This picks up more or less immediately after the end of Gold’s previous novel, Twelve Secrets, and once again focuses on Ben Harper as he tries to unravel a new set of mysteries. The novel opens with him walking back to his home in the riverside suburb of Haddley, when he notices a fire in the old community centre in the grounds of the local parish church.

Ever the reporter, he rushes to investigate, and realises that someone is trapped in the building. He manages to release them, but before he can check that they are unhurt they rush off into the night. This sets in motion a bizarre investigation that will involve the police, and rake over events from long in the past.

Robert Gold catches the atmosphere of the small, close-knit community in which several people have dark and old secrets very adeptly. The story switches between first person narrative from Ben, and third person accounts following a variety of protagonists. This is a well-plotted and entertaining novel. ( )

"In a small town everyone has something to hide". Never more true than in the small town of Haddley where everybody seems to know everybody else's business. When I read Twelve Secrets last year I was pleased to note that it was going to be the first in a series to feature journalist, Ben Harper. Eleven Liars is the second book and I really hope there are going to be more.

The book begins with a fire in a derelict community centre in church grounds. Ben is first on the scene and helps somebody to escape and it seems that's the end of it…until a skeleton is found. After that, secrets are unearthed in Haddley at a rapid rate.

I found this to be a really compelling crime novel. With Ben being a journalist, you can't exactly call it a police procedural, but his sidekick from the first book plays another big role and she is PC Dani Cash, so we're able to see things from Ben's investigative journalist's perspective as well as from within the police force. Whilst some of what happens links back to Twelve Secrets, everything was explained in sufficient detail for me to remember it and get totally stuck into Eleven Liars.

I liked how so much of the story was interlinked but it only came to light as developments were made in the investigation into the fire. As the story progressed there were loads of twists and turns, none of which I saw coming, and I found it to be a really well-plotted book with fairly short chapters that kept my interest.

I think Eleven Liars is my favourite of the books so far. The plot is intricate and I loved being immersed in it and trying to work out what was happening and who the culprits were (because this story doesn't begin and end with just the fire at the community centre). There are some really interesting characters (a particular favourite was Pamela) and going by the end of the book, a return visit to Haddley is definitely needed as one character in particular is hiding something! I have my fingers firmly crossed. ( )

We’re back in the small town of Haddley again where a fire in the local disused community centre is being investigated by journalist Ben Harper and PC Dani Cash. A body is discovered underneath the centre, along with a knife which mysteriously disappears.

I loved Twelve Secrets by the same author so was looking forward to reading Eleven Liars - it didn’t disappoint! I was gripped from beginning to end. There are a fair few characters, you have to keep your wits about you. It’s very good for the little grey cells! Small town life is well illustrated. There are plenty of twists and turns plus the odd red herring. I read this via the Pigeonhole app, one stave a day over ten days and excitedly awaited every instalment. A well paced and written page turner. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series already. 🤞 ( )