Karin Slaughter never ceases to amaze me with her style of writing and ability to build suspense throughout a novel. This Is Why We Lied tells the story of a honeymoon turned murder investigation with unreliable characters, twisty secrets, and a serial killer on the loose. The twists in this one made me quite literally gasp out loud. If you’re a fan of Pretty Girls, this one’s for you!

This Is Why We Lied ☾𖤓
by Karin Slaughter
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars

Karin Slaughter delivers another gripping read with This Is Why We Lied. Will Trent and Sara Linton’s honeymoon takes a dark turn when a murder traps them at a secluded lodge. The story is packed with twists, dark family secrets, and that classic locked-room mystery vibe. Even if you haven’t read the whole series, this one stands strong on its own. Slaughter’s sharp writing and complex characters keep you hooked from start to finish. If you’re into suspenseful, twisty thrillers, this is a must-read!

"This Is Why We Lied” by Karin Slaughter is the 12th gripping addition to the Will Trent series, blending a classic locked-room mystery with the dark, psychological twists that Slaughter is known for.

The novel follows Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent Will Trent and medical examiner Sara Linton as they embark on their honeymoon at the secluded McAlpine Family Lodge. What begins as a romantic getaway quickly turns into a high-stakes investigation when the lodge’s manager, Mercy McAlpine, is found murdered.

The story is set against the backdrop of a picturesque but isolated lodge, where a storm has washed out the only access road, trapping all the guests. As Will and Sara delve into the investigation, they uncover a web of lies and secrets among the lodge’s inhabitants. Each character has a motive, and the tension escalates as they race against time to identify the killer before they strike again.

This novel pays homage to the classic locked-room mystery style with a modern twist. The isolation of the lodge and the stormy weather create a claustrophobic atmosphere that heightened the suspense for me. The relationship between Will and Sara is central to the story. Their personal and professional dynamics add depth to the narrative, showcasing their strengths and vulnerabilities. Slaughter delves into the darker aspects of human nature, exploring themes of betrayal, guilt, and redemption. The characters’ backstories are intricately woven into the plot, revealing their motivations and secrets.

Karin Slaughter’s writing is sharp and evocative. She masterfully builds tension, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Her descriptive prose brings the setting to life, making the reader feel the chill of the storm and the eerie isolation of the lodge.

I enjoyed this book's complex plot and well-developed characters. Fans of the Will Trent series will find this installment particularly satisfying, while newcomers will appreciate the standalone nature of the story. Karin Slaughter has such an ability to blend suspense with emotional depth, creating a compelling and immersive reading experience.

“This Is Why We Lied” is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and mystery novels. Karin Slaughter delivers a taut, suspenseful narrative that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The combination of a classic mystery setup with modern psychological insights made this book a standout for me.

Will Trent and Sara Linton's honeymoon at a secluded mountain lodge takes a dark turn when the lodge manager, Mercy McAlpine, is found dead, and they realize the culprit is among the guests trapped by a raging storm. As they unravel a web of lies and hidden secrets, the couple must race against time to uncover the truth before it's too late.

I haven't read the full Will Trent series, but after reading After That Night, I knew I had to pick up This Is Why We Lied. This novel is a locked-room mystery set on top of a mountain, where every character introduced is deeply flawed and their backstories are full of conflicts. Karin Slaughter is an incredibly talented writer and it’s no wonder she’s considered a thriller powerhouse. She doesn’t hold back, delivering detailed descriptions while weaving in complex relationships and emotions that tug at the reader’s heartstrings. I love that the story is told in the third person, allowing us to get inside each character’s head and uncover what others don’t know which keeps the narrative engaging. The McAlpine family is seriously messed up and I didn’t see any of the twists and turns coming. Just when I thought I had figured it out, Karin would throw in another curveball, making me question my instincts. I loved how the story kept me on my toes especially Will’s decision at the end. I believe this book could be read as a standalone even if you haven’t read the rest of the series. Highly recommend picking this one up! If you do, please check the content warnings on StoryGraph first.

As a huge fan of KS's "Will Trent" series, I couldn't get my hands on this book fast enough. When I was able to get it through NetGalley, I tossed all other books aside and started reading.

Will and Sara. They are MARRIED!! Slaughter's books aren't romance or love stories, yet I am always team happy ever after for Will and Sara. However, even while on their honeymoon, the couple has to deal with a mysterious death at McAlpine Lodge, a resort that has a childhood connection for Wilbur. And in true Will and Sara fashion, they can't separate themselves from their occupations and before we know it, they are working to solve not only 1, but 2 murders. I never saw the twists coming nor did I guess who was responsible for the crimes.

"This is Why We Lied" contains the crime themes that I know and love from Slaughter, as well as elements of mystery, family dynamics, and a dark, tense atmosphere that are reminiscent of her other "Will Trent" books. With its fast-paced plot and complex characters, you'll be on the edge of your seat as you try to unravel the web of secrets and lies at McAlpine Lodge.

I did not know that this book was part of a series when I requested it! However, this could definitely stand as a standalone easily. Karin's plot twists NEVER disappoint and I highly recommend!

Another brilliant installment of Will Trent!

Karin Slaughter is one of my favorite authors and this book did not disappoint. If you have read the rest of the Grant County/Will Trent series, then OF COURSE you have to read this one.

I loved how this book felt so intimiate and claustrophobic (in a good-ish way?), but of course still had all of Karin Slaughter's typical f'd up antics that we love her for.

The only disappointment I feel is that I devoured this so quickly and now have to wait another undisclosed amount of time for the next book.

Karin Slaughter knows how to write!
I am in awe of how I could pick up the Will Trent series in book twelve and get through the entire book without feeling like I’ve missed something. Karin Slaughter is an author who knows how to include just the perfect amount of backstory so that her biggest fans won’t be bored and new fans will be intrigued. Her pacing is quick, and the way she flushes out a story is art. Heartbreaking, emotional, humorous art. This book had triggers that made me uncomfortable at times. However, the author never jumped the track and did an excellent job leading the reader to the conclusion.

Quick recap without spoilers:
Will Trent, an investigator, is on his honeymoon with his new wife, Sara Linton, a medical examiner at a beautiful resort in the mountains. When going for a midnight swim, the couple hears a scream and discovers one of the lodge owners stabbed to death. After the weather traps the staff and guests at the resort, the trip turns into a killer game of who-done-it.

If you haven’t been reading the Will Trent series, you really should. Excellent characters and storylines. I go way black to the Sara Linton series which slowly merged with the Will Trent series. Now it’s the best of both.

3.5 I did not realize this was part of the series when I requested it, but I didn’t find the story lacking at all. In fact, it could be considered a stand alone. Slaughter can write those twists and turns, she keeps her reader on the edge of their seat with this one. I will definitely be diving into this series more!
I want to thank the publisher and Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of This is Why We Lied.

I feel like I should start with, this should have all the trigger warnings so beware.

We find Will and Sara embarking on a honeymoon trip to a mountain hideaway. The location promises rest and relaxation in nature. But things don't stay quiet for long. Mercy McAlpine, manager of the resort, is found stabbed to death. Everyone on the mountain has a reason to want her dead. Can Will and Sara figure out who killed Mercy?

This book explores sensitive topics, which are not uncommon to Karin Slaughter. The overall story is good and if you don't mind the subject matter, worth the read.

3.75 ⭐ This story started out really strong! I was hooked from the beginning. It took me some time to get used to whose who in terms of the characters. But I did enjoy reading it! I loved the layout of how the story was told. I realized this book is part of a series but honestly, it could be read as a standalone. I loved the twists and turns this book takes. The whole investigative part had me on the edge of my seat! I can't wait to read more Karen Slaughter books! I loved her writing!

I have been hooked on Karin Slaughter for many years now. This one did not disappoint and lives up to her style of writing in all the ways! I loved how the characters tied together and the connection to things I learned in other books. It kept me up at night reading because I wanted to know what happened. She definitely knows how to keep a reader engaged!

Even twelve books in, the Will Trent series is as addictive as ever. Not only are his cases intriguing and addictive, but I'm loving watching the relationship develop between Will and Sara. What is supposed to be a relaxing wilderness honeymoon retreat is anything but, and I loved the locked room mystery vibe in This is Why We Lied. With all the other retreat couples hiding something and a family that's anything but loving, I suspected almost everyone at some point. I realize that at some point this series is going to end, but I hope that it's not for a very, very long time.

QUICK GLANCE-
My format- ebook/ Audio (18 hrs 6 min)
Length- Physical (464 pages)
Narration- ok/good
Spice: None
Language: Moderate
TW: Too many to list, DM for more info

MY THOUGHTS-
I had no idea that this was the 12th book in a series and I do feel that I would have connected with the characters a bit more if I had read the previous books. With that said, Karin did a great job of giving enough back story that you could read this as a stand-alone book. Negatives were it was a lengthy book and I did figure out who did it pretty early on.

The McAlpine family is a manipulative, cruel, and abusive family. So, if you are susceptible to triggers, I would avoid this one. It contains almost every trigger under the sun. Each member of this family is absolutely despicable. They are cold and unfeeling, they lie, they manipulate, they abuse, they murder.

This is Why We Lied is a fast-paced locked-room murder mystery. Set in an isolated location where, other than an unsealed service road, hiking in is the only access option, all the suspects are trapped by a severe storm that washes out access. It seems that almost everyone has some motive to kill Mercy.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for my free ebook and audio version of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

#ThisIsWhyWeLied #NetGalley #Williammorrowpublishing #KarinSlaughter

I thoroughly enjoy Karin Slaughter's books so I was looking forward to this one. It was a good mystery/thriller, but also very dark and sometimes hard to read. The twists and the characters where both surprising and disturbing, but I enjoy the relationship between Will and Sara and procedural aspect of Slaughter's stories.
There were a lot of descriptions of locations but they were not painting a clear picture without the map. It was rather confusing and distracting to me since I want to be able to picture it. The included map was helpful when I went back to the beginning and found it.
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for this ARC.

An absolute stunning read! Great, very believable and tragic characters in the McAlpine clan. We are given more insights into Will Trent himself. He continues to be a magnetic personality. Just a great and memorable read!

You can never go wrong with the Will Trent series, they are so good, they've made a TV show after the books.
In this one Will has finally gotten married, but of course, goes on his honeymoon, only to have to solve a murder. Karin Slaughter is some how able to write gruesome murders with just the right amount of humor. This is #12 and I hope there are at least 12 more.

Wow! I always love each of the Will Trent books, but this one just completely blew me away. I could not put this book down. The story had twists and turns that I never saw coming. Just when I thought this twisted family was the worst I had ever imagined, a new detail was revealed and I was even more shocked.

One issue with ARC books is that you don’t always have the benefit of trigger warnings. This one has quite a few that I generally stay away from, so it was a hard one for me to read. If you enjoy locked-room mysteries where quite literally everyone is/can be a suspect, then you’ll enjoy this if you can look past some of the tough stuff.