Thank you to @hqstories for sending me a copy of this title ahead of its publicity date - which is today! Linwood Barclay is all about the thriller and this one was no exception. For me, it took a bit of time to get going but I became fully invested in the second half of the book. Jack is a complicated character, and with the flipping back and forth between him currently and when he was a child, helps to give the reader a bit more of an insight as to why he is the way he is. I did enjoy the subplots within this book and overall I enjoyed it. If you’re a thriller fan, I’m sure you’ll love this one.

I have not read anything by Linwood Barclay before, and that is now definitely going to change. This book did not disappoint in any ways. The plot was fast paced, involved the themes of murder, mafia, and witness protection, and it keep me wanting to read more. I love how the different plot lines came together, with different twists and turns along the way.

Thank you to Linwood Barclay, HQ publishers, and Netgallery for this ARC.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

I enjoyed this book, though found it a little hard to keep track of some of the characters from the flashback style chapters.

I’ve been a fan of Linwood Barclay since his first novels but have found his last few books to be hit and miss. Nonetheless, I was looking forward to reading his new novel, The Lie Maker, published on 31st August.

The story centres around Jack whose father went into witness protection when he was nine years old as he ‘did bad things’. Jack is left bereft, wondering where his dad is, and his mother turns to alcohol.
Now, Jack is trying to find a job after his latest novel has been rejected by his agent. He can’t turn down a very lucrative opportunity.
Jack gets thrown into a web of lies and deception, who can Jack trust and what will they do to get revenge?

I was drawn into the story straight away and found it easy to read. Initially, I was a little confused by the characters as there are quite a few of them.
The characters are well written and fairly likeable, I didn’t like Lana at first but ended up rooting for her.

The story is mostly set in the present day but there are some flashbacks which help set up the story and tell you more about what Jack’s father was involved in.

I liked the story overall and it held my interest. It’s a fast paced thriller and the last 1/4 or so is particularly gripping. I couldn’t put it down! I found the ending surprisingly poignant.

I would definitely recommend this book, it’s a return to form for Linwood Barclay.

Thanks to HQ Stories, Harper Collins Publishers for an advance copy to review.

The Lie Maker is a very good, fast paced thriller with plenty of red herrings as well as twists and turns in abundance.
Jack is an author whi is down on his luck with no takers for his third book and rapidly running out of money. When he is offered a very unusual and secretive job he jumps at the chance to earn considerable accounts of money. It is so secretive he's not even meant to mention anything to his girlfriend, Lana, about it however as she is an investigative journalist she sets about finding out what Jack is doing. She is also following up on the disappearance of two prominent people from the area. Little did she know that she is potentially putting her life at risk. Jack's history is also putting him at risk.
A well woven story from this best selling author.
Thane to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Left on his doorstep as a young boy, Jack Givens recalls his father’s last words. Your dad killed people, son.
An adult now he often wonders what happened to his dad. Then he gets the chance to find out.
Jack gets a job offer, to write fake life stories for the US Marshals Service. With money tight and his writing career in limbo, he takes the job.
Seeing this as the perfect chance to find his long lost father, he makes inquiries and soon discovers the man is missing.
Jack starts his own search and soon realises he friends might actually be his enemies. Can he reach his dad before it’s too late?
Another masterclass of suspense writing by one of the best in the business.
This book is a brilliant rollercoaster ride that is impossible to put down. I loved it.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this intense book

witness protection and murder... what is there not to like about this book

Jack Givins father is not a good man.... he tried all his life but it was pre-ordained what his role in life was going to be....

and so on the night they came for him jack is beside himself and tries to go with him but the marshalls told him your dad's not a good person. Your dad killed people and that night jack grew up

jack became an struggling author but his last book was rejected... but jacks agent had another gig set up for him something mysterious and intriguing... and jack down to his last few dollars accepts

his world is about to be blown apart...

what a roller coaster of a ride this book is...gripping in its telling and so many red herrings you dont see the hits coming till they land...wow just wow

And Linwood Barclay does it again. I have read every book this author has written and have never been disappointed. This one certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Jack Givins is 9 years old when his dad goes into witness protection, Jack desperately wanted to go with him but his mum said no. Years later Jack has written two novels and is waiting to hear back in his third, he is beginning to doubt himself as his agent hasn’t been in touch for sometime and that’s not a good sign. But then he gets the call, his agent apologises that no one was interested in his last book but he does want to meet him.

When they do meet he gives him an old phone and says someone wishes to call him and they may have a job offer. When the call finally comes in it’s a woman called Gwen, he agrees to go for an interview. When he gets there she tells him they are looking for someone who could write a new life story for someone going into witness protection, when he learns of the money he jumps at it as he is desperate. But what if the job isn’t as it seems? He asks Gwen if she could find out where his father is explaining he had been put into protection years earlier. She is shocked that they didn’t know this information!!!

There are the usual twists and turns that you just don’t see coming. Full of great characters and a brilliant plot I loved this.

Thank you to #netgalley and #HQ for and advance copy of this in exchange for an honest, opinion all thoughts are my own and now]t influenced in any way.

This one sucked me in from the start, held me captive throughout, spitting me out at the end exhausted but satisfied. And also a little smug cos I guessed something a tad early and was proved right. Not that it mattered, nor did it mar my enjoyment of the rest of the book, I was actually quite proud of myself cos this author usually well pulls the wool over my eyes!
So... Back in the past we watch as Jack's father is taken away to be placed in witness protection. Leaving Jack and his mother to try and get on with their shattered lives. An even that probably had more impact on Jack than he cares to admit.
Back in the present and we reconnect with Jack as an adult. He's now a published author with a pretty successful debut under his belt. He has just kinda finished his next book but is finding it very hard to place, and is starting to really struggle for money. Until that is, he is offered an opportunity. A very lucrative one indeed. Apparently the US Marshals have a need for people to create credible false histories for those in witsec and they think that Jack's characterisation in his books was so good that they offer him a well remunerated job.
But is it a coincidence that Jack's father is in witsec? Well, probably? He obviously doesn't know anything about his dad's new life! But when Jack eventually fesses up that there is that connection and asks if there is any chance he could reconnect with his dad, he is shocked to discover that his dad is on the missing list...
And so begins a cat and mouse chase, with a couple of dogs thrown in for good measure. There's also Jack's journalist girlfriend Lana who is determined to find out what Jack is up to - as he has been sworn to secrecy by the Marshals.
It's a wee bit of a slow burn initially but then there's quite a bit of foundation scene setting and character introductions to be completed. Once that is done, the rest of the intrigue is steadily built up until it reaches a peak. And then the various threads that have been woven in to the narrative start to all come together and the whole big picture of what is really happening is exposed.
I've already said I guessed something. But, as we all know, this author never just relies on one big twist. One secret to be exposed. There is shock after surprise peppered all the way through the book and, although the thing I guessed was integral, it was by no means the be all! There was so much else for me to discover...
All in all, another winner from an author who can do no wrong for me. I am still playing catch-up wish some of his earlier back catalogue (I discovered him late) and will definitely make a more concerted effort to chip away at that before his next new one. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Jack Givens is looking for his father. However, his father disappeared years ago under witness protection.
He is employed by US Marshals to write histories for people who are undergoing witness protection but is it/ everything it seems to be? and when Jack finds his father is missing is there a connection? Who can he trust

Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for ARC.
Jack Givens is a struggling writer, barely making ends meet, and his most recent novel has just been rejected by the publisher. When he's contacted about another job, which seems mysterious and ticks lots of boxes for him, he jumps at the chance. Meantime, his girlfriend, investigative journalist Lana Wilshire, is intrigued for different reasons, and starts to investigate this top secret job. As you'd expect with Barclay, this is cleverly plotted and the pace never lets up, with layers and conspiracy theories galore. Is it all a little silly? Of course. Does that matter? Not at all.
I'd love to see more of Givens and Wilshire, who were properly realised in a cast of characters that are often mere sketches.

Another great book from this author. Very twisty, and exciting. I always enjoy Linwood's books and 5his one lived up to my expectations. Although it had alot of characters it didn't confuse me. Worth more than 5 stars. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Michael Donohue was a hitman until Twenty-Five Years ago when he entered the Witness Protection program, leaving his wife and son, Jack, behind in the real world. He had been a hitman only for his boss, the head of a successful, albeit semi-illicit, national company, so Michael had ensured his own survival by revealing details of all the illicit stuff. Two years later, after his mother divorced Michael and married again, the boy took his step-fathers name and became Jack Givins, but he never forgot his father. Jack became a fairly unsuccessful writer of Crime Fiction, under a pseudonym because he kept worrying that someone connected to one of his father’s victims would take revenge on him. Currently things aren’t going too well for Jack, his third novel has been rejected by his editor and his car has just been torched. The only good thing in his life is his girl-friend, Tara, a top flight crime reporter for a major newspaper. And then things change abruptly. An Agent for Witness Protection approaches him with an offer he can’t refuse: write convincing back-stories for people entering the program and get well paid. The caveat is that the arrangement must remain a secret. The agent is unaware of Jack’s father’s situation, but agrees to help him find Michael. However, he has disappeared. Has he gone back to his old trade?
On the face of it, therefore, a common format – search for a missing person with a risk of crimes or murders along the way – but with an unusual premise. The writing is solid, pacy, and the plot unfolds in a very satisfactory way, although I thought the final confrontation was a bit untidy. The major twist isn’t that difficult to work out. There are some nice touches; I particularly liked the rôle the ‘wallet’ played both for Jack and for the plot. Overall, it’s a very enjoyable read.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

As always Linwood Barclay has written a real high octane thriller that kept me guessing as well as ensuring I was on the edge of my seat.
Jack is a novelist who is a bit down on his luck and short of cash so when he is offered a job writing back stories for people who are being hidden on the witness protection scheme which is run by the US Marshall’s, he jumps at the chance.
However, he has a secret: as a 9 year old he said goodbye to his own father who was whisked away on the very scheme he is now working for. Can his new job help him reunite with his long lost relative whom he has never forgotten?
The story is mainly told from Jack’s point of view with some flashbacks to earlier times of when he was a child and to when his father was working for a rather nasty gangster.
There are of course many twists along the way and the cleverly plotted story certainly kept me on my toes.
As usual with first person narration it becomes clear that Jack, himself is not being entirely honest with the reader. It is also difficult to work out who is trustworthy and who is not. Barclay even makes Jack’s father sympathetic despite the things he has done.
I really liked Jack as a main character- he has the air of innocence but is quite determined to find out what he wants to know. His reporter girlfriend. Lana is also great, someone who is keen to find out the truth but also caring and brave.
If you want a twisty thriller which holds your attention from page one I highly recommend “The Lie Maker”
Definitely a classic Linwood Barclay and a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc copy.

Excellent book. Absorbing plot. Great characters. Well written. I cannot fault anything about this book. It’s bound to be a great success.

4.5/5

Jack Givins, a struggling author is given a job out of the blue to write back stories for people who are going into witness protection. Is it a coincidence that he has been chosen as when he was child, his father had to leave the family in order to go into witness protection himself?

Linwood Barclay is one of my favourite authors authors and I definitely don’t think his books get enough appreciation and hype over bookstagram! There have been a couple I haven’t been wild on but he’s written so many, so it’s expected I wouldn’t like every one!

This was an excellent book from him. I loved the story progression and the multiple unexpected twists along the way! I think he’s very clever in what his twists are and where he places them in the story. He also never lets them get ridiculous or out of hand which makes the books a more enjoyable read!

A man desperately tries to track down his father - who was taken into witness protection years ago - before his enemies could get to him,

"Your dad's not a good person." "Your dad killed people, son."

These are some of the last words Jack Givins' father spoke to him before he was whisked away by witness protection, leaving Jack and his mother to pick up the shattered pieces of their lives as best as they could. Years later, Jack is a grown man with problems of his own. He's a talented but struggling author, barely scraping by on the royalties of his first book. So, when the U.S. Marshalls approach him with a lucrative opportunity, he's in no position to turn them down. They're recruiting writers like Jack to create false histories for people in witness protection - people like Jack's father.

I always like that the chapters are short and end with some kind of teaser in a Linwood Barclay book. I was pulled in after reading a couple of chapters, then I couldn't turn the pages quick enough. When Jack is asked to work for witness protection, he sees it as an opportunity to find out what had happened to his dad. Some of the twists were predictable, but that didn't take anything away from this story. I like Jack and his girlfriend, Lana, who is a journalist. There are lots of twists along the way. Everything is tied up neatly by the end.

I would like to thank #Netgalley #HQ and the author #LinwoodBarclay for my ARC of #TheLieMaker in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great read and good to see Linwood Barclay on top form again.
Jack is struggling to make ends meet when he’s offered a job that is very intriguing. He’s asked to write people’s ‘stories’ when moving into witness protection.
With his own father being taken away from him as part of this process, Jack sees it as an opportunity to find him.
When he starts asking questions, it appears his father has not been in contact recently so it looks like Jack won’t be able to reach him.
That is until Jack’s girlfriend Lana starts digging and things then turn a bit dangerous for them all.
This is a gripping thriller that I really enjoyed.
Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Oh I do love a Lnwood Barclay book they are so intelligently written and engaging. You just escape into his world and this world was so out there, it is really hard to write this without spoilers. I did sort of guess where it was going but not who about half way through. I just had to keep going to see what happened and how it panned out, so there was an afternoon gone.

I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.

I’d like to thank HQ and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Lie Maker’ written by Linwood Barclay in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Jack Givins was nine years old when his father left him and his mother to go into the witness protection programme. Now, Jack is an author in his thirties and has been asked by Gwen Kaminsky to work for the US Marshal’s department by creating false identities and backgrounds for those put into witness protection. Jack accepts the offer as he doesn’t have a job, has no money, and this could be his only chance to find out what happened to his father.

‘The Lie Maker’ is fast-paced thriller with an intricately woven plot where Jack Givins and his reporter girlfriend Lana Wilshire search for his father Michael Donohue. The storyline is intriguing, the characters compelling, and with the suspense, twists and turns, and red herrings thrown in to confuse, the further I read the more the tension increased as it became a story of who could be trusted and who was out to kill. This is an addictive thriller that’s impossible to put down and although not my favourite by Linwood Barclay it’s still exciting enough to keep me on the edge of my seat.