Review of "The Good Liar: A Novel of Suspense" by Catherine McKenzie

This psychological thriller revolves around three women whose lives are profoundly affected by a disaster. Their names are Cecily, Franny, and Kate.

*****

The story: Cecily Grayson, running late as usual, was hurrying to meet her husband Tom when his Chicago office building blew up in front of her eyes. 



Shocked into immobility, with ashes raining down on her, Cecily just stared at the building until a stranger grabbed her hand and yelled 'run.' 



Cecily's savior was Teo Jackson, a documentary filmmaker who happened to be taking photos in the area.



Teo admitted to snapping a picture of Cecily in the midst of the explosion, and - with her permission - sold it. The photo went viral and Cecily became the 'poster child' for the tragedy, which killed over 500 people, including her husband. The hubbub resulted in Cecily and her children, Cassie (now 15) and Henry (now 13), being thrust into the public eye.

Investigators determined that the disaster, called 'Triple Ten' - because it happened on October 10th at 10 A.M. - was due to an accidental gas explosion, and a fund was established to compensate the victims' families. Applicants had to prove their relative was killed in the blast, and rejected claimants could appeal to the 'Compensation Initiative' - a committee co-chaired by Cecily and a twentysomething woman named Franny Maycombe.



Franny, an adoptee who had just reconnected with her biological mother, was shattered when her 'real' mom was killed in the blast. The biological mother's family - husband Joshua Ring and daughters Emily and Julia - were denied compensation, and Franny has been petitioning the Compensation Initiative, trying to get money for them.

It's now the first anniversary of Triple Ten, and a memorial service is planned for the victims. Stories about the commemoration are all over the media. Kate, who works as a nanny in Canada, can't bear to watch these features - but her employer Andrea is addicted to the news. So Kate can't help but see what's going on in Chicago.



As the story unfolds, we learn that Cecily, Franny, and Kate are all harboring secrets.....but maybe not for long. Teo Jackson is making a documentary about families affected by Triple Ten. The film features Cecily Grayson and her children; Joshua Ring and his daughters; and Franny Maycombe.

Inevitably, unknown facts come to light.

The narrative alternates between the points of view of Cecily and Kate, with excerpts from Teo's interviews with Franny. Thus we see events from several vantage points.

Cecily is struggling to raise her teenagers without her husband, and trying to get on with her life. Her media exposure puts Cecily in the sights of paparazzi and reporters, some of whom will do anything for a story. (One of these guys should go to jail!)



Kate anguishes over her troubled past, and keeps busy with the two cute toddlers in her care. The kiddies are more perceptive than their self-involved mom, and almost expose Kate's secret.



Franny had a sketchy childhood and seems to have little use for the people that adopted her. She longs for a new loving family.

Some of the characters behave less-than-admirably, and would make great guests for television talk shows. (Calling Dr. Phil.....LOL)

There's surprise after surprise as the story proceeds, all of which leads to an eyebrow-raising finale that I didn't see coming.



I enjoyed the novel and recommend it to fans of psychological suspense stories.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author (Catherine McKenzie) and the publisher (Lake Union Publishing) for a copy of the book. 

Rating: 3.5 stars