Member Reviews

4.75 stars rounded up. Crikey, this is a read and a half…! It tells the story of three sisters and their extended family, and what happens to them all when their worst nightmare happens and an accident takes the life of one of the sisters’ children… past events come into the mix and it’s a complicated tangle of emotions. It is a slower pace for quite a while and you done wonder why certain bits are featured, but bear with it as it all becomes clear towards the end. The only reason I knocked 1/4 star off was because I wasn’t a huge fan of Saul Anguish or his habits like keeping mementoes… but it looks like he’s a necessary for the likely follow on book…

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

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The first half of this book is quite slow, and I was wondering when it would pick up the pace. Well, rest assured that it certainly does, and when it does, there is shock after shock!
Saul and Blue do not feature much in this one, but there is a turn of events for Blue, which rocks their relationship.
This is about the Kellaway sisters and the shocking event that tests them all to the limit. The timeline goes back and forth from when they were children and their jealousness to the present day and the lead up to the court case.
Once the pace picked up, I couldn't put it down, and I just had to finish this to find out what happened at the end. Who is telling the truth, and who is lying?
It didn't disappoint. I wasn't expecting that!
What next for Saul and Blue? I look forward to reading the next one.
Thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC in return for an honest review.

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Another Saul Anguish story is something to celebrate, but this book kept him on the periphery of the mystery of who is responsible for a family tragedy, in which three sisters end up on opposing sides in a courtroom. Interwoven into their story is another harrowing tale of an alcoholic man who murdered his wife and children three decades earlier. Meanwhile, Saul continues to intrigue as a maverick policeman with dark secrets of his own.
I could not put this book down! Every single page was fraught with tension and deep, dark emotion and I couldn't wait to see how the two stories of past and present tragedy would knit together.
The loss of a child is a very dark subject matter, but the author keeps us away from despair with her insight into sibling relationships as we see the sisters' once strong-relationship develop, occasionally fracture, repair, then break - seemingly for ever.
I loved the suspense of this story, and the way every single thread finally drew seamlessly together in a resolution that held many final surprises for the reader.
And as a fan of Saul Anguish, I can't wait for the continuing story of his tortured life! Roll on the next book.

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Great psychological thriller by Fiona Cummins. The story follows the aftermath of a tragic accident that occurs on what should have been one of Jen Miller’s happiest days, her wedding. What follows is an unfolding of family trauma, deceit and secrets, told through a number of POV’s that are brilliantly interwoven to read a great conclusion. The character development was excellent and the plot twists I did not see coming, keeping me turning the pages at pace! A solid 4 star rating from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan | Macmillan for the opportunity to read this ARC.

#SomeofUsAreLiars #NetGalley

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Some of us are liars by Fiona Cummins is a fascinating read about a family with three sisters. The eldest daughter Winter is a famous actor, the middle daughter, Jen has two children and is married to Phil but was married with just the four of them at the wedding and Alyssa, the youngest, who has just had her first baby with Federico.
It is agreed that the rest of the family and friends will all come together at Winter’s lavish home to have another wedding ceremony with family and friends present.
There is an incident on a pleasure boat taking the family to the wedding and Phil and Jen are at the jetty waiting for them to arrive. Unfortunately Alyssa is holding Teddy and momentarily holds him over the rail over the water and there is a sudden movement and Teddy falls into the water. He dies later in hospital.
There is a court case with Alyssa accused of being responsible for Teddy’s death.
However there are secrets being kept and all is not what it seems. It is inevitable in a court case like this that the truth will come out that will affect all of the family. Saul Anguish plays a peripheral role in uncovering some of the secrets.
Highly recommended

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I've read some of the authors previous books and this is definitely the best so far. A great thriller with plenty of twists and turns. Some shocking events and it does involve the death of a young child. Full of interesting characters.

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Another great read from Fiona Cummins featuring DC Saul Anguish but in more of a minor role. An intriguing storyline about the Miller sisters and the events of one tragic night, just who is lying and who is telling the truth.

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What a book - I started this over the weekend and have finished it just now, a couple of days later, whilst thinking about it and knowing the central story will stay with me for a long time.

Three sisters, all grown up but close, are torn apart by a heartbreakingly tragic event that will change and destroy lives. For Winter, Jen and Alyssa have lived that are now split into a before and after.

My heart lay with Jen, who has been dealt a hand of hands. Her story really resonated with me me and more than once I gasped out loud when reading.

The return of Saul and his story left me wanting more after continuing on from his and Blue’s past misdemeanours.

The subplot of Hannah and the tragedy that befalls her family also moved me, mostly because of how well written it was.

An absolutely engrossing book that made me smile and gasp and cry whilst reading. Thank you Fiona and NetGalley.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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