THE PERFECT LIAR

 4 stars out of 5

Right up front, I'll say two things about this book: First, I

enjoyed it thoroughly (even stayed up an extra half-hour to finish it). Second, based on the description I was expecting it to be a chiller-thriller-killer edge-of-seat experience - but that's not even close to accurate.

More than half the book, in fact, is not much more than background information and interaction among the three main characters - Susanne, Dale and Evie - all 40-something women. In truth, I found that interesting in large part because their friendship is somewhat unlikely; Susanne is a rich and beautiful divorcee with a son, Evie is a bit stodgy and plump, and Dale is a lesbian who loves to party down (she's the only one I could see myself spending a couple of hours in a bar with, actually). But get along they do - and when they get a chance to spend a few weeks for free at a fancy-schmancy villa in Tuscany, they understandably don't take long to start packing their bags.

The villa far exceeds their expectations, and sufficient space for everyone is no problem at all. But complications quickly arise in the form of a much-younger Adonis-like Harry, the villa owner's godson who is staying there for the summer on hiatus between graduating from college and taking a job in finance.

Both Susanne and Evie are besotted, but ever-vigilant Dale - who clearly has no interest in a male hottie - is suspicious. Evie knows she's too plain to be a contender (and just in case she doesn't, Harry makes it fairly clear), but Susanne is fair game. Just a couple of Harry's surreptitious hip bumps and a dozen words whispered in her ear later, she's fallen under his spell (and he in her bed, so suffice it to say he exceeded her expectations there as well).

As readers might suspect, though, there's trouble with Harry. His secrets are slowly revealed as the second half of the book gets under way. While Dale learns plenty she doesn't like, her problem at this point is convincing Susanne that she's making a huge mistake. The ending wraps things up as well as brings a couple of surprises (I don't know if a sequel is planned, but the makings for one are here). All in all, well-written and an intriguing plot - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

The Perfect Liar by Beverley Harvey (Bookouture, November 2020); 315 pp.