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Liar Bird
Cassandra Daley has never given much thought to wildlife until she loses a PR war with a potoroo.
Sacked and disgraced, she flees the city. Not for a tree-change, just a bolt hole. But small-town Beechville has other plans for her.
Feral pigs, a philosopher frog and a town with a secret, could things get worse? Add one man with the sexiest way with maps she's ever seen and they soon do. Her best friend Jessica thinks she's been brainwashed by an RM Williams cult, and Jessica could be right.
Can Cassandra reinvent herself, or will she always be a liar bird?
Sacked and disgraced, she flees the city. Not for a tree-change, just a bolt hole. But small-town Beechville has other plans for her.
Feral pigs, a philosopher frog and a town with a secret, could things get worse? Add one man with the sexiest way with maps she's ever seen and they soon do. Her best friend Jessica thinks she's been brainwashed by an RM Williams cult, and Jessica could be right.
Can Cassandra reinvent herself, or will she always be a liar bird?
391 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
2 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Walker
10 books68 followersLisa writes fiction for adults and young adults. Her eighth novel, and her first psychological suspense, 'The Pact' will come out in January 2026. Other novels are - 'Trouble is My Business', 'The Girl with the Gold Bikini', 'Paris Syndrome', 'Melt', 'Sex, Lies and Bonsai', ‘Liar Bird’, and ‘Arkie’s Pilgrimage to the Next Big Thing'.
Lisa's half-hour radio play 'Baddest Backpackers' aired on ABC Radio National in 2008. She was a finalist in the ABC Short Story Award and winner of the Byron Bay Writers Festival short story award. Her writing has been published in The Age, The Guardian, The Big Issue, The Sydney Morning Herald, Griffith Review and the Review of Australian Fiction.
Lisa grew up in Fiji and spent her teenage years in Brisbane. She has worked as a wilderness guide, park ranger and tertiary lecturer, and is now a full-time writer. She has a degree in zoology and a PhD in creative writing.
In her spare time she surfs and explores wild places. She lives on the far north coast of New South Wales, Australia.
www.lisawalker.com.au
Lisa's half-hour radio play 'Baddest Backpackers' aired on ABC Radio National in 2008. She was a finalist in the ABC Short Story Award and winner of the Byron Bay Writers Festival short story award. Her writing has been published in The Age, The Guardian, The Big Issue, The Sydney Morning Herald, Griffith Review and the Review of Australian Fiction.
Lisa grew up in Fiji and spent her teenage years in Brisbane. She has worked as a wilderness guide, park ranger and tertiary lecturer, and is now a full-time writer. She has a degree in zoology and a PhD in creative writing.
In her spare time she surfs and explores wild places. She lives on the far north coast of New South Wales, Australia.
www.lisawalker.com.au
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 1, 2015
This was a quirky little find, set in a 'fictional' town of Beechville that I have an affinity to as I spend my annual beach side holiday there. Or around abouts at least! I met the author at her launch, and due to the normal business I have only gotten around to reading it - my loss!
Cassandra is a city girl, formerly of Blacktown. This was another funny little aspect as I live around the corner from there and somewhat feel the same way as Cassandra - there are many other beachside places that I'd prefer to live!
She makes her way out of the west and moves onto bigger and brighter things, but these brighter things don't ring true as she finds her way into the hearts and minds of Beechville.
This is Lisa Walker's debut, and she has blended her career into her story, she knows a lot about wildlife and conservation, which does add an interesting aspect to a contemporary feel.
An unimportant aside was the use of words such as snookie and snooks drove me a bit nuts, and when Cassandra's boyfriend was licking her calves I had an 'oh man' moment, but overall it was fun and entertaining.
I really enjoyed Lisa's Liar Bird and look forward to her next novel. To those of you who like an Aussie setting, I encourage you to read this one as there are many Aussie quirks that you could enjoy. It's fun.
Cassandra is a city girl, formerly of Blacktown. This was another funny little aspect as I live around the corner from there and somewhat feel the same way as Cassandra - there are many other beachside places that I'd prefer to live!
She makes her way out of the west and moves onto bigger and brighter things, but these brighter things don't ring true as she finds her way into the hearts and minds of Beechville.
This is Lisa Walker's debut, and she has blended her career into her story, she knows a lot about wildlife and conservation, which does add an interesting aspect to a contemporary feel.
An unimportant aside was the use of words such as snookie and snooks drove me a bit nuts, and when Cassandra's boyfriend was licking her calves I had an 'oh man' moment, but overall it was fun and entertaining.
I really enjoyed Lisa's Liar Bird and look forward to her next novel. To those of you who like an Aussie setting, I encourage you to read this one as there are many Aussie quirks that you could enjoy. It's fun.
August 27, 2012
Liar Bird is a quirky, romantic comedy and an engaging debut for Australian author, Lisa Walker.
The first rule of public relations is 'do what it it takes (but don't get caught)'. Cassandra Daley takes the fall when a journalist exposes the truth behind one of her more creative PR campaigns and is exiled to the tiny country town of Beechville. Organising a press conference in the CWA hall to raise awareness of feral pigs is a far cry from a gala perfume launch in an exclusive Sydney Art Gallery, especially when Ranger Mac seems determined to see her fail, but with a little bit of spin maybe everything will turn out alright after all.
Written in the first person, Cassie's eccentricities, which include consulting Alice in Wonderland for advice and conversing with a green tree frog that lives in her toilet bowl, are delightful despite being a little strange. Cassandra's overinflated ego takes a bit of a battering in Beechville, especially when the local ranger Mac goes out of his way to be unhelpful, but as Cassie's 'city girl' veneer dissolves she becomes a likeable protagonist and I was charmed by her growing self awareness. She shows some smarts and grit by facing the challenges of her new role head on and also demonstrates a willingness to both admit her mistakes and learn from them. Walker plays on 'the fish out of water' scenario as Cassie encounters a rare mouse on the run, a Blue Tongue lizard mistaken for a Taipan snake and wild roosters amongst other native fauna and flora, all in situations that will make you smile.
Beechville is populated by a handful of amusing characters including a bashful admin assistant, an absent eco warrior boss and a pub owner who pits his military training against the cane toads invading northern NSW. Mac is the Wildlife Ranger who, despite his scruffy look and surly attitude, Cassie is inexplicably drawn to. Though the ups and downs of the relationship is a bit of a stretch, it plays nicely into the secret that is at the heart of the novel's plot.
Distinctly Australian with references to Chiko Rolls, swooping magpies, The Chaser, Wolf Creek and a host of music hits, including You're the Voice (John Farnham) and Love is in the Air (Paul Young), the title is actually a play on the name of a native bird - the Lyre Bird. I enjoyed Liar Bird for its wit, warmth and quirky spirit and look forward to reading more by Lisa Walker in the future.
The first rule of public relations is 'do what it it takes (but don't get caught)'. Cassandra Daley takes the fall when a journalist exposes the truth behind one of her more creative PR campaigns and is exiled to the tiny country town of Beechville. Organising a press conference in the CWA hall to raise awareness of feral pigs is a far cry from a gala perfume launch in an exclusive Sydney Art Gallery, especially when Ranger Mac seems determined to see her fail, but with a little bit of spin maybe everything will turn out alright after all.
Written in the first person, Cassie's eccentricities, which include consulting Alice in Wonderland for advice and conversing with a green tree frog that lives in her toilet bowl, are delightful despite being a little strange. Cassandra's overinflated ego takes a bit of a battering in Beechville, especially when the local ranger Mac goes out of his way to be unhelpful, but as Cassie's 'city girl' veneer dissolves she becomes a likeable protagonist and I was charmed by her growing self awareness. She shows some smarts and grit by facing the challenges of her new role head on and also demonstrates a willingness to both admit her mistakes and learn from them. Walker plays on 'the fish out of water' scenario as Cassie encounters a rare mouse on the run, a Blue Tongue lizard mistaken for a Taipan snake and wild roosters amongst other native fauna and flora, all in situations that will make you smile.
Beechville is populated by a handful of amusing characters including a bashful admin assistant, an absent eco warrior boss and a pub owner who pits his military training against the cane toads invading northern NSW. Mac is the Wildlife Ranger who, despite his scruffy look and surly attitude, Cassie is inexplicably drawn to. Though the ups and downs of the relationship is a bit of a stretch, it plays nicely into the secret that is at the heart of the novel's plot.
Distinctly Australian with references to Chiko Rolls, swooping magpies, The Chaser, Wolf Creek and a host of music hits, including You're the Voice (John Farnham) and Love is in the Air (Paul Young), the title is actually a play on the name of a native bird - the Lyre Bird. I enjoyed Liar Bird for its wit, warmth and quirky spirit and look forward to reading more by Lisa Walker in the future.
March 28, 2019
In this engaging novel the setting is in a bush town and conservation and environmental issues are focused in that area, which is great yet, I have a problem with conservationists, they irk me sometimes, ok, most times. I’m miffed when suddenly they show up in suburbs and plant trees and such in areas that no man has touched in centuries and then to leave it unkempt, wild and unable to enjoy a view because of the jungle they have left, well, that pisses me right off. So I generally avoid books with environmental themes, of course, depending on the topic and where it is set. Luckily, I thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining, charming and quirky novel and I didn’t even mind the history lesson on the environmental issues (since it was in the bush and about wildlife conservation) and oh, I loved that green frog, and I’m not a frog person at all!
*Book #5/72 of my coffee table to-read pile challenge
*Book #5/72 of my coffee table to-read pile challenge
February 8, 2012
Cassandra was the hottest thing in PR in Sydney. It had bought her a beautiful apartment in Manly overlooking the water, a Ferrari and a reputation as being the best. She had a handsome if slightly boring male hairdresser boyfriend and the hottest wardrobe and appointment book in town. Everyone wanted to book her to manage their events.
And then it all came crashing down. A scandal involving a potoroo means that Cassandra’s name and reputation are mud. Her boss is forced to let her go to distance himself from the scandal and she’s humiliatingly advised to stay away from any public events. Cassandra knows that she just needs to lay low for a while, maybe 6-12 months and then she’ll be back. There’ll be another scandal, people have short memories and she can come back and resume her glittering career.
She interviews for a job as a PR for the tiny town of Beechville in far northern NSW close to the border. Barely more than a dot on the map, Cassandra shudders at the thought of living there but she knows that they probably don’t read the newspaper that brought her down so therefore they don’t know of her disgrace. Surely enough they can’t wait to offer her the job and Cassandra trades her apartment for a tiny cabin in the rainforest with a frog in the toilet and cockroaches that run across the floor.
Cassandra has always been able to get what she wants, especially with men. There’s no one she can’t bring around to her way of thinking with a smile, a flick of her hair and a twitch of her hips. So when the local ranger Mac shows no signs of falling for her charms, Cassandra is both piqued and intrigued. The more he makes out he actively dislikes her, the more determined she is to make him like her. She senses he’s attracted to her but he’s steadfast in his refusal to warm to her, making life difficult for her in the small town and waging what Cassandra sees as a small one-man campaign to get her to leave.
But Cassandra’s from Sydney and she’s made of sterner stuff than that! There might be different challenges here in this small town but she’s not the type to let anyone get the better of her. Until she starts to wonder just what is going on in this town and what people, especially the taciturn Mac, might be hiding from her.
Liar Bird is the first novel from Australian author Lisa Walker and I have to say, I quite enjoyed it. We’re introduced to the not-very-likable Cassandra in her preferred environment, which is being a PR genius in the city of Sin, Sydney, admiring her lovely northern beaches apartment and her pretty-but-not-very-substantial boyfriend. Cassandra isn’t at all a sympathetic character at first and it’s almost kind of satisfying to see her brought down for lying, the scandal forcing her to reassess her priorities. She needs to lay low for a while, so she picks a tiny dot town on the map of far northern NSW to hide out in until the terrible scandal dies down. She dislikes everything about it at first – it consists of a pub, information office, supermarket and little else and her home is a supplied cabin that comes with an assortment of wildlife flatmates, none of which Cassandra has much love for.
Despite the Manly polish, Cassandra (Cassie) is really just a girl from Blacktown, in the Western Suburbs of Sydney and I love how this novel slowly strips away the facade she has established, the persona she has developed. She starts to care for other people and for the town of Beechville itself and especially for Mac, the rather standoffish ranger who first draws Cassandra’s attention with his lack of regard for her. I really liked their interactions, Cassandra trying to get his attention and him desperately trying to avoid her knowing that he was aware of her. Mac knows that she’s not the sort of girl he should be attracted to but it’s a losing battle he’s fighting.
The other thing I really enjoyed about this book was the frog in the toilet situation. When I was at my first university in Western Sydney, in our second year we had to be moved out of our dorms due to an OH&S issue and placed in some of the houses around campus that were generally for international/guest lecturers. Myself and three other students were placed in this huge gothic-style house on the second floor, which was really only four bedrooms, a sunroom and a bathroom. We shared a kitchen with the downstairs residents, a lecturing couple from America. In our upstairs bathroom we would frequently lift the lid and find a tiny frog swimming around in there. Usually he’d disappear at the lift of the lid but occasionally he didn’t seem bothered and we’d have to scare him back down as it’s not nice to pee on frogs! He stayed there for the entire length of our stay (about ten weeks) and we gave him a name and treated him like a house member. Cassandra’s situation with the frog in the toilet of her cabin reminded me a lot of the time I spent in that house!
I felt the characterisation was well done here – I grew up in an area not too far from where Beechville is supposed to be and am familiar with a lot of the small towns in the area and the people within them. The “countryfication” was well done without the locals seeming like hick stereotypes and having also lived in Sydney, I’ve met a few people like Cassandra as well! I admired the way Cassandra became a character I really felt for by the end – I was nearly crying for her when she discovers a deception towards the end of the book! I always enjoy a writer who can make me feel a myriad of emotions for a character and Lisa Walker certainly achieved that in this book.
And then it all came crashing down. A scandal involving a potoroo means that Cassandra’s name and reputation are mud. Her boss is forced to let her go to distance himself from the scandal and she’s humiliatingly advised to stay away from any public events. Cassandra knows that she just needs to lay low for a while, maybe 6-12 months and then she’ll be back. There’ll be another scandal, people have short memories and she can come back and resume her glittering career.
She interviews for a job as a PR for the tiny town of Beechville in far northern NSW close to the border. Barely more than a dot on the map, Cassandra shudders at the thought of living there but she knows that they probably don’t read the newspaper that brought her down so therefore they don’t know of her disgrace. Surely enough they can’t wait to offer her the job and Cassandra trades her apartment for a tiny cabin in the rainforest with a frog in the toilet and cockroaches that run across the floor.
Cassandra has always been able to get what she wants, especially with men. There’s no one she can’t bring around to her way of thinking with a smile, a flick of her hair and a twitch of her hips. So when the local ranger Mac shows no signs of falling for her charms, Cassandra is both piqued and intrigued. The more he makes out he actively dislikes her, the more determined she is to make him like her. She senses he’s attracted to her but he’s steadfast in his refusal to warm to her, making life difficult for her in the small town and waging what Cassandra sees as a small one-man campaign to get her to leave.
But Cassandra’s from Sydney and she’s made of sterner stuff than that! There might be different challenges here in this small town but she’s not the type to let anyone get the better of her. Until she starts to wonder just what is going on in this town and what people, especially the taciturn Mac, might be hiding from her.
Liar Bird is the first novel from Australian author Lisa Walker and I have to say, I quite enjoyed it. We’re introduced to the not-very-likable Cassandra in her preferred environment, which is being a PR genius in the city of Sin, Sydney, admiring her lovely northern beaches apartment and her pretty-but-not-very-substantial boyfriend. Cassandra isn’t at all a sympathetic character at first and it’s almost kind of satisfying to see her brought down for lying, the scandal forcing her to reassess her priorities. She needs to lay low for a while, so she picks a tiny dot town on the map of far northern NSW to hide out in until the terrible scandal dies down. She dislikes everything about it at first – it consists of a pub, information office, supermarket and little else and her home is a supplied cabin that comes with an assortment of wildlife flatmates, none of which Cassandra has much love for.
Despite the Manly polish, Cassandra (Cassie) is really just a girl from Blacktown, in the Western Suburbs of Sydney and I love how this novel slowly strips away the facade she has established, the persona she has developed. She starts to care for other people and for the town of Beechville itself and especially for Mac, the rather standoffish ranger who first draws Cassandra’s attention with his lack of regard for her. I really liked their interactions, Cassandra trying to get his attention and him desperately trying to avoid her knowing that he was aware of her. Mac knows that she’s not the sort of girl he should be attracted to but it’s a losing battle he’s fighting.
The other thing I really enjoyed about this book was the frog in the toilet situation. When I was at my first university in Western Sydney, in our second year we had to be moved out of our dorms due to an OH&S issue and placed in some of the houses around campus that were generally for international/guest lecturers. Myself and three other students were placed in this huge gothic-style house on the second floor, which was really only four bedrooms, a sunroom and a bathroom. We shared a kitchen with the downstairs residents, a lecturing couple from America. In our upstairs bathroom we would frequently lift the lid and find a tiny frog swimming around in there. Usually he’d disappear at the lift of the lid but occasionally he didn’t seem bothered and we’d have to scare him back down as it’s not nice to pee on frogs! He stayed there for the entire length of our stay (about ten weeks) and we gave him a name and treated him like a house member. Cassandra’s situation with the frog in the toilet of her cabin reminded me a lot of the time I spent in that house!
I felt the characterisation was well done here – I grew up in an area not too far from where Beechville is supposed to be and am familiar with a lot of the small towns in the area and the people within them. The “countryfication” was well done without the locals seeming like hick stereotypes and having also lived in Sydney, I’ve met a few people like Cassandra as well! I admired the way Cassandra became a character I really felt for by the end – I was nearly crying for her when she discovers a deception towards the end of the book! I always enjoy a writer who can make me feel a myriad of emotions for a character and Lisa Walker certainly achieved that in this book.
August 19, 2025
This was a fairly light Australian romance where a woman in PR flees to the country after a scandal. She ends up in a small country town as the PR for parks and wild life.
It is cute and a fairly easy read but fairly predictable.
It is cute and a fairly easy read but fairly predictable.
February 9, 2012
All About Romance
Desert Isle Keeper Review
Grade: A-
Sensuality: Subtle
This eBook is available from Amazon and other eBook retailers.
Quirky, innovative, original, and unpredictable are just some of the words that come to mind when describing this new release by Lisa Walker. I was thoroughly charmed by these attributes - so much so that it joins my short list of Desert Isle Keepers.
Developers working to put through a housing project on the edge of the rainforest run into a little problem with the public. However, Cassandra, part of Sydney’s “A" PR Team, knows how to fight fire with fire. The only way to deal with the plaguy nutters from Save the Long-footed Potoroo Community Group is to fund her own group, the People’s Counsel for Better Community Services. But when all is discovered, Cassandra is the one going down in flames. Wazza, her boss and mentor, mournfully lets her go. Of course she was only following the first rule of public relations - do what it takes - but failed the second rule: Don’t let them catch you . Looking to get out of town for six months or so until the scandal dies down, she accepts a job as a public relations specialist for a wildlife agency in Beechville.
Continued at All About Romance
Desert Isle Keeper Review
Grade: A-
Sensuality: Subtle
This eBook is available from Amazon and other eBook retailers.
Quirky, innovative, original, and unpredictable are just some of the words that come to mind when describing this new release by Lisa Walker. I was thoroughly charmed by these attributes - so much so that it joins my short list of Desert Isle Keepers.
Developers working to put through a housing project on the edge of the rainforest run into a little problem with the public. However, Cassandra, part of Sydney’s “A" PR Team, knows how to fight fire with fire. The only way to deal with the plaguy nutters from Save the Long-footed Potoroo Community Group is to fund her own group, the People’s Counsel for Better Community Services. But when all is discovered, Cassandra is the one going down in flames. Wazza, her boss and mentor, mournfully lets her go. Of course she was only following the first rule of public relations - do what it takes - but failed the second rule: Don’t let them catch you . Looking to get out of town for six months or so until the scandal dies down, she accepts a job as a public relations specialist for a wildlife agency in Beechville.
Continued at All About Romance
February 29, 2012
Cassandra Daley (always called Cassandra - never Cassie or Cass) is living the dream. Dream car, dream house, dream boyfriend (even if he is a bit dim), dream job. As one of the top PR girls in Sydney she regularly appears in the society pages. She works hard, and plays hard. Really hard. Not bad for a girl who has evolved from gothic teen with a penchant for French philosophy who comes from the less than glamorous western suburbs of Sydney.
That is until a newspaper journalist exposes some shonky dealings that she has undertaken in the course of working for a new development which jeopardises the habitat of critically endangered potoroo. As an aside, in case you are wondering what a potoroo is, it is a small rabbit sized mammal which is almost like a cross between a rat and a kangaroo.
To read my full review head to http://www.theintrepidreader.com/2012...
That is until a newspaper journalist exposes some shonky dealings that she has undertaken in the course of working for a new development which jeopardises the habitat of critically endangered potoroo. As an aside, in case you are wondering what a potoroo is, it is a small rabbit sized mammal which is almost like a cross between a rat and a kangaroo.
To read my full review head to http://www.theintrepidreader.com/2012...
December 10, 2025
Light & fluffy, & I like the frogs.
Naive, you might say, but I think Cassandra Daley was a bit daft, not fighting with the full deck, to be honest. Who, born & bred in Australia, would believe all this nonsense about thylacines in Queensland, not know anything about cane toads, & not know it's lyrebird rather than liar bird? I agree with Hannah on the cane toad front, just because they're a pest doesn't mean they should be treated cruelly; killing them shouldn't be treated as a game.
I know they thought they had good cause, but the townspeople's actions were fraudulent & dangerous & I think they got away with it a bit too lightly. In the real world, Simon would have taken them to the cleaners for what they did to him - what if he'd been an alcoholic?
At any rate, it's a rom-com & not meant to be taken seriously.
Naive, you might say, but I think Cassandra Daley was a bit daft, not fighting with the full deck, to be honest. Who, born & bred in Australia, would believe all this nonsense about thylacines in Queensland, not know anything about cane toads, & not know it's lyrebird rather than liar bird? I agree with Hannah on the cane toad front, just because they're a pest doesn't mean they should be treated cruelly; killing them shouldn't be treated as a game.
I know they thought they had good cause, but the townspeople's actions were fraudulent & dangerous & I think they got away with it a bit too lightly. In the real world, Simon would have taken them to the cleaners for what they did to him - what if he'd been an alcoholic?
At any rate, it's a rom-com & not meant to be taken seriously.
May 27, 2017
I have already read other Lisa Walker novels which tend to be a bit different. This book was no disappointment - a quirky Australian novel that will make you smile while it also addresses controversial environmental issues and media representation. Light and easy to read.
December 21, 2011
ARC from NetGalley
full review to come.
This is an Australian book which is being released in January 2012 (HarperCollins Australia auto approved me on NetGalley - I am loved!). I've reviewed it for ARRA and it will be in the December newsletter for members. I'll post the review here after the newsletter comes out. It's kind of chick-lit with romantic elements, in that the romance is not the main/sole focus of the story. As I'm not much of a chick-lit reader, I suspect this affected my grade.
FULL REVIEW
Why I read it: I was offered a digital ARC by the publisher via NetGalley.
What it's about: Part chick-lit/women’s fiction, part farce, part mystery with a dash of sweet romance on the side, Liar Bird is the story of Cassandra Daley, shining star of the Sydney PR circuit. The story begins when one of Cassandra’s houses of spin falls in a heap, leaving her covered in scandal and persona non grata in her home city. She accepts a job as a PR rep in the small town of Beechville on the North Coast of New South Wales, where she meets a cast of quirky characters and one grouchy wildlife ranger, Mac. It seems that Mac, isn’t happy about Cassandra’s arrival and pretty soon, a series of unfortunate events which appear designed to force her back to Sydney occur – and all can be laid at Mac’s door. It’s difficult to explain the story more without giving away spoilers, but let’s just say it involves feral pigs, endangered species, lies, a media circus, a flood and wild chickens. It’s the classic fish-out-of-water story, complete with a green tree frog in the toilet!
What worked for me (and what didn't): Cassandra takes inspiration from Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass:
“Like me, my mother believes there are guiding forces at play in our lives. Unlike me, she isn’t satisfied with allowing a children’s book to channel these forces for her.”
And there are wonderful and (in the context of this book) pithy quotes from the book interspersed with the text. Cassandra also subscribes to the philosophy of Rene Descartes and, after meeting said green tree frog in her toilet, has imaginary philosophical discussions with Rene Treefrog. Told in the first person, the story shines with Cassandra’s dry humour, from the discussions with her Blacktown family, her thoughts about the Sydney social sharks and her experiences in Beechville.
Where the book falls a little flat is in the romance department. Cassandra is immediately physically attracted to Mac but they have very little interaction – Mac is taciturn, hardly talks to her at all and he gives every appearance of wanting her out of town. The reader has nothing of Mac’s POV except through his dialogue, which is, mostly, very spare. It was difficult for me to completely buy the level of attraction Cassandra felt for him and that made it hard to buy into the events immediately before the flood and her fast turnaround to “Cassie”. After the flood, the story dragged a little – I felt this part could have been shorter and this would have improved the story – for me the mystery part of the story started to edge over into frustration territory.
What else? It’s very much an Australian story, with references to local landmarks, SBS and Home and Away and it was certainly an amusing read. If you like stories with a bit of everything together with a touch of romance, this one is probably for you.
full review to come.
This is an Australian book which is being released in January 2012 (HarperCollins Australia auto approved me on NetGalley - I am loved!). I've reviewed it for ARRA and it will be in the December newsletter for members. I'll post the review here after the newsletter comes out. It's kind of chick-lit with romantic elements, in that the romance is not the main/sole focus of the story. As I'm not much of a chick-lit reader, I suspect this affected my grade.
FULL REVIEW
Why I read it: I was offered a digital ARC by the publisher via NetGalley.
What it's about: Part chick-lit/women’s fiction, part farce, part mystery with a dash of sweet romance on the side, Liar Bird is the story of Cassandra Daley, shining star of the Sydney PR circuit. The story begins when one of Cassandra’s houses of spin falls in a heap, leaving her covered in scandal and persona non grata in her home city. She accepts a job as a PR rep in the small town of Beechville on the North Coast of New South Wales, where she meets a cast of quirky characters and one grouchy wildlife ranger, Mac. It seems that Mac, isn’t happy about Cassandra’s arrival and pretty soon, a series of unfortunate events which appear designed to force her back to Sydney occur – and all can be laid at Mac’s door. It’s difficult to explain the story more without giving away spoilers, but let’s just say it involves feral pigs, endangered species, lies, a media circus, a flood and wild chickens. It’s the classic fish-out-of-water story, complete with a green tree frog in the toilet!
What worked for me (and what didn't): Cassandra takes inspiration from Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass:
“Like me, my mother believes there are guiding forces at play in our lives. Unlike me, she isn’t satisfied with allowing a children’s book to channel these forces for her.”
And there are wonderful and (in the context of this book) pithy quotes from the book interspersed with the text. Cassandra also subscribes to the philosophy of Rene Descartes and, after meeting said green tree frog in her toilet, has imaginary philosophical discussions with Rene Treefrog. Told in the first person, the story shines with Cassandra’s dry humour, from the discussions with her Blacktown family, her thoughts about the Sydney social sharks and her experiences in Beechville.
Where the book falls a little flat is in the romance department. Cassandra is immediately physically attracted to Mac but they have very little interaction – Mac is taciturn, hardly talks to her at all and he gives every appearance of wanting her out of town. The reader has nothing of Mac’s POV except through his dialogue, which is, mostly, very spare. It was difficult for me to completely buy the level of attraction Cassandra felt for him and that made it hard to buy into the events immediately before the flood and her fast turnaround to “Cassie”. After the flood, the story dragged a little – I felt this part could have been shorter and this would have improved the story – for me the mystery part of the story started to edge over into frustration territory.
What else? It’s very much an Australian story, with references to local landmarks, SBS and Home and Away and it was certainly an amusing read. If you like stories with a bit of everything together with a touch of romance, this one is probably for you.
April 15, 2014
This review (and others) can be found on http://coffeetalkwitherin.com/2014/04...
A couple of months ago I was lucky enough to win a copy of Sex, Lies and Bonsai by Lisa Walker which is reviewed here. I asked Lisa if she would like me to read and review her first book, Liar Bird and within days, a lovely copy of the book was sitting in my mailbox (oh, how I love book blogging!).
I am undertaking a serious amount of reading lately - and not my usual kind - I am doing a Masters and I probably read about ten or fifteen journal articles a week. It leaves not much time for my favourite activity, reading for pleasure, but it does mean that my reading tastes are much simpler. I like a good, entertaining story. My reading has become something that is done in short slots of time, which does not suit a more literary book.
That means YA is on the table and so is chick lit. I am able to just lose myself in a world and stay there happily until my sleeve is tugged or my eyes can't stay open any longer.
Liar Bird is about a twenty something PR whizz called Cassandra Daley. Cassie (as she hates to be called) sees nothing more important than winning the PR war, and when one of her dirty tricks is headlined in all of the Sydney papers and she loses her job, she is desperate for a place to hide out. Cassandra lands in Beechville, a small town in far north NSW, a place which is seemingly simple minded (something that she is very wrong about). I mean, how hard can organising a feral pig awareness meeting be?
There were definitely a few laugh out loud moments. I did like the frog (René, who becomes her green little confidant throughout the book) who never seems to leave her toilet. I can just imagine a city girl, with a plush Manly pad, having to contend with wildlife that doesn't seem to want to actually live in the wild. The book also has another layer, which is the ethical dealing with environmental issues, and the fine line between what is good for the environment and what is needed for growth and survival. I know, it is a different life outside of the cities. Then there are the townsfolk, who are becoming increasingly odder by the day, not to mention that hot, but grumpy ranger who seems to have a bone to pick with Cassandra from day one.
I have to say I liked Sex, Lies and Bonsai more than Liar Bird. I think Lisa's writing and storytelling improved, and perhaps I enjoyed the Byron Bay setting more in Sex, Lies and Bonsai than the small town setting. I also didn't entirely believe the love story. BUT...you know what? I read this after HHhH by Laurent Binet which was a more difficult and very depressing read. I devoured this book within a day because it was what I needed at the time. There are books for every occasion, and this was entertaining, funny and quirky.
A couple of months ago I was lucky enough to win a copy of Sex, Lies and Bonsai by Lisa Walker which is reviewed here. I asked Lisa if she would like me to read and review her first book, Liar Bird and within days, a lovely copy of the book was sitting in my mailbox (oh, how I love book blogging!).
I am undertaking a serious amount of reading lately - and not my usual kind - I am doing a Masters and I probably read about ten or fifteen journal articles a week. It leaves not much time for my favourite activity, reading for pleasure, but it does mean that my reading tastes are much simpler. I like a good, entertaining story. My reading has become something that is done in short slots of time, which does not suit a more literary book.
That means YA is on the table and so is chick lit. I am able to just lose myself in a world and stay there happily until my sleeve is tugged or my eyes can't stay open any longer.
Liar Bird is about a twenty something PR whizz called Cassandra Daley. Cassie (as she hates to be called) sees nothing more important than winning the PR war, and when one of her dirty tricks is headlined in all of the Sydney papers and she loses her job, she is desperate for a place to hide out. Cassandra lands in Beechville, a small town in far north NSW, a place which is seemingly simple minded (something that she is very wrong about). I mean, how hard can organising a feral pig awareness meeting be?
There were definitely a few laugh out loud moments. I did like the frog (René, who becomes her green little confidant throughout the book) who never seems to leave her toilet. I can just imagine a city girl, with a plush Manly pad, having to contend with wildlife that doesn't seem to want to actually live in the wild. The book also has another layer, which is the ethical dealing with environmental issues, and the fine line between what is good for the environment and what is needed for growth and survival. I know, it is a different life outside of the cities. Then there are the townsfolk, who are becoming increasingly odder by the day, not to mention that hot, but grumpy ranger who seems to have a bone to pick with Cassandra from day one.
I have to say I liked Sex, Lies and Bonsai more than Liar Bird. I think Lisa's writing and storytelling improved, and perhaps I enjoyed the Byron Bay setting more in Sex, Lies and Bonsai than the small town setting. I also didn't entirely believe the love story. BUT...you know what? I read this after HHhH by Laurent Binet which was a more difficult and very depressing read. I devoured this book within a day because it was what I needed at the time. There are books for every occasion, and this was entertaining, funny and quirky.
April 7, 2015
LISA Walker’s debut novel Liar bird is a refreshing voice in contemporary Australian literature. While her character, Cassandra Daley, is a Sydney-ite, the story’s setting has a Queensland feel – even if it is set just below the border.
I enjoyed Cassie’s Blacktown family immensely and Walker was skilled at illustrating how far Daley had come from the unspectacular K-Mart shopping days of her youth. The upheaval that sees her land in the Beechville wildlife office is a kind of rebirth for the woman. Anyone questioning who they are in life will enjoy Cassie’s philosophical journey - complete with Alice in Wonderland quotes and Rene Descartes musings spiced up with Cassie’s sarcastic wit – which runs parallel to the romantic storyline.
Now it may be that I found too many similarities with the main character to be unbias about this story. I was born in the same year, studied journalism (though I didn’t switch to ‘the dark side’ – public relations) AND my all-time favourite joke (features a knock-knock and an interrupting cow) had it’s place in the book.
To say I felt I’d found my new favourite author wouldn’t be stretching the truth.
I give Liar Bird five stars and am looking forward to reading her new one.
www.petajo.com
I enjoyed Cassie’s Blacktown family immensely and Walker was skilled at illustrating how far Daley had come from the unspectacular K-Mart shopping days of her youth. The upheaval that sees her land in the Beechville wildlife office is a kind of rebirth for the woman. Anyone questioning who they are in life will enjoy Cassie’s philosophical journey - complete with Alice in Wonderland quotes and Rene Descartes musings spiced up with Cassie’s sarcastic wit – which runs parallel to the romantic storyline.
Now it may be that I found too many similarities with the main character to be unbias about this story. I was born in the same year, studied journalism (though I didn’t switch to ‘the dark side’ – public relations) AND my all-time favourite joke (features a knock-knock and an interrupting cow) had it’s place in the book.
To say I felt I’d found my new favourite author wouldn’t be stretching the truth.
I give Liar Bird five stars and am looking forward to reading her new one.
www.petajo.com
September 3, 2015
Maybe am extra half a star? I know I didn't love this. Hated? No. So, I guess I liked it. I'm drawn to books written about places and the types of people I see everyday. Even the animals - with the exception of the Tassie Tiger. But that would be super cool!
I was enjoying the story - Cassandra getting what was coming to her, the small town characters and the intrigue surrounding Mac. I did not see that - being a major twist - coming at all. So high five to the author for throwing that at me. I liked watching as Cassie rediscovered herself, and I loved the song references!
I was enjoying the story - Cassandra getting what was coming to her, the small town characters and the intrigue surrounding Mac. I did not see that - being a major twist - coming at all. So high five to the author for throwing that at me. I liked watching as Cassie rediscovered herself, and I loved the song references!
abandoned
November 14, 2015I'm throwing in the towel at 45%. I just can't stick it out. Here's my prediction as to what will unfold. Cassie (I mean Cassandra!) will make a few more missteps in Beechville, probably including the tassie situation that has just arisen. Eventually, however, she will have a brilliant success, and along the way will get through Mac's brusque exterior and they're gonna end up in bed together. Maybe Simon as well. No clue about the truth behind the absent boss. Will she go back to Sydney after her successes? Probably not, but if she does, it won't be to whatshisname's PR firm.
June 12, 2012
Great review here: http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/boo...
That was fun! I found myself giggling through this book. It was fun to see the city slicker dumped in the the wilds of the country played out with an Australian setting. A vocabulary list of the slang used would be a nice addition.
And I couldn't guess the ending! Always a good point for me.
3.5 stars. I'll be watching for more by this author.
That was fun! I found myself giggling through this book. It was fun to see the city slicker dumped in the the wilds of the country played out with an Australian setting. A vocabulary list of the slang used would be a nice addition.
And I couldn't guess the ending! Always a good point for me.
3.5 stars. I'll be watching for more by this author.
March 23, 2013
One day, one day, I'll read a chick lit book without fat-hate. 'Till then, however, this was heaps of fun. Not your average chick lit, and not your average city-slicker rural romance, this is a jolly romp, featuring a 'quirky' country town and a dishy ranger who aren't quite what they seem. Amongst the humour and lurrve, this book also has a bit to say about PR and about wildlife conservation. Enjoy.
July 18, 2014
a good Aussie read
Read this book in Townsville
Read this book in Townsville
March 4, 2015
Liar Bird written by Lisa Walker is a fun, quirky read set in Australia.
I liked the reference to our Australian wildlife and creatures.
It's definitely an "Aussie" read which should appeal to both Australians & overseas.
A light, easy read which can be read in just a few days.
I look fwd to reading Arkie's Pilgrimage to the Next Big Thing to see what Lisa comes up with next.
I liked the reference to our Australian wildlife and creatures.
It's definitely an "Aussie" read which should appeal to both Australians & overseas.
A light, easy read which can be read in just a few days.
I look fwd to reading Arkie's Pilgrimage to the Next Big Thing to see what Lisa comes up with next.
January 16, 2016
Liar Bird is a quirky story centred around Cassandra Daley, a PR queen from Sydney, who has fallen from grace. In an attempt to escape the gossip mongers of Sydney for a while, she goes into exile accepting a job in Beechville, a tiny village amongst the rainforest. Between feral pigs, thylacine sightings and a mysterious wildlife ranger, Cassie is completely out of her element!
February 18, 2012
Set in the Australian rain forest and written by an Australian author, this book had a lot of Australian slang/language in it. The author's voice was different, the story was different. It's nice to get something quite different once in a while. It's not everyday I find Tasmanian Devils in my book.
March 26, 2012
I really enjoyed the author voice in this book. Well constructed characters and funny dialogue. But i really couldn't believe that final romantic match. I felt she was much more suited to the journo. The twist of the story was clever enough but ultimately it was only an ok read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2012
Not bad Aussie author Aussie theme
September 27, 2012
Loved this book! Sated my animal-loving side and depicted the Sydney PR scene so well. Have the eBook version and now want the print one!
January 3, 2015
A chic lit.
September 7, 2015
A quirky Aussie romance - it was a fun read (& a bit educational too)
Read
August 6, 2016This book is in a genre I don't usually read but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It made me laugh out loud. Lisa Walker has a wonderful sense of the ridiculous. Check it out!
dropped
August 11, 2013dropped: 11 08 2013
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