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83rd out of 234 books
—
305 voters
The Liar's Lullaby (Jo Beckett #3)
by
Meg Gardiner
Edgar Award winner Meg Gardiner returns with a third propulsive, groundbreaking thriller about forensic psychiatrist Jo Beckett and the lies that are even more dangerous than fame.
Tasia McFarland is a washed-up country-pop singer desperate for the break that will get her topping the charts again. The tabloids have raked over every part of Tasia's rocky life, following eve...more
Tasia McFarland is a washed-up country-pop singer desperate for the break that will get her topping the charts again. The tabloids have raked over every part of Tasia's rocky life, following eve...more
Hardcover, 368 pages
Published
June 24th 2010
by Dutton Adult
(first published 2010)
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I picked up the audio version of this on a road trip but never made it past the first disk. From the first page, the author's snobbery and condescension are on display as she describes the country music concert that is the backdrop for her interminable opening scene. From the made-up lyrics to the sneer evident in her description of the concert-goers, it is clear the author considers herself far above the average Americans she is attempting to depict. Throw in wooden dialog and implausible detai...more
When Tasia McFarland, a country singer, dies from a gunshot wound during a concert, it is unclear how or by whom she got shot. Tasia was holding the gun herself at the time, but did she commit suicide, did somebody pull the trigger for her and was the bullet that killed her even from that gun?
Because the cause of Tasia’s death is unclear, Jo Beckett, Forensic psychiatrist, is asked to look into the case.
But the more Jo looks, the more questions she ends up with.
Tasia was bi-polar so was this a...more
Because the cause of Tasia’s death is unclear, Jo Beckett, Forensic psychiatrist, is asked to look into the case.
But the more Jo looks, the more questions she ends up with.
Tasia was bi-polar so was this a...more
If you've been reading my blog for a while you might remember how much I've enjoyed the Jo Beckett series by Meg Gardiner, and how much I was looking forward to the third installment, The Liar's Lullaby. I wasn't blogging regularly yet when I read The Dirty Secret's Club, but I did write a review for The Memory Collector so check it out!
Let me fill you in a little on this series. Jo Beckett conducts psychological autopsies as part of criminal investigations to determine if a person's death was t...more
Let me fill you in a little on this series. Jo Beckett conducts psychological autopsies as part of criminal investigations to determine if a person's death was t...more
I'm a huge Meg Gardiner fan – both her Evan Delaney series and her Jo Beckett series. This is the latest installment in the latter and it does not disappoint!
Being a forensic psychologist has it's caveats. It can make you a target for grieving family and psychopaths, and in a high profile case such as this, stalkers, conspiracy nuts, killers, and government intimidation. Jo must investigate this case quickly and thoroughly as she is feeling pressure from all sides to wrap things up (and everyon...more
Being a forensic psychologist has it's caveats. It can make you a target for grieving family and psychopaths, and in a high profile case such as this, stalkers, conspiracy nuts, killers, and government intimidation. Jo must investigate this case quickly and thoroughly as she is feeling pressure from all sides to wrap things up (and everyon...more
After a disappointing second installment in the Jo Beckett series, Meg Gardiner bounces back with "The Liar's Lullaby."
Singer Tasia McFarland is killed during her show in San Francisco. Normally the death of a country music star wouldn't be front page news, except that she's the ex-wife of the President of the United States and she's paranoid that someone is out to get her.
Beckett happens to be at the concert and is called in on the case to determine if the death was suicide or if Tasia was kil...more
Singer Tasia McFarland is killed during her show in San Francisco. Normally the death of a country music star wouldn't be front page news, except that she's the ex-wife of the President of the United States and she's paranoid that someone is out to get her.
Beckett happens to be at the concert and is called in on the case to determine if the death was suicide or if Tasia was kil...more
Jo Beckett, forensic psychiatrist, is involved from the harrowing beginning to the almost bitter end. Are people being manipulated by the government? Is an anti-government conspiracy (esp. anti-President McFarland) the reason for the first murder? Or was it really only suicide? Is NMP the terrorist? and who is the person taking on the persona of Thomas Paine & quoting the original Thomas Paine in his blogs?
Jo is right in the middle, from the moment she attends a rock concert with her sister....more
Jo is right in the middle, from the moment she attends a rock concert with her sister....more
The third Jo Beckett book was the last one I hadn't read of the Meg Gardiner books we currently have (which is everything except The Nightmare Thief, which just came out). It's clear to me that Meg is at the height of her storytelling power. There's no fat in the book, and it definitely has the trademark slam-bang final sequence. At first, I was a little put off by the premise as it starts with the death of the President's ex-wife, who is a big singing star. It seemed a bit far-fetched or contri...more
This is a new author for me and a new main character--that of Jo Beckett, a forensic psychiatrist. Now that is also a new medical speciality for me--one who studies a person who has died, or been killed in order to determine the decedents state of mind and reasons for behavior before death.
We follow the career of a manic/depressant washed-up country-pop singer who also happens to be the ex-wife of the president of the U.S. who is murdered (or was it suicide?) during a high wire come-back concert...more
We follow the career of a manic/depressant washed-up country-pop singer who also happens to be the ex-wife of the president of the U.S. who is murdered (or was it suicide?) during a high wire come-back concert...more
3.5 stars, actually. It may be a 4 star book, but it just wasn't what I was looking for.
The book delivers on the thrills, the mystery, the twists and turns of the plot. The issues I had with the book could be plusses for someone else.
The first problem is that this is the third book featuring Jo Beckett. There's no confusion over events missed in the previous books-- plot-wise, this novel stands alone. My issue was that I never had a chance to get to know Dr. Beckett. The character showed growth...more
The book delivers on the thrills, the mystery, the twists and turns of the plot. The issues I had with the book could be plusses for someone else.
The first problem is that this is the third book featuring Jo Beckett. There's no confusion over events missed in the previous books-- plot-wise, this novel stands alone. My issue was that I never had a chance to get to know Dr. Beckett. The character showed growth...more
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As I mentioned last month, the introductions are awesome. And, I’m really getting into the characters, especially Mr. Peebles. Mr. Peebles is a capuchin monkey who serves as an emotional support companion. When the main character is stalked by the media, she enlists the aid of her neighbor and Mr. Peebles. Basically, they let Mr. Peebles “attack” the newscaster in a funny way. The serious part of the book is a singer who dies at her concert and Jo Beckett is brought in to help the police figure...more
OK, now WHO recommended this? Oh, right, Stephen King. I blame you, uncle Stevie. No, this did not have "three" edge-of-your-seat suspense set pieces. If it had any, I don't remember them. One of the main "suspense" themes involved a pop starlet -- it was so lame, made no sense--those lyrics with the hidden meaning? Really?? -- most children's publishers woulda said, "no way."
Main character, pyschiatrist Jo Beckett did not engage me, tho am willing to hear from other readers. You get some point...more
Main character, pyschiatrist Jo Beckett did not engage me, tho am willing to hear from other readers. You get some point...more
jo beckett, i seriously love you. marry me?
this one has a pop star, the president, assassination plots, biographers, the paparazzi, a determined newscaster, mr. gabe quintana, and all the things i love about san francisco (but also hate).
oh! and amy! amy broke my heart. i love the little porcupine. and mr. peebles! and tina! and ferd really taking a role. i love the crazy crew that makes up jo's life. i love the people that love her. basically, like i said, these are my very favorite things.
(t...more
this one has a pop star, the president, assassination plots, biographers, the paparazzi, a determined newscaster, mr. gabe quintana, and all the things i love about san francisco (but also hate).
oh! and amy! amy broke my heart. i love the little porcupine. and mr. peebles! and tina! and ferd really taking a role. i love the crazy crew that makes up jo's life. i love the people that love her. basically, like i said, these are my very favorite things.
(t...more
Gooodreads Description- Edgar Award winner Meg Gardiner returns with a third propulsive, groundbreaking thriller about forensic psychiatrist Jo Beckett and the lies that are even more dangerous than fame.
Tasia McFarland is a washed-up country-pop singer desperate for the break that will get her topping the charts again. The tabloids have raked over every part of Tasia's rocky life, following every high and low, her addictions, her breakdowns, her increasingly erratic behavior-and every broken r...more
Tasia McFarland is a washed-up country-pop singer desperate for the break that will get her topping the charts again. The tabloids have raked over every part of Tasia's rocky life, following every high and low, her addictions, her breakdowns, her increasingly erratic behavior-and every broken r...more
I'm never disappointed by a Meg Gardiner book. NEVER. Reading the Jo Beckett series is always my guilty pleasure. I read about this author in a Stephen King editorial in Entertainment Weekly. When he said he read her first Dana Delaney series book on a flight to England I was interested as to who could get another author to do that. He wasn't wrong! I wait for her next book with great anticipation and I haven't been disappointed yet!
Perhaps this book would have been a 3 star if I had read it instead of listening to the audio version. You know how sometimes a reader can completely turn you off a book? In this book, the portions concerning NMP are read in an angry voice that has a touch of the 'nails on chalkboard' effect on me. I really struggled to stay with the book during those parts. I also disliked the stereotyping of country music. The lyrics and comments in the beginning of the book were so outrageously horrible that...more
Tasia is the ex-wife of the US President and a country-western star in her own right. She's on tour and stops taking her meds for bipolar disorder. During a stunt she is shot, and forensic psychiatrist Jo Beckett is asked to determine suicide vs. accident vs. homicide. Was Tasia's paranoia on target or a grand delusion? If homicide, then who would have wanted her dead?
Tasia McFarland, ex-wife of the President of the United States, loses ther life in this nicely written action/mystery novel. I liked this book, because it is written as if the characters are real people, with real lives and it is not a overly filled with intimate details behind closed doors. It is also a book with layers. Murder solved, think again.
Forensic psychiatrist, Jo Beckett, works at finding who killed country singer, Tasia McFarland during a performance in the San Francisco football stadium. It doesn't help that Tasia is the ex-wife of now President McFarland. There are lots of forces at work here, but Jo perseveres.
I like the character, Jo Beckett. She is flawed but she doesn't quit.
I like the character, Jo Beckett. She is flawed but she doesn't quit.
I started this the other night. Usually I devour books, cannot put them down. I can't get in to this one at all. I pick it up, read a paragraph or two, think "meh" and put it back down. I really thought I would like it. going to return it tot he library and take it back out again later on to see if I can get into it later on.
Jul 22, 2010
Liberty
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
everyone who loves a great conspiracy!
Recommended to Liberty by:
self
Shelves:
jo-beckett
I really like Meg Gardiner's writing. I think she has created a great character with Jo Beckett. This book is full of political conspiracy and action. Its a great story and I'm looking forward to the next book featuring JB!
This can be a stand alone book, but you really should read the first two in the series to get an understanding of Jo.
This can be a stand alone book, but you really should read the first two in the series to get an understanding of Jo.
I was unsure about this at first because of the strong political tones, but in the end I really liked it. Can't wait to read the next one in the series. Love this character (she is a forensic psychiatrist) and how well the stories are written. I had been in the mood for a good mystery and this series has not disappointed me!
Pretty good mystery thriller set in SanFran. The main character Jo is a forensic psychologist. She's trying to solve the murder of a country singer who happens to be the ex-wife of the President of the US (I didn't say it was plausible!)
Pretty darn good mystery. I almost put it down after the first few pages because I thought it was some type of Afghan/Iraqi conspiracy thing, but turns out it is not. Good characters. I like the Psych stuff too.
This is the second Gardiner book I've tried, and I don't know whether the blame lies with the author or the narrator. Fans can't get enough, but I don't find her to be at all exciting, well-plotted, or rewarding.
This was a good book from the start. I enjoyed it and although it's not blow you out of the water with twists and turns, it's worth a read and will keep you interested. At least it kept me interested.
The plot was absurd, Jo's love life was too mushy and we were forced to watch a TV reporter make up her stories on the spot just like they do on Fox News. This author may have made my DNR (do not read) list.
First book I've read by Meg Gardiner and it certainly won't be the last. A protagonist who is a forensic psychiatrist is right up my alley--as any of you who have read my true crime books will know.
Ridiculous third entry in Jo Becket series. It is mildly diverting, but too many twists and too much action takes place after the fact. This is a real dissapointment for me. I loved Gardiner's first series and thought she ws poised for super-stardom, but her last two books have dilluted all promise of that. And her dialogue is laughable and overstuffed with opo culture references.
Awesome book, starts right out with a bang. Again I loved the characters the author creates. Love the mystery behind the song. Story takes interesting twists, great story.
Listened to it and didn't partifcularly like to narrator's voice which may have fuined it somewhat. Felt like she was trying to be Steig Larsson and not suceeding very well.
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Meg Gardiner was born in Oklahoma and raised in Santa Barbara, California. She graduated from Stanford University and Stanford Law School.
She practiced law in Los Angeles and taught writing at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She lives with her husband, Paul Shreve, and their three children near London.
Series:
* Evan Delaney
* Jo Beckett
More about Meg Gardiner...
She practiced law in Los Angeles and taught writing at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She lives with her husband, Paul Shreve, and their three children near London.
Series:
* Evan Delaney
* Jo Beckett
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