Not much has happened in the sleepy coastal town of Bullford Point for over fifty years – until Joe Griffiths returns from Sydney after serving time in prison. Kind-hearted handywoman Barb Young takes him on as a helper, and she finds him to be good company while she adjusts to life after her husband of thirty-one years has left her, out of the blue, for another woman. Joe has had his troubles with addiction and crime but seems to be turning his life around.
But then another new resident, a young woman, is murdered, and Joe is the prime suspect. Even more so, when he is found dead of a supposed drug overdose. Case closed. But have outside police got it wrong? Barb is convinced they have, and she joins forces with Seb, the lone policeman in town, to investigate the case. It seems everyone is lying, and these two deaths seem somehow linked to other crimes, both past and present.
Liars is intriguing and mysterious, a crime novel full of surprises. The best part of this novel is the excellent characters. There is a believable ensemble of characters who have a long history with each other, which makes the story multi-layered and richer. Barb, in particular, is a standout, a real character to love. She doesn’t give up in her pursuit of the truth and to clear Joe’s name. I hope there will be a sequel in the future. I’d love to read more books with Barb centre stage.
Reviewer: Karen McMillan
Echo Publishing
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