be missed. The Good Liar is one of her best books yet and is not to be missed. You are going to be in for a treat.
In The Good Liar, the lives of three women become entangled in a single tragedy. With her compelling characters, whip-smart dialogue and edge-of-your-seat pacing, McKenzie asks how well we know those around us—even the people we love the most.
Wow, The Good Liar brings you right into the story from the get go. We have three alternating views/storylines. Kate, Cecily and Franny, each of their stories builds throughout the book. Frannys story is told mainly through interview transcripts but it’s nice to see her character develop or come out of her shell so to speak. Each women’s story has an integral part to this novel. I can’t say to much don’t want to give anything away. The ending left me with “what?!” It’s one of those books you need to discuss with someone as soon as you finish it.
Loved this book! Such a great story that keep me on hw edge of my seat througut. I found myself not wanitng go go to work just so i could continue reading. Cant wait for this authors next book’
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2214903266
I loved this book, The Good Liar, it was suspenseful, kept me guessing till the very end, great characterization, and plot development! I think this is one of Catherine’s best yet, if not the best!
Wow, just when I don’t think Catherine can do any better she surprises me! Absolutely loves this book. Plenty of twists and turns and suspense. Love, love,love Catherine’s work!
I found this book confusing in the beginning because there were so many characters. However, as the characters developed and the plot unfolded I found it a great read. Made me think what I would do if an opportunity to change my life presented itself.
I loved this book and read it in 24 hours. When I wasn’t reading about it I was thinking or dreaming about it.
Lots of twists and untrustworthy characters. I was never sure who I could or should root for.
A must read.
What a story! I received this as an ARC, in order that I post a review about it.
Very complex and convoluted story but easy to follow. A building explodes, killing over 500 people. The story evolves as it follows 3 women in the aftermath of the explosion. There are secrets, lies, deceptions, lying by omission, betrayals and a twist every time you take a breath. The title was well chosen. By the time I finished the book I was not sure who was the best liar. Great book to read if you are looking to escape your own real life responsibilities for a short while!
“So Many Lies”
This book revolves around 3 women and the aftermath of a tragedy that links them all together.
Reporter Teo is filming a documentary about the “Triple Ten” a day in Chicago’s history in which a building exploded killing over 500 people.
Cecily, who lost her husband and best friend and is desperately trying to hold her family together while trying to keep a secret hidden.
Kaitlyn ( Kate) who is running from someone or something, and trying to keep her secrets hidden.
Franny ( Eileen) who desperately Thank is wants a family to belong to and will stop at nothing to keep her secrets hidden. These women are all connected in both the tradegy and their secrets.
This is my first book by this author and I was mesmerized from the first page, this book had a grip on me and I loved the characters and the secrets surrounding these ladies
I highly recommend this book, be prepared for a fantastic ride!
Lies, so many lies. This book was an amazing read! It was like a rollercoaster ride with highs and lows, twists and turns. If I didn’t have kids to take care of I know could have devoured it in a day.
Jaw-dropping bombshells. Scintillating secrets. Love, pain, betrayal, revenge. The Good Liar follows the lives of three women whose lives are forever-changed by an epic tragedy. I was spellbound as their stories intertwined, with twists and turns that were stunning and unexpected! So many lies, so much deception, making this book unputdownable! There are also tender moments in this story, heartbreak and poignancy hidden beneath the surface of of this captivating book!
WOW!! This was one wonderful book. I had such a hard time putting it down. Wanted to know what was going to happen next.
This is told from Cecily, Kate, at times Kaitlyn, and Franny’s voices. Each has a different story to tell. All have lies and some have some truth mixed in. It’s one that will have you asking did they really do that or was it more. It’s the story of loss and grief, running and returning only to run again. From the first page I knew without a doubt it was going to be a page turner.
I so enjoyed this awesome book and can’t wait now to read more by this author. I’m honored to have won a paperback copy of this, signed, from the author.
I received this copy from Lake Union via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I give no spoilers but can promise you won’t be disappointed in this book. It’s so good from the beginning to the big ending where so much comes out about the characters. You will never guess the ending. It’s quite the shocker.
Love it and had to give it 5 stars. 🙂
This book was good, interesting, page turning, but predictable. I wasn’t surprised or caught off guard by anything that happened. Very well written and flows nice.