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The Liar

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The nail-biting new thriller from Louise Jensen that's impossible to put down…The Abbotts’ new lodger Luke hasn’t told them much about himself, but they can’t expect to know everything about a stranger who’s just moved in.

Only Luke keeps asking about their family photos, and snooping through their things. Why does he want to know everything about them?

Then, suddenly, Mum Mel texts the family to say she needs a break. But Mel has never gone away on her own before. And now it’s been days and no one can get hold of her. While daughters Jen and Amy frantically try to find their mum they're alone with Luke. They're scared, and they should be.

The Abbotts’ house is full of secrets and someone is prepared to go to horrifying lengths to protect them.

They say people never tell the whole truth. They’re right.

352 pages, Paperback

Published June 3, 2025

416 people are currently reading
989 people want to read

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Louise Jensen

26 books1,711 followers

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5 stars
367 (22%)
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639 (39%)
3 stars
495 (30%)
2 stars
106 (6%)
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31 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
Profile Image for Lisa B.
92 reviews18 followers
Read
August 31, 2025
Not rating not into a scandal at a school where a teachers photo was taken with her legs apart plus another photo of naked woman Amy Mel’s daughter voice got on my nerves 😳 grating feeling the narration by Helen Kelley was good except her voice for Amy could not go on!
Profile Image for Mandy White (mandylovestoread).
2,790 reviews857 followers
April 27, 2025
I have been reading Louise Jensen books since the beginning, and she is absolutely an auto read author for me. She has a way of taking her seemingly innocent and normal characters and throwing them into a world of chaos and drama, with short chapters that leave you wanting more, this is a tough book to stop reading.

The Abbott family seems from the outside to be your average family, very loving and caring. But when Mel, the mother, goes missing, their lives become a series of confessions or secrets. At the same time, the lodger they had arranged arrives, and the girls, Jen and Amy, start to think that he knows more than he is letting on about their mother’s disappearance.

Now, there is much more to the story than that, and it does get a bit complicated. I was never confused, though, as the author is so clever with her multiple points of view and timelines. There are so many unexpected twists and turns that you won’t be able to put this book down until you know what on earth is happening and why. So well done.

Thanks so much to HQ for my advanced copy of this book to read. Get it on your TBR, out on April 24th.
Profile Image for Jennifer (Jaye) (Comments frustration) .
1,110 reviews64 followers
May 5, 2025
*Family Dynamics*

This psychological/domestic drama had so many layers and secrets that I felt like I needed a revolving head as each one was revealed.

Mel, a dedicated social worker, is the matriarch of the family, along with her daughter Jen, Amy, Jen’s best friend Camilla, and Camilla’s son Mason. They form a tight-knit family unit. Camilla, who has been bounced around in the care system, is thrilled to finally experience what it’s like to be part of a family.

However, this changes when Camilla decides to move out, and Mel decides to get a lodger. She leaves a message with Jen, her daughter, informing her that a lodger she liked was coming over. Unfortunately, the lodger fails to show up, and when a young man does arrive at a later date, Jen welcomes him in.

Unbeknownst to Jen and Amy, Mel is working on a dangerous case, and Camilla makes a revelation that sets off a chain of events that no one could have predicted.

Now, Amy at 13 years old is connecting with a stranger online, the lodger may not be who he claims to be, Jen has her own secrets, and Mel is missing. As secrets are revealed, their lives will never be the same.
Profile Image for Lance Kirby.
309 reviews90 followers
April 29, 2025
This was a book I really enjoyed reading it’s storyline was for me a real page 📃 turner with it’s many twists definitely recommend reading 📖 this one
Profile Image for M B.
193 reviews14 followers
August 1, 2025
Incredulous and astonishingly bad. The only good point is that I was able to speed read / skim it. The story is wishy washy until chapter 17 or so - then it ALL starts happening. When all is revealed, it’s absolutely ridiculous.
Profile Image for Aimee Summerfield.
21 reviews
December 28, 2024
5 ⭐️
This jaw dropping thriller is going to keep you guessing throughout the whole book so give it a read.

Louise Jensen does it again!! I was absolutely thrilled to be given the opportunity to read this book thanks to Netgalley & HQStories and the book did not disappoint. There were so many secrets wrapped up in this book, some I guessed and some left me with my jaw hitting the floor! I couldn’t put it down, yet I didn’t want it to end. I’m a huge fan of Louise Jensen and I’ll be recommending this book to family and friends.
Profile Image for Diana.
472 reviews59 followers
May 25, 2025
If this was a Netflix series, preferably set in bafflingly fancy houses, I’d have totally watched and enjoyed this (in a mindless way), but as a book you can just see the by-the-numbers plot stretch out from the first couple pages. The countless overly dramatic red herrings, the dodgy amount of POV changes, the need to fit in “current” societal topics (current in 2010 maybe lol). I’m a lot more forgiving to mindless entertainment when it’s TV, so I wouldn’t even recommend this as an airport book.
Profile Image for Laura Smith.
523 reviews22 followers
February 15, 2025
THE LIAR BY LOUISE JENSEN.
Release date set for the 24th of April 2025.
This is my first book by this author so went in with a fresh set of eyes.
I thought this story was well written.
There are multiple POVs.
Also there were plenty of twists and turns which were really good.
Fast paced and really engaging throughout.
I will definitely be looking to see what other books this author has released.
Profile Image for Angharad Roberts.
84 reviews2 followers
June 14, 2025
(I’m not sure why the cover isn’t showing🤷🏻‍♀️)

I read this in one day, it was fast paced, and the twists and turns were great! I did find it left a little unanswered questions but overall an enjoyable read!
Profile Image for Sarah.
2,959 reviews224 followers
May 21, 2025
The Liar was another compulsive story by the author. It's full of twists, some I guessed early on, others took me completely by surprise. The storytelling makes it impossible for you to put the book down, and I raced through the pages. One of my go-to authors who never fails to keep me entertained!
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,624 reviews178 followers
April 24, 2025
Another hit from Jensen (I really need to catch up on her back catalogue). Picking up a read from this author, I know I am guaranteed a twisting narrative that keeps me gripped throughout. This one was no exception.

A lot of people’s pants should be on fire in this book, thanks to all of the deception! The title of this novel becomes more profound as the narrative develops, meaning that no one is innocent and all are deceiving those around them. I think this made the book so intense because you just don’t know who is the ‘ultimate liar’ and what will be the consequences. This story has several subplots and flashbacks that inform the present day narrative; you cannot help but wonder how they are all going to come together.

I really enjoyed how twisting and unpredictable the story becomes. Added with the fact that the story is told from several perspectives, readers don’t get the full version of events and this just creates a suspicion-heavy cast of characters. Jen and Amy are worried and bewildered when their mother abruptly takes off, gradually fearing that she is missing. Yet, events from the past start to indicate reasons why Mel might be missing in action and who is behind the threatening text that opens the book.

Despite the lack of honesty, I did develop sympathy for most of the characters. This book throws a seemingly normal family into a world of chaos and drama. There are some difficult topics addressed in the book but I think this added to the intensity of the developing story. Furthermore, I really appreciated how truths are gradually revealed in the story but this simply adds to how disorientating and unpredictable the novel is. It just made me race through the book even quicker!

I think my only criticism is that the novel’s cover emphasises an element of the plot that I didn’t feel was as significant. Not only that, I fear Jensen’s novels are starting to look too similar with the dark/yellow colour scheme. I think this was a bit of an oversight, although it definitely didn’t impact my enjoyment of the story.

If you have yet to sample Jensen’s reading, then don’t wait much more! This is a great example of Jensen’s thrilling writing and definitely worthy of your TBR.

With thanks to HQ and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Natalie M.
1,438 reviews95 followers
May 22, 2025
Liar, liar, your pants are on fire!

What a delve into seemingly average suburbia. The half truths and the white lies that we tell our selves are needed backfire spectacularly in this novel. The characters are likeable despite their flaws, but poor Amy and Mason. Tye various POVs and timelines worked well.

The plot is the cracker for me. So cleverly done!
35 reviews
June 7, 2025
I found this book tried to combine too many storylines. It was ok but almost like it tried too hard.


And I'm sorry but any "you're not my mother" "yes I am!!!!" moments can only pale into comparison with Zoe and Kat Slater.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Heather.
328 reviews59 followers
October 14, 2025
Good solid thriller, with good pacing, relatable characters, and some nice twists! The audiobook was really well performed, a good format for this story. My second Jensen, and it definitely won't be my last!
87 reviews
May 20, 2025
Read in one sitting. Some of the twists were a bit predictable, but overall a good read.
Profile Image for Philippa Louise.
9 reviews
June 23, 2025
Initially I really enjoyed it and was really interested to see how Luke would fit into the mystery - I was disappointed in the way his story was told with such anticipation only for him to almost be forgotten in the latter part of the book.

Although this book kept me on my toes and made me want to keep reading, I didn’t enjoy the writing style and found it to be almost embarrassing at some points… I found Camilla’s perspectives to be especially boring to read.

I felt like there were too many stories linked up and would have preferred more detail. I also felt the worry Jen had around Andy finding them to be anticlimactic.

An okay read but I don’t think I’ll be rushing out to buy another by this author anytime soon.

Maybe a 2.5 ⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Teresa Nikolic.
925 reviews130 followers
April 17, 2025
Jen Abbott lives at home with her mum Mel, a social worker and teenage sister Amy and, when Jen's friend Camilla decides to move out with her young son Mason and make a life for themselves, Mel decides to rent out the spare room to a lodger. While Mel is away visiting her brother, Luke the lodger arrives and moves in but when he starts asking questions about the family and looking through their belongings Jen starts to wonder who he really is. When Mel suddenly messages to say she's taking some time away alarm bells go off for Jen because her mum has never done anything like this before and now she can't get hold of her at all.

The Liar is the latest domestic thriller by this author, told from multiple perspectives and varying timelines, where we meet the Abbotts and their extended family and, it would seem, each of them is harbouring a secret that they are desperate to keep hidden. This is a fast paced read with a great premise and some very intriguing characters. Jensen is one of my go to authors who knows how to spin a tale with many twists which immediately reels me in every time and this one was no exception. Switching between Jen and Camilla's uni days and the present day the author presents us with a backstory which explains how they arrived at where they are today and slowly the secrets are revealed. There was one such secret that had me thinking I'd tuned into an episode of Eastenders which did tickle me and then the final twist left me gobsmacked, I did not expect that one. Another gripping story from Jensen which I highly recommend.

I'd like to thank HQ and NetGalley for the auto approval. I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.
Profile Image for Zoe Reads.
681 reviews38 followers
May 26, 2025
This is a book im definitely glad I read, theres many “OMG” moments when a twist smacks you in the face and the storyline was one that hasn’t been overused and was believable, brutal and shocking.

Mel and her two daughters are your average little family, but when Mel goes missing, a lodger that she had pre arranged moves in and it leaves the girls wondering if he is who he says he is as their worry increases about their mum.

Multiple point of views cleverly combine to tell us the story of many secrets and lies that have snowballed to the point where the end is catastrophic.

Many thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for my gifted eARC.
1,536 reviews13 followers
June 13, 2025
This is a story that shows what can happen to a family when they all keep huge secrets from each other. The first 80% is almost more family drama than thriller, but it does have a mystery, "Where did Mum disappear to?" and some suspense due to the daughters' attempts to investigate. But the action takes off at full speed in the final 20%. Because my mum died when I was 17 years old, I almost had to swallow back tears, both at the beginning when the family was so perfectly happy, and towards the end when they found their mum. So, while I'd categorise this as domestic suspense, it's at the deeper end of the genre, which I appreciated.
Profile Image for Amy.
150 reviews15 followers
June 7, 2025
A harrowing story of found family, love, loss, grief and a whole bunch of twists and turns.

This one really did get my heart up in knots, while I saw a couple twists coming, the plot was good, the writing was smooth and easy to follow.

I'd definitely recommend the audio, the narrator really brings out the trauma of these characters.
Profile Image for Michael Beech.
6 reviews
January 26, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review. I did really enjoy this book, it was full of twists, turns and red herrings. Definitely my favourite Louise Jensen book so far. A good solid thriller and the ending had me hooked.
Profile Image for Tasha.
515 reviews49 followers
January 5, 2025
4.5 rounded up. Review to come nearer publication date.
Profile Image for Mrs MJ.
181 reviews
April 29, 2025
another great ending don't know how she keeps coming up with so many twists and turns . can't belive I've read all ten of her books in a couple of weeks !
Profile Image for Wendy.
679 reviews57 followers
October 15, 2025
So many secret, so many lies and lots of sadness laced with a little goodness.
Profile Image for Emma.
774 reviews347 followers
September 24, 2025
All my reviews can be found at damppebbles.com

Mum Mel Abbott decides to take in a lodger to supplement the household income. Twenty-six-year-old daughter, Jen, really isn’t too sure. She doesn’t like the idea of a stranger living in their house. She wants to leave her underwear drying on the radiator without having to consider the lodger’s feelings. Whereas younger daughter, Amy, takes her Mum’s decision in her stride. When Luke, the lodger, arrives much later than expected to meet the sisters, Jen instantly finds him attractive and starts to come around to the idea. After all, it might be nice to have a man around the house. But Luke is secretive and seems a little on edge. When Mel sends a text telling her daughter she’s going to be away for a few days, Jen is immediately thrown. It’s unlike her mother to leave them in the lurch, especially with a stranger moving into their house. But Mel has done so much for their family, Jen wants to give her all the time she needs. Everyone needs a break now and then! But several days after Luke’s arrival, no one has heard from Mel. Who is the stranger living in the Abbotts’ house? Why is he so interested in the family’s things? How much of a threat does he pose to Jen and Amy? And perhaps most importantly of all, where the heck is Mel…?

The Liar is another cracking family-based thriller from Louise Jensen. There is so much going on in this book. Secrets and lies, half-truths and poor, poor decisions. Catastrophic even. You think you have the measure of the family. You think you know the direction the plot is going to go in. But you don’t. You don’t even know the half of it! There are so many secrets to unpick. Why, at the very start of the book, does Mel receive a threatening note? Who is Andy? He keeps being mentioned by Jen but who is he and what connection does he have to the Abbotts? Why is Jen so nervous around the police? And who (worst nightmare for any parent) is thirteen-year-old Amy messaging online? But that’s only the beginning. As the reader progresses through the book even more questions are raised. Everyone seems to have a devastating secret they would do anything to keep. And in amongst the chaos and upheaval, the lies and deceit, when her daughters are floundering and need the support of their mother, Mel is nowhere to be found.

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. The Liar is a beautifully twisty, highly readable tale which I flew through. Promising myself ‘just one more chapter’, only to discover I had read half of the book! There are quite a few characters in the book, but it was easy to keep track of who everyone was. Alongside the family and lodger, Luke, there is also Jen’s best friend Camilla and her four-year-old son, Mason. Mason really brings the cute-factor and adds moments of light humour, along with a Thomas the Tank Engine obsession (!), in amongst the overarching darkness of the novel. There is always something going on in the story and it doesn’t really let up which means the reader is absorbed into the narrative and able to read, as in my case, half the book without really noticing. This is exactly what I want from a thriller. I want to be hooked. I want to be completely immersed, and I want to live the story alongside the characters. There are several threads running throughout – some the reader is aware of straight away, some are revealed as you progress through the book. Keeping a tight rein on all these subplots and how meticulously Jensen brings everything together is a masterclass in thriller writing. Marvellous! All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent reading The Liar. Immensely readable with bucketloads of intrigue. Secrets and lies galore, chock-full of deceit and overflowing with suspense. Another cracking addition to this author’s catalogue of work. I remain a Louise Jensen fan, and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us readers next! Recommended.
Profile Image for Abida Hossain.
29 reviews4 followers
December 3, 2025
3.75 ⭐ I genuinely enjoyed reading this psychological thriller. A wonderfully twisty, incredibly readable story that I sped through. I kept telling myself “just one more chapter,” only to realize I’d made it halfway through the book and now I completed reading this gripping novel. There are plenty of characters, but it was still effortless to remember who was who. I highly recommend this book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews

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