Sara and Will are great characters and the stumbling into a murder on honeymoon is right on brand for the pair!
This is an incredibly clever plot- a locked room mystery by virtue of the wilderness setting and one with a cast of secret keeping folk who are not quite as they seem!
The book moves at a good pace, enough detail to bring out the armchair detective theories and not so much that the perpetrator can be guessed from the get go- the perfect mix!

It's been a while since I've read a book by the author and am now going to go back and reread and find news ones. I enjoy her writing and she captures her characters so well and you feel empathy/sympathy/apathy as needed.

The story of who killed Mercy unfolds over a short time period but you feel it's longer (in a good way). The plot twists and turns and with so many possible perpetrators I was not sure who will have done the deed. The book keeps you enthralled as just when you think you've worked it out another twist occurs.

Another great book from the author.

Unfortunately this book was not for me. I was expecting more of a domestic thriller. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for granting access to this book in exchange for my honest review.

Twisty multi layered plot with terrifying consequences. Will and Sarah are on their honeymoon and soon investigating a murder. The new characters in this book were ones that I disliked as the plot got more complex the more I began to disdain them. It's immersive and compelling writing kept me reading!

Will Trent is back! While on his honeymoon, will runs into an old foe and falls headfirst into a case that reawakens old demons .

Will is on his honeymoon at a much touted remote resort when a body turns up. Unfortunately Will feels a personal connection, sharing moments with the victim and feeling empathy with her due to one her of her tormentors, a blast from his past.

It was great when Faith turned up and added a little humor to otherwise very serious situations. I hope to see their colleague Kevin again. As always, Amanda wields her power, but also shows her concern for Will, even if it is in an "Amanda" way.

The perpetrator was pretty easy to figure out, but it was interesting to go through all the twists and turns with the other characters. The past is revisited for several people, and it was hard to find a "likeable" character in the group.

I love revisiting these characters, however, would like to see more of Faith's story incorporated into the the storylines, and see Faith and Will working more as a team. We also learn a little more about Will and his past.

Karin is good at laying out a mystery and I highly recommend this as another installment of Will Trent. I look forward to another one!

This is a real twisty murder mystery thriller which touches so many bases, child abuse, drugs and alcohol related crimes and general corruption in a small mountain village. This is part of a series about Will Trent and Sara and in this book they have just got married and are on their honeymoon when a murder happens. The isolation of the mountain campsite adds great atmosphere to the story which develops into being snow locked in as well. The scene setting before Mercy was murdered added the necessary background to the story which was compelling. Having read this I do not think that I would like to go away to a retreat in such issolation just in case anyhing bad happens, it has been so realistically written.
The ending was certainly unexpected as I had been deciding on the murderer throughout and each time it suddenly appeared that I was wrong.
Great book from a great author.

Introduction:
"This Is Why We Lied" marks another captivating installment in the Will Trent series by Karin Slaughter. As someone who recently embarked on this journey from Book 9, I can personally vouch for the sheer brilliance of Slaughter's storytelling. This latest addition presents a heart-wrenching, intense closed-room mystery that beautifully showcases Slaughter's masterful writing and the complexity of her characters. Despite initially joining the series from Book 9, I found myself thoroughly engrossed in the narrative, proving that readers need not have read the earlier installments to appreciate the gripping tale that unfolds within these pages. So, whether you're a long-time fan or new to the series, "This Is Why We Lied" is an absolute must-read.

Plot:
The story unfolds at McAlpine Lodge, a secluded mountain retreat where every guest harbors a secret. When Mercy McAlpine, the lodge manager, is murdered after threatening to expose these secrets, Will Trent and Sara Linton find themselves entangled in a complex web of lies and deceit. Slaughter weaves a tale of domestic abuse, child cruelty, and addiction against the backdrop of an isolated location, intensifying the tension and suspense with each turn of the page.

Characters:
Will Trent and Sara Linton shine as the protagonists, their personal journeys adding layers of depth to the narrative. Will's newfound peace and love with Sara provide a touching contrast to the darkness surrounding Mercy's murder. The supporting cast, including Amanda, Faith, and Mercy's dysfunctional family, further enrich the story, each character contributing to the intricate web of betrayals and secrets.

Themes:
Slaughter fearlessly delves into dark themes, confronting issues such as drug addiction, domestic abuse, and manipulation head-on. Mercy's tragic life and the callousness of her family serve as poignant reminders of the horrors that lurk beneath the surface of seemingly idyllic settings. "This Is Why We Lied" is a testament to Slaughter's ability to explore the depths of human depravity while keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, "This Is Why We Lied" is a masterpiece of crime fiction, showcasing Karin Slaughter at the peak of her storytelling prowess. With its relentless suspense, jaw-dropping twists, and compelling characters, this novel is a must-read for fans of the genre. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a dark, multilayered thriller that will leave them breathless.

Thanks NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for a Review Copy.

Brilliant but disturbing. The end.
Thank you so much to netgalley and Harpercollins for the chance to read this Arc.

Will Trent and Sara Linton are newly married and are honeymooning at the McAlpine Lodge run by Mercy McAlpine. Taking a romantic midnight swim, they suddenly hear a scream. Quickly dressing and the running to see the cause, they hear pleas for help. Going off in different directions Will finds Mercy has been repeatedly stabbed and in floating at the edge of the lake. Will desperately tries to save her and badly injured his hand in the process. Mercy’s dying words urge Will to tell her son, Jon, she loves him. Now the suspense begins and dark, twisted secrets are revealed. I enjoy Karen Slaughter’s Will Trent series. I will recommend this book.

Sara and Will are back. They are off on honeymoon to a remote campsite in the mountains. It's a pretty luxury camp - there are lodges and activities and swimming etc etc. Concealing their occupations, so they can be as free as possible on this trip, they encounter a murder almost as soon as they've unpacked their bags. Of course.

Mercy is disliked by pretty much every single one of her family. Her son, her ex-husband, her brother, her parents.... they are all horrible! I didn't like one of these characters, not even Mercy really. And then she goes and gets herself killed, and Sara and Will must find out who did it.

I really like Faith as a character and I'm so glad she is Will's partner. He needs her as much as she needs him really. They've grown so much since the start of their journey. The dynamic works really well - she's tough, no nonsense, but underneath vulnerable and needy, and Will is clumsy and looks tough, but couldn't do his job with Faith's help concerning his dyslexia etc.

The relationship between Sara and Will is lovey dovey almost to the point of sickliness :) but they are newlyweds so we will let them off for this book.

Overall I loved it, I would recommend it to life long fans of Slaughter, like myself, and also to anyone new to her books. But be warned, they are gory and gruesome and gritty - all the best books are :)

I have loved Karin Slaughters books since I read Blindsighted approx. 17-18 years ago, I caught up quickly and have eagerly awaited the next instalment, ever since. I was so excited when, I got the email to say I had been given access to this title. She never disappoints, the Will Trent/Sara Linton stories are always brutal, and graphic depicting the violence of the work they do but encompass the sweet tenderness between them. This one is no different, but has a bit of the Agatha Christie, locked room mystery thrown in.

Will and Sara are on their honeymoon, in what should be an idyllic break away from civilisation so, of course, nothing goes smoothly with this pair. They stumble upon a tragic murder, whilst enjoying a midnight swim in the lake. The deeper they investigate the more they uncover evidence of paedophilia, domestic abuse, child cruelty, alcoholism, drug addiction and incels. One of the most shocking parts of the story is that the family, don’t seem to care who murdered their relative. It seems that everyone has a motive, but who did it?

The story is told in a series of flashback chapters that work well, giving the reader most of the info that Will and Sarah, together with Faith must try and piece together. Another masterpiece of Crime writing. If I must pick a fault, it’s that the chapters are too long for me personally. It detracts from the pace a little. But that said another easy 5 star read.

My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy in return for an honest review.

Thank you to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for the ARC of This is Why We Lied in exchange for an honest and independent review.

This is the 12th installment of the Will Trent series by Karin Slaughter. While I have read the works of Karin Slaughter before, I have never dabbled in the Will Trent series. Normally, I wouldn't want to take up a series starting with the 12th book, however, the previous books really have no baring on this storyline, which was a huge breath of fresh air for me. While I'm sure there are mentions to activities that took place in prior books, I was not at a disadvantage having not read them (thank you SO much, Karin)! However, I must say that after reading this one, I really want to free up my next month in order to go back and binge this series because this murder mystery had me turning the pages so quickly it defied logic.

Will Trent (GBI investigator) and his new wife, Sara Linton (medical examiner) are on their honeymoon to a secluded mountainside resort, the McAlpine Lodge. The lodge offers the perfect combination of seclusion and relaxation in the depths of nature. That is until a blood curdling scream rips through the air on their first night at camp. Within minutes Will stumbles upon the mutilated body of the camp manager, Mercy McAlpine. Just barley clinging to life, she imparts her last words on Will, which sends both he and Sara on the honeymoon of a lifetime trying to track down her killer. Will and Sara will need to wade through the lies and deception to get to the bottom of this tragedy and in quick fashion too. Not your typical way to spend your honeymoon, but it's somehow rather fitting for Will and Sara (who honestly seem like the most balanced and realistic couple you could ask for).

I really do love a good murder mystery, but this one was quite honestly next level. The attention to detail in the characters and the lies they weave was beyond impressive. I felt like every little detail could be a clue and the storyline was so well thought out. This was one of the few mysteries that evoked real emotion from me and that main emotion was pure hatred for the McAlpine family. I spent most of this book flying through it angry and seeking justice for Mercy. Karin's character development was outstanding and it really allowed you to form your own opinions about each character through their viewpoints and faults. I enjoyed that this storyline wasn't just a first person narrative as I feel that gave the book a profound sense of depth. It was also fun to piece together viewpoints as this entire story really only happens over the course of 24-48 hours.

Another truly great read from Karin Slaughter. I'm already a huge fan and I think she's outdone herself with this one. I can't wait to go back and dive into this series from the beginning as I already know I will love it. Check this one out when it hits shelves June 20th!

Yet another page turner from Karin Slaughter. I have read all the books in her Will Trent series (and Grant County series before this), so I am very familiar with the characters and was eager to join them on yet another journey. I know I said it was a page turner and my goodness was it a hard book to put down but I didn't want it to end! So, I had to force myself to take breaks and savor it rather than read it in one sitting and be left yearning for more. And yet, here I am, the book finished and me once again impatiently waiting for the next one.

This Is Why We Lied follows Will and Sarah on their honeymoon where, against all odds, somebody gets murdered. It is a classic locked room mystery and this time with a Karin Slaughter twist. There is grit, pain, abuse and unimaginable hurts, but there is also love, trust and forgiveness.

If you like your mystery and thrillers a bit darker than usual, this is for you. An absolute must read!

This is a tense and at times uncomfortable locked room, psychological thriller that twists and turns all the way.
I didn’t realise this was #12 in a series of books about Will Trent. I will say that I think readers will enjoy it as a stand-alone even without reading the previous novels, although they are now on my ‘to read list’.
The novel has some dark themes running through it, for example: drug use, alcoholism, child abuse and domestic violence. Even though at times it was not always a comfortable read I still wanted to find out who killed Mercy.
It has a fast-paced plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat with a menacing undercurrent running throughout. The author does an amazing job of expressing Mercy’s feeling of uselessness and inevitability of where her life choices will lead her. You can’t help but feel sorry for Mercy with the dysfunctional family she has surrounding her.
The characters were realistic, complex, well developed and richly drawn in this tense, addictive read. The premise is not new, but the author captured the horror and isolation that you would expect in abusive relationships.
This was a tense, unputdownable, who/why dunnit tale.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for the ARC.

Another fab read by Karin Slaughter. Fast paced, hard to put down and twists to keep you guessing!
Great storyline and characters

Another gripping thriller from Karin Slaughter that I could not put down.

I’m always pleased to be back in the company of Will Trent and Sara Linton, and had high expectations of this novel. I was not disappointed. Utterly gripped from the start, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to fans of tense crime thrillers.

This is the first book I have read in this series so I am unfamiliar with the main characters. Although the book can be read as a stand alone novel, I feel it would be beneficial to read the earlier books in the series.
Will Trent and Sara Linton are on honeymoon at a remote location but they are soon involved in investigating a murder. This is a complex story with some dark themes. The number of suspects and twists and turns make this a gripping read.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to @netgalley and @HarperCollinsUK for this ARC. Book 12 of Will Trent. As a continuation of the series, I will try to not give anything away. Will and Sara are visiting an adult summer camp when they find hear a women cry for help. The same women that Sara had spoken to just an hour earlier as Sara was stitching up her thumb. Mercy told Sara that if anything were to happen to her, it could be any number of people at the camp. She had created enemies. The clock is ticking to find the killer. You know you THINK you have it figured out but then you are all wrong! This story is so messed up and so engrossing at the same time. #ThisisWhyWeLied #KarinSlaughter #HarperCollinsUK #June2024

Karin Slaughter really can do no wrong! Another hit novel, with the return of Will Trent, Sara Linton, and Will´s partner Faith, in the wilds of the mountains, out of the comfort zone of Atlanta.

Really clever storyline, lots of red herrings thrown in to try and put you off the scent.

Great read.

My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy in return for an honest review.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I’ve enjoyed all of the Trent series and this was no exception. A dysfunctional family totally implodes with Will and Sara caught in the middle. Great read.