Liars by Australian author James O’Loughlin is a work of fiction in the murder mystery suspense, and interpersonal drama genres.
Set in the atmospherically coastal town of Bullford Point in New South Wales, fifty-eight-year-old Barbara Young has lived in the very small rural community for most of her life. Working as the community’s handywoman she has seen many changes within the township but for most not much happens.
Joe Griffiths has not lived in Bullford for six years. He left after band member Sally McIndoe disappeared, and he became a suspect. Months later her body was found by police, determining that she had been the third victim of the so-called Blue Mountains Strangler. For Joe the damage was already done being doubted by so many people, he went down a path of self-destruction and turned to drugs and crime which led to jail time.
Clean from rehab Barb offers Joe a job upon his return home hoping to help him with a new beginning. But, when Karen Kemp’s body is found in nearby bushland, police are quick to suspect the man with a record. When Joe is found dead of an overdose, homicide detectives from Sydney take over the case and declare it a suicide because he was guilty of murder.
Barb is not convinced that her friend is guilty. There are so many things that don’t add up in both cases, so she teams up with local police constable, Seb Baxter to uncover the truth. She stops at nothing to clear Joe’s name and find out who the real murderer is.
The beginning of the book has many emails, transcripts and text messages between residents of Bullford Point and the surrounding area. At times I found they were difficult to follow and I wish they were dispersed throughout the book. Once I got through them, I was firmly involved in the storyline.
The author uses a large and diverse compelling cast of characters, coming from very different backgrounds. They are richly developed, each harbouring secrets and vulnerabilities that add depth to the narrative.
Barbara Young is a captivating protagonist; smart, gutsy, and relentless in her pursuit of justice and determined to uncover the truth. There’s a nice touch of humanity to her not only because she knew the victim, but she also believed in Joe when no one else did. As an amateur sleuth, you cannot help but root for her and see her grow from the challenges she faces.
Joe Griffiths is an exceptional character, and my heart went out to him. With a life of struggle and inner demons to overcome his heart was in the right place to return to Bullford but it wasn’t meant to be, which quite upset me as I love to see people make a comeback from hardship.
James O’Loughlin crafts a thrilling and engrossing mystery that masterfully weaves together suspense and intrigue, skilfully layering twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the final pages.
You can almost picture yourself in the cover. It Immediately draws you in with its beautiful arrangement of type and imagery. The design has a peaceful feel to it, but the birds make it haunting and unexpected. It is brilliantly executed and a book I would pick up from a shelf.
Liars is a riveting mystery that will suit fans of detailed, suspenseful crime writing. I highly recommend it.
A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club members are reading Liars by James O’Loughlin. You can read their comments below, or add your own review.
My love of books started at a very young age. My mum has always been a reader and encouraged me to read, buying me endless book from classic fairy tales advancing to the world of Enid Blyton, CS Lewis, Louisa May Alcott, Kathryn Kenny, Carolyn Keene, Francine Pascal. In my adult years the list of authors is endless and every room in my house is filled with books.
One of my favourite novels is Narnia which has always has a special place in my heart. I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 1978 and when I was given this book to read it let me escape to another world where I felt like I was in the book with all the characters, it wasfun and exciting to escape from reality and eased the ups and downs of the disease at such a young age.
In books nothing is impossible and there is endless potential and hundreds of places to explore or being taken to places that are only made up from the authors’ great minds, the past and future to navigate, characters lives you step into taking you on an emotional rollercoaster ride or being scared out of your wits. I can experience things that I can’t in real life because they’re not possible or real. It challenges my perspective and mindset expanding my worldview.
I find joy, comfort and peace with books, many people may not get it, but I know bookworms like me truly understand. Reading makes my heart happy.
Joe has a chance at a new start and better life. After going to jail for drugs and crime, he successfully completes a hail mary at rehab and is ready for this new life. His mum having passed while he was inside, having 2/3s share of her house in his quiet home town, shared with his brother, he has the chance to stay clear of Sydney and his troubled times.
Barbara has found herself unexpectedly alone when her husband leaves for the woman he was having an affair with. How did she not notice? A question she asks herself. A believer of 2nd chances and in need of help in her handy-person work, Barb gives Joe some work.
Seb, the local policeman, has a quiet town to police, mainly speeding tickets and the occasional lost cat. Something not too hard on his own. At least until 2 deaths occur just days apart. Homicide detectives close the cases quickly, the first Karen’s death murder by Joe and his death an overdose showing guilt. But something isn’t quite right.
Barb just cannot believe it, he was doing so well, why would he start taking again. Plus his “teeth” were not in the right place…
The history of the characters, whose lives spread in different directions back in their youth, is all coming out now. Did one of them do it, kill Joe or Karen, and the historic death of a friend years gone by, how does that fit.
Intrigue, a little confusion and a well structured path to answers, I thoroughly enjoyed this read and will look out for others like it. Thanks Beauty & Lace and author James O’Loghlin for the read.
Thank you for this book reading opportunity.
The book was interesting to read. It did take me a while to get into the storyline but once I kept going, it was good and I kept going to find out what happened.
There were some sad aspects and storyline, which readers should be aware of and be prepared for.
It is a good mystery book with a storyline that makes you want to keep reading to find out what happened and why. The characters are likeable and multidimensional so you can relate to them and understand their situation and why certain things were done.
Overall, an enjoyable and entertaining read.
Thank you, Beauty and Lace and Echo Publishing, for introducing me to the talented James O’Loghlin’s latest book Liars. Upon commencing to read Liars, I initially struggled with what I was thinking at the time was a ‘clunky’ start to the novel, but luckily after persevering I became very thankful for the email and text conversations. I found myself referring back to them quite frequently,
I found these details extremely helpful, in building the characters background stories. refreshing my memory on specific dates, times / places, and connections between major stakeholders.
Liars is a great read, a real whodunit, I was intrigued by the story and kept eagerly turning the pages as the tempo ramped up, it kept me guessing right till the very end. There were plot twists aplenty, and the lies just kept piling on top of each other. I am definitely a fan now and very keen to read James first adult book ‘Criminals.’
I thoroughly enjoyed James O’Loghlin’s Liars, an enthralling and also charming mystery exploring themes of truth, lies, honesty and deception. Multiple seemingly unconnected events eventually unravel secrets of the past, all uncovered by Barb, a local handywoman with a heart of gold who is still adjusting to her husband’s desertion. The characters are well drawn and relatable, or at least recognisable, the different geographical settings each lending a different feel to respective events. The writing deftly captures the complexities of human interactions. There are twists and turns aplenty, and oodles of suspense, along with poignant observations and moments of enlightenment.
James O’Loghlin’s Liars is a great read for fans of crime writing and Australian contemporary fiction. Highly recommended and can’t wait for more like this from the author. Many thanks to Beauty and Lace and Echo publishing for the opportunity to read and review.