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All the Little Liars
What REALLY happened at Turtle Lake?
You think you know.
Think again.
California, 2003
A thirteen-year-old girl disappears from a party at Carlsbad's Turtle Lake. Discovered on the trunk of a nearby cottonwood tree is the word, 'LIAR' graffitied in blood.
What you know . . .
Three teenagers went to the lake that night but only two came back. Later, they confess to murdering their friend.
. . . is only part of the story
But did they really kill her? And if not, why say they did?
Told across two timelines and tapping into a horrific crime, All the Little Liars is a novel about toxic friendship, the ripple effects of murder and how we love.
You think you know.
Think again.
California, 2003
A thirteen-year-old girl disappears from a party at Carlsbad's Turtle Lake. Discovered on the trunk of a nearby cottonwood tree is the word, 'LIAR' graffitied in blood.
What you know . . .
Three teenagers went to the lake that night but only two came back. Later, they confess to murdering their friend.
. . . is only part of the story
But did they really kill her? And if not, why say they did?
Told across two timelines and tapping into a horrific crime, All the Little Liars is a novel about toxic friendship, the ripple effects of murder and how we love.
331 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2023
About the author
Victoria Selman
12 books342 followersAfter graduating from Oxford University, Victoria Selman studied Creative Writing at the City Lit and wrote for the Ham & High and Daily Express newspapers.
In 2013 she won the Full Stop Short Story Prize and her first novel, Blood for Blood, was shortlisted for the 2017 Debut Dagger Award.
Victoria lives in London with her husband and two sons.
In 2013 she won the Full Stop Short Story Prize and her first novel, Blood for Blood, was shortlisted for the 2017 Debut Dagger Award.
Victoria lives in London with her husband and two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
August 15, 2023
2.5 stars rounded down.
All the Little Liars is a YA-ish (not sure intended on the YA front) crime thriller about a 13 year old girl who goes missing.
The missing 13 year old girl has 2 close friends, and the 3 of them are troubled, lonely and very vulnerable.
This is told from the POV of one of the 13 yr old girls younger sister - we see before the girl goes missing, straight after she goes missing and "now" (in the future).
This was intriguing to begin with, seeming to be leading down the cult crime path, which is always a hit. However, after one of the big "twists" and with an abrupt ending, it fell apart for me.
Regarding the twist, the idea was there and it was a good one but it was executed poorly and upon getting to it, you see it was poor throughout the whole book. The dialogue didn't work for it and the character development wasn't there for it to work. Unfortunately, it also wasn't an original idea so I've seen it done well and work before, and haven't needed to go back hundreds of pages, as I did here.
At the start, what I did like in addition to thinking we were headed for cult crimes, was the friendship and loneliness aspect and really feeling for the characters, to the point it was hard to fathom young kids dealing with loneliness and grief. This part was written well. There is also mixed media used throughout. Not good on a Kindle ARC but I expect it'll appear different in a physical book and be awesome.
My main and big issues, besides some writing qualms and words used incorrectly, are spoilers so don't read below if you plan to read this book.
In summary and without spoilers: the first is potentially an Aussie issue but more likely an author needing to research more issue. The second is a pretty unacceptable policing miss IMO.
***
***
Spoilers below
***
***
1. One of the accuseds says they're pleading guilty and does so. However, the jury is called upon to make a decision on guilt or innocence???
I don't know about other countries, but if someone pleads guilty in Australia, there is no need for a jury to hear the case and return a verdict. One of the reasons early guilty pleas are used (and then a reduced sentence) is the amount of money it saves avoiding a trial!
2. Huge spoiler here - in this book, 2x 13 year old girls stab their best friend 21x and are believed to have killed her.
They know there's a creeper, much older man around and connected. They know that neither girl has traits of psychopathy or anything to explain the crime. They know that the girls personalities, interests, food habits and behaviours changed (among other things).
It is suspected the girls were controlled by someone. They were - groomed, drugged, raped, everything.
Yet, despite the grooming from the creeper (essentially a cult leader), the girls guilty pleas are accepted, no further investigation and then they're sentenced.
The cult leader isn't investigated further in relation to the murder... Yet they know he's involved!!!! They just go "yep, the behaviour is entirely unexplainable, unless groomed or a psychopath, but let's just call it because of the admission of guilt... knowing this isn't unusual if groomed or in a cult... and forget about the sexual predator paedophile in relation to the crime"?
One of the 13 yr olds was PREGNANT to this cult leader - also a teacher at their school - who was drugging them, raping them - but nah, don't worry about investigating any of that. Just let the 13 yr olds get locked up for murder when it isn't actually 'murder' when groomed and controlled.
***
End of spoilers
***
This was enjoyable enough to begin with but ended up falling apart.
Anticipated publication date: 31 August 2023.
⚠️ Check TWs online ⚠️
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.
All the Little Liars is a YA-ish (not sure intended on the YA front) crime thriller about a 13 year old girl who goes missing.
The missing 13 year old girl has 2 close friends, and the 3 of them are troubled, lonely and very vulnerable.
This is told from the POV of one of the 13 yr old girls younger sister - we see before the girl goes missing, straight after she goes missing and "now" (in the future).
This was intriguing to begin with, seeming to be leading down the cult crime path, which is always a hit. However, after one of the big "twists" and with an abrupt ending, it fell apart for me.
Regarding the twist, the idea was there and it was a good one but it was executed poorly and upon getting to it, you see it was poor throughout the whole book. The dialogue didn't work for it and the character development wasn't there for it to work. Unfortunately, it also wasn't an original idea so I've seen it done well and work before, and haven't needed to go back hundreds of pages, as I did here.
At the start, what I did like in addition to thinking we were headed for cult crimes, was the friendship and loneliness aspect and really feeling for the characters, to the point it was hard to fathom young kids dealing with loneliness and grief. This part was written well. There is also mixed media used throughout. Not good on a Kindle ARC but I expect it'll appear different in a physical book and be awesome.
My main and big issues, besides some writing qualms and words used incorrectly, are spoilers so don't read below if you plan to read this book.
In summary and without spoilers: the first is potentially an Aussie issue but more likely an author needing to research more issue. The second is a pretty unacceptable policing miss IMO.
***
***
Spoilers below
***
***
1. One of the accuseds says they're pleading guilty and does so. However, the jury is called upon to make a decision on guilt or innocence???
I don't know about other countries, but if someone pleads guilty in Australia, there is no need for a jury to hear the case and return a verdict. One of the reasons early guilty pleas are used (and then a reduced sentence) is the amount of money it saves avoiding a trial!
2. Huge spoiler here - in this book, 2x 13 year old girls stab their best friend 21x and are believed to have killed her.
They know there's a creeper, much older man around and connected. They know that neither girl has traits of psychopathy or anything to explain the crime. They know that the girls personalities, interests, food habits and behaviours changed (among other things).
It is suspected the girls were controlled by someone. They were - groomed, drugged, raped, everything.
Yet, despite the grooming from the creeper (essentially a cult leader), the girls guilty pleas are accepted, no further investigation and then they're sentenced.
The cult leader isn't investigated further in relation to the murder... Yet they know he's involved!!!! They just go "yep, the behaviour is entirely unexplainable, unless groomed or a psychopath, but let's just call it because of the admission of guilt... knowing this isn't unusual if groomed or in a cult... and forget about the sexual predator paedophile in relation to the crime"?
One of the 13 yr olds was PREGNANT to this cult leader - also a teacher at their school - who was drugging them, raping them - but nah, don't worry about investigating any of that. Just let the 13 yr olds get locked up for murder when it isn't actually 'murder' when groomed and controlled.
***
End of spoilers
***
This was enjoyable enough to begin with but ended up falling apart.
Anticipated publication date: 31 August 2023.
⚠️ Check TWs online ⚠️
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 1, 2023
Truly Darkly Deeply by Victoria Selman was in of my favourite books last year. I was keen to see what she would have in store for us next and I was not at all disappointed. A page turning thriller that reads like True crime, it kept me reading late into the night. As with her previous book, the twist will have your head spinning and make your question everything that you thought you knew about this story. 2003, Turtle Lake. 3 young girls go to a party but only 2 come home. What happened and why? We hear the story from the youngest sister of one of the girls, a now and then tale. To say anything more would be to say too much. Go into this as blindly as you can you will not be sorry. My only concern about this story was that the girls were meant to be 13 and 10. They seemed to be doing and stating things well about that age. Maybe it was just me, but my girls weren’t like that at that age. Thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. Published on August 31st.
October 3, 2023
3 tweens sneek out to go to a party at Turtle Lake, only 2 girls return home. When the body turns up the other two friends admit to murdering her. The story is told through 3 time lines (before the murder, after the murder and now 20 years on......
Its best to go in blind on this one, it took me a little while to get into it. Whilst it didnt captivate me as Truly Darkly deeply did it was still an enjoyable read
Its best to go in blind on this one, it took me a little while to get into it. Whilst it didnt captivate me as Truly Darkly deeply did it was still an enjoyable read
August 28, 2023
★★★★ 4.5 stars
Inspired by a shocking true crime...
I have only read one Victoria Selman book - "Snakes and Ladders" - which was part of a series and I totally loved it. It was dark and it was twisted but it was so up my alley. So I was excited to dive into this one. It was a little different to what I expected. Three teenagers go to a party but only two return. What happened to the third?
The story unfolds through the eyes of the sister of one of the girls in a dual timeline format of then and now. I particularly love this style as a little bit more is revealed at just the right time, yet leaving you wanting more.
Honestly...I usually give a little more depth to my reviews but in my opinion I think it's best to go into this one with fresh eyes. Without knowing what's to come. You won't be sorry.
A totally twisty read that had me enthralled from start to finish I read it in one sitting with my eyes popping out of my head...
Overall, compelling...addictive...fast paced...nail biting...superb.
I would like to thank #VictoriaSelman, #Netgalley and #QuercusBooks for an ARC of #AllTheLittleLiars in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Inspired by a shocking true crime...
I have only read one Victoria Selman book - "Snakes and Ladders" - which was part of a series and I totally loved it. It was dark and it was twisted but it was so up my alley. So I was excited to dive into this one. It was a little different to what I expected. Three teenagers go to a party but only two return. What happened to the third?
The story unfolds through the eyes of the sister of one of the girls in a dual timeline format of then and now. I particularly love this style as a little bit more is revealed at just the right time, yet leaving you wanting more.
Honestly...I usually give a little more depth to my reviews but in my opinion I think it's best to go into this one with fresh eyes. Without knowing what's to come. You won't be sorry.
A totally twisty read that had me enthralled from start to finish I read it in one sitting with my eyes popping out of my head...
Overall, compelling...addictive...fast paced...nail biting...superb.
I would like to thank #VictoriaSelman, #Netgalley and #QuercusBooks for an ARC of #AllTheLittleLiars in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
July 17, 2023
In 2003 3 teenagers go to a party but only 2 return. The narrator is the sister of one of the girls, a dual timeline of then and now.
To enjoy this amazing read I would definitely say less is more and to go into this book blind.
OMG I so had this book wrapped up in my mind m, but I couldn't have been more wrong, as a huge twist had me rereading to make sure I hadn't missed anything.
A must read that will have you enthralled from the beginning to the end.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
To enjoy this amazing read I would definitely say less is more and to go into this book blind.
OMG I so had this book wrapped up in my mind m, but I couldn't have been more wrong, as a huge twist had me rereading to make sure I hadn't missed anything.
A must read that will have you enthralled from the beginning to the end.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 13, 2024
ARC for review. To be published August 6, 2024.
First, a PSA to all British writers who want to set a book in America, with American characters, to ultimately be read by an American audience….have someone who is from the U.S. read your novel before publication to weed out British English. We don’t study “maths” here. There were plenty more examples, but that’s the one that springs to mind at the moment. I see this nearly every time I read a book where this is the case, and you likely see it in the other direction and the advice would be the same. It takes the reader right out of the story.
It’s hard to know what to say about this book, a thriller where in 2003 in Carlsbad, California, Finn “Kat” Jackman lives with her teenage sister, her father and their housekeeper. One night there’s a party, a mysterious disappearance and the word “liar” written in blood on a nearby tree.
Later two teenagers admit to murdering their friend. Why did they do it, and who is Ryder Grady, and what did he have to do with the crime?
There’s a big twist here and when it occurred, instead of “wow,” I was honestly just confused. Now, we must always allow for the fact that perhaps so am just slow (definitely likely) but I don’t know how much I loved the twist. I wanted to like it, but I kind of felt like I had been had.
Oh, and some minor quibbles. Owen King was an odd name choice for the police detective since he’s an accomplished writer (and Stephen King’s son.) That’s all I could think of every time I read the name.
Oh, and I’m not a cop, but I am a lawyer, and I’m not sure these girls would have been arrested. Based on the information given in the book they offer no story as to what happened to the body. SPOILER…..It was thirty miles away. There was no clear way the girls could have moved it, even with that throw away remark from a witness who may have seen two girls. There had to at least have been a third person involved, if it was them at all. And they are THIRTEEN and from good homes. One is the CHILD OF A JUDGE. Believe me, the police are down on their knees praying that it isn’t them. Anyway, just some thoughts.
So, it was an interesting book, not a cookie-cutter thriller like so many are.
First, a PSA to all British writers who want to set a book in America, with American characters, to ultimately be read by an American audience….have someone who is from the U.S. read your novel before publication to weed out British English. We don’t study “maths” here. There were plenty more examples, but that’s the one that springs to mind at the moment. I see this nearly every time I read a book where this is the case, and you likely see it in the other direction and the advice would be the same. It takes the reader right out of the story.
It’s hard to know what to say about this book, a thriller where in 2003 in Carlsbad, California, Finn “Kat” Jackman lives with her teenage sister, her father and their housekeeper. One night there’s a party, a mysterious disappearance and the word “liar” written in blood on a nearby tree.
Later two teenagers admit to murdering their friend. Why did they do it, and who is Ryder Grady, and what did he have to do with the crime?
There’s a big twist here and when it occurred, instead of “wow,” I was honestly just confused. Now, we must always allow for the fact that perhaps so am just slow (definitely likely) but I don’t know how much I loved the twist. I wanted to like it, but I kind of felt like I had been had.
Oh, and some minor quibbles. Owen King was an odd name choice for the police detective since he’s an accomplished writer (and Stephen King’s son.) That’s all I could think of every time I read the name.
Oh, and I’m not a cop, but I am a lawyer, and I’m not sure these girls would have been arrested. Based on the information given in the book they offer no story as to what happened to the body. SPOILER…..It was thirty miles away. There was no clear way the girls could have moved it, even with that throw away remark from a witness who may have seen two girls. There had to at least have been a third person involved, if it was them at all. And they are THIRTEEN and from good homes. One is the CHILD OF A JUDGE. Believe me, the police are down on their knees praying that it isn’t them. Anyway, just some thoughts.
So, it was an interesting book, not a cookie-cutter thriller like so many are.
June 5, 2023
**no spoilers**
All The Little Liars is one of those books that’s hard to review without giving away major spoilers. And believe me when I say ‘to enjoy this book to the full, the less you know the more thrilling and shocking you will find it’. If you love a book that makes you question everything you read, then I might have just the book for you. Told across two timelines and tapping into a horrific crime. All the Little Liars is a novel about sisterly love and toxic friendship that asks: how much would you sacrifice to belong? Victoria Selman serves up a delicious concoction of dark secrets and stunning plot twists that will keep you captivated until the very last page.
The dual time line works perfectly as it deftly builds on the suspense and the tension as secrets are slowly but surely revealed. Kat narrates the story, with snippets from her sisters Izzy’s diary filling in the blanks. As the reader learns more, a feeling of dread begins to bubble away. The strength of this book is the attention to detail. I love how Victoria Selman explores the Psychology of Toxic Relationships and the devastating fallout that such friendships can bring. The author has created a mystery that’s fascinating and discomforting in equal measures.
There’s nothing more satisfying when you're reading a book and the author floors you with one of those ‘OMFG moments’. So much so I had to flip back through the pages and read them again to see how I missed those all important lies and half truths! Victoria Selman manipulates the reader at every turn of the page, so you are never sure what’s true, but it guarantees an exciting and nail biting read. All The Little Liars is a dark tale of toxic relationships, manipulation and deadly secrets. It’s a cracking read that’s superbly constructed, ingeniously paced and absolutely nail biting. Highly recommended.
You can follow me on
http://www.twitter.com/@reviewcafe
Or read more of my reviews on my Instagram page at
https://www.instagram.com/thebookrevi...
All The Little Liars is one of those books that’s hard to review without giving away major spoilers. And believe me when I say ‘to enjoy this book to the full, the less you know the more thrilling and shocking you will find it’. If you love a book that makes you question everything you read, then I might have just the book for you. Told across two timelines and tapping into a horrific crime. All the Little Liars is a novel about sisterly love and toxic friendship that asks: how much would you sacrifice to belong? Victoria Selman serves up a delicious concoction of dark secrets and stunning plot twists that will keep you captivated until the very last page.
The dual time line works perfectly as it deftly builds on the suspense and the tension as secrets are slowly but surely revealed. Kat narrates the story, with snippets from her sisters Izzy’s diary filling in the blanks. As the reader learns more, a feeling of dread begins to bubble away. The strength of this book is the attention to detail. I love how Victoria Selman explores the Psychology of Toxic Relationships and the devastating fallout that such friendships can bring. The author has created a mystery that’s fascinating and discomforting in equal measures.
There’s nothing more satisfying when you're reading a book and the author floors you with one of those ‘OMFG moments’. So much so I had to flip back through the pages and read them again to see how I missed those all important lies and half truths! Victoria Selman manipulates the reader at every turn of the page, so you are never sure what’s true, but it guarantees an exciting and nail biting read. All The Little Liars is a dark tale of toxic relationships, manipulation and deadly secrets. It’s a cracking read that’s superbly constructed, ingeniously paced and absolutely nail biting. Highly recommended.
You can follow me on
http://www.twitter.com/@reviewcafe
Or read more of my reviews on my Instagram page at
https://www.instagram.com/thebookrevi...
November 25, 2023
Interesting story with some nice characters. I couldn’t see the twist. I will keep this writer in mind.
August 9, 2023
Go in blind. This is one of those books where the less you know going in the better. You can't really review without spoiling anything either. Reads like a true crime novel but you won't predict most of the twists. Absolutely loved it! Three teenage girls go to a party but only 2 return. They confess to killing her but did they?
October 31, 2023
Rounded up from 2.5
I won a copy of All The Little Liars via The Bookload book group over on Facebook and I was in the mood for a psychological thriller, so I thought I'd give it a read.
To say I have mixed feelings on this book is an understatement.
I loved the short sharp chapters and the author's writing style, descriptive but to the point. I also enjoyed the dual timelines, which were weaved together well with no confusion.
The main character Finn is really brought to life through the novel, flawed yet likeable. It was also interesting to see part of the story being told through her younger self, who was unreliable, to say the least.
I can't go into much detail here, but I found the actual storyline super frustrating. I thought a lot of things were overlooked or written off to make the ending make sense.
I feel like this could have been a good true crime-esque thriller but didn't quite hit the mark.
I will still read other books by this author in the future, I just feel like this one might not have been her best.
I won a copy of All The Little Liars via The Bookload book group over on Facebook and I was in the mood for a psychological thriller, so I thought I'd give it a read.
To say I have mixed feelings on this book is an understatement.
I loved the short sharp chapters and the author's writing style, descriptive but to the point. I also enjoyed the dual timelines, which were weaved together well with no confusion.
The main character Finn is really brought to life through the novel, flawed yet likeable. It was also interesting to see part of the story being told through her younger self, who was unreliable, to say the least.
I can't go into much detail here, but I found the actual storyline super frustrating. I thought a lot of things were overlooked or written off to make the ending make sense.
I feel like this could have been a good true crime-esque thriller but didn't quite hit the mark.
I will still read other books by this author in the future, I just feel like this one might not have been her best.
June 5, 2023
California, 2003
A thirteen-year-old girl disappears from a party at Carlsbad's Turtle Lake. Discovered on the trunk of a nearby cottonwood tree is the word, 'LIAR' graffitied in blood.
What you know . . .
Three teenagers went to the lake that night but only two came back. Later, they confess to murdering their friend. But did they really kill her? And if not, why say they did?
All the Little Liars by Victoria Selman is another absolutely brilliant book by this author, not that I was surprised as I have always loved her work. This particular story is told from two different timelines, where you think you know what is actually happening and then bang, the rules have changed and you are sitting there trying to get your head around what has just happened. I am not going to say anymore but those who have read the book will know exactly what I am speaking about. This then totally changes the narrative and we now have a whole new ball game, so darn good!
A great range of characters who ensure that you remain glued to the pages, lies, secrets, unhealthy relationships this one has it all. If you are wanting to do housework do not pick up this book first or those dirty floors etc will remain in the same condition, one you start reading that will be the end of your day. If I can still be surprised it means I really cannot recommend this one highly enough, five stars does not seem to do it justice.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions are my own.
A thirteen-year-old girl disappears from a party at Carlsbad's Turtle Lake. Discovered on the trunk of a nearby cottonwood tree is the word, 'LIAR' graffitied in blood.
What you know . . .
Three teenagers went to the lake that night but only two came back. Later, they confess to murdering their friend. But did they really kill her? And if not, why say they did?
All the Little Liars by Victoria Selman is another absolutely brilliant book by this author, not that I was surprised as I have always loved her work. This particular story is told from two different timelines, where you think you know what is actually happening and then bang, the rules have changed and you are sitting there trying to get your head around what has just happened. I am not going to say anymore but those who have read the book will know exactly what I am speaking about. This then totally changes the narrative and we now have a whole new ball game, so darn good!
A great range of characters who ensure that you remain glued to the pages, lies, secrets, unhealthy relationships this one has it all. If you are wanting to do housework do not pick up this book first or those dirty floors etc will remain in the same condition, one you start reading that will be the end of your day. If I can still be surprised it means I really cannot recommend this one highly enough, five stars does not seem to do it justice.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions are my own.
August 31, 2023
Turtle Lake. July 17, 2003: Three friends went to a party. Only two came back…
A gripping, yet sad, tale of the Jackman family and how murder and lies has affected them all. This reads like a true crime story and the author has a clever and unique writing style. I feel like I learned things in parts of this book, which I enjoyed. The research that has gone in to the psychology was obvious, and paid off, making it a believable story.
I’d have liked Ryder’s part to have been explored a bit more though. I felt he had a key part to play and that his character disappeared a little too early in the book.
4/5 - would read from this author again.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy.
A gripping, yet sad, tale of the Jackman family and how murder and lies has affected them all. This reads like a true crime story and the author has a clever and unique writing style. I feel like I learned things in parts of this book, which I enjoyed. The research that has gone in to the psychology was obvious, and paid off, making it a believable story.
I’d have liked Ryder’s part to have been explored a bit more though. I felt he had a key part to play and that his character disappeared a little too early in the book.
4/5 - would read from this author again.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy.
October 26, 2023
An eerie, sharp, dark and interesting book that will send chills all over the body.
Lies, secrets, deception, revenge, murder, dysfunction is only the beginning of this tangled and chaotic story.
A party on Turtle Lake.
Three best friends.
A devastating tragedy.
The word ‘Liar’ written in blood.
Three went but two return.
They confess to murder.
But what really happened that night……
Who is telling the truth?
The writing style is very engaging and the plot is fascinating.
Told through three timelines that builds up the melodrama, suspense and the curiosity.
As the storyline progressed, more drama happened and everything began to go wrong, I had my suspects and my suspicions, I was wrong and it soon became clear there was more to the truth.
Toxic friendships, sisterly jealousy, lethal relationships and manipulative behaviour makes for a disturbing but intriguing read.
There was some decent twists and an unexpected ending.
All the Little Liars is a great addictive psychological thriller.
Lies, secrets, deception, revenge, murder, dysfunction is only the beginning of this tangled and chaotic story.
A party on Turtle Lake.
Three best friends.
A devastating tragedy.
The word ‘Liar’ written in blood.
Three went but two return.
They confess to murder.
But what really happened that night……
Who is telling the truth?
The writing style is very engaging and the plot is fascinating.
Told through three timelines that builds up the melodrama, suspense and the curiosity.
As the storyline progressed, more drama happened and everything began to go wrong, I had my suspects and my suspicions, I was wrong and it soon became clear there was more to the truth.
Toxic friendships, sisterly jealousy, lethal relationships and manipulative behaviour makes for a disturbing but intriguing read.
There was some decent twists and an unexpected ending.
All the Little Liars is a great addictive psychological thriller.
January 29, 2024
Oh, what fun this was! This author is very quickly becoming one of my favourites.
This story, with it's two different timelines, was just so gripping. It was an easy read, with lots of dialogue, and a great twist that completely caught me off guard. I loved the fact that the story was primarily told through the eyes of a child, and even though it was, I didn't find that the story had a YA vibe or feel to it. I actually hate YA and I don't read that genre, but I still loved this book. I was thoroughly entertained and for that simple fact, it deserves 5 stars. A book that makes me want to climb into bed and read, can only be a good thing.
This story, with it's two different timelines, was just so gripping. It was an easy read, with lots of dialogue, and a great twist that completely caught me off guard. I loved the fact that the story was primarily told through the eyes of a child, and even though it was, I didn't find that the story had a YA vibe or feel to it. I actually hate YA and I don't read that genre, but I still loved this book. I was thoroughly entertained and for that simple fact, it deserves 5 stars. A book that makes me want to climb into bed and read, can only be a good thing.
June 28, 2023
All The Little Liars by Victoria Selman
What an incredible murder mystery book! I cannot recommend this enough for lovers of really psychological mystery books.
Firstly, the plot is unique to other books I've read recently from this genre. I started this book thinking that the plot was obvious and just waiting for the finer details to be revealed. However, the further you read the more you begin to think that everything is not quite as it seems. Then, all the ideas and explanations you've been building in your head begin to slowly unravel as the action takes a drastic turn. It's very hard to say much about the plot without giving too much away, so I will simply say that it had me so totally invested that I couldn't bare to look away.
The fact that this book flits back and forth from the present day to the past really helps to keep the reader gripped. It also allows us to get a deeper understanding of the events that led up to the murder, learn more about each of the characters and provides a really great way for the reader to begin imagining what could possibly have led to someone committing such an horrific crime. The inclusion of the newspaper/radio articles, police reports and online messages from group forums (such as reddit) was a great addition that I really liked.
You can tell that the author spent a lot of time really diving into the minds of her characters and analysing the psychological reasons why people may kill. She also provides a very insightful look at how vulnerable young girls can be, especially after facing childhood trauma. I must commend the author for the way she has written and portrayed mental health in a very realistic way within this book. I felt very attached to the Jackman family throughout, and became emotional when they went through such hardships, as I was rooting for them to have a happy ending, no matter how unlikely that seemed.
Overall I thought this was an outstanding novel and, once again, I would highly reccomend. Some parts are very tough to read due to the horrific events taking place, but this really just made me more invested in the storyline and characters. This book contains a lot of hard topics that may be triggering for some people, so bare this in mind.
I rated this 5 out of 5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and Victoria Selman for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What an incredible murder mystery book! I cannot recommend this enough for lovers of really psychological mystery books.
Firstly, the plot is unique to other books I've read recently from this genre. I started this book thinking that the plot was obvious and just waiting for the finer details to be revealed. However, the further you read the more you begin to think that everything is not quite as it seems. Then, all the ideas and explanations you've been building in your head begin to slowly unravel as the action takes a drastic turn. It's very hard to say much about the plot without giving too much away, so I will simply say that it had me so totally invested that I couldn't bare to look away.
The fact that this book flits back and forth from the present day to the past really helps to keep the reader gripped. It also allows us to get a deeper understanding of the events that led up to the murder, learn more about each of the characters and provides a really great way for the reader to begin imagining what could possibly have led to someone committing such an horrific crime. The inclusion of the newspaper/radio articles, police reports and online messages from group forums (such as reddit) was a great addition that I really liked.
You can tell that the author spent a lot of time really diving into the minds of her characters and analysing the psychological reasons why people may kill. She also provides a very insightful look at how vulnerable young girls can be, especially after facing childhood trauma. I must commend the author for the way she has written and portrayed mental health in a very realistic way within this book. I felt very attached to the Jackman family throughout, and became emotional when they went through such hardships, as I was rooting for them to have a happy ending, no matter how unlikely that seemed.
Overall I thought this was an outstanding novel and, once again, I would highly reccomend. Some parts are very tough to read due to the horrific events taking place, but this really just made me more invested in the storyline and characters. This book contains a lot of hard topics that may be triggering for some people, so bare this in mind.
I rated this 5 out of 5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and Victoria Selman for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 30, 2023
2.5 stars.
This book had all the ingredients to make an amazing mystery, but there are some details lacking and washed over to make the plot work rather than for the story to make sense. I wish I could go into more detail, but I don't want to include spoilers in this review. Let's just say that a little more realism in police or legal procedure can go a long way.
While I thought the author was able to make the multi-narrative story make sense, I do think the flipping between narratives and timelines was far too quick. It's designed to give the story a fast feel. I've no issues with a fast-paced story. Do fast-paced stories make for the best cold case mysteries? I'm not convinced of that. Maybe it's my personal bias, but part of me thinks cold case mysteries should be a bit more character introspective and slow-burn, as the protagonists seeks to unravel long-held attitudes, beliefs, and assumptions. This book didn't do that to any great degree. Most of the story focuses on the past, where two narratives tell the before and after the crime is committed. The smallest portion of the book is about the "now", but that is not displaying an investigative narrative. It simply follows a character living her life and the revelations fall at her feet rather than being earned.
Maybe stripping out the "now" would make this a more gripping read. I think it would.
The positives of this book are the characters in the past narratives. The author writes the teenage characters well. But there's a heavy-handedness to much of this story, where every parent is written as being neglectful and unable to understand or cope with their children. Also, the idea that not even one girl would speak up, deliberately or accidentally, about a particular situation in this book did not make sense. Especially when their behaviour changes so drastically in a short time.
The author obviously based this story loosely on Charles Manson, but I'm not really sold on the results.
This book had all the ingredients to make an amazing mystery, but there are some details lacking and washed over to make the plot work rather than for the story to make sense. I wish I could go into more detail, but I don't want to include spoilers in this review. Let's just say that a little more realism in police or legal procedure can go a long way.
While I thought the author was able to make the multi-narrative story make sense, I do think the flipping between narratives and timelines was far too quick. It's designed to give the story a fast feel. I've no issues with a fast-paced story. Do fast-paced stories make for the best cold case mysteries? I'm not convinced of that. Maybe it's my personal bias, but part of me thinks cold case mysteries should be a bit more character introspective and slow-burn, as the protagonists seeks to unravel long-held attitudes, beliefs, and assumptions. This book didn't do that to any great degree. Most of the story focuses on the past, where two narratives tell the before and after the crime is committed. The smallest portion of the book is about the "now", but that is not displaying an investigative narrative. It simply follows a character living her life and the revelations fall at her feet rather than being earned.
Maybe stripping out the "now" would make this a more gripping read. I think it would.
The positives of this book are the characters in the past narratives. The author writes the teenage characters well. But there's a heavy-handedness to much of this story, where every parent is written as being neglectful and unable to understand or cope with their children. Also, the idea that not even one girl would speak up, deliberately or accidentally, about a particular situation in this book did not make sense. Especially when their behaviour changes so drastically in a short time.
The author obviously based this story loosely on Charles Manson, but I'm not really sold on the results.
July 4, 2023
A shocking pyschological mystery thriller, told over dual timelines, with lots of twists and turns - also shout out to the Criminal Minds references!
'It didn't occur to either of them that having friends can sometimes kill a person too'.
Synopsis
I won't go massively into the synopsis as I don't want to give too much away, but I had to re-read a couple of pages to make sure what I had read was correct from the twist of it!
The story is set over dual timelines - 2003 and 20 years later - exploring the mystery of who murdered a 13 year old girl at Turtle Lake. Three friends went, only two returned, what secrets are they hiding?
Thoughts
The revelations, toxic relationships and the question of 'how far would you go to fit in?' I thought it was very well done over the dual timelines, slowly revealing secrets and revelations throughout and keeping you hooked.
A great pyschological read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for this copy. This review is voluntary.
'It didn't occur to either of them that having friends can sometimes kill a person too'.
Synopsis
I won't go massively into the synopsis as I don't want to give too much away, but I had to re-read a couple of pages to make sure what I had read was correct from the twist of it!
The story is set over dual timelines - 2003 and 20 years later - exploring the mystery of who murdered a 13 year old girl at Turtle Lake. Three friends went, only two returned, what secrets are they hiding?
Thoughts
The revelations, toxic relationships and the question of 'how far would you go to fit in?' I thought it was very well done over the dual timelines, slowly revealing secrets and revelations throughout and keeping you hooked.
A great pyschological read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for this copy. This review is voluntary.
September 28, 2023
I really enjoyed Truly, Darkly Deeply by Victoria Selman that had to read her new book without a doubt. This for me is another case where a book is really good then I feel disappointed by the next even though I did enjoy it.
This story follows two sisters Finn and Izzy. Three girls go to a party at Turtle Lake and only two come back. The author says the story is based on true events but is a work of fiction but when Izzy makes new friends I couldn't help getting Charles Manson and his family vibes. This alone was enough to hold my interest.
I did enjoy the book but at times I found it a little repetitive. The story had its few twists with one that made me go back into the earlier part of the story to see if I was on the right track. The final twist I didn't guess but it didn't give me a WT... moment either. There are themes of child grooming and of course murder but the book isn't too graphic so just putting that out there.
I did enjoy this book overall but did find it pretty average. I will read more by the author in the future.
This story follows two sisters Finn and Izzy. Three girls go to a party at Turtle Lake and only two come back. The author says the story is based on true events but is a work of fiction but when Izzy makes new friends I couldn't help getting Charles Manson and his family vibes. This alone was enough to hold my interest.
I did enjoy the book but at times I found it a little repetitive. The story had its few twists with one that made me go back into the earlier part of the story to see if I was on the right track. The final twist I didn't guess but it didn't give me a WT... moment either. There are themes of child grooming and of course murder but the book isn't too graphic so just putting that out there.
I did enjoy this book overall but did find it pretty average. I will read more by the author in the future.
August 1, 2023
I jumped at the opportunity to read Victoria's new book. I enjoyed her debut novel Truly Darkly Deeply and I knew I would enjoy this one too.
We follow the story of Finn and Izzy. They are sisters and couldn't be any different. Izzy went through mutism when her Mum passed away and finally came back out of her shell. She started at a new school and met two friends (she has never had a friend before) Plum and Lu. Finn didn’t trust her new friends and no-one would listen to her. The girls went to a party at Turtle Lake and only two of them came home. Told in two time frames of before and after told in Finn's voice, we also get snippets from Izzy's diary that helps us fill in the blanks. What happened that night? And why have two of the friends confessed to murder? Trust me when I say you should go in to this book blind.
All the Little Liars is an absolute page turner. It is a disturbing read full of toxic friendships, loss of a parent, sisterly love and manipulation/grooming. It is well written and feels like a true crime story when reading. It keeps you wanting all the answers until the last sentence.
Thank you Netgalley and Quercus books for a gifted copy of this book for my honest review.
We follow the story of Finn and Izzy. They are sisters and couldn't be any different. Izzy went through mutism when her Mum passed away and finally came back out of her shell. She started at a new school and met two friends (she has never had a friend before) Plum and Lu. Finn didn’t trust her new friends and no-one would listen to her. The girls went to a party at Turtle Lake and only two of them came home. Told in two time frames of before and after told in Finn's voice, we also get snippets from Izzy's diary that helps us fill in the blanks. What happened that night? And why have two of the friends confessed to murder? Trust me when I say you should go in to this book blind.
All the Little Liars is an absolute page turner. It is a disturbing read full of toxic friendships, loss of a parent, sisterly love and manipulation/grooming. It is well written and feels like a true crime story when reading. It keeps you wanting all the answers until the last sentence.
Thank you Netgalley and Quercus books for a gifted copy of this book for my honest review.
November 20, 2023
So twisted!
So well written!
So amazing!
Just read it :)
So well written!
So amazing!
Just read it :)
September 15, 2023
Incredible crime thriller that packs an emotional punch!
Victoria Selman is the first to admit that she loves true crime, so it’s only natural that her latest novel ALL THE LITTLE LIARS blends true crime vibes with an intense and gripping fictional plot. This book is probably MORE addictive than those Netflix true crime documentaries that are eternally popular with audiences and is certainly far more thought-provoking. So right off the bat, if true crime is your thing, this book should be right at the top of your TBR! More than that though, if you just love a really incredibly plotted crime drama, an impactful family drama or an unputdownable mystery, this book is equally for you. I was immediately sucked in and was desperate to know the events that had impacted Finn and her family. The narrative is told from before and after timeframes, which is both engaging and a brilliant way to build tension and suspense. Without giving away anything, I was eagerly awaiting reaching the ‘before’ chapter that relayed the catastrophic event that upended Finn’s life, but when I reached it it became a jaw-dropping, gasp-inducing, completely unexpected mid-point twist! Selman has executed it to perfection and absolutely every assumption I’d made up to that point was flipped on its head and the remainder of the book followed a completely different course to what I was expecting. It was an incredible feat and not one that every writer could pull off. I was blindsided in the very best way and was in complete awe of Selman’s skills as a writer! This mammoth twist shifted the tone of the narrative and the pace gained momentum as the plot hurtled through all of the revelations that painted the remainder of the picture.
This book is full of so many themes and thought-provoking elements as well. The homage to true crime is clear throughout, but I loved how this book didn’t glorify the crime at the centre or give a voice to the manipulative mastermind behind the scenes. Instead, this book tackles the legacy of a criminal act and the very human impact it has on those involved, plus the ripple affect that touches much more widely. The book also explores the public interest in prolific cases and I liked how newspaper articles, television transcripts and other media was interspersed between the prose. It grounded the narrative and got me thinking about how as a society we latch on to high profile cases and voraciously consume all of the associated media. What we don’t always appreciate is the impact that has on those directly affected. Selman paints Finn as somebody who has shrugged away from her former life and can’t quite move forward fully. She’s racked with guilt over something she thinks may have triggered the events at Turtle Lake and remains caught in the memories of her past life. This book is also about very much about lying and I thought it was brilliant how every character lies in some way. Some are big, some are small, some are malicious and some are for the greater good, but all of these lies lead to the exhilarating revelations as we head to the truth of the matter. Ultimately, this book was about love in my mind. Love is what pushes these characters to take the actions they take. That love can be pure, toxic, misguided or benevolent, but whatever type it is, it’s at the very heart of this story. This book therefore packs a huge emotional punch and I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.
Victoria Selman is the first to admit that she loves true crime, so it’s only natural that her latest novel ALL THE LITTLE LIARS blends true crime vibes with an intense and gripping fictional plot. This book is probably MORE addictive than those Netflix true crime documentaries that are eternally popular with audiences and is certainly far more thought-provoking. So right off the bat, if true crime is your thing, this book should be right at the top of your TBR! More than that though, if you just love a really incredibly plotted crime drama, an impactful family drama or an unputdownable mystery, this book is equally for you. I was immediately sucked in and was desperate to know the events that had impacted Finn and her family. The narrative is told from before and after timeframes, which is both engaging and a brilliant way to build tension and suspense. Without giving away anything, I was eagerly awaiting reaching the ‘before’ chapter that relayed the catastrophic event that upended Finn’s life, but when I reached it it became a jaw-dropping, gasp-inducing, completely unexpected mid-point twist! Selman has executed it to perfection and absolutely every assumption I’d made up to that point was flipped on its head and the remainder of the book followed a completely different course to what I was expecting. It was an incredible feat and not one that every writer could pull off. I was blindsided in the very best way and was in complete awe of Selman’s skills as a writer! This mammoth twist shifted the tone of the narrative and the pace gained momentum as the plot hurtled through all of the revelations that painted the remainder of the picture.
This book is full of so many themes and thought-provoking elements as well. The homage to true crime is clear throughout, but I loved how this book didn’t glorify the crime at the centre or give a voice to the manipulative mastermind behind the scenes. Instead, this book tackles the legacy of a criminal act and the very human impact it has on those involved, plus the ripple affect that touches much more widely. The book also explores the public interest in prolific cases and I liked how newspaper articles, television transcripts and other media was interspersed between the prose. It grounded the narrative and got me thinking about how as a society we latch on to high profile cases and voraciously consume all of the associated media. What we don’t always appreciate is the impact that has on those directly affected. Selman paints Finn as somebody who has shrugged away from her former life and can’t quite move forward fully. She’s racked with guilt over something she thinks may have triggered the events at Turtle Lake and remains caught in the memories of her past life. This book is also about very much about lying and I thought it was brilliant how every character lies in some way. Some are big, some are small, some are malicious and some are for the greater good, but all of these lies lead to the exhilarating revelations as we head to the truth of the matter. Ultimately, this book was about love in my mind. Love is what pushes these characters to take the actions they take. That love can be pure, toxic, misguided or benevolent, but whatever type it is, it’s at the very heart of this story. This book therefore packs a huge emotional punch and I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.
July 24, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
Truly Darkly Deeply is one of my absolute favourite thrillers, and so I was super excited to see Victoria had written a new one. And anyone who shares my name instantly earns at least one gold star in my reviews before I've even opened the book.
This is just what I was expecting. It's thrilling and twisty turny, and emotional, and frightening, and so well written and accomplished. It reads like a proper true crime story and it has you caught in its net right from the very first chapter.
I'm not going to spoil it, obviously, but it has so many twists and turns it'll have you audibly gaping at what direction it's taking, and you have to reread bits, so shocked at new developments. In fact, now I've finished it, I might reread it, knowing what I do now, I wonder if it would read differently.
Victoria is great at manipulating her storyline in order to manipulate the reader. You're never 100% sire that what you're reading is right, you don't know who or what to trust or believe. It takes someone special to be able to write like that and it still be an entertaining and enjoyable read.
This isn't a linear story. It has the main present timeline, which I suppose is linear, but it flashes back to before the incident, and straight after the incident. It's a brilliant way of dropping clues and offering suspects. It builds up the tension which is exactly what you want for this genre of book.
It's not always the easiest thing to read. There are some shocking scenes and topics that leave an unsavoury taste in your mouth, but they really help to increase the discomfort you feel at reading this story. And it makes you think about good vs evil: are people 100% one or the other, are there shades of both, can we truly know who another person is?
This is more than a missing-person as such. It has such depth. It's a lost child mystery, a murder mystery, a psychological thriller. It really makes you question everyone and everything.
It is brilliantly created with the perfect pacing, fabulous characters, a thrilling plot, and a shocking conclusion. Considering how thrilling and topsy turvy it is, it is a really easy read. I read it in just two sittings. It flows off the page and you're just constantly eager for more, more. more.
This may only be the second book of hers I have read, but she's definitely up there with the best thriller writers around, and she'll be one that I keep an eye out for, when it comes to new books to read.
Truly Darkly Deeply is one of my absolute favourite thrillers, and so I was super excited to see Victoria had written a new one. And anyone who shares my name instantly earns at least one gold star in my reviews before I've even opened the book.
This is just what I was expecting. It's thrilling and twisty turny, and emotional, and frightening, and so well written and accomplished. It reads like a proper true crime story and it has you caught in its net right from the very first chapter.
I'm not going to spoil it, obviously, but it has so many twists and turns it'll have you audibly gaping at what direction it's taking, and you have to reread bits, so shocked at new developments. In fact, now I've finished it, I might reread it, knowing what I do now, I wonder if it would read differently.
Victoria is great at manipulating her storyline in order to manipulate the reader. You're never 100% sire that what you're reading is right, you don't know who or what to trust or believe. It takes someone special to be able to write like that and it still be an entertaining and enjoyable read.
This isn't a linear story. It has the main present timeline, which I suppose is linear, but it flashes back to before the incident, and straight after the incident. It's a brilliant way of dropping clues and offering suspects. It builds up the tension which is exactly what you want for this genre of book.
It's not always the easiest thing to read. There are some shocking scenes and topics that leave an unsavoury taste in your mouth, but they really help to increase the discomfort you feel at reading this story. And it makes you think about good vs evil: are people 100% one or the other, are there shades of both, can we truly know who another person is?
This is more than a missing-person as such. It has such depth. It's a lost child mystery, a murder mystery, a psychological thriller. It really makes you question everyone and everything.
It is brilliantly created with the perfect pacing, fabulous characters, a thrilling plot, and a shocking conclusion. Considering how thrilling and topsy turvy it is, it is a really easy read. I read it in just two sittings. It flows off the page and you're just constantly eager for more, more. more.
This may only be the second book of hers I have read, but she's definitely up there with the best thriller writers around, and she'll be one that I keep an eye out for, when it comes to new books to read.
August 31, 2023
3 girls go to a party – only 2 come home. Straight away, I loved this book. I was a bit dubious since the tagline is one that has been seen before, but this story isn’t like any other. Without giving too much away, the story is told through a sole perspective, but we have some diary extracts, documentary transcripts and new reports. You get to know enough about the characters to care just the right amount and share their frustrations and hurt with the changes of one of the characters. My initial thoughts were that the age group this author has chosen to tell this tale is a little too young, speaking as the mum of a 16 year old, but actually, this was quite ignorant of me and as soon as I realised this in myself, it changed the way I perceived the remainder of the book. I found the ending satisfying - once the first twist was uncovered, this was the ending I was ‘rooting’ for. I really like this author’s writing style – it’s so easy and comfortable to follow, with a great true crime vibe. My first read from this author, absolutely not my last!
Thanks to NetGalley & publishers Quercus Books for the ARC
Thanks to NetGalley & publishers Quercus Books for the ARC
August 30, 2023
Two teenagers confessed to murdering their friend, but twenty years later someone starts to question whether they were telling the truth.
This brilliant thriller is the very definition of a page-turner.
When I had finished reading I wanted to go straight back to the beginning and start all over again, partly to see if I could spot any clues I might have missed but mainly because it was such an enjoyable read. As soon as you read the first few pages you are hit with this incredible sense of dread and can feel that something terrible is going on.
I loved how the story jumped back and forth between past and present, dropping in little bits of information to build the full picture of what really happened. Victoria Selman has made the entire story feel so believable, it was almost as if I was reading true crime.
I guarantee you will devour this fast-paced gripping book.
Thank you NetGalley and Quercus for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
This brilliant thriller is the very definition of a page-turner.
When I had finished reading I wanted to go straight back to the beginning and start all over again, partly to see if I could spot any clues I might have missed but mainly because it was such an enjoyable read. As soon as you read the first few pages you are hit with this incredible sense of dread and can feel that something terrible is going on.
I loved how the story jumped back and forth between past and present, dropping in little bits of information to build the full picture of what really happened. Victoria Selman has made the entire story feel so believable, it was almost as if I was reading true crime.
I guarantee you will devour this fast-paced gripping book.
Thank you NetGalley and Quercus for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
July 9, 2023
Not a bad read, kind of guessed the ending but not until nearly the end
July 7, 2024
Thank you Netgalley and Union Square & Co for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
"All the Little Liars" by Victoria Selman is a gripping psychological thriller that focuses on the complexities of sisterly love and toxic friendships. With its unique dual timeline structure and a plot that keeps you guessing until the very end, this book is definitely one I recommend for fans of psychological thrillers. Before getting into the review, I do want to note a content warning where there are extensive moments of child grooming, specifically a much older man with practically pre-teen girls.
The story is set in California, 2003, where a thirteen-year-old girl disappears from a party at Turtle Lake, leaving behind a cryptic message—'LIAR' graffitied in blood. Three teenagers went to the lake that night, but only two returned. They confess to murdering their friend, but did they really do it? And if not, why would they admit to such a heinous crime?
Selman skillfully brings together two (technically 3 timelines with a Before, an After, and a Now), with the present-day narrative led by Kat and flashbacks from both Kat as well as being filled in through her sister Izzy’s diary. This dual approach builds suspense and tension as secrets gradually come to light. There are several twists and turns throughout the book with what really happened that night as well as the consequences of the murder. Many of these twists were ones I was not expecting, though some of them were a bit implausible, specifically with the police and legal procedures. Based on all the information presented in the book (and shown through chapters that take place in the courtroom itself), the results of the trial just don’t seem realistic at all, though they do work with the plot itself.
The book's strength lies in its detailed exploration of the psychology of toxic relationships. Selman examines the intricate dynamics of friendship and the lengths to which people will go to belong, especially pre-teen girls. The characters are well-crafted, and their voices and behaviors (especially when shown through the sister’s diary entries) feel authentic and relatable. I felt so bad for Kat as a child when all she wanted was to be close to her older sister who was pulling away due to the toxic relationships. It seemed like Kat was the only one who could see the truth of what was going on. Kat's journey through the story is compelling, as she navigates her complex emotions and the fallout from the crime, especially when she was reflecting on her past with the knowledge she has now. I had to suspend some disbelief when it came to the grooming that occurred and how nothing really happened to the older man.
I also found that the present-day timeline, while essential, sometimes feels less impactful compared to the intense flashbacks. I wanted more of the Now timeline in the first half of the book to situate myself more with Kat herself as an adult.
Despite these minor shortcomings, "All the Little Liars" is a riveting read. I had to keep flipping back through the pages to catch the subtle hints and lies I missed. There were lots of clues and subtle twists and turns that I really enjoyed. The inclusion of newspaper articles, police reports, and online forum messages kept me engaged throughout as well.
Overall, "All the Little Liars" is an outstanding thriller that will keep you captivated from start to finish. Its combination of dark secrets, psychological depth, and stunning plot twists makes it a must-read for fans of the genre.
"All the Little Liars" by Victoria Selman is a gripping psychological thriller that focuses on the complexities of sisterly love and toxic friendships. With its unique dual timeline structure and a plot that keeps you guessing until the very end, this book is definitely one I recommend for fans of psychological thrillers. Before getting into the review, I do want to note a content warning where there are extensive moments of child grooming, specifically a much older man with practically pre-teen girls.
The story is set in California, 2003, where a thirteen-year-old girl disappears from a party at Turtle Lake, leaving behind a cryptic message—'LIAR' graffitied in blood. Three teenagers went to the lake that night, but only two returned. They confess to murdering their friend, but did they really do it? And if not, why would they admit to such a heinous crime?
Selman skillfully brings together two (technically 3 timelines with a Before, an After, and a Now), with the present-day narrative led by Kat and flashbacks from both Kat as well as being filled in through her sister Izzy’s diary. This dual approach builds suspense and tension as secrets gradually come to light. There are several twists and turns throughout the book with what really happened that night as well as the consequences of the murder. Many of these twists were ones I was not expecting, though some of them were a bit implausible, specifically with the police and legal procedures. Based on all the information presented in the book (and shown through chapters that take place in the courtroom itself), the results of the trial just don’t seem realistic at all, though they do work with the plot itself.
The book's strength lies in its detailed exploration of the psychology of toxic relationships. Selman examines the intricate dynamics of friendship and the lengths to which people will go to belong, especially pre-teen girls. The characters are well-crafted, and their voices and behaviors (especially when shown through the sister’s diary entries) feel authentic and relatable. I felt so bad for Kat as a child when all she wanted was to be close to her older sister who was pulling away due to the toxic relationships. It seemed like Kat was the only one who could see the truth of what was going on. Kat's journey through the story is compelling, as she navigates her complex emotions and the fallout from the crime, especially when she was reflecting on her past with the knowledge she has now. I had to suspend some disbelief when it came to the grooming that occurred and how nothing really happened to the older man.
I also found that the present-day timeline, while essential, sometimes feels less impactful compared to the intense flashbacks. I wanted more of the Now timeline in the first half of the book to situate myself more with Kat herself as an adult.
Despite these minor shortcomings, "All the Little Liars" is a riveting read. I had to keep flipping back through the pages to catch the subtle hints and lies I missed. There were lots of clues and subtle twists and turns that I really enjoyed. The inclusion of newspaper articles, police reports, and online forum messages kept me engaged throughout as well.
Overall, "All the Little Liars" is an outstanding thriller that will keep you captivated from start to finish. Its combination of dark secrets, psychological depth, and stunning plot twists makes it a must-read for fans of the genre.
July 29, 2024
I'm torn about this book, really. I want to give it five stars for the first half that was soooo good, and that magnificent twist almost halfway through, but wow, the second half was just so incredibly disappointing.
With the story unfolding in three timelines, the "before" storyline - the one before the murder - was the most interesting for me. I loved Finn's character as a ten-year-old, but not so much so as a grown up in the "now" timeline, which - thankfully - is the shorter timeline of the three.
To be honest, though, I found all the characters rather lifelike, and their unique personalities fascinating, yet very real. The author did a magnificent job with character development, and although some of these characters are quite horrible, they're ultimately what kept me reading during the parts that I felt bored. Dita, the housekeeper, was by far my favorite character.
When it came to the plot...well, that felt a little lopsided to me. While I can sing the author's praises for creating solid characters and one mega plot twist, I can't say the same for the plot or the last twist - specifically the final chapters that unfolds in the "now" timeline. Whereas I was speedily turning the pages during the first 50% of the book and getting slapped in the face by a major plot twist that had me re-evaluating my point of view at how I was trying to solve this murder mystery in my mind...let's just say after that behemoth of a twist, everything else in the rest of the story paled in comparison, most notably the ending.
I've seen one or two reviewers mention they found several loose ends that weren't tied neatly in the final chapter, but I, on the other hand, wasn't left with any questions; only a profound disappointment at such a mediocre ending.
Mind you, there is one question I would like answered, but can't share it here as it would most certainly be a spoiler for those who haven't read this novel yet.
I think fans of Frieda McFadden, Jeneva Rose, and Shari Lapena will go easier on this book than I have.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for the privilege of reading this book in exchange for an honest review.
With the story unfolding in three timelines, the "before" storyline - the one before the murder - was the most interesting for me. I loved Finn's character as a ten-year-old, but not so much so as a grown up in the "now" timeline, which - thankfully - is the shorter timeline of the three.
To be honest, though, I found all the characters rather lifelike, and their unique personalities fascinating, yet very real. The author did a magnificent job with character development, and although some of these characters are quite horrible, they're ultimately what kept me reading during the parts that I felt bored. Dita, the housekeeper, was by far my favorite character.
When it came to the plot...well, that felt a little lopsided to me. While I can sing the author's praises for creating solid characters and one mega plot twist, I can't say the same for the plot or the last twist - specifically the final chapters that unfolds in the "now" timeline. Whereas I was speedily turning the pages during the first 50% of the book and getting slapped in the face by a major plot twist that had me re-evaluating my point of view at how I was trying to solve this murder mystery in my mind...let's just say after that behemoth of a twist, everything else in the rest of the story paled in comparison, most notably the ending.
I've seen one or two reviewers mention they found several loose ends that weren't tied neatly in the final chapter, but I, on the other hand, wasn't left with any questions; only a profound disappointment at such a mediocre ending.
Mind you, there is one question I would like answered, but can't share it here as it would most certainly be a spoiler for those who haven't read this novel yet.
I think fans of Frieda McFadden, Jeneva Rose, and Shari Lapena will go easier on this book than I have.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for the privilege of reading this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 29, 2023
This didn’t quite turn out the way I expected it to, nor as dark.
Part of that is on me, obviously. I had anticipated more of a true crime feel to ‘All The Little Liars‘, but I don’t really feel it delivered in that regard. I like it when I can see the story play out in front of my eyes like a documentary. Here, it’s a before-and-after story told by someone who is still looking for answers, twenty years after a thirteen year old girl disappeared from a party at Turtle Lake. Sure, there are snippets of newspaper articles, for instance, but I didn’t feel like they added anything.
This is a difficult book to review without giving anything away. If you’re able to go in with as little information as possible, you’ll probably get a lot more out of it. Things aren’t what they seem and, as the title suggests, there are a heck of a lot of lies to be discovered and revealed.
Once again, Victoria Selman delivers at story with remarkable psychological insight. What could possibly make two teenage girls turn on their best friend and kill her? Clearly I can’t divulge that here, but the circumstances, the thought processes, the “reasons” if you will, sound frighteningly plausible. And somehow, as an adult, you can see the danger coming from miles away. This is where I wished this side of the story had been delved into a lot more. It felt to me like a whole thread of potential just went to waste.
‘All The Little Liars‘ is a story about toxic relationships and manipulation, about lies and secrets, about protecting those you love. It wasn’t quite dark or tense enough for me, probably more mystery than thriller, and with its emphasis very much on the psychological. While I did enjoy Victoria Selman’s writing and characterisation, it just didn’t work for me as well as this author’s previous book did. It wasn’t bad. In fact, it’s rather entertaining, addictive, and a quickie kind of read. I just needed something more. But who’s to say if my unpopular views weren’t swayed by a reading slump and the wrong expectations.
Part of that is on me, obviously. I had anticipated more of a true crime feel to ‘All The Little Liars‘, but I don’t really feel it delivered in that regard. I like it when I can see the story play out in front of my eyes like a documentary. Here, it’s a before-and-after story told by someone who is still looking for answers, twenty years after a thirteen year old girl disappeared from a party at Turtle Lake. Sure, there are snippets of newspaper articles, for instance, but I didn’t feel like they added anything.
This is a difficult book to review without giving anything away. If you’re able to go in with as little information as possible, you’ll probably get a lot more out of it. Things aren’t what they seem and, as the title suggests, there are a heck of a lot of lies to be discovered and revealed.
Once again, Victoria Selman delivers at story with remarkable psychological insight. What could possibly make two teenage girls turn on their best friend and kill her? Clearly I can’t divulge that here, but the circumstances, the thought processes, the “reasons” if you will, sound frighteningly plausible. And somehow, as an adult, you can see the danger coming from miles away. This is where I wished this side of the story had been delved into a lot more. It felt to me like a whole thread of potential just went to waste.
‘All The Little Liars‘ is a story about toxic relationships and manipulation, about lies and secrets, about protecting those you love. It wasn’t quite dark or tense enough for me, probably more mystery than thriller, and with its emphasis very much on the psychological. While I did enjoy Victoria Selman’s writing and characterisation, it just didn’t work for me as well as this author’s previous book did. It wasn’t bad. In fact, it’s rather entertaining, addictive, and a quickie kind of read. I just needed something more. But who’s to say if my unpopular views weren’t swayed by a reading slump and the wrong expectations.
September 2, 2023
“It was a case that shocked the nation, rocked our town to its roots. Put it on the map for all the wrong reasons. As the details emerged, strangers hashed over the particulars … Shook their heads at the horror of it all. At the terrible tragedy.”
My thanks to Quercus Books for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘All the Little Liars’ by Victoria Selman.
The question posed by this taunt thriller is ‘what really happened at Turtle Lake?’
California, 2003. Three teenagers went to a party at Carlsbad's Turtle Lake but only two came back. At first the police believe that the thirteen-year-old girl had run away. Then on the trunk of a nearby cottonwood tree the word 'LIAR' is found graffitied in blood.
The story is told across two timelines. In the present twenty years have passed since the events at Turtle Lake though it is still fodder for True Crime enthusiasts. Kat (formerly Finn) Jackman had moved to London with her father at the end of 2003. Yet she is still haunted by the past. I won’t say more about the plot as this is definitely a novel best read ‘cold’ for maximum impact.
Interspersed between some chapters there are snippets of other media, including newspaper articles, news bulletins, and transcripts of chat rooms. Of course, in the 2003 sections technology such as SMS and the internet is still gaining in popularity. I can imagine that took some research in order to avoid anachronisms even though it was only 20 years ago.
‘All the Little Liars’ was one of those novels that once started I couldn’t bear to put down. I was impressed with how well Victoria Selman handled aspects of the plot. It certainly kept me guessing and overall proved a satisfying read.
Previous to this I had read two of Victoria Selman’s novels and found both intelligent, well crafted thrillers. ‘All the Little Liars’ now joins these others and I plan to read more of her back catalogue while waiting for her next novel.
My thanks to Quercus Books for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘All the Little Liars’ by Victoria Selman.
The question posed by this taunt thriller is ‘what really happened at Turtle Lake?’
California, 2003. Three teenagers went to a party at Carlsbad's Turtle Lake but only two came back. At first the police believe that the thirteen-year-old girl had run away. Then on the trunk of a nearby cottonwood tree the word 'LIAR' is found graffitied in blood.
The story is told across two timelines. In the present twenty years have passed since the events at Turtle Lake though it is still fodder for True Crime enthusiasts. Kat (formerly Finn) Jackman had moved to London with her father at the end of 2003. Yet she is still haunted by the past. I won’t say more about the plot as this is definitely a novel best read ‘cold’ for maximum impact.
Interspersed between some chapters there are snippets of other media, including newspaper articles, news bulletins, and transcripts of chat rooms. Of course, in the 2003 sections technology such as SMS and the internet is still gaining in popularity. I can imagine that took some research in order to avoid anachronisms even though it was only 20 years ago.
‘All the Little Liars’ was one of those novels that once started I couldn’t bear to put down. I was impressed with how well Victoria Selman handled aspects of the plot. It certainly kept me guessing and overall proved a satisfying read.
Previous to this I had read two of Victoria Selman’s novels and found both intelligent, well crafted thrillers. ‘All the Little Liars’ now joins these others and I plan to read more of her back catalogue while waiting for her next novel.
July 7, 2023
A Great Psychological Mystery with Plenty Twists and Turns
I do not want to give too much away about this book All the Little Iiars by Victoria Selman, but this is A great psychological read. Victoria Selman is an exceptionally talented and very clever writer! The book is exploring the mystery of who murdered a 13-year-old girl at Turtle Lake. Three friends went out, only two returned, what secrets are they hiding? The three share a toxic relationship and the question is of how far would you go to fit in?
The story is told from the then 10yr old Finn with her observation and lack of knowledge and understanding all lend nicely to more twists and unexpected turns as the story unfolds. The fact that this book flits back and forth from the present day to the past really helps to keep the reader gripped to the very last page. It allows us to get a deeper understanding of the events that led up to the murder and the characters and their situations all influence the narration of the story. You also learn more about each of the girls as the book provides a wonderful way for the reader to begin imagining what could have led to someone committing such a horrific crime.
I thought it was very well done and the manipulation by the author is clever especially over the dual timelines while slowly revealing secrets and revelations throughout the book leading to a good ending with more twists and turns whilst keeping the reader hooked to the very last page. This is the first book I have read by Victoria Selman, and I found it a genuinely nice book which flows nicely with great characters and a real page turner that I could not put down. I highly recommend this book. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I do not want to give too much away about this book All the Little Iiars by Victoria Selman, but this is A great psychological read. Victoria Selman is an exceptionally talented and very clever writer! The book is exploring the mystery of who murdered a 13-year-old girl at Turtle Lake. Three friends went out, only two returned, what secrets are they hiding? The three share a toxic relationship and the question is of how far would you go to fit in?
The story is told from the then 10yr old Finn with her observation and lack of knowledge and understanding all lend nicely to more twists and unexpected turns as the story unfolds. The fact that this book flits back and forth from the present day to the past really helps to keep the reader gripped to the very last page. It allows us to get a deeper understanding of the events that led up to the murder and the characters and their situations all influence the narration of the story. You also learn more about each of the girls as the book provides a wonderful way for the reader to begin imagining what could have led to someone committing such a horrific crime.
I thought it was very well done and the manipulation by the author is clever especially over the dual timelines while slowly revealing secrets and revelations throughout the book leading to a good ending with more twists and turns whilst keeping the reader hooked to the very last page. This is the first book I have read by Victoria Selman, and I found it a genuinely nice book which flows nicely with great characters and a real page turner that I could not put down. I highly recommend this book. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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