The lying game spoiler book

He corners Emma in the storage closet during the Halloween party and begs her to take him back. The Twitter Twins stage a triumphant prank that almost kills Emma. Nope, turns out they were just gunning for two spots in the Lying Game. Emma sneaks up to her bedroom during a sleepover party, only to find the window open and a surprise guest in her room: Thayer. Could it be from a struggle with Sutton the night she died? Turns out they were secretly dating. Laurel came and took him to the hospital, but who could have been trying to hurt Thayer?

And did that person stick around and kill Sutton? But Emma and her friends throw their own party to make it up to everyone—except the freshmen wannabes. Thayer thinks it was Mr. Mercer who ran him down that night in Sabino—Thayer saw him with another woman before Mr. Mercer spotted them and chased after them.

Emma sneaks into Mr. Whoever she is, she appears to be staying at a nearby motel. Emma tries to meet up with Raven, but all she gets is a letter from her and a photo.

And in the letter Becky reveals that Mr. Becky gets picked up for nearly stabbing a stranger—turns out she has some serious mental health issues.

When Emma visits her in the hospital, Becky keeps calling her Emma, not Sutton. She spots a folder for Ethan, too. They played "the lying game" until something happened and they were withdrawn from the school. Seventeen years later the last lie they told has come to haunt them. The novel takes place in London and also in an English coastal town. The story is narrated by Isa W A story of female friendship, lies and deceit.

The story is narrated by Isa Wilde , one of the four friends and alternates between the present and the past. Also, the book is more character than plot-driven and is engaging, riveting, and chilling. Review posted on blog. Don't ask me why, it just did. View all 39 comments. Rule one: Tell a lie Four young girls all sent by their parents to a boarding school for various issues. They quickly form strong bonds, becoming inseparable. Their favorite form of amusement?

The lying game. Rule two: Stick to your story How far can you take a lie? Everyone has to stay on the same page — or it will all unravel! There is so much more on the line now. Rule four: Never lie to each other Can the four women really trust each other? Who has the most to lose? The premise of this book sounded fantastic. Unfortunately this one just fell flat for me. I had difficulty connecting with the characters and actually found a few of them downright annoying!

Just too slow without any real surprises or reward along the way. It might work for you! I hope it does!! The best part for me - my reading experience with my Traveling Sisters Brenda and Susanne! View all 53 comments. Jun 27, Julie rated it really liked it Shelves: crime , gallery-books , e-book , , edelweiss-review. This latest thriller, by Ruth Ware, is an all- consuming, riveting tale, full of mind games and edgy suspense.

Isabel, Kate, Fatima, and Thea became fast friends while attending Salten boarding school, as teenagers. But, ironically, their practice of lying came in handy, when they found themselves involved in a scandal The Lying Game by Ruth Ware is a Gallery Scout publication. But, ironically, their practice of lying came in handy, when they found themselves involved in a scandal that forced them out of the school.

Now, as adults, the women have moved on with their lives the best way they can, but they all live in fear of the day they will be summoned back to Salten to answer for their crimes. That day has finally arrived. Ware had me on edge right from the start and kept me there until I crossed the finish line. The consequences of lying are numerous, and we all know that lies cultivate more lies. The people on the other side of the wall become, not just them, but THEM.

The outsiders. The opposition. The enemy. I am as bad as Kate, haunted by ghosts of the past. But, I remember lying here, one night, long ago, and I have that feeling again, of the record skipping in its groove, tracing and retracing the same voices and tracks.

But, all the characters are complex and flawed, nervous, and jumpy, and under an equal amount of pressure. But, with their reputations preceding them, it is impossible to completely trust any of them. It can also be for trapping people inside. The suspense is mostly derived from the foreshadowing of doom, and is much more psychological than thriller, if that makes sense.

This one is not quite as gritty as her previous novels have been, but I liked the more in -depth characterizations and the clever way she creates long lasting suspense that hangs in the air like a mist that refuses to burn off, becoming murkier and more intense as the story proceeds.

But, never fear, there are still lots of surprises and twists that will catch you off guard. Overall, this is another very solid performance from Ware, and I enjoyed this one, especially appreciating the tone, which is very much the style of suspense I enjoy most. View all 52 comments. Aug 01, Norma rated it really liked it Shelves: traveling-sister-reads. As the novel progresses through these five rules you do get a sense of how the game is played.

RUTH WARE delivers an atmospheric and vivid read here that is written in such a way that completely drew us right into the descriptions of the old, run-down Mill and the dark, creepy, and deserted Reach. With the strong sense of atmosphere we felt like we were experiencing it right along with all the characters in this book. While Lindsay and I were reading and chatting about this one at one point we both picked up on and discussed how we both felt about the strong theme that was emanating within the story here.

The main character, Isa Wilde, who narrates this story has a six-month-old baby daughter named Freya who we both absolutely loved and felt that she definitely stole the show for us! These were very touching aspects of the novel and pulled at our heartstrings! While Lindsay was reading this book, it brought back a lot of memories for her of those sleep-deprived nights and the fond feelings of being a new mother.

She could really relate to Isa in so many ways as far as motherhood goes. We both really enjoyed the setting in this one, the game, all the drama within, and the strong connection that we felt to Isa was one of the main reasons that we both loved this book so much! Would recommend! View all 61 comments. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. If I hear one more thing about that ridiculous baby I really loved Ruth Ware's first two books.

This one had the potential to be right up there with those first two, but I suspect it suffers from rushing to publication. The narrative is terribly disjointed and disruptive to the reader.

There's so much build up to things that aren't "A HA! I predicted every reveal before it happened, so when it was finally laid out it made my brain say "Well, duh" and think the characters If I hear one more thing about that ridiculous baby I predicted every reveal before it happened, so when it was finally laid out it made my brain say "Well, duh" and think the characters very dimwitted.

By the end of this reading, I was rooting for the main character to die or be the killer. I was highly disappointed. Let's talk about Freya and Isa. First, Isa's a nutter. She has a completely unhealthy attachment to her child, while simultaneous putting her baby in the direct line of danger whenever she has the chance. I literally laughed out loud at some of the situations she puts this kid into. Who takes their kid with them when they have a perfectly good parental unit available at home?

Then let's think about her leaving the kid with a sitter. That's not weird. What is weird is leaving her baby she can't live without in a house that is falling into the ocean, while a sheep gutter is wandering around. How was this baby better off with her than at home with her father? Also, Freya's constant squawking, crying, yanking, grasping, wailing, screeching, and feeding makes her seem like a baby you would want a break from.

I bet her bury-the-body set of buddies was thinking "We said we needed you to come, not your stupid boob sucking vampire baby. And what's up with taking the stroller for miles of walks in the marshlands of coastal Great Britain? What kind of all-terrain stroller is this woman using? Why won't she get in a car with Luc but she still let him carry both herself and her baby across a falling down bridge over the freaking sea?

Let's not forget the plot holes so big you could drive a truck through them. Also, why was Luc hooking up with Isa on the couch and Kate was the creeper upstairs but then it never gets brought up again. Why was Luc sending roses to her? Why are none of these things ever resolved? Why is Owen a bad guy for pointing out Isa is super gross about her baby, the breastfeeding, and getting roses from randos?

Why is Isa terrified to be in town, then walks on foot with her baby to town. She's terrified of the guy that works at the bar, so she goes to the bar to breast feed her vampire baby that eats constantly. She's terrified of Luc, so she hangs out with him at the table in the bar until it's last call, and then goes home in the dark with him to hook up after carrying the baby over the drink I have a feeling the Women in Cabin 10 and In a Dark, Dark Wood were so successful the publishers rushed the author to print.

This could have been a really fantastic and tight thriller. Instead, it's a total mess. View all 38 comments. Oh Ruth Ware, I expected more from you. I digress…. Ware had up her sleeve next. I acknowledge that writers must be under immense pressure when penning their first story after a Oh Ruth Ware, I expected more from you. I acknowledge that writers must be under immense pressure when penning their first story after a runaway hit. I get it. And The Lying Game sounded promising.

After human remains are discovered, a group of women are summoned to their former stomping grounds by a mysterious message, hurriedly scribbled by the fourth member of their formerly tight quartet. Juicy, right??!! With all the pieces in place: interesting premise, good writer, you might think: how could this book fail?

But oh how it did. And then follows the pages upon pages of school-day reminiscing, which yes this is partly a reunion story, but these women are allegedly in imminent danger. The characters are similarly frustrating. The remaining three women are one-dimensional tropes of the jock, cheerleader, bad girl variety.

I'm not saying let's transform this novel into a James Patterson-esque thriller please for the love of literature, don't. But a balance between actual mystery and pointless description needs to be struck think: Tana French, Kate Atkinson, Denise Mina. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

View all 23 comments. I'm now caught up on all of Ruth Ware's books! She is one of my favorite writers, yet I'm still waiting to give one of her books a five star rating. That's how talented she is as a writer, I'm willing to overlook her product output in favor of the gorgeous technical skill she possesses. I was frequently bored and zoning out during the book, it really took me awhile to finish it and then, meh Ware is a master at creating atmosphere, mood and an overall foreboding tone to her mysteries.

She may very well be the next Agatha Christie, but I hope she comes up with a compelling plot to go with her first rate writing ability soon! This was my favourite Ruth Ware novel yet!! This suspenseful and secretive story had me hooked from the first page! I loved the characters, storyline and atmosphere. I had the pleasure of reading this one with Norma. It sparked a lot of great conversation along the way.

I highly recommend! Nov 15, Holly B rated it it was ok Shelves: a-bit-bored-with-it , read-in , slow-burner. I really enjoyed this author's previous novel, The Woman in Cabin 10 and was really looking forward to this one. This book did not work for me and I even had a hard time finishing it. I know many have loved this one and I wish I could have liked it more. I couldn't feel any suspense building and the story just dragged on chapter after chapter.

I didn't feel the connections between the four women characters and I found the plot to be predictable and without any thrills. I do think many people will I really enjoyed this author's previous novel, The Woman in Cabin 10 and was really looking forward to this one. I do think many people will enjoy this book with the girlfriends and their secret past that comes back to haunt them, but I figured the mystery out early. Give it a try and see what you think.

I do like this author and of course I am looking forward to her next novel. View all 45 comments. If you've read Ware's In a Dark, Dark Wood , then you'll recognise that the essence of the plot here is exactly the same: a group of girls were once close friends, something horrible happened, they went their separate ways and are brought back together again 17 years later; the horrible thing resurfaces, the truth is uncovered.

Once again, too, we're in an unusual location, here a dilapidated mill which is sinking under the encroachment of water. What this book lacks, though, that the first one d If you've read Ware's In a Dark, Dark Wood , then you'll recognise that the essence of the plot here is exactly the same: a group of girls were once close friends, something horrible happened, they went their separate ways and are brought back together again 17 years later; the horrible thing resurfaces, the truth is uncovered.

What this book lacks, though, that the first one did so well, is characters with individual voices and a sense of humour. With those qualities lacking, this turns into a generic melodrama that lacks credibility. This supposedly tight-knit group turn out to have known each other for less than a year they're 15 when they meet, haven't turned 16 when the horrible thing happens and they're separated, and despite not having seen each other for 17 years, when one of them texts the others they instantly drop London jobs, family, life to meet up - heck, my friends can't even co-ordinate drinks in the pub without military-style planning!

Add to that a boring narrator obsessed with how many times a day she has to breast-feed her screaming baby surely important in real life, duller than dull to read about , characters who are thin stereotypes the artistic one, the Muslim one, the anorexic one , a plot involving sinister locals and a desperate last-minute 'twist'.

It's a shame as Ware writes more fluently than many commercial authors in this genre but it seems that here she's just re-writing her first success without the elements which made it work: 2. View all 19 comments. Oh, and ten points. Isa, Kate, Fatima and Thea were inseparable as teenagers. All enrolled in the Salten boarding school for girls. The more ridiculous the better. One of the main rules though, they never lie to each other.

But when Kate sends them all a text from Salten - she is the only one who stayed. A body has been found, the police have started asking questions and they all need to get their story straight.

The story was gripping, the girls were all pretty messed up tbh. Pretty mental but there we are. View 2 comments. Dec 03, Susanne rated it liked it Shelves: traveling-sister-read. She must lie to him. And so it begins. Thea and Fatima, old friends from school, also received the same text from Kate and all three go to her. Kate, Thea, Fatima and Isa become fa 3.

They excluded everyone else from their clique. Kate, Thea, Fatima and Isa had a game that they liked to play. They were despised, thought to be liars. The rules of the game? Rule 2: Stick to your story Rule 3. Don't get caught. Rule 4. Never lie to each other.

Rule 5. Know when to stop lying. After a while, somehow, things end up going awry. And then the girls get separated, life goes on. Yet they never forgot each other and always knew that their past, their secrets and their lies bound them together. This was a Traveling Sister Read with Brenda and Kaceey and all three of us had lots to say about this one. I loved reading this novel with my Traveling Sisters: Brenda and Kaceey.

Thanks for making this read so much fun sisters! Published on Goodreads, Amazon, Twitter and Instagram on Jul 16, Justin Tate rated it liked it. Unfortunately the characters are so disagreeable that the stakes never feel high.

That horrible person is actually more horrible? Will the stalker kill them all? I hope so! In the end it wasn't all bad, but I'm sure this is Ruth Ware's least impressive effort. Maybe try one of her other books instead? The Lying Game was a mixed bag for me, but on balance I quite liked it. It's told from Isa's perspective. Read more from the Study Guide. Browse all BookRags Study Guides. All rights reserved.

Toggle navigation. Sign Up. Sign In. View the Study Pack. Plot Summary. Prologue; Chapters 1 - 7. Chapters 8 - Chapters 14 - Chapters 22 - Chapters 30 - Chapters 41 - Chapters 52 - Chapters 64 - Free Quiz.

Symbols and Symbolism. Themes and Motifs. This Study Guide consists of approximately 58 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of The Lying Game. Print Word PDF.