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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.
320 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 2023
91 people are currently reading
7753 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Selman
15 books366 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 239 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.
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/.
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 16, 2025
A good, solid thriller with an interesting premise. The novel is a quick read, with small chapters and short, staccato sentences. The characters speak with sharp, concise true-to-life dialogue. There is nail-biting tension, a real attention grabber. The three timelines are all shared by our main character, so the back-and-forth is not disruptive to the story. There are a few genuinely surprising plot twists, and a satisfying ending. Definitely worth your time.
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
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.
November 25, 2023
Interesting story with some nice characters. I couldn’t see the twist. I will keep this writer in mind.
September 4, 2024
Such promise but poorly executed
This started off with such promise. I was fully invested. Slowly but surely, as soon as the first major twist was revealed, it swiftly fell apart.
Told from Finns/ Kats POV as a 10 year old and then 30 year old was interesting, but one minute you thought she was mature for 10, then she withheld some extremely important information. Which when you read , you'll understand , this makes no sense at all.
There are extremely harrowing themes in this book, grooming and r@pe of young girls that was not explored fully, and it was so pivitol that it made no sense for it to be technically brushed over I can't say too much more without spoilers, but there were many points that needed expanding on and fleshed out more. The dad infuriated me, and I have no idea why he made the choices he did.
The whole court scene was ridiculous as in the real world , what happens, would never happen.
I guessed the next twist easily .The ending was wholly unnecessary as it shouldn't have happened in the first place. It's such a shame that the story should have been better researched as writing about such a harrowing topic.
This started off with such promise. I was fully invested. Slowly but surely, as soon as the first major twist was revealed, it swiftly fell apart.
Told from Finns/ Kats POV as a 10 year old and then 30 year old was interesting, but one minute you thought she was mature for 10, then she withheld some extremely important information. Which when you read , you'll understand , this makes no sense at all.
There are extremely harrowing themes in this book, grooming and r@pe of young girls that was not explored fully, and it was so pivitol that it made no sense for it to be technically brushed over I can't say too much more without spoilers, but there were many points that needed expanding on and fleshed out more. The dad infuriated me, and I have no idea why he made the choices he did.
The whole court scene was ridiculous as in the real world , what happens, would never happen.
I guessed the next twist easily .The ending was wholly unnecessary as it shouldn't have happened in the first place. It's such a shame that the story should have been better researched as writing about such a harrowing topic.
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...
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?
September 1, 2024
Dang, the author did a great job convincing me that the one girl was dead, and then she flipped the dang script on me, turned the entries book upside down. All the Little Liars, indeed.
August 6, 2024
I passed this ARC up many times before I realized it was about to be published. Sometimes (okay, a lot of the time) stories that start with “20 years ago, xyz happened, and now…” bore me. This book shattered that trope with a shocking and suspenseful story.
Before: In 2003, Finn is ten, and her 13-year-old awkward and friendless sister, Izzy, has gotten involved with two girls, Plum and Lu. Lu is also awkward, and Plum clearly is friends with them so she can be the alpha and have people to boss around. Plum is manipulative and ornery, obviously not a true friend. After a night out at a party, Izzy disappears. Her friends claim to know nothing - but a lot has been going on. They’ve been hanging out with Ryder, a man who plies them with drugs and grooms them before having sex with them in group settings. Plum was getting jealous of the attention Izzy got from him…could this be a motive?
After: Finn and her father move to London, and Finn changes her name to “Kat”. Kat and Izzy’s mom died in a car crash years before, so it’s just them, having left their housekeeper/nanny, Dita, behind. Kat’s father later has a stroke, so Kat takes care of him and tries not to think about the past.
Now: It’s been 20 years, and Kat gets a call from a woman named Elsa, who wants to make a documentary about the story. Then EVERYTHING CHANGES out of nowhere, with a huge twist that made my jaw drop!
The author took several true crimes and wove them into this book, which made it even more thrilling - things like this have actually happened. That, along with stories from the media and Izzy’s diary, made this very compelling and gripping. The number of times this book had my jaw on the floor helped determine my rating for this one. Five stars!
(Thank you to Union Square & Co., Victoria Selman and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
Before: In 2003, Finn is ten, and her 13-year-old awkward and friendless sister, Izzy, has gotten involved with two girls, Plum and Lu. Lu is also awkward, and Plum clearly is friends with them so she can be the alpha and have people to boss around. Plum is manipulative and ornery, obviously not a true friend. After a night out at a party, Izzy disappears. Her friends claim to know nothing - but a lot has been going on. They’ve been hanging out with Ryder, a man who plies them with drugs and grooms them before having sex with them in group settings. Plum was getting jealous of the attention Izzy got from him…could this be a motive?
After: Finn and her father move to London, and Finn changes her name to “Kat”. Kat and Izzy’s mom died in a car crash years before, so it’s just them, having left their housekeeper/nanny, Dita, behind. Kat’s father later has a stroke, so Kat takes care of him and tries not to think about the past.
Now: It’s been 20 years, and Kat gets a call from a woman named Elsa, who wants to make a documentary about the story. Then EVERYTHING CHANGES out of nowhere, with a huge twist that made my jaw drop!
The author took several true crimes and wove them into this book, which made it even more thrilling - things like this have actually happened. That, along with stories from the media and Izzy’s diary, made this very compelling and gripping. The number of times this book had my jaw on the floor helped determine my rating for this one. Five stars!
(Thank you to Union Square & Co., Victoria Selman and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
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.
July 7, 2024
I liked this book but I didn’t love it. It centers on Finn, who was only 10 years old when her sister was involved in a sensational murder case in Southern California. The book takes place in 3 timelines: before the murder, after the murder, and 20 years later. Behind the mystery of the murder, the reader gets a deeper look into the dynamics between Finn and her sister Izzy as well as the rest of their family.
The twist partway through the book was a big surprise but it actually made me feel like I had missed something- I felt the need to go back and reread to ensure that the author intended me to be surprised. I also wish that the author had gotten deeper into some of the characters, Ryder in particular. While I could see why the characters made the decisions they made, there wasn’t as much depth to those decisions as I had hoped; I imagine this is why people say that this reads more like a YA novel. Lastly, the police investigation didn’t entirely ring true and I wanted a better understanding of what the detectives looked into. I did like the way it ended and though I felt that Finn was able to shed her trauma awfully quickly I also appreciated her growth.
Overall, this was a decent mystery and though I wish that it had gone a little deeper, it was a good story overall. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The twist partway through the book was a big surprise but it actually made me feel like I had missed something- I felt the need to go back and reread to ensure that the author intended me to be surprised. I also wish that the author had gotten deeper into some of the characters, Ryder in particular. While I could see why the characters made the decisions they made, there wasn’t as much depth to those decisions as I had hoped; I imagine this is why people say that this reads more like a YA novel. Lastly, the police investigation didn’t entirely ring true and I wanted a better understanding of what the detectives looked into. I did like the way it ended and though I felt that Finn was able to shed her trauma awfully quickly I also appreciated her growth.
Overall, this was a decent mystery and though I wish that it had gone a little deeper, it was a good story overall. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 15, 2024
Not only does this have very YA vibes to it, it's way to unrealistic and things didn't add up.
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.
September 4, 2024
2.5 rounded down
I was into this book and was going to give it a high rating until everything fell apart. Without giving anything away, the first twist was great and then everything went downhill. The most important parts of the story were left completely unexplored, the characters actions were not believable, the next twists were ridiculous, and the ending was completely frustrating. This author doesn’t seem to have a grasp on the real judicial system and focused too much on packing in twists instead of building out a good story that made sense and explored important avenues.
I was into this book and was going to give it a high rating until everything fell apart. Without giving anything away, the first twist was great and then everything went downhill. The most important parts of the story were left completely unexplored, the characters actions were not believable, the next twists were ridiculous, and the ending was completely frustrating. This author doesn’t seem to have a grasp on the real judicial system and focused too much on packing in twists instead of building out a good story that made sense and explored important avenues.
August 26, 2024
3.5 stars. The structure of this book was so confusing. It was hard to tell what was the past and what was the present. The twist/ending earned half a star tho!
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.
September 18, 2023
A strange book with some situations and characters that never come to any developed conclusion. One of the most important people in the plot, Ryder, remained a shadowy character whereas his role was key. Add to that the most unlikely scenario of what thirteen year old girls would be allowed to do and it sums up to be a rather juvenile read.
December 17, 2024
This book was mental and a bit sad for the characters I thought. Would read another of her books.
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.
August 5, 2024
"All The Little Liars"
by Victoria Selman
★★★★★
“Victora Selman's thriller "All Pretty Liars" is more than just an entertaining read; it is the perfect blend of suspense, mystery, and character-driven drama!”
Turtle Lake, California, 2003
Three teenagers went to the lake that night but only two came back, and the word LIAR written in blood is discovered on the trunk of a nearby tree. Later, they confess to murdering their friend. But why? And did they act alone? And what was the involvement of the mysterious and alluring Manson-like figure Ryder Grady?
Finn “Kat” Jackman is a 10-year-old girl living with her sister, father, and beloved housekeeper. Kat’s life is turned upside down since the events of Trutle Lake… and a big question remains unanswered: What REALLY happened at Turtle Lake?
Victoria Selman proves she is a great storyteller by perfectly interweaving between two complex timelines to build suspense. Her sharp and evocative writing keeps readers on the edge as they navigate the labyrinth of relationships and long-buried secrets. The fluid shifting between past and present enriches the narrative, breeding a compelling web of intrigue that keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end.
The plot is rife with jaw-dropping twists, that will leave readers gasping in surprise. Selman expertly develops her characters, imbuing them with depth and complexity that reveal their vulnerabilities and motivations. As the story unfolds, the revelations become increasingly shocking, culminating in a slow-burn finale revelation that is both satisfying and thought-provoking.
"All The Pretty Liars" is not only an entertaining thriller but also a profound exploration of the cost of keeping secrets, sisterly love, the ripple effects of trauma, and how much people are able to sacrifice to belong. A Must-Read!
(P.S.: Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher Union Square & Co. - A subsidiary of Sterling Publishing, for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review)
by Victoria Selman
★★★★★
“Victora Selman's thriller "All Pretty Liars" is more than just an entertaining read; it is the perfect blend of suspense, mystery, and character-driven drama!”
Turtle Lake, California, 2003
Three teenagers went to the lake that night but only two came back, and the word LIAR written in blood is discovered on the trunk of a nearby tree. Later, they confess to murdering their friend. But why? And did they act alone? And what was the involvement of the mysterious and alluring Manson-like figure Ryder Grady?
Finn “Kat” Jackman is a 10-year-old girl living with her sister, father, and beloved housekeeper. Kat’s life is turned upside down since the events of Trutle Lake… and a big question remains unanswered: What REALLY happened at Turtle Lake?
Victoria Selman proves she is a great storyteller by perfectly interweaving between two complex timelines to build suspense. Her sharp and evocative writing keeps readers on the edge as they navigate the labyrinth of relationships and long-buried secrets. The fluid shifting between past and present enriches the narrative, breeding a compelling web of intrigue that keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end.
The plot is rife with jaw-dropping twists, that will leave readers gasping in surprise. Selman expertly develops her characters, imbuing them with depth and complexity that reveal their vulnerabilities and motivations. As the story unfolds, the revelations become increasingly shocking, culminating in a slow-burn finale revelation that is both satisfying and thought-provoking.
"All The Pretty Liars" is not only an entertaining thriller but also a profound exploration of the cost of keeping secrets, sisterly love, the ripple effects of trauma, and how much people are able to sacrifice to belong. A Must-Read!
(P.S.: Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher Union Square & Co. - A subsidiary of Sterling Publishing, for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review)
October 4, 2024
This was good, I liked the back and forth from past to present POVs of the MC. There were journal entries from Izzy that really helped us understand her POV from a child's perspective. Homegirl was only 13!!! But the twist was not THAT big of a twist, there was a good mix of thriller but also psychological perspective of the younger girl trying to understand her older sister's actions. I do wish we got a little more on Ryder and his little...cult? Of girls that blindly followed him because they were in "love"? Like
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.
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