Scan barcode
toofondofbooks's review
3.0
This was such an interesting premise for a thriller as it’s set in one room between a therapist and her patient. I was intrigued from the start and was keen to see what was going to happen, and how. It started off really well as you get the sense there is more to this appointment than we know at first and the tension just builds and builds from there. It’s a novel that really makes you think about the nature of right and wrong, and how nothing is ever black and white. It really makes you question your thoughts about each of the characters. It’s a good read and I recommend it!
This review was originally posted on my blog https://rathertoofondofbooks.com
This review was originally posted on my blog https://rathertoofondofbooks.com
codergrl's review
2.0
This book barely kept my attention. It's too drawn out. Way too slow. Stories that keep being repeated. I get narrating an incident from multiple points of view, but not if the points of view reach the same conclusion. Don't recommend it.
namitakhanna's review
4.0
It’s been 14 years since Susanna escaped her old life and reinvented herself as a therapist to keep her daughter Emily safe. When a new patient Adam enters her office for the first time, she feels a sense of familiarity but is unable to identify him. As the therapy session progresses things start getting a little creepy when Adam shows Susanna a picture of Emily. Who is Adam and how does he know Emily? When Emily does not answer her phone , Susanna realizes that Adam has an ulterior motive and thus starts a verbal cat and mouse game with the stakes up real high.
Liar’s Room by Simon Lelic is set up in on room with two liars trying to outsmart each other .An intriguing plot, dark and creepy , addictive thriller which makes it a gripping read .Highly recommend!
I would like to thank Berkley Publishing Group & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
Liar’s Room by Simon Lelic is set up in on room with two liars trying to outsmart each other .An intriguing plot, dark and creepy , addictive thriller which makes it a gripping read .Highly recommend!
I would like to thank Berkley Publishing Group & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
thephdivabooks's review against another edition
4.0
As dark and twisted as it is suspenseful, The Liar’s Room by Simon Lelic is filled with long buried secrets and worst case scenarios.
I wondered how it would feel to be in this position! Though nearly the entire book takes place in either flashbacks or a single room, the plot moved lightening fast as Susanna’s entire life and past unraveled before our eyes. With two incredible books by him that were top reads for me, Simon Lelic is officially a favorite author for me. I’m looking forward to more from him!
Reflection
What a trip this book is! For a book with almost no action (when I say nearly the whole book takes place in a single room, I mean it), this book is a wild ride with a surprisingly fast pace. The beginning of the book was positively chilling! It feels like there is something off with Adam from the first moment he enters the office, but it’s hard to say exactly what is off.
Susanna has the quiet confidence of a long-time therapist, so initially she takes his odd behavior in stride. But after awhile it becomes clear that there is something not right. And when he pulls out the photograph of Emily, even though I knew it was coming from the synopsis, I was horrified!! Can you imagine what that would feel like as a mother??
I have to say, there are some dark themes as secrets are revealed. The book delves into the past through retelling for the most part. Susanna telling Adam about the events that preceded her fleeing her life. I don’t want to spoil any of the secrets, but I’ll say there are some disturbing things that happened in Susanna’s old life! Things I could barely imagine how she must have felt. Her running away—well let’s just say I completely understood that reaction.
There are some really fascinating characters. I wish I could say more about them, but I’m not sure how to bring them up without spoiling. How about I just say, there are some first person letters and journals that will keep you on the edge of your seat when they enter the story! I won’t say whose they are or what they say, but I am still creeped out even imagining them!
As a credit to Simon Lelic, he really went there with his story telling. Hearing the voices of other characters was so pivotal to the story. Susanna and Adam were compelling, but the additional narratives are in my opinions what brought this novel from good-to-great. I finished a few days back and I’m still thinking about them!
I read this twisted story with the book besties and it was an interesting discussion, that’s for sure!!! Lots to unpack here and there are a few ways to interpret the truth of the events that unfold, which led to some great speculating and discussion.
I wondered how it would feel to be in this position! Though nearly the entire book takes place in either flashbacks or a single room, the plot moved lightening fast as Susanna’s entire life and past unraveled before our eyes. With two incredible books by him that were top reads for me, Simon Lelic is officially a favorite author for me. I’m looking forward to more from him!
Reflection
What a trip this book is! For a book with almost no action (when I say nearly the whole book takes place in a single room, I mean it), this book is a wild ride with a surprisingly fast pace. The beginning of the book was positively chilling! It feels like there is something off with Adam from the first moment he enters the office, but it’s hard to say exactly what is off.
Susanna has the quiet confidence of a long-time therapist, so initially she takes his odd behavior in stride. But after awhile it becomes clear that there is something not right. And when he pulls out the photograph of Emily, even though I knew it was coming from the synopsis, I was horrified!! Can you imagine what that would feel like as a mother??
I have to say, there are some dark themes as secrets are revealed. The book delves into the past through retelling for the most part. Susanna telling Adam about the events that preceded her fleeing her life. I don’t want to spoil any of the secrets, but I’ll say there are some disturbing things that happened in Susanna’s old life! Things I could barely imagine how she must have felt. Her running away—well let’s just say I completely understood that reaction.
There are some really fascinating characters. I wish I could say more about them, but I’m not sure how to bring them up without spoiling. How about I just say, there are some first person letters and journals that will keep you on the edge of your seat when they enter the story! I won’t say whose they are or what they say, but I am still creeped out even imagining them!
As a credit to Simon Lelic, he really went there with his story telling. Hearing the voices of other characters was so pivotal to the story. Susanna and Adam were compelling, but the additional narratives are in my opinions what brought this novel from good-to-great. I finished a few days back and I’m still thinking about them!
I read this twisted story with the book besties and it was an interesting discussion, that’s for sure!!! Lots to unpack here and there are a few ways to interpret the truth of the events that unfold, which led to some great speculating and discussion.
snippie99's review
3.0
I liked this book but I expected bigger twists. Would read from the author again though as I enjoyed the righting and dual perspective and timelines.
jcb_7's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
vandermeer's review
1.0
DNF 22%.
Voller Klischees und die Protagonistin nervt mich mit ihrem Verhalten ziemlich. Die Dialoge sind nicht gut, schon gar keine „war of wits“, was man in dieser Situation erwarten würde.
In den anderen Rezensionen hier lese ich dann von ausführlicher Tierquälerei und habe nun definitiv keine Lust, weiterzulesen…
Nachtrag; habe es überflogen. Wird nicht besser, an vielen Stellen vorhersagbar.
Voller Klischees und die Protagonistin nervt mich mit ihrem Verhalten ziemlich. Die Dialoge sind nicht gut, schon gar keine „war of wits“, was man in dieser Situation erwarten würde.
In den anderen Rezensionen hier lese ich dann von ausführlicher Tierquälerei und habe nun definitiv keine Lust, weiterzulesen…
Nachtrag; habe es überflogen. Wird nicht besser, an vielen Stellen vorhersagbar.
bookrantreviews's review
5.0
“The Liar’s Room” by Simon Lelic is a psychological thriller that wastes no time digging its claws into your attention span and holding on tight. If the story was told in first person point-of-view instead of third, Susanna and Adam would both be unreliable narrators. Neither like to reveal the truth up front. Not in their dialogue — or in Susanna’s thoughts. Their stories are engrossing, yet shrouded in a thick fog of secrets and lies that unravel in ways you can sometimes predict — but also in ways you can’t.
Lelic seems to intentionally make it easy for you to figure out some of the truth. The story is as complex as the characters. One uncovered truth seems to lead to more lies that must be unraveled to reveal another truth. His writing masterfully weaves Adam’s revelations (such as who he is) into Susanna’s secrets, and Adam’s lies (such as his mother and father loved each other) into Susanna discovering more of his truth. All the while, Lelic builds their characters so that neither one is all that likable, yet both illicit some sympathy.
Nothing comes from lies and secrets except hurt. It could be the moral of this story, but it’s also what makes Adam and Susanna compelling. They’re both liars. They’re also both victims of tragic circumstances.
In a market that’s saturated with psychological thrillers, “The Liar’s Room” stands out from the rest as one that’s true to the genre. It checks off every requirement that’s needed to make a psychological thriller. It’s full of suspense, shrouded in mystery, ripe with tension, and impossible to put down until nearly the end when the entire truth comes out.
How will Susanna and Adam deal with the aftermath?
What will happen to Emily?
You’ll have to read to find out. “The Liar’s Room” by Simon Lelic is sure to be devoured by devotees to the genre — and anyone else who makes the good choice to snag a copy of the book.
Lelic seems to intentionally make it easy for you to figure out some of the truth. The story is as complex as the characters. One uncovered truth seems to lead to more lies that must be unraveled to reveal another truth. His writing masterfully weaves Adam’s revelations (such as who he is) into Susanna’s secrets, and Adam’s lies (such as his mother and father loved each other) into Susanna discovering more of his truth. All the while, Lelic builds their characters so that neither one is all that likable, yet both illicit some sympathy.
Nothing comes from lies and secrets except hurt. It could be the moral of this story, but it’s also what makes Adam and Susanna compelling. They’re both liars. They’re also both victims of tragic circumstances.
In a market that’s saturated with psychological thrillers, “The Liar’s Room” stands out from the rest as one that’s true to the genre. It checks off every requirement that’s needed to make a psychological thriller. It’s full of suspense, shrouded in mystery, ripe with tension, and impossible to put down until nearly the end when the entire truth comes out.
How will Susanna and Adam deal with the aftermath?
What will happen to Emily?
You’ll have to read to find out. “The Liar’s Room” by Simon Lelic is sure to be devoured by devotees to the genre — and anyone else who makes the good choice to snag a copy of the book.
lost_and_found_in_words's review
4.0
I found the book un-put-down-able and finished in a couple of sittings—it’s a fast-paced read that takes you through a thrilling journey, never losing it’s grip on the story. The characters are fascinating and the author does a good job of explaining their backstories so that their actions match the personalities you created in your mind for each of them. Also, love how no character has been portrayed in black or white, all of them have some shades of gray, like people do in real life. Even Sussana’s character, which is supposed to be the “victim” of the story, at times makes you feel angry or disappointed. Overall, a compelling read!