I am definitely a fan of Clare Mackintosh, but 'A Game of Lies', much like the first book in this series, 'The Last Party', fell flat for me. I have been reading a lot of reality show-type thrillers lately, and this one ranks pretty low on the scale. The worst part of this book, for me, was the narration/chapters of the contestants l, and the timelines. I kept thinking that I had already read things. Overall, I'm not a fan of the DC Morgan series, and I likely will not read any more in this series, if it continues.

4.25/5

A Game of Lies by Clare Mackintosh is the second book in DC Morgan series, and I don't think I am ever going to get sick of reading about Ffion. This can definitely be read as a standalone, but I would still recommend starting with The Last Party since a lot of things happen in that book that influence relationships in this installment. I honestly wish I would have done a reread first, since I didn't remember much of anything that happened in that one. 🙈 I found myself a tad lost at times with the characters, but it didn't affect the main storyline which is Morgan's investigation of the missing contestant and murder.

I wish the audiobook had a full cast since there are just so many characters to keep track of. That being said, I did love Chloe Angharad Davies' narration and I especially love her as the voice of Ffion. She narrated book one as well, so I enjoyed that continuation of keeping her as the narrator this time around. We just need more. 😜 I love that Mackintosh threw a reality show into the mix and the premise of it was both despicable and terrifying. I would never want to be in the confession pod that's for sure! I liked the cast of characters in the book and that we got to know the contestants as well which threw suspicion on all of them. A Game of Lies has a complex plot that is totally engaging, and after that 🎆 ending, I can't wait to see where the series goes next!

I didn’t enjoy this as much as the first book in the series. The murder didn’t really grab me nor how it was solved. I struggled again with the language and just really couldn’t relate to Ffion Morgan and her romance. Almost was a DNF. 1.5 stars

This was the second in a series by author Clare Mackintosh, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A storyline with dual twists, turns, and secrets, and an ending I really didn't see coming.
This was a well written story and plot. The author's description of the scenery might just have me dreaming of a trip to Wales.
I highly recommend this read, but encourage you to read her first novel in the series before you do!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and, Sourcebooks Landmark, in exchange for my honest review.

Review being posted to Amazon and B&N pending approval.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy of this book. When I was accepted to review this book, I had to quickly devour book 1 in the series, The Last Party. However, I was extremely disappointed to find that I did not enjoy the story at all. Number 2 is a better written story, luckily for me. The reality show storyline has been overused, so I was worried. This had a unique spin on those that I have read recently. The reader needs to continue with the book, to find out what is going on. 3 stars

I've tried multiple times to get through this book but unfortunately I just couldn't manage. The book did not grab my attention at all with the story being all over the place and the characters just not likeable. It's a DNF for me at around 50%.

When the newest reality show Exposure airs, everyone is captivated by the idea of revealing secrets. But when a contestant goes missing and someone is dead, DC Morgan must put all her personal feelings aside and get to the bottom of the Exposure secrets. From navigating her love life to protesting a friendship, she must stop at nothing to find the answers.

I love that our detectives return for a second installment and the underlying tension between the two is so strained. This time, the murder takes place during reality television. The contestants are particularly awful -- especially to each other. More than anything, the setting, descriptions of the land, and inner workings of the characters were truly the highlights of A Game of Lines. I highly recommend it!

I really liked this book. It follows three contestants on a reality show and they don't have a clue what they signed up for. All seven contestants has a secret. It's a fast paced thriller, I could not stop reading it.

A Game of Lies
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Clare Mackintosh

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: 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.

My Thoughts: This is the second book in the DC Morgan series. This can be read as a standalone. I enjoyed the first one and was looking forward to this second one. Seven strangers have to spend fourteen days on a reality show called “Exposure.” The players thought they were brought there to participate in a survival type series but a twist was that their secrets could be exposed, their deepest dark secrets that they want to keep buried. The fear of having these deep secrets exposed leads to a disappearance and then murder. Detective Ffion Morgan is the primary investigator, whom was the detective in the first book as well. Morgan’s love interest, Leo, also plays a role in this storyline. Will they catch the killer before another murder occurs? Or will the secrets being exposed are too great?

The premise behind this reality show is what caught my attention and held it until the very end. If “America” votes for you, you have to go to the chamber where you will have to face your greatest fear (spiders, water, etc.). Another player can guess your secret and also get you voted out. If you are voted out, your secret will be exposed, in real time, on the air. Even this was set to be a reality show, the director and producer had a clear vision of how they envisioned the show to play out. The show was meant to elicit drama, however, the missing person was not part of that drama. The story is narrated by a variety of characters, Detective Ffion, Detective Leo, Detective George, Ffion’s mother, and then the reality TV contestants. While there are many characters, once you start reading, they start to solidify into their roles and it is not overwhelming. Each character is distinct and plays a crucial role in the storyline. Ffion is fierce, witty, sarcastic, and I connected with her right way. The tension between Ffion and Leo was amazing. The characters were well developed with depth, mystery, secretive, and intriguing. The supporting characters really elevated this story and were crucial to the plot line. My favorite has to be the dog Dave, I just loved him to pieces. Ffion’s character had some tremendous growth from last book to this book.

The author’s writing style was complex, twisty, suspenseful, tense, compelling, and perfect for this thriller. The author creates this setting and sets the tone so well, that you feel like you are there, in the mountains. The author incorporates Welshness through the setting, the language, and local characters. Really above and beyond anything I have seen, this is important as the setting is crucial to the storyline as well. The characters are built up, some continuing from the first book, in a slow burn manner. Then the plot is developed in twisty multilayered deliveries. Then the ending is perfect. Having the reality show focus as the plot is ingenious. Some of the chapters end as cliff hangers, forcing you to continue on, even at 1am.

This was a compelling, captivating, gripping thriller that you will pour through because you have to know how it ends. There is a thread of a plot uncovered at the end that opens us into the next novel (No. 3). I highly recommend picking up this book, as well as the first one. Now available.

I love Clare Mackintosh's writing. I am always excited when a new book is coming out and this one was no exception. I will admit that the names threw me a bit in the beginning so it got off to a bit of a slow start I think that the names are dfficult to get used to and that might be a drawback for some readers.
I liked the premise very much and the isolation of the location definitely added to the story. A book that takes place isolated from the world immediately sets me on edge. A remote location with a reality TV show and murder. Yes, yes and yes. The book was good and a solid read. I will say that I do think I liked book 1 a bit more but this was still an enjoyable to story. I will look forward to book 3.

Clare Mackintosh has made me a liar. I typically tell people that, as a reader, I don't like to be pigeonholed by a genre, but I am not a fan of crime novels or series, (except maybe if they have a more literary bent). So yes, I realize as I type this, that sounds precious. I probably say it differently, because the comment doesn't usually inspire derision or laughter... But as I eagerly reached for A Game of Lies, I had to admit that I might actually enjoy an occasional crime novel (I see you Paula Hawkins and Gillian Flynn) or a series (ditto Frederick Backman). If you are more self-aware than me, you might already know that Clare Mackintosh can spin a tale that will have you turning the pages long into the night, or spending most of a long rainy day parked on a quiet couch, out of site from you family.

If you loved The Last Party, I'm sure you will be happy to be reunited with the folks from Cwm Coed and parts beyond. I am still frustrated with my lack of understanding regarding the Welsh language, but I did make use of the translating tool on my kindle when I didn't get something right away by the context. (that's on me, by the way, not the author). The inner workings of this police force remind me of the group on Slow Horses (look at me, I watched a popular TV show, too :) Everyone here has something significant they are dealing with, and they are just as likely to earn your affection. The reality tv show premise this plot revolves around is pure evil genius, and, while I generally despise reality tv, I love that Mackintosh has called out all of us—the presenters and the viewers—as culpable in their popularity. Judging by how much I enjoyed this book, I have to agree. I'm guilty as charged.

**4.5-stars**

A Game of Lies is the 2nd-installment to the DC Morgan Police Procedural Mystery series. The 1st-book in the series, The Last Party, knocked my socks off when I read it in 2022. I immediately fell for DC Ffion Morgan. I have been anticipating this release for so long. I'm talking before it even had a cover long. I wanted to savor it, to take my time with the mystery, to let it all sink in...

I ended up binging it and it's over. Now, the extended wait for the next book. I know it will be worth it though. Oh also, I discovered, I guess I really love stories that revolve around reality programs. This is the second one I have read this week and I became so invested in both. The other being, Everyone Is Watching.

A new reality show, Exposure, is set to begin filming in the Welsh mountains. Seven contestants are selected, although it's not necessarily clear what it involves. After they're all gathered together the true nature of the game is revealed. Each of the contestants has a secret. If any of the other players can guess it, they won't be eliminated, but they will be exposed. Ultimately, if it goes according to plan, it'll end with everyone's secrets being exposed, except for the one lucky winner, who will not only manage to keep their secret to themselves, but will also win a large cash prize.

The show concept is frightening as heck to the contestants. This wasn't what they expected. Many of them have been hiding these secrets from the most important people in their lives. This could be devastating. It's too late now though, right, for anyone to change they're mind? They can't back out. They're there. They're cut off. What are they to do? It causes a lot of stress.

When one of the contestants disappears the police are notified. This wasn't supposed to be part of the drama. Ffion must forget what she's already seen on the screen and put her detective cap on. The clock is ticking and it's unclear whether the missing contestant means to harm themselves, or others. It's imperative they're found before the situation has a chance to escalate.

After a person involved with the show is murdered, it's clear that things on the mountain have gone from bad to worse. Will Ffion be able to get to the bottom of this one, or will she be forced to step aside due to conflicts of interest?

I adored this. First, I was just so happy to be back with Ffion, all the side characters, and once again in this gorgeous natural setting with a small village feel. Bonus, Ffion's new rescue dog, the gassy and separation anxiety-ridden, Dave. We love a sweet pup being added to the cast of characters and Dave brought so much to the page.

In addition to the fun reality show concept, and the mystery, I also loved the forward progress we got to see in Ffion's personal life. She's definitely one of my favorite detective characters and I can't wait to solve more cases with her. I feel like the way this one left off, we can definitely plan on an exciting 3rd-installment. I know you won't let us down, Mackintosh. The world is ready for more!

Thank you so much to the publisher, Sourcebooks Landmark, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
I definitely recommend this series to any Police Procedural Mystery fans out there!!

I really enjoyed A Game of Lies, book 2 in the Ffion Morgan series. I read/listened to it and loved the narrator, Chloe Angharad Davies. It was great to go back to Wales and see what Ffion what up to with the latest crime she's working on. I'm definitely looking forward to book 3 which is due out March 2025.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 23 April 2024

After reading the previous book featuring DC Morgan and this one, I don’t think this series is for me. More slow burn mystery then thriller, it’s perfect for readers who want a lot of character development and backstory instead of a fast paced, twisty plot. I did like the reality show aspect of the book which kept me reading. Fans of Mackintosh’s previous books will love this one!

This was a rollercoaster ride of suspense, betrayal ,and unexpected revelations. The writing is sharp and atmospheric, and the pacing is relentless with unforgettable characters.
Many thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really enjoy Clare Mackintosh’s writing and am a big fan of her thrillers. I read book one of the Detective Ffion Morgan series and quite enjoyed it so I looked forward to the sequel. Unfortunately I didn’t enjoy the story quite as much, but was still enjoyable overall.
I look forward to her next book!
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC!

I really enjoyed The Last Party so I was excited to see where Ffion would find herself next. This book had a very interesting concept and features a fake reality show I would probably watch if it were real... so I guess I AM the problem. I found the pace of the book to be a bit slow and wish more had happened throughout versus a slow build to the unraveling at the end. I honestly considered putting this one down in the beginning because it wasn't hooking me, but once the truth behind the reality show was revealed I decided to stick it out - I do wish it just happened sooner/was more engaging before that point.

I think the main reason for my rating was that I just struggled to feel invested in any of the characters. None of them are particularly likable and I just didn't care what happened to them. I also think there's a lot of side characters (like Ffion's family) who just don't really add anything to the novel. I was lukewarm on the ending but in the end I didn't find the journey worth it. I currently can't definitively say if I would continue this series should the author write additional stories.

Imagine going on a survivor-type reality show only to find out mid-filming that the show isn't what you were led to believe. The show is actually about exposing your secrets! Could those secrets be worth killing someone over?

The premise of the plot hooked me pretty immediately, I just had a hard time keeping everyone straight at times! Pace-wise I wasn't truly truly hooked until I understood the cast and characters a bit more, as the timeline and POVs jump around a bit throughout.

I also picked this up not knowing it was part of a series, so I never read book 1. While it didn't seem to matter for this particular case/crime, I'm sure the background into the dynamic between Leo & Ffion would have been helpful.

I loved Dave, the true star of the book, and how the plot all came together. Author Clare Mackintosh definitely gives you enough to keep you guessing!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

ɪ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅɴ’ᴛ ʀᴇᴍᴇᴍʙᴇʀ ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ᴡᴇ ʟᴇғᴛ ᴛʜɪɴɢs ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ғɪʀsᴛ ʙᴏᴏᴋ, sᴏ ᴛᴏᴏᴋ ᴍᴇ ᴀ ᴍɪɴᴜᴛᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴀᴛᴄʜ ᴍʏ ʙᴇᴀʀɪɴɢs. ᴀs ᴀ ᴡʜᴏʟᴇ, ɪ ғᴇʟᴛ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜɪs ᴡᴀs ɴᴏᴛ ᴀ ᴠᴇʀʏ ɪɴᴛʀɪɢᴜɪɴɢ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴀɴᴅ ᴡᴀs ᴘʀᴇᴛᴛʏ sʟᴏᴡ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜᴏᴜᴛ. ᴛʜᴇ sᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ ʜᴀᴅ ᴍᴇ sᴏ ɪɴᴛʀɪɢᴜᴇᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ʟᴏᴠᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴀᴍᴇ sʜᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴏᴛ, ʙᴜᴛ ɪᴛ ᴅɪᴅɴ’ᴛ ᴅᴏ ᴀɴʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ғᴏʀ ᴍᴇ. ɪ ᴅɪᴅɴ’ᴛ ᴄᴀʀᴇ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ғᴏʀ ᴀɴʏ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀs- ɴᴏᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴ ɪ sᴛɪʟʟ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ɴᴏᴛ ɢᴇᴛ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴇʟsʜ ɴᴀᴍᴇs/ ʟᴏᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴs ᴀɴᴅ ᴜʟᴛɪᴍᴀᴛᴇʟʏ ɪ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ᴛʜᴀᴛ’s ᴀ ʙɪɢ ᴘᴀʀᴛ ᴏғ ᴡʜʏ ᴛʜɪs ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴅɪᴅɴ’ᴛ ᴅᴏ ɪᴛ ғᴏʀ ᴍᴇ. ɪ’ᴠᴇ sᴇᴇɴ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡs ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ ᴛʀᴜʟʏ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴛʜɪs sᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ, ʙᴜᴛ ɪᴛ’s ɴᴏᴛ ғᴏʀ ᴍᴇ. ɪ ғɪɴɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴅɪᴅɴ’ᴛ ʜᴀᴛᴇ ɪᴛ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴅɪᴅɴ’ᴛ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ɪᴛ. ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ғɪʀsᴛ ᴅᴄ ᴍᴏʀɢᴀɴ ʙᴏᴏᴋ, ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀʀᴇ sᴏᴍᴇ ʙʀɪʟʟɪᴀɴᴛ ǫᴜᴏᴛᴇs/ ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢ, ʙᴜᴛ ɪ ᴅɪᴅɴ’ᴛ ᴘᴜʟʟ ᴀɴʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ғʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜɪs ᴏɴᴇ. ɪᴅᴇᴀ ᴡᴀs ɢᴏᴏᴅ - ᴘᴏᴏʀ ᴇxᴇᴄᴜᴛɪᴏɴ.

📖 ʜᴜɢᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ @bookmarked ᴀɴᴅ @netgalley ғᴏʀ ᴛʜɪs ᴀʀᴄ ᴄᴏᴘʏ ɪɴ ᴇxᴄʜᴀɴɢᴇ ғᴏʀ ᴀɴ ʜᴏɴᴇsᴛ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ 📖