Patry Francis, The Liar's Diary

The Liar's Diary

Patry Francis

Dutton, Feb 207, $24.95

ISBN: 0525949909

In Bridgeway, thirty-seven-year-old school secretary Jeanne Cross is unhappy with her life, especially with her spouse Gavin who controls everything through psychological and economic manipulations. She is also concerned over the behavior of their teenage son Jamie, but Gavin ignores her as boys will be boys. Jeanne has never defied Gavin on anything until vibrant, forty-six-year-old new teacher Alice "Ali" Mather arrives in town. Jeanne makes friends with the newcomer over the objection of her husband.

Ali's lan gives Jeanne renewed hope that she could find something to lift her spirits. The repressed female also knows she envies her new pal's ability to remain upbeat and seemingly live life to the fullest. As Gavin objects and threatens his wife, Ali hops into one sordid incident after another, leaving a sad Jeanne to wonder whether her staid existence is superior to the fulfilled life of her friend, though she admits morality is boringly tedious. Now Ali insists someone is breaking into her home, but stealing nothing. When murder occurs, evidence points at Jamie shaking up further his already confused mom.

This is a chilling, psychological suspense thriller told by Jeanne who is shocked and awed with the freedom and spirit of the newcomer. The storyline is character-driven as the prim and proper Cross family hides their individual vulnerabilities and obsessions from the world, but readers know them due to Jeanne's account. The intrusion and murder mystery add depth to an entreating look at disturbed individuals in which the audience will be stunned by realistic fascinating Gestalt-like twists in which the obvious is not necessarily the truth.

Harriet Klausner