Family of Liars
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Family of Liars is the prequel to E. Lockhart's We Are Liars. The story begins with an adult Caroline "Carrie" Sinclair talking with the ghost of her dead son, Johnny. He wants Carrie to tell him about "the absolute worst thing you ever did, back then." So she tells him what happened the summer of 1987, when a 17-year-old Carrie returned with the extended Sinclair family to their private island off Martha's Vineyard. It was the summer she had her first kiss. The summer she was hooked on a prescription painkiller and the summer a murder was covered up. The summer local police assumed educated girls from a "good family" would always tell the truth. A rape is interrupted and a teen is brutally murdered. A sexual encounter between two teens is presented as consensual but the girl remembers she had "codeine and Jim Beam running though my system." Teen boys joke about their "weenies" and one of them "boning" a girl. Characters regularly use strong language ("f--k," "a--hole," "bastard"), and there's lots of drinking and getting drunk by both teens and adults. In terms of diversity, the main cast is White, one character is gay, and two are bisexual.
Community Reviews
SPOILERS...NOT AS GOOD AS FIRST BOOK. NO graphic sex nor super graphic violence though that I'd be concerned about
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What's the Story?
FAMILY OF LIARS is set in the summer of 1987, as teen sisters Carrie, Penny, and Bess Sinclair, along with their cousins Yardley and Tomkin, return to spend another summer on their family's private island off the coast of Massachusetts. This summer they've been joined by Penny's friend Erin and three college- bound boys invited by Yardley. But what should have been a time filled with picnics on the beach, Brie and tomato sandwiches, sailing, and games of croquet and charades is not working out that way for Carrie. After surgery on her jaw that her parents insisted was medically necessary but she knew was all about how she looked, Carrie's become addicted to codeine. She's still grieving the drowning death of her 10-year-old sister, Rosemary, and she's discovered a long- buried family secret that could easily turn her life upside down. When Rosemary's ghost appears to Carrie, she first thinks it's a dream as she doesn't believe in ghosts. Or doesn't until Rosemary appears. There's finally a bright note for Carrie when she begins a first romance with one of the boys, Lawrence "Pfeff" Pfefferman. But this seemingly idyllic summer is soon shattered by betrayals, heartbreak, and eventually murder.
Is It Any Good?
This is a compelling story of murder, betrayal, scandal, addiction, and family loyalty set against a background straight out of a Ralph Lauren ad. Family of Liars initially unfolds at a leisurely pace with its wealthy teen characters spending their time playing croquet and tennis, picnicking on the beach, and going sailing. But then the story takes a very dark turn and becomes an unexpected and surprising whodunit. Teens who haven't read We Were Liars should be alerted that the story is filled with spoilers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about all the secrets people kept in Family of Liars. Is it ever OK to share a secret you've promised to keep?
How do you think Carrie's addiction to codeine affected the choices she makes in this story?
Do you believe in ghosts? Has anyone you know ever seen a ghost?
Book Details
- Author: E. Lockhart
- Genre: Mystery
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters, High School, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Delacorte Press
- Publication date: May 3, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 13 - 18
- Number of pages: 320
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (abridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: May 6, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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We Were Liars
A privileged life goes askew in haunting summer mystery.
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Anna K Away
Less sex and drugs in engaging, thoughtful sequel.
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The Cousins
Teens unlock a dark family secret in full-of-twists mystery.
For kids who love mysteries and thrillers
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