DNF: The Good Liar by Nicholas Searle

I have strong opinions about reading books that don’t capture my attention.  Yet, I agreed to read this particular title for a book tour, so I felt it necessary to give it a second try.  Initially, I stopped reading around page 65.  Picking it up a second time, I read another 60 pages.  Unfortunately, my opinion didn’t waver.  Rather, I became frustrated even more.

I feel it important to share my initial reasons for reading and why I ultimately decided to put it down.

Why I Wanted to Read it: 

• Compared to Patricia Highsmith’s writing, I was quite instantly intrigued
• A story about a veteran con artist who thinks he’s found another victim. Yet, both have secrets that need to be forgiven.

Why I Stopped Reading/Did Not Finish (DNF)

• This novel, dubbed a literary suspense, jumped all over the place in time and location. Normally, this isn’t an issue, but…
• I had zero connection with any of the characters. Even Betty, a wealthy widow, failed to capture my attention or sympathy
• The prose was quite….profuse.  Clearly the writer’s style, there was so much descriptive text when it didn’t matter, and not enough when it did.

The first time I put it down (ok, I nearly threw it across the airplane I was traveling on), I consulted the comments of other readers. Nearly all of them indicated that once they got over the dull bits, it picked up in pacing and interest.  However, I felt after reading almost half of the book, without it captivating me at all, I felt my decision had been made.

In cases like these, when I don’t finish a book, I don’t ever state a recommendation to read it, or not. It’s quite possible that it picked up at the end, but unfortunately I didn’t have the patience to continue.  So, take my comments for what they are, my opinion.