The Liar’s Gallery

Although I have enjoyed other books from the author, The Liar\’s Gallery: A Gus LeGarde Mystery (LeGarde Mysteries Book 7) is the first book in this series that I’ve had the privilege of reading. As in his other books, the author is great at introducing well-developed believable characters and setting the scene for the evolving story with the skillful use of both drama and humor. We’re thrown into the story immediately when Gus is horseback riding. Gus\’ former best friend, Byron had been flying his own plane when it was apparently having mechanical trouble. Luckily, it was near where Gus was riding with some of his family, so Gus rushes to the rescue, not knowing that the pilot’s his old friend. Gus manages to pull Byron out from the plane before the gas tank is set on fire, and the plane’s destroyed, although not completely. Byron recuperates for a day at Gus’s family farm, before they return the next day to the site of the crash to meet authorities and see what’s salvageable. Not only is sabotage suspected, but they discover a long tube amidst the wreckage which has a painting rolled inside that Byron knows nothing about. After an accidental spill at Gus’ farm, they discover that the painting was an original work of art that had been painted over. The police art experts get involved, and meanwhile, Byron coincidentally spots a famous painting in Gus’ house, which had been handed down in the family, and urges Gus to have it appraised and insured. Gus and Byron connect the artwork discovered on the plane to a ring of thieves working in Rochester. Millions of dollars’ worth of artwork had already been taken, so Byron stays with Gus, not only because he’s under suspicion since the painting found on his plane is a Monet, but because his life could be in danger for unknown reasons. Besides the mystery, there’s some deeply fascinating backstory relating to the family he dearly loves, along with the typical turmoil associated with Gus, an overprotective father, who has suspicions about his daughter Shelby’s new older boyfriend. Gus’s friends and family are all relatable characters, who feel like people you could actually know and love, and it’s an intriguing mystery with clues that will keep you guessing until the very end. I give it five stars and recommend you begin with the first book in the series. (That’s what I’m going to do!!)

If I were a man, I\’d want to be like Gus LeGarde… What? You\’ve never thought about being somebody of the opposite sex… Or maybe somebody of the same sex who you admire? Gus is a man that garners respect, love, and demonstrates those qualities and more in return. Somehow I always think that he must be much like the author, don\’t you think? When a character is drawn so beautifully, I tend to think that the character represents either the author or somebody who was greatly admired by the author… One of the first suggestions for Gus through my search was Kelsey Grammer. You know, I think Google knows how to work for me! LOL A good portion of each book will be set at the LeGarde family farm where LeGarde will be either gardening or fixing a meal…or picking up one of the little ones carefully and loving… Gus\’ daughter lives with them now with her three children and Gus has recently remarried Camille, after losing his first wife a number of years ago through cancer. Gus also gained an adopted daughter, Shelby, with his second marriage and she is not exactly happy with her father when she falls in love with an \”older man.\” She\’s still in high school and he\’s in college… A new character introduced to readers is actually Gus\’ best friend, but they\’ve not seen each other for years–a little fault on both while the busy world is really the culprit! Gus had played for Byron when he was either in concert or preparing for class work. Now Byron was just appointed as head of the music department at Eastman in Rochester… The new boyfriend just happens to be attending Eastman! Byron had been flying his own plane when it went down. Fortunately, it was near where Gus had been out riding. He had just gotten Byron out when the gas blew and the plane was destroyed. Once they were back at the farm and had a night\’s rest, they went to the site of the plane and found a long tube that had a painting inside! Byron knew nothing about it but later at home an accidental spill caused them to realize that the original painting had been painted over! While discussions began with the police art experts, another famous piece was discovered when Byron was given the tour of the house… Without going any further into the artistic world, let\’s just say that Gus and Byron got involved with the seamy side when they discover there is a ring of thieves working in Rochester and millions of dollars of art had already been taken and… now comes into the LeGarde\’s home and lives… While Byron is under suspicion since the Monet had been found in his plane… So let\’s get back to Shelby. Here, too, Byron\’s visit brought her into the primary story. When Shelby learned that Byron was a singing teacher, she took his being there to tell Gus that she wanted to sing. Byron spent time with her, and as the family listened, they were all surprised at Shelby\’s beautiful voice. Needless to say that Byron immediately suggested lessons, Gus agreed, and Gus was soon driving Shelby to Rochester, but not until after the family had enjoyed many solos and duets. And the first time she was there, she met the \”University man\” of her dreams… Without going into their story too much, let\’s say that it just may be the typical teenage romance? Maybe not! Ok, I admit it…I played up the parts that were \”extras\” or \”fill-ins\” around the major thrusts of the book. I did it and I\’m glad I did it… My review is for readers, who have never read Lazar before, one of the reasons many place his books as must-reads! I know Gus better than I know any of my neighbors and I adore his love of family, music, and all things meaningful. LeGarde has to be my favorite series, but I also enjoy reading all the rest. Gus also has a very special brother-in-law who does not have too big a part in this book…but a very important part…he knows that Shelby is in trouble and starts the hunt for her! One other mention that deserves a spotlight is the relationship between Gus and Byron… After being close friends for a major part of their lives, it was only when Gus saves Byron\’s life in this book, that Byron emotionally came \”out\” to Gus. It is a truly touching scene as one close friend tells his best friend that he never quite trusted him…enough… Needless to say, Gus was both angry and hurt… What a world we created in the past, and which still needs work… This became very important in the story because Byron\’s lover had just died and… Well, you\’re going to have to find that out for yourself! Read this book! I loved it! You will too! GABixlerReviews

Once again, Aaron Lazar comes up with a story that builds upon his existing characters in the Gus LeGarde series while placing them in a fresh premise relating to art and music, two subjects that the author obviously knows his way around. I\’ve read several other books in the series, and I really enjoy the way the characters develop across several decades, with attitudes and behaviors appropriate to each stage of their lives. In Liar\’s Gallery, Gus is the hyper-protective father, which is somewhat humorous considering the risky activities he hid from his own parents as a kid, as we saw in earlier books. His hostile attitude toward Shelby\’s slick young suitor serves the story well, because we\’re left wondering till the end whether Gus\’s suspicions are justified or just parental paranoia. Like Lazar\’s other books, this story takes a while to get down to business, but Lazar spends the build-up period crafting believable lives for his characters. After all, Gus LeGarde is no Jason Bourne; he\’s an everyman who gets caught up with nogoodniks, in the midst of (more or less) normal family turmoil. The simmering plot comes to a satisfying boil in due course. I would love to see a movie version, to watch the sidewalk chase and the dramatic buoy scene. I also got a chuckle out of bits, like the New York taxi drivers, that offered comic relief between encounters with murderous desperadoes. All in all, a 5-star, entertaining read.

THE LIARS GALLERY AARON PAUL LAZAR The last person Gus LeGarde expected to see was his college friend Byron Cunningham circling the fields around his property. The last thing he expected to see was his friends’ plane crash. After rescuing Byron Gus takes his friend in and learns that Byron is a vocal instructor at the Eastman School in Rochester. Byron bonds with Gus’ teenaged daughter Shelby and agrees to coach her for an upcoming audition. In the midst of her sessions at the school Shelby meets and falls for Byron’s protégé who has a few secrets and this fact disturbs Gus besides the fact that he is a boy. Meanwhile Gus and Camille discover some old diaries and things belonging to his great aunt Emma and an original painting done by a famous artist. The trouble really starts when an unscrupulous art appraiser wants to get his hands on it thus endangering Gus and his family. This is a typical LeGarde story in which Gus is pulled kicking and screaming into a mystery of epic proportions sending readers into the usual whirlwind of suspense and intrigue. Mr. Lazar has again provided his fans with a riveting read. This is highly recommended by this reviewer who would gladly give it 5 stars.

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