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Dead Liar
Jamie buried her husband two years ago.
But now he’s alive.
And she’s on the run.
Army nurse Jamie Shaw loses everything when her husband, Ed, dies in a tragic car crash. But on the anniversary of his death, her world shatters again. She glimpses a man she’s certain is her husband – and he is very much alive.
Jamie barely has time to process her shock before the unimaginable happens…
Armed men are invading her home. And she is running for her life.
How is Ed alive?
Why has he betrayed her?
And who are the armed men hunting her?
Desperate for answers, Jamie embarks on a perilous journey to find her lying husband. But she is unaware of the dangerous conspiracy about to ensnare her and the dark secret hiding behind a string of murders. Murders which her husband is at the heart of.
Will Jamie survive the sinister forces closing in on her? And can she help to expose their deadly secret? A secret which, if revealed, could change the world forever…
Dead Liar is a fast-paced, high-stakes thriller with a breathtaking twist. It will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final heart-stopping pages.
But now he’s alive.
And she’s on the run.
Army nurse Jamie Shaw loses everything when her husband, Ed, dies in a tragic car crash. But on the anniversary of his death, her world shatters again. She glimpses a man she’s certain is her husband – and he is very much alive.
Jamie barely has time to process her shock before the unimaginable happens…
Armed men are invading her home. And she is running for her life.
How is Ed alive?
Why has he betrayed her?
And who are the armed men hunting her?
Desperate for answers, Jamie embarks on a perilous journey to find her lying husband. But she is unaware of the dangerous conspiracy about to ensnare her and the dark secret hiding behind a string of murders. Murders which her husband is at the heart of.
Will Jamie survive the sinister forces closing in on her? And can she help to expose their deadly secret? A secret which, if revealed, could change the world forever…
Dead Liar is a fast-paced, high-stakes thriller with a breathtaking twist. It will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final heart-stopping pages.
397 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 29, 2025
125 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Nina Welsh
1 book13 followersRuth Nina Welsh is a musician turned thriller writer. She has travelled through life as a singer-songwriter, counsellor and coach, freelance writer and now novelist. Dead Liar, her high-stakes, debut thriller is out now. Ruth lives in Northamptonshire, in the UK, surrounded by music, books and an ever-growing mountain of craft supplies.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 23, 2025
Jamie Shaw's constant feeling of grief ramped up again on the two year anniversary of her beloved husband, Ed's death. The car crash that had taken him from her, numbed her if she let the visions in. But that night, the night of the anniversary, when she joined an online group on a virtual tour, she saw him. Jamie was stunned - it WAS him, she was sure of it. And so it began. As Jamie was getting her go-pack ready to leave, to head to Ireland, men with guns arrived. Hidden in the small safe room Ed had designed while the men ransacked her house, Jamie was determined to get out of her house and find the man she still loved with all she had.
Jamie was on the run, and her army training helped her stay one step ahead. But would she find Ed? And if she did, what would he have to say for himself? Could she possibly trust him again - or was he involved in something she wanted nothing to do with? Jamie's thoughts were jumbled, but one thing stood out in her mind - she wanted answers...
Dead Liar is the debut novel by Ruth Nina Welsh and is one of the best debut novels I've read in a very long time. Fast paced, electric, action packed thrills kept me glued to the pages; I don't think I've ever read an almost 400 page book so quickly! With excellent, well crafted characters, I really hope this is the beginning of a series as I'd love to see more of Jamie and Ed. Highly recommended.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read and review.
Jamie was on the run, and her army training helped her stay one step ahead. But would she find Ed? And if she did, what would he have to say for himself? Could she possibly trust him again - or was he involved in something she wanted nothing to do with? Jamie's thoughts were jumbled, but one thing stood out in her mind - she wanted answers...
Dead Liar is the debut novel by Ruth Nina Welsh and is one of the best debut novels I've read in a very long time. Fast paced, electric, action packed thrills kept me glued to the pages; I don't think I've ever read an almost 400 page book so quickly! With excellent, well crafted characters, I really hope this is the beginning of a series as I'd love to see more of Jamie and Ed. Highly recommended.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read and review.
July 18, 2025
I don’t know where to start with this review because it was BRILLIANT. It's hard to believe this is a debut novel, but I’m hoping this might be the start of a series. This is the best crime/thriller/mystery book I’ve read so far this year. I didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did, and I put it down to being so well written.
Whilst reading this book I could easily picture what was happening; it was like watching a movie where you dare not move in case you miss something. This is a highly addictive read, so I warn you once you start you won’t be able to stop till the last page. If you are looking for a book that’s a little different, but also very entertaining then do yourself a favour and get a copy of this book. I am looking forward to seeing what this author writes next. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Whilst reading this book I could easily picture what was happening; it was like watching a movie where you dare not move in case you miss something. This is a highly addictive read, so I warn you once you start you won’t be able to stop till the last page. If you are looking for a book that’s a little different, but also very entertaining then do yourself a favour and get a copy of this book. I am looking forward to seeing what this author writes next. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
February 4, 2025
*I beta-read this novel and received a free ARC of the final book, with no obligation to review at all. This review is unbiased and represents my own personal opinions.*
This thriller had me firmly in its grip from page one and I just couldn’t stop reading! I immediately took to Captain Jamie and her heartbreak over the loss of her beloved husband, so deeply empathised with her shock at suddenly seeing what appears to be him, alive years later.
Not that she has much time to process this, as she is immediately forced on the run and needs to use all of her military and medical skills and training, plus the information she gained from years of living with someone very paranoid and tech-savvy, to evade her pursuers and attempt to find her husband and the truth.
The plot premise – a new drug that can ease the suffering of chronic pain and give the sufferer their life back – is one that is deeply personal to me (and to the author!), given my own chronic illness, so I would have been heavily invested in the story for that reason alone, but that wasn’t even an issue, as I found myself equally obsessed with Ed and Jamie managing to scrape some sort of salvaged relationship out of the mess they find themselves in, and in whether their friends, family and allies can survive the process intact.
Those looking for an adrenaline-boosting thriller, which raises questions of financial and medical ethics while maintaining a fast pace and engaging characters, need look no further. I can’t wait to read whatever this author writes next!
This thriller had me firmly in its grip from page one and I just couldn’t stop reading! I immediately took to Captain Jamie and her heartbreak over the loss of her beloved husband, so deeply empathised with her shock at suddenly seeing what appears to be him, alive years later.
Not that she has much time to process this, as she is immediately forced on the run and needs to use all of her military and medical skills and training, plus the information she gained from years of living with someone very paranoid and tech-savvy, to evade her pursuers and attempt to find her husband and the truth.
The plot premise – a new drug that can ease the suffering of chronic pain and give the sufferer their life back – is one that is deeply personal to me (and to the author!), given my own chronic illness, so I would have been heavily invested in the story for that reason alone, but that wasn’t even an issue, as I found myself equally obsessed with Ed and Jamie managing to scrape some sort of salvaged relationship out of the mess they find themselves in, and in whether their friends, family and allies can survive the process intact.
Those looking for an adrenaline-boosting thriller, which raises questions of financial and medical ethics while maintaining a fast pace and engaging characters, need look no further. I can’t wait to read whatever this author writes next!
January 29, 2025
This is entered on behalf of my wife Carol who does not have a Goodreads id.
"""This is an extremely well written story, intricately plotted and it's quite amazing that it is Ruth's first novel. The pace is brilliant, and the characters totally believable - though which do you trust?! She really makes you think in this page-turner. Highly recommended, and I certainly do look forward to another book one day.
I have to point out that I received an ARC but have voluntarily provided this review because I feel genuinely that this is a magnificent blockbuster of a story. Well done! Carol T. ""
"""This is an extremely well written story, intricately plotted and it's quite amazing that it is Ruth's first novel. The pace is brilliant, and the characters totally believable - though which do you trust?! She really makes you think in this page-turner. Highly recommended, and I certainly do look forward to another book one day.
I have to point out that I received an ARC but have voluntarily provided this review because I feel genuinely that this is a magnificent blockbuster of a story. Well done! Carol T. ""
November 13, 2025
I loved this compelling, twisty thriller. I can’t believe it hasn’t had more attention. I don’t want to say much about it but I sure recommend it if you need a good page turner!!
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April 7, 2025I really enjoyed this story. It gripped me right from the start, but as a widow who often dreams that her husband comes home alive, I found it very emotional. I know my husband is deceased; I discovered him and also visited him at the chapel of rest, so being a widow is the only parallel my life has with Jaime. However, I honestly had to put the book down on a number of occasions because my emotions were just too much.
Aside from the emotional toll this story took on me during reading it, it was a well-written story - I guess my visceral responses to it are testament to the quality of the author's writing, because the story really touched me in ways no other story has, & I read a lot of stories (fiction & non-fiction) about plane & train disasters, which details loss of life on a large scale, & although I've shed tears before, this was on another level.
The story kept a good pace - the action was not focused in one area of the story, so you weren't wading through chapters of filler before getting to some action. I liked most of the characters & felt a connection with Jaime's grief, so I completely understood her reactions to discovering that her beloved husband was not actually dead. I don't think I would have handled it quite so well!
The story was mostly set in 2024, but the timeline changes towards to end of the book. This made the story come full circle for me. I liked the ending - it gave me cause to pause, because towards the end of the book, it makes the reader consider "How far would you go to protect those you love?" & "How many risks would you take in pursuit of the truth?" I thought I knew the answers, but now I'm not so sure ...
This is not a 'Whodunit?' it is a 'Will They Pay For Doing It?' story - we know who did it, right from the outset, but what we need to establish is why they did what they did, & do we forgive them for their actions, or inaction (depending on your viewpoint).
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but I need to find something a little less personal to myself next because this story hit me hard ... I am currently not alright!
Aside from the emotional toll this story took on me during reading it, it was a well-written story - I guess my visceral responses to it are testament to the quality of the author's writing, because the story really touched me in ways no other story has, & I read a lot of stories (fiction & non-fiction) about plane & train disasters, which details loss of life on a large scale, & although I've shed tears before, this was on another level.
The story kept a good pace - the action was not focused in one area of the story, so you weren't wading through chapters of filler before getting to some action. I liked most of the characters & felt a connection with Jaime's grief, so I completely understood her reactions to discovering that her beloved husband was not actually dead. I don't think I would have handled it quite so well!
The story was mostly set in 2024, but the timeline changes towards to end of the book. This made the story come full circle for me. I liked the ending - it gave me cause to pause, because towards the end of the book, it makes the reader consider "How far would you go to protect those you love?" & "How many risks would you take in pursuit of the truth?" I thought I knew the answers, but now I'm not so sure ...
This is not a 'Whodunit?' it is a 'Will They Pay For Doing It?' story - we know who did it, right from the outset, but what we need to establish is why they did what they did, & do we forgive them for their actions, or inaction (depending on your viewpoint).
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but I need to find something a little less personal to myself next because this story hit me hard ... I am currently not alright!
January 27, 2025
This book is spectacular - very suspenseful and gripping.
Jamie is trying to get on with her life after the death of her husband Ed. She goes to work as a nurse each day and then straight home. She is still having a difficult time after two years. Her only "social life" is virtual traveling. She sees the world through an online group. The only family she has is her father in law. When she sees her husband alive on an online travel experience, she quickly reaches out to her husbands best friend and notifies him she thinks Ed is alive. She then realizes she may not be able to trust those she thinks she can trust and sets out with Conor, who she served with in Afghanistan in the Army. But who can Jamie really trust? The more she discovers, the more danger she and Conor are in. At the base of this book is a thought provoking story about a pharmaceutical company, research and greed. It could be right out of the television series Greed.
This book will have you on the edge of your seat and will make you think.
I received an ARC and voluntarily provided this review.
Jamie is trying to get on with her life after the death of her husband Ed. She goes to work as a nurse each day and then straight home. She is still having a difficult time after two years. Her only "social life" is virtual traveling. She sees the world through an online group. The only family she has is her father in law. When she sees her husband alive on an online travel experience, she quickly reaches out to her husbands best friend and notifies him she thinks Ed is alive. She then realizes she may not be able to trust those she thinks she can trust and sets out with Conor, who she served with in Afghanistan in the Army. But who can Jamie really trust? The more she discovers, the more danger she and Conor are in. At the base of this book is a thought provoking story about a pharmaceutical company, research and greed. It could be right out of the television series Greed.
This book will have you on the edge of your seat and will make you think.
I received an ARC and voluntarily provided this review.
January 30, 2025
Incredibly beautiful and evocative prose – on researching the author I discovered she’s a songwriter; the ease with which she describes feelings and situations within her first novel show that she’s been writing for some time.
This is unusually polished for a novel in this genre and for a first novel it’s exceptional. I believed in and had emotions for all the characters who were fully fleshed out in an unusually subtle manner.
I was fully gripped from the outset; surprised by the plot and it’s journey.
I’m already looking forward to the next book she publishes.
Disclaimer – I was asked to be part of her advanced reader group by another author for whom I do a little late proof reading, and as I participate in a number or ARCs for a variety of authors I expected to find some spellings and discrepancies. I found none. Dead Liar is an exceptional first novel.
This is unusually polished for a novel in this genre and for a first novel it’s exceptional. I believed in and had emotions for all the characters who were fully fleshed out in an unusually subtle manner.
I was fully gripped from the outset; surprised by the plot and it’s journey.
I’m already looking forward to the next book she publishes.
Disclaimer – I was asked to be part of her advanced reader group by another author for whom I do a little late proof reading, and as I participate in a number or ARCs for a variety of authors I expected to find some spellings and discrepancies. I found none. Dead Liar is an exceptional first novel.
January 29, 2025
OMG what a rollercoaster ride!!
First off, I can't believe this is a debut thriller from Ms Welsh. It absolutely reads like she has been honing her craft for years. The action and the tension just doesn't stop from beginning to end. Just when Jamie is sure she can trust someone, she is thrown yet another loop. From the descriptions of gorgeous Ireland to really making the reader think, what if. The storyline make so much sense. And is a rather scary thought...
If you are a fan of thrillers, this is a must read! I am impatiently waiting for the authors next book.
I received an ARC and voluntarily provided this review.
First off, I can't believe this is a debut thriller from Ms Welsh. It absolutely reads like she has been honing her craft for years. The action and the tension just doesn't stop from beginning to end. Just when Jamie is sure she can trust someone, she is thrown yet another loop. From the descriptions of gorgeous Ireland to really making the reader think, what if. The storyline make so much sense. And is a rather scary thought...
If you are a fan of thrillers, this is a must read! I am impatiently waiting for the authors next book.
I received an ARC and voluntarily provided this review.
June 26, 2025
What a great debut book! Ms. Welsh paints vivid descriptions that put me right in the room with her strong characters. She introduced each one with some background to help me understand what drove them, which made them more believable. It is obvious that she did a lot of research to apply such depth to the story. I felt that I was reading about a real medical breakthrough, one that I would like to see. I was completely engaged from page one and lost some sleep as I kept turning pages to follow the many twists, surprises and threatening situations, rooting for Jamie’s success. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I look forward to reading more from Ms. Welsh.
March 13, 2025
The characters are strong and interesting. The settings are dramatic, the events fast paced, emotionally intense, and tightly plotted. Although the book is basically a thriller, it is also science fiction, because the science behind the medicine that’s key to the plot is not within current possibilities. The only shortcoming is the writer’s heavy use of broken sentences, which I found a bit distracting. Still a great read.
August 31, 2025
Paced myself reading this, I wanted to read it fast but had appointments throughout the week, made myself take my time so I had something to look forward to each day.
Loved it, kept me on the edge of my seat wondering how everything was going to happen, how they (Ed real name Sean O’Neill and wife Jaime) were going to bring down the bad guy Paul Arthur Tole.
Wish Valocaine existed.
Loved it, kept me on the edge of my seat wondering how everything was going to happen, how they (Ed real name Sean O’Neill and wife Jaime) were going to bring down the bad guy Paul Arthur Tole.
Wish Valocaine existed.
January 22, 2025
Wow! This book is a real page turner. Very hard to put down. I found myself saying "Just one more chapter" repeatedly as I read way too late into the night.
August 17, 2025
Really good read. Read it pretty quickly, it got me hooked early !!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews