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Allison Pagone is on trial for the murder of her (possibly ex-) lover, Sam Dillon. Sam is a political lobbyist, with some perhaps dubious connections to Allison's ex-husband Mat Pagone. Allison's daughter Jessica is an intern at Sam's firm. There may or may not be an improper relationship between Sam and Jessica. Interwoven in all of this is an investigation by BICE, the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. BICE is putting pressure on Allison because of something she may or may not know, something which may or may not be connected to Sam Dillon's murder, and a possible plot involving terrorists in Peshawar and a scientist in America. Ellis, based on his previous works, has no trouble writing good crime fiction. His first novel, LINE OF VISION, won an Edgar for Best First Novel in 2001. IN THE COMPANY OF LIARS is his fourth work, and he has an interesting spin: the story is told in reverse chronology. One would think this would take some, if not all, the suspense out of the story. One would be wrong. I thought I had it figured out at least two or three times, and I was wrong every time. There are enough plot twists in this book for even the most devious of thinkers. I almost sat down with a pencil and paper to demonstrate to myself who was ultimately on which team, because (as is only fair in this kind of story) nobody is who they seem to be, at least not for long. Without giving away any of the plot, I have to say that I finished this book a trifle discomfited. While intellectually I understand what motivated Allison, on an intellectual and psychological level I find that motivation to be at odds with what I want from a mystery. And this is as much a mystery novel as it is a thriller or a suspense novel. The writing itself is fine, the pace somewhere between the roller-coaster ride of the suspense novel and the jerky stop-and-go of a tilt-a-whirl thriller. As for the characters, Ellis lets the reader into some of their heads, and not into others. Pay attention to that -- and to just how far he takes you. Without being beat-you-upside-the-head about it, it is fairly clear who the good guys are supposed to be and who the bad guys are supposed to be. Again, not all is as it seems. There are characters who hover on the fringes of the story, people we hear about more than get to know. One in particular I'd have liked to know rather than hear about. IN THE COMPANY OF LIARS was a compelling read on a lazy summer afternoon. If you enjoy thrillers, psychological suspense and getting into the mind(s) of the people you read about -- this may be a book you'll enjoy. If Ellis's writing has pleased you in the past, then you are almost certain to relish this novel. My misgivings have nothing to do with the quality of the writing, or the technique, but with a personal disagreement over some of the motivations given to some of the major players.
Reviewed by P. J. Coldren, August 2005
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