The Liar's Child was a middle of the road read for me. It definitely has its moments - the kids are spot on with their dialogue and actions, including a very sullen teen who desperately needs some parental guidance, and the prologue sets a suspenseful tone. However, that suspense is short-lived, especially since we don't get back to that character for quite some time. Once the hurricane hits, the pacing picks up, and there is some excitement as we wait to see who will get out of the danger zone, but it seems to take a very long time to get there. Other than the youngest child, I can't say that I particularly cared for any of these characters. Boon is a sweet six-year-old who has had more than his fair share of hard knocks, and it's impossible not to fall for this child. As for the rest, let's just say that I'm still wondering which character the title refers to because almost everyone else in this story is a liar of some kind, either by word or omission. As far as the promised thriller's pace from the blurb, I can't say that I found that here. It is certainly a domestic drama, and there is a murder, which is way too easy to figure out, but I would not call this one a thriller of any sort. I think I may have enjoyed it more had I not been expecting that thriller. That, and the less than satisfying conclusion. There were some things not addressed in the end that I wanted answers to, which led to some disappointment on my part. In the end, this one was just okay for me, an okay read, but not something I would read again. 

I loved this book. After the first 15 pages, I couldn't put it down. I had to finish it. 

Here's the book blurb:

"For fans of Jodi Picoult comes an enthralling domestic thriller about the lies we tell, and let ourselves believe, in the name of love.

The first thing you should know is that everyone lies. The second thing is that it matters.

How well do we know our children? Natalie Falcone would say she knows her daughter, Arden, very well. Despite the challenges of running a restaurant and raising six-year-old twin boys, she’s not too worried as she sends her daughter off to college—until she gets the call that Arden’s been in a terrible fire, along with her best friend and cousin, Rory. Both girls are critically injured and another student has died. The police suspect arson.

Arden and Rory have always been close, but they have secrets they’ve never shared, secrets that reel all the way back to their childhoods, and which led them to that tragic night. Who set the fire, and why? As the police dig deep into both the present and the past, Natalie realizes that in order to protect her daughter, she’ll first have to find out who Arden really is, even if it means risking everything—and everyone—she loves most."

The narration shifts between one of the mothers, Natalie, and the two comatose women, Arden and Rory. Slowly, family secrets, tensions, the lies and the truth are revealed, and the goodbye does, indeed, turn out to be good.

The RT book review is here. And I actually read the reviews after I read the books :)

By:  Carla Buckley

ISBN: 9780553390582

Publisher: Random House

Publication Date:  1/12/2016

Format: Other

My Rating: 5 Stars

A special thank you to Random House and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Talented storyteller, Carla Buckley returns following The Deepest Secret Top 30 Books of 2014, with THE GOOD GOODBYE, another complex exploration of a family in crisis. A spark ignites a full-fledged blaze --a dark web of deceit, lies, and secrets.

Two families. They are close. Cousins, like sisters. Arden and Rory Falcone. Two brothers . Vince and Gabrielle (Rory’s parents). Vince’s brother Theo and Natalie (Arden’s parents).

Vince and Natalie are partners in a restaurant experiencing financial turmoil. As a result, the girls are unable to attend the college of their choice as planned. They attend a different college and are roommates. Not what they had in mind.

“The first thing you should know is that everyone lies. The second thing is that it matters.”

Not long after starting college, Arden’s mother Natalie receives the news of a fire in the girl’s dorm room. Rory’s boyfriend, Hunter is dead. The girls are in critical condition. What in the heck happened? Why did they jump from the window? Were they pushed? Was the fire accidental or arson?

The two girls have distinct personalities. Even though they look alike, they are different. Rory is confident, self-centered, the leader, spoiled; whereas Arden is quiet, a follower, and artistic. Art is the one area where Arden could truly shine, where Rory couldn’t go. Tensions are high. Lives are hanging by a thread.

A slow unraveling of a mystery. A tragic emotional tale from three POVs: Natalie, Arden, and Rory. A family bond—torn apart by disaster and betrayal. A complex friendship, a love triangle, and a girl struggling, hiding a secret. Nothing is as it seems. Painful truths are exposed.

Who is guilty or innocent? An investigation. Blame. Criticism. Warning signs? How are the parent’s involved? What happened the tragic night of the fire, and the years leading up to the night?

As always, Buckley is a pro at psychological domestic storytelling; strong character development, and the dissecting of the family unit with the sharpest of instruments. She delves into the emotional lives, the past, and the present. Keeping the reader in suspense, while revisiting earlier times to reveal pieces of the puzzle.

Absorbing, and engaging--drawing you into the heart-breaking saga of two families. Having read all the author’s previous books, you know they will be "compulsively readable". She takes you on a deeply moving journey of family dysfunction- we hear from all sides: teens and parents, appealing strongly to the younger adult crowd.

Intriguing and intense; a thought-provoking book to read in one sitting—very difficult to put down. An ideal for book clubs and further discussions.

Fans of Jodi Picoult, T. Greenwood, Chris Bohjalian, and Diane Chamberlain will appreciate the complexity and the novelist’s highly readable style.

By Carla Buckley

ISBN: 0440246059

ISBN-13: 978-0440246053

Paperback, 400 pages

Series:  Random House Reader's Circle

Published December 11, 2012

Publisher: Bantam

My Rating:  4 Stars 

By Carla Buckley 

ISBN-13: 9780345535245

Random House Publishing Group

Publication date: 2/4/2014

Pages: 448   

My Rating:  (5 Stars) 

Wow! The Deepest Secret was true to its name in so many ways! Everyone has a secret and family members are protecting one another. This is my first book by Carla and was blown away! I had a 12 hr drive ahead of me, and the audio kept me engaged for the duration of my long road trip from NC to South Florida. 

Without giving away the details – the novel was brilliantly written, emotional and suspenseful from beginning to end. There was so much going on with each of the characters, drawing you in to uncover each of their secrets. Reminds me of Wisteria Lane, (Desperate Housewives), as you never know what goes on behind closed doors.

The family dynamics were at an all- time high in this neighborhood! I especially loved the character, Tyler and his daily struggle with the rare condition of XP and UV rays, living in darkness. In addition, his mom, Eve was a strong woman, making it her life’s mission and obsession to protect her son at all costs.

The Deepest Secret is about love and forgiveness and family. You cannot even put yourself in this family’s position, until you live their life. A page turner, this novel would be ideal for book clubs and further discussions from different viewpoints of the characters. 

I have read all of Jodi Picoult’s books and a huge fan, and yes, if you love her work, you will love this compelling – “The Deepest Secret” (movie worthy)! I look forward to reading more from this talented author!