Family tensions and distrust runs deeper than usual, with deadly consequences, in the latest fast-paced, gripping saga from an island-based author.

Complete with the tagline ’How Well Do you Know Your Family...’, prolific thriller writer Rona Halsall recently released her seventh novel, ’The Liar’s Daughter’ and has already made its mark on the sales charts after being named number two in the Amazon ’hot new release’ figures and also hitting number 39 in the UK Kindle charts.

The story begins with a phone call to Eva, to tell her that her sister is in hospital with a serious injury. Only, as far as Eva was aware, her sister committed suicide more than 24 years ago.

From then on, she knows that everything that has gone on before is a lie and finding out the truth will be a painful process.

Fans of Rona’s many other works, including ’Love You Gone’, One Mistake’ and ’The Ex-Boyfriend’, will already be familiar with her ability to take an already-gripping premise and introduce a sharp twist into the story line.

However, Rona feels she has taken her latest tale down a different path and created a darker tale than usual.

She also drew on her own upbringing to bring the story to life, using some of her favourite locations to provide a suitable backdrop.

’I have always wanted to write something a bit more "creepy" than my usual subjects,’ said Rona.

’It is a very dark and very atmospheric story, more so than in any of my last stories, I think.

’With this one I started with a location, a very creepy-looking farmhouse in Snowdonia, in Wales.

’It is a house I had seen a long time ago when I used to walk around the hills there. It is off the track and hidden away and looks very much as if it was set back in time somewhere.

’I merged the location with that of a similarly creepy farmhouse I used to live in a long time ago.

’I have also been able to use locations that I have always wanted to use.

’I used to live in Wales and I brought my children up there 25 years ago. Writing and setting the book in the places where I spent such a lot of time brought back some wonderful memories and, even though it is a very dark story, I thoroughly enjoyed writing it.

’I also wanted to write about sisters and sibling relationships which are often very complicated and are either very close, or not close at all.

’I do think that this is my best book so far and it is definitely my favourite one.

’I love it when I can conjure up a plot that I can completely flip on its head and this one does have a lovely mega twist in the middle.’

The reviews for ’The Liar’s Daughter’ have already given her latest book the general thumbs up, with one five-star review saying it was a ’dark and compulsive read, with such a multi-layered plot and authentic characters...this book is an absolute must-read for anyone who enjoys a thrilling, twisty and chilling book.’

’The Liar’s Daughter’ is published by Boukouture and available from all booksellers as a paperback, kindle edition and as an audiobook.

by Mike Wade

Twitter:@iomnewspapers