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The Good Liar
Kate Livingston and Liza Kingsley have been best friends since their childhood in the suburbs of Chicago. They know everything about each other. Or do they?When Liza sets up the newly divorced Kate with Michael Waller, an elegant man sixteen years her senior, neither woman expects Kate to fall for him so soon. The relationship is a whirlwind that enthralls Kate…and frightens Liza. Because Liza knows she may have introduced Kate to more than her dream man; she may have unwittingly introduced her to a dangerous world of secrets.
And yet Kate marries Michael and follows him to a French-Canadian town called St. Marabel, where she begins to suspect that Michael isn't exactly who he seems. As each new suspicion arises, Kate finds herself investigating her husband, but what she doesn't know is that she's about to steer her friendship with Liza on a collision course that will race from the U.S. to Russia and from Canada to Brazil, and the betrayals she uncovers could cause the end of all of them.
And yet Kate marries Michael and follows him to a French-Canadian town called St. Marabel, where she begins to suspect that Michael isn't exactly who he seems. As each new suspicion arises, Kate finds herself investigating her husband, but what she doesn't know is that she's about to steer her friendship with Liza on a collision course that will race from the U.S. to Russia and from Canada to Brazil, and the betrayals she uncovers could cause the end of all of them.
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
17 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
About the author
Laura Caldwell
32 books165 followersLaura Caldwell is a Chicago-based lawyer turned novelist. Her first book, Burning the Map, was selected by Barnes & Noble.com as one of The Best of 2002. Following that, A Clean Slate received a starred review from Booklist. The release of The Year of Living Famously and The Night I Got Lucky prompted Booklist to declare, “Caldwell is one of the most talented and inventive...writers around.”
Laura began publishing thrillers and suspense novels in 2005. Her debut mystery, Look Closely, received critical acclaim and The Chicago Sun-Times called The Rome Affair “Caldwell’s most exciting book yet…a summer must-read.” The Rome Affair, which centers around a Chicago society couple riding a roller coaster of infidelity, blackmail and murder, pulled Laura into a real-life, highly-profiled murder trial involving a 19-year old suspect forced into a confession and wrongfully jailed for a crime he did not commit. Laura became one of the attorneys who represented the suspect pro bono, resulting in a not-guilty verdict.
Laura's newest is an international thriller, The Good Liar. Bestselling author Ken Bruen calls it "a massive achievement." Publisher's Weekly lauds it as "a taut, enjoyable thriller." And New York Times bestselling author James Rollins said, "THE GOOD LIAR strikes like an assassin's bullet: sudden, swift, precise, deadly. Here is a taut international thriller certain to keep readers breathless and awake until the wee hours of the morning. Not to be missed." Her work has been translated into ten languages and published in over twenty countries.
Before beginning her writing career, Laura was a trial attorney, specializing in medical malpractice defense and entertainment law. She is published in the legal field and is currently an Adjunct Professor of Law at her alma mater, Loyola University Chicago, where she teaches Advanced Writing for Litigation. She recently received the St. Robert Bellarmine award for distinguished contributions to the profession and the Loyola School of Law. In the summer of 2008, she will be teaching International Criminal Law at Loyola's campus in Rome, Italy.
Laura is also a freelance magazine writer. Her work has been published in Chicago Magazine, Woman's Own, The Young Lawyer, Lake Magazine, Australia Woman's Weekly, Shore Magazine and others. Her work can also be seen in Everything I Needed to Know About Being A Girl I Learned From Judy Blume (Pocket Books, 2007), It's A Wonderful Lie: Truth About Life In Your Twenties (Warner, 2006), Girl's Night In II (Red Dress Ink, 2006) Flirting With Pride & Prejudice (BenBella Books, 2005) and Welcome to Wisteria Lane: On America's Favorite Desperate Housewives (BenBella Books, 2006).
Laura began publishing thrillers and suspense novels in 2005. Her debut mystery, Look Closely, received critical acclaim and The Chicago Sun-Times called The Rome Affair “Caldwell’s most exciting book yet…a summer must-read.” The Rome Affair, which centers around a Chicago society couple riding a roller coaster of infidelity, blackmail and murder, pulled Laura into a real-life, highly-profiled murder trial involving a 19-year old suspect forced into a confession and wrongfully jailed for a crime he did not commit. Laura became one of the attorneys who represented the suspect pro bono, resulting in a not-guilty verdict.
Laura's newest is an international thriller, The Good Liar. Bestselling author Ken Bruen calls it "a massive achievement." Publisher's Weekly lauds it as "a taut, enjoyable thriller." And New York Times bestselling author James Rollins said, "THE GOOD LIAR strikes like an assassin's bullet: sudden, swift, precise, deadly. Here is a taut international thriller certain to keep readers breathless and awake until the wee hours of the morning. Not to be missed." Her work has been translated into ten languages and published in over twenty countries.
Before beginning her writing career, Laura was a trial attorney, specializing in medical malpractice defense and entertainment law. She is published in the legal field and is currently an Adjunct Professor of Law at her alma mater, Loyola University Chicago, where she teaches Advanced Writing for Litigation. She recently received the St. Robert Bellarmine award for distinguished contributions to the profession and the Loyola School of Law. In the summer of 2008, she will be teaching International Criminal Law at Loyola's campus in Rome, Italy.
Laura is also a freelance magazine writer. Her work has been published in Chicago Magazine, Woman's Own, The Young Lawyer, Lake Magazine, Australia Woman's Weekly, Shore Magazine and others. Her work can also be seen in Everything I Needed to Know About Being A Girl I Learned From Judy Blume (Pocket Books, 2007), It's A Wonderful Lie: Truth About Life In Your Twenties (Warner, 2006), Girl's Night In II (Red Dress Ink, 2006) Flirting With Pride & Prejudice (BenBella Books, 2005) and Welcome to Wisteria Lane: On America's Favorite Desperate Housewives (BenBella Books, 2006).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
January 11, 2017
First 300 pages were almost tedious, a lot of back story and jumping around. The last 100 pages were excellent.
I first read this in 2009. The ending was so good that I gave it 5 stars. A few years later I started to reread it and was bored. I quit at 124 pages. So now in 2017 I thought I’ll give it one more try and reread the whole thing. Below is my revised thinking.
An private organization (the Trust) acts like the CIA. They gather intelligence and kill people who are dangerous to U.S. interests. Michael and Liza are two operatives for the Trust. Liza’s best friend is Kate. Liza suggests Kate and Michael meet for a few dates. They immediately fall in love and marry. Michael and Liza must keep secrets from Kate about the Trust.
The first 300 pages are mostly different back stories about Michael and Liza and things they did for the Trust. It’s not exciting or intriguing, but I knew the ending would be good so I made myself stay with it. There is a one-dimensional bad guy at the top doing some really bad things. The last 100 pages are very good, with some unexpected things.
I didn’t like all the back and forth jumping around in the back stories. I wish the author had bigger chunks of each back story before switching to another.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 1st person Kate, 3rd person other characters. Story length: 401 pages. Swearing language: strong. Sexual language: none to mild. Number of sex scenes: about 5. Setting: 35 years ago and present day Illinois, Canada, Brazil, Russia and other places around the world. Copyright: 2008. Genre: romantic suspense thriller.
OTHER BOOKS:
I’ve read the following Laura Caldwell books.
3 stars. The Good Liar. Copyright 2008.
3 stars. The Rome Affair. Copyright 2006.
3 stars. Red Hot Lies. Copyright 2009.
I first read this in 2009. The ending was so good that I gave it 5 stars. A few years later I started to reread it and was bored. I quit at 124 pages. So now in 2017 I thought I’ll give it one more try and reread the whole thing. Below is my revised thinking.
An private organization (the Trust) acts like the CIA. They gather intelligence and kill people who are dangerous to U.S. interests. Michael and Liza are two operatives for the Trust. Liza’s best friend is Kate. Liza suggests Kate and Michael meet for a few dates. They immediately fall in love and marry. Michael and Liza must keep secrets from Kate about the Trust.
The first 300 pages are mostly different back stories about Michael and Liza and things they did for the Trust. It’s not exciting or intriguing, but I knew the ending would be good so I made myself stay with it. There is a one-dimensional bad guy at the top doing some really bad things. The last 100 pages are very good, with some unexpected things.
I didn’t like all the back and forth jumping around in the back stories. I wish the author had bigger chunks of each back story before switching to another.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 1st person Kate, 3rd person other characters. Story length: 401 pages. Swearing language: strong. Sexual language: none to mild. Number of sex scenes: about 5. Setting: 35 years ago and present day Illinois, Canada, Brazil, Russia and other places around the world. Copyright: 2008. Genre: romantic suspense thriller.
OTHER BOOKS:
I’ve read the following Laura Caldwell books.
3 stars. The Good Liar. Copyright 2008.
3 stars. The Rome Affair. Copyright 2006.
3 stars. Red Hot Lies. Copyright 2009.
January 31, 2020
It’s actually a good read. Fast-paced which is completely opposite of the reviews I read about it. If not for so much cliches, I would have rated it 4 stars.
January 16, 2010
This book came to me through my "Read-n-Swap" group. I was in the mood for a spy thriller. This author's writing really held my attention. I loved the twists and turns in the story. I also enjoyed the change of narriators in this book. I would recommend this book to readers who are looking for a thriller with a touch of romance.
April 30, 2015
This was the old "I married a spy and didn't know" type of story. It was a good read but nothing to knock my socks off. Lovely flowing writing and I enjoyed Kate's growth in character and strength as the book progressed. Would probably make a great movie.
November 22, 2019
The first 198 pages of The Good Liar were mind-numbingly boring. It took loads of endurance and stamina for me to get through them. I kept telling myself, "Certainly this'll pick up. Things will get more interesting. Any second now . . ." There was a ton of back and forth—36 years earlier, 4 months earlier, 12 years earlier—and jumping around geographically—Illinois, Canada, Brazil, Chicago—super hard to follow. And the not-very-interesting characters all have multiple names, making things even more difficult.
Once I hit page 199, I finally had a reason to keep going (though not a great one). The story picks up, we finally have a plot, and I'm slightly intrigued.
I decided to read this book because I had previously enjoyed a Laura Caldwell story, and, of all her books on GoodReads, this one had the highest rating. Guess you can't always trust the reviews.
Once I hit page 199, I finally had a reason to keep going (though not a great one). The story picks up, we finally have a plot, and I'm slightly intrigued.
I decided to read this book because I had previously enjoyed a Laura Caldwell story, and, of all her books on GoodReads, this one had the highest rating. Guess you can't always trust the reviews.
July 25, 2023
Kept me engaged from start to finish. Enjoyed the intriguing elements. Each character has something to hide. Many twists, turns, surprises, and reveals. Makes you wonder about people you thought you’ve known for years. And what lengths someone will go to to hide their past. Do our choices inevitably catch up to us in the end? Are we doomed to fate and is it too late to change? Great questions are brought up that hang in the air. Recommend to those who enjoy a good mystery.
September 15, 2017
Brainless read. Repetitive at times, a little frustrating (like eye roll frustrating) but a quick easy read. Loved the Red Hot and Dead series, wish she'd write more. This didn't compare, but still better than many other chick thriller novels. Would have been good for a weekend at the beach.
September 1, 2019
Very good thriller that kept me turning the pages. What an ending!
September 24, 2021
Didn't find the characters believable and the ending lacked the payoff that I kept hoping for as I pushed through.
November 6, 2022
I loved this book!!!
June 9, 2023
Started out confusing at 1st. Back & forth between the 3 main people—- then got good
July 15, 2013
Reread The Good Liar and found it especially enjoyable amid reports about NSA surveillance. "The Trust ... really flourished after Watergate, after laws were passed that curtailed the NSA, CIA and FBI.... It had been simple to design false intel to make it look as if Naponi was supporting Muslim terrorists who would soon target the United States.... The Trust was supposed to be a watchdog, a silent protector of the United States.... When had the organization begun to slip?"
Institutions that allow the ends to justify the means are ripe for abuse by unscrupulous and greedy individuals.
Caldwell mixes up the points of view among husband/wife Michael and Kate, Trust operatives Liza and Roger - those who believe the ends can justify the means and others who adamantly reject that lying or killing could have a good purpose - so the reader is always just a step ahead of her characters' suspicions. The writing is sharp, snappy, with no wasted words and a great solid summer read - particularly this summer.
Institutions that allow the ends to justify the means are ripe for abuse by unscrupulous and greedy individuals.
Caldwell mixes up the points of view among husband/wife Michael and Kate, Trust operatives Liza and Roger - those who believe the ends can justify the means and others who adamantly reject that lying or killing could have a good purpose - so the reader is always just a step ahead of her characters' suspicions. The writing is sharp, snappy, with no wasted words and a great solid summer read - particularly this summer.
April 29, 2023
This is not my usual genre of choice, but i needed something different & not heavy to fill some space between my usual books.
I went into this book not expecting much, but the book was a smooth read.
I would say it is a good solid read for this genre. Would i read more by this author? Sure, if i need another filler book. Like i said it is not my genre, but she is a smooth writer, much smoother than some of the "big" name authors out there.
I am giving it a good solid 2.5 stars, which i am torn as to how to rate it... it is not my genre of choice...but it kept my interest all the way through, so i feel it does deserve a three star rating.
I have to say though I didn't really like the two main female characters... I just never really warmed up to them, I did feel the plot was twisted & turned nicely & towards the end when i thought it was getting a tad predictable, there was a nice curve ball that was twisted in & seemed to fit the storyline.
I went into this book not expecting much, but the book was a smooth read.
I would say it is a good solid read for this genre. Would i read more by this author? Sure, if i need another filler book. Like i said it is not my genre, but she is a smooth writer, much smoother than some of the "big" name authors out there.
I am giving it a good solid 2.5 stars, which i am torn as to how to rate it... it is not my genre of choice...but it kept my interest all the way through, so i feel it does deserve a three star rating.
I have to say though I didn't really like the two main female characters... I just never really warmed up to them, I did feel the plot was twisted & turned nicely & towards the end when i thought it was getting a tad predictable, there was a nice curve ball that was twisted in & seemed to fit the storyline.
September 1, 2008
Quoted from my review @ http://misscz.wordpress.com
Comments: Though Kate was the main character of the book, I was more interested in Liza. I was never worried that Kate and Michael’s relationship would fall apart beyond repair. But Liza’s journey — and Michael’s professional quandaries — had me turning the pages. That doesn’t mean I thought Kate was unnecessary to the story. Far from it. As Liza’s best friend and the love of Micheal’s life, many of their actions are influenced by their feelings for her.
I thought the book was fast-paced, and it wouldn’t have taken me as long to read as it seems, if I hadn’t stopped reading 3/4 through. I was behind with my reviews, and I was in danger of becoming even more behind. Even with the reading break, I was able to get right back into the story.
Comments: Though Kate was the main character of the book, I was more interested in Liza. I was never worried that Kate and Michael’s relationship would fall apart beyond repair. But Liza’s journey — and Michael’s professional quandaries — had me turning the pages. That doesn’t mean I thought Kate was unnecessary to the story. Far from it. As Liza’s best friend and the love of Micheal’s life, many of their actions are influenced by their feelings for her.
I thought the book was fast-paced, and it wouldn’t have taken me as long to read as it seems, if I hadn’t stopped reading 3/4 through. I was behind with my reviews, and I was in danger of becoming even more behind. Even with the reading break, I was able to get right back into the story.
November 20, 2008
Got a bit predictable, but it was fun most of the way through.
*******
A quick (and I didn't think that was possible anymore!) read. Not earth-shattering yet, but a fun novel of intrigue, international spies, james bond-ish and written by a woman so not full of most of the too-technical jargon that a lot of spy novels get mired in (in my most humble opinion.) I'm especially excited by how FAST of a book it is. I've read over 150 pages since Sunday! And I've not spent a lot of time reading it either. I'll let you know how it is in the end.
*******
A quick (and I didn't think that was possible anymore!) read. Not earth-shattering yet, but a fun novel of intrigue, international spies, james bond-ish and written by a woman so not full of most of the too-technical jargon that a lot of spy novels get mired in (in my most humble opinion.) I'm especially excited by how FAST of a book it is. I've read over 150 pages since Sunday! And I've not spent a lot of time reading it either. I'll let you know how it is in the end.
August 19, 2013
This book was a quick exciting read. The characters are really well developed, but are portrayed as fairly clueless at times though they are supposed to be very smart. Locales are well described without being overdone or seeming clunky. The build is not slow and the hunger to know more about what is happening makes this a real page turner. With lots of twists and turns this book was really engrossing and I would recommend it to fans of mystery and espionage novels.
April 3, 2016
Kate's recovering from her divorce when her best friend Liza introduces her to Michael. Kate and Michael hit it off, so well that they marry, with Liza was maid-of-honor. It isn't long before Kate is beginning to wonder what she's done. Life with Michael is odd, he's away too much, he seems to have meetings with unusual people, he always wants to walk and talk, and what's with those odd white discs that are on the window sills?
May 15, 2008
I rarely read thrillers (probably hadn't since I was 13), but this was another that I read for my book club, and I found that writers outside the thriller genre can learn a lot about pacing and tautness from reading these books. Even as I was claiming such books are not really "my thing," boy did I keep turning the pages . . . It was like reading General Hospital or something! Decadent fun.
October 2, 2008
Romantic suspense - stand alone
Excellent international thriller ... off-the-books private CIA-like organization.
Solid, complex plot, kept me guessing, lots of twists ... hard to put down!
Locations from Chicago to Montreal to Russia, Finland, Rio ... let's see how long I can go before I read the other romantic suspense this versatile author has written!
Excellent international thriller ... off-the-books private CIA-like organization.
Solid, complex plot, kept me guessing, lots of twists ... hard to put down!
Locations from Chicago to Montreal to Russia, Finland, Rio ... let's see how long I can go before I read the other romantic suspense this versatile author has written!
May 26, 2013
The Good Liar was an intriguing book to read. It was hard to put down once I got into the swing of it, but I am so glad I bought this book! I am a big fan of Laura Caldwell and she did not disappoint with this book. The secrets, the psychotic attitude of one of the Trust's board members, to hopefully having it all work at the end, was just fantastic!
June 10, 2013
A real page-turner! Kate meets Michael, who unbeknownst to her is not really who he appears to be. Michael is a member of The Trust, an organization that attempts to eliminate people who are a threat to the United States. The action travels from Chicago to St. Marabel, Canada, to Rio and to Moscow. No one is who or what they appear to be. A surprise ending clinches an exciting story.
February 28, 2014
Not the highest quality literature that I've ever read, but an involving conspiracy nonetheless. There's espionage, romance, revenge and a thick plot - until the last 20 pages. Just a little disappointed at how this wrapped up.
May 3, 2016
Definitely a thrilling page turner. Called a 'suspenser' in reviews, this lightweight mystery has a plot that is pretty tricky and nicely played out. Lots of 'aha' moments, likeable characters in Kate, Michael and Liza. Various settings round out the storyline and the conclusion is well done.
June 26, 2022
The author used aliases, changes in locals and flashbacks effectively. I could follow easily, and it kept me riveted. I read another title by this author, part of a series, and this is far superior.
April 15, 2008
Read a few lines...& never put it down until it was over...very well done.
October 19, 2008
The story interesting if not earth shattering. A good solid story but nothing extraordinary.
March 22, 2010
This book was pretty suspenseful and I enjoyed it. It was not quite as good as her book Clean Slate which I highly recommend.
May 31, 2012
A quick and easy read that never gets convoluted! Great writing!
October 17, 2012
Very suspenseful.. Very good interesting read and I normally don't enjoy spy type books .
July 20, 2013
Just not interesting enough. Easy read but doesn't keep me engaged. Disappointing because I loved her other book "Burning the Map."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews