Beaky Malone: World's Greatest Liar, Barry Hutchison

Pages: 192

Publisher: Stripes Publishing

Release Date: 2^nd June 2016

Edition: UK e-proof, NetGalley review copy

Other Titles by this Author: The 13^th Horseman, Invisible Fiends series and many more

Dylan Malone, aka Beaky, has a habit for telling porkies - every time he opens his mouth, out pops a whopper...But then his long-suffering sister shoves him into the truth-telling machine at Madame Shirley's Marvellous Emporium of Peculiarities. Now Beaky can't tell a lie - not even a teeny-weeny one - and a truth-telling Beaky is even worse...

World’s Greatest Liar is the first book in the Beaky Malone series and it was so much fun!

Beaky is hilarious, though as a big sister, I totally identified with Jodie’s frustration with him! His ridiculous, spiralling lies are so brilliant to read about, but I don’t think I'd be as fond of them IRL. And then Jodie shoved him into a truth-telling machine and only truths can escape his lips. That was even funnier, and more dangerous, than the lies and it definitely caused some issues…

Beaky and his family have Aunt Jas, Steve and their two kids, Max and Sophie, staying for the weekend. And they’re really not that popular with the Malone’s. Sophie is creepy, Max is a vile toad and Aunt Jas is just plain annoying. Beaky’s new-found truth-telling rocks Jas and Steve’s already fragile relationship and gives Sophie the fright of her life, and of course, thoroughly embarrasses Jodie multiple times. So much fun!

I loved that there was more grit in the background of the story with the tension between Beaky’s mum and Aunt Jas, the tough relationship between Jas and Steve and the sibling rivalry between Beaky and Jodie – it gave World’s Greatest Liar heart as well as humour.

The first Beaky Malone adventure is fun, funny and totally charming. I’m already looking forward to more adventures of Beaky and his madcap life.

Thanks to Stripes and NetGalley for the review copy.

Sophie