Liza's Secrets: A Cape Cod Thriller

by Iris Glazner Leigh

“In Liza's Secrets, everyone has a secret, and some are about to explode.” –Jacquelyn Mitchard, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Good Son

What happened to Franny Blackman? Franny is now Liza Kasner and is hiding in Chatham on Cape Cod. This newly minted blonde escaped from suburban New Jersey with her cat in the middle of the night. As she settles into the off-season beach resort, people from her hometown keep appearing. Can she lie well enough to keep her abusive husband, Barry, off her trail?

The longer Liza stays in Chatham, the more she falls in love with the place. Jeff, a promising romantic interest, is determined to do anything to make Liza happy, even finding the perfect bagel for her.

However, Barry owes big money to his business partners. He needs his wife dead to collect her life insurance to pay them back. Just as Liza begins to feel safe, Barry finds her. Can she stop him before time runs out?

Liza's Secrets is a fast-paced domestic suspense set in idyllic Chatham. Iris Leigh's page-turner is told with juxtaposing tension and humor. Its a fun read and should be in every beach bag and book club list. What would you do if you had to hide and had no place to go?

Genres: Mystery

285 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 4, 2024

Reviews

[Niamh McAnally · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pulsating story about a woman on the run. You can feel her anxiety throughout the pages. And even when she lands in the scenic town of Chatham in Cape Cod who can she really trust? The author will keep you guessing until the end.

Those who enjoyed Nicolas Spark's book Safe Haven will enjoy reading Liza's Secrets.
Looking forward to seeing what happens next in Liza's journey.

[DL Heim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is “cozy mystery/romance/thriller” a thing? If so, Iris Glazner Leigh’s debut novel Liza’s Secrets is such a thing. We follow the story of Liza Krasner, our brave but awkward heroine who sheds her past as abused wife Franny Blackman. Despite her need to hide her identity, Liza’s open, generous nature allows her to create a new community of human and feline friends old and new. This stands in stark contrast to her husband Barry, a smooth-talking grifter willing to blow up relationships for the next shiny deal. His buffoonish menace provides just enough danger to keep the novel’s easygoing plot moving forward. As with all novels in the “cozy” genre, a sense of place is paramount, and this book does not disappoint. The village of Chatham on Cape Cod during the off-season provides more than a backdrop – the beaches, lobster shacks, and quirky inhabitants act as one of the characters in the story. A perfect beach read!

[Ruth Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Liza’s Secrets, an appealing combination of thriller and beach read, our heroine has changed her name and identity to flee her murderous husband. We follow Liza on her escape to the charmingly portrayed off-season Cape Cod, where she is determined to reinvent herself and shed her past life.

I read this book in 24 hours. Iris Glazner Leigh’s prose is polished and taut, the action moves along at a fast pace, and I was compelled to keep going to find out how Liza’s journey would conclude. We toggle back and forth between her point-of-view and that of husband Barry as the tension mounts and they move toward an inevitable confrontation. Fortunately, there’s a lot more Liza than Barry, since the villainous slimeball husband is not someone we want to spend a lot of time with. Liza is engaging and sympathetic, flawed but complex as she forges new relationships and faces new challenges. I thought I knew how the plot would resolve, but I encountered many surprises along the way!

[Peggy Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liza Kasner, a suburban housewife on the run from her abusive husband, lands in Cape Cod during the off-season. A college English teacher, she has to learn minimum-wage skills to pay the rent for a tiny cottage and for food for herself and her cat and only friend, Licorice. A fish-out-of-water with no one to turn to, Liza first meets Jeff, handsome but inscrutable; others in the community befriend her over time. As does another cat, Zeus. The setting is wonderful. The tension is high. And the cats are awesome. The ex-husband is a bit over-the-top for my taste. I read an advance copy provided by the author, but this review is freely given because the twists and turns kept me reading.

[Gail Olmsted · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liza's Secrets is a well-written novel that is part domestic thriller and part cozy mystery, with a dash of a woman's emotional journey that holds it all together. On the run from an emotionally abusive husband who is plotting to kill her, the pampered housewife seeks refuge in off-season Cape Cod. Short on money, she waits tables and sells over-priced clothing at a boutique and hunkers down in a run-down cottage. There she meets an inn-keeper who may have a few secrets of his own. Hiding in plain sight isn't foolproof and her psychopathic husband Barry shows up ready to end things by any means possible. Fast-paced with well-developed characters. Definitely recommend!

[Bookish · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was more like a 2.5 star read that I rounded up because I loved that the book was set in Chatham, on Cape Cod, and I got to meet the author and purchased a signed copy from her. I would say that the book is more like a cozy mystery and romance than an actual thriller. Most of the main characters, even the FMC Liza, were fairly unlikable, and the writing read more like a YA novel to me. That being said, if you are looking for an easy beach read about a woman starting over in a small, idyllic coastal town, give it a chance!

[Cam Torrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers go grab Iris Glazner Leigh’s debut domestic suspense novel “Liza’s Secrets!” Set against the tranquil backdrop of off-season Chatham, Cape Cod, Leigh’s book seamlessly blends the terror of an abusive marriage with the self-deprecating humor of a woman rediscovering herself. The author’s juxtaposition of a protagonist of depth against an antagonist with none creates so much tension the book is impossible to put down. A remarkable debut for an author to keep your eyes on!

[A.J. McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This well-written novel dunks us directly into the setting of Cape Cod in the off-season, immersing us in the vibe of a relaxing seaside town. But the subject is anything but relaxing. Liza is on the run from an abusive husband and frantically worries that he’ll find her. The friends and the connections she make along the way help her grow as a person. Filled with tension and interesting characters, I look forward to the next installment in this series. A great read!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

When is the next one coming? I found this book so engaging, I read it all day! This debut writer really knows how to write a light mystery so the reader can’t put it down! Each character is well-drawn and at first I really didn’t know who to trust….just like Liza. And I liked her so much and was truly repulsed by her husband. I just wish the second book were available now! Terrific debut writer who I’ll definitely be following!

[C. Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read, with some typos! I added some comments as I read, but can't now recall them! Why did Goodreads stop providing access to them at this stage?
I did like the fact that this book comes across as truly "one in a series", unlike some that are really serials! Yes, one is left with a couple of questions, but nothing that requires purchasing further books.
If I could, I would have given the book 4.5!

[G.A. Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definite Sleeping With Enemy vibe! This poor woman has to disappear in order to save herself from a creepy husband. I loved the setting, and the way she kept "almost" getting caught. You can tell the author is very familiar with the area, so I was able to immerse myself in the surroundings. Good job! I enjoyed the book.

[Sharon Leff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable.

Not the best, but well above average on its setting. Perfect for a beach read. Franny/Liza adapts well, if unsteadily. Her husband is flat stereotype, with zero redeeming character, easy to loathe.

Madcap plot, creative conversations, and superb setting deliver a fun, fast read.

The resolution and irony of circumstances delivers.

[Maryellen Linder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delimma Ahead

I enjoyed reading this book. It made me realize that some people definitely worry too much. I despised Barry which is a credit to the author making him so despicable and making the reader feel it. I would recommend it if you are looking for a quick interesting read to pass the time.

[Peggy Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Okay Read

Lisa's emotional growth arc gave emphasis to the steady deterioration of her husband. Excellent writing on that point. However, Ms. Leigh left a storyline hanging -- who is Doc? This is a ploy to keep readers buying more books. Understandable, but I dislike it. I won't continue this series.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A marriage gone wrong and a devilish husband lead Liza to flee. Despite her best laid plans, our hero runs into a maze of complications and near misses, all of which keep the reader anxious and excited and second guessing and cheering for Liza.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liza runs away from her husband and former life to hide out in Cape Cod. Will she be able to hide from her abusive husband ? or will her luck run out and he finds her? This book was more of a romantic suspense book then a thriller. Very chill book to read by the pool this summer. I enjoyed it !

[diannscollins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Domestic Abuse

Granny finally decides she's had enough. She needed a new name and social security number so she could get away from Barry, an abusive jerk husband. How long before he finds her?

[Mitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful characters really makes this a great thriller. Keeps you on the edge of your seat.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can’t believe that this is the author’s first book. It was well written, nicely paced and fun. I loved the description of taking a left on Rt. 28 during the summer. Rookie mistake! lol

[Janee · Rating 3 out of 5]

An engaging story that made me want to keep going. Some interesting characters and some that are not as well developed. Interesting plot twists to keep the reader intrigued.

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book but wasn’t feeling the romance that much it felt like one minute their friends the next their in love

[Nardine · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Felt like a cosy mystery

[sharon guymer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read..

[helen lawrence · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just bad. Poorly written with an almost juvenile use of the English language and portrayal of conversations between 2 people, real or imagined. Ending contrived and implausible.

[Forenza · Rating 1 out of 5]

predicable beach read

I love the setting. However, the events and plot are extremely predictable. I really wish it was an actual “thriller.“

[Sonia Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining

This book was enthralling and engaging. It kept my attention from beginning to end with all its great twists and turns.