The Liar's Child 3*

The Liar’s Child by Carla Buckley.

This book intertwines the stories of six characters, all who have suffered tragedies. It shows us how each of them copes and rather than gloss over their individual faults, the book seems to focus on them. It makes it hard to like any of the characters, and I was never sure who I should be rooting for, other than Boon, who is almost always the victim, intended or not.

The book does explore the details of complex lives, illustrating that the circumstances in which a person is born present challenges for improving their life. Hank, a sheriff whose life revolves around service fails his own family and himself. Whit, a handsome man who just want to keep his family happy and safe, whose wife creates havoc that makes it impossible. Cassie, the troubled preteen who can’t find herself, and whose actions ultimately will trap her in the cycle that has caused the family to fall apart. Little Boon, who can’t seem to catch a break anywhere, but who doesn’t seem to ever give up hope.

And then there is Sara, who’s grifter father has died in prison, who is supposed to be an informant who will help the FBI put the bad guys away, but who can’t seem to figure out who the bad guys really are.  She comes across, intentionally I think, as self-absorbed and selfish, though her humanity breaks through often enough to make us know that the only hope these characters have rests with her.

The writing is the saving grace for the book, as the author convincingly depicts the tension of the coming storm, the FBI always just off screen and the emotions of each of the characters.  It is harder to write complex characters, especially if the reader isn’t convinced they are good at heart.  Buckley skillfully creates humans… nothing cardboard at all about her characters.

The book also provides an interesting picture of the-- often idealized-- Outer Banks, and what happens to regular people when disaster and tragedy hit home. I didn’t find the ending particularly satisfying, because it didn’t seem to fit the projectory of the balance of the book.

I received this book from NetGalley. Publication date is March 12, 2019.

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