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Five Liars
The fraud.
The imposter.
The cheater.
The fake.
The murderer.
Which one am I?
The guest list for Brit and Joe’s joint bachelor-bachelorette weekend is small and exclusive: the bride, the groom, the best man, a work friend . . . and me, the maid of honor. I’ve planned every detail to make this a celebration none of us will ever forget.
Expect daytime drinking, poolside lounging — and a White Lie Party designed to help us share all our little secrets.
After all, confession is good for the soul . . . and one of us is hiding something truly killer.
Don’t forget to save the date!
Love,
The Maid of Honor x
A tense and breathless psychological thriller with a mind-blowing twist you won’t see coming. Perfect for anyone who’s ever wondered what secrets their friends are really keeping.
The imposter.
The cheater.
The fake.
The murderer.
Which one am I?
The guest list for Brit and Joe’s joint bachelor-bachelorette weekend is small and exclusive: the bride, the groom, the best man, a work friend . . . and me, the maid of honor. I’ve planned every detail to make this a celebration none of us will ever forget.
Expect daytime drinking, poolside lounging — and a White Lie Party designed to help us share all our little secrets.
After all, confession is good for the soul . . . and one of us is hiding something truly killer.
Don’t forget to save the date!
Love,
The Maid of Honor x
A tense and breathless psychological thriller with a mind-blowing twist you won’t see coming. Perfect for anyone who’s ever wondered what secrets their friends are really keeping.
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First published January 5, 2026
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November 23, 2025
Five Liars by D.L. Fisher
Synopsis /
The fraud.
The impostor.
The cheater.
The fake.
The murderer.
Which one am I?
The guest list for Brit and Joe’s joint bachelor-bachelorette weekend is small and exclusive: the bride, the groom, the best man, a work friend . . . and me, the maid of Honor. I’ve planned every detail to make this a celebration none of us will ever forget.
My Thoughts /
First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, publishers Joffe Books and author, D.L. Fisher for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Another book choice brought to you by "my eyes". 👀
Yep. The whole title/cover art thing drew me in again. Plus the blurb:- A fraud, an impostor, a cheater, a fake, and a murderer. Well, throw me a line and reel me in!
Brittany Jones and Joseph Briggs, together with three of their closest friends are travelling to the tropical island of Puta Cana for Brit and Joe's joint bachelor/bachelorette party. Best Friend and Maid of Honor, Lisa Raynard, has organised all of the pre-wedding activities for the weekend party. I have loads of fun activities planned and, like a magician, a few tricks up my sleeve.
The flight over from New York to Punta Cana was a lot bumpier than the pre-weds expected, but upon arrival it all seemed to be smooth sailing. Nothing but vast seascapes – a beautiful turquoise ocean, brilliant white sand and tall green swaying coconut palms as far as the eye can see. The 40 minute cab drive to their holiday villa seemed to take an absolute age – it's in the middle of nowhere. Finally arriving at the Villa, their cab driver couldn't depart from his passengers quick enough – leaving a plume of dust and kicked-up rocks in their wake – he didn't even wait to get paid - only leaving them with this parting comment "Get out while you can". Brit assumed the driver was just spooked, as looking at the weather app, there was a weather warning for a serious storm approaching. But the storm, it appears, was the least of the engaged couple's worries.
Sometimes, you don't realise what you're capable of until you're pushed to the edge. That's one thing I know to be painfully, poignantly true. Another truth: it was either her or me.
I had high hopes for this one – the premise reeled me in. It reminded me a little of the TV show The Traitors, where everyone is not who they are presenting to be. You've got to dig beneath the deception, the lies and the betrayal. Only the most cunning and conniving will survive. Trust No One. It's a game of social deduction. However, unlike its television namesake, this one wasn't a smash hit for me.
So, what worked? The premise – that was a huge tick for me.
Disappointingly though it was let down by the execution. As much as I hate to say it, it's true: 'Ideas are cheap; execution is everything'. A great story is a process. Don't be fooled into thinking that a great idea is worth 90%. There is a huge amount of craftsmanship in between that great idea and the end product - characters, setting, plot, conflicts and themes all have a part to play in a story's success.
All of the characters in this book were unattractive, and I don't mean that in a physical sense, rather, they were all hiding ugly secrets that they didn't want anyone else to expose. Now it's fine to have a novel full of unlikeable characters, but they still need to have something a reader can connect to. Something for the reader to care about. When the characters in this story began 'dropping off', I couldn't care less. Rather, I was confused about the why? This reader would have loved a lot more depth to the characters and maybe even some teasers as to why they were chosen. Instead, just like an Army advancing on its enemy; the plot kept moving forward – and this reader was none the wiser for it. More show, less tell.
Now look, I'm not a total rotter and this book wasn't all bad. At no time did I want to DNF, I just wished, when they came, those moments of brilliance were more frequent.
This book left me with mixed feelings, as my review will no doubt convey. Maybe you will need to read it for yourself and make up your own mind?
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to publishers, Joffe Books 💗 for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for January 08, 2026.
Synopsis /
The fraud.
The impostor.
The cheater.
The fake.
The murderer.
Which one am I?
The guest list for Brit and Joe’s joint bachelor-bachelorette weekend is small and exclusive: the bride, the groom, the best man, a work friend . . . and me, the maid of Honor. I’ve planned every detail to make this a celebration none of us will ever forget.
My Thoughts /
First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, publishers Joffe Books and author, D.L. Fisher for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Another book choice brought to you by "my eyes". 👀
Yep. The whole title/cover art thing drew me in again. Plus the blurb:- A fraud, an impostor, a cheater, a fake, and a murderer. Well, throw me a line and reel me in!
Brittany Jones and Joseph Briggs, together with three of their closest friends are travelling to the tropical island of Puta Cana for Brit and Joe's joint bachelor/bachelorette party. Best Friend and Maid of Honor, Lisa Raynard, has organised all of the pre-wedding activities for the weekend party. I have loads of fun activities planned and, like a magician, a few tricks up my sleeve.
The flight over from New York to Punta Cana was a lot bumpier than the pre-weds expected, but upon arrival it all seemed to be smooth sailing. Nothing but vast seascapes – a beautiful turquoise ocean, brilliant white sand and tall green swaying coconut palms as far as the eye can see. The 40 minute cab drive to their holiday villa seemed to take an absolute age – it's in the middle of nowhere. Finally arriving at the Villa, their cab driver couldn't depart from his passengers quick enough – leaving a plume of dust and kicked-up rocks in their wake – he didn't even wait to get paid - only leaving them with this parting comment "Get out while you can". Brit assumed the driver was just spooked, as looking at the weather app, there was a weather warning for a serious storm approaching. But the storm, it appears, was the least of the engaged couple's worries.
Sometimes, you don't realise what you're capable of until you're pushed to the edge. That's one thing I know to be painfully, poignantly true. Another truth: it was either her or me.
I had high hopes for this one – the premise reeled me in. It reminded me a little of the TV show The Traitors, where everyone is not who they are presenting to be. You've got to dig beneath the deception, the lies and the betrayal. Only the most cunning and conniving will survive. Trust No One. It's a game of social deduction. However, unlike its television namesake, this one wasn't a smash hit for me.
So, what worked? The premise – that was a huge tick for me.
Disappointingly though it was let down by the execution. As much as I hate to say it, it's true: 'Ideas are cheap; execution is everything'. A great story is a process. Don't be fooled into thinking that a great idea is worth 90%. There is a huge amount of craftsmanship in between that great idea and the end product - characters, setting, plot, conflicts and themes all have a part to play in a story's success.
All of the characters in this book were unattractive, and I don't mean that in a physical sense, rather, they were all hiding ugly secrets that they didn't want anyone else to expose. Now it's fine to have a novel full of unlikeable characters, but they still need to have something a reader can connect to. Something for the reader to care about. When the characters in this story began 'dropping off', I couldn't care less. Rather, I was confused about the why? This reader would have loved a lot more depth to the characters and maybe even some teasers as to why they were chosen. Instead, just like an Army advancing on its enemy; the plot kept moving forward – and this reader was none the wiser for it. More show, less tell.
Now look, I'm not a total rotter and this book wasn't all bad. At no time did I want to DNF, I just wished, when they came, those moments of brilliance were more frequent.
This book left me with mixed feelings, as my review will no doubt convey. Maybe you will need to read it for yourself and make up your own mind?
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to publishers, Joffe Books 💗 for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for January 08, 2026.
November 26, 2025
Five Liars is another addictive read by D.L. Fisher. This book gripped me instantly with twists and turns throughout. I loved how the plot unfolded from multiple perspectives. I also enjoyed the mysterious past timeline that kept me guessing. The final twist was both jaw-dropping and satisfying. This thriller is clever, unpredictable, and extremely entertaining. Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for my ARC.
November 22, 2025
I received a free copy of, Five Liars, by D. L. Fisher, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Brit and Joe are getting married, Brit's maid of honor Lisa has quite the bachelor/bachlorette party planned. This book was a little to dark for me, you never truly know who your friends are, and they are awful in this book.
February 1, 2026
This is not for those who scare easily or hate gore. The premise a batcherlette party organised by a best friend do just 5 people. Each sadly is flawed and full of secrets . This is full of action from page 1 with a dual story running alongside.It had me hooked as i tried to work out what was going and ultimatly who was responsible . This is very graphical and make me glad i don't have so called friends like that. Although it was lengthy it was engaging and compelling to read to discover the truths. Some seemed predictable especially the final reveal which blew my mind . This may make you think twice about worldwin marriages. Did feel there was an element of stupidness that ran through the storyies. Well explained. Thanks netgallery, publisher and author
December 27, 2025
This book was totally stupid and I really wanted to like it but I just could not. I gave it two stars and that is only because I was interested enough to keep reading so I could find out who the big bad actually was. Beyond that, this was an incredibly frustrating reading experience.
The biggest issue was the nonstop repetitiveness. Every single character constantly said they felt off, they were scared, they should not be there, they wanted to leave, over and over again. It added nothing to the tension and instead made the characters feel shallow and annoying rather than suspenseful. At a certain point it felt almost comical how often the same thoughts and dialogue were recycled.
And then there is the hurricane. A massive hurricane hits during the story in the Dominican Republic and somehow none of these characters had any idea it was coming. That is just not believable. When major weather events are approaching, everyone knows about it. People talk about it, the news talks about it, even flight attendants would be warning passengers. Anyone who travels checks the weather before they go. This plot point completely took me out of the story and made the entire setup feel lazy and unrealistic.
The premise had potential and the reveal was enough to keep me going, but the execution completely missed the mark for me. Instead of being tense and clever, it felt repetitive, illogical, and ultimately disappointing. This one just did not work for me at all.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
The biggest issue was the nonstop repetitiveness. Every single character constantly said they felt off, they were scared, they should not be there, they wanted to leave, over and over again. It added nothing to the tension and instead made the characters feel shallow and annoying rather than suspenseful. At a certain point it felt almost comical how often the same thoughts and dialogue were recycled.
And then there is the hurricane. A massive hurricane hits during the story in the Dominican Republic and somehow none of these characters had any idea it was coming. That is just not believable. When major weather events are approaching, everyone knows about it. People talk about it, the news talks about it, even flight attendants would be warning passengers. Anyone who travels checks the weather before they go. This plot point completely took me out of the story and made the entire setup feel lazy and unrealistic.
The premise had potential and the reveal was enough to keep me going, but the execution completely missed the mark for me. Instead of being tense and clever, it felt repetitive, illogical, and ultimately disappointing. This one just did not work for me at all.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 9, 2026
At an exclusive joint bachelor-bachelorette weekend planned by the maid of honor, a seemingly harmless White Lie Party turns dangerous when secrets surface and one guest is revealed to be truly deadly.
This was a fast, twisty popcorn thriller that I read in a single day. The remote villa in Punta Cana, cut off from the world as a Category 3 hurricane bears down, created the perfect locked-room, claustrophobic setting for things to go wrong. With such a small guest list for the joint bachelor/bachelorette weekend, tensions felt amplified, and nearly every character was deeply unlikable in the most entertaining way. There was only one person I didn’t entirely loathe, and even he had enough flaws to keep me questioning his motives.
I really enjoyed the multiple points of view and dual timelines, especially trying to piece together who was narrating the “then” chapters from the past. Everyone felt suspicious, and the constant uncertainty kept me turning pages. I genuinely didn’t see the big reveal coming, which is always a win for me, though the story does ask you to suspend disbelief at times with a few over-the-top moments. Still, Five Liars delivered exactly what I wanted: sharp twists, messy characters, and pure escapist fun. This was my first book by D.L. Fisher, and it definitely won’t be my last.
Thank you to the author and Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse for a gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
This was a fast, twisty popcorn thriller that I read in a single day. The remote villa in Punta Cana, cut off from the world as a Category 3 hurricane bears down, created the perfect locked-room, claustrophobic setting for things to go wrong. With such a small guest list for the joint bachelor/bachelorette weekend, tensions felt amplified, and nearly every character was deeply unlikable in the most entertaining way. There was only one person I didn’t entirely loathe, and even he had enough flaws to keep me questioning his motives.
I really enjoyed the multiple points of view and dual timelines, especially trying to piece together who was narrating the “then” chapters from the past. Everyone felt suspicious, and the constant uncertainty kept me turning pages. I genuinely didn’t see the big reveal coming, which is always a win for me, though the story does ask you to suspend disbelief at times with a few over-the-top moments. Still, Five Liars delivered exactly what I wanted: sharp twists, messy characters, and pure escapist fun. This was my first book by D.L. Fisher, and it definitely won’t be my last.
Thank you to the author and Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse for a gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
January 10, 2026
Two days
Five liars
One killer
Set in a remote expansive rental home in Punta Cana, five people come together over a weekend for a joint bachelor and bachelorette party. From the moment they arrive, therr seems to be a bad omen about this weekend. All signs point to abandoning the trip, but they persevere at their own peril.
Five liars is bingeable locked room popcorn thriller. Full of secrets, lies, deceit and MURDER.
I really enjoyed the flashbacks to the past. You know it all ties to the present but have no idea how. It was surprising, disturbing and well done.
Five liars
One killer
Set in a remote expansive rental home in Punta Cana, five people come together over a weekend for a joint bachelor and bachelorette party. From the moment they arrive, therr seems to be a bad omen about this weekend. All signs point to abandoning the trip, but they persevere at their own peril.
Five liars is bingeable locked room popcorn thriller. Full of secrets, lies, deceit and MURDER.
I really enjoyed the flashbacks to the past. You know it all ties to the present but have no idea how. It was surprising, disturbing and well done.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Brit and Joe are getting married after just four months of dating. Maid of honour Lisa is in charge of organising the joint bachelor/bachelorette party weekend in Punta Cana, as well as keeping the very exclusive group of guests entertained. But when Lisa is injured and best man Darren is pushed from a ladder, they start to realise that someone is messing with them. Trapped in a foreign country, in the middle of nowhere, with no signal and no phones—who will survive?
This was a fairly quick and easy read that you don’t really need to think too much about. The story itself was a great idea; however, I felt the execution was lacking. Every single character was unlikeable, and I found absolutely nothing to connect with. Each of them felt like a stereotype rather than a fully developed person, with no real depth. I found myself feeling frustrated with all of them throughout the book.
That said, it still wasn’t the worst book I’ve read. I’ll admit, it did keep me guessing—I genuinely didn’t clock who was behind everything. That’s what ultimately made me change my rating from 3★ to 4★.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but I would be willing to try another one in the future.
This was a fairly quick and easy read that you don’t really need to think too much about. The story itself was a great idea; however, I felt the execution was lacking. Every single character was unlikeable, and I found absolutely nothing to connect with. Each of them felt like a stereotype rather than a fully developed person, with no real depth. I found myself feeling frustrated with all of them throughout the book.
That said, it still wasn’t the worst book I’ve read. I’ll admit, it did keep me guessing—I genuinely didn’t clock who was behind everything. That’s what ultimately made me change my rating from 3★ to 4★.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but I would be willing to try another one in the future.
November 17, 2025
Thank you netgalley for the arc of this book, I rated it 3.75 rounded up. This wasnt a bad book it reminded me of a freida mcfadden book so I was waiting for the plot twist you "wouldnt expect". A quick easy read with under 300 pages it was silly fun time.
November 30, 2025
Five Liars was my first book by D.L. Fisher, and what an introduction. I went in blind and was immediately pulled into this messy, addictive weekend away where every single person is hiding something. The setup is brilliant – a joint bachelor and bachelorette getaway, a “white lie” party that was always going to detonate, and a friend group where tension is already simmering before the real drama even begins.
The story unfolds through five perspectives and a dual timeline, and I loved how that structure drip-fed secrets, motives and shifting loyalties. It gives you just enough to form theories before snatching the ground out from under you. The emails were a standout for me – they paint the maid of honour as completely unhinged… but is that actually the truth? That thread of doubt added such a fun, chaotic energy to the whole read.
This is one of those thrillers where trust is non-existent, everyone is a suspect, and the smallest detail can send you spiralling back to square one. Even when I thought I had the dynamics figured out, a couple of sharp reveals pushed the story in directions I didn’t expect.
As an ARC, this was such a fun ride and a great introduction to this author’s style. I already have The Missing Boy and The Nanny on my Audible TBR, and now I’m even keener to dive into both.
Twisty, tense, and packed with secrets — four stars from me.
The story unfolds through five perspectives and a dual timeline, and I loved how that structure drip-fed secrets, motives and shifting loyalties. It gives you just enough to form theories before snatching the ground out from under you. The emails were a standout for me – they paint the maid of honour as completely unhinged… but is that actually the truth? That thread of doubt added such a fun, chaotic energy to the whole read.
This is one of those thrillers where trust is non-existent, everyone is a suspect, and the smallest detail can send you spiralling back to square one. Even when I thought I had the dynamics figured out, a couple of sharp reveals pushed the story in directions I didn’t expect.
As an ARC, this was such a fun ride and a great introduction to this author’s style. I already have The Missing Boy and The Nanny on my Audible TBR, and now I’m even keener to dive into both.
Twisty, tense, and packed with secrets — four stars from me.
November 15, 2025
This book is twisty and definitely plot-driven. It’s a super quick read—I finished it in one sitting because I needed to see where it was going. And the ending? I actually really liked that final twist in a way.
But the characters themselves felt like bad acting—very over the top, exaggerated, and not in a fun or intentional way. The dialogue especially pulled me right out of the story. People kept responding with lines like “but what?” over and over, and it just didn’t feel natural. Real people don’t talk like that, and it made the whole cast feel a bit flat and disconnected.
There were also a lot of moments where characters suddenly became convinced someone was guilty with almost no real reasoning behind it. Accusations came out of nowhere, and they were so determined and dramatic about it that I kept thinking, Wait… how did we get here? It made the pacing feel uneven and the reactions unrealistic.
When you finish the book and look back at the first fifty pages—plus the chapters after—you start realizing how much doesn’t fully add up. Some plot threads felt unresolved or just dropped. A lot of scenes felt oddly placed, or like they were building toward something that never actually came together.
Overall, it’s a fast, popcorn thriller with a strong ending, but the characters, dialogue, and pacing didn’t always work for me.
Thank you Netgalley and Joffe Books for providing me with this ARC for my honest review!
But the characters themselves felt like bad acting—very over the top, exaggerated, and not in a fun or intentional way. The dialogue especially pulled me right out of the story. People kept responding with lines like “but what?” over and over, and it just didn’t feel natural. Real people don’t talk like that, and it made the whole cast feel a bit flat and disconnected.
There were also a lot of moments where characters suddenly became convinced someone was guilty with almost no real reasoning behind it. Accusations came out of nowhere, and they were so determined and dramatic about it that I kept thinking, Wait… how did we get here? It made the pacing feel uneven and the reactions unrealistic.
When you finish the book and look back at the first fifty pages—plus the chapters after—you start realizing how much doesn’t fully add up. Some plot threads felt unresolved or just dropped. A lot of scenes felt oddly placed, or like they were building toward something that never actually came together.
Overall, it’s a fast, popcorn thriller with a strong ending, but the characters, dialogue, and pacing didn’t always work for me.
Thank you Netgalley and Joffe Books for providing me with this ARC for my honest review!
January 12, 2026
This story is incredibly claustrophobic and intense—I loved it! I felt like I couldn’t catch my breath until the very end! Whoosh!
A tense psychological thriller centered around a small and exclusive guest list for Brit and Joe’s joint bachelor-bachelorette weekend. The narrator, the maid of honor, has meticulously planned the celebration, which includes daytime drinking, lounging by the pool, and a unique White Lie Party for sharing secrets. There’s an underlying tension as one attendee is hiding a dark secret, leading to the question of who among them is the fraud, imposter, cheater, fake, or murderer.
The narrative unfolds through the intertwining perspectives of Brit, Lisa, Darren, and Brenda, with a dual timeline that sheds light on the past. It was heartbreaking to witness how so many innocent children in the system are treated. The revelations from the past added a layer of reality to the story that you cannot resist devouring in one sitting! The inclusion of emails keeps you guessing—could they be clues or red herrings? You’ll have to read it to find out! Naturally, there are characters you’ll love and others you won’t care for at all.
The setting is vividly described, isolated, and atmospheric. When strange occurrences began, I found myself thinking, “No way!” But the suspense drew me in, and I was all for it! Given that circumstances keep the characters indoors, it’s just the beginning, so take a day off, pour yourself a glass of wine, and join these five individuals as they harbor some sinister secrets. Play along as a detective because secrets are spilling out, and you can expect some unexpected twists along the way!
This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys a closed-room mystery filled with a cast of suspicious characters. You might think you’ve figured everything out, but be prepared for a clever ruse that will keep you guessing. When friends with dark secrets come together, you know someone will leave, but someone won’t. Curious? Dive into this gripping thriller and find out—let’s exchange notes! This ending leaves us pondering: did it actually come to a close?
Thank you, ThrillerBookLoversThePulse and Joffe Books, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A tense psychological thriller centered around a small and exclusive guest list for Brit and Joe’s joint bachelor-bachelorette weekend. The narrator, the maid of honor, has meticulously planned the celebration, which includes daytime drinking, lounging by the pool, and a unique White Lie Party for sharing secrets. There’s an underlying tension as one attendee is hiding a dark secret, leading to the question of who among them is the fraud, imposter, cheater, fake, or murderer.
The narrative unfolds through the intertwining perspectives of Brit, Lisa, Darren, and Brenda, with a dual timeline that sheds light on the past. It was heartbreaking to witness how so many innocent children in the system are treated. The revelations from the past added a layer of reality to the story that you cannot resist devouring in one sitting! The inclusion of emails keeps you guessing—could they be clues or red herrings? You’ll have to read it to find out! Naturally, there are characters you’ll love and others you won’t care for at all.
The setting is vividly described, isolated, and atmospheric. When strange occurrences began, I found myself thinking, “No way!” But the suspense drew me in, and I was all for it! Given that circumstances keep the characters indoors, it’s just the beginning, so take a day off, pour yourself a glass of wine, and join these five individuals as they harbor some sinister secrets. Play along as a detective because secrets are spilling out, and you can expect some unexpected twists along the way!
This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys a closed-room mystery filled with a cast of suspicious characters. You might think you’ve figured everything out, but be prepared for a clever ruse that will keep you guessing. When friends with dark secrets come together, you know someone will leave, but someone won’t. Curious? Dive into this gripping thriller and find out—let’s exchange notes! This ending leaves us pondering: did it actually come to a close?
Thank you, ThrillerBookLoversThePulse and Joffe Books, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 21, 2026
Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Five Liars by D.L. Fisher
This book is a classic lock-them-in-the-middle-of-nowhere-and-let-their-mental-illnesses-breathe kind of mindf*ck—and honestly? I ate it up. Secluded villa, foreign country, storm raging, power out, no cell service. You already know the vibes. Claustrophobic. Paranoid. Everyone sweating secrets like it’s a competitive sport.
From the first chapters, it felt less like reading and more like watching a dark, twisty movie unfold in my head. Fast-paced, easy to slip into, and annoyingly hard to put down once you start. The tension? Familiar but effective. The weirdness? Exactly the right amount of something is very wrong here.
And trust? Yeah, forget that. This book once again confirmed what I already know deep in my soul: you never really know what’s festering inside someone’s head. The most dark and twisted characters always hide in plain sight—smiling, charming, acting normal. Even when you think you’ve figured it out… chances are, you haven’t. Or you’ve figured out the wrong thing. Or you’re being played entirely. Fun times.
Five people. One villa. Zero escape. All of them carrying secrets—some petty, some… significantly more lethal. I won’t spoil anything because I’m not a spoiler goblin, but half the fun is deciding whether you want to play detective or just sit back and watch the psychological chess match burn itself down. Are they manipulating each other? Are they even aware they’re doing it? Who’s lying? (Answer: probably everyone.)
The underlying message hits nicely too: you can plan everything down to the tiniest detail and still get absolutely wrecked by the one thing you didn’t see coming. Control is an illusion. Love that for us.
So why four stars and not five? Simple. I’ve read books that crawled deeper under my skin, stayed longer, and left me more mentally unhinged afterward. That said—this one absolutely delivers what it promises.
If you love classic “who’s messing with who,” buried secrets, moral rot, and people making questionable choices under pressure—get comfortable. Grab a drink. A blanket. Your emotional support animal (dog, cat, parrot, chinchilla, demon—whatever works). Start reading and don’t stop until you’re done.
And maybe… maybe don’t read this if you’re already having doubts about marrying your fiancé 😅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Five Liars by D.L. Fisher
This book is a classic lock-them-in-the-middle-of-nowhere-and-let-their-mental-illnesses-breathe kind of mindf*ck—and honestly? I ate it up. Secluded villa, foreign country, storm raging, power out, no cell service. You already know the vibes. Claustrophobic. Paranoid. Everyone sweating secrets like it’s a competitive sport.
From the first chapters, it felt less like reading and more like watching a dark, twisty movie unfold in my head. Fast-paced, easy to slip into, and annoyingly hard to put down once you start. The tension? Familiar but effective. The weirdness? Exactly the right amount of something is very wrong here.
And trust? Yeah, forget that. This book once again confirmed what I already know deep in my soul: you never really know what’s festering inside someone’s head. The most dark and twisted characters always hide in plain sight—smiling, charming, acting normal. Even when you think you’ve figured it out… chances are, you haven’t. Or you’ve figured out the wrong thing. Or you’re being played entirely. Fun times.
Five people. One villa. Zero escape. All of them carrying secrets—some petty, some… significantly more lethal. I won’t spoil anything because I’m not a spoiler goblin, but half the fun is deciding whether you want to play detective or just sit back and watch the psychological chess match burn itself down. Are they manipulating each other? Are they even aware they’re doing it? Who’s lying? (Answer: probably everyone.)
The underlying message hits nicely too: you can plan everything down to the tiniest detail and still get absolutely wrecked by the one thing you didn’t see coming. Control is an illusion. Love that for us.
So why four stars and not five? Simple. I’ve read books that crawled deeper under my skin, stayed longer, and left me more mentally unhinged afterward. That said—this one absolutely delivers what it promises.
If you love classic “who’s messing with who,” buried secrets, moral rot, and people making questionable choices under pressure—get comfortable. Grab a drink. A blanket. Your emotional support animal (dog, cat, parrot, chinchilla, demon—whatever works). Start reading and don’t stop until you’re done.
And maybe… maybe don’t read this if you’re already having doubts about marrying your fiancé 😅
January 30, 2026
Sadly Not as Engaging as Hoped
I don’t particularly enjoy writing negative reviews, but unfortunately Five Liars was not a book I ended up enjoying. After reading the description and seeing the overwhelmingly positive response from other readers, I bought it with high expectations and was genuinely looking forward to starting it.
Sadly, after only a few chapters I began to find the novel increasingly frustrating. None of the characters were especially likeable, each for different reasons, which made it difficult to feel invested in their stories. At times the narrative struck me as rather naïve, with adult characters behaving in ways that felt immature and unrealistic. I was also distracted by the heavy and frequent use of italics, which became more irritating than effective, and by several editing errors that pulled me out of the story.
Despite this, I persevered to the end, encouraged by other reviewers who suggested that the final twist made the journey worthwhile. While I will admit that I did not see the ending coming, I personally found it underwhelming and unable to redeem what I felt was a dull and contrived plot. Much of the dialogue also felt unnatural, which further weakened my engagement with the story.
In the end, this book simply wasn’t for me, and I regret that I can’t share the enthusiasm that many other readers have expressed. While I appreciate that tastes differ, I would not personally recommend Five Liars, though I hope others may find more enjoyment in it than I did.
I don’t particularly enjoy writing negative reviews, but unfortunately Five Liars was not a book I ended up enjoying. After reading the description and seeing the overwhelmingly positive response from other readers, I bought it with high expectations and was genuinely looking forward to starting it.
Sadly, after only a few chapters I began to find the novel increasingly frustrating. None of the characters were especially likeable, each for different reasons, which made it difficult to feel invested in their stories. At times the narrative struck me as rather naïve, with adult characters behaving in ways that felt immature and unrealistic. I was also distracted by the heavy and frequent use of italics, which became more irritating than effective, and by several editing errors that pulled me out of the story.
Despite this, I persevered to the end, encouraged by other reviewers who suggested that the final twist made the journey worthwhile. While I will admit that I did not see the ending coming, I personally found it underwhelming and unable to redeem what I felt was a dull and contrived plot. Much of the dialogue also felt unnatural, which further weakened my engagement with the story.
In the end, this book simply wasn’t for me, and I regret that I can’t share the enthusiasm that many other readers have expressed. While I appreciate that tastes differ, I would not personally recommend Five Liars, though I hope others may find more enjoyment in it than I did.
November 25, 2025
3.5-3.75 ⭐️
Thank you Netgalley and Joffe Books for allowing me this ARC. The cover and description really peaked my interest.
The ending (last 90ish %) when everything came together and where it was more twisty was the best part. Majority of the book was the build up for that ending. There was some predictably to this storyline but the author still managed to create an intriguing story to keep you going and entertained. Most of the characters were really frustrating and their stupidity made it hard to like them. Brit made me absolutely insane as a character.
I kind of wished the “then” portion of the book started in the very beginning because that ended up being more intriguing than the original storyline for me. Some parts of the story seemed far fetched and unrealistic, but still remained entertaining until the end.
I’d recommend if you’re looking for an easy, quick, fun, “who did what” kind of read.
Thank you Netgalley and Joffe Books for allowing me this ARC. The cover and description really peaked my interest.
The ending (last 90ish %) when everything came together and where it was more twisty was the best part. Majority of the book was the build up for that ending. There was some predictably to this storyline but the author still managed to create an intriguing story to keep you going and entertained. Most of the characters were really frustrating and their stupidity made it hard to like them. Brit made me absolutely insane as a character.
I kind of wished the “then” portion of the book started in the very beginning because that ended up being more intriguing than the original storyline for me. Some parts of the story seemed far fetched and unrealistic, but still remained entertaining until the end.
I’d recommend if you’re looking for an easy, quick, fun, “who did what” kind of read.
February 15, 2026
Five Liars by D.L. Fisher is a tense, twisty ride that kept me guessing almost the entire time. The premise is deliciously messy secrets, shifting loyalties, and a cast of characters who all have something to hide. I loved how every chapter made me question who was telling the truth (answer: probably no one).
The pacing was sharp and compulsive, with short chapters that made it impossible to stop at just one more. The multiple perspectives added layers to the mystery, though at times I wished for a little deeper emotional connection with a couple of the characters.
The final twists definitely delivered clever without feeling completely out of nowhere. If you love locked-room vibes, unreliable narrators, and friend groups with dark secrets, this one is absolutely worth the read.
The pacing was sharp and compulsive, with short chapters that made it impossible to stop at just one more. The multiple perspectives added layers to the mystery, though at times I wished for a little deeper emotional connection with a couple of the characters.
The final twists definitely delivered clever without feeling completely out of nowhere. If you love locked-room vibes, unreliable narrators, and friend groups with dark secrets, this one is absolutely worth the read.
December 13, 2025
“The fraud. The imposter. The cheater. The fake. The murderer. Which one am I?”
A joint bachelor-bachelorette party on a tropical island in Punta Cana goes wrong in this psychological thriller full of secrets and lies. The tropical storm that occurs that traps them adds to the atmospheric setting.
This one is full of unlikeable characters and you don’t know who you can trust. I enjoyed the alternating timelines from “now” and “then” and seeing how the “then” storyline intersected with the “now”. I also loved that we got POVs from all the characters.
Overall a quick and fun popcorn thriller!
Thank you to @dlfisherthrillers for this #gifted e-ARC!🫶🏼
A joint bachelor-bachelorette party on a tropical island in Punta Cana goes wrong in this psychological thriller full of secrets and lies. The tropical storm that occurs that traps them adds to the atmospheric setting.
This one is full of unlikeable characters and you don’t know who you can trust. I enjoyed the alternating timelines from “now” and “then” and seeing how the “then” storyline intersected with the “now”. I also loved that we got POVs from all the characters.
Overall a quick and fun popcorn thriller!
Thank you to @dlfisherthrillers for this #gifted e-ARC!🫶🏼
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Brit and Joe’s joint bachelor party on a paradise island is meticulously planned by maid of honour Lisa, but the dream quickly dissolves into a terrifying nightmare.
From the first page, a sense of foreboding hangs heavy, amplified by inexplicable events and a relentless tropical storm.
Told through shifting perspectives, the narrative is full of tension, weaving together a heartbreaking backstory with a rising body count.
While the characters are intentionally unlikable, their friction fuels the story's malevolent atmosphere.
With sharp twists and an ending executed with major aplomb tied up as neatly as a box wrapped in dusky pink tissue paper with speckles of silver, this is a dark, gripping read that keeps you guessing until the final page.
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my own opinion.
From the first page, a sense of foreboding hangs heavy, amplified by inexplicable events and a relentless tropical storm.
Told through shifting perspectives, the narrative is full of tension, weaving together a heartbreaking backstory with a rising body count.
While the characters are intentionally unlikable, their friction fuels the story's malevolent atmosphere.
With sharp twists and an ending executed with major aplomb tied up as neatly as a box wrapped in dusky pink tissue paper with speckles of silver, this is a dark, gripping read that keeps you guessing until the final page.
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my own opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5*
'Five Liars' is big, dumb fun read and will be a solid addition to your 2026 holiday reading list as it's a twisty, fast-paced destination thriller that doesn’t ask to be taken too seriously. Set in an isolated location, the story leans hard into secrets and suspicion and has constant twists and turns, making it an easy book to race through.
The dual timeline helps maintain momentum and drip-feeds information effectively throughout. I found some of the reveals to be more entertaining than genuinely surprising and there are some seriously questionable character choices, but that almost adds to the fun rather than detracts from it.
While it didn’t quite rise above others in this thriller subgenre, it’s definitely entertaining and ideal for fans of Freida McFadden-style thrillers who enjoy high drama, short chapters, and nonstop reveals.
A fun, escapist read that's messy and dramatic, even if it doesn’t linger long after the final page.
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for a digital review copy of "Five Liars" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
'Five Liars' is big, dumb fun read and will be a solid addition to your 2026 holiday reading list as it's a twisty, fast-paced destination thriller that doesn’t ask to be taken too seriously. Set in an isolated location, the story leans hard into secrets and suspicion and has constant twists and turns, making it an easy book to race through.
The dual timeline helps maintain momentum and drip-feeds information effectively throughout. I found some of the reveals to be more entertaining than genuinely surprising and there are some seriously questionable character choices, but that almost adds to the fun rather than detracts from it.
While it didn’t quite rise above others in this thriller subgenre, it’s definitely entertaining and ideal for fans of Freida McFadden-style thrillers who enjoy high drama, short chapters, and nonstop reveals.
A fun, escapist read that's messy and dramatic, even if it doesn’t linger long after the final page.
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for a digital review copy of "Five Liars" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
January 10, 2026
What a fun read this was! This is my first book by D.L. Fisher and it won’t be my last!
The cast of characters in Five Liars were 100% on the hot mess express and I was living for it! A joint bachelor/bachelorette party turns deadly when a major hurricane barrels down on the island vacation house they’re staying at. Everyone is keeping a secret and someone wants to expose them all. When the power goes out, nerves are fried and it doesn’t take long before this group starts to turn on each other.
With an ending I did NOT expect, Five Liars had me hooked from the start and reading late into the night. Trust me when I say you won’t be able to put this one down!
The cast of characters in Five Liars were 100% on the hot mess express and I was living for it! A joint bachelor/bachelorette party turns deadly when a major hurricane barrels down on the island vacation house they’re staying at. Everyone is keeping a secret and someone wants to expose them all. When the power goes out, nerves are fried and it doesn’t take long before this group starts to turn on each other.
With an ending I did NOT expect, Five Liars had me hooked from the start and reading late into the night. Trust me when I say you won’t be able to put this one down!
January 28, 2026
4.5 🌟
Holy thriller mystery book?? I was literally on the edge of my seat the entire time. This book had the biggest plot twist/ending I’ve ever read. If you read this and think you know where it’s going, i guarantee that your theory is wrong haha. It was just that good 🙌🏼 This is the kind of thriller book I love getting sucked into. Only marks off is that there were just a few minor side plots that had some holes in them, but it didn’t affect the actual plot of the story all that much, so it didn’t bother me a lot. Definitely recommend if you want a fast paced thriller!
Holy thriller mystery book?? I was literally on the edge of my seat the entire time. This book had the biggest plot twist/ending I’ve ever read. If you read this and think you know where it’s going, i guarantee that your theory is wrong haha. It was just that good 🙌🏼 This is the kind of thriller book I love getting sucked into. Only marks off is that there were just a few minor side plots that had some holes in them, but it didn’t affect the actual plot of the story all that much, so it didn’t bother me a lot. Definitely recommend if you want a fast paced thriller!
January 14, 2026
A great surprise reads really quickly and having a handful of characters allowed them all to breathe and have their own distinct personalities which can lack in thrillers at times.
Although the twist was guessable it was still enjoyable if you want a book just to switch off and enjoy I would recommend
Although the twist was guessable it was still enjoyable if you want a book just to switch off and enjoy I would recommend
November 20, 2025
Thanks to netgalley for this arc! This book drew me in from the description! This was a fun quick read, read in 1 sitting in a few hours. Some of the characters were a little...annoying to me but I think their personalities really made the book. It made sure the reader never knew who to trust! The twist however wasn't that shocking to me as I think I figured out a little what was going on already so it definitely fell flat for me especially since I mainly read thrillers with big twists! If you like books with lots of tension this is for you! I would recommend this book!
January 27, 2026
4.5 stars: This book has easily been one of the recent thrillers I have read that has the CRAZIEST plot twists!! I loved how we got multiple perspectives and past and present tense. Please read this book! It will hook you from the beginning as it is very fast paced.
January 5, 2026
Brit and Joe are engaged and headed to the Dominican Republic for a combined bachelor/bachelorette weekend with the maid of honor, the best man, and Brit's assistant/friend. This was set to be a memorable weekend where secrets would be uncovered and a murderer would be discovered. This had the makings of a great psychological thriller with lots of twists. I liked the multiple POV and I was hopeful when I read the first chapter as the story started off with a bang, literally. Unfortunately, this book did not meet my expectations.
I didn't like a single character in this story and found them all to be very juvenile and quite annoying. The animosity between the characters and the sense of dread we were supposed to feel just didn't hit. I felt the characters were poorly developed, unrealistic, and little to no background was provided which is probably why the dislike between characters didn't make sense. Also, there were some VERY unrealistic scenarios in this story like flying to an island where a category 3/4 hurricane is set to impact the island later that evening/weekend. The twist at the end was good and I didn't see that coming, however, that was not enought to save the story in my opinion.
Overall, this felt more like a YA thriller with underdeveloped characters that aren't very likable, a thin story line with unexplained drama, and unrealistic scenarios.
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I didn't like a single character in this story and found them all to be very juvenile and quite annoying. The animosity between the characters and the sense of dread we were supposed to feel just didn't hit. I felt the characters were poorly developed, unrealistic, and little to no background was provided which is probably why the dislike between characters didn't make sense. Also, there were some VERY unrealistic scenarios in this story like flying to an island where a category 3/4 hurricane is set to impact the island later that evening/weekend. The twist at the end was good and I didn't see that coming, however, that was not enought to save the story in my opinion.
Overall, this felt more like a YA thriller with underdeveloped characters that aren't very likable, a thin story line with unexplained drama, and unrealistic scenarios.
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 14, 2026
Five liars by DL Fisher
🌟🌟🌟💫
Actioned packed page turner. Read in 1 sitting.
You know something bad is going to happen from the start. Joe is too good to be true. Brit is annoying and an unlikable character.
Who would seriously book accommodation with no Wifi, or landline. No contact with the outside world at all.
All 5 characters have secrets and all are linked, but noone knows at the beginning. Trust no-one!
I did guess, but didnt know which characters were which. Recommend to thriller readers.
🌟🌟🌟💫
Actioned packed page turner. Read in 1 sitting.
You know something bad is going to happen from the start. Joe is too good to be true. Brit is annoying and an unlikable character.
Who would seriously book accommodation with no Wifi, or landline. No contact with the outside world at all.
All 5 characters have secrets and all are linked, but noone knows at the beginning. Trust no-one!
I did guess, but didnt know which characters were which. Recommend to thriller readers.
January 25, 2026
A decent thriller that's full of lies, twists and frustrating characters. I didn't like any of them but then again they are all liars!
January 26, 2026
Great read…. Kept me guessing
February 11, 2026
Not the best writing, but it was entertaining and pulled me in. An ending I didn't see coming.
January 25, 2026
Having read The Widower by this author late last year - and not really getting the most from it, being a follow on book - I couldn't wait to dive into this new release that I just knew would give me a new appreciation for this authors writing.
I loved the look of this front cover, the title and the tags which all pointed towards some of my favourite thriller tropes.
When maid of honour, Lisa, planned the joint batchelor party for her friends Brit and Joe, she knew she had to get every last detail just perfect.
What the guests didn't plan for was the tropical storm heading their way and the white lie party which was bound to expose a few secrets.
I absolutely loved this and was completely sucked in right from the first few pages.
The scene was really well set and I could feel the tension building straight away.
I love feeling on edge and not being able to put the book down until I knew all the secrets.
Told through multi pov chapters, the stories unfold gradually through real time events and also flashbacks which provided the background to each character and the obvious discord between the group.
I'm not sure I loved any of the characters, but this just added to that sense of unease and my need to work out which of them was going to confess to which secret and what would happen in the end.
The writing style drew me in and transported me to this idyllic island - although I'd have much preferred to visit without our cast there too!
This was packed with twists that kept me guessing and I couldn't wait to see how it all planned out in the end.
A brilliant read and everything I love in this genre.
I loved the look of this front cover, the title and the tags which all pointed towards some of my favourite thriller tropes.
When maid of honour, Lisa, planned the joint batchelor party for her friends Brit and Joe, she knew she had to get every last detail just perfect.
What the guests didn't plan for was the tropical storm heading their way and the white lie party which was bound to expose a few secrets.
I absolutely loved this and was completely sucked in right from the first few pages.
The scene was really well set and I could feel the tension building straight away.
I love feeling on edge and not being able to put the book down until I knew all the secrets.
Told through multi pov chapters, the stories unfold gradually through real time events and also flashbacks which provided the background to each character and the obvious discord between the group.
I'm not sure I loved any of the characters, but this just added to that sense of unease and my need to work out which of them was going to confess to which secret and what would happen in the end.
The writing style drew me in and transported me to this idyllic island - although I'd have much preferred to visit without our cast there too!
This was packed with twists that kept me guessing and I couldn't wait to see how it all planned out in the end.
A brilliant read and everything I love in this genre.
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