Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Liar
- Author: Nora Roberts
- Narrator: January LaVoy
- Length: 16:35:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 14/04/2015
- Publisher: Brilliance Audio
- Genre: Romance, Mystery
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
There’s something about a good audiobook that feels like a companion on a long road trip – especially when it’s a tale as gripping as “Liar” by Nora Roberts, brought to life by the masterful narration of January LaVoy. I stumbled upon this one while driving through the winding backroads of Tennessee, the kind of place where secrets seem to linger in the air like morning mist. The story unfolds like a map revealing hidden paths, and LaVoy’s voice became my guide, pulling me deep into Shelby Foxworth’s unraveling world.
It reminds me of a time when I was camped out in the Atacama Desert, listening to “One Hundred Years of Solitude”. The surreal landscape stretched out endlessly, and the narrator’s voice wove magic into the solitude. With “Liar”, it’s a different kind of magic – less fantastical, more grounded in the raw, human ache of betrayal. Shelby’s journey hit me hard. She’s a woman who thought she knew her life, only to find the man she loved was a phantom, a liar who left her drowning in debt and doubt. As someone who’s spent years chasing stories across continents, I’ve met my share of people wearing masks. Shelby’s discovery of her husband’s multiple IDs in that safe-deposit box felt like peeling back layers of a stranger I thought I knew – a feeling I once had in a bustling mercado in Oaxaca, when a vendor’s warm smile hid a sharper tale.
The audiobook experience here is pure immersion. Roberts crafts a slow burn of a plot, a fuse sizzling with suspense that erupts into a nail-biting climax. You can almost feel the humidity of Shelby’s Tennessee hometown, taste the bitter coffee she sips as she pieces together her husband’s lies, hear the creak of the porch swing where she finds fleeting comfort. The romance and mystery intertwine seamlessly – Griff Lott, the contractor who steps into her life, brings a rugged charm that balances the tension, while the lurking danger keeps you on edge. It’s the kind of story that makes you glance over your shoulder, even when you’re safe in your own car.
January LaVoy’s narration is the heartbeat of this audiobook. Her voice carries the weight of Shelby’s grief, the spark of her resilience, and the warmth of those small-town connections with such authenticity. I think back to those evenings in Oaxaca, listening to a grandmother spin tales with perfect timing and silence that spoke louder than words. LaVoy has that same gift – she knows when to let a moment breathe, when to quicken the pace as danger closes in. Her Southern inflections wrap around Roberts’ prose like a familiar blanket, making every character feel real, every twist more urgent. The audio quality is crisp, too – no distracting background hums, just pure storytelling that fills the space around you.
What I love most about “Liar” is how it captures the messiness of human connection. Shelby’s transformation from a widow lost in illusions to a woman reclaiming her life is raw and relatable. Griff’s steadiness offers hope, but it’s not a fairy-tale fix – there’s real grit here, the kind I’ve seen in people rebuilding after life’s storms. The mystery keeps you guessing, too. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, Roberts tosses in another curve – those secrets Shelby’s husband left behind are a Pandora’s box, and the danger they unleash feels chillingly close.
That said, it’s not flawless. The pacing drags a bit in the middle, like a road trip where the scenery starts to blur. Some of the secondary characters – like Shelby’s family – could’ve been fleshed out more; they feel like pit stops rather than destinations. And while LaVoy’s narration is stellar, there are moments where the tension could’ve been dialed up even higher to match the stakes. Still, these are minor bumps on an otherwise thrilling ride.
If you’ve enjoyed Roberts’ other works like “The Witness” or Lisa Gardner’s suspenseful twists, “Liar” will feel like a natural fit. It’s got that same blend of heart and edge, amplified by LaVoy’s performance. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves a romance that doesn’t shy away from shadows or a mystery that keeps you hooked through the night. It’s perfect for a long drive, a quiet evening, or anytime you want a story that lingers like the scent of rain on asphalt.
Listening to “Liar” brought me back to those moments of discovery – whether it’s a hidden gem in a foreign market or a truth buried in someone’s past. It’s a reminder of why I chase stories: they connect us, unravel us, transform us. Shelby’s journey felt personal, like she was whispering her fears and triumphs right into my ear. And with LaVoy’s voice as the bridge, it’s an audiobook experience that’s as vivid as the world outside my window.
Until the next tale calls us down the road,
Marcus Rivera
