4.0 out of 5 stars
Good, not exceptional, October 29, 2011
This review is from: The Perfect Liar (The Last Stand) (Mass Market Paperback)
The Perfect Liar is the fifth installment in Brenda Novak's Last Stand series. The Last Stand is a victims charity based in California. It provides services to women and children who have been abused or face danger. This book is preceded by Trust Me, Stop Me, Watch Me, and The Perfect Couple. This story can be read on its own but to get the whole backstory, I recommend beginning with the first story.
Captain Luke Trussell is an upstanding, responsible, and considerate member of the community. He serves as a pilot in the military, saves liberally, donates generously, and even helps little old ladies across the street. Basically a boy scout but for adults. So imagine his astonishment when he is woken up in the middle of the night and accused of rape. His crew member, Kalyna Harter, claims he forced himself upon her after she initially denied him sexual favors. Luke acknowledges that he and Kalyna had consensual sex. He is sincerely worried about Kalyna and appalled at her injuries. However, he questions whether Kalyna knew it was he attacking or whether she's deliberately lying...
Ava Bixby is a victims rights advocate for The Last Stand. Kalyna approaches her for help in convicting Luke because she fears that the military will not convict him and law enforcement cannot interfere in military matters. Ava decides to take on the case because of her personal experience. She has a private investigator look into the backgrounds of both Luke and Kalyna. She discovers that Luke makes a more credible individual than Kalyna and decides to approach him. Meanwhile, Kalyna leaves town for home.
Luke receives a phone call from Ava requesting an appointment but is advised by his lawyer to not respond. He does make a trip to see her, though when Kalyna gives him a threatening call in the middle of the night. Although Ava is reluctant to talk to him now, she decides to give him a chance and they meet up at the local coffee shop. The attraction between them is immediate and strong. Luke plays it up while Ava acts strictly professional. After meeting him and considering the evidence, Ava contemplates dropping the case and after speaking with Kalyna, firmly abides by her decision.
What ensues is an investigation of the rape and why exactly Kalyna feels an overwhelming possessiveness of Luke and her absolute lack of conscience. Luke and Ava discover they have feelings for each other but neither knows how to react to the attraction. Unfortunately, Kalyna finds out and her reaction is extreme...
While this story is utterly fascinating, it has its chilling moments. Brenda Novak manages to deliver the perfect combination of romance and suspense with a convincing finale. I enjoyed the story but it had a minor problem which took me away from the story for a moment. During Ava's investigation, she gets access to Kalyna's credit report. In it, it states that she had maxed out her credit cards at 18 and never made a payment. Ordinarily, I would ignore that. However, it doesn't make sense that she could join the military since their clearance does credit checks.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Ms. Novak doesn't disappoint. Edgy drama., February 18, 2010
This review is from: The Perfect Liar (The Last Stand) (Mass Market Paperback)
I admit to being a Brenda Novak fan. In fact, I've read almost all her books. In this latest series set in Sacramento, three women, victims themselves, have banded together to form a victims charity defense for women facing similar situations.
Book two, The Perfect Liar, is edgy and well written. As in the first book, the reader is aware who the antagonist is. Novak has a knack for keeping up the suspense and for showing the evil that lurks beneath the surface of her villains.
Ava Bixby takes on the case of Kalyna Harter, a Ukranian immigrant and Air Force sergeant who claims to have been raped by Captain Luke Trussell. However, as Ava digs deep into the case, she wonders if she's defending the wrong person.
Ava, the child of a dysfunctional family, has a thrice married father and a mother serving a prison sentence for attempted murder. In addition, she failed to act on a cry for help from one of her clients which ended badly. Ava is determined never to let that happen again, so she is prejudiced from the get-go against Captain Trussell even as she finds him disturbingly attractive.
Novak delves into Ava's background as well as Kalnya's and some shocking details are revealed.
Without revealing too much more, let me urge you to buy this book. The ending will surprise you.
Highly recommended.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Suspense & Mystery, January 18, 2010
This review is from: The Perfect Liar (The Last Stand) (Mass Market Paperback)
Brenda Novak is very good at suspense and story development. This book was about a pathological liar, who also happenned to be a murderer. I found myself absolutely fascinated with this character, who at times I felt sorry for, and at other times, I couldn't believe how she was able to rationalize her actions. Ms. Novak also seemlessly wove this new Last Stand Trilogy into the first Trilogy series about three women who are victims of violence or abuse themselves. As a way of healing themselves, they form a charity business that helps others who are victims themselves. I can say that the first series and this second book of the second series is just as mesmerizing as the previous four books! I had a hard time putting any of them down, they were so suspenseful!
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