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She Lied First
Sisters make the best flatmates ... except when they are both keeping terrible secrets.
The stunning new standalone psychological thriller from the author of the popular Detective Kate Miles series.
The dream apartment. The start of a grand adventure. And two lives that are about to unravel.
Devika is living her best life, moving out of home in her final year of university. Close to the beach and away from her mother. Independent and self-sufficient, just like Kalyani. There's just one awful secret that Kal can never find out about.
Kalyani has it made. A new job. A unit she can afford, and her little sister as her roomie. She's finally achieved the life she's always wanted. Except for the one big thing she's yet to confide in Devi. A truth that gets harder to reveal the longer she waits.
When their lives are torn apart by betrayal, and Kal refuses to forgive her sister, Devi must peel back everything she thought she knew to rediscover Kalyani, lie by lie and secret by secret.
Praise for Dinuka
'Dinuka McKenzie has talent to burn' Dervla McTiernan
'A born storyteller' Michael Robotham
'How lucky are we to have Dinuka McKenzie?' Hayley Scrivenor
'A new star in Aussie crime' Craig Sisterson
'McKenzie is an exciting voice - a new contender for Queen of Australian crime' Katherine Kovacic
The stunning new standalone psychological thriller from the author of the popular Detective Kate Miles series.
The dream apartment. The start of a grand adventure. And two lives that are about to unravel.
Devika is living her best life, moving out of home in her final year of university. Close to the beach and away from her mother. Independent and self-sufficient, just like Kalyani. There's just one awful secret that Kal can never find out about.
Kalyani has it made. A new job. A unit she can afford, and her little sister as her roomie. She's finally achieved the life she's always wanted. Except for the one big thing she's yet to confide in Devi. A truth that gets harder to reveal the longer she waits.
When their lives are torn apart by betrayal, and Kal refuses to forgive her sister, Devi must peel back everything she thought she knew to rediscover Kalyani, lie by lie and secret by secret.
Praise for Dinuka
'Dinuka McKenzie has talent to burn' Dervla McTiernan
'A born storyteller' Michael Robotham
'How lucky are we to have Dinuka McKenzie?' Hayley Scrivenor
'A new star in Aussie crime' Craig Sisterson
'McKenzie is an exciting voice - a new contender for Queen of Australian crime' Katherine Kovacic
416 pages, Paperback
Published July 28, 2026
About the author
Dinuka McKenzie
7 books185 followersDinuka McKenzie is an Australian writer and the author of the Detective Kate Miles crime series, The Torrent, Taken and Tipping Point, published in Australia and the UK. She is the winner of the 2020 HarperCollins Australia Banjo Prize. Her writing has been shortlisted for the Sisters in Crime Davitt Awards, the Bad Sydney Crime Danger Awards, and longlisted for the Richell Prize. Her short fiction appeared in the 2022 Dark Deeds Down Under Crime and Thriller Anthology. Dinuka lives with her family in Southern Sydney on Dharawal country.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 3, 2026
I just had to keep reading! This is so twisty and compulsive!!!!! Just when you think you know you turn the page level of twist!!! What a psychological thriller!!! I also have to say I am a big fan of Dinuka McKenzie, this is the fourth novel I’ve read of hers and she is an autobuy author for me…this is NOT a police procedural and and NOT for a second was I looking for Kate!!!!! This is so different from what I was expecting and omg was I there for that! So so so good and so so so fun to have all my expectations ignored! She may have lied first but liars abound in this thriller, unreliable narrators, twists and turns all rolled up in a story of sisterhood set in my hometown!! Cannot wait for whatever Dinuka McKenzie wants to write next…
August 6, 2026
Veteran author Dinuka McKenzie has just released her standalone thriller She Lied First, a story that continues to change direction with ease, suspense and downright mystery.
Known for her crime fiction starring popular Detective Kate Miles, the talented writer ventures into new territory, with success.
A twisty, energetic and appealing read awaits her readers.
Secrets destroy relationships especially with sisters.
Devika and Kalyani are housemates and living life to the fullest.
Devi, away from her domineering mother and going to uni, she has the freedom to be herself.
Kal, has a great job and a romance is on the cards.
But they have massive hidden secrets from each other and when the truth comes out, nobody will be the same again……
Dinuka is a capable and proficient storyteller that tells the tale with comfort, talent and skill.
The plot and mood is tension filled, suspenseful, mind blowing, emotional and intriguing.
Just when you think you have it worked out, another reveal is let loose.
A family domestic drama with an aura of psychological thriller, complicated dynamics and those unreliable narrators.
A book that will have you avoiding life just so you can read ‘one more page’.
Known for her crime fiction starring popular Detective Kate Miles, the talented writer ventures into new territory, with success.
A twisty, energetic and appealing read awaits her readers.
Secrets destroy relationships especially with sisters.
Devika and Kalyani are housemates and living life to the fullest.
Devi, away from her domineering mother and going to uni, she has the freedom to be herself.
Kal, has a great job and a romance is on the cards.
But they have massive hidden secrets from each other and when the truth comes out, nobody will be the same again……
Dinuka is a capable and proficient storyteller that tells the tale with comfort, talent and skill.
The plot and mood is tension filled, suspenseful, mind blowing, emotional and intriguing.
Just when you think you have it worked out, another reveal is let loose.
A family domestic drama with an aura of psychological thriller, complicated dynamics and those unreliable narrators.
A book that will have you avoiding life just so you can read ‘one more page’.
August 7, 2026
I think it's best going into this one blind or just reading the synopsis.
Just know that you will go on a twisty, twisty ride full of lies, so many lies.
This story had me in its grip from the beginning and I just had to know what happened. The chapters are generally nice and short, which kept the pace flowing and that desire for 'one more chapter' was definitely there.
For Dinuka's first foray into the psych thriller genre she has absolutely smashed it out the park.
Just know that you will go on a twisty, twisty ride full of lies, so many lies.
This story had me in its grip from the beginning and I just had to know what happened. The chapters are generally nice and short, which kept the pace flowing and that desire for 'one more chapter' was definitely there.
For Dinuka's first foray into the psych thriller genre she has absolutely smashed it out the park.
August 1, 2026
She Lied First is a great read and Dinuka McKenzie's first standalone, sitting alongside her popular Detective Kate Miles series. It centres on two sisters, Devi and Kal, both carrying secrets they're not quite ready to share, with each other or with us. McKenzie is clever about keeping context from the reader just long enough to let us make assumptions which are ultimately... wrong.
Devi narrates much of the first half, and we learn something has something involving her sister, a man named Nate which fractures the sisters' relationship but... doesn't make full sense. Yet. Then McKenzie shifts perspective and timing, and suddenly the picture looks quite different and the sleight-of-hand works really well here.
This would make a great book club pick as the characters operate in genuine shades of grey, and there's plenty to debate about who knew what, who was wrong, and whether the ends justified the means. A clever and bewitching read.
Read the full review on my website: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
Devi narrates much of the first half, and we learn something has something involving her sister, a man named Nate which fractures the sisters' relationship but... doesn't make full sense. Yet. Then McKenzie shifts perspective and timing, and suddenly the picture looks quite different and the sleight-of-hand works really well here.
This would make a great book club pick as the characters operate in genuine shades of grey, and there's plenty to debate about who knew what, who was wrong, and whether the ends justified the means. A clever and bewitching read.
Read the full review on my website: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
August 6, 2026
I’m so glad the first review of #AussieAugust is Dinuka McKenzie’s new thriller, She Lied First. A solid, amazing 5 star read from one of my favourite Aussie authors — honestly, what could be better.
I won’t say too much about the plot because this is one of those books you’re better off diving into blind, but the premise is simple and deliciously tense: two sisters move in together… and each is hiding big secrets from the other.
As a long time thriller reader, I’m not often kept guessing right until the final pages but this one absolutely did. Dinuka has crafted a brilliantly twisty storyline, layering suspense and intrigue into every chapter. Just when I thought I knew where things were heading, another secret dropped and I was flipping pages as fast as I could. It’s a genuine page turner. I was buddy reading it with my bestie, which made it even more fun, though we had to be careful not to spoil anything for the other just in case!
I first discovered Dinuka through her bestselling crime series featuring Detective Kate Miles, which I loved, but I truly feel she has outdone herself here with this deeper step into the psychological thriller space.
If you love clever twisty thrillers that keep you guessing right to the end, do yourself a favour and pick up She Lied First. It’s an absolute must read for 2026.
I won’t say too much about the plot because this is one of those books you’re better off diving into blind, but the premise is simple and deliciously tense: two sisters move in together… and each is hiding big secrets from the other.
As a long time thriller reader, I’m not often kept guessing right until the final pages but this one absolutely did. Dinuka has crafted a brilliantly twisty storyline, layering suspense and intrigue into every chapter. Just when I thought I knew where things were heading, another secret dropped and I was flipping pages as fast as I could. It’s a genuine page turner. I was buddy reading it with my bestie, which made it even more fun, though we had to be careful not to spoil anything for the other just in case!
I first discovered Dinuka through her bestselling crime series featuring Detective Kate Miles, which I loved, but I truly feel she has outdone herself here with this deeper step into the psychological thriller space.
If you love clever twisty thrillers that keep you guessing right to the end, do yourself a favour and pick up She Lied First. It’s an absolute must read for 2026.
July 31, 2026
Wow, what a page turning twisty twisted tale!
Dinuka has smashed it out the park with her newest release, a solid and perfectly plotted psychological thriller
It’s about two sisters, who end up living together, and to avoid giving away spoilers, as my head is stuck in the hype and adrenaline of just finishing this I’ll leave it at that.. I went in blind and can say it’s the way to go!
The timeline, the multiple pov, the characters, from start to finish are *chefs kiss* perfection
Hooked in from the get go I had no idea who to trust, what to believe but I was all aboard the ride and loved every page!
A must read thriller, highly recommend adding it to your TBR asap!
Thank you so much HarperCollins for my gifted copy 🫶
Dinuka has smashed it out the park with her newest release, a solid and perfectly plotted psychological thriller
It’s about two sisters, who end up living together, and to avoid giving away spoilers, as my head is stuck in the hype and adrenaline of just finishing this I’ll leave it at that.. I went in blind and can say it’s the way to go!
The timeline, the multiple pov, the characters, from start to finish are *chefs kiss* perfection
Hooked in from the get go I had no idea who to trust, what to believe but I was all aboard the ride and loved every page!
A must read thriller, highly recommend adding it to your TBR asap!
Thank you so much HarperCollins for my gifted copy 🫶
August 3, 2026
Dinuka McKenzie has moved on from her award winning trilogy of regional crime novels and featuring Detective Kate Miles to deliver a standalone domestic thriller. She Lied First is a domestic thriller firmly set in the Sydney suburbs and revolves around Devika (Devi), daughter of Sri Lankan parents Rupa and Sonny and the fraught relationship with her flatmate Kalyani (Kal). As the title suggest, their relationship is one full of lies but as to the one that Kal “told first”, readers will have to wait for that.
It is hard to talk too much about this book without spoilers so perhaps just the setup. When the book opens Devi is seeing a psychologist and is obsessively following a man called Nate. She wants the police to investigate Nate for something but has been warned off getting involved with him. At the same time, the police have also warned Nate to stay away from Devi. Devi lives in a flat in Sydney’s south, as far from her mother as she can get, with Kal. Except things with Kal seem to have been strained for a while. As it turns out, for good reason. And those reasons will involve Nate.
There is much more going on in She Lied First, some of it tied up with why Kal has come to Sydney from Queensland and how she ends up meeting and then sharing a flat with Devi. There are also tensions involving Devi’s mother Rupa and her relationship with her husband who has taken himself off to Scotland to care for his ageing mother.
She Lied First is very much domestic thriller territory with a Sri Lankan flavour. The plot twists revolve around the relationships between parents and children, between flatmates and then around secret identities, illegitimate children, secrets and lies. McKenzie slowly doles out the information through flashbacks and time jumps allowing readers to make assumptions about characters and their relationships and playing with readers’ sympathies before pulling the rug out from them multiple times, right up to the last page.
It is hard to talk too much about this book without spoilers so perhaps just the setup. When the book opens Devi is seeing a psychologist and is obsessively following a man called Nate. She wants the police to investigate Nate for something but has been warned off getting involved with him. At the same time, the police have also warned Nate to stay away from Devi. Devi lives in a flat in Sydney’s south, as far from her mother as she can get, with Kal. Except things with Kal seem to have been strained for a while. As it turns out, for good reason. And those reasons will involve Nate.
There is much more going on in She Lied First, some of it tied up with why Kal has come to Sydney from Queensland and how she ends up meeting and then sharing a flat with Devi. There are also tensions involving Devi’s mother Rupa and her relationship with her husband who has taken himself off to Scotland to care for his ageing mother.
She Lied First is very much domestic thriller territory with a Sri Lankan flavour. The plot twists revolve around the relationships between parents and children, between flatmates and then around secret identities, illegitimate children, secrets and lies. McKenzie slowly doles out the information through flashbacks and time jumps allowing readers to make assumptions about characters and their relationships and playing with readers’ sympathies before pulling the rug out from them multiple times, right up to the last page.
August 2, 2026
She Lied First by Dinuka McKenzie
This is a stand-alone psychological thriller and not part of the Detective Kate Miles series.
Devi, a university student, grapples with a traumatic past and has been pushed by their mother to seek therapy. As the story unfolds through her perspective, we witness her struggles and the complicated dynamics with her sister Kalyani, who seems to have the perfect life but hides significant truths of her own. McKenzie expertly weaves their narratives, revealing layers of betrayal and misunderstanding that keep the reader guessing.
The novel takes an unexpected turn as we delve into Kalyani's backstory, showing the flaws and vulnerabilities of both sisters. Alongside their internal conflicts, we gain insight into tricky-trickster Nate, a man with questionable morals, and Devi's overbearing mother, whose name escapes me... Is it possible she's just called Amma by Devi, and her name isn't used?
She Lied First is a twisty read with some (almost all of them?) morally ambiguous characters, and the writing captures the essence of psychological tension; it's impossible to know who and what to believe, especially with the multiple perspectives and the way that the timeline jumps.
The characters in this book are less likeable than in McKenzie's earlier books, but if you like books with morally ambiguous or unlikeable characters, or books that explore racism, violence against women and trial by internet. then you might like this one. I did. Thumbs up!
#booksdeevaareads #2026bookshelf #designnerd @dinukamckenzie #SheLiedFirst #NetGalley @harpercollinsaustralia
This is a stand-alone psychological thriller and not part of the Detective Kate Miles series.
Devi, a university student, grapples with a traumatic past and has been pushed by their mother to seek therapy. As the story unfolds through her perspective, we witness her struggles and the complicated dynamics with her sister Kalyani, who seems to have the perfect life but hides significant truths of her own. McKenzie expertly weaves their narratives, revealing layers of betrayal and misunderstanding that keep the reader guessing.
The novel takes an unexpected turn as we delve into Kalyani's backstory, showing the flaws and vulnerabilities of both sisters. Alongside their internal conflicts, we gain insight into tricky-trickster Nate, a man with questionable morals, and Devi's overbearing mother, whose name escapes me... Is it possible she's just called Amma by Devi, and her name isn't used?
She Lied First is a twisty read with some (almost all of them?) morally ambiguous characters, and the writing captures the essence of psychological tension; it's impossible to know who and what to believe, especially with the multiple perspectives and the way that the timeline jumps.
The characters in this book are less likeable than in McKenzie's earlier books, but if you like books with morally ambiguous or unlikeable characters, or books that explore racism, violence against women and trial by internet. then you might like this one. I did. Thumbs up!
#booksdeevaareads #2026bookshelf #designnerd @dinukamckenzie #SheLiedFirst #NetGalley @harpercollinsaustralia
August 5, 2026
I had such a good time with She Lied First. This was my first Dinuka McKenzie book, and knowing this is her first time stepping away from police procedurals and into psychological suspense, I think she did a phenomenal job. If I didn't already know that, I genuinely wouldn't have guessed this was her first time writing in this space.
There are a couple of major reveals throughout the book, and while I did figure out where some parts of the story were heading, one reveal completely got me. I did not see it coming at all, and it made me rethink so much of what I'd already read. I read a lot of thrillers, so I always appreciate when a book can still manage to bamboozle me!
But the twists weren't actually my favourite part of this book. I really loved the women at the centre of the story. They're Southeast Asian women in their twenties who are allowed to be messy and complicated. They make questionable decisions, they go out, they drink, their relationships aren't perfect, and they're not written to fit neatly into what other people expect of them. I really enjoyed that.
The friendships, family dynamics and history between the characters also gave me plenty to care about outside of the central mystery. I wasn't just reading to find out what had happened. I was invested in these women, their relationships with each other and all the secrets sitting underneath them.
I also really enjoyed the way the story itself was constructed. There were things happening with the structure that I didn't fully appreciate until later, and once everything started falling into place, I could see just how cleverly some of the information had been given to us.
A very easy five stars from me, and definitely not my last Dinuka McKenzie book!
There are a couple of major reveals throughout the book, and while I did figure out where some parts of the story were heading, one reveal completely got me. I did not see it coming at all, and it made me rethink so much of what I'd already read. I read a lot of thrillers, so I always appreciate when a book can still manage to bamboozle me!
But the twists weren't actually my favourite part of this book. I really loved the women at the centre of the story. They're Southeast Asian women in their twenties who are allowed to be messy and complicated. They make questionable decisions, they go out, they drink, their relationships aren't perfect, and they're not written to fit neatly into what other people expect of them. I really enjoyed that.
The friendships, family dynamics and history between the characters also gave me plenty to care about outside of the central mystery. I wasn't just reading to find out what had happened. I was invested in these women, their relationships with each other and all the secrets sitting underneath them.
I also really enjoyed the way the story itself was constructed. There were things happening with the structure that I didn't fully appreciate until later, and once everything started falling into place, I could see just how cleverly some of the information had been given to us.
A very easy five stars from me, and definitely not my last Dinuka McKenzie book!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Dinuka McKenzie has gone in a completely different direction with her first standalone thriller - and it is brilliant!! I am a big fan of this authors Detective Kate Miles books so I was busting to read She Lied First. Thank you so much to Harper Collins for sending me an advanced copy to read. I devoured it and up late into the night to finish it. I just had to find out how it was all going to play out.
This is tough book to review because I fear going into spoiler territory. So much of this book needs to be kept to myself, you really do not want to know too much before you start it. It is filled with secrets and lies and truly awful characters. On top of all this it is incredibly emotional and heartbreaking but I can’t tell you why.
I loved the Cronulla setting, on the beach and the areas surrounding it. It has been a while since I have been down that way but I could see it all clearly in my mind whilst reading.
Told from multiple perspectives, this book is very cleverly crafted, keeping the reader engaged and giving them just enough information to make the story work. What you don’t realise is that we are being drawn into a family drama like no other you will read. This family was something else, one member in particular made me so angry so often!
I am struggling to find the right words really. What I want to say is difficult to do. I loved it, I really loved it. My jaw dropped numerous times, especially when I thought that I knew exactly what was happening and I really didn’t have a clue. My head hurts!
If you have read please do reach out to talk about it with me.
Published this week, congratulations Dinuka, it is amazing.
This is tough book to review because I fear going into spoiler territory. So much of this book needs to be kept to myself, you really do not want to know too much before you start it. It is filled with secrets and lies and truly awful characters. On top of all this it is incredibly emotional and heartbreaking but I can’t tell you why.
I loved the Cronulla setting, on the beach and the areas surrounding it. It has been a while since I have been down that way but I could see it all clearly in my mind whilst reading.
Told from multiple perspectives, this book is very cleverly crafted, keeping the reader engaged and giving them just enough information to make the story work. What you don’t realise is that we are being drawn into a family drama like no other you will read. This family was something else, one member in particular made me so angry so often!
I am struggling to find the right words really. What I want to say is difficult to do. I loved it, I really loved it. My jaw dropped numerous times, especially when I thought that I knew exactly what was happening and I really didn’t have a clue. My head hurts!
If you have read please do reach out to talk about it with me.
Published this week, congratulations Dinuka, it is amazing.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The story delivers a steady stream of surprises, with each twist reshaping your expectations and pulling you deeper into the sisters’ unraveling lives. The author once again proves her mastery, crafting a tense, heartfelt narrative that holds your attention from start to finish.
What begins as a dream setup,an exciting new apartment, fresh independence, and the promise of a bright future quickly fractures under the weight of hidden truths. Devika is eager to embrace freedom, determined to mirror the confidence she sees in Kalyani, all while guarding a secret she hopes will never surface. Kalyani, proud of the life she’s finally built, carries her own confession that becomes harder to share with every passing day.
When betrayal tears their world apart, Devika is forced to confront everything she thought she understood. As she digs through layers of lies and long buried truths, the story becomes a gripping exploration of sisterhood, trust, and the painful cost of silence.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expresses are my own.
What begins as a dream setup,an exciting new apartment, fresh independence, and the promise of a bright future quickly fractures under the weight of hidden truths. Devika is eager to embrace freedom, determined to mirror the confidence she sees in Kalyani, all while guarding a secret she hopes will never surface. Kalyani, proud of the life she’s finally built, carries her own confession that becomes harder to share with every passing day.
When betrayal tears their world apart, Devika is forced to confront everything she thought she understood. As she digs through layers of lies and long buried truths, the story becomes a gripping exploration of sisterhood, trust, and the painful cost of silence.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expresses are my own.
August 1, 2026
This new book by Dinuka McKenzie is full of 'hold on...what!!!' moments, and a story that had me messaging Dinuka about evil she is. 🤣
I was constantly re-assessing how I felt about each character, until I had to realise I just needed to buckle in for a wild ride.
Complex families, unreliable narrators, and a plot to keep you turning page after page, this is a psychological drama/thriller that you will devour.
Thanks to HarperCollins Australia for the review copy of this book
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Holy moly! A twisty psychological thriller about two sisters and the secrets, lies and betrayals that rip them apart. Just when you think you have everything figured out, more twist and turns are thrown your way. My jaw was on the floor by the time I turned the final page, and all I wanted to do was start and again and start looking for the clues I missed. So much fun!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was an emotional rollercoaster that kept me guessing from start to finish. I thought the characters were well done embracing both virtues and flaws making them believable and sympathetic. I enjoyed the many twists and turns the story took and I realy liked the ending, Highly recommended.
July 27, 2026
Packed with secrets and lies, Dinuka's first standalone suspense is a twisty kaleidoscope of a novel. The pieces of the puzzle slide together in an immensely satisfying way. This is a story which keeps you guessing right the way through, where nobody is quite who they seem...
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
All I will say is…well written…twist followed by twist followed by twist. Head exploded
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