A Game of Lies

Clare Mackintosh is one of my go-to authors for a tense suspense read. Game of Lies is the second book in her DC Morgan series, that occurs 18 months after The Last Party. Detective Morgan's latest case is set around a reality TV show, a missing contestant and loads of deception.

The gist: Seven contestants are thrilled to chosen from the tens of thousands of applicants to compete on the Survivor-like reality TV program set in rural Wales on Pen y Ddraig mountain. Their eagerness soon wavers when they learn that if they aren't successful, it won't be a torch that's snuffed out. Instead, their deepest, darkest secrets will be revealed to millions of viewers. 

When a contestant disappears, DC Ffion Morgan is brought in, along with other law enforcement we met in the first book which includes DS Leo Brady who creates personal tension with Ffion. Ffion continues to be an interesting but not always likeable character with her own hefty baggage that complicates things. She doesn't always make the smartest (or believable) decisions for a law enforcement officer, but the repercussions make for an interesting read. 

This is a slower paced story that has enough tension to keep readers attention but didn't get to a 'nail-biting' vibe until the very end. I enjoyed how Mackintosh weaves Welsh language, culture and beautiful landscape into her story that features an unpredictable main character, social commentary on reality TV, personal struggles for Ffion and an endearing (albeit flatulent) canine named Dave to add some levity. This book would make a good standalone but would be a more complete reading experience if you've read The Last Party. 

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for the complimentary digital copy of this book which was given in exchange for my honest review

My Rating: 3.75 stars

Author: Clare Macintosh

Genre: Suspense

Type and Source: eBook from publisher via NetGalley

Series: 2nd in DC Morgan

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

First Published: April 23, 2024

Book Description from GoodReads: 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.