I uploaded my review to Goodreads. I will upload my review to Amazon on publication day.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lauren Ling Brown for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Society of Lies coming out October 1, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I understand this is a debut book. I was intrigued by the summary. I really wanted to love it. I thought the beginning started off really well. I was intrigued by the mystery. However, it didn’t hold my interest. I thought it would be more dark academia or something. It didn’t thrill me. I would check out another book by this author.

This debut novel by Lauren Ling Brown’s certainly did not feel like a debut! I was immediately interested in this synopsis and I think the writer did a wonderful job of jumping right into the story! I am a super fan of dark academia books, and this one didn't disappoint as the mystery continued to unravel at a really nice pace and rarely slowed down, I had to keep reading to find out what happened at the end! I will always recommend this book as one of my top thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Lauren Ling Brown’s Society of Lies is a tense and atmospheric thriller that explores the lengths people will go to belong—and the deadly consequences that can follow. Set against the backdrop of Princeton’s elite social clubs, the novel follows Maya as she returns to her alma mater for what should have been a joyful weekend, only to face the most tragic and perplexing event of her life: the death of her sister Naomi.

From the very first pages, Brown pulls readers into Maya’s turmoil as she receives the devastating news that Naomi has died under suspicious circumstances. The official ruling of Naomi’s death as an accident doesn’t sit right with Maya, and her instincts lead her down a dark path of secrets, lies, and long-buried truths. What begins as a search for answers about her sister’s final days quickly transforms into a dangerous confrontation with the past—a past that Maya thought she had left behind.

Maya is a compelling protagonist, driven by her guilt and grief over Naomi’s death. Her return to Princeton not only brings her face-to-face with the mystery surrounding Naomi but also forces her to reckon with her own experiences as a former member of the Sterling Club, an exclusive organization with a mysterious secret society within it. Maya’s internal conflict is central to the novel—while she wants to protect her sister’s memory and seek justice, she’s haunted by the knowledge that Naomi followed in her footsteps, perhaps too closely. The complexity of Maya’s character, torn between guilt and resolve, makes her journey through this harrowing mystery all the more gripping.

Naomi, though absent in the present, is vividly rendered through Maya’s investigation into her life. As Maya uncovers the secrets her sister kept, she begins to realize how little she truly knew about Naomi’s time at Princeton. This gradual unveiling of Naomi’s character is masterfully done, and it heightens the suspense as Maya discovers unsettling parallels between their lives. The idea that Naomi might have fallen prey to the same dangers that Maya encountered during her time at Sterling Club adds layers of tension and fear, making the stakes feel personal and immediate.

The plot of Society of Lies is intricately woven, with every revelation drawing readers deeper into the dark underbelly of Princeton’s social elite. Brown deftly balances flashbacks of Maya’s own experiences with the present-day investigation, creating a chilling parallel between past and present. The story unfolds with a slow-burn intensity, as Maya peels back the layers of secrecy surrounding the Sterling Club and the deadly cost of admission into its inner circle. The author keeps readers guessing, with each clue adding to the sense that Maya is uncovering something far more sinister than she ever imagined.

The novel excels in exploring the themes of privilege, power, and the often dangerous allure of belonging. Brown critiques the toxic culture within these elite institutions, where loyalty and ambition can blind members to the darker truths lurking beneath the surface. Maya’s gradual realization that the Sterling Club—and the secret society within it—might have played a role in not only Naomi’s death but also the death of other young women forces her to confront her own complicity in perpetuating these dangerous traditions. This moral complexity gives the novel depth and makes it more than just a mystery—it’s a commentary on the lengths people will go to fit in, and the devastating consequences that can arise from turning a blind eye to injustice.

Society of Lies is a thriller that will appeal to fans of dark academia and psychological suspense. Brown’s skillful writing and sharp characterization create an immersive and unsettling atmosphere, where every chapter feels like a step closer to uncovering a terrible truth. The novel’s exploration of loyalty, guilt, and the power dynamics of privilege make it a thought-provoking read, while its tightly paced plot will keep readers on the edge of their seats. For those who enjoy thrillers that delve into the shadows of elite society, Society of Lies is a must-read.

The backdrop for this novel is an intriguing one: a secret social society within an elite social club at a prestigious university. Add to that a murder or two, and this novel had me really wanting to read it. Upon reading, I was not as enamored with it as I had hoped to be, but it also did not completely disappoint. The characters were intriguing, the plot kept me turning pages, and there were definitely some good twists and turns. Nonetheless, I found parts of the narrative — especially in the second half — to be too disjointed and unconnected (perhaps because the POVs and timelines seemed to change far too often), and all seemed to be more of a slow burn than I would have liked. Overall, it kept my interest to the end.

This is a really great book. The plot is amazing and interesting. It told from the perspective of two sisters Naomi and Maya in dueling timelines. The setting on the campus of Princeton University adds to the tension of the story. Readers will eagerly turn the pages as they try figure out who the good guys are versus the bad guys. Some situations will evoke strong emotions, but it all just adds to the dramatic moments present in the story. This is an excellent first novel.

Society of Lies is a multi-POV, multi-timeline story about sisters who have, at different times, joined a secret group that has deadly secrets. Maya tried to uncover the truth behind her sister’s death, while remembering the events that unfolded when she herself was in common. Naomi’s tale is told from her POV in the months leading up to her death, including learning about the same events that haunt Maya, In the end, many secrets are revealed, but some remain buried forever.

This wasn’t a twisty turntable over dramatic page turner, but it was still really good. I enjoyed the multiple view points/timelines and how they paralleled each other. Generally you knew what was going to happen, but the big thing was would they get away with it or how would it he stopped? My only issue is that they threw out red herrings in the end that weren’t really necessary and opened room for questions that never got answered, so it got a little messy. But all in all, this was a good book that I would recommend for mystery lovers.

Thank you Bantam Books and NetGalley for a chance to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you for the advance copy. Unfortunately, this couldn't hold my attention. It moved a little too slow for me.

This is a first time novel for an amazing story teller. I was hooked at the very beginning and stayed hooked to the very end. It is fiction at its best, set in today’s world of crime and scandal.

Maya returns to Princeton at the same time that her little sister is graduating. She has to reconnect with fellow staff and social club members and relive some really dark days dealing with her membership in a Social dining club. Arriving on campus she learns that her sister Naomi has died under suspicious circumstances and she is on the trail of solving the mystery. In doing so she has to face some difficult lies that go back to her days on campus in that same Social club. How far would any of us go to belong to such an elite group? Would we lie and cover up for fellow members of the Club and the faculty?

This is a gripping story that is masterfully crafted and I eagerly rate it as 5 stars and truly look forward to more stories by this author.
I wish to thank Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine – Bantam for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed this copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Society of Lies was a thrilling and exciting read! Maya‘s younger sister Naomi is found dead at Princeton. Maya is suspicious and does not think it was an accident. Maya also went to Princeton 11 years prior and was involved in a secret society. She has a feeling that things that happened in her past have come to fruition and harmed her sister. Each chapter is told from either Naomi’s or Maya’s point of view. We hear from Maya 11 years ago when she was at Princeton and Naomi in the months leaving up to her death. This makes it impossible to put this book down. I would finish one chapter and then have to keep going because I needed to know what was going on with the other character. I flew through the chapters until finally the timelines met and all was revealed. I cannot wait to read another book by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Genre: College Murder Mystery
Publisher: Random House
Pub. Date: Oct. 21, 2024

“Society of Lies” by Lauren Ling Brown is a wannabe for Alex Michaelides” “The Maidens,” but not as good. If you haven’t read “The Maidens” you may enjoy this novel more than I did.

Hmmmmm. I could maybe round this one up to 3.5 stars.

Debut novel revolving around the elite and mysterious eating clubs of Princeton University. Described as a dark academia book, I liked the vibe the author attempted to establish, just didn't love the execution.

Many have described it as slow, and yeah, it kind of was. The middle half really picks up and I was hooked. Then with about 20% left, it was like the author decided, "need to wrap this up" and it just went off the rails with sloppy plot twists that didn't make a lot of factual sense.

Maya and Naomi, though different, were quite similar on the page so their separate POVs didn't stand alone very well, resulting in confusion and me having to double check which POV I was reading. Both girls make several poor choices which doesn't help garner sympathy from the reader. There were too many instances of someone feeling watched, or hearing footsteps, until it started to seem cliche.

Not bad, not good, just feeling kind of meh about it.

Society of Lies is a great twisty thriller full of Ivy League secret societies and murder. I loved the dual points of view, one from Nicole a recently murdered Princeton student and from Maya, Nicole’s older sister who also went to Princeton. I loved reading the story of two murders unfold and all the invisible strings that tie the two together. The character development was good, though at times Nicole and Maya’s experiences were so similar I had a little difficulty in telling who was who in the story. However, I enjoyed diving into the story!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam Hardcover for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Dark academia at its finest! Set in a fictional secret society at Princeton within a historic eating club. Maya has a dark past at Princeton and is unhappy her younger sister, Naomi, decides to attend 10 years later, joining the same eating club. When Naomi starts to dig into a scandal and murder from Maya’s time in the club, she doesn’t like what she finds. And the society wants to keep her quiet.

The book goes back and forth between times and perspectives of each sister. The author is multi racial, as are the sisters, Maya and Naomi. Beneath the murder and drama is the struggles the girls experience fitting in as Asian & Black at Princeton.

Four stars! I found this entertaining with excellent writing. Lots of twists and turns with unexpected developments throughout the book.

Thank you NetGalley, Random House, Ballentine/Bantam for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Really interesting premise. The story immediately pulls you in and makes you want to keep reading chapter after chapter to figure out who did it. The book is told from two viewpoints, both Maya and her sister Naomi. There are some nice twists of course, and I do like when books wrap everything up instead of leaving you to try to figure it out or make you buy another book for the conclusion. Definitely planning to look into other books by this Author.

Lauren Ling Brown’s debut novel, Society of Lies, is a riveting dive into the dark side of elite academia, blending mystery with a haunting exploration of privilege and secrecy. From the moment Maya returns to Princeton for her reunion, the story grips you with a chilling sense of foreboding.

The novel excels in creating a suspenseful atmosphere that keeps readers on edge. Maya's journey, from the excitement of a family celebration to the nightmare of her sister Naomi’s mysterious death, is both compelling and emotional. The narrative weaves through layers of deceit and hidden truths with masterful pacing, making it hard to put down.

What stands out is Brown’s portrayal of the exclusive Sterling Club and its secretive nature. The tension builds as Maya uncovers the darker aspects of her past and the society she once revered. The parallels between her experience and Naomi’s fate add a profound depth to the story, raising questions about the true cost of belonging and the secrets we keep.

Society of Lies is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and anyone fascinated by the complexities of privilege and secret societies. Brown’s skillful storytelling and intricate plot make this debut a remarkable and unforgettable read.

The world of secret societies in colleges. That’s some scary stuff, I love reading about that. We have story of 2 sisters, who went to the same school, but different times, and we get their input on what they have gone through in Princeton, and also being women of color in that type of school is already a challenge. Between trying to fit in and Maya trying to provide for her sister Naomi, its a lot to take in when it. There is a ton of corruption in this school like we all suspect that goes on in real life, and after a while it was going in circles and I wanted this book to desperately end. Sadly Maya is back in that school to try to solve her sisters murder and I seriously started to dislike Maya’s friends more and more, thank goodness that Maya was a character worth rooting for while she was trying to solve everything, she was so badass for that.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. WOW, this book is fast paced and fantastic. I couldn't put it down and finished it within a day.

Slow burn of a story. We bounce back and forth between the two sisters, Maya and Naomi. Maya had to leave Naomi with a relative when their mother died and she tried to improve her situation so she could eventually help Maya realize her dreams, but intentions don’t always translate to impact. She has to leave her behind as she goes to Princeton, but Maya’s situation improves as she is taken in by friends and VOILA, she ends up getting into Princeton.. Maya has a dual celebration returning for Reunions and double bonus, her little sister, Naomi, is graduating, but before the festivities can begin, Naomi is found dead. May isn’t buying the easy explanations and starts to try to determine what really happened to Naomi. What unfolds is a great whodunnit and I really enjoyed the fact you don’t know who to trust, who to believe and who to root for. Great fun.

Unfortunately I didn’t enjoy this book. The premise sounded so intriguing, but when I started reading it, I felt bored most of the time. It didn’t live up to the expectations and left me wanting more. Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy

This book was just not for me. I read to the half-way mark and decided I was not going to waste any more of my time on a book I was just not enjoying. There are too many characters along with a very convoluted story line which made it confusing. I am sure a lot of people will enjoy this book, but just not me.