Wow! We are now at book 12 of the Will Trent series, but also remember that before Will Trent, there was Sara Linton and the Grant County series, the two merging after the 3rd/7th with Genesis. So if you want to play catch-up, there's a fair few to do it with. But it's worth it...
Anyway, if you have read the previous books, you'll know that the last one featured Sara and her past. This one flips to Will and his. We meet a face from his past which kinda forces him to face some things. All at the same time as the two of them trying to solve a case. But I get ahead of myself a bit there. We start with Will and Sara are married - yay - and setting off on their honeymoon. One which Will has organised. A secluded cabin retreat accessible by a substantial hike. It is a family run concern and offers off grid seclusion as well as rural activities. A great place to relax and unwind and, connect!
Until during a dip in the lake, Will and Sara hear a blood curdling scream... They rush to assist and find a burning building and also Mercy McAlpine, the manager, about to die, having been stabbed.
Having previously tried to hide their law enforcement connections, Will and Sara have to fess up in order to start investigations. They have no choice as the retreat is cut off by storms and it'll be a while before assistance will arrive. But as they start to question the rest of the family and the other guests, it becomes clear that this is no open and shut case.
I do love Sara and Will. Especially Will, as his challenges bring out the nurturing instinct in me. As they do with Sara. They work well together as a team and this is definitely challenged herein as Will's past rears its ugly head in the shape of a fellow care-home boy who made his life difficult.
With more than its fair share of secrets, lies and dysfunctional behaviour, with a healthy dollop of obfuscation, they sure do have their work cut out for them as they try and work out what has happened, as the body count continues to rise.
I love everything about this book. The characters, the setting, the story. The pacing is consistent throughout, matching the narrative all the way through. There is a claustrophobic undertone which adds to the suspense and the whole thing kept my attention and indeed kept me guessing all the way through, all the way to the final, most satisfying conclusion.
In fact, the only bad thing about this book was coming to the end and realising that I would once again have to say goodbye to Will and Sara and wait patiently for the next book.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Sara and Will have just got married and now Will has taken them on a hike up a mountain to Sara's annoyance as she thinks they'll miss their flight to the secret location Will has booked for their honeymoon. She is then delighted to discover that the mountain lodge hideaway they reach is their destination. However, events of their first night, after meeting the other occupants, reveal some strange relationships in the MacAlpine family who own and run the lodge. When Will discovers Mercy, the daughter of the owners dying on the lakeshore late that night , he and Sara are dragged into a strange world of hate, incest, lies and abuse. This is not a gentle read, but very dark and grips the reader from the start.

As Tolstoy noted, “each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way”. The McAlpine family illustrate this, in spades; they all hate each other, but historical circumstances mean they have to work and live together. For generations they have lived in the southern Appalachians, a few hours from Atlanta, Georgia, running an upmarket outdoor lodge. Until a few years ago it was run by Cyril (known as Papa), a violent, abusive, coercive pater familias, now chair bound following an accident, but still as domineering as he can be. The rest of the family are: Bitty, his mean, vindictive wife, Christopher, their weak willed, incel son, Mercy, their daughter, a former alcoholic, ex-junkie but now straight and successfully running the Lodge, Dave, their adopted son who combines all the worst features of the family, a violent, abusive, coercive, mean, vindictive, alcoholic, junkie, thief. Also wife-beater, since he is ‘married’ to Mercy. The youngest member of the family is Jon, Mercy and Dave’s sixteen-year-old son, born when she was fifteen and Dave was eighteen.
Will Trent, a Special Agent for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, has just married Dr Sara Linton, Medical Examiner for the GBI. She organised the wedding and he organised the honeymoon. When he booked a cabin at the Lodge he was, of course, unaware of the family dynamic, but it didn’t take long to realise that they were not ‘The Waltons’. The newly-weds had booked in as a mechanic and a chemistry teacher, and were determined to keep a low profile, enjoy the delights of the area and have eyes only for each other. This plan lasts until late on their first night when, responding to a scream, Will discovers Mercy with multiple stab wounds and breathing her last. Realising that the local Sherrif is an incompetent with too much of a link to the family, Will calls in the GBI, in the form of Faith, his usual partner, and Amanda, his boss. For technical reasons, Will cannot work the case but that isn’t likely to stop him. So whodunnit? Given the isolated location, opportunity must be the first factor to be considered, method and motive will come later. The killer is almost certainly still around, either one of the family( 5), one of the staff (4), a visiting aunt (1), Christopher’s live in friend (1) or one of the other guests (8). Eighteen suspects! That’s as many as “Murder on the Orient Express” (8) plus “Then There Were None” (10).
It is not surprising, therefore, that this is a very long story, although it does move relative quickly in time. I think it could have been a bit tighter. The writing is very strong (which is par for the course) and the violence is frequently quite graphic (that’s also par for the course). This is the 12th book to feature Will, Sara, Amanda and Faith but it is perfectly readable on its own, since enough background is given to enable a new reader to engage with these four, and understand how their personal histories influence the way they respond. It is quite hard to solve, but I wasn’t surprised by the resolution. It’s a good edition to the Slaughter Canon, but not the best, so I’ve given it 4.5 which will round to 5.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

Karin Slaughter, where have you been all my life ? I realized after starting this book that it must be part of a series but that didn't lessen my enjoyment, I was totally engrossed from the first page.
GBI Investigator, Will Trent had surprised his new wife, Medical Examiner, Sara Lindon, with a honeymoon at luxury, McAlpine Lodge, complete relaxation, miles away from anywhere, hiking, swimming, fishing, horse riding and gazing at the stars, it was a place that Will had dreamed of since being a disturbed child in a care home.
The magic didn't last long when, after hearing a scream, Will found the mutilated, dying body of Mercy McAlpine, the Lodge manager.
This wasn't the honeymoon that Will envisaged, he was back in work mode with a bang.
This story unfolds to uncover a totally dysfunctional family, the controlling mother, the crippled, abusive and cruel father, the silent brother, his creepy friend and Mercy's ex, abusive, greedy Dave and her troubled, disturbed son, Jon, no one liked Marcy, everyone had a reason to want her dead, throw into the mix the other guests, all having their own agenda and this story hits the stratosphere.
This is a roller coaster journey, there are so many suspects, all of whom I had pinned as the murderer at some point. This story has nail biting suspense, it throws red herrings from all directions, it covers so many emotive subjects. I loved the authors description of the dangerous but beautiful terrain and I really loved the characters and the fact that I had no idea whodunit until the end and just how evil this family was.
A well earned five stars and I look forward to reading more of this authors work.
Thank you Net Gallery and Harper Collins for this preview copy, my review is totally voluntary.

Love the Sara and Will series. Plenty of thrills and a quick and easy read. Great characters. Enjoy the style of writing. Plenty to keep you enthralled. Look forward to the next instalment. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for chance to review it.

It took me a while to get into this book and it was surprising considering I really love Karin Slaughter.

There was so many twists and turns in this book that if felt interminable and most of the characters weren’t likeable. But I did enjoy finding out the family’s messed up past and I also didn’t firgure out who was the killer was untill the big reveal.

Overall it was a nice book but definitely not my favorite.

Thank you Karin Slaughter, HaperCollins UK and Netgalley for a digital ARC copy.

#ThisIsWhyWeLied #NetGalley

Will Trent and Sara Linton return and celebrate their honeymoon in a secluded cabin retreat. It is a chance to relax until owner Mercy McAlpine is found murdered. Soon they find themselves thrown into examining the guests and owners, while finding a lot of hidden secrets.

I know this series has been going on for a while now and I have to admit this is the first I have read by this author. I have been meaning to pick up her books for ages due to the hype. After reading I can definitely see what all the rave reviews are about. This was a well written, dark thriller, which keeps you guessing. There’s quite a few interesting, and unlikeable, characters to get to know, which keeps up the suspense and drama.

Although this can definitely be read as a standalone, I feel I would have gotten a lot more out of this if I had read the others in the series and that the overall story may have been dragged out too much. Saying that, I appreciate what the author was trying to achieve and I would be intrigued to read the others in the series. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

A fantastic locked room murder mystery, loads of twists & red -herrings to keep you guessing right to the end. There’s not one likeable character amongst the suspects & the reader is sent down all manner of paths by all their many wrong doings. Not my favourite Will Trent novel but still good.

I absolutely loved this book. It’s just brilliant. Book #12 in the Will Trent series but can easily be read as standalone too.

One toxic family. Eight suspicious guests. Everyone is guilty. But who is the killer? Welcome to McAlpine Lodge, a secluded mountain getaway where everyone is lying. Will, a GBI investigator and Sara, a medical examiner are on their honeymoon. When they hear a scream and Mercy McAlpine is found dead, they want to help with the investigation. But with the killer about to strike again, it’s a race against the clock to solve the investigation.

This book doesn’t disappoint. It kept me guessing throughout with so many twists and turns until it reaches an unexpected end. I couldn’t put it down.
I love the authors writing style as it’s so dark, unsettling, multilayered, full of suspense and interesting characters.
It’s definitely a rollercoaster ride of emotions with its clever storyline and difficult subjects but executed brilliantly. I enjoyed the Gotcha Day letters as these added to the story.
The characters all feel so real, most of them are not likeable but this just adds to the tension and dysfunctional family atmosphere. The setting is described in a way that you can imagine it. Surrounding you. This book is fast paced and edge of your seat reading.
Definitely recommend this if you enjoy locked room mystery thriller, you’ll love this. I can’t wait to read the next book in the Will Trent series @karinslaughterauthor
With thanks to #NetGallery #HarperCollinsUK @harperfiction for an arc of #ThisIsWhyWeLied in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 20 June 2024.

Readable but not her best. Some parts are ridiculous and pathetic, Will and Sarah eye rolling moments. Bring back the old Karin.

Will and Sara are on their honeymoon in a lodge in the mountains miles from anywhere! There are other people staying too and they are expected to join in with the activities which are on. witnessing an explosive family argument in the dining room to them finding a murder scene near the lake, it's not the quiet honeymoon they were expecting. As Will is a detective obviously he wants to help with the case and Sara is a doctor with the police so she wants to do her bit to help as well. How many suspects can there be? It seems as though everyone had a motive and all are lying or keeping secrets.

Loved this book, hasn't realised it was part of a series, but don't let that put you off. Can see this being made into a film!

Many thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this will be highly recommending would give more than 5* if I could.

I usually love a Karin Slaughter book, especially a Will Trent book however, this one took a while to start for me and almost felt like a bit of a disappointment.

The book is long, but that is not unusual for a Slaughter book. However, this one felt long. Too much time was focused on the scenery and not the characters - I wanted to understand those back stories. However, I wanted something new, not just the same recaps again and again. I felt a good 100 pages could have been lost and you wouldn’t lose the storyline.

So, the relationship between Will and Sara - whilst I’m glad they have finally got together, the obsession they have for each other just doesn’t feel realistic.

Faith is brilliant and her character is coming on leaps and bounds - she is a strong, flawed character that so many people will be able to relate to. And she’s funny!

Unfortunately, I guessed ‘whodunit’ as soon as the murder happened. I didn’t find the red herrings to be such - in fact, I found myself wanting to scream at the characters for their lack of observation.

This was a good book, just not the excellent book I was expecting.

Very enjoyable if maybe a bit overlong. I’ve never read any of this series before and didn’t even know it was a series when I began it, but it didn’t affect my enjoyment at all. Nice and twisty and I didn’t guess who done it at all. Recommended.

This is Why We Lied is an absolutely exciting locked room mystery thriller by Karin Slaughter which was a page turner that I just could not put down until the very last page.

McAlpine Lodge situated in a remote mountain area is the perfect getaway retreat as it has everything a guest could ask for except there was no wi-fi, and no mobile phones were allowed in order for guests to unwind and enjoy the many activities that were on offer.

Will Trent investigator and his new bride Sara Linton medical examiner for the GBI are on their honeymoon when they hear a woman crying out for help and discover that it is Mercy McAlpine who is at death's door after having been stabbed.

Will and Sara's investigation leads to eight suspicious guests including the McAlpine family who are are all telling lies including Will and Sara. There is a murderer in their midst and Will and Sara are on a mission to uncover the murderer.

This thriller should be made into a movie which would be spectacular.

GBI agent Will Trent has taken his new wife, Dr Sara Linton, to a retreat in the mountains for their honeymoon. To avoid questions neither of them want the other guests to know about their real occupations however when a vicious murder occurs they are unable to continue with the deception as they seek to solve the crime.
Family relationships amongst the resort owners are strained and their reaction to the murder is not what they should be. Added to that a number of the other guests are acting suspiciously too; everyone appears to be hiding something.
I must admit Karin Slaughter can do little wrong in my eyes, I've read every one of her novels so far and this is amongst the best of them. Well developed characters and a cracking storyline make for an unputdownable read, brilliant.

It's a mixed bag for me. This was a slow burn that I found really hard to get into and, although it was a good story, it just didn't grip me in the same way Karin Slaughters previous novels have.

First off thanks to netgalley for the chance to review this book

Wow This book was brilliant forgot how good the will trent series was. Will trent and Sara go away on there honeymoon into the hills and a murder happens lots of suspects and so many pieces of information and things going on that keeps you guessing all the way through. And it all comes together at the end. Throughly enjoyed it will definitely be recommending this book to others.

Five stars 🌟

This author never lets me down. This book as brilliant from start to finish. I lost sleep over this book as I had to get through it. Amazing .

This is my first Will Trent book but I definitely need to go back to the beginning- I can see he's a character to fall in love with. This was a clever locked room murder case, only set on a luxury lodge resort up on a mountain, the only access by hiking in. It's run by the creepy dysfunctional McAlpine family and things take a bad turn on the first day of Will 's honeymoon with Sara.
There are lots of sensitive subjects touched on (dv, child sexual abuse, alcoholism, addiction) but in a way which makes your heart achieve fir tge deeply flawed characters.
An amazing read. Mercy will stay with me for a long time.

Absolutely brilliant. I always enjoy a Karin Slaughter book and it's been a while since I read one.
The twists and turns are so unexpected, characters that make you feel for them, even if it's just disgust and loathing or pity.
The ending is out of nowhere.