Behind The Book With Victoria Helen Stone 

I’m so excited that Samantha Lien was able to reunite me with Victoria Helen Stone for this Behind The Book Q&A discussing Victoria’s new release Bald-Faced Liar! I was so lucky to read an early copy! Bald-Faced Liar is out today on June 1^st wherever books are sold 

Q: Victoria welcome back to Book Notions! For those who haven’t read the book, can you please give a brief description of Bald-Faced Liar?

A: Thank you so much for having me back! Bald-Faced Liar is the story of Elizabeth May, a traveling nurse who moves frequently for her job and lies to everyone about everything, even the most mundane details of her life. Lying is her way of protecting herself and keeping people at a distance after the childhood trauma of a Satanic panic trial. When a stalker begins infiltrating her life and exposing her lies, Elizabeth has no idea who could have discovered the truth about her or what they might be after. 

Q: A year ago, when we did our regular Q&A, you briefly mentioned writing Bald-Faced Liar & that it was tied to the Satanic panic. How did the idea for this story come to you?

A: I was researching conspiracy theories for my last suspense, Follow Her Down, and I was reminded of the Satanic panic trials that swept the country during my childhood. It started in California with the McMartin Preschool debacle, but the conspiracy about day care centers being hotbeds of devil worshipping and child sacrifice worked its way across the United States, leading to dozens of investigations and trials. Even as it was happening, it felt bonkers, but looking back at the details, I still couldn’t believe how these investigations were conducted. Children were fed terrifying stories about abuse and murder and cannibalism, then accused of lying if they denied it. People were sent to prison, their lives were destroyed, all without any physical evidence. I started wondering what happened to those children, some of whom were convinced that they’d been horrifically abused. That was where Elizabeth May started as a character. 

Q: Which scenes were your favorites to create? I do like Elizabeth’s online friendship with Tristan. It reminds me of me and so many who also have close friendships online. 

A: I’m a tried-and-true introvert, so all of Elizabeth’s extrovert scenes were so much fun for me to write (from the solitary safety of my office). My friendships are more in the vein of her relationship with Tristan since my best friends live far away. But Elizabeth loves people and socializing, so it was like going to a little party every time she left the house. She’s a liar, but she’s fun.

Q: If Bald-Faced Liar were to have a sequel, what would some of the characters be doing right now? 

A: You know what? Elizabeth would make a great private investigator. She’s so nosy and she’s already great at concocting cover stories. So, I think in a sequel she’d be either a professional or an amateur sleuth. Hmm. Or maybe she’d help Grigore get out of prison after he was set-up as a fall guy for a big crime. It’s an interesting idea. Now you’ve got me thinking…

Q: What do you hope readers feel once they finish reading Bald-Faced Liar? What lessons, if any, do you hope readers come away with after they finish reading the book?

A: Others have mentioned that Bald-Faced Liar is a great reminder that you never know what someone has gone through in their life—or what they’re dealing with today, which is true. People often cover up darkness with smiles and humor. I hope readers feel a deep core of goodness in Elizabeth, and I hope she brings some light to their lives as she did to mine. The subject matter is very dark, but I tried to weave a lot of levity into this story, because I think we need that right now. A bit of escape from the world we live in.

Q: If/When Hollywood snatches up the rights to Bald-Faced Liar, who do you hope will play the characters of Elizabeth, Mike, Tristan, Grigore and the others? For Elizabeth I want to see Megan Fahy from White Lotus play Elizabeth. 

A: I am AWFUL at choosing actors for my books. Truly the worst. But your mention of White Lotus made me think of Aimee Lou Wood. She has such a warm presence, and she can pull off a harmless, friendly demeanor. I think she’d make a great Elizabeth! (I wonder if she can do an American accent???) I think maybe Jack Quaid would be a fantastic Mike: a cute guy with puppy-dog eyes who might be nice or might be super creepy? Other than that, what about Liev Schreiber as Grigore? (I wonder if he can do a Romanian accent!)

Thank you so much for another great interview! It was lovely to talk to you again.