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Liar's Kiss
Nick Archer isn't much of a detective, but he's managed to get himself one pretty sweet surveillance gig: once a week he sends a jealous millionaire the photos that prove his wife is faithful, leaving Nick plenty of free nights to spend making a liar of both himself and the client's wife. But when the client turns up dead, his cheating wife is the prime suspect and it's up to Nick to clear her -- except Nick has an agenda of his own, and connections to this case that go deeper than anyone realizes.
120 pages, Hardcover
First published May 10, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 11, 2014
From the moment I began I knew this wouldn't end well.
I instantly regretted not flipping through the book before I hit the check out desk. The cover is eye catching, so I was hoping for some eye catching art. Unfortunately, it suffers due to the style. The shading is the same black intensity as the line art and it's very high contrast against the white pages. This can work if there is a lot of white space to somewhat balance it out, however, in Liar's Kiss the panels are detailed and end up looking so busy that it makes me feel dizzy. I know from past experience that this sort of art doesn't work for me, it really does give me a head ache, but I have a rule that once I start a book I have to see it through. I mean, I'm no quitter and it was the story that initially made me want to pick this up, so perhaps it would make up for my qualms with the art style.
It didn't.
I love fictional crime, I especially love when P.I.'s are involved in my fictional crime because they make everything better. I just didn't like how this crime noir was constructed. This is a short story and it takes a lot of know-how writing crime to be able to create a truly solid short form mystery. It's harder then it looks! And this is Eric Skillman's first full graphic novel. I didn't go into this with the mind set that it was a debut.
When I finished all I wanted to do was re-order the events. Whenever I start trying to re-write I know something has gone wrong because I should be enjoying the authors story, not trying to create something I want.
The plot didn't keep me guessing and when the ending was finally revealed I wasn't surprised. The characters didn't grab me and the tone was not this dark or gritty as a noir should be, but rather whiny instead. It was all very "woe is me".
Have a good cry, go eat some ice cream, smell the flowers, see a therapist.
Cause and it just doesn't work for me.
I did not think it would go down like this. Despite the fact that my randomly-grab-books-that-sound-interest technique normally works out well, I promise that next time I will do a flip through before I commit.
I instantly regretted not flipping through the book before I hit the check out desk. The cover is eye catching, so I was hoping for some eye catching art. Unfortunately, it suffers due to the style. The shading is the same black intensity as the line art and it's very high contrast against the white pages. This can work if there is a lot of white space to somewhat balance it out, however, in Liar's Kiss the panels are detailed and end up looking so busy that it makes me feel dizzy. I know from past experience that this sort of art doesn't work for me, it really does give me a head ache, but I have a rule that once I start a book I have to see it through. I mean, I'm no quitter and it was the story that initially made me want to pick this up, so perhaps it would make up for my qualms with the art style.
It didn't.
I love fictional crime, I especially love when P.I.'s are involved in my fictional crime because they make everything better. I just didn't like how this crime noir was constructed. This is a short story and it takes a lot of know-how writing crime to be able to create a truly solid short form mystery. It's harder then it looks! And this is Eric Skillman's first full graphic novel. I didn't go into this with the mind set that it was a debut.
When I finished all I wanted to do was re-order the events. Whenever I start trying to re-write I know something has gone wrong because I should be enjoying the authors story, not trying to create something I want.
The plot didn't keep me guessing and when the ending was finally revealed I wasn't surprised. The characters didn't grab me and the tone was not this dark or gritty as a noir should be, but rather whiny instead. It was all very "woe is me".
Have a good cry, go eat some ice cream, smell the flowers, see a therapist.
Cause and it just doesn't work for me.
I did not think it would go down like this. Despite the fact that my randomly-grab-books-that-sound-interest technique normally works out well, I promise that next time I will do a flip through before I commit.
November 10, 2013
There's nothing groundbreaking here, but this is a nicely done, tightly plotted noir graphic novel. As with any good noir, it has a "femme fatale," double-crosses, unforeseen problems messing up a plan, and, of course, murder. The dialogue is crisp, the art works nicely with the writing, and it all holds together as a cohesive package.
Well worth the time for those that enjoy this sort of thing.
Well worth the time for those that enjoy this sort of thing.
May 20, 2015
This book is a perfect example of why people say, "show. don't tell."
This started of promosing. It was noir. It was sexy. It was intriguing. The story was going as a typical P.I. story then about 3/4 of the way through the story just kind of stops moving. He goes through some motions but nothing happens. Then the story is all explained by a letter he writes to a friend explaining he was responsible for everything. There was no hint to anything through the story, it just dropped out of left field. If you were going to do that with the plot, there needed to be more character development across the board. A reader should never be surprised. She should see a revelation and then mentally go back through the story and see the trail of bread crumbs they have uncouncously been following.
The art was good. I liked that.
This story should have been better.
This started of promosing. It was noir. It was sexy. It was intriguing. The story was going as a typical P.I. story then about 3/4 of the way through the story just kind of stops moving. He goes through some motions but nothing happens. Then the story is all explained by a letter he writes to a friend explaining he was responsible for everything. There was no hint to anything through the story, it just dropped out of left field. If you were going to do that with the plot, there needed to be more character development across the board. A reader should never be surprised. She should see a revelation and then mentally go back through the story and see the trail of bread crumbs they have uncouncously been following.
The art was good. I liked that.
This story should have been better.
July 17, 2018
This was a fairly average crime story. Nothing impressive, but not bad either. Very by the book. Plot was decent and the execution was okay. I found the twist and resolution to be pretty unsatisfying. Everything is explained at the end of the book, instead of being written in a way where the story would explain itself. I thought it was a pretty cheap conclusion. The book also does end on a cliffhanger, but I thought it was a pretty good one, leaving the reader with a moral decision to make, albeit a very simple one without much nuance. As for the art, it was pretty good. I generally enjoy black and white for noir stories. The facial expressions were great, which is good since the book is mostly just characters talking. However, I felt there was a bit too much white space, which felt odd in relation to the heavy black inking. Could've used better lighting.
I'd say that if you're looking for a compelling crime noir comic, this is not it. Go read some Brubaker or something. I would not recommend purchasing this, but give it a read if you're ever at a library or bookstore with half an hour to kill. For being Eric Skillman's first comic, it's a solid effort, but it didn't quite make an impression. It's a breezy and fun read, but there just isn't much substance. 6/10
I'd say that if you're looking for a compelling crime noir comic, this is not it. Go read some Brubaker or something. I would not recommend purchasing this, but give it a read if you're ever at a library or bookstore with half an hour to kill. For being Eric Skillman's first comic, it's a solid effort, but it didn't quite make an impression. It's a breezy and fun read, but there just isn't much substance. 6/10
February 2, 2023
When money is more important than humans someone has to pay when the bill comes
In a seedy world where many of the adults are looking out for themselves at the cost of anyone else we see a wannabe PI taking on a job but his intentions are far from pure as he becomes increasingly entangled in a dark plot of murder when the man who hired him to keep an eye on his wife's fidelities. With the story being black and white it has some interesting choices for deep shadows at certain points of the book reflecting what I can only imagine are like old noir comics. Although not a particularly long book and the killer is reveled near the end of the book it is left ambiguous as to whether the evidence was destroyed or not leaving it to the audience to decide whether the murderer escapes justified in their actions or if they face the gritty justice in a society where police can beat a confession out of you if they don't like your tune.
In a seedy world where many of the adults are looking out for themselves at the cost of anyone else we see a wannabe PI taking on a job but his intentions are far from pure as he becomes increasingly entangled in a dark plot of murder when the man who hired him to keep an eye on his wife's fidelities. With the story being black and white it has some interesting choices for deep shadows at certain points of the book reflecting what I can only imagine are like old noir comics. Although not a particularly long book and the killer is reveled near the end of the book it is left ambiguous as to whether the evidence was destroyed or not leaving it to the audience to decide whether the murderer escapes justified in their actions or if they face the gritty justice in a society where police can beat a confession out of you if they don't like your tune.
November 7, 2017
Maybe there is just too much good crime fiction out there, so I was not overly impressed by the story. The final chapter was good in that it did something I had rarely seen another detective story do. But, unfortunately, the characters were not very interesting. The art is a bit spotty. The artist uses a spare linework style that doesn't keep faces consistent. Every once in a while, he uses a shaded graphite (charcoal or pencils) for flashback sequences. And this looks great. Too bad he didn't do this throughout.
February 8, 2024
Quick crime caper
This comic was like a swift moving black-and-white crime thriller!
Plot - A private investigator gets cosy with the wife of a client he is supposed to be spying on. And things get complicated when the client is murdered and the wife becomes the primary suspect. It's up to the PI to prove her innocence without exposing their affair.
The climatic twist is pretty surprising, and even though things get a touch too soppy, "Liar's Kiss" is a binge-worthy story that you can finish in a flash.
This comic was like a swift moving black-and-white crime thriller!
Plot - A private investigator gets cosy with the wife of a client he is supposed to be spying on. And things get complicated when the client is murdered and the wife becomes the primary suspect. It's up to the PI to prove her innocence without exposing their affair.
The climatic twist is pretty surprising, and even though things get a touch too soppy, "Liar's Kiss" is a binge-worthy story that you can finish in a flash.
July 23, 2019
I don't normally go for detective fiction but I was drawn to the art. I love high contrast black and white art and enjoyed it throughout. The story was fine and kept me guessing until I figured out whodunit just before the character revealed themselves. I did like the open ending and the moral ambiguity of many of the characters' motivations; it was thought-provoking, if not dark, view of human nature.
April 30, 2023
I’m surprised this hasn’t received more love here in Goodreads! I consider myself an avid reader of crime comics, and this book is one of the best I have read in a while. Proper noir setting with gumshoe and femme fatale, snappy dialogue, and a reveal at the end I did not see coming. Deserves better average than 3 stars in my book.
July 8, 2024
If you’re looking for a groundbreaking crime drama, this ain’t it. If you want a straightforward hard-boiled P. I. story with a satisfying twist, this will be right up your alley. Reads like a classic Humphrey Bogart noir flick.
October 24, 2020
A little stale, that’s it. The art style made me believe it to be something more raunchy and fun than it was. I guess I read too much manga.
August 11, 2011
Originally posted at my blog
It starts off as a normal night for Nick Archer. He takes pictures of a millionaire's wife to show that she's faithful. Once that's done, he finally gets down to business by hooking up with his client's wife. It seems to be a win-win situation for Nick and his client's wife. He gets money for proving her innocent and she gets to have a little fun without her husband knowing.
After their midnight tryst is over, she goes home only to find her husband's cold dead body waiting for her. She freezes up and becomes the prime suspect in the case. She couldn't have done it though, she has an alibi, she was with Nick. Except if she says that she won't get the inheritance money and the pictures Nick took of her sleeping at home doesn't help her case either.
So it's up to Nick to help her, but the police are not interested in letting some shady detective investigate on their turf.
Overall
Jhomar Soriano's artwork was my favourite thing about Liar’s Kiss. It's detailed in all the right places and really brings out the whole crime noir feel of this graphic novel. Eric Skillman's writing is crisp as well. Instead of including long pieces of dialogues, he made everything, for the most part, short and sweet with a lot of back and forth between the characters. It reminded me of an 80's crime drama, so I enjoyed that.
One of the things that I didn't like was how some of the characters were clichéd, but I think that's to be expected when you write in this genre. Some of the dialogues did seem a little over the top; and therefore, making the situation not as serious as it should be. The ending did wrap up a bit too quickly for my liking. As a lover of twists, I liked the ending. I just wish there were a few more pages to fully flesh it out and give it that oomph.
Other than that this was a fun quick read. The writing is crisp, the artwork is stunning, and the pacing made this book helped keep you engaged. There are a few problems, but if you're looking for a short graphic novel filled with betrayals, secrets, lies, and murder then you'll want to check this out.
It starts off as a normal night for Nick Archer. He takes pictures of a millionaire's wife to show that she's faithful. Once that's done, he finally gets down to business by hooking up with his client's wife. It seems to be a win-win situation for Nick and his client's wife. He gets money for proving her innocent and she gets to have a little fun without her husband knowing.
After their midnight tryst is over, she goes home only to find her husband's cold dead body waiting for her. She freezes up and becomes the prime suspect in the case. She couldn't have done it though, she has an alibi, she was with Nick. Except if she says that she won't get the inheritance money and the pictures Nick took of her sleeping at home doesn't help her case either.
So it's up to Nick to help her, but the police are not interested in letting some shady detective investigate on their turf.
Overall
Jhomar Soriano's artwork was my favourite thing about Liar’s Kiss. It's detailed in all the right places and really brings out the whole crime noir feel of this graphic novel. Eric Skillman's writing is crisp as well. Instead of including long pieces of dialogues, he made everything, for the most part, short and sweet with a lot of back and forth between the characters. It reminded me of an 80's crime drama, so I enjoyed that.
One of the things that I didn't like was how some of the characters were clichéd, but I think that's to be expected when you write in this genre. Some of the dialogues did seem a little over the top; and therefore, making the situation not as serious as it should be. The ending did wrap up a bit too quickly for my liking. As a lover of twists, I liked the ending. I just wish there were a few more pages to fully flesh it out and give it that oomph.
Other than that this was a fun quick read. The writing is crisp, the artwork is stunning, and the pacing made this book helped keep you engaged. There are a few problems, but if you're looking for a short graphic novel filled with betrayals, secrets, lies, and murder then you'll want to check this out.
August 23, 2011
Nick Archer is a private detective. He isn't much of one, but he does have a pretty decent gig: to watch a rich client's wife and prove that she is (or isn't) faithful. And of course Nick has struck up a relationship with the wife and they share many interesting evenings together. But all of it comes crashing down when the client turns up dead, the wife is the prime suspect, and Nick has to clear her. But not everything is as it appears to be with Nick and he has his own agenda in this case.
The story is patterned off the classic old style PI novels (think a lesser version of the Maltese Falcon or Casablanca) complete with the world weary PI, the cheating--but beautiful wife, the put upon assistant, the poor relationship with the local cops, and of course the Murder. The majority of the story is decent---not great, and not bad either. But it really doesn't add much new to the genre and is traditional of these types of stories...up until the ending that is. The ending packs a real punch and I just wish they had laid some of that out in the rest of the story instead of just the last 30 pages. It would have made the story more enjoyable.
The artwork is different. It's drawn all in black and white and current events are drawn with pen and ink in a lose/sketchy feel that captures the bare bones of the characters, the lines in the faces, the movements that their eyes make, etc. It reminds me of some of the stuff that the Hernandez brothers have put out. It took a while for it to grow on me, but it's a nice change of pace from a lot of the more traditional styles out there. What's also different in this novel is how past events are depicted. Past events are down in black and white traditional watercolors and you can pick out more detail of the characters and the scenes and they seem to have more depth to them and more feeling. I actually prefer the artwork done in this manner to the pen and ink, but I think if the entire novel had been done that way it wouldn't stand out as much.
I recommend reading this book to the ending, even if the story doesn't hold your attention in the beginning because the ending will make it worthwhile.
The story is patterned off the classic old style PI novels (think a lesser version of the Maltese Falcon or Casablanca) complete with the world weary PI, the cheating--but beautiful wife, the put upon assistant, the poor relationship with the local cops, and of course the Murder. The majority of the story is decent---not great, and not bad either. But it really doesn't add much new to the genre and is traditional of these types of stories...up until the ending that is. The ending packs a real punch and I just wish they had laid some of that out in the rest of the story instead of just the last 30 pages. It would have made the story more enjoyable.
The artwork is different. It's drawn all in black and white and current events are drawn with pen and ink in a lose/sketchy feel that captures the bare bones of the characters, the lines in the faces, the movements that their eyes make, etc. It reminds me of some of the stuff that the Hernandez brothers have put out. It took a while for it to grow on me, but it's a nice change of pace from a lot of the more traditional styles out there. What's also different in this novel is how past events are depicted. Past events are down in black and white traditional watercolors and you can pick out more detail of the characters and the scenes and they seem to have more depth to them and more feeling. I actually prefer the artwork done in this manner to the pen and ink, but I think if the entire novel had been done that way it wouldn't stand out as much.
I recommend reading this book to the ending, even if the story doesn't hold your attention in the beginning because the ending will make it worthwhile.
May 12, 2012
Liar’s Kiss is everything you could want from a graphic novel noir. It is classic, edgy, and is filled with intrigue. I took a chance on it because I love graphic novels and I figure that even if it is bad, at least I can be amused by the illustrations. I wasn’t let down AT ALL by this novel. From the first page, I was hooked.
The plot is like that of any film noir. A private investigator, Nick, is having an affair with his client’s wife Abbey. One night, Nick gets a call from Abbey saying that her husband has been killed...and she’s the main suspect! She hires Nick to find her an alibi that will not place her at the scene of the crime. This assignment gets Nick into a bit more trouble than he had bargained for. Consequently, he finds himself facing demons from his past and putting his fate in another’s hands.
I thought this was superb. It is written in the traditional black and white “comic book” style. Where it could come off as being cliche, it actually sets the perfect tone and atmosphere for the story. When reading the book, you feel as if you’re watching an old fashioned noir. Including, the classic noir twist.
If I had to voice any complaints, it would be that the story is a little thin and the dialog is a bit stilted. Yet, I can’t really get update about it because most noir is thin on the plot and big on the intrigue. Still, as a first book I think he did a great job. I look forward to his future works.
www.iamliteraryaddicted.blogspot.com
The plot is like that of any film noir. A private investigator, Nick, is having an affair with his client’s wife Abbey. One night, Nick gets a call from Abbey saying that her husband has been killed...and she’s the main suspect! She hires Nick to find her an alibi that will not place her at the scene of the crime. This assignment gets Nick into a bit more trouble than he had bargained for. Consequently, he finds himself facing demons from his past and putting his fate in another’s hands.
I thought this was superb. It is written in the traditional black and white “comic book” style. Where it could come off as being cliche, it actually sets the perfect tone and atmosphere for the story. When reading the book, you feel as if you’re watching an old fashioned noir. Including, the classic noir twist.
If I had to voice any complaints, it would be that the story is a little thin and the dialog is a bit stilted. Yet, I can’t really get update about it because most noir is thin on the plot and big on the intrigue. Still, as a first book I think he did a great job. I look forward to his future works.
www.iamliteraryaddicted.blogspot.com
June 23, 2013
Trite noir tale with the usual private investigator resplendent in thick overcoat, porkpie hat and unshaved puss falling for the rich blonde widow. And of course it's all done in the Frank Miller Sin City style that's been done better (see A Dame To Kill For). The artwork is pretty bad, too: said femme fatale has a baby doll face in one frame, and then in the next has a long Herman Munster chin jutting out, like watching a transformation montage of Dr. Jekyll turning into Mr. Hyde. And there's a twist ending that doesn't make sense. Blah.
February 9, 2012
A twisty, turny little noir tale in the spirit of The Postman Always Rings Twice, with murder, sex, and betrayal all wrapped up together. The art is solid, with a variety of character types (belied by the Sin City female lead) and great chiaroscuro work. The tight narrative and close environment makes the noir tale feel more claustrophobic, and the smaller cast of characters makes this comic stand out above similar offerings.
July 30, 2011
The noirish tale explores a down-on-his luck PI, forced to explore the murder of his latest's fling's husband. Set up like a typical dirty detective story, the only (somewhat) surprising twist is the final letter that puts together all the pieces neatly for the reader. This could have used better characterization, a lengthier exposition, and more originality.
December 12, 2011
This little noir comic moves along at a brisk pace, but doesn't break any new ground in the genre. If you like your tropes familiar, this one will work for you. But hey, just because the private dick is a well-worn character--a drinking, womanizing, wounded soul with an assistant with a snappy name (Trixie, in this case)--doesn't mean I'm not going to fully enjoy his story.
August 22, 2012
This was pretty good. First of all the art is black and white and pretty great. Great line work and a good use of blacks. The art that's used for the title sequence is actually the best stuff in the book. It's sexy and gorgeous and perfect. The story's better than I had expected, giving me a genuine surprise near the end (which is harder and harder the more fiction you read.) Recommended.
September 10, 2012
Some of the illustrations are very, very nice. Though even those never read particularly well. And a bunch of them look like they were done in a real hurry, too.
Absolutely nothing of value to the story, not even in a genre-slumming way.
But I was sick in bed and it was there, (and some of the illustrations are very, very nice) so I read it.
Absolutely nothing of value to the story, not even in a genre-slumming way.
But I was sick in bed and it was there, (and some of the illustrations are very, very nice) so I read it.
July 23, 2011
Nicely paced modern noir-style detective story. The characters you've all seen before: the down on his luck PI, the rich snob, the dirty cops. But it's delivered well enough that it didn't bother me. Good, quick and dirty fun with a twist ending that actually surprised me.
January 3, 2012
This starts off quite a bit like Double Indemnity and throws in a twist ending (which in retrospect was not much of a surprise). The art is very Sin City but also mixes in some watercolor panels - nice touch.
June 8, 2014
This detective story starts off well enough, with good dose of mystery and interesting characters, but the ending feels like a bit of a cop out. The reveal is fine, but how it's revealed didn't work for me. Still, it's a solid first effort by writer Eric Skillman.
January 16, 2016
A really convincing Film Noir graphic novel. I found the art, at first, rather jarring especially when the first few shots look so like James Stewart's film Rear Window, but it quickly proves itself and has a great coherent story
May 10, 2011
Fast moving and incredible noir crime tale that keeps you guessing right up to the end. Reminds me of those Hard Case Crime books, in a really good way.
May 29, 2011
Twisty, fast-paced, schooled in noir conventions yet deliciously self-aware of them... also written by a great friend, so read up, world!
August 7, 2011
This book would fit in well in the Vertigo Crime series.
August 15, 2011
Really liked this. a tight little noir story. Very quick read and kind of an obvious conclusion, but it was still really good.
November 23, 2011
Pretty good noir. I like it.
December 16, 2011
This is a pretty lackluster noir story with pretty awesome art. It starts out well, but sadly, the excellent art does not keep it from being cliched and shallow.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews