On Martha’s Vineyard, the Laurent estate has always stood as a symbol of legacy, wealth, and power. But beneath the salt-stung air and rows of clinging vines lies a family poisoned by secrets.
Victoria “Vee” Laurent returns to the island after years of addiction, haunted by the child she was forced to give up and the ghosts of her past. Evelyn, the iron-willed matriarch, rules with ruthless precision, determined to bind her family’s future to the vineyard—no matter the cost. Marcus, the chosen heir, hides betrayals that could shatter both his marriage and the Laurent name. Camille, the quiet observer, uncovers truths so dangerous they could burn the entire estate to the ground.
And then Arianna Greene arrives—an outsider with questions no one dares to ask, her presence threatening to unravel everything Evelyn has built.
As tensions rise and long-buried sins surface, the fragile balance cracks. Poison slips into wine. Death stalks the halls. Accusations spiral, loyalties fracture, and every Laurent becomes both suspect and victim in a house where blood ties are shackles.
The vines cling. The secrets tighten. And the truth—like roots buried deep in the soil—will not stay hidden forever.
Lies, Like Vines is a dark, atmospheric family saga of wealth, betrayal, and the cost of control—perfect for readers who love gothic suspense, twisted legacies, and psychological thrillers where the past is never truly past.
There’s something powerful about stories that show the hidden side of a beautiful place. “Lies, Like Vines” takes us to Martha’s Vineyard, where the Laurent family estate looks perfect from the outside, but inside, things are far from it. It’s a story about secrets, lies, and how the past quietly shapes the present—sometimes in ways we don’t even realize.
What really makes this book stand out is how it makes you feel connected to the characters. They’re not just plot devices; they’re real people with flaws, hopes, fears, and regrets. Vee, who comes back after years away, is haunted by her past and the things she’s lost. Evelyn, the powerful matriarch, rules her family with a firm hand, but her tough exterior hints at deeper pain. Marcus and Camille are caught in the middle—struggling with their own secrets and what they’re willing to hide or reveal.
The author’s writing is clear and atmospheric. You can almost feel the salty air, smell the vines, and sense the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air. The story moves at a steady pace, slowly revealing pieces of the family’s history and the dark truths they’ve kept hidden for so long. It’s like watching vines slowly grow and tighten around what’s underneath—unavoidable and almost suffocating.
The themes in the book are about power, loyalty, and the damage secrets can cause. It makes you think about how families try to hold on to their legacy, even when that legacy is built on lies. The story shows how silence and denial can become like poison, slowly spreading and hurting everyone involved. The mood is dark and moody, fitting the story’s gothic feel, but it also feels real and honest.
What I appreciated most is how respectful the story is to its characters. Everyone has their reasons for acting the way they do, and the author takes time to show their struggles without making them easy villains or heroes. It feels like a true family portrait—messy, complicated, and full of contradictions.
“Lies, Like Vines” is a good read if you like stories that make you think about what’s behind closed doors and how the past can linger long after it’s supposed to be gone. It’s a quiet story with a lot of emotional weight, showing how sometimes the most dangerous secrets are the ones we never speak aloud. It makes you wonder what lies beneath the surface of the people and places we think we know best.
In the end, this book is about the roots of family and the truth that can’t stay hidden forever. It’s about how the past can grow like vines, wrapping around everything until it’s impossible to ignore. And sometimes, facing those truths is the only way to find peace.
Must read!✨ This murder mystery had me hooked from the start. The family lies, the twists, the constant wondering who can actually be trusted—it all kept me turning pages. I love when a book makes you FEEL what the characters are feeling, and this one definitely did. If you’re into twisty mysteries with real emotion behind them, this is a must-read!!
I would definitely recommend reading this book, absolutely loved this book! Loved how you could visualize the scenes and feel the emotions in the room or even of the characters. I can not wait for the next book to come out and hope there will be many more to come.
The interior formatting was distracting throughout. Paragraph spacing and indentation were inconsistent, which made the reading experience feel unfinished. There is actually no indentation. Structurally the chapter pacing was erratic, with very short chapters throughout, with one unexpectedly long chapter disrupting the narrative flow. Unfortunately, these issues pulled me out of the story repeatedly.