Maia has been invited back to the island of Eris in Greece where she attended a writing retreat fifteen years ago. Upon returning, she discovers that the same people who attended the retreat back then are (almost) all here again. She hasn't kept in touch with anyone because right before she left back then, she believed her best friend and her boyfriend betrayed her. She's kept tabs on some of them over the years, as they all became famous to some extent since the retreat, but she's nervous to be around them again. Especially when, shortly upon their return, they discover their host's dead body. Argos Alexander was larger than life due to his wealth and status, but now that he's gone, everyone begins to suspect why they were invited back. Is someone getting revenge? Why would they wait all this time? And are they all in danger now, trapped on this island?

The descriptions of the island are breathtaking and provide a haunting atmosphere to the mystery that unfolds. There is quite a bit of Greek mythology sprinkled throughout the story, so if that's not your thing, you will be skimming a significant portion of this book. Maia and her father both majored in the classics, and certain portions of the plot featuring mythology are explained by Maia so that the readers understand. It's a bit too obvious in how it's done, though. A bit too overwrought, as one character would say. But it does lend some sophistication to the mystery, which doesn't lean on cheap thrills or twists to keep the reader invested. I certainly was, I didn't want to put it down! It's so much more than just figuring out who the killer is. And it's about time someone called attention to the ridiculous misogyny of Greek mythology. I've never understood why people hold so much value in ancient fairy tales where women are raped by swans and we're not supposed to bat an eye at that?? Ugh.

Anyway, I loved this book and I'm going to dive into other works by this author. It's a perfect vacation story and I only wish I could have been in Greece as I read it!

Carol Goodman has my number. Her stories about writers and antiquity are catnip that I will always come back for.

Carol Goodman has crafted a sinister, intoxicating puzzle in her latest suspense novel, one that pulls you into the world of writers, secrets, and twisted ambitions. Goodman’s prose cuts like a knife, layering the suspense while never losing sight of the characters’ emotional depth. It’s the kind of book that makes you question everyone’s motives, and by the end, you’ll feel like you’ve been a guest at the retreat yourself, sharing in the secrets and paranoia. I would highly be recommending it to the fans of mystery and thriller books.

Gathering a group of mystery writers on a deserted island is a bold idea considering these people imagine murders for a living; it should be no surprise when their host turns up dead in Carol Goodman's latest, Writers and Liars.

Told from the perspective of the main protagonist, Maia, this is a tale about betrayal, Greek mythology, and missing artifacts. Maia is likable and intelligent, and mythology fans will appreciate the inclusion and explanation throughout. However, if a reader is not interested, this will likely take them out of the story too much.

While some sections feel overly complicated, this story is engaging and fun. This would likely interest a book group, particularly if they explore the mythology aspect in depth.

It has been a minute since I read anything by Carol Goodman, and I am happy to rediscover her.
This latest is like a a golden age mystery, with dark academic notes, and a bit of Glass Onion (Knives Out Mystery) thrown in.
Participants in a writing retreat hosted by an eccentric (and probably evil) billionaire on his secluded Greek Island are reunited by said billionaire on the same island.
Nobody seems to know why they are there, where the host is at, or what really happened all those years ago at the original retreat. Everybody is hiding something, everybody has an axe to grind, and everybody is jealous of everybody else.
There is a subplot about smuggled artifacts, and a lot a references to Greek mythology. The plot is quite complicated, but almost everything gets resolved in the end-with a little help from a deus ex machina. I won't spoil it for you.
There is a large-ish cast of characters, and while we do not get a full and nuanced portrait of all of them, we have enough to care about most of them.
This is an engaging story, and I did enjoy it, but the plot was overly complicated. A bit of streamlining would help.
Recommend.

I usually enjoy Carol Goodman’s books, but I couldn’t get into this one. I wasn’t interested in any of the classics and mythology stuff. This was a DNF for me.

The striking cover! The locked-door mystery! The gorgeous setting! Writers and Liars immediately grabbed my attention and I wanted so badly to love it. I was hoping for a thriller that would immediately pull me in, but this is more of a slow burn. The reader spends a lot of time with Maia's thoughts and memories, which is fine, but definitely slowed the pacing for me. I generally love classical references and books that really incorporate them (If We Were Villains, The Bones of the Story), but in this case, it took kept pulling me out of the story rather than grabbing my attention.

They’ll kill for inspiration…. Fifteen years ago, Maia Gold attended a prestigious and very exclusive writers retreat hosted by billionaire Argos Alexander on the Greek island of Eris. It’s where she wrote her first book, the one that should have launched a brilliant career. But something dark happened on that island, a betrayal that has hung over Maia ever since! Good book! This book had suspense, intriguing, murder, mystery, a good who done it and a few crazy twists and turns! The story was interesting, it wasn't one of my top favorite but still worth reading! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Author Goodman continues her string of gothic suspense thrillers with Writers and Liars, which is a heady cocktail of dark academia, classical mythology, feminism, and Dame Agatha Christie And Then There Were None.

A group of writers returns to an isolated Greek island after a 15-year absence, during which they have achieved varying degrees of success. Heroine Maia Gold has written one vengeful bestseller, based on the best friend and lover who betrayed her. She then became a museum arcivist, continuing her academic father's work. Once on the island, Maia is reunited with her former friend and lover as well as others who were part of the writers' group. Everyone has dark motives for revenge and bodies begin to pile up. The answers lie in a feminist twist on the subservient role of women in Greek mythology.

In fact, there are many, many references to classical mythology, mostly explaned by Maia, and, while enlightening, they can bog down the narrative flow a bit.

Nevertheless, Writers and Liars is an entertaining page turner that will draw readers into its intricate labyrinth.

Full Disclosure--NetGalley and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.

#WritersAndLiars #NetGalley
One of her best till date.
Carol Goodman delivers a masterful tale of suspense and intrigue with Writers and Liars, a psychological thriller set against the idyllic yet haunting backdrop of a secluded Greek island. This novel takes readers into the high-stakes world of mystery writers, where betrayal, ambition, and revenge blur the lines between fiction and reality.
Likes :-
1 Compelling Premise: A writers' retreat that turns into a murder mystery? Goodman expertly taps into the intrigue of a closed-circle whodunit, reminiscent of Agatha Christie, but with a modern twist.
2 Atmospheric Setting: The Greek island of Eris is beautifully described, its remote and sun-soaked landscapes juxtaposed with the dark, sinister events that unfold. The isolation amplifies the tension, creating a sense of claustrophobia as the characters are trapped with a killer.
3 Complex Characters:
a) Maia Gold: A relatable protagonist whose personal and professional struggles make her journey engaging. Her past betrayal and longing for redemption add depth to the narrative.
b) The Guests: Each writer at the retreat brings their own baggage, secrets, and grudges, making every character a potential suspect—and victim.
4 Layered Plot: The novel's meta element—writers crafting mysteries while living through one—adds a clever and self-aware dimension. Goodman’s ability to weave past and present events keeps readers guessing.
5 Pacing and Twists: The story moves briskly, with revelations and misdirections strategically placed. The contest adds an extra layer of tension, pushing the characters to reveal more than they intend.
Dislikes :-
None.
Overall :- Writers and Liars is a gripping and atmospheric thriller that will appeal to fans of classic murder mysteries and modern psychological suspense. Carol Goodman combines sharp characterization with an evocative setting to craft a story where everyone has a motive and no one can be trusted. This is a must-read for lovers of literary thrillers and closed-circle mysteries. Goodman’s exploration of ambition, betrayal, and creativity is as sharp as the murder weapon itself.
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for giving me an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.