A completely gripping, classics based, mystery/thriller set in a classic Golden Age of Mysteries setting: a secluded Greek island, a group of invitees with a not-completely-positive history, a missing host, and … the first dead body. From there it’s one surprise after another and the reader is completely immersed in the whodunnit / who can I trust suspicion-laden head of the narrator, Maia. Why is this book so much more appealing (to me) than a typical mystery / thriller? It was engaging on an emotional, psychological, intellectual, and philosophical level — that doesn’t happen too often. As with almost all of Goodman’s books (I believe this is number 21), it was completely steeped in Greek mythology — the stories, the archeological remnants, the world of antiquity trading (and theft), and some compelling new (to me) interpretations of the myths as conveyed in the (almost too) vivid depictions of a physical (and mental) labyrinth. The imagery was captivating, and I don’t usually go for written imagery. The plot was perfectly paced, with a tug of war between confusion and epiphany, and the closure was smooth, clever, and completely satisfying.

I’m pretty sure I have read most, if not all, of Goodman’s 21 novels, but this is the first one I listened to. The reader was very good, though a little over the top (IMHO) with voice snottiness for certain unpleasant characters; however she kept my interest and did get me to slow down from rapid reading pace to take in some of the details I might otherwise have missed.

A dark thriller about what revenge can do. I felt I never fully understood the characters, but maybe that was the point.

After receiving an invitation in the mail from the mysterious Argos Alexander, Maia sets out for the Greek island Eris. Fifteen years earlier she went for Argos' writing retreat where she found mentorship, friendship, romance, and betrayal. She returns to the island looking for answers and revenge, but instead finds a familiar cast of characters. Most of the writers from that retreat are there, but their host Argos is missing. When his body is found on an altar on the island, the writers also discover that they've been cut off from all communication with the outside world with a killer among them. An atmospheric locked room mystery with a classical Greek setting.

I was really looking forward to this one, but I found it difficult to fully enjoy as I couldn't tell if it was meant to be making fun of classic locked room mystery tropes or if it was just following the formula laid out by similar mysteries. If the author was poking fun at these types of mysteries, I think it could have been hammed up a bit more to make that clearer. If the author was being genuine, then I think the story falls prey to a lot of clichés. I think part of this comes down to the narration of the audiobook. Some of the voices for the characters were over the top, so they came across as more comedic than maybe they were meant to be. While I did enjoy the setting and the discussion of Greek mythology, the metaphors were incredibly heavy-handed and took me out of the story. The dialogue also felt unrealistic to me. The main character would talk over people who were trying to explain what happened at the retreat years before to prolong some unnecessary miscommunication. I also found it odd that the adult main character was so hung up on things that happened one summer 15 years ago. The villain also had super over the top dialogue that made them sound cartoonish, which took me out of the story as well. I think people who really enjoy Greek mythology and classic mysteries might enjoy this one, but maybe stick to the text version.

Fifteen years ago, Maia Gold had the summer of her life at a prestigious writing retreat run by millionaire Argos Alexander on the private Greek Island of Eris. That summer she found a best friend, fell in love, and wrote her first novel. But at the end of the summer she suffered a horrible betrayal, and, instead of launching a career, her first book became her last. She’s settled into a different life as a professor, the path her father always expected her to take, when she gets an invitation to come back to the island for a second time. And she’s not the only one. The other writers from her first summer seem to have been invited too, and the possibility that one of them is there for revenge becomes an almost certainty when the group finds their host murdered.

I always love locked room mysteries (in this case—a secluded island) and stories about writers, and this was a fun, quick read. The story is filled with references to Greek myths, lush descriptions of the island, and a second chance love story that plays out between investigating and a second chance friendship. Is that a trope? Can we make it one? I don’t know that the solution to the mystery itself shocked me, but I enjoyed the journey on this one and would recommend it to readers looking for a mystery that lands somewhere between a cozy and something dark and gritty on the mystery spectrum.

Kirsten Potter does a great job with the narration of the audiobook. I enjoyed getting lost in the investigation with Maia, although I was happy to have a hard copy to refer back to in the beginning when we were meeting a lot of characters quickly.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Publishing for this ARC. I really enjoyed this thriller set on a secluded Greek island with a group of authors. Well the twist(s) weren’t that satisfying and easy to see coming, I really enjoyed the Greek history and mythology woven throughout the book. The author also was excellent at descriptions and imagery at really set the scene wonderfully. Overall a good thriller.

Carol Goodman’s latest centers on a group of writers who gather for a mysterious reunion on a Greek island only to encounter a dangerous enemy and deep, dark secrets. The Greek island setting was interesting and I liked the tidbits of art history and Ancient Greek culture. The plot is not the most original but contains many unexpected elements that will keep readers engrossed and entertained. Goodman is good at writing the big reveals. The narrator’s cadence works well for maximum audiobook appeal.

"Writers and Liars" pull you into a world where every character has a hidden chapter, every smile conceals a secret, and the next twist might just be deadly. It's a high-stakes intellectual duel wrapped in a darkly atmospheric Greek myth. If you, like me, crave stories that boil under your skin, that force you to re-evaluate every assumption, and that leave you breathless until the final, shocking revelation, then prepare to be utterly captivated. Just don't blame me if you start looking sideways at your own book club.

This year has been a delightful journey through the world of writers and island getaways! The theme feels so familiar, as I’ve devoured four books set in similar locales—what a treat!

Maia Gold returns to the Greek island of Eris fifteen years after attending a writers' retreat hosted by billionaire Argos Alexander, where she wrote her first book. Invited back alongside other writers from the original retreat, Maia sees this as a chance for reconciliation and to revive her writing career. However, upon arrival, they discover Argos is missing and learn that they must compete in a suspenseful writing challenge for fame and fortune. Tensions rise when Argos is found dead, and the guests must navigate their unresolved grudges while trying to uncover the murderer among them. Trapped on the island, they face the threat of becoming victims themselves.

Our protagonist, Maia, is utterly charming. I found myself thoroughly enjoying the history lessons woven throughout the chapters. This clever character, always thinking on her feet, is hard not to like. We get to know her gradually, page by page, as she navigates her youthful naivety and learns some valuable life lessons from a distance.

The setting is so evocative of Greece that I could almost hear the waves lapping at the shore. The descriptions, including the vibrant personalities of the characters, felt authentically Greek! Having visited Greece once, I can attest that the locals can be quite temperamental, especially the men! I loved how the narrative made me feel as if I were right there with them. It even inspired me to Google some facts and delve deeper into Greek history. I love it when books spark that kind of curiosity!

The story unfolds like a gripping murder mystery, complete with unexpected twists and revelations that kept me on the edge of my seat. It was so well-written that I found it nearly impossible to hit pause while listening to the audiobook. The narrator did a fantastic job of bringing the story to life, making it easy to distinguish between characters and infusing the tale with great emotional depth.

If you have a penchant for Greek history sprinkled with a few murders to solve, this book is tailor-made for you. Just grab some Ouzo, a loaf of bread, and a drizzle of olive oil, and prepare for an adventure! As a newcomer to this author’s work, I thoroughly enjoyed this experience and can’t wait to dive into more of their writing. Happy sleuthing!

Thank you, Harper Audio, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I devoured this audiobook over the course of one day! The Greek setting and mythology was the perfect background to this clever whodunit. A group of mystery writers, a mysterious island, an unseen, manipulative host, and of course, murder. Everyone is a suspect. Everyone has a secret, and there is more to the island than meets the eye.
Fantastic summer read.

Writers and Liars by Carol Goodman kicks off with a tantalizing premise—fifteen years after a dark betrayal on a remote Greek island, Maia Gold is lured back for what she hopes will be her big comeback. The setting of Eris, with its sun-drenched vistas and shadowy secrets, is perfect for a suspenseful tale of old grudges, deadly games, and literary intrigue. However, as the story unfolds, I found myself wishing for a bit more punch. The cast of writers trapped together in a high-stakes contest, alongside a mysterious murder, sets the stage for some juicy twists—yet the pace dragged at times, and the revelations felt somewhat predictable. The novel hints at deeper secrets lurking underneath the surface, but the payoff, unfortunately, didn’t quite live up to the build-up. That said, Goodman’s atmospheric writing and the creepy island setting do add a layer of suspense that keeps you guessing for a while. The ending leaves enough questions hanging to suggest there might be a follow-up, but as a standalone, it falls a little short of the big shocker I was craving. If you enjoy stories about literary mysteries, ghostly pasts, and a setting teeming with secrets, Writers and Liars offers an interesting ride—just be prepared for some familiar twists and a pacing that’s a bit uneven. Still, it’s worth the trip for fans of cozy yet suspenseful mysteries.