A survivor-type reality show is being recorded in the Welsh wilderness, and the episodes are aired the same day they are recorded. As it turns out, the show is not what the contestants expected and things go off the rails early on.

It's an interesting commentary on our society and the fascination with reality shows. What responsibility do we have as viewers? If we watch, are we not condoning what is happening? At what point has the genre gone too far and damages people's lives? Not just the contestants lives, but their families' lives too.

It was nice to see Ffion and Leo in a second book. I do wish they were better at talking to one another, but I suppose if there were no misunderstandings it would be less of a story. I look forward to another book in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Book Title: A Game of Lies
Series: DC Morgan $2
Author: Clare Mackintosh
Publisher: Sourcebook Landmark
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Pub Date: April 23, 2024
My Rating: 3.7 rounded up
Pages: 400

This is my seventh Clare Mackintosh|novel.
I gave 4 +stars to " I Let You Go", "I See You", "Let me Lie" and "Hostage".. I am stingy with stars so 4 is a big deal for me!
I read "After the Party" and made the comment.
Ms. Mackintosh is working on DC Ffion Morgan #2! So we are going to know more about Leo and Ffion ~ whether they are together or not. `

So yes! This story continues where we left off, with Ffion adopting Dave, a very needy, couch-eating, jumps at loud noises, barks at prolonged silences and believes he is a lap dog even though he is the same height at Efion.

As for Leo and Efion - It seems since Leo is more comfortable giving orders than Efion is at taking them – it appears what almost happened to them is in the past. Leo sees Ffion as a colleague nothing more. (Oh no – say it isn’t so!)

Detective Constable Georgina “George Kent, is what a supervisor calls diligent however Efion calls “a try hard. In either case Georgina has transferred to the team. They have been assigned a new case related to the reality show, "Exposure".
(No No - not another reality show story they are as many mysteries stories regarding reality shows as there are stories about Social media influencers!)
However since I love Clare Mackintosh I had faith this will be an interesting story.

Back to story~
In “Exposure” – Seven contestants are trapped on Pen yDdraig a Welsh mountain, each with ugly, dirty secrets that just may ruin their lives. The producer, Miles Young, picked the contestants. They were drawn to . . .
“Are you tough enough to survive two weeks in the mountains of Snowdonia?”
Now without giving them any information such as secret will be exposed – they also had to sign a contract NOT to leave the show - no matter what

Have to admit I liked the first in this series better. In this story Efion seemed to be in a bad place and her f-bombs were getting annoying. (The f-bombs were probably in the first story but it I didn’t bother me as I was enjoying the story.)

I like Georgina ‘George’ Kent. I enjoyed learning more about her and I am sure we will be hearing more from her in the next story.
I actually loved the ending and am wondering where Book 3 is going to take us.
Clare Mackintosh is a clever storyteller so I am sure she had something cooking in her creative mind!

In her ‘Acknowledgements’, Ms. Mackintosh tells us that writing a series was much different than writing a
standalone novel. She says at time she felt as though she was a beginner writer.
Perhaps that it what I was experience in reading this story. I am sure Book #3 is going to be great!

About the Author ~ Clare Mackintosh was a police officer for many years and is asked what inspired this story. She tells us that she once lived in North Wales and loved the beautiful landscape. Her vivid imagination told her this was perfect for a mystery as she could picture a body floating in the lake!

Want to thank NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for April 23, 2024

"Everyone is playing their own game."

A Game of Lies is an aptly titled police procedural about seven reality TV contestants who become suspects in a murder.

Although this is the second book of the DC Morgan series, it can be read as a standalone.

When seven reality TV show contestants discover that they have been lied to about the premise of the show they are starring in, they don’t respond well, to say the least. What they thought was a show in the vein of Survivor was, in reality, a show that would expose their deep, dark secrets. Their fear of having their biggest secrets exposed leads to murder. Detective Ffion Morgan investigates.

Ffion is the primary character; however, Leo, her former partner/love interest from book one, also plays a role in the investigation. Ffion is struggling with her emotions and a new rescue dog named Dave, who is THE BEST; he brings some much-needed humor into the plot. Ffion has a strong voice and has shown some development from book #1. Leo is lovely. A new character, George, is brought in as Ffion’s new partner. I loved George’s character, and I hope to see her in the next installment. She is a strong foil to Ffion.

Additional POVs are shared, including Ffion’s mother and the reality TV contestants. While there are many perspectives, all are distinct and easy to track, and each plays a pivotal role in the plot.

The pace is slow but steady--the tension and suspense grow as the plot develops. I was never bored and was invested in the drama behind the secrets of the reality contestants, as well as the drama that makes up Ffion’s life.

What made this book a standout was the setting--the majority of the novel takes place in the Welsh mountains, and Mackintosh transported me to Wales. In addition, she uses a lot of Welsh phrases that aren’t always immediately translated, which adds to the setting.

I enjoyed this installment more than the first one--the pace and plot are balanced, and the mystery is tightly wound. There is a bit of a social commentary on the nature of reality shows and the lengths people will go to be famous.

Overall, this series is positively progressing. I recommend this installment to fans of well-plotted mysteries and to those who love dog characters!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Sourcebooks Landmark.

I absolutely loved the first in this series last year and this one was just as good. I love Ffion Morgan as the main character as she’s so relatable and herself. The mystery itself was really unique and highly captivating throughout the entirety of the novel. There are so many reality tv concept plots out there but this was different in so many awesome ways. I do still struggle with the welsh and some of the pronunciations like last time but it never takes away from the book. This can be read as a stand alone but I do suggest reading the series at the beginning.

Imagine being so excited that you got chosen for a Reality Survival Show – EXPOSURE!! A new show being filmed in Wales in the beautiful countryside.

Then imagine your surprise when it’s not you against nature but rather you against your own secrets!!

This novel was so very clever!! The seven contestants are shocked when they are told on the first day of shooting that EXPOSURE has discovered some of their most closely held secrets!! The players will be challenged to “expose” one of the other contestants by sharing a secret they think they know about them.

BUT IF YOU’RE WRONG – well then you will be the one in the CONFESSION POD!! In the claustrophobic pod you will be faced with something you are terrified of, it could be snakes, spiders, etc. How much can you take before you ADMIT YOUR OWN SECRETS?

The morning after the first show the police are informed that one of the players, Ryan, is missing.

Detective Ffion Morgan along with DC Georgina Kent are tasked with finding him. Soon they are joined by DS Leo Brady from Cheshire. Leo and Ffion have a history and we’ll watch how that plays out!!

There is quite a bit of humor with the appearance of Ffion’s recently adopted rescue dog - DAVE! Dave has a heart of gold but he only wants to be with Ffion – if he’s not - he is a high energy mutt to be reckoned with!!

This book definitely cemented my distaste for reality shows - which are more manipulative than I even imagined they could be!!

The contestants were a varied group, interesting to get to know.

I can’t wait for the next installment of the Detective Ffion Morgan series. There is so much to enjoy about this character and her peers!

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.

In this sequel to The Last Party, Welsh Detective FFion Morgan is investigating a reality show filming in the mountains surrounding her village. The contestants are manipulated, lied to, and pushed into drastic acts - a disappearance and a murder.
Once again the unique Welsh setting and cast of interesting supporting characters make this solid mystery an entertaining read. The only thing that I didn't like was Ffion herself. She messes up on the job, sabotages all of her relationships, and even her dog is a disaster. She just has too many struggles. I kept getting frustrated with all of her issues and struggled to respect a woman in her mid 30's spending so much time acting like an angsty teenager. The ending did give me hope that Ffion might finally be getting her act together and I will definitely plan to read the next book in this series.
#AGameOfLies. #NetGalley

The storyline in this one is excellent as are the characters. A great plot and atmosphere with a unique story. The heroine is strong and sassy and I adore her. I struggle a lot with the welsh in this book, the language and words which detracts from some of my ability to fully immerse into the book. Aside from that it is a great read

I really loved Mackintosh’s first book featuring this main character and setting. Unfortunately this follow-up didn’t quite click with me. It still has the same great sense of humor and Ffion is a wildly likable character, but the mystery wasn’t as intriguing this time around. Nevertheless, I won’t hesitate to read the next offering in the series or anything else the author releases.

Some people comfort eat, I comfort read…

I’ve been having a rough couple of weeks. Life is hard. It’s beautiful and I love it but sometimes it really just snowballs and can really cause you some pain.

We would never know light unless we experienced darkness.

So…

I scrolled through my kindle and realized I had a copy of A Game of Lies.

What the freak was I upset about when I was gifted with an incredible book by one of my favorite authors.

Clare MacKintosh, remember her name, she’ll light up your world.

MacKintosh, is completely unique to any author you have ever read. Her books are creepy, haunting, and will make you think.

A Game of Lies, is just that, all of the above, and then some.

MacKintosh is the type of author you want to brag about but you also don’t want to give any teasers about her books. These are the books you wince at and wonder “what’s up with this title” and then dive in blind.

Don’t take my word for it, check out this teaser:

They say the camera never lies. But on this show, you can't trust anything you see.

Stranded in the Welsh mountains, seven reality show contestants have no idea what they've signed up for.

Each of these strangers has a secret. If another player can guess the truth, they won't just be eliminated - they'll be exposed live on air. The stakes are higher than they'd ever imagined, and they're trapped.

The disappearance of a contestant wasn't supposed to be part of the drama. Detective Ffion Morgan has to put aside what she's watched on screen, and find out who these people really are - knowing she can't trust any of them.

And when a murderer strikes, Ffion knows every one of her suspects has an alibi . . . and a secret worth killing for.

The second in the series, I hadn't read the previous book. It was OK as a stand alone, though it did take me a while to get to know the detectives. This book is in 3 parts. The first part left me cold. It was slow moving and the setting of a reality live TV show was quite complicated. I did not particularly care for any of the contestants either. Then a body is found . The investigation is also quite convoluted, involving detectives from both sides of the English/ Welsh border.
In my opinion, this book started picking up towards the end. I got to like and understand the detectives themselves better, the plot started to make more sense and the private lives of the investigating officers became less cryptic and more understandable.
I liked the setting , though the Welsh remarks were lost on me and there was little description of the countryside. Now I have finished, I have rethought my rating, was prepared to mark the book down, but the last part made up for a lot My attention drifted off a lot in this book (especially in part 1) Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

This is my first book from Clare Mackintosh and it was hard to put down. I loved Ffion's character and the writing style. If you are looking for something fast paced that makes you think, this was a fun mystery that wasn't scary or creepy at all.

A reality TV show is being filmed in Ffion's home town, up in the mountains. The contestants believe they are competing in a survival show, when in reality, they are competing to keep their darkest secrets. How far will someone go to ensure their secret doesn't get out?

Thank you to netgalley for an advanced copy to review.

Twisty and brilliant whodunit by one of the best storytellers out there. Clare Mackintosh spares no details or plot twists in this keep you guessing mystery!

Game of Lies reacquainted me with the characters in The Last Party, and it was fun to spend time with them again. This entry in the series takes on reality TV shows like Survivor. The author did a good job introducing the contestants and the people behind the scenes of the show Exposure and kept me guessing as to who the murderer was.

I didn't enjoy this entry quite as much as the first book. I get that main character Ffion Morgan is supposed to be a flawed character, but I was disappointed that she makes some too-stupid-to-live decisions in this book. I found her behavior hard to believe given her training.

I enjoyed the bits of Welsh thrown in and the impossible rescue dog Dave. I look forward to book three and I hope that Ffion shows some growth.

I read an advance reader copy from Netgalley.

Within the pages of this book, a reality show takes center stage—a premise I initially resisted but came to appreciate deeply. From laughter to sadness, and even a touch of anger, this literary journey became a mosaic of emotions that mirrored life's complexity.

As the narrative unfolded, my attachment to the familiar characters grew stronger, overcoming my initial reluctance. Their stories became a heartfelt exploration, making the book more than just a collection of words on pages.

The detective work woven into the plot was nothing short of brilliant, adding an intriguing layer to the story. Each revelation felt like a shared victory, and the unveiling of secrets kept me eagerly turning the pages.

This book is a testament to the author's ability to craft a story that resonates on a profound level. The emotional rollercoaster, while unexpected, turned out to be an essential ingredient, creating a narrative that lingers in my thoughts.

A sincere thank you to my buddy readers who shared this literary voyage. Our discussions added depth to the experience, making it more than just a solitary read. In the end, despite any initial reservations, this book has left an indelible mark, reminding me that the best stories are the ones that stir the heart and engage the soul.

I was a big fan of The Last Party and have been eager for this next book in the series, A Game of Lies!

I will say I don’t think it was as good as the first book, but it was still quite enjoyable and I will be continuing the series if more books are written! The characters are well developed and the mystery keeps you guessing. It’s a nice continuation of DC Morgan’s world in Cwn Coed.

I’d like to thank Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘A Game of Lies’ written by Clare Mackintosh in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

A reality TV show called ‘Exposure’ is being filmed at Llyn Drych with seven contestants who don’t know what the producer Miles Young has in store for them. When bones are found where filming is taking place Detective Constables Ffion Morgan and Georgina Kent get involved but before they leave one of the contestants goes missing and DS Leo Brady from Cheshire Police joins them. Then a murder takes place!

‘A Game of Lies’ is the second in the Detective Ffion Morgan series and is based on a reality television show where the contestants all have secrets they don’t want revealed. The storyline is different to the usual police thrillers I read and has interesting characters that makes me want to read the first book in the series to learn more about their backgrounds, especially between Ffion and Leo Brady. I’ve enjoyed reading of Ffion who doesn’t always follow orders and is trying hard not to swear and her lovely rescue dog Dave that I’ll be quite happy to take off her hands. It possibly doesn’t have the excitement and drama I was expecting but generally it’s a good solid police thriller that’s kept me involved until the last pages when the identity of the person responsible for the murder is revealed.

DC Ffion Morgan is back with another questionable murder in Cwn Coed. This time on the set of a new reality show called Exposure, which slates itself as a group of 7 contestants trying to survive on the welsh mountainside. However quickly turns out to be more about fighting to keep their secrets a secret. A missing persons case which leads to a different murder has everyone as a suspect and once again Ffion is was to close to the case.


While I wanted to love this, and really who couldn’t love help but love the awkward relationship between Ffion and Leo I felt like the rest of the novel fell a little short for me. There was simply too many Povs going around to even try and figure out who had motive or who was a top suspect.

I will say bless Dave. Because who doesn’t love a good dog. hopefully book 3 will have a few less suspects!

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 ok stars. Quite an average read to be honest. The premise was good but I think one of the issues was we never really got to know the case well enough to really be invested in what happened or who did it.

Ffion seemed like a police officer who could only really work in her little village, she wouldn’t last a week anywhere else. Whereas Leo, as rightly described, lacked a spine.

If this is your first book by the author I’d recommend you look at others by her which are far better.

Game of Lies is the 2nd book in the DC Morgan series, and DC Ffion Morgan is investigating the disappearance of a contestant in a reality show being filmed in the Welsh mountains. Much like the previous book in this series, some of the dialogue is difficult to follow due to the overuse of Welsh idioms, which tend to slow down the reader, sapping any suspense and continuity as the reader tries to follow the storyline. The characters are mostly unlikeable, the plot is uninspiring and the on again/off again relationship between Morgan and Leo is tedious. While I’ve enjoyed this author’s other books, this series is not for me. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

An interesting novel about the investigation of a murder on a reality television show set. Everyone is a suspect, and the backstory with the police is an interesting as the murder plot.