THE LIAR’S DIARY Blog Day!
Some of you might have read about my fellow Backspacer, Patry Francis. I blogged about Patry’s debut novel, THE LIAR’S DIARY, in December.
What I didn’t mention is that Patry was very recently diagnosed with cancer. It’s an aggressive form, and she’s already had a number of surgeries. Thankfully, her prognosis is good. Today, January 29, 2008, the softcover edition of THE LIAR’S DIARY hits the shelves. Because Patsy needs all of her energy to recuperate, a whole boatload of authors are spreading the word about THE LIAR’S DIARY.
The hardback edition came out last year, to excellent reviews, including this from Publishers Weekly, Galley Talk:
“I was hesitant to start Patry Francis’s debut novel, The Liar’s Diary, as mysteries are not usually my first choice. However, I was drawn in after just a few pages. The novel starts off with two very unlikely women who are vastly different becoming friends. As it progresses, it becomes an obsessive love story and murder mystery. You won’t see the disturbing ending coming. Francis, who is a three-time Pushcart Prize nominee for her short fiction, does a great job at illustrating the complex relationships that can occur with friends, lovers, and children. This is a quirky, well-written and well-constructed mystery with an edge to it. It reminded me of Sarah Dunant’s venture from historical fiction into darker waters in Transgressions. Customers who enjoyed Kate Atkinson’s Case Closed or Eden Collinsworth debut roman a clef set in the publishing world, It Might Have Been What He Said, will enjoy discovering this new novelist. “
Check out the awesome book trailer for THE LIAR’S DIARY:
The official synopsis, you ask? Here ’tis:
When new music teacher Ali Mather enters Jeanne Cross’s quiet suburban life, she brings a jolt of energy that Jeanne never expected. Ali has a magnetic personality and looks to match, drawing attention from all quarters. Nonetheless, Jeanne and Ali develop a friendship based on their mutual vulnerabilities THE LIAR’S DIARY (Plume/February 2008/ISBN 978-0-452-28915-4 /$14.00) is the story of Ali and Jeanne’s friendship, and the secrets they both keep.
Jeanne’s secrets are kept to herself; like her son’s poor report card and husband’s lack of interest in their marriage. Ali’s secrets are kept in her diary, which holds the key to something dark: her fear that someone has been entering her house when she is not at home. While their secrets bring Jeanne and Ali together, it is this secret that will drive them apart. Jeanne finds herself torn between her family and her dear friend in order to protect the people she loves.
A chilling tour of troubled minds, THE LIAR’S DIARY questions just how far you’ll go for your family and what dark truths you’d be willing to admit—even to yourself.
See why New York Daily News says THE LIAR’S DIARY is “Outright chilling,” and why Tess Gerristen, bestselling author of The Mephisto Club says the book is “A twisting ride full of dangerous curves and jaw-dropping surprises. This is one of my favorite reads of the year!” You can purchase The Liar’s Diary at Amazon, B&N, Booksense, and fine bookstores near you.
Edited to add: My god of writing, Neil Gaiman, has blogged about Patry and the enormous effort happening today. I (heart) Neil!
And for more about Patry, please check out LitPark.
