CITY OF LIES

How do you solve a murder while trying to survive in a city under siege? For Jovan and Kalina: not easily. With the country in open rebellion, they must struggle against the odds to defend their home and people, all the while searching to find who among those trapped within the walls of Silasta killed their uncle.

Both point-of-view characters are extremely relatable and nuanced, and this is very much driven by their personal challenges. Jovan is a highly skilled proofer, with the ability to detect any known poison; he lives to protect the Chancellor, but struggles with feelings of anxiety and obsessive-compulsive traits. His sister, Kalina, meanwhile, suffers from an illness that keeps her from extended periods of physical activity – not something that’s easy to manage during a siege. Both must find ways to overcome these challenges.

Though a few plot points could be considered contrived or convenient, overall debut author Sam Hawke does a marvellous job of misdirection and laying down clues, while keeping the action tense and the mood fraught, with each plot twist and revelation driving you on to a shocking and satisfying conclusion. City Of Lies combines a locked-room mystery with a spy thriller and action-packed fantasy to create an experience that’ll leave you reading late into the night. Bridie Roman