THE PERFECT LIAR

4.5 stars out of 5

What happens when every single character in the pot is unsavory? Things get stirred up in a hurry, with nasty flavors like paranoia, deceit and sociopathic tendencies fighting for dominance. Nothing is certain except that it probably won't turn out as one might expect.

For readers, that makes for an exciting - dare I say thrilling - experience. For reviewers, less so; it's nearly impossible to describe what happens without giving away too much. But what the heck - I'll give it a go. Susannah, the widowed youngish mother of a teenage boy, is now married to Max. He once gave a TED talk on art that went viral, propelling him to the top of the lecture circuit. From the outset, it's clear that both are carrying around heavy-duty secrets from their pasts (which, of course, I dare not reveal). Son Freddy seems to be a typical adult-hating teen, although he does take a liking to his stepdad.

The relatively new family now lives in Burlington, Vermont, where Max has landed a short-term position at a local college. While they miss the hubbub of New York City, they've pretty much settled in and are enjoying the more laid-back setting. That is, until Susannah finds a note tacked on their front door: I Know Who You Are, it read. Susannah nearly panics, but Max doesn't seem worried - or if he is, he refuses to admit it to Susannah. But in truth, both think there's cause for concern. Problem is, neither knows which one is the note intended for (don't feel bad; readers are left guessing for quite some time as well).

Told from alternating perspectives of Susannah and Max - during which the layers of their earlier-life secrets are peeled back - the story moves forward as the couple try to figure out what's going on that threatens their future. There are "mysterious" deaths, both past and present, all leading up to a grand finale. Whether or not it leaves you satisfied, I suppose, depends on which of the characters you think is the best liar (or perhaps is lying the least). For my part, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down, so extra thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

The Perfect Liar by Thomas Christopher Greene (St. Martin's Press, January 2019); 288 pp.