City of Liars
One night of passion unleashes a century of secrets.
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Pub Date Jul 9 2026 | Archive Date Jul 7 2026
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Description
From New York Times bestselling author Emily Colin, this dual timeline novel weaves mystery, romance, and a touch of the supernatural.
On a rare night out, Liv, a divorced single mom, meets Theo, a gifted pianist with a past he’s fought hard to outrun. Their connection is instant, electric, undeniable. But by morning? Out of the question.Because Theo is a Dressler, and Liv Carter knows exactly what that means.
In 1920s New York City, two little girls vanished: one from a glittering world of privilege, the other from a crowded tenement. When a single child reappeared with no memories, two families claimed her. Wealth won, and the Carters kept the girl. The Dresslers were left with nothing but grief…and a wound that never healed.
Now, decades later, Liv and Theo find themselves on opposite sides of an unfinished story, with a legacy of loss they both carry. As their forbidden love deepens, so does the mystery binding their families together. Secrets surface. Relationships shatter. Fate draws Liv and Theo closer together, leaving them to decide how much of the past they’re willing to uncover. Especially when the truth could either break the cycle…or tear them apart for good.
Perfect for fans of Rebecca Yarros’s The Things We Leave Unfinished, Barbara Davis's The Echo of Old Books, and Emily Henry's Great Big Beautiful Life.
Advance Praise
City of Liars pulls you into a story filled with secrets, heartbreak, and hope from the very first page. I completely devoured this book. An absolute must-read.
—Jessica Dodge, award-winning author of The Forgotten Witch
One of the most emotionally beautiful pieces of fiction I've read in a long time... In the end, the story wasn't just about uncovering the truth...it was about healing what had been broken for generations.
—Natalie Banks, award-winning author of Between Friends
Colin masterfully blends mystery, romance, and the supernatural into a novel where corruption and greed collide with justice, longing, and the enduring possibility of love.
— Angela Sierra, author of Jolly Fats Dies Tonight , published in Unbound: Stories of Transformation, Love, and Monsters
Marketing Plan
- Cover reveal tour
- Three-week social media book tour
- Little Free Library book drop
- In-person events
- Cover reveal tour
- Three-week social media book tour
- Little Free Library book drop
- In-person events
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781961469150 |
| PRICE | |
| PAGES | 416 |
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 11 members
Featured Reviews
Faye H, Reviewer
City of Liars is an amazing blend of mystery and romance, with a touch of the supernatural and a dual timeline story that unravels across 1920s New York and present day North Carolina. I've loved everything I've read from Emily Colin so far and I love a blend of genres so I was really excited to read City of Liars, and it didn't disappoint!
I was sucked into the story straight away because the main characters felt so real. Main characters Liv and Theo had amazing chemistry when they meet at the start of the book, and then we get to discover more about them and their families as the plot develops. It delves into the impacts of intergenerational trauma in a really sensitive but emotional way. The central mystery had me guessing throughout, and I was so invested in both Liv and Theo's romance and in how the mystery's reveal would affect their families. I just enjoyed everything about it!
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley, but this is my voluntary and honest review.
Reviewer 1651323
City of Liars is a beautifully woven dual‑timeline mystery that blends romance, family secrets, and a touch of the supernatural into a story that feels both sweeping and intimate. From the moment the two little girls disappear in 1920s New York, the novel casts a spell — one that lingers all the way into the present‑day chapters with Liv and Theo.
The historical storyline is rich and atmospheric, capturing both the glamour and the grit of Manhattan as two families are torn apart by tragedy and a courtroom decision that echoes for generations. The modern timeline is just as compelling: Liv and Theo’s connection is magnetic from the start, and the emotional weight of their shared history adds a poignant tension to every scene they share.
What really stands out is how seamlessly the mysteries of the past and present intertwine. Each clue Liv and Theo uncover feels meaningful, and the ghostly nudges guiding them forward add a lovely, haunting layer without overwhelming the human story. The themes of identity, injustice, and the long shadow of family trauma are handled with sensitivity, giving the novel real emotional resonance.
The settings — from glittering 1920s Manhattan to the windswept Carolina coast — are vivid and immersive, and the pacing keeps you turning pages as the truth slowly, beautifully comes into focus.
A captivating, atmospheric read perfect for anyone who loves generational mysteries, star‑crossed romance, and stories where the past refuses to stay silent.
With thanks to Emily Colin, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
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