Title: The Liar’s Room
Author: Simon Lelic
Published: January 2019, Berkley Books
Format: ARC E-copy,
Source: Netgalley
Summary:
A new spine-tingling thriller from the author of The New Neighbors that takes place over the course of a therapy session, in which neither patient nor therapist are who they claim to be.
Two liars. One room. No way out.
Susanna Fenton has a secret. Fourteen years ago she left her identity behind, reinventing herself as a therapist and starting a new life. It was the only way to keep her daughter safe.
But when a young man, Adam Geraghty, walks into her office, claiming he needs Susanna’s help but asking unsettling questions, she begins to fear that her secret has been discovered.
Who is Adam, really? What does he intend to do to Susanna?
And what has he done to her daughter?
My thoughts: This is the second book I’ve read by Simon Lelic and it was quite the addictive, binge-worthy book I found the previous book I read by him to be. Once I started it, I had a hard time putting it down.
I love a book where I have a hard time knowing who I can trust and that is exactly what I felt with this book. Susanna has a secret and I was desperate to know it, and it is hinted at, but it is not until the end that we finally find out just what it is. Adam also has a secret and he is unwilling to reveal it until just the right moment.
I loved the tension in this book – it really kept me flipping the pages, trying to piece together just what was going on. In addition to these two characters, who are in a therapy session, we are also introduced to Susanna’s teen daughter, who is keeping some secrets of her own.
This book really kept me guessing and on my toes and it wasn’t until the last quarter of the book that I started to put the pieces together, right before things started to come together. This in no way detracted from my enjoyment because of course I had no idea of the why – and that is always the most important part and the most revealing. I never get upset when I guess parts of a book because I very rarely guess the motivation behind things and this was one I never would have been able to figure out.
I love Simon Lelic’s writing and the way he spins his tales. I am definitely a fan and will be keeping an eye out for what comes next from this talented author!
