Phew! What a twisty caper that was! Kat's mom Jamie is a thief and needs to pull off a final heist to leave the life behind. But someone from her past shows up, and Jamie falls mysteriously ill. Kat needs to take her place on the job. Will she pull it off? There are just so many twists and nail-biting turns, right up until the last page. My students are going to DEVOUR this!

Karen M McManus has found a niche when it comes to YA Mystery/Thrillers.

Kat's mom is a thief who wants to get out of the business, but not before one final heist. Go figure that on the way there, they bump into Kat's former step-brother and stepfather (thanks to a quickie Vegas marriage that lasted only a few short days).

While trying to traverse the weird family reunion, Kat also has to sneak around undetected by the host family--which proves easier said than done considering the chaos ensuing. Death. Theft. Deceit. No one and nothing is safe!

This is clearly a YA book, which is totally fine. It's not hard hitting and it's a pretty easy-to-spot story line, but I think teens will definitely enjoy the slightly darker mystery that doesn't push boundaries too harshly.

Characters are very enjoyable and well built with backstories and depth. Also nice to see a clean wrap up that won't be haunting for younger readers.

Overall: 4 stars (I really liked it)

I'll tell my students about: language, alcohol, drugs, poison, violence/gore/death, physical abuse (past tense), trauma/mental health, LGBTQ+,

**Thank you to NetGalley & Random House Children's, Delacorte Press for the free ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.**

Great book! There were so many different twists and turns that keep readers interested in the story. I personally love the dual perspectives and think it adds to suspense with two different people telling their sides of the story.

I enjoyed the suspense of this book. Kat was a fascinating main character and I did not quite know what to think about Jamie. But by far my favorite characters was Liam. This was a quick read and although not my favorite of her books I still enjoyed it.

Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus is a riveting thriller that follows Kat and her mother Jamie, a pair of grifters embarking on one last heist. When unexpected guests, including Kat's estranged stepbrother Liam, disrupt their plans, tensions rise, and secrets unravel. McManus expertly weaves together intricate twists and turns, alternating between characters' perspectives to reveal their motivations and vulnerabilities. Against the backdrop of a clandestine world of deception and danger, the novel explores themes of family, loyalty, and redemption. With its compelling characters, relentless suspense, and unexpected revelations, Such Charming Liars is a captivating read that keeps readers guessing until the final page.

Karen McManus is one of my favorite authors, and this novel is an example of why. Great characters, strong plot and you never really know the ending until after the fact, but then it all makes sense.

A new twisty story from Karen McManus. Love the way she tells a story and weaves clues throughout the story, While "Such Charming Liars" is not my favorite McManus mystery, it still kept my attention and kept me guessing.

Thoroughly enjoyable twisty caper with fun characters, danger, and a touch of romance. Jewelry thieves, murder, and deception are just the tip of the iceberg.

Her best book since The Cousins! I LOVED this one. The heist was a fun plot. I liked the dual pov too.

As always with this author's books, she didn't disappoint. It was a quick, fun read with funny characters and situations that make you laugh out loud and keep you intrigued throughout to finish the book in a day.

This was another fun mystery/thriller from Karen McManus! I really liked the closed setting in this one, as well as the jewelry heist aspect.

This was such an entertaining read and everything I've come to really enjoy about McManus's writing, characters, and stories. And while, like usual, some of this was easy to guess, a lot of it wasn't and kept me on my toes, but more importantly, it kept me turning the pages with a smile on my face. This was such a joy to read.

Jewelry thievery is not something I would generally go for in a book. However, with the signature style of Karen McManus, I became interested in just that as I started Such Charming Liars. Similar to the One of Us is Lying series, strong character development through shifting POVs coupled with unforeseen plot twists are a staple of her latest YAL thriller. While I found the ending to be a bit too dramatic, I did appreciate the romantic & familiar relationships that she cultivated throughout the book.

Thanks to NetGalley & Random House Children’s for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

I just finished reading an eArc of Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus. The eARC was provided by NetGalley.

For as long as it mattered, it's always been Kat and Jamie. And Gem. Well, except that one time Jamie got married in Vegas and Kat had a step-brother Liam for a whopping 48 hours. But Jamie is tired of their life as jewel thieves, and is absolutely getting out from under Gem; after one more job. The last job takes place on the Sutherland compound, and when Liam and Jamie's ex husband Luke show up, it puts Kat and Jamie on a crash course with their past that neither one of them is prepared for.

This was a fun book. The POV switches between Kat-- who is street smart, tough, resourceful and defensive and Liam who is sweet, heartbroken, and way less jaded that his 48-hour step sister. As with most of McManus' works, the end throws twists and turns that keep you guessing from one minute to the next. Having read all of her other works, I found Such Charming Liars to be the least believable of the group-- a 16 year old participating in high stakes jewelry theft was just a little reaching for me-- never the less McManus rights interesting and flawed characters so well. While I may not have believed every event, I did enjoy the read.

Perfect title because I was completely charmed by this book!

I am a fan of Karen McManus and snapped this up right away. You do not have to be a YA fan to enjoy this thrilling story.
In Such Charming Liars we meet Kat and her mother Jamie - two grifters working for a strong female boss. Kat still remembers when Jamie was briefly married and she has. stepfather and brother named Liam. Coincidentally, also grifters, the pair turns up at Kat and Jamie's next job!

It's a race to complete the grift, avoid one another and just stay out of the limelight. All four characters are absolutely interesting and engaging and the story, while simple, is filled with complex feelings and considerations that keep you as the reader completely engaged.

Since this is Jamie's last job before she goes straight, Kat is invested more than ever. But when one after another's plans go awry, she can't help but think something or someone is behind it. Will they get out of this grift alive?

Great setting, great plot. You cannot go wrong with this utterly charming thriller!
#randomhouse #randomhousechildrens #suchcharmingliars #karenmmcmanus

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is another excellent stand-alone mystery from Karen McManus that fans of her work will absolutely devour, even if at times it felt like maybe there were a few too many metaphorical balls in the air or dangling threads (everything gets nicely resolved in the end, though, I promise, even if it does cut it a little close). I enjoyed having the dual POVs, and having one of those POVs not have a romance was actually really refreshing? It was nice to see a female protagonist who was more focused on her familial relationships than romantic ones. Liam's romance, however, was super cute (and his focus on romantic relationships > familial made total sense in the context of his background), and if you know me, you know I will always shout out queer representation.

A fun and twisty mystery, exactly what you e come to expect from this author. I had a hard time connecting with the characters at first, but by the end, I was rooting for them. I did not see all of the connections and plot twists until the end!

Such Charming Liars by Karen M McManus was a psychological thriller with roller coaster level twists and turns in the plot. Juuust when you think that it all makes sense, a new character or explosive event proves you wrong.

Kat and her mother, Jamie, have lived hard lives, where the occasional con or grift is what keeps them with food to eat or a temporary roof over their heads. Kat and Jamie both have decided to work with (more like For) Gem. Ironically, she’s a queenpin in the fake-gem racket. Gem sent Jamie on an assignment, and Kat snuck into her vehicle, much to Jamie’s dismay.

When Jamie got incredibly sick while working on the assignment for Gem, she is lucky to have Kat to be there to step up for her. This, however set into motion terrible dominos that no one could stop or anticipate.

When everyone that you know of a thief, liar, or a con artist, who can you trust??

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's for this ARC!!

Karen’s books were part of the reason I got back into reading (if you haven’t read one of us is lying get on it!) so naturally when I saw she was coming out with a new book I got excited! I love all her cozy, easy to read mysteries and this was no exception. It was a fun, fast read and I can't wait for you all to check this out!

(The only reason I rated it 3.5 instead of 4 was because I related to some of her other book characters more/ enjoyed their stories more!)


⭐️⭐️⭐️💫


Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy for an honest review.