Max Cantrell has never been a big fan of the truth, so when the opportunity arises to sell forged permission slips and cover stories to his classmates, it sounds like a good way to make a little money and liven up a boring senior year. With the help of his friends Preston and Parvati, Max starts Liars, Inc. Suddenly everybody needs something and the cash starts pouring in. Who knew lying could be so lucrative?
When Preston wants his own cover story to go visit a girl he met online, Max doesn’t think twice about hooking him up. Until Preston never comes home. Then the evidence starts to pile up—terrifying clues that lead the cops to Preston’s body. Terrifying clues that point to Max as the murderer.
Can Max find the real killer before he goes to prison for a crime he didn’t commit? In a story that Kirkus Reviews called "Captivating to the very end," Paula Stokes starts with one single white lie and weaves a twisted tale that will have readers guessing until the explosive final chapters.
Liars, Inc. was a fantastic book, which I definitely was not expecting. I think expectations have a lot to do with how I come away from a book, because this is one of those books which would not have wowed me so much if I had higher expectations, but because I really went into this with no idea how I would feel, I came away feeling really impressed.
The start was a bit touch and go for me, and things didn't speed up until the part where Preston goes missing, even then I wasn't absolutely thoroughly gripped until about three-quarters the way through, where we learn some secrets and things start to become much more confused and I had to second-guess my own predictions.
But what makes up for the sometimes-slow plot is the characters. Paula Stokes does have a fantastic way of creating characters that are real and flawed and as easy to dislike as they are to like. Take Parvati for an example, the girl is a fantastic girlfriend and so supportive, she's also emotionally vulnerable and has made mistakes in the past. However, do these mistakes affect the book and become a *big deal*? No. Because real life involves forgiveness and if your best friend is missing its' best to to dwell in the little things. Max isn't exactly to most selfless hero either, and can we just not get started with Preston? These little (or sometimes jot so little) character flaws are what makes this book so intricately unpredictable, and what ultimately carried me through the slower bits.
Overall, Liars, Inc. was an altogether interesting and gripping read, but this book's saving grace is the true-to-life characters and the little intricacies that keep you guessing. A great mystery book, definitely one to give a read, but also not one to go riiiiight at the top (somewhere near there though).
The start was a bit touch and go for me, and things didn't speed up until the part where Preston goes missing, even then I wasn't absolutely thoroughly gripped until about three-quarters the way through, where we learn some secrets and things start to become much more confused and I had to second-guess my own predictions.
But what makes up for the sometimes-slow plot is the characters. Paula Stokes does have a fantastic way of creating characters that are real and flawed and as easy to dislike as they are to like. Take Parvati for an example, the girl is a fantastic girlfriend and so supportive, she's also emotionally vulnerable and has made mistakes in the past. However, do these mistakes affect the book and become a *big deal*? No. Because real life involves forgiveness and if your best friend is missing its' best to to dwell in the little things. Max isn't exactly to most selfless hero either, and can we just not get started with Preston? These little (or sometimes jot so little) character flaws are what makes this book so intricately unpredictable, and what ultimately carried me through the slower bits.
Overall, Liars, Inc. was an altogether interesting and gripping read, but this book's saving grace is the true-to-life characters and the little intricacies that keep you guessing. A great mystery book, definitely one to give a read, but also not one to go riiiiight at the top (somewhere near there though).
Book released 24th March 2015 by HarperTeen
Book received from the publisher in exchange for an honest reviewdoc
So curious to read this book!! *-*
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I have been wanting to read this one
ReplyDelete