One year ago, almost to the exact day, I read “Twelve Secrets”, a crime thriller, by debut author Robert Gold. The main protagonist was investigative journalist, Ben Harper – trying to uncover some obscurities in his own family’s past. His older brother was murdered when Ben was very young, and that changed his life, and his family’s, forever. I throughly enjoyed it and was hoping that Mr Gold don’t stay a debut author forever.
And here we are, one year later, and the second in the Ben Harper series, “Eleven Liars”, is here! This book can be read as a standalone, but I do think it does add additional insight to the character building and backstory if you can read the “Twelve Secrets” as well.
In this book we return to the small town of Haddley, where Ben lives. One night, as he was returning home, he notices a fire in the community centre. He rushes in to see if there is anyone in peril and spots a shadowy figure fleeing the scene. Then, after the fire is extinguished, the police find human remains in the burnt-out foundation of the building.
And here, the mystery starts to unfold. Firstly, was this arson or an accident? The body is identified, and it hits close to home. Ben and his friend, Detective Constable Dani Cash starts to investigate, painstakingly untangling a web of lies and deceit.
It seems as if some people in this small town have got hidden agendas, desperately trying to keep some secrets and the dark history buried– even willing to kill to do so.
“Eleven Liars” is gripping and fast-paced and kept me guessing right until the end. The book is made up of eleven parts, with each part containing several short chapters. The short chapters, most with cliffhanger endings, added to the pace, and at one stage it was as if I could not turn the pages fast enough.
The plot is complex and realistic. It is filled with suspense, mystery, and emotion – it pulls you in from the very start. Brilliantly crafted, the puzzle pieces fall into place, and the twists keep coming.
Told from multiple POVs, with time lapses, this book is a prime example of twisty and intelligent crime thriller.
I was deeply invested in the story and rooting for Ben and Dani all the way. Their characters are well-developed, both with their own issues and flaws. Their strong friendship and chemistry added an additional layer of warmth and depth to the plot.
Should I dare to say that I enjoyed “Eleven Liars” even more than “Twelve Secrets”? I can’t wait to read more! If you are looking for a new crime author and series to explore, jump right in!
With thanks to Jonathan Ball Publishers for the opportunity to read this book.
The Details:
Category: Crime Fiction
ISBN: 9780751582796
Publisher: Little Brown Book Group
On sale: April 2023
Format: Paperback
