Amazing book, everything you want from a thriller! I wasn’t expecting this book to make me emotional but it really did make me feel every emotion possible! Always love a Louise Jensen book, 100% recommend.

Okay. So this book is hard to review without giving away some of its secrets, but I will try my best. This is a fabulous psychological thriller with secrets at its heart. In fact, it feels like there isn't anybody who isn't keeping a secret from the other people in their life. Whether is it Mum, Mel, who receives a threatening message that leave her preoccupied and nervous, eldest daughter, Jen, who is very clearly nursing some secret from her past that leaves her permanently on edge, especially when she thinks she spies someone from earlier in her life. Even youngest child, Amy, has a secret that she doesn't want to share, something that feels clandestine and altogether quite worrying given what we know about modern life. Add in brand new lodger, Luke, who seems quite cagey and certainly not all he appears to be, and it all means that Louise Jensen has us, as readers, permanently on edge, wondering just what might happen.

And that, really, is the question. When Mel takes off on a 'break' it immediately set my ind whirring., Given everything that had occured in the few short chapters prior, that edginess and sense of impending danger and, dare I say it, doom, that the author creates, you know that this is no ordinary episode of 'going to find myself'. I was completely intrigued. I wanted, or perhaps needed, to know the whats whys and wherefores of it all. And with some of the revelations that occur quite early on, it just made me all the more curious. It is certainly a story where the tension never lets up, and where the strange behaviour of the characters left me with more questions than answers for quite some time.

I liked the way in which Louise Jensen has framed the narrative of this story. Whilst the majority of it is told in the present day, it is necessary to delve into the past to varying degrees, be it days or years, to understand the full context of what is happening. Scenes from Jen's university days come to inform the current narrative in surprising ways, and make some of the events all the more tragic in the way they unfold. It really is a book that screams out the old adage 'honesty is the best policy' and, for a family so undeniably close, I was left thinking about how different things could have been if only they had been more open with each other.

The story does contain themes of abuse, and not just as a result of Mel's career as a social worker. There is a sadness so some of the characters and their stories, a melancholy that underpins the suspenseful nature of Mel's disappearance from her family's life. the pacing of the book is just write, the author getting the balance between then need to drive the narrative on and still be able to share their backstory spot on. And she introduces a few bends in the road to supplement the detours to the past, leaving me a little surprised at times by what came to pass. Ultimately this story is a kind of tragedy, one that tugs at the heartstrings at times but which still manages to finish with a small amount of hope too. Fans of the author will eat it up. Recommended.

The Intruders was one of my favourite books from last year so when the arc popped up for this I couldn’t wait! I read this over a few hours on a Saturday couldn’t put it down! The story revolves around social worker Mel, her two daughters teenager Amy and teacher Jess and surrogate daughter Camilla. When new lodger Luke moves into the family home he appears to be asking more questions than he should, starts snooping in rooms and Jess can’t shake the feeling that there’s something off about him. She’s had the feeling that she’s being watched and when mum Mel suddenly texts to say that she needs some time away and a break Jess knows that’s there’s something wrong. The Abbots house is full of secrets and one by one they all come tumbling out.

A real page turner I couldn’t put down. It looks at how decisions can span the years in ways you could never expect and have consequences that no one would have wanted. A great who done what thriller.

This book by Louise Jenson will have you engrossed and wondering what twist in the tale is going to happen next. The Abbot family, including Mel, Jen and Amy, plus close friend Camilla and her son Mason, appear to be a normal happy family, however when Mel goes missing secrets from the past start coming to the fore. Secrets that have shaped their lives and can unravel them oh so easily. The twists and turns gather pace the further into the book you get but the author very clearly explains them in different points of view and timelines.
I give this book 4 stars in my review as I feel it tapered away right at the very end but wholly understand why. It's still a must read

I have read all Louise’s books and was thrilled to be given an advance copy of this book - many thanks! I find Louise’s style of writing easy to read and very descriptive meaning you can actually put yourself in their position and feel an integral part of the story. This book really kept me gripped and I admit I jumped to a few wrong conclusions before the ending! I would recommend this to anyone who likes a twisty, turning thriller with characters you can really relate to. Hopefully we won’t have to wait too long for the next book!

This is a gripping physiological thriller with alot of deception. I love the authors writing style and it pulls in the reader and also does a fast paced plot and builds up tension making the book hard to put down. This one is perfect for thriller lovers and especially if you like character driven books with a good few unexpected twists along the way. Would highly recommend this one. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this arc.

Wow this is a thrilling rollercoaster of a book. Great cast of characters, hugely intricate and devious plot and gasps at the end with oh my god moments as the pages turn.

The Abbots are a close family who have moved due to events in their past that they needed to get away from. Mum Mel is a huge part of the family at home and as a social worker out doing her best to protect the vulnerable. When she disappears and a lodger arrives on the same day, could the two be connected? Photos from the past threaten to come back to life and family secrets aplenty rise to the surface leading to a tumultuous ending which was so well written I read long into the night to finish it.

One to recommend and enjoy. I will definitely be passing this on to friends as a must read.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This one is so addictive! A jaw dropper of a thriller with so many twists and turns.
I loved how fast paced the storyline was and the short chapters made it impossible to put down.
I’m a sucker for a multi POV book and it’s done very well here

The book started off well, with lots of mystery surrounding the secret as to why Mel and her 2 dsughters had moved and were hiding from someone. It's quite a slow paced thriller though and i found it didn't quite hold my attention, especially as when the secrets were revealed it didn't quite live up to .my expectations. I found it got a bit bogged down in the storyline and by halfway I struggled to keep going. Skipped pages to get to the end (sorry) and felt a bit disappointed from what was a promising start

The Liar by Louise Jensen is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The story follows the Abbott family, who take in a mysterious lodger named Luke. Though he hasn't shared much about himself, his curious behaviour—asking about their family photos and going through their personal belongings—soon raises suspicions. When their daughter Jen starts to feel like someone is watching her, the tension escalates.

Things take an even darker turn when Mel, the mother of the family, suddenly texts them to say she needs a break. This is completely out of character for her, and as the days go by with no word from her, the family becomes increasingly alarmed. The Abbott household is soon filled with secrets, lies, and unanswered questions.

Jensen masterfully weaves a web of twists, turns, and red herrings that leave readers second-guessing everything. The story’s pacing is spot on, keeping the suspense high throughout, and the unpredictable ending will leave you hooked. If you enjoy thrillers with plenty of surprises, The Liar will not disappoint. It’s a solid read, with plenty of suspense, mystery, and intrigue that makes it Louise Jensen’s best book to date.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

A good suspenseful read . Plenty of twists to keep you guessing. Everyone seems to be lying at some point. A bit slow to get going but the second half of the story makes up for that.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Who is the liar in this book? The answer is everyone! So many secrets and lies and twists and revelations that I was not expecting and was completely blown away. This book was impossible to put down with the nice short chapters that made me keep saying just one more until I finished it. Yes, there are multiple viewpoints but that just made it more wonderfully twisty, especially the creepy I am watching you parts!

No family is perfect and the Abbotts have many secrets that are exposed in this book in a delightfully written suspenseful novel, starting with Mel going missing, a new lodger showing up shortly after, and ending with murder, mistakes, accidents, and dark deeds galore! It is thrilling, dark, tragic, and I loved it all! This is one great twisty suspense filled ride that I highly recommend. I definitely will be looking up the other books by this author for more fun reads.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a chance to dive into this twisty thriller!

Another good psychological thriller by Louise Jensen that kept me turning the pages. An atmospheric novel with family secrets, paranoia and full of suspense.

The Abbott family take in a mysterious lodger, Luke. All appears well but Luke seems to have an obsession with their family photos and belongings. The Abbotts teenage daughter Jen senses that she is being watched which leaves her with an eerie feeling. Jen’s mother, Mel suddenly goes missing and only sends a text saying she “needs a break.” Days pass but Mel doesn’t return.

The story is full of deception and the tension builds as we learn that the Abbotts house is full of hidden truths. There are lots of twists and it is difficult to know who to trust and who is lying. The Liar is well written and I found it to be a genuine page turner.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and HQ for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Another great book by Louise! Dual POVs, plenty of twists and turns and a great ending! Amy annoyed me, I felt sorry for Camilla, Jen is a bit naive and Mel is the type of Social Worker you’d want in your corner! I didn’t feel gripped until 60% in but after that, I couldn’t put this book down! I felt we learned so much about the characters as the book progressed and I would definitely recommend this to others!

I have been reading Louise Jensen books since the beginning and she is absolutely an auto read author for me. She has a way of taking her seemingly innocent and normal characters and throwing them into a world of chaos and drama, with short chapters that leave you wanting more, this is a tough book to stop reading.

The Abbott family seems from the outside to be your average family, very loving and caring. But when Mel, the mother goes missing, their lives become as series of confessions or secrets. At the same time the lodger they had arranged arrives and the girls, Jen and Amy start to think that he knows more than he is letting on about their mother’s disappearance.

Now there is much more to the story than that and it does get a bit complicated. I was never confused though, as the author is so clever with her multiple points of view and timelines. There are so many unexpected twists and turns that you won’t be able to out this book down until you know what on earth is happening, and why. So well done.

Thanks so much to HQ for my advanced copy of this book to read. Get it on your TBR, out on April 24th.

✨ 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐉𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐧 ~ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐚𝐫 ✨

📍 Publication Date: 24th April 2025 📍

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

@fabricating_fiction

I was elated to be sent an Advanced Readers Copy of The Liar from @netgalley 📕

This is a suspense filled psychological thriller that intricately builds on strong female family bonds and friendship. How friends can become family and how family is everything. Amongst these tight connections there are woven secrets and lies that threaten to blow a family apart.

The Abbott family consists of Mum Mel and daughters Jen and Amy. Camilla is Jen’s best friend who the Abbott’s have wrapped their arms around and included her as their own along with her small son Mason.

An odd lodger moves in and Mel goes missing. Who is this lodger? Where is Mel? Would she really leave her family so suddenly with no real warning!

Louise’s characterisation of Mel, Jen and Amy is impeccable and reminded me of the closeness between my Mum, sister and I.

There were clues left throughout that nicely bring you to your major plot twist along with further unexpected events and shocks that blindsided me along the way causing huge ripples throughout the story.

Can poor decisions, made under intense pressure and panic make someone a bad person?

It was a book that I wanted to quickly read to figure out what happened to Mel and on the flip side I wanted to savour every word!

I have only read All For You but it’s time I started making my way through Louise’s back catalogue! Will you be preordering this? You’re crazy not too!

#bookstagram #booknerd #booklover #bookaddict #thrillerreads #thrillerreadsrecommnedation #thrillerbooks #bookreview #booklove #bookcommunity #crimefiction #crimebookjunkie #thrillerbookvibes #thrillerbookreccomendations #thrillerbookaddict #thrillerbooksaddict #advancedreaderscopy #ARC #louisejensen #theliar

THE LIAR BY LOUISE JENSEN.
Release date set for the 24th of April 2025.
This is my first book by this author so i went in with a fresh set of eyes.
I thought this story was well written.
There are multiple POVs.
Also there were plenty of twists and turns which were really good.
Fast paced and really engaging throughout.
I will definitely be looking to see what other books this author has released

✨️Another Louise Jensen book that I just loved! If you know me you know I love a multiple POV, and this was done incredibly well! The character development and the attachment you can build with the characters on so many different levels is something that will forever amaze me about Louise's writing! The bond between all of the female characters is something that comes through in so many different aspects.

I found myself going through a roller coaster of emotions throughout this read, and I must admit, Amy is probably my favourite character! She was funny, courageous, and determined to get to the bottom of where her mum was and unearth all the secrets that seem to have been buried within the family for many years✨️

So in The Liar, we meet the Abbotts; mum Melissa who lives with her daughters Jennifer and Amy. There's also Jen's best friend Camilla and her young son.
Mel tells her daughters that she is taking in a new lodger called Luke, that she has met, thoroughly vetted, and that he will be arriving on a certain day, but that she won't be there as she's going to visit her brother for the night. Whilst Mel is gone, a man arrives at the door and seems to make himself at home. Luke is asking lots of personal questions, looking at family photos, and Amy even finds him going through her mums desk!
They start to wonder if Luke is who he says he is.

The girls then receive a message from their mum saying she needs a break, which is completely out of character, and then radio silence. Hours then turn to days and nobody has heard from Mel or managed to track her down.
Maybe the Abbott family aren't what they seem either?

📍The Liar is out 24th April 2025📍

I was luckily enough to be approved for this ARC on Netgalley, but then I also had a proof of The Liar sent to me by Louise herself, and I'm incredibly grateful to Louise for doing so!
*All opinions are my own*

“There's a saying that goes something like in life, you only regret the things you didn't do but that's not true, is it? There's so much I'd change if I could.”

Meet the Abbott family - Mel and her daughters, Jen and Amy - whose seemingly ordinary lives take a dark turn when they welcome a lodger, Luke, into their home. At first, he appears to be the perfect tenant, but it soon becomes clear that he’s hiding something.

But Luke isn’t the only one with secrets. This family is absolutely drowning in them, and when Mel suddenly disappears, the truth begins to unravel in shocking and unexpected ways.

Told from multiple perspectives (Mel, Jen, Amy, and their friend Camilla) across different timelines, The Liar is a masterclass in suspense. If that sounds complicated - don’t worry. Jensen executes it flawlessly, keeping the narrative clear and immersive without ever losing momentum. Just when you think you’ve figured things out, she delivers a twist that flips everything on its head. The short, punchy chapters - especially toward the end - make it impossible to put down.

The characters are deeply layered, neither fully good nor bad, but flawed, impulsive, and intensely human. The dynamic between the Abbott women is one of the book’s strongest elements, and Amy, with her inquisitive nature and love of classic detective shows, stands out as an especially endearing character.

While the novel leans into a familiar thriller trope - the mysterious lodger (which I personally love!) - Jensen breathes new life into it with fresh twists and an unpredictable, gripping plot.

This is my second read by Louise Jensen, and I’m officially a fan! I already have The Fall and The Family waiting on my shelf and I can’t wait to meet The Finch Family in book eleven, coming in 2026! 🤩

A huge thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this - all opinions are my own.

When Camilla and her son Mason leave the Abbott family home to get a place of their own. It leaves a big gap in the Abbott’s lives and a spare room. They decided to get a lodger in. Luke arrives although Mom Mel isn’t there when he arrives. Luke tells Amy that everything has already been arranged.
But Luke is not all that he seems, when he starts asking questions about the family Then Mel disappears texting Amy that she needs ‘A break’ Amy senses something is not right with it all.
I thank the publisher for a copy of the Liar by Louise Jensen. This is another gripping, tense thriller about secrets and lies and family values. I found this to have an intricate plot, and I did enjoy this for me personally but at times I got a bit confused when the character kept reflecting back and forth of what was then and the present. But like the authors other books. It is well worth the read. 4 stars