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South Carolina lawyer, Jackson Workman Pickens, known as Work to his friends, has just found out that his father, Ezra, who had been missing for 18 months, has been found by the police, shot and killed at a deserted mall. As the authorities investigate the crime, Work has to finally face the truth of what went on in his family as he was growing up. Work is thrown into confusion. He’s certain that his sister, who had been mentally abused by their father, must be the one who committed the murder. After a lifetime of pleasing his father, Work is finally compelled to look clearly at his life and the history of his family’s relationship. Ezra was a highly successful attorney and was proud of his victory over his very poor background. The more prosperous he got the more control he exerted over his family. Work had spent his life controlled by his father but with Ezra’s death and the police inquiry looking for the murderer the reality of the falsehoods of everything in Work’s life hits him with frightening force. Most of the book deals with Work’s disbelief at what his life has become. He’s so certain of his sister’s guilt that he spends a lot of energy trying to direct the police’s attention away from her and to him instead. Because Work’s a lawyer he’s positive that he could put a good spin on any legal action that the police might take against him. That is until the reality of the situation dawns on him at long last. I didn’t enjoy THE KING OF LIES. The fact that Work never once registered the brutality behind his father’s many vicious tries to rule his wife and daughter and to control Work himself stretches commonsense to the breaking point. The basic premise of the story doesn’t ring true. Too much angst and melodrama additionally weakens the novel. Because of its abundant and assortment of suspects I must admit that THE KING OF LIES does supply us with a surprise murderer. Since the book is finished off too neatly with a happy ending I found that THE KING OF LIES swiftly fade from memory. John Hart is a good writer. He knows how to build interesting and unique characters, he has an ear for dialogue, and is great with descriptions. I'm sure with more experience his next book will be that much better.
Reviewed by Sharon Katz, August 2007
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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