Love Karin Slaughter and I think she just gets better and better. Fab read and would highly recommend. Love her books and can't wait for future books. It has been some time since I have read her books however I now have the bug again. I just wish she could write as quick as I can read.

Sara Linton and Will Trent, Medical Examiner and Special Agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, respectively, are on their honeymoon to the McAlpine Lodge, a remote resort in a pristine setting – an experience sure to soothe the scars both have suffered, especially Will, who has never experienced such prolonged happiness. But their idyll is interrupted on the very first night when Mercy McAlpine, the manager of the family-run resort, is stabbed viciously to her death. Literally every person on the property – owners, staff, and guests alike – except Will and Sara seems to have a motive to hurt Mercy, especially her ex-husband Dave, an unsavoury character Will had grown up with in an orphanage. Will and Sara take it upon themselves to find the killer – for the sake of Mercy’s son, Jon, and the ordeals Mercy seems to have undergone – despite their boss, Amanda Wagner’s insistence that they leave the matter to other GBI agents and enjoy their honeymoon. With limited connectivity to the outside world, the case becomes a closed-room mystery, and the investigation brings to light far too many crimes – some years old and some going on for years – than the pair had expected to find. Soon, another person dies – deepening the mystery – and solving it will take all of the GBI investigators’ resourcefulness.

As with her other novels that I have read, Slaughter has filled this one with several messed up characters, most of whom are unspeakably malevolent. Starkly contrasted with all the nastiness is the bliss Will and Sara experience being hopelessly in love, though Slaughter goes a bit over-the-top with this at times. Meeting Will, Sara, Faith, and Amanda again is a pleasure, and their interactions are amusing as always. Slaughter’s knack for portraying the darkness of people is on display once again. Each of the nasty characters looks like a suspect, thanks to the backstories Slaughter provides, and the revelation of the killer, though hazily predictable, is well done. Slaughter admirably merges all the different threads, never letting the reader lose track of the narrative. Each character, including the minor ones, is crisply rendered. The resort, with its forest, lake, waterfall, and other features, feels like a character. Precisely when I was starting to miss the dark humour of Faith Mitchell, she appears and does what she does best. Slaughter puts Faith in precarious situations where her predicaments and reactions are refreshingly hilarious. Amanda, as usual, takes the reins the moment she appears but defers to Will’s will, albeit grudgingly. Though it dragged a bit at times due to the descriptions of the resort and the mushy romance of the newlyweds, this stark, intense, and emotional tale is another deserving addition to the much-loved series.

I am thankful to HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for the advance copy of This is Why We Lied through NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.

I would like to thank Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HaperFiction for a review copy of This is Why We Lied, the twelfth novel to feature Agent Will Trent of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

I enjoyed This is Why We Lie, which has the winning combination of a gripping storyline and familiar characters. The novel has a split timeline of the current investigation and various key points prior to the murder with old letters from the victim added to give the reader (if not Will) further background. This means that it is jam packed with information and permutations to keep the reader fully engrossed. I admit to guessing the perpetrator’s identity but the motive totally eluded me and came as a real shock when revealed.

It should be noted that this is not a cosy novel in any shape, manner or form as it involves an extremely dysfunctional family where abuse is the norm rather than the exception. It can be difficult to read, although not at all difficult to understand with the character flaws of each individual examined if not excused. There is an element of compare and contrast in this.

I like the way the novel unfolds with secrets and motives gradually coming to light as Will pursues his investigation, ably assisted by Sara. I even liked the misdirection which fooled me more than once.

This is Why We Lied is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

I usually love Karin Slaughter's books but I struggled with this one. It was dragged out and took a very log time to read and the end was definitely not for me. A disappointing read.

The newest novel in the Will Trent series starts off with Will and Sarah recently tying the knock and soon to embark on their honeymoon. Having planned a relaxing break in the mountains, the couple were not expecting to stumble in to the family drama of the resort owners nor a murder.
Mercy, the person in charge of the resort, is brutally murdered, with a range of suspects – family members and guests a like, Will, Sarah and the team try to uncover what really happened in a locked room murder environment.

With all the suspects trapped due to a storm, each person is desperately trying to keep their secrets hidden. It becomes clear, Mercy had a traumatic life littered with abuse, and many individuals holding a grudge and a motive to kill.

There are so many twists and layers to this novel, it is nigh on impossible to keep track on who the murderer actually is as it seems to ever change throughout the book which is credit to author.

A thrilling and gripping read, that springs surprise after surprise. Not least the unveiling of the perpetrator, bringing a shocking and unpredictable ending.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for a advanced copy in exchange for a honest review.

I love Karin Slaughter books and will always pick it up if I see her name on the front. I particularly love Will Trent series and this one didn't disappoint as always.

I have never read any books by Karin Slaughter before, but you can’t walk past or into a book shop without seeing the cover of her most recent thriller centre of the display. I now find after reading this story of exactly why she is so popular! This is a fascinating storyline written by an accomplished writer and this is apparent from the very first chapter. As all reviews shown will say she is an expert in the twisty, dark mystery. But I am pleased to see the characters are so well written that I am saddened when the victim is discovered, such a waste of a life. This is the skill shown by a very clever wordsmith.
I won’t discuss the plot as it really is a story meant to be revealed by the author as the reader inhabits the reality she has drawn.
Thank you Netgalley and all for the ARC.

Another brilliant installment of the Will Trent series from one of my favourite authors Karin Slaughter.

In 'This is Why We Lied' we follow Will and Sara Trent on their honeymoon where of course they end up right in the middle of a murder centered around a tight-knit group who share a very big secret from the past.
This is a classic whodunnit with a great cast of characters, Slaughter does a great job of weaving between past & present and slowly unraveling the secrets and truth about the past.

As always with this author this is an extremely well written book with a great premise, Slaughter just gets better every time.

This was a clever take on the ‘locked room’ style of murder mystery, with lots of colourful characters and twists and turns. It is well written and I enjoyed it.

This is Why We Lied is another gripping, suspense-filled thriller from Karin Slaughter that will keep you on edge until the very last page. Known for her dark, twisty plots and compelling characters, Slaughter once again delivers a story filled with secrets, betrayal, and shocking revelations.

The novel revolves around a tightly-knit group of friends who share a deadly secret from their past. As the story unfolds, we are taken on a rollercoaster ride of lies, manipulation, and the consequences of choices made long ago. Slaughter does a fantastic job of weaving together multiple timelines, giving us a glimpse into both the past and present of these characters, while slowly unraveling the mystery at the heart of the novel.

What stands out most in this book is the complexity of the characters. Each one is flawed in their own way, and Slaughter doesn’t shy away from exploring the darker sides of human nature. The protagonist is particularly well-drawn, with her vulnerability and determination making her both relatable and compelling. The group dynamic and the psychological tension between them adds depth to the story, making it more than just a straightforward mystery.

While the pacing is mostly tight, there are moments where the plot slows down a bit, but this serves to build suspense. When the twists come, they hit hard, and as always with Slaughter, they are unpredictable and satisfying.

Fans of psychological thrillers and dark mysteries will find This is Why We Lied an absorbing, emotional read that explores how far people will go to protect themselves—and each other—from the truth.

I dip in and out of Karin Slaughter novels so I tend to recognise some of the characters without really being fully familiar with them.

In this one, police investigator Will and his new wife, Sarah, the medical examiner are taking their honeymoon at an isolated off-grid ranch in the countryside. The last thing Will expected was to run into a guy who he knew in his childhood in the care system, a bullying boy who has clearly grown up to be a bullying man.

When a very damaged woman, Mercy, if murdered early in their holiday, Will and Sarah can't stop themselves getting involved in trying to find out who did it - and why.

It soon emerges that just about everybody at the ranch had reasons to kill her - not unlike an old Agatha Christie novel.

Writing this review a good few weeks after I read it, I initially struggled to remember WHO did do it and then it came back to me - it was exactly the person I suspected within a few pages of the actual killing.

So, in terms of mystery, I didn't think it was particularly well hidden, but this book was much more of a journey than a destination. And along the way, multiple layers of lying and double-crossing come into play. It'll keep you reading right to the end.

Recommended - 4 stars

One toxic family. Eight suspicious guests. Everyone is guilty. But who is a killer? How can you not read a book like this. A story filled with plenty of lies, secrets and of course murder. And all this in one family.

I delved into this book and with one family member (Mercy McAlpine) threatening to expose the family secrets and then found dead how could you not want to read and find out... Whodunnit! This book will keep you reading with thrills galore and many a secret to be revealed. It will keep you on the edge of your set with all its twists and turns and you won't be able to put it down.

Another great read but a great and accomplished author. I highly recommend it.

Thank you Net Galley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Karin Slaughter is back with another installment of the fantastic Will Trent series. Intricately plotted, we find Will and Sara in the middle of their honeymoon dealing with the last thing they expected or wanted - a shocking murder. I thoroughly enjoyed This Is Why We Lied up until the very last page. Will and Sara continue to be one of my favourite couples in fiction, their chemistry is addictive. Karin Slaughter has delivered another fantastic addition to this long running series, and never fails to keep her readers on their toes.

Karin never fails to surprise me EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
I always think that her next can’t be as good as her last, but then it is a 1000x.
The plot draws you in and the characters are people I want to spend my time with. I want to grow old still reading Karin Slaughter.

Love Will Trent and this is a great instalment.

Karin Slaughter knows what she’s doing and does mystery so well-keeps you guessing without frustration.

I couldn’t put this one down and thoroughly enjoyed it, especially the ending!

This Is Why we Lied is the next book in the Will Trent and Sara Linton series. Sara a d Will are on their honeymoon in this book an isolated mountain guest retreat. They are met by Mercy whose family owns the retreat. After only being there one night Mercy is murdered and Will and Sara are plunged straight into the investigation. All manner of secrets are slowly revealed, lies corruption and illegal activities are exposed. A great crime thriller with a brilliant plot line and a cast of characters whose depth have your total investment in the story.

This is Why We Lied by Karin Slaughter is the first book I have read from this author and although part of the Will Trent and Sara Linton series, can easily be read as a standalone. For me, this is always the sign of a good thriller. You can relate to the investigators as the backbone, but the focus is predominantly on the mystery

The pair are at a mountain retreat owned by the McAlpine family, toxic and volatile, a family wracked with the venom of secrets and lies and Mercy McAlpine is going to bring it all out in the open. At least she would, if she was not subsequently unalived

I hate to use the cliche but I could not put this down. I was peeling away layer after layer, even pickiing away piece by piece (imagine stripping wallpaper and having to double check the little bits to get that clear wall)

A darkly intriguing mystery and a series I will likely explore further

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | HarperCollins and Karin Slaughter for this fantastic ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

I quite enjoyed this book. I found the characters and plot interesting and it kept me turning the pages. I guessed who had done it early on so for me it was predictable.

What would be missing from the honeymoon of Will & Sara Trent? A murder of course, involving the most dysfunctional and unsavoury family you could care to meet.
In the 12th book in the Will Trent series, this a great locked in whodunnit, where anybody could be the murderer, so it’s hard to know where to start. The bond between Will and Sara is gorgeously warm and united, but not over romanticised as they attempt to give themselves faux job titles to blend in with the other guests there. Whilst the place seems idyllic, it soon becomes clear that the McAlpine estate is anything but.
When Will finds Mercy on the cusp of death, stabbed on the edge of the lake, the resort inaccessible due to the rains, they need to switch into work mode of GBI investigator and medical examiner. Supported remotely by Will’s boss Faith, her non nonsense, but fair style is great to experience.
As they start interviewing everyone, there are lots of timelines and back stories to navigate. This means going down legitimate lines of enquiries to reach an impasse or a dead end. However more and more about the complexity of this family is revealed. From long standing family disharmony, controlling, manipulative and abusive relationships, incest, extortion and bootlegging, there is so much to go at. Mercy’s letters capture a lot of what her abusive cycle and motivations to protect her son were really poignantly.
Some of the descriptions are brutal and hard hitting, which is slaughter’s trademark style. The pace is steady, albeit it meanders slightly at times. The pace picks up as the end nears and I am pleased to say that I was thoroughly entertained throughout, and I didn’t guess the perpetrator until it was revealed at the end.

Book twelve in the Will Trent and Sara Lindon series
A really good read
Will keep you turning the pages
Thanks NetGalley