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The Trouble With Liam
THE TROUBLE WITH LIAM, book 1 of The Trouble series, is a powerful psychological thriller set in Ireland and Sheffield. It tells the life story of Liam O’Sullivan in all its twisted glory. The book begins with tales of Liam’s challenging childhood in Dublin and follows him through tragic events that change him into a misogynistic, controlling, lethal bully living in Sheffield. Liam thought he could do as he pleased until he was taught otherwise. Prepare to be shocked in different ways throughout the book. If you enjoy lashings of dark humour, situations to make your eyes pop out, thrills of every kind all wrapped up in a dramatic storyline, please read on. Book 2 is The Trouble With Trouble. Book 3 is Trouble In Cornwall. Both of these "outrageous" erotic crime thrillers are on Amazon in Kindle and paperback. Book 4, called Troubled, will be published in early 2021. All books in the Trouble series contain explicit adult material.
- GenresThriller
294 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2018
3 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Joy Mutter
30 books142 followersAuthor of Random Bullets, 4 books in The Hostile series, Her Demonic Angel, Living with Postcards, Potholes and Magic Carpets, The Mug Trilogy, The Trouble with Liam, The Trouble with Trouble, Trouble in Cornwall, Troubled, Nuru and his Crows, The Storms of Padstow, Punishing the Innocent, The Brothers Grimshaw, A Sunny Day in Oldham, Friends in Need, Chasing her Shadow, and Caravan of Nightmares.
Joy Mutter started writing books in 2007 but waited until 2015 to publish six of them on Amazon. More books soon followed. All her books are available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions. Nine books also have audiobook versions on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.
Joy was born in Jersey in the Channel Islands and lived there for 18 years. After gaining a Graphic Design Degree at Coventry University, she lived and worked in Kent as a professional graphic designer for 20 years. She moved from Kent to Oldham in 2012 and has been writing, designing, and publishing her books full-time ever since.
Her first 3 books are third-person autobiographies and form The Mug Trilogy. Books in this series are A Slice of the Seventies, The Lying Scotsman, and Straws.
Potholes and Magic Carpets is a contemporary character-led novel.
Living with Postcards is her first non-fiction book.
Random Bullets is a psychological thriller with a paranormal twist.
Her Demonic Angel was published in early 2016 in Kindle, paperback, and audiobook. It contains fourteen of Joy Mutter's short stories written in various genres.
In 2016-2017, Joy published The Hostile Series of unusual paranormal crime thrillers. Books in the series are The Hostile, Holiday for The Hostile, The Hostile Game, Confronting The Hostile, and The Hostile Series Box Set. Each book in The Hostile series is available in Kindle, paperback, and audiobook editions.
The Trouble with Liam, a psychological thriller was published in 2018. Between 2019 and 2020, she published 3 erotic thrillers; The Trouble With Trouble, Trouble In Cornwall, and Troubled.
In 2021, Joy published Nuru And His Crows, a dark erotic thriller. Her first novella, The Brothers Grimshaw, was published in 2022 along with A Sunny Day in Oldham. In March 2023, she published her 20th book, The Storms of Padstow, book 2 of the Nuru and his Crows series. Punishing the Innocent, book 3 of the series soon followed.
She then wrote a third-person memoir called The Brothers Grimshaw, and a novel called Friends in Need.
In 2025, she published a thriller called Chasing her Shadow and her second collection of short stories called Caravan of Nightmares.
Joy is currently writing her third collection of short stories.
Joy Mutter started writing books in 2007 but waited until 2015 to publish six of them on Amazon. More books soon followed. All her books are available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions. Nine books also have audiobook versions on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.
Joy was born in Jersey in the Channel Islands and lived there for 18 years. After gaining a Graphic Design Degree at Coventry University, she lived and worked in Kent as a professional graphic designer for 20 years. She moved from Kent to Oldham in 2012 and has been writing, designing, and publishing her books full-time ever since.
Her first 3 books are third-person autobiographies and form The Mug Trilogy. Books in this series are A Slice of the Seventies, The Lying Scotsman, and Straws.
Potholes and Magic Carpets is a contemporary character-led novel.
Living with Postcards is her first non-fiction book.
Random Bullets is a psychological thriller with a paranormal twist.
Her Demonic Angel was published in early 2016 in Kindle, paperback, and audiobook. It contains fourteen of Joy Mutter's short stories written in various genres.
In 2016-2017, Joy published The Hostile Series of unusual paranormal crime thrillers. Books in the series are The Hostile, Holiday for The Hostile, The Hostile Game, Confronting The Hostile, and The Hostile Series Box Set. Each book in The Hostile series is available in Kindle, paperback, and audiobook editions.
The Trouble with Liam, a psychological thriller was published in 2018. Between 2019 and 2020, she published 3 erotic thrillers; The Trouble With Trouble, Trouble In Cornwall, and Troubled.
In 2021, Joy published Nuru And His Crows, a dark erotic thriller. Her first novella, The Brothers Grimshaw, was published in 2022 along with A Sunny Day in Oldham. In March 2023, she published her 20th book, The Storms of Padstow, book 2 of the Nuru and his Crows series. Punishing the Innocent, book 3 of the series soon followed.
She then wrote a third-person memoir called The Brothers Grimshaw, and a novel called Friends in Need.
In 2025, she published a thriller called Chasing her Shadow and her second collection of short stories called Caravan of Nightmares.
Joy is currently writing her third collection of short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 28, 2018
Dark and twisted tale charting the troubled life of Liam O’Sullivan. From a traumatic childhood in Ireland, the hero finds more than his share of trouble as he’s pushed from one bad situation to another.
This is a bit of a new direction for Joy Mutter insofar as it features her usual penchant for blood and guts but this time without the paranormal activity. Charting the disturbed life of Liam as he lands himself in ever-deeper trouble, this book pulls no punches, literally or otherwise. Graphic sex and violence are the order of the day as Ms Mutter details the downward-spiralling life of a man who doesn’t have much going for him in the nice-guy stakes.
As usual, there’s a touch of humour, though all in all, it’s a bit of a traumatic ride that shows what can happen when a child’s early life leads down a disturbing and ultimately murderous road.
Not for the faint-hearted.
This is a bit of a new direction for Joy Mutter insofar as it features her usual penchant for blood and guts but this time without the paranormal activity. Charting the disturbed life of Liam as he lands himself in ever-deeper trouble, this book pulls no punches, literally or otherwise. Graphic sex and violence are the order of the day as Ms Mutter details the downward-spiralling life of a man who doesn’t have much going for him in the nice-guy stakes.
As usual, there’s a touch of humour, though all in all, it’s a bit of a traumatic ride that shows what can happen when a child’s early life leads down a disturbing and ultimately murderous road.
Not for the faint-hearted.
October 19, 2018
Trouble follows Liam everywhere. He experiences and causes it. I haven't felt such a range of emotions towards a character in a long time either. I felt sorry for him, angry at him, and disgusted and repulsed by him!
Joy tells the story of Liam's life from his early traumatic experiences, to being the one causing pain and upset. She doesn't hold back in her explorations of depravity and injustice. If you're OK with violence and scenes that make you wince then this is a great read.
I was left wondering if things would have reached the same conclusion if Liam's childhood had been different. I was pleased with how the book ended. I believe in karma but don't think Liam did!
Joy tells the story of Liam's life from his early traumatic experiences, to being the one causing pain and upset. She doesn't hold back in her explorations of depravity and injustice. If you're OK with violence and scenes that make you wince then this is a great read.
I was left wondering if things would have reached the same conclusion if Liam's childhood had been different. I was pleased with how the book ended. I believe in karma but don't think Liam did!
October 18, 2018
As a psychological thriller, this book ticks all the books. Liam is indeed a disturbing character. With lots of graphic details and sex, it’s not for the faint of heart. Author Joy Mutter also lends us plenty of backstory to understand Liam, and despite knowing about his past he is still a character I found myself hating. I enjoyed the fact there were some villainous women in the story too and found this a brilliant if disturbing read, in all the best ways.
June 23, 2019
Liam O'Sullivan had a difficult childhood and his obsession with it he becomes his own enemy. Liam is a complex, character and I didn't know whether to hate him, fear for him or simply fear him. Right to the end it is a surprise on how his revenge becomes Karma and will there be redemption? He was a strikingly good looking man, and we are reminded of this fact repeatedly, and Liam uses it. A very disturbing psychological thriller filled with grief, sex, abuse, perversion and did I say sex. Not for the faint of heart.
April 3, 2019
Disclaimer.
I had requested and received audible version of this book for free from the author, in exchange for an unbiased review.
What I liked about the book -
Half of the book's synopsis is its own self-review, of sorts. And it is 100% correct. I couldn't have said it better. "Prepare to be shocked in different ways throughout the book. If you’re not a fan of thrillers or hate books containing violence, sex, and swearing, please avoid The Trouble with Liam. If you enjoy lashings of dark humor, situations to make your eyes pop out of your head, thrills of every kind, all wrapped up in a gripping, dramatic storyline, please listen."
A good amount of time is spent on Liam's back story, explaining how he became the way he is. Plus points for character development. A well defined, strongly written character always pulls me in. And this book managed to do that and keep me engaged.
What I disliked about the book -
The backstory might be a problem for some. Some might call those as "trying to justify" horrible behaviors. Read the synopsis again and skip the book in that case.
Narration -
Narration by Tracey Norman was a perfect match for the content. The story came alive with the performance.
I had requested and received audible version of this book for free from the author, in exchange for an unbiased review.
What I liked about the book -
Half of the book's synopsis is its own self-review, of sorts. And it is 100% correct. I couldn't have said it better. "Prepare to be shocked in different ways throughout the book. If you’re not a fan of thrillers or hate books containing violence, sex, and swearing, please avoid The Trouble with Liam. If you enjoy lashings of dark humor, situations to make your eyes pop out of your head, thrills of every kind, all wrapped up in a gripping, dramatic storyline, please listen."
A good amount of time is spent on Liam's back story, explaining how he became the way he is. Plus points for character development. A well defined, strongly written character always pulls me in. And this book managed to do that and keep me engaged.
What I disliked about the book -
The backstory might be a problem for some. Some might call those as "trying to justify" horrible behaviors. Read the synopsis again and skip the book in that case.
Narration -
Narration by Tracey Norman was a perfect match for the content. The story came alive with the performance.
October 12, 2018
This is a dark, shocking story that will keep you thinking long after you've finished reading it. The story follows Liam, right from a young age. He endures severe abuse at the hands of his mother, coupled with a traumatic childhood, and ends up in a children's home. Here his problems go from bad to worse.
At the beginning, my heart ached for Liam. Abused by his mother, and later in the children's home, you can understand the thoughts going through his head and make allowances for them. But as he reaches adulthood, the book takes an even darker turn, and your feelings go from pity to shock, and then horror.
This story is a fascinating look into the psyche of a person, and how their past can turn them into unforgiving monsters. Even though it is very dark, and quite graphic at times, it draws you in and keeps you turning the pages to the end. A recommended read.
At the beginning, my heart ached for Liam. Abused by his mother, and later in the children's home, you can understand the thoughts going through his head and make allowances for them. But as he reaches adulthood, the book takes an even darker turn, and your feelings go from pity to shock, and then horror.
This story is a fascinating look into the psyche of a person, and how their past can turn them into unforgiving monsters. Even though it is very dark, and quite graphic at times, it draws you in and keeps you turning the pages to the end. A recommended read.
November 19, 2018
If you enjoy a dark, psychological thriller/horror about a psychopath abusive control freak, then this is your book! I kept reading to find out what happened with Liam. And maybe because Author Joy Mutter hypnotized me somehow through her words. Maybe Author Mutter is a secret FBI profiler because who would know this stuff? How in the heck did she research/do her homework to portray this deeply disturbing human being as well as she did? I'm almost afraid to ask.
Read with the lights on, the doors locked, and a weapon at your side!
Read with the lights on, the doors locked, and a weapon at your side!
October 5, 2018
Disturbingly good
Having read and enjoyed all joy mutter's books I was pleased to see a new book published .briefly it follows Liam from early life being cruelly treated by his mother and the effect his father's suicide had on him throughout his later life and his uncaring attitude to woman in general I won't say anymore as I don't won't to give any spoilers away but a word of warning there is plenty of sex and violence . The only trouble with Liam I found was the book came to an end
Having read and enjoyed all joy mutter's books I was pleased to see a new book published .briefly it follows Liam from early life being cruelly treated by his mother and the effect his father's suicide had on him throughout his later life and his uncaring attitude to woman in general I won't say anymore as I don't won't to give any spoilers away but a word of warning there is plenty of sex and violence . The only trouble with Liam I found was the book came to an end
March 3, 2019
this follows Liam as he goes from scared kid to psychopath wile his hatred For women Turns more and more violent
The book covers many years and different Subject Matter witch kept iT interesting
Well narrated And a good dark thriller I’ll be checking out more by this author
I received a free review audiobook and voluntarily Left this review
The book covers many years and different Subject Matter witch kept iT interesting
Well narrated And a good dark thriller I’ll be checking out more by this author
I received a free review audiobook and voluntarily Left this review
October 9, 2018
The Liam of the title is not at all lovable. In fact, quite the contrary. This is a tale of a man whose troubled upbringing turns him into a seriously disturbed individual.
There are moments of humour, but it's all very dark. If you enjoy being shocked, you'll like this. I know I did!
There are moments of humour, but it's all very dark. If you enjoy being shocked, you'll like this. I know I did!
April 15, 2019
Wow! What a great story! Liam wasn't born crazy.It was his mum that made him that way and he just gets worse with every year! Tracey Norman was a terrific narrator! I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.
June 17, 2019
What an emotional ride. It's easy to both sympathize with and loathe Liam simultaneously. The story draws you in and has you clinging on for the full length of the book. It never felt forced or unevenly paced. Liam is a broken individual and he causes pain and destruction wherever he goes.
I received this audiobook for free in exchange for an unbiased review.
I received this audiobook for free in exchange for an unbiased review.
November 2, 2018
Does what it says on the tin
Liam was every bit what I thought he'd be from the book cover. Sick, twisted, with psycho tendencies. He didn't stand much of a chance in life. From his upbringing to the problems his disturbed mother inflicted. Sexual, sick, sad scary Liam. A great read. Author Mutter relays a good book.
Liam was every bit what I thought he'd be from the book cover. Sick, twisted, with psycho tendencies. He didn't stand much of a chance in life. From his upbringing to the problems his disturbed mother inflicted. Sexual, sick, sad scary Liam. A great read. Author Mutter relays a good book.
August 13, 2019
Not for the faint hearted 😂😂😂. Another superb book, which I read non stop. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
February 18, 2023
Another well written and great read by Joy Mutter.
This book revolves around Liam, the central character, and his relationships, which aren't for the fainthearted.
This book revolves around Liam, the central character, and his relationships, which aren't for the fainthearted.
October 30, 2024
As a devoted fan of psychological thrillers, The Trouble with Liam by author Joy Mutter did not disappoint.
From a challenging childhood beset with physical, emotional and mental abuse it’s little wonder that Liam O’Sullivan seems to limp from one disaster to another through a series of misadventures – not necessarily all of his own doing.
Having been cruelly rejected by his beloved mother - following the unexpected and traumatic death of his father - this troubled young man finds himself in a children’s home where trouble is never far away. The authors gritty, hard-hitting storyline kept me on the edge of my seat and turning the pages. The author pulls no punches in this dark, sinister tale.
It's a great read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I look forward to reading more from this talented author.
From a challenging childhood beset with physical, emotional and mental abuse it’s little wonder that Liam O’Sullivan seems to limp from one disaster to another through a series of misadventures – not necessarily all of his own doing.
Having been cruelly rejected by his beloved mother - following the unexpected and traumatic death of his father - this troubled young man finds himself in a children’s home where trouble is never far away. The authors gritty, hard-hitting storyline kept me on the edge of my seat and turning the pages. The author pulls no punches in this dark, sinister tale.
It's a great read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I look forward to reading more from this talented author.
October 11, 2018
Brilliant read captures you from the first chapter. Plays with your emotions as you come more involved with the characters !
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews