Liar’s Creek by Matt Goldman

Liar’s Creek by Matt Goldman
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Riverwood, Minnesota is a scenic town threaded with trout streams carving their way through limestone bluffs. But beneath its picturesque facade, danger runs rampant.

Clay Hawkins isn’t a stranger to the secrets of his hometown. After twenty years away, Clay has recently returned home from abroad with his twelve-year-old son, and his relationship with his father, the recently replaced sheriff, is as strained as ever.

But when Clay’s beloved uncle disappears, the three generations of Hawkinses must overturn every stone in Riverwood and confront deep familial wounds to find the one person who brings them together. As danger looms, Clay worries that it might be too late to save his uncle―and that the rest of the family might be next.

In “Liar’s Creek,” the author creates a vivid atmosphere in Riverwood, Minnesota, where the limestone bluffs and trout streams feel like characters themselves. If you enjoy mysteries with a strong sense of place, the beautiful scenery is a standout feature.

At its heart, the novel is a raw exploration of multi-generational friction and the deep-seated wounds that define the Hawkins family. The strained relationships between Clay Hawkins, his 12-year-old son Braedon, and Clay’s father, former sheriff Judd Hawkins, feel real and emotional. As they search for their missing uncle, Teddy, they confront past wounds, adding depth to the suspense.

Clay’s relationship with his father is especially complex. They join forces to find Teddy, a charming but unreliable man who has gone missing before. This time, however, he hasn’t reached out to his wife or Judd. As the plot unfolds, Judd is hesitant to involve the new sheriff, Chief Zoey Jensen. Clay has his own secrets, which Judd suspects and Zoey will soon discover, but for now, their priority is finding Teddy. Braedon is an intelligent and intuitive boy who shares a close bond with his Grandpa Judd, as readers will find out, a connection Clay never had. Judd seems to be trying to make up for his past shortcomings as a father by nurturing his relationship with Braedon. Will the connection with his grandson help bridge the gap between him and Clay?

The backstory reveals that Clay and Judd’s relationship has always been troubled. After Clay’s mother passed away from breast cancer when he was young, Judd blamed Clay for her death. As they confront their shared past, Clay realizes he wants to break the cycle of dysfunction, especially since Braedon’s mother left when he was just a baby, never to be heard from again.

Overall, “Liar’s Creek” presents a captivating, easy-to-read storyline, even if some sections feel slow. The transition from a mystery to a heartfelt story about forgiveness and redemption is satisfying, even if the interpersonal drama sometimes overshadows the plot of finding Uncle Teddy.

Ultimately, “Liar’s Creek” masterfully blends slow-burn mystery with family dynamics. It goes beyond tackling the darkness of the past and offers a hopeful vision for the future, making it a rewarding read for those who appreciate stories filled with suspense, redemption, and the complex bonds of family.