September 2023 Book of the Month

Category: Library, Monthly Book Reviews

Family of Liars by E. Lockheart

Whilst the sun is still shining, I’d like to a recommend a book which turned out to be a perfect summer read.  Family of Liars is the prequel to the TikTok sensation We Were Liars and is equal parts romance and thriller.  Whilst Family is written as a standalone novel, I’d recommend you read We Were Liars first as there are spoilers right at the start which could ruin the second book for you.  E. Lockheart is the Queen of the Shocking Twist and it would be a great shame to miss out on that moment of clarity when the killer twist reveals itself.

We return to the private island of Beechwood, off the coast of Massachusetts, USA, summer home to the Sinclair family.  It’s 1987 and the bickering Aunts we met in We Were Liars, Carrie, Penny and Bess, are teenagers.  This is their story.  The Sinclairs have suffered a bereavement, but they are bearing their grief with stoicism, keeping up appearances and “choosing joy” over sorrow.  The summer looks set to be like any other, days spent on the beach or sailing and games, drinks and meals with the families in the evening.  This is a life of privilege and glamour.  Then “the boys” arrive, friends of the cousins, who add a new dynamic to the island.  It’s difficult to write more about the plot without giving anything away but suffice it to say that this a summer of first romances, mistakes and betrayals.

It’s a story which grabs you from the start and keeps you entertained.  I did wonder whether this book would work, having been written on the back of the TikTok revival but it really does.  It’s not perfect but if you like a fast-paced mystery with a smattering of romance and a cool twist, then I’d happily recommend this.

For fans of One of Us is Lying and The Inheritance Games.