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Fake Liar Cheat
Lonnie Milton has all of life's essential accessory a 401(K) plan, a nice TV, a coffee table from Pottery Barn. The only thing missing is an actual life. Trapped in a dead-end job, Lonnie meets Claire, the perfect deliverance from his safe, boring, and even worse, ordinary life. Sucked into the swirling L.A. nightlife. Lonnie quickly graduates from Claire's admirer to her accomplice. Together they pillage the town's hottest spots, kissing cheeks with Hollywood's power players, show runners and stars at SkyBar and Spago before their mendacity runs out. Alone, Lonnie discovers he has become an underground legend, his actions spawning a cult following of imitators as he careens toward an inescapable, explosive climax.
In Los Angeles, it isn't who you are, it's where you're seated...
In Los Angeles, it isn't who you are, it's where you're seated...
176 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2000
6 people are currently reading
279 people want to read
About the author
Tod Goldberg
35 books574 followersTod Goldberg is the New York Times bestselling author of sixteen books of fiction, notably the acclaimed Gangsterland quartet: Gangsterland, a finalist for the Hammett Prize; Gangster Nation; The Low Desert, a Southwest Book of the Year; and Gangsters Don’t Die, an Amazon Best Book of 2023 as well as a Southwest Book of the Year. Other works include The House of Secrets, which he co-authored with Brad Meltzer, and Living Dead Girl, a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. His short fiction and essays have been anthologized widely, including in Best American Mystery & Suspense and Best American Essays, and appear regularly in the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, and Alta. Tod Goldberg is a Professor of Creative Writing at the University of California, Riverside, where founded and directs the Low Residency MFA program in Creative Writing & Writing for the Performing Arts. His next novel, Only Way Out, will be released this fall from Thomas & Mercer.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 26, 2012
I read this book not long after it was released; I was working for B&N at the time and got a promo copy.
I'll give the author the benefit of the doubt and assume that it wasn't "a ripoff" of Chuck Palahniuk's work, but for me to assume this, I'll also have to assume that Chuck Palahniuk's popularity at the time was a driving force behind the book getting picked up and published.
It really does seem like an anagram of "Fight Club" and "Choke," the latter being released a year after "Fake Liar Cheat" and closer in premise than "Fight Club."
It's a freshman effort, and it shows; the writing is deft and clever at some points, and splotchy and hurried at others. It's definitely a product of post-grunge, dot-com era Gen X soul searching; fighting the man giving way to working for him, or being him. "The revolution" everyone talked about never came, the party ended, they stopped making Fruitopia, everyone shrugged their shoulders and went to Ikea.
In "Fight Club," the protagonist recaptures this subersive undercurrent by tapping into the unbridled, testosterone-driven anger of men who feel emasculated by modern society, and starts a revolution that's implausible, but fun to read. In "Fake Liar Cheat," the protagonist recaptures this subversive undercurrent by not paying your tab at an expensive restaurant. Through various plot twists and a femme fatale who is a mysterious and composed babe to Martha Singer's fernetic, drug-addicted wraith, this manner of socking-it-to-the-man somehow starts a revolution. The implausibility of it all is underscored by the way the book is crafted, with unequally-developed characters and massive jumps that fail to create an exceptionally memorable read.
If "Fight Club" represented the 90's pop-spirit of social progress and resistance with a dose of sarcasm, "Fake Liar Cheat" represented the pop-cynicism of the 90's, with an equally-heavy dose of sarcasm.
Perhaps within the next decade, as late-90's nostalgia takes hold, the book will be viewed differently through the prism of that nostalgia and perhaps be looked at a bit more judiciously.
I'll give the author the benefit of the doubt and assume that it wasn't "a ripoff" of Chuck Palahniuk's work, but for me to assume this, I'll also have to assume that Chuck Palahniuk's popularity at the time was a driving force behind the book getting picked up and published.
It really does seem like an anagram of "Fight Club" and "Choke," the latter being released a year after "Fake Liar Cheat" and closer in premise than "Fight Club."
It's a freshman effort, and it shows; the writing is deft and clever at some points, and splotchy and hurried at others. It's definitely a product of post-grunge, dot-com era Gen X soul searching; fighting the man giving way to working for him, or being him. "The revolution" everyone talked about never came, the party ended, they stopped making Fruitopia, everyone shrugged their shoulders and went to Ikea.
In "Fight Club," the protagonist recaptures this subersive undercurrent by tapping into the unbridled, testosterone-driven anger of men who feel emasculated by modern society, and starts a revolution that's implausible, but fun to read. In "Fake Liar Cheat," the protagonist recaptures this subversive undercurrent by not paying your tab at an expensive restaurant. Through various plot twists and a femme fatale who is a mysterious and composed babe to Martha Singer's fernetic, drug-addicted wraith, this manner of socking-it-to-the-man somehow starts a revolution. The implausibility of it all is underscored by the way the book is crafted, with unequally-developed characters and massive jumps that fail to create an exceptionally memorable read.
If "Fight Club" represented the 90's pop-spirit of social progress and resistance with a dose of sarcasm, "Fake Liar Cheat" represented the pop-cynicism of the 90's, with an equally-heavy dose of sarcasm.
Perhaps within the next decade, as late-90's nostalgia takes hold, the book will be viewed differently through the prism of that nostalgia and perhaps be looked at a bit more judiciously.
July 7, 2020
Loved this book and others like Fake ID by Walter Sorrells that make it so easy to root for the 'bad guy.' This was definitely a fun, relatively quick read!
March 5, 2024
I read this book when it first came out. 24 years later, I still tell people about how amazing it was. This is not the hardest read by any means, but I found myself being whisked away into an unknown world, that allowed me to visualize the entire novel.
May 1, 2021
There were a few things I liked about this at first but it slowly got weirder. Most things about it were pretty unlikeable. Except the best friend. Go Charlie.
September 7, 2022
Quick read and keeps you interested but where and how did his little cult start?
March 20, 2018
REVIEW:
FAKE. LIAR. CHEAT
By: Tod Goldberg
REVIEW:
Thomas J. Foolerie.
DISCLAIMER: Sometimes, people tell the truth. Sometimes, they don’t. But, the sun will still rise, until it doesn’t.
There is rarely a book that will befuddle, disrupt, or confuse us. This one came rather close to achieving just that. A while back, we mentioned, that we judge books by their covers, and more specifically, it worked quite well for Whiskey’s Children. However, when we applied that same process to this read, coupled with the fact that it was free, just left on a counter we long desired to count, we snatched it right up. As the saying goes, you can’t win them all. (Side Note: No, you can’t win them all, but, you surely can lose them all-More on this later).
Now, one of our senior editors happens to be a big fan of never paying for books, and has done quite well in that regard by avoiding expensive fees and bills. She said, after reading this book, ‘well, at least it didn’t cost you anything. Right?’ Wrong. Cost us the time to read it. But even a bad book is worth reading.
Let’s Begin.
Fake. Liar. Cheat., we imagine, would appeal to many, because that is just what they are. If you are hoping this book will provide you with a manual of how to execute each of three words in the namesake, you will be sorely mistaken. Perhaps, you would be better off reading Crime and Punishment. If Crime and Punishment seem too intimidating, start with Fight Club, which is, how many have compared Fake. Liar. Cheat., too. But, in our professional opinion, Goldberg’s book is a cheap imitation of the popular Chuck P, novel.
What you get in this book is a short, incohesive and unclear story. The plot is moot and at times, makes no sense at all. Perhaps, the version of the text we used was missing several chapters. That may help to explain something. One minute, the character is having dinner with a beautiful, exciting woman, the next, shit falls apart with little development as to why. Since we aren’t sure, we will waste little time inquiring. But the book published by MTV Books left us and we didn’t even care, or call once, not even a drunk dial. Sadly you, our dear readers, get this terrible review as a result.
What we know. The characters names, their profession sometimes, when, and sometimes a how is thrown in there.
What we don’t know is the why, what and, often the how. Why is irrelevant, without the how. The language of the narrator is youthful, which may explain the reason for the publisher (MTV), and at times very cliche. This made for TV script was a little better than the TV show Burn Notice, which is absolutely terrible and uncoincidentally, by the same writer.
Though, at times, there are hints of great writing in the text. The writing does show promise but is sullied by weak and unlikeable characters, their true motives, plot, and resolve. So why are we reading when we care so little? We aren’t quitters, that’s why. But hints of brilliance and greatness is like going to a movie, buying fifty dollars worth of goodies and the theatre is only showing previews. Yes, previews are fun, but unfulfilling, much like this novel. We’d have returned the book, but as we mentioned, paid nothing for it.
In case you were wondering where books such as these end up-your Friends of the Library bookstore for a quarter, and even that seems steep.
We will visit some of the author’s more recent work at a later time.
Yours very quietly,
Thomas J. Foolerie.
If you would like to unsubscribe to this newsletter too bad, you will get it all the same like asking your girlfriend if she wants fries and she says she doesn’t at all, she only wants one, but it is never just one, is it? And you know better but don’t get her fries of her own.
FAKE. LIAR. CHEAT
By: Tod Goldberg
REVIEW:
Thomas J. Foolerie.
DISCLAIMER: Sometimes, people tell the truth. Sometimes, they don’t. But, the sun will still rise, until it doesn’t.
There is rarely a book that will befuddle, disrupt, or confuse us. This one came rather close to achieving just that. A while back, we mentioned, that we judge books by their covers, and more specifically, it worked quite well for Whiskey’s Children. However, when we applied that same process to this read, coupled with the fact that it was free, just left on a counter we long desired to count, we snatched it right up. As the saying goes, you can’t win them all. (Side Note: No, you can’t win them all, but, you surely can lose them all-More on this later).
Now, one of our senior editors happens to be a big fan of never paying for books, and has done quite well in that regard by avoiding expensive fees and bills. She said, after reading this book, ‘well, at least it didn’t cost you anything. Right?’ Wrong. Cost us the time to read it. But even a bad book is worth reading.
Let’s Begin.
Fake. Liar. Cheat., we imagine, would appeal to many, because that is just what they are. If you are hoping this book will provide you with a manual of how to execute each of three words in the namesake, you will be sorely mistaken. Perhaps, you would be better off reading Crime and Punishment. If Crime and Punishment seem too intimidating, start with Fight Club, which is, how many have compared Fake. Liar. Cheat., too. But, in our professional opinion, Goldberg’s book is a cheap imitation of the popular Chuck P, novel.
What you get in this book is a short, incohesive and unclear story. The plot is moot and at times, makes no sense at all. Perhaps, the version of the text we used was missing several chapters. That may help to explain something. One minute, the character is having dinner with a beautiful, exciting woman, the next, shit falls apart with little development as to why. Since we aren’t sure, we will waste little time inquiring. But the book published by MTV Books left us and we didn’t even care, or call once, not even a drunk dial. Sadly you, our dear readers, get this terrible review as a result.
What we know. The characters names, their profession sometimes, when, and sometimes a how is thrown in there.
What we don’t know is the why, what and, often the how. Why is irrelevant, without the how. The language of the narrator is youthful, which may explain the reason for the publisher (MTV), and at times very cliche. This made for TV script was a little better than the TV show Burn Notice, which is absolutely terrible and uncoincidentally, by the same writer.
Though, at times, there are hints of great writing in the text. The writing does show promise but is sullied by weak and unlikeable characters, their true motives, plot, and resolve. So why are we reading when we care so little? We aren’t quitters, that’s why. But hints of brilliance and greatness is like going to a movie, buying fifty dollars worth of goodies and the theatre is only showing previews. Yes, previews are fun, but unfulfilling, much like this novel. We’d have returned the book, but as we mentioned, paid nothing for it.
In case you were wondering where books such as these end up-your Friends of the Library bookstore for a quarter, and even that seems steep.
We will visit some of the author’s more recent work at a later time.
Yours very quietly,
Thomas J. Foolerie.
If you would like to unsubscribe to this newsletter too bad, you will get it all the same like asking your girlfriend if she wants fries and she says she doesn’t at all, she only wants one, but it is never just one, is it? And you know better but don’t get her fries of her own.
May 6, 2015
This was about a 3.5 for me, since my interest definitely picked up about halfway through.
Lonnie has a steady job in a management position at a staffing agency. His life seems good... but predictable and bland. At a Barnes & Noble bookstore one night, he has a run in with this beauty, Claire. He tries to be all smooth with her but little does he know he's hitting on a skilled con artist. But after some talks he picks up on what she's up to... and finds himself agreeing to be her accomplice. Lonnie's decisions after that point are largely a reflection of him "thinking with his second head". He is so pulled in by Claire's beauty and mysteriousness, he doesn't really rationally think about what all she's dragging him into..... and before long, the two of them have set off a domino effect crime spree all over the city of Los Angeles. Even long after Lonnie has pulled out of the game, he is being implicated for copycats acting in his name. Before long, nearly every aspect of common man Lonnie's life begins to unravel.
This one was a strange one for me. For a good part of it, I felt myself struggling to be interested in the characters, though there was something to the voice of Lonnie that kept me reading. Mid-point, it sort of snuck up on me... I found myself really immersed in the story and wanting to see how Lonnie was going to put it all back to right. Plus, I liked the nostalgia of the story. Taking place in 1999, it took my mind back to my own life at that time (infinitely less eventful than what Lonnie gets himself into!), which was an added fun element. I'm now really curious to check out more of Goldberg's work --- I might have just found a crime fiction writer I can really get into! :-)
Lonnie has a steady job in a management position at a staffing agency. His life seems good... but predictable and bland. At a Barnes & Noble bookstore one night, he has a run in with this beauty, Claire. He tries to be all smooth with her but little does he know he's hitting on a skilled con artist. But after some talks he picks up on what she's up to... and finds himself agreeing to be her accomplice. Lonnie's decisions after that point are largely a reflection of him "thinking with his second head". He is so pulled in by Claire's beauty and mysteriousness, he doesn't really rationally think about what all she's dragging him into..... and before long, the two of them have set off a domino effect crime spree all over the city of Los Angeles. Even long after Lonnie has pulled out of the game, he is being implicated for copycats acting in his name. Before long, nearly every aspect of common man Lonnie's life begins to unravel.
This one was a strange one for me. For a good part of it, I felt myself struggling to be interested in the characters, though there was something to the voice of Lonnie that kept me reading. Mid-point, it sort of snuck up on me... I found myself really immersed in the story and wanting to see how Lonnie was going to put it all back to right. Plus, I liked the nostalgia of the story. Taking place in 1999, it took my mind back to my own life at that time (infinitely less eventful than what Lonnie gets himself into!), which was an added fun element. I'm now really curious to check out more of Goldberg's work --- I might have just found a crime fiction writer I can really get into! :-)
July 9, 2008
So I LOVED this book right up until the end. The ending didn't work for me. It felt rushed. Still worth the read as up until the end it's fantastic. It deals with action,choices, and consequences which are constantly pushing the story forward. The characters all earn their pay and it’s funny, well written, and entertaining. Read it straight through as I didn't want to put it down.
July 12, 2008
The first couple pages gave me the hope that this would be one of those quirky, fast-paced, inventive novels in the Chuck Palahniuk vein (only, hopefully, not so repulsive). But instead of "Fight Club", I got "Dine-And-Dash Club". If I was hoping for Henry Weinhard's Premium Root Beer from a cold glass bottle, I got Shasta Diet Cream Sode mixed with half a cup of melted ice.
September 4, 2012
Short, easy read about a man who dines and dashes restaurants with an attractive femme fatale, and then feels regret for his actions while on the run from the cops. Very similar to Chuck Palahniuk, however, Palahniuk takes more chances with his writing and thus, this book leaves you feeling a bit cheated.
April 1, 2025
There are two types of people reading this book, those who have read Fight Club and those who haven’t. If you have it’s a cheap rip off and is nothing comparatively. If you haven’t then it is a pretty good story that is well written. I’m not a fan of the ending but I have a very specific idea of how books in this genre should end so I’m not a fair judge.
June 11, 2007
this book is a complete rip-off of not one, but two chuck palahniuck novels, "choke" and "fight club". we're talking style, themes, plot line, everything. almost worth reading just to be amazed by the fact that this guy hasn't been sued yet.
July 30, 2008
I love his short stories, so I thought I'd see how a novel went for him. It's a quick read with some dark humor and enough suspense to keep you reading. Better things will come from TG in the future.
February 5, 2013
Now I remember, God it's been years. I still have an autographed copy of this novel sitting in my garage. This is his first book (I think) and this is how I was introduced to Goldberg. I'm going to have to go searching in the garage and dust it off, and see what I can remember about this one.
February 19, 2007
dark, funny and ironic.
September 4, 2008
A fun quick read.
April 5, 2009
Not well written. Read some Bret Easton Ellis instead...
December 12, 2010
Chuck Palahniuk could have written this. Seriously. What a rip-off!
February 5, 2008
Did you know this is Lee Goldberg's brother? Writing talen definitely runs in the family.
November 20, 2013
Yea, this one was Fight Club-esque, but bordering more on the ridiculous side.
March 28, 2017
A lot of similar feelings of other readers: I was also working at BN corporate when this book showed up in the break room. For some really crazy reason I held onto this book for years before I decided to sit down and read it. What a ridiculous premise. Lonnie starts dining and dashing with Claire and suddenly he has a cult following and is wanted for murder? It's just totally absurd. So I read it because it's tiny, I've carried it around for 10 years, and I have nothing else to do. But run the other way and read something else.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews