Matt Goldman

private-investigators, law-enforcement, procedural, twin-cities, false-information, falsely accused, family-dynamics, family, friendship, friction, snarky, suspense, suspicion, thriller, murder, murder-investigation, rivalry, greed, politics, estranged, artist, wealthy, lawyers, ex-cop, small-town*****

Murder as a statement. Digging through the interconnected marital and business arrangements of the first deceased is quite a challenge, but when you add in the complicated post-divorce life of show more Shapiro, the squeaky clean personal and professional life of his private investigator business partner Anders Ellegaard, and an inadequate police force in a small town with no real crime, you have subtotal insanity. It moves along quickly and is as twisty as it is snarky. Plus, all the dead-end trails and red herrings. Just when I'd think that I had a handle on something, PLOT TWIST! Loved it!
The narration is well done (with only a few misses) by voice actor MacLeod Andrews and I truly enjoyed listening to his snarky narration. show less

hockey, false-information, falsely accused, family-dynamics, law-enforcement, friction, friendship, Minnesota, murder, murder-investigation, attempted-murder, private-investigators, procedural, rivalry, riveting, snarky, suspense, suspicion, thriller, greed, drug-trafficking, drugs-issues, teens, injury, nursing-care, interpersonal-problems*****

Uff Da!
Nils Shapiro and his private investigator business partner Anders Ellegaard get entangled in missing teenaged girls, an NHL hero, high school show more hockey tournaments, attempted murder (Nils) via arrows, several other murders (mostly via arrows), conflicting antagonistic law enforcement agencies, and the ongoing girlfriend issues (Nils), and some odd surprises. Law enforcement focuses on admissible evidence, while the PIs doggedly follow the evidence. It moves along quickly and is as twisty as it is snarky. Plus all the dead-end trails and red herrings. Just when I'd think that I had a handle on something, PLOT TWIST! Loved it!
The narration is well done (with only a few misses) by voice actor MacLeod Andrews and I truly enjoyed listening to his snarky narration.
Not unbiased review--very familiar with those parts of Minnesota, Upper Peninsula Michigan, and northern Wisconsin (and of Norwegian heritage). show less

Nils Shapiro had decided to take a snow day, with the weather matching the forecast. As a private investigator with no active cases this early in January, it seemed fitting that his old friend from the police academy, Anders Ellegaard, would call and say he was needed at a crime scene. Today, Nils would meet Anders' boss, Edina Police Chief Craig McGinnis. Today, there's a crime scene. The maid found the body. A woman's body. There was evidence. A lot of dusty evidence.

As the investigation show more unfolds, layers of relationships are revealed: those connected to the case, those formed because of it, and those quietly tangled among the investigators themselves. Some dynamics are easy for the reader to foresee, while others are more subtle and only become clear before the final reveal. Throughout, Goldman's descriptions, wit, and sharp dialogue keep the reader engaged and eagerly turning pages.

There are times when the chapters seem written as television scenes—crisp, clear, and precise. It's easy to imagine someone calling— Action! and —Cut! That cinematic quality lingered with me throughout the story, and only after finishing did I discover the reason why. A quick look at the author's background reveals a surprising connection to the world of television, one that explains the novel's visual pacing and sharp dialogue. With five novels now in the series, I look forward to catching up. show less

🌟🌟🌟🌟
Small towns feel like homemade jam and smiles, but “Liar’s Creek” rips off the cozy mask and lets the secrets spill out. I was drawn in by the atmosphere from the very first page.

Thank you to the author and #MinotaurBooks #StMartinsPress for the #GiftedARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Clay Hawkins returns to his old stomping grounds after twenty years, his twelve-year-old son in tow, and instantly, you can feel the tension crackle. The locals are suspicious. show more His family is complicated. Clay’s dad, the ex-sheriff, could write a book on uncomfortable silences. When Clay’s uncle vanishes, the whole story tilts. What starts as a simple concern quickly spirals, hinting at secrets buried much deeper than anyone wants to admit.

The characters captivated me with how much they propelled the story. Clay isn’t your typical hero. He’s thoughtful, fiercely protective, and clearly haunted by old wounds.

Watching him juggle fatherhood and tangled family drama gives the story real heart. This isn’t just a missing-persons case; it’s a full-blown family circus, and I loved every minute.

#SlowBurn #Mystery The family drama is where this book really shines. Three generations, all wound together, only making things more complicated. The family history is the kind you don’t want to share at reunions. 😂 Although it would be funny if it involved another family. Clay and his dad feel authentic, and every twist lands with extra weight because it all circles back to family.

The setting deserves a spotlight. Riverwood looks picture-perfect, but there’s an undercurrent of unease. It’s got that classic vibe where everyone’s in on a secret, but no one is sharing. The town itself feels alive, quietly observing every move, as if it were one of the characters.

This is a slow burn, but trust me, it pays off. The tension creeps in quietly, and before you know it, you’re completely hooked and can’t put it down.

If you love small-town thrillers packed with tangled family dynamics and simmering suspense, grab this one. It’s quietly addictive and impossible to resist.

#SlowBurn #Mystery show less