Will Trent has arranged a quiet and relaxing honeymoon for him and his wife, Dr. Sara Linton. No phones, no work, just a quiet cabin in the woods where they can enjoy each other and maybe do some fishing. Unfortunately, not everything is peaceful at McAlpine Lodge and shortly after their arrival, the manager is murdered. Even more shocking, none of the family seems saddened by Mercy McAlpine’s brutal death. Will and Sara will have to unravel decades of secrets to uncover who the murderer is….

THIS IS WHY WE LIED is the 12th book in the Will Trent series. Readers who have at least a passing familiarity with Will Trent and Dr. Sara Linton should be able to fully enjoy the storyline. One caution, however, if you are a fan of the TV series and just jumping into the series, there are a couple of significant main character differences.  I am a fan of both the TV series and the books, but there are some distinct changes especially since Will is married to Sara and Angie is not in the picture.

THIS IS WHY WE LIED has some definite trigger warnings for sensitive readers, as it’s almost brutal at times. Karin Slaughter delves into quite a bit of trauma and dishonesty that is unsettling and even disturbing at times. Quite honestly, I didn’t like anyone Will and Sara met on their honeymoon, but especially not the McAlpine family. Mercy’s letters reveal pieces of her past that are heartbreaking. I had to set THIS IS WHY WE LIED aside several times just to breathe as the thickness of the trauma in this book is quite weighty. However, as with any of the Karin Slaughter books in the series, it is the strength of Will, Sara, Faith, and Amanda who keep the reader engaged despite the horrors this team often faces.

THIS IS WHY WE LIED explores some of the darkest parts of humanity and just how desperate people are to feel loved and needed. Karin Slaughter doesn’t pull any punches as the details are raw and gritty, but the reality underlying any story such as this is even more heartbreaking. We cheer for Will and Sara as they find hope and happiness together, while we cherish the loyalty of friends and coworkers like Faith and Amanda. The core characters of the Will Trent series are what keep me returning time and again to the series and I’ll definitely be waiting for the next book featuring my favorite Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent!