Liars, Inc.
by Paula Stokes
Expected publication: March 24th 2015 by HarperTeen
For fans of Gone Girl, I Hunt Killers, and TV's How to Get Away with Murder.
Max Cantrell has never been a big fan of the truth, so when the opportunity arises to sell forged permission slips and cover stories to his classmates, it sounds like a good way to make a little money and liven up a boring senior year. With the help of his friends Preston and Parvati, Max starts Liars, Inc. Suddenly everybody needs something and the cash starts pouring in. Who knew lying could be so lucrative?
When Preston wants his own cover story to go visit a girl he met online, Max doesn’t think twice about hooking him up. Until Preston never comes home. Then the evidence starts to pile up—terrifying clues that lead the cops to Preston’s body. Terrifying clues that point to Max as the murderer.
Can Max find the real killer before he goes to prison for a crime he didn’t commit? In a story that Kirkus Reviews called "Captivating to the very end," Paula Stokes starts with one single white lie and weaves a twisted tale that will have readers guessing until the explosive final chapters.
“You ever feel like you don’t know anyone?” He looked out at the water again. “Or like no one knows you?”
So, this book really cannot be trusted. I had many theories about the ending and, unfortunately, I could decipher the main villain-protagonist way before it. I wouldn`t say that this book is for fans of Gone Girl, because the latter obviously stands on the upper level. While Gone Girl takes you by surprise because of its thoroughly planned crimes, Liars, Inc. is more of a book where everything you find out is accidental. I wouldn`t call this story believable or realistic. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it as much.
The truth doesn’t get you very far on the streets, or in a group home, or even in high school. That’s probably why the idea of Liars, Inc. appealed to me. Everybody lies. You might as well get paid for it.
Max, Preston and Parvati are big fat liars. They earn money on coming up with a fish story. Exemptions from school, cover stories for parents - all the little things that teens need to enjoy their youth. Nothing serious or criminal. But how far can take you a lie?
When they organized Liars, Inc. they could not fathom that deception will play a cruel joke on them. One day, Preston asks his friend to come up with a cover story to temporarily escape from home. And everything would have been fine, but he just... had disappeared. Being from a wealthy family, his disappearance immediately becomes a major concern of the police. And who might be considered a suspect, if not the main liar of the city? Indeed, all the evidences point on Max.
As it often happens, no one believes in his innocence. Well, except for his girlfriend Parvati. Together, they are going to find their friend and clear the good name of Max. But, in the process, they will learn an unexpected truth.
That was another thing I had learned on the streets. Being homeless was like being a shark—survival was a matter of always moving forward.
A little bit about the characters themselves:
Max is an orphan. The first part of his life was spent in a shelter. He knows how to survive on the streets, and the price of the family comfort. He's a regular guy who dreams of a peaceful and quiet life with his girlfriend Parvati. But he is concerned about her past - she and Preston were friends long before he appeared on the scene, and he can`t help but be suspicious and jealous.
Faith seems to be something people develop when their lives are going good. It’s always been in short supply for me.
Speaking subjectively - Max is a very plain character. He has no special traits, unlike other heroes; he does not stand out, except that he is the main narrative. But, perhaps, that way it is easier to connect with the character. He`s also antisocial, though his two best friends mean the world to him. But what if they are not who they seem to be?
It’s a shitty feeling when you realize the two people you trusted most in the world are liars.
Parvati already stands out by the fact that she is an Indian. Hello, diversity! I just could not help but think about her:
She is a spoiled girl from a rich family, who learned how to lie before she could walk. However, of all the liars, I liked her most. Parvati is strange, unusual, clever, sometimes good, sometimes bad, sometimes mysterious, sometimes sincere. You don`t know what to expect from her. Well, this girl also can kick some ass *girl power!*. She made a lot of mistakes in life, she`s not perfect, as it might seem at first glance. But who likes perfect?
And Preston, though he doesn`t appear in book as often as other characters. He`s a boy from a wealthy family, the star of the school, everybody loves him. And why not? He is cute, funny, sociable. But can`t it be a simply beautiful facade? After all, it`s impossible to know a person for 100%, especially if he has something to hide.
But no, not really, book. Yes, it’s certainly very interesting and worth your attention. Easy to read, captures from the very first pages. It has an intrigue, and love, and unexpected plot twists, and epic ending. I really liked how the author raised the topic of how important is it to be loved by your family. She presents us with three different kinds of parents and shows the outcome of their bringing up on their children. For me this book is a one-time-read, but it was a very pleasant experience. I advise it for the fans of Pretty Little Liars.
Max Cantrell has never been a big fan of the truth, so when the opportunity arises to sell forged permission slips and cover stories to his classmates, it sounds like a good way to make a little money and liven up a boring senior year. With the help of his friends Preston and Parvati, Max starts Liars, Inc. Suddenly everybody needs something and the cash starts pouring in. Who knew lying could be so lucrative?
When Preston wants his own cover story to go visit a girl he met online, Max doesn’t think twice about hooking him up. Until Preston never comes home. Then the evidence starts to pile up—terrifying clues that lead the cops to Preston’s body. Terrifying clues that point to Max as the murderer.
Can Max find the real killer before he goes to prison for a crime he didn’t commit? In a story that Kirkus Reviews called "Captivating to the very end," Paula Stokes starts with one single white lie and weaves a twisted tale that will have readers guessing until the explosive final chapters.
“You ever feel like you don’t know anyone?” He looked out at the water again. “Or like no one knows you?”
So, this book really cannot be trusted. I had many theories about the ending and, unfortunately, I could decipher the main villain-protagonist way before it. I wouldn`t say that this book is for fans of Gone Girl, because the latter obviously stands on the upper level. While Gone Girl takes you by surprise because of its thoroughly planned crimes, Liars, Inc. is more of a book where everything you find out is accidental. I wouldn`t call this story believable or realistic. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it as much.
The truth doesn’t get you very far on the streets, or in a group home, or even in high school. That’s probably why the idea of Liars, Inc. appealed to me. Everybody lies. You might as well get paid for it.
Max, Preston and Parvati are big fat liars. They earn money on coming up with a fish story. Exemptions from school, cover stories for parents - all the little things that teens need to enjoy their youth. Nothing serious or criminal. But how far can take you a lie?
When they organized Liars, Inc. they could not fathom that deception will play a cruel joke on them. One day, Preston asks his friend to come up with a cover story to temporarily escape from home. And everything would have been fine, but he just... had disappeared. Being from a wealthy family, his disappearance immediately becomes a major concern of the police. And who might be considered a suspect, if not the main liar of the city? Indeed, all the evidences point on Max.
As it often happens, no one believes in his innocence. Well, except for his girlfriend Parvati. Together, they are going to find their friend and clear the good name of Max. But, in the process, they will learn an unexpected truth.
That was another thing I had learned on the streets. Being homeless was like being a shark—survival was a matter of always moving forward.
A little bit about the characters themselves:
Max is an orphan. The first part of his life was spent in a shelter. He knows how to survive on the streets, and the price of the family comfort. He's a regular guy who dreams of a peaceful and quiet life with his girlfriend Parvati. But he is concerned about her past - she and Preston were friends long before he appeared on the scene, and he can`t help but be suspicious and jealous.
Faith seems to be something people develop when their lives are going good. It’s always been in short supply for me.
Speaking subjectively - Max is a very plain character. He has no special traits, unlike other heroes; he does not stand out, except that he is the main narrative. But, perhaps, that way it is easier to connect with the character. He`s also antisocial, though his two best friends mean the world to him. But what if they are not who they seem to be?
It’s a shitty feeling when you realize the two people you trusted most in the world are liars.
Parvati already stands out by the fact that she is an Indian. Hello, diversity! I just could not help but think about her:
She is a spoiled girl from a rich family, who learned how to lie before she could walk. However, of all the liars, I liked her most. Parvati is strange, unusual, clever, sometimes good, sometimes bad, sometimes mysterious, sometimes sincere. You don`t know what to expect from her. Well, this girl also can kick some ass *girl power!*. She made a lot of mistakes in life, she`s not perfect, as it might seem at first glance. But who likes perfect?
And Preston, though he doesn`t appear in book as often as other characters. He`s a boy from a wealthy family, the star of the school, everybody loves him. And why not? He is cute, funny, sociable. But can`t it be a simply beautiful facade? After all, it`s impossible to know a person for 100%, especially if he has something to hide.
But no, not really, book. Yes, it’s certainly very interesting and worth your attention. Easy to read, captures from the very first pages. It has an intrigue, and love, and unexpected plot twists, and epic ending. I really liked how the author raised the topic of how important is it to be loved by your family. She presents us with three different kinds of parents and shows the outcome of their bringing up on their children. For me this book is a one-time-read, but it was a very pleasant experience. I advise it for the fans of Pretty Little Liars.
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