London: Heinemann, 1991

8vo, pp. 277. Original black boards, lettered in gilt to spine. Illustrated dust jacket, author's photographic portrait to rear panel. Age-toning to text block, otherwise a near fine copy in a near fine dust jacket with a little wear to head of spine.

First edition, third impression. FRY'S FIRST NOVEL, INSCRIBED TO THE SON OF HIS PUBLISHER SUE FREESTONE: 'To James, Hope you enjoy this, even though you're not allowed to read this for a bit, You good friend Stephen Fry XX 16th September 1991'.

Sue Freestone was publishing director at Heinemann, Hutchinson and Quercus over the course a distinguished career, and guided the early -- and then mature -- careers of many authors who became best sellers. As well as Fry, her list included Douglas Adams, Robert Harris and Sebastian Faulks, and she also saw into print books by political figures, among them Alastair Campbell, Tony Benn and Bill Clinton. Fry pays tribute to Freestone's contribution to The Liar in the book's acknowledgements: 'There is no possibility this book could ever have been written without the violent threats and pitiless blackmail of Sue Freestone of William Heinemann...'.

This copy was inscribed to Freestone's son on the same day as the copy Fry inscribed to Freestone herself (also a third impression copy).