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Book Review of A Game of Lies (DC Morgan, Bk 2)

A Game of Lies (DC Morgan, Bk 2)
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Why have I never read one of Clare Mackintosh's novels until now? I really enjoyed the writing style, pacing, mystery, and sense of unease of A Game of Lies. Then I participated in a conversation with the author as a patron perk of the Thoughts From a Page Podcast and loved her personality and sense of humor. Now I want to read all of her books, including her newest, a nonfiction title I Promise It Won't Always Hurt Like This on the topic of grief.

Back to A Game of Lies, it's book 2 in the DC Morgan series (her first series), but I didn't realize that and had no issues beginning here. Seven people find themselves on a remote mountain in Wales, expecting to be contestants in a wilderness survival reality show. Imagine their shock when they learn the game is actually a competition to avoid the public reveal of their deepest, darkest secret. Then someone dies, suspicion abounds, and Detective Ffion Morgan and other members of law enforcement investigate.

As the heroine of the series, readers learn about Ffion's personal and romantic life in this book. My favorite character was Dave, a huge stray dog riddled with separation anxiety that Ffion adopted in a weak moment.

Ms. Mackintosh, who resides in Wales, incorporates many Welsh names and words in this novel, which creates a strong sense of place but is also challenging for someone like me who doesn't speak the language. Thank goodness for YouTube pronunciation videos.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the review copy of this book; I'm eager to read book 1, The Last Party.