February 2012 Debut of the Month.

A well written insight into the twisted mind of an unashamed murderer, as she admits in the second paragraph of this book (see link to the Opening Extract on this page). In fact, The Book of Lies is so easy and approachable, and makes you so familiar with the writer, it feels like you are reading a personal letter from her to you.  Alongside the subtly-woven, insightful narrative, throughout this book there are interesting footnotes about the island of Guernsey which add an interesting historical perspective as well as underpin the credibility of the story. A compelling read.

Comparison: Sarah Moss
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Synopsis

On this island your friends and your enemies quickly end up the same ...-1985- When fifteen-year-old Catherine sees her best friend slip from a wild cliff path she vows never to say a word. But Catherine was the last person to see her alive. -1940- Charlie is also holding back a secret from the adults on the island. As German soldiers arrive on Guernsey, he carries out an act of rebellion with consequences that will reach far into the future - and into Catherine's own life. The Book of Lies is a powerful novel about friendship, love and betrayal. Weaving together two lives across the decades, it proves that no truth is as simple as it seems.

Reviews

‘Extraordinary’ – The Times

 ‘A startling work’ – Guardian

‘Delights in upsetting expectations The Book of Lies manages to link the twin stories to create an impressive fable about the relativity of truth and the deceits that make living on a small island possible’ – Financial Times

‘A surefooted, smart debut . . . Horlock studs her novel with tricks, lies and echoes, all layered with a rich feel for childhood and memory. The result is a novel full of surprise’ – Boston Globe

About the Author

Mary Horlock spent her childhood in Guernsey and moved to England at the age of eighteen. She read History and History of Art at Cambridge, and went on to work at Tate Britain and Tate Liverpool. She is a former curator of the Turner Prize. Mary lives in London with her partner and their two children. Although she has written widely on contemporary art, this is her first novel. More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation