Liar Liar

DS Grace Allendale #3

by Mel Sherratt

The truth can be a dangerous thing…

When a young boy is thrown from a balcony in a block of flats, DS Grace Allendale witnesses the shocking aftermath of the tragic event. But despite everything, no one will admit to seeing who did it – and the parents will only tell the police that it was an accident.

Determined to bring the perpetrator to justice, Grace must sort the truth from the lies in a case that takes her into the darkest corners of the criminal world – and strikes closer to home than she could have ever imagined…

A gripping and pacey thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from the moment you turn the first page. The perfect read for fans of Martina Cole.

‘An absolute masterpiece’ ANGELA MARSONS

The gripping new novel from million-copy bestseller, Mel Sherratt.

‘I love all Mel Sherratt’s books’ IAN RANKIN

‘Twists and turns and delivers a satisfying shot of tension’ RACHEL ABBOTT

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Thriller, Fiction, Detective, Thriller Suspense, Drama

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 10, 2020

About the author

I write police procedurals, psychological suspense and women's fiction with a punch - or grit-lit, as I call it.

I live in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, with my husband and terrier, Dexter (named after the TV serial killer) and makes liberal use of my hometown as a backdrop for some of my books.

You can find out more at my website www.melsherratt.co.uk or I'm on Twitter at @writermels

I also write women's fiction under the pen name of Marcie Steele.

Reviews

[Kylie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful book in what is proving to be an excellent series. In this novel Grace is nearby when a toddler falls from a balcony, and she's not sure if it was an accident or he was pushed. One thing is certain, the residents of Harrison House are keeping their mouths closed. The parents are clearly hiding something, but secrets and lies are the norm in this neck of the woods. How can Grace investigate when nobody will talk to her?

This one kept me up long past my bedtime. I had to know what was going on. With realistic characters, perfect setting and a believable plot, Mel Sherratt is certainly an author to add to your read list. Though this book works well as a standalone, I suggest you read the first two books in the series as well. Recommended.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[PamG · Rating 4 out of 5]

LIAR LIAR by Mel Sherratt is the third book in the DS Grace Allendale crime thriller series. The story takes place in England and the author brought this reader a gripping, intense and intriguing story.

When a young boy falls from a balcony, DS Grace Allendale and her partner DS Frankie Higgins are nearby on another police matter so they are quick to arrive, but no one seemed to see anything and the parents say it was an accident. Grace and Frankie work to find out the truth, but that is more easily said than done. Meanwhile other police-involved incidents happen in the area of the same block of flats.

What is going on? Are the events related or not? Who saw what and who is lying? The plot switches back and forth between two different timelines and this detracted a little bit from the overall flow. However, by the end of the book, it made total sense as to why the author did this. There are lots of twists and turns in this engrossing, shocking, and suspenseful book. Themes explored include murder, assault, family, gambling, deceit, lying, gangs, the criminal underworld, and much, much more.

The characters were compelling and three-dimensional with clear goals. The secondary characters were well-rounded and enhanced the story. The stakes and tension were high throughout most of the story making it a true page-turner.

Overall, I enjoyed this well-written novel and recommend the series to those that enjoy crime thrillers and police procedurals. It is the first book that I have read by this author and I am already looking forward to reading the first two in the series. This is an amazing “new to me” author.

Thanks to Avon Books UK and Mel Sherratt for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mel Sherratt has a well deserved reputation as an author of strong police procedurals. I’ve been a fan of all her various series. This, the third in the Grace Allendale series, has Grace investigating a young toddler who “falls” from the balcony in a block of flats. We know that several folks saw something but no one will admit to knowing anything. Even the parents will only say it was an accident. At the same time, there was some sort of commotion going on at the car park. I love that we’re kept clueless about whether the two incidents are related or not.

The storyline hits home as “no snitching” seems to be the mantra on both sides of the pond. Sherratt does a great job of projecting the fear behind the silence. We hear from each of the characters, which helps to move the story along at a brisk pace. It also gives us insights that Grace doesn’t have.

This is a series that works best if read in order. Actually, it even makes sense to read her Allie Shenton series first as the gangster family, the Steeles, make their first appearance there. And Allie is now Grace’s boss but her appearance in this book is minimal.

Another well done book to add to Ms. Sherratt’s resume.

My thanks to netgalley and Avon Books for an advance copy of this book.

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

Liar Liar is the third book featuring DS Grace Allendale. I have enjoyed all of these books and look forward to may more books in this series. I love that Grace is damaged and has the local criminal gang in her family. She is a great character to read about. We didn't learn too much new about her in this book and I hope that this will be explored more in future books,

The majority of this book is centred around the flats at Harrison House. A young boy has fallen from the balcony of one of the flats and Grace and her partner are called to the scene. The parents claim it was an accident and nobody else in the estate will admit to seeing anything. Grace has her doubts and keeps digging. The story jumps between the past and the present and we learn more about the mother of the boy. She has her secrets.

Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.

[Kylie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a few books by Mel Sherratt and although I have not read any of the earlier books in this particular series, it was fine as a standalone.
Mel specialises in settings in the poorer socioeconomic areas of England. Her books are gritty and realistic but also convey that there are good people doing great things in all classes.
In this story there is a terrible situation where a young boy goes over the balcony rail of a housing estate. DS Grace Allendale and her partner Frankie are trying to find witnesses to determine if it was an unfortunate accident or an act of violence. The residents close ranks and claim to have seen 'nothing'. It soon becomes apparent that many are scared of repercussions and more than one person has something to hide.
Quite a compelling story and certainly gripping. Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to review this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a toddler fallen from a balcony and in a surgically-induced coma, the last thing you want to hear from potential witnesses is, ‘I saw nothing’. However, this is exactly what DS Grace Allendale has to experience when she is determined to get to the bottom of a heartless crime.

A typical crime story, this was pacey enough to maintain my interest. There are flashbacks for readers to learn about Ruby’s past and this cleverly ties in with present day developments. Set on a housing estate in Stoke, readers learn that the occupants fear being marked as a ‘snitch’ and that there are always repercussions when liaising with the police.

The idea of gang membership, violence and honour is nothing new. This is what led me to give this four stars out of five. I did not feel that the background of the story was too different from other crime stories that I have read recently. Yes, it was enjoyable. But the concept of the female victim, informers and gang influences just didn’t grab me as being different and unique.

Despite the mistakes that Ruby has made in her past (and present), it is difficult not to sympathise with her. Sherratt’s dramatic opening of the story establishes the tone for the rest of the novel, especially as more innocent people fall foul of violence. Indeed, with few leads on the case of the toddler, the pressure that the police feel only increases with each day. I enjoyed this element of the plot because I appreciated seeing how their investigations were desperately trying to find the truth about what really happened with the toddler.

There are so many lies told within this story that it becomes a web of deceit. How some of the characters remembered their false accounts was beyond me! The dishonesty is all intended to ensure personal protection but the writer makes it clear this will only guarantee safety to some degree. With several characters fearfully looking over their shoulders, readers know that they could be the next victim.

This was enjoyable enough for me that I am certain I will seek out the predecessors in this series, to find out what else happens to DS Allendale. With several references to previous cases, I was intrigued to want to find out more. Regardless, this novel is easily read on its own and, despite the material covering well-trodden paths, it was an enjoyable and interesting read.

With thanks to NetGalley and Avon books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

DS Grace Allandale #3

4.5 starsrounded up to 5

A child has fallen from a balcony. Theres a fight happening in the car park. DS Grace Allandale is on the case with her team, ready to investigate. Grace is determined to get to the bottom of how the little boy fell from the balcony.she suspects his mother, Ruby is holding back from telling her the truth.

There is a dual timeline and lots of characters in this story. Every character has something to hide, even from their loved ones. I like Grace and her partner DS Frankie Higgins, they have a great relationship. There is plenty going on in the book to keep your attention and the twists keep coming at you. There is not so much a out Grace's estranged family, The Steeles in this book. I was instantly engrossed in this story and I couldn't and didn't want to put it down. The best book in this series so far. I highly recommend reading this series from the beginning if you haven't already. I promise you wo t be disappointed.

I would like to thank Netgalley, Avon Books UK and the author Mel Sherratt for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liar Liar is the third instalment in the DS Grace Allendale series, and what a cracking read it is. Each instalment works perfectly well as a standalone so you can jump right in here should you wish to. Grace and partner DC Frankie Higgins are getting ready to head home for the evening when they are startled by yelling and then a blood-curdling scream coming from the car park of a block of flats known as Harrison House. When they go to investigate they see that a young boy, two-year-old Tyler Douglas, has fallen over a balcony and is now lying unconscious and severely hurt on the concrete below. They are baffled as to how a toddler managed to overcome the railing supposed to protect from these type of incidents, and when questioned his parents end up looking as though they have something to hide. At the same time as the fall, another boy is savagely battered with a baseball bat in the very same car park. Could these incidents be connected?

Right from the off I was taken by surprise as the story is rip-roaring from the opening pages and barely slows down for the entire thriller. It's action-packed, exciting and completely compelling, everything you'd expect from Ms Sherratt. The way the narrative unfolds feels like a rollercoaster of peaks and troughs pulling the plot direction one way and then another. The topics involved are sensitive ones but are dealt with admirably and respectfully but I still felt a deep sense of sorrow knowing a young child was involved. Alternating between past and present we are taken on a gripping and engrossing quest for the truth as we watch Grace and colleagues try to bring justice to these cases. It's incredibly well thought out with characters who are believable and realistic and Grace’s mission to get the family to talk is proving nigh on impossible. It’s abundantly clear that someone has a hold over them but who? Many thanks to Avon for an ARC.

[Xavier Hugonet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liar Liar is the third novel in the DS Grace Allendale series by author Mel Sherratt. It’s a British police procedural.

DS Grace Allendale is now living with Simon, a local journalist, and has had her job focused on community relations in Stokes. She’s estranged from her family, reigning crime bosses of the city, and has a new, recently promoted partner.

The story begins when a young boy falls from a balcony in a block of flats, the Harrison House. Quickly, foul play is suspected. However, no one in Harrison House seems ready to come forward with information, and the parents themselves insist that the fall was an accident. It appears that Harrison House is under the thumb of a violent young kingpin wannabe, Seth Forrester. No one wants to get on his bad side.

The reader is however informed that both parents think they’re at fault for what happened to their son, and for different reasons they keep from each other.

Two stories run concurrently: the troubles at Harrison House, that keep piling up, and the troubles the mother is in, on which the reader is slowly let in by flashbacks to her past. The protagonists either don’t talk, or lie. And when they’re caught lying, they answer with more lies. All this explaining the book’s title, and making the investigation quite difficult for DS Allendale and her partners. It’s made a little easier for the reader. We are provided with more information, and the main culprit can be guessed before he’s finally revealed by the author.

Liar Liar is a quick light read, and possess all the qualities we expect from such a British police procedural. It’s a series I will no doubt keep following.

Thanks to Avon Books UK and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for this unbiased review.

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really wish I could give this book more stars but, I can’t this was an excellent read even though it was the third in the series it didn’t matter, it was a stand alone read. It reminded a little of Martina Cole’s books except there wasn’t so much swearing but, the violence was similar.
I will definitely read the others in this series and hopefully will enjoy those just as much.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woah! What a truly gripping start to a crime book. As soon as I picked the book up I was totally hooked. A toddler falling from a balcony had my heart in my mouth. What is worse is that no one dare say anything.

The story flicks between 2010 and 2014. In 2010 we get to see Ruby in her last year of high school, when she meets an older boy and when her life starts to change for the worse. In 2014, things don’t appear to be much better. Although we are kept in the dark as to why.

The area the story is set could be in any major city. Run down area where people try to keep to themselves and crime is rife. You can’t help but feel for the people of advanced years that are almost prisoners in their homes. Even the younger generation, their prospects don’t seem that rosy either.

It’s very much a story about power. The author has created a cast of characters, of which some you will loath and others you will be routing for. I was especially desperate for Grace to catch the culprits and lock them up and throw away the key but the residents at the block of flats don’t make it easy for her.

Liar Liar has one hell of an opening and had my full attention through out. It makes for a tense, nail biting read that was impossible to put down. There were a couple of very unexpected surprises that had my jaw hitting the floor. I love how the author brings this run down area to life and has the reader feeling the fears of the residents. Another fab book in the series.

My thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.

[Lady Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Publication date: February 10, 2020


This was a good story, but it wasn't one of my favorites.
I think this is because I hadn't read the previous books in the series, and perhaps that would have made a difference with me connecting with the protagonist.

The plot was good and the mystery intriguing.
I liked this author's writing style. She includes a lot of detail so the reader can visualize the scenes very well.

It was good, but I don't think I'll be continuing with the series.


"I voluntarily read an ARC of this book which was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review."

[Bill Kupersmith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since 2013, when Mel Sherratt published Somewhere to Hide, we have had more than twenty novels from her - mostly set near Stoke-on-Trent, often on estates. Some feature social workers but mostly police detectives. Here in Liar Liar it is DS Grace Allendale making it her third appearance. Appropriately she has been seconded from Major Crime to Community Policing, her new superior being another of Mel Sherratt’s series characters, Allie Shenton. Someone has dropped a toddler some fifteen feet over the parapet of a first floor walkway at Harrison House. It’s not quite a sink estate, but it has its criminal element. And as Grace discovers as she investigates, no one admits to seeing who did it, including the child’s own mother.

The story is told in two tracks, what happened to Ruby, Tyler’s mum, beginning in 2010, and the present. As each story unfolds, we gradually become aware why Ruby claims to have no idea what happened. For Grace and her partner Frankie the solution lies less in following clues or interviewing witnesses than in observing how events unfold at the estate, till finally all of Ruby’s back story is revealed.

Most of Mel Sherratt’s principal characters are women of great character whom most of us could adopt as models for appropriate behaviour. But they also generally have some skeleton in their closets or black sheep in their families, and Grace has a whole flock - the criminal Steeles, who are her half-brothers. Fortunately, as is usually the case, criminals distrust each other as much as they do the police, and with reason. But that makes for good dynamics in the plot.

The curtain of fear over the estate and the reluctance of witnesses to reveal what they know is most believable. But it also makes the reader feel frustrated. Sometimes I wanted to scream at the characters, especially Ruby, ‘Just tell the truth.’ It was suspenseful to hang on to find out if Ruby would trust Grace.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a while to get into this story, but it was well worth to read.
3.5 stars reflect that.

Overall, good thriller, though a few time it felt the storyline was stalling.
The ending was nicely done. Looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Nila (digitalcreativepages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fall from the first floor, and a toddler was found in the ground. Was it deliberate or an accident? Everyone knew something, but nobody saw anything. DCI Grace along with her partner Frankie got to investigating it.

My first book by author Mel Sherratt, though third in the series, I loved the chill the opening scene gave me. Why would anyone want to harm a 2 year old child? Grace with her dogged determination endeared herself to me, I was so happy she pursued the matter to its conclusion, in spite of it being told to be an accident.

Suspects were many, I looked at them with a growing suspicion as everyone seemed shrouded in secrets. Dual timeline telling me the mother's story in 2010 and present was intriguing; the author tied them up well in the end. The twists and turns in the story made the doubts I had on the characters come alive.

The writing was clear and gentle, even when the topic was gritty. The author knew how to pull me in with her words, tension-filled scenes where the stakes seemed high added to the adrenaline flow. They made me fly through the book.

A fun read, easy to understand, even when read mid series.

[Skyesmum · Rating 4 out of 5]

The latest in the DS Grace series. This one has a shocking start, middle and ending. The action is pretty much full on and I was struggling to put it down as I was wanting to read more. I like the main characters very much.

[Steph Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark and gritty with lots of lies, the 3rd in the DS Grace Allendale Series, and I loved it.
DS Grace Allendale and her colleague DC Frankie Higgins were at Harrison House on their last call of the day as part of the community intelligence team. Harrison House is a three-storey block of flats, home to an array of people but there was a good community feeling about the place despite lots of tenants coming and going. Its past reputation of being a troublesome area had been improved since the housing association had a grant to renovate it.
While they were there a commotion occurred and Grace found a young boy lying on the ground, seemingly fallen from one of the walkways.
Grace had a knack of getting to know the residents and people tended to trust her and would talk to her. Not this time though, nobody saw anything. Or did they? There was some reason why they all were tight lipped.
There are lots of twists and turns in the plot, many suspicions, making it a real page-turner.
Touchy subjects too, gambling, drugs, exploitation, domestic violence. All tackled perfectly.
Mel Sherratt is one of my favourite authors, I just love her writing style and thoroughly recommend her books.
This book can be read as a stand-alone. For more understanding of Grace and her estranged Stoke family you could read Hush Hush first. DS Grace Allendale was born in Stoke but moved away when she was a child. She returned to the Stoke area fairly recently after working in Manchester.
Being a Stokie myself, Mel Sherratt’s books really hit home with me more than any other author. The story criss-crosses my city, even driving up my street. It seriously creeps me out, even when I’m driving around I think about the author’s books. I just know where it’s all happening even if some of the place names are slightly different.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hello, there !

it smells like the spring time. I hope you are having a great time. Today is my stop of one terrific blog tour and I am reviewing one very gripping police procedural, written by Mel Sherratt. It is the third book in the series, but I had no problem reading it as a stand-alone book. Many thanks to lovely Sanjana and the amazing team at Avon Books UK for the chance to be part of this blog tour. Don’t forget to visit all the other stops of this amazing blog tour! Enjoy!

A little boy is thrown from a balcony. DS Grace Allendale works on the case. Is it parents’ negligence or simply an accident? But when you scratch the suface, you may not like what you find out. The neighbourhood is a block of flats. Many things happen behind closed doors. And outside in the park. And no one sees a thing. It’s the place where gangs rule.

As the investigation goes, many skeletons come out from the closet. The parents of the little boy obviously hide something, but no one knows what. Their story is simply too perfect. But the mother, Ruby, cried wolf so many times. Maybe it’s time for her to tell the truth this time. To save her children.

Will someone believe her?

Liar, Liar is my second book from this author. I like the way Mel Sherratt writes and tells the story. Like the spider, she carefully knits the web of events, creates the plot with so many twists just to keep you on the edge till the last page. I liked the story, liked the characters. Ruby’s story made me sad, Not just sad, angry too. There was very little about DS Allendale this time. I would like to read more about her. I had a great time reading this book and enjoyed the story. Can’t wait book number four!

[Beccabeccabooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

"𝙸 𝚜𝚊𝚠 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐"

When there's four incidents in many days, all the residents of Harrison House are saying exactly this. First a little boy falls from the first storey. At the same time, a teenager is beaten up. Then another teenager is ran down whilst cycling. Lastly and most tragically an elderly woman is murdered on the communal staircase.

With the resident's reluctance to come forward with information makes DS Grace Allendale's job just that bit harder. It's likely that all three incidents are connected, but there's nothing concrete to go on.

However, behind the scenes, there's one young family running for the lives, and two violent people of interest who are intent on being owed their debts.... And they won't stop until they're paid.

Liar Liar is my favourite DS Grace Allendale book to date! It's a fresh take on the usual police procedural, as Grace is now working in a community based role. Alongside Grace is trainee DC, Michael Higgins AKA Frankie, who deserves this larger presence after being a minor character for so long!

This was one exciting and suspenseful read! Sadly the next book is the final in the series. It's going to be hard to say goodbye to Grace, who's became one of my favourite fictional police detectives!

Early predictions for Good Girl:

Grace and Simon will get married, or make a long term commitment.

The remaining members of the Steele family will all go down. Given that they've been a fixture so far being somewhat involved in all the cases, this is very likely. Of course, Grace will be involved in the action but at a price.

A major character will either be seriously harmed, or killed off.

Let's see how many I get correct!

In the meantime it's a solid 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨/5 for Liar Liar!

[Adele Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Allie Shenton moved on and Grace Allendale came along, I did not think a branching out with Allie in the background would work. I eat my hat and will admit it did work to a point but I find myself missing Allie.

I will eat my hat again if Mel can add anything more to this group of characters.

[The Book Review Café · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mel Sherratt’s back! with Liar Liar the third instalment in the DS Grace Allendale series. As the title suggests there are so many lies, and half truths buried within this story, Grace has her work cut out that’s for sure! The book opens with a shocking scene when a young boy called Tyler falls from a balcony in a block of flats. From the start of the investigation it’s apparent the boy’s parents are being evasive, their story doesn’t quite ring true, but why would they lie? Did Tyler fall over the railings? Or is there a far more sinister reason behind his accident? The author leads the reader a merry dance through a tangled web of lies and deceit. As I mentioned this is the third book in the series, however Liar Liar could be read as a standalone, although if you are anything like me I prefer to read books in order! It’s won’t be any hardship as it’s shaping up to be a cracking crime series.

For the residents of Harrison House there’s a familiar mantra around the investigation ‘I never saw nothing, ‘I never heard anything’ seems to be the favourite. Residents don’t trust the police, hell they don’t even trust their neighbours! Living day in, day out, alongside crime, the residents have their own code, ‘you never tell the police anything’, after all no criminal wants to be labelled a ‘grass’! The book alternates between chapters that follow one of the main characters past, and the present day investigation, sometimes I find that dual time lines get over complicated, but that wasn’t the case with a Liar Liar, but it’s these past chapters that provide the reader with an insight into one of the characters, and their motivation for the choices they make.

Liar Liar’s focus is set firmly On the back story of its characters, Grace has a much smaller part to play in this book, which worked really well, as the main plot wasn’t overshadowed by police procedures and the investigation. Thinking about it Liar Liar felt very different to the last two books in the series, but I mean that in a good way as it’s great to see an author not stick to a specific formula for each book. One of Mel Sherratt’s strengths is her capacity to delve into the darkest corner of the criminal world and create unlikable, violent and authentic ‘shady’ characters. The tension ramps up as the lies begin to unravel, and more crimes are committed. Liar Liar made for a gritty, hard-hitting read, and although I wouldn’t consider this a fast-paced read, there’s plenty to keep the crime lover eagerly turning the pages.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always look forward to a new Mel Sherratt book and I wasn’t disappointed with Liar Liar, the third book in the DS Grace Allendale series.
DS Grace is called to Harrison House where a boy has accidently fallen over a balcony and injured himself. It is supposedly have been an accident but, when DS Grace and her team call for witnesses most of the residents say that they didn’t see anything. Things just don’t add up. Even when DS Grace interview the boy’s parents, she senses that they are not telling the whole truth. Grace goes out of her way to find out the truth about the accident and all the goings on at Harrison House.
This is another gripping story from Mel Sherratt that I didn’t want to put down from start to finish. I think this is better than the others in this series. It had great characters and plot with lots of twists and turn to keep you engaged through out. 5 stars from me.

[Donna ~ The Romance Cover · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy this one, but I didn’t feel it was at the same level of the previous books in this series. The back and forth was a bit annoying at first, but I soon realised the why and I think that took the edge off a bit. I saw this one coming. There were a few surprises and it was written well. I do hope that the author explores the Steel connection more, because for me, that is what I’m more interested in at the moment, especially after the seemingly Olive Branch given at the end of this book.

[Joanna Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a huge fan of this author and this series which in my opinion keeps going from strength to strength. Liar Liar is another gritty, terrifying and just heartbreaking read which will stay with me for a long time.

The case revolves around how and why two year old Tyler managed to fall from a balcony. As the story develops and we learn more about the characters background it soon becomes clear that it’s not as simple investigation as it first appeared.

There are some very interesting characters in this book including some who I absolutely hated which I always think is a sign that they have been very well written. Some of their actions made me feel physically sick as I can’t believe some of the stuff they did. How anyone would want to inflict so much pain and misery on another person is beyond me.

This was a very fast paced and incredibly gripping story which I managed to read in a couple of days. The lack of evidence or witnesses makes it a very intriguing case to try and solve. I so enjoyed following the case and trying to work out what was going on. The ending although heartbreaking was a satisfactory way to end the book.

Huge thanks to Sanjana from Avon for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! I know I’m in for a treat when there is a new Mel Sherratt book to read and this one blew me away, once again! I honestly don’t know how Mel Sherratt does it.
Liar Liar is the third book in the DS Grace Allendale series and, I think, could be easily enjoyed as a standalone, but I would highly recommend you read books one and two also, if you haven’t already, if for no other reason than you are really missing out if you don’t.
This story is quite terrifying and heart-wrenching. Grace and her team are faced with a new investigation when two-year-old Tyler is injured having fallen from the balcony outside the flat where he lives with his parents, Ruby and Luke, and older sister, Lily. I can’t even begin to imagine the trauma Ruby and Luke endure after such a horrific accident. Was it an accident though? It soon becomes clear that there is more to this ‘accident’ than meets the eye and Grace suspects that the parents know more than they are letting on, but why would they lie about such a thing? Without evidence or witnesses willing to talk there isn’t much to go on and Grace faces a frustrating battle to get to the truth before anyone else gets hurt.
This is a police procedural crime thriller but, as always with Mel Sherratt, the characters are the heart of the story. I am always fascinated by them and captivated by their stories. Ruby particularly broke my heart, bless her. How someone so young, who has been through so much, still manages to attempt a ‘normal’ life with her partner and two young children is beyond me. Keeping her secrets close to her chest in the hope of keeping them all safe from her past but knowing it will catch up with them eventually must be absolutely terrifying. Stories like these make me so thankful for our relatively simple, quiet life. I know this is fiction, but I know people live like this in the real world and I can’t think of anything worse than living every day is such debilitating fear.
There are some seriously evil characters in this story, who really made me feel sick to my stomach. Why some people relish in another person’s misery and fear is truly horrifying, but still these people are very real and believable. There is real evil in this world.
Liar Liar is undoubtedly a five-star read, in my opinion. The suspense and intrigue kept me gripped to the very last page and although my heart broke for Ruby, I was glad there is some closure in the end. This is a case I am unlikely to forget for a long time to come and I’m sure DS Grace Allendale would say the same.
This series keeps going from strength to strength and I can’t wait for book four. Grace is easily one of my favourite detectives.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for my ARC via Netgalley. I had pre-ordered the kindle version also and will be purchasing a paperback copy for my bookshelf, which I hope Mel Sherratt might sign for me, sometime soon! 😊

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liar Liar is the third book in the ‘DS Grace Allendale’ thriller series by best-seller author Mel Sherratt and it was a thoroughly enjoyable and first-class read. The first book is Hush Hush, which was followed by Tick Tock. The instalments work perfectly well on their own so you can dive in here should you wish to.

The book kicks off with a shocking scene when a young boy named Tyler falls from a balcony in a block of flats. As Grace and her team begin investigating, it is immediately apparent that Tyler's parents are hiding something. Why would they lie? The residents of the flats at Harrison House are keeping their mouths firmly closed and are claiming that they saw nothing. But Grace is determined to bring the perpetrator to justice, however difficult that will be when everyone is keeping schtum about the incident.

Mel Sherratt does a fantastic job of instilling feelings of foreboding underneath the blanket of silence. The reader gains the perspective of different characters, which helps to move the story along at a brisk pace, also providing insights that Grace isn't privy to. The characters are superbly drawn by the author and I particularly like Grace who I thought was top-notch. Her partner in this investigation, DC Frankie Higgins, is someone I rapidly grew to like. They complemented and worked alongside each other brilliantly, and I really wanted to see them succeed. All of the characters were compelling, multi-dimensional, well-rounded and enhanced the story. The stakes and tension were high throughout most of the novel, full of mystery and drama and packed with different themes of murder, assault, deceit, lying, gang culture, the criminal underworld, and many more.

Mel Sherratt’s fantastic writing style helped to make Liar Liar so enthralling and exciting and this was particularly true towards the end for the dramatic and tense conclusion. I've been inspired to begin her DS Allie Shenton series starting with Taunting the Dead and I'm intrigued to see where this DS Grace Allendale series is leading. I can't wait to see what the author has in store next time around.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel at my request, from Avon Books via NetGalley, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Best Crime Books & More · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely LOVING this series and this book was no exception. Grace Allendale is back and this book felt much more focused on the story as opposed to anything personal about Grace. The first two books give you a real insight into her as a character which is great but this one was a pure page turner in terms of what why and who. It starts with a young boy Tyler Douglas ‘falling’ from a block of flats but conveniently nobody saw or heard anything.

At first we just see the storyline develop in terms of them questioning suspects and you will see a couple of characters brought into the fray. In addition a secondary thread switches between times and looks at Ruby back from when she was younger up to now. I can honestly say that I was really taken with the story and didn’t really want to put the book down.

This was such an enjoyable read and a brilliant addition to this series and I cannot wait to see what happens next. Luckily book 4 is already out so will be on my to read list in the not too distant future.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanted More

I was honestly surprised that I did not enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. Didn’t like any of the characters, even the “good” ones. And the detectives were just not interesting at all. I thought about giving up on it, but decided to finish it. I would have liked to rate it 2.5 stars, but since I couldn’t, I went up to 3 stars. Cannot recommend.

[Pol · Rating 5 out of 5]

DS Grace Allendale Series, this is the 3rd book. Was not disappointed a great read from first page to the last one. Worth more than 5 stars.

[Debra K · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this story, we follow DS Grace Allendale who, along with her colleagues, are investigating the tragic event of a young boy potentially being thrown from a balcony in a block of flats in a community where they keep their own secrets and others in the building for fear of their own lives. Along with this, you have what seems to be a 'bigger picture' story that I am guessing is building up with every book in this series but I can't comment on that as I have not yet picked up any of the other books in this series but that doesn't spoil this story. You can easily read this as a stand alone.

For me, the pace of the story was a little slower than what I would have liked but when you get to the main part of the story and DS Grace is interviewing the various 'suspects' around the block of flats I soon got stuck into trying to figure out who was telling the truth and who was lying. This was more about the different characters, their personalities and what they have or have not got away with or what secrets they are keeping. That was the best part of this for me.

A good story and one that for sure makes me intrigued to pick up the other books at some point in the future to see what the bigger picture is and learn more about DS Grace and her family connections.


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Debs :-)