This book is set in 1970s London.
I really enjoyed this historical thriller. It had numerous twists which I didn’t see coming.
Another good read by this author

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

A bit of a slow start but once it gets going, I really enjoyed it. Very compelling and I wanted to keep reading more.

This one was not for me unfortunately….I found it slow and wanted the story to get to the point! I found myself skipping bits then ended up not finishing the book sadly.

This was a brilliant read and is being featured on my blog for my quick star reviews feature, which I have created on my blog so I can catch up with all the books I have read and therefore review.
See www.chellsandbooks.wordpress.com.

Lesley Pearse’s latest novel is set in the early 70’s in London. Amelia lives alone in a bedsit and workers at West London Weekly newspaper, not as a journalist but selling advertising. One evening on her way home from work she spots some really trendy white boots on the top of a heap of rubbish. London is beset by a refuse collection strike and power cuts happening daily. The boots are just too much to pass up, only when Amelia goes to pull them out, they have legs in them and are attached to a dead young woman. Scared out of her wits a local man, she knew from her street hears her scream, calls the police and comforts her while they wait. Suddenly Amelia’s life is turned upside down. The editor of her paper sends her round to meet the grieving family to get some salacious gossip to print, only Amelia convinces the editor, Jack, to let her write a more heartfelt piece. From that point on life for Amelia goes from calm and boring to fast paced and scary. In a blink of an eye Amelia has a kind caring boyfriend a job with prospects, what could be better? Then there’s a second murder and Amelia is convinced the murders are not random and she is determined to find the connection whatever it takes.
This is a fabulous novel with wonderful touches that bring to life an ordinary young girl working and living in London, trying to give herself a better life having escaped a violent father and drunken apathetic mother. Yet another great read from Lesley Pearse,

Amelia is working on a local paper when she discovers a dead body near to her home. When more bodies are found she wants to investigate matters and get a scoop for her paper. It's a great mystery leaving you on tenterhooks in parts. I have always loved Lesley Pearse books- they are always fabulous, long books to get you totally immersed in the story. Great characters and a gripping storyline make for a fantastic read.

A well plotted story with good characterisation. Another good read from a great author, plenty of twists and turns to keep you interested. I have read a couple of her books and will certainly read more.

I was given a copy of Liar by Lesley Pearce in exchange for an honest review. I have read several other books by Lesley Pearce so was excited to read this book. Amelia lives on her own working for a newspaper sell in advertising space. When she finds a body she uses her journalist skills to find out more. Along the way she meets Max who she quickly falls for and seems to be the man she has been looking for. The story took a while to get going but was an enjoyable read but have preferred Lesley's other books.

Lesley Pearse always writes books with characters you can visualise and you cheer on and this one is no different. Amelia is a strong determined girl who has come from hardship and has great ambitions. When she finds a girl murdered she takes a personal interest which puts her in danger. A wonderful book I couldn’t put down

Lesley Pearse delivers yet another joyous read. Who do you believe in the saga? Who did what? Who Is the liar? Read and enjoy

This was an interesting and lighthearted read although somewhat unrealistic. Would a young trainee journalist be allowed to investigate a murder without any experience of reporting this or working with the police, I fear not? I felt this story needed a bit more grit to it as did the main character but overall a good read.

I really enjoyed this book and will give it a huge thumbs up. With a great story line and excellent main characters - I would highly recommend this book.

Many thanks to Lesley Pearse, Penguin Books UK and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book. It was absolutely riveting from start to finish and I would thoroughly recommend it. The characters are well crafted and the story line kept me wondering to the very end.

Murders set in 1970.

Amelia White is passing loads of rubbish rotting on the pavements, as the garbage collectors are on strike when she spots a pair of white boots. She’s astounded that such expensive boots are being thrown away in the trash and decides to check the size to see if they’ll fit her. The only problem is that once she tugs the boots – she discovers that they’re attached to a body – that of a young girl.

Amelia works for The West London Weekly, selling advertising. When she tells her editor about discovering the body, he encourages her to meet with the family and write an exclusive article on the young girl.

Two more murders follow and Amelia is convinced that the girls are somehow linked. She takes it upon herself to try to prove what the connection is.

The storyline about the murders has been explored by other authors. Instead of the police finding the murderer, Amelia, with no training, turns into the sleuth. Unfortunately, her judgement of men lacks the same foresight! I couldn’t connect with any of the characters and found the plot farfetched. It’s disappointing because I had heard that Lesley Pearce was an author of merit – unfortunately, I doubt if I’ll be reading any further books by her.

Bluebell

Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review.

I’ve read so many of this author’s previous books so was excited to read this one. This book was based in the early 1970’s in London, and the author has managed to capture the feelings, fashion, music and general lifestyle of this time. The main character is Amelia White, who works for the local newspaper selling advertising. She dreams of being a journalist, and is given the chance one day when she discovers the body of a young woman in a pile of rubbish near to where she lives. When another body turns up, Amelia and her new boyfriend Max begin to investigate themselves the connection between the two women.

For me, this was a book which drew me in completely at the beginning, slowed up through the middle and then picked back up again towards the end. I loved the beginning, being introduced to the 1970’s and of course the main character, Amelia. Amelia had obviously had a difficult childhood, suffering abuse from her father, and who could blame her for leaving the family home one day and never returning. I liked her relationship with Max and whilst she was wary of getting into anything too serious, it was obvious there was a spark between them. I also liked Amelia as a journalist and when she visits the family of the first dead women it’s clear that she wants to do the right thing by the family. By the middle of the book the story began to slow and whilst I didn’t lose interest I wasn’t as captured by the story as I was at the beginning. However that all turned around again towards the end when all the loose ends began to be tied and the lies and secrets started to be revealed!

It is definitely a book filled with mystery and suspense, and whilst I wasn’t as captivated by this book as I have been with others I still enjoyed it and loved the twists and turns that this author is so good at working into the plot line. I also loved the era and this really put the emotions and essence into the characters and the storyline in general. The author is a fabulous storyteller and whilst this book didn’t ‘do it for me’ as much as others, it doesn’t detract from the fact that I will happily read this author’s books every time!!

A great story with plenty of twists and turns, great characters. As always well-written and the narrative kept my interest throughout. Recommended.

Im a huge fan of Lesley Pearse and once again written an amazing book, same as every one she writes, as I've been reading them from her very first book. All so brilliantly written and so hard to put down once started and this was no exception. Lesley always delivers a great story.
Once I picked this book up I didn't want it to end. Very intriguing story that kept me hooked.
I've read some amazing books from Lesley and look forward to reading many more.

Amelia is a upcoming journalist who finds a body and gets drawn into 2 more murders. A very good book which was easy to read and kept me guessing until the end, although I did have a few ideas as the book progressed

What a fantastic book from Lesley Pearse, slightly different to her previous books but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I have read all her books for many years and thoroughly enjoyed this one, well written, an excellent story line with good believable characters, I loved every word on every page!

A very worthy five stars from me and I can thoroughly recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Books (Michael Joseph) for giving me the opportunity to read this fantastic book.