Another good Saul Anguish book, although I felt that Saul and blue took more of a backseat in this one.
A good read nonetheless, as the other characters were interesting and everything tied up in many twists in the last 20% of the book.
Interested to see where the next one will take us after that cliffhanger!

3 and a half stars ⭐️
While I did enjoy this story of a family split by tragedy, which follows on to a courtroom battle, i would not say it was a thriller as it’s described in the blurb.
It’s a tale of loss, of secrets and betrayal, of a family torn apart by an accident which will lead them into the courtroom, splitting a family wide open. I didn’t particularly take to any of the characters, especially the detective Saul, who is actually quite creepy or his partner Blue, the side story of them just seemed a nonsense to me. But overall i enjoyed it and would like to thank the publisher and Netgalkey for this early copy.

Some of Us Are Liars by Fiona Cummins is an intricately woven family drama with elements of crime and courtroom suspense. While the title and marketing suggest a twisty thriller filled with deception, at its core it is a deeply layered exploration of a fractured family.

The story revolves around the complex relationships between three sisters, particularly Winter, a successful but manipulative film star, as they navigate past trauma and a present-day tragedy. Cummins' writing is undeniably strong, with vivid prose that brings the characters and their tangled emotions to life, making for an immersive, if somewhat slow, reading experience.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

3.5/5.

Unputtabledown. Plenty of excellent misdirection. Empathetic characters. A tragedy no one would wish upon their worst enemy, and the lengths family will go to protect their own. An ongoing thread from a previous novel, blended into the main drama, with the promise of more in a future story. All of which pretty much guarantees a one-sitting read, or a very late night! The denouement is clever, subtle, emotive and inordinately satisfying. I was a bit surprised to find a few USA sellings in a Brit-centred novel, but there you go … enjoy!

Fiona Cummins shows her versatility in writing once again with this book: leaning much more into a slow burn courtroom drama than the more action/ thriller of previous works but still focused on family relationships the author does so well.
Those expecting a full DS Saul Anguish novel from the description might be surprised to find the relatively small role he plays in the book but I enjoyed the manner of keeping his story simmering in the background of this one, following on from previous novels and, from the final chapter, clearly heading for a big storyline coming.
I could see this working well as a screen drama: the pacing, cliff hanger chapter ends, and well put together twists and turns had a whiff of 'presumed innocent' - not just because of the court room setting but the complex and intertwining character backgrounds slowly revealed.
I'm sure this one will be another huge success with fans of the author, and for those not familiar with her previous work, it's easy enough to follow without having the express knowledge of them.

This gripping psychological thriller is packed with secrets, betrayal, and shocking twists. Some of Us Are Liars is not just a pulse-pounding page-turner - it’s also a compelling exploration of guilt, loyalty, and the desperate lengths people will go to in order to protect those they love.

The story follows Jen Miller, who leaves her child in the care of her sisters, Alyssa and Winter, while she attends a glamorous wedding party.

But one mistake leads to devastating consequences, fracturing their bond and culminating in an explosive court case.

As Detective Saul Anguish investigates, long-buried family secrets unravel, proving that the past is never truly behind us.

A particular highlight of this novel is its use of unreliable narrators - three sisters, each with their own version of the truth.

Fiona Cummins expertly weaves a narrative where nothing is as it seems, keeping the reader in constant suspense.

As perspectives shift, hidden motives and shocking revelations come to light, ensuring a tense and immersive reading experience.

Cummins’ writing shines in her ability to craft flawed yet compelling characters, making it impossible not to be emotionally invested in their fates.

The novel brims with tension as she peels back the layers of deception, revealing an intricate and deliciously twisted tale that will leave readers stunned.

Some of Us Are Liars is a masterclass in psychological suspense - gripping, unsettling, and packed with twists that will leave you questioning everything until the final page. A must-read for 2025!

I could completely see this being a limited series on Netflix.

A gripping read. I loved the story of the three sisters and their relationship with each other. Three very different women, all so interesting. There are plenty of red herrings and a few things you'll guess but won't trust yourself and a very satisfying ending. It was also wonderful to visit Saul again. This time he's slightly peripheral, going about his investigations simultaneous to the the main plot, but nonetheless, it's like catching up with an old friend. Blue makes an appearance too and there is the most intriguing cliffhanger to the Saul part of the story. The plot and the court case are all done really well, engrossing and at times hard to read because it's so realistic and so well done. All in all, a superb thriller.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publishers. What a great page turner and the storyline was just terrific. Would highly recommend.

Celebrity Winter Kellaway hosts a party for her sister Jen, unaware that tragedy is about to occur which will rock their family to the core. Meanwhile detective Saul Anguish is called to investigate and long buried secrets come to light.

I love Fiona Cummins’ books and have read all the previous ones featuring Saul, therefore I needed to read this new one as soon as possible. This was another entertaining, well written story, however felt like much less of a thriller than her previous books, feeling much slower paced and reading more as a drama. This is no means a bad thing and was still multi layered and intense, it just took a while for the main events to get going.

The author is great at character development, creating intriguing personalities, and this is no exception. I feel that Saul was not as centre staged in this story and I would have liked to see more of him. The ending makes me think that hopefully another book will come out to tie up loose ends. This is definitely worth a read if you enjoy this author’s other books and are looking for an emotionally raw, dark family drama with secrets to discover. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

Thanks for the opportunity of ready this book. I absolutely loved it. Two timelines that, of course, eventually made total sense. So many family secrets and lies which all came to light with nice timing. We also learned more about Saul and it would appear that his future is uncertain.

What a thrilling twisty read! Three sisters, with close ties to each other thrust into a tragic situation and the fallout from that day where many secrets are revealed with an outcome I sure did not expect! It was wonderful, though I kept putting off chores so that I could finish this book. Winter, Jen, and Alyssa are great characters and as I was reading this, it made me wonder how I would feel or what I would do if one of my siblings, or even myself accidentally caused the death of a loved one. That would be really hard! But it made for a good story and I loved that twist. The peeks back into the past were also fascinating, especially when the pieces fall into place slowly and all is revealed.

There was one character, Saul, that did not quite fit in though it touched on an intriguing case of its own. Maybe he will be in another book? That ending sure suggests it! Other than that though, all the parts fit well into an awesome thriller!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to get lost in this thrilling novel!

The three Kellaway sisters, Alyssa, Jen and Deborah are part of a close-knit family patented by Geoff and Carol. Even despite the usual childhood spats and disagreements they support each other through thick and thin.
Lives change as Deborah is discovered by a talent agency and embarks on a successful career as a model, calling herself Winter.

Jen is about to marry Phil who is father to her two children , Iris and Teddy. Alyssa is in a relationship with Fedrico who she believes is the love of her life even though he is reluctant to commit. Winter is without a partner but, nevertheless, she is happy with her successful life and career and still supportive of her family..

Their idyllic lives are shattered when Teddy is involved in a tragic accident on the day of his parents wedding. A detective, Saul is tasked with investigating the incident but he has dark secrets of his own to conceal.

All is not what it seems and at a subsequent trial over Teddy's death, long held secrets and family feud bubbling below the surface are revealed.

This book gripped me from the first page and I couldn't put it down.

Breathtaking

Jen and her sisters have always been close, that is until tragedy strikes and secrets are revealed.

This story is a powerful mix of family, fame, loss, secrets and tragedy. It truly is excellent writing.

Saul and Blue are back again. I must confess I don’t click with either character and I was struggling with Saul once again but once the story progressed and I realised where it was going I became intrigued and can’t wait for the next instalment.

5 star read

Some of Us Are Liars by Fiona Cummins is an intricately woven family drama with elements of crime and courtroom suspense. While the book's title and marketing suggest a twisty thriller filled with deception, it is, at its core, a deeply layered exploration of a fractured family. The story revolves around the complex relationships between three sisters, particularly Winter, a successful but manipulative film star, as they navigate past trauma and a present-day tragedy. Cummins’ writing is undeniably strong, with vivid prose that brings the characters and their tangled emotions to life, making for an immersive, if somewhat slow, reading experience.

Despite its strengths, the novel suffers from a misclassification that may disappoint readers expecting a traditional thriller. The pacing is slow, with the inciting incident arriving far too late, making the first half feel like an extended setup rather than a gripping mystery. The transition into a courtroom drama is unexpected, and the charges brought against one character seem shaky at best, requiring a stretch of belief. While this shift allows for the gradual unraveling of secrets, it doesn’t deliver the kind of high-stakes tension one would expect from a thriller.

Another weak point is the inclusion of Detective Saul, whose role in the novel feels peripheral at best. Having not read previous books featuring him, I was initially unaware that he was part of an ongoing series. However, this did not impact my understanding of the story—largely because his narrative felt disconnected from the main plot. His brief appearances seem more like an attempt to tie this novel to a larger universe rather than a necessary component of the story. His character, with traits more akin to the criminals he pursues, also failed to add much depth or relevance to the unfolding family drama.

Ultimately, Some of Us Are Liars is a well-written, character-driven novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy slow-burning family sagas with intricate relationships and psychological depth. However, those expecting a fast-paced thriller filled with shocking twists may find themselves disappointed.

This was incredibly thrilling! As a reader, you're thrown into an intense family drama where secrets and lies slowly unravel, keeping you hooked until the very last page. I devoured this book in just two sittings.

The story is structured with fairly short chapters, plot twists, cliffhangers, multiple timelines, and several different POVs—but it all works SO well. Just make sure to keep track of names and dates at the beginning of each chapter.

This would make an excellent miniseries, and I can’t wait to read more from Fiona Cummins!

Thank you to NetGalley, Pan Macmillan, and Fiona for the ARC.

I’m not sure what to write as, as ever, I am blown away by another tale involving recurring character Saul. This is a real dilemma book where you get to the heart of it quickly. I wasn’t sure how things were going to unfold so it kept me on my toes throughout.

I enjoyed this on the whole. There's no doubt Fiona Cummins is a great writer. I liked the unreliable narrators, revealing of secrets, and complicated relationships.
I feel that Saul Anguish was barely in the book, though. It felt almost like he was added in to a book I didn't know was part of a series to continue that series. It would be useful for the description to add this book is in a series too.

In Some of Us Are Liars, the brilliant and enigmatic Saul Anguish makes a gripping return in a tale of family secrets, sorrow, and betrayal. The story takes you through intense, emotional moments that are both heart-wrenching and unpredictable. The plot twists keep you hooked, and the layered narrative—told through multiple perspectives and flashbacks—is masterfully crafted. There’s a moment in the book that left me completely stunned, and the ending sets up what promises to be an exciting continuation. This book is an absolute page-turner and deserves every bit of praise it gets!

The story line made me realise that there were previous novels featuring Saul the detective but I did not feel confused not having read them. In this book Saul plays a very minor part and the book is really all about a family tragedy and complex interactions between the three sisters and looking back to events in their childhood. I enjoyed reading about this and it seemed very believable, especially Winter the successful film star and all her manipulations of the rest of the family. The narrative is told from several points of view and although the book’s title made me anticipate may downright lies from each character , I felt it was more being economical with the facts so I didn’t finds this confusing.
Saul came across as an unlikeable character with personality traits more in keeping with the criminals he chases rather than a police officer.
The ending came with very impressive twists that I did not see coming.
I certainly want to read more from this author although maybe not the books featuring Saul more prominently.
Thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC

Ever since I read Fiona Cummins’ debut novel RATTLE, I have been a huge fan of her books. Some of Us Are Liars is her latest offering, and it’s brilliant. This gripping dark, psychological thriller is packed with secrets, betrayal, and shocking twists. While Some of Us Are Liars is undoubtedly a thrilling page-turner, it also delves into themes of guilt, loyalty, and the lengths people will go to in order to protect their loved ones.

When Jen Miller leaves her child with her sisters Alyssa and Winter to attend a glamorous wedding party, a single mistake leads to devastating consequences. The tragedy results in a rift between the sisters and leads to an explosive court case. As Detective Saul Anguish investigates, buried family secrets unravel, proving that the past is never truly behind us.

One of my favourite types of reads features an unreliable narrator and in this case we get three sisters! Fiona Cummins masterfully weaves a story where truth is never as clear as it seems. As the story unfolds through shifting perspectives, it becomes evident that everyone has something to hide—and you never know whose truth is the real truth. This constant uncertainty keeps the tension high, ensuring a gripping reading experience from start to finish.

Fiona Cummins’ writing shines in her ability to create deeply flawed yet compelling characters, making the reader emotionally invested in their fates. The novel is brimming with tension as she peels back the layers to reveal an intricate and deliciously twisted tale that will blow your socks off! Some of Us Are Liars is a masterclass in psychological suspense—gripping, unsettling, and packed with twists that will leave you questioning everything until the very last page! A MUST read for 2025.