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joyceheinen 's review for:
Society of Lies
by Lauren Ling Brown
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Maya is going back to Princeton, to attend her college reunion, but also for her sister Naomi’s graduation. When she gets the terrible news her sister has died, the police say it’s an accident. Maya doesn’t believe that and believes she was murdered.
When Maya was in college, she was also a part of a secret society, and along the way she learns Naomi also joined them.
“Society of Lies” is the debut novel for Lauren Ling Brown, and a strong one. The story is told from the perspective of Maya, in the present day and in the period she was at Princeton. And we follow Naomi, in the months leading up to her death. I always enjoy reading a mystery thriller from multiple perspectives and timelines. And Brown does this very well.
The book has dark academia vibes, which reminded me of other books like “The Maidens” by Alex Michaelides, “The It Girl” by Ruth Ware and “In My Dreams I Hold a Knife” by Ashley Winstead. If you enjoyed any of these books, you might like this as well. Because of the secret society element in the story, it also reminded me a lot of the movie “The Skulls”.
While the book doesn’t have many major plot twists or shocking reveals, this book is very solid and it kept my attention. I was invested in the mystery that both Maya and Naomi were involved in, and I enjoyed reading about these characters. There were interesting. And I liked the ending.
Don’t expect that “Society of Lies” brings something completely new to the table, it’s all been done before. And I don’t mind that, as long as it’s been done well. And Lauren Ling Brown delivered, what a good debut! Looking forward to her next book.
When Maya was in college, she was also a part of a secret society, and along the way she learns Naomi also joined them.
“Society of Lies” is the debut novel for Lauren Ling Brown, and a strong one. The story is told from the perspective of Maya, in the present day and in the period she was at Princeton. And we follow Naomi, in the months leading up to her death. I always enjoy reading a mystery thriller from multiple perspectives and timelines. And Brown does this very well.
The book has dark academia vibes, which reminded me of other books like “The Maidens” by Alex Michaelides, “The It Girl” by Ruth Ware and “In My Dreams I Hold a Knife” by Ashley Winstead. If you enjoyed any of these books, you might like this as well. Because of the secret society element in the story, it also reminded me a lot of the movie “The Skulls”.
While the book doesn’t have many major plot twists or shocking reveals, this book is very solid and it kept my attention. I was invested in the mystery that both Maya and Naomi were involved in, and I enjoyed reading about these characters. There were interesting. And I liked the ending.
Don’t expect that “Society of Lies” brings something completely new to the table, it’s all been done before. And I don’t mind that, as long as it’s been done well. And Lauren Ling Brown delivered, what a good debut! Looking forward to her next book.