Will and Sarah are on their honeymoon. Will had spent a fortune on an outdoorsy retreat at the camp he never got to go to as a child. It's a 2h hike from the road to the retreat or you need a UTV. On their first night, there are screams and a gruesome death. Whilst you may figure out whodunnit, it's unlikely you'll figure out why.

Before I start the review, I just need to say, WOW!

This is Why We Lied is the latest in the long running Will Trent and Sara Linton series. I know the characters, having read some of the series, but I am not fully up to date with it. This didn’t matter in the slightest, this book works wonderfully well as a gripping, dark standalone.

The McAlpine family have proudly run their lodge for 7 generations. They are a ‘close’ family, but the tensions within this unusual family dynamic run deep.
Will and Sara are on their honeymoon, yes, they’ve got married. They are staying at an idyllic, secluded, luxury cabin, set in thousands of acres of trees. It sounds blissful, a perfect setting for them to unwind from their stressful careers, and start their married life. Until late at night, they hear a scream, followed by a harrowing plea for help.

I listened to the audio book, narrated exceptionally well by Kathleen Early. She is a new narrator to me, but I will definitely look out for her in the future.

The characters are so well crafted and portrayed, that some made my skin itch, others increased my blood pressure to an unhealthy level, while a few I wanted to scoop up and protect from the world. The narrator’s performance heightened all of these emotions. The pitching of Bitty’s voice is perfect, it invoked in me, the same feelings that Faith had. It felt like nails running down a blackboard.

This is Why We Lied is compulsive, gripping and very intense. It is a story of long held secrets, guilt for some, and judgement by others; of small town gossip tainting lives, of never being able to escape once the die is cast.

I have to give a specific mention to the conclusion of the book, obviously without giving away any spoilers. The denouement is so horrifying and shocking. The use of the dual timeline, allows us to see the events, and feel the intensity of the emotions, alongside poor Mercy. The narration of this section is outstanding, massively heightening everything.
For me, This is Why We Lied, is a 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️➕ read/listen, her best book; a must read for thriller lovers.

One of the best locked-room mystery/thrillers I’ve read in a long time. Karin Slaughter absolutely nails this genre in a hard-to-put-down, pacey thriller set at a lodge retreat in Nowheresville, USA.
There no shortage of suspects, or felonies for that matter, and plenty of characters who you’d just love to see behind bars. This is one of those uncomfortable stories with a plot line that will make your skin crawl and your stomach churn, so check the trigger warnings before you pick this one up as you’ll need a strong stomach - it’s a long list, but none of it felt gratuitous.
Will and Sara are on their honeymoon (I’d definitely want a refund!) and everything happens in the space of 24 hours. It’s an impressive piece of writing.
Slaughter will keep you guessing, and just when you think you have an idea about who killed Mercy McAlpine, there’s another twist (or another body), and bang goes your theory.
Ruddy brilliant.
Five big ones for Karin Slaughter and a big thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK audio for the chance to listen to an ARC, which was expertly narrated by Kathleen Early.
This is Why We Lied is out now.

I enjoyed listening to this book, the characters were very complex and intertwined, but it was quite a long thriller and did feel a bit long in places. I loved how it came together in the end, I didn't guess this ending!

This is Why We Lied by Karin Slaughter
(Narrated by Kathleen Early)

Here’s another successful thriller by Karin Slaughter. The books by Karin never go wrong. What a gripping story.

I love the complex relationship of the characters. Their secrets and here we go another locked and isolated murder case to solve. These all make the story works. I love how the author telling us bit by bit of the thriller, it’s enough for you to be hooked and kept listening to one more chapter.

It’s a relatively long thriller, about 18 hours. But it’s never dull or dragging.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my copy.

Pub date: Jun 20, 2024

Karin Slaughter writes excellent multi-layered novels, filled with more than just the 'usual suspects' and sprinkled with just the right amount of protagonists problems thrown in to make sure you keep turning pages. She also guarantees to keep you on your toes with regard to the conclusion, because it's never quite what you expect.

Also, this might be book 12 of the Will Trent series, but it works well as a standalone and you don't need to have read any of the previous novels to enjoy it.

I know I’m super late to the party with Karin Slaughter books, this is only the second one of hers av read/listened too. I’m defo on the band wagon now tho and gona go thru her back catalogue because am weird like that lol. A real fancy pants of a book, a chonky audio I found, I liked the narrator and found then a great match for the book but needed to listen to them slower than I normally do, my Brian- about their fault! The story and plot was super catch and enthralling, I smashed in in 4 listened and usually it takes me a good week to get through an audio. Really enjoyed it and have recommended it to my book club girlies (even tho they have already read plenty of Slaughter books)

I just love the way that Karin Slaughter writes, so dark and unsettling and full of interesting and complex characters. This was a locked room murder mystery of sorts and I loved it. I will definitely be reading more Karin Slaughter books!

This book is a fun whodunit with a couple on their honeymoon. A dead body throws their vacation plans out the window. The police need to figure out who did it from a group of suspicious characters. There are family secrets, lies, and danger. I couldn't guess the killer! The book is good with lots of twists and turns. You might also like the characters and their relationships.

Always enjoy the will Trent series & this book was no exception. Fast paced, good characters & plot. Just brilliant would recommend this whole series to anyone.

This Is Why We Lied is the twelfth book in the Will Trent Series by best-selling American author, Karin Slaughter. The audio version is perfectly narrated by Kathleen Early. Atlanta medical examiner Sara Linton organised their wedding. GBI investigator Will Trent is taking care of the honeymoon and, to his surprise and Sara’s delight, has got it exactly right: a luxury cabin at a family-run, off-the-grid mountain lodge that offers hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing, gourmet meals and sunrise yoga. If only their first night swim hadn’t been interrupted by a blood-curdling scream and the discovery of a stabbing victim, dying even as Will tries to give aid.

Mercy McAlpine, currently managing the resort, has been stabbed multiple times and left on the lake shore. Neither Will nor Sara can stand by and do nothing.

It turns out that, hours earlier, Mercy reacted very badly to the plans her father has for the resort: threats flew back and forth, and quite a few of those present at the family meeting would have a strong motive for killing her. And something Mercy has not shared with anyone else, but one of the guests also might have a serious issue with her.

When a wild storm cuts off road access, Will sends an SOS to his GBI boss, and Faith Mitchell has a locked-room situation she’s always wondered how she might handle. An added wrinkle is that one of the McAlpine family turns out to be the fellow inmate at the children’s home who made Will’s life hell. Dave McAlpine, first adopted then married into the family, and now Mercy’s ex, is known to have often been violent with her, and the prime suspect in Will’s book.

Would that it was quite so cut and dried. People grieve differently, but even for such a dysfunctional group of nasty people, Mercy’s family are behaving very strangely, and when Will and Sara reveal they are not a mechanic and a high school chemistry teacher, the reactions of both hosts and guests are not exactly benign. Of course, they aren’t the only ones who have lied about who they are, or what they do.

My oh my, pre-book a chiropractic appointment before you start this one: there are so many twists, turns, red herrings and surprises, you’ll need it. Before the final, shocking reveals, suspicions of murder land on quite a number of people; Will barely escapes a burning building and going over a waterfall; Faith has an unwanted equine experience; another person dies; to their detriment, people do a lot of drinking; and Will and Sara end up with a honeymoon dinner party story to beat all.

The narrative is carried mainly by Will, Sara, Faith and Mercy, with some back story provided by Mercy’s unsent letters to her son. Faith’s inner monologue offers light relief, as does any dialogue with Amanda and, in fact, any scene that features Faith seems to border on slapstick. Karin Slaughter never disappoints.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harper Collins UK.

I really enjoyed this audiobook - the narrator was of the right tone and pace, and kept me interested.
I haven't read many by this author and I knew this was number 12 in the series, but it didn't matter, and once I pieces some personal stories of Will together, the rest didn't matter.
Could be read as a standalone.
It kept me guessing and kept my interest.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the 12 book of the will Trent series and I must admit I have only read or listened to the last 5 of this series and always enjoy the will and Sarah plot. The narration was very well done and I was definitely intrigued by the plot I did find it a bit long but not enjoyable at the same time. A solid 4 star read me and looking forward to the next one already.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this audio arc.

This is book 12 in the Will Trent book series. Karin Slaughter knows how to write a well developed twisty thriller that never lets up and keeps firing the surprises at you that your head is in a complete spin. Omg the McAlpines are a family full of many a dark secret with most members being truly detestable. Will Trent, Sara Linton, Faith and Amanda are as loveable as always and it’s just like coming home to old friends. There is a lot going on within this storyline so you need to keep your wits about you and your detective skills need to be on point. I honestly couldn’t stop listening and even though it’s a lengthy listen it didn’t feel like that. It’s a fast pace listen and the narration was very engaging. Add it to your TBR pile.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK Audio for the opportunity to read and review #ThisIsWhyWeLied

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


✨ domestic violence
✨ everyone is a suspect
✨detective work




✨ the story was focused on the secluded cabin and they found someone got murdered . The cabin owners daughter. She suffered a lot from being abused,rape and murder. There some trigger points here so be aware .
Everyone who’s on that retreat is the suspect. The back and forth of investigation which is quite thrilling.
I got to be honest this story was a missed for me.

✨ firstly, yes there’s is a lot of suspects . Who is it gonna be? But I get so confused with the mixed of characters and not clear .
It should’ve been a good read but it was so draggy and long.


Thankyou @harpercollinsuk for the arc copy of this book for a honest review.



🫶🏼shaye.reads

Karin Slaughter has delivered another addictive, shocking, thrilling, and riveting addition to the Will Trent series. She kills it time and time again with this wonderful and gripping series! Will and Sara are beginning their honeymoon at McAlpine Lodge, a mountain getaway. It’s a beautiful and relaxing setting until a body is found. Naturally they jump into gear trying to secure the scene, keep everyone separate, and try to determine whodunit. They will need to sift through all the secrets and lies to find their footing on this murder mystery.

The victim is Mercy, the daughter of the owners who is known in town as a troubled person stemming from things in her past. She is the fodder for all their gossip. Everyone at the lodge is a suspect. Everyone appears to have something to hide, especially Mercy’s toxic family.

As the investigation goes into high gear, the tension mounts as does the danger level at the camp. When another person dies, the stakes become even higher. People are lying left and right but who amongst them is a killer? I put on my super sleuthing hat and tried my best to do my own detective work, but never guessed whodunit! I love when that happens.

Faith and Amanda arrive on the scene and throw themselves into the investigation as well. I love their personalities, and their interactions with each other, including Will and Sara. They really are a family. Speaking of relationships, I continue to adore Will and Sara together. They continue to compliment each other and make each other stronger.

Karin Slaughter did a fantastic job of making everyone a suspect in this book. I found this book to be well thought out. Slaughter knows how to depict unlikeable and despicable characters. This book has many things going on and touches on many issues such as addiction, domestic violence, toxic relationships, and control to name just a few.

*I listened to the audiobook and thought the narration was fantastic! Very well done.

Wonderfully written, perfectly paced, well thought out, gripping and tense!

Highly recommend!

This is my first book in the Will and Sara series. The couple have just married and I gather it has been a long time coming, but when the owner of the resort they are honeymooning in is murdered, they are soon involved in the investigation.

Nobody seems particularly shocked when Mercy is found dead and everyone theoretically has a motive, so there are lots of twists and turns and some throughly unlikeable characters who I could well have believed were guilty, and some horrifying family history that was revealed throughout.

I found it difficult to connect with any of the characters, which made it difficult to care about what happened to them and the story was a bit too much of a slow burn for me, but there was a good and unexpected reveal at the end and I would definitely like to catch up with some earlier books in this series.

3 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Karin Slaughter and Harper Collins for an ARC in return for an honest review.

This was such an amazing listen, from the story to the narration. What a family I don't want to give anything away but just wow. However it doesn't feel that it is overdone but feels right in the circumstances. I like the way there are time jumps so the events leading up to the murder is explained and make sense.

Oooh, I’ve missed Will and Sara - Will Trent is definitely one of my all time favourite leading men. And I mean, what’s a honeymoon without at least one dead body?

Ms Slaughter, as always you have played it perfectly, This is Why We Lied is a perfect blend of taught writing, great characters, super twisty plot and oodles of heart.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing an advanced book and audiobook in exchange for an honest review. It is the best way to immerse yourself in a book to be able to read and listen to it, the narration is excellent and breathes new life into the experience. Highly recommended.

This was really well done with shocking intense moments. Who killed Mercy?? This whole family was a hot mess. Wow, what a great audiobook.
I chose to listen to this as an audiobook and the narrator was Kathleen Early and she was amazing. She did an excellent job with every voice and emotion. I didn’t want to stop listening.
It had twists and turns with heartbreaking moments that just brought more mysteries. I feel like Karin Slaughter really delivered on this one. Great plot with intriguing sometimes disturbing characters.
Highly recommend this one.
Thanks HarperCollins via NetGalley.