I had no idea what I was going to read for this prompt, then chance would have it, I went to a lovely bookish evening with a crime writing panel. Clare Mackintosh was one of the authors, and I bought a signed copy of Hane of Lies. It wasn’t until I started to read it that I realised it was set in Wales and full of Welsh. Problem solved.

What it’s about?

They say the camera never lies.
But on this show, you can’t trust anything you see.

Stranded in the Welsh mountains, seven reality show contestants have no idea what they’ve signed up for.

Each of these strangers has a secret. If another player can guess the truth, they won’t just be eliminated – they’ll be exposed live on air. The stakes are higher than they’d ever imagined, and they’re trapped.

The disappearance of a contestant wasn’t supposed to be part of the drama. Detective Ffion Morgan has to put aside what she’s watched on screen, and find out who these people really are – knowing she can’t trust any of them.

And when a murderer strikes, Ffion knows every one of her suspects has an alibi . . . and a secret worth killing for.

What I think:

What lengths would someone go to keep their darkest secrets?

Game ofnalies is the second book featuring Ffion Morgan but works perfectly as a standalone.

Exposure is a new reality TV show set in rural Wales. The contestants think that it is a ‘Survivor’ style test of physical endurance. In reality, it us their deepest secrets that will be exposed, and the contestants will be forced to turn on each other to protect themselves.

When one of the contestants disappeared, the police are called in to help find him. Things take a darker turn when a body is discovered. But all of the contestants’ movements are accounted for.

This was a great investigation with lots of twists and turns and clever reveals.

I lived the character of Ffion and her dog Dave is as an absolute star. The setting and Welsh language is just perfect.

I haven’t read The Last Party, which is the first book in the series, but having read Game of Lies, I will definitely be reading it and Clare Mackintosh was so lovely and interesting to meet.