Litany of Lies

by Lexa Mack

In 21st century San Francisco many things have stayed the same; old money, old-boys clubs, old grievances. But some are changing; relationships, legacies, and secrets. Kestral Jonas is perfectly situated to observe the old and the new and is happy to disclose it all on her anonymous blog, SFUndertheRug.com.The suspicious death of socialite Greta Gardner puts one of Kestrel’s dear friends in danger and Kestrel gets sucked into the drama. A number of people benefit from Greta’s death, but which one of them actually pulled the plug?

214 pages, Paperback

Published February 28, 2024

Reviews

[Max Tomlinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second Kestrel Jonas mystery (which reads just fine as a standalone), featuring an amateur sleuth who drives an ancient VW bug and writes a tell-all society blog, is a compelling cozy full of San Francisco atmosphere and plenty of suspects in the murder of an elderly socialite who dies mysteriously in her tub. When Kestrel starts investigating the crime, her ex-boyfriend, the SFPD Homicide inspector on the case, starts to see red, and mysterious consequences arise: Kestrel’s flat is broken into, a suspect is sent to hospital after a mysterious hit-and-run. The writing is strong, and the author does an excellent job of fleshing out characters and making Litany of Lies a satisfying puzzle for mystery buffs. From Greta’s housekeeper to an envious friend to a creepy doc who runs a shady foundation and other suspects, there’s plenty of clues and motivation to keep the reader guessing. I won’t go into details of the actual crime and spoil it, but I always enjoy a mystery where the author “plays fair” and gives the reader all they’ll need to solve the murder.

[Jennie Rosenblum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kestral may be the main character, but in this clever, layered mystery she smartly takes a step back and lets the drama swirl around her. And oh, what drama it is! Set in a San Francisco that’s both thoroughly modern and somehow still clinging to its high-society roots, this story blends juicy secrets, rigid traditions, and tangled relationships into one web. When wealthy socialite Greta Gardner dies under suspicious circumstances, it’s not just the who-done-it that pulls you in—it’s the why, how, and what happens next.

Kestral’s anonymous blog, SFUndertheRug.com, and all her connections to support the blog add a fun insider’s edge as she reveals the city’s social elite with sharp wit and a hint of snark. This is one of those books where the setting is as alive as the characters, and just when you think you’ve figured it out—surprise! A satisfying read. Side note - this is the second book in the series but it works as a standalone, as I did not read the first one.

[Jeannette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Litany of lies is a compelling mystery of a sick high profile woman who is murdered in San Francisco by a bath. An online blogger gets caught in the middle, and you go through twists and turns of multiple characters point of view of trying to figure out who the murderer is. Everyone seems innocent, but how innocent can you truly be? Each chapter leaves you at the edge of your seat, trying to figure out where the author left the clues of this beautifully crafted puzzle for the reader to figure out. Was it the housekeeper, the doctor, a friend, or someone random?

[Sara Carini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, fun read with excellent character development and description. I thought I knew who-done-it, but I was wrong! Great summer by the pool reading.

[Anna Wallman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed murder mystery. I liked the characters!