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A Good Liar
The gripping new novel from the author of The Widows’ Club.
When a fire destroys the Empress Theatre, a devastating tragedy unfolds.
Amelia’s mother lost her piece of mind forever when she left her daughter alone for a few life-changing moments.
The dance school lost their beloved teacher, Hilary, who died saving the lives of her young pupils.
Karin lost her memory, and the answers she desperately craves.
Claudia lost the one thing that would have made her perfect life complete.
As local reporter Leanne picks over the embers of that night, what seemed like a straightforward case of negligence becomes something else entirely: somebody is lying – each person has lost something, but one of them has sold their soul…
When a fire destroys the Empress Theatre, a devastating tragedy unfolds.
Amelia’s mother lost her piece of mind forever when she left her daughter alone for a few life-changing moments.
The dance school lost their beloved teacher, Hilary, who died saving the lives of her young pupils.
Karin lost her memory, and the answers she desperately craves.
Claudia lost the one thing that would have made her perfect life complete.
As local reporter Leanne picks over the embers of that night, what seemed like a straightforward case of negligence becomes something else entirely: somebody is lying – each person has lost something, but one of them has sold their soul…
416 pages, Paperback
First published May 27, 2021
8 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Brooke
32 books277 followersAmanda Brooke lives in Liverpool with her teenage daughter, Jessica. When her three-year-old son died from cancer, Amanda was determined that his legacy would be one of inspiration. Yesterday's Sun is inspired by her experiences of motherhood.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 18, 2021
What a web of lies!
A Good Liar explores a tragic event that leaves a community mourning twelve lives lost. As time passes the people of Sedgefield need someone to blame. This book is one twist after the other at the lies and unclear memories are being untangled. You will find people dealing with loss, eager for the truth and happy to make accusations and point fingers, but you will also find some unexpected heroes as you turn the pages of this book. It’s a moving, gripping story filled with twists and a conclusion you do not expect. This is an extraordinary tale that will keep you glued to the pages.
I loved the way the author broke the story up with chapters returning to the night of the fire sharing the various characters experiences. I found myself unable to put this book down, eagerly trying to untangle the web of lies along with Leanne. Amanda Brooke is a “new to me” author and I look forward to reading more of her books.
When a fire destroys the newly opened Empress Theatre during the local ballet school’s opening night a small community is left scared after the loss of twelve lives. A year later they are still waiting for answers and justice. Everyone has an opinion on who was to blame and fingers are pointed to Declan the electrician who worked on the building and to Philippa who headed the restoration projects. Was Philippa cutting corners to save money or was the contractor delivering shoddy work to save time?
Leanne Pitman lost her best friend and she is convinced that Philippa and Declan are at fault. When her editor insists that she has to find some positive stories and write about the unsung heroes she is forced to look at the people involved in a different light. However, to more she digs into the events of that dreadful night, the more she finds that peoples stories do not line up. Someone is lying. But what are they trying to hide?
This book pulls you into the heart of a tragedy and leaves you sharing a community’s pain and loss. While sharing the need to blame someone. I could not drag myself away from this sad story that was full of rumours and accusations. I simply loved every minute of this story. While it is based on a tragedy, it looks at how unreasonable people can be, and how easily lives can be destroyed by unfounded accusations.
My heart broke for Karin. As a survivor of the fire, she had to face a long recovery period followed by the news of her brother’s death. If that was not bad enough, she was ousted by the community because everyone believed her brother was responsible for the fire. The author did a remarkable job in sharing the effects the tragedy had on the various members of the community. She managed to leave you feeling as if you were a part of the community and picking sides as the story unfolded.
This book flew onto my loved list for the year with ease. The story is sad and touching while it is filled with twists and ends brilliantly with an unexpected reveal.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is guaranteed to keep you guessing as the web of lies are untangled and the various characters fill in the pieces that finally reveal what really happened the night of the fire. It’s a fantastic read that will not leave you disappointed. Please add this to your TBR if you are a fan of psychological fiction.
A Good Liar explores a tragic event that leaves a community mourning twelve lives lost. As time passes the people of Sedgefield need someone to blame. This book is one twist after the other at the lies and unclear memories are being untangled. You will find people dealing with loss, eager for the truth and happy to make accusations and point fingers, but you will also find some unexpected heroes as you turn the pages of this book. It’s a moving, gripping story filled with twists and a conclusion you do not expect. This is an extraordinary tale that will keep you glued to the pages.
I loved the way the author broke the story up with chapters returning to the night of the fire sharing the various characters experiences. I found myself unable to put this book down, eagerly trying to untangle the web of lies along with Leanne. Amanda Brooke is a “new to me” author and I look forward to reading more of her books.
When a fire destroys the newly opened Empress Theatre during the local ballet school’s opening night a small community is left scared after the loss of twelve lives. A year later they are still waiting for answers and justice. Everyone has an opinion on who was to blame and fingers are pointed to Declan the electrician who worked on the building and to Philippa who headed the restoration projects. Was Philippa cutting corners to save money or was the contractor delivering shoddy work to save time?
Leanne Pitman lost her best friend and she is convinced that Philippa and Declan are at fault. When her editor insists that she has to find some positive stories and write about the unsung heroes she is forced to look at the people involved in a different light. However, to more she digs into the events of that dreadful night, the more she finds that peoples stories do not line up. Someone is lying. But what are they trying to hide?
This book pulls you into the heart of a tragedy and leaves you sharing a community’s pain and loss. While sharing the need to blame someone. I could not drag myself away from this sad story that was full of rumours and accusations. I simply loved every minute of this story. While it is based on a tragedy, it looks at how unreasonable people can be, and how easily lives can be destroyed by unfounded accusations.
My heart broke for Karin. As a survivor of the fire, she had to face a long recovery period followed by the news of her brother’s death. If that was not bad enough, she was ousted by the community because everyone believed her brother was responsible for the fire. The author did a remarkable job in sharing the effects the tragedy had on the various members of the community. She managed to leave you feeling as if you were a part of the community and picking sides as the story unfolded.
This book flew onto my loved list for the year with ease. The story is sad and touching while it is filled with twists and ends brilliantly with an unexpected reveal.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is guaranteed to keep you guessing as the web of lies are untangled and the various characters fill in the pieces that finally reveal what really happened the night of the fire. It’s a fantastic read that will not leave you disappointed. Please add this to your TBR if you are a fan of psychological fiction.
May 14, 2022
Thrilling
August 31, 2021
A Good Liar is a emotional, intriguing read that kept me entertained on a long train journey.
The story follows Leanne, a journalist, who is trying to investigate a tragic accident a few years ago and piece together what actually happened. I felt there was much more happening in the story then I expected with different threads running alongside each other. The book does start off slow but the author slowly increases the tension so that it becomes almost impossible to put down.
Told mainly from Leanne’s point of view with flashbacks from the fire, the reader is gradually made aware of what happened and of the secrets that everyone is hiding. There are lots of twists that kept me guessing until the end and the story kept changing direction just when I thought I had everything figured out. The characters were well written with some I like and some I wasn’t sure about which helped add to the tension and foreboding feeling in the book.
I thought the book ended in a satisfying, believable way and I would definitely like to read more from this author in the future. I think this would make a great book club read as there would be lots to discuss.
Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Harper for my copy of this book.
The story follows Leanne, a journalist, who is trying to investigate a tragic accident a few years ago and piece together what actually happened. I felt there was much more happening in the story then I expected with different threads running alongside each other. The book does start off slow but the author slowly increases the tension so that it becomes almost impossible to put down.
Told mainly from Leanne’s point of view with flashbacks from the fire, the reader is gradually made aware of what happened and of the secrets that everyone is hiding. There are lots of twists that kept me guessing until the end and the story kept changing direction just when I thought I had everything figured out. The characters were well written with some I like and some I wasn’t sure about which helped add to the tension and foreboding feeling in the book.
I thought the book ended in a satisfying, believable way and I would definitely like to read more from this author in the future. I think this would make a great book club read as there would be lots to discuss.
Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Harper for my copy of this book.
August 6, 2021
This was more of a family drama than a thriller, we start with a fire in The Empress Theatre, which has devastating consequences and leads to a number of casualties. People have lost their family members, some have been injured and lost their memories. A little girl was rescued from the rubble by a mysterious hero. Journalist Leanne is determined to get to the truth of what happened that night and who was behind the fire, and we follow her investigation in to this, meeting many people along the way who were both heros and victims. There are also flashback chapters to what happened at the time of the fire.
This was quite a slow burn, but I was intrigued to see who was behind the fire. The more I read on the more secrets people were keeping and I started to realise everyone was not quite as they seemed. Some characters go to extreme lengths to try and hide the truth about that night. There is quite a mix of characters, some likeable and some not so, and I thought this built up to a satisfying conclusion. Will look out for more by this author.
This was quite a slow burn, but I was intrigued to see who was behind the fire. The more I read on the more secrets people were keeping and I started to realise everyone was not quite as they seemed. Some characters go to extreme lengths to try and hide the truth about that night. There is quite a mix of characters, some likeable and some not so, and I thought this built up to a satisfying conclusion. Will look out for more by this author.
August 18, 2021
The book starts at the Empress Theatre in Sedgefield, Cheshire where a ballet production of Alice in Wonderland has just commenced. The performance is overseen by dance school teacher Hilary. Young Amelia is in attendance with her mum so she can watch her best friend Evie play the White Rabbit. When the alarm is raised, the theatre becomes chaotic and Amelia finds herself alone without her mother. Hilary tries to evacuate all of the members of her dance school to her own detriment. Karin was also at the theatre but remembers very little of what happened after losing her memory and Claudia another survivor lost something that can never be replaced.
Eleven months after the fire that destroyed the Empress Theatre, local reporter Leanne is asked to write an article to mark the anniversary of the fire. Will Leanne find out what caused the fire? Who was involved? Was there a motive behind the fire?
The story switches between the past and the present. In the past we learn more about the fire, the people who were present and what happened. In the present Leanne is trying to piece together from the information she has and what she learns by interviewing the survivors and members of the community what actually caused the fire and who was responsible. This was an interesting story that portrays how a community deals with tragedy and loss, but also how so many members of the community are keeping secrets that will be unearthed if Leanne learns the truth. Leanne is a brilliant character, who is determined to find the truth even if that means asking those difficult questions and upsetting the apple cart and members of the community along the way, including her editor. It becomes clear as the story progresses that Leanne is not only motivated by her journalistic instinct but a personal loss too. The ending was definitely one that I didn’t see coming.
This was an intriguing story. What drew me to the book in the first instance was the theatre aspect of the story and this book didn’t disappoint. It was a story that included many twists and turns and kept me guessing right up until the end.
Eleven months after the fire that destroyed the Empress Theatre, local reporter Leanne is asked to write an article to mark the anniversary of the fire. Will Leanne find out what caused the fire? Who was involved? Was there a motive behind the fire?
The story switches between the past and the present. In the past we learn more about the fire, the people who were present and what happened. In the present Leanne is trying to piece together from the information she has and what she learns by interviewing the survivors and members of the community what actually caused the fire and who was responsible. This was an interesting story that portrays how a community deals with tragedy and loss, but also how so many members of the community are keeping secrets that will be unearthed if Leanne learns the truth. Leanne is a brilliant character, who is determined to find the truth even if that means asking those difficult questions and upsetting the apple cart and members of the community along the way, including her editor. It becomes clear as the story progresses that Leanne is not only motivated by her journalistic instinct but a personal loss too. The ending was definitely one that I didn’t see coming.
This was an intriguing story. What drew me to the book in the first instance was the theatre aspect of the story and this book didn’t disappoint. It was a story that included many twists and turns and kept me guessing right up until the end.
March 10, 2022
This book had the trappings of a great novel - small town, a devastating fire and a journalist on the hunt for the truth. But I was ultimately disappointed. In terms of the novels structure and style, I felt that many of the interactions between the characters were repetitive, and therefore redundant. The book plods on for way too long for very little reward.
I spotted the so-called plot twists a couple of chapters into the book. I’m shocked the main character didn’t reach the conclusion faster.
What a long and boring drawn out “thriller”.
But, what I was most upset by is the lack of affinity I had to the main character, Leeanne. Don’t get me wrong, I can get behind a antihero, an unreliable narrator or even a good-old fashioned protagonist. But I can’t stand boring! She was hopelessly one dimensional and her being described as having “purple hair and wearing Doc Martens” is not a personality trait, I’m sorry. Lazy writing!
I spotted the so-called plot twists a couple of chapters into the book. I’m shocked the main character didn’t reach the conclusion faster.
What a long and boring drawn out “thriller”.
But, what I was most upset by is the lack of affinity I had to the main character, Leeanne. Don’t get me wrong, I can get behind a antihero, an unreliable narrator or even a good-old fashioned protagonist. But I can’t stand boring! She was hopelessly one dimensional and her being described as having “purple hair and wearing Doc Martens” is not a personality trait, I’m sorry. Lazy writing!
August 11, 2021
📚 Book Review 📚
#agoodliar
@amandabrookeauthor
@fictionpub
@randomthingstours
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This book captures your attention from the first page!
A tragic episode resulting in casualties and injuries in a small town has devastating effects on the community. A hero is identified, but is all as it seems. The writer keeps hold of your attention from chapter to chapter and once you think you’ve got things worked out…something else comes to light!!
A gripping story with a determined journalist seeking the truth!! Absolutely loved it and well worth the 5 stars!!!
The gripping new novel from the author of The Widows’ Club.
When a fire destroys the Empress Theatre, a devastating tragedy unfolds. Amelia’s mother lost her piece of mind forever when she left her daughter alone for a few lifechanging moments. The dance school lost their beloved teacher, Hilary, who died saving the lives of her young pupils. Karin lost her memory, and the answers she desperately craves. Claudia lost the one thing that would have made her perfect life complete. As local reporter Leanne picks over the embers of that night, what seemed like a straightforward case of negligence becomes something else entirely: somebody is lying – each person has lost something, but one of them has sold their soul...
Praise for Amanda Brooke:
‘Haunting and heartbreaking’ Fern Britton
‘An extraordinary novel’ Daily Express
‘Intriguingly plotted and with relatable characters’ Sunday Mirror ‘Clever, unnerving, and unputdownable’ Rachel Lucas, The State of Grace ‘An emotional journey and a great read!’ Fionnuala Kearney
Amanda Brooke published her first novel in her mid-forties, having turned to writing as a way of coping with the death of her young son.
#bookblog #bookreadersofinstagram #bookcommunity #goodreads #bookaddict #bookworm #booksbooksbooks #nursesthatread #scottishreader #bookmail #bookgeek #bookreviewer #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookobsessed #scottishbookstagrammer #bookaholic #whatiread #readerssupportingauthors #pageturners #booklife #bloggergirl #themagicofbooks #bookwormsunited #readinggoals #newreleasebooks #bookobsessed #bookishcommunity #bookaddicted #freebookreviews #fortheloveofliterature
#agoodliar
@amandabrookeauthor
@fictionpub
@randomthingstours
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This book captures your attention from the first page!
A tragic episode resulting in casualties and injuries in a small town has devastating effects on the community. A hero is identified, but is all as it seems. The writer keeps hold of your attention from chapter to chapter and once you think you’ve got things worked out…something else comes to light!!
A gripping story with a determined journalist seeking the truth!! Absolutely loved it and well worth the 5 stars!!!
The gripping new novel from the author of The Widows’ Club.
When a fire destroys the Empress Theatre, a devastating tragedy unfolds. Amelia’s mother lost her piece of mind forever when she left her daughter alone for a few lifechanging moments. The dance school lost their beloved teacher, Hilary, who died saving the lives of her young pupils. Karin lost her memory, and the answers she desperately craves. Claudia lost the one thing that would have made her perfect life complete. As local reporter Leanne picks over the embers of that night, what seemed like a straightforward case of negligence becomes something else entirely: somebody is lying – each person has lost something, but one of them has sold their soul...
Praise for Amanda Brooke:
‘Haunting and heartbreaking’ Fern Britton
‘An extraordinary novel’ Daily Express
‘Intriguingly plotted and with relatable characters’ Sunday Mirror ‘Clever, unnerving, and unputdownable’ Rachel Lucas, The State of Grace ‘An emotional journey and a great read!’ Fionnuala Kearney
Amanda Brooke published her first novel in her mid-forties, having turned to writing as a way of coping with the death of her young son.
#bookblog #bookreadersofinstagram #bookcommunity #goodreads #bookaddict #bookworm #booksbooksbooks #nursesthatread #scottishreader #bookmail #bookgeek #bookreviewer #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookobsessed #scottishbookstagrammer #bookaholic #whatiread #readerssupportingauthors #pageturners #booklife #bloggergirl #themagicofbooks #bookwormsunited #readinggoals #newreleasebooks #bookobsessed #bookishcommunity #bookaddicted #freebookreviews #fortheloveofliterature
May 20, 2021
I have read quite a few of Amanda Brooke's books, they are often in between a family drama and a psychological thriller. The one before this The Widows Club was not set in a family but in a larger circle of people. A Good Liar is the same, here we find several people living in the same town in the aftermath of a major tragedy. The local theatre had been restored by a group of well-meaning wealthy women headed by Philippa. Unfortunately on the opening night, the theatre is destroyed by a fire and several people lost their lives.
There are many questions as it always happens in cases like this and many fingers point at Philippa and her electrician who also perished in the fire but one year after the tragedy the inquest finds that everything was done by the book and the company that supplies some material is too blame. One of the main characters is a reporter for the local newspaper, her best friend died in the fire and she is determined to find the truth. But it takes time and she is not always right about who could be guilty and who could be a hero.
Overall, it is a good story, I found it a bit slow at the beginning but then it grew on me. It's different from many psychological thrillers as there are many layers of culpability and not just one perpetrator. There are some twists but quite predictable, especially given the title of the book, you know someone is lying. But overall a good book which I recommend to anyone who likes a story of village intrigue more than a domestic noir. I was given a free copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review.
There are many questions as it always happens in cases like this and many fingers point at Philippa and her electrician who also perished in the fire but one year after the tragedy the inquest finds that everything was done by the book and the company that supplies some material is too blame. One of the main characters is a reporter for the local newspaper, her best friend died in the fire and she is determined to find the truth. But it takes time and she is not always right about who could be guilty and who could be a hero.
Overall, it is a good story, I found it a bit slow at the beginning but then it grew on me. It's different from many psychological thrillers as there are many layers of culpability and not just one perpetrator. There are some twists but quite predictable, especially given the title of the book, you know someone is lying. But overall a good book which I recommend to anyone who likes a story of village intrigue more than a domestic noir. I was given a free copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review.
November 17, 2024
#AGoodLiar is a story about the tragic fire that occurred at the Empress Theatre, an old building that had been renovated for communal use in Sedgefield and lost 12 lives. Leanne, a reporter assigned to cover the incident, seeks to uncover the truth and the cause of the fire. In her search, she faces various conflicts and motives that she must navigate to uncover the truth.
This psychological mystery is captivating, drawing readers in as they try to figure out who is behind it. Amanda Brooke crafts the plot well, alternating with flashbacks to the time of the fire.
Among the 3 favourite lines I found:
1) “Grief has a way of eating you from the inside if you let it.”
2) “Heroes might exist, but they’re few and far between. We can’t all be saved, and we shouldn’t be worshipping false gods.”
3) “Not everyone can be a hero, and not everyone gets to be saved by one either.”
4/5 stars for A Good Liar by #AmandaBrooke. #ParaReads #ParaBaca #ParaJamaludinReview #AmandaBrooke #psychological #Mystery
This psychological mystery is captivating, drawing readers in as they try to figure out who is behind it. Amanda Brooke crafts the plot well, alternating with flashbacks to the time of the fire.
Among the 3 favourite lines I found:
1) “Grief has a way of eating you from the inside if you let it.”
2) “Heroes might exist, but they’re few and far between. We can’t all be saved, and we shouldn’t be worshipping false gods.”
3) “Not everyone can be a hero, and not everyone gets to be saved by one either.”
4/5 stars for A Good Liar by #AmandaBrooke. #ParaReads #ParaBaca #ParaJamaludinReview #AmandaBrooke #psychological #Mystery
July 3, 2023
This book reads great on the back cover and it starts off fast and gripping, inside the theatre as the fire rages through it, people trapped inside. But for about three quarters of the book it was flat. The character of Leanne was just flat, she had lost her best friend in the fire and as a reporter she was determined to get to the truth of what really happened. But she never let herself reflect on her loss or those around her, she was fixated on Claudia and Karin and Declan and Phillipa and Amelia, basically everyone who had been in the fire. Leanne didn’t give you the opportunity to feel sympathy for her, she was just so cold.
The plot should have been gripping throughout, but it wasn’t. It did pick up in the last quarter though, when things start to unravel for a certain person and of course Leanne is there to catch them. I flew through the last part of the book and really enjoyed it.
The plot should have been gripping throughout, but it wasn’t. It did pick up in the last quarter though, when things start to unravel for a certain person and of course Leanne is there to catch them. I flew through the last part of the book and really enjoyed it.
August 10, 2021
There is a fire in the Empress Theatre and some patrons didn’t make it out. Those that did have secrets to hide and Leanne, a local reporter, is determined to find out what really happened.
A Good Liar was a slow burn for me, in a good way. You are told what happened in little nuggets and then as the reader, you hear witness accounts that either back up or refute what you think you know; you are left guessing at every turn. Personally, I felt it was more a ‘family drama’ and less psychological thriller as the plot is tense and foreboding but I wasn’t kept on the edge of my seat as such.
The plot was very well thought out and I didn’t guess the twist until the very end! Amanda Brooke is so good at leading you astray with what might have happened, only to give you a ‘😱’ moment later on.
I’d definitely read more by this author and would recommend this to those who like a well thought out, slow-burn, with tension building and twists throughout.
A Good Liar was a slow burn for me, in a good way. You are told what happened in little nuggets and then as the reader, you hear witness accounts that either back up or refute what you think you know; you are left guessing at every turn. Personally, I felt it was more a ‘family drama’ and less psychological thriller as the plot is tense and foreboding but I wasn’t kept on the edge of my seat as such.
The plot was very well thought out and I didn’t guess the twist until the very end! Amanda Brooke is so good at leading you astray with what might have happened, only to give you a ‘😱’ moment later on.
I’d definitely read more by this author and would recommend this to those who like a well thought out, slow-burn, with tension building and twists throughout.
February 6, 2024
um this was not so great like there was potential to make it better but feels like they dwelled on a lot of useless things and details that was not even mentioned at the end liek the potential to use the details were so great but (spoiler alert) claudia was the only one lowkey involved at the end which was like ???? --> bcos so many other ppl were sus too jus felt like this had a lot of potential but wasn't met :(
kinda felt draggy reading this ngl and did not progress quickly enough for my liking i usually finish thrillers in a day LOL but this took so long for me to finish i almost did not want to finish it
kinda felt draggy reading this ngl and did not progress quickly enough for my liking i usually finish thrillers in a day LOL but this took so long for me to finish i almost did not want to finish it
August 10, 2021
A Good Liar - Amanda Brooke
This book was a little different to my usual reads, but I'm so glad I gave it a go. Amanda does a great job of characterisation and I felt a very strong dislike to one particular character, which I feel gave me a deeper feeling towards the outcome of the story. A really good slow burn of a story that keeps you interested right up until the last page. Due to the nature of the tragedy we have plenty of people to suspect and keep the intrigue going (and we soon discover that everyone is maybe not as they first seem).
This book was a little different to my usual reads, but I'm so glad I gave it a go. Amanda does a great job of characterisation and I felt a very strong dislike to one particular character, which I feel gave me a deeper feeling towards the outcome of the story. A really good slow burn of a story that keeps you interested right up until the last page. Due to the nature of the tragedy we have plenty of people to suspect and keep the intrigue going (and we soon discover that everyone is maybe not as they first seem).
June 12, 2023
It ended there!?!?!? Well that's disappointing.
The plot was intriguing and I do like how it all unravelled with Leanne's investigation however I did guess a few of the plot twists early on. A bit hard not to, considering the title of the book.
But like a good Columbo, half of the enjoyment comes from seeing how the characters work it all out for themselves.
Generally, this was a bit of a slow start, thankfully picked up for the second half of the book making the slog worth it, but then I'm disappointed by the ending.
The plot was intriguing and I do like how it all unravelled with Leanne's investigation however I did guess a few of the plot twists early on. A bit hard not to, considering the title of the book.
But like a good Columbo, half of the enjoyment comes from seeing how the characters work it all out for themselves.
Generally, this was a bit of a slow start, thankfully picked up for the second half of the book making the slog worth it, but then I'm disappointed by the ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2021
This is my first read by the author and I really enjoyed it very much. It's definitely a page turner. The story starts off with a fire at a theater and from then on it's a roller coaster ride.
I really liked her writing style and found it easier to follow her style. I enjoyed short chapters and definitely an enjoyable read. Loved the twist at the end. I will definitely be reading more of Amanda Brooke's book.
This is definitely a good thriller with twists.
I really liked her writing style and found it easier to follow her style. I enjoyed short chapters and definitely an enjoyable read. Loved the twist at the end. I will definitely be reading more of Amanda Brooke's book.
This is definitely a good thriller with twists.
October 5, 2021
I didn't think I would finish this book but as I was reading it on holiday and had plenty of time I persevered. It was slow for the first 100 pages or so but picked up after that. I found all the various characters introduced confusing and had to keep reminding myself who was who. In the end I was distinctly underwhelmed by this book.
November 6, 2021
Mediocre at best. The story had potential, but it was dragged out and predictable. The main character, Leanne, was just like a flat cutout. In fact all the characters were one-dimensional, leaving no way to feel any empathy or connection to them. It seemed very long for a very short and obvious story.
January 15, 2022
I found this book a bit boring.
There’s been a fire at a newly opened theatre, the story is then told by a journalist Leanne who should have been at the theatre that night as she tries to find the reasons behind the fire.
I found most of the story mundane with little in the way of surprises, but could pass an hour or two if you are stuck for anything to read
There’s been a fire at a newly opened theatre, the story is then told by a journalist Leanne who should have been at the theatre that night as she tries to find the reasons behind the fire.
I found most of the story mundane with little in the way of surprises, but could pass an hour or two if you are stuck for anything to read
July 26, 2021
Not my usual kind of story that I read but I came across this and thought I should try it. I was swithering about whether I should give this book 2 or 3stars. It was just interesting enough to keep me reading until the end but I didn't like the ending. So I'll give it 2.5stars.
March 24, 2023
I absolutely LOVED this book. It was my first time reading Amanda Brooke's work, but it definitely will not be the last. The book had something for everyone - heroes, villains, tragedy, triumph, and good old-fashioned mystery. Highly recommended.
June 26, 2023
A Good....story...I confess that I read all of the italicized chapters first then went back and read the whole book properly from beginning to end so I sorta knew what was going on but that really didn't take away from the enjoyment of the book. I just don't like surprises...
August 27, 2025
I really thought I would enjoy this book but it didn’t grip me in the slightest. It all felt a bit lack lustre. The characters didn’t draw me in and I think there was too much revealed too early, either that or the book should have been a lot shorter.
August 9, 2021
I really enjoyed this book & read it in an afternoon, I couldn't put it down. Its storyline was unique & original, it was very well written & had some strong female characters, that developed further as the story deepened. What an absolute bitch of a character Claudia was, I mean, why would you do something like that, you must be pretty screwed up...or desperate!
A compelling slow burner of a read, that I would highly recommend.
A compelling slow burner of a read, that I would highly recommend.
August 6, 2021
Fabulous !!
Look out for my review on my blog candysbookcase.Wordpress.com on Thurs 12 Aug as part of the blog tour.
Look out for my review on my blog candysbookcase.Wordpress.com on Thurs 12 Aug as part of the blog tour.
September 25, 2021
A quick decent read that did keep me guessing
December 25, 2021
Brilliant story - l thoroughly enjoyed this.
January 3, 2022
A gripping tale following a fire in the local theatre. A well thought out twist at the end keeps the reader interested.
June 7, 2022
Loved this. 4.5 stars. Definitely Amanda’s best book yet.
July 4, 2023
This book burned down my emotional stability
December 22, 2024
I thought this story would never end. 😤 The chapters in italics were an excellent story. All the faffing around by Leanne and Claudia was frustrating!
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