I was totally absorbed into this book from the first few pages! It was truly exceptional and I couldn’t put it down. I was compulsive reading and I couldn’t stop and had to read to the end!

It was a gut punch of a thriller. Luca Veste delivers a fast-paced, unputdownable read with a twist that blindsided me and made me gasp out loud! I can’t wait for next book!

Luca Veste is back where he should be, in the Pool of Life! Yes, his new novel Liar Liar takes us back to where it all began, the wonderful city of Liverpool, and we are reunited with the duo from his early books, Murphy and Rossi, albeit in new roles. Disgraced cop Mark Fletcher wakes up beside a corpse and he must fight to prove his innocence while being pursued by his er stwhile colleagues and friends. Superb setting, great characters, tremendous plot, fabulous!

Liar Liar is pulse-pounding, gritty, and deeply unsettling. Veste’s writing is as lean and mean as ever. I went in thinking I had the twist figured out by the midpoint—I was dead wrong. If you like your thrillers with a side of moral ambiguity and a breakneck pace, this is your next obsession.

📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, Luca Veste and Avon Books UK📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚

Liar Liar is a taut, propulsive thriller that drops you straight into the wreckage of a man’s ruined life and never lets up. Mark Fletcher, once Liverpool’s golden‑boy detective, is now a pariah — disgraced, discredited, and drowning under accusations that have stripped him of everything he once was. That fall from grace gives the novel its emotional weight, because when he wakes in a hotel room beside a dead body, with no memory of the last twenty‑four hours, you feel the panic and disbelief right alongside him.

The setup is classic but handled with a sharp, modern edge. The evidence is damning, the timeline impossible to piece together, and the force he once served turns on him with chilling speed. What follows is a breathless cat‑and‑mouse chase through Liverpool’s criminal underbelly and its institutional shadows, where Fletcher must rely on instinct, fractured memory, and the remnants of a detective’s intuition to stay alive. The tension comes not just from the danger stalking him, but from the gnawing question of whether he can trust his own mind.

The novel shines in its moral complexity. Fletcher isn’t a clean‑cut hero — he’s bruised, bitter, and carrying the weight of past choices that make him both sympathetic and unpredictable. The city’s most notorious crime family looms over the narrative like a dark tide, and the possibility that Fletcher was framed — or manipulated — adds a delicious uncertainty to every encounter. Each twist feels earned, each revelation tightening the net around him until the truth becomes the only thing that might save him.

There’s a gritty, lived‑in quality to the writing that makes the chase feel immediate: back‑alley tension, institutional betrayal, and the sense of a man fighting not just for justice, but for the right to be believed. The hunter‑becomes‑the‑hunted arc is executed with real finesse, building to a finale that lands with both clarity and impact.

Dark, relentless, and full of razor‑edged suspense, Liar Liar is a gripping ride for readers who love flawed heroes, twisting loyalties, and thrillers that keep you questioning every character on the page.

With thanks to Luca Veste, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

Former police detective Mark Spencer has had a tough year - once he was considered Liverpool's hero after taking down a serial killer, but one bad decision changed everything. He chose to help a member of the area's most notorious crime family and lost everything - his girlfriend, his job and his reputation.

When Mark wakes up next to a dead body, with no recollection of how he got there or whether he even killed the stranger, but he knows how his former team works - and that he has only a few days at most to clear his name.

This was my first book by Luca Veste and I quite enjoyed it! The book was full of twists and turns, but the only thing really that stops me making it a 5* book is that I'm not sure anyone was particularly likeable in it. 4*.

An outstanding and unputdownable read that will be one of my top reads of the year. A superb crime thriller
with tremendous characters,

I really enjoyed this read. It’s based around Mark who has been suspended from the police force but then finds himself in a very tricky situation - the main problem is who can he trust?

After being suspended most of the team haven’t kept in touch so he doesn’t know if he can trust them or whether they’ll just let him go to prison for something he hasn’t done.

I loved how it all unfolded and the twists along the way, I was on the edge of my seat towards the end. And I will admit that the ending was not what I was expecting!

I must say that I do also feel like it’s a bit of a teaser for what’s to come next and I hope I’m right!

4 Stars from me

Mark Fletcher is a respected detective, with a bit of a hero complex. He literally stops at nothing in his quest to help people and bring criminals to justice. 

Unfortunately, despite this, his latest attempts to do good have gone horribly wrong and he finds himself firmly in the murky underworld that he has fought so hard to clean up.

Faced with a series of unwinnable situations, and mortal danger at every turn it is hard to see how he can even begin to convince his old colleagues that he is innocent. Waking up next to a dead body isn't a good look for anyone, let alone a disgrace ex-cop. 

Friends and allies are thin on the ground, whereas enemies and traps seem to be there for him in abundance. This is a fast and exciting read that will satisfy fans of thrillers - it reminded me a little of the early Simon Kernick books - so if that's your bag then I think you'll enjoy this one.

My thanks to the author, Netgalley and Avon Books UK for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Once upon a time, Mark Fletcher is hailed as one of Liverpool’s finest detectives but a mistake made out of concern leads to an accusation of being in the pocket of one of the city’s most powerful and notorious crime gangs,the Bonuccis. His life is on the skids, reputation and home life are gone but it’s going to get a whole lot worse when he wakes in a hotel room next to a dead man with zero memory of how he gets there. The evidence strongly points to him but he knows he didn’t do it and so he has to prove it if he’s going to survive.

This is a well connected, gritty and dark mystery thriller with danger seemingly around every corner, with threats that are tangible and situations that go from bad to worse for Mark. At times there’s a sense of strong claustrophobia his understandable paranoia, and panic are palpable. His scattered thoughts and speculations about his circumstances are done very effectively. Mark is a flawed character but my sympathies head entirely in his direction because his heart is in the right place although he treads a very fine line in order to save himself. Other characters both within the police force and the OCG (Organised Crime Group) feel authentic with shades of Scarface and The Godfather with the latter, probably inevitably! It’s very good on the dynamics within the crime organisation with all its ambitions, envy and menace in plain sight.

Liverpool and its surroundings provide an atmospheric setting and are most effectively in the plot. It’s an immersive, tense, suspenseful and twisty read, feeling like an action movie because there’s never a dull moment. It ramps up towards the end where everything falls into place. To be continued.

Overall, if you’re into thrillers then this is a good, addictive one.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Avon Books U.K. for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.

I’ve enjoyed Luca Veste’s previous books so I was happy to be able to read “Liar Liar”, his newest one, which is set in the city of Liverpool where many of his earlier novels were based.
Mark Fletcher is a suspended Police officer who has made some bad decisions but when he wakes up in a hotel room next to a dead body with no recollection of how he got there he knows that he is in big trouble. Unsure whether to call his ex colleagues or try and work out what has happened he makes the rash decision to go it alone which sends him running across Liverpool, not knowing whom to trust.
Running out of options and with the city’s biggest crime family on his heels he has to try and solve the murder before the police or the bad guys catch up with him.
This was a fast paced read which drew me in from the very first page and the descriptions of Liverpool really made the city come alive for me.
I liked Mark, a flawed character but someone who was trying to do the right thing. I also enjoyed reading about Jack, Murphy and Hashem, Mark’s former colleagues who were looking into another organised crime murder in one of the the houses owned by the “mafiaesque” family running the underworld of Liverpool. As the two cases coalesce, the story picks up pace and I raced to the end, wondering how it would all pan out for Mark.
The ending was a bit of a cliffhanger and I shall certainly be looking out for the next book in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

After the death of a member of a well-known criminal family, Detective Mark Fletcher finds himself suspended from duty, accused of some level of involvement. Life for the detective is spiraling out of control so when he wakes up in a hotel room with no recollection of how he got there and a dead body next to him, survival instincts take over. He knows he didn’t do it, but how can he prove his innocence? With his former colleagues looking for him alongside members of the infamous Bonucci family, can Mark really trust anyone to help him uncover the truth?

Liar Liar is the first in a new series from Liverpool author, Luca Veste, set in his home city. Luca certainly draws on his knowledge of the city and his own Italian heritage to create a tense, gritty thriller which, at times, had me holding my breath. Mark Fletcher is a flawed character who, despite his shortcomings, you want to see succeed. Although I did not agree with some of the decisions he made, you could see how he felt totally isolated, not knowing who he could trust.

Fans of the author’s previous Liverpool series will be thrilled to see a couple of cameo appearances from some very familiar characters. One, in particular, I am really intrigued to see the role they play in future books. The plot is fast-paced and had me hooked right from the start. I was not sure where we would be by the end of the book and was totally blindsided by the ending.

This is Luca Veste at his best and I hope that this is the first of many books to come!

I thought this was a suspenseful read, meeting the promise of being a thriller and having the right balance of descriptiveness to twists.

Thank you Avon Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

Luca Veste was a brand new author for me, not only had I never read anything by him, I'd never heard of him either.

What a fantastic book Liar Liar was!! It drops you right into the action from page 1 and was full of twists and turns but was also a slow gradual story that just kept building. Each time I thought I knew where it was going, I'd be taken in a completely different direction. I read it mostly in big chunks as it was so difficult to put down.

I loved the authors style of writing the descriptions really painted a picture in my mind and brought the story to life for me.

I found the characters likeable, well most of them but there are a few you're not meant to. In particular, the 2 main police officers had good chemistry and an easy way between them.

I'll definitely be looking up Luca Veste's back catalogue as I need to read more by this author.

This was a gritty crime read that felt as though it had very established background with the characters backstories to the extent that it felt as though there had been a previous book on the series even though this is the first. Mark is suspended from the Police for breaking the rules when he tried to help a member of the problematic Bonucci family in the hope she would give him information to bring them down but it backfired badly when she was murdered. Months later he wakes up in a hotel with no knowledge of how he got there but is certain he wasn't the one who killed the man laying dead next to him.

This takes place over a short time frame but with some flashbacks to explain how he found himself in this situation. Meanwhile his former colleagues Kirkham and Hesham are trying very hard to do everything by the book when investigating a body found buried in a back garden. There's some great descriptions of the different parts of Liverpool and the family dynamics within the Bonucci family add to the drama with two grandsons vying for their place at the head. As this mostly focuses on Mark's struggle to unravel what has happened and vindicate himself it does have a different feel to most crime reads but does make for a good series start. This definitely didn't go how I expected so I found it quite shocking in parts and it's definitely set up well for the next book.

Liar Liar is a gritty crime thriller set in Liverpool and centred on disgraced Detective Mark Fletcher .There is danger round every corner the Italian Crime Mob that rule Liverpool are chasing Mark. I know this is the first book in the series but I did feel that I had missed things from a previous book .At times the plot is suspenseful and exciting with an ending that suggests more is to come .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC

This is the first book I've read from Luca Veste and it definitely won't be the last. I really liked the writing style and it did keep me intrigued throughout. A couple of parts of the ending didn't really hit for me but I definitely didn't see the twist coming. Overall this was a very enjoyable read.

If you like fast paced thrillers that keep you guessing this one's for you

Huge thank you to the author, Netgalley, and the publisher for the ARC

Review of ‘Liar Liar’ by Luca Veste, due to be published on 4 June 2026 by Avon Books UK.

Book 1 of Liverpool Crime Series.

Detective Mark Fletcher has spiralled since he made the wrong decision, crossing a notorious crime family, the Bonucci’s, and getting himself suspended from work. When he wakes one morning in a hotel room he has no recollection of going into, with a dead body next to him, he panics. The evidence points to his involvement, but his gut knows he isn’t capable. Not knowing who to trust or where to go, Mark decides to run and try and clear his name. He finds himself hunted by those colleagues he called friends, the very people who have turned their backs on him. 

This was a stunning start to a new series.  You become completely invested in character outcomes, urging Mark on in his quest for answers.  

Detectives Jack Kirkham and Abs Hashem are well written, torn between helping a friend and following the rules. Set in Liverpool and the surrounding areas, locations are descriptive and up the tension levels. 

This is so much more than a police procedural.  It’s a high octane, dark and tense thriller with edge of your seat and breath holding plotlines. It’s exceptionally good! I can’t wait for the next instalment in this fabulous series.

One moment your top of your game everyone looks to you as a hero and the next your whole world tumbles around you. Can it get any worse for Mark. Well the answer is yes. Mark needs to figure out what happened before his colleagues get involved but is this possible

Really fast past. It kept me on the edge of my seat It certainly did not go the way I thought it would

Really throughly enjoyable read

Liar Liar is the first book in a new series by Luca Veste set in Liverpool and is an enjoyable crime thriller that bodes well for future episodes.

The story moves along at a decent page and the ending tees up book number 2 well.

Well worth reading.

***Contains Spoilers*** - I couldn't find a way to review it properly without them

This is my first of Luca's books but I have been intrigued ever since I took part in the cover reveal.

I'd read a few books before this that, whilst were okay, were a bit disappointing, so this had a lot of pressure on it to live up to the hype.

It's dark and tense and very atmospheric. We follow a handful of protagonists and whilst they're all morally grey - some closer to morally black - I was interested in their stories and thought they were written well.

Whilst it is a new story, there are apparently cameos from characters in other books and past cases mentioned, which meant I felt a bit on the back foot at times, like I had to read the others to make full sense of it.

I do wonder at times if there was too much going on. There's lots of substories going on, and then we've got his overarching, Godfather, mafia vibe that didn't quite hit the mark.

I am notoriously rubbish at working out the endings of thrillers and whodunnits so I didn't even try with this one, and I didn't feel the need to work it out because I enjoyed the route to get to the reveal. It's a good ending and it promises more to come. It wraps up most of what's gone on previously, but it suggests there's going to be more and it gets you excited for book two - which I am.

My must admit, I was a bit confused. The blurb and cover comments refer to Mark being blamed for everything and everyone thinks he's guilty and he struggled to persuade anyone he's not etc. But I didn't get that. For me, it felt he is worried about other people thinking he's guilty, but for the most part anyway, there's no real evidence of that. It's all in his own head. Which confused me slightly as the story then didn't match what I was expecting.

It's not the best thriller I've ever read, personally there were a few niggles. But I still very much enjoyed it and it had so much going for it. I would recommend it to thriller fans, particularly those that like books set around the criminal underworld. And I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for his other books.

This was a gripping read from start to finish. I was hooked really quickly and didn’t want to put it down.
The pacing is spot on, it keeps moving without losing you, and I found myself constantly trying to work out what was really going on. Just when I thought I had it figured out, it shifted again.
What stood out most for me was the ending. I genuinely didn’t expect it to go in that direction at all. It completely caught me off guard, which doesn’t happen often.
It’s dark, tense and keeps you questioning everything and everyone.
A really strong thriller that stays with you after you’ve finished. Definitely a 5 star read for me.

Liar liar is set in my second city in the UK. The book is brilliant and being able to see it unfold under the backdrop of familiar streets was the icing on the cake!

Liar Liar is the gripping first instalment in the Liverpool Crime Series. Detective Mark Fletcher is at a point where both his career and personal life are beginning to unravel. Suspended from work and struggling to hold things together, Fletcher is a person you quickly find yourself rooting for as he searches for answers to clear his name.
From the start the novel moves at a sharp, fast-paced rhythm that immediately pulls you in. Veste wastes no time in building tension, and with each chapter the stakes rise, creating a gritty, strong crime read that’s hard to put down. It’s also a real treat to see returning characters from earlier reads.
The introduction of the Bonucci family the Italian crime mob adds an extra layer of intrigue and menace, while the Liverpool setting gives the book a strong sense of place. Veste’s talent for character development shines throughout; he creates people you genuinely connect with, making the danger feel all the more real.
A standout element is the dynamic between Murphy and Hashem. Their chemistry is fantastic, and their banter provides welcome moments of lightness amid the darker themes.

Tense, twisty, and packed with surprises especially towards the end.Liar Liar delivers a satisfying conclusion while setting things up perfectly for book two. A great choice for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted, character driven crime thriller.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the Arc.

Reminded me very much of the recent drama This City is Ours about Liverpool gangsters and I loved that programme! Fast moving and tense throughout, I loved the LIverpool setting and the characters involved. Poor Mark, he went from one crisis to another, the man couldn't catch a break! Quite a few twists as you find out where people's true allegiances lie. I also loved the references to Liverpool soap Brookside which I am currently rewatching! I will definitely be reading the following books in the series.

It’s been a long time since I read a novel by Luca Veste, so I was keen to get my hands on this latest offering. Like his previous books, this one is set in Liverpool, and his knowledge of the city really shines through – with his vivid descriptions he creates an atmosphere you can almost feel. Liar, Liar is gritty and somewhat dark in places, with ample peril and desperate situations it had me on the edge of my seat. Being the first in a new series, there are a host of fresh characters (and a couple of old favourites…) to get to know. The dominant plotline is fascinating, and I really enjoyed the ‘Godfather’ element with each of the Bonucci family oozing menace and mayhem.

Aligned to the principal plot, there are frequent references to old cases, which whilst interesting, did at times make me feel as though I was missing some vital background knowledge. I wanted more detail particularly in relation to the key characters and their backstories, which are so intrinsic to the plot.

Overall, the book is well written and that cliffhanger ending has me geared up for book two.

Liar Liar by Luca Veste is the first novel in a new crime thriller series called, “The Liverpool Crime” series. Our protoganist is one Mark Fletcher, a former detective and now a man on the run, after he wakes up in a hotel room, beside a dead body with no recollection of the incident. DI Jack Kirkham and DS And Hashem, former colleagues and friends of Mark’s must now investigate and track him now. A gritty crime thriller, that is well-paced and makes for a compelling read. I thoroughly enjoyed Liar, Liar and am excited for the next book in the series.

Reading the blurb for “Liar Liar”, I knew the premise of having someone wake up by a dead body wasn’t new, but it was where it would go from there that mattered the most. A disgraced officer is the perfect person to face this situation. The premise had me interested. The writing is what hooked me.

Veste takes us on quite the adventure. Especially considering the cops investigating are not exactly quick to presume innocence. But once again, where it goes is what matters. And where Veste takes us had a shocking moment towards the end. I literally did not see that coming. You will know when you read it. It is not one of the popular contrived twists that is so frequent in today’s mystery/thriller genre. No, this one is a natural progression, but you won’t be prepared for it. On top of that, the emotional writing that follows is exquisite. Absolutely superb.

I’m definitely looking forward to the continuation of this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.

Okay. So. Confession time. I haven't read Luca Veste's Murphy and Rossi books. There. I said it. I know now, having read Liar Liar, his brand new Liverpool set police thriller, I need to remedy that sometime soon. If, like me, you are a newby to this particular world of policing, then never fear. Whilst there wil be a few names in this book familiar to many, and for whom it will no doubt be a welcome return, this book is self contained and not having been introduced to Murphy in advance was no hindrance. The name was vaguely familiar, and I understand now why, but he is not the star of the show. Not this time around.

The honour here falls to Mark Fletcher, a Detective who achieved some renown for capturing a serial killer but who has now found himself very much on the wrong side of the law. We meet Fletcher very early on in the book in a somewhat compromising situation and are faced with two very clear questions. Just who has (potentially) set him up and why the heck does he think going it alone to prove his innocence weill stand him in greater stead than leaning on the might of his colleagues in the police force to sort out this darkest of puzzles. Well the why of the latter question is answered very quickly, and the more we learn about Fletcher's personal circumstances, the more I understood his desire to go it alone. And, to be fair, it makes for a much better, and more actioned packed, threat laden story as a result.

I really enjoyed this book, tore through it in no time in fact. Police thrillers are one of my favourites when it comes to crime reads and Luca Veste has created a cracking team and a really fascinating case for the start of this series. I was glued to the whole story from the very first page and whilst Fletcher's arrogance in thinking he could outwit the bad guys caused many a raised eyebrow at times, there was a really part of me that was invested in his future and wanted to see him come good, even if I didn't believe he could. Luca Veste pitched his personality, his desperation and determination, just right and had me mentally cheering him on every bit as much as I was branding him a fool and willing him to turn to his friends for help. There are reasons why that is problematic, and it adds tension to an already perplexing and on edge case, but still. Going rogue never works out well for anyone, does it?

I liked the characters in this book, particularly DI Jack Kirkham and DS And Hashem who find themselves in the unenviable position of trying to track down a colleague and former very close friend. I'll admit it took a little time to warm to Kirkham perhaps, but largely because I was rooting for Fletcher and knew that Kirkham's black and white view if the investigation and the rights and wrongs of Fletcher's past were going to put them at odds. that said, I like how the author played this and as the police investigation progresses, there is a moment in time when things turn and my opinions, and theirs, turned with it. They do make for a compelling partnership and I look forward to seeing how this develops over the course of the next few books.

This is a clear crime gang themed story and I was caught unawares at times just how twisted a tale this was. Not everything was as it seemed on the surface and the author pulls more than the odd blinder in the delivery of this case. A story of misdirection and retribution, it had me from the start, stunned me at the end and had me very excited for book two. Definitely recommended and if you are a long term fan of the author from his early days, I think you are going to love this.

Oh my goodness. What an amazing read. A great storyline about the police and the Liverpool underworld. I was hooked from the beginning and have binge read it, never really wanting to get to the end, but desperate to know how things turned out. It was so well written, and such a carefully constructed plot. Worth more than 5 stars. I shall be certainly exploring Lica Veste’s back catalogue.Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Liar, Liar by Luca Vester I book 1 in the Liverpool crime series and the first book from the author I have read and Wow what a fantastic introduction to this author.
Detective Mark Fletcher was one of the top detectives in the city of Liverpool until he made a decision that got him suspended.
He wakes up in a hotel room, and he finds himself lying in next to a dead body. He doesn’t remember how he got there or who the person lying dead next to him, but evidence shows that it was him.
He wants to find out what and why he is in this predicament, but he op tr know who to trust. His old work colleagues hasn’t contacted since he has been suspended. And he thinks that he in deep water because something he did to the local crime gang the Bonucci family. He contacts his old friend who Sean to help him. But things don’t go to plan.
This is a tense. gritty, action-packed and fast paced page turner that I couldn’t stop reading. It is fantastic read. The storyline is atmospheric in the setting of Liverpool and has great characters and I was really routing for Mark all the way through. I am excited to see how this series pans out and see what happened to the Bonucci family. 5 stars from me.

Liar Liar was a fabulously tense and atmospheric police procedural, crime thriller. Addictive reading at it's best. And I love a police procedural. Right from the start this was action packed, delivering a high octane thrilling ride for the reader. I hadn't read any previous books by Luca Veste and I immediately want to go and read more....always a good sign! This is book 1 The Liverpool Crime series and I know it is going to be a new obsession. I love coming in right at the start of a series.

We meet Mark Fletcher, a suspended police detective, who has fallen from grace. Mark had a stellar career in the police force but poor decisions he made on case involving the notorious crime family, the Bonucci's has lead to him being discredited, and stripped of everything he once was. When he wakes in a hotel room beside a dead body, with no memory of the last twenty‑four hours, the panic is palpable. This element of the story was emotional. You can really sense how horrific this must be for Mark. He is in a sorry state of affairs and is lost to how to fix things.

Alongside this storyline, Mark's former colleagues and friends, DI Jack Kirkham and DS Abs Hashem, are investigating a dead body found buried in a garden that may be linked to the Bonucci's. There's a lot going on, but that really helps cement in the readers mind a chaotic and wild storyline, but remains easy and enjoyable to follow.

The development of the characters really shone through in this. Even for a 1st book in a series you really get to know the main players, get inside their heads as they make decisions about the cases and take actions that leave you breathless wondering how things are going to work out. The dyamic between Kirkham and Hashem was a lovely feature in the book, introduced some light hearted banter amongst the dark and propulsive storyline.

The setting in Liverpool was also a standout element of the book. I've never been there but the descriptions were brilliant. I felt like I was on the streets with the characters and the city came alive on the page.

The crime gang themed story played out so blindingly well There was plenty of misdirection and red herrings to keep the reader on their toes. It was enthralling and exciting. The story is told over a dual timeline, going back nine months to see the background to Mark's decisions and seeing how is downfall came about, and then into the present where everything plays out in front of our eyes.

Simply Brilliant and Highly recommended. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Thank you to the author, Avon and Netgalley for this brilliant ARC.

Mark Fletcher, once one of Liverpool's finest detectives, is now mingling with the people he enjoyed putting behind bars. Liverpool's finest... criminals.

Following a triumphant case in which he was due to be promoted, Mark finds himself helping a woman in need, without following protocol. When things go drastically wrong, he has nowhere to turn, and he is suspended from his role. His friend and colleague Jack Kirkham is promoted in his place.

With nothing to do and nowhere to go he begins drinking heavily.

Months later, he is thinking that he should at least try to get his life back on track and try to get himself out of the pit of despair he has found himself in, when once again things go drastically wrong for him.

He wakes up next to a dead body with no recollection of how he got there, but certain he had nothing to do with the presumed murder.

Now very much on the wrong side of the law, Mark knows that he should call it in, or at the very least ask one of his former colleagues for help. But Mark doesn't really know who is still on his side, and believing things possibly can't get any worse, he engages the help of a lifelong friend instead.

The trouble is that Sean, Mark's lifelong friend, has been on the wrong side of the law for as long as Mark can remember. They have agreed to disagree over the years, and since Mark joined the Police force and got promoted, their paths haven't really crossed 'professionally'.

Until now, they have kept a respectful distance from each other.

Mark knows that in this situation, Sean is the only person who can really help him.

The trouble is that Mark doesn't know just how involved Sean is with the wrong people, and that he may just have made his most costly decision to date…

This is my first boom by Luca Veste but not my last.

I love a crime book and it being set in Liverpool is fantastic. I love how modern and current the writing is. The book is multi POV which i admit i struggle with at first but once i learn the characters its easier to follow, but as i said that is a big ME problem!!

The story was past paced and kept me reading along. Poor Mark is going through it and i cant wait for book 2 if there is gonna be more twists!
Reading a few other reviews i learned that some of the characters have come from other books of Lucas so i will need to do some investigating and read those.

Mark Fletcher, a disgraced Liverpool detective, wakes up in a hotel room next to a dead body. Problem is, he can’t remember anything of the last 24 hours.

But he wants to uncover the truth and prove his innocence, so a cat and mouse chase across Liverpool ensues as he needs to keep 2 steps ahead of the police and the people he believes are framing him - Liverpool's most notorious crime family.

A great thriller to kick off The Liverpool Crime Series.

A great start to a new series!

This was totally bingeable and easy to read. It flowed well and the pacing worked for me. Solid thriller, just what I needed! I would definitely reread this thriller.

A gripping crime thriller set in Liverpool with great characters. I really enjoyed this one and am very pleased it's the start of a new series!

★★★★☆

Liar Liar by Luca Veste is a strong start to a brand-new series and a must-read for fans of police procedurals and gangland crime fiction. The story pulls you in quickly with its gritty atmosphere, sharp pacing, and plenty of tension throughout. The blend of detective work, corruption, and mafia-related drama keeps the stakes high and the pages turning.

The characters are compelling, especially the lead investigators, and the criminal underworld feels believable without overshadowing the procedural side of the story. While a few plot points were slightly predictable, the overall execution was gripping and entertaining.

If you love police procedurals, gang/mafia-related books, and fast-paced crime thrillers, you’ll definitely enjoy this first book in the series.

I absolutely love Luca Veste! I am never disappointed by his books and this has to be one of my favourites!
A slower start but definitely worth sticking with, such a gripping and tense detective mystery that is a must read for all crime lovers.
A very promising start for this new series, I cant wait to see what else is to come for Detective Mark Fletcher!

4.25 stars.

I've enjoyed Luca Veste's writing in the past, so I couldn't resist adding this first book of a new crime thriller series straight away. The premise of Liar Liar only signed the deal for me with that organized crime angle and the main character being framed for a murder he didn't commit... I have been looking forward to pick it up, and it ended up being exactly the action-packed and fast-paced crime thriller that I was craving. Flawed and morally gray characters to the win!

What I didn't realize was that this new series actually includes some of the characters featured in the DI Murphy and DS Rossi books, which I admit I haven't had the chance to read yet. Thankfully Liar Liar can quite easily be read as a stand-alone as well, although there are some short references being made to that series throughout the book... And it's definitely made me want to go back and read that series. I really enjoyed the Liverpool setting, and I could appreciate what it added to the plot. The city sure made for a great backdrop for this story.

Liar Liar uses a multiple POV structure, switching between multiple characters along the way to help create a very dynamic plot. There are multiple flashbacks as well that will eventually help explain why Mark finds himself in his current situation... Because it is his character that stands out the most: a disgraced former detective being framed for a murder he didn't commit. A lot of people already think the worst of him after what happened, so he decides he can't trust his former colleagues and wants to find out the truth himself. Morally gray character indeed! The other POVs all added a little something to the plot as well, but it was Mark's POV that was the most compelling.

It's hard to properly talk about the plot without giving away possible spoilers, but what I can say is that the plot advances with a neck breaking speed and it is extremely easy to turn page after page. Mark's whole situation is dire to say the least, meaning plenty of moments of action, danger and near escapes. The organized crime angle was an added bonus, as it is something I always enjoy in crime thrillers. The twists were well executed as well, and there was a big one involving Mark's character that I never saw coming. It has made me even more curious to see how this series continues in the future!

In short, if you are looking for your next crime thriller series with plenty of action, a fast pace and intriguing characters, I can highly recommend Liar Liar. It's made me want to go back and read the DI Murphy and DS Rossi books though!

A detective makes a wrong decision for the right reasons and ends up suspended from his force. Virtually no support from colleagues or senior officers leaves him adrift slowly sinking into an abyss of depression and despair. A night without any memory leaves him in a hotel bedroom next to a dead body. What follows is a last ditch attempt to clear his name, evade the silent perpetrators following his every move and an effort to make sense and reason of the last 24 hours that remain a total blank. An impressive life or death chase where some of the facts clarify how he has ended up with a price on his head emerge. However a force of evil is heading his way bringing a conclusion the stuff of nightmares. An effective good versus evil thriller in which the threads linking the various characters are as devious and twisted as the links between protagonists and perpetrators. Sometimes the best conclusions are not necessarily of the happy ever after kind.

If this is the shape of things to come with this series, I cannot wait for the next instalment. Exciting, dark and the ssense of place makes this shine.

Set in Liverpool (with plenty of reference to the city's various famous places and pop music groups) golden boy Detective Mark Fletcher finds himself waking up next to a dead body, presumably shot, in a hotel room. Furthermore, he is completely unable to remember how and why he was in the hotel room and he is off to find out what happened.

At the same time his ex colleagues are on another case, a body found buried in the garden owned by the Liverpool Bonucci family. - a typical Mafia type family with some stereotypical male family members.

The whole book is fast paced, police procedural action novel, slightly chaotic at times, with Mark trying to clear his name and the rest of the Liverpool murder team clearing up their various bodies. All seemingly in parallel to Mark's efforts.

Very enjoyable and apparently there is a sequel?

Thanks to Net Galley and Avon Books UK for the chance to read and review.

that feeling when a character is meant to be innocent but all those around them thinks they are a suspect automatically add intrigue and tension. it propels you into needing to know more and what will happen next.
Mark Fletcher is the character we follow in this book. and what a way to be introduced to the man! he once was the hot shot detective. he was applauded for his work in the force. but suddenly this is no longer the case. and hes now linked to a notorious crime family. from the detective who was praised to the one who is shunned feels like its taken everything hes worked for everything he is from him in one fowl swoop. how could things possibly feel worse. weeeelllll...
because then he wakes up next to a body. yes, yes, you guessed it. he wakes next to a very dead body. but hes no idea how he got here or what happened to get him here. crikey. you can truly feel the spiral and the anxiety going on for him in those moment. that panic felt like it was thrumming off the pages. he knows hes going to be prime suspect. so he also knows he needs to find out what happened. he flees.
we also then see another two detectives Kirkham and Hashem. they are discovering the scene of another dead man. and he might just be connected to the crime family Fletcher was involved with.
and so the threads continue to tie and loosen from all over the place. what are the connections? what are red herring? what and how does this fit together with all the players in this game?
you can really feel and rally for Fletcher at this point. hes had alot hit him and hes not hiding the fact its hit him hard. but hes still out there seeking truths and now it means his literal life is on the line hes even more determined. but rightly so very afraid at the same time. it felt good to be able to root for a disgraced policeman and i have to admit i was still waiting for the shoe to drop with him even then!
this is such a gripping read. i couldn't wait to keep reading and became more and more excited to do so the more i read. and then it became very clear i wouldn't be putting this down until id finished and found out how all the pieces fit together.

Book 1 of Liverpool Crime Series, although there are characters who have been in previous novels by this author. Once a highly respected detective Mark Fletcher is currently on suspension from duty, after he made a terrible error in judgment, and somebody died. This is a fast paced read, with quite a lot of scene setting, and introducing an exciting and engaging set of characters.

Briefly, Fletcher’s life has descended into a haze of alcohol until one morning he wakes up in an hotel room with a dead man beside him. He knows he is going to be the prime suspect, in fact he remembers nothing so even he isn’t sure, so he runs from the room determined to find out what actually happened. That same day workmen digging up a garden discover a body. When Detectives Jack Kirkham and Abs Hashem discover the identity of the dead man they realise there is a connection to the Bonucci Crime Organisation who run Liverpool’s underworld.

Both the police detectives and Fletcher are struggling to make headway in this brutal police procedural crime thriller. The battle for control between two members of the Bonucci organisation is well drawn and Fletcher as the main protagonist is perfect, flawed by his experiences but deep down still fighting for the truth. Some good twists and turns and an exciting plot with a satisfying conclusion. I’ll definitely be looking out for book 2 in the series.

I'm a longstanding fan of Luca Veste, and this book did not let me down!

It's a razor-sharp, edge-of-your-seat thriller set in Liverpool, where you feel immediately plunged into Mark Fletcher's life, which is in tatters. Once he wakes up in a hotel room next to a body with no memory of what happened, you just know that you are in for a treat as the plot takes us into the dark underworld of the Bonucci family, a notorious Liverpudlian gang.

The story is full of dark twists, intensely atmospheric, and kept me gripped right through to the end!

A fabulous start to a new series.

Suspended Detective Mark Fletcher wakes up in a hotel room next to a dead body. Convinced he wasn’t to blame he sets out to prove his innocence.

Mark’s estranged colleagues begin an investigation into a body found in a garden and then when the body in the hotel is discovered they begin to link them back to the mafia like Bonucci crime family and Mark.

The book then follows the official Police investigation and Mark’s unofficial one.

The writing brings the setting to life and as a Scouser I could really picture the areas being described. The city of Liverpool was brought to life along with its humour.

Well developed characters with flaws as well as redeeming qualities and a cameo from Murphy and Rossi.

A gritty police procedural mixed with the warmth and humour of Liverpool and its people.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am eagerly awaiting the next instalment.

This will appeal to both Luca Veste’s loyal following as well as new readers and fans of the TV series This city is ours.

Liar Liar is the fastpaced, high octane beginning of a new series that will have you wanting more .

The book is gripping from beginning to the final chapter and your jaw will drop with a surprising twist.

Mark Fletcher is trying to get his life back after being disgraced . He is morally complex and it at times I was not sure about Mark but he won me over as he desperatley tries to clear his name while on the run.

Liverpool itself is a character unto itself. The descriptions are so vivid and I felt like I was right there.

Liar Liar is totally bingeable and after the last chapter I wanted more and cant wait to read what happens next in the series. I will be one of the first in line to get my copy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK/ Avon.

Suspended police detective Mark Fletcher wakes up one morning, disoriented and feeling terrible. As he revives himself he realises he’s in a room he doesn’t recognise and then to his absolute horror, sees a dead man next to him. The normal thing would be to immediately call the police and report it. However, as he is already in a difficult situation with his colleagues he thinks they won’t believe he hasn’t killed the man so he panics and leaves the room. His desperation and every move he makes after that just goes to put himself into more trouble. He feels he has no-one he can ask for help. As this rollercoaster of a story develops the fear and trepidation pour off the pages as Mark discovers that he is in a no win situation, with both the police and extremely dangerous people after him. A clever and well thought out book that had me desperate to find out the ending and with final shocking twists that I didn’t see coming.

Suspended police detective Mark Fletcher wakes to find himself in a hotel room with a dead body beside him. He has no recollection of how he got there. but knows deep down that it must be connected to the Bonucci family, a notorious Liverpool crime family.

Most authors would begin a novel with a shocking scene to grip the reader. That wasn't good enough for Luca Veste, Liar Liar opens with three scenes that immediately grab your attention and have you wondering how everything is connected. As the author takes us on a tour of his home city, we are kept in suspense as to how the crimes are linked.

The main character, Mark Fletcher, had a successful career as a detective, a career that was derailed when he became involved with a member of the Bonucci clan. It is impossible not to feel sympathetic towards Mark; ten months ago, he made an error in judgement, resulting in his suspension, and he's still living with the consequences. Now, someone seems set on retribution, and Mark has no idea why. As he races to find out who is responsible, you are kept on the edge of your seat. The pace is blistering and danger is never far away. Throughout, it felt as if menace was lurking around every corner; the Bonucci family has its tentacles in every aspect of life in Liverpool. You can feel the fear; people are terrified of even mentioning the family, worried that punishment will follow.

As Mark races to find answers, his colleagues are trying to investigate another crime involving the family. When it becomes clear the cases are linked, Mark has to try to remain one step ahead of them, as well as those out to get him. His colleagues are filled with disbelief; the man they know isn't a killer, but it's difficult to explain away the evidence in front of them.

There are twists galore; I certainly didn't predict the two towards the end. One of them filled me with sadness; however, it provides a hook for what promises to be a fantastic series. I'm eagerly looking forward to the next instalment in the Liverpool Crime series.

When a decorated detective whose crowning glory was catching a serial killer wakes up next to a dead body, his life can't possibly get any worse... but Mark Fletcher's nightmare is only just beginning in Luca Veste's latest Liverpool-based crime thriller that cements the author's reputation for page-turning twists married with a local's-eye view of Liverpool that never ignores the darker side of the city.

It's a cracker of a book, and one that Veste clearly loved writing -- you can feel that energy crackle from the page as he continually twists the knife in Fletcher's narrative, forcing him to confront not just the people who framed him but his own complicity in what led him to this darkest of places. His connections to the Bonnuci crime family -- expertly sketched by Veste with their conflicting Italian and Liverpudlian heritage leading to fractures within their own unit -- are brilliantly realised, too, and Fletcher's journey into the city's underworld presents a living, breathign portrait of streets and places most tourists wouldn't dare venture.

I've always been a fan of Veste's work, but this latest is an absolute cracker and one no crime fiction fan can afford to miss.