How does a mother protect her child from the unknown?
During a visit to a local theatre, four-year-old Chloe Hollis becomes hysterical. But her mother, Mel, doesn’t realise that this is just the beginning of the nightmare. In the coming weeks, Chloe talks of The Tall Man - Of death.
At her wits end, Mel confides in Charles Honeywell, the headmaster at the school where she works. But what Kim doesn’t know is that Charles is linked to what is happening to her daughter.
Will Mel learn the terrible truth? And can she overcome her own tragic past and save her daughter before it’s too late?
The Liar’s Promise is a story of past lives and future torment.
Mark lives in a small village in the lovely county of Cumbria, although his books are set in Oxfordshire where he was born and raised.
He's always had a keen interest in writing and after being widowed and raising his two daughters, Mark finally took the plunge and began self-publishing. Mark's writing has earned him the name #TwistedTilbury due to the dark and twisted nature of his books. He's published 12 thrillers, and his 13th novel, A Womb With A View, will be published Jan 19th 2023.
When he's not writing, Mark can be found playing guitar, reading and walking.
Did you know that you can follow authors on Amazon? If you hit the 'follow' button on my author page, you'll be kept updated of any price reductions and new publications. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mark-Tilbury... Thank you!
This is the first book I have read by this author, I was struck by the cover then the blurb. It was overtaken by the unusual story line
To all intense and purposes this seemed like any other family at first until we learn of a tragedy that happened with one of their babies.
A couple that seemed to be plodding along in life, as any couple or family until one night Mel takes her daughter Chloe to the theatre, but on entering Chloe kicks up a fuss and wants to go home, no way does she want to stay, resisting against all her mother says about it being OK, she couldn't accept any assurance from her mother and kept saying that the Tall Man wanted to get them.
This was a very fast paced book, so fast that I was flipping the pages in momentum to the pace of this thrilling read. It so intrigued me, the story line kept me thinking whether I agreed with the subject matter or not, I just got lost within its pages.
These two guys that were in the book both kind of based around a theatrical element within the confines of Shakespeare was so astoundingly addictive, the dialogue was superb, I got lost within they're conversations in the way you do when listening to something interesting and being totally unaware of your surroundings.
I was like WHAT, and the deeper I was drawn in by the author the more gruesome the destination I travelled with them.
Sometimes the dialogue between the two men made me chuckle, not that is was a witty book, it was serious, but remember the theatrical element? This came through quite a lot in their speaking to each other.
Mel had a hard life and at times very difficult and with what she found out about her relationship with her husband, his secret, then coping with Chloe who really didn't seem 'herself' it was beyond belief how she managed. But us moms do, right.
Getting over the life events that carried her down to an abyss was inspiring, she coped with Chloe very well, but what was wrong with her daughter, she really needed her husbands support, but he wasn't really 'getting it', he had a logical mind, there's an answer to everything, if you look for it [kind of man] is how he came across to me.
The support seemed to come from someone at work.
What was wrong with her child? What deviousness, WHAT bad deeds hide between these pages.
You need to read this to find out, its captivating.
I’m not usually drawn to books with supernatural elements, but after being totally blown away by Tilbury’s The Abattoir of Dreams I knew I had to read this one, and let me tell you, I am so glad that I did! It has the authors trademark dark humor which brings some much needed levity to an extremely menacing story, a lightening fast pace and a villain that made my skin crawl.
Imagine one day your sweet, innocent four year old child starts acting strange, and by strange I mean downright scary, saying things they have no way of knowing, talk of death, despair and destruction. Creepy, isn’t it? That’s exactly what happens to Mel when her daughter Chloe has a massive freak out after they visit a local theater. Things go from bad to worse as it seems Chloe is a reincarnation of a murder victim, just typing that sends chills down my spine! Poor Mel has no idea who to turn to, who can help when you can’t even truly explain what’s actually going on?! I sure felt for her, it’s an impossible situation and there are literally no answers, but the answers that Tilbury came up with were shocking and truly entertaining.
I’m going to stop discussing the plot here and just say that if you’re already a fan of the authors then you’ll definitely enjoy this book. If you’ve not read him before but like a supernatural twist in your thrillers this is a must read. Be warned though, it’s definitely not for the faint of heart, it’s gruesome, sick, and twisted and takes a peek at the very dark depths of humanity, but if you can handle some gore, don’t miss out!
Having loved The Abattoir of Dreams by the author I literally could not wait until he brought another book out. Well the wait is finally over.
I would warn people not to start this book on a night. I picked it up on an evening and was so hooked I could not put it down until I had turned the last page. So was a very late night.
The author commanded my attention right from the start. What an opening to a book!
Mel could be anyone. She’s a wife, mother and worker. Her life is no different to anyone else’s until a trip to a theatre causes her daughter Chloe to change.
After the trip Chloe is like Jekyll and Hyde. One moment she will be the adorable and a loving little girl that Mel has always known and then her personality will change to someone that her mum and dad don’t recognise anymore. I have to say I felt so sorry for Mel and Tony as who do you turn to for help?
Mark Tilbury is one seriously twisted author and I can not get enough of it! Dark and compelling, The Liar’s Promise is an intense and gripping read that readers will be unable to tear themselves away from.
It was a great start a young child goes to the theatre with her mum she talks about a tall man.shes speaks if shes obsessed and creepy,for me didnt connect with the killer.was an alright read but didnt grab me.maybe just the storyline for me.still going to read another of his books.
Have I mentioned yet that paranormal and supernatural things aren’t really my cup of tea? But you guys, this is Mark Tilbury, who completely won me over at the start of the year with the absolutely brilliant The Abattoir of Broken Dreams! So when the opportunity to join the blog tour for his latest book came up, there was no way I was going to sit this one out!
Once again, the author effortlessly combines crime, suspense and the paranormal which had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Mark Tilbury’s brain must be quite the scary place as he keeps coming up with the most vile, disturbed and despicable characters I’ve ever come across. From someone who reads a lot of crime fiction, that’s saying a lot! And yet at times, I also felt myself chuckling. I don’t know how he does that and I keep thinking it shouldn’t work, but it does somehow.
I don’t want to talk too much about the plot. The book description doesn’t give much away and neither will I. The less you know when you start reading, the better. Suffice to say though, the plot is incredibly clever and left me utterly horrified at the games an evil genius plays. Cryptic, huh? 😄
This is one gripping paranormal thriller. It’s actually kind of sick and insanely twisted and I mean that in the best way possible. Yet there are also moments that are truly sad and heartbreaking. The Liar’s Promise just has everything! It had me glued to the pages and I couldn’t flip them fast enough. I may be a total paranormal sceptic, but I’m a firm Mark Tilbury believer and I so can’t wait for whatever he comes up with next! I highly recommend you check out this book and his other work too, if you haven’t done so already. I promise you won’t regret it for a second!
That was definitely different. A crime thriller with a super natural twist. The prologue had hints of Chris Carter, so I was hooked from the start. There appeared to be 2 stories at first and I was wondering how they connected, but they definitely did connect. Somehow the story has text from Shakespeare and nursery rhymes interspersed with gruesome description and a touch of black humour. It works perfectly, moves at such a fast pace. I don't recommend reading before bedtime or you will have nightmares. I have previously only read 1 other book by this author, soon to change. Easy 5 stars.
Ever since I read The Abattoir of dreams by Mark Tilbury I’ve been eagerly awaiting his latest offering The Liars Promise, when this one landed on my kindle I was already half way though a book, but I thought I would take a quick glimpse BIG mistake twenty chapters later I was still reading, spellbound by a VERY dark, and VERY twisted tale. It’s not often a book can keep me that engrossed, but cliched or not I really struggled to put this one down. The Liars Promise made is part crime thriller with a supernatural twist, and this book certainly made for an highly original and throughly spine chilling read.
How does a mother protect her child from the unknown? four-year-old Chloe Hollis begins to act very strangely after a visit to the theatre, as her behaviour escalates it appears there is something very sinister a foot, especially when she starts talking about the tall man and death. The author has created some fabulous characters, if you thought Damien from the Omen was scary, then Chloe will terrify you. As for the villain of the piece what a character, evil, warped and highly disturbed don’t even begin to cover it!
I will say one thing for Mark Tilbury he has a unique talent for drawing the reader in, there’s no long drawn out scene setting he just knuckles down and leads the reader straight into the heart of the story. The sense of malice that radiated from each page I read was overwhelming, at one point I had to turn all the lights on as this book rattled me so much which it’s self is testament to the authors writing. As a reader there is nothing more satisfying than picking up a book that captures your imagination, with scenes that can only be described as brutal, gruesome and disturbing, your imagination will go into over drive, and on that note I should mention this may not be the best book for the feint hearted.
Although this book is a fairly grim read, there is a hint of dark humour within its pages which I found surprising, but it’s very much suited to Mark Tilbury’s style of writing. Terrifying and deliciously dark this has to be one of the most original books I have read this year. Yes you will have to suspend belief but in my opinion it’s definitely worth doing so. The Liar’s Promise is twisted and very disturbing and is definitely the most disquieting book I’ve read in a long time. In case you haven’t already guessed I absolutely loved this book, and it has just secured a place on my top reads of 2017 alongside Mark Tilbury’s previous book The Abattoir Of Dreams. I personally can’t wait to see where the authors very vivid imagination takes him next!
This was a very fast-paced and disturbing thriller. The Liar's Promise was my first book by Mark Tilbury. I already have some of his other books on my Kindle and after this, I will need to move them up my TBR list now. The story line is very different to your standard thriller and has a creative, supernatural twist. That's usually not something I enjoy but it was well done here and extremely eerie. I liked it. The dialogue between the characters was captivating and the self-centered, manipulative and arrogant villain was portrayed brilliantly. The menacing atmosphere kept me turning the pages and some of the scenes made me cringe, this is not for the faint-hearted. If you're looking for a spine-chilling read, look no further.
When four year old Chloe Hollis starts talking in an adult voice, speaking of violent murders that she has witnessed, and the frightening "Tall Man" her parents think she is remembering a past life. When her mum tries to get her some help, she unwittingly brings her child to the attention of a sadistic serial killer, Who will do anything to keep his identity secret.
Now every parent has suffered the embarrassment of tantrums from their children at some point or other, it is normal right? a bar of chocolate, a toy or just darn right tired but when 4-year-old Chloe kicks off at the theatre it is far more than that. It is fear, full-bodied scared for her life horrific fight for her life fear. ‘The tall man is going to kill us’ she tells her mum. It results in her mum Mel taking her traumatized little girl home and an early night to bed. What follows is a night of terror and horror for Chloe as she drifts from the child she is to the voice of a murder victim and all the horrors she suffered. Would you believe your child? Who could you turn to for help or just to talk to for your own sanity. This is jaw dropping stuff. I have read all of Mark Tilbury’s books and each one outstanding but this one just blew me away. It is edgy from the first page with the little hairs on the back of my neck extra sensitive on every page turn. I do love a book with a supernatural edge to it and this has to be up there with some of the best. The story line really is brilliant and introduced me to two of the most sadistic, petrifying and sick bad guys going. Mark Tilbury brings all of his characters to life but none more so than little Chloe, she really did feel so real. The transformations between her as the little girl sucking her thumb and curling up exhausted to her mum in contrast to the vision I had of her speaking as a young woman just wowed me. It was extremely descriptive and very powerful. Just perfection for a reader. This is a stand alone novel but the best news is Mark Tilbury will keep them coming. Highly recommended!
This is a new stand alone thriller by Mark Tilbury.
Mel is a mother struggling with a traumatic past when her daughter suddenly starts to act strangely.
This is a very clever story with many intricate plots interwoven in its structure. There are gruesome parts and parts that definitely fit into the psychological thriller category but this is a thriller with a difference but I wont spoil it you will have to read it.
Mel hmmm I didn’t really like her character she came across as a bit neurotic and wishy washy I would have expected somebody a bit stronger for the role. We didn’t learn a lot about her husband, Tony, he was very much in the background. Chloe I loved what an inspirational little girl she certainly fitted the 'gifted child' role perfectly her character had depth and I could visualise and angelic looking child with so much hidden. The tall man was evil personified a character you love to hate very expertly portrayed.
All in all a very good read that will appeal to readers of several genres
Thank you to Mark, Sarah and Bloodhound Books for the advance copy.
A sadistic killer preys on innocent girls and we shudder to think what he will do to them. A little girl starts talking about the ‘Tall Man’ coming after her to kill her once again…
| Introduction |
A visit to a theatre shakes four-year-old Chloe to the bones. She does not want to die, she says but the ‘Tall Man’ is coming after her with the intention to kill. Her mother, Mel, needs all her strength to keep it together. Once safely home, Mel desperately wants everything to be normal. No such luck though. It turns out to be the beginning of a series of events that are as unpredictable as unbelievable. What is going on?
| Storyline |
Mel has no idea what is going on with Chloe but she is frightened. Why is Chloe so afraid and inconsolable? Who is the ‘Tall Man’ she refers to and why does a four-year-old think of death or, for that matter, draw a detailed picture of a guillotine? She cannot comprehend that one moment, Chloe is the sweet little girl she had always been and the next, she tells Mel off in a rebellious way a teenage girl would do and knows things she has never heard about nor experienced? But when Chloe starts talking about having been dead and mentions specific details Mel freaks out. What is this talk about a guillotine, a violent death and why does Chloe know so much about her, Mel, and Tony, her father? We also witness a cold-blooded and sadistic murderer – someone who thrives on torture and playing games with his victims. A sick man with a dark past – is it the reason he became the person he is today? And how does this fit in with what happens to Chloe? So many questions and so many lies.. but who is the ‘Liar’ in this all? Find out!
| My Thoughts |
The Liar’s Promise is a shocking thriller that challenges your thoughts and ideas about life and death but brings you also in contact with evil in its purest form and with a topic I cannot discuss enough: nurture or nature. A man taking joy in torture and mutilation, in using life pawns for his sick games. I almost forbade myself to think about his actions and how his victims must have felt, it was simply too gruesome to consider. However, although the author makes it clear what happens, he does not take us through the horrific events – he only shows us the after effects which does not make it less dreadful but at least offers you the opportunity to keep the sickening thoughts at bay. It is difficult to empathise with anyone in this novel; of course, my heart goes out to little Chloe and the victims but as for Mel and Tony… I do not dislike them but then again, do not like them particularly too which makes Mark Tilbury’s creations true-to-life and all the more human. An expertly written and disturbing thriller (and no, I did not expect anything else from the author of ‘The Abattoir of Dreams‘) – Mark Tilbury, you did it again!
Oooooooo-eeeeeeee! What a book! Set in London/Oxford, Mark Tilbury takes the reader on a haunting journey to the past whilst keeping us firmly grounded in the present! There is power, control, an element of the supernatural, secrets, lies, loss, grief, abuse, torment, terror and an overwhelming desire for metaphorical doors to be closed.
OMFG the prologue! 😱 A gruesome and terrifying opening, some readers may find a little disturbing but just like Goldilocks, this opening was juuuust right for me! What I like about this author is that he does not shy away from controversial subject matters – his books, for me (those that I have read) teeter on the verge of horror but have enough crime fiction to keep die hard fans enthralled. The storylines are riveting and have you racing through the pages and the writing is tight and deliciously devious! BOOM! 👊🏻 That’s what I’m talking about! 🙌🏻
To top it off, there is a wealth of interesting characters to keep the reader hooked, but I’ll only mention a few as they are better when discovered by the reader! Mel, mother to Chloe and wife of Tony is tormented by her childhood as well as the death of her firstborn. It seems luck is not on Mel’s side either when her daughter starts revealing things that only her wicked and very much dead mother, Audrey knew. Mel is determined, angry, scared and protective.
Tony, Mel’s husband, is a workaholic and if I am honest, I found him to be a bit of a twat! But he eventually grew on me as he struggled to come to terms with what was happening to his daughter and the effect it was having on his wife.
Chloe was by far the star of this book! The author captured her childlike ways perfectly and introduced other characters through Chloe seamlessly! It was a bit like The Exorcist meets The Sixth Sense! Superb!
Peter King …*shudder* This is one twisted, scary and absolutely vile character! I loved him! I am not going to say much more about him or his …erm….games…but believe me when I say, this is one guy you would want to avoid at all cost! Fantabulous, Mr Tilbury! 👺
Would I recommend this book? Oh my giddy aunt, would I! But be warned, it is NOT for the faint-hearted and has some subject matters that some might be uncomfortable with. If, like me, you love sinister, gory, supernaturally edgy crime thrillers – look no further as this one is GOLD! Grab a copy via amazon and be prepared for the macabre, twisted and undeniably journey that is The Liar’s Promise!
First of all can we just take a moment to appreciate the cover which has read me written all over it. It’s quite something don't you think?! Those of you that follow my reviews will know that I am a fan of Mark’s writing. He always brings us something dark and creepy but Holy Freaking Hell what a book…..love love love it. Not only does it have a stunning cover but The Liar’s Promise is without a doubt the author’s best book to date. You guys are going to love it!
The story starts off with one creepy prologue leaving you wanting more. Honestly it will totally leave you hanging. Then we meet Mel mother of Chloe while on a trip to the a local theatre Chloe ends up hysterical. Which is just the beginning of a nightmare rollercoaster. Has the weeks go on Chloe begins to talk about the Tall Man and Death. Mel has no idea what is wrong with her daughter. Mel confides in the head master at the school she works Charles Honeywell but doesn't know he is connected to all the commotion that is happening to Chloe. Will Kim learn the terrible truth? And can she overcome her own tragic past and save her daughter before it’s too late?
OMG at only 10% I was saying to myself this is definitely my kind of book. While being memorized by this story I couldn't wait to find out how the prologue fitted in.The author has done an outstanding job of weaving it all together and keeping me on tenterhooks.
I am a massive fan of horror and I loved the fact that this story has that element about it with it being a supernatural thriller. But this book is more than just that. It is one very well crafted story full of twists and turns and moments that are actually rather warped. There is nothing not to like.
This is without a doubt one of my top reads for 2017. If you are looking for something Dark and twisted this is definitely the book for you. Which I cannot recommend enough, giving it 5 massive stars.
Never has a strap line been more accurate. Indeed, I was spellbound and, after having an argument with myself at 4 in the morning, I couldn't stop reading and had to continue to the end! I am a firm cynic in the afterlife, psychic powers, mediums and their like. But I do love Mark Tilbury's books and this latest one is really superb and had me questioning my own cynicism. Poor Mel, she's had an absolutely rubbish hand dealt to her in life and I really appreciated the way she turned to cigarettes and drink to prop her up - at last, a woman I can relate to! Peter King was so sane in his madness it was brilliant. Every twist and turn is shocking yet inevitable within the flow of the book. All the characters are well drawn and frighteningly believable, as is Tony, the spineless husband! I loved Abattoir of Dreams and was very excited to read The Liar's Promise. Mr Tilbury has once again produced a fantastic book, which IS genuinely spellbinding and unputdownable. 5 shiny, gold stars
I'm a huge admirer of this author's work, but any books I've read by this author pale into significance after reading The Liar's Promise... what a twisted mind this author has as well as an immense talent.
This is a thriller on many different levels. I love the thought of reincarnation but this absolutely scared the pants off me.
I wondered how the two parts of this story would merge but they did more than that, they collided on a massive scale.
Mel visits a theatre with her four-year-old daughter and ends up leaving with a broken nose and her daughter's life changed for the worst. I don't want to say much more on this front as it will spoil the read for others.
The other thread in this amazing storyline follows the exploits of a brutal and twisted serial killer. Mark's portrayal of the killer had me in awe at times. His characterisation is second to none.
Grab this thriller today if you enjoy intriguing reads that mess with your mind.
I loved this book! The story gripped me from the beginning and just didn’t let go. This is a crime thriller with a supernatural twist and one which I thoroughly enjoyed. Four year old Chloe is starting to behave differently and say things that she would never know about her dead grandmother. She’s also saying other phrases and drawing pictures that are not possible for someone her age. Her parents don’t know what to do but events soon take a very nasty turn and then they’re all fighting for their lives. This is yet another fantastic book from Mark Tilbury and I highly recommend it. Thanks to Bloodhound Books for sending me a copy to read and review.
This is the first book that I have read by this author, I own all of his books and have them ready to read and feature on my blog in 2018 but after seeing the reviews coming in for this one I knew it was a book I needed to bump up my to read pile and I am so glad that I did - it is a brilliant book, absolutely gripped me and I was completely hooked until the end, I certainly didn't want to put it down after I had picked it up!!
The cover immediately drew me in with this one and the blurb had me hooked - the story starts at a great pace and the beginning is brilliant - I was intrigued, creeped out, shocked and alarmed pretty much all at the same time, really wasn't sure where the story was going to head but I loved the ride you go on to find out just what the author has in store for you!! It is very dark, very twisted and I have to admit I loved it for those very reasons!!
Mel is a character I liked at times and loathed at others, I really just wanted to give her a big shake and to tell her to get a grip for a lot of the book, but for me the main male character was superb - wickedly evil and he quite possibly had more than one screw loose, he really is one of the most disturbed characters I have read about for a good while!
I will be reviewing the authors other books over the next few weeks to feature on my blog so make sure you check back on a regular basis! Easily 5 stars for this one - what a superb story!!
This is a book that straddles a few different genres and while the blurb is accurate it really doesn’t prepare you for what’s to come. I was prejudging this book based on having read The Revelation Room by Mark Tilbury but it pleasantly surprised me and I far preferred it to the earlier work. There are some fairly gruesome descriptions but also an element of humour so overall it is an easy read. My thanks to Bloodhound Books for the copy of The Liar’s Promise.
Brilliant story. Loved the characters and the way they interacted. The game was a wonderful idea although I wouldn't want to take part. This is well recommended
When Mel takes her four year old daughter Chloe to the local theatre, she is stunned when Chloe starts screaming, refusing to go any further than the foyer because she's afraid of the 'Tall Man' and she doesn't want to die. Nothing will calm her down so Mel takes her home, manages to calm her daughter down and settle her into bed, but this unsettling incident is just the beginning of a very eventful night!
Over the course of the next few days Chloe's behaviour changes dramatically, she draws pictures, talks about horrific events in the first person and makes frequent references to the 'Tall Man' who is coming to kill them.
Not knowing who to turn to she decides to talk to Charles Honeywell, the headmaster at the school where she works, unaware that he is very closely connected to the events that her daughter is talking about and by speaking to him about it she has potentially made the situation a whole lot worse.
I won't tell you any more about the plot but what I will say is that I'm pretty sure that you won't be able to put this book down, I know I couldn't!
After I read The Abattoir of Dreams I knew that Mark Tilbury was a talented author who was capable of freaking me out with his writing but I had no idea just how far he could get under my skin, and he did just that with The Liar's Promise. This book was so creepy I was convinced that I was going to have nightmares each night as I was reading it before turning off the light and snuggling down under my duvet. All sorts of disturbing images were flying around my head, the Tall Man, an innocent looking child's doll, an array of coloured freezers. . . . . nope I'm not going back there again as I've only just managed to get the images out of my head.
I absolutely loved this book, despite the fact that it freaked me out so much, which is a testament to the author's writing. It's fast-paced book that will drag you kicking and screaming to places that you never want to go, it's gruesome, it's sick, it's twisted, it's dark, it's disturbing and I can't wait to see what comes next from this outstanding author!
After being completely blown away by Tilburys Abattoir of Dreams I couldn't wait to start this book. In his usual style, I was completely gripped, my heart was pounding and if I'm honest, had to put the light back on. The Liar's Promise is fast paced, completely addictive and gruesome. Everything I love in a good thriller! Awesome book, a safe 5 stars!
This is the fourth book by the wonderful Mark Tilbury and my favourite one so far. The author's signature dark humour breaks the tension of a sometimes disturbing psychological thriller. Mr Tilbury has such a talent for creating horrific 'baddies' and Peter King is the epitome of evil. Four year old Chloe's behaviour is sinister - the dialogue between her and her mum so well written. The narration as always is superb, drawing the reader in from the prologue and holding on to them until the final word. I read this over two nights but must admit I was reluctant to close my eyes as the story resonated in my head and my imagination was in overdrive - such is the brilliance of the author's writing. The Liars Promise is right up there in my top books of 2017. Mark Tilbury for me is an absolute genius and I can't wait to read his next offering.
"The Liar's Promise" by Mark Tilbury - Wow! I just loved this book. It was fast paced and totally addictive. I spent every spare moment reading, avoiding anything that wasn't vitally important so I could fully enjoy this fabulous book. It has a cracking storyline, I really liked the Shakespeare aspects of it, the pure evilness poured through the pages. This is the first book I've read by this author, I cannot wait to read his others - a new favourite of mine. Highly recommended if you like a taut, exciting and somewhat gruesome read!
Do you remember the game Buzz Off where you need a steady hand to beat the buzzer, your adrenaline flows as you concentrate really hard, well The Liar’s Promise by Mark Tilbury requires a firm hand to control the rush of additive behaviour as I delved deep into the dark psychological mind of Mark Tilbury, trying to beat that book buzz.
Holy Hell an amazing stand alone psychological crime thriller with a touch of supernatural elements, can anyone want for more.
The Liar’s Promise hauls you in with a prologue that intensifies the read before its properly began, you know there’s no chance I’m going to back out now. Chloe is visiting the theatre with her mother Mel, but an unexpected turn has Chloe overwrought with emotion, talking about “The Tall Man”. Chloe starts displaying behaviours too old for her years, her narrative and drawings each constituting a presence that Chloe has no knowledge, everything becomes darker, more engorged with sinister trepidation. As the family become more embroiled in the events occurring to Chloe it becomes apparent that they are all in danger and have no choice but to fight for there lives.
That’s as far as I’m going to reveal about The Liar’s Promise, there’s no chance I’m giving anything away, I literally could scream from the highest pile of To Be Read Books, buy me, read me first, go on you know you want too. A magnificent, spine-chilling book that feels as if its crushing the very air out of your lungs, constantly firing every synapse in your brain with the darkness that seeps from the pages.
Thank you to Mark Tilbury, Sarah Hardy and Bloodhound Books for an advanced readers copy of The Liar’s Promise, in exchange for an honest review, very proud to be part of the Blog Tour to publicise The Liar’s Promise.
It was only fairly recently that I discovered how flipping fantastic (and rather scary) Mark’s books are. I need to read the rest of his books and so when I was invited to take part in the blog tour for ‘The Liar’s Promise’, I just couldn’t say no. I couldn’t wait to start reading and so without further ado, I grabbed a cup of tea, grabbed my Kindle and settled down for what proved to be one hell of a read and then some. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Liar’s Promise’ even if it did scare the poop out of me at times. As with all of Mark’s books I was drawn into the story from the very first word on the very first page. From then on, I found it nigh on impossible to put the book to one side for any length of time. It was as if the book developed a hold over me and it was a hold that I wasn’t willing to break. The characters intrigued me and at the same time the storylines disturbed me. This was one of those books that stayed with me whether I had my Kindle in my hand or not, so in that respect the story certainly got under my skin. I had to keep reading to see if the story turned out as I thought it would (it didn’t). The more of the book that I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘The Liar’s Promise’ and I had to say a (relieved) goodbye to the characters. I found ‘The Liar’s Promise’ to be a gripping, tense, dramatic and rather disturbing story but I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. The story kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat. ‘The Liar’s Promise’ is superbly written but I have come to expect nothing less from Mark Tilbury. His books just seem to get more and more twisted. Mark certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a twisted and dark story. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained a fast pace throughout. Reading ‘The Liar’s Promise’ felt like being on one hell of a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with more twists and turns to it than you would find on a ‘Snakes & Ladders’ board. Just when you thought that you could take a moment to catch your breath and take a moment to gather your thoughts then off the action would go again. I love the way in which Mark makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Liar’s Promise’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Mark’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
The Baddie has come to town and is tormenting Chloe, but how and why? She is only a small child. I love intense thrillers where you don't know what path you are being led down, or whether you should follow. The Tall Man, is one creepy, disturbed individual and has a method in his madness and madness in his methods. This creeped me out big time, and I don't scare easy with reads. I wouldn't advise reading this alone in the dark...or actually, no I really wouldn't. Mark has yet again blown my mind with his unique way of storytelling. There are so many elements of this book that shouldn't work and in the hands of another author, I doubt it would have, it would have been a step too far, but Mark nails it. It is sick, twisted, engaging, spine chillingly brilliant. It is as poetic as it is horrific, and as horrific as parts are it is a spell binding read. If I was reading this in paperback I would be turning the pages so carefully so the devilish characters could not escape and jump out at me. Having read Mark's The Abattoir of Dreams, and his series, I was especially excited to read this, It is a phenomenal read, and an author that deserves success and high acclaim. Brilliant thank you Tilbury you are one #sickoauthor, but please do not stop. Genius.
Wow wow wow this book gave me the chills I could not put it down! When 4 year old Chloe has a meltdown of epic proportions during a theatre trip with her mum Mel and starts ‘dreaming’ about the tall man coming to kill her I started to consider the possibility of reincarnation and other worlds. All the way thought my heart was breaking and I was on edge for poor baby Chloe and her little rag doll while desperately searching for the truth to come out. I love how relatable a character Mel is as she turns to wine and cigarettes on an evening. There is something so lifelike about this story that I will be thinking of it for a long time to come.