Scan barcode
A review by midlifehedgewitch
The Liars by Petronella McGovern
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A secret cave, a human skull and an idyllic town desperate to keep its past hidden.
When 15 year old Siena Britton discovers a human skull in a secret cave, she's convinced it's evidence of the unrecorded massacre of Aboriginal families by shipwrecked colonists. Hoping to rewrite Kinton Bay's past, she posts a video and makes national headlines. As Siena forges ahead with her search for truth, her parents, Meri and Rollo, are forced to confront their own connections to the cave and its violent past.
As more remains are found, Kinton Bay's community fractures over its past, its present and its future - with many in the town wanting the past left dead and buried, no matter what the cost.
The Liars is a twisty and intricately plotted tale, with many themes deftly woven through it. I'm a person of Aboriginal blood, so I was impressed with the sensitive handling of the Aboriginal culture, history and characters. They felt real with none of the cringeworthy, heavyhanded represention you find in other books.
I liked the fast pace and the multiple points of view. Every character had a secret and at least one lie (and often more) to keep it safe. There were so many red herrings, twists and turns, I honestly had no idea where the story was going and didn't care because I loved the ride. The final twist was something I wasn't expecting, but then I'm not one of those readers who picks the killer in chapter 1.
I couldn't put the book down. This was the very first book by Petronella McGovern I've read. It won't be the last.
Many thanks to Better Reading (Australia), Allen and Unwin and Petronella McGovern for the ARC
When 15 year old Siena Britton discovers a human skull in a secret cave, she's convinced it's evidence of the unrecorded massacre of Aboriginal families by shipwrecked colonists. Hoping to rewrite Kinton Bay's past, she posts a video and makes national headlines. As Siena forges ahead with her search for truth, her parents, Meri and Rollo, are forced to confront their own connections to the cave and its violent past.
As more remains are found, Kinton Bay's community fractures over its past, its present and its future - with many in the town wanting the past left dead and buried, no matter what the cost.
The Liars is a twisty and intricately plotted tale, with many themes deftly woven through it. I'm a person of Aboriginal blood, so I was impressed with the sensitive handling of the Aboriginal culture, history and characters. They felt real with none of the cringeworthy, heavyhanded represention you find in other books.
I liked the fast pace and the multiple points of view. Every character had a secret and at least one lie (and often more) to keep it safe. There were so many red herrings, twists and turns, I honestly had no idea where the story was going and didn't care because I loved the ride. The final twist was something I wasn't expecting, but then I'm not one of those readers who picks the killer in chapter 1.
I couldn't put the book down. This was the very first book by Petronella McGovern I've read. It won't be the last.
Many thanks to Better Reading (Australia), Allen and Unwin and Petronella McGovern for the ARC