Having read and previously enjoyed other books within the Will Trent series I was really excited to read this book and it didn't disappoint! Classic thriller book, with twists and turns, but with really likeable main characters that you are also interested in finding more about too. I will be keeping an eye out to see what else comes out in this series in the future!

"Everyone here is a liar, but only one of us is a killer..."

Every time I think Karin Slaughter can not shock me anymore, she comes skipping along and does exactly that! 😳

Full of twists and shocking revelations. This one had me hooked right up until that dark, twisted and jaw-dropping ending! I did not in the slightest foresee that ending coming! While it made me feel nauseous, it was also absolutely brilliant!

McAlpine Lodge, an off the grid mountain top property seems like the perfect getaway for Will Trent and Sara Linton to escape to for their honeymoon.

A serenity, until a blood curdling scream slashes through the calmness of the night. A scream that belongs to the manager of the lodge, Mercy McAlpine, who is now dead.

With limited access to the mountain, the killer must be someone on the mountain. As Will and Sara start to investigate, it becomes clear that everyone on the mountain is lying, not just to Will and Sara or each other but also to themselves!

So, who killed Mercy McAlpine? Indulge yourself in a copy of This Is Why We Lied to find out!

Let me start by saying that I am a huge fan of Karin Slaughter. That said, I am late to the party, having only read a few stand-alone novels, and now working my way through the Sara Linton (pre-Trent) series. So, as excited as I was to jump in and read a Will Trent, especially as I have been avoiding the Amazon Prime TV series until I make progress with the books, I am now quite gutted to have met Will in Book 12. Don’t get me wrong, this is a story with a clear beginning, middle, and conclusion. There is much about Will and his partner’s backstory threaded throughout this novel to give you a clear understanding of these key characters, it’s just that they are so lovable in their personal and professional roles, whilst having realistic flaws that I want to watch them, and their relationship develop over time.

Celebrating a special milestone in their relationship, Will and Sara take a trip to a remote cabin. What should have been some well-deserved time off, and a time for attending to each other, fast diminishes when Will comes face to face with a ghost from his past and disappears entirely when they find themselves in the middle of a whodunnit case. With the local police force uninterested in solving a heinous murder, Will and Sara along with key members of the GBI set about to change that, even if that means treading on toes and solving the case themselves.

As is common with Slaughter’s books, there are crimes of both violent, and sexual nature that are disclosed in a graphic manner. For this reason, it is categorically for adults only, but certainly not for the fainthearted.

I lose count of how many books Slaughter has written, but I would argue that she has come a long way. Over the years, she has had several texts adapted into various TV formats and it is clear that she has grown in talent and confidence with her writing. Had I not had experience of a certain Reacher novel, I might have missed a few clues that ultimately helped me deduce some correct assumptions, but my gosh, although it is written in an easy-to-understand way, very clear, and extremely descriptive, there’s a lot I would have missed in this complex plot. With a large cast that sees more than ten of them with a motive for murder, I was satisfied with the flaws in the investigation, the clues, the red herrings, the pacing. It just worked and brought about a climax that just kept on giving. The details of this novel are going to be with me for a long time. As crime thrillers go, this has raised the bar, and I can see myself recommending this book for some time to come.

The 12th instalment to the Will Trent series, a series I rant and rave about often. This Is Why We Lied is an intense murder mystery with a secluded setting which I love!

The story starts with the murder and works back through the timeline and events leading up to the murder, I was frustrated but hooked from the very start. I was completely drawn in by the family dynamics and all the crazy that went on! The McAlpine family is on another level 😅

Although you could read this one first, and if you're into murder mysteries, this might be the best place to start if you want to check out Slaughters work... I would still recommend starting from the beginning, I even recommend starting with the Grant County series first as there are some character crossovers

Will Trent and Sara Linton's honeymoon at McAlpine Lodge takes a dark turn when a scream shatters the night, and the lodge manager, Mercy McAlpine, is found dead. Isolated by a storm and cut off from the outside world, they discover that everyone on the mountain is hiding secrets. With the killer among them, Will and Sara must unravel a tangled web of lies and deceit to find Mercy's murderer before it’s too late. This twisty, slow-burn thriller is gripping and full of unexpected turns, making you root for Will as he seeks justice for the tragic Mercy.

http://thesecretbookreview.co.uk

I'm always drawn to stories about dysfunctional families with dark secrets so this was a must-read for me! I loved the Agatha Christie locked room feel and the setting. Although I guessed the key revelation, I enjoyed watching it play out

I am feel so brave. I read several standalone books from the author and totally love it. She never hold her punch when told us about women's abuse and never romantizer those contents. But for her famous series, Will Trent I only read first book and watch 2 seasons of the TV series. So I hope I dont make mistake to jump blindly into this book...

Actually I landing perfectly into happy moment. Will and Sara is on honeymoon. I dont know yet about Sara but I love her from beginning. She seem strong and perfect mate for our Will.

The story it self take set at natural resort, the place Will choose to spent their relax, stressfree honeymoon. Mc Alpine Lodge sound perfect, it is beautiful and relaxing place at least until we know the family own that place. Everyone seem toxic and have big secrets to hide. I almost see big red flags from them and understand Will and Sara's concern from beginning chapter.

The writing is perfect and all the aspect to make this a great thriller are there. It is brutal, heartbreaking, twisted and strong plot.
But I read many a locked room mystery trope from this genre, so the plot isnt really surprise me as I want too. Off course I will looking forward to backtracking and see Will from previous books. I really want to see why Will so deep into loving Sara.

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Fiction from Harper Collins UK for providing copy of this ebook. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Expecting Publication : 20 June 2024

Another brilliant story by Karen Slaughter. This story had every imaginable crime being committedand, and large cast of disparate characters. .It grabs you at the start and you comeout thoroughly banboozled by the end.

This is the twelfth book in the Will Trent series by author Karin Slaughter.

McAlpine Lodge is a secluded cabin retreat and GBI investigator Will Trent and medical examiner Sara Linton are getting away to celebrate their honeymoon. The property is set on a beautiful mountaintop and a perfect place to relax and enjoy their break. What could go wrong and then a bone-chilling scream cuts through the night.

Mercy McAlpine, the manager of the Lodge, is dead and with a vicious storm raging the one access road to the property washed out. A murderer is close by and the possible suspects are few. Will and Sara are going to investigate the McAlpine family and the other guests and it soon becomes clear that everyone is lying. Trapped on the resort, they must need to unravel the lies and discover the murderer before they strike again.

I really enjoyed this one and once realised I must read must read more of Karin Slaughters novels.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this book, gripping, suspenseful and a brilliant plot. Seemingly set in an idyllic honeymoon location, a secluded mountain lodge, However the family that run it, aren't quite as idyllic. Eight guests arrive full of secrets and Mercy McAlpine threatens to expose them. Every single one on them is lying about their past and present. will all their secrets be reviled? Would highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley, Karin Slaughter and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read this book.

📚 ARC Review

This Is Why We Lied by Karin Slaughter
HarperCollins, 11th June 2024

McAlpine Lodge is a secluded mountain getaway, the height of escapist luxury living. It should be idyllic...but it's run by one toxic family.

And that's not all.
Eight suspicious guests, and everyone is guilty. Everyone here is lying. Lying about their past. Lying to their family. Lying to themselves.

Mercy McAlpine – until now the good daughter – threatens to expose everybody's secrets. Just hours later, Mercy is dead. Will Trent is here on honeymoon and he's determined to catch the killer.

The twisted characters leap to life off the page in this convoluted thriller, which is full of suspense and surprises. Will remains decidedly self-effacing and good-natured as he doggedly tracks down the murderer. This was a joy to read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to HarperFiction and Karin Slaughter for providing the eARC via NetGalley; this is my unbiased review.

The queen of the genre does it again! A fabulously written gripping story that was a pleasure to read. I would absolutely recommend this book, it was brilliant

What a brilliant book! It was my first Will Trent book but not the first by KS, and I was hooked from the start. The twists and turns throughout kept catching me out and the ending was brilliant but shocking. I shall definitely be reading more in this series!

This is the twelfth book in the Will Trent Series. A honeymoon with a rather gruesome twist. Not even one full night in, and there is a brutal murder. Stuck in a "closed room" murder mystery, with a series of oddly behaving guests and family members, it's a thrilling read. I honestly was shocked at the outcome - it seriously could have been any number of people who committed the murder.

Once again, Karin Slaughter gives us a story which keeps us guessing - and awake until the small hours.

I have to say it took me a while to get into this book. There are a lot of different characters and you need to get to know them all the two main ones are Will and Sarah who are a newly married couple on their honeymoon in this secluded lodge setting around a family run compound and other lodges all with other couples in
Obviously a murder occurs and it becomes their job to establish who did it and why?
It becomes much more fast paced from then on more like Karin’s normal books and you then are into an almost who dun-it scenario
But I admit I did not guess until right at the end which is great

Thanks to netgalley for providing this advanced copy for the purpose of review.
I love everything about this series and am never disappointed. Somehow Karen slaughter manages to make each mystery thrilling and engrossing and this was no exception.

I always look forward to reading Karin Slaughter. I love her style of writing and always find her books so easy to read. Problem is they always end too quickly because I can’t put them down.
Will and Sara can’t even go on honeymoon in a cabin at a secluded mountain retreat without murder and drama following them.
Will finds Mercy McAlpine (manager of the camp) dying and it soon becomes obvious, thanks to a storm cutting them off, that the killer is still amongst them.
As the story unfolds it exposes the many lies that exist among both the dysfunctional McAlpine family and the guests. No one can be trusted to tell the truth. Everyone is at risk.
Lots of the usual suspense and twists and turns that is a Karin Slaughter book.

If you are looking for a gripping and suspenseful thriller from the very top shelf which keeps you at the edge of your seat, Karen Slaughter does not disappoint you. This is Why We Lied is a dark thriller placed in the woods, where MacApline family run Lodge faraway from civilization - the perfect holiday idea if you really want to run away from normal day-to-day routine. No internet, no phones, only nature, lodge in mountains – sounds pretty amazing, peaceful, relaxing. What will happen if the truth is hidden, very dark secrets that no one else really know, what if you find out that everyone is lying - about the past and present, lying to themselves and family and the brutal murder of Mercy MacAlpine will be just a beginning.
Slaughter has an amazing ability to create multilayered suspenseful stories. With each page you will learn more about the people who took part in this holiday, each one of them is hiding something and has their own reasons why not to share the truth. Each chapter is like another card giving you a clue or mislead to find out who the murderer really is. The book will keep you captivated till the last paragraph. Lots of twists and surprises, I like the ending, the way you again can be a witness of what have happened by yourself not the short descriptive. Thank you for that!

The book is a masterpiece, each detail is described in a way that you will feel like you are next to the characters – in the woods, in the lodge, in the cottage.. great work. I think if you at least once will read the book written by Slaughter, like me, you will become her fan, I cannot wait to read another book!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and the author for ARC copy of this book for providing the honest review.

Wow! I absolutely love Karin's books and this one proves why. Again. Karin has been an auto buy author for me and 'This is Why We Lied' is definitely going on my list of top reads for the year.

I love how the author uses location to the advantage. You get a feel of the place which adds to the mystery. The remote location adds to the thrill. I like how the book also gives a narrative into the character murdered that got me more invested. Loved the red herrings and how everyone is a suspect. Fast paced and at times I was on the edge of my seat. Definitely recommend!

Thank you HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

I've long been a fan of Karin Slaughter and can honestly say that this latest novel has not disappointed. I was enthralled from the start and just when no thought I'd worked out who's murdered who the shocking twist at the end threw me completly. Another winner in the thriller genre. Well Done and already wanting the next installment in the Will Trent and Sara Linton stories 😁😁