This needed editing. If it were shorter and more tightly paced, I would have liked it better. As of now, it feels like a longer, more rambling version of In a Dark, Dark Wood (isolationist setting, clues in a written work, betrayal by a friend the protagonist hasn't seen in many years, and on and on). The mystery wasn't all that involving and unfolded far too slowly. I really like Ware's writing and the setting was great, but the inclusion of Isa's infant was distracting and ridiculous, and none of the characters, for as smart as they are, made any intelligent decisions. With about 50 fewer pages and about 3 fewer train rides, this wouldn't have felt as sluggish.

While this is not the big mystery that was The Girl in Cabin 10, The Lying Game was an easy read and would be perfect for a summer beach read. Isa, Fatima, Kate, and Thea are long-time school friends with a secret. If the secret gets out, their lives will be changed forever. The character development is not as rich as with Ware's previous novel. I didn't care for anyone in the novel, although narrator Isa seemed to be reliable.