The Lie Maker

A Novel

By: Linwood Barclay

Narrated by: Johnathan McClain, Graham Halstead

Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

In this twisty, fast-paced thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of Find You First and Take Your Breath Away, a man desperately tries to track down his father—who was taken into witness protection years ago—before his enemies can get to him.

Your dad’s not a good person. Your dad killed people, son.

These are some of the last words Jack Givins’ father spoke to him before he was whisked away by witness protection, leaving Jack and his mother to pick up the shattered pieces of their lives as best they could.

Years later, Jack is a grown man with problems of his own. He’s a talented but struggling author, barely scraping by on the royalties from his moderately successful first book. So when the U.S. Marshals approach him with a lucrative opportunity, he’s in no position to turn them down. They’re recruiting writers like Jack to create false histories for people in witness protection—people like Jack’s father.

The coincidence is astonishing to Jack at first, but he soon realizes this may be a chance to find his dad. Only there’s one problem—Jack’s father hasn’t made contact with his handlers recently, and they have no idea where he is. He could be in serious danger, and Jack may be the only one who can find him.

But how will he find a man he’s never truly known? A man who has done terrible things in his lifetime and made some deadly enemies in the process—enemies who wouldn’t think twice about using his own son against him.

©2023 Linwood Barclay (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

Another great book

I will read anything Linwood Barclays writes. His plots are intricately woven and his characters are not to be missed. Do yourself a favor - listen to this book.

Another great read

I love his books! I’ve been hooked since No Time For Goodbye!! This one did not disappoint!!

Beginning was great

then fell off the cliff. Didn’t feel genuine. His other books are much much better.

Great loved it!

So much to love about this story. The characters are just enough off to be completely intriguing and although the essence of the story leads you to make quite a few assumptions, it’s still a great book. This isn’t a book to take too seriously just sit back and enjoy some really good writing and entertainment.

Both narrators were so awesome giving life to the characters and color to the words!!

Excellent story and narrator

I didn’t know this author nor this narrator but I’ll be looking for both. Wonderful story of a boy who grows up without his dad and more about the dad that never forgets his son and their lives between them. A very good twist at the end!! I really recommend this!

Love Linwood Barkley

The book, like all of his, had a wonderful story. So far I have enjoyed his books and stories.

Not very mysterious

I enjoyed the characters, but I knew who the bad “guy” was from the beginning. I’d be very surprised if everyone doesn’t figure it out quickly.

Enthralling from the beginning until the very end

Linwood Barclay has a knack of scattering characters and plots indiscriminately throughout the story - forming a maze of intricate steps until you reach the final chapters and they all fall in place.
It's sometimes difficult to keep track of all the events - but worth every detail.
Great read/listen.
The narrators were brilliant.

Great story despite slow beginning

Don’t give up on this one. Although it starts slowly and seems muddled at first, everything comes together as the plot picks up pace. The central characters are credible and well developed and there are surprising twists and turns.

Good story until the ending

I like Linwood Barclay books, but this one was a four out of five. I thought it ended too quickly and some of it just didn't make sense.