Liars, Inc.

A dark and twisted psychological tale, which Kirkus Reviews called "captivating to the very end" in a starred review—perfect for fans of I Hunt Killers and Gone Girl.

Max Cantrell has never been a big fan of the truth, so when the opportunity arises to sell forged permission slips and cover stories to his classmates, it sounds like a good way to make a little money. So with the help of his friend Preston and his girlfriend, Parvati, Max starts Liars, Inc. Suddenly everybody needs something, and the cash starts pouring in. Who knew lying could be so lucrative?

When Preston wants his own cover story to go visit a girl he met online, Max doesn't think twice about it. But then Preston never comes home. And the evidence starts to pile up—terrifying clues that lead to Preston's body.

Terrifying clues that point to Max as the killer….

• Twisty Plot: When Max’s best friend Preston goes missing, the cover story Max created becomes the first lie in a chain of secrets and betrayals that spirals out of control.
• Unreliable Narrator: Max makes a living from lies, but now he’s the prime suspect in a murder. To prove his innocence, he’ll have to uncover a truth more dangerous than any lie he’s ever told.
• Dark Secret: Everyone at Vista Palisades has something to hide, from Max’s girlfriend Parvati to the victim himself. The closer Max gets to the truth, the more secrets come to light.
• Gone Girl for Teens: A gripping YA thriller where the evidence is stacked against the hero, and no one—not his friends, not the police, not even the victim—is who they seem.

“Whatever you do, do NOT get a manicure right before reading Paula Stokes’s LIARS, INC. because you will ruin it chomping your fingernails down to the nub. This story twists and turns and screeches around every corner, but still manages to be a thriller with a big heart. Max Cantrell is a guy to root for, and maybe crush on too.” - Kristen Lippert-Martin, author of Tabula Rasa (Egmont, Sept 2014)

“Stokes continues to masterfully plant crumbs and red herrings on the road to the solving the mystery. The action is nonstop in this dark, psychological thriller. Readers will be on edge until the satisfying conclusion.” - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

“An interesting mystery with plot twists and turns to keep teens reading.” - School Library Journal

“Twists and turns at all the right moments. Even the keenest mystery buffs will be hard-pressed to predict the book’s finale, which packs quite the emotional and physical punch. Captivating to the very end.” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)