Customer Reviews

The Liar's Lullaby

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Tasia McFarland might be just another pretty country star on the verge of being over the hill, but she's also the ex-wife of the President of the United States. So when she dies by a gunshot to the throat during a spectacularly ill-conceived stunt on her latest concert tour, the investigation into her death is anything but simple. For one thing, no one is quite sure whether the singer, previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder, committed suicide or was murdered. And then there's the cryptic song lyrics Tasia left behind, words that seem to hint at an assassination threat not only to her but also to her ex-husband.

It's convenient that forensic psychologist Jo Beckett happens to be in the audience for Tasia's final, fatal concert, because she's about to be brought into the investigation by her friend Amy Tang, a San Francisco Police Department homicide detective. Jo's job is to analyze the dead woman's psyche, to look into her medical and behavioral history, her legacy of written work, and her relationships with friends and family, to determine what might have led to the singer's death.

As Jo delves into Tasia's life, she finds it's full of contradictions; Tasia was the ex-wife of a liberal president but has since been a regular poster on anti-government conspiracy-theorist websites. She adores her fans but hides the fact that she's being stalked via email. Jo has plenty of people to talk to --- Tasia's sister, her biographer, her lover and bandmate --- but when the picture they paint is far from clear, she's not sure where to go. And when Tasia's friends start showing up dead, Jo and Tang begin to suspect that Tasia might not have been the ultimate target. Meanwhile, when everyone involved in the case begins to run into trouble with the Feds, Jo wonders if the President himself is trying to derail the case or he has something to hide.

Meg Gardiner, who achieved fame in the United Kingdom long before she won an Edgar Award in this country, proves herself wickedly adept with plot twists and turns in THE LIAR'S LULLABY. Playing with readers' expectations without ever seeming manipulative, her plot shifts will have readers flipping backward --- and relentlessly reading onward --- to figure out what they might have missed and to propel themselves forward to find out what happens next.

Of course, plot twists and red herrings by themselves do not a great suspense novel make; in her third Jo Beckett book, however, Gardiner also demonstrates her facility at engaging readers' sympathy for her characters. In particular, the prickly but vulnerable Amy Tang is a fascinating supporting character who continues to be developed over time. In addition, Jo's developing relationship with Gabe Quintana --- two damaged souls who are finding healing in each other --- continues to grow in depth and complexity.

Plot twists and mounting suspense get people to race from the start of a book to the end, and complex characterizations and dynamic situations keep them coming back. Thanks to Meg Gardiner's skill at both, her readers will be anxiously waiting, eager to devour whatever this talented writer comes up with next.

I'm a huge Meg Gardiner fan - both her Evan Delaney series and her Jo Beckett series. This is the latest installment in the latter and it does not disappoint!

Being a forensic psychologist has it's caveats. It can make you a target for grieving family and psychopaths, and in a high profile case such as this, stalkers, conspiracy nuts, killers, and government intimidation. Jo must investigate this case quickly and thoroughly as she is feeling pressure from all sides to wrap things up (and everyone's pushing for a different outcome) but records are missing, interviewees are uncooperative, or unavailable, and things just aren't adding up.

Gardiner's books are fast paced and detailed. Did I figure out the whodunit before Beckett? Yes, but that's because the reader is supplied with far more information than poor Jo. The fascinating part was having more pieces of the puzzle than Jo, and being able to get a hazy picture of the situation, but not being able to put all the pieces together. We need Jo's investigation to do that for us. And even with all of that, there were still twists and turns that surprised me. Gardiner, as always, also finds a way to alleviate some of the the intensity in the book by inserting levity in the form of wit, sarcasm, and in this case, revenge on a prying media hound.

Though her books are parts of a series, Gardiner also makes them stand-alone accessible -especially the Beckett series- but with most series, they're more enjoyable in order. Relationships and non-plot related conflicts are left open, leading the reader into the next book.(The first book in the Evan Delaney series is China Lake. The first book in the Jo Beckett series is The Dirty Secrets Club.)

Gardiner's one of the few thriller authors whose books I can never put down. I suggest you pick her up.
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I picked up the audio version of this on a road trip but never made it past the first disk. The author's snobbery and condescension as she describes the country music concert that is the backdrop for her interminable opening scene made it impossible to take the book seriously. From her made-up country lyrics to the sneer evident in her description of the concert-goers, it is clear the author considers herself far above the average Americans she is attempting to depict. Throw in wooden dialog and an implausible beginning to the police investigation and you have a pretty tough sell. But it was when the author started inserting her political views and displaying her narrow-minded intolerance for anyone who dares to think otherwise that I punched the Eject button on this thoroughly unpleasant book.

Meg Gardner's Liar's Lullaby fails to engage. The rocky beginning - the death of a female country singer during a concert - fragments the action so much that it undercuts the suspense. The story never develops suspense because of various problems. For example, some of the characters are far-fetched including the country singer who happens to be the ex-wife of the President of the United States. The political thriller aspect of the story is heavy-handed and the stilted writing adds to the overall dullness.

Country singer Tasia McFarland wants a return to the top of the charts, but even with a former pedigree connection her chances are zero. Tasia is the ex wife of the current President of the United States Robert McFarland. Combining her two failures singing and marriage into an explosive political song, Tasia makes a strong comeback to the top of the country charts.

On tour, Tasia flies by helicopter to the outdoor stage; as she is lowered, a shot is fired and the singer is dead. SFPD Lieutenant Amy Tang and a friend of the victim, knows Tasia used a Colt 45, the murder weapon. She wonders if her friend committed suicide or was assassinated. She asks forensic psychiatrist Jo Beckett to conduct a psychological autopsy. At the same time, radical Tom Paine on his internet site the Tree of Liberty accuses President McFarland and his supporters of murder to shut up a popular critic who knew POTUS intimately.

Over the top of the Coit Tower, The Liar's Lullaby is an exciting police procedural with national implications. The story line is fast-paced as Amy and Jo investigate while Paine proves a pain to their inquiry with his conspiracy demands that the government leaders be arrested, convicted and executed. Fans will enjoy Meg Gardiner's fun taut thriller just leave the plausibility meter in the Bay.

Harriet Klausner

For a quick read that will hold your attention, and keep the pages turning, Meg Gardiner does a really good job. However, the characters, action, plot and situations are simply are not believable. So, if you are looking for a thriller which gives you great insights into human nature, look elsewhere. But if you are looking for a thriller that thrills, this should do the trick.

Gardiner begins with a country music concert. It is clear that something is going on with the lead singer, as she is paranoid, everyone around her is worried, and she begins to behave erratically. Then, she dies.

Our central character, Jo Beckett, then enters the plot--as a forensic psychiatrist hired to consult with the San Francisco police to help determine if prior to her death, the singer was in a state of mind where suicide was likely, or was she murdered. This is far fetched enough. We then learn that the singer was actually the ex-wife of the President of the United States, and that there is some concern about a terrorist plot. Okay, so already, the plot has taken leave of reality. Oh, and she suffers from a severe mental illness--rapid cycling bi-polar disorder.

Then Jo spends her time rushing around the city, chasing bad guys, enlisting a stock character these days--the anti-social computer genius with a heart of gold--who exposes a looney, right wing wanna be revolutionary patriot organization--which actually seems to consist of three people. Ultimately, Jo ends up as the only one who can stop a presidential assassin.

So yes, I am making fun of the plot. On the other hand, Gardiner certainly can write a thriller. I had no problem with boredom, or feeling like the plot was so absurd that I wanted to give up. To the contrary, I was drawn to keep reading. And after all, isn't that what thrillers are for?

Nice, unexpected twists and a prose that flows smoothly make "The Liar's lullaby" a solid thriller. The only
complaint that I have (and this is me) is that I prefer these thrillers to be set on a much smaller setting.
I prefer to read about an ordinary person (not the President of the United States) who, by chance, finds himself
involved in a dangerous, unexpected situation. Besides that, I enjoyed it very much. Gardiner is a damn good
writer.

Meg Gardiner's THE LIAR'S LULLABY receives a fine narration by veteran reading Susan Ericksen, who brings to life a story of has-been country singer Tasia, who is the ex-wife of the president of the U.S. Her latest politically charged song rises in the charts - and results in her murder. It's up to forensic psychiatrist Jo to prove it's murder, not suicide, in this latest thriller.

I do not think I agree, I will not give this 4 stars, Got it from a friend of mine, and could not even finish, It was really boring and pretty hard to follow. Not worth the money she spent, and then loaned me.

The book delivers on the thrills, the mystery, the twists and turns of the plot. The issues I had with the book could be plusses for someone else.

The first problem is that this is the third book featuring Jo Beckett. There's no confusion over events missed in the previous books- plot-wise, this novel stands alone. My issue was that I never had a chance to get to know Dr. Beckett. The character showed growth during the book, but I wasn't invested enough to care. I think this might have been different if I'd read the previous two books.

The second problem is that this was a political thriller with layer after layer of conspiracy theory. These were woven together well (although there is one place where I felt the author tricked the reader), and made a thrilling, textured adventure that wasn't quite my style.

The book was well written enough that I didn't notice the writing- which is exactly how I like it!

I've put the first book in the series, The Dirty Secrets Club, on my list of books I'd like to read.