The Lying Man by bew to me author Andy Maslen, published by Thomas & Mercer is book 4 in the Detective Kat Ballantyne Series.
This is Detectve Ballantyne's next unputdownable case.
Well written, plotty and intriguing, I read the book in one single sitting.
For best reading experience I recommend to read the books inn order.

This was a fun take on your classic locked door mystery! DS Kat Ballantyne is attending a festival when a murder occurs – you can’t be any faster to a crime scene! It’s the perfect setting because it’s a crime-writing festival and the victim is a famous, or more accurately, notorious author. He’s discovered in the locked green room when a volunteer breaks through a window to check on him. Which is more of a mystery – who did it or how they did it? It’s confounding to everyone, and that’s just the beginning. There are too many suspects who had a motive for killing the author and too much opportunity with the high attendance at the festival and no cameras. Will Kat and her team be able to unravel all the threads of this complicated crime?

There are complicated themes in this story, and Kat struggles to balance being an officer of the law and a female in today’s society. The author is a misogynistic narcissist whose death most people celebrate rather than mourn. Will she even feel a sense of justice if she captures his killer when she actually wants to congratulate them? It’s something most women can relate to, especially those who work in law enforcement or the medical field. Their sworn duty wrestles with their intrinsic need to see evil people suffer for their sins. I applaud this author for tackling this tough issue and doing so in an entertaining way!

I’m a huge fan of this author and his series, and I can’t recommend both enough!

Another absolute blinder! I love this series so much; brilliant characters, the perfect balance of Kat's work and personal life and a thrilling plot.

A bestselling author is murdered at a crime writing festival, inside a room that is locked from the inside. As Kat delves into possible suspects and motives, she finds herself drowning in vendettas and revenge.

This fast paced page turner is so well written, I like Kat more and more with each book and the plot was excellent, with Tomski's life hanging in the balance and Kat curious to know more about her recently discovered, but deceased half sister, the connection between her father and her boss, Stuart "Carve-up" Carver and why Tom is acting strangely.

I think this may be my favourite DS Kat Ballantyne book so far as her morals hugely conflicted with the knowledge that she had to arrest a murderer, despite the knowledge that the victim was a monster. I loved the scene with Ernie, the caretaker at the festival venue, where Kat ties up loose ends from the case. The new member of Kat's team, Fez, is set to become a favourite and I hope he is around for a while.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Andy Maslen and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC in return for an honest review.

A famous victim. A locked room. Dark secrets. For DS Ballantyne, murder isn’t black and white! Good book! This book had chilling suspense, murder, mystery, intrigue, action, dark past secrets, and a few wild twists! The story was very interesting! I definitely recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Detective Kat Ballantyne is attending a crime writing festival with her husband, Van. One of the novelists is found dead in 'the green room'. Locked door mystery - he is alone and the door is locked. Kat is convinced that it is murder.

This is the third novel in the series I have read,(busy reading No.3 as I had missed it).
I really like Kat. An honest detective.

I like her determination to solve cases, and this one is particularly tricky. Solid police work, and almost non existent clues that have been missed.
I recommend.

A huge thankyou to both Thomas and Mercer as well as Net galley for this ARC book. #TheLyingMan #Netgalley.
This was the fourth installment in the Kat Ballantyne detective series and it was break neck pace full of twists and turns right out of the gate.
Firstly, in terms of the mystery and plot element, the author Andy Maslen cleverly weaved the "who dunnit" trope with a number of possible suspects in correlation to the first murder victim (the thriller author) and later with his friend and co worker- this had me guessing right up until the crux of the story when the pieces started fitting together like a puzzle making for an immersive read.
Secondly, I found the main character of DS Ballantyne to be likeable and extremely believable and I also appreciated her empathy and professionalism when dealing with the suspects as a whole (unlike her boss Stuart Carver). The other characters were also a good addition to the story and well fleshed out.
I look forward to diving into more books by this author in the future.

4* THE book I've been waiting for so far this year, so sooo glad I got an ARC. But, ugh, the comeuppance I'd been hoping for, didn't happen.

There's not been a bad book in this series, and this follows on nicely from the previous one that'd bigged up Kat's dad's and Carve-Up's roles in the 'bribery' situation. But, gah, I'd been hoping both guys would've been in for it; alas, it was not to be. But, from the ending of this tale, it seems that Kat has a new CI that'll be helping her get her all-too-right revenge.

The tale has a cosy mystery feel to it, despite the reveals about the deceased, and I think Kat did the right thing at the end, both where Tomski was concerned, and a former colleague. I mean, she's done similar-ish where Liz is concerned and not thought about the repercussions if that mystery gets unravelled, so yeah, I bought that she did that she did at the end.

I liked, too, the family bonding in this, especially the chat with 14yo Riley about how to respect the female sex. But, what's with Kat fancying the coroner? Yes, apparently he's a hunk, but she admits to herself she's jealous he's got Gina?? Isn't she meant to be happily married to Van? I do hope the author isn't going to break them up, or have Kat cheating - like her father. She's been nothing 'like father, like offspring' so far, so please don't have her go there.

The tale is believable and there's a little decent detective work but also some women who refused to be silenced who practically solved the case, though. It's quite PC in condemning some real-life cops who've sullied the badge, as well as having that conversation with Riley, but parts did feel a little inorganic/didactic. Still, it didn't detract from a good tale.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer, for my reading pleasure.

Rounding up to 3 ⭐


I've enjoyed this series so far, but this one just fell flat for me.
Not so much the plot, the who and why was good.
More the interactions between characters. They didn't always seem realistic.
Kat however is a good character, and I enjoy the fact she has a fairly normal homelike with husband and child, and a complicated life elsewhere.

Fatality at the Festival..
The fourth in the Kat Ballantyne series finds Kat attending a crime writing festival, rather more by coercion than design. Little did she know that it was soon to become a murder scene. The victim, a seemingly universally despised crime writer, is discovered very dead indeed within the Green Room - a room is locked from the inside. As the investigation commences, secrets and lies will out. A worthy addition to this series with a well formed plot populated by a nicely crafted cast of eclectic characters and with a strong female lead.

Wow, this had me picking up my kindle at every available opportunity. I finished this in less than 24 hours, desperate to find out what would happen it me gripped from the very first page! This plot was an absolute triumph!

It had many twists and turns from the start. I was kept on the edge of my seat and enthralled throughout. I’d highly recommend this book when it comes out!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 stars

Thanks to the publisher and the wonderful Netgalley for this eARC.

"The Lying Man" crafts a labyrinth of deception and moral ambiguity, drawing readers into a world where every detail pulses with hidden significance.

In this latest installment of the Detective Kat Ballantyne series, the story unfolds at a bustling crime-writing festival—a setting that doubles as both a celebration of literary ambition and a stage for dark, unforeseen revelations. When a renowned novelist is discovered dead in a locked room under circumstances that seemingly point to natural causes, DS Kat Ballantyne’s incisive eye unearths clues that hint at a far more sinister truth. The premise alone is intriguing...

Kat Ballantyne is a protagonist whose personal and professional conflicts are rendered with admirable precision. Maslen’s portrayal of Kat is both multi-faceted and deeply human. Her relentless determination to peel back the layers of an intricately woven mystery reflects not only a commitment to justice but also a poignant exploration of the imperfections inherent in those who seek it.

Beyond its compelling plot, "The Lying Man" indulges readers in a meta-narrative where the world of literature collides with hard-edged criminology. The backdrop of a crime-writing festival isn’t only scenery—it also mirrors the pervasive duplicity of its inhabitants.

Rivalries and secret vendettas simmer beneath the surface of public acclaim, suggesting that in this world, every smile hides an ulterior motive and every whispered conversation might be a clue.

From a technical standpoint, the pacing is as meticulous as it is surprising. Maslen orchestrates a tension that steadily builds, ensuring that each revelation, however minute, propels the narrative toward a crescendo of enlightenment and suspense. The clever misdirects and well-placed narrative pauses allow the reader to savor a moment of realization before plunging headlong into the next twist.

"The Lying Man" is a vibrant exploration of the complexities of truth, the seductive nature of deception, and the ever-present interplay between appearance and reality. For aficionados of detective fiction and lovers of nuanced literary explorations alike, this novel offers a rich, thought-provoking journey that renews our faith in the art of storytelling.

For those who find themselves captivated by this novel’s blend of intellectual intrigue and emotional depth, exploring other works in the Detective Kat Ballantyne series or delving into similarly layered mysteries can offer additional insight into the art of modern suspense.

A steady detective story with a good plot, and sufficient villainy to keep your interest.

Still smarting at a family betrayal, DS Ballantyne is trying for a day off when she comes across a new mystery. A man is dead in a locked room. It looks like a heart attack but she is not so sure. A steady hand on the tiller, and a sure plot, with relatable characters put this one ahead of the pack. Another sure thing from Andy Maslen.