How to Spot a Liar: Kate White on the Techniques of Deception in Mysteries

Summary

At the heart of nearly every irresistible psychological thriller is a simple, deliciously dangerous idea: someone the protagonist knows—or has recently met—isn’t at all who they appear to be.Article continues after advertisement In these novels, trouble never bursts through the door wearing a ski mask. It strolls in smiling—capable, reassuring, perhaps downright charming. Sometimes it’s even the person brushing their teeth next to the protagonist in the morning. Then, either in one jolting moment or through a slow drip of unease, she realizes she’s missed something crucial. The danger didn’t arrive late. It was there all along. What makes this premise so compelling is that it’s hardly confined to fiction. Real life is full of people who aren’t as advertised—and unlike in novels, uncovering that truth never ends up being delicious. The fallout doesn’t necessarily involve a body (at least let’s hope not), but it can still leave plenty of wreckage behind. After researching and writing nineteen mysteries and thrillers (my latest is I Came Back for You, March 1, Thomas & Mercer), I’ve spent a lot of time talking to experts about deception. What I’ve learned has not only helped me sharpen my plots, but it’s also sometimes proved useful in my personal life. Here are my favorite strategies for spotting a deceiver, even if he is brushing his teeth next to you in the morning (unfortunately, I speak from experience in that case!)Article continues after advertisement * Don’t Bother Becoming a Body-Language Expert When body language first became a popular topic, books and articles promised that liars routinely gave themselves away through specific expressions and gestures. A hand over the mouth. Eyes looking up to the right. Learn these so-called “tells,” the thinking went, and you could protect yourself from deception. The problem is that this approach isn’t foolproof. “Tells aren’t universal,” explains psychologist Dale Atkins, author of eight books, most of which focus on sel...