The premise of this book was compelling, and I was excited to receive an advance review copy to review. I often find myself to be a binge reader - ignoring household duties and reading during the toddler's naptime and later, well into hours that I should be asleep. However, I will say that this book didn't exactly draw me in enough to want to binge read. In fact, I found myself checking the Kindle "estimated read time" to see how much longer I had to finish. Simply said, this book didn't draw me in - for a few reasons.

First, the characters. I found none of them likable, which in and of itself would've been okay (and even common) in a domestic thriller. But not only did I not find them likable, I found them uninteresting. I did find the plot intriguing, so I believe that I didn't gravitate to the characters because...

The stories and backgrounds aren't really fleshed out. Both main characters have a backstory, but they really aren't explored enough, in my opinion. The main gentleman, husband "Max", committed a terrible crime that shaped the rest of his life. The ramifications of his crime being found out is literally the focus of the book, but I have no idea why he committed the act he did. Is it something intrinsically part of his personality? A crime of opportunity? A crime of just boredom? I really don't know, and I found that confusing.

Wife Susannah also has a spotted past, and when her secret is revealed, I also was confused. Her backstory had been fleshed out a little more, but I was genuinely confused about what had been done to her warranted the crime she committed, even though it's the crux of the book.

I believe part of the problem is that the book is fairly short, at least compared to the other domestic thrillers I've read this year. This genre really relies on the reader getting pulled into the minds and convictions of the characters, and that often requires extremely thorough character development. I didn't feel that here. I mostly just didn't care what happened.

There were too many twists towards the end - it felt hokey. We figured out who caused the mayhem that the book is based on, but the story continues. There is another crime committed, but a police detective intervenes - another twist (and actually one that I really disliked). Then, the ending. But wait, there's more - a "2 months later". And then a "one year later". And THEN it's over.

I did like the general premise of the book, and I was genuinely surprised by who wrote the notes that the book is based on and the backstory behind that reveal.

I would recommend it as a quick airplane/vacation read.

A big thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for sending me an ARC of this novel due to be released on Jan. 15, 2019. Although, I thoroughly enjoyed the story, I think there should be a law against not having chapters in a book. How does the reader know when they can take a break? The premise of the story is notes left on the front door of Max and Susannah’s home. Both have big secrets so eventually they realize the note saying, “did you get away with it?” actually could have been for either one of them.

That makes for an interesting plot thread for sure. Max’s character made perfect sense, but I was a little confused by Susannah’s on-again, off-again persona without any explanation.

The suspense will keep you reading until you at least get to one of the three-section dividers.

Mr. Greene: Please use chapters in your next book. Thank you.

Im still on the fence about this book. I finished it a full day ago and have tried to ruminate on my feelings toward it. It was formatted differently than most books. There weren’t many breaks or obvious markers of transition, yet for me, that let the story flow more fluidly. Since I received an ARC from NetGalley, maybe the final book will have more standard chapters and story breaks. But I hope not to be honest. Something about the way this story was written and presented and formatted added to the appeal of the overall enjoyment of the book. Even when the story had predictable parts or lulls or stretched on or got weird, the way it was written helped propel me through all the bad stuff. There are so many “bad guys” in this book that you feel torn as to how you want things to turn out. Everyone is so messed up that they feel pathetic and you feel bad for them, but at the same time they’re just really all selfish and essentially mentally unstable and violent and outrageous and sociopathic that you don’t care if all of them are killed off in the end of the book! I’m not sure how I feel about the ending of this book entirely. I’m not sure the ending is the exact right fit, yet I can’t really say exactly how it should be tweaked to make it better. Overall I think this book was nice to read. There’s something in the writing that says at the very least this author is one to read more and although I didn’t have any edge of my seat, sinking belly nervous energy I love to have in a mystery or suspense book, I didn’t dread finishing this one. To me a book with good storytelling and no dread in having to get through to the end is a decent read. I think a lot of people could stand to have a break from the ordinary and dive into this unique and strange story. 3.75 Stars

The Perfect Liar by Thomas Christopher Green takes a perfect marriage and all the secrets a couple keep from one another. A mysterious note kicks off the story: I KNOW WHO YOU ARE. Max doesn’t think the note is a big deal but after someone they know dies in an accident, another note arrives: DID YOU GET AWAY WITH IT?

What?

Who is the villain here?

I cant wait to read this new book which is described as ideal for those of us who enjoy the writing of B.A. Paris and Paula Hawkins.

Check it out:

Susannah, a young widow and single mother, has remarried well: to Max, a charismatic artist and popular speaker whose career took her and her fifteen-year-old son out of New York City and to a quiet Vermont university town. Strong-willed and attractive, Susannah expects that her life is perfectly in place again. Then one quiet morning she finds a note on her door: I KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

Max dismisses the note as a prank. But days after a neighborhood couple comes to dinner, the husband mysteriously dies in a tragic accident while on a run with Max. Soon thereafter, a second note appears on their door: DID YOU GET AWAY WITH IT?

Both Susannah and Max are keeping secrets from the world and from each other —secrets that could destroy their family and everything they have built.

Due out in January 2019!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advanced copy.

Susannah, a widowed mother, meets Max W. at a party. They marry without really knowing each other. Through backstory, we learn each of their secrets and quirks. When Susannah finds a note taped to their front door saying "I KNOW WHO YOU ARE," Max acts on it, as he thinks he knows who did it and that person knows his secrets. But then a second note appears, "DID YOU GET AWAY WITH IT?"

I had a somewhat difficult time with this book. I didn't find either character, Susannah or Max, likeable. The structuring of the book was a big problem for me. I didn't mind that it was based on finding the notes versus chapters, but the continuous change in POV tripped me up more than once. There weren't any breaks/spaces to show that we were changing character voices. I found myself rereading more than one passage until I figured it out. I was reading on a Kindle, so maybe that was it? There were errors I found, too. Max plans to go trail running with his co-worker and they decide on 9AM, but when it happens, it said "promptly at ten." Also, I thought he was bald, but would his hair be matted when running? Little things... :)

Overall, I found this book interesting, but not as good as I had hoped.

Susannah, a young widow, and single mother has found love again in an artist with the ability to move audience not with his artwork but with his words, called Max. Both decide to move away from New York to the calm city of Vermont to live a quiet life with Susannah's son. Until one day she finds a note on the door that says: I KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

Max does not give much importance to the note and convinces Susannah that it must be a prank. But days later a partner of Max dies in an accident and the second note appears: DID YOU GET AWAY WITH IT?

It is a short quick reading book, narrated from the perspective of the two main characters, Susannah and Max, both maintain secrets among themselves that can completely destroy their family and everything they have achieved, they are living a life full of lies where nobody is what they say they are.

I think it is an entertaining and intriguing plot, although at times I felt that the scenes were very descriptive and full of details that did not contribute to the story, even so, it keeps you attentive to the drama that these spouses live and you want to know what the end of the history will be. A twist that I did not expect gives an excellent ending. It's a good book, I really enjoy it.

Thank you to St. Martin Press and NetGalley who provided me with an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I received an advanced copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book had me on the edge of my seat the whole time! It was definitely a book that kept you thinking! I would definitely recommend this book to fellow readers. Thank you!

I was given an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

THIS WAS SOME MISOGYNISTIC BULLSHIT

While I enjoyed this story overall, the rambling writing style was a bit overwhelming. I wasn’t able to fully enjoy the story without the structure of chapters.

Through NetGalley I was able to read a pre-publish copy of this book.
I didn't see the end coming. This is a surprisingly realistic book. A young woman manipulated by her psychologist (also first husband) ends the relationship in a dramatic way.. Her parents closing the door on her and her child when she trying to make amends leaves her even more venerable. A second husband that loves her but hides his problematic past from her and is the perfect liar. Thrown in the mix a moody teenage boy and you have the settings for real live drama. I highly recommend reading this book..

I received an ARC of The Perfect Liar. I was engrossed in this unique story from beginning to end. What a page turner! While both main characters were flawed and neither truly likable, I was intrigued by the story and its twists and turns. The ending of the story was unexpected, yet fulfilling. Solid 4 star read.

See my review on goodreads.com

Wasn't sure about this book, I found I couldn't get on with the characters and it didn't really draw me into the storyline, not what I call a page turner.

For me personally I wouldn't recommend this book.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book
This was a twisty thriller that kept you guessing till the end

This was a highly enjoyable twisty-turny thriller! I kept on thinking I knew what was happening but kept on being proven wrong. An original and tautly written tale that keeps unfolding in unexpected ways. Delicious ending.. Bravo!

AMAZING!! Wow, like really wow. I love a good thriller and this one did not disappoint at all. I'm so impressed. It definitely captures your attention by the first page and keeps it until the end.

This book has so any twists and turns it keeps you on your toes! Max, an artist & teacher & Susannah, single mother of teenager Freddy, are both far from perfect in this thrilling story. They meet. They marry. Then someone starts leaving notes on their door. I know who you are. Did you get away with it? I saw you do it. Are the notes for Max or are they for Susannah? You’ll have to read this amazing story to find out!

Disclaimer: I was given a free advance copy from NetGalley in return for my honest review

This was an ok book. I was hoping for more suspense but this was extremely predictable and a bit tired. Not much original here and I had a hard time liking any of the characters. The end was awful....almost incomplete. It had potential but I felt that maybe the author just ran out of steam. I would give this 1 & 1/2 stars but since no half stars will give it two.

I am not in love with books that have unlikable characters as the protagonist, although this did keep my interest. It is a fairly quick read,

I love this book! Anyone who loves a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the end will love this one. The start of the book was brilliant and I really loved every part of this book. The storyline is exciting and suspenseful and you never see or expect the numerous twists that are coming up next. I didn’t want to put it down. It was suspenseful, mysterious, intriguing, and thought provoking. It just keeps you wanting more as you try to figure out what’s happening. Great read! Highly recommend. I will be reading more of this author.

I really enjoyed The Headmaster's Wife so I was excited for The Perfect Liar. However, although it's an engaging novel, I was ultimately a tiny bit underwhelmed. Based on the description this story seems like it would be somewhat fast-paced and suspenseful. But because of the way it's organized, the pacing feels off. Too often we get bogged down by back story. We also perhaps know the truth about Max/Phil too early. I also felt a bit of distance from Susannah. This being said, I certainly read until the end and was anxious to see how the story would wrap up. The ending felt satisfying. And on a sentence level the writing is great. I guess I just wanted it to be a tiny bit faster pace (and this is saying something because I'm a fan of slow moving literary fiction).