The Good Liar

Divorcée Kate Livingston leads a sedate life in the suburbs of Chicago, trying with little enthusiasm to get back into the dating game, when a childhood friend offers to set her up with a dashing older man named Michael Waller. The two get married after a whirlwind courtship, but the honeymoon is over quickly when Michael begins acting strangely secretive. What Kate doesn't know is that Michael is part of a secret spy organization called the Trust that works illegally to advance American interests abroad. As Kate gets more suspicious, Michael decides to get out of espionage, agreeing to one last contract killing before he's through forever. Caldwell's taut, enjoyable thriller hits the ground running, crafting a married-to-the-mob scenario that's believable and chilling, then taking the show around the world. Though a ham-handed villain occasionally bogs down the action, Caldwell's plot moves smoothly, juggling a number of perspectives without losing steam. (Jan.)