Book Review: The Lying Man by Andy Maslen
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
I can’t believe I’m already on the fourth instalment — these books feel like catching up with old friends. The Lying Man is not a literary masterpiece, but it’s thoroughly enjoyable. Fast-paced, entertaining, and filled with familiar faces, it’s the kind of read that keeps you turning the pages without overthinking it. A solid 3-star read if you’re after something sharp, snappy and satisfying.
What stood out most for me was the theme of integrity, and the reminder of why governance structures exist in the first place. State capture, as Maseko so clearly shows, takes root when people are driven by greed and disregard the rules.
He shares his journey with honesty and depth — from his early years as an activist, through the hopeful days of our new democracy, and into the harsh reality of state capture. I’m deeply grateful to him for having the courage to be the first whistleblower. It could not have been easy, especially being ostracised by former friends and social circles. His entire family felt the impact.
The book is sensitively written and genuinely moved me. It reminded me that there are still people who have fought — and continue to fight — for the soul of our beautiful country.
That said, I am still left wondering: how is it that the Guptas have not been brought to book?
Book Review: Like Sodium in Water by Hayden Eastwood
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Two stars—and that’s being generous.
The book begins with promise. Hayden Eastwood paints an evocative picture of his childhood in Zimbabwe during the 1980s and 90s. For anyone who grew up during that era, there’s a nostalgic familiarity in his anecdotes and pop culture references. It’s easy to feel drawn in and curious about where the story might lead.
Unfortunately, it veers off in a deeply uncomfortable direction. What begins as a memoir morphs into what feels like a public airing of intensely private family matters. The amount of personal, painful “dirty laundry” shared about his family is staggering—and quite honestly, unnecessary. It leaves the reader questioning the intent behind the book. There’s a faint glimmer of remorse, especially in relation to his father, but it’s fleeting and overshadowed by what often feels like bitterness rather than reflection.
One can appreciate that writing about trauma and truth can be cathartic. But storytelling—particularly memoir—comes with a responsibility: to handle shared histories with sensitivity and care. In this case, that balance is sorely lacking.
Proceed with caution if you value discretion, healing, and empathy in memoirs.
Had no idea what to expect. Was 11hours long listen, was worried that I wouldn't get through it in the two week period. Binge listened to it with time to spare.
So good! David Miller is a bigamist. Tells wife one he is in the CIA. Rolled my eyes si many times during the book at how he duped everyone around him.
He ends up killing wife two!
Very good book.
5/5
This is the second Alice Feeney book I listened to, and really enjoyed it.
Again, binge listened to it. Love the twists.
We meet Adam an author and playright. He suffers from faceblindness and is married to Amelia. They + Bob, their lab, head up to Scotland for a weekend away that Amelia had won at work.
Very good.
4.5/5
This was very good! Quite long, but I binge listened to this. Intrigue of friends. Paige has lost her son and believes everyone on the street is guilty, Cora is married to a serial philanderer and Georga/Nicola married to an absolute psycho.
Very good narrator.
I would like to read more of her work.
4.8/5
