Synopsis
'I was gripped from the very first page' Claire Douglas
'Just brilliant!' Lucy Clarke
'Cannily wrongfoots the reader' Financial Times
_________________________________________________
How do you find your daughter when no one believes she is missing?
Single mother Jess and her daughter Issie have always shared an unbreakable bond. For the last seven years, it's been just the two of them.
That is, until Issie meets Dylan.
When the pair announce their plans to go travelling, Jess is devastated - Issie is only seventeen after all, and Jess doesn’t trust her daughter’s new boyfriend.
And when she stops hearing from her altogether, she's terrified.
With Dylan refusing to talk, and the police unwilling to help, Jess is faced with a mother's worst nightmare.
Can she find her daughter before it's too late?
_________________________________________________
Praise for Someone is Lying:
'Unexpected twists galore' Alice Clark Platts
'Pulse-racing. Clever. Aims at your deepest fears' Jane Corry
'Perks, as ever, knows how to cannily wrongfoot the reader. A winner' Crime Time
‘This pulse quickening read is impossible to put down’ Woman Magazine
'Some sly twists, sharp observations about class and an awareness of the subjective nature of truth lifts this above the common run.' The Times
'This emotionally charged story explores the darker side of domestic relationships and bodes the question 'would you lie to save a loved one?' Candis
_________________________________________________
Praise for Heidi Perks:
'A fun, compelling thriller - perfect to read beside the pool, or at home, dreaming of warmer times to come' The Observer
'Heidi Perks has a gift for ratcheting up tension and suspense in her books, leaving this reader gasping for breath with the lights on in the middle of the night. Bravo!' Liz Nugent
'The Other Guest is a fantastic sun-soaked thriller with a gripping mystery at its heart. It's the perfect read to take on holiday - but just keep one eye on those other guests!' Lucy Clarke
'A twisty hot summer read in a location to die for. Literally!' Jane Corry
'I raced through this in a weekend. A taut, clever whodunnit, masterfully structured, beautifully written, with an intriguing cast and some heart-wrenching moral dilemmas. Brilliant.' Gilly Macmillan
'Pure, thrilling escapism. Whip-smart twists make this summer sizzler impossible to put down. The Other Guest is unforgettable' Chris Whitaker
'An outstanding novel. Someone is Lying is incredibly clever, disturbing and never less than page-turning. A real treat for fans of tense, up-all-night thrillers' BP Walter
Publisher information
- Publisher: Cornerstone
- ISBN: 9781804946466
- Number of pages: 384
- Dimensions: 198 x 131 x 24 mm
- Weight: 270g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
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Thought provoking
Free courtesy of Netgalley.
I don't think I have read any books by Heidi Perks but I really enjoyed this one. Being a single parent to a teenage girl, ... READ MORE
Intriguing thriller
This started out as an intriguing thriller about a missing daughter but segued into more of a family drama as the story developed. Told from the viewpoints... READ MORE
Pacy and gripping - a great read
I really enjoyed reading Someone is Lying and found it pacy and gripping. I read it in one sitting while on holiday.
I thought it was effective how the ... READ MORE
Engaging and a few twists
This is written from the perspective of 2 characters - the mums of the teens. It is an engaging book and once I was just a little way in I was hooked. The ... READ MORE
An excellent read but an uncomfortable read in many ways
An excellent read but an uncomfortable read in many ways. Someone is definitely lying but your take on who and about which parts of the story is easily cha... READ MORE
Someone is Lying
Once I had finished this book I wondered what I would do in this situation and cannot find the answer. Issie is 17 from a good family although her father... READ MORE
Fascinating story
This was a fascinating story with a dilemma created by a young woman. Does the mother support her child or believe that justice is more important. Great co... READ MORE
Pacy suspenseful thriller
While on holiday in Portugal with her boyfriend, Jess’s daughter Issie, has gone missing. Jess had been sure that Issie would phone, especially as it’s he... READ MORE
Great read
Gripping story told from different view points. It was interesting how my allegiances shifted after each chapter which made it a fascinating read. I couldn... READ MORE
a real page turner
This was a fascinating read and a real page turner. A real tug of the heart strings with parents in a terrible position. Will they do the right thing? I... READ MORE
Gripping
Since her husband left her and their daughter. Life has just been Jess and Issie until Issie meets Dylan.
Issie a shadow of her former self, and someth... READ MORE
A mystery novel to top all others
Perks has the Midas touch, everything she produces is pure gold for me and this mystery full of suspense and twists does not disappoint.
It challenges t... READ MORE
A rollercoaster of a read
Issie and Dylan, a teenage couple, decide to go on holiday together for the first time - what could go wrong?
Jess is devastated when she doesn’t hear f... READ MORE
A good read
Thank you for allowing me to review this book. I found it an interesting take on the mother's view of her child. Issie, the only daughter a single mothe... READ MORE
A complete 360 done to my head!!
Well, well, well, what a complete 360 this did to my head!!
Jess, a single mother to Issie, finds herself at the centre of a missing persons case…excep... READ MORE
Would recommend
Very good, full of complicated family relationships and also some twists and turns. Compelling and unputdownable.
Would recommend. Reviewed on NetGalley
Brilliant
How far would you go to protect your child ?
A brilliant tale of parental love with twists and turns in every chapter !
Loved it !!
good read
I wasn't sure about this one to start with.
The pace was a bit off for me, and the characters drove me mad! But eventually it shifted and made me very i... READ MORE
Highly recommend
Heidi Perks just keeps getting better! This book is superb and highly recommended to any fan of psychological fiction.
This use of 'smoke and mirrors... READ MORE
An interesting read that asks many questions
Two teenagers go abroad on a holiday together, then appear to go missing. Their mothers react in different ways and the thoughts and reasonings behind the ... READ MORE
Gripping story of a mother's unconditional love
Gripping story of a mother's unconditional love. Two teens head off to Portugal, then are feared missing. a mothers worse nightmare. But this was only the ... READ MORE
Enjoyable read
I always enjoy a destination thriller, and I was keen to spend a bit of time in Portugal by reading this book!
It is cleverly written, setting up a lot ... READ MORE
a little bit puzzled...
This book really has got me stumped in terms of a review.
I enjoyed reading the book, but feel that there actually wasn't much plot, it is more of a chara... READ MORE
Really enjoyed this one!
I am going to go four stars This was the first Heidi perks book I have read. I was fortunate enough to be gifted a copy prior to publication in 2025 by Net... READ MORE
Addictive!
I loved this book and found it so addictive! It gets off to a cracking pace from the start and I had no trouble turning the pages. In fact, when I woke at ... READ MORE
I can definitely recommend this book!
Besides the fact that there are masses of people in this story I enjoyed it.
The characters are believable and the book is quite fast paced.
I will def... READ MORE
Gripping… what would you do if your teen was in trouble?
Many thanks to the publisher and author for a chance to read this book ahead of publication.
What a great read - this one kept me up late on more than o... READ MORE
A MUST READ!
Loved the book. Plot, characters and bang up to date with the podcast. Kept me engrossed from start to finish, I needed to know if Izzy would get her comeu... READ MORE
Someone Is Lying...But Who?!
Firstly, thank you to Netgalley & Random House UK (Penguin) for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for honest feedback!
I was hooked from Chapter ... READ MORE
Loved this and the brilliant moral dilemma at it's centre
I absolutely loved the first Heidi Perks book I ever read #NowYouSeeHer. And whilst I've enjoyed others since, I've never quite found the same high...until... READ MORE
Predictable
When Jess’ daughter Issie goes missing on a holiday with her boyfriend Dylan, Jess is desperate to find her. However, as she’s 18 and the holiday was abroa... READ MORE
A solid mystery thriller
Perceptions change throughout this book as the reader is left wondering who to believe and what happened after a teenage couple drop off the radar on holid... READ MORE
Who is lying? A great read!
Dylan and Issie go travelling in Portugal. It is Issie's 18th Birthday, but her Mum Jess cannot contact her. She is not answering her phone.
A young girl ... READ MORE
Excellent
Someone Is Lying is a captivating mystery that explores the complexities of family relationships and the devastating impact of secrets. The story centers a... READ MORE
Page turner
Thank you #NetGalley and #RandomHouse for the advanced read “Someone Is Lying” by Heidi Perks is an absolute page-turner that kept me hooked from start to ... READ MORE
Would you lie?
When Jess hasn’t heard from her daughter Issie for a few days, she reports her as missing. Issie is travelling in Portugal with her boyfriend Dylan, but sh... READ MORE
Five star!
Someone is Lying follows the story of Jess, a single mother who has always shared an unbreakable bond with her daughter, Issie. For the past seven years, i... READ MORE
Tense and twisty
This is written from the perspective of 2 characters - the mums of the teens. It is an engaging book and once I was just a little way in I was hooked. The ... READ MORE
Add this must read book to your tbr
As a mother having been through the teen daughter years I could really feel the anguish Jess felt when her daughter Issie meets and falls for Dylan and lif... READ MORE
Tense Thriller
After her A levels, 17-year-old Jess goes travelling with her boyfriend but when she fails to respond to any messages on her 18th birthday her mother becom... READ MORE
Another addictive page turner from the talented Heidi Perks.
As usual in my reviews, I will not rehash the plot or the publisher's blurb - instead I recommend that you read this for yourself!
Another addictive pag... READ MORE
What would you do in this situation?
I love that this book is interwoven with a pod cast on the case. Issie and Dylan go travelling for the summer and this quickly becomes a missing persons ca... READ MORE
How well do we know our children?
A parent’s nightmare – where to start to find your child? Especially in another country. I wasn’t sure I would enjoy this book till several chapters in – t... READ MORE
A compelling “he said, she said”
A compelling “he said, she said”. As a parent you like to believe your child is telling the truth but they can’t both be doing so. And, if yours isn’t, wha... READ MORE
Someone is Lying
This was a book of two halves for me. The first half, where Jess's daughter Issie is missing - having gone travelling with boyfriend Dylan, who Jess doesn'... READ MORE
This would be a fabulous book club choice
This was a brilliant read and once I'd got to the 60% mark I just couldn't drag myself away from it. The story is told from two POVs; Issie's mother Jess ... READ MORE
A gripping thriller
A familiar theme here of teenage children cutting loose from their parents and heading off on their first unsupervised travels. Thankfully very few will en... READ MORE
A struggle
I have enjoyed previous books by this author, partly because she seems to set them in my part of the world. However I regret to say that I found this one ... READ MORE
Gripping read
Gripping story told from different view points. It was interesting how my allegiances shifted after each chapter which made it a fascinating read. I couldn... READ MORE
Great read
This was such a great read. I really enjoyed it. Loved the way it was interspersed with a pod cast dialogue which gave a neutral opinion on the storyline s... READ MORE
Really good
I really enjoyed reading this book once you start that’s it for the rest of the day, it centres round Jess and her daughter Issie and her boyfriend Dylan. ... READ MORE
Someone Is Lying: A Gripping 5-Star Thriller
Thank you #NetGalley and #RandomHouse for the advanced read “Someone Is Lying” by Heidi Perks is an absolute page-turner that kept me hooked from start to ... READ MORE
Highly recommended
When Jess goes missing with her boyfriend Dylan on her 18th Birthday, Jess's mum is determined to find out what happened to her. She never wanted them to g... READ MORE
An emotional page turner.
This book really had me hooked from the very start. An emotionally charged thriller where parents are put through their worst nightmares. The parents in th... READ MORE
A mother’s nightmare
Jess’ daughter Izzy has gone travelling with her boyfriend Dylan. Jess is not keen on Dylan. Then on Izzy’s 18th birthday, Jess cannot get hold of her whic... READ MORE
Suspenseful and thought-provoking
Someone is Lying is a thoroughly mesmerizing murder, mystery thriller from Heidi Perks. Based around a pair of teenagers initially thought gone off grid on... READ MORE
Great Mystery
Riveting read about Jess whose daughter Issie meets Dylan and they decide to go travelling and end up in Lisbon. When Jess who used to have a relationship ... READ MORE
Fabulous read
Seventeen-year-old Issie and her 19th year old boyfriend Dylan go on holiday to Portugal. Just before Issie birthday. Issie’s mother is not too happy. She ... READ MORE
Loved it
I really enjoyed reading this book once you start that’s it for the rest of the day, it centres round Jess and her daughter Issie and her boyfriend Dylan. ... READ MORE
Highly recommend, especially to mums
I am so pleased I gave #HeidiPerks another go after not enjoying her previous book as #SomeoneIsLying was amazing!
Narrated by 2 very different mums deali... READ MORE
Nice and twisty
I really enjoyed this book - an interesting theme of how far you would go to protect your child. I thought it was over by 50% but it carried on twisting fo... READ MORE
Suspenseful thriller
Having read and enjoyed previous books by Heidi Perks I had high expectations for 'Someone is Lying' and I wasn't disappointed.
Against her Mum's wishes I... READ MORE
An excellent read but uncomfortable in many ways.
An excellent read but an uncomfortable one in many ways. Someone is definitely lying but your take on who and about which parts of the story is easily chan... READ MORE
Excellent
Issie Adams is missing according to her mum, Jess Adams.
Issie and her boyfriend went off to Portugal travelling. While there, Issie turned 18, and Jess... READ MORE
A real page turner; it says what it does in the title!
Excellent book. A real page turner. A daughter leaves for Portugal with her boyfriend, who her mother doesn’t trust. She loses contact with her daughter fo... READ MORE
Brilliant
Wow another brilliant book by this author. As soon as you start the novel it plunges you into a fast paced thriller with intrigue into who is telling the t... READ MORE
Thrilling
"No one knows what they will do untill they are faced with an impossible situation. Some might say they would defend their children whatever some might bel... READ MORE
Another smash
Perks has the Midas touch, everything she produces is pure gold for me and this mystery full of suspense and twists does not disappoint.
It challenges t... READ MORE
Brilliant read
This was such a great read. I really enjoyed it. Loved the way it was interspersed with a pod cast dialogue which gave a neutral opinion on the storyline s... READ MORE
Heidi at her best!
Heidi at her best! A real page turner. Jess and her daughter are not getting on as well as they usually do. In fact Issie has changed since she has met Dyl... READ MORE
Blockbuster
Yet another blockbuster of a book. Really could not put this down.
Would you betray your daughter/son if you knew what they were saying was a lie? It ... READ MORE
So many twists !!
I am a huge fan of this author and her new book did not disappoint. There were so many twists and turns, I had no idea how it was going to end. i could def... READ MORE
Great Book!
Holy cow! This is one of her best books ever! Jess gets worried when her daughter’s 18th birthday appears and she can’t find her. Issie is with Dylan trave... READ MORE
A great read!
When Jess goes missing with her boyfriend Dylan on her 18th Birthday, Jess's mum is determined to find out what happened to her. She never wanted them to g... READ MORE
Tense and emotional missing person thriller
What an enjoyable read. Issie Adams is 17 years old when she goes travelling with her 19 year old boyfriend, Dylan Whiting. Jess Adams and her daughter h... READ MORE
A story of doing what's right and wrong!
Issie is dating Dylan and has told her mother Jess they’re going travelling to celebrate her eighteenth birthday. Jess isn’t happy as she doesn’t trust Dy... READ MORE
another winner from Ms Perks
Another winner from Ms Perks asking the age old question - what lengths would you go to protect your child?
There is no easy answer and the author proves... READ MORE
Fabulous read
Seventeen-year-old Issie and her 19th year old boyfriend Dylan go on holiday to Portugal. Just before Issie birthday. Issie’s mother is not too happy. She... READ MORE
A gripping read
Issie and her boyfriend Dylan go to Portugal travelling. Jess, Issie's mother is not happy as she thinks Dylan is controlling.
Jess doesn't hear from Iss... READ MORE
Five stars!
Someone is Lying follows the story of Jess, a single mother who has always shared an unbreakable bond with her daughter, Issie. For the past seven years, i... READ MORE
Wow just when you think you have this book figured out things change drastically
Wow, just when you think you have this book figured out things drastically change.
Young love, holiday in the sun. Lack of contact with their mother's. ... READ MORE
Missing teen story with twists
Issie is 17 and is besotted with her boyfriend Dylan to the extent that her friendships and relationship with her mother Jess, suffer. A fairly normal occu... READ MORE
Hunt for missing child - or not?
Single mothers Jess and Kay lives don’t overlap; the former affluent, the latter not. Then Jess’s daughter, Issie, falls in love with Kay’s son, Dylan. I... READ MORE
Fabulous! I loved it.
Two teenagers go missing in Lisbon and when both go off grid their mothers, Kay and Jess, are unable to contact either of them. The chapters are split betw... READ MORE
A well paced and strongly plotted novel
I’ve read and enjoyed most of Heidi Perks novels and Someone is Lying is her best so far.
When her 17 year old daughter Issy goes travelling with her boy... READ MORE
Unputdownable
Two single mums, two teenagers and a holiday abroad is the main premise for this latest novel by Heidi Perks.
There is a definite class divide between the... READ MORE
A compelling read!
I was intrigued by the summary of this book and was pulled into this story from page one.
I enjoyed the characters, Jess Adams and Kay Whiting, the mot... READ MORE
Four and a half stars; this book had me reeling!
I have read many books by this author and always found them interesting and compulsive. This one even more so.
From the first page I was drawn into this s... READ MORE
Tension-filled thriller
Issie is travelling in Portugal with her boyfriend Dylan. Issie's mother doesn't trust Dylan and becomes very worried when she doesn't hear from her daught... READ MORE
Excellent
Such a brilliant read.
Lots of twists, never gave I changed my allegiances from character to character so much.
Excellent
Such a brilliant read.
Lots of twists, never have I changed my allegiances from character to character so much.
Another fabulous read!
Absolutely fabulous! This book rattles along at speed and once I started I could not put it down.
Full of twists and turns and very thought provoking.
Average
This book started off well and I was quite excited, but then I could see where it was going and I lost a bit of interest. Maybe it’s just me but there seem... READ MORE
Gripping
I was delighted to have the opportunity an early read of the latest Heidi Perks book. I’ve read a few of her stories and found them engaging and exciting.... READ MORE
An emotional page turner.
This book really had me hooked from the very start. An emotionally charged thriller where parents are put through their worst nightmares. The parents in th... READ MORE
Good but not gripping enough
A missing persons case but with a twist. Jess allows her daughter to go away on holiday with her older boyfriend reluctantly. Then they go silent right on ... READ MORE
A fantastic 5 star read
This book was excellent, really well written and full of suspense. It tells the story of Issie and Dylan as they decide to go travelling together against ... READ MORE
Moral dilema
Two teenagers go abroad on a holiday together, then appear to go missing. Their mothers react in different ways and the thoughts and reasonings behind the ... READ MORE
Innovative fast paced read
Wow I loved someone is lying,this book kept me guessing and on my toes all the way through! Twists and turns that I really didn’t see coming, fast paced an... READ MORE
A mother’s unconditional love
This is a gripping read, a mother’s endless and unconditional love.
Two mothers, two teenagers, Issie and Dylan. The teenagers are in love and go travel... READ MORE
Pacy and gripping
This is an absolutely superb book about controlling relationships and what a parent is prepared to do to protect their child. Jess has a gorgeous daughter ... READ MORE
Thought-provoking read
Heidi Perks delivers another gripping psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end.
Someone Is Lying is packed with secrets, twist... READ MORE
Utterly brilliant
Another absolutely fabulous read from Heidi Park. I was gripped from the start and couldn’t put it down. This is a real rollercoaster of a story about two ... READ MORE
An engaging read, perfect for packing in your holiday suitcase
Seventeen year old Issie used to be her mother's best friend, until she met Dylan, her nineteen year old boyfriend. Issie has changed since she started goi... READ MORE
A gripping rollercoaster of a read
This is a rollercoaster of emotions and twists as we learn about a missing young woman and her boyfriend from the perspectives of the mothers of both the y... READ MORE
Another smash
Perks has the Midas touch, everything she produces is pure gold for me and this mystery full of suspense and twists does not disappoint.
It challenges t... READ MORE
Emotional thriller
This book is fabulous. It revolves, or maybe it should be evolves around a young couple who went to Portugal for a holiday and then disappeared. This is a ... READ MORE
Five stars!
Someone is Lying follows the story of Jess, a single mother who has always shared an unbreakable bond with her daughter, Issie. For the past seven years, i... READ MORE
Who will pay the price?
Second Heidi Perks book I have read. My favourite genre and a beautifully crafted book that I did not want to finish. Teenage love leading to tragedy and w... READ MORE
Excellent... Esp if u r a mum of a teen
I am so pleased I gave #HeidiPerks another go after not enjoying her previous book as #SomeoneIsLying was amazing!
Narrated by 2 very different mums deali... READ MORE
Every Parent's Worst Fear
After her A levels, 17-year-old Jess goes travelling with her boyfriend but when she fails to respond to any messages on her 18th birthday her mother becom... READ MORE
Enjoyable read
Issie and her boyfriend Dylan have gone travelling to Portugal and it's now several days since her mother Jess has heard from her especially as she couldn'... READ MORE
A Rollercoaster of a Thriller
4.5 ⭐️
This was my first Heidi Perks book and what a fantastic first impression I have of her writing.
A mother-daughter bond broken by a stranger.
... READ MORE
Great book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 enjoyable stars.
I found this to be a bit of a slow starter but once I got into it, it kept me guessing.
Told from three POV’s, it set the... READ MORE
A very twisty read
The main question at the heart of this book is 'What would you do for your child? How far would you go for them in any given situation?' This is what two m... READ MORE
Engaging thriller
Having read and enjoyed previous books by Heidi Perks I had high expectations for 'Someone is Lying' and I wasn't disappointed.
Against her Mum's wishes I... READ MORE
Another compelling read
As usual in my reviews, I will not rehash the plot or the publisher's blurb - instead I recommend that you read this for yourself!
Another addictive pag... READ MORE
A must read
Oh I loved this, it invoked such strong emotions for me, especially rage for certain characters - I would rant but nobody needs spoilers
This a slow burn... READ MORE
Very good suspenseful story
I enjoyed this. Very good suspenseful story with a twist.
I liked reading from the two mother’s points of view.
Another excellent read from Heidi
This was a fascinating read and a real page turner. A real tug of the heart strings with parents in a terrible position. Will they do the right thing? I re... READ MORE
Brilliant read
Omg wow wow wow!!! This book had me gripped from start to finish, everytime I thought I knew which way it was going I was proven wrong. So many twists and... READ MORE
This was another enjoyable read from Heidi Perks.
After her daughter goes missing, Jess decides to take matters into her own hands to try and locate her and get to the bottom of what has happened to her da... READ MORE
Another page turner from a talented writer
A great story by this talented go-to writer.
The story is interspersed with a podcast to give some impartiality….which also adds more red herrings and wha... READ MORE
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