The Liar of Red Valley

by Walter Goodwater

Overview

Lead title for Fall 2021 - a fresh, rich, American Gothic "yarn" with a highly relatable female lead.

Don’t trust the Liar.
Do not cross the King.
Never, ever go in the River.

In Red Valley, California, you follow the rules if you want to stay alive. But they won’t be enough to protect Sadie now that she’s become the Liar, the keeper of the town’s many secrets. Friendships are hard-won here, and it isn’t safe to make enemies.

And though the Liar has power — power to remake the world, with just a little blood—what Sadie really needs is answers: Why is the town’s sheriff after her? What does the King want from her? And what is the real purpose of the Liar of Red Valley?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781781089118
Publisher:	Solaris
Publication date:	09/28/2021
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.69(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Walter Goodwater is a writer, fencer, software developer, book-lover, and dad. His work has appeared on Tor.com, Crime Reads, and Barnes & Noble. He is the author of the Cold War Magic series, the latest book of which was nominated for a Dragon Award. His newest book, The Liar of Red Valley, is a story of magic, monsters, and secrets in a small rural California town, much like the one he grew up in. Today he lives on the Californian coast with his family, cats, and overflowing bookshelves.

Editorial Reviews

06/28/2021

When the Liar of Red Valley, Calif., dies unexpectedly, her daughter, Sadie, inherits the position and must face off against monsters to protect the town she hates in this electrifying urban fantasy from Goodwater (Cold War Magic). Sadie’s mother taught her nothing about how to use the Liar’s magic, a gift from the mysterious King of Red Valley that allows lies to become true for those willing to pay the price. Sadie is both tough and vulnerable as she works to master this power while holding off the egotistical undersheriff and the frightening Laughing Boys, a dangerous gang of junkies possessed by demons. These enemies are after the Liar’s ledgers, a record of all the lies of Red Valley. Goodwater sets a breakneck pace as Sadie discovers dangerous secrets about both the King and his people in the ledgers and the King’s ancient enemies converge on the town. Now Sadie must choose whether to rally the townspeople who have always shunned her or abandon them to their fate. Chilling monsters, excellent interiority, and shocking twists make the pages fly as Goodwater builds to a climax which, unfortunately, falls a little flat after the high-stakes entertainment that precedes it. Still, the thrilling journey there is well worth it. Agent: Jennifer Udden, New Leaf Literary. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

"An American gothic tale with a strong and mystical hook that makes this book a serious page burner."

FanFiAddict

"Goodwater is one of [the genre's] finest modern exponents" — Simon Ings, The Times

The Times - Simon Ings

"The mysteries are deeper, the stakes more personal..." — Christina Henry, author of The Girl in Red on Revolution

"A New Weird tale with the verve and velocity of urban fantasy, The Liar of Red Valley is part horror, part thriller, part mythic fantasy. And all mystery, magic, and mendacity. You will never enjoy being lied to this much." — John Hornor Jacobs, author of A Lush and Seething Hell and The Incorruptibles

From the Publisher

"Thoroughly engrossing and with relentless pace, The Liar of Red Valley takes the reader through unexpected plot twists and false turns towards a surprising and dramatic endgame." — Apple Books

Apple Books

"A blistering slice of purest American Gothic"

Waterstones

"The Liar of Red Valley has everything — a little town hiding secrets, an exciting story and creepy creatures galore." — Lavie Tidhar, The Washington Post

The Washington Post

"Gothic atmosphere and moments of lyrical introspection"

Aurealis

"Goodwater has created a fun, mysterious adventure full of colourful characters, a beguiling little town and a book you won’t be able to put down until you’ve devoured every word."

SciFiNow

The Liar of Red Valley is part horror, part thriller, part mythic fantasy. And all mystery, magic, and mendacity. You will never enjoy being lied to this much."

John Hornor Jacobs

"The mysteries are deeper, the stakes more personal..."

Christina Henry

"A ferocious page-turner that elicits genuine chills" — SFX Magazine

SFX

"If you like stories of ordinary (and, okay, a little bit extraordinary) people up against supernatural forces, then The Liar of Red Valley comes heartily recommended."

Starburst Magazine