Watching Through the Fence

In a quiet Santa Cruz neighborhood, Elizabeth "Beth" May finds solace in her anonymity, living alone and watching the world through her fence and security cameras. She's a former nurse, now a remote clinical documentation specialist, who prefers to keep her distance from others, both physically and emotionally. Her days are filled with eavesdropping on neighbors, constructing stories about their lives, and maintaining a careful separation between herself and the world. But beneath her calm exterior, Beth is haunted by a traumatic childhood, a past she's desperate to keep hidden. Her need for invisibility is both a shield and a prison, and she's convinced that as long as she remains unseen, she'll be safe from the ghosts that chase her.

The Art of Disappearing

Beth's life is a patchwork of carefully curated lies and shifting identities. She's adept at blending in, using different names and stories for every acquaintance. Her online presence is just as fragmented, with multiple personas and a strict separation between her real self and her digital avatars. This compartmentalization is her survival mechanism, a way to control how much of herself she reveals. But the cracks are beginning to show. When a new neighbor, Mike, arrives, Beth is drawn to him despite her instincts. Their flirtation is easy, but she's careful to keep him at arm's length, never letting him see the real her. Yet, the more she tries to disappear, the more she's forced to confront the parts of herself she can't escape.

New Faces, Old Fears

Beth's brief, passionate night with Mike is supposed to be a one-time escape, but when he reveals he'll be in town for six months, her carefully constructed boundaries are threatened. She's unsettled by his presence, worried that her lies will unravel. Meanwhile, strange things begin to happen: someone is impersonating her online, posting damaging comments that threaten her job. The sense of being watched intensifies, and Beth's old anxieties resurface. She's forced to question everyone around her—could Mike be more than he seems? Is someone from her past closing in? The fear that she can't control her narrative, that her secrets are slipping out, becomes overwhelming.

One-Night Stand, Six-Month Consequence

As Beth tries to distance herself from Mike, she's pulled into a web of paranoia. The online impersonation escalates, and she receives bizarre, targeted mail—brochures for Liars Anonymous, psychiatric facilities, and more. Her sense of safety is shattered. She suspects everyone: coworkers, neighbors, even Mike. The boundaries between her lies and reality blur, and she's haunted by memories of her childhood in Iowa, where a false accusation during the Satanic Panic destroyed lives—including her own. The past she's tried so hard to bury is clawing its way back, and she's terrified that someone knows the truth about her.

The Impostor Online

Beth's professional life is threatened when her boss confronts her about the damaging online posts. She scrambles to prove her innocence, but the evidence is damning. Someone has gone to great lengths to mimic her digital footprint, and the attack feels personal. The violation is profound—her anonymity, her livelihood, her very sense of self are under siege. As she investigates, she realizes the stalker knows intimate details about her life, details only someone from her past could know. The walls she's built to protect herself are crumbling, and she's forced to confront the possibility that she'll never truly be free of her history.

Stalked by Shadows

The harassment intensifies: flyers with her face and the label "known liar" appear around town, her phone is bombarded with abusive messages, and she's pushed into traffic by an unseen assailant. The police are dismissive, treating her as unstable or attention-seeking. Even her few online friends begin to doubt her. Beth's world shrinks as she barricades herself inside, terrified and alone. The sense of being hunted is relentless, and she's plagued by guilt and shame over her childhood lies. The stalker's game is psychological warfare, designed to break her spirit and force her into isolation.

The Past Resurfaces

Beth's investigation leads her back to the events that defined her life: as a child, she was manipulated into making false accusations during the Satanic Panic, leading to the wrongful imprisonment of the Hoffholders, a local daycare family. She reconnects with the other key witness, Lauren, only to discover that Lauren recently died by suicide after experiencing similar harassment. The realization that the stalker is targeting the survivors of the case is chilling. Beth is consumed by guilt and fear, convinced that she's next. The line between victim and perpetrator blurs, and she's forced to reckon with the consequences of her childhood actions.

Unraveling at the Seams

As the stalker's attacks become more brazen, Beth's grip on reality weakens. She questions her own sanity—could she be fabricating the threats, as the police suggest? Her isolation deepens, and she's tormented by memories of being ostracized and bullied as "Devil Girl." The psychological toll is immense. She tries to find solace in her routines, her work, and her online friendship with Tristan, but trust is impossible. Every relationship feels suspect, every kindness a potential trap. The stalker's goal is clear: to make her doubt herself, to erase her sense of safety and identity.

The Devil Girl Returns

The campaign against Beth reaches a fever pitch. Flyers with her childhood nickname and accusations are plastered everywhere, and her neighbors begin to avoid her. She's forced to relive the shame and ostracism of her youth, and the community turns against her. The police remain indifferent, and her attempts to seek help are met with skepticism or outright hostility. Beth's world contracts to a single point of fear and humiliation. She's convinced that the only way to survive is to run, to disappear once again. But the stalker is always one step ahead, anticipating her every move.

Paranoia and Proof

Determined to fight back, Beth installs new security cameras and tries to gather proof of the stalker's identity. She uncovers a pattern: the harassment mirrors what happened to Lauren before her death. The realization that the same person is responsible for both campaigns is terrifying. Beth's investigation leads her to suspect Jacob Hoffholder, the troubled son of the daycare family, but the evidence is elusive. She's caught in a web of suspicion, unable to trust anyone—not even herself. The line between reality and paranoia blurs, and she's haunted by the fear that she'll never be believed.

The Guilt Spiral

Beth's guilt over her childhood lies becomes unbearable. She's tormented by the knowledge that her actions destroyed lives, and she's convinced that she deserves the punishment the stalker is inflicting. The psychological warfare is effective—she begins to internalize the accusations, to see herself as the villain. Her relationships suffer, and she pushes away the few people who care about her. The stalker's goal is nearly achieved: Beth is on the verge of giving up, of letting herself be erased by shame and fear.

The Stalker's Game

The stalker's attacks become physical: Beth is drugged, tied up, and nearly killed in her own home. The police remain unhelpful, dismissing her as unstable. In a moment of clarity, Beth realizes that the stalker is not Jacob, but his older brother Noah, who blames her and Lauren for the destruction of his family. Noah's campaign is one of revenge and twisted justice, designed to make Beth suffer as he and his brother did. The confrontation is brutal, and Beth is forced to fight for her life. In a desperate act of self-defense, she kills Noah.

Alone in the Crowd

Traumatized and exhausted, Beth turns to her landlord, Grigore, for help. Together, they dispose of Noah's body, erasing all evidence of the crime. Beth is wracked with guilt and fear, but she's also relieved—she's survived. The experience cements her belief that she can never truly trust anyone, that she must always rely on herself. The police continue to investigate, but Beth's lies hold. She's free, but at a terrible cost. The cycle of secrecy and self-protection continues, and she's left to wonder if she'll ever be able to break free.

The Push

As Beth tries to rebuild her life, she's forced to confront the consequences of her actions. Her relationship with Mike is strained by her secrecy, and she struggles to let anyone get close. The trauma of the stalking and the killing lingers, and she's haunted by the fear that she'll be discovered. But for the first time, she allows herself to hope for something better. She begins therapy, starts to tell the truth—at least in small ways—and considers the possibility of a future that isn't defined by fear and lies.

Suspicions and Allies

Beth's journey toward healing is slow and painful. She reconnects with the community, makes amends where she can, and allows herself to be vulnerable with Mike and her new friends. The experience has changed her—she's no longer content to live in the shadows. She acknowledges her past, her mistakes, and her need for connection. The process is messy and imperfect, but it's real. For the first time, Beth considers the possibility of belonging, of building a life that isn't defined by running away.

The Trap Tightens

The investigation into Noah's disappearance continues, and Beth is forced to maintain her lies. The tension is unbearable, but she's determined to hold on to her new life. She finds strength in her relationships, in her work, and in her growing sense of self-worth. The fear never fully disappears, but she learns to live with it, to move forward despite it. The experience has taught her that survival isn't just about hiding—it's about choosing to live, to connect, to hope.

The Truth About Lauren

Beth's research into Lauren's death reveals the full extent of Noah's campaign of revenge. Lauren was targeted, harassed, and ultimately killed by the same man who came for Beth. The realization is devastating, but it also brings a measure of closure. Beth is able to grieve for Lauren, for Jacob, and for the child she once was. She understands that the cycle of trauma can only be broken by facing the truth, by refusing to let shame and fear dictate her life.

The Final Confrontation

In the aftermath, Beth makes the decision to stay in Santa Cruz, to build a life rooted in honesty and connection. She continues therapy, nurtures her relationships, and allows herself to hope for a future that isn't defined by fear. The scars of her past remain, but they no longer control her. Beth's journey is one of survival, resilience, and the slow, painful process of healing. She's no longer just a liar or a victim—she's a survivor, and she's finally free to live on her own terms.

Characters

Elizabeth "Beth" May

Beth is a woman defined by her past—a childhood marked by trauma, guilt, and public shame after her coerced testimony during the Satanic Panic led to the wrongful imprisonment of the Hoffholders. As an adult, she's mastered the art of disappearing, living under a web of aliases and lies to protect herself from further harm. Her relationships are shallow by design, and she's deeply distrustful of others. Beth's psychological landscape is shaped by guilt, fear, and a desperate need for control. Her journey is one of gradual self-acceptance, as she confronts the consequences of her actions and learns to trust, connect, and hope again. Her development is marked by a painful reckoning with her past and a hard-won embrace of vulnerability.

Mike Brocus

Mike is a visiting environmental chemist whose awkward charm and genuine kindness draw Beth out of her shell. Initially a one-night stand, he becomes a persistent presence in her life, challenging her boundaries and forcing her to confront her fears. Mike's patience and empathy make him a safe haven for Beth, but his presence also threatens her carefully constructed world of lies. His own history of failed relationships and longing for connection mirror Beth's struggles, and their relationship becomes a crucible for growth and healing. Mike's role is both romantic interest and moral anchor, helping Beth see the possibility of a life beyond fear.

Noah Hoffholder

Noah is the older brother of Jacob, the boy at the center of the original daycare scandal. Consumed by guilt over his family's destruction and his failure to protect Jacob from abuse, Noah channels his pain into a campaign of psychological terror against Beth and Lauren. His actions are driven by a twisted sense of justice and a need to make others suffer as he has. Noah's psychological profile is complex—he's both victim and perpetrator, shaped by loss, anger, and a desperate need for meaning. His ultimate confrontation with Beth is a tragic collision of broken lives and unhealed wounds.

Lauren Jensen

Lauren was the other key witness in the daycare case, whose life was similarly derailed by the events of their childhood. Like Beth, she's haunted by guilt and shame, and she becomes the first target of Noah's revenge. Her suicide is a devastating blow to Beth, serving as both a warning and a catalyst for action. Lauren's story is a poignant exploration of the long-term effects of trauma and the dangers of isolation. Her fate underscores the stakes of Beth's struggle and the importance of connection and support.

Grigore

Grigore is Beth's Romanian landlord, whose criminal connections and pragmatic approach to life make him an invaluable ally when the situation turns deadly. He provides Beth with practical support—security cameras, weapons, and ultimately, help disposing of Noah's body. Grigore's relationship with Beth is transactional but also marked by a rough affection. He represents the possibility of finding safety and loyalty outside traditional structures, and his presence challenges Beth's assumptions about trust and belonging.

Tristan

Tristan is Beth's online friend, a fellow nurse who becomes her confidant during the stalking ordeal. Their relationship is intimate but safely distant, allowing Beth to share parts of herself she hides from others. Tristan's role as a potential suspect adds to the atmosphere of paranoia, but he ultimately serves as a reminder of the importance—and limitations—of virtual support. His presence highlights the ways technology can both connect and endanger.

Detective Heissen

Detective Heissen represents the systemic failures that have plagued Beth's life—from the original investigation that destroyed her childhood to the present-day dismissal of her fears. His skepticism and condescension exacerbate Beth's isolation, reinforcing her belief that she can't rely on authority for protection. Heissen's character is a critique of institutional blindness and the dangers of disbelief, especially for women and trauma survivors.

Violet

Violet is a local librarian who becomes one of Beth's first real friends in Santa Cruz. Her empathy and practical support offer Beth a lifeline during her darkest moments. Violet's willingness to listen and believe is a stark contrast to the indifference of others, and her presence is a beacon of hope. She represents the possibility of connection, community, and healing.

Lauren's Friend Audrey

Audrey is Lauren's friend who provides crucial information about the harassment Lauren endured before her death. Her guilt and sorrow mirror Beth's own, and her willingness to share the truth helps Beth piece together the stalker's identity. Audrey's character underscores the importance of bearing witness and the power of shared experience.

Mr. Sanchez

Mr. Sanchez is Beth's neighbor, a friendly presence who becomes entangled in the aftermath of the stalking and the cover-up. His interactions with Beth highlight the complexities of community—how neighbors can be both sources of comfort and potential threats. Mr. Sanchez's role is a reminder of the ways ordinary people are drawn into extraordinary events.

Plot Devices

Unreliable Narration and Fragmented Identity

The novel's structure is built around Beth's unreliable narration—her lies, compartmentalization, and self-doubt create a sense of instability and suspense. The reader is never sure what is real, who can be trusted, or how much of Beth's experience is shaped by trauma and paranoia. This device mirrors the psychological impact of gaslighting and isolation, drawing the reader into Beth's fractured reality. The use of multiple names, online personas, and shifting narratives underscores the theme of identity as both protection and prison.

Foreshadowing and Paranoia

The story is laced with subtle foreshadowing—strange noises, unexplained events, and the reappearance of childhood symbols (like the devil doll) all signal the return of the past. The escalation of threats, from online impersonation to physical attacks, is carefully paced to heighten tension. The reader is kept in a state of uncertainty, mirroring Beth's own paranoia and fear. The use of red herrings (suspecting Mike, Tristan, or others) keeps the mystery alive until the final reveal.

Trauma as a Living Force

The novel uses Beth's childhood trauma as both backstory and active antagonist. Flashbacks, intrusive memories, and the resurfacing of old wounds drive the plot and character development. The cyclical nature of trauma—how it shapes identity, relationships, and perception—is a central device. The stalking is not just a physical threat but a psychological assault, designed to force Beth to relive and reckon with her past.

Isolation and Community

Beth's journey is marked by a tension between her desire for isolation and her need for connection. The plot uses her relationships—with Mike, Violet, Grigore, and others—to explore the risks and rewards of vulnerability. The community's response to the stalking (indifference, suspicion, support) serves as both obstacle and opportunity for growth. The interplay between public exposure and private shame is a recurring motif.

The Stalker's Game

The antagonist's methods—impersonation, public shaming, gaslighting, and physical attacks—are designed to destabilize and isolate Beth. The plot device of the stalker's escalating campaign creates a sense of inevitability and doom, forcing Beth to confront her deepest fears. The final confrontation is both literal and symbolic—a battle for survival and self-definition.

Analysis

"Bald-Faced Liar" is a masterful exploration of trauma, identity, and the long shadow of childhood guilt. Victoria Helen Stone crafts a suspenseful, psychologically rich narrative that interrogates the ways we protect ourselves from pain—through lies, isolation, and reinvention—and the costs of those defenses. The novel is both a gripping thriller and a nuanced character study, using the conventions of the genre to probe deeper questions about truth, memory, and forgiveness. At its core, the book is about survival: not just the physical survival of escaping a stalker, but the emotional survival of living with shame, regret, and the fear of being truly seen. Stone's portrayal of Beth is unflinching—she's flawed, defensive, and often unreliable, but her journey toward self-acceptance and connection is deeply moving. The novel's structure, with its shifting perspectives and layered revelations, mirrors the complexity of trauma and the difficulty of healing. Ultimately, "Bald-Faced Liar" is a testament to resilience—the courage to face the past, to risk vulnerability, and to choose life, even when the truth is terrifying. The lesson is clear: freedom comes not from perfect safety or total control, but from the willingness to be known, to forgive oneself, and to build a future rooted in honesty and hope.

Last updated: December 31, 2025