| Title | : | A Game of Lies (DC Morgan, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1728296501 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781728296500 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 368 |
| Publication | : | First published July 20, 2023 |
But on this show, you can't trust anything you see.
Stranded in the Welsh mountains, seven reality show contestants 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 Ffion 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, Ffion knows every one of her suspects has an alibi . . . and a secret worth killing for.
A Game of Lies (DC Morgan, #2) Reviews
-
"Everyone is playing their own game."
A Game of Lies is an aptly titled police procedural about seven reality TV contestants who become suspects in a murder.
Although this is the second book of the DC Morgan series, it can be read as a standalone.
When seven reality TV show contestants discover that they have been lied to about the premise of the show they are starring in, they don’t respond well, to say the least. What they thought was a show in the vein of Survivor was, in reality, a show that would expose their deep, dark secrets. Their fear of having their biggest secrets exposed leads to murder. Detective Ffion Morgan investigates.
Ffion is the primary character; however, Leo, her former partner/love interest from book one, also plays a role in the investigation. Ffion is struggling with her emotions and a new rescue dog named Dave, who is THE BEST; he brings some much-needed humor into the plot. Ffion has a strong voice and has shown some development from book #1. Leo is lovely. A new character, George, is brought in as Ffion’s new partner. I loved George’s character, and I hope to see her in the next installment. She is a strong foil to Ffion.
Additional POVs are shared, including Ffion’s mother and the reality TV contestants. While there are many perspectives, all are distinct and easy to track, and each plays a pivotal role in the plot.
The pace is slow but steady--the tension and suspense grow as the plot develops. I was never bored and was invested in the drama behind the secrets of the reality contestants, as well as the drama that makes up Ffion’s life.
What made this book a standout was the setting--the majority of the novel takes place in the Welsh mountains, and Mackintosh transported me to Wales. In addition, she uses a lot of Welsh phrases that aren’t always immediately translated, which adds to the setting.
I enjoyed this installment more than the first one--the pace and plot are balanced, and the mystery is tightly wound. There is a bit of a social commentary on the nature of reality shows and the lengths people will go to be famous.
Overall, this series is positively progressing. I recommend this installment to fans of well-plotted mysteries and to those who love dog characters!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Sourcebooks Landmark. -
Have you ever looked forward to a book so much that you feel pure joy when it’s finally there? The second installment of DC Morgan’s series was such an anticipated read for me, since I absolutely loved the first book. I even felt thankful afterwards because I thought I’ve grown tired of police investigations, but this reignited my interest.
In the game of lies the main plot is centered on a reality show where the contestants applied under false pretenses. Instead of a survival show, they have inadvertently signed up for a exposure show, where you have to win to not having your secrets exposed. No wonder that this leads to a contestant disappearing, because some secrets are too dark to be revealed.
I immediately felt drawn in by this premise. My secret is that I’ve secretly watched tv-shows, being both fascinated and disgusted by myself for peeking into others lives. I loved how this show especially raised moral questions like aren’t we all a part of a culture where we devour news about others missteps? Why do we need to do so? This was not a big part of the book, but I liked that these questions were raised.
Apart from that this was an excellent read. There were lots of contestants with valid motives for acting out, and if you pay close attention while reading the ending will satisfy you. I felt the author really had thought through how it all should play out, writing a plot that was watertight and where events made perfect sense when you were given the last puzzle piece. I also loved seeing what happened between Ffifon and Leo. The feelings and reactions they evoked from each other felt real.
I’m very happy I got to read this book! Thanks to netgalley, the publisher and the author for letting me read the arc! -
The icy waters of Mirror Lake (Llyn Drych) separate the English shores from the Welsh village of Cwm Coed. And, sometimes the lines are blurred on which “side” should be in charge of investigating a crime.
That is how DC Ffion Morgan from the Welsh side ended up partnering with DC Leo Brady, from the English side in the first book of this series, “The Last Party”. And the pair have been reunited in book two.
Book #2 also introduces Ffion’s new partner, a transfer in named Georgina (George) who is tight lipped about her past, and Ffion’s new rescue dog, Dave who suffers from separation anxiety and flatulence. 🐕🦺 Woof!!
The Case: Seven reality show contestants thought they were applying to be on a “Survivor-like” reality show. But as it turns out- this show called “Exposure” isn’t about being exposed to the elements at all.
Each of these strangers has a secret.
And, If another player can guess what an opponent is hiding, they won't just be eliminated - their secret will be EXPOSED, on air, LIVE.
The Public also gets to vote on whose secret they would like revealed next, (allegedly) and that contestant can attempt to keep their secret from being exposed, if they can SURVIVE facing their worst fear. Horrifying!
The show is being watched by EVERYONE. Radio shows are inviting listeners to confess their own secrets, it’s trending on Social Media, and it has the highest viewing figures of any UK reality TV show-EVER.
Although every Reality show claims to be unscripted, the Producer had some clear storylines in mind-
The disappearance of a contestant WASN’T supposed to be part of the drama.
The pace of this book is definitely tighter than book one, which I found to be a bit slow, but for me, I may have been more invested in the outcome for each contestant if I had gotten to know them a bit before the show-maybe a chapter for each as they received the “good news�� that they had been selected to participate.
But, that may just be me.
I prefer her stand-alone books, which have ranged from thought provoking fiction (After The End) to psychological thrillers such as. “I Let You Go” and high adrenaline thrillers such as “Hostage”, but I don’t gravitate towards series, so that is a “me thing”. I hope we haven’t seen the last of those-as this book ends with a strong hint that a third book is coming for DC Morgan and company, which is a series that I like, but don’t love.
3.75 ⭐️
NOW AVAILABLE
Thank You to Sourcebooks Landmark for the gifted ARC, provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review! -
4.5 stars
DC Ffion Morgan #2
Reality tv show “Exposure “ has seven contestants who have to spend 14 nights on Pen y Ddraig Mountain in Wales, has the usual set of challenges and a public vote. The first show contains a surprise for viewers and an even bigger one for the contestants as this is a game of lies like no other. The following morning the shows producers informs the police at Bryndare that contestant Ryan Francis is missing. Ffion and DC Georgina Kent set off to investigate. Meanwhile, DS Leo Brady over the border in Cheshire has left the odious DI Crouch behind and now works for Cheshire CID. The search to find Ryan becomes a joint Cheshire/Welsh operation which goes from bad to worse.
I absolutely love the start of this where we are introduced to flatulent rescue dog Dave, a character in his own right and shall we say a bit of a handful? He’s well matched with Ffion who is such a brilliant character, she’s funny, a motor mouth, great at her job and rather impossible to both live with and without. The dialogue when Ffion is about is snappy, witty and funny. She sure keeps everyone on their toes, not least Leo. The more off than on vibes between those two are terrific and keeps you guessing throughout which is pretty much how Leo feels!
The plot with the reality show at the centre of it is so good, the awfulness of the show makes me cringe (though most reality shows do, yikes) and of course, this gives the author huge scope which she totally maximises! It really is a runaway train and you’re just waiting for the inevitable wreckage and pile ups. It’s highly entertaining, the storytelling is lively throughout and keeps you glued with multiple twists and turns and all told at a fast pace. Tension comes from several quarters and I like how several chapters have suspenseful endings which keeps you reading on. The finale is almost Christiesque and is clever and the ultimate ending is excellent.
As for the setting, that is fantastic. You really do feel the Welshness via the language, the local characters and their roots and the area is beautifully described so it exudes atmosphere. It makes me want to jump into the car and get myself to Wales!
Finally, I do hope number three is underway as I can’t wait for my next dose of Ffion, Leo and Dave who hopefully will be less er, Dave!
Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Little Brown Book Group, Sphere for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review. -
4.5🌟
What would you do to keep your secret, well... secret? Murder perhaps?
No doubt, most everyone is aware of the glut of “reality” TV that shamelessly push the boundaries! Now the latest offering adding to the feeding frenzy is, Exposure.
A group of contestants signed up assuming it would be another Survivor themed show. What they didn’t know is that it was meant to expose them…and their deepest secrets. And what the producers also conveniently failed to mention, there’s no way out!
Wait…what? And, let the games begin!
This is book two of the DC Morgan series by Clare Mackintosh, featuring Detective Ffion Morgan and her lovable dog Dave, who suffers from abandonment issues (among other things).
Leo is back too, in this latest addition to the series. And yes, the chemistry is still there. Will they finally drop their walls and give each-other a chance? Come on you two, enough is enough!
A new character, George makes her first appearance. She’s new to Ffion’s department but quickly became an integral part of the team. I have a feeling we’ll be hearing a lot more from her in future installments.
I thoroughly enjoyed how the author treats us to a juicy crime drama while still heavily focusing on the characters themselves (Bravo!).
She also made us (ok, me) take a look at reality tv and how much is true vs manipulation from behind the scenes.
We criticize the producers for putting these shows on the air, but aren’t we just as guilty for watching them?💁🏻♀️
Overall an excellent addition to this series! Take the time to read book one The Last Party to really get to know the characters. I guarantee, (well hope anyway) that you will be as hooked on this series as I am! I can’t wait for book three!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark
-
A Game of Lies is the second in the DC Ffion Morgan series and it’s just as humorous as the first. Ffion checks all the boxes for me - dog lover (and not just any dog, but a huge anxiety ridden, farting monster), a smart sense of humor, a potty mouth and some issues with authority.
There’s a reality show filming on Pen y Ddraig mountain. But not another Survivor type show. On this one, each contestant has a secret. They’re not only competing for cash, but to keep their secret hidden. A day after the first episode airs, a contestant goes missing. And not long thereafter, someone is murdered. The premise of the show is a bit OTT, but the humiliation and manipulation are real enough.
DS Leo Brady is also back, now working in the next town over. As the property where the show is filming straddles the two areas, they once again get to work together. And you could cut the tension between them with a knife. Often romance subplots don’t work for me, but this one did as it plays into each one’s character. The story alternates between their POVs along with several others.
Of course, the star of the story is Dave, the above-mentioned rescue dog, who provides plenty of comic relief.
The story is fast paced and entertaining. I had no clue how this would play out and who would be the guilty party. I will be looking forward to the next in the series. And for the record, I think this would easily work as a standalone for those who haven’t read the first book (which was another five star read for me).
My thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown for an advance copy of this book. -
My thanks to Sourcebooks/Landmark, Clare Mackintosh and Netgalley.
This story was a bit out there. It wasn't at all what I was expecting, and I think I liked it?!
I actually had a blast reading this, and was outraged by the concept of this reality show.
I'd probably have killed Mile's myself!
Still, I'm only rating this at 3 stars. The story was great, but Ffion? That woman "who's a cop!" did the most idiotic crap! Honestly, I was amazed she was a cop in Wales. She was stupid enough, she could have been working for some southern state here in the U.S.A! Or Minnesota.
I will be reading more of this series though. It's a new series, and I know these characters will evolve over time, and I'm interested enough to continue reading. Also, it's northern Wales. It's one of my top five destinations to visit, that I've never visited!
Wales.
Scotland.
Norway.
Greece.
Croatia.
Fantastic writing. -
Mixed reviews that claim some readers didn't enjoy the mystery as much as the first book or couldn't connect with the reality show contest characters don't sway my five-star (rounded up from four and a half) rating. My inner romantic compelled me to give this rating, overriding my usual thriller-seeking, puzzle-loving, mystery-nerd self. That ending brought such a deep smile to my face that, as you reach it, most readers will likely agree with me.
Of course, I can readily give five stars to any book written by the brilliant author Clare Mackintosh, as she's an auto-approved author for me.
Let's not forget how, from the moment I read the first DC Morgan book, I fell in love with Cwm Coed, a small fishing town nestled between Wales and England. I adore the vivid, realistic characters, the peculiar, eccentric, complex family dynamics of Ffion (I adored her Mam Ellen Morgan and wished we could see more of her in this book), her unresolved feelings with her ex, and her fiery new love relationship with DS Leo Brady, which might be sabotaged by her own insecurities.
After the earth-shattering end of the first book, the story continues a few weeks forward from where we left off, with Ffion adopting Dave, a very needy, couch-eating, people-jumping, fart-bombing, humongous dog from the shelter. DC George Kent, an introverted, closed-book, work-oriented woman, has recently transferred to their team as DS Leo starts dating a very pushy lady and tries to spend more time with his son. He erases Ffion's number after she didn't return his dinner invite, as we remember from the end of the first book (but also remember what Ffion was dealing with when she received the text). It seems like their lives are moving forward in separate ways until they meet in another case related to one of the highest-rated reality shows, "Exposure." Seven contestants have signed up and are trapped in the Welsh mountains, each with ugly, dirty secrets that could ruin their lives if exposed. The producer, Miles Young, the founder of Young Production, chose the contestants without giving them information about the secret revelation part and made them sign a contract that restricts them from leaving the competition. Now they are stuck in a place where their entire futures are at stake. As if this circumstance isn't frightening enough, they also have to face their fears in a pond, including falling snakes and spiders if they refuse to come clean about the truth.
Ffion and George pay a visit to the Exposure camp to examine the bones found around the campsite. But Ffion finds herself involved in the competition because her sister/daughter Seren is dating a young production assistant, Caleb. The contestants also pique her interest, including Ffion's drinking buddy, postal worker Ceri Jones, who is competing against Pam Butler, an authoritative headteacher, Aliyah Brown, a beautiful childcare practitioner, Jason Shenton, a flirting, charming firefighter, Henry Moore, a tall, dark-haired, wise accountant, Lucas Taylor, the reverend with dark secrets, and Ryan Francis, a man with a troubled past. When one of the contestants goes missing before the revelation process, turning it into a murder mystery, the authorities get involved in the investigation. Leo joins the team as the lead investigator, making things extra challenging for both Ffion and him. Their unresolved feelings lead them to act like stubborn, immature children who make false assumptions about each other, while George is caught in the middle of their hot-cold war. The focus on the investigation turns it into an enigmatic murder case with many motives but no suspects. Anyone could go to great lengths to prevent their secrets from coming out or to avenge the person who already ruined their life. But who did it? The clock is ticking, everyone is a suspect, and most of them have iron-clad alibis. How will Ffion, Leo, and George piece together the complex puzzle to find the perpetrator?
I thoroughly enjoyed the well-constructed, twisty murder mystery and the structure that goes back and forth to reveal the secrets and motives each contestant carries and acts upon. The different perspectives shed light on hidden clues within the chapters, keeping us guessing. I appreciated the writing style, and the characters already feel like close friends. Plus, my romantic inclinations swayed my opinion. I can't wait for the next book in the series. By the way, George Kent is an impressive, fresh character, and learning more about her backstory at the end made me love her even more. I'm definitely looking forward to getting to know her better in the next book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for sharing this amazing book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
medium.com
instagram
facebook
twitter -
ARC received!! Thank you, Sourcebooks Landmark!!
I have been anticipating this for so long! I can't wait to get started. I just know I am going to love this even more than the first. Let's goooo!
Earlier:
We now have a title and a cover!!!
Original:
Book #2, DC Morgan, coming in August 2023!!!
-
I liked this book, but it wasn't as good as the first book was for me. Love the idea behind it but it was super slow going and really not as surprising as I would have hoped.
In the first book, DC Ffion Morgan from Wales was partnered with DC Leo Brady from England to solve a case. In this installment, they have been brought together again because a reality show is being filmed in Wales and one of the contestants turns up missing. As they investigate, they discover that while the contestants were told it was a survival type show, it ended up being a show that would reveal their darkest secrets.
I wasn't the biggest fan of the way this book was laid out. We get the points of view of all of the contestants, but not until after a great deal had happened. Some of the timing felt very awkward in the flow of the narration. I also didn't care for the fact that Ffion and Leo had the start of a relationship in the last book, and come to find out they never pursued it and they are back to the weird dynamics again. It felt kind of juvenile and silly.
The mystery itself is worth reading, as are the antics of Ffion's hilarious dog Dave. I will definitely read another book featuring these characters, but I hope the romance is either eliminated or pursued, it is just silly at this point.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own. -
Secrets and lies......
I was so excited to see there was another book in the DC Morgan book series out for review! I enjoyed the first book in the series, The Last Party, and couldn't wait to read A Game of Lies. This book does not disappoint!
The contestants signed up to be on a reality show. They were excited to participate and hopefully, fingers crossed, win the cash prize! But did they read the fine print??????? Nope! When they arrive and start filming, they are all shocked to learn that this show was about secrets - their deepest darkest secrets. The very ones that they don't want anyone to know! If they win, their secret remains a secret!
After a contestant goes missing, Detective Ffion Morgan is called in to investigate. Soon DS Leo Brady is called in to assist in the investigation as well. If you have read the first book in the series,
The Last Party, you will recognize both and know of their connection to each other.
I found this book to be an enjoyable whodunit it with many suspects, a loveable dog named Dave, and tension galore. I enjoyed putting on my super sleuth hat and trying to figure out whodunit. Plus, I loved seeing Ffion and Leo together again. There is so much tension there. Ffion is a great character who is strong, fierce, yet doesn't like letting people get close to her. Leo is likeable, smart, and knows what he wants.
With so many suspects, the investigative team has their work cut out for them. I enjoyed reading about their investigative work, banter, and learning the secrets of the contestants.
I found this book to be well written, well thought out, and gripping. It has a nice number of twists and reveals which kept my pages turning and my interest piqued.
I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at
www.openbookposts.com 📖 -
A Game of Lies is a suspenseful and entertaining second installment of the DC Morgan series. I can't say that I enjoyed it quite as much as the first book,
The Last Party, but it was still a solid read that kept me guessing right up until the very end.
I'm not gonna lie, I have a weakness for bad reality television so the premise of this book was right up my alley. It's actually the whole reason I started the series – I was approved for this one on NetGalley and immediately requested the first installment from the library so that I wouldn't miss out on any of the backstory.
A Game of Lies doesn't exactly pick up where the events of the previous novel left off. In fact, you quickly find out that it's been almost a year and half since Ffion and Leo last spoke. I think the soured relationship between the two is actually the entire reason that I didn't like this one as much as its predecessor. In the previous novel, Ffion and Leo were awkward with each other but in an endearing way. And then in this book, they just seemed to mostly hate each other? There's lots of bickering and hurt feelings and misunderstandings and huffing around in a snit (mostly by Ffion). You know those 80s rom-coms where all of the drama could have been avoided if the two characters had just had an honest conversation with each other? It's like that (and is just as frustrating).
There's also a lot less of Cwm Coed's residents in this one. Several of them make an appearance, and Caleb (Seren's boyfriend) and Ceri (the postwoman) play important roles, but overall the story is much more focused on the reality show contestants and crew and their filming location outside of town. And don't expect the contestants to be particularly likeable, because (much like the residents of The Shore from the last novel) they absolutely are not. At least this is another one where you don't feel too bad for the murder victim.
The mystery itself is suspenseful and twisty, and I think I suspected almost every character of murder at one point or another … well, except for the actual murderer, that is. I also did not see the twist regarding the murderer coming at all.
And, of course, the setting in Wales is fantastic.
Overall, this one's definitely worth a read if you enjoyed the first book in the series. It's not quite as delightful as its predecessor due to Leo and Ffion's fractured relationship, but the suspenseful plot and solid writing make for an entertaining read nonetheless. 3.75 stars, rounded up.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. -
The return of Leo and Ffion, a couple I know that readers who enjoyed Book 1 really loved, both Police Officers, Leo from England, Ffion from Wales, and when crime happens just on the border both are involved, I would say Book 1 needs to be read as there is a fair bit of back story to these two and the area
Now I LOVED Book 1, one of my fav reads last year so was looking forward to this, the story is good….a reality show that goes wrong and the continuing saga between Leo and Ffion is there….so am not sure why I didn’t enjoy it as much as Book 1?,maybe a lot to live up to? It was still a good read but I didn’t warm to either of them as had in Book 1 and at times found them annoying and a bit cliched, however as said the story was good and I went from ‘this is ok’ to ‘this is much better’ as the book went on and then I really enjoyed the ending
Will be interesting to see which direction Book 3 goes in, the author is more than talented so will still look forward to it
7/10
3 Stars -
Thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
Welsh DC Ffion Morgan is back! This time, she and her team of investigators are trying to hunt down a missing reality television contestant while also trying to solve a murder. Not to mention that Ffion has plenty of personal issues to sort through, especially when DCI Leo Brady arrives to help them out.
Just an enjoyable mystery. Loving this series! I like that Ffion speaks Welsh and that is how the villagers know they can trust her. Not to mention the description of the beautiful surroundings. I will certainly be back for book 3!
Expected Publication Date 23/04/24
Goodreads Review 31/03/24
#AGameOfLies #NetGalley. -
Contestants have gathered in Wales for what they thought was to be a Survivor-type reality show, only to find they've been duped; the losers will have their deepest, darkest, most damaging secrets revealed to the viewing public, and their loved ones. That fact makes everyone mad, and even makes someone mad enough to kill . . .
And, we're off and running in the second book of what I hope is a long-running DC Morgan series. Ffion's got a lot on her plate this time around: solving a juicy murder, dealing with an overly-devoted dog, and denying her feelings for another investigator. This was a fine, fun whodunnit that ends with the promise of more good things to come.
Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the read. -
Book 2 in the DC Morgan series. What a fantastic follow-up to The Last Party!!! DC Ffion Morgan - - along with DS Leo Brady - - are on a new case to find missing contestant Ryan Francis from the reality tv show ‘Exposure.’ It’s being filmed over two weeks on Pen y Ddraig Mountain in Whales, with seven contestants. One winner receiving 100K.
Only they have no idea what they’re in for. There’s a last minute surprise revealed on the show that it’s not a survival of the fittest challenge.. but is based on revealing each contestants biggest lie. This puts everyone (in an uproar) knowing that if their lie gets revealed it would be a life-ruiner; -is it the reason Ryan disappeared, is now a danger to himself and possibly others?
Then we have former partners/friends-to-lovers, Ffion and Leo.. to (once again) be working with one another after their romantic relationship had been jilted on Ffion’s end.. now both feeling internal struggles with it. The hate-love bantering between them was pretty hilarious when YOU KNOW they are highly attracted to each another. And that crazy rescue dog.. loved Dave!!
Miles Young. The show’s producer only cares about high ratings no matter the damage it would inflict on other’s lives. I’d say that makes him a pretty big target wouldn’t you!
Miles put fear in every contestant of having their worst lie exposed.
And for that, everyone has a reason to want him dead.
Then IT HAPPENED.. someone got their revenge.
Except. Everyone has an alibi.
Talk about intense and exciting! Now it’s up to Ffion, her new (gutsy and very opinionated!) female partner George, and Leo to solve the crime.
This finished with a bang, and WOW.. I’m just so surprised how it caught me off guard.. love that! Now will have to wait another year for the next installment ❥ 4.5 stars — Pub. 4/23/24 -
A reality show based in the Welsh mountains stranding seven contestants who believe they've signed up for wilderness survival competition will find out they've been deceived and their worst nightmares are only just beginning.
When one of the contestants has gone missing, DC Ffion Morgan is assigned the case where it seems a little strange but when a body is later found brutally murdered the case becomes very complicated since a couple of suspects have personal relationships with Ffion so this assignment is a little too close to home.
Secrets and lies abound where they steer the case off course and Ffion makes some critical errors which may jeopardize her career as well as her life!
This was a fun and entertaining Welsh police procedure mystery that had humor as well as murder. The book was not quite a cozy mystery but it was not a dark, gritty story by any means which I was hoping to read. The storyline was very good and enjoyable after I realized it was a lighter style with some unrequited romance thrown in. Ffion was quite the character and her uncontrollable dog was a wonderful addition that I couldn't get enough of reading about. Around the three quarter mark the book took on more serious tones so I was completely invested by then and had an appreciation and love for all the major characters which I hadn't expected.
I definitely recommend this novel to readers if they're looking for a good locked room style mystery with light hearted overtones!
I want to thank the publisher "Sourcebooks Landmark" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 3 1/2 LYING AND SECRETIVE 🌟🌟🌟🌠 STARS!!
Publication Date: April 23, 2024
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Author: Clare Mackintosh -
4.5 stars rounded down.
DC Morgan #2
Stranded in the Welsh mountains, seven reality show contestants 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 will be exposed live on air. The stakes are higher than they ever imagined, and they're trapped. The disappearance of a contestant wasn't supposed to be part of the drama. Detective Ffion Morgan has to put aside what she watched on screen and find out who these people really are - knowing she can't trust any of them.
There's a new TV show called Exposure. The seven contestants think all they have to do is remain in the camp at the bottom of the Pen y Ddraig mountain for the allotted time without being voted out by the public. But they are really there to prevent their biggest secret from being outed. When one of the contestants goes missing, DC Ffion Morgan is called in to investigate. This is a tricky book to review without giving too much away. Secrets are shared, tensions run high, a contestant goes missing and there's a murder. This is a cleverly written story. There are also parts that are quite funny. Now we have the long wait for the third book in this well written series.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #LittleBrownBookGroupUK and the author #ClareMackintosh for my ARC of #AGameOfLies in exchange for an honest review. -
** Update : EEEE!! I rec'd the arc!! THANK YOU!!
I loved this town and all its characters. I can't wait to read more.
Based on book 1's note with the author
Please let Leo answer that phone!
I loved these 2 together!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book. -
Since i had read an earlier book by Clare Mackintosh which I rated five stars,
I Let You Go, I was excited to read another work by this author. I wasn't disappointed.
Description:
They say the camera never lies.
But on this show, you can't trust anything you see.
Stranded in the Welsh mountains, seven reality show contestants 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 Ffion 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, Ffion knows every one of her suspects has an alibi . . . and a secret worth killing for.
My Thoughts:
This was a reality show nightmare! High dollare stakes, isolated location, and contestants who each have a secret they will do almost anything to protect. This book kept me glued to the page with anticipation as the story unfolds. The murder was mystifying and Detective Ffion Morgan had a difficult challenge to solve it. I liked Ffion's quirkiness which added a lot to the story. I do not like or watch reality shows on television, but have found that I like reading about them in fiction. I've read several books created around an imagined reality show and have enjoyed all of them so far. This one had a good plot and I enjoyed the author's writing style. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark through Netgalley for an advance copy. -
A thriller filled with secrets, lies, and reality show craziness!
Seven contestants living in the remote Welsh mountains for two weeks--subjected to challenges and public votes and the elements. What could go wrong, right? "Exposure" is typical reality TV, but Detective Ffion Morgan wasn't expecting such a show to be filmed practically in her backyard. When the show's producer, Miles, turns the table on his seven players and reveals that he will expose their greatest secret on live TV unless they are the last one standing, ratings soar. But soon a contestant is missing, which was not part of Miles' script. And when a murder hits the "Exposure" cast and crew, things take an even more dramatic turn. Most of the suspects were on camera or have an alibi; can Ffion untangle the group's secrets before the killer strikes again?
I loved the first book in this series. Ffion is one of my favorite characters-a flawed but brilliant detective with an acerbic wit. The story begins with her being called out by her boss for not being a team player. That may sum up our Ffion perfectly, but she's loyal and she won't quit on a case. You don't need to read the first book to enjoy this one, but I do recommend it, especially as you'll enjoy the personal dynamics more. With a person missing, Ffion must call upon DS Leo Brady from the first book, but the two have a... history... together.
The "locked reality show" concept in the Welsh mountains works great here. We have a small cast of characters. You get to know your reality show players, the small crew, and Ffion and her family. There are limited suspects, but we soon learn there are plenty of people the group wouldn't mind dead. Nothing heightens emotions like being on camera, false pretenses, and the public revelation of secrets. Clare Mackintosh has a way of writing books that just keep you guessing--I was genuinely surprised at the whodunnit.
Adding to the well-plotted story is Ffion's well-written character, as we delve into complex dynamics with her family, Leo, and work colleagues. Ffion must work with someone new on her force, Georgina Kent, as well as deal with Leo coming back into her life. I just adore prickly Ffion. She's so smart and hides her insecurities by forging ahead without thinking things through at times. Mackintosh writes her vulnerabilities so well, and I sure hope there will be a book #3. (And I hope it features Ffion's smelly, lovable dog, Dave!)
Overall, this is an excellent mystery--exciting and atmospheric with a complex, thoughtful lead detective. 4.5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. -
It’s simple. Survive and keep your secret. That’s all these seven reality stars have to do in the Welsh Mountains. They weren’t sure what they signed up for, but now they know, and they’re invested. If the other contested guess their secret, they’re out. Simple as that.
When a contestant goes missing, Detective Ffion Morgan has to come and figure out what everyone is hiding, and she can’t trust any of themse.
When a murderer strikes, Ffion knows everyone has not only an alibi…but a secret worth killing for.
This is the second book in the series featuring DC Ffion Morgan. While this is a series, I do think that this one would work fine as a stand-alone. I enjoyed the format of this one, it has a reality television series as the main point of the plot and throughout the book we get different points of view from the contestants. It was interesting to see who all made up the show and the show was focused on a secret they each wanted to protect, some of them were a little silly in my opinion, but they were important to the characters and that was what mattered. There is a character that goes missing, and the secret he was protecting was shocking. Ffion is an amazing character and I loved being back in her world. She did another fantastic job. Her character is witty and entertaining, and I love her dog. I enjoyed that there were other repeat characters as well. The side characters were well developed and brought a lot of added depth to the story. As with the first story in this series, this one is a little slow, so fans won’t be surprised. While I do tend to prefer my books have a faster pace, this one did have nice even pacing that I appreciated and I had time to savor the details so it worked.
Another knock out of the park by author Clare Mackintosh. I can’t wait to see where this series, and Ffion go next.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark, @bookmarked and Netgalley @netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review. -
Are some secrets worth killing for?
A Game Of Lies is the second book in the DC Morgan series by Clare Mackintosh. If you haven’t already read book one, The Last Party, you can read my review on Goodreads. This book can stand alone, but it’s best to follow the development of the investigative team.
Book one left off with Ffion Morgan(detective on the Welsh side of the border) turning down a dinner invitation with Leo Brady (detective on the English side of the border).
Book two is also set in the northern Welsh mountains - on a set of a reality TV show, Exposure, where one of the 7 guests has vanished mid-filming. The two Detective Constables are called to investigate. The premise of Exposure is that the contestant who manages to stay the 14 nights on the Pen y Ddraig Mountain without having his/her secrets exposed, is the winner. The thing is, participants think they’ve signed up for a survival-type show. They’ve been duped into taking part in this farce to uncover their secrets while the world watches. With iron-clad alibis, heap loads of motives, and no suspects, makes this a difficult case for the team.
I’m not a fan of these types of shows but I can see how both aspects of this concept attract viewers; both the pulling together to succeed and the pulling apart to expose and get a dish on secrets. The lens with which Macintosh has chosen to tell this story makes it seem as though readers are watching the action unfold. I felt the stifling closeness and the tension caused by oneupmanship. I enjoyed the thought-provoking issues we are led to question: why do we as a culture ‘enjoy’ peeking into the lives of others and gaining satisfaction at their losses?
I really enjoyed the opportunity to get to know DC Morgan a bit better. Through interactions with her family and her rascally flatulent rescue dog, Dave, we really get a sense of her boundaries and her life behind the badge. It allowed me to connect better with her.
Although I missed the tension and banter between DC Brady and DC Morgan, I liked the addition of DC Georgia Kent. Joining the investigative team changed the dynamics in a positive way. I don’t think it’s over between Ffion and Leo, though!
The sense of place was spectacular and I appreciated the examination of human nature and mental health. My only frustration was with the swearing and an initial disappointment that some of the things that drew me in with book one were missing from this one, namely the residents of Cwm Coed and the banter/tension between Ffion and Leo.
I was gifted this copy by Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review. -
3.5 stars.
~~~~~~~~~~~
What’s great about this author is her locations are by far unique and the amazing descriptions bring so much to the story.
Diving into the reality TV experience, we have a murder mystery that includes plenty of suspects. We are also following family, other officers, and even a crazy dog, who makes a huge impact on the story. You definitely have to be paying attention to all of the different levels of characters Macintosh brings to the story.
For me the plot was good, but this is where my love-hate comes in. In many aspects, I found it a little stagnant and boring due to the fact there wasn’t much excitement happening.
The lead character, Ffion, has a lot of drama, but there was not a lot of work she actually did until mid-way through. I do love her attitude and the fact that she is not predictable.
However, the author managed to completely annoy me with Ffion’s interactions with the love interest, Leo. In the last book, we actually got a little bit of build-up in hopes that it would take off in the story. But I was greatly disappointed in this one. The simmering romance started in the last book is nothing exciting
The plot is different with a twist of reality. The murder mystery is good, but a bit of a cozy mystery vibe to it. Plus, keeping track of some of the characters became a challenge.
Overall, I was not overly engaged and obsessed with the story, especially when what I was looking for in terms of her personal life did not happen. Fingers crossed Ffion mellows out and quits being so rigid towards Leo in the next book. Everyone is waiting for this!
~~~~~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* Full review -
https://amidlifewife.com/a-game-of-li... -
*The Cost of Secrets*
Imagine being on a reality show with no idea of what you signed up for. Well this is just that. Each contestant has their own motives for getting involved with the show, mainly the money, fame or more and at what cost when they find out the potential dread that follows that their biggest secret may be about to be revealed. If you guess someone else’s secret then it will be exposed live on tv and that contestant is eliminated. If you guess incorrectly then your secret is exposed. They are in the middle of nowhere, with nothing but the worry of their secret to be exposed.
To add to the drama one contestant goes missing and in comes DC Ffion Morgan and when a murder happens that they hear shouts play out in real time who is the culprit? Are they hearing what they think?….
Ffion Morgan is a complex character and often breaks rules, will she push her luck too far and what happens when she has to face the now DS Leo Brady who ends up leading the case. They worked well together in book one but is there a spark or more between them…
This was enjoyable even though I initially doubted the premise but I was drawn right into the story -
I had the same issue with A Game of Lies that I had with the first book in the series - the book felt too long. The first half had my interest but I was really beginning to tire as the novel seemed to go on. Tbh, when I was halfway through, I was actually surprised to see that I was only at the fifty mark as I felt that I had been reading for a long time and by now I must have covered at least 70 percent of the story. I also found the storyline if the relationship between Ffion and Leo rather tiring and trying, and I swiped right through pages and passages after the fifty percent mark to reach the ending quickly.
I can see that it will appeal to a lot of readers and the setting, that of the shooting of Exposure, a reality show, definitely adds to the positive points of the book. -
I read the ARC for the first book in the “DC Morgan” series (The Last Party) in 2022, and I remember saying if another book about DC Ffion Morgan came out, I’d be here for it. Now, the second book is coming out, and I was lucky enough to get the ARC for this one, too!
For me, this book had two parts: the first being catching up with Ffion, and seeing her work with her former friend/lover, Leo, on another investigation. The second part is the disappearance of someone on the cast of a reality show - the case that sends both detectives scrambling.
In Northern Wales, seven people have been cast in a new reality show, “Exposed!”. The contestants going in believe that they are about to be on some kind of wilderness survival show, with the prize being $100,000 for anyone who can make it through two weeks. Instead, they soon learn that this show is a brand new, and horrifying, concept…
Instead of building rafts and braiding bamboo (which they probably don’t have in Wales but roll with me here), they find out that each of them has a secret. When someone’s secret is Exposed, they leave the game. Everyone has secrets, but these are relationship-killing, job-losing, possible-jailtime kinds of secrets. Immediately, they go from being excited about being on a reality show, to terrified about what the producer knows and what will happen when their secret is revealed on live television.
One contestant is so scared that they leave the isolated camp, evading cameras and squeezing under a fence into the Welsh countryside with no survival gear. The producer is forced to call the police, and that’s where we get to see DC Morgan again! The more she investigates, the more happens. Soon, a murder in the camp turns the cameras off, and Ffion realizes that this is a very difficult case to solve. Everybody has an alibi…or do they?
I gave the first book in this series 3.5 stars, rounded up, because it was more of a slow burn mystery. I’m giving this one 4.5 stars, rounded up, because this was a page-turning mystery/thriller with an ending I did not see coming. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with Ffion in the future!
(Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, Clare Mackintosh and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on April 23, 2024.) -
Het leugenspel is het tweede deel in de reeks rond rechercheur Ffion Morgan en is de opvolger van Het laatste feest. In dat eerste deel maakten we kennis met Ffion en kwam er één en ander aan het licht over haarzelf. Daarnaast speelden in dit eerste deel een hoop mensen mee die allemaal verdacht werden. MacKintosh doet dit kunstje in Het Leugenspel nogmaals over en biedt ons een hoop verdachten aan op een presenteerblaadje. Het boek draait grotendeels om een spelshow/realityreeks waarin een aantal mensen uitgekozen werden om deel te nemen. Wie op het einde overblijft kan een aanzienlijk geldbedrag winnen. Alleen gaat het niet om een survivalprogramma zoals iedereen dacht, maar wint diegene die zijn geheim het langst kan bewaren voor de anderen. De sfeer in het kamp wordt dus al snel zeer giftig en het duurt niet lang voor iemand vermist raakt. Vanaf dan gaan de poppen aan het dansen…
Het leugenspel draait in eerste instantie een tijdlang om de zoektocht naar een vermiste deelnemer van de realityshow Exposure. Naderhand wordt er meer gefocust op de moord die plaatsgrijpt. Het verhaal leek me wel ietwat raar opgebouwd omdat ik zou denken dat de vermissing en de moord door elkaar vloeien, maar in feite staan ze wat los van elkaar. De vermissing was in mijn ogen eerder een bijzaak en mijn interesse lag dus meer bij het moordmysterie. Dat bevatte interessante onderzoekslijnen en vooral het raden naar ieders geheimen vond ik spannend. Want wat hebben alle deelnemers op hun kerfstok? En wie doodde één van hen? De ontknoping is spannend en ontroerend tegelijk. MacKintosh weet goede verhalen uit te brengen en ook met Het leugenspel heeft ze weer een goed verhaal op de markt gebracht, hoewel ik het 1e deel denk ik toch nog net wat beter vond. Maar alleszins zal een derde deel ook nu weer op dat verlanglijstje belanden! Ik geef Het Leugenspel graag 4 sterren.
https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2024... -
The second book in the Theon and Leo detective series.
A contestant goes missing during a survivor type television show.
Theon is called to the case and Leo is called later. Both have secret feelings for each other.
The television show goes downhill from there with multiple things happening.
Told in a few povs. Mostly Theon and Leo.
Great character building in this book which I liked better than the first one.
I hope this duo gets another book
