Customer Reviews

Liar (Irene Kelly Mysteries)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Jan Burke is a good writer. But here, she has con- structed a so called thriller with a plot that is tied to following a preposterous family tree that can only be called absurd. Imagine if you will, a 16 year old illiterate gardener marrying a 45 year old millionairess and himself becoming a self made millionaire because of his innate brilliance. Then, despite becoming a bigamist , he is depicted as one of the most beloved human beings who have ever lived, based on the recollection of all his friends, relatives and associates. On top of this plotting, there is a subplot involving the strange sign language of "hobos" that is off putting and could'nt be more out of place in a novel of this sort. Strange stuff! In addition to all this, there are numerous allusions to a hostage incident involving the heroine's husband that obviously occured in an earlier book that is not explained at all--unless I missed it trying to keep track of the family tree. I have read many books that involve a series where incidents occuring in earlier books are referred to--usually in a way that explains behavior in the current book--but they are always explained. This seems necessary, whether you have read the earlier book or not. I will read Burke again, hopefully because I am sure she has exhausted the exploration of her boring family history. She can do better

If you love Jan Burke's mysteries-and anyone who loves mysteries will love Jan Burke-then you will love Liar. It is her best book yet.

Burke is such a good writer that her characters truly come to life in her books. I feel like I know Irene Kelly, the reporter/sleuth of the series. I am always anxious for the next Irene Kelly book to come out and read about her latest exploits. The wait for this book was well worth it. Liar does not disappoint.

Irene investigates the death of her aunt and meets new and strange relatives as she becomes the prime suspect of what the police now believe is a murder. Burke skillfullly weaves the reader through the cast of well written new and familiar characters. This is a crefully crafted book, with a complicated plot, but it is thoroughly readable and enjoyable. Burke uses great skill to make an intricate plot so easy to follow.

Reading this book is like spending time with good friends. You will love it.

Over two decades ago, Irene's family discovered that her aunt was married to a man who also was married, at the same time, to a wealthy, much older heiress. When the rich woman was found murdered, the bigamist was the only suspect. However, testimony from Irene's aunt and their teenage son gave him an air tight alibi. Since that scandal, the Kelly family has had no contact with the Macguires until it was discovered that Irene's aunt was murdered. Irene is assigned the task of finding her deceased aunt's son Trevor and breaking the news to him.

When she finally locates the man and overcomes his resentment towards her and her family for deserting him, she tells him about his mother. A devastated Trevor is unaware that his father is also dead and he is now a wealthy person. Attempts have been made on his life and Irene, who is fond of her cousin, is determined to stop the culprit before Trevor becomes the next victim.

Of all the on-going mystery series on the market today, the Irene Kelly novels are one of favorite of this reviewer. The best book in this wonderful collection is the latest, LIAR which turns me into a fibber because I said that about the previous book, HOCUS. The story line is an action-packed mystery, filled with interesting characters whose traits are explored. The trademark Jan Burke prose makes this a winner that deserves to be the breakout book for the talented author.

Harriet Klausner

While I read Goodnight Irene and enjoyed it, this novel was just a little too long and just a little too confusing. There were too many characters. I had trouble keeping track of brothers, in-laws, nephews, etc. I found myself trying to finish this book as a pain, not a pleasure. I think I will read the next "Bones", hoping that Burke has tightened up her act a little. Don't give me 400 pages when 350 would do just as well. Karen Kirsch - Novi, MI

This was my first exposure to Jan Burke. Although the book was interesting, I agree with the other reviewer who mentioned there were too many characters to keep track of. The book did ramble a bit and at times I found myself completely confused as to what was going on and how the characters were connected.

Having said this, I will try Jan Burke again-I bought Bloodlines at a Library Book Sale-before I write her off completely.

Still recovering from incidents in Hocus and Irene's injuries from a previous accident, Frank and her are working on having a normal life with no unusual happenings. After her sister Barbara calls ranting and raving about a new grave next to there's parents, Irene goes to talk to Aunt Mary. During this conversation she learns about long lost relatives and family feud that started two decades ago. After some sleuthing at the
deceased' s house she locates her cousin Travis. The rest of the book is about Irene learning the truth about things that happened during her parent's marriage and why her mother and aunt was deceased. At some point I gave up on this plot, it just another tired family saga of who did who wrong. The mystery was just
there to give the book a purpose which it failed miserably. I thought after Hocus Burke was hitting her stride as a writer who spins page turning stories. Sadly she returned to the lackluster style of Remember Me Irene. Many times I found myself thinking why am I still reading this and the answer is Frank. If he in
the forefront of the stories then it has meat and I want to read more. When she sends him off on a wild goose chase the book doesn't hold my interest.

Jan Burke is an author I found by lucky accident...I'm now going back through all her books. She's got a great crew of well-developed characters and is developing fun and suspenseful plots...LIAR proved to be a great effort! Bravo!

As the title of this review states, Jan Burke's writing and plotting have improved with age. Her stories are always fresh, introduce the reader to a wide range of information with wonderful accuracy, and holds the reader's interest without gratuitous violence.

Perhaps it's because I come from a large family which includes self-made millionaires, a few illiterates, drunkards, outstanding citizens and a number eccentrics, I didn't find the family tree confusing. If anything, Irene Kelly's extended family adds richness and depth to Burke's material.

I will, however, miss the Karmann Ghia. My sincere condolences to "Irene."

Jan Burke is an exceptionally good mystery writer. This is the second time that I read Liar and still found it enjoyable. The book kept you guessing which is essential in a good mystery. I read this book when it was brand new and found on the second reading that the family history was drawn out more than needed and sometimes got confusing. All in all it was well worth reading.

Great reading from Jan Burke once again. Riveting from the first page to the last.