Mini Book Review ..
Book Review
Clare Mackintosh
GAME OFLIES
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title: Game Of Lies
author. Clare Mackintosh
I'm not a fan of reality TV, so i wasn't sure BUT I was pleasantly surprised! Loved that we met detective FFion and we got to know her more
personally in this story

genre. Thriller/Mystery
pages: 384
Publication: 20/07|23
By: Sphere publishing

A great book with very up to date story. I loved Ffion's character and will read more of her stories. Great writing and gives the right amount of suspense.

I’m never sure with a sequel if it will live up to the first book, however this one definitely did. I love Ffion, she is bold and unapologetic. However I think my favourite character in this book has to be the dog! He made me laugh in what wasn’t necessarily a numerous book. The mystery was brilliant and had me guessing the whole way, I definitely didn’t see the ending coming.

Seven contestants are signed up for a reality TV show. What they don’t realise if they are going to have to guess someone else’s secret or made to divulge their own.
Lots of very different characters makes for interesting reading and the storyline is unusual and clever. A fascinating read

My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
This is the second book in this excellent series, and while there are some references to the first book it works as a standalone story but my advice to coin a phrase start at the very beginning a very good place to start. The book works on many levels, Police procedural, murder mystery with superb characters throughout, the introduction of Dave is a master stroke with some hilarious moments to ease the tension. Clever descriptive imaginative and intelligent totally gripping from first to last page. In her acknowledgements the Author comments on the difficulties of writing a series, Well PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE continue the fight more of this superb series soon. Surely a TV series waiting to happen.
Completely and utterly recommended.

📖 REVIEW 📖

A Game of Lies by Clare Macintosh

Published by @spherepublishers @littlebrownbookgroup_uk

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Imagine going on TV and realising your biggest secret could be revealed. Scary thought.

Stranded in the Welsh mountains, seven reality TV contestants discover the game they thought they were playing is no where near as terrifying as the actual one, where they compete against each other to keep their secrets safe. If there secrets come out, they could ruin their lives and that of their families. When a contestant goes missing, Detective Ffion Morgan is called in to help, but this is only the start of her investigation.

I adored the first book in the DC Morgan series, so I could resist the temptation of the second book. Set in the same village where Ffion grew up, it was fantastic to be back with the original cast of characters. I think Ffion is a fabulous character who struggles to separate work from her home life, as friends and family become embroiled in the situation. With the wonderful addition of Dave, the wolf like dog, who suffers with severe separation anxiety from Ffion,this book takes us to a whole new level of intrigue, crossed wires and underhand police procedures with added humour.

This is such a clever idea and there were elements I didn’t see coming. I really hope they never make a TV show like the one featured in this book as I think similar events would unfold in reality.

I would’ve loved to have seen more of the family and friends in this book, but it was brilliant to see how the progression of time and events affected the on/off relationship between Ffion and Leo.

As a reader, you understand Ffion’s underhand methods, it must be so hard to think clearly and professionally when the people you have grown up with are so intricately involved in a case. Ffion struggles on a daily basis to walk the fine line between work and her own life.

The pace and tension build up remarkably well in this story and I can’t wait to find out what happens next.

A huge thanks to the publishers and @netgalley for this review copy.

Would you or have you ever appeared on television? If you could be on a show, which would you pick?

Lots of characters made this a complex story and I didnt enjoy it as much as the first book of the series - The Last Party. But it was good to catch up with DC Ffion Morgan.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC

This book has a great plot. Several people sign up to take part in a reality show called Exposure, only what they don't know is that the've been duped and the organisers of the show have uncovered a secret about each and every one of them. One that they really do not want to become public knowledge. What lengths will these contestants go to, to avoid being exposed?

Whilst I enjoyed this book, it didn't totally grip me and I found it hard going in places. I did enjoy the characters, particularly Ffion and Seren, and I was also pleased to find that despite not having yet read the first book, this is actually the second book of a series. I'll definitely be looking that one up!

3.5 Stars

Loved the premise…a Reality Show which contestants thought was one type and tables were turned during first show. Then comes a missing contestant and murder. Each contestant has something to hide! One by one truth comes out.

Evidentially this is Book 2, I probably requested on authors name alone. I did not find it difficult to read without the first. With that being said, I might have connected with the characters more if I read the first. I didn’t really care or feel engaged with any of them. Book seemed drawn out to me, found myself not really paying attention as I read which caused me to reread pages. Have read this author before, and will again, just not this series. If you’ve read the first book and enjoyed it, this book is probably for you.

Thanks to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

I absolutely loved The Last Party and was thrilled to discover it was the first in a series, of which A Game of Lies is the second book. And although I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first, it was a pacy read with rich characterisation and plenty to like.

A Game of Lies is set on a reality game show being filmed on a Welsh mountainside - think I’m A Celebrity-style camping and challenges, but with a twist. But when that twist is revealed to the contestants on the first night, one goes missing and, not long after, the irascible producer is murdered.

DC Ffion Morgan is once again on the case, trying to balance a complicated personal life - and a difficult rescue dog - with her work. I found Ffion less relatable and sympathetic this time and I’m not sure why, but I think that impacted on my enjoyment.

I have previously loved Clare Mackintosh's work but this one didn't grab me at all, I loved the first book in this series so I was excited to get a chance to review the follow up . It's a quick read but it was a struggle to get through it.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Little Brown Group UK for this gifted review copy.

A Game of Lies is the second book in the DC Ffion Morgan series and is a great story. I loved the concept of the reality show and the storyline kept me gripped right till the end. I am looking forward to the next story in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

A great follow-up to The Last Party! A disappearance and murder on the set of a reality show. The possible reveal of secrets of the show's contestants leaves an endless supply of suspects. Big fan of Ffion & Leo!

What a terrific story. Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for giving me the chance to read this book. It is an expose of a reality show called Exposure. The seven contestants believe it's about survival - exposure to the elements. Are they in for a shock. They're about to have their most hidden secrets exposed in a horrible way. Many of the secrets are life altering and no-one wants their secret revealed. The story takes place in the Wales/UK border area, and I found that there was too mulch spoken without any translation. (my one criticism). There is manipulation, deception, fear, a missing person, murder and ever interwoven a love story. It all wraps up very nicely. Ffion Morgan the lead detective from Wales is a force to be reconned with and her love interest Gus Brodie, her UK love interest with her all the way. I'd really enjoy following their journey in future books. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it puts reality TV to the test as well as to shame.

I’ve read nearly all of Clare Mackintosh’s books and she’s one of my go to authors. This is the second book in the DC Ffion Morgan series. I enjoyed the first novel so didn’t hesitate to read the next instalment.

Exposure is a new reality show, set in rural Wales. It’s initially introduced as a survival show, but when the contestants realise their deepest secrets are going to be exposed, they’ll stop at nothing to keep their secrets. The show is popular, with huge viewing figures.
After one of the contestants goes missing, Ffion is on the case. When the producer is murdered, the investigation ramps up. Everyone involved with the show has a motive to kill him, so who did?

The characters are well drawn and I warmed to Ffion more in this book. My favourite character had to be Dave the dog. 😍 I was pleased to see the return of Leo and I’m hopeful things work out between him and Ffion.

There are a few twists and turns in the story and I didn’t work out whodunnit. The setting is well described and adds to the atmosphere.

I enjoyed this book and it’s easy to read. Before you know it you’ll have read half the book, it’s certainly a page turner. If you haven’t read the first book in the series, you could still read this, as it works well as a standalone. However, I think you appreciate the characters more and the relationship between Ffion, her family, and Leo if you’ve read the first book.

I hope there’s a third book coming, and I’m looking forward to reading more from Clare Mackintosh.

The second instalment in the Ffion Morgan police detective series (The Last Party) and if you enjoyed the first one you will definitely enjoy this one too! Another page turner of a novel from Claire Mackintosh, which will keep you guessing until the end. Ffion is a flawed but relatable character and the tension between her and Leo adds to the drama. Great setting in Wales with the scenery and language all playing their part. The story revolves around a new TV reality show 'Exposure' set near Ffion's home in North Wales. Each participant has a secret to hide. What lengths will they go to, to avoid being found out... you guessed it! MURDER!

What a fantastic book. I already enjoyed The Last Party and loved being back with Ffion and Leo.
A great story based on a reality show (of which I’m a huge fan)
I loved the second one so much more than the first one. So much going on and it kept me guessing.
What a dog Dave turns out to be he made me laugh the whole way through.
Already looking forward to the next one.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this brilliant book.

What a terrific book this is and a really unique premise. I'd read the first in the series so it was good to catch up with Ffion and Leo again as well as some of Ffion's family. There were so many secrets, twists, turns and revelations that had me hooked and, no, I never guessed the outcome but thought it was all very cleverly concluded. I loved Dave (who wouldn't?) and I warmed to Ffion much more in this second book where the softer part of her personality was more evident. Altogether another cracking book that I highly recommend. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC. This review is voluntarily given.

I absolutely LOVED this second in the series. It was fast-paced and thrilling… and the twists and turns come from absolutely nowhere. The premise is something ive seen done before, but never this well.

The return of Ffion and Leo was so welcomed. It was like returning to family, because we got to know them so well in book 1.

The cliffhanger ending wasn’t fair, because now i have to wait for book 3 to confirm what happened. Genuinely heartbroken.

Excellent! I love books by this author and Ffion is a brilliant character.
Very cleverly written and I loved the way things happened in the story when I didn't have a clue why - then all would be explained a couple of chapters on. I loved that the story was told from the differing perspectives of the characters, giving us all sides of the story.