Someone is Lying by Heidi Perks (Penguin)

Heidi Perks’ Someone is Lying commences with a scenario that is both unsettling and compelling: Jess, a single mother, is confronted by the disappearance of her daughter Issie, only to find that her concerns are dismissed by those around her. The narrative is propelled by Jess’s persistent and often desperate attempts to locate Issie, set against a backdrop of skepticism and indifference from the community and authorities. Notably, Issie’s recent involvement with Dylan, her new boyfriend, whom Jess views with considerable suspicion, further complicates the situation and heightens the novel’s tension.

Jess occupies the central role in the narrative, and her emotional complexity is critical to the novel’s impact. Perks presents Jess’s vulnerability and determination in a manner that invites empathy; the reader is encouraged to inhabit her perspective, experiencing both her isolation and her resilience. Although Issie’s absence is physical, her presence is keenly felt throughout the narrative, infusing the text with a sense of urgency and loss. Dylan’s character introduces ambiguity and uncertainty, while supporting figures tend to mirror the broader societal tendency to minimize or discount Jess’s fears. The interplay between these characters is nuanced, contributing to organic character development and an authentic depiction of Jess’s psychological journey.

At a thematic level, the novel interrogates issues of trust, parental anxiety, and the societal invisibility that can accompany personal crises. Jess’s struggle highlights systemic shortcomings in institutional responses to missing persons, as well as the broader cultural skepticism directed toward parents, particularly mothers, who assert that something is amiss. The narrative raises important questions regarding collective responsibility and the risks inherent in disregarding the distress of others.

Perks’s writing style is marked by clarity and restraint, with a focus on maintaining narrative tension without resorting to melodrama. The framework shifts perspectives, allowing for the slow revelation of information and heightening tension. The prose is both accessible and evocative, effectively conveying the emotional atmosphere, which ranges from profound loneliness to frenetic urgency. While some elements of pacing and genre convention may feel familiar to readers of contemporary thrillers, the emotional authenticity of Jess’s experience sustains the novel’s momentum.

Someone is Lying aligns with the conventions of modern suspense fiction, skillfully integrating elements of family drama and mystery. Readers who appreciate explorations of trust and parental bonds under duress will find the novel resonant. Though certain plot developments may be anticipated, the sincerity with which Perks portrays fear, love, and hope distinguishes the narrative. Ultimately, the novel offers a meaningful examination of the challenges faced by those who are unheard in moments of crisis and invites reflection on the social and emotional dimensions of such experiences.

3.5/5