Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the oppotunity to read a complimentary of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

A tv reality show called Exposure, the cast of seven think they have been chosen to survive in the Welsh mountains; but they quickly learn that that is not why they are there. They must be the last person standing to not have a devastating secret revealed about themselves and must face their greatest fears. When one of the contestants goes missing, the police are called to the scene. Did the contestant leave on their own accord to avoid their secret being revealed or did something more sinister happen. Ffion and her team quickly learn that there is a killer in their midst, can thy find the killer before they strike again?

This is the second book in the DC Ffion Morgan series, it could easily be read as a stand alone book, for the main story alone, but I found it helpful to have read the previous book to understand the complexity of the interaction between the main characters. I enjoy this series and look forward to reading more about Ffion and her crew.

Clare Macintosh is one of those writers you never know what to expect from. But A Game of Lies was a true winner for me! This was really fun!

The premise of the book was interesting and I liked the main character, but it seemed to drag on forever and ever. I found myself losing interest and started skimming through the last 20 percent or so of the book just to reach the conclusion which was rather anticlimactic. We didn’t even get to find out what happened to the contestants whose secrets were revealed. Sorry, I can’t recommend this one.

I did not know this was the second book in the series, but it didn't really hinder my understand of the story - just missed a little on the previous relationships between the characters. Survivor but with a twist - your biggest secret revealed! No wonder the creator/director gets murdered. Suspects abound. I truly did not see the killer coming. My only complaint about this is that the ending was a whole lot of "telling". I wish we could have gotten there ourselves, or had some hints dropped in throughout the story, because the detectives just explaining to each other why and how the killer did it was a bit of a let down. I mostly liked the reality TV setting of this story so depending upon the settings of the murders in book 1 and subsequent books I might pick them up.

A Game of Lies* by Clare Mackintosh is a masterful psychological thriller that had me gripped from the very first page. The novel centers around a reality TV show where the lines between game and reality blur, leading to a series of shocking revelations and dangerous twists.

One of the aspects I loved most about this book was Mackintosh's ability to build suspense. The narrative is intricately woven, with multiple perspectives that add depth and complexity to the story. Each character is well-developed, with their own secrets and motives, making it difficult to predict who can be trusted. The dynamics between the contestants and the show's producers add an extra layer of intrigue, as the stakes are raised higher with every chapter.

Mackintosh's writing is sharp and engaging, keeping the tension high throughout the novel. The plot twists are expertly executed, with each one more surprising than the last. Just when I thought I had figured out the mystery, Mackintosh would throw in another twist that completely changed the direction of the story.

The setting of a reality TV show is both unique and compelling, providing a modern and relevant backdrop for the thriller. The behind-the-scenes look at the production of the show adds authenticity and enhances the overall suspense. The pacing is perfect, with a balance of fast-paced action and moments of introspection that allow for character development.

Overall, A Game of Lies is a brilliantly crafted thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end. Clare Mackintosh has once again proven her skill in writing captivating and suspenseful stories. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with complex characters and unexpected twists, this book is a must-read.

This book was like most thrillers to me and started out slow but once things start going it starts picking up. This was centered around a reality show. I really enjoyed this concept. I felt like the characters and the story were well written. I thoroughly enjoyed the twisty murder mystery and the structure that goes back and forth to reveal the secrets and motives each contestant carries and acts upon. I liked the hidden clues between the chapters, that kept me guessing. I had a really good time with this book. Although this is the second book in a series, I felt like it was ok to read as a standalone. I would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark | Sourcebooks Landmark for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

Another fun read by Mackintosh. I have read three reality series based thrillers this spring and all were good. The premise for the show and the atmosphere was different in each. I especially enjoyed the atmosphere in this book. It was kind of a nice relief from the heat of the season! This book kept me engaged and was a fun read.
Recommend!
#AGameOfLies #NetGalley #SOURCEBOOKLandmarks

This is book two in the DC Morgan series. I hadn't read the first one before I started this one, but I fully plan on reading it. It didn't seem to matter much that I jumped in with book two. Everything made sense, and I wasn't lost at all.

I really ended up enjoying this mystery. The setting was spectacular! I loved the experience of the reality show going on during the investigation. Reality TV is such a guilty pleasure to watch, and I thought that the way the author emphasized how editing is used to skew perceptions was very interesting.

The murder mystery was compelling and kept me guessing. The twists were well thought out, and the characters were intriguing.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Not as captivating as book one. I had a hard time getting into it, and really skimmed most of it. I think the way this ARC is formatted didn’t help.

A game of lies is a thriller that is based on reality tv.

Seven contestants are picked to play this game. The game is to expose each others secrets. One of the contestants goes missing. Bones are found. Whose are they? Why did this?

Dc Fifon and DC George Kent are on the case. Who committed this murder? Can they figure it out?

Claire mackintosh has done a great job on this novel. Lots of twists and turns. You are not sure who has done what!

Thanks to NetGalley and sourcebook landmark for this arc!

I liked this sequel , the story was interesting and a bit twisty about a reality show gone wrong, from lying to the contestants, to murder.

This was such a good book. Claire Mackintosh did not disappoint me! I loved the story line and the characters in this book. I read it in one sitting, I had to know what happened. I would definitely recommend this book.

I really tried to get into this book but I was so bored. It reminded me too much of a book I had read earlier on this year and I had no interest in reading more. I got about 30% before I DNFed it

Clare Mackintosh is an auto-buy author for me, and for good reason!

I was so excited to read this second installment of the DC Morgan series and Ffion and her witty sassy have only gotten better!

3.5 ⭐️

A Game of Lies is the second DC Morgan novel, the first being The Last Party, however it can definitely be read as a standalone!


I LOVED the premise of this book and when I saw the synopsis I knew I needed to read it. Unfortunately, this one was a bit too slow paced for me. I felt like with the premise that it had, it would have been better if it was more fast paced and page turning.

I do think that this book will be loved by a LOT of people and both this one and The Last Party would be an AMAZING Netflix series.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for my copy!

A locked room mystery with plenty of motives for murder! An intriguing premise for a reality show leads to deadly consequences in A Game of Lies. Seven contestants get more than they signed up for when the rules of the game change.

Trapped on the set in a remote mountain location, the players learn they’ve been tricked. It’s not simply a game of physical survival and who is the strongest. Each of the contestants have a dark secret and the goal is to expose the others on live TV. The winner keeps their secret and the prize money. But when a contestant goes missing and a body turns up, the question is: Which secret was worth killing for?

As the secrets are exposed, Detective Ffion Morgan deals with more than finding the killer. Ffion’s new partner, Georgina, seems to be a mystery herself. Her ex-boyfriend, Leo, has been assigned to the case, complicating the situation with personal feelings she tries to set aside. Her dog, Dave, who refuses to be left in someone else’s care, tags along, making a nuisance of himself. Ffion’s relationships add a personal touch to this police procedural. And author Clare Mackintosh’s experience as a police officer brings a dose of reality to the story, as does her description of the Wales countryside and use of the Welsh language.

I enjoyed the different points of view and seeing into the lives of the people involved in the game, and how their secrets would impact their personal relationships. Juxtaposed with the reality show clips, it becomes obvious that things are not what they appear to be.

Although I hadn’t read the first book in the series, A Game of Lies is a good, solid mystery that can be read as a stand-alone.

I didn't realize that this was the second book in a series until I started reading it. I still really enjoyed it, though I can see how I would've been more invested in the characters had I read the first book. The premise of this book was really interesting, I love books that have a tv show plot. It was interesting to learn more about Wales by reading this book, though I have no idea how to say Ffion's name, or any of the Welsh words. I would go back and read the first book in this series, it definitely seems like it was an interesting book. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC!

It took me a little while to get into this book, I think I was distracted by the language: for the record, I don’t speak Welsh!

But the storyline? Loved every second of it! The author’s imagination ran wild with this one! Not only is it reality TV to the max, but it was a version of truth, or dare that I wouldn’t want to play!

The other thing I liked was the character development. The relationships that Ffion struggled with, her ex-husband, her daughter, her partner - they were so realistic and so real. If you liked Claire’s other books, you’ll like this one.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for the digital copy to review!

I love police procedurals and this one did not disappoint. The second in the DC Morgan series, it was a case about my other love, reality TV. Seven contestants are on a reality show where the purpose is to guess one another’s secret. If they guess right, the other person’s secret is revealed on air, AND they are eliminated. And we aren’t talking little white lies, we are talking SECRETS… Stakes are obviously high, and then one contestant disappears. And this is where Detective Ffion Morgan comes in, and she starts uncovering some mess that frankly I was all in for.

I loved this one, just as much as the first one honestly, and McGowan is a must read author of mine. This can easily be read as a standalone, but it is definitely an enhanced experience if you have read the first book. I absolutely recommend this one and am really hoping there is another book coming.

A game show where contestants secrets are exposed turns deadly and DC Morgan must solve the crime. I enjoyed this for the most part. The plot isn't the most original, as I have read several game show-themed thrillers in the last couple of years. I also felt like there were a few too many characters, all with multifaceted issues, that it was difficult to keep track of. Still, an entertaining read by one of my favorite authors.