This book started out strong, but unfortunately about 25% in I realized it may not be for me. I was not a fan of the characters and found the POVs very confusing.

This story was too all over the place for me, it went back and forth too many times and confused me quite a bit, the first few chapters I was into and ready to binge the book but somewhere it just started to drop off.

Society of Lies is an intricately woven dark academia thriller that's filled with twists and turns. It was such a good book and a truly
addicting read. I was captivated by both naomi and maya and couldn't put this book down.

I loved the idea of exploring the world of secret societies. This element of the story
was particularly interesting to me. I liked the mystery and the feeling that this secret society was so very powerful.

Overall, this was an excellent read that I didn't want to put down. I highly recommend this it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery. I can't wait for her to write a new book.

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

This was a fantastic read. Hard to put down. Reminded me of the movie skulls and the secret societies in schools. I loved the two plots of two sisters told in past and present. A must read for suppose readers!

This book was a twisty look into the prestigious and wealthy 1% at an Ivy League school, with lots of prejudice and work arounds that wealth provides for those who misbehave badly. The back and forth POV was a bit distracting but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

This was a solid suspense story to close out my 2024 reading list.
There were parts that dragged, but for the most part it kept me going. The alternating timelines was done well and I enjoyed the reveal at the end and was pleased I hadn't figured it out!

Thankful for the ARC!

If you love dark acidemia this will be your jam, it has all the mysteries around Ivy league school. I loved the plot and though it was incredibly will written. You hear of these mystery organizations in Ivy league school that nobody talks about. Are they real??? It is about sisters and the secrets they keep and as big sister trying to protect them. What if that fails and your sister is found dead, the need to dig and what you find maybe something in your past you tried to bury. Some things cannot stay buried, and when they surface what would you do make sure the cycle is broken?

How far would you go to belong? Maya returns to Princeton for her college reunion, it has been a decade since she graduated. But this visit is not just about the reunion but also her younger sister Naomi is graduating. But what should have been a fun filled weekend turns dark as her sister has been found dead and the police are calling it accident. Maya is not convinced and the more she digs secrets about her sister and her past are pulled apart and she must face them no matter the danger.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam for copy of this book for my honest review.

Society of Lies is a chilling and thought-provoking psychological thriller that will have you questioning loyalty, ambition, and the lengths people will go to fit in. The story follows Maya, who returns to Princeton for her college reunion, only to be thrust into a nightmare when her younger sister, Naomi, is found dead under mysterious circumstances. What seems like an accident quickly unravels into something far more sinister, especially as Maya discovers how much Naomi kept hidden from her.

The author does a brilliant job of weaving together past and present, using Maya's perspective to slowly unravel the dark secrets of both her sister’s life and her own time at Princeton. The atmosphere of the story is tense, with a constant undercurrent of dread as Maya delves deeper into the exclusive world of the Sterling Club—a secretive social circle that plays a significant role in the plot. The suspense builds steadily, with each new revelation about Naomi’s involvement in the club, and the haunting realization that Maya herself was part of this toxic, elitist world.

Maya is a complex and relatable protagonist, struggling with her own guilt and the haunting memories of her college years. Her determination to uncover the truth about her sister’s death, even at the cost of confronting her own past, makes her journey compelling and emotional. The twists, while somewhat predictable at times, are still effective and keep the reader hooked as the story escalates.

The only slight drawback is the pacing in the middle of the book, where the tension occasionally dips as Maya’s investigation gets bogged down in details. However, the final act delivers a satisfying, albeit chilling, conclusion that ties together the mystery in a way that feels complete. Society of Lies is a captivating and well-crafted thriller with a rich, atmospheric setting, complex characters, and an intense mystery at its core. It's a great pick for fans of psychological suspense and slow-burn thrillers.

Lauren Ling Brown's Society of Lies is an intense, fast-paced thriller that explores the bonds of those within secret societies and just how far their reach extends. The story is told via parallel timelines, one following Maya during her time in college and the other focusing on Naomi, who is now attending the same school and eager to follow in Maya’s footsteps. She joins the same social club and finds herself deep within a secret society her sister was once part of. However, Naomi soon realizes that the world her sister inhabited was far more dangerous than she could have ever imagined. Despite Maya’s unspoken efforts to protect her sister, Naomi’s fate takes a tragic turn when she is found dead just days before her graduation. As the story flips between Maya's college days and the aftermath of Naomi’s death, the reader is drawn into the mystery of what happened to her. Was Naomi’s death a tragic accident, or does it have darker connections to the mysterious death of another student and society member, Lila Jones?

After a bit of a slow start, the pace picks up and this story weaves itself into a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and mystery lovers alike.
Special thanks to Lauren Ling Brown, Penguin Random House, and NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy.

Enjoyed this murder mystery set in the world of dark academia and secret societies. It switches between the present and the past, telling the story through each sister's eyes as Maya tries to find out what really happened to her sister Naomi.

I’m a huge fan of dark academia and was so excited to get into this book. While others in this category lean a bit towards slow burn, this story moves at a thriller style fast page which I’m here for. Secret societies, lies, and mysterious deaths at the prestigious Princeton, this book is a thrilling read with some unexpected turns.

I love a dark academia tale, and this story of sisters set at Princeton was a solid thriller. Reese has the best book club suggestions, and she hit the mark again with Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown.

Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown was a twisty ride through the lives of Princeton socialites that were all part of the same “eating club” in college. When one of the members winds up dead, her alumni sister will stop at nothing to find out who killed her. But who can Maya trust?

Interesting read—sucked me right in!

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a little backlogged with my ARCs but working diligently to get caught up. I really enjoyed the two sisters and different timelines aspect of this book! Secret societies in universities have always intrigued me so this book held my attention for sure! I loved all the twists and turns and how I didn’t know where it was headed for sure. If you’re into psychological thrillers and mysteries, be sure to check this book out!

"Society of Lies" is a captivating thriller that keeps readers on edge with its intricate plot and well-developed characters. The story delves deep into the world of deception, exploring the thin line between truth and falsehood in a society where secrets are currency. The pacing is engaging, and the twists are unpredictable, ensuring the reader remains hooked. While some parts feel a bit predictable, the strong character arcs and tense atmosphere make up for it. The writing is sharp, and the moral complexities add depth. Overall, a solid and thrilling read, earning a solid 4-star rating for its intrigue and suspense.

I loved this book. I really had no clue how it was going to end. The mystery kept me guessing. The back and forth time line was a little confusing because it was multiple people going back and forth remembering stuff. I also feel like some stuff wasn’t wrapped up at the end. Where was Nate that night of a murder? The police suspected him but it was never clarified where he really was.

Mixed emotions regarding this tale. I enjoyed the story line and the who done it. Even though Maya and Naomi were sisters, they read as the same personality, even with the ten year difference of age. I kept putting this down while reading. Lots of back and forth between the past and present.

3.5⭐️ rounded up

I loved the atmospheric dark academia setting that involved a secret club. I do think that the audio did help with the pacing and keeping the two pov straight. I liked the mystery behind what happened to Naomi and getting to know what she experienced leading up to her death. I was not able to figure it out before it was revealed but I wasn’t shocked either. It was written well and kept me interested to see what happened, but not as memorable as I was hoping. I do think this author has a lot of potential and I would read more of her work.

Thank you @netgalley and @randomhouse for the gifted copy.

This cover was fantastic that is what caught my eye to begin with and wanted to read this book.

We are following Mya and her younger sister Naomi. In the book Naomi is supposed to be graduating from Princeton but she doesn't get to do that because they find her dead of an overdose.

This book has alternate perspectives and i would definitely recommend.

Overall i really liked the book and will read more from this author.

Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.

I hate to say it, but I was bored. One thing a thriller book should not be is boring. I found myself getting easily distracted by the plot holes.