Detective Ffion Morgan is back, this time investigating a missing person from the set of a wilderness survival show being filmed in the Welsh mountains. This crime thriller is filled with secrets, twists, and competing loyalties. I loved this second book in the series and hope there is at least one more Ffion book in the future!

I recommend both The Last Party and @claremackwrites’ newest book, A Game Of Lies, especially if you love a strong female detective as protagonist and remote, small town settings.

Thank you @bookmarked for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

(This same review was shared on the Barnes & Noble website)

A Game of Lies, by Clare Mackintosh, is the second book in the DC Morgan crime fiction series. This story is centered around a reality TV show called Exposure. It’s a show set in the countryside of Wales and pits the contestants against nature. However, in an unexpected turn of events, each competitor is pitted against themselves and the secrets they hide. In order to win the competition, a contestant must discover and expose a secret of another player. If they are incorrect, they are subjected to their own worst fear until he/she admits his own secret. When a player disappears, the local detectives, specifically DC Morgan, along with DC Brady from England, are called in to figure out what is happening on this show gone wrong.

It’s hard to imagine how this concept would ever be close to realistic from a legal standpoint, but it is a creative, creepy, tension-filled plot. The pacing is rather slow, the layout of POVs from the contestants late in the book is unusual, and the lack of development in the relationship between DC Morgan and Brady is odd. I found this story a bit hard to follow at times and the Welsh jargon was not the easiest to understand. That said, A Game of Lies offers a unique concept and is a rather gripping mystery with a powerful conclusion.

Ffion Morgan is my favorite kind of main character. Morally grey, slightly broken, yet still feisty. A Game of Lies is the second book in the DC Morgan series but it COULD be read as a standalone. You definitely would get more out of it if you’d read the first one (but there aren’t any major spoilers from the first book in the second if you wanted to go back and read The Last Party after finishing this one.

So, I would probably rate this somewhere between 4 and 5 stars but I’m rounding it up to 5. It’s not exactly told in a linear fashion, but the chapter headings definitely tell you where you are in the timeline. You have the main timeline and then as DC Morgan discovers more pieces to the puzzle you’ll get a chapter (clearly labeled) from another character’s POV that might have occurred a few days prior.

If you’ve ever wondered what it might be like on the set of a reality TV show you’ll enjoy this one!

I did buy the audiobook to listen to as I followed along with the eARC I had and that helped with the pronunciation of the occasional Welsh phrases in the book. I’m really hoping there’s a third. I could use more Ffion (and Dave!!) in my life!

Rating - 4.5 stars rounded off to 5

Think darkest secrets - now imagine them being exposed on a reality TV show.

Thanks NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC!

Synopsis -

Seven contestants are stranded on the Welsh mountains bound by their contracts signed with a reality TV show. With no idea, what they’ve got into, their worst nightmares are about to come true. But one of the contestants going missing was not part of the deal. Detective Ffion Morgan has yet another conundrum of a case to solve and this time she can’t trust anyone or anything.

Review -

Oh my goodness! This DC Morgan series by Clare Mackintosh is just getting better and better! What a brilliantly thought out premise and the idea behind the show was just wickedly clever.

I loved the entire package – the gorgeous Welsh countryside setting, the TV show built on hideous lies and staged plotting, the contestants and the circumstances behind them entering the show, the absurdly high stakes each of them had to protect their secrets as they fight off not to get exposed by the others, ultimately to win the prize money and even the manic media journalist who keeps sniffing around.

When one of the contestants, Ryan Francis disappears soon after the filming begins, the ‘game’ is truly on. Enter Ffion Morgan and Leo Brady - the suspense builds, as they construct their case, gather evidence and start interviews with the remaining participants. And oh, the things that were done on the show! Absolutely terrifying. Reality TV at its worst!

Soon everyone is a suspect and the magnitude of the secrets they were each hiding couldn’t come out fast enough. The pages were turning themselves, the tension becoming unbearable. Then the twists come cannonballing out of no-where and there’s hardly any time or air to breathe until the end – quite literally.

Ffion’s characterization was of course the highlight. The hint of romance between her and Leo kept me wanting more! Her portrayal is so realistic with all her flaws and mistakes. Those didn’t stop me from cheering on for her. Oh! that ending was just the ‘Pièce de Résistance’.

Thriller fans - hurry!

I love books with a spin on a reality show and the reality show in this book was pretty unhinged. The stakes for the contestants were high, providing an abundance of murder suspects.

I thought this was really well done. The POV jumping from character to character was a bit different to other mysteries featuring a police MC but it worked here. Ffion is a bit of a wild card, which always keeps things interesting, and the romantic sub-plot was a nice bonus. I enjoyed this book a lot and will continue on with the series.

3.5 stars rounded up

A top notch police procedural that sees the return of DC Ffion Morgan and DS Leo Brady to investigate a missing person and another murder in Cwm Coed.

A new reality show, Exposure, is filming up on Pen y Ddraig mountain. The seven contestants think they are there to survive the Welsh rain and cold, but the slimy producer has kept the real hook of the show under his hat until they start filming: every contestant has a secret they are desperate to keep hidden but it will be exposed unless they win the show.

Immediately one of the contestants vanishes and the police are called in to find him, but a murder is committed while they’re still looking. The only problem is that everyone seems to have an alibi.

It’s good to be back in the capable, but very human, hands of Ffi and Leo as they navigate both the investigation and their stalled relationship. There’s also a new DC added to the mix, Georgina “George” Kent whose competence and lack of drama contrasts a little too unhappily with Ffi’s more intuitive methods. And let’s not forget Dave, an out of control, farting, neurotic, giant dog who is very attached to Ffi.

The story is told from the perspectives of both Ffi and Leo, as well as the contestants and a YouTuber. This means we get to see the backstories of the Exposure seven which gives them some justification for why they’re hiding their secrets and what they believe will happen if they should come to light. Unlike the first novel, The Last Party we don’t spend much time with Ffi’s family or in the village , but we do get to know her ex-husband a little better and understand more of their complicated relationship.

Sadly, I got there before Ffi and Leo (it would probably help them if they read a few more murder mysteries) but the solving of the crime and the drama of the climactic scene are most satisfying. There was also some forward movement in their romance, but still leaving space for more to develop when they inevitably (and happily for this reader) come together again to solve another crime.

Thanks to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the digital review copy.

I didnt realize that this was book 2 of a series when I requested the title on NetGalley. Good news! It works great as a stand-alone read.

Premise: This is a very clever book set in Welsh mountains where seven reality show contestants are stranded and have no idea what they’ve signed up for. Each of these strangers has a secret. If another player can guess the truth, they won’t just be eliminated – they’ll be exposed live on air. The stakes are higher than they’d ever imagined, and they’re trapped. The disappearance of a contestant wasn't supposed to be part of the drama. Detective Morgan has to put aside what she's watched on screen, and find out who these people really are - knowing she can't trust any of them. And when a murderer strikes, DC Morgan knows every one of her suspects has an alibi . . . and a secret worth killing for.

My thoughts: A reality show where the contestants sign up thinking the show is one thing only to find out its another is very "real" to what we find on television today. When bones are found on the production site and a contestant discovered missing, the police are called in to investigate. Then the producer behind the show is killed and everyone appears to have an alibi. Who done-it? Was it the missing contestant? or are thing not as they seem on this reality tv set?

Reality TV is the rage today with the bachelor, amazing race, alone and top chef as examples. This book really demonstrates the fact that not everything is what it seems (or shown). Producers and editors can manipulate "reality" which makes for a fascinating and intriguing read! Clare Mackintosh's book has a clever plot, twisty crime, a perfect setting and a bit of humor.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for sharing a new to me author. A Game Of Lies has plenty of action, secrets and lies to keep you reading. And even though I hadnt read book #1 and didnt know any of the police investigators back stories, I do not think I missed much. I enjoyed it and think those who love a good mystery and a police procedural ready will too!

I was excited to see D.C. Morgan back again this time in “A Game Of Lies”. I liked this one better than “The Last Party”. The backdrop of the reality TV show made for a fun case to try and solve.
If you like detective novels, reality game shows, and murder 🤪, read this one!

Thanks to the publisher and #NetGalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

A Game of Lies is the second in the DC Morgan series. I normally never read a series out of order, but the premise sounded so good I could not wait to read it. A reality show is being filmed in DC Ffion Morgan's hometown, but the contestants have been tricked regarding the specifics. The participants think they are in a survival type show but are really there to have their biggest secrets exposed. As you can imagine, this does not go well, and someone winds up dead. Clare Mackintosh does a great job with the plot points and character development. I love the descriptive setting as well. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the early review copy.

A Game of Lies by Clare Mackintosh is a suspenseful book set around a T.V. reality show that takes place on a mountain top in Wales. This is book two in the series with Detective Morgan in it, but it can absolutely be read as a stand alone novel.

The story is about seven contestants who are chosen from thousands of applicants to compete on a T.V. Program like Survivor. They learn that if they aren’t successful, their darkest secrets will be revealed to everyone on T.V. Let the games begin until one contestant goes missing. DC Morgan is called in to investigate. How far will the contestants go to keep their secrets hidden.

This is a very enjoyable book and I loved the reality T.V. angle. It shows how far some people are willing to go to win and keep their secrets hidden.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an advanced Copt of this book.

A Game of Lies took me quite a while to get through. I was excited to jump in and read this as I really liked the first book in the DC Morgan series, however, I found this one a bit tedious. My brain stumbled over the pronunciation of some of the Welsh words, and I suspect I’ll never know how to correctly say “Ffion.” lol

Basically, the story revolves around seven reality show contestants who find themselves stranded in the rugged Welsh mountains. They have no idea of what they’ve truly signed up for. Each contestant has a secret, and if a fellow player can unravel it, they will be eliminated and the secret will be broadcast live for all to see.

As a fan of reality TV-based books, I had high hopes to love this, but this one unfolded as a slow burn. I struggled to form a connection with the characters and, to me, the book really could have been a good 50 pages shorter.

I did enjoy the descriptive writing in the book and it's not a bad novel. I think there will be a lot of fans of this book and recommend everyone to give it a read if you like mystery thrillers. It could be your cup of tea!

3.5 stars. Rounding up to 4 stars for ratings. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Sourcebooks Landmark for the advanced readers copy to read and review.

This sequel to The Last Party (which I also read) pushes all the right buttons: characters who range between amusing, infuriating, and endearing (and that's just the police team); excellent pacing with lots of twists and turns; a plethora of suspects; and a really unique framing device in the form of a reality-television program that isn't exactly what the contestants were led to believe. After a disappearance and a murder, when DC Ffion Morgan and her colleagues are called in to investigate, the tension ratchets up. Mackintosh is a strong, suspenseful writer. I particularly loved and recommend her early standalone novels - Let Me Lie, I See You, and I Let You Go. She's a master of the thrilling twist, and in Ffion - and, to a lesser extent, her counterpart across the Welsh/English border, DS Leo Brady - she's written some memorable and hopefully long-lasting characters. The narrative never drags, their will-they-or-won't they relationship is intriguing, and I would definitely read another in this excellent series.

A Game of Lies is book two in the DC Morgan suspense thriller series.

It is possible to follow the story as a standalone (completely different case). However many of the characters are in both books. And there is a lot of backstory that will make more sense if you've read the first book.

This book is about detective Ffion Morgan. The focus of the story is a reality show. This book is very Welsh. And having read the first book really helped me. It made me more comfortable with the characters and the Welsh terms.

I absolutely love Ffion. She is such a strong and unique heroine. I really enjoy reading about her solve cases.

I was so happy to see Leo return. This part of the story will definitely make much more sense if you've read the first book.

I really enjoyed the reality show aspect. The idea of the show revealing the contestant's secrets made for a fun story. And the mysteries were very exciting.

I did enjoy this book although at times I would have preferred a faster pace. However the ending was everything!!!!

This is the first book by Mackintosh that I have picked up and I quite enjoyed it! I picked it up without reading the first in the series but was able to catch on quite quickly to any back story/history. The premise of this mystery was a reality show set in the mountains of Wales. Styled as Survivor but the truth was much darker: an expose of secrets that would encourage the contestants to rat out and manipulate their fellow people. A disappearance ensues along with murder and Ffion and Leo make their appearance as officers working on opposite sides of the border to solve the case. Ffion is quite a messy character with a good heart - trying to figure herself out. Leo comes with his own baggage but is quite over heels with Ffion. I enjoyed the interactions between the two (and the incorrigible Dave) and look forward to more outings of this trio!

It was a bit of a slog for me. The first part of the book was a bit boring but it really picks up in the last half.

The characters were a bit monotonal and I didn't much care for them.

I usually love the author but this one just didnt grip me. The ending is the best part for me. I really enjoyed the first book too.

3 stars

I recently fell in love with her other books and was so excited I got this as an arc! I was not disappointed! She has a way of writing her stories not too slow not too fast, the perfect pace to give you the best thrill. So many lies, so many twists and turns it was everything I wanted in a thriller! Thank you for this arc!

Second book in the DC Morgan series. When a new reality TV show is being taped in the area everybody gets excited, but the contestants have no idea what they've signed up for. Each one has a deep, dark secret and if another contestant guesses it they will be exposed on air. Producer Miles is definitely not liked but was he hated enough to be murdered? Every one of the suspects has an alibi but also a secret. Were those secrets worth killing for. Ffion and Leo have their work cut out for them as they seek out a murderer in the mountains of Wales. Well written and great characters. If you likes "The Last Party"you'll love "A Game of Lies".
Thanks to #NetGalley#AGameofLies#SourcebooksLandmark for the EARC.

I did not care for this at all. I found it really boring and a chore to get through. Ffion is unprofessional and unlikable and there were so many characters it was hard to keep track of who was who and how/if they were important. The only one I liked in this was the dog. Even the ending was abrupt and weird, but maybe you had to read the first book to get it?

My thoughts 💭 on this novel.
It was interesting! There was a lot of mentioning of Book 1, so it felt I was missing something but it did not take away from the story itself. I loved the back and forth timeline of the plot and refund to solve the case. This has all the feels of a small town murder mystery where everyone knows everyone and everything.

I’d highly recommend this (and I bet book 1 is equally amazing) to anyone who enjoys an excellent murd3r mystery where the main lead is a female.

Even though this is the second book in a series, it reads very well as a standalone. It just made me want to go back and read the first installment. The concept is good but at times, it felt like I was reading and not getting anywhere...the last 30% or so got a little more interesting and it was hard to put down until I finished it.

Thanks for the opportunity of reading this book.