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Broussard and Fourcade #3
Bad Liar
Was it an accident? Or was it murder?
Marc Mercier appears to have it all - a successful business man with a loving family who has risen above his upbringing. So when he vanishes while on a hunting trip in the Atchafalaya Basin, the mystery appears to be nothing more than a tragic accident.
But all is not what it seems in Marc Mercier's life. As detectives launch the investigation into his death, the picture of his perfect life begins to unravel. Family members begin to make accusations, his wife and best friend change their stories, and the police are left floundering as the secrets begin to pile up.
The clock is ticking - can detectives Nick and Annie discover the truth before someone else ends up as a case number?
The gripping new thriller from New York Times bestseller Tami Hoag.
Marc Mercier appears to have it all - a successful business man with a loving family who has risen above his upbringing. So when he vanishes while on a hunting trip in the Atchafalaya Basin, the mystery appears to be nothing more than a tragic accident.
But all is not what it seems in Marc Mercier's life. As detectives launch the investigation into his death, the picture of his perfect life begins to unravel. Family members begin to make accusations, his wife and best friend change their stories, and the police are left floundering as the secrets begin to pile up.
The clock is ticking - can detectives Nick and Annie discover the truth before someone else ends up as a case number?
The gripping new thriller from New York Times bestseller Tami Hoag.
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First published September 24, 2024
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About the author
Tami Hoag
100 books6,135 followersTami Hoag is the #1 internationally bestselling author of more than thirty books published in more than thirty languages worldwide, including her latest thrillers—BITTER SEASON, COLD COLD HEART and THE 9TH GIRL. Renowned for combining thrilling plots with character-driven suspense, Hoag first hit the New York Times Bestseller list with NIGHT SINS, and each of her books since has been a bestseller.
She leads a double life in Palm Beach County, Florida where she is also known as a top competitive equestrian in the Olympic discipline of dressage. Other interests include the study of psychology, and mixed martial arts fighting.
Visit her at www.tamihoag.com, Facebook.com/TamiHoag and on Twitter @TamiHoag
She leads a double life in Palm Beach County, Florida where she is also known as a top competitive equestrian in the Olympic discipline of dressage. Other interests include the study of psychology, and mixed martial arts fighting.
Visit her at www.tamihoag.com, Facebook.com/TamiHoag and on Twitter @TamiHoag
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 626 reviews
September 15, 2024
Tami Hoag’s latest novel in the Broussard and Fourcade series,
Bad Liar,
is a suspenseful crime thriller and police procedural that pulls on the heart strings at times. Multiple cases are keeping the sheriff’s detectives in Partout Parish, Louisiana busy. A murder victim that will be hard to identify has been dumped on a country road. Lieutenant Nick Fourcade’s only lead becomes the missing hometown hero who came home to help the family business after the death of his father. Meanwhile Nick’s wife and detective Annie Broussard, takes on the case of a missing son who has been in and out of jail and rehab facilities for the last ten years.
Nick is intense, somewhat overprotective at times, and has mentored others in the department. Annie feels she needs to be useful to mankind, is good at reading people, loves her job, but occasionally experiences situational anxiety. She also tends to speak her mind and does what she thinks is right.
The author has written a novel that quickly pulls readers into the story once they get past the first chapter which seemed disjointed as it moved rapidly from scene to scene. The gripping narrative gave excellent insight into the challenges the police and secondary characters faced. Hoag balances the unflinching reality of small-town challenges, addiction, domestic abuse, and murder with family, obligations, loyalty, and the desire to help others. The story is twisty, atmospheric, and is sprinkled with local dialect. It’s heartbreaking at times, and riveting throughout. Hoag brings to life compelling characters who are emotionally rich, and she does the same for the steamy Louisiana bayous. The world-building is well-done and added to the unsettling atmosphere. The pacing picks up substantially during the last third of the novel.
Hoag does an excellent job of showing how family and friendship dramas and loyalty can have far-reaching effects on others. She also does a good job of making readers consider the terms retribution and justice. A dialect glossary has been provided at the end of the novel.
Overall, this was an intense, engaging, and emotional thriller filled with surprises around each corner. If you enjoy police procedurals and crime thrillers, then I recommend that you check out this one. While this can be read as a standalone novel, reading the earlier books will provide more background and show how the characters have grown over time. I am looking forward to finding out this author writes next.
PENGUIN GROUP Dutton - Dutton and Tami Hoag provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for September 24, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.3 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Nick is intense, somewhat overprotective at times, and has mentored others in the department. Annie feels she needs to be useful to mankind, is good at reading people, loves her job, but occasionally experiences situational anxiety. She also tends to speak her mind and does what she thinks is right.
The author has written a novel that quickly pulls readers into the story once they get past the first chapter which seemed disjointed as it moved rapidly from scene to scene. The gripping narrative gave excellent insight into the challenges the police and secondary characters faced. Hoag balances the unflinching reality of small-town challenges, addiction, domestic abuse, and murder with family, obligations, loyalty, and the desire to help others. The story is twisty, atmospheric, and is sprinkled with local dialect. It’s heartbreaking at times, and riveting throughout. Hoag brings to life compelling characters who are emotionally rich, and she does the same for the steamy Louisiana bayous. The world-building is well-done and added to the unsettling atmosphere. The pacing picks up substantially during the last third of the novel.
Hoag does an excellent job of showing how family and friendship dramas and loyalty can have far-reaching effects on others. She also does a good job of making readers consider the terms retribution and justice. A dialect glossary has been provided at the end of the novel.
Overall, this was an intense, engaging, and emotional thriller filled with surprises around each corner. If you enjoy police procedurals and crime thrillers, then I recommend that you check out this one. While this can be read as a standalone novel, reading the earlier books will provide more background and show how the characters have grown over time. I am looking forward to finding out this author writes next.
PENGUIN GROUP Dutton - Dutton and Tami Hoag provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for September 24, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.3 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
September 16, 2024
Nick and Annie are one of my favorite fiction couples, right up there with Eve and Roarke. I am so glad that Tami Hoag is continuing this series, I hope she decides to never end it! This story keeps you riveted from page one and doesn't give up its secrets easily. Just when I thought I had it sorted the story takes a different path. Twisty as the waterways in the bayou where this plot is set, mysteries don't get much better than this one.
On a moonlit night in the dark swamp of the bayou a boat glides deep into the wilderness on a mission. Miles away a desperate mother surveils the squalid home of her son. In a wealthier part of town, a wife celebrates her birthday, alone, in a place she never wanted to be. In a different place two lovers celebrate being alive and together.
The next morning Nick Fourcade is summoned to the scene of a gruesome murder and thus begins an investigation that will challenge and frustrate him when the victim's identity is unknown and there are precious few clues to follow. That same morning Annie Broussard enters the sheriff's station for the first time in months feeling ready to tackle someone else's problems besides her own. She meets B'Lynn Fontenot whose adult son, Robbie, is missing, and no one will help her because he is a former drug addict and what does she expect? Annie decides B'Lynn needs answers as to what happened to her son, no matter how it ends.
Following the only real clue his victim gave him; Nick encounters the family of what turns out to be another missing person. Hometown hero Marc Mercier has been missing for several days and his mother is sure his Yankee wife has killed him. Nick needs to arrest her: Now. Even with no evidence and no body. Marc left a lucrative job up north to assist his family's business when his father got sick and then died. His wife never fit in. Deep animosity exists within this family.
Robbie Fontenot and Marc Mercier both disappeared shortly after the Halloween Monster Bash but that is not the only connection they have.
My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
On a moonlit night in the dark swamp of the bayou a boat glides deep into the wilderness on a mission. Miles away a desperate mother surveils the squalid home of her son. In a wealthier part of town, a wife celebrates her birthday, alone, in a place she never wanted to be. In a different place two lovers celebrate being alive and together.
The next morning Nick Fourcade is summoned to the scene of a gruesome murder and thus begins an investigation that will challenge and frustrate him when the victim's identity is unknown and there are precious few clues to follow. That same morning Annie Broussard enters the sheriff's station for the first time in months feeling ready to tackle someone else's problems besides her own. She meets B'Lynn Fontenot whose adult son, Robbie, is missing, and no one will help her because he is a former drug addict and what does she expect? Annie decides B'Lynn needs answers as to what happened to her son, no matter how it ends.
Following the only real clue his victim gave him; Nick encounters the family of what turns out to be another missing person. Hometown hero Marc Mercier has been missing for several days and his mother is sure his Yankee wife has killed him. Nick needs to arrest her: Now. Even with no evidence and no body. Marc left a lucrative job up north to assist his family's business when his father got sick and then died. His wife never fit in. Deep animosity exists within this family.
Robbie Fontenot and Marc Mercier both disappeared shortly after the Halloween Monster Bash but that is not the only connection they have.
My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
October 19, 2024
Sheriff's Detective Nick Fourcade was called to the edge of the bayou where a man's body had been found, his face missing from a shotgun wound. With no identification on him, he would remain at the morgue while tests were run. Meanwhile, Nick's wife, sheriff's Detective Annie Broussard, had returned to work after her recuperation from a past case, and was on the scene when a distressed mother entered the police station, begging for help. B’Lynn Fontenot's son had gone missing, and yes, he was an adult, but she knew something bad had happened. With the local police having no interest in her fears, Annie decided to help B'Lynn. Then Nick was handed another missing person's case - were either of the two men the guy in the morgue?
As Annie and Nick followed their cases, the frustration built on both sides. There was much to find, with secrets held close to chests and no one willing to spill. Would they discover who the dead man was; where the two missing men were? What a return to work for Annie!
Bad Liar is the 3rd in the Broussard and Fourcade series by Tami Hoag and I enjoyed it very much. I haven't read a Tami Hoag in a lot of years - I have 3 unread on my physical shelf here at home which have been there for a long time. I also haven't read books #1 or #2 in this series, but Bad Liar reads perfectly fine as a standalone. Annie is an exceptional character, as is Nick. I love his contrasting characters - soft, kind and gentle at home with Annie and their five year old son, while tough, steely and not willing to take any crap while on the job. A very entertaining crime thriller, Bad Liar is one I recommend highly.
With thanks to Hachette AU for my ARC to read and review.
As Annie and Nick followed their cases, the frustration built on both sides. There was much to find, with secrets held close to chests and no one willing to spill. Would they discover who the dead man was; where the two missing men were? What a return to work for Annie!
Bad Liar is the 3rd in the Broussard and Fourcade series by Tami Hoag and I enjoyed it very much. I haven't read a Tami Hoag in a lot of years - I have 3 unread on my physical shelf here at home which have been there for a long time. I also haven't read books #1 or #2 in this series, but Bad Liar reads perfectly fine as a standalone. Annie is an exceptional character, as is Nick. I love his contrasting characters - soft, kind and gentle at home with Annie and their five year old son, while tough, steely and not willing to take any crap while on the job. A very entertaining crime thriller, Bad Liar is one I recommend highly.
With thanks to Hachette AU for my ARC to read and review.
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June 23, 2023Why can’t I find this book literally anywhere? Did they change the publication date?
October 1, 2024
Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not effect my review or rating.
Trigger warning: Discussion of domestic abuse.
Big reason why only four stars is that the book takes a while to find it’s rhythm. There are just parts that dragged. That said, I loved the overall plot and the resolution to the cases that Annie and Nick are investigating.
"Bad Liar" is the third book in the Broussard (Annie) and Fourcade (Nick) series. Tami Hoag did the first book in this series, "A Thin Dark Line" back in 1997. I gave the first book two starts and recall thinking I don't know if I would want to see these characters again. Well Hoag did one back in 2018, "The Boy" and I gave that one four stars. So at least with the third book in the series I still find it to be a good four star read. I would recommend though that any readers read all the books in order because otherwise things will get confusing. And even though there was a significant time passage in real life, the characters only really have 6 years in their timeline from the first book to second.
"Bad Liar" follows things a few months after the events in the last book. Annie is dealing with some PTSD and minor physical things, but has been okayed for return to light duty. Nick though is in charge of the detectives (including Annie) and they have their old boss Gus back. However, the fallout from the last case is still felt by all. And when Nick gets called to the site of a body dumped to be gator bait with half its face blown off, he and another member of their team try to see if it's hometown hero Marc Mercier who left his house and has still not returned. Annie gets involved with the dumped body case when she realizes a missing person's case she gets pulled into could be Robbie Fontenot.
Annie and Nick investigate and quickly realize it could be either of their victims since plenty of people may want to see the end of them.
I thought Nick was much more palatable in this one. He still has his Cajun coming out to speak, but this time I wasn't dealing with a Nick ready to beat up someone. He's careful and knows how to push to get what he wants. Annie is also more careful. She's still persistent in seeing justice done, but is realizing that she can put herself in harm's way when she goes in without thinking. We barely see them interact with their son in this one, he is mostly referred to, along with some scenes here and there with Annie's uncle.
The secondary characters are a lot in this one, but we only get two other additional POVs throughout the book, and not to the point it was distracting IMHO. They come in when they should. We mostly stayed third person point of view view Nick and Annie.
The flow though as I said was up and down. Nothing was repetitive in my opinion. But it just takes a while to get going and some readers may get bored before things start clicking along.
The setting of the bayou was dark in this one with some hints of brightness here and there. But it's really obvious that there's different worlds going on down there.
I thought the ending was well done and of course was left with what do I think happens next questions.
Trigger warning: Discussion of domestic abuse.
Big reason why only four stars is that the book takes a while to find it’s rhythm. There are just parts that dragged. That said, I loved the overall plot and the resolution to the cases that Annie and Nick are investigating.
"Bad Liar" is the third book in the Broussard (Annie) and Fourcade (Nick) series. Tami Hoag did the first book in this series, "A Thin Dark Line" back in 1997. I gave the first book two starts and recall thinking I don't know if I would want to see these characters again. Well Hoag did one back in 2018, "The Boy" and I gave that one four stars. So at least with the third book in the series I still find it to be a good four star read. I would recommend though that any readers read all the books in order because otherwise things will get confusing. And even though there was a significant time passage in real life, the characters only really have 6 years in their timeline from the first book to second.
"Bad Liar" follows things a few months after the events in the last book. Annie is dealing with some PTSD and minor physical things, but has been okayed for return to light duty. Nick though is in charge of the detectives (including Annie) and they have their old boss Gus back. However, the fallout from the last case is still felt by all. And when Nick gets called to the site of a body dumped to be gator bait with half its face blown off, he and another member of their team try to see if it's hometown hero Marc Mercier who left his house and has still not returned. Annie gets involved with the dumped body case when she realizes a missing person's case she gets pulled into could be Robbie Fontenot.
Annie and Nick investigate and quickly realize it could be either of their victims since plenty of people may want to see the end of them.
I thought Nick was much more palatable in this one. He still has his Cajun coming out to speak, but this time I wasn't dealing with a Nick ready to beat up someone. He's careful and knows how to push to get what he wants. Annie is also more careful. She's still persistent in seeing justice done, but is realizing that she can put herself in harm's way when she goes in without thinking. We barely see them interact with their son in this one, he is mostly referred to, along with some scenes here and there with Annie's uncle.
The secondary characters are a lot in this one, but we only get two other additional POVs throughout the book, and not to the point it was distracting IMHO. They come in when they should. We mostly stayed third person point of view view Nick and Annie.
The flow though as I said was up and down. Nothing was repetitive in my opinion. But it just takes a while to get going and some readers may get bored before things start clicking along.
The setting of the bayou was dark in this one with some hints of brightness here and there. But it's really obvious that there's different worlds going on down there.
I thought the ending was well done and of course was left with what do I think happens next questions.
November 18, 2024
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
BAD LIAR (Broussard and Fourcade Book #3) by Tami Hoag is a fast-paced, dark, and intricately plotted crime thriller/police procedural featuring a married couple, both Sheriff’s Detectives in Partout Parish in the French Triangle of Louisiana. This crime thriller is easily read as a standalone crime thriller, but it is based in a small-town and all the characters continue to grow and evolve in their everyday lives.
Sheriff’s Detective Nick Fourcade is called to the scene of a dumped murder victim in the tall grass off a country road. Identification is going to take time because the victim’s face and hands have been obliterated by a shotgun blast. As he begins to look for leads, he discovers a returned hometown hero has gone missing. Are his victim and the missing man one and the same?
Sheriff’s Detective Annie Broussard is on her first day back on the job after recovering from a brutal attack. She takes on the case of a mother, B’Lynn Fontenot, desperate to find her adult son. She has gone through ten years of drug addiction, but she truly believes this time he had finally turned his life around. Annie is willing to fight the city police detective to take over the case.
As Nick and Annie investigate their cases, they soon discover that there is much more to the lives of the missing men as they wait to discover if either is the unidentified corpse in the morgue. The investigation leads to surprising twists and turns that will endanger Nick and Annie until the pieces of all the lies fall into place.
This is another example of the strength of Ms. Hoag’s ability to produce an atmospheric crime thriller full of compelling, complicated characters, good and bad, and a twisted plot that keeps you guessing until all the pieces have been discovered. Nick and Annie are fascinating as a couple, while also being the ying and yang of investigative styles. This book realistically portrays many types of drug addiction, domestic abuse, family loyalties, good and bad, jealousy, and murder. It took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions throughout and left me guessing to the end.
I highly recommend this compelling crime thriller/police procedural!
BAD LIAR (Broussard and Fourcade Book #3) by Tami Hoag is a fast-paced, dark, and intricately plotted crime thriller/police procedural featuring a married couple, both Sheriff’s Detectives in Partout Parish in the French Triangle of Louisiana. This crime thriller is easily read as a standalone crime thriller, but it is based in a small-town and all the characters continue to grow and evolve in their everyday lives.
Sheriff’s Detective Nick Fourcade is called to the scene of a dumped murder victim in the tall grass off a country road. Identification is going to take time because the victim’s face and hands have been obliterated by a shotgun blast. As he begins to look for leads, he discovers a returned hometown hero has gone missing. Are his victim and the missing man one and the same?
Sheriff’s Detective Annie Broussard is on her first day back on the job after recovering from a brutal attack. She takes on the case of a mother, B’Lynn Fontenot, desperate to find her adult son. She has gone through ten years of drug addiction, but she truly believes this time he had finally turned his life around. Annie is willing to fight the city police detective to take over the case.
As Nick and Annie investigate their cases, they soon discover that there is much more to the lives of the missing men as they wait to discover if either is the unidentified corpse in the morgue. The investigation leads to surprising twists and turns that will endanger Nick and Annie until the pieces of all the lies fall into place.
This is another example of the strength of Ms. Hoag’s ability to produce an atmospheric crime thriller full of compelling, complicated characters, good and bad, and a twisted plot that keeps you guessing until all the pieces have been discovered. Nick and Annie are fascinating as a couple, while also being the ying and yang of investigative styles. This book realistically portrays many types of drug addiction, domestic abuse, family loyalties, good and bad, jealousy, and murder. It took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions throughout and left me guessing to the end.
I highly recommend this compelling crime thriller/police procedural!
April 27, 2024
Thank you Tami Hoag for giving us a new novel. You’ve been sorely missed. I heard the author had a debilitating accident and that’s she’s recovered.
Bad Liar was worth the long wait. Even though it’s been years since I’ve read the earlier books in this series, it stands alone and on top. I took a week to read it because I wanted to savor it. But since I don’t know how long I’ll have to wait again I took my time instead of binging it like I have done with all of her prior novels.
Every character is fully developed and I found myself fighting for, being angry with and loving and aching for them.
This book covers quite a bit of ground and while all lives intersect at a certain point there are several stories to be told. The writing is atmospheric and visual. You can imagine each location: the junk yard, the stables, the hospital, the Pizza Hut, the Bayou and more.
(There was one item I thought was a plot hole but it only answered a couple of questions instead of solving all of them).
It’s been a long time since I’ve cried at the end of the book. This one got my heart and shattered it into a million pieces.
Thank you Penguin Group Dutton and NetGalley for my advanced reader copy. Bad Lair will be released 9/24/24. All opinions are my own.
Bad Liar was worth the long wait. Even though it’s been years since I’ve read the earlier books in this series, it stands alone and on top. I took a week to read it because I wanted to savor it. But since I don’t know how long I’ll have to wait again I took my time instead of binging it like I have done with all of her prior novels.
Every character is fully developed and I found myself fighting for, being angry with and loving and aching for them.
This book covers quite a bit of ground and while all lives intersect at a certain point there are several stories to be told. The writing is atmospheric and visual. You can imagine each location: the junk yard, the stables, the hospital, the Pizza Hut, the Bayou and more.
(There was one item I thought was a plot hole but it only answered a couple of questions instead of solving all of them).
It’s been a long time since I’ve cried at the end of the book. This one got my heart and shattered it into a million pieces.
Thank you Penguin Group Dutton and NetGalley for my advanced reader copy. Bad Lair will be released 9/24/24. All opinions are my own.
August 31, 2024
After an extremely slow beginning, Bad Liar became a mildly interesting story of missing husbands and sons, an abused wife, an unidentified corpse, drugs, hidden money and rivalry and conflict between local police and the county sheriff’s department. The locale is a small town where almost everyone thrives on gossip and knows one another. Unfortunately, most of the characters are unlikeable and not ones with whom we can sympathize. As a fan of Tami Hoag’s prior novels, I was somewhat disappointed in her latest endeavor.
March 17, 2025
Have not read the prior 2 books so can say that this 3rd one does stand alone, I didn't need to have read the other books to enjoy this well-crafted murder mystery. No spoilers here. to ruin anything for other readers. Set in Louisiana, this engaging whodunnit seamlessly weaves several open cases together while also highlighting the travesty of drug addiction and fentanyl nightmare. I appreciated not being able to figure out most of the mysteries before they were revealed, so if you are fan of this genre, definitely worth a read.
September 17, 2024
I appreciate when books that say they are a standalone are truly standalones. I felt like I missed a little bit of the backstory with the two MCs but other than that this was a classic whodunnit. Let me rephrase it was a classic whodunnit done WELL. I really enjoyed this one. Watching it unfold and trying to figure out what had gone down kept me pushing through this one. There were some heavier topics discussed- drug use, physical abuse, addiction to name a few just as an FYI. I was drawn in the by the characters and wanted to know how it was all going to shake out. I like B'Lynn the most. I felt a connection to her. She was just so hopeful that her son was going to be ok. She had been down the road of h*ll with her son and his addiction but somehow still held onto hope. Then we had Marc who was the golden boy that left to get away but found himself drawn to the place where he was kind of treated like a god. We had his henchmen and brother and their whole family dynamic. And then we had the police officers and everything they came with. Most notably that the two MCs are married with a son, and Annie just came back from an injury that had everyone shook up. This is the story of how hard it is for some people to move on from their past for better or for worse and the decisions that they make to either live in it or move on.
A body has been found by the bayou basically without a face. Now begins the work of putting all of the clues together to determine who it is. He had connections to a junk yard service where Nick Fourcade finds out that a member of that family happens to be missing. On the other side of town, Annie is at the police station when a woman comes in visibly shaken. She is claiming that her son has been missing for several days and no one can be bothered to help her. While they are both working their own cases, clues keep popping up that lead them further and further down the rabbit hole. Until it is revealed that the two missing men are connected. They went to high school together and while one was injured with his life forever affected, the other moved onto to be a super star and go on to college. They haven't seen each other in years. So what brought them together now? What changed that made things from the past come to light? What do crooked cops have to do with all of this? And through it all a domestic violence case gets thrown into the mix. Will Nick and Annie be able to crack the case before anyone else gets hurt?
I enjoyed watching these puzzle pieces get linked together. Tami did a wonderful job of that in my opinion. I enjoyed getting different POVs even of somewhat minor characters. Tami had a wonderful way of getting us inside their heads to clue us in on what they were thinking. I find myself intrigued enough to go back and read the other books in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
A body has been found by the bayou basically without a face. Now begins the work of putting all of the clues together to determine who it is. He had connections to a junk yard service where Nick Fourcade finds out that a member of that family happens to be missing. On the other side of town, Annie is at the police station when a woman comes in visibly shaken. She is claiming that her son has been missing for several days and no one can be bothered to help her. While they are both working their own cases, clues keep popping up that lead them further and further down the rabbit hole. Until it is revealed that the two missing men are connected. They went to high school together and while one was injured with his life forever affected, the other moved onto to be a super star and go on to college. They haven't seen each other in years. So what brought them together now? What changed that made things from the past come to light? What do crooked cops have to do with all of this? And through it all a domestic violence case gets thrown into the mix. Will Nick and Annie be able to crack the case before anyone else gets hurt?
I enjoyed watching these puzzle pieces get linked together. Tami did a wonderful job of that in my opinion. I enjoyed getting different POVs even of somewhat minor characters. Tami had a wonderful way of getting us inside their heads to clue us in on what they were thinking. I find myself intrigued enough to go back and read the other books in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
May 5, 2024
I remember reading Tami Hoag many years ago, so I was happy to get this ARC (thanks NetGalley!). She is a very good writer with detailed similes and creative writer throughout! A dead body, 2 people missing, convoluted mysteries. This was a bit of a slow burn yet held my interest throughout. I enjoyed this police procedural and the interactions among all of the colorful characters. There was a little bit of romance but it was very subtle. I actually felt these characters sorrows which is not an easy task especially given the number of books I read each year! I recommend it especially if you like police procedurals!
October 5, 2024
I can't believe this was written by Tami Hoag - certainly not her usual high-caliber of writing. Went to the DNF pile when I decided that I would rather do laundry instead of read another page. The dialogue between the characters was juvenile, at best and after page 200, I was not even slightly intrigued by the plot (whatever that was).
October 27, 2024
Why do I look forward to reading books authored by Tami Hoag? Because she write thrillers/ police procedurals that are suspenseful, have unexpected twists and turns, and plots intricately crafted with characters that are very real to life. Always. As Bad Liar opens, we are in rural Louisiana where a boat enters a bayou and a body is dumped way out in the country. Sherriff’s Detective Nick Fourcade has one lead only as the body has no ID and has been shot up so badly that the face is unrecognizable, Marc Mercier went on a hunting trip and never returned. He is a well known town hero. His wife has reported him missing. Could the dead man be Marc?
At the same time Nick’s wife, Annie Broussard returns to her job after being severely injured on her last case. A desperate mother, B’Lynn Fontenot is beyond worried about her son Robbie who has been missing for more than a week. Local police refuse to open an investigation because Robbie is a known drug addict and is of age to do as he pleases. They have no sympathy and are completely disinterested. Annie feels B’Lynn’s angst as a mother and decides to help.
Are either of these missing men the victim of murder that has been lying unidentified in the morgue? A turf war between the sheriff’s office and the town police results in more questions than answers. As the plot thickens there are unanswered questions and lots of suspicious characters. . Secrets are slowly uncovered and things are not really the way they seemed at first.
A page turner that had me reading late into the night, Bad Liar is as good as it gets. Five heavenly stars for Tami Hoag’s latest series installment that can definitely be read as a stand alone. Many thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for an ARC in exchange for my review. It was published on Sept 24,2024 so fans of police procedurals can get a copy right now. You’ll be glad you did.
At the same time Nick’s wife, Annie Broussard returns to her job after being severely injured on her last case. A desperate mother, B’Lynn Fontenot is beyond worried about her son Robbie who has been missing for more than a week. Local police refuse to open an investigation because Robbie is a known drug addict and is of age to do as he pleases. They have no sympathy and are completely disinterested. Annie feels B’Lynn’s angst as a mother and decides to help.
Are either of these missing men the victim of murder that has been lying unidentified in the morgue? A turf war between the sheriff’s office and the town police results in more questions than answers. As the plot thickens there are unanswered questions and lots of suspicious characters. . Secrets are slowly uncovered and things are not really the way they seemed at first.
A page turner that had me reading late into the night, Bad Liar is as good as it gets. Five heavenly stars for Tami Hoag’s latest series installment that can definitely be read as a stand alone. Many thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for an ARC in exchange for my review. It was published on Sept 24,2024 so fans of police procedurals can get a copy right now. You’ll be glad you did.
September 2, 2024
I didn't think it was nearly as good as A Thin Dark Line
July 6, 2024
Tammy Hoag has absolutely done it again. She is one of my favorite auto buy authors and this book was no different. I loved the storyline and the plot of this book. Thank you so much for NetGalley sending me this e-book to ARC read. This was a wonderful fast faced story full of everything a good mystery/thriller book should be. Look for it when it is published. You won’t be sorry. Great read!!!
Want to read
July 3, 2022Book not out yet☹️
January 10, 2025
Bad Liar
4 Stars
The discovery of a body dumped at the edge of a bayou leads newly promoted Lieutenant Nick Fourcade and his wife, Detective Annie Broussard, to investigate the disappearances of two men who have led vastly different lives. Is the victim Marc Mercier, the town's favorite son, or is it Robbie Fortenot, a recovering addict and petty criminal? As Nick and Annie follow the clues, they soon realize that there is more to these two men than meets the eye.
Series note: The book is set several months following The Boy. While the plot is standalone, there are references to events in the two previous installments.
Unlike the first two books, in which the tension and suspense build slowly, Bad Liar is fast-paced, with an intricately woven mystery and twists that keep the reader guessing until the end. The plot is comprised of several threads, and there are numerous characters to keep track of. Nevertheless, it all comes together with a rational and satisfying explanation.
The Southern Louisiana setting is atmospheric and contributes significantly to the plot and characterization through dialect as well as detailed descriptions of people and places.
Nick and Annie are very appealing characters, and it is good to see their relationship on solid ground following the upheavals of the previous case. Their love for each other shines through the snarky banter.
All in all, this series is going from strength to strength, and I hope that Hoag will be writing another sooner rather than later.
4 Stars
The discovery of a body dumped at the edge of a bayou leads newly promoted Lieutenant Nick Fourcade and his wife, Detective Annie Broussard, to investigate the disappearances of two men who have led vastly different lives. Is the victim Marc Mercier, the town's favorite son, or is it Robbie Fortenot, a recovering addict and petty criminal? As Nick and Annie follow the clues, they soon realize that there is more to these two men than meets the eye.
Series note: The book is set several months following The Boy. While the plot is standalone, there are references to events in the two previous installments.
Unlike the first two books, in which the tension and suspense build slowly, Bad Liar is fast-paced, with an intricately woven mystery and twists that keep the reader guessing until the end. The plot is comprised of several threads, and there are numerous characters to keep track of. Nevertheless, it all comes together with a rational and satisfying explanation.
The Southern Louisiana setting is atmospheric and contributes significantly to the plot and characterization through dialect as well as detailed descriptions of people and places.
Nick and Annie are very appealing characters, and it is good to see their relationship on solid ground following the upheavals of the previous case. Their love for each other shines through the snarky banter.
All in all, this series is going from strength to strength, and I hope that Hoag will be writing another sooner rather than later.
September 10, 2024
This book had a slow start for me; I didn't really get pulled in until halfway through. While reading, I felt like a little detective trying to solve three different mystery crime situations. I thought I had guessed it, but nope—I was wrong. When I got to the last 30% of the book, I couldn't put it down; I needed to know what would happen next. This story takes you on a journey involving two missing people and a dead body. There are so many hands in this pot that you won't know who to believe as the story unfolds. Talk about a mystery and fast-paced thriller once things pick up!
I also didn't know this was the third book in a series. After reading this, I will definitely be checking out more books by this author.
Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I also didn't know this was the third book in a series. After reading this, I will definitely be checking out more books by this author.
Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 27, 2024
This was one of my most anticipated books for this fall and it did not disappoint! I’ve been a huge fan of Tami Hoag’s since the day I picked up a mass market paperback of A Thin Dark Line – over 25 years ago! Nobody crafts an intricate plot with deeply developed characters and then sets them in the perfect immersive scene quite like Hoag does. It’s no exaggeration to say I credit her with inspiring my love of thrillers and police procedurals, and Bad Liar is a prime example of why.
We’ve got one man dead, his headless body giving no clues as to his identity, and more than one local man missing. The backstories are dark, with plenty of potential culprits and red herrings, but also a depth of emotion that is unusual in this genre. The atmosphere is so skillfully drawn that I could picture myself poling a pirogue through the Louisiana bayou, with the cadence of the characters’ Cajun French dialect adding to the authenticity. Detectives Annie Broussard and Nick Fourcade are the perfect team both on and off duty; I love them together and I love how Annie has softened Nick’s rough edges over time since we first met him in A Thin Dark Line. But no worries if you haven’t read the first two Broussard and Fourcade books though, you can totally read Bad Liar as a standalone!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Dutton Books for providing me an advance copy of this book.
We’ve got one man dead, his headless body giving no clues as to his identity, and more than one local man missing. The backstories are dark, with plenty of potential culprits and red herrings, but also a depth of emotion that is unusual in this genre. The atmosphere is so skillfully drawn that I could picture myself poling a pirogue through the Louisiana bayou, with the cadence of the characters’ Cajun French dialect adding to the authenticity. Detectives Annie Broussard and Nick Fourcade are the perfect team both on and off duty; I love them together and I love how Annie has softened Nick’s rough edges over time since we first met him in A Thin Dark Line. But no worries if you haven’t read the first two Broussard and Fourcade books though, you can totally read Bad Liar as a standalone!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Dutton Books for providing me an advance copy of this book.
October 1, 2024
I was super excited to get my hands on this book since I've been a fan of the author for years. She's written some stellar things, especially those books set in Louisiana. The Bad Liar is a good mystery, but the way the crime is solved hinges on technology that didn't exist in the early 2000's when this story is supposed to take place. The author references things like Ring Doorbell and iCloud, just to give a couple of examples. I did enjoy catching up with these characters though, so I'm still glad I read this, even if I can't rate it as highly as I would have liked to.
September 24, 2024
Bad Liar was everything that makes Tami Hoag great and more. It was the roller coaster of whodunnit and emotions that make me absolutely love the writing style of this author. Just when you think you have it figured out you turn the page into another 180 that leaves you guessing again. And the fact that there are several different mysteries going keeps you on your toes and completely immersed in this story. 1000% a top read of there year for me. I loved this journey!
October 11, 2024
5 stars for the audiobook (4cade’s accent is everything for me)
Engaging storyline
Unpredictable
1st & 2nd book cameos
I am big fan of Broussard & Fourcade, so I will keep an eye out for the next release <33
Engaging storyline
Unpredictable
1st & 2nd book cameos
I am big fan of Broussard & Fourcade, so I will keep an eye out for the next release <33
January 8, 2025
A body is discovered, a shotgun blast having removed most of the victim's head, making him difficult to identify. Nick Fourcade and Annie Broussard wind up on the case in different ways. Nick's investigation leads him to Marc Mercier, a local town hero from his high school football days, who returned home recently and is now missing. Annie's investigation is into the disappearance of Robbie Fontenot, a known drug addict for the last 10 years, and only his mother is the one who wants to know what happened to him. Which man is the dead body? And could these cases possibly connect?
While the plotting for this police procedural is decent, going in the odd unexpected direction, it was still a bit of a slog for me. It often got quite repetitive. For example, by the third time that Nick or Annie has gone out to interview the same person to only get the same answers, I would be thinking, "For heaven's sake, get to the point! Move this thing along!" This book is no hurry to get where it is going, and you can feel the padding. Chapter 12 is close to pointless. My comments about chapter 15 said the same, but that thankfully ended up having a purpose. But there's only so long you can string a story along by having an interviewee repeatedly saying, "I know nothing!" before all of a sudden revealing they know something. I also found here what was a big issue in Hoag's previous effort, The Boy, in which the plot is taken up by the same antagonistic confrontations between cop and witness over and over and over again. For too long, it felt like this book was simply spinning its wheels with the same conversations repeating themselves.
Then we have this subplot that doesn't need to be there of Annie having mild PTSD after a concussion she sustained visiting an interviewee's premises on her own. We never once get the full details of what happened there (I can't remember whether it might be related to the previous book since that came out six years ago!), so we get no context over what went so wrong with what Annie felt was a routine visit. And it all seems for naught, because by the time Annie has gone to a location by herself for the 15th bloody time, you kind of feel she deserves to get bopped over the head again.
There are a couple of (mild) plot surprises and Hoag manages to tie the discrete storylines together quite well, but this was exceedingly repetitive, a bit too slow-paced, and ultimately very depressing, so I didn't really enjoy myself while reading it.
While the plotting for this police procedural is decent, going in the odd unexpected direction, it was still a bit of a slog for me. It often got quite repetitive. For example, by the third time that Nick or Annie has gone out to interview the same person to only get the same answers, I would be thinking, "For heaven's sake, get to the point! Move this thing along!" This book is no hurry to get where it is going, and you can feel the padding. Chapter 12 is close to pointless. My comments about chapter 15 said the same, but that thankfully ended up having a purpose. But there's only so long you can string a story along by having an interviewee repeatedly saying, "I know nothing!" before all of a sudden revealing they know something. I also found here what was a big issue in Hoag's previous effort, The Boy, in which the plot is taken up by the same antagonistic confrontations between cop and witness over and over and over again. For too long, it felt like this book was simply spinning its wheels with the same conversations repeating themselves.
Then we have this subplot that doesn't need to be there of Annie having mild PTSD after a concussion she sustained visiting an interviewee's premises on her own. We never once get the full details of what happened there (I can't remember whether it might be related to the previous book since that came out six years ago!), so we get no context over what went so wrong with what Annie felt was a routine visit. And it all seems for naught, because by the time Annie has gone to a location by herself for the 15th bloody time, you kind of feel she deserves to get bopped over the head again.
There are a couple of (mild) plot surprises and Hoag manages to tie the discrete storylines together quite well, but this was exceedingly repetitive, a bit too slow-paced, and ultimately very depressing, so I didn't really enjoy myself while reading it.
November 25, 2024
Tami Hoag's new thriller follows sheriff's detective Nick Fourcade as he investigates a murder victim with a mysterious past. Another detective, Annie Broussard, tackles the case of a missing drug addict while facing resistance from the local police. As they delve deeper, they uncover dark secrets and danger in the Louisiana swamp.
I was unaware that this book is the third installment in a series, leaving me feeling as though I am lacking some crucial background information. It seems necessary for me to backtrack and acquire the previous books in order to fully appreciate this one.
Despite a slow start, the story gradually became more captivating, evoking unexpected emotions within me. The novel explores themes of addiction, betrayal, and abuse through its complex characters. However, one aspect that could be improved upon is the absence of a clear antagonist.
The book is skillfully written, drawing me in from the very beginning. It boasts a strong plot, intriguing characters, and a well-maintained pace.
Thank you, Dutton for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was unaware that this book is the third installment in a series, leaving me feeling as though I am lacking some crucial background information. It seems necessary for me to backtrack and acquire the previous books in order to fully appreciate this one.
Despite a slow start, the story gradually became more captivating, evoking unexpected emotions within me. The novel explores themes of addiction, betrayal, and abuse through its complex characters. However, one aspect that could be improved upon is the absence of a clear antagonist.
The book is skillfully written, drawing me in from the very beginning. It boasts a strong plot, intriguing characters, and a well-maintained pace.
Thank you, Dutton for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 29, 2025
A slow burn thriller that is more slow than thrill. Tami Hoag’s “Bad Liar” isn’t bad at all but a tad too boring as you’re presented a seemingly “small” crime — married detectives Nick — spouting Cajun / French slang every other line of dialogue — and wife Annie are on the search for the identity of a man found in a swamp, his face so disfigured that it’ll take many tests and days to figure out who they are. At the same time, there are two missing people who may or may not know each other and may or may not be tied to the murdered man in the bayou.
If it sounds like a lot of moving pieces, it is! There’s always another character who may or may not be the titular “bad liar” who has information that can help or hinder the search. Readers may like playing detective but ultimately you may be looking to take on a new case.
If it sounds like a lot of moving pieces, it is! There’s always another character who may or may not be the titular “bad liar” who has information that can help or hinder the search. Readers may like playing detective but ultimately you may be looking to take on a new case.
June 19, 2024
Nick's next case has very little evidence. He has no clue who the deceased individual is. Annie is working a different case with many roadblocks. I enjoyed this book and am excited to read her next one.
September 27, 2025
I have enjoyed Hoag's books for years--just wish there wasn't so much time between each one!
November 5, 2024
Tami Hoag’s books are always engrossing. This one is no different. A wonderful flavor of Louisiana Cajun people, with a sad backdrop of poverty, petty crime and drug abuse. It is also a picture of the issues that women face in a male-dominated culture.
“So many broken people. There were so many reasons their lives went wrong, a minefield of reasons.” So many abused women facing struggles with sad outcomes.
The bright light in this sad story is the happy marriage of Lieutenant Nick Fourcade and Detective Annie Broussard. This is the third book in the series. I read both previous books in 2019, giving them each 5 stars. This is another winner.
“So many broken people. There were so many reasons their lives went wrong, a minefield of reasons.” So many abused women facing struggles with sad outcomes.
The bright light in this sad story is the happy marriage of Lieutenant Nick Fourcade and Detective Annie Broussard. This is the third book in the series. I read both previous books in 2019, giving them each 5 stars. This is another winner.
November 8, 2024
If Tami Hoag has a million fans, Im one of them. If she has one fan, im it. If she has no fans, im dead, and hopefully Annie and Nick will investigate my death.
September 3, 2024
Fourcade and Broussard, much improved.
4.5 stars rounded up.
A male corpse with a gunshot wound to the head that makes it hard to identify him is found in the Louisiana swamp. The gruesome murder leads detective Nick Fourcade to discover that a local hometown hero is missing. Meanwhile his wife, detective Annie Broussard, back on the job after a traumatic incident, stumbles upon her own missing persons case - a young addict who may or may not have been in recovery at the time of his disappearance. It soon becomes apparent that the three cases are connected by a web of lies.
This is the third case featuring detectives Fourcade and Broussard, who are now married and have a five-year old son. While these may work as standalone books, I previously read the first book in the series, „A Thin Dark Line“ (1997), and that definitely helped to understand the characters better. On the other hand, I couldn’t find the second book in my local library, so I skipped that one before diving into the last installment and didn’t feel like I missed a crucial part of the story. Some things from that past case are alluded to and, when necessary, spelled out (like the cause for Annie’s PTSD), and as a result, I had no trouble picking up where the previous case left off (bonus points for not completely spoiling the second book in the follow-up, so I can still go back and read it at some later point).
While the author’s writing has always been good, I’ll admit that I wasn’t crazy about the series’ initial installment, „A Thin Dark Line“. However, I am happy to report that the series has much improved. For starters, „Bad Liar“ is a lot more concise - the story, while still providing some atmospheric background from the bayou, moves along quickly and doesn’t drag unnecessarily. I also much appreciated the character overhaul Detective Fourcade received. And while the couple now has a young son, I found it refreshing how much of a - barely featured, in fact - side character the child was; it didn’t distract from the detective work.
The book features some heavy topics, namely drug abuse / the opioid crisis, and domestic violence. While I wasn’t too thrilled to read a domestic violence victim being described as „a cute, sassy little thing with a flirty smile“ who „goaded [her husband] a little“, for the most part, those topics were broached sensibly. The heartbreaking, all too real storyline of Robbie Fontenot, an up-and-coming high school athlete who was derailed by an injury only to slip into drug addiction, was especially well done.
Finally, while the identity of the faceless murder victim wasn’t hard to guess, the author still did a very good job of keeping up the suspense, weaving the different threads together into a satisfying conclusion.
An engaging, well-crafted police procedural with depth. I am looking forward to reading the next installment!
TW: domestic violence, sexual assault (attempted), drug abuse.
Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
„Bad Liar“ is slated to be published on September 24, 2024.
4.5 stars rounded up.
A male corpse with a gunshot wound to the head that makes it hard to identify him is found in the Louisiana swamp. The gruesome murder leads detective Nick Fourcade to discover that a local hometown hero is missing. Meanwhile his wife, detective Annie Broussard, back on the job after a traumatic incident, stumbles upon her own missing persons case - a young addict who may or may not have been in recovery at the time of his disappearance. It soon becomes apparent that the three cases are connected by a web of lies.
This is the third case featuring detectives Fourcade and Broussard, who are now married and have a five-year old son. While these may work as standalone books, I previously read the first book in the series, „A Thin Dark Line“ (1997), and that definitely helped to understand the characters better. On the other hand, I couldn’t find the second book in my local library, so I skipped that one before diving into the last installment and didn’t feel like I missed a crucial part of the story. Some things from that past case are alluded to and, when necessary, spelled out (like the cause for Annie’s PTSD), and as a result, I had no trouble picking up where the previous case left off (bonus points for not completely spoiling the second book in the follow-up, so I can still go back and read it at some later point).
While the author’s writing has always been good, I’ll admit that I wasn’t crazy about the series’ initial installment, „A Thin Dark Line“. However, I am happy to report that the series has much improved. For starters, „Bad Liar“ is a lot more concise - the story, while still providing some atmospheric background from the bayou, moves along quickly and doesn’t drag unnecessarily. I also much appreciated the character overhaul Detective Fourcade received. And while the couple now has a young son, I found it refreshing how much of a - barely featured, in fact - side character the child was; it didn’t distract from the detective work.
The book features some heavy topics, namely drug abuse / the opioid crisis, and domestic violence. While I wasn’t too thrilled to read a domestic violence victim being described as „a cute, sassy little thing with a flirty smile“ who „goaded [her husband] a little“, for the most part, those topics were broached sensibly. The heartbreaking, all too real storyline of Robbie Fontenot, an up-and-coming high school athlete who was derailed by an injury only to slip into drug addiction, was especially well done.
Finally, while the identity of the faceless murder victim wasn’t hard to guess, the author still did a very good job of keeping up the suspense, weaving the different threads together into a satisfying conclusion.
An engaging, well-crafted police procedural with depth. I am looking forward to reading the next installment!
TW: domestic violence, sexual assault (attempted), drug abuse.
Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
„Bad Liar“ is slated to be published on September 24, 2024.
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