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Liars, cheats and copycats: Trickery and deception in nature
Meet some of the world’s most dastardly creatures, who lie, cheat and deceive for a living.
There’s the deadly praying mantis that looks like an innocent pink flower. The assassin bug that strums spider webs to lure in a tasty snack. The cuttlefish that changes colour to hide its romantic intentions.
To understand how these creatures swindle their way to the top, Liars, Cheats and Copycats reveals the science behind camouflage, mimicry and masquerade. Taking readers on a journey from tropical rainforests to the darkness of deep ocean trenches, James O’Hanlon explores how animals and plants use deception to avoid predators, lure in prey and even reproduce.
From creatures that disappear in front of your eyes to ones that misdirect their foes like masterful magicians, there are endless ways that animals can swindle their way to survival.
There’s the deadly praying mantis that looks like an innocent pink flower. The assassin bug that strums spider webs to lure in a tasty snack. The cuttlefish that changes colour to hide its romantic intentions.
To understand how these creatures swindle their way to the top, Liars, Cheats and Copycats reveals the science behind camouflage, mimicry and masquerade. Taking readers on a journey from tropical rainforests to the darkness of deep ocean trenches, James O’Hanlon explores how animals and plants use deception to avoid predators, lure in prey and even reproduce.
From creatures that disappear in front of your eyes to ones that misdirect their foes like masterful magicians, there are endless ways that animals can swindle their way to survival.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 14, 2026
4.5 stars. Thanks Netgalley and James O'Hanlon for the ARC!
Incredible book. I finished this thinking that nature is marvelous and wanting to be friends with James O’Hanlon. Scientific communication is a difficult art that this guy is proficient in.
You gotta give him props for managing to entertain us for over 200 pages while 90% of the conclusions are “we don't know, we're still figuring that shit out”. It feels more authentic, more truthful than science nonfiction books, specially in the land of “scientific” self-help, that spout any number of half-truths as absolutes of the universe. Still, the book is full of fucking insane information and is organized in way that makes the reading flow exceptionally well.
The author has such a fun writing style. It’s not preachy, it’s not overly scientific and it’s appropriate to lay people. Besides, he is funny. I usually don't like when we have personal anecdotes, I think they tend to be distracting and unnecessary, but the few ones in this hit a sweet spot of useful for the comprehension of the material and short enough to not become personal ramblings.
When James explained about countershading I was genuinely impressed. That's fucking sick. The discovery of the difference between avoiding detection and avoid recognition was mind-boggling. What you mean, baby chicks are smart like that? This did sign to me I was reading a great book: it left me with a new sense of appreciation and awe for nature and all its organisms. What a strange, bizarre and wonderful world we live in.
Related to that, I did find very funny when he said to turn to the next page's illustration to a better understanding and I turn, expecting something almost photo realistic, and it's almost like stick figures. My mistake, and I did cackle at that. It was a very useful stick figure drawing!
In this vein, I would've LOVED to have images in this book, I think it would make the reading experience even better. However, I can appreciate the near impossibility of such an ask when James talks about dozens of animals in a single chapter, including a few ones we have never seen exist in their natural habitat, so I (magnanimous person that I am) understand the lack of cute animal photos. Still, would've been cool.
I'm so happy we get into the mental/psychological aspect of what “deception” entails for those animals. We spend the whole book being reminded that the manner in which we see the world varies greatly from most other animals. Still, unconsciously, you think, as you read, as the tricks that they pull are somehow almost villainous—it can't be all about natural selection and luck, but it is and it's interesting to delve into the moralistic notions we apply to neutral aspects of nature. I can’t recommend this enough.
Incredible book. I finished this thinking that nature is marvelous and wanting to be friends with James O’Hanlon. Scientific communication is a difficult art that this guy is proficient in.
You gotta give him props for managing to entertain us for over 200 pages while 90% of the conclusions are “we don't know, we're still figuring that shit out”. It feels more authentic, more truthful than science nonfiction books, specially in the land of “scientific” self-help, that spout any number of half-truths as absolutes of the universe. Still, the book is full of fucking insane information and is organized in way that makes the reading flow exceptionally well.
The author has such a fun writing style. It’s not preachy, it’s not overly scientific and it’s appropriate to lay people. Besides, he is funny. I usually don't like when we have personal anecdotes, I think they tend to be distracting and unnecessary, but the few ones in this hit a sweet spot of useful for the comprehension of the material and short enough to not become personal ramblings.
When James explained about countershading I was genuinely impressed. That's fucking sick. The discovery of the difference between avoiding detection and avoid recognition was mind-boggling. What you mean, baby chicks are smart like that? This did sign to me I was reading a great book: it left me with a new sense of appreciation and awe for nature and all its organisms. What a strange, bizarre and wonderful world we live in.
Related to that, I did find very funny when he said to turn to the next page's illustration to a better understanding and I turn, expecting something almost photo realistic, and it's almost like stick figures. My mistake, and I did cackle at that. It was a very useful stick figure drawing!
In this vein, I would've LOVED to have images in this book, I think it would make the reading experience even better. However, I can appreciate the near impossibility of such an ask when James talks about dozens of animals in a single chapter, including a few ones we have never seen exist in their natural habitat, so I (magnanimous person that I am) understand the lack of cute animal photos. Still, would've been cool.
I'm so happy we get into the mental/psychological aspect of what “deception” entails for those animals. We spend the whole book being reminded that the manner in which we see the world varies greatly from most other animals. Still, unconsciously, you think, as you read, as the tricks that they pull are somehow almost villainous—it can't be all about natural selection and luck, but it is and it's interesting to delve into the moralistic notions we apply to neutral aspects of nature. I can’t recommend this enough.
September 24, 2026
Finished reading: September 23rd 2026
"We used a very sophisticated and super-sciencey approach of collecting some praying mantises and poking them until they flipped out and showed off their startle display."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Columbia University Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
October 5, 2026
This was fun to read! O'Hanlon wrote conversationally while still referencing sources and studies, bringing up key players in the field, and explaining some of the most unique examples of mimicry, camouflage, and masquerade I've ever heard of. He not only talked about his own work on the topic, but heaped credit onto colleagues and "rockstar" scientists who pioneered groundbreaking research spanning not only animals, but plants and fungi as well. This left me wanting more and would work beautifully as an introduction to the topic or way of broadening your understanding of deception in nature if you've only learned about a few key species so far.
I was particularly interested in the section near the end that pondered whether animals engaging in mimicry and masquerade do so knowingly or not. O'Hanlon took us through previous experiments aimed at answering this question and figuring out whether animals can and will lie to gain an advantage. To me, one of the biggest strengths of this book was the pacing. If your goal is an engaging read that avoids dragging and remains accessible to a wide audience, this is your book. If you’re looking for an in-depth analysis and are already well versed in this topic, this may be fun but ultimately unhelpful as a read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Columbia University Press for the opportunity to read and review Liars, cheats and copycats: Trickery and deception in nature.
I was particularly interested in the section near the end that pondered whether animals engaging in mimicry and masquerade do so knowingly or not. O'Hanlon took us through previous experiments aimed at answering this question and figuring out whether animals can and will lie to gain an advantage. To me, one of the biggest strengths of this book was the pacing. If your goal is an engaging read that avoids dragging and remains accessible to a wide audience, this is your book. If you’re looking for an in-depth analysis and are already well versed in this topic, this may be fun but ultimately unhelpful as a read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Columbia University Press for the opportunity to read and review Liars, cheats and copycats: Trickery and deception in nature.
June 15, 2026
Liars, Cheats and Copycats doesn’t just feature your garden-variety hares and octopi. Instead, we’re introduced to such obscure creatures as Japanese quail, horned ghost crabs and Iranian spider-tailed vipers. Even the most avid armchair ecologists will learn something from this book.
Despite his obvious knowledge, I enjoyed the author’s self-deprecating style : “I spent an embarrassing amount of time walking through forests not finding anything at all.” …. “It turned out to be very hard” to become the first person to study orchard praying mantises in the wild. Maybe this tone was so inviting because it is always interesting to delve into a field with so many unanswered questions?
It was great to be introduced to things we might intuitively understand to be camouflage, but not actively categorise as such, like sound, scent or behaviour. The discussions of animal psychology and uncertainty around their awareness was unexpected, but also very welcome.
A very fast-paced read, which necessitated some compromises on depth: at times the narrative was practically tripping over itself in its haste to tell us about the next case study. I wish we’d had more about the unique and inventive methodologies researchers used to come to their conclusions (the bit about the cuttlefish collars was very cool!). Maybe a bit more about applications of camouflage principles too?
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Columbia University Press for the eARC.
May 10, 2026
A very fun read. I learnt a great deal about all things deceptive in the Animal world, and how there is much, much more out there than the eye can see.
June 13, 2026
**⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️¾ (4.75 Stars)**
Thank you to James O'Hanlon, Columbia University Press and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book.
*Liars, Cheats, and Copycats: Trickery and Deception in Nature* by **James O'Hanlon** is a fascinating, entertaining, and wonderfully accessible look at one of nature's most surprising survival tools: deception. Equal parts science lesson and collection of unbelievable true stories, this book constantly left me amazed at just how cunning the natural world can be.
What makes this book so engaging is O'Hanlon's ability to take complex biological concepts and explain them in a way that feels effortless and fun. Whether discussing camouflage, mimicry, masquerade, or other forms of evolutionary trickery, he never loses sight of the sense of wonder that makes these subjects so captivating in the first place. I learned a tremendous amount while never feeling like I was reading a textbook.
The creatures featured throughout the book are absolutely incredible. From orchid mantises disguising themselves as flowers to lure prey, to assassin bugs manipulating spider webs, to cuttlefish hiding their romantic intentions through astonishing color changes, every chapter introduces another example that seems almost too bizarre to be real. Time and again I found myself stopping to think, "How is this actually possible?" Nature truly is stranger than fiction.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its balance between scientific depth and readability. O'Hanlon clearly knows his subject inside and out, but he writes with enthusiasm, humor, and clarity that make even the more technical discussions approachable. The explanations of how these deceptive strategies evolved were particularly interesting, adding layers of understanding beyond simply presenting unusual animal behaviors.
I also appreciated the global scope of the book. Readers are taken from rainforests to deserts, oceans to forests, encountering an incredible diversity of life along the way. The sheer variety of examples prevents the book from ever feeling repetitive, and each new chapter offers fresh surprises.
Beyond the fascinating animal stories, the book serves as a reminder of how powerful evolution can be. The endless arms race between predators and prey has produced some truly astonishing adaptations, and O'Hanlon does an excellent job showing how deception has become one of nature's most effective survival strategies.
The only reason this isn't a full five-star read for me is that a few sections become slightly more scientific and detailed than the average casual reader may need. However, even those moments are packed with interesting information and never detract significantly from the overall enjoyment.
Overall, *Liars, Cheats, and Copycats* is a delightfully clever and endlessly fascinating exploration of the natural world's greatest tricksters. It's informative, funny, surprising, and filled with the kind of facts you'll immediately want to share with everyone around you.
If you enjoy popular science, wildlife books, or simply learning about the strange and wonderful ways animals survive, this is an easy recommendation. James O'Hanlon has created a book that is both educational and enormously entertaining—a brilliant celebration of nature's greatest con artists.
Thank you to James O'Hanlon, Columbia University Press and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book.
*Liars, Cheats, and Copycats: Trickery and Deception in Nature* by **James O'Hanlon** is a fascinating, entertaining, and wonderfully accessible look at one of nature's most surprising survival tools: deception. Equal parts science lesson and collection of unbelievable true stories, this book constantly left me amazed at just how cunning the natural world can be.
What makes this book so engaging is O'Hanlon's ability to take complex biological concepts and explain them in a way that feels effortless and fun. Whether discussing camouflage, mimicry, masquerade, or other forms of evolutionary trickery, he never loses sight of the sense of wonder that makes these subjects so captivating in the first place. I learned a tremendous amount while never feeling like I was reading a textbook.
The creatures featured throughout the book are absolutely incredible. From orchid mantises disguising themselves as flowers to lure prey, to assassin bugs manipulating spider webs, to cuttlefish hiding their romantic intentions through astonishing color changes, every chapter introduces another example that seems almost too bizarre to be real. Time and again I found myself stopping to think, "How is this actually possible?" Nature truly is stranger than fiction.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its balance between scientific depth and readability. O'Hanlon clearly knows his subject inside and out, but he writes with enthusiasm, humor, and clarity that make even the more technical discussions approachable. The explanations of how these deceptive strategies evolved were particularly interesting, adding layers of understanding beyond simply presenting unusual animal behaviors.
I also appreciated the global scope of the book. Readers are taken from rainforests to deserts, oceans to forests, encountering an incredible diversity of life along the way. The sheer variety of examples prevents the book from ever feeling repetitive, and each new chapter offers fresh surprises.
Beyond the fascinating animal stories, the book serves as a reminder of how powerful evolution can be. The endless arms race between predators and prey has produced some truly astonishing adaptations, and O'Hanlon does an excellent job showing how deception has become one of nature's most effective survival strategies.
The only reason this isn't a full five-star read for me is that a few sections become slightly more scientific and detailed than the average casual reader may need. However, even those moments are packed with interesting information and never detract significantly from the overall enjoyment.
Overall, *Liars, Cheats, and Copycats* is a delightfully clever and endlessly fascinating exploration of the natural world's greatest tricksters. It's informative, funny, surprising, and filled with the kind of facts you'll immediately want to share with everyone around you.
If you enjoy popular science, wildlife books, or simply learning about the strange and wonderful ways animals survive, this is an easy recommendation. James O'Hanlon has created a book that is both educational and enormously entertaining—a brilliant celebration of nature's greatest con artists.
July 11, 2026
The book immediately hooks with the adventurous undertone of the quest for Orchid Mantis.
A chance for what have never studied before—and that too in the forest of Malaysia—with the visual pun and characters like the local wildlife expert, Durian and the eerie sensation of being in a tiger habitat make the introduction haunting. So, the question of orange tiger in a green background camouflage stays with the readers until we reach the answer later. The knowledge of deceptive traits and the biological reasons shared in this book are visually appealing, although they are conveyed through text and a few illustrations.
And, a question stays even after finishing the book:
If a subtle colour gradient can create such deception, then the world beyond our sensory range—who knows what is happening there?!
I am surprised to learn that there is still too much to learn. Like the why(s) behind frogs in tarantula burrows, female flowers and certain pollinator workflows, etc. The range of such diverse camouflage enthralls me. From basic colour matching, via circadian rhythm, animals’ perspective of camouflage, colorblind(!) cephalopods’ coloured chromatophores, cuttlefish and octopuses’ textural changes, to the colour-deciphering theories, it is a joyous journey. The SS Bombo wreck scuba memory is intriguing. Different light environments at different sea depths and the relevant camouflage strategies are overwhelming.
I see the colour white in a different light now!
Both the midnight and twilight zones’ camouflage strategies hit differently. However, the most exciting parts are the anglerfish with 99.956% light absorption, photoreception differences in animals, and countershading and counterillumination. The connection between protective zebra stripes and tsetse flies is surprising. Another page-turner is aposematism and the way the author touches on Müllerian and Bayesian mimicries here.
The book moves from animal to plant camouflage quite smoothly. Semaphore plant rotation, dazzle motion, the hognose snake, and deceptive pollination to avoid inbreeding are going to stay with me. The journey from sexual deception to parasitism is an interesting topic, and squirrels’ and monkeys’ social deceptions are funny. Drongos’ and cuckoos’ manipulation tactics are so intriguing that I am searching for more books on them.
There are lots of theories and questions. However, the information density never seems forced, and the flow is so smooth that I can reread it a thousand times, focusing on different parts. A required read for anyone interested in nature’s mystery.
A chance for what have never studied before—and that too in the forest of Malaysia—with the visual pun and characters like the local wildlife expert, Durian and the eerie sensation of being in a tiger habitat make the introduction haunting. So, the question of orange tiger in a green background camouflage stays with the readers until we reach the answer later. The knowledge of deceptive traits and the biological reasons shared in this book are visually appealing, although they are conveyed through text and a few illustrations.
And, a question stays even after finishing the book:
If a subtle colour gradient can create such deception, then the world beyond our sensory range—who knows what is happening there?!
I am surprised to learn that there is still too much to learn. Like the why(s) behind frogs in tarantula burrows, female flowers and certain pollinator workflows, etc. The range of such diverse camouflage enthralls me. From basic colour matching, via circadian rhythm, animals’ perspective of camouflage, colorblind(!) cephalopods’ coloured chromatophores, cuttlefish and octopuses’ textural changes, to the colour-deciphering theories, it is a joyous journey. The SS Bombo wreck scuba memory is intriguing. Different light environments at different sea depths and the relevant camouflage strategies are overwhelming.
I see the colour white in a different light now!
Both the midnight and twilight zones’ camouflage strategies hit differently. However, the most exciting parts are the anglerfish with 99.956% light absorption, photoreception differences in animals, and countershading and counterillumination. The connection between protective zebra stripes and tsetse flies is surprising. Another page-turner is aposematism and the way the author touches on Müllerian and Bayesian mimicries here.
The book moves from animal to plant camouflage quite smoothly. Semaphore plant rotation, dazzle motion, the hognose snake, and deceptive pollination to avoid inbreeding are going to stay with me. The journey from sexual deception to parasitism is an interesting topic, and squirrels’ and monkeys’ social deceptions are funny. Drongos’ and cuckoos’ manipulation tactics are so intriguing that I am searching for more books on them.
There are lots of theories and questions. However, the information density never seems forced, and the flow is so smooth that I can reread it a thousand times, focusing on different parts. A required read for anyone interested in nature’s mystery.
November 25, 2025
[Published in Tasmanian Times]
The best popular science books not only reveal marvellous things about our world, and surprise us with the latest findings, but also ask questions we can’t answer yet. James O’Hanlon’s Liars, Cheats and Copycats manages all three in a relaxed, good-humoured and unpretentious style that makes the book an engaging and thoroughly entertaining read.
In uncovering ‘trickery and deception in nature’, O’Hanlon, artist, scientist, storyteller and author of Silk and Venom, goes well beyond the mysteries of tigers’ stripes, clever camouflage and defensive strategies to avoid harm or trick the unwary.
Do zebras’ distinctive look-at-me stripes disguise them from predators? No, but the answer isn’t obvious, and the real predator that zebras confound with those unmissable hides is one that took science to a surprising conclusion.
There are so many types of camouflage – some to attract or misdirect, chemical camouflage to hide or lure, behavioural trickery to win out over rivals for resources, auditory deception and many others beyond the range of our human senses.
Incredibly, plants too are able to deceive, confuse or disappear to attract or repel whom they, and the processes of evolution, choose. There are orchids that gaslight insects to manipulate the sex ratios of their pollinators to increase their number. There is an incredible vine whose leaves mimic whatever plant or tree they’re growing across to look less delicious, in the same way a chameleon or cuttlefish might change shape and colouration to blend in.
The strategies are so many, and some so sophisticated, that the author, like most field botanists and biologists, asks a forbidden question: can animals lie?
There is an unwritten law in biology to never anthropomorphise – to never attribute human-like behaviours to other fauna or flora – so the strict answer is ‘no’. But, keep topping up O’Hanlon’s glass and, toward the end of the evening, you might just get a more nuanced, even emphatic, bar-thumping answer to the positive.
There is the marvellous ‘why’ and the ‘how’ of camouflage and deception, the stunning mechanisms of evolution that produce literal wonders, but, as in all sciences, there are always more unanswered questions to ask. And that, my friends, is what science is about – curiosity, uncertainty and the discovery of better questions to ask.
Another marvellous little book from O’Hanlon, and a great preface to any time spent in the natural world to ensure you’ll be asking ‘what am I seeing’ and ‘what am I not?’
The best popular science books not only reveal marvellous things about our world, and surprise us with the latest findings, but also ask questions we can’t answer yet. James O’Hanlon’s Liars, Cheats and Copycats manages all three in a relaxed, good-humoured and unpretentious style that makes the book an engaging and thoroughly entertaining read.
In uncovering ‘trickery and deception in nature’, O’Hanlon, artist, scientist, storyteller and author of Silk and Venom, goes well beyond the mysteries of tigers’ stripes, clever camouflage and defensive strategies to avoid harm or trick the unwary.
Do zebras’ distinctive look-at-me stripes disguise them from predators? No, but the answer isn’t obvious, and the real predator that zebras confound with those unmissable hides is one that took science to a surprising conclusion.
There are so many types of camouflage – some to attract or misdirect, chemical camouflage to hide or lure, behavioural trickery to win out over rivals for resources, auditory deception and many others beyond the range of our human senses.
Incredibly, plants too are able to deceive, confuse or disappear to attract or repel whom they, and the processes of evolution, choose. There are orchids that gaslight insects to manipulate the sex ratios of their pollinators to increase their number. There is an incredible vine whose leaves mimic whatever plant or tree they’re growing across to look less delicious, in the same way a chameleon or cuttlefish might change shape and colouration to blend in.
The strategies are so many, and some so sophisticated, that the author, like most field botanists and biologists, asks a forbidden question: can animals lie?
There is an unwritten law in biology to never anthropomorphise – to never attribute human-like behaviours to other fauna or flora – so the strict answer is ‘no’. But, keep topping up O’Hanlon’s glass and, toward the end of the evening, you might just get a more nuanced, even emphatic, bar-thumping answer to the positive.
There is the marvellous ‘why’ and the ‘how’ of camouflage and deception, the stunning mechanisms of evolution that produce literal wonders, but, as in all sciences, there are always more unanswered questions to ask. And that, my friends, is what science is about – curiosity, uncertainty and the discovery of better questions to ask.
Another marvellous little book from O’Hanlon, and a great preface to any time spent in the natural world to ensure you’ll be asking ‘what am I seeing’ and ‘what am I not?’
June 19, 2026
Review of Liars, Cheats, and Copycats by James O'Hanlon
Thank you tremendously to NetGalley and Columbia University Press for the eARC of this book! Such a great and enjoyable read!
Ratings out of 5
- Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Information: 🧠🧠🧠🧠🧠
- Humor: 🎭🎭🎭🎭
- Writing Style: ✒️✒️✒️✒️✒️
Favorite Thing Learned
Out of all of the crazy things in this book... I think the main thing I took away is that there are so many more forms of mimicry and deception than I thought there were. It boggles my mind because I truly thought I had a fairly thorough understanding of mimicry and deception in the animal world from my classes and outside studies.
Additional Notes
> This book was profoundly packed with knowledge and all of it was presented in such an easy to read and understand way that I absolutely adored. I truly feel as though any layperson could read and grasp the information presented in this book fairly easily. A very accessible manner to present scientific information without the need for tons of prior background knowledge.
> The humor was actually really good in this book and just got better as it continued. I found myself really enjoying some of the witty quips and remarks throughout the book.
> I cannot even begin to explain how gripping this book was to me. I just could not put it down. I mean, I finished it in two days. I really did find it fascinating and enjoyable, not to mention I feel like I learned a ton. I didn't even realize I was reading so much in each sitting.
> The references are all listed at the end of the book which is great for anyone that wants to dive into the harder science (I love that). Also the photographs added to the end of the book are so beautiful.
> The information is presented mainly using examples and I love that. I feel that it helps people understand better and gives people things to compare or apply the concepts to in real life (or even see how some of these concepts can/do play out in real life).
> I wish that there was maybe a short call to action at the end, but that didn't prevent me from giving this book lower than the rating I feel it truly deserves, it's more of just a personal thing for me as a conservationist.
Thank you tremendously to NetGalley and Columbia University Press for the eARC of this book! Such a great and enjoyable read!
Ratings out of 5
- Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Information: 🧠🧠🧠🧠🧠
- Humor: 🎭🎭🎭🎭
- Writing Style: ✒️✒️✒️✒️✒️
Favorite Thing Learned
Out of all of the crazy things in this book... I think the main thing I took away is that there are so many more forms of mimicry and deception than I thought there were. It boggles my mind because I truly thought I had a fairly thorough understanding of mimicry and deception in the animal world from my classes and outside studies.
Additional Notes
> This book was profoundly packed with knowledge and all of it was presented in such an easy to read and understand way that I absolutely adored. I truly feel as though any layperson could read and grasp the information presented in this book fairly easily. A very accessible manner to present scientific information without the need for tons of prior background knowledge.
> The humor was actually really good in this book and just got better as it continued. I found myself really enjoying some of the witty quips and remarks throughout the book.
> I cannot even begin to explain how gripping this book was to me. I just could not put it down. I mean, I finished it in two days. I really did find it fascinating and enjoyable, not to mention I feel like I learned a ton. I didn't even realize I was reading so much in each sitting.
> The references are all listed at the end of the book which is great for anyone that wants to dive into the harder science (I love that). Also the photographs added to the end of the book are so beautiful.
> The information is presented mainly using examples and I love that. I feel that it helps people understand better and gives people things to compare or apply the concepts to in real life (or even see how some of these concepts can/do play out in real life).
> I wish that there was maybe a short call to action at the end, but that didn't prevent me from giving this book lower than the rating I feel it truly deserves, it's more of just a personal thing for me as a conservationist.
October 25, 2025
Reviewed by Trish Palmer for New South Books and Bluewolf Reviews.
Not only the title of this book, ‘Liars, Cheats and Copycats’ surprising, but the illustrations on the front cover also make it a must read. James O’Hanlon is well known for his science writing and his previous novel, “Silk and Venom.” When the author completed his studies, he was inspired to travel to Malaysia to search for a rare mantis.
He was full of excitement and enthusiasm, not worried about stories of the tigers who roamed the jungle, after all, surely a bright orange striped, large animal would be easy to spot. However, in a rainforest the complexity of tree trunks, shrubs and shadows in the dense undergrowth make the perfect camouflage for this animal. This may have been the catalyst which helped James to explore the many ways that plants and animals deceive.
Animals find many places to hide, and the author describes some, like the small crab who hides inside the anus of the sea cucumber. However, hiding is not the best solution for staying safe. Birds and animals use camouflage, and scientists are just discovering how this mode can “Hack the circuits of other animals’ eyes and minds.” There is also the adaptation that animals use when they change colour. They can do this in a few seconds.
Plants have ways of deterring unwanted guests. One plant has small paddle shaped leaves which slowly rotate. It may be that this gives the image of a butterfly settling and may deter other butterflies from stopping and laying eggs on that leaf. Orchids also can pose a threat to insects by mimicking plants who have abundant pollens. There are stories told about bugs who attract ants, allow them to bite, then jump on the ant’s head and kill it.
James’ light, style, simple descriptions, fun stories and facts make this an entertaining book to read and an amazing introduction to the world of nature.
Available for Pre Order.
Not only the title of this book, ‘Liars, Cheats and Copycats’ surprising, but the illustrations on the front cover also make it a must read. James O’Hanlon is well known for his science writing and his previous novel, “Silk and Venom.” When the author completed his studies, he was inspired to travel to Malaysia to search for a rare mantis.
He was full of excitement and enthusiasm, not worried about stories of the tigers who roamed the jungle, after all, surely a bright orange striped, large animal would be easy to spot. However, in a rainforest the complexity of tree trunks, shrubs and shadows in the dense undergrowth make the perfect camouflage for this animal. This may have been the catalyst which helped James to explore the many ways that plants and animals deceive.
Animals find many places to hide, and the author describes some, like the small crab who hides inside the anus of the sea cucumber. However, hiding is not the best solution for staying safe. Birds and animals use camouflage, and scientists are just discovering how this mode can “Hack the circuits of other animals’ eyes and minds.” There is also the adaptation that animals use when they change colour. They can do this in a few seconds.
Plants have ways of deterring unwanted guests. One plant has small paddle shaped leaves which slowly rotate. It may be that this gives the image of a butterfly settling and may deter other butterflies from stopping and laying eggs on that leaf. Orchids also can pose a threat to insects by mimicking plants who have abundant pollens. There are stories told about bugs who attract ants, allow them to bite, then jump on the ant’s head and kill it.
James’ light, style, simple descriptions, fun stories and facts make this an entertaining book to read and an amazing introduction to the world of nature.
Available for Pre Order.
December 7, 2025
“Do animals even know what sticks are?”
James O’Hanlon, known for explores nature’s deception in Liars, Cheats and Copycats. Inspired by his search for a rare mantis in Malaysia, O’Hanlon examined how animals and plants use camouflage, deception, mimicry, and masquerade to survive. From lying butterflies (I left out O’Hanlon’s expletive reference to butterflies!) crab parasites, cuckoos (if I write koel, a species of cuckoos, many Aussies will groan lol) to colour-changing cuttlefish, he explored some of the many fascinating adaptations that let these creatures hide, hunt, steal, or reproduce through trickery. Plants are just as deceptive with moving parts, as well as insects pretending to be orchids to lure in their prey.
This was a masterful blend of science and vivid storytelling: “we think we can trust our senses, we think we are masters of our own behaviours and the decisions we make, but our attention is constantly pulled in all directions” that challenges our understanding of pants and animals. Some of the other notable mentions and questions from this book include whether cuttlefish are “intentionally lying to each other do they understand concepts such as honesty and dishonesty?” – in a manner of speaking, O’Hanlon said yes! And whether “animals know that they're tricking other animals” and the joy that he seemed to have describing how scientists were messing around with squirrels and moving their acorn stores to watch their reactions.
“Most animals have no idea that deception is taking place there is no duplicitous … behind their interactions … [and] it's unlikely that accept if creatures perceive their own appearance or behaviours in the same way their victims do”. O’Hanlon explained these concepts so well yet left us humbled by the fact that “the mindset of other living things may forever be something that we can imagine and infer, but never truly comprehend”.
James O’Hanlon, known for explores nature’s deception in Liars, Cheats and Copycats. Inspired by his search for a rare mantis in Malaysia, O’Hanlon examined how animals and plants use camouflage, deception, mimicry, and masquerade to survive. From lying butterflies (I left out O’Hanlon’s expletive reference to butterflies!) crab parasites, cuckoos (if I write koel, a species of cuckoos, many Aussies will groan lol) to colour-changing cuttlefish, he explored some of the many fascinating adaptations that let these creatures hide, hunt, steal, or reproduce through trickery. Plants are just as deceptive with moving parts, as well as insects pretending to be orchids to lure in their prey.
This was a masterful blend of science and vivid storytelling: “we think we can trust our senses, we think we are masters of our own behaviours and the decisions we make, but our attention is constantly pulled in all directions” that challenges our understanding of pants and animals. Some of the other notable mentions and questions from this book include whether cuttlefish are “intentionally lying to each other do they understand concepts such as honesty and dishonesty?” – in a manner of speaking, O’Hanlon said yes! And whether “animals know that they're tricking other animals” and the joy that he seemed to have describing how scientists were messing around with squirrels and moving their acorn stores to watch their reactions.
“Most animals have no idea that deception is taking place there is no duplicitous … behind their interactions … [and] it's unlikely that accept if creatures perceive their own appearance or behaviours in the same way their victims do”. O’Hanlon explained these concepts so well yet left us humbled by the fact that “the mindset of other living things may forever be something that we can imagine and infer, but never truly comprehend”.
October 4, 2026
Hey, James O’Hanlon: the Amazon Mollys are particularly iridescent this Christmas. Yes, I read the whole thing—even the funny (and occasionally pointless) footnotes—and thoroughly enjoyed the tricks you played with our eyes and brains. This is a very enjoyable book. I read everything I can about animals, and sometimes the information is familiar. But once I started reading this book, I realized just how little I knew about camouflage, animal mimicry, and all the tricks animals have up their sleeves to survive, eat, and reproduce. As anyone can probably figure out from the title, Liars, Cheats, and Copycats is approachable science at its best. Genetics and evolution—my own black beasts—are explained in ways that are easy to understand without ever talking down to the reader. The text is fun, funny, and illuminating. O’Hanlon explores both the physical ways animals deceive one another and the behavioral mind games they play. He makes an effort not to anthropomorphize his subjects, and even when he occasionally slips, I understood what he was trying to do. He also considers alternative explanations for the mysteries of animal trickery and is refreshingly frank about how much we still don’t—or perhaps can’t—know. I highly recommend this book to animal lovers, curious humans, and anyone who wants to better understand our fellow Earthlings. Don’t miss the photographs at the end of the book.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Columbia University Press.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Columbia University Press.
September 14, 2026
Calling all non-fiction readers who might have a slight obsession with the global television phenomenon The Traitors and who's podcast interests may lean into the Tooth & Claw variety. If trickery and deception, particularly in the animal kingdom interests you, James O'Hanlon's Liars, cheats and copycats is right up your street!
I found Liars to be an accessible off-shoot of An Immense World by Ed Yong, in the sense that we diverged from the senses within the animal kingdom to animal social structures and what makes them (and could make them) tick. I found it no surprise that O'Hanlon referenced Yong's masterpiece multiple times throughout the book as game always understands game.
From shape shifting octopus, to masters of disguise the orchid mantis to cuckoos who sneakily deposit one of their own eggs into another bird's nests, I found myself fascinated by each avenue O'Hanlon took us down. I found myself enjoying that we moved quickly through so many different species (even plants!) and was glad that it kept that pace for a tight almost 300 pages.
Overall, O'Hanlon's writing is quick witted and very well researched. I can tell that this is clearly a topic he's loved and worked within for years. I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for future works from O'Hanlon!
Big thanks to NetGalley and James O'Hanlon for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy of Liars, cheats and copycats!
I found Liars to be an accessible off-shoot of An Immense World by Ed Yong, in the sense that we diverged from the senses within the animal kingdom to animal social structures and what makes them (and could make them) tick. I found it no surprise that O'Hanlon referenced Yong's masterpiece multiple times throughout the book as game always understands game.
From shape shifting octopus, to masters of disguise the orchid mantis to cuckoos who sneakily deposit one of their own eggs into another bird's nests, I found myself fascinated by each avenue O'Hanlon took us down. I found myself enjoying that we moved quickly through so many different species (even plants!) and was glad that it kept that pace for a tight almost 300 pages.
Overall, O'Hanlon's writing is quick witted and very well researched. I can tell that this is clearly a topic he's loved and worked within for years. I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for future works from O'Hanlon!
Big thanks to NetGalley and James O'Hanlon for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy of Liars, cheats and copycats!
August 17, 2026
Liars, Cheats and Copycats talks about forms of mimicry and deception in nature.
There is lots of interesting to learn about mimicry and warning coloration. Its theorised purposes and evolution carries this book for me. Examples are not just well-known animals like zebras and mantises, but also plants that can change shape and animals that play dead to avoid sexual approaches.
What I did not enjoy was O'Hanlon trying to be funny by, for example, calling an animal ugly, or something too boring or difficult for the reader. No, author, I do want to learn more thoroughly about different ways to classify mimicry. I want to hear theories on how plant leaves can change shape even when they mimic a fake leaf. Instead every page needed to talk about something new. It feels like it is trying to make disinterested pre-teens read more about biology.
As the book went on, it became increasingly difficult to ignore "the funny". But also, sometimes the jokes were barely there and book felt serious. I much more appreciated when the author took their time to talk about one animal. Orchid mantis was explored more thoroughly and mentioned several times and that made the book feel more unified.
Thank you to Columbia University Press and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this book.
There is lots of interesting to learn about mimicry and warning coloration. Its theorised purposes and evolution carries this book for me. Examples are not just well-known animals like zebras and mantises, but also plants that can change shape and animals that play dead to avoid sexual approaches.
What I did not enjoy was O'Hanlon trying to be funny by, for example, calling an animal ugly, or something too boring or difficult for the reader. No, author, I do want to learn more thoroughly about different ways to classify mimicry. I want to hear theories on how plant leaves can change shape even when they mimic a fake leaf. Instead every page needed to talk about something new. It feels like it is trying to make disinterested pre-teens read more about biology.
As the book went on, it became increasingly difficult to ignore "the funny". But also, sometimes the jokes were barely there and book felt serious. I much more appreciated when the author took their time to talk about one animal. Orchid mantis was explored more thoroughly and mentioned several times and that made the book feel more unified.
Thank you to Columbia University Press and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this book.
September 17, 2026
As a biology educator, and general lover of nature, I really enjoyed "Liars, cheats, and copycats". Reading this book was like being at party and finding yourself in the corner with someone who spends the evening sharing their knowledge and passion for science with you and you feeling drawn in by the energy and interest they exude. Going into this book I expected to read about animals and the way that they adapt to their surroundings through behavioral and physiological changes, but I was pleasantly surprised to read about the way that plants also engage in deceptive practices in order to survive and thrive.
As a disclaimer, I am coming to this book with a background in biology, but I still found this book easy to digest and understand. The visuals help to highlight some of the discussed adaptations and the written imagery is done in a way that makes it fairly easy for the reader to comprehend what is being described. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves learning a little bit more about the weird, wacky, and wonderful ways nature fools their predators, their prey, and us.
Thank you NetGalley and Columbia University Press, for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
As a disclaimer, I am coming to this book with a background in biology, but I still found this book easy to digest and understand. The visuals help to highlight some of the discussed adaptations and the written imagery is done in a way that makes it fairly easy for the reader to comprehend what is being described. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves learning a little bit more about the weird, wacky, and wonderful ways nature fools their predators, their prey, and us.
Thank you NetGalley and Columbia University Press, for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
October 3, 2026
Between the eye catching title and the variety of animals on the cover, this book snagged this Reader's attention as a viable read.
True test? Will the reader's interest, wax and wane or remain steadfast throughout the read.
For this Reader, think it's in the placement of material in each chapter around concepts (ie science and art of camouflage, mimics and masquerade etc.) rather than separate species that resulted in an uneven read. At first glance, the grouping makes sense. Centering chapters around these shared concepts regardless of the species would arguably result in a cohesive read. It wasn't. From fish to fauna, from spiders to snakes, at time it was jarring.
That being said, like how the Author began with the hunt of the elusive orchid mantis then circled back at the end. Enjoyed the chapters on the cuckoo the most. Appreciate how he also included the scientific names for animals and plants. Would I recommend this read? Yes, but it is really for a narrowly tailored audience given the writing style. Aside from that, enjoy the Author's tongue in cheek comment about it not being written by A.I.
This ARC was provided by the publisher, Columbia University Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
#LiarsCheatsandCopycats #NetGalley
True test? Will the reader's interest, wax and wane or remain steadfast throughout the read.
For this Reader, think it's in the placement of material in each chapter around concepts (ie science and art of camouflage, mimics and masquerade etc.) rather than separate species that resulted in an uneven read. At first glance, the grouping makes sense. Centering chapters around these shared concepts regardless of the species would arguably result in a cohesive read. It wasn't. From fish to fauna, from spiders to snakes, at time it was jarring.
That being said, like how the Author began with the hunt of the elusive orchid mantis then circled back at the end. Enjoyed the chapters on the cuckoo the most. Appreciate how he also included the scientific names for animals and plants. Would I recommend this read? Yes, but it is really for a narrowly tailored audience given the writing style. Aside from that, enjoy the Author's tongue in cheek comment about it not being written by A.I.
This ARC was provided by the publisher, Columbia University Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
#LiarsCheatsandCopycats #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A great introduction to deception in nature. The tone of the book is light and interesting, sometimes funny, giving examples of animals, plants, and all sort of trickeries they use.
Unfortunately, because I read books on this topic before, this one didn't hold my attention. It was mostly a list of different kinds of deceptions and different animals/plants who use said deceptions. Which was the intent of the author, so that rating is on me. The author did what they intended to do and gave a great overview of the phenomenon. He also gives a list of books to get more in depth into the topic, which I appreciated a lot.
A good book if you're dipping your toes into the subject matter and a good place to start.
A copy of this book was provided to me by NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Unfortunately, because I read books on this topic before, this one didn't hold my attention. It was mostly a list of different kinds of deceptions and different animals/plants who use said deceptions. Which was the intent of the author, so that rating is on me. The author did what they intended to do and gave a great overview of the phenomenon. He also gives a list of books to get more in depth into the topic, which I appreciated a lot.
A good book if you're dipping your toes into the subject matter and a good place to start.
A copy of this book was provided to me by NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
October 23, 2026
Liars, Cheats and Copycats by James O'Hanlon is an entertaining and educational exploration of the use of camouflage and mimicry in nature. From predator and prey relationships to plant pollination and mating rituals the author explains in layman's terms how animals are indeed liars, cheats and copycats. This is a book that takes the reader all around the world, from the Amazon jungle to the depths of the oceans and I thought the level of detail was perfect, there was enough depth to answer the questions asked, nothing felt superficial, and there were often recommendations of where to look for more information if a topic piqued your interest. While there were some diagrams and illustrations I can't help but think that the book would have benefitted from more photographs or illustrations.
I read an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
I read an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
November 4, 2026
I found this absolutely fascinating and is probably in my top two for compelling non fiction this year. Just when you think surely the author has covered everything, you turn the page and there's something new and fascinating!
Everything is presented in an easy to understand way, eg: I'm no good at physics but now I understand how we see what colours we do, and how it changes in deep water. There's even occasional humour (eg: "Since most scientists are human") which I very much enjoyed.
It makes a pleasant change to not be yet another American book, maybe the "across the ditch" connection was why I enjoyed the humour so much.
I've been a nature lover all my life and I learnt a lot. Highly recommended to nature lovers and anyone interested in the many ways creatures camouflage themselves!
My thanks to NetGalley for the advance digital copy.
Everything is presented in an easy to understand way, eg: I'm no good at physics but now I understand how we see what colours we do, and how it changes in deep water. There's even occasional humour (eg: "Since most scientists are human") which I very much enjoyed.
It makes a pleasant change to not be yet another American book, maybe the "across the ditch" connection was why I enjoyed the humour so much.
I've been a nature lover all my life and I learnt a lot. Highly recommended to nature lovers and anyone interested in the many ways creatures camouflage themselves!
My thanks to NetGalley for the advance digital copy.
July 30, 2026
I learned so much from this book!
The cover really caught my attention and then the summary made me read it. If you liked Vanishing Treasures, you'd like this.
This book focuses on the different kinds of camouflage and trickery that goes on in nature. I thought the explanations and examples were really interesting, I guess I hadn't thought much about how that sort of thing worked prior to reading this. It'll be cool to notice it more in real life when I see it.
I also liked how casually this was written. It didn't feel like I was reading a textbook, it felt like someone was telling me what they know about the topic. I much prefer that.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
The cover really caught my attention and then the summary made me read it. If you liked Vanishing Treasures, you'd like this.
This book focuses on the different kinds of camouflage and trickery that goes on in nature. I thought the explanations and examples were really interesting, I guess I hadn't thought much about how that sort of thing worked prior to reading this. It'll be cool to notice it more in real life when I see it.
I also liked how casually this was written. It didn't feel like I was reading a textbook, it felt like someone was telling me what they know about the topic. I much prefer that.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
September 24, 2026
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I love reading books on niche subjects where the author is clearly speaking from his passion. This one is one of those. It's funny when the author switches between his neutral tone and suddenly throws in a joke that's clearly a hit (according to him) with his students.
The book covers animal mimicry in many facets and among many species. I did have to pull out trusty google images every now and then because there aren't really any illustrations. But it's very decent non-fiction!
I love reading books on niche subjects where the author is clearly speaking from his passion. This one is one of those. It's funny when the author switches between his neutral tone and suddenly throws in a joke that's clearly a hit (according to him) with his students.
The book covers animal mimicry in many facets and among many species. I did have to pull out trusty google images every now and then because there aren't really any illustrations. But it's very decent non-fiction!
October 11, 2026
If blending in was the only way to survive, would you be able to do it? For humans, the answer is generally no. But for animals, bugs and plants, the answer is yes. Liars, Cheats and Copycats: Trickery and Deception in Nature goes over the various ways organisms camouflage to survive. It explains how they trick the senses in interesting ways.
I truly enjoyed this book. Before reading it, I thought that animal camouflage was limited to blending with the colors around you or mimicking a more dangerous species. I had no idea that the other senses were involved or that plants utilize it too!
I truly enjoyed this book. Before reading it, I thought that animal camouflage was limited to blending with the colors around you or mimicking a more dangerous species. I had no idea that the other senses were involved or that plants utilize it too!
October 22, 2026
With such an intriguing topic I knew this would be a fun and informative read!
I found myself thinking about these little & big critters after I had read them and even told a few coworkers about them.
I do think that given the topic, the book could have benefitted from a few (or many) illustrations or photos of our mimicking friends.
Thank you to NetGalley & Columbia University Press for this ARC!
I found myself thinking about these little & big critters after I had read them and even told a few coworkers about them.
I do think that given the topic, the book could have benefitted from a few (or many) illustrations or photos of our mimicking friends.
Thank you to NetGalley & Columbia University Press for this ARC!
January 9, 2026
This is a really enjoyable read and fascinating exploration of deception in nature - including camouflage, mimicry, false promises, and reflections on what it means to lie. It also is a great reminder of how perception of the world around us can vary a lot, depending on if you're a human, a cuttlefish, or a wasp.
January 12, 2026
Fantastisk velskrevet bog som beskriver de mange snydetricks og andre finurligheder der findes I den naturlige verden.
En ret kort bog (under 200 sider) hvilket gør man ikke bliver træt af emnet (kan godt ske med bogle dyre bøger), og så skriver han også bare i sjov dagligdagstale.
Kun 1 kapitel kan få lidt kritik for kun at handle om planter. Come one man, i aint about that botany shit
En ret kort bog (under 200 sider) hvilket gør man ikke bliver træt af emnet (kan godt ske med bogle dyre bøger), og så skriver han også bare i sjov dagligdagstale.
Kun 1 kapitel kan få lidt kritik for kun at handle om planter. Come one man, i aint about that botany shit
August 4, 2026
I enjoyed this book. Its strongest points were the author’s journey, the conversational tone, and the great explanations of the science. I also appreciated the author’s sense of humour and overall clever writing. The footnotes were also worth reading as was the reference section. The photos were excellent. Thank you to NetGalley and Columbia University Press for the advance reader copy.
June 15, 2026
Interesting but I do not like the style of writing (authors tries to be funny and appear smart) and I felt the topic was not really discussed in depth... But at least it isnt one of those science book where the author spends half the words on himself.
December 29, 2025
My brother Alex got me this and I loved it so much, so interesting and frankly one of the funniest books I’ve read in a long time.
August 2, 2026
Really enjoyable read. Great writing, and I found myself laughing at times which can be rare for a natural history book. Would highly recommend this author!!
August 5, 2026
My first time being trolled by a book. 10/10 stars. Perfect balance of informative and entertaining :). Read within 2 days and left me wishing I could be this guys friend!
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