The Perfect Liar
by Beverley Harvey
‘Are you sure he’s someone you can trust? We know nothing at all about him. Who is he, really?’
Susanne and her two best friends have been dreaming of a holiday. All of them need an escape. Especially Susanne, who is reeling from the news that her ex is getting remarried. They need the warm Tuscan sun, delicious Italian food and wine, and – most of all – the time to unwind with each other. What they get is Harry.
Handsome, charming, and great company, Harry soon sweeps Susanne off her feet for a holiday fling. And why not? Except that everything he’s told them is a lie.
Who is the man they’ve let into their house – who Susanne has let into her bed? They have no idea what Harry is capable of – what he’s done to get this far, and what he’s prepared to do to ensure he gets his way.
By the time they find out, it will be too late to stop their dream holiday from becoming a nightmare.
An utterly addictive, page-turning thriller with a jaw-dropping twist. If you loved The Girlfriend, The Holiday, and Something in the Water, you’ll be completely gripped by The Perfect Liar.
My Rating:
Favorite Quotes:
Harry’s accent is warm toffee sauce poured over ice cream. Everything about his demeanour drips wealth, privilege and confidence…
Evie imagines her at the tough south London school where she works, holding the rapt attention of her class. Twenty-odd hormonally charged fourteen-year-olds under her spell, the boys damp with adolescent desire, the girls in awe of her strength and urban style. Evie has never met a lesbian before –well, not that she knows of –and is a little intimidated. Then again, the sensations of wrong-footedness and embarrassment are as familiar to Evie as hunger and thirst.
‘You’re a cracking girl, Evie; I’ve always fancied you,’ Roland growls. ‘Discreet, too,’ he adds, before turning over and snoring like a warthog.
Evie saw the way they looked at each other when they thought no one was watching, like feral teenagers at a disco.
Evie’s so prim and proper, she thinks she’s being radical if she changes the parting of her hair.
My Review:
I enjoyed this well-contrived tale. There were multiple storylines with slowly unfolding yet compelling nuances and sketchy characters who were not altogether likable and difficult to fully appreciate, yet oddly managed to elicit my compassion. Other than for dear Evie I kept waffling on whom was more deserving of my empathy.
This was my introduction to the duplicitous word stylings of Beverley Harvey and I was a quick convert. And for a bonus, Ms. Harvey has provided a new addition to my Brit Words and Phrases List with “kick into touch,” which Mr. Goggle taught me was to halt discussion when it is clear the issue cannot be achieved or solved. I plan to immediately deploy this handy phrase when anyone mentioned the ever hazardous topics of politics or religion.
Throughout Beverley’s many years spent working in advertising and PR, she had always wanted to write fiction. In 2015 a creative writing course inspired her debut novel, Seeking Eden, which was published in 2017. The sequel, Eden Interrupted, soon followed. Beverley’s third novel – her first with Bookouture – fulfills a long-time goal to publish a psychological thriller.
Born in Yorkshire, and raised in Kent, Beverley currently lives in West Sussex with her partner and their adorable terrier. When not writing, you’ll find her reading, walking the dog, or listening to rock music.
Love the sound of this story. Great review!
I love it when a book teaches me cool new expressions. I wouldn’t have thought that’s the meaning for “kick into touch” though, I was thinking more along the lines of “give it a shove in a certain direction”. I love it! So happy you enjoyed your book and I’m intrigued by your quotes, so I’m going to check this one out. Happy reading!
warm toffee poured over ice cream sounds so so good!!
The book certainly sounds intriguing. Great review.
I liked the book too. Hoping that her next book is far more fun