Our main character has perfected the art of lying or "half truths." She found herself at the center of a very public scandal because of it at age five. So, as can be expected, no one believes her when she finally tells the truth ...

Twisted, full of tense suspense, and fast paced. This story started off a bit slow but so intriguingly bizarre.

Absolutely loved this. The premise was quite eye catching and I loved the chameleon of a character who moulds herself in every interaction. The mystery of it kept me reading while it is a bit of a slowburn.

It is a good thriller with interesting characters and a mystery that kept me guessing. Some very interesting supporting characters too.

Thank you Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

Lies. Lies have power...the power to alter reality, rarely for good.

Elizabeth has been utilizing, as a coping mechanism, the skill of lying for years after finding herself wrapped up in a very public scandal at the innocent young age of five. As an adult, she's used to bouncing around from place to place, never establishing roots. After all, establishing roots means that secrets, "half-truths" or "white lies" are at an increased risk of exposure. What happens when you are telling the truth, but people struggle to believe you?

This story started off incredibly bizarre and never really stopped being bizarre. I also found it a little labor intensive, but it did pick up about halfway through. At the end of the day, when I collect my thoughts, I think the main character just didn't work for me. She was hard to like, and I never really found myself rooting for her. Perhaps spending some more time letting the reader get to know five year-old Elizabeth, might have helped build more of a connection.

And again, all put together, it was just so dang bizarre!

Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing for providing a digital copy via NetGalley. These opinions are entirely my own. It's a little bit thriller, a little bit mystery and a little bit crazy.

(2.5 stars)

Thank you so much for this ARC! Having loved Victoria Helen Stone books in the past, I was excited for this one.

Bald Faced Liar was fun and fast paced in my opinion (contrary to lots of slow burn comparisons in the reviews) and read more like a cozy mystery (aside from the ending IFKYK) than a shocking thriller. Being an observer to all of Elizabeth's crafted identities was interesting and I particularly enjoyed her relationship with Mike and Cocoa.

Recommend this one if you need a quick palette cleanser that isn't too heavy.

Thrillers come in so many shape and forms. This one is not the typical thriller with a lot of twists and turns. This is beautifully written with a slow burn that is perfect for the plot.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC. All opinons are my own.

Are you a thriller lover?? Check out Bald-Facec Liar by Victoria Helen Stone. This was a great one! It’s available now!

This was a slow burn that was too slow for my liking. It also felt quite repetitive at times but was a decent thriller. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review - it’s out now!

I absolutely enjoyed reading Jane Doe by Victoria Helen Stone, so you can imagine my excitement when I got approved for this one. And did it meet my expectations? Damn right, it did!

Right from the start, I was pulled into the quiet, tense world of Elizabeth May, a traveling nurse who’s built her entire life on lies. Not for the drama. Not for the thrill. But because it’s the only way she knows how to survive. She changes names, cities, and stories as easily as changing clothes, always staying one step ahead of her past.

When Elizabeth lands in Santa Cruz, it feels like maybe, just maybe she’s found a place to breathe. But it doesn’t take long for the cracks to show. Strange messages, eerie feelings, someone watching her. It’s subtle at first, but the tension builds steadily, and soon you’re questioning everything along with her.

And then there’s her past. Slowly, through flashbacks and introspection, we uncover the trauma she’s been running from. The trauma, the fear, the manipulation she endured,it’s heartbreaking. The Satanic Panic backdrop adds an eerie layer of depth to the story line.

This isn’t a thriller full of cheap shocks. It’s about memory, trauma, and identity. About how much of yourself you can erase before you stop being a person. And it’s also about finding your voice again, no matter how long it takes.

Now, I’ll admit that the pacing lagged in a few middle sections, and the ending did feel a little rushed. But overall, this was a really good read and binged on it all through the weekend.

If you like layered psychological suspense with real emotional depth, then this one is calling your name.

Victoria Helen Stone delivered once again, and I’m definitely gonna keep showing up for whatever she writes next.

Many thanks to Net Galley & Lake Union Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
I am a huge fan of Victoria Helen Stone and this is another rollercoaster read.
Elizabeth May is the main character, she suffered trauma as a child, she was questioned, examined, hypnotised, prayed for, and manipulated by police, therapists and adults in authority. This early trauma has led Elizabeth to trust no one, she has spent her adult life running and hiding from her past, never staying in one pace for long, her life is a story of lies and deception, she answers to Elizabeth, Eliza, Beth, she forgets the lies she has told, her lies get tangled.
She has been living for 2 years in Santa Cruz, works as a travelling nurse, no one really knows her, she must keep herself safe and her past hidden. She likes it here and does not want to move.
Cracks show in her life when she realises she has a stalker, does someone know about her past? She begins to investigate her own past, she behaves more bizarrely than ever.. Her new sexy neighbour Mike is baffled by her, she has told him she is an accountant, she likes him, but can’t be in a relationship. She only has one other friend, Tristan, whom she chats to online. Could Mike or Tristan be her stalker?
Elizabeth is a character, she can be bold and courageous, she uses humour as a coping mechanism, the stalker is making her anxious, nervous and afraid, she cannot have her past coming out, she cannot go to prison.
This is a fabulous intense fast paced read, full of lies and buried secrets, suspense, dark humour, lots of twists and a great ending.
If you haven’t read a Victoria Helen Stone book, I highly recommend you do, each one is a masterpiece and Bald Faced Liar is a 5 star read.

Elizabeth’s shady past is coming back to bite her as she finds herself being stalked even though she moved far away (and multiple times).

I had a really good time reading this. Elizabeth was such an interesting character to follow, and her inner monologue and the way she acts was fascinating. She's dodgy as hell, lies constantly, paranoid and essentially living as much as a hermit as she can while still having (shallow and fleeting) connections with other people. As soon as you start the book, you get to see her quirks and it instantly pulled me in and had me wondering what the hell happened in her life for her to act that way.

This mystery aspect of her past was done well, and I think information was fed to the reader at a reasonable pace. I appreciated that the story developed throughout the book (rather than a large dump and reveal at the end). I generally figured out who the stalker was, although I do think there could have been more breadcrumbs leading up to it. It wasn't completely out of the blue, but I think it could have been set up better especially since the author did such a good job with the other mysterious elements of the story.
Some aspects of the climax and resolution were a bit far-fetched, but this didn't really affect my enjoyment of the story. There were a couple details in the final action section that I would have probably liked a bit more detail was (the stalker did indeed go on a bit of a villain rant which was a tad all over the place and hard to follow, but it is a crazy stalker so...).

Overall, I enjoyed reading this. The suspense was well done, and I was invested in what was going on. I truly felt frustration, terror and rage along with Elizabeth. This would be a great read for fans of thrillers involving stalkers, and the vibe of 'is this really happening or am I going insane?'

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an ARC of this book!

Thrillers are my top favorite especially a psychological thriller hands down I read them all the time and I read this one on my kindle and every second I had five minutes or any free time I found myself reaching for it to finish this one. The main character’s strong, complicated, and has a tendency to lie, which made it super fun uncovering her secrets. The story kept me hooked the whole way through I definitely recommend this one.

I had fun reading this psychological thriller. It was a fun read but I felt it fell flat in some aspects. I don’t regret reading it because it was entertaining, It just didn’t blow me away.

The first few chapters introduced the nosy FMC, giving us a feel of her true colors. Once you reach Chapter 5 is when things started to get interesting as she tried to figure out who was messing with her.

If you love reading about unreliable narrators, you might like this cozy psychological thriller romance novel. I know, it feels like a genre in itself.

Fave quote from the book: "It's easy to have confidence when no one knows you. Easy to do what you want without fear."

From a master storyteller, Victoria Helen Stone (long-time favorite), author of the popular Jane Doe series, returns following her 2024 release, Follow Her Down, with her highly anticipated 10th suspense psychological thriller, BALD-FACED LIAR.

Check out her feature in Park City News.

My apologies for the lengthy review, but I get a little carried away with the books I am most passionate about, as I want everyone to read them!

Stone's 10th thriller is among her best.

With each Victoria Helen Stone (VHS) story, you expect flawed characters trying desperately to survive against the odds, a wicked plot, dark humor, twists, and a race against time to the finish line. She does not disappoint!

Stone, a versatile writer, has also penned romance novels under the pseudonym Victoria Dahl, with a total of 29 published works in this genre.

In her latest work of fiction, a woman is hiding from her past, where lying has become a part of her life—her means of survival. But her lies may have caught up with her in this psychologically rich, twisty, emotional, unputdownable thriller. The suspenseful plot will keep you on the edge of your seat, guessing the identity of the stalker and the motive until the grand finale.

The title "Bald-Faced Liar" is a poignant reflection of the protagonist's ongoing struggle with truth and deception, a compelling and central theme in this gripping narrative.

An exploration of childhood trauma, identity, acceptance, and survival. Victoria Helen Stone is at the TOP of her game with BALD-FACED LIAR. Highly impressive. You will find so much more than a thriller. Emotional, compelling, and psychologically rich.

About...

Set in beautiful coastal Santa Cruz, CA, Elizabeth May (nurse extraordinaire) is a traveling nurse with a habit of lying about every detail of her life, and sometimes she even forgets all her lies and her many aliases.

She often feels like a freak. She remembers the pain, the fear, the torture, and relives it in her dreams every night. The horror movie. Her frequent name changes are a reflection of her need for anonymity and her desire to escape her past—a past that continues to haunt her.

From police, prosecutors, and therapists. She was examined, interrogated, hypnotized, guided, and prayed over. It started as manipulation and a persuasion to lie to help someone. Was she a victim?

She moves every few months, from state to state, creating vignettes of life in each one. That worked for fifteen years before she landed this short-term gig in Santa Cruz, and she has been here for the last two years.

Her shady Romanian landlord offers her a nice discount for the work she has done for him since her arrival. Grigore cut a hundred dollars off her rent to keep an eye on the apartment upstairs and the cottage next door, since she is home all day. This gives her something to do between her work and also something to stress about—trying to keep up with these tenants and visitors coming and going like a revolving door. Also, her shady landlord may be of assistance later on. (Wink😉)

(Beth, Eliza, Elizabeth) She is almost forty, has never had kids, has been married, and now her life isn't perfect. But she is making it work and is a survivor. She has come to this little beach hideaway, and this seems to be the best medicine for what ails her. She must stay safe, and she enjoys people-watching, seeing people come and go, and imagining their lives behind closed doors. Her resilience is truly inspiring.

But the truth is, NO ONE truly knows her. So she does not have to leave this place. She will never go back.

There are dangers to stuffing all your bad feelings down as deep as you can. However, on the other hand, she knows that opening up allows control to fall into the hands of others.

She must keep herself safe. She is resourceful and always looking over her shoulder. She is fun and has a warm personality. She needs to remember what lies she tells. She needs to stay under the radar. She even uses humor and plenty of snark as another coping mechanism. Keep everyone at a distance. Do not get invested in anyone.

She can never get too close to anyone if they stumble upon the truth about her past. Her use of humor and snark is not just a coping mechanism, but also a way to keep people at a distance, preventing them from getting too close and discovering her secrets.

Then she discovers she has a creepy stalker, which destroys her carefully laid life, and now she is forced to confront the present and her traumatic past, which started her on this journey in the first place. A false facade.

Why is this happening now, and who remembers her from Iowa? She cannot go to prison. She second-guesses everything, trying to backtrack how she slipped up. Are there others involved in the case? Who is dead, alive, and what is their motive? Is she next? It is time to pull off the biggest lie of her life.

What about Mike, the sexy environmental chemist/neighbor? Of course, she tells him she is an accountant when she meets him.

What about her online friend, Tristan? Can he be trusted?

She can never trust anyone with her most secret feelings. She cannot even trust herself. Her struggle with trust is palpable, and it's hard not to feel empathetic towards her. Will she be discovered and have to relive her trauma? INTENSE!

My thoughts...

Victoria Helen Stone never ceases to amaze me with her awe-inspiring talents, creativity, and her well-drawn characters. Plus, I love her settings and vivid descriptions. All her books are well thought out, and there is always something beneath the outer shell of her main characters, which is usually a woman showing great strength when things get intense, and there is nowhere to turn.

With BALD-FACED LIAR, Stone has created a complex main character in Elizabeth, blurring the lines between right and wrong and how a traumatic childhood shapes your adult life.

An exploration of the capacity of the human heart to harm, manipulate, to heal, and ultimately, to hope. Victoria is a savvy writer who delves deeply into her characters’ motivations.

A riveting page-turner, intense, delivering thrills, twists, superb characterization, emotional depth, and entertainment that we all come to expect from her work. Well done!

The author brilliantly builds suspense as the stalker comes into play, causing Elizabeth to question everything in her life, including her sanity. She keeps readers guessing as to where she is taking us, but hang on for the ride!

Elizabeth is in a terrible position, so you feel for her. Yes, she was just a girl. Yes, she ruined several lives. But she cannot forget, and it tortures her. How can she ever trust anyone after a childhood defined by false memories and community hysteria? All the damage was not only to her but to many. What is the cost of a lie?

The "cost of a lie" refers to the negative consequences, both emotional and relational, that can result from lying. These consequences can include guilt, anxiety, decreased self-esteem, and damage to relationships. Additionally, lying can lead to a loss of trust, both in oneself and in others, and can create a cycle of further deceit.

Her coping mechanism is DENY. Deny. Deny.

Elizabeth has many personalities, and we see all sides throughout the book. From vulnerable and fearful, to strong, resilient, and courageous. Inspired by the Satanic Panic (you must read up on this as haunting, unsettling, disturbing, and intriguing).

The "satanic panic" of the 1980s was a period of widespread fear and hysteria surrounding alleged satanic cults and ritual abuse of children. While it began in North America, it quickly spread to other parts of the world. The panic involved numerous false accusations, unjust criminal trials, and the disruption of countless lives.

Psychological thrillers delve into the human mind, frequently focusing on the inner turmoil and intricate relationships of their characters. Books and films delve into themes of obsession, manipulation, and the blurred lines between reality and delusion. The author skillfully guides Elizabeth through a range of emotions and complexities, as well as her innermost thoughts, as she navigates her struggles to move beyond her past, redefine her identity, and adapt to her new life.

Interview...

Stay tuned for my fascinating and fun #AuthorElevatorSeries QA with Victoria on pub day, June 1, where we go behind the scenes of the book and this mega-talented superstar author! I am truly honored to feature her for the second time. The first was back in 2018, the year I introduced my Elevator series with her, Jane Doe. Here we are seven years later, and still a favorite.

Elizabeth (aka Eliza, Beth, Bess...) is a total riot! I think fans are going to adore her as you follow her on her wild adventure called LIFE.

As always, Victoria Helen Stone shines and is one of my favorite authors, having read all her books and anxiously awaiting her next masterpiece.) I love her dark humor! Highly entertaining.

Movie-worthy! Be sure and add this gem to your summer reading list. Ideal for book clubs and further discussions. I hope we see her again in future books to catch up!

Audiobook...

I have since listened to the audiobook, narrated by the talented Soneela Nankani, for a highly entertaining, suspenseful, and engaging performance. Thanks to Brilliance Audio for providing an advanced listening copy.

Recs...

BALD FACED LIAR is for fans of well-written character-driven psychological suspense, Jane Doe, and the author, as well as those who enjoy works by Kaira Rouda, A.J. Banner, Sally Hepworth, Laura Lippman, Freida McFadden, and Jenova Rose.

Many thanks to the author, Lake Union (publisher), and NetGalley for a digital and paperback advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review. Also, my Kindle First Read Pick

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Pub Date: June 1, 2025
June 2025 Must-Read Books
June Author QA Interview

Bald-Faced Liar by Victoria Helen Stone is another gripping, and unique story full of suspense and intrigue, I raced through and loved it.
I’m a big fan of Stones writing and excited to say she has written another sharp, engaging, and unputdownable story.
I got hooked immediately & ended up finishing the book in two sittings.
An engrossing, compelling read.

Thank You NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I love a good twisty psychological thriller, and this one fits that niche in spades. 

Elizabeth has many names in this book based on who she interacts with—Beth, Betsy, Lizzie, and more—all nicknames for her name. However, not only does she give people different names, she makes up different lives. She has been in hiding of sorts for decades due to an incident that happened when she was five. There were daycare owners accused of satanic acts, and Elizabeth was a witness. Remember, she is five. How the authorities can let this happen is mind-boggling. When the truth comes out, Elizabeth is shunned in her small town and called Devil Girl. Can you imagine your whole life living in fear and not having support from your parents? This is her life, so it is understandable when she wishes to escape and never look back.

She moves every few years, but has been in Santa Cruz a little longer this time. She has made a few friends and has a good landlord. He is an interesting man, and I wonder what he really does for a living. I don't think it is all on the up and up. However, he is one person she can call when times get tough, and they do hit that point.

Life is going well until weird things start to happen. She is pushed into the path of an oncoming car, a stuffed toy ends up in her grocery bag, and more. It is hard to know who is doing all of this, and while we have some idea, the reality takes a little longer to reveal itself. The perpetrator is doing a good job of gaslighting Elizabeth and turning friends and neighbors against her. Who can she trust? Are her friends trustworthy?

This book took me on a ride, and I did not want to put the book down. I had to know what happened next. Was Elizabeth making all of this up, or was something else at play? The truth wasn't anything I was expecting. I probably should have suspected the outcome, but there were only a few hints that I remember.

If you enjoy a good psychological thriller, check this one out. We give it 5 paws up.

Bald Faced Liar by new to me author Victoria Helen Stone, published by Lake Union Publishing is a captivating thriller, gives goosebumps and is full of unexpected twists.
The story had me in suspense from start and guessing till the last page, 4,5 stars.

I thought it was intriguing but then it got slow and repetitive. I didn't feel any suspense or thrills and for me it just got boring. I was not able to continue. I had to DNF.

i loved how tangled you feel in this book by this character and plot. you are simply spinning with your own theories and never quite knowing who to even as a reader to trust! the main character certainly has a way of making us feel all sorts of things. not least whether we can trust her truths or trust her lies. or was the author the one duping me and pulling me in with her little breadcrumbs of clever plot points?
all in all this was such a fun read and i enjoyed being spoon in circles of wondering whats the truth and just where is this going.
it was certainly a mind thriller. there was a quirky sense to the tale but also a creepy one that lingered always there in the background.
Elizabeth and the other characters we meet in this book kept me reading until the end.
i wanted to know Elizabeth's character and i wanted to figure her out. i wanted to read about her present but also delve into her past. there must be so much more to know to realise why she is the way she is. and is this current set of circumstance linked,is she in danger from someone else or more from herself?
you see! i was hooked and shuck all at the same time with this book and its just brilliant read.

This book was sooooo good the main character was a piece of work and lied more than I could count and I loved it lol love a book that grabs you right in