Published 6ht August 2026 by Point Blank.
From the cover of the book:
Elizabeth Harker has a secret.
On the day she hears the news that her husband is to be the President of one of the most prestigious universities in New England, she is in the arms of another man.
Then, on presidential inauguration day and just moments before Elizabeth is due to step on stage and deliver a speech to be broadcast around the world, she learns her lover has been brutally murdered.
As the university closes ranks, Elizabeth is forced to grieve in silence whilst protecting a secret that could destroy everything. But the harder she tries to contain the affair, the more she begins to see what lies behind the university's immaculate façade: a world where power is absolute and any threat to the institution is buried without hesitation.
Because this was never just an affair.
And this was never just a murder.
***********
British-born Elizabeth Harker portrays herself as the supportive wife of her ambitious husband, especially now he is in-line for the top job at one of New England's most prestigious universities - but she has a secret. For months she has been sleeping with one of her husband's colleagues, and she has fallen in love with the man who sees her for who she really is.
When her husband lands the role of President, she knows she will have to end her affair, despite the feelings she holds for her lover. But she does not anticipate that the ending will come via her lover's murder, just as she is delivering a speech on the night of her husband's very-public inauguration.
Privately dealing with her grief and keeping the affair secret, whilst ensuring she plays the part expected of her, is a struggle. As the university does everything it can to distance itself from scandal, Elizabeth discovers that her lover's murder might be more than it appears - and she is determined to get to the truth...
This gripping thriller immerses you in the elite world of academic excellence, on the campus of a fictional, prestigious university, where the temptations of money and power lead to murder. The story is told through the eyes of Elizabeth, a woman caught between her desires and the duties expected of her as the wife of the institution's new President, flipping between her tortured reminiscences of her affair and the present as her life unravels.
Elizabeth is a complex and intriguing character, hinting at an elusive troubled past, while laying bare the difficulties of her marriage, the needs that led her to seek comfort in another man, and her conflicted feelings about the future being shaped out for her. Her lover's murder, at a time when she cannot put a step wrong, puts her under enormous strain, but she is not as vulnerable as she appears - with her new position also comes access to secrets at the heart of the university's elite set, and Elizabeth knows how to put what she learns about them to good use.
This is a cleverly woven tapestry of lies and deception, and Heber does a fabulous job of exploring different aspects of betrayal, manipulation, and influence as the slow-burn plot plays out, in an atmospheric setting that oozes privileged campus vibes. There are lovely explorations of social media, propaganda, and the ways in which public image can be tinkered with to fit a narrative too. The twists are beautifully contrived, with just the right amount of vital information held back until the crucial moments, and I hung on every delicious turn on the way to the cracking conclusion.
I ended up listening to the audio book of this gem, narrated by Beth Lilly to absolute perfection, and have had a book hang-over ever since. There is scope here for a sequel, which I really hope Heber decides to write - these characters are far too good not to revisit.
I cannot remember the last time I enjoyed a campus thriller so much. Loved it!
Faculty of Liars is available to buy now in paperback, ebook and audio formats.
Thank you to Point Blank for sending me a review copy of this book.
About the author:
R L Heber is the author of three previous novels and has been selected as a WHSmith Fresh Talent. She is a comms strategist, and runs her own business, Words With Bex. She lives in London.
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