Review: The Lies That Bind

Book Two of The Liar Society series
By Lisa & Laura Roecker
Available now from Sourcebooks Fire
Review copy

THE LIAR SOCIETY was one of last year's best mysteries, and THE LIES THAT BIND is a terrific sequel.  I highly recommend starting with THE LIAR SOCIETY because this is one twisty, involved series.  But the premise is simple enough that you could start with THE LIES THAT BIND.

THE LIES THAT BIND opens with Kate Lowry frustrated that she discovered who was responsible for her best friend's death but wasn't able to bring them to justice.  When a classmate goes missing, Kate believes she knows whodunit and this time she's going to save the girl and get real, irrefutable evidence.  That is, of course, assuming she manages to survive her investigation.

One of the best things about The Liar Society series it doesn't matter if Kate puts the clues together or comes up with a truly clever plan, she always two steps behind.  She's playing against two very powerful entities, and she's just one girl with a geeky neighbor and a boyfriend who can drive.  She's very determined and tries, but sometimes that's just not enough.  Lisa and Laura Roecker are not afraid to place obstacles in the heroine's path.  Taking down her enemies is going to take years.

And, well, Kate is a great heroine and I am perfectly happy to spend years with her as she unravels mystery after mystery behind the elite Pemberly Brown Academy.  Which, let me tell you, is a fantastic setting.  The Roeckers delve deep into the rituals and history that make old institutions of education so interesting - and sometimes sinister.

If you're looking for mysteries full of secret societies, unexpected twists, and bittersweet endings, look no further than THE LIAR SOCIETY and THE LIES THAT BIND.  Sourcebook's contemporary YA imprint has been putting out some amazing books lately, and THE LIES THAT BIND is definitely amazing.  A little over-the-top, but I like that in my stories involving super-rich people conspiracies.