Lies we told this summer

by Emily Barr

From the author of The One Memory of Flora Banks comes a YA true-crime murder-mystery with a romantic twist, set over a dangerous summer that will change lives forever. Perfect for fans of We Were Liars and The Reappearance of Rachel Price.

When Cat has the chance to escape Cornwall and spend the summer on the French Riviera with some rich family friends, she jumps at the opportunity. There she meets a group of people who don't seem to have a care in the world. Henry is different though, more interesting; she falls for him, he falls for her . . .

Yet Henry has secrets. Strange circumstances surround the death of his mum a few years earlier - and when he invites Cat to his eerie French countryside mansion for a few days, she thinks she could help him get to the bottom of things by doing some digging into past crimes.

But not everyone wants the case to be investigated . . .

Genres: Thriller, Young Adult

382 pages, Paperback

Published May 21, 2026

About the author

Emily Barr worked as a journalist in London, but always hankered after a quiet room and a book to write. She went travelling for a year, writing a column in the Guardian about it as she went, and it was there that she had an idea for a novel set in the world of backpackers in Asia. This became Backpack, which won the WH Smith New Talent Award. She has since written eleven more adult novels published in the UK and around the world, and a novella, Blackout, for the Quick Reads series. Her twelfth novel, The Sleeper, is a psychological thriller set on the London to Cornwall sleeper train.
In 2013 she went to Svalbard with the idea of setting a thriller in the Arctic. The book that came out of it was The One Memory of Flora Banks, a thriller for young adults, which attracted universal interest from publishers before being bought pre-emptively by Penguin earlier this year. It will be published globally in January 2017.
She lives in Cornwall with her partner and their children.

Reviews

[Kleto Konstantinidou · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much even though it’s a lot different than other crime books I’ve read before and I got a bit confused in what the plot was about plus I figured who did it really fast ( I mean in those kind of cases it’s always the husband). But overall I didn’t get bored at all and I couldn’t put it down cause the story line was very interesting!!

[Tallulah · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75⭐️

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know you’re in good hands when Emily Barr’s name is on the cover, and this new paperback is no exception. In Truro young podcast-lover Cat has finished her A Levels and that magic pre-university summer beckons, yet she’ll be spending it helping her mother and step-father with her newest, unplanned siblings, a second set of young twins for the busy blended household. Her mother’s glamorous school friend Sophie, a star radio producer, arrives unexpectedly with her husband Owen and a life-changing suggestion: Cat should travel to Sophie’s house in Antibes and spend the summer learning to make podcasts. Sophie’s even arranged for someone to help Cat’s mum with the babies, so there’s no need to feel any guilt, and as Cat and her step-sister Kitty already spend their summers gazing at Sophie’s glowing Instagram updates from the French resort city, Cat knows what to expect. Or does she? Cat’s arrival in Antibes is a head-spinning whirl of stunning interiors, breath-taking views, mouth-watering Mediterranean food, beautiful people and a little more alcohol than she’s used to, and although her family group chat is popping off with envious emojis, her mum’s maintaining a chilly silence: they’d parted badly, an argument fuelled by emotion and exhaustion, and now Cat’s thousands of miles away in every sense. Yet when tragedy strikes and an old friend of Sophie’s is pulled lifeless from the harbour, Cat just wants her mum – and the shimmering world of Antibes has only just started to reveal its shadow side. A brilliant read that will transport you straight to the French Riviera and that feeling of infinite possibility presented by post-school summer.

Featured in July 2026 Cambridge Edition Magazine

[Josie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a fun retelling of Northanger Abbey, although it was beyond daft when the heroine (who is literally called Cat Morland) finds out the house is called Northanger and says "oh, like Jane Austen?" when the boy who invited her is literally called Henry Tilney and she is basically living out the plot of the book............... Lmfao sorry, but you can't have your MC reference the original story in the middle of a retelling and then have her go on to make exactly the same mistakes like she's oblivious to the parallels.

I enjoyed some of the updates (like Cat being a fan of true crime podcasts rather than Gothic novels) but making Henry Tilney a spineless twat, and Jonno Thorpe the gallant hero who rushes in to rescue Cat from a murderer, was... certainly a choice, especially since earlier in the book Jonno was a walking red flag who told Cat she ~~wasn't like other girls~~ and was emotionally manipulative. They meet up for drinks which he insists is a date ('If you thought this was just a drink you wouldn't have turned up all dolled up.'), proceeds to call her pathetic before saying she's gorgeous, accuses her of being a flirt, and gets angry with her for leading him on when in reality she was completely oblivious -- oh, and he also grabs her arm to stop her from leaving. But sure, okay, I'll forget all about that?? What a hero... 🙄

[Ladystarlight Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take it on holiday

When the opportunity for Cat to escape rainy Cornwall for the French Riviera with some rich family friends comes along, Cat can’t believe her luck. She then meets Henry quite by chance, and they both seem to fall for each other. The perfect holiday, right?…
But due to unforeseen circumstances, Cat’s holiday may be cut short until Henry offers her the chance to stay at his family’s stunning home. Yet secrets are hidden in the huge French countryside mansion, and not all mysteries should be investigated, as Cat will discover.

A sweet first romance that isn’t all it seems. It’s also been pitched as a modern retelling of northanger Abby with a murder mystery. I can see some element of this; however, even if you’re not an Austen fan, you will enjoy the book.

If you’re looking for a fun, quick summer read, with enough mystery and peril to keep you turning the page, this might be the book for you. It’s a relaxed, enjoyable read, perfect for the hols.

I give it a 4/5

Thank you, Nina Doughless and Penguin, for sending a finished copy for me to give my honest review.

[Anne Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up to 3. This is a rare Emily Barr misfire for me. Which is a shame as I usually love her writing, The main character Cat isn't very interesting and the story only gets going about two-thirds of the way through. Plus there's a lot of repetition. It's a rewrite of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey (a fact which should be included in the blurb!) but frankly the original is so much better. Here there's no irony and no wit, and the romance doesn't ring true. There is a potentially exciting end confrontation scene but it is told rather than described, so doesn't pack much of a punch. Sorry but I can't recommend this one. However, I'm sure Barr will be back on form next time - with her own plot, I hope!

[Beth Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant reimagining of Northanger Abbey as a true crime murder mystery. The tension is almost unbearable as Cat's dream holiday gets ever worse and she becomes ever more isolated. Barr brilliantly subverts readers expectations of the story even through the soft summer haze of Southern France. Outstanding stuff.

[Becky Jerams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this YA thriller - it was the perfect read for summer!

The story follows teenager Cat, who gets the opportunity to escape her busy family home in Cornwall and spend the summer on the beautiful French Riviera with rich, glamorous family friends.

She's so excited to be travelling abroad for the first time, reinvent herself and experience the glossy world she's only ever seen on Instagram. She even starts recording a podcast about her adventures. But when a death occurs during her very first week away, and the charming boy she meets seems to be hiding some dark family secrets, Cat can't help getting herself involved... even if it comes at a price.

Emily Barr is such a fantastic thriller writer, with pacy, exciting prose that keeps you constantly turning the pages. I just loved all the twists and turns as they gradually unfolded, and the gorgeous scenery made me feel like I was on holiday! There was always something happening, and I was totally transported while reading.

If you're looking for the perfect twisty summer read, make sure to pick up a copy of LIES WE TOLD THIS SUMMER!

[Gabrijela Brlogar · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 stars actually because of the writing but the plot was so good it can get a 3 star

[Beccy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mit 16/17 hätte ich dieses Buch wahrscheinlich geliebt. Jetzt find ich es ein bisschen über dramatisch aber trotzdem auf seine Art spannend.

[Mary.Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barr does it again!!

A superbly formed plot, well written characters, and a stunning setting.

I would now like to lose my memory so I can experience it again!

[Jenny Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this and want to read more by this author (who apparently lives in Cornwall). Great Northanger Abbey vibes from a fab YA writer

[Lottie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Emily Barr! The One Memory Of Floraa Banks shaped me, and This Summer's Secrets solidified her as one of my favourite authors. I was lucky enough to attend the launch event for Lies We Told This Summer, and it was everything I hoped it would be - and more!

Imagine my thrill upon learning this is a modern retelling of Northanger Abbey! Barr pays the perfect tribute to Austen's classic with some delicious modern twists. Catherine's obsession with Gothic novels becomes Cat's obsession with true crime podcasting. While modern trends and social media in books typically makes me grit my teeth, it was done so smoothly here.

A Summer in France, murder mysteries, romance, and the prevailing influence of Austen on every page. There's nothing I don't love about this book.