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Liar's Bench cover art

Liar's Bench

Written by: Kim Michele Richardson
Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie
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Publisher's Summary

In the best-selling tradition of The Secret Life of Bees, Liar's Bench is an atmospheric, compulsively listenable tale full of heart and history, set in 1970s Kentucky and exploring civil rights and family secrets.

In 1972 on Mudas Summers's 17th birthday, her beloved mama Ella is found hanging from the rafters of their home. Most people in Peckinpaw, Kentucky, assume that Ella's no-good husband did the deed. Others think Ella grew tired of his abuse and did it herself. Muddy is determined to find out for sure either way, especially once she finds strange papers hidden among her mama's possessions.

But Peckinpaw keeps its secrets buried deep. Muddy's almost-more-than-friend Bobby Marshall knows that better than most. Though he passes for white, one of his ancestors was Frannie Crow, a slave hanged a century ago on nearby Hark Hill Plantation. Adorning the town square is a seat built from Frannie's gallows; a tribute, a relic - and a caution - it's known as Liar's Bench. The answers Muddy seeks soon lead back to Hark Hill, to hatred and corruption that have echoed through the years, and to lies she must be brave enough to confront at last.

Kim Michele Richardson's lush, beautifully written debut is set against a southern backdrop passing uneasily from bigotry and brutality to hope. With its compelling mystery and complex yet relatable heroine, Liar's Bench is a story of first love, raw courage, and truths that won't be denied.

©2015 Kim Michele Richardson (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about Liar's Bench

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Great story

I enjoyed the character development and the narrator. Great little story that felt historical. Thanks.

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3 people found this helpful

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Excellent, must read!

This book pays homage to those that have needlessly suffered at the hands of cruelty.

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2 people found this helpful

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Good story - wonderful narrator

I quite enjoyed this book and all the more because of the narrator! It was a treat to listen to the narrator. Her Southern accent made the names of people, places and phrases so authentic.

The book immediately grabbed my attention with the shocking death of Ella and the mystery surrounding it. I was drawn into the mystery as her daughter, Mudas took it into her own hands to solve her mother’s death all the while navigating the grief and pain of losing her.

I loved how the story intertwined the history of the town and Liar’s Bench as Mudas navigated her journey for the truth.

I felt like the plot unraveled a bit when Bobby came on to the scene. The two escaped a very dangerous situation and then proceeded to nonchalantly hang out and fall in love in places that seemed to me it would be easy for the bad guys to find them in.

My curiosity about truth of Ella’s death kept me reading and I found the rest of the book suspenseful as the secrets surrounding Ella’s death were revealed.

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2 people found this helpful

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Excellent

Excellent on all levels story, writer and narrator. I would recommend and will seek this author out.

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2 people found this helpful

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a marriage made in heaven, writer and narrator

The audible listener will be 100% impressed with the incredible detail of the writer and all of her Southern touches. I am from the South and her expressions and the lifestyle she creates is so authentic. Also the narrator has a beautiful Southern accent and again reminds me of the South. This is an incredible story that really engages you. It's one of the best overall presentations I have listened to in a long time!

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Sad

Just too depressing for me . Not what I need right now with what’s going on on this world

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Young Dolly Parton Reads The Book To You!!

From the beginning to to end has you hanging on to see what happens!!

the mystery, thrills and love story all wind together effortlessly!!

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Great story

This is a great story with amazing ending. My only thought was it seemed like the author was trying to write the next To Kill a Mockingbird which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

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  • Ml
  • 2023-06-29

Wow loved this story from beginning to end!

What a an amazing story, I couldn’t put it down! The narrator was truly awesome!

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Page turner

Wonderful story . This is the third book I read from this author and I love her writings plus great narrative, just had to finish in record time 🫶will get the other books next that I have been missing till now …

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  • Wendy Shiloh Smith
  • 2019-07-16

I am so glad to have discovered this author!!

Kim Michelle Richardson weaves a story not unlike Truman Capote . She takes you to another time and place to the backwoods of Kentucky and I myself felt as though I had been watching the story unfold while peering over the characters shoulders. The narrator did a great job switching back and forth between characters and has a wonderful voice. However , at times she had a tendency to start a type of sing-song lilt that was distracting I had to switch to reading. I dont think i'll be able ro get through another book listening to this narrator which is a shame because she has the potential to be one of the best.

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29 people found this helpful

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  • Alena Amato Ruggerio
  • 2020-11-27

Rough Content

The synopsis prepared me for the murder by hanging of two women, one around the Civil War, and one in 1972 Kentucky. It did not indicate the further content of domestic violence, hate crimes, animal abuse, sexual assault, and police brutality. Be braced for the repeated use of the n-word. This was a rough one to read. I stuck it out for the exquisitely understated narration.

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23 people found this helpful

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  • Kindle Customer
  • 2019-09-22

Liar's Bench

One of the best books I have read in a long time. I recommend it highly.

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16 people found this helpful

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  • Melissa
  • 2020-07-17

Can’t stop listening.

The authors words are like poetry. I love reading her work. A heart breaking and heart warming story about racism, deep secrets, family and love in small town Kentucky.

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11 people found this helpful

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  • Sterling Silver Magnolia
  • 2021-04-14

Well, written but...

Lord, help me!! That book ran slower than molasses. It was an agonizing mix of interest and begging for it to MOVE ON!! Great narrator and good writing but it moved S O S L O W!

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10 people found this helpful

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  • Sherry Lambiotte
  • 2020-10-07

Too much description and not enough storyline.

While the author excels in elaborative description of absolutely everything, it distracts and slows the story to the point of boredom. Having lived in the Deep South, I also find it implausible that the two main characters would have been dating in 1970s Kentucky. More idealistic than realistic for the time period.

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8 people found this helpful

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  • Michelle Sawyer
  • 2015-06-21

Good book

I enjoyed this story although I thought it slowed a little in the middle I still enjoy this read. I am looking forward to reading other stories by this author.😊

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  • happy traveler
  • 2020-08-02

A good story.

A well told story of young love mystery, murder, with an adventure in small town Kentucky.

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7 people found this helpful

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2020-11-18

Slow start but well worth it

The books starts a little slow but it gets more engrossing towards the middle and finishes with a well done ending. This was a great book that sheds light on older times that should never be forgotten.

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  • Janale Jones
  • 2020-11-15

Loved the story

I really like the story and the narration was great. I would get a little bored with the over narration of surroundings but the story line kept my interest until the descriptive information passed. Overall a very enjoyable story that kept me eager to the end.

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5 people found this helpful