A very imaginative and well plotted thriller about secrets, lies and double dealing. It pulls you in from the start and we gasp as we learn about the secret life of police officer Chris. A complex plot is deftly handled and keeps us on the edge of our seat. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance digital copy.

Excellent is the 1st word i think of as a description of this novel.

I really loved this, it's an addictive read, i just couldn't put it down. An undercover cop pushes the boundaries (well it's a thriller so they have to obviously) but the story has twists and turns all unexpected and who are the bad guys and whose not, You will find your view change as you read on Jill and Sophia the 2 ladies in Chris's life he's the pro-lier.

The back story mixed with the present which is about an inquest into the death of Sophia over nearly 2 decades ago. The events the mistakes and the truth then another turn what's going on with Jill. Everything changes when a journalist releases a story challenging the official version of the death of Sophia. The wheels of the system are turning and well you've got to read it to see how and it really is a great read.

I feel that 5stars is too low for this read it's surely needs a much higher score i think you will as well.

Stunning! I thoroughly enjoyed this great story about undercover police officers, the toll & heartbreak it wreaks on normal lives & the huge problems of living two lives. The characters are written sensitively & with feeling. Wonderful twists & turns make this an engrossing read.

Two decades ago, policeman Chris Fletcher's lover was found dead. Now, his wife has gone missing. But what crime is Chris guilty of?

This psychological thriller explores the questionable acts and morality of an undercover police officer. It’s a theme not often covered in this genre and ideal for readers who enjoy a straightforward and arms’ length/reportage style of narration.

With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.
On publication I will post this review on my blog.

I don't think this book should be marketed as a psychological thriller. It's much more serous than that. It explores the whole issue of undercover policing and what happens when the undercover police officer gets in too deep. Chris Fletcher has done exactly that. He's joined a climate action group and fallen in love with Sophia but he's already married to Jillian.

I don't want to say more in case I reveal spoilers but this is a deep exploration of the psychological effects on a man of living two lives and they are devastating as is what happens to Sophia and Jill.

Recommended.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC. Wow, this book had me hooked from the start. The main character Chris really drew me in and the author was so good at creating emotion. Chris is hiding in Scotland with his wife Jillian awaiting the result of the inquest of the death of his ex lover, a target when he was an undercover police officer. Chris endures trial by media as he awaits the results then one night his wife Jillian goes missing. Is Chris guilty of harm towards both women?
The book is very fast paced, I found myself completely immersed in the story and I couldn't put it down. Would definitely recommend.

Lies and more lies . Throw in a romantic setting, a complex domestic relationship and you have a gripping story which is not at all what you might expect.

I didn’t like Chris as a character but he held your attention and he was well written enough to come to life. We don’t have to like him to appreciate the situation.

I won’t say more to avoid a spoiler but this is no ordinary domestic drama.

Psychological thriller come toxic love story. I was absorbed from the get-go and was left astonished. It's thought-provoking, immersive, and easily slid into my top 10 reads for 2025 so far!

Some dark themes are included, but the substance and power of this book are what made it for me. Don't be misguided into thinking it's going to be another mundane domestic thriller because this really packs a punch. It's extremely unique and will stand out in an overpopulated crowd.
The deeper meaning behind this tale is hidden beneath the stratified plot. It's impeccably researched and very thought-provoking. Not something I've considered before, and I like to be taken by surprise.

It's a character-driven story, and Chris, who narrates this tale, is strong yet forlorn. It's hard to peel your eyes away when focused on his internal conflicts.
The rest of the cast were also intricately developed and appeared well-matched to every scene. The interactions were authentic and made the story feel plausible.

The author did an expert job at dragging such mixed emotions from pure detest and loathing, to empathy and sadness. I found the dark secrets and bertayl obsculry mesmirising.

This book seamlessly weaves between timelines that are well-guided by the tale. I found the past immediately sucked you in and held the most sneaky twists.

The overall mystery combined with the looming inquest was pure ingenuity. The suspense was enticing and gripped me hard.
The atmosphere was isolative and absorbing.

A novel that swiftly becomes an art of deception. It managed to manipulate my mind into thinking so sourly about a situation until, towards the end, everything took a 360, and the initial murky picture became crystal clear.

I've adored LV's previous books and simply couldn't wait for the release of this one! Thank you to both LVM and NetGalley for this ARC. Id highly reccomend reading this as soon as you can! Its blooming marvellous!

An engrossing read which keeps you guessing.

This is a character driven psychological thriller rather than procedural. In fact the lack of procedure plays a large part in the telling.

I actually felt sorry for Chris. Yes his behaviour was awful at times but living an alternative reality day in day out will really mess up your brain. There is a strong supporting cast in this book and enough background information to make them more than just names (Jackson has stolen my heart).

All in all this was a thought provoking read about what happens when good people do bad things, even when for good reason.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC which was very much appreciated.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.

To Love a Liar by L.V. Matthews is a gripping psychological thriller. , this story is steeped in deception, betrayal, and the haunting shadows of the past. With a tense, twisty narrative, the book keeps you questioning the truth until the very last page.

The story follows Chris Fletcher, a policeman with a past, who is at the centre of a chilling mystery. One woman is dead—his lover was found lifeless in an abandoned house nineteen years ago. Another woman is missing—his wife has disappeared, leaving no trace. Suspicion lingers over Chris, but the ultimate question remains: what crime is he truly guilty of?

The story expertly navigates themes of secrets, loyalty, and guilt, crafting an intricate web of deceit that draws you in. The story explores how past mistakes shape the present, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere filled with uncertainty and mistrust. The suspense builds steadily, with each revelation challenging perceptions of truth and morality.

To Love a Liar is perfect for fans of dark, psychological thrillers that keep you guessing until the final page. A haunting and compelling read, it lingers long after the last chapter is turned. Highly recommend!

I enjoyed this book. Chris, a former police officer and his wife Jill, are hiding out at Jill's aunt's cottage while waiting for Chris to attend the inquest of Sophia Roy. Chris was involved with Sophia in the past while working undercover. The story is told in the present and the past, interspersed with social media comments with all the different opinions on the main characters, and people trying to track them down. It is an interesting perspective on the morality of undercover officers behaviour, and the impact on them and their families.
There is lots of action in the present and past, and lots of twists.
Recommended.

This book was about love/ betray and everything else in between!

I throughly enjoyed this book it all the elements of a fantastic psychological thriller; a suspenseful plot, lots of twists and turns and a nail-biting ending!

My favourite character was Jill as she dealt with the fallout from everything and at times I did feel sorry for her as the book progressed. I’d highly recommend this book it’s definitely worth the wait for 2025!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟stars

Undercover police officer Chris and his wife Jill have gone into hiding as the press are hounding Chris about the death of his lover Sophie Roy two decades ago. When Jill unexpectedly goes missing a lot of fingers are pointing to Chris and he must fight to clear his name whilst keeping his secrets close to his chest.

Told with snippets from WhatsApp chats, newspaper articles and comments on X alongside the narrative the story blends a mystery novel with questionable characters and several versions of what potentially happened the night Jill went missing before the truth is revealed.

Many thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for my fix ed eARC.

L.V. Matthews has done it again! This master of suspense has crafted another gripping tale that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. What sets this book apart is how Matthews delves into lesser-known aspects of police work, making each story feel fresh and unique.

In this latest thriller, we meet Chris and Jill, a married couple hiding out, each with secrets of their own. As the plot unfolds, we discover the reasons behind their seclusion, but just when you think you have it all figured out, Jill goes missing, and the suspense intensifies.

This book is perfect for readers who love to unravel complex marital secrets and navigate the murky waters of morally ambiguous characters. If you enjoy tightly wound psychological thrillers that explore the far-reaching consequences of past betrayals, this is a must-read!

The story is told over different time lines. When PC Chris Fletcher's lover is discovered in an abandoned council house - questions are raised about his involvement. Fast forward 19 years, Chris and his wife, Jill, are staying in her Aunt's cottage as he's needed to attend an inquest, which has been reopened by Sophia Roy's Sister - Leila Roy. We switch between times to learn more about the background of Chris and his time as an undercover police officer infiltrating activist groups. All the lies, mysteries and secrets come back to haunt him and then his wife goes missing. How is everything connected? Let's just say, all the subplots are woven tightly to lead to a dramatic ending.

Give me anything by L.V. Matthews and I will read it, devour it and love it!! This book is no exception and I love how original and different Liv’s ideas are. This one catches your attention right from the start and it doesn’t stop until the end. I loved the inclusion of different scenarios and it makes you really think about what actually could have happened.

I loved all the little comments from social media/book reviews and felt that really added to the story and gave it a nice modern twist!

The whole book keeps your attention and you are guessing right up to the last chapter. Really loved it and can’t wait for more from Liv in the future!!

Such a gripping read, I love how the book drew me in To where I thought I knew the characters, but then threw in different theories and perspectives. None of the characters are perfect, and so you never quite trust where it’s going. Unusually and gripping, loved it!

This is quite the gripping read, which engrossed me from the start. It's a multi layered story, with different timelines and woven expertly. I liked the characterisation, especially Chris and the plotting worked really well. Congratulations to the author for an engrossing tale of betrayal and delivering a completely immersive read. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Having your lover found dead in an abandoned house under mysterious circumstances is bad enough but when - nearly 2 decades later - your wife is also found dead, that is at least one murder too many!

Yet that is precisely the situation in which Chris Fletcher finds himself. So what's the real story? Could he possibly be innocent of both murders? Or is the situation, in fact, the reverse...

Mathews delivers a gripping piece of story telling, holding the reader's attention throughout. This one is not to be missed.

Thanks to an early proof, I had the joy of reading this gripping thriller on vacation. What happens to a marriage when your husband is an undercover policemen leading a secret, separate life and you discover his girlfriend is found dead by an overdose of heroin.  When his wife disappears, Chris Fletcher's stands to be accused of possibly two deaths. This is just the beginning of a terrific plot with many twist and turns. Really loved this thriller because of its unusual story and excellent writing .