Book Club,  Book Review,  Psychological Thriller,  Suspense

Book Review: The Liar’s Room | Simon Lelic

January 15, 2019 /

As dark and twisted as it is suspenseful, The Liar’s Room by Simon Lelic is filled with long buried secrets and worst case scenarios. I wondered how it would feel to be in this position! Though nearly the entire book takes place in either flashbacks or a single room, the plot moved lightening fast as Susanna’s entire life and past unraveled before our eyes. With two incredible books by him that were top reads for me, Simon Lelic is officially a favorite author for me. I’m looking forward to more from him!

About the Book

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. Well actually, she has several secrets. 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.

When a young man, Adam Geraghty, walks into her office, Susanna is sure she has seen him before. There’s something familiar about him. Adam claims he needs Susanna’s help, but something about him is puzzling.

And then Adam reveals a photo of a young girl. A girl he wants to hurt. A girl Susanna knows very well—her daughter Emily.

And now Susanna knows for certain that she was wrong. She doesn’t know Adam. But Adam knows her. And Adam knows her secret…

Reflection

What a trip this book is! For a book with almost no action (when I say nearly the whole book takes place in a single room, I mean it), this book is a wild ride with a surprisingly fast pace. The beginning of the book was positively chilling! It feels like there is something off with Adam from the first moment he enters the office, but it’s hard to say exactly what is off.

Susanna has the quiet confidence of a long-time therapist, so initially she takes his odd behavior in stride. But after awhile it becomes clear that there is something not right. And when he pulls out the photograph of Emily, even though I knew it was coming from the synopsis, I was horrified!! Can you imagine what that would feel like as a mother??

I have to say, there are some dark themes as secrets are revealed. The book delves into the past through retelling for the most part. Susanna telling Adam about the events that preceded her fleeing her life. I don’t want to spoil any of the secrets, but I’ll say there are some disturbing things that happened in Susanna’s old life! Things I could barely imagine how she must have felt. Her running away—well let’s just say I completely understood that reaction.

There are some really fascinating characters. I wish I could say more about them, but I’m not sure how to bring them up without spoiling. How about I just say, there are some first person letters and journals that will keep you on the edge of your seat when they enter the story! I won’t say whose they are or what they say, but I am still creeped out even imagining them!

So as a credit to Simon Lelic, he really went there with his story telling. Hearing the voices of other characters was so pivotal to the story. Susanna and Adam were compelling, but the additional narratives are in my opinions what brought this novel from good-to-great. I finished a few days back and I’m still thinking about them!

Thank you to Berkley for my advanced copy to review. All opinions are my own.

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