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Little Liar
For fans of Liar and Dr Foster, Little Liar is a gripping tale of two families torn apart by one catastrophic betrayal, by the Richard and Judy and international bestselling author of The Guilty One.
The accused
While Nick Dean is enjoying an evening at home with his family, he is blissfully unaware that one of his pupils has just placed an allegation of abuse against him - and that Nick's imminent arrest will see the start of everything he knows and loves disintegrating around him.
Because, mud sticks, right? No matter if you're innocent or guilty?
The accuser
When Angela Furness decides that enough is enough - she hates her parents, hates her friends and, most of all, despises what has recently happened at school - she does the only thing she knows will get her calls the police. But Angela is unaware that the shocking story she is about to tell will see her life begin to topple.
Because, once you've said what you've said, there's no way back, right? No matter if you're innocent or guilty?
In a nail-biting ride of 'he said/she said', Little Liar illustrates the fine line between guilt and innocence, and shows that everyone has their secrets, even those we ought to trust the most...
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 2, 2018
200 people are currently reading
1026 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Ballantyne
9 books252 followersLisa Ballantyne was born in Armadale, West Lothian, Scotland and studied English literature at University of St Andrews. She lived and worked in China for many years and started writing seriously while she was there. She now lives in Glasgow.
The Guilty One published to critical and commercial acclaim in 2012. Redemption Road is Lisa's second novel.
The Guilty One published to critical and commercial acclaim in 2012. Redemption Road is Lisa's second novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 251 reviews
July 24, 2018
Little Liar by Lisa Ballantyne was the harrowing story of Nick a drama teacher who is accused of sexually assaulting a young student. The implications of this on both their families and wider circle has long reaching consequences for all involved.
After the first few chapters I had a strong feeling of what was going to happen with this story and I had to read it to the end to find out if I was correct.
I was invited to read this book by Little Brown Book UK and give my honest review.
After the first few chapters I had a strong feeling of what was going to happen with this story and I had to read it to the end to find out if I was correct.
I was invited to read this book by Little Brown Book UK and give my honest review.
October 5, 2018
My criteria for a good read has changed over the years. Where plot was once a priority, I now place writing style above all else: the way the words gel within a sentence, the way sentences flow from one to the next, adequate signposting that removes the need to go back and reread in order to make sense of something just disclosed. A major part of the aforementioned is character dialogue. For me the language of the characters needs to feel natural and allow for each of them to come across as an individual. It is not simply a matter of copying everyday speech; it requires effort from the author, for everyday speech does not feel natural on the page. Lisa Ballantyne, in Little Liar, handles most of the above brilliantly and combines it with a story line that gripped this reader from start to end, drawing me into feeling with a real sense of immediacy the pain of being accused of a crime in which the individual in question is deemed as being guilty until proven innocent.
So why four stars and not five? I felt that the story ended too abruptly and left certain signposting elements that pointed towards guilt or innocence unanswered. While trying to not give spoilers, one particular element stands out concerning a strip of photographs from a photo-booth. When this is mentioned in the story it shot up to me like a massive red flag, which, if not pointing towards a character’s guilt, should have required a great deal of explaining away given that character’s statement of events. The strip of incriminating photographs was never mentioned again (unless I missed it. Please let me know if you’ve read the book) even at the end where I had come to expect a shocking reveal.
Despite not tying up such loose ends, I found it a gripping read. I will certainly be reading more from this author and heartily recommend it to other readers.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Lisa Ballantyne for the advanced copy. The opinions expressed are mine alone and receiving a complimentary has not biased me in any way.
So why four stars and not five? I felt that the story ended too abruptly and left certain signposting elements that pointed towards guilt or innocence unanswered. While trying to not give spoilers, one particular element stands out concerning a strip of photographs from a photo-booth. When this is mentioned in the story it shot up to me like a massive red flag, which, if not pointing towards a character’s guilt, should have required a great deal of explaining away given that character’s statement of events. The strip of incriminating photographs was never mentioned again (unless I missed it. Please let me know if you’ve read the book) even at the end where I had come to expect a shocking reveal.
Despite not tying up such loose ends, I found it a gripping read. I will certainly be reading more from this author and heartily recommend it to other readers.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Lisa Ballantyne for the advanced copy. The opinions expressed are mine alone and receiving a complimentary has not biased me in any way.
July 28, 2018
This was the first book by Lisa Ballantyne that I have read and I really enjoyed it. It had me needing to keep going, I just had to know how it was going to end and who was telling the truth. The characters definitely have their flaws but at the same time you do warm to them and hope that everything works out ok for them.
It tells the story of 2 families and how the accusation of abuse threatens to tear them apart. Nick is a happily married actor who is working at a school teaching kids drama in between roles. It comes as a total shock to him and his family when the police come knocking and arrest him for abusing a young girl under 13. The girl, Angela is dreadfully unhappy with her life.
We learn about both these characters lives while the police continue to investigate. Something like this really makes the families suffer, and start to question everything.
Thanks to Little Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
It tells the story of 2 families and how the accusation of abuse threatens to tear them apart. Nick is a happily married actor who is working at a school teaching kids drama in between roles. It comes as a total shock to him and his family when the police come knocking and arrest him for abusing a young girl under 13. The girl, Angela is dreadfully unhappy with her life.
We learn about both these characters lives while the police continue to investigate. Something like this really makes the families suffer, and start to question everything.
Thanks to Little Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
July 13, 2018
A brilliant book... I am having a book hangover after a long time.. There is a stillness in me along with a restlessness. This book deals with the other side of the coin.
Mud sticks!! That is a statement of fact. Reputation, belief, trust all take years to develop and a second and few loose words to crash.
Nick, a creative art teacher and an actor, has a beautiful family with Marina and two kids Luca and Ava. Life is wonderful, filled with happiness. Dinner is a place of warmth, good food, and sharing of their love. Till the doorbell rings...
It's the POLICE!! Nick has been accused by his student of sexually assaulting her.
Life as they know it is over. Then it is a matter of he said, she said. Such an accusation is not easy to disprove...
The story revolves around the repercussions of one word uttered. The police, child protective services, social services all are forced to act. The media, the social media take slingshots at Nick and family. Everyone is affected.
This is my first book by author Lisa Ballantyne, and she blew me away with the story, with the words, with the emotions. Her characterizations pulled me into the book from the first page. The suspense in the plot kept me stuck to this book. The fear for both the characters, the need to know the truth kept me going till the end.
The whole story is a difficult concept to write, but Lisa has pulled it off. The hidden secrets slowly revealing itself, the invariable doubts which come forth, friends and family behaving differently with Nick made this book riveting. Is he really innocent? Is he hiding something?
On the other hand, Angela, the 12 year old child is filled with so much anger that it is easy to know something has happened with her, something bad. She has her own secrets which make her lash out, to hurt others. What has been done to her?
Lisa has seen to it that the twists occur at the right time to make the readers gasp. She has added the right shade of grey to the characters that keep them in shade. The twilight zone is the most difficult place to be in. It is difficult to know which scene is real and which is a mirage.
There are few minor scenes from the medical point of view which I didn't agree with. Rest of the book flows well to make this ONE OF MY MOST EXCITING READS!!
Mud sticks!! That is a statement of fact. Reputation, belief, trust all take years to develop and a second and few loose words to crash.
Nick, a creative art teacher and an actor, has a beautiful family with Marina and two kids Luca and Ava. Life is wonderful, filled with happiness. Dinner is a place of warmth, good food, and sharing of their love. Till the doorbell rings...
It's the POLICE!! Nick has been accused by his student of sexually assaulting her.
Life as they know it is over. Then it is a matter of he said, she said. Such an accusation is not easy to disprove...
The story revolves around the repercussions of one word uttered. The police, child protective services, social services all are forced to act. The media, the social media take slingshots at Nick and family. Everyone is affected.
This is my first book by author Lisa Ballantyne, and she blew me away with the story, with the words, with the emotions. Her characterizations pulled me into the book from the first page. The suspense in the plot kept me stuck to this book. The fear for both the characters, the need to know the truth kept me going till the end.
The whole story is a difficult concept to write, but Lisa has pulled it off. The hidden secrets slowly revealing itself, the invariable doubts which come forth, friends and family behaving differently with Nick made this book riveting. Is he really innocent? Is he hiding something?
On the other hand, Angela, the 12 year old child is filled with so much anger that it is easy to know something has happened with her, something bad. She has her own secrets which make her lash out, to hurt others. What has been done to her?
Lisa has seen to it that the twists occur at the right time to make the readers gasp. She has added the right shade of grey to the characters that keep them in shade. The twilight zone is the most difficult place to be in. It is difficult to know which scene is real and which is a mirage.
There are few minor scenes from the medical point of view which I didn't agree with. Rest of the book flows well to make this ONE OF MY MOST EXCITING READS!!
August 2, 2018
This is a compelling,emotionally charged He said/She said tale about abuse,parenting,relationships,trust,betrayal,secrets and lies.Due to it being about an alleged sexual assault on a twelve year old girl and other issues that are raised,some parts are difficult to read but the subject is written with sensitivity and the story is not overly graphic.
We first meet the alleged victim Angela Furness just before she is suspended from school after being involved in a fight in the playground.So our first impression of her is that she is a disruptive,attention seeking,bully with a bad attitude.She doesn't get on with her mum Donna and adores her dad Stephen.
Part time actor Nick Dean has been running a drama workshop at Angela's school. His nightmare starts on a normal Friday night.He has just put his two young children to bed and is ready for a peaceful.evening with his wife Marina. Their cosy evening is interrupted by the arrival of two police officers who inform Nick that he is under arrest for the sexual assault of a minor.
Nick insists he is innocent,Angela insists he assaulted her.Who is telling the truth?
This riveting story is told from the alternating points of view of Angela,Nick,Donna,Stephen and Marina.It's very hard to feel any empathy for a character that you dislike and I definitely did not like Nick.For someone who insisted he hadn't done anything wrong,he seemed quite happy to sit around feeling sorry for himself while his and Marina`s lives feel apart around them.It's frightening how swiftly a person's life can be destroyed,despite any real evidence just because someone accuses you of doing something that you may or may not have done.In the case of an alleged sexual.assault or rape,it is understandable that the victim`s name remains anonymous but surely the name of the accused should also remain anonymous until the accused is actually found guilty.If there is overwhelming evidence that the accused is likely to reoffend then that person should be locked up until they stand trial but they should still remain anonymous.A person's life can be torn apart by the press and people on the internet and then if that person is found innocent,often or not they never receive an apology and are just expected to move on and get on with their lives.Wether Nick is proven innocent or guilty,there would always be people who believed the old addage that there is no smoke without fire.I also didn't like Stephen very much,my feelings about Donna changed as the story unfolded and I learnt more about her character.Despite her behaviour and attitude I did feel a bit of empathy towards Angela but was she an innocent victim or a manipulative liar? My favourite character and the person I felt the most empathy with was Marina as she struggled to keep life as normal as possible for their two young children and her see sawing feelings and doubts about her husband.
This well written,thought provoking story keeps you guessing and evokes a mixed bag of emotions in the reader as the drama unfolded.The characters were vivid and believable,no parts of the story came across as padding and the ending was realistic and true to life.The story would definitely cause some interesting discussions if it was read by a book group.Despite the subject matter I did enjoy this book which is the first book I have read by this author and it definitely will not be my last.
Many thanks to Little Brown Book Group Uk for a arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
We first meet the alleged victim Angela Furness just before she is suspended from school after being involved in a fight in the playground.So our first impression of her is that she is a disruptive,attention seeking,bully with a bad attitude.She doesn't get on with her mum Donna and adores her dad Stephen.
Part time actor Nick Dean has been running a drama workshop at Angela's school. His nightmare starts on a normal Friday night.He has just put his two young children to bed and is ready for a peaceful.evening with his wife Marina. Their cosy evening is interrupted by the arrival of two police officers who inform Nick that he is under arrest for the sexual assault of a minor.
Nick insists he is innocent,Angela insists he assaulted her.Who is telling the truth?
This riveting story is told from the alternating points of view of Angela,Nick,Donna,Stephen and Marina.It's very hard to feel any empathy for a character that you dislike and I definitely did not like Nick.For someone who insisted he hadn't done anything wrong,he seemed quite happy to sit around feeling sorry for himself while his and Marina`s lives feel apart around them.It's frightening how swiftly a person's life can be destroyed,despite any real evidence just because someone accuses you of doing something that you may or may not have done.In the case of an alleged sexual.assault or rape,it is understandable that the victim`s name remains anonymous but surely the name of the accused should also remain anonymous until the accused is actually found guilty.If there is overwhelming evidence that the accused is likely to reoffend then that person should be locked up until they stand trial but they should still remain anonymous.A person's life can be torn apart by the press and people on the internet and then if that person is found innocent,often or not they never receive an apology and are just expected to move on and get on with their lives.Wether Nick is proven innocent or guilty,there would always be people who believed the old addage that there is no smoke without fire.I also didn't like Stephen very much,my feelings about Donna changed as the story unfolded and I learnt more about her character.Despite her behaviour and attitude I did feel a bit of empathy towards Angela but was she an innocent victim or a manipulative liar? My favourite character and the person I felt the most empathy with was Marina as she struggled to keep life as normal as possible for their two young children and her see sawing feelings and doubts about her husband.
This well written,thought provoking story keeps you guessing and evokes a mixed bag of emotions in the reader as the drama unfolded.The characters were vivid and believable,no parts of the story came across as padding and the ending was realistic and true to life.The story would definitely cause some interesting discussions if it was read by a book group.Despite the subject matter I did enjoy this book which is the first book I have read by this author and it definitely will not be my last.
Many thanks to Little Brown Book Group Uk for a arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
July 2, 2018
This is one of those stories where you don't know who to believe making for a page turner of a read to find out the truth.
I took to Nick's character straight away. I really liked him so the last thing I wanted was for what Angela was saying to be true. All the way through though, you just arn't sure. I was so frustrated as I was dying to know who was telling the truth. Through Nick we get to see what it's like for someone to be accused of something so awful. The hell that not only the accused has to go through but their loved ones also. You could feel the strain and the tension rising throughout the story. Don't get me wrong, I have no sympathy for anyone who is guilty of this crime but with so many times in the press of similar allegations and some proven to be unfounded, it does make you sit back and think about whether we should be so quick to judge and as with everything, there is two sides to every story which many don't take into consideration.
Angela, though only thirteen, I just didn't know whether to believe her accusations. She definitely has issues and I think because we first meet her when she is fighting with another girl for no apparent reason, it made me question what she was all about. She is certainly troubled but again, as we get to know her, I really didn't know what to think. Her mother Donna frustrated me but then being a mother of teens, I know how frustrating it can be to get anything out of a teenager and the constant battles over silly little things.
The story flicks between a few characters but mainly between Nick and Angela. I must have swapped my mind a hundred times as to who was lying and who was telling the truth. Even then, when all is revealed it still comes as a big shock. I certainly didn't see that coming!
Little Liar is a story I raced through for the discovery of the truth. When it comes, it certainly does not disappoint. It will have you second guessing and doubting everything. An absolute must read for fans of psychological thrillers. I would have liked a little more from the epilogue, of which is down to personal preference, but otherwise this was a great read.
My thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
I took to Nick's character straight away. I really liked him so the last thing I wanted was for what Angela was saying to be true. All the way through though, you just arn't sure. I was so frustrated as I was dying to know who was telling the truth. Through Nick we get to see what it's like for someone to be accused of something so awful. The hell that not only the accused has to go through but their loved ones also. You could feel the strain and the tension rising throughout the story. Don't get me wrong, I have no sympathy for anyone who is guilty of this crime but with so many times in the press of similar allegations and some proven to be unfounded, it does make you sit back and think about whether we should be so quick to judge and as with everything, there is two sides to every story which many don't take into consideration.
Angela, though only thirteen, I just didn't know whether to believe her accusations. She definitely has issues and I think because we first meet her when she is fighting with another girl for no apparent reason, it made me question what she was all about. She is certainly troubled but again, as we get to know her, I really didn't know what to think. Her mother Donna frustrated me but then being a mother of teens, I know how frustrating it can be to get anything out of a teenager and the constant battles over silly little things.
The story flicks between a few characters but mainly between Nick and Angela. I must have swapped my mind a hundred times as to who was lying and who was telling the truth. Even then, when all is revealed it still comes as a big shock. I certainly didn't see that coming!
Little Liar is a story I raced through for the discovery of the truth. When it comes, it certainly does not disappoint. It will have you second guessing and doubting everything. An absolute must read for fans of psychological thrillers. I would have liked a little more from the epilogue, of which is down to personal preference, but otherwise this was a great read.
My thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
August 21, 2021
I really enjoyed the previous books I read by this author so I was hoping for more of the same and I got it. Great characters, addictive plot and well written made this a very good read.
Family man Nick Dean is accused by one of his pupils of abuse. His accuser is Angela Furness, a trouble girl who is struggling to enjoy life and hates everybody. Now by reporting recent events that occurred at school to the police she will get the attention she welcomes. But Angela is unaware that the shocking story she is about to tell will see her life begin to topple, because, once you’ve said what you’ve said, there’s no way back, right? No matter if you’re innocent or guilty.
This is a real page turner that I found hard to put down. Fast paced and you can feel the suspense growing page by page as you keep changing you mind as to who is lying.
Family man Nick Dean is accused by one of his pupils of abuse. His accuser is Angela Furness, a trouble girl who is struggling to enjoy life and hates everybody. Now by reporting recent events that occurred at school to the police she will get the attention she welcomes. But Angela is unaware that the shocking story she is about to tell will see her life begin to topple, because, once you’ve said what you’ve said, there’s no way back, right? No matter if you’re innocent or guilty.
This is a real page turner that I found hard to put down. Fast paced and you can feel the suspense growing page by page as you keep changing you mind as to who is lying.
July 30, 2018
"Little Liar" was my introduction to Lisa Ballantyne as I haven't read her previous books "The Guilty One" and "Redemption Road" published by Piatkus in August 2012 and January 2015 respectively. She lived and worked in China for many years and started writing seriously while she was there. Even before being published Lisa was short-listed for the Dundee International Book Prize. Her debut novel ("The Guilty One") was translated into over 25 different languages, long-listed for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and short-listed for an Edgar Allan Poe Award. As if that wasn't enough she also was declared winner of the Richard & Judy book club in Autumn 2012. So, to say she has a few accolades would be an understatement. I couldn't let this book pass me by when the author is so highly rated in the industry, and you shouldn't either!
This is a compelling and exciting read which is easy-to-follow and engage with. I really liked the writing style as it was accessible and made it simple and quick to get invested in the story and to stay that way throughout. I thought the charactisation was excellent - they were well developed with the customary flaws you often find in crime fiction, and as they aren't perfect they are simple to relate to and appear realistic. Ballantyne does a wonderful job of making you care about them and you continue to read long into the night/am in order to find out their fate.
The plot is one that could've come from a crime programme on the television and deserves a special mention, I loved the concept and luckily Ms Ballantyne executes it well. It suits the recent events such as the #MeToo movement and arguments for a fairer balance between the sexes - e.g. equal pay. So, not only is this a stonking great read, it actually explores deeper topics in the meantime which I loved - it's not just a throwaway read it will also make you think about ethics and morality along the way.
All in all, I have no hesitation in recommending this book to all readers of the genre, I was pleasantly surprised when I begun to turn the pages at the speed it grabbed a hold of me. Although there is use of topical ideas here I still found it effortless to keep up with. The fine balance between all of these aspects I have mentioned takes a lot of skill showing that Ms Ballantyne is a endlessly talented writer. I look forward to her next offering and i'm off to purchase the other two I missed!
Many thanks to Piatkus for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This is a compelling and exciting read which is easy-to-follow and engage with. I really liked the writing style as it was accessible and made it simple and quick to get invested in the story and to stay that way throughout. I thought the charactisation was excellent - they were well developed with the customary flaws you often find in crime fiction, and as they aren't perfect they are simple to relate to and appear realistic. Ballantyne does a wonderful job of making you care about them and you continue to read long into the night/am in order to find out their fate.
The plot is one that could've come from a crime programme on the television and deserves a special mention, I loved the concept and luckily Ms Ballantyne executes it well. It suits the recent events such as the #MeToo movement and arguments for a fairer balance between the sexes - e.g. equal pay. So, not only is this a stonking great read, it actually explores deeper topics in the meantime which I loved - it's not just a throwaway read it will also make you think about ethics and morality along the way.
All in all, I have no hesitation in recommending this book to all readers of the genre, I was pleasantly surprised when I begun to turn the pages at the speed it grabbed a hold of me. Although there is use of topical ideas here I still found it effortless to keep up with. The fine balance between all of these aspects I have mentioned takes a lot of skill showing that Ms Ballantyne is a endlessly talented writer. I look forward to her next offering and i'm off to purchase the other two I missed!
Many thanks to Piatkus for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
June 10, 2019
I thought this book was good. It shows readers exactly what happens when lies are told and how damaging it can be to the victims life. It was a good lesson for people. I felt awful for the Dean family especially when Nick was accused of something he didn’t do. I didn’t particularly like Angela but towards the end it explained everything and I had compassion for her. I thought the ending could have been a bit better. It kind of just ended abruptly and I wanted to know more about what both families had been up to in the two years but it ended too soon with not much explanation. That was the only down side. I enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more from the author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2018
A decent read is Little Liar, a classic he said/She said involving a drama teacher accused of the sexual assault of one of his pupils. Both of their lives begin to spiral out of control but who is telling the truth?
It's a sensitive subject treated cleverly by the author here, we see the points of view of the girl, Angela and the teacher plus his family and hers as the police investigate and lines are drawn in the sand.
It is a multi layered tale that doesn't take the path of least resistance but actually bothers to explore the issues and the affects. Until the truth is revealed you see how each party deals with the emotional trauma and it is in no way clear cut as is true of life.
Overall an intriguing and emotional read.
It's a sensitive subject treated cleverly by the author here, we see the points of view of the girl, Angela and the teacher plus his family and hers as the police investigate and lines are drawn in the sand.
It is a multi layered tale that doesn't take the path of least resistance but actually bothers to explore the issues and the affects. Until the truth is revealed you see how each party deals with the emotional trauma and it is in no way clear cut as is true of life.
Overall an intriguing and emotional read.
July 7, 2018
Well....its rare I can say I read a book in a single sitting ( in my case lying! ) but I did with this
Firstly I would say the book subject may be a trigger for some people and features events and a story that some readers will find upsetting, without a doubt it will disturb any -and every reader! ( Im not keen on putting that in my reviews but in this case its warranted )
Angela is 12, hates her parents and herself, her ‘friends’ bully her, her teachers openly dislike her.........
Nick Dean is a drama teacher, he teaches Angela and he tries to include her and make her part of the group.....
One night the Police arrive at Nick’s house ( the kids have gone to bed, him n his wife are relaxing ) an accusation has been made.....
No one believes this has happened, its outrageous and surely just a troubled teenager ‘acting out’
Then the Police take his lap top.......and check is browsing history..... and Angela, well....Angela is pregnant......
And the story continues in this emotionally packed and charged story, the tension really doesn’t stop and you wonder who is guilty, who is lying, why are they lying and the horrifying conclusion left me shaking my head in shock
This book WILL stay with you, it is not an easy read but it is fantastically written, the grim atmosphere of the characters lives hits you from page 1 and the increasing despair of those involved seeps through the pages ( or kindle!) and as I said I was compelled to finish it in one sitting
Read it but be prepared for how it will affect you
10/10 5 stars
Firstly I would say the book subject may be a trigger for some people and features events and a story that some readers will find upsetting, without a doubt it will disturb any -and every reader! ( Im not keen on putting that in my reviews but in this case its warranted )
Angela is 12, hates her parents and herself, her ‘friends’ bully her, her teachers openly dislike her.........
Nick Dean is a drama teacher, he teaches Angela and he tries to include her and make her part of the group.....
One night the Police arrive at Nick’s house ( the kids have gone to bed, him n his wife are relaxing ) an accusation has been made.....
No one believes this has happened, its outrageous and surely just a troubled teenager ‘acting out’
Then the Police take his lap top.......and check is browsing history..... and Angela, well....Angela is pregnant......
And the story continues in this emotionally packed and charged story, the tension really doesn’t stop and you wonder who is guilty, who is lying, why are they lying and the horrifying conclusion left me shaking my head in shock
This book WILL stay with you, it is not an easy read but it is fantastically written, the grim atmosphere of the characters lives hits you from page 1 and the increasing despair of those involved seeps through the pages ( or kindle!) and as I said I was compelled to finish it in one sitting
Read it but be prepared for how it will affect you
10/10 5 stars
September 18, 2018
I've written this review for Really Into This
Check out all of our reviews at https://reallyintothis.com
Happy Reading, friends!
Little Liar by Lisa Ballantyne Book Review
What an introduction to Lisa Ballantyne. Little Liar deals with some heavy issues in this novel filled with tension & suspense. Due to the subject matter, I think this must have been a diffcult story to write. Lisa Ballantyne handles the story line in a raw but relatable way. Fans of Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan are sure to enjoy Little Liar.
The Accused
We meet Nick. He's a small-time actor who is now a teacher. Nick is getting on with life & has a beautiful family. In an instant, his world is shattered. A student accuses Nick of sexual misconduct. Lisa does a great job here as she tells readers what happens from Nick's point of view. Quickly, the fallout occurs. The news spreads all over town.
Not only does the accusation immediately alter Nick's life, but his wife's career is hanging in the balance. Should she support her husband? Does she really know if he is telling the whole truth? This couple has some really important decisions & statements to make. The truth is, they risk losing everything.
The Accuser
Angela is a hot mess. Readers first meet her after an altercation at school. Initially, I'm left with a terrible impression of the young girl. Remember the old talk show Sally Jessy Raphael? She had these "wild teens" on the show. Then a drill instructor comes out, gets in their face & they are off to boot camp. Angela reminds me of one of those kids who needs to get sent to boot camp.
But, when I hear the story from her point of view I can't help but feel for her. She doesn't have a stable home life. The blow-ups between Angela & her mother are monumental! Her dad is around, but not fully in the picture. It seems to me she is in bad need of discipline, support, stability & love. Surely, she didn't make this story up, right? Even worse, if she's telling the truth then her life is fully changed. Ugh, either way, it makes my heart ache!
THE VERDICT
I am Into This book. Lisa Ballantyne uses alternating narrators that really increase the tension throughout the story. Readers are left wondering who to trust. As the cover states, there are 2 sides of one truth & I did not see this truth coming.
Special thanks to Lisa Ballantyne, Little, Brown Book Group UK & NetGalley for providing our copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.
Check out all of our reviews at https://reallyintothis.com
Happy Reading, friends!
Little Liar by Lisa Ballantyne Book Review
What an introduction to Lisa Ballantyne. Little Liar deals with some heavy issues in this novel filled with tension & suspense. Due to the subject matter, I think this must have been a diffcult story to write. Lisa Ballantyne handles the story line in a raw but relatable way. Fans of Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan are sure to enjoy Little Liar.
The Accused
We meet Nick. He's a small-time actor who is now a teacher. Nick is getting on with life & has a beautiful family. In an instant, his world is shattered. A student accuses Nick of sexual misconduct. Lisa does a great job here as she tells readers what happens from Nick's point of view. Quickly, the fallout occurs. The news spreads all over town.
Not only does the accusation immediately alter Nick's life, but his wife's career is hanging in the balance. Should she support her husband? Does she really know if he is telling the whole truth? This couple has some really important decisions & statements to make. The truth is, they risk losing everything.
The Accuser
Angela is a hot mess. Readers first meet her after an altercation at school. Initially, I'm left with a terrible impression of the young girl. Remember the old talk show Sally Jessy Raphael? She had these "wild teens" on the show. Then a drill instructor comes out, gets in their face & they are off to boot camp. Angela reminds me of one of those kids who needs to get sent to boot camp.
But, when I hear the story from her point of view I can't help but feel for her. She doesn't have a stable home life. The blow-ups between Angela & her mother are monumental! Her dad is around, but not fully in the picture. It seems to me she is in bad need of discipline, support, stability & love. Surely, she didn't make this story up, right? Even worse, if she's telling the truth then her life is fully changed. Ugh, either way, it makes my heart ache!
THE VERDICT
I am Into This book. Lisa Ballantyne uses alternating narrators that really increase the tension throughout the story. Readers are left wondering who to trust. As the cover states, there are 2 sides of one truth & I did not see this truth coming.
Special thanks to Lisa Ballantyne, Little, Brown Book Group UK & NetGalley for providing our copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.
January 9, 2019
This is the first book that I have read by Lisa Ballantyne and I will definitely be reading more.
Nick is an actor who in between acting jobs teaches drama at a local secondary school. He's popular with the students and makes an impression on one particular pupil. Angela, a thirteen year old, is not a happy young girl. So much so she makes serious accusations of abuse about Nick which throws their lives into turmoil.
It's a good read and a real insight to how easily false accusations can simply cause utter devastation. Actually quite scary and really makes you think.
Little Liar is an enjoyable read in spite of the context and one that I recommend. My thanks go out for my review copy.
Nick is an actor who in between acting jobs teaches drama at a local secondary school. He's popular with the students and makes an impression on one particular pupil. Angela, a thirteen year old, is not a happy young girl. So much so she makes serious accusations of abuse about Nick which throws their lives into turmoil.
It's a good read and a real insight to how easily false accusations can simply cause utter devastation. Actually quite scary and really makes you think.
Little Liar is an enjoyable read in spite of the context and one that I recommend. My thanks go out for my review copy.
January 22, 2020
This book made me feel so much. Nerves, fear, worry and sick to my stomach at points. It was unreliable narrators galore and I had no idea who to trust or what to think.
This book follows drama teacher Nick who has been accused by one of his students of sexual abuse. The horrors that unfold are just unbelievable and terrifying and I loved getting all the feels from this book. The ending was worth it. A twist, a shock and a gut punch all wrapped into one!
This book follows drama teacher Nick who has been accused by one of his students of sexual abuse. The horrors that unfold are just unbelievable and terrifying and I loved getting all the feels from this book. The ending was worth it. A twist, a shock and a gut punch all wrapped into one!
Read
October 16, 2018Not going to rate this as I cannot bear to read any more and have abandoned it. I was dubious about it to begin with but persevered for a while. Got so far and realised it was pointless for me to continue as I hated everything about it. I supspect I will probably be in the minority and that others may find it an interesting read. But it was making me feel awful. I wasn’t even interested enough to care what happened to the characters and see how it turned out. On to something else for me.
July 31, 2018
This is a difficult one to review as I don’t want to give anything away.
I really enjoyed this book and felt sympathy for both Angela and Nick at different times.
Angela is twelve years old and after her behaviour at school becomes erratic she has a blazing argument with her Mum. She tries to kill herself but when she fails, her Mum asks her why she did it. Angela then says that one of her teachers has touched her....
Her mum calls the police and Nick is taken in for questioning but later released on bail, pending further investigations.
We see how this statement causes Nick’s family life to unravel and see that telling someone about it, doesn’t stop Angela from behaving badly.
Due to the title of the book I knew someone was lying but I won’t say who!
There’s a lot more to this story than first meets the eye and it had me hooked as I just wanted to know the truth.
Thanks to Piatkus, Little Brown Book Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
I really enjoyed this book and felt sympathy for both Angela and Nick at different times.
Angela is twelve years old and after her behaviour at school becomes erratic she has a blazing argument with her Mum. She tries to kill herself but when she fails, her Mum asks her why she did it. Angela then says that one of her teachers has touched her....
Her mum calls the police and Nick is taken in for questioning but later released on bail, pending further investigations.
We see how this statement causes Nick’s family life to unravel and see that telling someone about it, doesn’t stop Angela from behaving badly.
Due to the title of the book I knew someone was lying but I won’t say who!
There’s a lot more to this story than first meets the eye and it had me hooked as I just wanted to know the truth.
Thanks to Piatkus, Little Brown Book Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
June 12, 2018
A highly entertaining 'He said, She Said' centered on Angela, a 12 year old girl with emotional issues, and Nick, the drama teacher who she accuses of abusing her. The story unfolds as an investigation into the allegations begins and their respective families become involved. The characters were excellently portrayed, and the drama surrounding them played out believably. My empathy swung back and forth as further details were disclosed, and my thoughts only settled on what really may have happened just before it was revealed, so top marks for keeping me guessing throughout. A really good read that I finished in one sitting.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 10, 2019
This book is based around the two families involved in a sexual assault claim on a child.
Angela Furness is on the cusp of turning thirteen her parents have recently split up, her relationship with her mum is volatile and she's disruptive and unruly at school. She is filled with self loathing and a failed suicide attempt unearths her allegation of sexual abuse by her drama teacher.
Nick Dean is an actor who now teaches drama he comes from a close knit family is married to Marina and they have two small children. He leads a happy life until he's arrested on suspicion of a sexual assualt on a child.
The book is narrated by different members of the Furness and Dean families and is easy to follow. It's not an easy subject to write about or to read but it's handled sympathetically and thankfully not too graphically.
All through the book you are led to change sides with seeds of doubt planted on both parts, it's cleverly written. About three quarters of the way through the book I did sort of guess there would be a twist at the end but it was still a shock and if I'm honest I felt quite sick about it.
I ended up reading this book in one sitting as the ending of each chapter piqued my interest to find out who was the liar.
Thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for the ARC.
Angela Furness is on the cusp of turning thirteen her parents have recently split up, her relationship with her mum is volatile and she's disruptive and unruly at school. She is filled with self loathing and a failed suicide attempt unearths her allegation of sexual abuse by her drama teacher.
Nick Dean is an actor who now teaches drama he comes from a close knit family is married to Marina and they have two small children. He leads a happy life until he's arrested on suspicion of a sexual assualt on a child.
The book is narrated by different members of the Furness and Dean families and is easy to follow. It's not an easy subject to write about or to read but it's handled sympathetically and thankfully not too graphically.
All through the book you are led to change sides with seeds of doubt planted on both parts, it's cleverly written. About three quarters of the way through the book I did sort of guess there would be a twist at the end but it was still a shock and if I'm honest I felt quite sick about it.
I ended up reading this book in one sitting as the ending of each chapter piqued my interest to find out who was the liar.
Thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for the ARC.
May 2, 2024
Great story! Things are never what they seem, never cut and dried. I recommend this book to anyone.
July 16, 2018
I was given an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and independent review.
A story entering the sensitive topic of potential child abuse told from the point of view of many different characters. It is not a clear cut obvious situation and there are many interesting twists and turns along the way. Very well written and quite a compulsive read, albeit not a book that I can say I loved. For me, the build up was better than the conclusion.
4****.
A story entering the sensitive topic of potential child abuse told from the point of view of many different characters. It is not a clear cut obvious situation and there are many interesting twists and turns along the way. Very well written and quite a compulsive read, albeit not a book that I can say I loved. For me, the build up was better than the conclusion.
4****.
July 14, 2018
Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown Book group for a copy of Little Liar. This is the first book that I have read from Lisa Ballantyne and It won’t be last.
Angela Furness is twelve years old and a bully at her local school. She also has behaviour problems. She has been suspended from school after a fighting another classmate and then had a row with her mother, who has recently spilt with her husband. Angela is had enough with her life and tries to commit suicide with aspirins that she found in the bathroom cupboard. But it doesn’t work and she gets sick in front of her mother.
Nick Dean, who once acted in a TV series Scuttlers, now has his own company teaching drama workshops for school children. He is at home with wife Marina and their kids Ava and Luca. When there is a knock on the door, it’s the police Nick is being accused of abusing Angela.
I loved this book Little Liar. This was quite a quick read for me. I didn’t want to stop reading because I couldn’t work out if Angela was telling the truth or not and Nick who claimed his innocence but, then his wife founding out of watching porn etc. Is he lying and actually guilty after all. Who is telling the truth. The author wrote it in a brilliant way to keep you guessing throughout and then the twist at the end. I didn’t see that coming. This is very entertaining and I highly recommend.
Angela Furness is twelve years old and a bully at her local school. She also has behaviour problems. She has been suspended from school after a fighting another classmate and then had a row with her mother, who has recently spilt with her husband. Angela is had enough with her life and tries to commit suicide with aspirins that she found in the bathroom cupboard. But it doesn’t work and she gets sick in front of her mother.
Nick Dean, who once acted in a TV series Scuttlers, now has his own company teaching drama workshops for school children. He is at home with wife Marina and their kids Ava and Luca. When there is a knock on the door, it’s the police Nick is being accused of abusing Angela.
I loved this book Little Liar. This was quite a quick read for me. I didn’t want to stop reading because I couldn’t work out if Angela was telling the truth or not and Nick who claimed his innocence but, then his wife founding out of watching porn etc. Is he lying and actually guilty after all. Who is telling the truth. The author wrote it in a brilliant way to keep you guessing throughout and then the twist at the end. I didn’t see that coming. This is very entertaining and I highly recommend.
October 7, 2018
I can’t resist an author that pushes the boundaries of their readers beliefs and Lisa Ballantyne is prepared to do just that in Little Liar.
The premise is quite straightforward. Upstanding businessman Nick Dean is at home when his life is ripped apart when the police come to his door and accuse him of inappropriate touching of young girl. And this girl is young, just twelve years old. She is part of a group he is teaching drama to at a local school. Nick Dean also has a wife and two children so the consequences of the accusation rock every facet of his life.
Angela Furness is the girl who has stated that Nick Dean inappropriately touched her. He did so behind the stage when he asked her to help with some equipment. She was too shocked to do anything at the time… There seems to be no reason for her to make anything up, sure she’s angry, she’s been violent at school but could this explain why?
The opening scene of the book is a fight between Angela and another girl called Jasmine. She’s no longer the keen child she was when she moved from primary to secondary school but in the intervening period her parents have split up, she’s a little girl angry at the world. Is she ripe for exploitation too?
Lisa Ballantyne is one of the ‘brave’ authors who challenge the orthodox views on subjects. I initially became a fan on reading The Guilty One which has the premise of one child killing another, one of the most inflammatory storylines you could choose and yet she wrote a thoughtful novel that challenges the masses to think about the story behind the headlines and appreciate the tragedy in its entirety and not from only one perspective. She works a similar feat within Little Liar. There is doubt about Angela’s story, she’s not painted as an appealing child but the reader is fully aware that at just twelve she can't be considered on a par with a predatory adult. Nick’s story isn’t clear cut either. During any police investigation of this nature, secrets are bound to be unearthed, and some of those secrets may be hard for the friends and relations to handle. His guilt, or innocence, is up for judgement, have no qualms about that - you will judge and maybe your views will change with the evidence, maybe they won't.
With both Nick and Angela under the microscope as the accusation seeps into their life it is natural that the wider family becomes involved. What happens if part of the family believes in your guilt and the others don’t. Well one thing for sure in fiction it tends to raise the tension to unbeatable levels. I needed to know the answer, and also what life would look like for all those we met along the journey.
With superb characterisation alongside the fearless nature of the twists and turns the author takes us through, this book was gripping with a capital G. The subject matter is a tough one but the author handles it sensitively, there aren’t graphic scenes of abuse but there is a real connection of the range of emotions that those at the centre, and on the side-lines, experience. Most of all this is a book that will make you think!
The premise is quite straightforward. Upstanding businessman Nick Dean is at home when his life is ripped apart when the police come to his door and accuse him of inappropriate touching of young girl. And this girl is young, just twelve years old. She is part of a group he is teaching drama to at a local school. Nick Dean also has a wife and two children so the consequences of the accusation rock every facet of his life.
Angela Furness is the girl who has stated that Nick Dean inappropriately touched her. He did so behind the stage when he asked her to help with some equipment. She was too shocked to do anything at the time… There seems to be no reason for her to make anything up, sure she’s angry, she’s been violent at school but could this explain why?
The opening scene of the book is a fight between Angela and another girl called Jasmine. She’s no longer the keen child she was when she moved from primary to secondary school but in the intervening period her parents have split up, she’s a little girl angry at the world. Is she ripe for exploitation too?
Lisa Ballantyne is one of the ‘brave’ authors who challenge the orthodox views on subjects. I initially became a fan on reading The Guilty One which has the premise of one child killing another, one of the most inflammatory storylines you could choose and yet she wrote a thoughtful novel that challenges the masses to think about the story behind the headlines and appreciate the tragedy in its entirety and not from only one perspective. She works a similar feat within Little Liar. There is doubt about Angela’s story, she’s not painted as an appealing child but the reader is fully aware that at just twelve she can't be considered on a par with a predatory adult. Nick’s story isn’t clear cut either. During any police investigation of this nature, secrets are bound to be unearthed, and some of those secrets may be hard for the friends and relations to handle. His guilt, or innocence, is up for judgement, have no qualms about that - you will judge and maybe your views will change with the evidence, maybe they won't.
With both Nick and Angela under the microscope as the accusation seeps into their life it is natural that the wider family becomes involved. What happens if part of the family believes in your guilt and the others don’t. Well one thing for sure in fiction it tends to raise the tension to unbeatable levels. I needed to know the answer, and also what life would look like for all those we met along the journey.
With superb characterisation alongside the fearless nature of the twists and turns the author takes us through, this book was gripping with a capital G. The subject matter is a tough one but the author handles it sensitively, there aren’t graphic scenes of abuse but there is a real connection of the range of emotions that those at the centre, and on the side-lines, experience. Most of all this is a book that will make you think!
June 26, 2019
Mon avis en Français
My English review
Je suis toujours adepte de thrillers et j’étais curieuse de découvrir ce nouveau roman que je ne connaissais pas.
Ce roman aborde des thèmes forts et difficiles tels que la pédophilie et le viol. Ce n’est pas simple, et c’est d’ailleurs une histoire très sombre et assez terrible.
Angela est une fille de 12 ans qui est incontrôlable. Elle est violente, agressive et très difficile à gérer. Mais quand elle raconte, après une tentative de suicide, avoir été violée par Nick, son prof de théâtre, leur vie va basculer.
On va alterner entre les différents personnages de l’histoire passant tantôt à Nick, Angela, sa mère… Chaque protagoniste nous permettra de mieux comprendre ce qui se passe réellement et ce qu’il pense de la situation. On se demande d’ailleurs ce qui s’est vraiment passé, si Nick a vraiment fait de quoi il est accusé, et si Angela ment ou pas. Pourtant tout ça se mélange et c’est compliqué de découvrir la vérité, jusqu’à ce qu’elle se présente d’elle-même et là, c’est le choc. Pauvre petite Angela qui ne sait pas comment s’exprimer, mais qui devient par la même occasion intenable.
C’était un roman terrible, et pourtant bien fait aussi. J’étais vraiment curieuse de découvrir ce qui s’était réellement passé et je dois dire que je ne m’attendais pas à une telle fin.
My English review
Je suis toujours adepte de thrillers et j’étais curieuse de découvrir ce nouveau roman que je ne connaissais pas.
Ce roman aborde des thèmes forts et difficiles tels que la pédophilie et le viol. Ce n’est pas simple, et c’est d’ailleurs une histoire très sombre et assez terrible.
Angela est une fille de 12 ans qui est incontrôlable. Elle est violente, agressive et très difficile à gérer. Mais quand elle raconte, après une tentative de suicide, avoir été violée par Nick, son prof de théâtre, leur vie va basculer.
On va alterner entre les différents personnages de l’histoire passant tantôt à Nick, Angela, sa mère… Chaque protagoniste nous permettra de mieux comprendre ce qui se passe réellement et ce qu’il pense de la situation. On se demande d’ailleurs ce qui s’est vraiment passé, si Nick a vraiment fait de quoi il est accusé, et si Angela ment ou pas. Pourtant tout ça se mélange et c’est compliqué de découvrir la vérité, jusqu’à ce qu’elle se présente d’elle-même et là, c’est le choc. Pauvre petite Angela qui ne sait pas comment s’exprimer, mais qui devient par la même occasion intenable.
C’était un roman terrible, et pourtant bien fait aussi. J’étais vraiment curieuse de découvrir ce qui s’était réellement passé et je dois dire que je ne m’attendais pas à une telle fin.
January 30, 2025
coworker gave this to me to read and it was pretty good - multiple perspectives and didn’t know who to believe until the last few chapters. would’ve liked a longer conclusion but also made sense that it was a bit abrupt. does reflect how sexual assault cases pan out in real life - he said she said type of thing - and how there are normally darker things going on behind the scenes. 3.5 rounded down
October 14, 2018
This was a great read. Narrated by several main characters but easy enough to follow as they kept switching back. Kept me guessing until near the end when I sussed it. Recommend.
May 12, 2019
I really enjoyed this suspense drama, brilliant characters, really gripping plot
July 19, 2018
Little Liar is the story of Nick Dean, an ex-actor who runs drama workshops in secondary schools around London, and one of his students, Angela Furness. Nick Dean is accused of sexually assaulting Angela, he is arrested, cautioned, interviewed and then let out on police bail. With Nick's bail there are some very harsh conditions, in particular, he cannot be alone with any children under 18, which includes his own. The story unfolds through Nick and Angela's voices, as well as a number of the extended family members from both sides. The way the story switches perspectives clearly adds great emotional depth and allows the reader to feel empathy for all those being affected by Nick's arrest. As a teacher myself I found the novel absolutely gripping. This subject matter can make for very difficult reading, but Lisa has handled this with such finesse, that there feels no awkwardness to reading it. As the 'accusation' unfolds and more is known so the reader cannot help but be pulled deeper into the secrets and lies that hide beneath the surface of many relationships.
Little Liar is a gripping novel that I devoured in one sitting as I could not bare to put it down, desperate to know where the story would take me. Although this is my first Lisa Ballantyne book, it will most definitely not be my last.
Little Liar is a gripping novel that I devoured in one sitting as I could not bare to put it down, desperate to know where the story would take me. Although this is my first Lisa Ballantyne book, it will most definitely not be my last.
June 11, 2018
I read this book in a day as I was desperate to find out the truth of Angela's allegations, There were parts of the book when I thought why doesn't Nick do more to try and prove his innocence and that left me a little bit frustrated but overall I thought it was a great read
July 17, 2018
I enjoyed this book. Angela is 12 years old and has huge anger issues. She lives with her mum and spends weekends with her dad. She struggles with their separation. Nick is a happily married man with 2 young children. He has been running a drama course at Angela's school. His life is torn apart when Angela accuses him of a sexual assault. The story is told from several different characters' point of view, which makes it really interesting. I recommend this as a good read. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
July 16, 2018
wow what a fantastic book, finished in 1 day. Thanks netgalley for the ARC loved this
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