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Liars Inc. by Paula Stokes

02/03/2015      9 Comments

Liars Inc. by Paula StokesLiars Inc. by Paula Stokes
Genre: Thriller
Release Date: March 24, 2015
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Publisher
Add it: Goodreads
Rating: four-stars

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.

I read Liars Inc. months ago, but I’m only writing my review in February so you’ll have to excuse me if I seem like I’m being a bit vague. Luckily, my past-self was clever enough to note down some bullet points after finishing the book, so all is not lost.

Liars Inc. is my second read from Ms. Paula Stokes, and I have to say I think Stokes does thrillers a lot better than she does fluffy contemporary. Liars Inc. is a truly thrilling read and I was absolutely captivated from the start.

The main character, Max, was a bit dim, I’m not gonna lie. He frustrated me at times because he did many things that made me roll my eyes. You know how in horror movies you’re screaming at the teenagers “DO NONE OF YOU WATCH HORROR MOVIES”? That’s how I felt towards Max. He really could have done with some CSI or Criminal Minds type research. Other than those moments, though, I did really like him and I felt a bit sorry for him after everything he was put through.

A character that I really did love, however, was Parvarti. Parvarti was a complicated character; I started off feeling meh towards her and then I loved her by the end. She reminds me a little bit of Raven Reyes? When I think of Parvarti now, I also think of Raven. A bit. I don’t know why. Probably because they are both AWESOME.

I really enjoyed the complex plot of Liars Inc., with the whole mystery of where Preston had disappeared to, and if anyone would have killed him. Everything came together really well in the end, which was fantastic because Stokes planted some really good clues throughout. However, there were a few things that didn’t really work for me, which I can’t spoil you about. Just keep in mind that a couple of aspects are unrealistic. But, hey, it’s fiction!

I managed to figure out the twist and who the bad guys were, but that’s only because I was suspicious of absolutely everyone. It’s the best way to be, in my opinion!

You should definitely pick this book up when you’re in the mood for an intense thriller, because you will fly through it from the edge of your seat!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Maddy E says

    02/03/2015 at 1:54 pm

    I’ve been looking forward to this one for ages. I haven’t read a good thriller in awhile, so I will be eagerly awaiting this one’s release.

    Reply
    • Amber says

      05/03/2015 at 2:44 am

      Yay! I love thrillers.

      Reply
  2. Jolien @ The Fictional Reader says

    02/03/2015 at 4:58 pm

    I was really looking forward to this one already, so your review made me even more happy to try it! I’ve bee wanting to read more books in genres I neglect often -like mystery- so I’ll definitely be picking this one up. I will keep in mind that some things may be unrealistic though -which is helpful, otherwise it maybe would’ve annoyed me.

    Great review!

    Reply
    • Amber says

      05/03/2015 at 2:42 am

      Proud of myself 😀 Mystery is one of my favourite genres so I would love to read more of it this year.

      Reply
  3. Cynthia says

    02/03/2015 at 10:15 pm

    That book sounds really good. Can’t wait to read that one!

    Reply
    • Amber says

      05/03/2015 at 2:41 am

      It is pretty great 😀

      Reply
  4. M | BACKLIST BOOKS says

    05/03/2015 at 1:00 am

    I am thrilled to see such a positive review for this book. I’ve been going back and forth on whether I want to read it and couldn’t really decide. I’ve never read any of Paula Stokes’ books, but she’s super friendly on Twitter and I wanted to give her books a go. Now I’m really excited to pick this one up! (Also Criminal Minds FTW.)

    Reply
    • Amber says

      05/03/2015 at 2:24 am

      Yay! Paula Stokes is really lovely, and I would definitely recommend giving this one a go if you want to try her work.

      Reply
      • M | BACKLIST BOOKS says

        05/03/2015 at 2:34 am

        Excellent! It’s officially on the list. (Of course the list is long and ever growing so that doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll get read…. well, anytime in the near future…. but still. It’s on there. 😉 )

        Reply

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My name is Amber, I'm 27 years old, and I've been a book blogger, reviewer, and Tuber for ten years. When I'm not reading, I love gaming, exercising, cinema trips, hiking, and exploring.

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