McKenzie, Catherine--The Good Liar Relaxed Buddy Read starts June 1, 2018

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

This thread is open to discuss The Good Liar by Catherine McKenzie.



Synopsis
When an explosion rips apart a Chicago building, the lives of three women are forever altered.

A year later, Cecily is in mourning. She was supposed to be in the building that day. Instead, she stood on the street and witnessed it going down, with her husband and best friend inside. Kate, now living thousands of miles away, fled the disaster and is hoping that her past won’t catch up with her. And Franny, a young woman in search of her birth mother, watched the horror unfold on the morning news, knowing that the woman she was so desperate to reconnect with was in the building.

Now, despite the marks left by the tragedy, they all seem safe. But as its anniversary dominates the media, the memories of that terrifying morning become dangerous triggers. All these women are guarding important secrets. Just how far will they go to keep them?

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Reserved

[Geri]

Looking forward to reading this!

[Vicki Willis]

Me too. It looks good.
Great link to the Moms in Danger blog. That could blow up someone's TBR and then we would all be in danger! lol

[Laura]

Me too; My TBR grew after reading Geri's link to the blog.

[Geri]

LOL Glad I could help!

[Brooke]

I’m in!

[Anja]

I may join this one if I have time when it starts

[Laura]

You may join later if you wish if you are pressed for time. We will come back and discuss with you.

[Melissa]

I would like to join this one. :)

[Laura]

The more the merrier Melissa!

[Melissa]

Thanks! I'll see if I can get it from the library :)

[Geri]

The buddy read starts today. I will start it and check back later.

[Brooke]

I should be able to start this one tonight! I’ve got a flight and most likely will have delays at the airport with pending storms, so any irritation from getting home late will be alleviated by a (hopefully) good book.

[Geri]

Brooke wrote: "I should be able to start this one tonight! I’ve got a flight and most likely will have delays at the airport with pending storms, so any irritation from getting home late will be alleviated by a (..."

It’s an intriguing read. Have a safe flight!

[Geri]

Part 1: Chapter 1-14 and interview trascript

(view spoiler)[ What a way for Cecily to find out her husband is cheating! In a text! And her husband left his family with debts. I wonder who Cecily’s husband was having an affair with? Frannie’s birth mother or maybe Kate? Why is Cecily telling so many lies? It will be interesting to find out what is the truth.

Is there a connection between Cecily, Frannie and Kate?

Kate calls herself a sociopath. Why? I am finding Kate’s character a real mystery. So far she hasn’t done a thing to support her comment. Is Kate somehow responsible for the explosion?

So Cecily’s friend who died is Frannie’s birth mother. Interesting development! (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Brooke wrote: "I should be able to start this one tonight! I’ve got a flight and most likely will have delays at the airport with pending storms, so any irritation from getting home late will be alleviated by a (..."

Be safe!

[Laura]

I started; not very far along. Only in chapter 1

[Laura]

Geri wrote: "Part 1: Chapter 1-14 and interview trascript


Trying to catch up, Geri. I'm starting chapter 5

[Brooke]

I've finished part 1, chapters 1-14

(view spoiler)[There has to be a crazy connection between the 3 women. The woman Cecily's husband was sleeping with has to be a tie to one of the other women. I am currently thinking either Kate or Frannie's mom like you, Geri. Both of those options make sense at least so far.

The texts Cecily got were awful!

I also want to know more about Kate. All we know so far is she ran away, but why?? (hide spoiler)]

Must keep reading...I need to know more!

[Laura]

Part 1 - chapter 1-14
Kate(view spoiler)[
I am finding Kate the most interesting. We don't know a lot about her. Why did she run to Montreal?
(hide spoiler)]

Franny(view spoiler)[
How sad to find her adoptive mom and then to only know her for a short time
(hide spoiler)]

Cecily
(view spoiler)[
Agree with Geri; learning from a text that your husband is cheating on you is horrible!
I'm wondering what will happen with Cecily and Teo (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki Willis]

I am planning on starting this one in about a week. Then I will look at spoilers.

Off Topic but interesting. the next three books I am either reading or planning to read have the word Lies/Liar in the title. I couldn't figure out why I was getting confused... But now I know. I am wondering if the word "lie" is the next "girl"?

[Laura]

Vicki Willis wrote: "I am planning on starting this one in about a week. Then I will look at spoilers.

Off Topic but interesting. I am either reading or planning to read next three books with the word Lies/Liar in the..."

Hi Ya Vicki!

[Geri]

Happy Monday all! I finished part 2. A lot happens and is revealed. How is everyone enjoying the book? Did you figure out some of the twists before the reveals?

(view spoiler)[ What a section! Kate is Cecily’s friend who supposedly died. And now she is back! It was terrible how Kate let everyone think she was dead. Postpartum depression and feelings of alienation really did a number on Kate.

And Frannie. I knew something was up! I couldn’t put a finger on it. But I felt like she was a fraud. She tells Cecily at the funeral she was Kate’s daughter. That was convenient. Kate could not deny it. And now the implication is that Frannie was the one sleeping with Tom. I think Frannie might be more of a sociopath than Kate.

I want to read more! (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Laura and Brooke, read my spoiler after you finish part 2.

(view spoiler)[ What do you think about Kate now after you know why Kate left her family? And at first Frannie seemed like a very sympathetic character. Is she the good liar? I’m starting to think she is an even better liar than Kate. (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Vicki Willis wrote: "I am wondering if the word "lie" is the next "girl"? "

That is funny! Never thought about a word being trendy for books. But you are probably right. Girl on the Train. Girl with a Dragon Tatto...

[Brooke]

I snuck in a bit of reading while eating lunch today. I'm done with part 2.

Geri: (view spoiler)[I also knew something was up with Frannie! She is starting to unravel.

I'm not sure what to think about Kate. I figured out who she was a little bit before the reveal. I don't know what would make a person feel she needs to leave her kids like that, but her coming back would revoke the funds the family just received from the Trust. (Not to mention cause a need for therapy for a few people...)

Frannie is crazy, but I'm not sure yet if she is a straight up sociopath or just someone who lives her life by jumping from con to con. (hide spoiler)]

Part 2 was a roller coaster! Can't wait to see how it ends. I have a dinner tonight so doubt I'll be able to finish it until tomorrow.

[Laura]

Blah, I 'm trying to juggle 4 books and life all at once. I'll be back soon and catch up!

[Brooke]

Laura wrote: "Blah, I 'm trying to juggle 4 books and life all at once. I'll be back soon and catch up!"

I had a bunch of in progress books that had to be read by 5/31, so I somehow crammed in 8 books last week. I am more relaxed this week about reading...that was too much!

[Geri]

Brooke, WOW, not sure how you managed 8 books in a week!

I finished. And boy, it was a rollercoaster. My opinion of Kate and Frannie kept changing. Can’t wait to read what everyone thinks of the ending.

(view spoiler)[ So both Kate and Frannie were GREAT liars! Kate was the mother of Frannie. And Frannie was mentally unhinged and caused the explosion on 10-10. What a twisted story!

Kate ends up not telling her family she was alive. I am thinking with all her problems, that was for the best.

Kate was unable to connect with her children. I wonder if it was because of her unwanted pregnancy and having to give away Frannie. That seemed to make her sad. Or was it just something that was missing in Kate? And she would have a depressive personality anyway. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Brooke wrote: "Laura wrote: "Blah, I 'm trying to juggle 4 books and life all at once. I'll be back soon and catch up!"

I had a bunch of in progress books that had to be read by 5/31, so I somehow crammed in 8 b..."

That is a lot of books! Go Brooke! ( ha, but don't wear yourself out!)

[Laura]

Did you like it Geri? I 'm not looking at your spoiler yet!

[Brooke]

Geri wrote: "Brooke, WOW, not sure how you managed 8 books in a week! "

I would never have been able to do it without audiobooks. And I don't think I ever will again! I need to get better about finishing books before starting new ones. LOL

[Brooke]

I finished! I'm still trying to figure out what I think about the main characters, but my initial reaction is that I liked the book.

(view spoiler)[Wow - how twisted! Frannie was a great liar, but not about the things I thought. Her blowing up the building was not something I saw coming. I guess Kate let her get away (for now, anyway) because of the guilt she felt at giving her up and lying to her.

Cecily did her own bit of lying, although it was almost more to herself than other people. Based on her apprehension I should have guessed that she was farther in the divorce process than she let on . (hide spoiler)]

I'm going to keep an eye out for more books by McKenzie.

[Geri]

Laura wrote: "Did you like it Geri? I 'm not looking at your spoiler yet!"

The book was very twisty. I liked that a lot. My feelings about the characters kept changing too. You need to finish this one Laura!

[Geri]

Brooke wrote: "Geri wrote: "Brooke, WOW, not sure how you managed 8 books in a week! "

I would never have been able to do it without audiobooks. And I don't think I ever will again! I need to get better about fi..."

I mostly listen to audio too. And I have a bad habit of putting down a book I started to pick up a new one. Sometimes I have 4 or 5 at the same time. But never 8. You are the winner there!

[Geri]

Brooke, (view spoiler)[ The author kept the twists coming right to the end. Frannie was so much worse than I thought too. Both mother and daughter were a bit mentally unstable.

You are right Cecily did mostly lie to herself. She was still entitled to the money, though. I am still conflicted about how she let Kate run away again and not tell her family. Being able to keep the money from Kate’s death is better than they know the truth? Not sure. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Geri wrote: "Laura wrote: "Did you like it Geri? I 'm not looking at your spoiler yet!"

The book was very twisty. I liked that a lot. My feelings about the characters kept changing too. You need to finish this..."

Hoping to knock another chunk of it out tonight!

[Laura]

up to chapter 20
(view spoiler)[
Well, that was shitty... Cecily's husband Tom slept with her best friend Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn is Kate.

I couldn't figure out why Kate left her family. Too guilty? (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

up to chapter 31
(view spoiler)[
Oh boy, that's messed up; claim to be someone's daughter, then try to marry the step father.

This is weird.

Kaitlyn is back. Wow .. not sure how this is going to go or end. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

(view spoiler)[
I didn't really like any of the characters; Kate grew on me but I can't fathom leaving behind your family so even though she came back I 'm still not a fan. Its hard to like someone who cheats on their husband with her best friend's husband and leaves behind her family.

Teo treated Cecily shitty; pretending to like her and then backing off once things get hot with the press. So happy she called him on it. This is a mess. (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

Laura: (view spoiler)[ I agree! It was hard to like any of the characters in this one, but I did like the mystery. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Finished
(view spoiler)[
I did think that Franny was the "good liar" ... that was a good twist at the end. Ha, should have seen it.

It makes me dislike Katrina/Kate even more; giving up her first child, walking away from her family, ruining her best friend's marriage, not getting the help she obviously needs.
I was a little surprised that Cecily's kids invited Teo over for supper especially after Cecily's daughter was so upset over the whole kiss thing!

I rounded up to a 3. I would give this one a 2.75. I need more suspense, thrill!

@ Brooke; at the end I still didn't really like any of the characters!
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Brooke wrote: "I finished! I'm still trying to figure out what I think about the main characters, but my initial reaction is that I liked the boo

(view spoiler)[ How twisted is it to blow up a building? (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki Willis]

I finished Part 1

I agree that
(view spoiler)[noone is going to turn out as they seem.

I felt bad for Cecily and the text. How she went on the trip anyway is beyond me. I would be tortured too trying to know who it was. Would she be able to move forward with Teo having that ghost following her?

Kate ran away? Let people presume she is dead? I wonder if she will regret that. I was confused though... did she have a young daughter? It referred to something about but I am on kindle and couldnt find it again. I thought Kate might be Cecily's friend, Frannie's mom and the affair women, but I am not sure if ages work out, plus that would be too obvious.

I don't like Frannie. Just a feeling.

And Teo.... something is off.
(hide spoiler)]

This one is good so far. Lots of possibilities.

[Geri]

Laura (view spoiler)[ I did not think Kate had a good enough reason to leave her family. I was surprised Cecily did keep her secret. But if Cecily did tell Kate’s family, they would not be entitled to the money and have to deal with the pain that Kate abandoned them. Frannie and Kate definitely had mental issues for sure! (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Vicki Willis wrote: "I finished Part 1

I agree that
noone is going to turn out as they seem.
."

(view spoiler)[ Frannie should be sympathetic, losing her mother. But I agree from the beginning something seemed off! (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki Willis]

End of part 2

(view spoiler)[
Was surprised to find out about Franny. Didn't see that coming, except there are people who take advantage of every tragedy.
Unless Kate is throwing her under the bus.
But it would be easy to prove or disprove with DNA test.

What a shock for Cecily. Or is she also not what she seems? (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Geri wrote: "Laura [spoilers removed]"

@ Geri
(view spoiler)[
I didn't think that Kate had a good enough reason to leave her family either.... I couldn't imagine. I'm having a hard time coping with my son leaving to go to college in September!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

@Vicki
(view spoiler)[ Its sad there are people who take advantage of tragedies! (hide spoiler)]