THE LIAR’S ROOM requires some patience, though it is ultimately worth the expenditure. Simon Lelic’s newly published psychological thriller is a bit claustrophobic in its setting, given that it takes place predominantly in one room --- the liar’s room of the title --- as well as its duration (over the course of a few hours) and cast of characters, those being the two who monopolize almost the entirety of the book. Still, it is hardly a literary version of My Dinner with Andre. There is an electric undercurrent that informs the novel practically from the first page, and its hum carries the reader right along as Lelic slowly and exquisitely ratchets up the suspense.

Susanna Fenton and Adam Geraghty are the primary characters of the piece. Susanna is a counselor whose practice space is in a house shared with a dentist, who has become her best friend, and a receptionist, who has not. Unbeknownst to most, Susanna reinvented herself 14 years ago after a series of events that are gradually revealed throughout the course of the book.

"There is an electric undercurrent that informs the novel practically from the first page, and its hum carries the reader right along as Lelic slowly and exquisitely ratchets up the suspense."

The story kicks off at 3:00pm with Susanna taking on her first appointment with Adam, who appears to be in his late teens. He seems to be a little unsettled at first, which is not unusual for someone new to counseling. It is Susanna, however, who becomes increasingly wary as Adam grows more confident. First she catches him in a lie. Then he begins to ask her a series of questions that indicate he knows much more about her past life and her present circumstances than he should.

The kicker occurs when Adam presents Susanna with a picture of her daughter, Emily, who has suddenly gone off the grid. Adam hints that he is responsible for Emily’s unavailability, and issues some subtle threats that indicate he will harm Emily if he doesn’t get what he wants. But he is not specific about what he is after. Susanna feels as if she knows Adam from somewhere, but is convinced she has never seen him before. Adam knows Susanna, though, almost as well as she knows herself.

It’s just the two of them in the room, and as Susanna slowly reveals herself in a series of mental vignettes, we learn who Adam really is, the depth of the feelings of his betrayal, and how much danger Emily is really in. Regardless of what occurs, there doesn’t seem to be a palatable solution to the matter. And there isn’t.

Lelic pulls off a couple of neat literary tricks here. Adam’s anger is not without basis. While she may be a victim in the book’s present, Susanna is not entirely guiltless in what has gone before. She gets a potential shot at redemption, but one of the issues presented in THE LIAR’S ROOM is whether or not she can exercise it in time. It’s a dilemma, so much so that those who are seeking a feel-good read should probably look elsewhere. If you like your stories tangled and complicated but eminently readable, this is one you will want to pick up.