04 June 2025

What a chilling, emotionally charged, and deeply satisfying read! The Liar’s Girl is a gripping psychological thriller that effortlessly blends suspense with heartache, and Catherine Ryan Howard’s sharp writing makes it impossible to put down.

At the heart of the novel is Alison Smith, a woman who’s spent the past decade trying to rebuild her life after her boyfriend, Will Hurley, confessed to being Dublin’s infamous Canal Killer. Just as she’s found some sense of peace, she’s dragged back to the very place—and person—she’s tried to forget. The premise alone is captivating: a serial killer ex-boyfriend who might not have acted alone, a new murder eerily similar to the old ones, and a reluctant reunion that threatens to destroy whatever stability Alison has managed to create.

Howard builds tension as she peels back the layers of the past, moving between timelines to gradually expose the complex web of secrets and betrayals. The emotional depth of Alison’s journey really stands out. Her struggle to reconcile who Will was to her with what he became is heartbreaking and utterly believable. It’s rare to find a thriller that explores trauma, memory, and identity with such sensitivity while still delivering all the twists and turns readers crave.

What also elevates this novel is the subtle commentary on trust—how it’s earned, how it’s broken, and how dangerous it can be to place it in the wrong hands. The setting of Dublin’s canals adds a haunting atmosphere, making the mystery feel even more claustrophobic and urgent.

By the end, The Liar’s Girl left me both satisfied and stunned. The truth, as the blurb hints, really is so much worse—but in the best way for fans of psychological suspense. If you enjoy intelligent thrillers with emotional weight and a killer twist (or two), this book is absolutely worth your time.