Monday, February 1, 2021

Monday Moment Book Review - The Lying Game by Ruth Ware


 The rules are simple:

1. Tell a lie

2. Stick to your story

3. And never, ever get caught....

The Lying Game by Ruth Ware is a solid page turner with lots of twists, turns, questions, gasps, and solid characters playing an old college game that's far more dangerous as grown adults. Isa (our narrator with her baby Freya), Thea, and Fatima all get a text from Kate - I need you

Each drop a thread of normal life and head to the coastal village of Salten, England to The Mill where Kate still lives. They met at boarding school in the town, played their lying game, got kicked out of school, and made their way separately in the world. Yet, when a bone/then body is found at the estuary, they return to confront a drunken crazy night they'd rather forget. Ambrose (an artist and art teacher), Kate's father, overdosed and way too much happened that fateful night. 

Now, they are back to help Kate answer questions - why was the body buried and no one notified? Luc (her "brother") is back from France and angry. What was his part in this story? Lots of issues unfold and the lies keep circling, the rumors and threats (a dead sheep) put everyone on edge. The waters keep rising at The Mill, the possibility of fire flickers, excess alcohol exacerbates suspicions. 

The Lying Game has atmosphere and is fraught with a chilling undertone. Maybe you do have to know when to stop lying...

(I won't lie - this is a really entertaining read. Well written and kept me guessing until the end. Kudos)

12 comments:

  1. Hi Joanne - sounds a great read ... and I can visualise the scenery ... I haven't heard of her - but now I'll keep an eye open. Stay safe - Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She wrote The Woman in Cabin 10 and that had good twists. This one is a winner!

      Delete
  2. I'd be the first one to lose that game every time. No lie. Smiles.

    Be warm and well, my friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same here - I always got caught by my mother if I tried - guilty face and I blush way too easy.
      All fine her. You stay safe too

      Delete
  3. Another great read and review Joanne.

    Take care.
    Yvonne.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. glad I can enlighten. I am not completely watching only television. Have to crack a book each day.

      Delete
  4. With that title, I thought maybe you were reviewing a political expose about our former prez and his slimy cohorts...

    That being said, this sounds like an intriguing book. I may have to read it... right after I finish binge-watching every show ever made... HA

    Take care, dear lady.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. you can pretend you read books - just quote my reviews

      All the best, and I currently have a sense of calm in regards to our world - at least not every day is bonkers news.

      Delete
  5. Sounds like a fascinating read. I'd be rubbish at that game though...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. of course in a book, the characters are far too clever and can pull it off.

      Delete
    2. Don't you hate when you type a comment and then hit something wrong and it disappears? Just happened. Here I go again! Thank you for the review, Joanne and for your kind comment on my blog. I too, feel we are friends, and I am grateful for Old Women Waxing which allowed me to have a few poems published. Thank you also, for your recent post on the Thornbirds. I am reading it again. Probably my 10th read or so. Always worth picking up every few years. It transports me.

      Delete
  6. Great when you can be kept guessing til the end. Rare to find in many books these days.

    ReplyDelete