Liar's Creek: A Novel

Clay Hawkins #1

by Matt Goldman

From New York Times bestselling author and Emmy Award-winner Matt Goldman comes Liar's Creek, which asks how far we'll go to protect the people we love.

Riverwood, Minnesota is a scenic town threaded with trout streams carving their way through limestone bluffs. But beneath its picturesque facade, danger runs rampant.

Clay Hawkins isn’t a stranger to the secrets of his hometown. After twenty years away, Clay has recently returned home from abroad with his twelve-year-old son, and his relationship with his father, the recently replaced sheriff, is as strained as ever.

But when Clay’s beloved uncle disappears, the three generations of Hawkinses must overturn every stone in Riverwood and confront deep familial wounds to find the one person who brings them together. As danger looms, Clay worries that it might be too late to save his uncle—and that the rest of the family might be next.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Audiobook, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Adventure

331 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 5, 2026

About the author

Librarian's Note: There is more than one author with this name in the database.

This is the "catch-all" profile. Authors who share the name include:

Matt^^^Goldman, Goodreads author

Matt^^^^Goldman, co-founder of the Blue Man Group

Reviews

[Lindsay L · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars

Not for me!

A man returns to his childhood hometown with his preteen son after being away for twenty years. He has a difficult relationship with his father who is the retired Chief of police in their small town. Upon his arrival, the man’s uncle goes missing and he finds himself wrapped up in the missing persons investigation.

The premise of this story held high appeal to me, especially with the vivid nature setting descriptions, but the execution failed to draw me in. I enjoyed the small town vibe, where everyone knows everyone. There are some nature focused scenes that I liked, but I had hoped for more palpable atmosphere. I wanted to feel the setting more vividly.

One of my issues causing my lack of investment was the characters. I didn’t connect with any of them. Some were cliches, others were simply uninteresting. There is a love triangle in the story that was cringey and cheesy. I had zero investment in any of the relationships. I also found the pace quite slow.

The storyline itself was nothing new. Small town citizens investigating a crime alongside local police. After the first quarter, I became bored and indifferent. The plot had several implausible elements and many character interactions had me rolling my eyes.

Bottom line, I am not the right reader for this book. Please check out the other reviews that show more favourable opinions before deciding on this one.

Audio rating: 4 stars! The narrator did a great job and kept me listening. Although I wasn’t engrossed in the story, I did enjoy the way the audio narrator presented it. He uses an Irish accent for some of the characters that worked well for me. The audio narrator is what kept me from DNF’ing this one.

Thank you to the publisher for my advanced listening copy!

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novel about 3 generations of men in the Hawkins family. It begins when Clay returns home to his small town Riverwood, MN with his twelve year old son, Braedon. Clay’s reception by his father, Judd is icy even after twenty years. It’s the tension between father and son and years of no communication. Judd is also feeling resentful after being let go from the police department.

It’s slow in that there isn’t a lot of suspense, but that’s made up by character development and the landscape descriptions. The narrative does move along well when it’s revealed Clay’s favorite uncle, which is Judd’s twin brother Teddy is missing. What unfolds is a fulfilling mystery with familial relationships uncovered.

Matthew Goldman is a new author to me and I look forward to the next book in this series. I recommend for those who appreciate character development in a mystery.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for early access.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.25 stars)
Thank you to Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read and listen to an advance copy of Liar’s Creek by Matt Goldman. This was my first book by this author and now I’m going to check out his backlist.

Liar’s Creek is the first book in a new series that focuses on Clay Hawkins and is set in a small town in southern Minnesota, Riverwood. Clay is quite an interesting character - he grew up in that town, went off to West Point and then became a professional soccer player in Europe. Now he’s back in Minnesota, to coach for his alma mater, a local private high school. He’s had a very difficult relationship with his father for years (estranged, is probably the best word for this) and now he’s brought his 12-year-old son Braedon with him, who hits it off fabulously with his new-to-him grandfather. This puts Clay in the middle, struggling to establish a decent relationship with his dad, Judd, the town’s former police chief.

Clay’s uncle Teddy (Judd’s twin brother, a bit of a character) is missing, which forms the narrative arc of the book, but I really enjoyed the relationship building aspects of the story, along with the mystery of what happened to Teddy. Clay displays a lot of “smarts” as they try to figure out where Teddy went and what happened to him, smarts that you wouldn’t think a pro soccer player has. And so we guess there’s more to Clay than meets the eye.

The local townspeople were great and quite varied. The new police chief, Zoey, is partly Native American, for example. Clay’s mother died when he was young and Judd’s new “girlfriend”, Mai, is a doctor at the famed Mayo Clinic, which isn’t too far away. I appreciated the inclusion of strong women characters, along with the male relationships. Braedon is a charming 12-year-old, trying to figure out life in the US (he was living in Ireland prior to this). The descriptions of the area landscape and tidbits about fly fishing were lovely to read.

The audiobook was well narrated by Fred Berman.

I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this on audiobook and really enjoyed the narration by Fred Berman. I loved Matt Goldmans last book so was keen to read this one. It wasn’t as fast paced as ai expected, and was more of a character story than anything but with a mystery at the centre.

I did like the characters of Clay Hawkins, a former soccer superstar in Ireland, and his young son Braedon . Both trying to find their feet on a different continent. Clays uncle has gone missing and he is trying to find out what happened. His father is the former sheriff and they have a strained relationship.

I feel there is more to come for these characters with the way this one ended, I look forward to reading it.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for my early copy to listen to on NetGalley. Out on April 21st.

[Tini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fathers, sons, and small-town secrets.

Riverwood, located in southeast Minnesota, is a picturesque town where the scenery is beautiful and the community is tight-knit. When Clay Hawkins, son of the former chief of police turned international soccer star, returns home with his young son after twenty years away, he's pulled straight back into old tensions - especially with his father, Judd, the recently retired lawman. But when Clay's uncle - Teddy, Judd's twin brother - disappears, three generations of Hawkins men are forced to dig into the past to uncover what's really going on.

Matt Goldman's Liar's Creek isn't a nail-biter, but more of a slow unraveling - less about shocking twists and more about peeling back layers, both of the central mystery and of the Hawkins family itself (and it's all the better for it). The suspense is there, but it builds gradually, and while most of the reveals aren't particularly surprising, they're still satisfying in how they bring everything together. (One notable exception: a certain reveal about Clay that finally makes a few things click into place.)

What really stood out to me were the expertly drawn family dynamics. The relationships between fathers and sons, and the weight of history in a small town, all feel grounded and thoughtfully developed. The Hawkins' backstory, in particular, adds depth and gives the mystery real emotional stakes. Zoey, the new chief of police, is a another standout, and the cast overall feels strong enough to carry a series.

Appropriately, the pacing is slow and steady at first, taking its time to establish characters and setting, before picking up momentum toward the end. It works, especially if you go in expecting something more character-driven than plot-twist-heavy.

The audiobook, expertly narrated by Fred Berman, is a great match for the story. His delivery is steady and engaging, and he does a great job differentiating between characters. His narration definitely enhanced the overall experience for me.

Overall, Liar’s Creek is a character-driven, quietly engaging mystery - less about shocking you and more about drawing you in. A solid, atmospheric start to the Clay Hawkins series - I wouldn't mind spending more time with this group in the future.

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ALC of the audiobook via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

"Liar's Creek" was published on April 21, 2026, and is available now.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This was stressful… and riveting… and sweet… and tied to family, and friendships, and tough times, and good times , and, basically life in general in a small town…

Three generations of Hawkins men are featured in this one.
Judd…the Father/Grandfather… who’s also the ex chief of police. He’s tough and fair.

Teddy… the sweet, beloved guy in town who always seems to be getting himself in trouble, but at the same time is happy to help any and everyone. (He’s Judd’s twin.)

Clay… Judd’s son who just returned back from England after many years. He was a professional soccer player and coach, but has now returned home with his 12 year old son. (Braeden). And, he has many great memories with his Uncle Teddy from when he was young, but not so much with his Dad… being chief of police and all…

They each carry their own crosses for separate reasons… but, Clay wants to try to work things out with his Dad for his son’s sake…

So, when his beloved Uncle Teddy goes missing, an all out search for him is prompted… and no-one will rest until they are able to get to the bottom of it!

BUT…things don’t always go as planned, and each time some new evidence shows up, it seems to get crushed, and they’re back to square one.

And… some old secrets are stirred up, as well as rivalries and more. Plus, add in a new chief of police who’s a woman (Zoe) … and well, there’s a lot going on!

Terrific story. Wonderful revelations. And… peeling back the layers on each character was amazing!
Of note, this looks to be book #1 in a new series! (Yay!!).
Looking forward to reading more from this very talented author!

#LiarsCreek by @MattGoldman and narrated wonderfully by @FredBerman.

THIS ONE HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED YET! Please look 👀 for it on 4/21/26 (perNetGalley, although Goodreads has a May date… so, not really sure.)

4 1/2 whopping, scary, breath-holding, family-working-through-their-problems stars for me! 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫…. Happily rounded up to 5!!!!

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @MacmillanAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
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Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!

And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷

[Leslie Colombo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received Liar's Creek through a goodreads giveaway. It was my first Matt Goldman book and I appreciated the author's adept handling of a small-town narrative infused with family trauma and mystery. I enjoyed the author's writing style and was kept captivated by the plot twists and turns.

[Jim Thomsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Character-Rich Crime Fiction

In crime fiction, you hear a lot about propulsive twists and heart-thudding suspense and adrenaline-jacking thrills … but you don’t often hear about a story in which all of those things are subordinated to surprising character depth, and is better off for it. This is a story about people above all who have toughness and courage but sometimes can’t get out of their own way — or their own pasts — to see those strengths within themselves until prodded to do so by someone else in a not-dissimilar state of being. The plot just happens to be the conveyance that gets them to this infinitely satisfying place. LIAR’S CREEK is one of my top reads of 2026.

[Tessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really excited to read this book, but unfortunately it fell short for me. Part of that was I think the narrator, Fred Berman, I think he did absolutely terrible female voices. The male voices were fine, and in fact he had some very diverse voices for different characters (although I'm not sure they remained consistent throughout the audiobook, especially the Irish). But the female voices were just, in my opinion, quite terrible. I also do not think the characters were well-developed. Certain twists were just thrown in there, which honestly just felt so unbelievable. And even the ending was a bit anti-climactic. I'm sure there is an audience for this book, it was unfortunately just not me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the eARC Aubiobook!!

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more of a family and small town drama rather than a thriller. Yes there is the mystery of Teddy Hawkins disappearance, but in many ways that disappearance takes a backseat to the relationship dynamics between the other characters. It’s a good story, but I honestly found it to be slow and not all that suspenseful. Those who like character driven stories with family and small town drama may really enjoy this book, but it missed the mark for me.

[Bookreporter.com Mystery & Thriller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matt Goldman's LIAR’S CREEK strikes us emotionally in ways that mystery novels rarely aim for or achieve. As a matter of fact, its genre may be accurately described as “family novel” or “unusual love story,” as well as “mystery.” The characters are, indeed, filled with love for each other. While they recognize each other's flaws, they're often able to overlook them because of their very touching and warm relationships.

The protagonist is Clay Hawkins, a man in his 30s who has lived through a most unusual set of adventures and experiences. He lost his mom, Pam, to cancer when he was 13, which has haunted him --- and his father, Judd --- for the rest of their lives.

Although Clay and Judd share those powerful emotions, they do not like each other. Their problems had begun long before Pam's death. When Clay was an unhappy infant in his crib, he stopped crying when Pam hugged him. When Judd picked him up, the crying got louder and nastier. And things went downhill from there. Clay was a bright, sensitive, talented boy. He became a promising violinist and lover of music, a fine student, and an outstanding athlete whose sport of choice was soccer. Tough and unyielding, Judd was the chief of police in their tiny hometown of Riverwood, Minnesota. He had dreams for his son, none of which apparently would ever be fulfilled. The older both of them got, the more they grew apart.

However, as compelling as the conflicts between that father and son are, even more fascinating is the story of Clay and his son, Braedon. That relationship began with an event that draws us directly into an emotional storm. At this point, an explanation of how the pair came to “meet” is necessary. But we must begin that story with a bit more information about Clay's young life.

Clay managed to enroll in an exclusive private high school to which he earned entry because of his many talents --- and without telling his father. He was a star on the school's soccer team and received offers from many colleges but quite surprisingly picked West Point, where his soccer stardom continued. And Judd once again had no input in his son's decisions. After West Point, he chose European professional soccer as his life's occupation. Again, he was a star.

Then, one night after a game, Clay went to a bar and met a lovely young lady with whom he immediately became enchanted. And she apparently returned the feeling. They spent the night together, and he tried repeatedly to call her the next day, but she refused to respond. He saw her only one more time, and that resulted in a shocking development. Months later, he was alone at home when his doorbell rang. When he opened the door, she was standing there, holding an infant in her arms. She told him that he was the baby's father, and she was offering him the opportunity to keep the child --- because she would not. Ultimately, he decided to raise the baby and named him Braedon.

The relationship between this father and son is in every way the opposite of Clay and Judd's. It does become complicated at this point but remains logical and understandable. Clay and Braedon represent a virtually perfect father-son bond, sharing wonderful ideals and times together. When Clay decides to quit his life as a traveling soccer star, he chooses to go back home with his son to live in the town in which he grew up. Braedon meets Judd, and their relationship is special and entirely positive. Braedon is almost like the son Judd never had, despite the ongoing difficulties between Judd and Clay.

But now we are introduced to the character whose fate becomes the primary plot thread for the rest of the novel. That's Teddy Hawkins, a truly fascinating guy whose personality defies consistency, logic or even accurate description.

Teddy has been a favorite of everyone who has ever known him. He's a ne'er-do-well who has never been able to hold a job, plan a realistic future, or be proven reliable in any way or in any circumstance. Yet above all, he's lovable and loving. He's Judd's younger brother, and Judd has spent most of his life protecting the “kid.” He's also, of course, Clay's uncle and Braedon's great-uncle, and he's been married for years to a patient and ultra-thoughtful woman named Deb.

The rest of the novel's cast includes several people who are significant contributors to Teddy's story. Among them are Zoey, the new chief of the Riverwood police force since Judd was fired because the town was allegedly looking for new blood. But despite the awkwardness of the situation, Judd did a more than respectable job of training her for her new position. Zoey and Clay are immediately attracted to each other. We also meet Stephanie, the owner of a beauty shop and Clay's girlfriend when the two were teenagers. Clay is the only male who is a regular customer at Steph's place. Then there are three teenage juvenile delinquents who give Braedon and his friend, Daniel, a very rough time and pull some disgusting and dangerous stunts. One of those kids is Steph's unruly son, who was born when she was married to an adult delinquent named Wags.

Teddy has disappeared and for a frighteningly long time has not reappeared. The search for him features the individuals above, all of whom like and/or love him. The unfolding of this most important plot thread includes a kidnapping threat; some surprising revelations about Clay's life and career; and deeds that are both heroic and villainous, performed by unexpectedly heroic characters. But the big questions that remain regard Teddy's disappearance. Did he just decide to take a trip without telling anyone or preparing anyone for it? (He's done that kind of thing before.) Was he kidnapped? Is his life endangered? Was he murdered? Did he die by suicide? Did he commit a crime and decide to just run away rather than face the consequences? Had he fallen in with some dangerous, maybe even evil characters? Will his loved ones ever see him again?

These questions are answered via a semi-happy but certainly melancholy climax and denouement. The climax itself revolves around a subtle and gentle twist that's worthy of any fine mystery novel. Matt Goldman has done a magnificent job of presenting a series of knotty plot threads and then cleverly untying those knots. Along the way, he has given us well-rounded characters who communicate some valuable lessons about the power of close relationships, the nobility of forgiveness, and the overwhelming beauty of familial love.

LIAR’S CREEK is altogether a brilliantly conceived and effectively executed novel of love and suspense. I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Jack Kramer

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a disgraced sheriff, a violinist ex-soccer-pro single dad, and a mysteriously vanishing uncle walk into a small Minnesotan town, you’d think we were gearing up for something juicy. And to be fair, Liar’s Creek absolutely flirts with the potential for juicy. It just never quite commits. This book is like a simmering pot of family secrets and trout streams that someone forgot to turn all the way up to boil.

Clay Hawkins returns to Riverwood after two decades abroad with his emotionally advanced twelve-year-old son Braedon (who I would die for, btw), only to immediately be pulled into a missing-persons case when his uncle Teddy ghosts harder than my last Hinge match. Also, Clay’s dad Judd just got ousted as sheriff, and their dynamic is a Hallmark card that someone set on fire. So. That’s the tension. You’ve got generational trauma, a town full of suspiciously closed mouths, and an ex-soldier turned reluctant investigator with a secret stash of dad guilt. Let’s go!

Now, I love a slow burn as much as the next emotionally unstable reader, but this is less slow burn and more slow simmer while your tea goes cold and you forget what you’re waiting for. The emotional arcs? Solid. The mystery? There. The pacing? Like being stuck behind a tractor on a two-lane road in February. The good news is, Goldman’s writing has a warm, lived-in quality that really nails the small-town atmosphere. You believe this place exists, even if you’re screaming into the void because every man in this town talks like he was raised by an REI catalog and a roll of duct tape.

Clay, for better or worse, is a very male protagonist. He’s quiet, angsty, deeply repressed, and casually checking out every woman he meets like he’s been starved of estrogen for twenty years. It doesn’t ruin the book, but it does make you go, “Sir… I beg you to journal.” His relationship with Braedon is the standout here. Genuinely sweet and layered, especially as Braedon starts asking questions about his absent mother and starts developing opinions about his grandfather’s entire deal (spoiler: Judd’s vibe is “emotionally constipated military dad,” and I say that with affection).

Uncle Teddy’s disappearance drives the plot, but it’s really just an excuse to trap these emotionally illiterate men in a metaphorical (and sometimes literal) cabin together until they start processing feelings like adults. And by “like adults,” I mean through poorly timed confessions, light violence, and aggressive fishing metaphors. Throw in a suspicious ransom note, some low-key corruption, and the hint of a romantic subplot with the new sheriff Zoey (love her, she deserves a better man and at least one nap), and you’ve got all the ingredients for a very moody, very Midwestern stew.

Unfortunately, the big reveal lands with more of a soft shrug than a gasp. It’s not bad, but it’s giving “we had to wrap this up before Braedon aged out of his precocious phase.” There are too many red herrings and not enough actual payoff, which left me feeling like I’d just opened a can of LaCroix expecting champagne.

All that said, I would read the sequel. Not because I’m dying for more mystery, but because I need to know if Clay ever learns how to emote without brooding in the woods. Also, if Zoey doesn’t get a bigger arc where she takes down some institutional corruption and maybe adopts a dog, I will riot.

I’m giving this one 3.5 stars for strong vibes, complicated dad energy, and a town full of secrets that almost slaps. It's like prestige TV that skipped one too many therapy sessions.

Whodunity Award: For Most Emotionally Repressed Men in a Canoe

Big thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC. You really said, “Here, have a small town full of daddy issues and suppressed emotions,” and I devoured it like emotionally stunted literary comfort food.

[Judy Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

"In Liar’s Creek, Matt Goldman delivers a gritty, atmospheric PI mystery that proves small towns have the longest memories. When a private investigator returns to a community defined by its secrets, he’s forced to navigate a web of deception where the truth is as elusive as the shoreline.

A "Picturesque Facade": The setting of Riverwood, Minnesota, feels "picture-perfect" and scenic, but beneath this beauty, there is a pervasive "undercurrent of unease" and the sense that the entire community is "in on a secret".

Vivid and atmospheric, painted with sharp, sensory details of the rural Minnesota landscape, the author skillfully captures the small-town feel that is both beautiful and slightly eerie.

LIAR’S CREEK by Matt Goldman

~Intro:
A gritty but witty private investigator mystery that pulls a detective back into a small-town web of old grudges and fresh lies.

~Setting:
Riverwood, Minnesota. Atmospheric, while visually beautiful, the town is portrayed as having a "picturesque facade" that hides deep secrets and underlying danger.

~The Vibe:
Grit with Heart.

~Themes:
The burden of hometown secrets; the path to redemption; small-town justice.

~Mood:
"Classic Noir with a Modern Pulse."

~Characters:
The three generations of Hawkins men (Judd, Clay, and Braedon) investigate the town's secrets, facing dangers that threaten their family.

~Highlights:
A strong sense of place and a protagonist who feels grounded.

~Standout:
Goldman’s background in TV writing shows in the sharp, fast-paced dialogue.

~Narrative:
The healing of generational trauma and addressing past abandonment.

~Author Writing:
The dialogue is sharp, snappy, and carries a lot of the book’s personality. The pacing is tight, making it a quick, satisfying weekend read.

~Protagonist:
A protagonist who feels "real"—flawed, persistent, and a bit world-weary.

~Takeaway:
You can leave your past, but you can’t make it stay buried.

~Recs:
For readers who enjoy authors John Hart, Greg Isles, CJ Box, Linwood Barclay, and Harlan Coben.

~Audio Note:
Fred Berman brings that perfect "noir-adjacent" gravel to the narration.

My thoughts:

~A gritty, atmospheric PI mystery where the past is as murky as the Minnesota shoreline.

~Verdict: 4⭐Stars. The vibe of Liar's Creek is a "slow-burn" blend of small-town intrigue and deeply felt family drama. It is a more character-driven, quietly engaging mystery that prioritizes authentic emotional weight over rapid-fire plot twists.

~"Reliable, atmospheric, a snappy mystery for fans of the genre." It’s a classic "sins of the past" story set against a well-realized, atmospheric backdrop. The central themes focus heavily on the complexities of family and the secrets hidden within a small town's "picturesque facade."

~A solid, character-driven, compelling procedural that hits the right notes. It’s well-constructed and moves fast, but it stays within the lanes of a traditional mystery without reinventing the wheel. Goldman’s writing feels like it’s built for the screen—it's punchier and less "heavy" than the deep-dive investigations you get with Bosch or Ballard.

Special thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: May 5, 2026
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[Richard Derus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real Rating: 3.75* of five

The Publisher Says: From New York Times bestselling author and Emmy Award-winner Matt Goldman comes Liar's Creek, which asks how far we'll go to protect the people we love.

The small town of Riverwood, Minnesota is true to its name, brimming with beautiful scenes of nature. Its rural landscape is threaded with scenic trout streams, which carve their way through limestone bluffs. But beneath its picturesque facade, danger runs rampant.

Clay Hawkins isn’t a stranger to the secrets of his hometown. After twenty years away, Clay has recently returned home from abroad with his twelve-year-old son Braedon, and his relationship with his father Judd, the recently replaced sheriff, is as strained as ever.

Trouble immediately brews for Clay when his beloved uncle, Teddy, disappears. Together, the three generations of Hawkinses must overturn every stone in Riverwood and confront deep familial wounds to find the one person who brings them together. As danger looms, Clay worries that it might be too late to save Teddy—and that the rest of the family might be next.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.

My Review: Author Goldman clearly invested a lot of mental energy in Clay Hawkins' life trajectory. It's all here: dead mother, grouchy prickly father, adolescent son with all that implies and entails, escapr from then return to Home after a fun, fascinating adulthood elsewhere...it's all here. Coming home has its rewards, these aren't skimped, and its risks. Uncle Teddy, who vanishes without explanation, is going to be found, by Clay, and damned if his family's ugly secrets they do NOT want splashed around will stop Clay from doing it.

Perch that determination on top of his...estranged, unliked...father making a friend of Clay's son, and the differing ways to be a father between the generations add a load of tension between them, among all three of them. The women in the story are all strong, competent people, with their own careers and concerns. They're not little ladies, nor are they ball-busting viragos, they're presented as flawed and imperfect like the stiff-necked men they choose to hang around with.

The mystery's resolved. Copious trout-fishing is done. Football/soccer is discussed. The manly men (and one about to start being a man) all do man-stuff like pointedly not talk, like ignore feelings (their own of course, but each others' too), not talk, lust after women, and not talk. It takes extreme measures to goad them into speech not about sports. When they do talk, shit gets done and in a hurry.

I'm afraid I was not surprised by the big reveal. I really seldom am, and this was not one of those times. I don't fault Author Goldman for that. I fault him a little for apparently losing track of some red-herrings that will stink up the furniture in future installments of the series. There will be future installments because no publisher works this hard to drop a promising premise. I hope the team will make some serious effort to answer young Braedon's quite reasonable questions about his past that he's too young to remember on his own.

A promising debut series that needs a bit of finesse applied as it matures.

[Erin Clemence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Expected publication date: April 21, 2026

After twenty years playing soccer professionally overseas, Clay Hawkins has returned to his hometown of Riverwood, Minnesota, with his twelve-year-old son in tow. Soon after his arrival, Clay’s beloved uncle, Teddy, disappears and Clay, along with his estranged father, Judd, are willing to pull out all the stops to find him. With the help of the new police chief and a few of Clay’s childhood friends, Clay and Judd set out to locate Teddy, rebuilding their bond along the way.

“Liar's Creek” is the first novel in a series by author Matt Goldman. Clay is the protagonist, a former professional footballer and single father who returns to his hometown where he reconnects with his estranged father, the former police chief. Of course, there is more to Clay than meets the eye and his secrets are revealed to a select few as he investigates the disappearance of his uncle.

The story is primarily narrated by Clay, although there are several others who readers will hear from, including Clay’s son, Braeden and Clay’s father, Judd, which provide unique perspectives on not only Clay himself, but on the family dynamic as a whole. Braeden is particularly likable, for a twelve-year-old, as a motherless child who has had his whole life uprooted to move to another country, and Clay does an admirable job parenting him, considering his own upbringing. There is a strong emotional component that hides under the surface in Goldman’s novel, which only increased my enjoyment.

“Creek” was engaging and, although there were plenty of characters, each one was unique and easily recognizable, making the story easy to follow. I was immediately invested in what happened to Teddy, and I loved meeting Clay’s family and friends, both old and new, as they were all eccentric and fun. There are a few side plots as well that Goldman connected smoothly, and everything converged into an unexpected and satisfying ending.

Clay is a unique protagonist, as normally novels like this feature police officers, rangers or some other form of law enforcement, so a former footballer investigating a disappearance is a clever turn. Add to that the single father angle and you have a relatable, likable main character who only adds to the novel’s page-turning story line and picturesque setting.

“Liar's Creek” is an entertaining first installment, and I’m looking forward to seeing more from Clay.

[J. F. "Thriller Ghost Writer" · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasant light reading, perfect for the beach.

"Liar's Creek", Clay Hawkins #1 by Matt Goldman (2026)
Review based on an advance review copy courtesy of St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books & NetGalley.
(See book details below.)

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Riverwood, MN

Small Town USA, Midwestern style. Trout streams and limestone bluffs, four stoplights, two beauty salons, nine bars. One barber shop, seven restaurants, two hardware stores. One bakery, one police station, three auto repair shops.

And, at this particular moment, one missing person.

Liar's Creek.
Riverwood is also home to "Liar's Creek", named in 1887 after a two-timing cobbler who'd originally named the small waterway "Miller's Creek" after himself. But the name christened by townsfolk following his indiscretion, Liar's Creek, stuck.

The town's "salmon".
Term coined for its residents who leave Riverwood only to return years later.

Enter The Prodigal Son.
One such "salmon" is Clay Hawkins. Back in town after 24 years in the Army. Then abroad in Europe as a professional soccer player and coach. He brings home his 12-year-old son, Braedon, who speaks with a fading Irish brogue. Along with investigative skills he'd honed in the Army, plus in some jobs clandestinely working for the government, skills which he puts to good use in the investigation of the disappearance of his beloved Uncle Teddy, the aforementioned missing person.

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// _____Review Spotlight: Written by Matt Goldman, Emmy Award-winning television writer for the Seinfeld, Ellen show, et al. His wit comes across in his stories, primarily staged in the Midwest /Twin Cities area, terrific scenery along with glimpses of the so-called "Midwest nice" . //
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Daddy Hawkins.
None other than ex-Riverwood Police Chief, Judd Hawkins. Tough, fair, and fired by the town council who wanted new blood. Judd takes an instant liking to his grandson, Braedon, with whom he develops a tight bond, and acts a mentor, teaching him the Minnesotan ways, i.e. trout fishing, ━and gun safety too. Which balances out a long-standing, estranged relationship with his son, Clay, the main reason why his son had stayed away in Europe.

Braedon.
12-year-old, precocious. Eager to learn from his grandpa. He still regularly calls a friend back in Ireland. His longing to finally meet his mom, whom he googles and discovers lives in Ireland with a family and kids of her own, provides an emotional subplot to the story.

New Police Chief.
Zoel Jensen brings in fresh perspectives to policing in the generally peaceful town. She assumes a key role in the investigation of the disappearance of Teddy Hawkins. And takes a liking to the new guy back from Europe. Unexpectedly, she adds comic relief, laced with double entendres, to the narrative.

And finally, Teddy Hawkins.
Happy go lucky, unreliable, married, childless, jobless. Which wasn't always the case, it would appear. A good uncle to Clay who loves him unconditionally. A handyman to anyone who'd pay. He gets involved in the dregs of commerce, buying and selling whatever he can lay his hands on. He gets himself caught stripping copper from power lines said to be no longer in use.

Then, Teddy goes missing.

And the entire Midwest town gets caught in a quandary.

tgw━━━━════════

Recommendation:
Pleasant light reading, perfect for the beach, or perhaps, on a breezy summer day. Character and location driven story, not unlike a well-written sitcom, infused with those "Midwest nice" traits of politeness, neighborliness and compassion. In a town where everybody knows everyone else.

Brings to mind those catchy lines, ━"Sometimes you want to go, where everybody knows your name. And they’re always glad you came. You want to be, where you can see. Our troubles are all the same..."

Book details:
"Liar's Creek", Clay Hawkins #1 by Matt Goldman
Published by St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books
Book launch date: May 5, 2026
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.25 Stars!)

[Donne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love small town crime thrillers and mysteries. I always have, even though I was born and raised and lived most of my life in Los Angeles. Having finally relocated to a small, rural town in NoCA two years ago, most days I am truly living with some story of small-town life and its small-town crimes as it were where. Anyway, this story sounded like my kind of story.

The book summary basically just introduces one of the storylines of Clay coming home after 24yrs to the small town of Riverwood, MN after ending his 20yr soccer career, abroad for an Irish team, to a coaching position at his former high school. Clay, now a single father to 12yr old son, Braden, after Braden’s mother (a one-night stand Clay had the year before) abandoned Braden with Clay when Braden was just months old. Clay and his father, Judd, are as estranged as they ever would, since the death of Clay’s mother when he was just a kid. His mother was diagnosed with cancer that was discovered right after she gave birth to Clay, and that Judd always blamed Clay for.

There is the secondary storyline of Clay’s uncle Teddy and Judd’s twin brother suddenly going missing. Teddy is the beloved one of the family, the one that everyone loves and adores and kind of the glue of the family, the one denominator that brings everyone together, even Braden came to adore Uncle Teddy. However, Teddy has always had a bit of a rebel streak in him and it’s not long before Judd and Clay start to wonder what he’s gotten himself into now.

It’s right around the halfway point that a major reveal about why Clay came home adds a bit of intrigue to the story that I’m not going to spoil. The second half begins to reveal a lot more about what’s been going on in Riverwood and all the secrets under the surface. LOVE ZOEY!!! The new, female, Sheriff in Riverwood, who replaced Judd when the city council fired him. Omg, she is hilarious! She adds so much entertainment value to every scene she is in. What a great character!

The character development was well done, especially for characters like Clay, Zoey, and Braden and a few others. The pacing was pretty steady in the first half and picked up a bit in the second half. The storyline was interesting, with its small-town crime thriller and a bit of intrigue. The writing was well done too; I liked a lot of the world building that Goldman provided to make the town of Riverwood and its residents come to life, even the kookie ones. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.1 that I will be rounding down to a 4star review. I want to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #MacmillanAudio #LiarsCreek

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liar's Creek by Matt Goldman is a highly recommended character-driven mystery. This is the first book in the Clay Hawkins' Series, set in the small town of Riverwood, Minnesota.

Clay Hawkins, a professional footballer in England for twenty years, has return to his small hometown of Riverwood, MN, with his twelve-year-old son, Braedon. His relationship with his father and former sheriff, Judd, is as strained as ever, but Judd and Braedon have quickly formed a tight bond. Clay's beloved uncle Teddy has disappeared and Clay, Judd, and now the new sheriff are investigating, but as the days pass they all fear the worst may have happened.

This is a well-written, character-driven investigative mystery that has a strong sense of place, which is essential to the plot. It is a small town where everyone knows everyone else, but where they can all have secrets. Teddy is a well known figure around town as someone who is likable but frequently skirts the law and seemingly courts trouble. Even with their tense relationship, Clay and Judd are both looking for Teddy. While Judd turns to his contacts within the sheriff's office, Clay defies his father and talks directly to the new sheriff, Zoey Jensen. The father and son do set aside their grievances and work together.

While the main concern is the search for Teddy, there are several other narrative threads also developing, which serve to add tension and drama. The pace is even as various characters are introduced and brought to life. There is also another story line involving Braedon, his new friend, and some older teens in town (which, as it's a small town, everyone should have known who the teens were while privately keeping an eye on them, looking for trouble.) There is a lot of talk about fishing too.

The character development is excellent as they are all portrayed as complicated, fully realized individuals. Even Braedon is brought to life, along with the minor characters around town. Their interpersonal relationships are realistic and believable. It is revealed along the way that there is more to Clay than meets the eye.

Liar's Creek is a good choice for those who enjoy character-driven investigative mysteries and want to get in at the start of a new series. Thanks to St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/0...

[Kathy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clay Hawkins has come back to his hometown of Riverwood, Minnesota, along with his 12-year-old son Braedon. He left right after high school, attended West Point, served in the military and then had a successful career playing professional soccer.

He is slated to begin a new job as soccer coach for his alma mater, a local private school. He is trying to rebuild his relationship with his father who has recently left his job as the Chief of Police. The two have had a difficult relationship all of Clay's life. His mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when Clay was born and battled it until her death when Clay was about 10. Clay feels that his father blames him for the loss of the love of his life. And Clay and his father Judd have little in common. Clay doesn't hunt, he didn't play sports his father could understand, he preferred reading to outdoor activities. Clay is a fly fisherman while his father prefers other fishing. The one thing they have in common is their love for Braedon who is enthused about hunting and fishing with his grandfather.

The Hawkins men all have to come together when Clay's Uncle Teddy disappears. Judd's fraternal twin has been a screw-up all of his life and Judd has spent a lot of his life picking up after him. Now he's missing and Judd doesn't want to go to the new Chief of Police to ask for help. He's depending on his own investigations and that of two of the police force who are his loyalists.

Clay is willing to go to Zooey Jensen who is the new Chief. She's an interesting woman who is half-Dakota and who has recently moved to Riverwood from a similar job in Northern Minnesota. Clay is interested in her as a woman and as an investigative partner. She's quirky and she's smart and she has a history that she isn't eager to share.

Clay has an interesting past of his own. He was an employee of American Intelligence while he was playing soccer in Europe and had his cover blown which is why he decided to come home now.

As the investigation continues. lots of secrets are revealed. This was an engaging story. I loved the Minnesota setting since the story takes place near where I lived and worked for twenty years. I also like Clay's character and especially his relationship with his son Braedon. I liked Braedon's part of the story and his role in its resolution. I also like Judd's part of the story as he works toward a better relationship with his son.

[William de_Rham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this “disappearance mystery” set in the fictional small town of Riverwood, Minnesota. It’s a character-driven story that’s as much about family relationships, and how they might be healed, as it is about the vanishing of a beloved uncle.

International soccer star Clay Hawkins and his father, former Riverwood police chief Judd Hawkins, have never been able to see eye to eye—about anything. Clay will always resent that, after the death of Judd’s wife and Clay’s mother, taciturn Judd put his job before Clay; or that Judd showed no pride in any of Clay’s many boyhood accomplishments. And Judd? He’ll always be ashamed that his son quit the Army soon after completing a free education at West Point in order to play professional soccer in Europe.

Now, Clay has returned to Riverwood with his 12-year-old, motherless son Braedon, in order to coach soccer at his private high school alma mater. Grandfather Judd and Braedon are close, which is fine with Clay—although it’d be nice if he and his father could experience some of that closeness. But Braedon’s mother walked out on him, so Clay is grateful that Judd is taking an interest, much like Judd’s twin brother, Uncle Teddy, did for Clay when his mother died.

Then, Teddy disappears. That’s not all that unusual for him. He’s always been a free spirit. But as the days pass and Teddy doesn’t return, Clay and Judd must form an uneasy alliance with Judd’s replacement, chief Zoey Jensen, in order to discover Ted’s whereabouts—that’s if he’s still alive.

Award winning, New York Times bestselling author Matt Goldman has given us a novel steeped in the beauty of Minnesota’s trout stream country and populated by truly likable characters. “Liars Creek” is not a fast-paced thrill ride filled with action. It’s a well-constructed, well-written mystery that also concentrates on the growth of its characters and their relationships. And, it contains more than a few surprises.

The ending, thankfully, is not a cliffhanger. It resolves all the major questions raised throughout the novel. However, it does leave open several plot lines that may form the basis for a sequel. If a series is in the offing, I would look forward to reading it.

My thanks to NetGalley, author Matt Goldman, and publisher Minotaur Books for providing me with a complimentary, electronic ARC. All of the foregoing is my honest, independent opinion.

[Anne - Books of My Heart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
 

Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I have read other books by Matt Goldman and a series. Initially, I was drawn to the Minnesota settings.  Liar's Creek has a Minnesota setting but for me, it's more about the character developments than the plot.

We have the father, Judd who was the sheriff in their smaller town, while his son Clay was growing up.  After his wife died, his grief was huge and he wasn't the best father.  Clay made his own way with his skills in soccer and music, attending a private school and then West Point based on his scholarship.  He became a soccer star in college and after leaving West Point.

Clay is now home with his son Braedon, to coach at his alma mater private high school. His father, has been replaced as sheriff.  His uncle Teddy, Judd's twin is missing.  They both work on trying to find him.  Judd using his contacts on the force. Clay though talks to the new sheriff.

Clay is adjusting to being back in his home town for the first time since high school and after years living and working in Europe. It's Braedon's first US experience.  But Clay wanted him to have family.  The story is just full of these relationships and their various personal developments.

I loved the mystery and the police procedural aspects of the investigation.  I loved the various romantic connections of each of the three generations of men.   I am beyond thrilled this is the first in the Clay Hawkins series .  I look forward to more in this small town of Riverwood, MN which tries to take care of its own.

Narration:
I have listened to Fred Berman in another series but don't recall anything specific. The voices for the different characters were distinct and well performed.  It was easy to recognize who was speaking.  Both male and female voices, as well as a few accents felt appropriate.   I listened at my newer 1.75x speed

Listen to a clip: HERE

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Summary:
Clay Hawkins isn’t a stranger to the secrets of his hometown. After twenty years away, Clay has recently returned home from abroad with his twelve-year-old son Braedon, and his relationship with his father Judd, the recently replaced sheriff, is as strained as ever.

Trouble immediately brews for Clay when his beloved uncle, Teddy, disappears. Together, the three generations of Hawkinses must overturn every stone in Riverwood and confront deep familial wounds to find the one person who brings them together. As danger looms, Clay worries that it might be too late to save Teddy—and that the rest of the family might be next.

Review:
This was really good, better than I expected actually. Within the first few pages I was drawn in and invested in Clay and Braedons life, as well as the interesting dynamic with Clay and his father. Now I'm a thriller girl and this definitely does not play out as a thriller, its more mystery than anything.

Since I'm also originally from a small town, the play by play of everyone knowing everyone's business really hits home. It also made it difficult to believe no one knew anything about what happened to Teddy. If I'm really being honest, there is a least one outcome I wished had come out differently, but its really the only outcome that could have made sense I guess.

Its very normal for books to show a story from the aspect of a single mother trying to raise a child without the father involved. This story gives you an entirely different perspective, three generations of a family, with two of them being raised by a single father. Both men approached that job differently and the result was resounding. Braedon grew up knowing his father loved him, while his father grew up with the assumption that his father didn't love him and if anything was highly disappointed in him. Even though all the storylines were mostly wrapped up at the end, I wouldn't mind seeing this one become a series so that we can follow these characters and watch their relationships continue to evolve.

*I did receive a advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.

[Mike Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clay Hawkins returns to Riverwood, a small town tucked away in southeast Minnesota, after spending years playing professional soccer overseas. His homecoming is complicated. Not only is he bringing his young son Braedon, who has never met his mother, but he’s stepping back into a community that hasn't change much in twenty years while he has been away.

One of the strongest elements of the story is Clay’s complicated relationship with his father, Judd. Their connection has frayed over time, and Judd’s recent replacement as sheriff by order of the city council only adds another layer of tension. The arrival of the new sheriff creates an interesting triangle, pushing Clay and Judd to navigate both personal history and shifting power dynamics.

The plot kicks into motion when Clay’s uncle Teddy, well‑known around town as someone who attracts trouble, goes missing. This disappearance forces Clay and Judd to work together despite their unresolved issues. Their partnership, combined with their shared concern for Teddy, makes for a compelling emotional core. Watching three generations of Hawkins men, each shaped by different choices and regrets, attempt to reconnect is one of the book’s most engaging throughlines.

What really stood out was how many relationships felt layered and authentic, from Clay and his father to the wider web of characters who make up the town. The small‑town setting is well‑used, giving the story a strong sense of place without overshadowing the characters. Several plot threads weave through the narrative, offering mystery, family drama, and interpersonal tension in a way that keeps the pages turning.

Overall, this was an excellent, character‑driven story with plenty of heart and just the right amount of grit. It balances mystery with family dynamics in a way that feels both grounded and emotionally satisfying. And with several storylines still open by the end, I fully expect, and hope, there will be a follow‑up. There’s definitely more to explore in Riverwood and within the Hawkins family. Thank you to NetGalley, Matt Goldman, and St. Martens Press for a free advance copy for an honest review.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to read Liar's Creek, by Matt Goldman. It's the second novel I've read by this author.
More than a thriller or a mystery, I'd consider it a character-driven story, dealing with the strained relationships among three generations of Hawkins men in the small town of Riverwood, Minnesota.
It's told in third-person omniscient, but the main protagonist is 42-year-old Clay Hawkins. After a successful career as a soccer player in Europe, he has returned to Riverwood to accept a coaching job at a private school. Accompanying Clay is his 12-year-old son, Braedon. Clay had a one-night stand with Braedon's mother, and nine months later, she dropped the child on Clay's doorstep, so Clay has raised his son as a single father, along with a few nannies.
Clay's relationship with his own father, Judd, has always been adversarial. Clay's mother contracted cancer during her pregnancy and died when Clay was still a child; Clay believes Judd holds him responsible for her death. Also, Judd, Riverwood's tough chief of police for many years, disapproves of Clay's career choices.
When Clay comes home, Judd has been forced into retirement, replaced by Zoey Jensen, a young woman from northern Minnesota. He's licking his wounds, but he has time now to spend with his grandson; the relationship between Judd and Braedon is much better than Judd's with Clay.
Shortly after Clay and Braedon arrive in town, Judd's twin brother, Teddy, goes missing, and this is the overarching mystery throughout the book. Teddy and Judd are complete opposites; while Judd was always a responsible, law-and-order guy, fun-loving Teddy could barely hold a job and often found himself on the wrong side of the law.
Clay and Judd team up with Zoey to investigate Teddy's disappearance, and it turns out that half of the townspeople are hiding something.
Readers looking for a fast-paced thriller might be disappointed, but the suspense is always there. The writing is excellent and the characters well-developed. There were a few surprises toward the end that brought together seemingly unconnected plot points. Highly recommended.

[PamG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matt Goldman has started a crime thriller series featuring Clay Hawkins, a former professional football (soccer) player who lived in Ireland for several years. The book, Liar’s Creek, starts soon after Clay and his twelve-year-old son Braedon move back to Clay’s hometown of Riverwood, Minnesota, about south of Rochester in Fillmore County.

Clay’s relationship with his father Judd, the recently replaced police chief, is still strained, but Judd and Braedon have made a good connection. However, Judd’s twin brother Teddy disappears. The three generations of Hawkins, along with new police chief Zoey Jensen, work to find him.

Clay has secrets that are revealed as the story progresses. He is self-reliant, capable, doesn’t take unnecessary chances, loves athletics, and has great observation and deduction skills. He also loves to fish for trout and makes his own fishing flies.

The author does a great job of bringing the characters and the setting to life. It highlights the tight-knit community and trout fishing culture that is part of rural southeastern Minnesota. The setting of limestone bluffs and narrow roads is vivid. The book establishes the relationships of the main characters in addition to the having a mystery that needs to be solved. The story moved at a moderate pace and had a couple of twists. I did feel that part of the big reveal at the end was not a surprise while other parts were surprising. However, the novel displays dramatic depths effectively.

Overall, this is an intriguing, engaging, and suspenseful crime thriller with memorable characters and family drama, as well as a good mystery. There’s a hint of a couple of threads for the next book in the series. I’m looking forward to reading it.

St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Matt Goldman provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for May 05, 2026.
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My 4.27 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.

[Mae Clair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur books and NetGalley for my ARC.

After reading Carolina Moonset by Matt Goldman, I couldn’t wait to explore this book. I loved the idea of a smalltown setting, especially given the main character, Clay, returns after many years abroad. Add three generations of men in the Hawkins family, a strained father/son relationship and a missing person, and I knew I was in for a complex read.

Goldman knows how to delve into his characters, exploring their quirks, motivations, and fears, and he uses a full roster of diverse personalities in this novel. The first quarter is a bit slow, as each character is introduced and the reader learns about the disappearance of Clay’s uncle, Teddy. After that, the plot takes off with surprising twists and turns, making it near-impossible to put the book down.

Going off the grid every now and then isn’t unusual for Teddy, but this time his disappearance proves troubling with inexplicable signs left behind. What starts as a simple mystery, spreads deeper, pulling more and more citizens of Riverwood into its net as the chapters progress. I changed my opinion multiple times about what was going on, who was at fault, and what the outcome would be. When all was said and done, I never would have guessed how things played out.

While the mystery of Teddy’s disappearance is key, character relationships are at the heart of the book. Even secondary characters are given intriguing story arcs, and the connections between Clay, his father, Judd, and his son, Braeden, are riveting to watch unfold. I might have knocked off half a star for the slow start, but this book is so beautifully written, and wonderfully told, it easily earns 5 stars from me.

Finally, although the story wraps up neatly at the end, something is introduced in the last few pages that makes me think there could be a sequel. I have my fingers crossed that’s true. I would love to visit Riverwood with its engaging characters again.

[Julie (JuJu) · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟
Small towns feel like smiles and homemade jam, but “Liar’s Creek” rips off the cozy mask and lets the secrets spill out. I was drawn in by the atmosphere from the very first page.

#MinotaurBooks #StMartinsPress #SlowBurn #Mystery

Clay Hawkins returns to his old stomping grounds after twenty years, his twelve-year-old son in tow, and instantly, you can feel the tension crackle. The locals are suspicious, but his family is even messier. Clay’s dad, the ex-sheriff, could write a book on uncomfortable silences. When Clay’s uncle vanishes, the whole story tilts. What starts as a simple worry quickly spirals, hinting at secrets buried much deeper than anyone wants to admit.

What grabbed me most was how much the characters drive the story. Clay isn’t your typical action star. He’s thoughtful, fiercely protective, and clearly haunted by old wounds.

Watching him juggle fatherhood and tangled family drama gives the story real heart. This isn’t just a missing-persons case; it’s a full-blown family circus, and I loved every chaotic minute.

The family drama is where this book really shines. Three generations, all wound together, only making things more complicated. The history is the kind you don’t want to share at reunions. Clay and his dad feel so authentic, and every twist lands with extra weight because it all circles back to family.

The setting deserves a spotlight. Riverwood looks picture-perfect, but there’s an undercurrent of unease. It’s got that classic vibe where everyone’s in on a secret, but no one is sharing. The town itself feels alive, quietly observing every move, as if it were one of the characters.

This is a slow burn, but trust me, it pays off. The tension creeps in quietly, and before you know it, you’re completely hooked and can’t put it down.

If you love small-town thrillers packed with tangled family dynamics and simmering suspense, grab this one. It’s quietly addictive and impossible to resist.

[Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quiet but masculine slow-burn domestic thriller focusing on the complexities of father-son relationships.

Single-father Clay retires from playing professional soccer in Europe and moves with his 12-year-old son, Braedon, back to his hometown in Minnesota. While Braedon hits it off with Clay's retired-cop father, Judd, Clay and Judd's relationship suffers from a lifetime of strain. As Clay and Braedon begin to adjust to life in smalltown America, Judd's loveable, but unreliable twin brother, Teddy, goes missing. As the three generations search for Teddy, their relationships to each other begin to change in ways none of them saw coming.

I haven't read many domestic thrillers targeted at men, but I think that is the easiest way to describe this book. It is not an action packed, testosterone-fueled, face-paced thriller. Rather, it is quiet, understated, and focuses more on the relationships between the characters than on the mystery itself. It does however, go into tons of detail about flyfishing, how to load a BB gun, and the social signals sent by which model of pickup truck you own. It is centered on men and their relationships to other men - fathers, sons, brothers, community. There are strong women in the book (especially the new Chief of Police), but the book centers on men. This is not a bad thing in the book, but it is unusual for the genre. Furthermore, I would classify this as a domestic thriller, but not as a psychological thriller. Again, not a drawback, but something to be aware of going into it.

Overall, this book wasn't my usual cup of tea, but I did find it highly enjoyable once I was able to see past the masculine sign posting and focus in on a strong story about the the shifting bonds between family members.

Thank you NetGalley for advance access in exchange for an honest review.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished listening to the audiobook of Liars Creek by Matt Goldman. This book is billed as a thriller, but I would say it’s more a story about relationships. Clay Hawkins has recently returned to Riverview, Minnesota after years of playing professional soccer in Ireland. He returns to his small town with his 12-year-old son in tow. Shortly, after returning to town, his Uncle Teddy goes missing. His father Judd is the former police chief in town and Teddy‘s twin brother. The story centers around the search for Teddy and the mystery surrounding his disappearance.

Although the book is touted as a mystery, it’s really focuses more on the relationships of the main characters. I definitely found this book to be a slow burn. It starts off with a bang regarding the disappearance of Teddy, but then lulls as we receive more background information about Clay, his family and the people of Riverwood, Minnesota. The book picks up again at the end as the mystery reveals itself. Overall, I would say this is a solid read. The writing is well done and I do feel the relationships went beyond the superficial. However, if you’re looking for a fast paced or suspenseful mystery this is probably not the one for you.

I did find listening to the story on audiobook was ideal. I found the reading by Fred Berman was excellent. I really enjoyed his portrayal of the characters and I felt like it made the story come alive. I’m not sure I would’ve enjoyed this book as much if I had just read it. Goldman does leave the story open to a sequel, but he does not end on a cliff hanger. The mystery is tied up nicely so if there was not another book to follow, you wouldn’t feel like you were left hanging. Thank you to Net Galley, Saint Martin’s Press and Minotaur books for this ARC.

[Dogsandbooksanddogsandbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for the free e-arc. Opinions are my own.
3.5 rounded up

Two men and a boy are central in what appears will become a series. Clay, a retired professional Soccer player, his 12-year-old son Braeden, and his released from duty Sheriff father, Judd, work out all sorts of paternal issues while solving a crime. These issues were a bonus and I hope continue to develop in next installations. Overall, Liar's Creek is a character-driven mystery.

The crime at hand is a missing man. Teddy is Judd's hapless brother, the one always in the middle of the fallout of a bad decision. When it is determined that Teddy hasn't just gone on a walkabout, the men, and without their knowledge, Braeden investigate the disappearance and what Teddy had been up to prior to going missing.

It's an interesting case full of red herrings and shady characters. There is a new Sheriff in town, Zoey, who also is involved with the search. There is a lot to enjoy about this book but I will start with what bothered me. Zoey. With her introduction, I had to reread it a couple of times as it seemed so out there. Her early conversations with Clay came across as inappropriate and/or immature for her age and position along with just meeting someone for the first time and the seriousness of what was transpiring. It was quite a bit into the book before she wasn't a distraction for me.

I love Clay (long hair!) and how intentional his conversations are with his son. His interactions with the women in his life from his youth are respectful and full of love. I hope to see more of that, too.

Though there were bumps along the way, I'm looking forward to seeing this series grow.