This twisty mystery kept me guessing until the very end. Fans of the the show Survivor are sure to enjoy this story!

I guess I wanted to like this book more than I actually did. When I was reading it I was in it, but when I had to put it down I wasn't needing to pick it back up and finish so it took me a little longer than usual to read. I think part of it was the fact that I didn't understand some of the language but that's what happens when its based in another country vs here. I love books from other areas because you learn new terms and way of life for other countries but I do struggle when there are lots of names, terms, and convos happening in another language. I will say though that I was not able to guess the twists and who did it! That doesn't happen to often so that was a big win for this book. And the best part was Dave the dog! I love me some lovable crazy dogs. He may have played a small part but it made me smile while reading it when he was brought up.

Crime thriller set in Wales.

Another book about a reality show! Apparently, this is the genre du jour in 2024 as I have read quite a few with similar themes this year. In this case, seven contestants are chosen to participate in a telecast named "Exposure" that is being filmed at a camp set up in the Welsh mountains. Lured to participate thinking it was a survival type program, they find out on live television that the whole point of their experience will be about finding out and exposing each other's secrets. Shamed publicly and perhaps resulting in terrible consequences in their personal lives. Locked into contracts they can't get out of, the seven are trapped and when the outing of the secrets begins, one of the players disappears. The local police are called in to search for the missing person. Then a murder. DC Ffion Morgan has to quickly figure out what is going on.

This was fast-paced, and I felt a bit at a loss as this was the second book in a series and I had not read the first. I have not previously read a lot of books set in Wales so I found the description of the area quite interesting. I don't feel like I got to know the characters very well and all seemed stereotypical and superficial as detectives, especially Ffion who is headstrong, impetuous, and doesn't really follow the rules but her understanding boss allows her to remain on the job despite her failings. I understand the romance began in the previous book. The secrets and lies are revealed and the case is solved with the usual heroine in peril situation. I probably won't continue this series.

I listened to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. It's a good thing I had the book because the accents and pronunciations made it almost impossible to understand what was being said. The narrator's voice was quite unpleasant.

In A Game of Lies, Clare Mackintosh returns with Detective Ffion Morgan in a small Welsh town of Cwm Coed. A new reality tv show has begun filming nearby and all hell is breaking loose. Picture I’m a Celebrity but with your deepest darkest secret to be revealed if you don’t do your trial.

This was such a fun read! I really enjoyed getting back into Ffion’s world. I’m so glad this became a series! I also like the inclusion of the issues behind reality tv and how going for shock value has real-life repercussions. Clare Mackintosh’s books are an auto-read for me and this was no exception.

Thank you netgalley and sourcebooks landmarks sending me this e-arc to read in exchange for a review. 🤗

3.5 stars

Another fun one by Clare Mackintosh! I loved the setting and how Ffion knows everyone in her small Welsh town. Some of the book moved a little slowly and I had a hard time differentiating between the contestants on the reality show. I liked the chapters from the contestants’ POVs and how they each had a motive for the murder. This had me guessing until the end and I hope there will be more in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed the first in this series a lot, and while this one was alright, it didn't hold my interest as much. The premise was good, but it just never really clicked for me. I'm not sure I'll continue with the series.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #SourcebooksLandmark for a free copy of #AGameOfLies by Clare Mackintosh. All opinions are my own.

I find this series to be extremely slow. This book is the second in the series but can definitely be read as a stand alone.
I was very excited because I enjoy a book when it’s based around a reality show and murder. The who did it, always leaving you guessing.
Unfortunately with how slow it was for me, I could not get into and it took me a few times to finally pick it up and stick to it.

I really liked Ffion as a character and I thought her whole backstory in book 1 really really added to the overall vibes. And while I enjoyed the reality tv aspect of this one, I can’t say I really felt like she was all that connected to this case and as a result, neither was I

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the oppotunity to read a complimentary of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

A tv reality show called Exposure, the cast of seven think they have been chosen to survive in the Welsh mountains; but they quickly learn that that is not why they are there. They must be the last person standing to not have a devastating secret revealed about themselves and must face their greatest fears. When one of the contestants goes missing, the police are called to the scene. Did the contestant leave on their own accord to avoid their secret being revealed or did something more sinister happen. Ffion and her team quickly learn that there is a killer in their midst, can thy find the killer before they strike again?

This is the second book in the DC Ffion Morgan series, it could easily be read as a stand alone book, for the main story alone, but I found it helpful to have read the previous book to understand the complexity of the interaction between the main characters. I enjoy this series and look forward to reading more about Ffion and her crew.

Clare Macintosh is one of those writers you never know what to expect from. But A Game of Lies was a true winner for me! This was really fun!

The premise of the book was interesting and I liked the main character, but it seemed to drag on forever and ever. I found myself losing interest and started skimming through the last 20 percent or so of the book just to reach the conclusion which was rather anticlimactic. We didn’t even get to find out what happened to the contestants whose secrets were revealed. Sorry, I can’t recommend this one.

I did not know this was the second book in the series, but it didn't really hinder my understand of the story - just missed a little on the previous relationships between the characters. Survivor but with a twist - your biggest secret revealed! No wonder the creator/director gets murdered. Suspects abound. I truly did not see the killer coming. My only complaint about this is that the ending was a whole lot of "telling". I wish we could have gotten there ourselves, or had some hints dropped in throughout the story, because the detectives just explaining to each other why and how the killer did it was a bit of a let down. I mostly liked the reality TV setting of this story so depending upon the settings of the murders in book 1 and subsequent books I might pick them up.

A Game of Lies* by Clare Mackintosh is a masterful psychological thriller that had me gripped from the very first page. The novel centers around a reality TV show where the lines between game and reality blur, leading to a series of shocking revelations and dangerous twists.

One of the aspects I loved most about this book was Mackintosh's ability to build suspense. The narrative is intricately woven, with multiple perspectives that add depth and complexity to the story. Each character is well-developed, with their own secrets and motives, making it difficult to predict who can be trusted. The dynamics between the contestants and the show's producers add an extra layer of intrigue, as the stakes are raised higher with every chapter.

Mackintosh's writing is sharp and engaging, keeping the tension high throughout the novel. The plot twists are expertly executed, with each one more surprising than the last. Just when I thought I had figured out the mystery, Mackintosh would throw in another twist that completely changed the direction of the story.

The setting of a reality TV show is both unique and compelling, providing a modern and relevant backdrop for the thriller. The behind-the-scenes look at the production of the show adds authenticity and enhances the overall suspense. The pacing is perfect, with a balance of fast-paced action and moments of introspection that allow for character development.

Overall, A Game of Lies is a brilliantly crafted thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end. Clare Mackintosh has once again proven her skill in writing captivating and suspenseful stories. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with complex characters and unexpected twists, this book is a must-read.

This book was like most thrillers to me and started out slow but once things start going it starts picking up. This was centered around a reality show. I really enjoyed this concept. I felt like the characters and the story were well written. I thoroughly enjoyed the twisty murder mystery and the structure that goes back and forth to reveal the secrets and motives each contestant carries and acts upon. I liked the hidden clues between the chapters, that kept me guessing. I had a really good time with this book. Although this is the second book in a series, I felt like it was ok to read as a standalone. I would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark | Sourcebooks Landmark for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

Another fun read by Mackintosh. I have read three reality series based thrillers this spring and all were good. The premise for the show and the atmosphere was different in each. I especially enjoyed the atmosphere in this book. It was kind of a nice relief from the heat of the season! This book kept me engaged and was a fun read.
Recommend!
#AGameOfLies #NetGalley #SOURCEBOOKLandmarks

This is book two in the DC Morgan series. I hadn't read the first one before I started this one, but I fully plan on reading it. It didn't seem to matter much that I jumped in with book two. Everything made sense, and I wasn't lost at all.

I really ended up enjoying this mystery. The setting was spectacular! I loved the experience of the reality show going on during the investigation. Reality TV is such a guilty pleasure to watch, and I thought that the way the author emphasized how editing is used to skew perceptions was very interesting.

The murder mystery was compelling and kept me guessing. The twists were well thought out, and the characters were intriguing.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Not as captivating as book one. I had a hard time getting into it, and really skimmed most of it. I think the way this ARC is formatted didn’t help.

A game of lies is a thriller that is based on reality tv.

Seven contestants are picked to play this game. The game is to expose each others secrets. One of the contestants goes missing. Bones are found. Whose are they? Why did this?

Dc Fifon and DC George Kent are on the case. Who committed this murder? Can they figure it out?

Claire mackintosh has done a great job on this novel. Lots of twists and turns. You are not sure who has done what!

Thanks to NetGalley and sourcebook landmark for this arc!

I liked this sequel , the story was interesting and a bit twisty about a reality show gone wrong, from lying to the contestants, to murder.

This was such a good book. Claire Mackintosh did not disappoint me! I loved the story line and the characters in this book. I read it in one sitting, I had to know what happened. I would definitely recommend this book.