An Imperfect Truth

April 18, 2016
Psychiatrist Claire Roget, the heroine of this middling series debut from British author Masters (Recalled to Death and five other Martha Gunn mysteries), is unsettled when she receives an invitation from Jerome Barclay, “one of her more worrying” former patients, to his wedding—delivered to her home in Stoke-on-Trent. Claire, who hasn’t seen Barclay in two years, can’t help wondering what his intentions toward his new bride could be, as well as his new in-laws, who are recent lottery winners. Claire later discovers that Barclay is somehow influencing other vulnerable patients under her care. Without solid proof that Barclay is committing any crime, Claire finds herself playing a tense cat-and-mouse game with her ex-patient, who holds the upper hand at every turn. An interesting cast of damaged characters fills the hospital where Claire works, but she demonstrates too much personal responsibility for Barclay and is exasperatingly naïve for a trained psychiatrist. A twist ending leaves the door open for further adventures.

May 1, 2016
Forensic psychiatrist Claire Roget (introduced in A Plea of Insanity, 2005) worries about her responsibility for the actions of patients she deems dangerous. Her top concern is cunning psychopath Jerome Barclay, who, she believes (but is unable to prove), killed his brother and parents as well as her predecessor at Greatbach Secure Psychiatric Unit. Concern mounts when Barclay calls her a worthy sparring partner, inviting her to his wedding (to the daughter of newly rich lottery winners) and displaying intimate knowledge of, and influence over, several of her patients. But her colleagues think her obsessive about Barclay, as she tries to determine who among them has leaked patient information to him. At the same time, she's suffering the loss of her longtime partner, with whom she bought a house, who left without explanation months earlier. Masters, author of the Martha Gunn and Joanna Piercy mystery series, brings back Claire Roget here (the earlier book seemed to be a stand-alone) to establish a third series. With its unresolved personal story and chilling conclusion, the novel suggests that Masters has another successful, character-driven series ahead.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)

October 1, 2023
An immortal question, "What is truth?" and the phrase, "Liar, liar, pants on fire," echo throughout the pages of Masters' (Blood on the Moors, 2022) latest, the fourth entry in the Claire Roget series that could easily be read as a stand-alone. English forensic psychiatrist Claire is shocked to learn that the murder victim described in a local news headline was one of her patients, Poppy Kelloway, a single mother of three and a pathological liar whose numerous fabrications have wrecked lives and relationships. Distracted by personal issues, Claire is pulled into the police investigation of Poppy's death, privy to horrific details concealed from the public. As she researches other patients, she questions whether she and others associated with her clinic could be in danger. Could Claire's treatment notes hold the key to unmasking a brutal killer? As the list of suspects grows, Claire must work quickly to find the truth--a daunting task when Poppy's web of lies obscures reality. Mystery fans will appreciate this exciting story.

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August 15, 2023
A serial liar's just fate sets off a fresh round of accusations. Poppy Kelloway has always enjoyed the spotlight, which she's claimed repeatedly by accusing other people of imaginary crimes. One of them, gas fitter Harry Bloxham, was so distressed by her claims of sexual harassment that he hanged himself six months after he was fired from his job. His sister, Lisa Graham, blames Poppy but also blames Dr. Claire Roget, of the Greatbach Secure Psychiatric Unit, who's seeing Poppy as an outpatient, for not calling her out. So Lisa sheds no tears when Poppy is butchered in her home in Newcastle-under-Lyme by someone who douses her knickers in caustic acid, presumably in a literal version of the accusation "Liar, liar, pants on fire." Urged by DS Zed Willard to take action, Claire begins to ask questions about other people whose lives Poppy may have disrupted with her lies. There turn out to be many, from her ex-husband, Robbie Kelloway, to schizophrenic hospital porter Tre Marshall, who jumps to his death before Claire has a chance to find out exactly what he knows. Apart from an appointment card with Claire that Poppy seems to have torn up, the principal clue is the testimony of Poppy's three children, Tommy, Neil, and Holly-Anne, and Claire is deeply discouraged to realize that they may well have inherited their mother's talent for lying. The mystery builds to a climax that's over so fast you may well turn the last page wondering if you really know whodunit. Fills the bill expertly and efficiently.

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