The Liar Society by Lisa Roecker and Laura Roecker

The Liar Society by Lisa Roecker and Laura Roecker

Sourcebooks Fire, March 1, 2011

361 pages

Book Source: Public Library

Kate Lowry didn't think dead best friends could send e-mails. But when she gets an e-mail from Grace, she’s not so sure.

To: KateLowry@pemberlybrown.edu
Sent: Sun 9/14 11:59 PM
From: GraceLee@pemberlybrown.edu
Subject: (no subject)

Kate,
I'm here…
sort of.
Find Cameron.
He knows.
I shouldn't be writing.
Don't tell.
They'll hurt you.

Now Kate has no choice but to prove once and for all that Grace’s death was more than just a tragic accident. But secrets haunt the halls of her elite private school. Secrets people will do anything to protect. Even if it means getting rid of the girl trying to solve a murder...

--Summary from GoodReads.com 

Judging by the cover...: This cover wins points for sticking to the story, except for adding freckles on Kate (this freckled blogger wants to know why!). Grace's pearls, even though they ARE in the book, are obviously photoshopped in, which drives me nuts! The model couldn't have slung some real pearls around her neck?

Favorite Elements:

• Private School - While it's fun to read about the exploits of the rich and famous, Pemberly Brown is just like every other preparatory private academy which serves the excessively wealthy: messed up. Seriously, how screwed up are the people who send their kids to these kinds of schools? Mayhem? Murder? I'm sending my kids to public school, that's for sure. 
• Secret Societies - (cue spy music) Anyone want to start a mysterious and secret club with me? We could be the YAngels, or something...
• Pink Hair!! - Ever get the urge to dye your hair a crazy color? For me it was always fire engine red. Kudos to Kate for doing it up bubblegum style! 
• Cuties - Kate's got her hands full with both Liam and Seth. She might not think Seth is a catch, but with his flaming curly hair and front office connections, he'd be the one to steal my heart.

Overall: A

The Sisters Roecker really have something here. Their fast-paced style keeps your attention as Kate races to solve the mystery Grace has set for her. And who wouldn't root for poor Kate, devastated over the loss of not one friend, but two? Kate is one of those characters you wish you could be, someone you'd want to have a real conversation with, comfort if you could. She knows something is wrong deep in her heart and desperately wants to figure it out. It's too bad that no one believes her, especially her parents. And if ever there was a character who needs new parents, it's this poor girl!

When I finished the book, I didn't know that this is to be a series, so don't panic when you find yourself grasping at the loose ends like I did. Though I was really hoping for a stand alone novel (so rare these days), Kate is an awesome character who shouldn't be contained to just one book.

Recommendation: Read it. Read it now. Do not wait! The suspense will make you wish you could read the book in one sitting and has enough romance mixed in to keep things interesting.

Similar Reads: The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney and The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Banks by E. Lockhart. For younger readers I'd suggest The Red Blazer Girls series by Michael D. Beil.