The Liar

by Louise Jensen

The nail-biting new thriller from Louise Jensen that's impossible to put down…The Abbotts’ new lodger Luke hasn’t told them much about himself, but they can’t expect to know everything about a stranger who’s just moved in.

Only Luke keeps asking about their family photos, and snooping through their things. Why does he want to know everything about them?

Then, suddenly, Mum Mel texts the family to say she needs a break. But Mel has never gone away on her own before. And now it’s been days and no one can get hold of her. While daughters Jen and Amy frantically try to find their mum they're alone with Luke. They're scared, and they should be.

The Abbotts’ house is full of secrets and someone is prepared to go to horrifying lengths to protect them.

They say people never tell the whole truth. They’re right.

Genres: Thriller, Audiobook, Mystery, Adult, Crime, Fiction, British Literature

352 pages, Paperback

Published June 3, 2025

Reviews

[Lisa B]

Not rating not into a scandal at a school where a teachers photo was taken with her legs apart plus another photo of naked woman Amy Mel’s daughter voice got on my nerves 😳 grating feeling the narration by Helen Kelley was good except her voice for Amy could not go on!

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been reading Louise Jensen books since the beginning, and she is absolutely an auto read author for me. She has a way of taking her seemingly innocent and normal characters and throwing them into a world of chaos and drama, with short chapters that leave you wanting more, this is a tough book to stop reading.

The Abbott family seems from the outside to be your average family, very loving and caring. But when Mel, the mother, goes missing, their lives become a series of confessions or secrets. At the same time, the lodger they had arranged arrives, and the girls, Jen and Amy, start to think that he knows more than he is letting on about their mother’s disappearance.

Now, there is much more to the story than that, and it does get a bit complicated. I was never confused, though, as the author is so clever with her multiple points of view and timelines. There are so many unexpected twists and turns that you won’t be able to put this book down until you know what on earth is happening and why. So well done.

Thanks so much to HQ for my advanced copy of this book to read. Get it on your TBR, out on April 24th.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would you really let a stranger live in the house? Can you keep all these secrets from your family? Takes you out of reality in that "no way would this happen" scenario but if it did... how would you handle it? Yikes, people can be difficult. Good story, like the author's approach on revealing history and secrets.

[Jennifer (Jaye) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Family Dynamics*

This psychological/domestic drama had so many layers and secrets that I felt like I needed a revolving head as each one was revealed.

Mel, a dedicated social worker, is the matriarch of the family, along with her daughter Jen, Amy, Jen’s best friend Camilla, and Camilla’s son Mason. They form a tight-knit family unit. Camilla, who has been bounced around in the care system, is thrilled to finally experience what it’s like to be part of a family.

However, this changes when Camilla decides to move out, and Mel decides to get a lodger. She leaves a message with Jen, her daughter, informing her that a lodger she liked was coming over. Unfortunately, the lodger fails to show up, and when a young man does arrive at a later date, Jen welcomes him in.

Unbeknownst to Jen and Amy, Mel is working on a dangerous case, and Camilla makes a revelation that sets off a chain of events that no one could have predicted.

Now, Amy at 13 years old is connecting with a stranger online, the lodger may not be who he claims to be, Jen has her own secrets, and Mel is missing. As secrets are revealed, their lives will never be the same.

[M B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Incredulous and astonishingly bad. The only good point is that I was able to speed read / skim it. The story is wishy washy until chapter 17 or so - then it ALL starts happening. When all is revealed, it’s absolutely ridiculous.

[Lance Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book I really enjoyed reading it’s storyline was for me a real page 📃 turner with it’s many twists definitely recommend reading 📖 this one

[Dannii Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.5/5 stars.

[Aimee Summerfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️
This jaw dropping thriller is going to keep you guessing throughout the whole book so give it a read.

Louise Jensen does it again!! I was absolutely thrilled to be given the opportunity to read this book thanks to Netgalley & HQStories and the book did not disappoint. There were so many secrets wrapped up in this book, some I guessed and some left me with my jaw hitting the floor! I couldn’t put it down, yet I didn’t want it to end. I’m a huge fan of Louise Jensen and I’ll be recommending this book to family and friends.

[Diana · Rating 2 out of 5]

If this was a Netflix series, preferably set in bafflingly fancy houses, I’d have totally watched and enjoyed this (in a mindless way), but as a book you can just see the by-the-numbers plot stretch out from the first couple pages. The countless overly dramatic red herrings, the dodgy amount of POV changes, the need to fit in “current” societal topics (current in 2010 maybe lol). I’m a lot more forgiving to mindless entertainment when it’s TV, so I wouldn’t even recommend this as an airport book.

[Laura Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE LIAR BY LOUISE JENSEN.
Release date set for the 24th of April 2025.
This is my first book by this author so went in with a fresh set of eyes.
I thought this story was well written.
There are multiple POVs.
Also there were plenty of twists and turns which were really good.
Fast paced and really engaging throughout.
I will definitely be looking to see what other books this author has released.

[Sue Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is twisty but not in a literary way. 343 pages of bad writing and young adult vapid subplots.

[Angharad Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I’m not sure why the cover isn’t showing🤷🏻‍♀️)

I read this in one day, it was fast paced, and the twists and turns were great! I did find it left a little unanswered questions but overall an enjoyable read!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Liar was another compulsive story by the author. It's full of twists, some I guessed early on, others took me completely by surprise. The storytelling makes it impossible for you to put the book down, and I raced through the pages. One of my go-to authors who never fails to keep me entertained!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hit from Jensen (I really need to catch up on her back catalogue). Picking up a read from this author, I know I am guaranteed a twisting narrative that keeps me gripped throughout. This one was no exception.

A lot of people’s pants should be on fire in this book, thanks to all of the deception! The title of this novel becomes more profound as the narrative develops, meaning that no one is innocent and all are deceiving those around them. I think this made the book so intense because you just don’t know who is the ‘ultimate liar’ and what will be the consequences. This story has several subplots and flashbacks that inform the present day narrative; you cannot help but wonder how they are all going to come together.

I really enjoyed how twisting and unpredictable the story becomes. Added with the fact that the story is told from several perspectives, readers don’t get the full version of events and this just creates a suspicion-heavy cast of characters. Jen and Amy are worried and bewildered when their mother abruptly takes off, gradually fearing that she is missing. Yet, events from the past start to indicate reasons why Mel might be missing in action and who is behind the threatening text that opens the book.

Despite the lack of honesty, I did develop sympathy for most of the characters. This book throws a seemingly normal family into a world of chaos and drama. There are some difficult topics addressed in the book but I think this added to the intensity of the developing story. Furthermore, I really appreciated how truths are gradually revealed in the story but this simply adds to how disorientating and unpredictable the novel is. It just made me race through the book even quicker!

I think my only criticism is that the novel’s cover emphasises an element of the plot that I didn’t feel was as significant. Not only that, I fear Jensen’s novels are starting to look too similar with the dark/yellow colour scheme. I think this was a bit of an oversight, although it definitely didn’t impact my enjoyment of the story.

If you have yet to sample Jensen’s reading, then don’t wait much more! This is a great example of Jensen’s thrilling writing and definitely worthy of your TBR.

With thanks to HQ and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Natalie M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liar, liar, your pants are on fire!

What a delve into seemingly average suburbia. The half truths and the white lies that we tell our selves are needed backfire spectacularly in this novel. The characters are likeable despite their flaws, but poor Amy and Mason. Tye various POVs and timelines worked well.

The plot is the cracker for me. So cleverly done!

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book tried to combine too many storylines. It was ok but almost like it tried too hard.


And I'm sorry but any "you're not my mother" "yes I am!!!!" moments can only pale into comparison with Zoe and Kat Slater.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good solid thriller, with good pacing, relatable characters, and some nice twists! The audiobook was really well performed, a good format for this story. My second Jensen, and it definitely won't be my last!

[Talou Thomo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in one sitting. Some of the twists were a bit predictable, but overall a good read.

[Philippa Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Initially I really enjoyed it and was really interested to see how Luke would fit into the mystery - I was disappointed in the way his story was told with such anticipation only for him to almost be forgotten in the latter part of the book.

Although this book kept me on my toes and made me want to keep reading, I didn’t enjoy the writing style and found it to be almost embarrassing at some points… I found Camilla’s perspectives to be especially boring to read.

I felt like there were too many stories linked up and would have preferred more detail. I also felt the worry Jen had around Andy finding them to be anticlimactic.

An okay read but I don’t think I’ll be rushing out to buy another by this author anytime soon.

Maybe a 2.5 ⭐️

[Teresa Nikolic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jen Abbott lives at home with her mum Mel, a social worker and teenage sister Amy and, when Jen's friend Camilla decides to move out with her young son Mason and make a life for themselves, Mel decides to rent out the spare room to a lodger. While Mel is away visiting her brother, Luke the lodger arrives and moves in but when he starts asking questions about the family and looking through their belongings Jen starts to wonder who he really is. When Mel suddenly messages to say she's taking some time away alarm bells go off for Jen because her mum has never done anything like this before and now she can't get hold of her at all.

The Liar is the latest domestic thriller by this author, told from multiple perspectives and varying timelines, where we meet the Abbotts and their extended family and, it would seem, each of them is harbouring a secret that they are desperate to keep hidden. This is a fast paced read with a great premise and some very intriguing characters. Jensen is one of my go to authors who knows how to spin a tale with many twists which immediately reels me in every time and this one was no exception. Switching between Jen and Camilla's uni days and the present day the author presents us with a backstory which explains how they arrived at where they are today and slowly the secrets are revealed. There was one such secret that had me thinking I'd tuned into an episode of Eastenders which did tickle me and then the final twist left me gobsmacked, I did not expect that one. Another gripping story from Jensen which I highly recommend.

I'd like to thank HQ and NetGalley for the auto approval. I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

[Zoe Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book im definitely glad I read, theres many “OMG” moments when a twist smacks you in the face and the storyline was one that hasn’t been overused and was believable, brutal and shocking.

Mel and her two daughters are your average little family, but when Mel goes missing, a lodger that she had pre arranged moves in and it leaves the girls wondering if he is who he says he is as their worry increases about their mum.

Multiple point of views cleverly combine to tell us the story of many secrets and lies that have snowballed to the point where the end is catastrophic.

Many thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for my gifted eARC.

[AGilden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story that shows what can happen to a family when they all keep huge secrets from each other. The first 80% is almost more family drama than thriller, but it does have a mystery, "Where did Mum disappear to?" and some suspense due to the daughters' attempts to investigate. But the action takes off at full speed in the final 20%. Because my mum died when I was 17 years old, I almost had to swallow back tears, both at the beginning when the family was so perfectly happy, and towards the end when they found their mum. So, while I'd categorise this as domestic suspense, it's at the deeper end of the genre, which I appreciated.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A harrowing story of found family, love, loss, grief and a whole bunch of twists and turns.

This one really did get my heart up in knots, while I saw a couple twists coming, the plot was good, the writing was smooth and easy to follow.

I'd definitely recommend the audio, the narrator really brings out the trauma of these characters.

[Michael Beech · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review. I did really enjoy this book, it was full of twists, turns and red herrings. Definitely my favourite Louise Jensen book so far. A good solid thriller and the ending had me hooked.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up. Review to come nearer publication date.

[Mrs MJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great ending don't know how she keeps coming up with so many twists and turns . can't belive I've read all ten of her books in a couple of weeks !

[Erin Ezza Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twisty as all hell, I enjoyed the ride.

[Chloe-Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up

[Dorset_dreamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

bloody brilliant book,
I read this in 1 sitting, lots of twists and turns

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many secret, so many lies and lots of sadness laced with a little goodness.