Liar's House by Carla Kovach is the fourth in the series about DI Gina Harte. I haven't read the previous books and missed the back story about her past.
DI Harte is investigating the murder of a woman and a possible link to a murder of another woman seven years before.
I found that book hard to read because of the brutality and I did not like the main character.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Liar’s House by Carla Kovach, another DI Gina Hart book, was one of the best of the series and had me wondering who’s house really belonged to the Liar.

A local woman I murdered after a “party.” The premise of the party is something DI Hart needs to discover to find out who the killer is, and why he’s chosen his victim.

Add in a decades old unsolved missing person case and this murder rapidly goes from baffling to mysterious.

With Gina’s personal life intruding on her professional one, she finds herself in a tight spot and has to divulge facts about her former life she’d rather keep hidden. But when her former life shows up in the investigation, she can’t lie or keep secrets anymore.

I enjoyed this story so much. It was in my opinon the best of the DI Hart books yet.
Thanks to Netgalley for a sneak peak for an honest opinion.

3.5 stars rounded up.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book a lot more than my previous mystery read, even the lead character who I always have a hard time with. I appreciated that Gina seemed to be self-aware of her issues, as did her supervisor and that she seemed to follow the rules he laid down when things got personal. She has an interesting and sad past, and I am intrigued by the relationship she has with her daughter. She also seems like one of the most realistic detectives I've read, as she does eat and sleep (albeit just a little but it's mentioned, unlike some other books I've read). While I wasn't thoroughly invested in the relationship with her and her team, I could see that they worked well together and did solid police work. I also appreciated the mentions of how long forensics, warrants took etc.

For the mystery itself, it was solid and though I predicted the murderer about halfway, there were some twists that I enjoyed. I also enjoyed how the ending wrapped up, leaving room for more books and possible relationship development.

Overall, a good, quick read with solid characters and a solid story,

I really enjoyed this book, in fact I read it way too fast! Fast paced and gripping. I really like Gina Harte, and this story was very well written. I don’t really do long reviews where I go into the whole story because what’s the point? Read it! You won’t be disappointed

The Liar's House is a fabulous crime thriller that kept me turning those pages well into the early hours

DI Gina Harte is called to investigate the gruesome murder of a woman last seen alive leaving her own summerhouse in the early hours of the morning after attending a local party with her husband.

But just as the investigation starts, the disappearance of another woman some seven years earlier is suddenly brought to the teams attention- could the two possibly be linked and if so how !!

For DI Gina Harte a haunting and deeply troubled past threatens to resurface and could jeopardize the very success she has worked so hard to attain.

This novel has it all, suspense, shocks, mile a minute action, an ingeniously constructed plot and storyline and great mix of well developed and believable characters that will keep you guessing right to the very end.

Brilliant novel- I loved it and would definitely recommend.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an ARC for my honest review.

This is the fourth book in the series featuring DI Gina Harte. Although I've read one of the previous books, I don't think you need to have done so as it works as a standalone novel. Any relevant back story is explained and the characters introduced well.

This story is about the late night murder of a woman walking home from a party. DI Harte is called in and begins to notice similarities with a previous disappearance years before. As she investigates, her personal life gets entwined with the investigation and she struggles to stay impartial when faced with someone from her past.

This is well written and pacy - it twists and turns so many times that I was totally wrong in all my deductions! It is told from several perspectives, which was engaging and interesting, especially as the stakes get higher as the investigation advances. I'd recommend this to people who enjoy police procedurals and crime novels with a strong female lead. My only reservations were to do with Harte's personal connections to the case which were quite interesting but did detract from the core story - it's a personal thing, but I don't like my detectives with too much personal angst! Still, a good read and a series that I will continue to follow.

The Liars House Carla Kovach

A murder involving a participant in a “partner swapping” party, but how and why did the victim end up walking home alone?

DI Gina Harte is faced with the questions, but this murder is also going to make her face her past, and hope that it doesn’t ruin her future.

Gina Harte has a secret that most of her team don’t know. She was the victim of domestic abuse at the hands of her husband, abuse of the worst most degrading type. Her husband has been dead for years but the memories will never go away.

When the team start digging into the lives of the people who attended the party they find that not everybody is a happy participant, and that’s enough to bring the memories of her past flooding back to Gina, but she can usually handle those memories.

Not this time. This time there’s a link to her past which will threaten Gina’s sanity, let alone her ability to act as the SIO for the investigation.

To make matters worse Gina has been using a dating app and has a very attentive man who just won’t take no for an answer.

Another party, another victim, and more pressure on Gina.

This book is not just the story of a murder investigation. This story looks at the effects domestic abuse has on people long after it has been made to stop.

It looks at the effects of a dominant partner coercing a spouse into doing things that they’d rather not, but end up doing to save a relationship.

It looks at the pressures put on Police Officers, who most people take for granted as they are “just doing their job”.

There is a lot going on in this book. To say I read it in one sitting would be a lie, but I didn’t get much else done from the time I first picked it up, till the last page was read.

This is the forth outing for DI Gina Harte. I really enjoyed the previous books but this one is the best. Can it be read as a stand-alone? Yes. It’s written so well that the back story is filled in so a new reader doesn’t miss out. But please read the others, its one hell of a series.

The Liar's House is the fourth in the series, but I haven't read the first three. DI Gina Harte has a past having to do with her abusive husband that she would rather not be made public, but years later, her equally despicable brother-in-law turns up in her current case.

In her current case, Jade Ashworth has been murdered, and seven years ago, Samantha disappeared. At first glance--nothing appears to connect the two women. Yet as Gina and her team investigate, the connections appear.

A suspenseful plot with several twists. My main problem is with the number of controlling men and the women who allow the control. It isn't that I know that this sort of thing can happen, but this book has way too many women who are easily dominated by the men in their lives.

The plot involves a wife-swapping group, and most of the women don't want to take part, but are pressured by their husbands or partners. Of course, the women have to have been habituated to that kind of pressure even before the "parties," but it is discouraging to read about so many women in unequal relationships, who feel it so necessary to have a man in their lives that they give up their own autonomy.

The reviews of this one are overwhelmingly positive, and it is suspenseful and the guilty party unexpected, but it was depressing.

Read in May. Blog review scheduled for

NetGalley/Bookouture
Crime/Police Procedural. July 2, 2019. Print length: 337 pages.
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Behavioral scientist Paul Dolan "analyzed data from the American Time Use Survey (ATUS)" that indicates single women without children are happiest: Unmarried Women Are the Happiest and Healthiest. The same survey is also in The Guardian and The Independent. Interesting and taking in several factors that make sense, and yet....

This might be true if there were no pressure to marry and have children, but there is tremendous social pressure to have a partner and few women can resist it. A bit of a conundrum. "Despite the benefits of a single, childless lifestyle for women, Dolan believes that the existing narrative that marriage and children were signs of success meant that the stigma could lead some single women to feel unhappy."

It is interesting that I read these articles after reading The Liar's House which already had me curious about why so many women find such unsuitable partners--partners that make them miserable and willing to sacrifice their own beliefs.

And we’re back again with DI Gina Harte, for those new to this series, this is the fourth in the series…… this time Gina is called in to investigate the body of a young woman who was brutally attacked and murdered after a “house party” which later we find out is “couples swap party”. As the investigation begins, the police get a call from a woman who says she received a birthday card, great, she should be so happy I hear you say…. C’mon it’s a Gina Harte series ha ha it’s a sinister birthday card addressed to the woman’s friend, Samantha on her birthday, the same friend who disappeared seven years previous after a night out and no trace has been seen of her since…. Inside the card a painted finger nail in the favourite shade as Samantha…. Just what is going on…. Do these two cases relate, if so, how so…. Is it just someone trying the mental health of an already sick woman!!!

This is a brilliant police procedural book with some psychological aspects thrown in, both for the victims and personally for Gina Harte, can she put everything aside and focus on the case? Fantastically twisty with some red herrings thrown in, just when you think YES I know who dunnit….. guess again… it all comes together beautifully but will mess with your head!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This series just keeps getting better. I have been with Gina from the start and get really excited when a new book is released.
Her latest case is entwined with her past which is dark and she has always done her best to keep it secret from those she works with. Solving this case has the potential of all being revealed. Fast Paced, a race against time, excitement, tension and suspense all ramped up to the max. I read this book in one sitting, I knew who the killer was damn wrong again. ANOTHER fantastic read in a gripping and addictive series. An easy five stars and so Highly Recommended.
I would like to thank the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

Here I go again - reading books out of order and have to to make a mental note to go and check into the three previous books as I really enjoyed this story from the beginning to the unexpected ending. A strong, flawed, detective , Gina Harte is a great character and easy to identify with and root for. The plot is great and keeps up the pace and twists all the way through. Thoroughly recommended.

Another outing for DI Gina Harte and yet another great read . When a woman’s body is found Gina and her team are called into action , they discover that Jade was murdered after leaving a party , the case is complicated when Diane whose best friend disappeared 7 years ago is sent a card with a nail painted in the same polish that Samantha loved . When it is discovered the nail belonged to jade the case is obviously linked
With plenty of shady characters,, a link to Gina’s past in her brother in law who is implicated we are treated to the usual high class outing . This was equally as good as the other three and can equally be read as a stand-alone . Fantastic 5 stars from me .

In this 4th book following the career of Detective Harte, she faces a complicated case that involves at least one murder, one brutal attack, and a missing person (from the past). The case has multiple twists and turns that keep the reader guessing and Gina on the run. As the book opens, Gina is trying to find a social life utilizing online dating services. Part of the intrigue of the story is how her personal romantic life becomes entangled with her professional life -- both the murder case and her relationship with her boss. The plot also includes a glimpse of a swingers' club and hints at some emotional trauma that this lifestyle can create for one partner in the couple. I look forward to the next book and hope that Harte might find some balance and happiness in her life outside of work.

**** Synopsis: Samantha stumbled out of the party and on to a busy street only 10 minutes away from her home but she never made it home. seven years after Samantha‘s disappearance, and what would have been her 35th birthday, her best friend Diana shocked to find a letter addressed to Samantha on her doorstep opening the envelope, Diane pulls out a birthday card and a fingernail painted and dusty pink nail polish the same shade Samantha always wore the same shade she was wearing the night she went missing. when police analyze the nail, they don’t get the result they expected, instead of linking it to Samantha, it belongs to another woman, Jade Ashmore, and Jade was murdered the night before the envelope was delivered. *****

This was the 4th book in the detective Gina Hart series, but I read it as a stand a lone. I will be going back, and reading the others to get to know Gina better.
However, the book was great! I was hooked from the beginning, and read it in one day.
This was the type of book, that sucks you in from the beginning. It was a great thriller, great story and plot with well developed characters. Definitely a must read if you love thrillers, and a who done it type of book.

The book will be released on July 2, 2019.

Thanks @Bookouture @Netgalley @Carla_Kovach
I will leave my review on Twitter @StefaniReads (Booked-up22)
Goodreads @ Booked-up22
Instagram @Booked-up22
Amazon @Bookedup22

DI GIna Harte is back!. Facing a new case that is entwined with her past and dark secrets that she doesn't want her team to know, Gina comes out stronger in the end as she races to solve the case before her personal life becomes known to all. Fast-paced ... guessing to the end ,.. can't wait for the 5th book in the series.

Thank you #netgalley and #bookouture for the eARC.

First time I've read any of Carla's books ,really enjoyed this book I read it within a day , couldn't put it down ,will definitely read more of her books.

Detective Gina Harte never disappoints! Another fabulous story by Carla Kovach!

Excitement galore as some of the "old" characters return and many new characters hold your attention and keep you in suspense. Just when you are thinking - THAT'S WHO MURDERED JADE, most likely you're wrong. A superb tie-in among Jade, Diane and Gina makes this book so brilliant!

This time the main story centers around internet FunSwap parties. Gina and her crew become involved in many exciting situations and the suspense only escalates.

Easily can be read as a standalone or part of the 4 book series. Read them all!

Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for one of this year's best reads!

The Liar’s House by Carla Kovach (Detective Gina Harte Book 4)
Thanks @netgalley @carla_kovach for my ARC
Publication date 2nd July 2019
‘Someone saw what you did last night’. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Although this is the 4th book in a series it is the first one I’ve read and can be read standalone. Wow! I have just bought the other three! Absolutely amazing! Two gruesome murders, seven years apart. How are they linked? An incredibly clever and gripping story. I was hooked right from the first page. I love Gina Harte. She feisty and funny and real. It you love a good detective series with plenty of shocks and twists then these books are for you. Highly recommended. Five stars xx
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Another great addition to the series, also works perfectly as a stand alone.

Detective Gina is a complex and engaging character and keeps evolving through every book.
Here she has a complex murder mystery which becomes entangled with another case of a missing woman many years before. What is the link between the two victims?

Engaging suspenseful plot with clever twists and turns and an ending that I never guessed.

Thanks Netgalley, Bookouture, and author Carla Kovach for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased opinion.

Wow! What a great read!! This was full of so many twists and turns. The characters were so well developed and so easy to identify with. Liar’s House was a wonderful roller coaster ride full of thrills and a surprise ending I didn’t see coming. This book touched every emotion possible! Can’t recommend enough!