Former writer turned academic Maia Gold is surprised and somewhat alarmed when her work-study assistant announces that an invitation has landed on her desk from the illustrious Argos Alexander. Fifteen years ago, Maia had attended a writers retreat at his estate on the Greek island of Eris, an experience that she was incredibly happy to have left behind her.

Thus begins WRITERS AND LIARS, the latest novel from Carol Goodman, who returns to her love of classic literature within the confines of historical fiction…and, of course, mystery and possible murder. Maia learns via social media that some of her fellow writers from that retreat will be returning to Eris, which is no coincidence. She was quite content with never seeing those people again, so she has to wonder why Argos is reuniting them after all these years.

Joining Maia is her former friend, Annika. Annika deceived her at the retreat when she stole away her man, Ian, who also will be in attendance. Rounding out the group are other old faces like reviewer Sydney Norton and writer Olivia Knox. Surprisingly, Argos is not there to greet them when they arrive, and the festivities are being run by a severe-looking woman named Eleni, who introduces herself as his housekeeper.

"When you bring together a group of writers and liars who all resent each other, anything can happen. It is this understanding that fuels the murder mystery part of the story, and Goodman mines it for all it’s worth."

Things are instantly uncomfortable with the group, especially since everyone has some resentment towards Sydney, who always seems to enjoy panning their work in his reviews. The first night ends with them all agreeing to go back to their rooms and write their own opening chapter to a murder mystery that will be shared the next morning. It’s all part of a contest that Argos has devised, where the winner is promised fame and fortune. This moment gave me Lord Byron/Mary Shelley vibes, and I loved it.

As Argos continues to be MIA, Maia suggests that he may be taking a page from Agatha Christie’s AND THEN THERE WERE NONE with an invitation that has deep ulterior motives. Greek mythology is infused in nearly everything in this twisty tale as evidenced by the reference made to one of them possibly being “the Nemesis out for revenge.”Regrettably, we never get to see those first chapters as the next day is rocked by the discovery of Argos’ corpse. He clearly has been dead long before any of his guests had gotten to the island. Everyone plans to leave as soon as possible, but that may not happen before more people perish at the hands of a devious killer who went to great lengths to get them back to this place.

There will be additional murders and plenty of mistrust before this gathering is over. When you bring together a group of writers and liars who all resent each other, anything can happen. It is this understanding that fuels the murder mystery part of the story, and Goodman mines it for all it’s worth. After all, if you are surrounded by liars, can you really trust anyone or anything?

As a lifelong thespian, I have always lived by the mantra that actors are technically professional liars, as they seek to convince others that they are someone else. In that sense, the same can be true for fiction writers who ask their readers to suspend disbelief and immerse themselves in characters and worlds of their own imagination and creation. These are the realms that Carol Goodman mines in WRITERS AND LIARS, and it makes for some remarkably interesting and compelling fiction.