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Beautiful Liars: The breakthrough new twisty and deliciously dark thriller from bestselling crime writer
Not yet published
Expected 11 Feb 27Book club domestic suspense set in a beautiful beachfront suburb, where tensions mount in the aftermath of a teenage girl’s disappearance and three mothers must navigate their worst fears and darkest instincts to protect their families—and their own secrets.
Beautiful people. Beautiful town. Beautiful liars.
It’s bonfire night in Killiney, an affluent coastal enclave where glass houses line the cliffs overlooking the sea and residents take pride in their carefully curated privacy. But this evening, even their tall iron gates can’t keep them safe.
While the adults gather on the beach at sunset, tipsy with alcohol and possibility, something different unfolds in the shadowy forest above. Their teenage children are engaged in a dangerous game, and one girl has stepped deeper into the trees and has not come back out.
The next morning, when the mystery of her disappearance intensifies, three mothers must navigate their worst fears and darkest instincts to shield their children who were also present in the woods. But as tensions mount in the community, so too does the price of protecting their families.
Because the women are each keeping secrets of their own—secrets that could unravel their entire privileged lives. And no matter the beautiful lies they tell themselves, the truth is never far behind . . .
Beautiful people. Beautiful town. Beautiful liars.
It’s bonfire night in Killiney, an affluent coastal enclave where glass houses line the cliffs overlooking the sea and residents take pride in their carefully curated privacy. But this evening, even their tall iron gates can’t keep them safe.
While the adults gather on the beach at sunset, tipsy with alcohol and possibility, something different unfolds in the shadowy forest above. Their teenage children are engaged in a dangerous game, and one girl has stepped deeper into the trees and has not come back out.
The next morning, when the mystery of her disappearance intensifies, three mothers must navigate their worst fears and darkest instincts to shield their children who were also present in the woods. But as tensions mount in the community, so too does the price of protecting their families.
Because the women are each keeping secrets of their own—secrets that could unravel their entire privileged lives. And no matter the beautiful lies they tell themselves, the truth is never far behind . . .
Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 11, 2027
About the author
Amanda Cassidy
9 books53 followersAmanda Cassidy is a freelance journalist, commissioning editor and former Sky News reporter represented by Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency in London.
Shortlisted for the Irish Journalist of the Year Awards, and more recently the Headline Media writing awards, her features have clocked up over seven million readers.
She’s a frequent contributor to national radio, print and television and holds a BA in European Studies from Trinity College Dublin.
When she’s not on a plane, you’ll find her in her cottage in Dublin where she lives with her husband and three young children.
Breaking is Amanda’s first novel.
Shortlisted for the Irish Journalist of the Year Awards, and more recently the Headline Media writing awards, her features have clocked up over seven million readers.
She’s a frequent contributor to national radio, print and television and holds a BA in European Studies from Trinity College Dublin.
When she’s not on a plane, you’ll find her in her cottage in Dublin where she lives with her husband and three young children.
Breaking is Amanda’s first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 16, 2026
It’s a full moon and in Killiney, a wealthy suburb to the south of Dublin, families gather around a bonfire, drinks in hand. Amongst their various offspring, it’s truth or dare. Five go into the National Forest and only four return. Saskia Foley has been missing now for two weeks and the Gardaí have called off their search. Amongst the wealthy inhabitants, who is harbouring secrets and maybe, covering up? In the gated community of three houses known as The Rockys, at number one is Queen Bee, Berna Gold, husband Finn and their children Don and Jodie, Don being Saskia’a boyfriend. What do they know? At number two is Fee, Saskia’s mum and sister Maude, who is struggling today as it’s Saskia’s birthday. What about number three? There’s American Thorne, her husband Jed and her son Aaron who dares Saskia to go into the woods. Beautiful people, beautiful liars, icy smiles and plenty of suspicion.
Fabulous- this is such a compelling novel that’s hard to put down, with multiple layers and perplexing characters. To say that to some of them appearance is everything is perhaps an understatement. Status symbols, the right everything is paramount. Power, privilege, pretence and predatory behaviour- beautiful liars clothed in design gear, all glossy and perfect but wearing masks to hide the real face beneath. This is exemplified by Berna in every aspect of her life, from pursuing dreams via her children to being at the centre of Killiney life. There are some likeable characters such as Don and Maude, who have their issues but whose hearts are good. Each character’s feelings, concerns, issues and burdens are done so well alongside the submerged secrets and the transitions from one perspective to another is smooth. Some narratives are heartbreaking with some being so selfish it beggars belief.
The atmosphere throughout the novel is one of the chief wow factors and this is maintained throughout. I love how the book relates to the four quarters of the moon and the importance of the full moon. On top of the strong lunar angle, there’s a fusion of folklore which is superb and add in a lupine element, both real and their traits, and what emerges is a supernatural, eerie tone which pervades the book. The setting is wonderful, it’s a truly beautiful area and is such an apt contrast to some of the behaviour. The weather is perfect but surely there’ll be clouds on the horizon?
Throughout the book is a strong sense of foreboding and of something evil this way comes, where from though is the million dollar question. There are cliffhanger chapter endings which heightens the shimmering, quivering and nerve jangling tension of all kinds. It builds and builds to a very good end. Terrific, this is just my kind of psychological thriller which is well written and immersive.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House U.K., Cornerstone, Century for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Fabulous- this is such a compelling novel that’s hard to put down, with multiple layers and perplexing characters. To say that to some of them appearance is everything is perhaps an understatement. Status symbols, the right everything is paramount. Power, privilege, pretence and predatory behaviour- beautiful liars clothed in design gear, all glossy and perfect but wearing masks to hide the real face beneath. This is exemplified by Berna in every aspect of her life, from pursuing dreams via her children to being at the centre of Killiney life. There are some likeable characters such as Don and Maude, who have their issues but whose hearts are good. Each character’s feelings, concerns, issues and burdens are done so well alongside the submerged secrets and the transitions from one perspective to another is smooth. Some narratives are heartbreaking with some being so selfish it beggars belief.
The atmosphere throughout the novel is one of the chief wow factors and this is maintained throughout. I love how the book relates to the four quarters of the moon and the importance of the full moon. On top of the strong lunar angle, there’s a fusion of folklore which is superb and add in a lupine element, both real and their traits, and what emerges is a supernatural, eerie tone which pervades the book. The setting is wonderful, it’s a truly beautiful area and is such an apt contrast to some of the behaviour. The weather is perfect but surely there’ll be clouds on the horizon?
Throughout the book is a strong sense of foreboding and of something evil this way comes, where from though is the million dollar question. There are cliffhanger chapter endings which heightens the shimmering, quivering and nerve jangling tension of all kinds. It builds and builds to a very good end. Terrific, this is just my kind of psychological thriller which is well written and immersive.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House U.K., Cornerstone, Century for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
May 23, 2026
Thank you to Random House UK, Cornerstone | Century, the author and NetGalley for a DRC in return for an honest review.
Beautiful Liars is one of those novels where a quiet sense of unease settles in from the very first page and never truly leaves.
Set within an affluent gated community in Killiney, Amanda Cassidy peels back the polished veneer of wealth, status and carefully curated lives to reveal the fear, grief and secrets festering underneath. When teenager Saskia Foley disappears into the woods after a dare during a full moon gathering, the entire community begins to fracture under the weight of suspicion, guilt and long-buried lies.
What makes this novel so compelling is that it is about far more than the central mystery. Cassidy is deeply interested in performance - the roles people rehearse for years in order to present themselves as successful, untouchable and immune from tragedy. One passage in particular perfectly captures the novel’s central idea: people 'dressing their whole lives up like shop windows, exaggerating success and airbrushing all of life’s cracks.' The title Beautiful Liars refers not only to literal deception, but to people who have built entire lives around performance, denial and curated perfection.
A major thematic thread running throughout the novel is the way privilege creates the illusion that terrible things only happen to other people. Saskia’s disappearance completely shatters that fantasy. Wealth, status and perfectly arranged lives suddenly become meaningless in the face of grief and violence, and Cassidy explores that collapse brilliantly.
The comparisons that immediately came to mind while reading were the TV series Big Little Lies, Why Women Kill and Twin Peaks - which may sound like an unusual mixture, but the novel genuinely carries elements of all three. It has the glossy wealthy-community dysfunction and simmering female tensions of Big Little Lies, the biting observations about status, image and social performance found in Why Women Kill and the eerie undercurrent of Twin Peaks, where forests, folklore and whispered fears seem to press in on the edges of reality.
I especially loved the way Cassidy uses Irish folklore and wolf imagery throughout the novel. The references to moonlight, wolves and the woods create an almost folk-horror atmosphere without the story ever fully stepping into supernatural territory. The result is a thriller that feels uncanny and emotionally haunted, where the true danger comes not from mythological beasts but from the very human darkness hidden behind beautiful homes and designer clothes.
The setting is exceptional. Killiney becomes more than simply a backdrop - it feels alive with tension, privilege and repression. Cassidy captures perfectly the absurdity and fragility of these wealthy social circles, where parents compete over schools, brands, ski trips and appearances while convincing themselves that tragedy belongs to somebody else’s life.
The atmosphere is what truly elevates this book. It is immersive, melancholic and deeply bingeable. Even when the plot slows, the emotional tension and creeping dread keep tightening their grip. The characters feel intensely believable, flawed and emotionally messy in ways that make the unravelling all the more compelling.
Beautiful Liars is an elegant, unsettling and emotionally intelligent psychological thriller about grief, privilege, motherhood, social performance and the lies communities tell themselves in order to survive. Sharp, cinematic and quietly haunting, this is the kind of book that feels destined for a prestige television adaptation.
#BeautifulLiars #NetGalley
Beautiful Liars is one of those novels where a quiet sense of unease settles in from the very first page and never truly leaves.
Set within an affluent gated community in Killiney, Amanda Cassidy peels back the polished veneer of wealth, status and carefully curated lives to reveal the fear, grief and secrets festering underneath. When teenager Saskia Foley disappears into the woods after a dare during a full moon gathering, the entire community begins to fracture under the weight of suspicion, guilt and long-buried lies.
What makes this novel so compelling is that it is about far more than the central mystery. Cassidy is deeply interested in performance - the roles people rehearse for years in order to present themselves as successful, untouchable and immune from tragedy. One passage in particular perfectly captures the novel’s central idea: people 'dressing their whole lives up like shop windows, exaggerating success and airbrushing all of life’s cracks.' The title Beautiful Liars refers not only to literal deception, but to people who have built entire lives around performance, denial and curated perfection.
A major thematic thread running throughout the novel is the way privilege creates the illusion that terrible things only happen to other people. Saskia’s disappearance completely shatters that fantasy. Wealth, status and perfectly arranged lives suddenly become meaningless in the face of grief and violence, and Cassidy explores that collapse brilliantly.
The comparisons that immediately came to mind while reading were the TV series Big Little Lies, Why Women Kill and Twin Peaks - which may sound like an unusual mixture, but the novel genuinely carries elements of all three. It has the glossy wealthy-community dysfunction and simmering female tensions of Big Little Lies, the biting observations about status, image and social performance found in Why Women Kill and the eerie undercurrent of Twin Peaks, where forests, folklore and whispered fears seem to press in on the edges of reality.
I especially loved the way Cassidy uses Irish folklore and wolf imagery throughout the novel. The references to moonlight, wolves and the woods create an almost folk-horror atmosphere without the story ever fully stepping into supernatural territory. The result is a thriller that feels uncanny and emotionally haunted, where the true danger comes not from mythological beasts but from the very human darkness hidden behind beautiful homes and designer clothes.
The setting is exceptional. Killiney becomes more than simply a backdrop - it feels alive with tension, privilege and repression. Cassidy captures perfectly the absurdity and fragility of these wealthy social circles, where parents compete over schools, brands, ski trips and appearances while convincing themselves that tragedy belongs to somebody else’s life.
The atmosphere is what truly elevates this book. It is immersive, melancholic and deeply bingeable. Even when the plot slows, the emotional tension and creeping dread keep tightening their grip. The characters feel intensely believable, flawed and emotionally messy in ways that make the unravelling all the more compelling.
Beautiful Liars is an elegant, unsettling and emotionally intelligent psychological thriller about grief, privilege, motherhood, social performance and the lies communities tell themselves in order to survive. Sharp, cinematic and quietly haunting, this is the kind of book that feels destined for a prestige television adaptation.
#BeautifulLiars #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Beautiful Liars is one of those novels that feels mist‑wreathed from the very first page — elegant, unsettling, and threaded with a quiet ferality that grows with every chapter. Amanda Cassidy takes the glossy perfection of Killiney, with its cliff‑top mansions and manicured lawns, and lets something darker pulse beneath the surface.
The disappearance of Saskia Foley — magnetic, adored, impossible to forget — casts a long, cold shadow over the story. Five teenagers go into the woods under a full moon; only four return. What follows is a beautifully layered exploration of fear, privilege, and the instinct to protect our children at any cost. Three mothers, each carrying their own fractures and secrets, find themselves circling the truth while trying to shield the teenagers who were with Saskia that night.
Cassidy’s writing has that lovely, atmospheric quality that makes the ordinary feel uncanny. The folkloric whispers — wolves, moonlight, the idea of something wild stalking the edges of suburbia — sit deliciously alongside the very human predators who hide behind perfect doors and perfect lives. The tension comes not from the supernatural, but from the knowledge that the real danger is always closer, always more familiar.
What I loved most is how the novel peels back the mask of privilege. Beneath the curated façades lies something raw and desperate, and Cassidy captures that slippage with real finesse. The dread creeps in quietly, like fog rolling in from the sea, until you realise you’re completely enveloped.
Atmospheric, sharp, and quietly haunting, Beautiful Liars is a story about the lies we tell to protect our families, the truths we bury to protect ourselves, and the feral edge that emerges when the perfect world begins to crack. A beautifully crafted, unsettling read that lingers long after the final page.
With thanks to Amanda Cassidy, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
The disappearance of Saskia Foley — magnetic, adored, impossible to forget — casts a long, cold shadow over the story. Five teenagers go into the woods under a full moon; only four return. What follows is a beautifully layered exploration of fear, privilege, and the instinct to protect our children at any cost. Three mothers, each carrying their own fractures and secrets, find themselves circling the truth while trying to shield the teenagers who were with Saskia that night.
Cassidy’s writing has that lovely, atmospheric quality that makes the ordinary feel uncanny. The folkloric whispers — wolves, moonlight, the idea of something wild stalking the edges of suburbia — sit deliciously alongside the very human predators who hide behind perfect doors and perfect lives. The tension comes not from the supernatural, but from the knowledge that the real danger is always closer, always more familiar.
What I loved most is how the novel peels back the mask of privilege. Beneath the curated façades lies something raw and desperate, and Cassidy captures that slippage with real finesse. The dread creeps in quietly, like fog rolling in from the sea, until you realise you’re completely enveloped.
Atmospheric, sharp, and quietly haunting, Beautiful Liars is a story about the lies we tell to protect our families, the truths we bury to protect ourselves, and the feral edge that emerges when the perfect world begins to crack. A beautifully crafted, unsettling read that lingers long after the final page.
With thanks to Amanda Cassidy, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Firstly thank you to netgalley for kindly gifting me an early copy as Beautiful Liars isn't out until February next year. Beautiful Liars is a suspenseful thriller in a domestic setting about a privileged community shocked with the mysterious disappearance of a teenage girl. So many fantastic elements in this thriller with multiple povs and twists to keep you guessing right from the start.
The setting takes place in Killiney, an affluent gated community where wealth and status mean a lot. However on bonfire night, their high iron gates can't keep them safe. The adults gather on the beach at sunset and are tipsy while some sinister happens in the forest where their teenagers are hanging out. The teenagers play a game of truth and dare and when one of them Saskia doesn't return it sets off a search for her disappearance. Tensions mount in the community and people's worst fears are realised. This story is one of mystery, intrigue, power, and secrets.
This book caught my attention right from the very start and I couldn't put it down. I wanted to learn of the various characters secrets and what they were hiding. With multiple povs in this you got different perspectives of other characters and the actions that were happening throughout which I loved. There was a sense of unease right from the start and you didn't know which characters to trust. The main focus of the book showed the privilege of these people within the community how power and stays meant so much to them along with presenting themselves a certain way not necessarily true to themselves always. I loved this element. It also presented that because they were privileged they found it hard to imagine that a bad thing could happen in their community.
Another element I really enjoyed was the Irish folklore that was included and some Irish titled chapters, it added an extra layer of intrigue to the mystery. Overall, a fantastic twist and atmospheric thriller!
Favourite quote:
"Everyone gets one great love in their life. And when it's real you just know."
The setting takes place in Killiney, an affluent gated community where wealth and status mean a lot. However on bonfire night, their high iron gates can't keep them safe. The adults gather on the beach at sunset and are tipsy while some sinister happens in the forest where their teenagers are hanging out. The teenagers play a game of truth and dare and when one of them Saskia doesn't return it sets off a search for her disappearance. Tensions mount in the community and people's worst fears are realised. This story is one of mystery, intrigue, power, and secrets.
This book caught my attention right from the very start and I couldn't put it down. I wanted to learn of the various characters secrets and what they were hiding. With multiple povs in this you got different perspectives of other characters and the actions that were happening throughout which I loved. There was a sense of unease right from the start and you didn't know which characters to trust. The main focus of the book showed the privilege of these people within the community how power and stays meant so much to them along with presenting themselves a certain way not necessarily true to themselves always. I loved this element. It also presented that because they were privileged they found it hard to imagine that a bad thing could happen in their community.
Another element I really enjoyed was the Irish folklore that was included and some Irish titled chapters, it added an extra layer of intrigue to the mystery. Overall, a fantastic twist and atmospheric thriller!
Favourite quote:
"Everyone gets one great love in their life. And when it's real you just know."
June 22, 2026
Review of ‘Beautiful Liars’ by Amanda Cassidy, due to be published on 11 February 2027 by Random House UK, Cornerstone.
This atmospheric domestic thriller is set in the affluent Dublin suburb of Killiney, where behind the stunning cliff-top homes and immaculate lawns lies a community built on secrets. The story begins on a moonlit night when five teenagers head into the woods for a game of dares. By morning, only four return. Saskia Foley has vanished.
As the investigation unfolds, we are introduced to three mothers whose children were with Saskia that night. Each is determined to protect their family at any cost, but each is also harbouring secrets that threaten to unravel their carefully constructed lives. Saskia’s disappearance casts a long shadow over the community, and suspicion shifts constantly as more truths emerge.
Amanda Cassidy expertly captures the tension beneath the glossy surface of privileged suburban life. The multiple viewpoints add depth to the narrative, while the threads of Irish folklore and the unsettling references to wolves create an eerie atmosphere that lingers throughout the novel. You find yourself questioning every character’s motives and wondering who is telling the truth.
The storyline is compelling and beautifully paced. There is mystery, deception, family drama, buried secrets and growing menace as the pressure mounts on everyone connected to Saskia’s disappearance. The twists arrive at exactly the right moments, keeping you guessing right up until the final revelations.
A dark, intelligent and addictive thriller that explores how far people will go to protect those they love. Fans of character-driven suspense and mysteries packed with secrets and lies will find plenty to enjoy here. Highly recommended.
This atmospheric domestic thriller is set in the affluent Dublin suburb of Killiney, where behind the stunning cliff-top homes and immaculate lawns lies a community built on secrets. The story begins on a moonlit night when five teenagers head into the woods for a game of dares. By morning, only four return. Saskia Foley has vanished.
As the investigation unfolds, we are introduced to three mothers whose children were with Saskia that night. Each is determined to protect their family at any cost, but each is also harbouring secrets that threaten to unravel their carefully constructed lives. Saskia’s disappearance casts a long shadow over the community, and suspicion shifts constantly as more truths emerge.
Amanda Cassidy expertly captures the tension beneath the glossy surface of privileged suburban life. The multiple viewpoints add depth to the narrative, while the threads of Irish folklore and the unsettling references to wolves create an eerie atmosphere that lingers throughout the novel. You find yourself questioning every character’s motives and wondering who is telling the truth.
The storyline is compelling and beautifully paced. There is mystery, deception, family drama, buried secrets and growing menace as the pressure mounts on everyone connected to Saskia’s disappearance. The twists arrive at exactly the right moments, keeping you guessing right up until the final revelations.
A dark, intelligent and addictive thriller that explores how far people will go to protect those they love. Fans of character-driven suspense and mysteries packed with secrets and lies will find plenty to enjoy here. Highly recommended.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Evening barbeque. The adults are drinking, the youngsters are playing ‘truth or dare’. Aaron dares Saskia to enter the forest. She doesn’t return! An extensive search begins, especially around the “Druid’s Hut” deep in the woods. Has she run off to try and find her estranged father, or has she been taken – or killed? Many seem to think she has been taken by Wolves, a fanciful notion given that Wolves were eliminated from Ireland in 1786, the forest is in a National Park in Killiney, a suburb of Dublin, and its 2026! When her body is found this becomes a murder investigation. The police obviously discount the “Wolves” as being typical Irish folk lore and fairy tales, so concentrate on the usual suspects, her boyfriend, son of her neighbours, the other teens, sons and daughter of other neighbours, who were with her when she went into the forest, the neighbours themselves, affluent families living in a gated community adjacent to the forest, who were all at the barbecue. Although it could be the “Wolves”!
This is a murder mystery, not really a thriller because it unfurls too slowly. It focusses largely on the history, personality, secrets and lies of the three main families, and is told from different people’s points of view. The official investigation doesn’t seem (to me) to be properly procedural, perhaps because the detective in charge is an old friend of the families, and sometime lover of one. However, my main concern is with the background against which the story plays out, which (to me again) is unbelievable – I know we read such stories with a willing suspension of disbelief but how far can that stretch?
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.
This is a murder mystery, not really a thriller because it unfurls too slowly. It focusses largely on the history, personality, secrets and lies of the three main families, and is told from different people’s points of view. The official investigation doesn’t seem (to me) to be properly procedural, perhaps because the detective in charge is an old friend of the families, and sometime lover of one. However, my main concern is with the background against which the story plays out, which (to me again) is unbelievable – I know we read such stories with a willing suspension of disbelief but how far can that stretch?
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.
June 22, 2026
Thank you to Random House UK, Amanda Cassidy and NetGalley for this ARC.
Cassidy weaves a tale that pulls you on a journey through Irish folklore, class prejudice, and the maternal love to capture you completely in this novel. What starts off as one thing completely becomes another, and the world building and atmosphere she creates is second to none.
Set in Killiney Ireland, a place I’m determined to visit on a getaway from London after reading the writer’s acknowledgments, we are brought on a tale of suspense beginning with a tragic disappearance. Cassidy layers this book with so many powerful motifs and themes, she rips apart the wealth and status divide we see so clearly around still, and at the end you are left with a tale that holds grief at its heart. Secrets dividing this town and group of friends, and the mysteries that come from it.
I tore through this book, the characters are so real and powerful. Cassidy doesn’t try and make anyone seem too good or too perfect, we are faced with flawed and damage people. They almost see if it in themselves in certain moments of self reflection, and in that it can even make you question yourself as well.
The highlight for me was how she ties the traditional Irish language and folktales, it brings that spark to it that just lifts this to another level. The imagery of the wolf and the folklore just heightens the mystery, and leaves you wondering whether this is about to make a sharp direction thematically in a very different way.
A brilliant piece, which I can’t wait to purchase and recommend to everyone when it’s released!
Cassidy weaves a tale that pulls you on a journey through Irish folklore, class prejudice, and the maternal love to capture you completely in this novel. What starts off as one thing completely becomes another, and the world building and atmosphere she creates is second to none.
Set in Killiney Ireland, a place I’m determined to visit on a getaway from London after reading the writer’s acknowledgments, we are brought on a tale of suspense beginning with a tragic disappearance. Cassidy layers this book with so many powerful motifs and themes, she rips apart the wealth and status divide we see so clearly around still, and at the end you are left with a tale that holds grief at its heart. Secrets dividing this town and group of friends, and the mysteries that come from it.
I tore through this book, the characters are so real and powerful. Cassidy doesn’t try and make anyone seem too good or too perfect, we are faced with flawed and damage people. They almost see if it in themselves in certain moments of self reflection, and in that it can even make you question yourself as well.
The highlight for me was how she ties the traditional Irish language and folktales, it brings that spark to it that just lifts this to another level. The imagery of the wolf and the folklore just heightens the mystery, and leaves you wondering whether this is about to make a sharp direction thematically in a very different way.
A brilliant piece, which I can’t wait to purchase and recommend to everyone when it’s released!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Amanda Cassidy has crafted an atmospheric and utterly compelling thriller that kept me hooked from the very first page. What begins with the disappearance of a teenage girl after a full-moon gathering quickly becomes a layered story of secrets, privilege, grief, and the lengths parents will go to protect their children.
The setting of Killiney is almost a character in itself. Cassidy perfectly captures the polished façade of an exclusive community while slowly revealing the cracks underneath. I loved the way Irish folklore and local legends were woven throughout the story. The references to wolves, moonlight, and the surrounding woods created an eerie, unsettling atmosphere that lingered long after I put the book down.
The characters are wonderfully flawed and complex. No one is entirely innocent, and as long-buried secrets begin to surface, I found myself constantly questioning who could be trusted. The tension builds steadily, with plenty of twists and revelations that kept me turning the pages.
What stood out most for me was how beautifully Cassidy balanced the mystery with deeper themes of motherhood, friendship, class divisions, and the masks people wear to maintain appearances. Beneath the suspense lies a poignant exploration of loss and the consequences of the lies we tell ourselves and others.
Dark, immersive, and richly atmospheric, Beautiful Liars is the kind of thriller that completely draws you into its world. Fans of character-driven suspense with a touch of folklore will not want to miss this one.
The setting of Killiney is almost a character in itself. Cassidy perfectly captures the polished façade of an exclusive community while slowly revealing the cracks underneath. I loved the way Irish folklore and local legends were woven throughout the story. The references to wolves, moonlight, and the surrounding woods created an eerie, unsettling atmosphere that lingered long after I put the book down.
The characters are wonderfully flawed and complex. No one is entirely innocent, and as long-buried secrets begin to surface, I found myself constantly questioning who could be trusted. The tension builds steadily, with plenty of twists and revelations that kept me turning the pages.
What stood out most for me was how beautifully Cassidy balanced the mystery with deeper themes of motherhood, friendship, class divisions, and the masks people wear to maintain appearances. Beneath the suspense lies a poignant exploration of loss and the consequences of the lies we tell ourselves and others.
Dark, immersive, and richly atmospheric, Beautiful Liars is the kind of thriller that completely draws you into its world. Fans of character-driven suspense with a touch of folklore will not want to miss this one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
This book is unlike any I have read before. For me it was a bit of a slow burn and to be honest, I was not hooked from the start and had to keep with it but by the end I couldn’t put it down.
I was never sure what direction this book was taking and every time you think you knew where it was going you were wrong and it did a complete 180. I was unsure if the book was going to take a supernatural turn because of the references to the moon and the wolves but I love how it came into the story. I really think this element enhanced the story line and also the interlace of the Irish folklore really made it stand out.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters and how the pressure to seem perfect contrasts to the reality of each of the families and their pasts.
I really loved the depth of the relationships and the quote “marriage was choosing to stay because this was the person you decided to endure it all with. Even when you both had every reason to stop” really stuck with me.
I Loved the relationship between Maude and her sister and how you seen it develop throughout the story. I thought it was great, the way you feel close to Saskia despite not hearing directly from her.
With the writing I felt it a bit hard to gel with at first as I felt every paragraph ended on a bit of a cliffhanger sentence but I am glad I stuck with this one and will definitely recommend it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I found Beautiful Liars to be a really intriguing and atmospheric thriller that pulled me in straight away. Set in an affluent gated community on the outskirts of Dublin, the story begins with a beach party where five teenagers head into the woods, but only four come back. From there, the tension and unease build beautifully and kept me hooked.
Amanda Cassidy does such a strong job of slowly peeling back the layers of these families and exposing the secrets hidden beneath the polished surface. The dynamics between the parents, the teenagers, and the community itself kept me constantly questioning who knew more than they were admitting. What really stood out for me was the eerie atmosphere running throughout the book. There’s a subtle supernatural edge woven through the story with Irish mythology and folklore lingering in the background, giving it an unsettling almost haunting feel without overpowering the mystery itself. The setting, the secrets, the grief, and the growing paranoia all made this a really immersive read. It gave me slight Big Little Lies meets Picnic at Hanging Rock vibes with that same feeling of tension simmering underneath every interaction.
This was a compelling and addictive thriller that keeps you guessing right until the end. Definitely one I’d recommend picking up when it releases so add to your tbf asap 📚✨
Amanda Cassidy does such a strong job of slowly peeling back the layers of these families and exposing the secrets hidden beneath the polished surface. The dynamics between the parents, the teenagers, and the community itself kept me constantly questioning who knew more than they were admitting. What really stood out for me was the eerie atmosphere running throughout the book. There’s a subtle supernatural edge woven through the story with Irish mythology and folklore lingering in the background, giving it an unsettling almost haunting feel without overpowering the mystery itself. The setting, the secrets, the grief, and the growing paranoia all made this a really immersive read. It gave me slight Big Little Lies meets Picnic at Hanging Rock vibes with that same feeling of tension simmering underneath every interaction.
This was a compelling and addictive thriller that keeps you guessing right until the end. Definitely one I’d recommend picking up when it releases so add to your tbf asap 📚✨
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received and ARC of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this book!
I have to admit I'm a little biased when it comes to stories set in Ireland. I was lucky enough to visit a few years ago and completely fell in love with the country. One of the things that stayed with me was how legends and folklore aren't just stories from the past—they're woven into the culture and the landscape in such a natural way. 'Beautiful Liars' captures that beautifully, and it made me want to go back.
I also really enjoyed the multiple points of view. Each perspective added another piece to the puzzle, and I loved slowly discovering how everything connected. It kept me turning the pages without ever feeling confusing.
And that ending...
Don't worry, I won't spoil a thing. I'll just say that the very last page had me in tears. Not because it was sad, but because it was so incredibly beautiful and hopeful. It made me think about my own two daughters and the relationship I hope they'll always have as they grow older. I wasn't expecting a thriller to leave me reflecting on my own family, but that's exactly what happened.
Some books entertain you while you're reading them. Others stay with you long after you've turned the final page. 'Beautiful Liars' is definitely one of the latter, and I'm so glad I picked it up.
I absolutely loved this book!
I have to admit I'm a little biased when it comes to stories set in Ireland. I was lucky enough to visit a few years ago and completely fell in love with the country. One of the things that stayed with me was how legends and folklore aren't just stories from the past—they're woven into the culture and the landscape in such a natural way. 'Beautiful Liars' captures that beautifully, and it made me want to go back.
I also really enjoyed the multiple points of view. Each perspective added another piece to the puzzle, and I loved slowly discovering how everything connected. It kept me turning the pages without ever feeling confusing.
And that ending...
Don't worry, I won't spoil a thing. I'll just say that the very last page had me in tears. Not because it was sad, but because it was so incredibly beautiful and hopeful. It made me think about my own two daughters and the relationship I hope they'll always have as they grow older. I wasn't expecting a thriller to leave me reflecting on my own family, but that's exactly what happened.
Some books entertain you while you're reading them. Others stay with you long after you've turned the final page. 'Beautiful Liars' is definitely one of the latter, and I'm so glad I picked it up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book is set in what sounds like a beautiful place in Ireland close to Dublin. There are three main families who live next to each other in a gated community and on the whole they all get on very well. The Goulds have two children as have the Foleys. The Hunters have one son who finds it difficult to mix with others. Aaron and his mom, Thorne, came to live in Ireland after meeting her husband in the States. Aaron and his step dad do not get on which does not help the situation. Traditionally they celebrate the full moon and the families spend it on the beach with a barbeque. A little Irish folklore is talked about. The adults and children are apart on the beach. Aaron poses a truth or dare scenario. Saskia Foley chooses a dare and she disappears to complete this but never returns. Eventually her body is found and then the book gets really interesting. Wolves had been reintroduced into the National Forest and this is the way the Gardia follow what they think are clues but, of course, as in any good book, this is not the case. The death of Saskia opens many issues in the families and secrets begin to pour out some years old and some recent. I really enjoy reading this book and as always love a story that you think you know how it will end – it does not
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Killiney is one of South County Dublin’s most coveted postcodes. Home to cliff-top views, perfect lawns…and secrets buried deep.
On the night of a full moon, five teenagers go into the woods for a game of dares. Saskia Foley – bright, magnetic and unforgettable – doesn’t come back. Now three women must navigate their worst fears and darkest instincts to protect their children who were with Saskia the night she vanished.
Saskia’s mother thinks she could have been taken by a wolf. Which is surely impossible. Because in Killiney, the predators don’t have claws. They have keys to perfect homes. And everything to lose.
I couldn't put this down, so many secrets and lies that gradually emerge over the days following Saskia's disappearance. Each reveal sends the reader down a different track as the mothers struggle to understand and protect their children at any cost. And underneath the emerging truths crawls the supernatural as Irish myths possibly may be becoming truth.
Great personalities and back stories and the only thing that could possibly have improved it IMHO is a little more magic.
My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin RandomHouse UK for an advance copy in return for an honest review.
On the night of a full moon, five teenagers go into the woods for a game of dares. Saskia Foley – bright, magnetic and unforgettable – doesn’t come back. Now three women must navigate their worst fears and darkest instincts to protect their children who were with Saskia the night she vanished.
Saskia’s mother thinks she could have been taken by a wolf. Which is surely impossible. Because in Killiney, the predators don’t have claws. They have keys to perfect homes. And everything to lose.
I couldn't put this down, so many secrets and lies that gradually emerge over the days following Saskia's disappearance. Each reveal sends the reader down a different track as the mothers struggle to understand and protect their children at any cost. And underneath the emerging truths crawls the supernatural as Irish myths possibly may be becoming truth.
Great personalities and back stories and the only thing that could possibly have improved it IMHO is a little more magic.
My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin RandomHouse UK for an advance copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Set in an exclusive gated compound - The Rockys - on the edge of Dublin, Beautiful Liars involves the lives three families: the Goulds, the Hunters and the Foleys. With the exception of Thorne Hunter, all the others in the group are local and have grown up together.
One evening, as the adults damce under the full moon at a beach barbeque, their five teenagers head into nearby woods. While five go in, only four return. There is a widespread search for the missing girl, Saskia Foley, but it's not until two months later a body is discovered. The presence of a wolf is suspected, causing concern and warnings to keep out of the nearby woods which although part of the National Parks, have always been the subject of myths and legends.
Saskia's death brings with it unwanted change within The Rockys, where tensions develop within long term friendships as everyone suspects everyone else might know more than they are willing to admit. A dark, atmospheric story of secrets and lies, laced with a sprinkling of supernatural.
An excellent read.
My thanks to Penguin Random House, the author and Netgalley for an ARC of Beautiful Liars in exchange for an honest review.
One evening, as the adults damce under the full moon at a beach barbeque, their five teenagers head into nearby woods. While five go in, only four return. There is a widespread search for the missing girl, Saskia Foley, but it's not until two months later a body is discovered. The presence of a wolf is suspected, causing concern and warnings to keep out of the nearby woods which although part of the National Parks, have always been the subject of myths and legends.
Saskia's death brings with it unwanted change within The Rockys, where tensions develop within long term friendships as everyone suspects everyone else might know more than they are willing to admit. A dark, atmospheric story of secrets and lies, laced with a sprinkling of supernatural.
An excellent read.
My thanks to Penguin Random House, the author and Netgalley for an ARC of Beautiful Liars in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
BEAUTIFUL LIARS is set in the summer in Killiney, Ireland, a wealthy waterfront town near Dublin.
Saskia Foley enters the forest at night on a dare to visit a ruin called Druid’s Hut, but doesn’t come out. What comes next are many layers of secrets regarding Saskia’s disappearance.
There are three families featured in BEAUTIFUL LIARS—the Foleys, Golds, and Hunters. Their teen kids attend an elite private school called St. Sebastian’s, and their families are all friends with one another.
In addition to the disappearance, there are some strange occurrences going on around Killiney. There have been possible wolf sightings around the neighborhood. And folk stories are making the rounds again.
But despite this interesting premise, I had difficulty getting drawn into the story. And I also had trouble keeping the families straight—even with the key at the beginning of the book—and I found myself referring back to it constantly. However, I enjoyed the twisty ending.
🌟Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.🌟
Saskia Foley enters the forest at night on a dare to visit a ruin called Druid’s Hut, but doesn’t come out. What comes next are many layers of secrets regarding Saskia’s disappearance.
There are three families featured in BEAUTIFUL LIARS—the Foleys, Golds, and Hunters. Their teen kids attend an elite private school called St. Sebastian’s, and their families are all friends with one another.
In addition to the disappearance, there are some strange occurrences going on around Killiney. There have been possible wolf sightings around the neighborhood. And folk stories are making the rounds again.
But despite this interesting premise, I had difficulty getting drawn into the story. And I also had trouble keeping the families straight—even with the key at the beginning of the book—and I found myself referring back to it constantly. However, I enjoyed the twisty ending.
🌟Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.🌟
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A story about friendships, neighbourhood secrets, and how the past always comes back to haunt you. Killiney is a wealthy suburb in south county Dublin where all the local children go to school together and socialise on the beach in summer and Barbecues are abundant. But behind the perfect facade, secrets threaten to destroy the community. A local politician married to an American Woman with a stepson, a Widow and her 2 daughters, and a Judge with a wife who is determined that their son will be an Olympian. But these people are not just connected because they are neighbours but because of the secrets that bind them. Then one night, one of the children goes missing in a local conservation forest. What happened to Saskia? And what secrets does the forest hide? Thanks to the author and publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
June 12, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for an eARC. Here is my honest review.
A slow-burn thriller following 3 rich and posh families in Dublin, from the night of a beach bonfire where one of the teenaged children go missing, to her murder investigation and gradual unravelling of secrets. I enjoyed this but found it slightly too slow for my liking, particularly with the large cast of characters.
Amanda Cassidy’s writing is good, however the relationships left a lot to be desired. Much was told not shown, and didn’t ring true which undermined the dramatic reveals as the story went on.
Regardless, an interesting read that brings together minor elements of Irish folklore with real-life ghosts and hauntings. 3 stars.
A slow-burn thriller following 3 rich and posh families in Dublin, from the night of a beach bonfire where one of the teenaged children go missing, to her murder investigation and gradual unravelling of secrets. I enjoyed this but found it slightly too slow for my liking, particularly with the large cast of characters.
Amanda Cassidy’s writing is good, however the relationships left a lot to be desired. Much was told not shown, and didn’t ring true which undermined the dramatic reveals as the story went on.
Regardless, an interesting read that brings together minor elements of Irish folklore with real-life ghosts and hauntings. 3 stars.
June 2, 2026
Beautiful Liars by Amanda Cassidy is a thriller set in a rich, suburban area in Ireland.
A group of young friends hold a full moon ceremony that goes wrong with one young woman going missing. Every in the area is under suspicion, secrets are revealed and lives are permanently changed as a result. It’s an eye opening insight into wealth and privilege and gets you rooting for characters that you don’t expect to root for!
The book was a thoroughly enjoyable pacy page turner and my first book by Amanda Cassidy. I will definitely look out for others by her.
Thanks to Amanda Cassidy, Random House UK and NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.
A group of young friends hold a full moon ceremony that goes wrong with one young woman going missing. Every in the area is under suspicion, secrets are revealed and lives are permanently changed as a result. It’s an eye opening insight into wealth and privilege and gets you rooting for characters that you don’t expect to root for!
The book was a thoroughly enjoyable pacy page turner and my first book by Amanda Cassidy. I will definitely look out for others by her.
Thanks to Amanda Cassidy, Random House UK and NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was asked by NetGalley to review this book.
The setting is in the outskirts of Dublin and begins with a beach party. With the feel of Picnic at Hanging Rock - five go into the woods and only four return. A body is found, three families are devistated and it is difficult to xome to terms with the loss and what happened.
Secrets are evident after this, a supernatural layer is hinted at who or what was the killer
A really interesting and intruging story
Readers will have to wait for publication date of February 11th 2027. A really recommended read.
The setting is in the outskirts of Dublin and begins with a beach party. With the feel of Picnic at Hanging Rock - five go into the woods and only four return. A body is found, three families are devistated and it is difficult to xome to terms with the loss and what happened.
Secrets are evident after this, a supernatural layer is hinted at who or what was the killer
A really interesting and intruging story
Readers will have to wait for publication date of February 11th 2027. A really recommended read.
May 28, 2026
In a privileged gated community, sordid secrets are kept well hidden behind a facade of friendliness and fellow feeling. But what lies below is laid bare when a group of teenagers leave the parents enjoying a beach barbecue and enter the woods, one of their number failing to return...
Amanda Cassidy invariably delivers an enjoyable read, and this one is a thriller that leans heavily on its folkloric roots. Definitely worth checking out.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Amanda Cassidy invariably delivers an enjoyable read, and this one is a thriller that leans heavily on its folkloric roots. Definitely worth checking out.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A dark, gripping thriller set in one of Dublin’s most exclusive suburbs. When teenager Saskia Foley disappears after a night in the woods, long-buried secrets begin to surface. Full of tension, twists and complex characters, this story kept me hooked from start to finish. A chilling reminder that the most dangerous predators often hide in plain sight. Highly recommended.
Thank you to Netgalley and Cornerstone for an ARC
Thank you to Netgalley and Cornerstone for an ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An atmospheric domestic thriller set in an affluent town off the Irish coast, following three women and their teenage children as tensions build toward one summer night when a girl goes missing. The wooded landscape, folklore, and supernatural undertones give the story an eerie sense of place while contrasting with the families’ very modern problems. The plot and characterization were solid, but the beautifully written bond between sisters was a standout. 3.5–4 stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Beautiful Liars is a darkly emotional novel about loss, love, the secrets we keep and just how far we'll go to protect our children.
Atmospheric setting and an edgy fairytale vibe keeps you involved throughout.
One to watch in 2027.
Atmospheric setting and an edgy fairytale vibe keeps you involved throughout.
One to watch in 2027.
June 13, 2026
A well written thriller full of secrets and twists with a good dose of folklore to keep the intrigue going.
What really happened that night? Keeps you guessing all the way through, and would be a great holiday read. Thank you NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the review copy
What really happened that night? Keeps you guessing all the way through, and would be a great holiday read. Thank you NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the review copy
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Propulsive, but could use a little tightening up. There were at least a couple of occasions when this book really slipped out of its vibe, dipping its booky little toes into a number of other pools. All in all though, it came back around by the end.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Set in a wealthy Dublin suburb, Beautiful Liars starts with a beach party. Five teenagers head into the woods - but only four return. After a search, Saskia's body is found two weeks later, but it will take a lot longer for the truth to come out. Three families are torn apart and struggle to come to terms with the loss. And several deeply held secrets come to the surface in the aftermath.
There are a lot of supernatural undertones to the narrative, with many Irish legends referred to. But was Saskia killed by some sort of mystic beast - or a human predator? The tale progresses slowly, the character development outpacing the plot. Ultimately it becomes clear that everyone has secrets and past indiscretions they would rather hide.
There are a lot of supernatural undertones to the narrative, with many Irish legends referred to. But was Saskia killed by some sort of mystic beast - or a human predator? The tale progresses slowly, the character development outpacing the plot. Ultimately it becomes clear that everyone has secrets and past indiscretions they would rather hide.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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