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High School Murder Mystery #1
Two Truths and One Liar
Knives Out meets One of Us is Lying with a hint of the Inheritance Games. Like the original whodunnit, Clue, this suspenseful mystery also has three possible endings explaining what could have happened.
They all have secrets. They all have motives. They all tell lies.
Every year, at a prestigious boarding school, Professor Groff hosts the Midnight Masquerade. But this year, before the festivities, he’s discovered dead in his office. Yet six students still receive invitations. The same six students who're questioned about his murder.
The show must go on. At the Masquerade, two additional students claim to know the truth. The lights go out and when they come back on, one of them is dead. Anyone could’ve been at fault.
Francisca blind in one eye and deadly on the rugby field. Toshi a number ninja and the campus punching bag. Taz who struggles with anxiety and lingers in the shadows. Fish the golden boy hiding wounds and not only in his heart. Caroline the heiress and the image of perfection. Gorgeous George the resident Greek God with nothing to lose.
The six receive anonymous notes, making them question themselves and the assumptions they’ve made about each other. Brought back together, they must prove their innocence before the all-school meeting the next morning, otherwise, they risk humiliation if their secrets are exposed exposed—and worse, if they’re found guilty.
It’s a long night of theft, danger, and threats by a secret society that shows Professor Groff was right during his final lecture.
Everything that can go wrong will.
They all have secrets. They all have motives. They all tell lies.
Every year, at a prestigious boarding school, Professor Groff hosts the Midnight Masquerade. But this year, before the festivities, he’s discovered dead in his office. Yet six students still receive invitations. The same six students who're questioned about his murder.
The show must go on. At the Masquerade, two additional students claim to know the truth. The lights go out and when they come back on, one of them is dead. Anyone could’ve been at fault.
Francisca blind in one eye and deadly on the rugby field. Toshi a number ninja and the campus punching bag. Taz who struggles with anxiety and lingers in the shadows. Fish the golden boy hiding wounds and not only in his heart. Caroline the heiress and the image of perfection. Gorgeous George the resident Greek God with nothing to lose.
The six receive anonymous notes, making them question themselves and the assumptions they’ve made about each other. Brought back together, they must prove their innocence before the all-school meeting the next morning, otherwise, they risk humiliation if their secrets are exposed exposed—and worse, if they’re found guilty.
It’s a long night of theft, danger, and threats by a secret society that shows Professor Groff was right during his final lecture.
Everything that can go wrong will.
367 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 27, 2021
199 people are currently reading
377 people want to read
About the author
Deirdre Riordan Hall
45 books264 followersDeirdre Riordan Hall is the author of the contemporary young adult bestseller Sugar, Pearl, and several YA fantasy novels. When she's not writing, she's probably surfing or in pursuit of magic. She also has a healthy case of wanderlust, is a major Harry Potter nerd, loves chips and salsa, and dreams about learning no less than three languages.
For more, please visit her blog or twitter
For more, please visit her blog or twitter
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 15, 2022
This mystery took me way, way, way . . . (ok, you get it, it was a long time ago) back to high school, only my high school was nothing like this. This prestigious, east coast boarding school is where the children of supermodels and mafia dons learn their algebra, which is a good thing because no one would want to read about my high school experience back when we carved our essays on stone tablets.
This school hosts a secret society that hails back to the early days of the school and is known for its outrageous pranks. Until now their pranks have been of the harmless nature, but could they be responsible for the recent burning of the school symbol or, even worse, the murder of everyone's least favorite English teacher? Or is another student to blame?
Will the murderer or murderers be caught before prom? Will prom go on? Why is there a creepy castle on the school grounds? Hmm. I may be making it sound cheesy, and maybe there is a little bit of that but in a really good way. I was laughing with the book, not at it. I was completely absorbed in the plot. The characters were engaging. I often find YA characters to be on the melodramatic side, but I did not find that here. It had just the right amount of drama and teen angst mixed in with creepy castles and secret societies.
I won't give any spoilers, but I will say I really love the twist at the end. I definitely recommend this book.
Thank you, NetGalley, for this advance reader copy. This is my unbiased, honest review.
This school hosts a secret society that hails back to the early days of the school and is known for its outrageous pranks. Until now their pranks have been of the harmless nature, but could they be responsible for the recent burning of the school symbol or, even worse, the murder of everyone's least favorite English teacher? Or is another student to blame?
Will the murderer or murderers be caught before prom? Will prom go on? Why is there a creepy castle on the school grounds? Hmm. I may be making it sound cheesy, and maybe there is a little bit of that but in a really good way. I was laughing with the book, not at it. I was completely absorbed in the plot. The characters were engaging. I often find YA characters to be on the melodramatic side, but I did not find that here. It had just the right amount of drama and teen angst mixed in with creepy castles and secret societies.
I won't give any spoilers, but I will say I really love the twist at the end. I definitely recommend this book.
Thank you, NetGalley, for this advance reader copy. This is my unbiased, honest review.
January 1, 2022
I love the characters, the mystery and the creepy vibes of this book. Alternate endings. Couldn't put it down. Can six students work together to find out who killed their professoror is one of the a liar? It kind of reminds me of the 80's movie April fools day.Great book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 26, 2021
This was a fairly interesting boarding school mystery. I didn't really like any of the characters, so this ended up not really being for me. The alternative endings was a fun touch. However, none of the endings felt satisfying to me, though the "real" ending was definitely my favorite.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
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January 21, 2023DNF @ 157
January 24, 2022
Professor Groff isn’t the school’s favourite teacher by any means. The majority of the students, and most of the teachers, greatly dislike him. But, it is still an honour to be invited to his Midnight Masquerade, something of which few students ever experience, and no one is entirely sure what the event truly is.
When Professor Groff is found dead in his office, the end of the year is thrown into turmoil. First, the school’s symbolic wisteria was burned down, now a teacher is dead – things such as prom seem trivial in the light of recent events. Six students are singled out and questioned about Groff’s death, and none of them can figure out why they specifically were questioned. But, one by one, they all receive an invite to the Midnight Masquerade, despite Professor Groff being dead, and all of them are curious and after answers.
This novel is told from the perspective of the six students – Francisca, Toshi, Taz, Fish, Caroline, and George. They are not all friends, only some of them know each other, and yet, the events of this book pit them against each other, and force them together. They were all questioned, surely one of them is responsible for Professor Groff’s murder? And yet, as you read each of their perspectives, they all seem equally clueless about what happened.
To talk about all six of them would make this an incredibly long review, so I shall simply focus on my favourites. Taz and Fish were, without a doubt, my favourite characters in this novel. Taz is the school’s misfit, the girl people avoid. But, behind her dark clothing, she is sensitive, and struggles with anxiety and trying to figure out who she really is. Fish might be the ‘golden boy’ of the school, but he has a dark past he wants to keep hidden, for if it came to light, his whole life, and the way everyone views him, would change. These two characters, in my opinion, had the most depth to them. Fish certainly had the most backstory, and Taz came across as very real. Their chapters were most definitely my favourite to read.
This novel is obviously centred around Professor Groff’s death, and the six characters trying to figure out why they in particular were questioned, and trying to learn the truth for themselves. There is a certain nod towards the game Cluedo – a murder in a mansion, six suspects. There is even mention of a candlestick and a pistol, as the six characters find themselves moving around the board, learning things and slowly trying to piece together the truth before taking that final guess and seeing if they were right or not. This was certainly a nice little addition to the story, or almost, this story is a nice addition to the game. If you are a fan of the game in any way, this is a novel you will love.
I had some issues to begin with, trying to keep up with the characters. With six different perspectives, each character taking their chapters in turn, it is a lot of different people to try and keep your mind on. There are times when they are all together, and it is easier to know what is happening, but when they are all in separate places, doing their own things, I sometimes found it difficult to remember who the characters were, with the amount of different names. I had a hard time initially learning who the main characters were, with the differing perspectives, however, once you have figured out who’s who, it’s much easier to keep up with them.
Something I found incredibly unique in this novel, which I’m not sure I’ve ever seen before, is the fact that this book has three endings. There is one ‘true’ ending, and two additional endings of ‘what might’ve happened'. Three completely different outcomes, depending on what is revealed, and how it is revealed. Once again, I did have a little trouble keeping up with things here, as you finish one ending, and have to jump back in time and try to forget everything you just read to understand the next ending, but it is a very creative style.
This is a novel of secrets, lies, and mystery, and one that will certainly keep you reading as you try to figure out whodunnit, and who you can really trust. With so many different kinds of characters, there is a favourite character for everyone. If you like mysteries, this is certainly a great read you should grab a copy of!
*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for review consideration.
When Professor Groff is found dead in his office, the end of the year is thrown into turmoil. First, the school’s symbolic wisteria was burned down, now a teacher is dead – things such as prom seem trivial in the light of recent events. Six students are singled out and questioned about Groff’s death, and none of them can figure out why they specifically were questioned. But, one by one, they all receive an invite to the Midnight Masquerade, despite Professor Groff being dead, and all of them are curious and after answers.
This novel is told from the perspective of the six students – Francisca, Toshi, Taz, Fish, Caroline, and George. They are not all friends, only some of them know each other, and yet, the events of this book pit them against each other, and force them together. They were all questioned, surely one of them is responsible for Professor Groff’s murder? And yet, as you read each of their perspectives, they all seem equally clueless about what happened.
To talk about all six of them would make this an incredibly long review, so I shall simply focus on my favourites. Taz and Fish were, without a doubt, my favourite characters in this novel. Taz is the school’s misfit, the girl people avoid. But, behind her dark clothing, she is sensitive, and struggles with anxiety and trying to figure out who she really is. Fish might be the ‘golden boy’ of the school, but he has a dark past he wants to keep hidden, for if it came to light, his whole life, and the way everyone views him, would change. These two characters, in my opinion, had the most depth to them. Fish certainly had the most backstory, and Taz came across as very real. Their chapters were most definitely my favourite to read.
This novel is obviously centred around Professor Groff’s death, and the six characters trying to figure out why they in particular were questioned, and trying to learn the truth for themselves. There is a certain nod towards the game Cluedo – a murder in a mansion, six suspects. There is even mention of a candlestick and a pistol, as the six characters find themselves moving around the board, learning things and slowly trying to piece together the truth before taking that final guess and seeing if they were right or not. This was certainly a nice little addition to the story, or almost, this story is a nice addition to the game. If you are a fan of the game in any way, this is a novel you will love.
I had some issues to begin with, trying to keep up with the characters. With six different perspectives, each character taking their chapters in turn, it is a lot of different people to try and keep your mind on. There are times when they are all together, and it is easier to know what is happening, but when they are all in separate places, doing their own things, I sometimes found it difficult to remember who the characters were, with the amount of different names. I had a hard time initially learning who the main characters were, with the differing perspectives, however, once you have figured out who’s who, it’s much easier to keep up with them.
Something I found incredibly unique in this novel, which I’m not sure I’ve ever seen before, is the fact that this book has three endings. There is one ‘true’ ending, and two additional endings of ‘what might’ve happened'. Three completely different outcomes, depending on what is revealed, and how it is revealed. Once again, I did have a little trouble keeping up with things here, as you finish one ending, and have to jump back in time and try to forget everything you just read to understand the next ending, but it is a very creative style.
This is a novel of secrets, lies, and mystery, and one that will certainly keep you reading as you try to figure out whodunnit, and who you can really trust. With so many different kinds of characters, there is a favourite character for everyone. If you like mysteries, this is certainly a great read you should grab a copy of!
*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for review consideration.
December 28, 2021
Though a fun mystery this thriller also provides some moral lessons for teens and adults. Two Truths and One Liar by Deidre Riordan Hall is book one in a new series with more than one ending but surprisingly satisfying nonetheless.
A prestigious boarding school. A masquerade ball. A murdered professor. Six students - all suspects. Seriously entertaining for any thriller fan but also some life lessons for the characters and us readers.
Strict grumpy professor Grof is found murdered right before the midnight masquerade ball he always hosts. Why then do six students receive invitations to the masquerade after his death? Why are they suspects? They need to work together to get to the truth. But what if one of them is a liar?
Each of these students have secrets. Most of them are not unique. Like most of us, especially when we are teenagers, they have fears, anxiety and pretend they are always fine. There is the athlete, the rich girl, the gorgeous hunk, the nerdy mathematician, the shy anxious one, and the one with nothing to lose.
As they deal with their paranoia about each other they realize that they are more than the labels placed on them by society. They also come to see Professor Grof in a different light and understand the lessons he tried to teach them.
The mystery is fun. Almost like the game Clue we try to place the guilty party in the room with the dead body. The author gives us two "alternate" endings next to the actual one which was a nice "what if" change. I am ready for book two.
I received a free copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest review
All opinions are my own.
A prestigious boarding school. A masquerade ball. A murdered professor. Six students - all suspects. Seriously entertaining for any thriller fan but also some life lessons for the characters and us readers.
Strict grumpy professor Grof is found murdered right before the midnight masquerade ball he always hosts. Why then do six students receive invitations to the masquerade after his death? Why are they suspects? They need to work together to get to the truth. But what if one of them is a liar?
Each of these students have secrets. Most of them are not unique. Like most of us, especially when we are teenagers, they have fears, anxiety and pretend they are always fine. There is the athlete, the rich girl, the gorgeous hunk, the nerdy mathematician, the shy anxious one, and the one with nothing to lose.
As they deal with their paranoia about each other they realize that they are more than the labels placed on them by society. They also come to see Professor Grof in a different light and understand the lessons he tried to teach them.
The mystery is fun. Almost like the game Clue we try to place the guilty party in the room with the dead body. The author gives us two "alternate" endings next to the actual one which was a nice "what if" change. I am ready for book two.
I received a free copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest review
All opinions are my own.
January 22, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.
When professor Oliver Groff is found dead at the prestigious Dartmont boarding school, six students are called in about it. Each was in his last class. Each has a secret. Was he murdered? Who burned down the wisteria tree? And what about this secret society on campus?
This book is a little all over the place. While I like the idea of 3 different endings, each one feels a little incomplete on its own. I get the Clue references, but it feels a little too on the nose at times, especially with the colored robes and weapons. It's just a little messy and not really cohesive to tell a complete story. Some of the secrets weren't so secret and actually were not shocking enough that I felt like they should have been hiding them. Others were predictable. Overall, it was a quick, easy read but nothing I would be telling people they MUST read.
When professor Oliver Groff is found dead at the prestigious Dartmont boarding school, six students are called in about it. Each was in his last class. Each has a secret. Was he murdered? Who burned down the wisteria tree? And what about this secret society on campus?
This book is a little all over the place. While I like the idea of 3 different endings, each one feels a little incomplete on its own. I get the Clue references, but it feels a little too on the nose at times, especially with the colored robes and weapons. It's just a little messy and not really cohesive to tell a complete story. Some of the secrets weren't so secret and actually were not shocking enough that I felt like they should have been hiding them. Others were predictable. Overall, it was a quick, easy read but nothing I would be telling people they MUST read.
June 20, 2022
This is a YA Mystery about six students who become suspects in their Professor's murder. This is what intrigued me about the book, students accused of murder, a school setting, and secrets to be revealed. The intrigued left me after I started this book. It was confusing and have so many characters didn't help. The author does have the chapters set to each student's POV, but it dragged the story for me making it longer than it needed to be. The story has three different endings like alternate endings, which threw me off.
The reveals and secrets were not that exciting, but I did like that all my guesses were incorrect. The reveal about the professor was disappointing. I couldn't connect to any of the characters and I felt bad. I will try a different book by this author just not in this series
The reveals and secrets were not that exciting, but I did like that all my guesses were incorrect. The reveal about the professor was disappointing. I couldn't connect to any of the characters and I felt bad. I will try a different book by this author just not in this series
January 3, 2022
It's no secret, I am not usually a fan of YA. However, after reading the synopsis for Two Truths and One Liar, I was intrigued.
I am so happy to have been given the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to it's publication date. Deirdre Riordan Hall did an incredible job narrating a book that not only had a few twists and turns but also provided quite a few life lessons.
This story is told through multiple points of view which I thoroughly enjoyed. It also gave alternative endings (super unique! ) . The teacher ended up being one of my favorite characters which was a huge twist being I did not start out liking him too much!
All in all this is a great read that a wide spread age group would enjoy!
I am so happy to have been given the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to it's publication date. Deirdre Riordan Hall did an incredible job narrating a book that not only had a few twists and turns but also provided quite a few life lessons.
This story is told through multiple points of view which I thoroughly enjoyed. It also gave alternative endings (super unique! ) . The teacher ended up being one of my favorite characters which was a huge twist being I did not start out liking him too much!
All in all this is a great read that a wide spread age group would enjoy!
February 21, 2022
Thank you to the author for a copy of the eARC.
This book was interesting as it follows a group of students in a prestigious school that has a secret society. A teacher is murdered and a group of students who we follow are the main suspects. I had a hard time following all the characters and their perspectives, other than the key characteristics that define them such as the typical jock, good girl, nerdy guy, player and the popular girl just to name a few. I did enjoy the alternate endings that were available to the reader. My favourite ending was the original but I had fun reading the alternate endings.
This book was interesting as it follows a group of students in a prestigious school that has a secret society. A teacher is murdered and a group of students who we follow are the main suspects. I had a hard time following all the characters and their perspectives, other than the key characteristics that define them such as the typical jock, good girl, nerdy guy, player and the popular girl just to name a few. I did enjoy the alternate endings that were available to the reader. My favourite ending was the original but I had fun reading the alternate endings.
February 6, 2022
Thanks for the ARC copy of this book. I really enjoying staying on top of what my students are reading.
This was a great mystery set at a prep school, where a teacher turns up dead and 6 of the students are being accused of murdering him. They must clear their names and in the mean time find something about themselves.
I enjoyed this book, my only issue with it was the multiple endings. I like multiple endings, but reading it on a Kindle was hard to go back and look.
I will be buying this book for the high school library. I really think my students will enjoy it.
This was a great mystery set at a prep school, where a teacher turns up dead and 6 of the students are being accused of murdering him. They must clear their names and in the mean time find something about themselves.
I enjoyed this book, my only issue with it was the multiple endings. I like multiple endings, but reading it on a Kindle was hard to go back and look.
I will be buying this book for the high school library. I really think my students will enjoy it.
February 7, 2022
Note: I read this as a free eARC from Netgalley. Sitting through Professor Groff's class is torture for his students. No one really likes him, the students or the staff. Then he is found dead in his office. The dean focuses on six students as potential suspects. Each of them have has a secret. Each of them receive anonymous notes, making them question themselves and the assumptions they've made about each other. This boarding school mystery brings together unlikely students trying to solve the professor's murder.
December 25, 2021
Two Truths and One Liar is told by six different characters. The story's premise is interesting, and there are some likable characters. I did like the two "extra" endings. That was unique. The "grumpy, weird" teacher turns out to be a sentimental man who loved his students and wanted them to break free of their insecurities and live life and experience life. Two Truths and One Liar is a well-told story, and I enjoyed the book.
#TwoTruthsandOneLiar #NetGalley
#TwoTruthsandOneLiar #NetGalley
January 5, 2022
This book is told from multiple points of view with superbly written characters and alternate endings. It explores the typical categories of high school students, the jock, the brains, the popular, the druggie, and what happens when they are accused of murder. Full of suspense and some "food for thought" moments along with the discovery of the alternate endings made for a very entertaining and thrilling read. I voluntarily reviewed an advance readers copy of this book.
June 19, 2023
If you’re a fan of One of Us is Lying you might think this is a good book to read, but it’ll be a let down. Too many characters, very little time to develop them, not particularly likable. It felt super cliche and unfinished and the alternate endings didn’t make me feel any different as most of the characters were unlikable. It tries to be clue but with annoying poetry and ultimately fails to inspire curiosity to find the guilty party.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2021
This book had so much influence from the movie Clue that it seemed derivative. I kept waiting for the "singing Telegram Girl" and " the driver from the War" to show up. There were several fact inaccuracies. The characters often didn't seem as if they were separate entities with their own individual voices. I really had a hard time with such an imitative storyline.
January 2, 2022
This ARC was provided to me via Kindle by Deirdre Riordan Hall and #NetGalley for my honest opinion. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
A well-written, fast-paced, story with a thrilling plot. Compelling characters, an interesting story and the suspense level was perfect.
A well-written, fast-paced, story with a thrilling plot. Compelling characters, an interesting story and the suspense level was perfect.
January 9, 2022
I wanted to love this but just could not. Felt more like the movie Clue, in both character development and in plot devices, than it did any of the books the description mentioned. Also, who needs three endings?
July 26, 2025
it was weird and confusing there was too many endings and it didn't make sense how everything clicked into place left lots to be desired also left lots of questions
August 14, 2022
I have had good luck with more unknown books as well as ones which have a younger cast. I thought I would give this one a shot hoping for the trend to continue. That was not the case.
This has a very interesting premise, and parts of the conclusion (or one of them) were actually quite unique and made sense with the bigger picture.
The first point was that the multicast's voices were not as distinct as I would have wanted them to be. Although their individual tales were different and their growth arcs differed enough to warrant my being to identify the voice without seeing the chapter heading, I was unable to until a few pages into the chapters.
We have three girls and three guys whose thoughts we are privy to. They are all set to graduate soon, and that comes with its own weights. One of the more popular (in both good and bad ways) teachers is at the forefront of many's thoughts. He is then later found dead, and for some inexplicable reason, six students are targeted. The deeper we got into the narrative, the more I refused to accept the basic premise of what was happening. That coupled with the way we were presented with possible endings, I could not enjoy the story.
I liked the individual people (even with the voice issue), and just as a complex high school story without the murder, this book would have worked better for me.
I may not be continuing with this series, but the more adventurous people who like the more twisty high school murder mysteries might enjoy this.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own listening experience.
This has a very interesting premise, and parts of the conclusion (or one of them) were actually quite unique and made sense with the bigger picture.
The first point was that the multicast's voices were not as distinct as I would have wanted them to be. Although their individual tales were different and their growth arcs differed enough to warrant my being to identify the voice without seeing the chapter heading, I was unable to until a few pages into the chapters.
We have three girls and three guys whose thoughts we are privy to. They are all set to graduate soon, and that comes with its own weights. One of the more popular (in both good and bad ways) teachers is at the forefront of many's thoughts. He is then later found dead, and for some inexplicable reason, six students are targeted. The deeper we got into the narrative, the more I refused to accept the basic premise of what was happening. That coupled with the way we were presented with possible endings, I could not enjoy the story.
I liked the individual people (even with the voice issue), and just as a complex high school story without the murder, this book would have worked better for me.
I may not be continuing with this series, but the more adventurous people who like the more twisty high school murder mysteries might enjoy this.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own listening experience.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews