Book #1 Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon 2025.

I'm coming into this series very late. I liked Will and Sarah. I was gripped by the prologue and I wanted to know where the plot would go. Every chapter is quite long and detailed.

There's a lot of description which is good and the McAlpine lodge and surroundings are perfectly created.

I did find that a lot of the characters are unlikable, and there's bad language from Mercy and her family which I didn't think was necesary. I understand that trying to run a lodge must be difficult, and the scenes when they are talking about that are realistic. but I really dislike bad language.

Also, I thought that Mercy was incredibly rude at times to her father, alrhough he was unlikable too.

The bad language almost made me not want to continue the book.

I did find the plot gripping and immersive, though, and that's why I continued. I wanted to find out who killed Mercy and why. The narrator was also very good.

4 stars

Thanks to Karin Slaughter and HarperCollins UK Audio for my audiobook in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

This was my first Will Trent book and I enjoyed it very much.
The story was harrowing at times but I enjoyed Will search to find the murderer, even though he kept swinging like a pendulum and changing suspect every 5 seconds!
I decided to give it four stars as at times the story dragged on a bit too long.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for letting me review this ARC audio in exchange for an honest review.

Karin Slaughter has done it again! This is Why We Lied is a gripping, chilling, and utterly addictive listen. Right from the start, the story pulled me in with its tense atmosphere and intricate characters. Although I guessed the main culprit fairly early on, I had absolutely no idea about the true motive or the way the ending would unfold. The twists were expertly layered, keeping me second-guessing and completely hooked throughout.

The narration was superb. The audio production quality was excellent, and the narrator delivered every emotion, every tense pause, and every shocking revelation perfectly.

Having read two of Karin Slaughter’s previous books, I can confidently say This is Why We Lied has pushed me into full-on binge mode. I need more! If you’re looking for a psychological thriller that’s both smart and emotionally charged, you won’t be disappointed.

Karin Slaughter's latest thriller, "This is Why We Lied," is another brilliant addition to the Will Trent and Sara Linton series. Set in the luxurious but deceptive McAlpine Lodge, the story unravels as everyone’s lies start to surface. The plot thickens when Mercy McAlpine, once seen as the good daughter, threatens to expose everyone’s secrets and is later found dead.
As a long-time fan of the series, I found myself captivated by how the author delves into Will Trent’s thoughts and past, especially with the parallels to this new case. The twist of having Will and Sara’s honeymoon turn into a high-stakes investigation was unexpected and thrilling. The suspense and the final twists kept me on the edge of my seat.
What stood out most was the depth of Will's character, especially his love for Sara, which is portrayed with such vulnerability and grace. Another hit from a favorite author and series!

The latest in the series from Karin Slaughter of which I have read / listened to most of them.

As usual it is a combination of procedural and almost domestic style thriller. By that I mean a large amount of attention is paid to the characters and their backgrounds as well as the crime.

The setting for this is a change from the usual as Will & Sarah are away from home, the choice of vacation spot is explained in depth. In fact my one criticism is that at times it felt that there was a tad too much explanation of things which led to the storyline slowing due to repetition. The pace picked up once Faith entered, she remains my favourite character as I do find 'Saint' Sarah's perfection a bit boring.

This is a very enjoyable read / listen. The narration is first class and there is enough background for this to be read as a standalone, or wait a while and read the earlier novels first.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARAC which was very much appreciated.

I really enjoyed the audiobook version of This is Why We Lied by Karin Slaughter. The narrator, Kathleen Early, did an excellent job bringing the characters and story to life. Her performance made the listening experience engaging and immersive.

That said, I did feel the story dragged a bit at times—it felt slightly too long, and the pacing was a bit slow here and there. However, the ending made up for it and wrapped things up in a really satisfying way.

I had the pleasure of experiencing "This Is Why We Lied" by Karin Slaughter as an audiobook ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This gripping thriller did not disappoint.

The story is set in the secluded and atmospheric McAlpine Lodge, which provides the perfect backdrop for a chilling murder mystery. Karin Slaughter masterfully builds tension from the very beginning, with the bone-chilling scream that disrupts Will and Sara's honeymoon setting the stage for a suspenseful and intricate plot.

The characters are well-developed, each with their own secrets and lies that add layers of complexity to the story. Will Trent and Sara Linton are compelling protagonists, and their investigation into Mercy McAlpine's murder is both engaging and thrilling. The storm and the isolated setting heighten the sense of urgency and danger, making it impossible to put the book down.

One of the standout aspects of this audiobook was the narration. The narrator did an excellent job of bringing the characters to life and maintaining the suspense throughout the story. The pacing was perfect, and the narrator's voice added an extra layer of immersion to the experience.

Overall, "This Is Why We Lied" is a must-read for fans of Karin Slaughter and anyone who enjoys a well-crafted thriller. The combination of a gripping plot, well-drawn characters, and excellent narration makes this book a standout. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling and immersive read.

This was my first Will Trent book *immediately adds the entire series to my TBR.*
I’m already a huge fan of Karin Slaughter & this one did not disappoint. Yes, it’s a long one but Karin has this amazing way of making 400+ pages feel like 200; nothing drags, every chapter brings the intensity & I was hooked the whole way through. Even though it’s part of a series, I had no trouble following along, it works perfectly as a standalone but that said, I can’t wait to dive into the rest properly!

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of the audiobook version of This Is Why We Lied & I’d 100% recommend it, the narrator absolutely nailed the tension and kept me totally absorbed.

★★★½ ROUNDED UP ⬆️⭐️

Wow—what a ride. This Is Why We Lied is Karin Slaughter at her absolute best: sharp, tense, emotionally layered, and utterly impossible to put down. I picked it up expecting a good thriller, but what I got was a masterclass in suspense and storytelling.

The characters are complex and real, especially the central figure whose past and present unravel in such a compelling way. Slaughter doesn’t shy away from the dark corners of human nature, and she weaves trauma, justice, and loyalty into a narrative that keeps you guessing until the final page. Just when I thought I had it figured out—bam—another twist.

I also loved how the setting added to the atmosphere. It was haunting, claustrophobic at times, and felt like a character in itself. The pacing was pitch-perfect, the writing taut and vivid, and the emotional punches? Brutal in the best way.

If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers with real depth, this one is a must-read.

Okay, I’m just gonna say it upfront: I cannot be objective here. Karin Slaughter is one of my all-time favourite authors, and honestly, she could write a shopping list and I’d probably give it five stars. That being said… This is Why We Lied? Absolutely delivered.

The twists, the tension, the characters that feel like real people (real people who are maybe lying, maybe dangerous, maybe both?) it’s everything I love about her writing, but with that extra punch that makes the audiobook version so addictive. The narration is top-notch — the kind where you plan to listen to just one chapter and suddenly it’s 2 a.m. and you’re inventing errands just to keep your headphones in.

It’s dark, smart, and totally gripping. Classic Slaughter. If you’re already a fan, you’re in for a treat. If you’re new to her books… well, buckle up. This one’s a ride.

Highly recommend with full admission that I’m 100% biased and loving every second of it.

I contacted NetGalley support as this audio book would not load to their app.
I have read the book and was looking forward to hearing it as audio.

This is why we lied is a gripping and claustrophobic psychological thriller set in a luxury mountain retreat run by an incredibly dysfunctional family. When one of the family is violently murdered there are many possible suspects with a variety of motives. Two of the guests, Will, a police officer and his wife Sara help to investigate and solve the crime but not before many twists and red herrings are thrown into the plot. It is a huge novel but the author thoroughly describes each character’s backstory to encourage the reader to invest in the narrative until the culprit is revealed.

A brilliant story which I could imagine becoming a tv drama or film. A few plot twist and turns which keeps you hooked until the end..even though it may be a little predictable, the ACTUAL truth will take you by surprise

I absolutely love this book and was hooked from the beginning to the end, so many characters who could’ve been the murderer and I changed my mind so many times. There were so many twists and turns and I was completely invested. The family from hell is definitely one way to word And I was rooting for Trent.

Would definitely read more of these books and would definitely recommend.

One toxic family. Eight suspicious guests. Everyone is guilty. But who is a killer?
Grippingly unpredictable. Be prepared to put your life on hold! Taut and tense from the first page to the closing paragraphs……loved it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The luxurious secluded mountain getaway McAlpine Lodge is run by the McAlpine family, where everyone is lying. Mercy McAlpine - until now the good daughter - threatens to expose everybody’s secrets. That night, she’s dead. Will Trent and Sara Linton - investigator and medical examiner for the GBI - are here on their honeymoon. And now, with the killer poised to strike again, the holiday of a lifetime becomes a race against the clock…

I don’t usually jump into a series midway through, but I had been wanting to get into Karin’s Will Trent series for a while, and the synopsis of this one really pulled me in. I’m glad I did, because I ended up really enjoying this book, even though I hadn’t read any of the prequels.

My heart broke for Mercy - despite of her sacrifices, her own family wanted her gone. As we went through each suspect’s potential motive, I was hooked completely. I loved all the twists and turns, and I couldn’t guess where it was going.

The audiobook narration was perfect, and now I understand all the hypes around Will Trent (and Sara Linton). I will go back to the first book and read from the beginning.

I think sometime you have to be in the right mood for a book and i think that's the reason I just couldn't get into it and enjoy it. That's not to say it's not a good book, just not for me at this time. I can see many others have rated it very highly

A big thanks for the opportunity to listen to this book.

There is a lot going on in this book. The characters are all so damaged and have been through so much. It’s hard to read at times, bad how the abused react is portrayed in fine detail in this book. You can’t help feeling sorry for the victims.

As my first introduction to the Will Trent series, I found that it stood perfectly well on its own. The narrative is engaging, and at times, I was so captivated that I couldn’t bring myself to stop listening, eager to see how the story would unfold. While I had some initial suspicions about the plot, there were several surprising twists that kept me on my toes.

The story is set against a backdrop of a complicated web of family secrets and a shared company. Adding to this mix are unresolved issues from a children’s home and the narrow-mindedness of small-town thinking, creating a recipe for a cover-up and an untimely death. While the storyline and plot are decent, it’s the intricate dialogues and the meticulous police investigation that truly stand out and give the narrative its depth.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to exploring more of the Will Trent series.

Karin does it again! What a novel!
This book had me in surprise from beginning to the very end!
Twists, turns, ups and downs- it was a rollercoaster!
I was fortunate to have an advanced audio copy and the narrator was amazing! 🤩
Will and Sarah finally get married! Whoo hoo!
McAlpine lodge was the setting of the story and with its many characters up this mountain- you suspected everyone when there was a murder!
Thanks to the publishers and to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review