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The Liars
1895. Alice and John MacDonald, both running from pasts that were too traumatic to face, meet by chance and stay together in a fragile world that’s rife with lies and secrets. The only thing they have in common is the love for a seven-year-old child, Beatrice, whom they have raised since she was a baby.
When an escaped murderer triggers a series of events that will significantly change the lives of John and Alice and jeopardize the life of their darling daughter, they must take drastic action to protect the welfare of the child.
Follow John and Alice as they are forced to leave the wilds of Labrador for an isolated future in Holyrood, Newfoundland, only to have their world turned upside down when they must face the consequences of the lives they lived.
As the reality of their past unfolds with disastrous outcomes, will it mean they lose Beatrice forever to the mother who has longed for the child—a child born from a vicious assault and given away by a cruel stepmother—and is now eager to make her part of her new family?
Book 3 of 4 (Being Mary Ro 1, The Promise 2, The Liars 3, The Stolen Ones 4)
When an escaped murderer triggers a series of events that will significantly change the lives of John and Alice and jeopardize the life of their darling daughter, they must take drastic action to protect the welfare of the child.
Follow John and Alice as they are forced to leave the wilds of Labrador for an isolated future in Holyrood, Newfoundland, only to have their world turned upside down when they must face the consequences of the lives they lived.
As the reality of their past unfolds with disastrous outcomes, will it mean they lose Beatrice forever to the mother who has longed for the child—a child born from a vicious assault and given away by a cruel stepmother—and is now eager to make her part of her new family?
Book 3 of 4 (Being Mary Ro 1, The Promise 2, The Liars 3, The Stolen Ones 4)
- GenresHistorical FictionCanada
260 pages, Paperback
Published April 29, 2020
4 people are currently reading
2297 people want to read
About the author
Ida Linehan Young
13 books146 followersIda Linehan Young is a wife, mother, and grandmother living, writing, and publishing in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Recently retired from the information technology sector in the federal government, Ida created Seaweed Publishing to complement her substantial, award-winning, and best-selling writing portfolio.
Ida’s first published works, a memoir, debuted to a record-breaking crowd in 2014. She has since published across multiple genres with historical Newfoundland fiction, non-fiction, speculative fiction, crime, and children’s books.
Influenced by her love of local history and the familial art of storytelling passed down by her father, Edward Linehan, and her maternal grandfather, Frank Power, she began writing stories that told of her people and her roots. She researches the past of her beloved birthplace and writes to showcase the richness and storied past of her province.
Recently retired from the information technology sector in the federal government, Ida created Seaweed Publishing to complement her substantial, award-winning, and best-selling writing portfolio.
Ida’s first published works, a memoir, debuted to a record-breaking crowd in 2014. She has since published across multiple genres with historical Newfoundland fiction, non-fiction, speculative fiction, crime, and children’s books.
Influenced by her love of local history and the familial art of storytelling passed down by her father, Edward Linehan, and her maternal grandfather, Frank Power, she began writing stories that told of her people and her roots. She researches the past of her beloved birthplace and writes to showcase the richness and storied past of her province.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
June 8, 2020
I couldn’t wait to get this book, and when I got it I couldn’t put it down. Oh what a story! I would love to see it made into a movie! Ida you blow my mind, with all the twists and suspense! You have out done yourself! I wish there was another book to continue after this one. If you want a good book to read, this is it!
May 15, 2020
This book kept me going until the end. I enjoyed the characters, they were multidimensional, the writing style was descriptive, yet not overdone. Most of all I enjoyed the story and the many twists it took even right to the end. I liked how characters cross over the three books. I enjoy meeting them again and I hope there is more. It's like reading about my family adventures back in the 1800s. At one point, I thought one of the characters was gone, but I was not disappointed by the end of the book.
I was so surprised to see that most of the events that were in the book were based on true events. Absolutely genius how they were tied together. Well done. I can't wait to read more from this author. She is becoming one of my favourites. I love hearing stories from my beloved home province and Ms. Linehan Young continues to outdo herself. Congratulations. I am patiently waiting for the next one.
I was so surprised to see that most of the events that were in the book were based on true events. Absolutely genius how they were tied together. Well done. I can't wait to read more from this author. She is becoming one of my favourites. I love hearing stories from my beloved home province and Ms. Linehan Young continues to outdo herself. Congratulations. I am patiently waiting for the next one.
February 21, 2020
I am excited to bring you The Liars. Almost the entire book is based on two primary true events and one secondary true event from the late 1800s in Newfoundland, Canada. I have intertwined these events to bring to life a tale of intrigue, mystery, and love that will leave you wondering if this really could have happened. You will meet characters that you already know (from Being Mary Ro and The Promise) and some you have barely met or have yet to meet.
In the opening chapter, Ruth (Taktos) was murdered by a ruthless husband in the 1880s in Labrador. He was never held accountable, but although he was suspected of the crime, before he died, he did confess to killing her. He was, however, imprisoned for murdering his step-son-in-law.
Ruth Taktos deserved to be mentioned aloud and by name. She was real. She lived.
In the opening chapter, Ruth (Taktos) was murdered by a ruthless husband in the 1880s in Labrador. He was never held accountable, but although he was suspected of the crime, before he died, he did confess to killing her. He was, however, imprisoned for murdering his step-son-in-law.
Ruth Taktos deserved to be mentioned aloud and by name. She was real. She lived.
June 7, 2020
I finally got this book and once I started, I could not stop! Ida has done it again....I love how the characters follow through from the other two books and don’t even get me started on the twists and turns that are in this book! I needed to know what was going to happen. Great job, Ida! I highly recommend this book (and the others as well). I am hoping there is another book coming, even if it is not related to these. I will be buying, that’s for sure!!
June 2, 2020
Wow! Another great read, well done Ida Linehan Young! I was not disappointed as some of the characters I fell in love with from Being Mary Ro and The Promise are in the storyline. The unravelling of the secrets and lies of John and Alice had me so engrossed that I finished the book in one read. So enjoyed this book and really looking forward to the next one!
June 3, 2020
Loved reading The Liars, Ida does an amazing job writing this book . She has us captured in the lives of her characters right for the start . Following them through their journey. We feel their pain , we feel their loss and celebrate in their happier times . Her descriptive writing take us back living in the time of her story . Well done Ida ,waiting for your next book .
June 4, 2020
Ida you have done it again . Captured my interest from the very beginning . With every page turned I wanted to know more about every character, did not want the story to end . Can not wait to see what’s the future holds for your characters . Thank you for the amazing writing.
May 19, 2020
I just finished reading The Liars and it picks up right where The Promise left off. Wow! What a roller coaster of a ride Ida takes us on over land and sea across Newfoundland and Labrador. Each character has many layers that she slowly peels away to reveal the rationale of why they did what they did which caused you to stop and think. I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait to find out what is in store next.
May 20, 2020
She has done it again! Another amazing read I could not put down till completed. Highly recommend reading Being Mary Ro and The Promise first as this novel brings all of the characters together perfectly for another exciting ride. The only bad thing about this book is it had to end. Looking forward to her next book hopefully soon!
October 27, 2020
Awesome ....
December 19, 2020
Ezra Shawe is one brutal son-of-a-bitch, a looming brute malevolent enough to stand alongside literature’s most infamous villains like — oh, I don’t know … Mr. Hyde during a particularly nasty evening, maybe.
Ida Linehan Young’s new novel, The Liars [Flanker Press], opens “somewhere near Nain, Labrador, 1880s.” Right at the shuff-off, Ezra reveals his viciousness. Insanely enraged that his wife, Ruth, has over-cooked the caribou strew, Ezra physically assaults her. As he has done often, Ezra knots a hank of Ruth’s hair in his fist and then, like a demented Neanderthal, drags her off to a clifftop overlooking the sea.
Other times, figuring she’s been terrorized sufficiently, Ezra has returned Ruth to their house — literally “dragged her back to the house.” This time, however, is different. He chucks her off the cliff, “(slings) her over the edge.”
What a frigger, eh b’ys?
Hold on, there’s more. In the spring of 1887, Ezra shoots Nancy Martin’s husband and chases Nancy into the woods. Before she flees, however, Nancy manages to clobber Ezra on the noggin with a junk of wood. Despite his busted head though, Ezra pursues Nancy and drives her into a raging river.
And then … well, the rest of the story.
There’s some tangle of characters in this yarn. When Nancy is rescued — Go on, you knew she would be — the man who saves her calls her Lavinia. And get this — in Holyrood, where she eventually sets up housekeeping with her deliverer, Nancy is known as Alice. This man Alice lives with in Holyrood is called John MacDonald but is really Teddy White.
You’ll figure it out more quickly than I did. Sure, I’m on the crumbling cusp of senility and sorting out all the AKAs caused me to shake my head hard and fast, until my lips flapped like a wet dog’s pelt.
And then, like someone jumping from a going-ashore boat to the wharf, the former Erith Lock, now Mrs. Cooper, leaps from Ida Linehan Young’s previous novel, The Promise, to join The Liars’ troupe.
I recognized Erith’s strange name and remembered meeting her elsewhere but — incipient senility again? — couldn’t remember squat about her. I seemed to recall she had a baby that her wicked ol’ stepmother promptly swiped and handed off to a priest.
Bluurrrrrrrap — flapping lips.
Ida my love, you had me confused to death for a spell, but I forgive you because you have Alice bring out the patch-a-berry jam — tart and tasty, fit food for the gods: “Alice dug down and removed a small crock filled with dark red (partridgeberry) jam.”
A double spoonful of patch-a-berry jam smeared on an inch-thick slice of buttered bread, is worth forgiving almost anything, eh b’ys?
Ida Linehan Young skillfully weaves this complicated tapestry from its first warp and woof on a loom in Labrador to its final hemstitch in North Harbour, St. Mary’s Bay.
B’ys, that make a grain of sense?
I’ve been codding around a little bit — a big bit? — but I have to take a poke at a violent scene in this book.
Take heed of this: After a mutiny and several axe murders, “McPherson kicked the heads of the captain and his crewmate into the ocean.”
Gave me the yim-yams.
But b’ys, I tell you this, The Liars — largely a fabricated yarn — is a story inspired by disturbingly accurate events.
So there. Gem-dandy.
Thank you for reading.
Ida Linehan Young’s new novel, The Liars [Flanker Press], opens “somewhere near Nain, Labrador, 1880s.” Right at the shuff-off, Ezra reveals his viciousness. Insanely enraged that his wife, Ruth, has over-cooked the caribou strew, Ezra physically assaults her. As he has done often, Ezra knots a hank of Ruth’s hair in his fist and then, like a demented Neanderthal, drags her off to a clifftop overlooking the sea.
Other times, figuring she’s been terrorized sufficiently, Ezra has returned Ruth to their house — literally “dragged her back to the house.” This time, however, is different. He chucks her off the cliff, “(slings) her over the edge.”
What a frigger, eh b’ys?
Hold on, there’s more. In the spring of 1887, Ezra shoots Nancy Martin’s husband and chases Nancy into the woods. Before she flees, however, Nancy manages to clobber Ezra on the noggin with a junk of wood. Despite his busted head though, Ezra pursues Nancy and drives her into a raging river.
And then … well, the rest of the story.
There’s some tangle of characters in this yarn. When Nancy is rescued — Go on, you knew she would be — the man who saves her calls her Lavinia. And get this — in Holyrood, where she eventually sets up housekeeping with her deliverer, Nancy is known as Alice. This man Alice lives with in Holyrood is called John MacDonald but is really Teddy White.
You’ll figure it out more quickly than I did. Sure, I’m on the crumbling cusp of senility and sorting out all the AKAs caused me to shake my head hard and fast, until my lips flapped like a wet dog’s pelt.
And then, like someone jumping from a going-ashore boat to the wharf, the former Erith Lock, now Mrs. Cooper, leaps from Ida Linehan Young’s previous novel, The Promise, to join The Liars’ troupe.
I recognized Erith’s strange name and remembered meeting her elsewhere but — incipient senility again? — couldn’t remember squat about her. I seemed to recall she had a baby that her wicked ol’ stepmother promptly swiped and handed off to a priest.
Bluurrrrrrrap — flapping lips.
Ida my love, you had me confused to death for a spell, but I forgive you because you have Alice bring out the patch-a-berry jam — tart and tasty, fit food for the gods: “Alice dug down and removed a small crock filled with dark red (partridgeberry) jam.”
A double spoonful of patch-a-berry jam smeared on an inch-thick slice of buttered bread, is worth forgiving almost anything, eh b’ys?
Ida Linehan Young skillfully weaves this complicated tapestry from its first warp and woof on a loom in Labrador to its final hemstitch in North Harbour, St. Mary’s Bay.
B’ys, that make a grain of sense?
I’ve been codding around a little bit — a big bit? — but I have to take a poke at a violent scene in this book.
Take heed of this: After a mutiny and several axe murders, “McPherson kicked the heads of the captain and his crewmate into the ocean.”
Gave me the yim-yams.
But b’ys, I tell you this, The Liars — largely a fabricated yarn — is a story inspired by disturbingly accurate events.
So there. Gem-dandy.
Thank you for reading.
September 11, 2020
This book is the exciting conclusion to Ida Linehan Young’s epic historical fiction trilogy which first gave us the spectacular “Being Mary Ro” followed by an incredible sequel – “The Promise” – and ending (much to my chagrin) with “The Liars.” I say this because I did not want it to end!
I am not normally a person who reads historical fiction but I felt an immediate, visceral connection with these books. Perhaps because they are set in Newfoundland, perhaps because of the strong female characters, perhaps due to talents of this writer. Or maybe it’s all three. I most definitely could not put this one down.
There are many richly developed characters in “The Liars.” Even the very minor characters seem to spring forth from the page with life and substance. Perhaps most notably Ruth Taktos, a character based on a real person, a young girl who lost her life to domestic violence, murdered at the hands of her own husband. Thanks to Linehan Young’s research for this book, Ms. Taktos’ name has now been added to the list of Missing and Murdered Women and Girls of Newfoundland and Labrador. Her writing has really made a difference here.
There is action, intrigue, murder and mayhem in this book; a few times I was certain that there would be no happy ending. As you can imagine, I was quite thrilled to find both a ONE year later and then a TEN year later update/epilogue on the beloved characters in this trilogy. It will be hard to say goodbye to Mary Ro and Peter, to Erith and Danol and the children, to Beatrice and Alice and John MacDonald for they have found their way into my heart and will always remain some of my favorite characters.
Linehan Young should be applauded for this remarkable contribution to Newfoundland fiction.
I am not normally a person who reads historical fiction but I felt an immediate, visceral connection with these books. Perhaps because they are set in Newfoundland, perhaps because of the strong female characters, perhaps due to talents of this writer. Or maybe it’s all three. I most definitely could not put this one down.
There are many richly developed characters in “The Liars.” Even the very minor characters seem to spring forth from the page with life and substance. Perhaps most notably Ruth Taktos, a character based on a real person, a young girl who lost her life to domestic violence, murdered at the hands of her own husband. Thanks to Linehan Young’s research for this book, Ms. Taktos’ name has now been added to the list of Missing and Murdered Women and Girls of Newfoundland and Labrador. Her writing has really made a difference here.
There is action, intrigue, murder and mayhem in this book; a few times I was certain that there would be no happy ending. As you can imagine, I was quite thrilled to find both a ONE year later and then a TEN year later update/epilogue on the beloved characters in this trilogy. It will be hard to say goodbye to Mary Ro and Peter, to Erith and Danol and the children, to Beatrice and Alice and John MacDonald for they have found their way into my heart and will always remain some of my favorite characters.
Linehan Young should be applauded for this remarkable contribution to Newfoundland fiction.
June 13, 2020
I started reading Linehan Young’s books when she wrote her first book. Just finished The Liars which is her 4th book and the final one (maybe?) of her trilogy. I was on a rollercoaster of emotions and did not want to put it down. Her accounts of history keep it relatable but her fictional story kept me riveted. I can see Ida’s progression as an author and each book is better than the last! Already looking forward to the next book! Been recommending to all my friends!
October 13, 2020
I loved this book! Ida did not disappoint and I so enjoyed reading all about the MacDonalds and appreciated bringing back the other characters from the Promise and Being Mary Ro! A bit of NL history was a nice touch.
I enjoyed my Summer read and was thrilled when I picked up a signed copy from my local Chapters as meeting up with Ida was not possible this year!
Miss you and loved your book, Ida!
I enjoyed my Summer read and was thrilled when I picked up a signed copy from my local Chapters as meeting up with Ida was not possible this year!
Miss you and loved your book, Ida!
Read
July 12, 2020Congratulations Ida, I finally got your book and had it finished within a day. It was super exciting, intriguing and the suspense of what will happen next. Wow sometimes I could hardly turn the page fast enough as I was holding my breath in anticipation Extraordinary stories. Looking forward to your next book, can't wait.
Read
February 28, 2022The Liars was another amazing book by Ida Linehan Young.
It concluded the previous 2 books Being Mary Ro and The Promise.
The research Ida puts into her books is outstanding. She ties it all in with her stories and I’ve learned so much about the history of Newfoundland and Labrador through reading her books!
Can’t wait for her next one!
It concluded the previous 2 books Being Mary Ro and The Promise.
The research Ida puts into her books is outstanding. She ties it all in with her stories and I’ve learned so much about the history of Newfoundland and Labrador through reading her books!
Can’t wait for her next one!
July 26, 2020
A fantastic book that draws you in to the story and characters! You will not want to put it down. While reading it, I was whisked away to another time and place. A beautiful story to settle in to during these ever changing times! Read all of her books!! You will crave more!
December 3, 2020
I could not put this book down....historical fiction based on actual historical events can sometimes be lacking. This novel handled the retelling the historical events in a respectful and intriguing manner. It looks like I will be reading this triogy backwards as I discovered this is the conclusion. I don't think it dampened any of my appreciation of the novel, but there were a few characters I wanted to know more about.....now I understand why. And I can also remedy this situation.
I am looking forward to reading more from this talented author.
I am looking forward to reading more from this talented author.
April 23, 2022
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book. When it finally came in the mail, I deferred everything.. sat down and started to read, other than to get something to eat and another mug of tea I did not stop. Ida, you have the gift of keeping the readers attention. You again knocked this one out of the park.
November 30, 2020
I loved this book. Ida bought the characters to life . As we follow them in their journey she shows us their strengths and weaknesses. But most of all their quest to survive the hardships of life .
January 21, 2022
Great writer! Keeps you hooked.
November 29, 2022
Loved it
January 2, 2023
Third in a series, my favorite Newfoundland author.
November 17, 2024
Very happy to get the mystery ending of the preceding book, the Promise, solved! Love this author's books!
June 9, 2020
This author never disappoints. Love her storytelling and the way that she brings the characters to life. Already looking forward to her next novel!
July 10, 2020
Read my review of this in the July Northeast Avalon Times.
November 11, 2021
This was my first Ida Linehan Young novel but I will be looking for more. A beautifully crafted work of fiction inspired by real historical accounts. The suspense and unexpected twists keep you turning the pages. I do feel the first half of the story was more flushed out. The second half pegasus had more twists but the transitions between them didn't always feel cohesive. Would still recommend this book!
June 21, 2020
This book captivated me, I could not wait to pick it up and read it. So much going on, lots of mystery, suspense and surprises. Just when I thought I knew what was going on, there was a twist. I like how characters and events from the beginning to the end were woven into the plot, often in unexpected ways. So enjoyable to read a book based on the history of the province. You have a wonderful imagination. Well done, Ida.
September 20, 2021
There is no doubt that the author has a gift for storytelling, and it was an enjoyable book, but it was difficult to imagine the idyllic life that developed for the protagonists in this time frame. The suspense that mounted in "The Promise" regarding Erith’s fate petered out in chapter four then the reader was left with what amounts to a romance novel. As a book promoted in the category of historical fiction, less romance and more historical references would have been preferred.
March 27, 2022
The third book in the series and the author again takes a peripheral character from the last book and develops a story around them. Check out my review on this fabulous author at https://canadiancookbooks.ca/canadian... This book takes us to Labrador and back to Newfoundland. https://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews