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Beautiful Liars
Eighteen years ago Martha said goodbye to best friend Juliet on a moonlit London towpath.
The next morning Juliet's bike was found abandoned at the waterside.
She was never seen again.
Nearly two decades later Martha is a TV celebrity, preparing to host a new crime show... and the first case will be that of missing student Juliet Sherman. After all these years Martha must reach out to old friends and try to piece together the final moments of Juliet's life.
But what happens when your perfect friends turn out to be perfect strangers...?
304 pages, Paperback
First published April 19, 2018
114 people are currently reading
1613 people want to read
About the author
Isabel Ashdown
15 books254 followersIsabel Ashdown is an award-winning author and writing coach. 'One Girl, One Summer' is her tenth novel.
Isabel’s writing career launched with her critically acclaimed debut 'Glasshopper', which was twice named among Best Books of the Year after winning first prize in a national competition judged by Fay Weldon, Sir John Mortimer, and Michael Ridpath. Since then, her thrillers 'Little Sister' and 'Beautiful Liars' have been shortlisted in the Dead Good Reader Awards, while '33 Women' was an Amazon bestseller within weeks of release. Alongside her own work, Isabel is a Royal Literary Fund Fellow and a coach to developing writers.
Born in London, Isabel grew up on the south coast, and she now spends much of her time in a writing cabin in West Dorset, built for her by carpenter husband, Colin. She is a member of the Society of Authors and is represented by Kate Shaw of The Shaw Agency. Isabel lives with her husband, with whom she has two grown-up children and a pair of ageing dogs. Her happy place is anywhere with a coastal view.
Find out more about Isabel via her website, Instagram, Facebook or TikTok.
Isabel’s writing career launched with her critically acclaimed debut 'Glasshopper', which was twice named among Best Books of the Year after winning first prize in a national competition judged by Fay Weldon, Sir John Mortimer, and Michael Ridpath. Since then, her thrillers 'Little Sister' and 'Beautiful Liars' have been shortlisted in the Dead Good Reader Awards, while '33 Women' was an Amazon bestseller within weeks of release. Alongside her own work, Isabel is a Royal Literary Fund Fellow and a coach to developing writers.
Born in London, Isabel grew up on the south coast, and she now spends much of her time in a writing cabin in West Dorset, built for her by carpenter husband, Colin. She is a member of the Society of Authors and is represented by Kate Shaw of The Shaw Agency. Isabel lives with her husband, with whom she has two grown-up children and a pair of ageing dogs. Her happy place is anywhere with a coastal view.
Find out more about Isabel via her website, Instagram, Facebook or TikTok.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews
August 29, 2018
Once again Isabel Ashdown weaves an atmospheric, gripping, and character driven psychological thriller that upturns your expectations again and again. Nearly 20 years ago, Martha, Olivia and Juliet were friends. One night, Martha bids her best friend, Juliet Sherman, goodbye on a London towpath. The following morning, Juliet's bike is discovered abandoned and she is never to be seen again. In the present, Martha is a famous TV celebrity, about to present a new crime show, and the cold case of Juliet is to be the subject of the first investigation. Martha must now reach back into her past to connect with old friends and others, in order to put together the pieces of the jigsaw that lie behind Juliet's disappearance. The story is narrated by Martha and Casey, uncovering what lies behind friendships that disintegrate after traumatic events occur, and of obsession, secrets, deception, jealousy and lies.
Martha writes to Liv, but Liv's home was purchased by the weird and strange Casey, who reads the letter meant for Liv. Having taken on the persona of Liv, Casey communicates with Martha, the reasons for this deception become clearer later on. Martha trawls for evidence and suspects as long ago memories return. She finds herself looking into Juliet's work with a homeless charity and more. Martha has her own secrets as we wonder if we can rely on her. We learn of her less than happy family life and her often less than perfect behaviour. Ashdown writes a disturbing, complex novel of the nature of relationships, with unexpected twists that come out of the blue, to slowly reveal the truth behind what happened to Juliet all those years ago. The pace begins to pick up fast after the slow start to this entertaining book, and I soon find myself immersed and fascinated by the characters. Another great read from the author! Many thanks to Orion for an ARC.
Martha writes to Liv, but Liv's home was purchased by the weird and strange Casey, who reads the letter meant for Liv. Having taken on the persona of Liv, Casey communicates with Martha, the reasons for this deception become clearer later on. Martha trawls for evidence and suspects as long ago memories return. She finds herself looking into Juliet's work with a homeless charity and more. Martha has her own secrets as we wonder if we can rely on her. We learn of her less than happy family life and her often less than perfect behaviour. Ashdown writes a disturbing, complex novel of the nature of relationships, with unexpected twists that come out of the blue, to slowly reveal the truth behind what happened to Juliet all those years ago. The pace begins to pick up fast after the slow start to this entertaining book, and I soon find myself immersed and fascinated by the characters. Another great read from the author! Many thanks to Orion for an ARC.
April 2, 2018
The first couple of chapters were laying the ground work which was going to end up into a fab read at the end. I know that now, but at the time I was really having to concentrate on what I was reading, so don't get interrupted when you first start to read this, it really is an amazing plot.
We have lie, we have deception and most of all we have secrets.
Based around three main characters, all different but all friends. Each come from a different background.
Each person tells their stories in alternating chapters some of the past, the now and the present.
Then another character who steals the show.
Its such a wonderful plot that I loath to give anything away, the twists in this is so awesome you won't guess.
I warmed to each character in their own right because each experience was unique.
A young girl going missing.
A devoted husband who was seen to be to blame.
This is definitely going into my top 2018 shelf.
Highly recommended.
July 15, 2021
Beautiful Liars is a perfect name for a psychological thriller when you think about it, those type of books are full of liars that you have to wade your way through to find the truth. This book by Isabel Ashdown fits the mold and is told in a dual point of view style.
The main character in this one is Martha Benn who is now a famous television celebrity who has taken on the hosting duties of a new show that will investigate cold crimes. Who would have been a better fit than Martha who can open the show investigating a crime she herself had been very close to in her past.
When Martha was young she was best friends with two other girls, Juliet and Liv. That all fell apart when one night Martha and Juliet had been out with Martha returning home but Juliet to never be seen again. After Juliet’s disappearance Martha and Liv grew apart but now Martha wants to return and finally get answers as to just what happened that night long ago.
Beautiful Liars is the second book I’ve read by Isabel Ashdown and I have enjoyed both quite a bit. The story is easy to follow along with the changing point of view and was quite compelling as I dived into it. There are plenty of twists and turn along the way as the decades old secrets are uncovered with the disappearance. Definitely an author I will try to come back to in the future.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
The main character in this one is Martha Benn who is now a famous television celebrity who has taken on the hosting duties of a new show that will investigate cold crimes. Who would have been a better fit than Martha who can open the show investigating a crime she herself had been very close to in her past.
When Martha was young she was best friends with two other girls, Juliet and Liv. That all fell apart when one night Martha and Juliet had been out with Martha returning home but Juliet to never be seen again. After Juliet’s disappearance Martha and Liv grew apart but now Martha wants to return and finally get answers as to just what happened that night long ago.
Beautiful Liars is the second book I’ve read by Isabel Ashdown and I have enjoyed both quite a bit. The story is easy to follow along with the changing point of view and was quite compelling as I dived into it. There are plenty of twists and turn along the way as the decades old secrets are uncovered with the disappearance. Definitely an author I will try to come back to in the future.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
April 22, 2018
Having absolutely loved Little Sister, I was really looking forward to Beautiful Liars, which is a story of friendship, secrets and lies.
This book’s strength lies in the characters. Yet again, this author has created a good mix of characters that are well developed. I especially liked Casey, who I was very much intrigued by, not knowing what she was going to do next. The characters are believable, and the situation convincing, as if it really could happen. I had my suspicions, but I didn’t solve the case myself, so it was good to get a couple of unexpected surprises, and discover that perhaps I didn’t know some of the characters quite as well as I thought.
I didn’t get on quite as well with the style this book was written in though. It felt a little slow to start and I struggled getting to grips with what was happening at first. It felt like I had to really concentrate, but some of this may be my own fault, as I did start it late one night while really tired, so didn’t read a lot, and when I came to it the next night, I was struggling to remember who was who. I also have a bit of an aversion to police procedural crime novels, and even though this isn’t police procedural, as it is actually a television celebrity who is trying to solve the cold case of a missing teenage friend from her past, it did have a police procedural feel to it, in that she was delving into the past, looking for evidence, circumstances around the time, potential suspects and reasons for the disappearance of her friend.
Although this style of storytelling didn’t float my boat, I know a lot of readers who absolutely love that style of mystery solving, so I think this book will be very much enjoyed by crime fans and those who enjoy cold case television programmes. If you enjoy realistic crime and mystery solving novels with strong characters that will keep you guessing until the end, then I would definitely recommend Beautiful Liars. Also, if you haven’t read Little Sister, I highly recommend you add that to your pile of books to read too.
This book’s strength lies in the characters. Yet again, this author has created a good mix of characters that are well developed. I especially liked Casey, who I was very much intrigued by, not knowing what she was going to do next. The characters are believable, and the situation convincing, as if it really could happen. I had my suspicions, but I didn’t solve the case myself, so it was good to get a couple of unexpected surprises, and discover that perhaps I didn’t know some of the characters quite as well as I thought.
I didn’t get on quite as well with the style this book was written in though. It felt a little slow to start and I struggled getting to grips with what was happening at first. It felt like I had to really concentrate, but some of this may be my own fault, as I did start it late one night while really tired, so didn’t read a lot, and when I came to it the next night, I was struggling to remember who was who. I also have a bit of an aversion to police procedural crime novels, and even though this isn’t police procedural, as it is actually a television celebrity who is trying to solve the cold case of a missing teenage friend from her past, it did have a police procedural feel to it, in that she was delving into the past, looking for evidence, circumstances around the time, potential suspects and reasons for the disappearance of her friend.
Although this style of storytelling didn’t float my boat, I know a lot of readers who absolutely love that style of mystery solving, so I think this book will be very much enjoyed by crime fans and those who enjoy cold case television programmes. If you enjoy realistic crime and mystery solving novels with strong characters that will keep you guessing until the end, then I would definitely recommend Beautiful Liars. Also, if you haven’t read Little Sister, I highly recommend you add that to your pile of books to read too.
February 18, 2018
Little Sister was one of my favourite books of last year – so twisted yet so insightful so I was SO HAPPY to see “Beautiful Liars” land on my doorstep and it was, if anything, even more compelling. I loved it.
This is a story about friendship torn apart by a traumatic event. Once again Isabel Ashdown layers her characters beautifully, with their true nature slowly coming out over the course of the read. We see two main points of view – Martha, the successful t.v. star still haunted by the disappearance of one of her closest friends and Casey, a lonely and odd woman who becomes caught up in the new investigation by accident and immerses herself into a different life.
I was totally riveted by their story – and that of Juliet, the missing girl and Liv the third friend in the trio. The author plays with concept of time and memory here in a wonderfully compelling way as Martha revisits that time and finds things long forgotten. But can she finally solve the mystery and find Juliet? Well that is the question and you will be hooked until the very last page..
It is a gorgeous piece of plotting, clever and unexpected, the writing is imaginatively spot on to bring these women to life, the reality tv show element works so well within the narrative adding an edgy modern feel to the age old story of personal relationships and how they affect our lives.
Overall utterly marvellous. A banging good read, like a favourite flavoured pot of Pringles – once you pop you can’t stop. One sitting read.
Highly Recommended.
This is a story about friendship torn apart by a traumatic event. Once again Isabel Ashdown layers her characters beautifully, with their true nature slowly coming out over the course of the read. We see two main points of view – Martha, the successful t.v. star still haunted by the disappearance of one of her closest friends and Casey, a lonely and odd woman who becomes caught up in the new investigation by accident and immerses herself into a different life.
I was totally riveted by their story – and that of Juliet, the missing girl and Liv the third friend in the trio. The author plays with concept of time and memory here in a wonderfully compelling way as Martha revisits that time and finds things long forgotten. But can she finally solve the mystery and find Juliet? Well that is the question and you will be hooked until the very last page..
It is a gorgeous piece of plotting, clever and unexpected, the writing is imaginatively spot on to bring these women to life, the reality tv show element works so well within the narrative adding an edgy modern feel to the age old story of personal relationships and how they affect our lives.
Overall utterly marvellous. A banging good read, like a favourite flavoured pot of Pringles – once you pop you can’t stop. One sitting read.
Highly Recommended.
March 18, 2018
I was given access to the first 3 chapters of this novel. Here is my review on those chapters…
Rating based on the pages I had access to : 5 stars
This will be pretty brief given that I only read Part 1 and the first 3 chapters. However I gleaned a bit from the little I read.
Casey who is quiet a reclusive, unusual character and works as a proofreader mainly over the internet and post. With some of her mornings post she receives a letter addressed to the previous owner of the house (Liv) who Casey had developed a fascination with during the purchase of her house. Rather than returning it to the post office she opens it and finds a letter from Liv’s childhood friend and now famous television presenter Martha. She is hosting a new crime show and the first case that the show will be investigating is the disappearance of Liv and Martha’s close friend Juliet Sherman who had disappeared about 18 years previously. Martha is asking to discuss the case and the show with Liv but it is Casey who chooses to pose as Liv and communicate with Martha via Email.
It had been at Martha’s suggestion that the first investigation should be of her long missing friend, even though she is aware that it could destroy her career and reputation if certain parts of her own past were uncovered during the shows investigations.
Ok, I admit there were a few other important pieces of information in those pages but I have tried to give you enough information to whet your appetite (and make you as eager for this intriguing read as I am!)
By the end of those chapters I still wasn’t sure of whose point of view Part One was taken from, but I am extremely eager to find out because it is a perspective of an occurrence that sounds skewed by that person to justify their childhood actions.
Isabel Ashdown is a talented author and those pages that I had access to flowed beautifully with the information being provided. it is a compelling, absolutely fascinating start to Beautiful Liars
I was given an arc of the beggining book by the Publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Rating based on the pages I had access to : 5 stars
This will be pretty brief given that I only read Part 1 and the first 3 chapters. However I gleaned a bit from the little I read.
Casey who is quiet a reclusive, unusual character and works as a proofreader mainly over the internet and post. With some of her mornings post she receives a letter addressed to the previous owner of the house (Liv) who Casey had developed a fascination with during the purchase of her house. Rather than returning it to the post office she opens it and finds a letter from Liv’s childhood friend and now famous television presenter Martha. She is hosting a new crime show and the first case that the show will be investigating is the disappearance of Liv and Martha’s close friend Juliet Sherman who had disappeared about 18 years previously. Martha is asking to discuss the case and the show with Liv but it is Casey who chooses to pose as Liv and communicate with Martha via Email.
It had been at Martha’s suggestion that the first investigation should be of her long missing friend, even though she is aware that it could destroy her career and reputation if certain parts of her own past were uncovered during the shows investigations.
Ok, I admit there were a few other important pieces of information in those pages but I have tried to give you enough information to whet your appetite (and make you as eager for this intriguing read as I am!)
By the end of those chapters I still wasn’t sure of whose point of view Part One was taken from, but I am extremely eager to find out because it is a perspective of an occurrence that sounds skewed by that person to justify their childhood actions.
Isabel Ashdown is a talented author and those pages that I had access to flowed beautifully with the information being provided. it is a compelling, absolutely fascinating start to Beautiful Liars
I was given an arc of the beggining book by the Publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
December 30, 2018
Three and a half stars
Eighteen years earlier teenager Martha left her friend Juliet walking home. Juliet was never seen again. Only her bike was found abandoned. Theories abound as to what happened to her especially after David Crown, an older man the girls knew, also went missing around the same time. Did they run off together? Or was there something more sinister at work? Martha, now a TV celebrity is determined to find out. She makes what happened to Juliet, the subject of the first crime show based on cold cases. In the process Martha will need to reach out to Ivy, who along with Juliet, was part of the threesome of teenage friends. She also needs to connect with others from the past. Nothing quite prepares for what she finds.
The majority of this story is told in two voices. One is Martha. The other is Casey, a recluse who has bought the London house where Ivy used to live. The two characters are well drawn, although I never particularly warmed to either of them. However, the lies, secrets and wanting to know what happened kept me reading. Incidents from the pasts of these characters are woven throughout the narrative.
There are more than a few twists and turns in this tale. Not sure how believable some aspects towards the end were, but maybe that is just me. If you like a mystery with layers being unpeeled and concerning families with various issues then you should really enjoy this one. The author does manage to keep the tension and suspense throughout. An interesting and cleverly constructed read.
Eighteen years earlier teenager Martha left her friend Juliet walking home. Juliet was never seen again. Only her bike was found abandoned. Theories abound as to what happened to her especially after David Crown, an older man the girls knew, also went missing around the same time. Did they run off together? Or was there something more sinister at work? Martha, now a TV celebrity is determined to find out. She makes what happened to Juliet, the subject of the first crime show based on cold cases. In the process Martha will need to reach out to Ivy, who along with Juliet, was part of the threesome of teenage friends. She also needs to connect with others from the past. Nothing quite prepares for what she finds.
The majority of this story is told in two voices. One is Martha. The other is Casey, a recluse who has bought the London house where Ivy used to live. The two characters are well drawn, although I never particularly warmed to either of them. However, the lies, secrets and wanting to know what happened kept me reading. Incidents from the pasts of these characters are woven throughout the narrative.
There are more than a few twists and turns in this tale. Not sure how believable some aspects towards the end were, but maybe that is just me. If you like a mystery with layers being unpeeled and concerning families with various issues then you should really enjoy this one. The author does manage to keep the tension and suspense throughout. An interesting and cleverly constructed read.
August 13, 2019
Predictable plot, the characters were not very likable and were all a bit one dimensional. I guess it was an okay read but not fantastic. Definitely not a thriller worth your time.
Pff. Every single book I've read after Dark Age feels like a major let down.
Pff. Every single book I've read after Dark Age feels like a major let down.
April 16, 2018
Wow that was one heck of spine tingling story which had me completely captivated throughout. I literally read this in a day as so could not put it down.
The storyplot was absolutely brilliant, so cleverly written, which had me sitting on the edge of my seat in eager anticipation as to what would happen next.
As for the characters, all of which were so detailed, in-depth and completely believeable that they had me guessing throughout as to which one would be the guilty party. I never did guess correctly and so that twisty ending left me gasping for breath.
Brilliant book, highly recommended. This is one author to keep an eye out for in the future.
The storyplot was absolutely brilliant, so cleverly written, which had me sitting on the edge of my seat in eager anticipation as to what would happen next.
As for the characters, all of which were so detailed, in-depth and completely believeable that they had me guessing throughout as to which one would be the guilty party. I never did guess correctly and so that twisty ending left me gasping for breath.
Brilliant book, highly recommended. This is one author to keep an eye out for in the future.
March 23, 2020
Ik las dit boek met een Goodreads-groep. De bedoeling was om steeds hetzelfde stuk te lezen. Dat lukte mij aardig, tot gisteravond. Toen lukte het me niet meer om te stoppen, omdat het te spannend was. Een nadeel van deze manier van lezen vind ik dat je niet echt in het verhaal komt, doordat je steeds maar korte stukjes leest. Een voordeel is dat ik daardoor steeds wel op tijd ging slapen. Met uitzondering van gisteravond. ;-)
Ik vind het een leuk verhaal. Een van de hoofdpersonen is Casey. Haar gedrag is vreemd, maar het duurt wel even voor je er achterkomt waarom ze zo doet.
Ik vind het wel een leuk verhaal. Toch denk ik niet dat dit zo’n boek is dat me lang bij zal blijven. Wat ik goed vind is dat de schrijfster je soms op het verkeerde been zet. Toch blijft het boek wat aan de oppervlakte. De kaft vind ik trouwens erg mooi met als die verschillende soorten leugens.
Ik vind het een leuk verhaal. Een van de hoofdpersonen is Casey. Haar gedrag is vreemd, maar het duurt wel even voor je er achterkomt waarom ze zo doet.
Ik vind het wel een leuk verhaal. Toch denk ik niet dat dit zo’n boek is dat me lang bij zal blijven. Wat ik goed vind is dat de schrijfster je soms op het verkeerde been zet. Toch blijft het boek wat aan de oppervlakte. De kaft vind ik trouwens erg mooi met als die verschillende soorten leugens.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2018
Given the so many favourable responses Beautiful Liars has received from readers, I feel awfully churlish about my tepid response. But whilst I found the characters intriguing and the television production details and crew engaging, I felt the author jerked readers about with the plot. I loved Glasshopper for its mysterious sense of something going on that wasn’t quite in view because there were two time-tracks that were not parallel, one of the narrators was a child, and the other was his mother who was drunk most of the time. But now I fear what looked like the mysterious may have been only narrative trickery. This time I am sure. I also had a problem with characters who have severe body-image and psychological problems like anorexia and obesity. Having to pity villains instead of victims affronts my sense of decency. But Isabel Ashdown writes well and I hope I like her next book better.
July 8, 2019
It has been eighteen years since one of Martha's best friends, Juliet, disappeared on a trail. Martha, now a famous television personality, has just enough influence to prepare a crime show. This pushes her to find out once and for all what happened to Juliet.
More than Martha and Juliet were best friends. There was also Liv, so Martha sends her a letter to ask for her help. Martha is more than pleased that Liv wants to help, especially since they haven't seen each other in all of that time. However, Liv has moved away and another woman receives the letter, and then decides to act as if she is Liv.
Martha and another member of the show, Toby, with the occasional help of a retired cop, begin asking questions. Among other people, Martha locates Juliet's father and the wife of the man suspected of kidnapping Juliet. The deeper Martha digs, unfortunately, the darker things become, so much so that her very life just might soon be threatened.
The prologue leads the reader on a rabbit trail, to be sure. All we know is that a child died at the hands of a sibling, but who was it? As the story jumps right into Juliet's disappearance, this very question stirred in the back of my brain while reading this thrilling book.
There is no surprise as to the name of this book, Beautiful Liars, as there was a large net of doubt cast as to more than one character. Having unreliable and quite nutty characters definitely worked for this book. Things being the way they were most certainly led to sharp twists, along with a few surprises, in this story. It was a compelling read and I love the fact that I was shocked as to who the killer was.
Many thanks to Kensington and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
More than Martha and Juliet were best friends. There was also Liv, so Martha sends her a letter to ask for her help. Martha is more than pleased that Liv wants to help, especially since they haven't seen each other in all of that time. However, Liv has moved away and another woman receives the letter, and then decides to act as if she is Liv.
Martha and another member of the show, Toby, with the occasional help of a retired cop, begin asking questions. Among other people, Martha locates Juliet's father and the wife of the man suspected of kidnapping Juliet. The deeper Martha digs, unfortunately, the darker things become, so much so that her very life just might soon be threatened.
The prologue leads the reader on a rabbit trail, to be sure. All we know is that a child died at the hands of a sibling, but who was it? As the story jumps right into Juliet's disappearance, this very question stirred in the back of my brain while reading this thrilling book.
There is no surprise as to the name of this book, Beautiful Liars, as there was a large net of doubt cast as to more than one character. Having unreliable and quite nutty characters definitely worked for this book. Things being the way they were most certainly led to sharp twists, along with a few surprises, in this story. It was a compelling read and I love the fact that I was shocked as to who the killer was.
Many thanks to Kensington and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
Read
August 19, 2020DNF
April 29, 2018
My Review: Ooooh, well Ms Ashdown certainly knows how to weave a twisty and dark tale! This is my second book by Isabel and Little Sister went straight into my Top Ten Books of 2017 so I was hopeful and slightly apprehensive that Beautiful Liars could live up to my high expectations.
I really needn’t have worried – Beautiful Liars is absolutely BRILLIANT. With a disturbing but intriguing first chapter the reader is quickly hooked and before you know it, you have totally immersed yourself in Casey and Martha’s world.
The book is narrated by Martha, a successful TV star who has a new reality show investigating cold crimes and haunted by the disappearance of her best friend Juliet 18 years ago. Deciding to investigate this particular case for her pilot show Martha tries to get in contact with her old friend Liv and through a series of events Casey, a lonely and very peculiar woman somehow gets involved in the investigation and tells her alternative version.
Without giving anything away when we are first introduced to Casey, my immediate thoughts were OMG – she’s batshit crazy and then I spent most of the book shaking my head at her behaviour and actions and thinking “No, Casey don’t” or “Why, Why, Why?”. I was utterly riveted by her actions, her behaviour and her quirky and odd ways. She is definitely one of the most interesting characters I’ve met in a long time.
This book is certainly full of excellent twists, a superb plot, fascinating characters and definitely should come with a warning that once you start this book you really won’t want to put it down until the final chapter. ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT.
I really needn’t have worried – Beautiful Liars is absolutely BRILLIANT. With a disturbing but intriguing first chapter the reader is quickly hooked and before you know it, you have totally immersed yourself in Casey and Martha’s world.
The book is narrated by Martha, a successful TV star who has a new reality show investigating cold crimes and haunted by the disappearance of her best friend Juliet 18 years ago. Deciding to investigate this particular case for her pilot show Martha tries to get in contact with her old friend Liv and through a series of events Casey, a lonely and very peculiar woman somehow gets involved in the investigation and tells her alternative version.
Without giving anything away when we are first introduced to Casey, my immediate thoughts were OMG – she’s batshit crazy and then I spent most of the book shaking my head at her behaviour and actions and thinking “No, Casey don’t” or “Why, Why, Why?”. I was utterly riveted by her actions, her behaviour and her quirky and odd ways. She is definitely one of the most interesting characters I’ve met in a long time.
This book is certainly full of excellent twists, a superb plot, fascinating characters and definitely should come with a warning that once you start this book you really won’t want to put it down until the final chapter. ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT.
May 13, 2022
A good enough thriller with a few twists which I didn’t see coming. Not the most gripping book I’ve read but overall an easy read.
April 21, 2018
Brilliant !! Every one of Isabel Ashdown's books has been a winner for me, either 4 or 5*. This is the second 5* one for me. I preordered it and I was gutted I'd just started another book as it landed. However, that one was a dud so I got to this faster, which was fortuitous ! It is full of twists 'n' turns and buried secrets and memories. You get the odd madzer thrown in, too !! There's a mention at the end that Martha and her team may feature in another book and for me, that would be terrific. I'm with the author and I'm always fascinated by cold cases, too, though mine are often encountered these days via podcasts.
It's quite shocking as you progress and learn the secrets that even the best of friends keep from each other, though it's really well done. The actions of one character in particular blew me away !! I ended up liking Martha, though I was a little unsure to begin with. Toby is smashing and he is very patient with her, although I'm yet to meet anyone who doesn't like Kitkats !! Strange bloke.
There were the odd mistakes but hardly any. The worst for me was spelling indispensable as indispensible. There were the odd dropped words from sentences like a/to/you and this appears to be an e-book staple (but it's irritating), a missed apostrophe in gents and a misplaced one in character's. We lost a question mark and also a set of speechmarks, but only once apiece. There's a superfluous comma here, too, "Liv lays her, head on folded arms."
I'm pleased to see she has a new book in the wings. Another to add to my collection by her.
It's quite shocking as you progress and learn the secrets that even the best of friends keep from each other, though it's really well done. The actions of one character in particular blew me away !! I ended up liking Martha, though I was a little unsure to begin with. Toby is smashing and he is very patient with her, although I'm yet to meet anyone who doesn't like Kitkats !! Strange bloke.
There were the odd mistakes but hardly any. The worst for me was spelling indispensable as indispensible. There were the odd dropped words from sentences like a/to/you and this appears to be an e-book staple (but it's irritating), a missed apostrophe in gents and a misplaced one in character's. We lost a question mark and also a set of speechmarks, but only once apiece. There's a superfluous comma here, too, "Liv lays her, head on folded arms."
I'm pleased to see she has a new book in the wings. Another to add to my collection by her.
May 23, 2018
Really enjoyed this book, lots of twists and turns
March 16, 2018
After a muddled and confusing start ( well for me ) Beautiful Liars turned into a good psychological thriller, the plot was based on 1 of three best friends who went missing many years ago and via a being made tv programme looking at unsolved cases was all brought back to life for those affected , the story is told in 2 narratives, which tells the before present and after story!
The characters were complex and unusual ( one had an obsession with stomach acid and going to the loo) and had many hidden layers, these were worth staying with to get to the real ‘person’
Many twists and turns gave it an unpredictable feel and one that kept me guessing all the way through, the book could have come to one of a few conclusions I thought .....but went for none of the these and therefore the ending was a surprise
A good scary tense book which I mostly enjoyed
8/10 4 stars
April 20, 2018
Beautiful Liars by Isabel Ashdown is an original, well-written and thoroughly compelling mystery thriller.
The book is brilliantly plotted and takes off in directions I really didn’t expect. Although you might think that the premise sounds familiar, there is nothing predictable or run-of-the-mill about this story: Martha being a true crime journalist gives the plot a fresh edge, plus Casey’s surprising narrative adds something unique and different to the ‘missing girl mystery’ and, although I guessed one or two minor plot points, there are definitely some massive twists to shock even the savviest of readers.
As the pace ramps up, there is a building sense of tension and menace, the revelations keep coming and the ending is a masterstroke! This is highly recommended and I’m already looking forward to seeing what Isabel Ashdown does next.
With thanks to NetGalley and Trapeze / Orion for the ARC of Beautiful Liars.
The book is brilliantly plotted and takes off in directions I really didn’t expect. Although you might think that the premise sounds familiar, there is nothing predictable or run-of-the-mill about this story: Martha being a true crime journalist gives the plot a fresh edge, plus Casey’s surprising narrative adds something unique and different to the ‘missing girl mystery’ and, although I guessed one or two minor plot points, there are definitely some massive twists to shock even the savviest of readers.
As the pace ramps up, there is a building sense of tension and menace, the revelations keep coming and the ending is a masterstroke! This is highly recommended and I’m already looking forward to seeing what Isabel Ashdown does next.
With thanks to NetGalley and Trapeze / Orion for the ARC of Beautiful Liars.
May 4, 2020
***Spoilers included***
So, this wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read, or even one of the best thrillers I’ve read, but it did have potential. Kind of like when an AP student writes a timed essay. It won’t showcase developed writing skill, but it will check off boxes and “pass.” I chose to read it because it was at a used bookstore and I had credit. As far as a “free” book goes, I’m ok with spending my time reading it, but if I’d paid for it, I would have thought it a waste of money.
Plot: Former tv host turned pseudo detective for a reality show, Martha, decides to investigate the disappearance of her childhood friend, Juliet. She thinks she is mailing a letter to their other childhood friend, Liv, to help, but instead the letter gets into the hands of the new buyer “Casey” who pretends to be Liv out of what appears to be loneliness and boredom, but reveals itself to be obsession. A lot of secrets get revealed, including the fact that a lifelong anorexic, Hattie/Janet (Casey/Katherine’s mother and David’s wife) has killed multiple people in her life, including Juliet, somehow manages to have the strength to keep killing people.
I feel like making Hattie the killer was a dull, overused choice. Sure, I didn’t suspect her as much as other people, but I also didn’t care when it was revealed. I was actually hoping Liv was the killer. I somehow picked up that Juliet and Liv were having a sexual relationship early on, possibly from the clue of her father saying she was never interested in boys (which doesn’t mean you’re gay, but I had a feeling on this), so I was hoping Liv was the killer. Frankly, there were so many other scenarios that could have made this more interesting, but instead we were stuck with over half the book being about droll Martha lusting after her colleague and being upset that she sucks as a detective, which she does! She was never actually a detective! I’m also concerned as to why producers would think allowing someone so close to the events to spearhead an investigation was smart.
The book was also pretty slow. It opens up with a death, then spends a lot of time setting everything up with characters going to have mini interviews with people or spy on each other.
My favorite character was Casey/Katherine. Since her POV is in first person, it is easier to implement characterization. She really had the most detail and her introspective parts were also the most well-written. Her experiences were also the most interesting, with being singled out as “the one” that was persecuted early on, growing up with a mentally ill mother, and suffering from anxiety. She was also pretty funny, with her fantasies of being with the delivery guy and the word choice Ashdown uses for her thoughts: “I add, lest he think I’m a big, fat greedy pig. Which I am!” (238). I do think Ashdown has potential as a writer because she encapsulated the effects of loneliness and mental instability so well. But unfortunately this book also had to be about Martha, who no one cares about.
Another issue I had was Martha not remembering her own obsession with David. Ashdown tries to explain it as some kind of buried shame, but I have no trouble remembering experiences from high school. Granted, I never wanted to seduce a married older man, but I still find it harder to believe.
This book is only ok because of Casey’s character.
So, this wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read, or even one of the best thrillers I’ve read, but it did have potential. Kind of like when an AP student writes a timed essay. It won’t showcase developed writing skill, but it will check off boxes and “pass.” I chose to read it because it was at a used bookstore and I had credit. As far as a “free” book goes, I’m ok with spending my time reading it, but if I’d paid for it, I would have thought it a waste of money.
Plot: Former tv host turned pseudo detective for a reality show, Martha, decides to investigate the disappearance of her childhood friend, Juliet. She thinks she is mailing a letter to their other childhood friend, Liv, to help, but instead the letter gets into the hands of the new buyer “Casey” who pretends to be Liv out of what appears to be loneliness and boredom, but reveals itself to be obsession. A lot of secrets get revealed, including the fact that a lifelong anorexic, Hattie/Janet (Casey/Katherine’s mother and David’s wife) has killed multiple people in her life, including Juliet, somehow manages to have the strength to keep killing people.
I feel like making Hattie the killer was a dull, overused choice. Sure, I didn’t suspect her as much as other people, but I also didn’t care when it was revealed. I was actually hoping Liv was the killer. I somehow picked up that Juliet and Liv were having a sexual relationship early on, possibly from the clue of her father saying she was never interested in boys (which doesn’t mean you’re gay, but I had a feeling on this), so I was hoping Liv was the killer. Frankly, there were so many other scenarios that could have made this more interesting, but instead we were stuck with over half the book being about droll Martha lusting after her colleague and being upset that she sucks as a detective, which she does! She was never actually a detective! I’m also concerned as to why producers would think allowing someone so close to the events to spearhead an investigation was smart.
The book was also pretty slow. It opens up with a death, then spends a lot of time setting everything up with characters going to have mini interviews with people or spy on each other.
My favorite character was Casey/Katherine. Since her POV is in first person, it is easier to implement characterization. She really had the most detail and her introspective parts were also the most well-written. Her experiences were also the most interesting, with being singled out as “the one” that was persecuted early on, growing up with a mentally ill mother, and suffering from anxiety. She was also pretty funny, with her fantasies of being with the delivery guy and the word choice Ashdown uses for her thoughts: “I add, lest he think I’m a big, fat greedy pig. Which I am!” (238). I do think Ashdown has potential as a writer because she encapsulated the effects of loneliness and mental instability so well. But unfortunately this book also had to be about Martha, who no one cares about.
Another issue I had was Martha not remembering her own obsession with David. Ashdown tries to explain it as some kind of buried shame, but I have no trouble remembering experiences from high school. Granted, I never wanted to seduce a married older man, but I still find it harder to believe.
This book is only ok because of Casey’s character.
March 20, 2018
Beautiful Liars is a beautiful story of, (unsurprisingly), lies, self deception and friendship. The story is well written, with believable, thoughtfully developed characters and realistic and engaging prose. The book whips along at a cracking pace, with layer after layer peeling away until the denouement and the truth. Ms Ashdown has managed to tick all the boxes with this one; page turner - tick, edge of your seat - tick, surprising twist - tick, tick, tick, fulfilling ending - tick. All in all a thoroughly enjoyable read from a very accomplished writer. Another book that I'm happy to recommend to everyone. Give yourself a treat and buy Beautiful Liars. You can thank me later!
April 21, 2018
Martha is a tv personality who is working on a programme about criminal cold cases. The first case she wants to look into is the disappearance of one of her best friends 18 years ago. Martha had been walking home with her friend Juliet but after Martha said goodbye to her, Juliet was never seen again. There was a suspect in the disappearance but Martha now wants to completely solve the case, especially because of her own personal guilt about that night. She reaches out to the other girl in their friendship triangle, Liv, who she has lost touch with over time but can Liv help or hinder the trail that Martha is following?
There were some shocking disclosures for Martha to deal with along the way and some of those twists came as a big surprise to me too! I thought I had everything all sussed out but there was a brilliant twist that I hadn’t seen coming! Although the action isn’t fast paced, I felt this gave us time to really get to know the characters who are so beautifully written that you feel as though you really know them. I especially enjoyed Casey and looked forward to reading her point of view throughout the narrative. She was an intriguing character and it was fascinating to explore her quirky nature trying to work out her reasoning for the actions she takes.
Although there is a missing person mystery at the centre of Beautiful Liars, what I took away with me was the beautifully written storyline and the very cleverly crafted interactions between the characters. I’m always fascinated by relationships, what draws people to each other to begin with and what keeps them together….or forces them apart.
Beautiful Liars really is an addictive read that you won’t be able to put down until you read “just one more chapter”! The themes of friendship, deception and betrayal reverberate through the pages, leaving a lasting impression on the reader as past events send an echo out into the present. And I thoroughly enjoyed every single moment of it!
There were some shocking disclosures for Martha to deal with along the way and some of those twists came as a big surprise to me too! I thought I had everything all sussed out but there was a brilliant twist that I hadn’t seen coming! Although the action isn’t fast paced, I felt this gave us time to really get to know the characters who are so beautifully written that you feel as though you really know them. I especially enjoyed Casey and looked forward to reading her point of view throughout the narrative. She was an intriguing character and it was fascinating to explore her quirky nature trying to work out her reasoning for the actions she takes.
Although there is a missing person mystery at the centre of Beautiful Liars, what I took away with me was the beautifully written storyline and the very cleverly crafted interactions between the characters. I’m always fascinated by relationships, what draws people to each other to begin with and what keeps them together….or forces them apart.
Beautiful Liars really is an addictive read that you won’t be able to put down until you read “just one more chapter”! The themes of friendship, deception and betrayal reverberate through the pages, leaving a lasting impression on the reader as past events send an echo out into the present. And I thoroughly enjoyed every single moment of it!
April 25, 2018
Wow, wow, wowsers!
Blown away doesn't come close to how I felt reading this one. What a superb book. Seriously, Beautiful Liars is phenomenal!
Utterly brilliant.
From start to finish I was captivated and I could barely put it down, it's a complete sleep stealer so don't start it if you can't read it all in one sitting.
Martha is a TV personality with a past, eighteen years ago her best friend, Juliet, disappeared without a trace and now Martha is using her celebrity to investigate the circumstances around her disappearance.
As she starts delving into the past, her old life is uncovered, a past she has tried hard to hide. She's making contact with people who she used to be close with, but they have changed beyond all recognition. Can she get to the bottom of her friends disappearance or is there danger lurking closer than she could ever imagine?
Told in chapters that switch between the characters, the story unfolds in a kind of past/present format, which I love. When done right, which Ashdown nails, this is my favourite style for a psychological thriller, working to build up the history and the mystery of the characters' pasts to see how it ties in with the present. I love it! The plot flows perfectly, with the subplots intertwining flawlessly.
I cannot sing the praises of this one loud enough, it's sublime.
I had so many jaw dropping moments I lost count. Beautiful Liars is gritty, deep, dark, and twisted. Seriously twisted and it's fanbloodytastic!
I quite simply adored the writer's writing style, her characters, her plot, and the way she had me completely enthralled from the first page to the last. The pace doesn't let up at all, Ashdown takes you on a rollercoaster that you will not want to get off of!
Blown away doesn't come close to how I felt reading this one. What a superb book. Seriously, Beautiful Liars is phenomenal!
Utterly brilliant.
From start to finish I was captivated and I could barely put it down, it's a complete sleep stealer so don't start it if you can't read it all in one sitting.
Martha is a TV personality with a past, eighteen years ago her best friend, Juliet, disappeared without a trace and now Martha is using her celebrity to investigate the circumstances around her disappearance.
As she starts delving into the past, her old life is uncovered, a past she has tried hard to hide. She's making contact with people who she used to be close with, but they have changed beyond all recognition. Can she get to the bottom of her friends disappearance or is there danger lurking closer than she could ever imagine?
Told in chapters that switch between the characters, the story unfolds in a kind of past/present format, which I love. When done right, which Ashdown nails, this is my favourite style for a psychological thriller, working to build up the history and the mystery of the characters' pasts to see how it ties in with the present. I love it! The plot flows perfectly, with the subplots intertwining flawlessly.
I cannot sing the praises of this one loud enough, it's sublime.
I had so many jaw dropping moments I lost count. Beautiful Liars is gritty, deep, dark, and twisted. Seriously twisted and it's fanbloodytastic!
I quite simply adored the writer's writing style, her characters, her plot, and the way she had me completely enthralled from the first page to the last. The pace doesn't let up at all, Ashdown takes you on a rollercoaster that you will not want to get off of!
May 7, 2018
I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.
After reading the blurb to this book, I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy as it sounded so interesting and gripping. And although the storyline was a little different to what I anticipated, this book really delivered. I was hanging on the edge of my seat on so many occasions, and every time I tried to guess what would happen, I got it wrong. The characters were well developed and intriguing, so big thumbs up to Isabel Ashdown !
The chapters alternate, predominantly, between the two main characters, Martha and Casey. Martha works in TV production and is looking at the topic of 'cold cases' for her next show. She wants to begin the first episode by investigating what happened to her best friend (Juliet) who went missing back when they were 17. To aid in her research, she hopes to get in contact with one of her other best friends from high school, and does so by post. However, this letter falls into the wrong hands, as Liv, the best friend, no longer lives at the address, but instead Casey does. Casey attempts to drive Martha off her course in the investigation by impersonating Liv, and provides some not so accurate information on what happened to Juliet on the night of her disappearance.
There are a number of twists and turns, and plenty of secrets, so I definitely didn't get bored while reading this book.
After reading the blurb to this book, I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy as it sounded so interesting and gripping. And although the storyline was a little different to what I anticipated, this book really delivered. I was hanging on the edge of my seat on so many occasions, and every time I tried to guess what would happen, I got it wrong. The characters were well developed and intriguing, so big thumbs up to Isabel Ashdown !
The chapters alternate, predominantly, between the two main characters, Martha and Casey. Martha works in TV production and is looking at the topic of 'cold cases' for her next show. She wants to begin the first episode by investigating what happened to her best friend (Juliet) who went missing back when they were 17. To aid in her research, she hopes to get in contact with one of her other best friends from high school, and does so by post. However, this letter falls into the wrong hands, as Liv, the best friend, no longer lives at the address, but instead Casey does. Casey attempts to drive Martha off her course in the investigation by impersonating Liv, and provides some not so accurate information on what happened to Juliet on the night of her disappearance.
There are a number of twists and turns, and plenty of secrets, so I definitely didn't get bored while reading this book.
April 20, 2018
Beautiful Lairs is actually my first book that I have read by this author and certainly wont be my last. The author has weaved a story that will have you guessing until the very end. Where we meet TV celebrity Martha who hasn't seen her best friend Juliet for two decades after saying goodbye to her on canal a tow path. We follow a story of her search for Juliet and what happened in the final moments of her life.
Told with alternating chapters between Martha and Casey with each one leaving you wanting more. I have to say that I found Casey rather strange and annoying I personally wasn't a fan of her. But I enjoyed all the other characters which the author has done a brilliant job of building them up and we really get to know them.
But over all this is an atmospheric and chilling read a story that is full of mystery and suspense it is absolutely gripping. I was hooked from the start and devoured this in one day.
Not forgetting the twists and turns just when you think you have it all worked out the author throws in another twist! Everything is nicely wrapped up at the end of the story answering all the questions you have been asking.
A psychological thriller that you will totally get wrapped up in, which I highly recommend giving it 4 stars
Told with alternating chapters between Martha and Casey with each one leaving you wanting more. I have to say that I found Casey rather strange and annoying I personally wasn't a fan of her. But I enjoyed all the other characters which the author has done a brilliant job of building them up and we really get to know them.
But over all this is an atmospheric and chilling read a story that is full of mystery and suspense it is absolutely gripping. I was hooked from the start and devoured this in one day.
Not forgetting the twists and turns just when you think you have it all worked out the author throws in another twist! Everything is nicely wrapped up at the end of the story answering all the questions you have been asking.
A psychological thriller that you will totally get wrapped up in, which I highly recommend giving it 4 stars
September 29, 2019
I didn’t see the twist coming! It took me a while to get through the first half of the book (I was reading a couple other books at the same time) but the ending was worth it. :)
June 25, 2018
This was just a three chapter sampler from NetGalley but I got the sense that this is a really good story.
I’ll definitely but it at some point as I’m intrigued about whether Martha uncovers exactly what happened to Juliet.
Thanks to Orion Books and NetGalley for this sampler.
I’ll definitely but it at some point as I’m intrigued about whether Martha uncovers exactly what happened to Juliet.
Thanks to Orion Books and NetGalley for this sampler.
September 1, 2023
This book was a bit of a slow starter for me I struggled to get to grips with all of the characters and storylines but I’m so glad I continued to read as I really enjoyed this multi layered book.
Martha Liv and Juliet are best friends, who have known and supported each other through thick and thin until one fateful night when their lives change forever when Juliet disappears.
18 years later Martha is now a tv personality and begins working on a programme which explores cold cases. Her first case explores the disappearance of Juliet and she is personally invested in solving the mystery once and for all.
The book tells each characters stories from their own perspective and this allowed me to understand them and explore each of their relationships and the experiences that had shaped their personalities.
The lasting effects of the past which continued into the present is beautifully written. Friendship, betrayal, lies and deception all echo throughout the story and the twists and turns throughout the book had me hooked right up to the last page.
Martha Liv and Juliet are best friends, who have known and supported each other through thick and thin until one fateful night when their lives change forever when Juliet disappears.
18 years later Martha is now a tv personality and begins working on a programme which explores cold cases. Her first case explores the disappearance of Juliet and she is personally invested in solving the mystery once and for all.
The book tells each characters stories from their own perspective and this allowed me to understand them and explore each of their relationships and the experiences that had shaped their personalities.
The lasting effects of the past which continued into the present is beautifully written. Friendship, betrayal, lies and deception all echo throughout the story and the twists and turns throughout the book had me hooked right up to the last page.
April 12, 2018
With thanks to the publisher for the copy received via Netgalley.
Beautiful Liars is the first book that I have read by Isabel Ashdown and after finding this book impossible to put down it won’t be the last.
Apart from a chilling prologue, which had me wondering just how it could be linked, the rest of the novel had two narrators. Martha is a successful TV presenter who is researching a cold case for her new TV show. This cold case is very close to her heart. Juliet was a very close friend when she was a teenager and both her and another friend Liv have always felt guilty over her disappearance. The other narrator is Casey, she bought Liv’s house and when she receives a letter addressed to Liv from Martha she assumes her identity.
Casey was one of the most compelling characters that I have come across. I have never felt a combination of fear, a little revulsion and a lot of sympathy for one character before. I had to look past her actions to understand the reasons why she was behaving the way that she did and gradually the feelings of revulsion faded.
I find cold cases fascinating. The determination of a handful of people, whether they are police or media to solve a murder and bring peace to friends and family is humbling and is shown brilliantly here. Especially with regards to Juliet’s father and the guilt shown by both Martha and Liv. Some of it I guessed correctly, but only a small part. I was duped very convincingly.
Recommended.
Beautiful Liars is the first book that I have read by Isabel Ashdown and after finding this book impossible to put down it won’t be the last.
Apart from a chilling prologue, which had me wondering just how it could be linked, the rest of the novel had two narrators. Martha is a successful TV presenter who is researching a cold case for her new TV show. This cold case is very close to her heart. Juliet was a very close friend when she was a teenager and both her and another friend Liv have always felt guilty over her disappearance. The other narrator is Casey, she bought Liv’s house and when she receives a letter addressed to Liv from Martha she assumes her identity.
Casey was one of the most compelling characters that I have come across. I have never felt a combination of fear, a little revulsion and a lot of sympathy for one character before. I had to look past her actions to understand the reasons why she was behaving the way that she did and gradually the feelings of revulsion faded.
I find cold cases fascinating. The determination of a handful of people, whether they are police or media to solve a murder and bring peace to friends and family is humbling and is shown brilliantly here. Especially with regards to Juliet’s father and the guilt shown by both Martha and Liv. Some of it I guessed correctly, but only a small part. I was duped very convincingly.
Recommended.
May 13, 2025
Het begin vond ik iets minder, maar als ik verder begon te lezen begon de spanning wel te komen. Vanaf de eerste pagina ben ik mee beginnen zoeken wie de echte moordenaar is van Julliet. Het boek is fantastisch goed geëindigd.
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