Why We Chose Beautiful Liars by Amanda Cassidy for January’s PREM1ER Book

A new year, a new chapter, and a story where nothing is quite as perfect as it seems…

We're delighted to begin 2027 with Beautiful Liars by Amanda Cassidy, a deliciously dark, richly atmospheric novel that takes us behind the immaculate facades of one of Dublin's most exclusive communities, where privilege, family loyalty and carefully guarded secrets collide.

For our first PREM1ER selection of the year, we wanted something that would immediately draw readers in. A novel with an irresistible premise, an unforgettable setting and characters whose lives are as fascinating as they are complicated. Beautiful Liars delivers all of this, alongside the kind of intelligent, emotionally layered storytelling that makes a book so difficult to put down.

Perfect Homes. Perfect Families. Perfect Lies.

In South County Dublin's most coveted postcode, life appears almost impossibly idyllic. Beautiful clifftop homes, successful families and a close-knit community where everyone seems to know everyone else.

But appearances can be deceiving.

On the night of a full moon, five teenagers venture into the woods for a game of dares. Only four return.

Saskia Foley, bright, magnetic and seemingly unforgettable, has vanished without a trace.

As the community reels from her disappearance, three women find themselves confronting their deepest fears, questioning everything they thought they knew and facing impossible choices in their determination to protect their children.

There are whispers of wolves in the surrounding woods, and Saskia's mother becomes convinced that something beyond their understanding may be responsible. But the real dangers lurking within this seemingly perfect neighbourhood may be far closer to home.

What follows is an intricate, compelling exploration of family, friendship, privilege and the extraordinary lengths people will go to protect the lives they've built.

What particularly drew us to Beautiful Liars was Amanda Cassidy's ability to create a world that feels both glamorous and unsettling. Beneath the beautiful houses and polished appearances lies a community built on complicated relationships, unspoken resentments and secrets that threaten to unravel everything.

Amanda Cassidy brings these characters to life with remarkable depth, exploring not only the choices they make but the fears, loyalties and desires that drive them. At its heart, this is a story about motherhood, the fierce instinct to protect those we love, and the uncomfortable question of just how far that protection might go.

We were also particularly intrigued by the novel's atmospheric setting and its subtle interplay between Irish folklore and contemporary life. The suggestion of something wild and dangerous beyond the boundaries of this privileged world adds another layer to an already captivating story.

A Brilliant Beginning to a New Year of Reading

One of the things we love most about PREM1ER is the opportunity to introduce our members to exceptional storytelling across a wide range of literary styles and genres.

For us, a PREM1ER selection has always been about more than where a book might sit on a bookshop shelf. It's about the quality of the writing, the originality of the story and that unmistakable feeling of discovering something special.

Beautiful Liars embodies that approach wonderfully.

With its beautifully drawn characters, razor-sharp observations of human behaviour and brilliantly constructed narrative, Amanda Cassidy has created a novel that offers so much.

Described by Liz Nugent as reminiscent of an Irish Liane Moriarty, and praised by Ashley Audrain for its emotional depth, Beautiful Liars brings together everything we love about sophisticated, character-driven fiction.

We couldn't think of a more compelling way to begin another year of PREM1ER discoveries, and we can't wait for our members to experience it.

Our PREM1ER Special Edition

To celebrate our January selection, we're delighted to be bringing Beautiful Liars to PREM1ER members as an exclusive Goldsboro Books first edition.

Our special edition will be a signed and numbered hardback, with digitally sprayed edges and exclusive foil on the front boards and spine; created with the care and attention that makes our PREM1ER collection so special.

Become a PREM1ER Member

PREM1ER is more than receiving a beautiful signed book each month. It's becoming part of a community of passionate readers and collectors who love discovering exceptional fiction and building a collection to treasure.

For over 20 years, we've been bringing our members carefully selected signed first editions from some of the most exciting voices in publishing, combining our bookselling expertise with our passion for beautifully produced books.

As a PREM1ER member, you'll enjoy:

• Beautiful Collectible Editions: A specially selected signed and numbered first edition each month, often featuring exclusive Goldsboro finishes.

• Priority Access: Early opportunities to purchase some of our most sought-after special editions.

• Curated with Collectors in Mind: Discover exceptional books selected by our team for their storytelling, quality and collectability.

• Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Content: Enjoy author interviews, insights and specially created content.

• 15% Off Throughout Your Membership: Save on other purchases from Goldsboro Books.

• Build Your Perfect Collection: Request matching edition numbers wherever possible.

• Even More Member Benefits: Enjoy exclusive opportunities, occasional surprises and rewards for your continued membership.

Membership starts at £24.99 per month, plus shipping, with an initial six-month commitment.

Begin your next chapter with PREM1ER and join us for another extraordinary year of reading.