Company of Liars by Karen Maitland

Company of Liars by Karen Maitland

I picked this up at a charity shop and wasn't sure what to think at first. It says 'a novel of the plague' but it's not really about the plague. It's a story that takes place during the plague. In the back they had book club questions and one them asked if the story would have worked had it been set any other time. I think not because even though the plague wasn't the main focus it gave the right atmosphere. The 14th century was a time where religion and myth were intertwined and that is essential to the novel. The company of liars is a group of 9 travelers. The main character Camelot, a young pregnant couple on the run, a conjuror, a pair of musicians, a storyteller, a midwife, and a young girl who reads the ruins. Together they are trying to out run the plague. Thinking if they keep moving they will escape it, but there is something more dark traveling with them then the plague. By the title of the book you know all of them are lying about something. Some of them are obvious and others not so much. But thats the fun and mystery of this book. I would recommend it if you like a bit of history mixed with myth and mystery. I think I'd read Karen Maitlands newer title The Owl Killers about a group of witches in the same time period. Very enjoyable read!!