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Liars Island #1
Ransom Road
My husband was everything I wanted in a partner. Then his business took off and we had Rosie — the most colic-y baby our pediatrician had ever met. Shadows from my past crept closer. So I locked us away, safe inside the gates of our island home. Or so I thought. I knew it was a bad idea to let anyone in, but I needed help. And Nanny Bexley was a dream come an excellent resume and tons of energy. But just one week after she came into our lives, the dream turned into a nightmare. And there was no one I could trust.If I wanted to see my daughter again, I would need to step outside and find her myself.Welcome to Liar’s Island… a stand-alone series of interconnected domestic thrillers set in the picture-perfect community of Liars Island. Here, nothing is quite as it seems.On this island, families and friendships are more than meets the eye … secrets, deceptions, and jealousies threaten to ruin everything these influential people have built. But it isn’t only the rich that live here … and power comes in all shapes and sizes.Everyone here is a liar … just how far would you go to get what you want?
154 pages, Paperback
First published January 3, 2021
216 people are currently reading
556 people want to read
About the author
Anya Mora
28 books321 followersAnya Mora relies on her experience as a wife and mother to form her creative expression. Her novels, while leaning toward the dark, ultimately reflect light, courage, and her innate belief that love rewards the brave.
You can discover more about the author at https://anyamora.com
You can discover more about the author at https://anyamora.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
March 15, 2021
Exciting plot that drew me in quickly and kept me. Narrators were excellent. No gore, profanity, or perversion. 👍🏼
To be forthcoming, I didn’t think I’d like it — surprise can be a good thing!
To be forthcoming, I didn’t think I’d like it — surprise can be a good thing!
April 10, 2021
This book is closer to 4 stars than 3. Anyway, it’s not a long book which suits me just fine! This author tells a story without veering off into other areas. She keeps to the story. Nothing feels drawn out like SO many books. I’m looking at you Dean Koontz. Ha.
‘Welcome to Liar’s Island... a stand-alone series of interconnected domestic thrillers set in the picture-perfect community of Liars Island. Here, nothing is quite as it seems.’
‘Welcome to Liar’s Island... a stand-alone series of interconnected domestic thrillers set in the picture-perfect community of Liars Island. Here, nothing is quite as it seems.’
August 1, 2024
A novella that takes place on Liars Island. A couple has a baby and are in need of a nanny. They hire one and a week later the daughter and nanny disappear. It is up to the mom (Waverly) to find them.
September 14, 2023
Waverly is a mom to a colicky baby, and she's obsessed with keeping her baby safe (with good reason). That leads to hiring a "baby whisperer" kind of nanny, now Waverly can take a nap and relax a bit. Of course that plan goes to pieces almost immediately and Waverly learns real quick that she has no one to rely on but herself.
It's a fast paced novella that only took about an hour to read. Things got a little unbelievable at the end, and I wish there had been a little more explanation about what was going on with Waverly's husband.
It's a fast paced novella that only took about an hour to read. Things got a little unbelievable at the end, and I wish there had been a little more explanation about what was going on with Waverly's husband.
July 23, 2023
Second book I’ve read from the liars island catalogue and once again loved it!
This book is action packed from the start and kept me on the edge of my seat. I only lower a point because it seemed to button up too quick and nicely at the end. I was waiting for another shoe to drop and shock me. But overall it was so good and I read it in one sitting!
4/5 stars!
This book is action packed from the start and kept me on the edge of my seat. I only lower a point because it seemed to button up too quick and nicely at the end. I was waiting for another shoe to drop and shock me. But overall it was so good and I read it in one sitting!
4/5 stars!
January 26, 2021
Loved this!
This book was packed full of intrigue! I can’t wait to read the next one:) I was engrossed and the next thing I knew, I had finished the book.
This book was packed full of intrigue! I can’t wait to read the next one:) I was engrossed and the next thing I knew, I had finished the book.
April 22, 2023
A quick read about a new mother with a tragic past, her husband who travels, the new nanny, lies, and bad choices that have consequences
August 20, 2023
I think I found a new favorite author! I loved this book. The part at the end about Camden!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2024
3.5/5⭐️
A short thriller story, this is truly a moms worst nightmare! As a mom of a newborn everything felt so familiar.
A short thriller story, this is truly a moms worst nightmare! As a mom of a newborn everything felt so familiar.
January 8, 2026
Short, fast paced, easy read. Some grammatical errors but otherwise really decent. I was literally on the edge of my seat at the end.
June 7, 2021
Excellent start to a new series
This book took off from the first page and kept going to the last one. A young woman becomes a nanny under dishonest circumstances but she starts to really care for this family which changes the trajectory of the story.
This book took off from the first page and kept going to the last one. A young woman becomes a nanny under dishonest circumstances but she starts to really care for this family which changes the trajectory of the story.
November 14, 2025
2 hours of meh.
January 3, 2021
Ohhh boy! 2021 is shaping up to be a good one with this read. The street names along have me all in my feels. Can't wait to read more!
August 3, 2021
Another audiobook that helped me get my miles in for 2 days (reading always takes my mind off ticking away 6 miles)
A new mother is living the life of luxury. Married to (an inherited) wealthy business man, living a ferry ride away from the hustle and bustle of the big city, she was hoping to settle down to motherhood and all its joys. Her only problem is that she is the recipient of a very colicky baby and her days and nights are consumed with cries and screams. She wants help and she needs help but is reluctant to ask for it. Take that scenario and add a husband who is dealing with the stress of his wife not having time for him due to a screaming baby and soon help will be on the way.
Across the waters is a young girl trying to get help for her ailing mother who is slowly dying of cancer. The daughter wants to get her Mom into an experimental drug program but that will take a lot of money for transportation, short-term residence costs, etc. Her prayers are answered when she sees an advertisement. All she has to do is (with help of the solicitor) pretend a chance meeting with a tired, desperate husband whose wife is even more desperately in need of the help of a nanny.
With the job in the bag, the new nanny merely has to find the perfect time, make a phone call and the baby will be temporarily taken away until the ransom demand has been made and met. The ransom team will get their money, the nanny will get her $10,000 bonus and the parents will get their alive and healthy baby back. But as they say, "the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry". This is especially true when one of them is a rat.
I enjoyed watching this story unfold and then stopped on the sidewalk when it ended. "That's it?", I asked myself. I thought surely we were getting to "Part II", but no - that was the end. It (the end) came a bit too abruptly for me and felt rushed. The story belonging to the husband felt like he was slowly being erased from the picture without a voice or reason and there were too many unanswered questions for me. Many characters (especially the new mother) had emotional and psychological issues that miraculously "healed" themselves in a time of crisis? I don't think so.
On the surface this started as a good story with lots of potential. I'm glad, however, I didn't get a ransom call about it, because for me it didn't measure up to the full asking price.
A new mother is living the life of luxury. Married to (an inherited) wealthy business man, living a ferry ride away from the hustle and bustle of the big city, she was hoping to settle down to motherhood and all its joys. Her only problem is that she is the recipient of a very colicky baby and her days and nights are consumed with cries and screams. She wants help and she needs help but is reluctant to ask for it. Take that scenario and add a husband who is dealing with the stress of his wife not having time for him due to a screaming baby and soon help will be on the way.
Across the waters is a young girl trying to get help for her ailing mother who is slowly dying of cancer. The daughter wants to get her Mom into an experimental drug program but that will take a lot of money for transportation, short-term residence costs, etc. Her prayers are answered when she sees an advertisement. All she has to do is (with help of the solicitor) pretend a chance meeting with a tired, desperate husband whose wife is even more desperately in need of the help of a nanny.
With the job in the bag, the new nanny merely has to find the perfect time, make a phone call and the baby will be temporarily taken away until the ransom demand has been made and met. The ransom team will get their money, the nanny will get her $10,000 bonus and the parents will get their alive and healthy baby back. But as they say, "the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry". This is especially true when one of them is a rat.
I enjoyed watching this story unfold and then stopped on the sidewalk when it ended. "That's it?", I asked myself. I thought surely we were getting to "Part II", but no - that was the end. It (the end) came a bit too abruptly for me and felt rushed. The story belonging to the husband felt like he was slowly being erased from the picture without a voice or reason and there were too many unanswered questions for me. Many characters (especially the new mother) had emotional and psychological issues that miraculously "healed" themselves in a time of crisis? I don't think so.
On the surface this started as a good story with lots of potential. I'm glad, however, I didn't get a ransom call about it, because for me it didn't measure up to the full asking price.
July 5, 2024
This is a well written short story that I couldn’t put down. Looking forward to reading the other books in the Liars Island series.
January 11, 2021
This is book one of the A Liars Island Suspense series and the main character is a married mother called Waverly (Wavy) with a colic bound baby called Rosie. The story starts with a brief look at events in her childhood, which have left her in a fearful situation about just about everything, but especially security for their home and her surroundings. She rarely leaves the house and her husband Camden works at a start-up security company, developing software for home cameras. Their own home is like a virtual fortress, with cameras covering inside and out and able to be accessed from their computer or tablet. Waverly never leaves the home, not even to go out into the garden with her young baby. She is suffering from a severe lack of sleep as Rosie never seems to stop crying, so when her husband offers to look for a nanny who would come into the house, with her there as well, to help out, it is a welcome offer.
The nanny who gets hired is a young woman called Bexley, who desperately needs some extra money to pay for a new clinical trial that will hopefully help save her mother who is very ill with cancer. She has looked after children in her neighbourhood block and has been a skilled babysitter for years. She even has her own webpage to advertise her services. She answers an ad on Craigslist, but that is just the start of a strange start to a new position on Liars Island, to a rich young couple. She ends up as a nanny to little Rosie and has an immediate and calming effect on the baby. She helps clean up and bring order back to the house in the first few days she is there, but at the end of the first week, the unimaginable happens and Wavy loses her baby. Someone has kidnapped her and wants a large sum of money by the next day, or they will kill her. This brings back memories of what happened to Wavy and her older sister Julia, when she was a child. She is warned not to contact the police and doesn’t trust them either! She can’t get ahold of her husband and soon finds out there are a lot of secrets about their lives that she had no clue about.
The kidnappers know about her past and have targeted her in this way, specifically because of it, knowing she won’t call the police or ask for help. They believe they will get the money easily, but within any group of criminals there is always discontent! Wavy knows they are dangerous and is going to have to go out of her comfort zone and try to find her baby herself. This is a short story, but it packs a punch of intense emotion and past secrets that have now led to a life threatening situation. It is just the first of a series of standalone stories set on Liars Island, which it seems is aptly named, with many liars doing whatever they want, to get what they want! I look forward to seeing more stories from this series and seeing what crossover there is between all the different characters from this story and future ones. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
The nanny who gets hired is a young woman called Bexley, who desperately needs some extra money to pay for a new clinical trial that will hopefully help save her mother who is very ill with cancer. She has looked after children in her neighbourhood block and has been a skilled babysitter for years. She even has her own webpage to advertise her services. She answers an ad on Craigslist, but that is just the start of a strange start to a new position on Liars Island, to a rich young couple. She ends up as a nanny to little Rosie and has an immediate and calming effect on the baby. She helps clean up and bring order back to the house in the first few days she is there, but at the end of the first week, the unimaginable happens and Wavy loses her baby. Someone has kidnapped her and wants a large sum of money by the next day, or they will kill her. This brings back memories of what happened to Wavy and her older sister Julia, when she was a child. She is warned not to contact the police and doesn’t trust them either! She can’t get ahold of her husband and soon finds out there are a lot of secrets about their lives that she had no clue about.
The kidnappers know about her past and have targeted her in this way, specifically because of it, knowing she won’t call the police or ask for help. They believe they will get the money easily, but within any group of criminals there is always discontent! Wavy knows they are dangerous and is going to have to go out of her comfort zone and try to find her baby herself. This is a short story, but it packs a punch of intense emotion and past secrets that have now led to a life threatening situation. It is just the first of a series of standalone stories set on Liars Island, which it seems is aptly named, with many liars doing whatever they want, to get what they want! I look forward to seeing more stories from this series and seeing what crossover there is between all the different characters from this story and future ones. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
September 14, 2021
Welcome to Liars Island… a stand-alone series of interconnected, novella length domestic thrillers set in the picture-perfect community of Liars Island. Here, nothing is quite as it seems. On this island, families and friendships are more than meets the eye … secrets, deceptions, and jealousies threaten to ruin everything these influential people have built. But it isn’t only the rich that live here … and power comes in all shapes and sizes. Everyone here is a liar … just how far would you go to get what you want?
Eighteen authors came together to write eighteen stand-alone short story’s. I read five out of eighteen. I had to wonder for a small island if each one of these characters and there families actually moved to Liars Island it would become overpopulated with liars and criminals. You’d think eventually someone from another story would meet each other since these story’s are interconnected.
There’s someone coming for her on Liars Island waiting and watching. The past and the present are headed on a collision course of destruction.
The mystery lies with what happened did in her past. She moved her family to Liars Island to hide. She hides behind security cameras staying indoors keeping her and Rosie isolated. But it only takes one mistake to invite the past back in. For Waverly it was inviting a nanny into her home to help with her colicky baby.
The story moved at a steady pace. The concept was a little convoluted. I find it funny how easy these amateur characters take down these dangerous criminals so easily. It’s unrealistic. Given the short time span to put together a story it’s a quick and easy read.
Eighteen authors came together to write eighteen stand-alone short story’s. I read five out of eighteen. I had to wonder for a small island if each one of these characters and there families actually moved to Liars Island it would become overpopulated with liars and criminals. You’d think eventually someone from another story would meet each other since these story’s are interconnected.
There’s someone coming for her on Liars Island waiting and watching. The past and the present are headed on a collision course of destruction.
The mystery lies with what happened did in her past. She moved her family to Liars Island to hide. She hides behind security cameras staying indoors keeping her and Rosie isolated. But it only takes one mistake to invite the past back in. For Waverly it was inviting a nanny into her home to help with her colicky baby.
The story moved at a steady pace. The concept was a little convoluted. I find it funny how easy these amateur characters take down these dangerous criminals so easily. It’s unrealistic. Given the short time span to put together a story it’s a quick and easy read.
March 30, 2025
Ransom Road by Anya Mora is a novella-length domestic thriller set in the picture-perfect community of Liars Island. I loved it! The amazing part is that this didn't feel short or rushed, it was straight to the point without all the blah-blah, blah. All story concentrates on action and the main purpose of the storyline. Just brilliant!
The story captured my attention straight away. No jumping in time and dual points of view made it easy to follow the story. I liked the end twist as well as the epilogue that made the story nicely wrapped up.
Waverly survived a mad hostage situation when she was just a child. This led to a mad social anxiety and paranoia once she became a mother. She doesn't trust anyone, she sees threats everywhere and with a colicky baby in her hands she is exhausted. When her husband hires the babysitter Waverly finally gets some sleep but is it really her life set for better now?
This is the first book in the Liars Island thriller series. This series is unique with all books there being stand-alone so no reading in order is needed. Books written by multiple authors, all quick reads. So it will be perfect for everyone who needs something short, quick or for someone in the reading slump.
The story captured my attention straight away. No jumping in time and dual points of view made it easy to follow the story. I liked the end twist as well as the epilogue that made the story nicely wrapped up.
Waverly survived a mad hostage situation when she was just a child. This led to a mad social anxiety and paranoia once she became a mother. She doesn't trust anyone, she sees threats everywhere and with a colicky baby in her hands she is exhausted. When her husband hires the babysitter Waverly finally gets some sleep but is it really her life set for better now?
This is the first book in the Liars Island thriller series. This series is unique with all books there being stand-alone so no reading in order is needed. Books written by multiple authors, all quick reads. So it will be perfect for everyone who needs something short, quick or for someone in the reading slump.
May 7, 2021
Imagine not feeling like you can leave your house, then you have a fussy, colicky baby that cry’s for hours on end. Then there’s suddenly is light at the end of the tunnel in the form of the perfect babysitter. Unfortunately nothing is what it seems on Liar’s Island.
Although this contemporary suspenseful thriller is part of Liar’s Island series, it is a stand alone book. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline. I found it delightfully suspenseful. It was one of those books you begin and need to keep reading to find out how it would end. I enjoyed how the character’s interacted. The narrative is from the heroine’s point of view giving insight into her thoughts, emotions and motivations. I enjoyed how the main character overcomes some of her limitations and her strengths show up. If all the books are as good as this one was, I will enjoy them.
Although this contemporary suspenseful thriller is part of Liar’s Island series, it is a stand alone book. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline. I found it delightfully suspenseful. It was one of those books you begin and need to keep reading to find out how it would end. I enjoyed how the character’s interacted. The narrative is from the heroine’s point of view giving insight into her thoughts, emotions and motivations. I enjoyed how the main character overcomes some of her limitations and her strengths show up. If all the books are as good as this one was, I will enjoy them.
November 14, 2025
Needed a palette cleanser and WOW Ransom Road by Anya Mora delivered exactly what my reading soul needed 😭🙌 Book 1 of the Liars Island series and it yanked me straight out of my slump in the best way.
I already had Thrillvember planned — 18 books, full chaos, zero regrets — but THIS ONE?? This one has me excited all over again. Like “okay yes let’s devour the whole series immediately” excited 😮💨📚🔥
I love the series I was reading (truly!!) but my brain was tapping out. This was the perfect reset. Short, punchy, and packed with just enough angst and tension to light my motivation back on fire.
The vibes?? Immaculate.
The mystery?? Had me hooked instantly.
The drama?? Delicious 😘💀
Quick, twisty, addictive — exactly the energy boost I needed heading into 18 straight thrillers.
A solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 — consider me revived, recharged, and READY for Thrillvember 🖤🔥📖
I already had Thrillvember planned — 18 books, full chaos, zero regrets — but THIS ONE?? This one has me excited all over again. Like “okay yes let’s devour the whole series immediately” excited 😮💨📚🔥
I love the series I was reading (truly!!) but my brain was tapping out. This was the perfect reset. Short, punchy, and packed with just enough angst and tension to light my motivation back on fire.
The vibes?? Immaculate.
The mystery?? Had me hooked instantly.
The drama?? Delicious 😘💀
Quick, twisty, addictive — exactly the energy boost I needed heading into 18 straight thrillers.
A solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 — consider me revived, recharged, and READY for Thrillvember 🖤🔥📖
December 31, 2024
The synopsis is quite accurate on this one-sitting short by a new to me author. Bexley agrees to a scheme with a hefty payday but without knowing all the facts. Bexley put herself in a situation to meet and get hired as the nanny for hardworking Cameron, whose new company is just taking off and his wife, neurotic, agoraphobic artist, Waverly. That part is easy for Bexley, she’s a natural with kids. But as she’s pressured to get the task done, the more Bexley realizes she can’t go through with it but it’s the only way to get the money she needs to save a life. Out of time, Bexley has to decide as Waverly comes back with coffee and both Bexley and the baby are gone!
Rating: 4.25stars
Rating: 4.25stars
January 7, 2021
This is a suspenseful book that I read in one sitting! Is the first book of the Liars Island series that I read, and I can say that you don’t need to read other books of this series to follow the story. It is a standalone story that keeps you at the edge.
I liked the story very much, and the only reason I am not giving it a 5 stars is because personally I felt I wanted more! Having said this I will sure read other books of this series.
I received a free ARC copy of this book but that did not affect my review in any way.
I liked the story very much, and the only reason I am not giving it a 5 stars is because personally I felt I wanted more! Having said this I will sure read other books of this series.
I received a free ARC copy of this book but that did not affect my review in any way.
January 3, 2022
This is another great tense thriller from the Liars Island series, this time highlighting mistrust and revenge. When Bexley arrives to help take care of a constantly crying child everything seemed on the up, however...
Who to trust is one of the themes and makes this story suspenseful and enjoyable. I liked the fast-past writing style and the first-person narrative, which always makes it more personal and believable to me. I really enjoyed the twists and turns and...no spoilers.
An excellent read and recommended.
Who to trust is one of the themes and makes this story suspenseful and enjoyable. I liked the fast-past writing style and the first-person narrative, which always makes it more personal and believable to me. I really enjoyed the twists and turns and...no spoilers.
An excellent read and recommended.
April 29, 2021
A very intriguing mystery series
I was pleasantly surprised with this first book. Set on an island in Washington state where the "ultra" wealthy live, the story has a heroine who is trapped in a personal nightmare from her youth. The story plays out in almost a replica of her own kidnapping, but hopefully this won't have the same heart breaking conclusion. The story reads at a very easy and fast pace that keeps the reader involved 100%.
I was pleasantly surprised with this first book. Set on an island in Washington state where the "ultra" wealthy live, the story has a heroine who is trapped in a personal nightmare from her youth. The story plays out in almost a replica of her own kidnapping, but hopefully this won't have the same heart breaking conclusion. The story reads at a very easy and fast pace that keeps the reader involved 100%.
January 25, 2024
this is the first novella thriller i’ve read and it did not disappoint! the plot was fast paced and to the point. while this could’ve been a full length novel i think it worked well as a novella.
i did find the end to be a little far fetched and wrapped up a little two quickly. like there was fast paced build up that worked well and then the end just all came to a crashing conclusion. but i would still recommend if you’re looking for a quick, fast paced, thriller.
i did find the end to be a little far fetched and wrapped up a little two quickly. like there was fast paced build up that worked well and then the end just all came to a crashing conclusion. but i would still recommend if you’re looking for a quick, fast paced, thriller.
December 29, 2024
Waverely (?) is married to a 'good, rich' husband and they have a baby girl Rosie. She is adamant on keeping her safe and refuses to leave the house. She hires Bexley who Rosie loves as well. She first approached the husband to hire her in an underlying plan of kidnapping the baby for ransom. The husband has loans and debt to the mastermind. Bexley backs out but was then kidnapped with Rosie. The epilogue is heartwarminggg without the husband, and these women.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2025
Anya Mora's Ransom Road was an addicting read!! It is a great quick read when you need to be pulled out of a slump.
While it's becoming common to spot typos and continuity errors in her work, she’s quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.
However, I felt the story ended a bit abruptly, feeling almost rushed, and some repetition that could have been improved. Overall, it was still a captivating read! YA+
While it's becoming common to spot typos and continuity errors in her work, she’s quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.
However, I felt the story ended a bit abruptly, feeling almost rushed, and some repetition that could have been improved. Overall, it was still a captivating read! YA+
January 5, 2021
This supenseful, domestic thriller is a riveting ride for sure. Waverly is dealing with a whole lot of baggage, and her nanny, Bexley, is in a desperate situation. As the story develops, the intense situation becomes crazier and crazier as Waverly fights to be the hero that is needed. I was in suspense the entire time and am so happy this is being turned into a series of standalones!
January 7, 2021
Great suspense story! This gripping tale will keep you from sleep. Secrets and lies always come back to haunt you and it's no different for young mother Waverly. Add in the nanny and you have a nail biter that's worth a re-read. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 13, 2021
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews