Two Truths and a Lie

In this chilling mystery from a New York Times bestselling author, a storm strands a group of teens in a creepy motel—leaving them trapped with a killer.

Nell has always wanted to be an actor, but she doubts her ability. As a member of her school’s theater program, she prefers working backstage. On the way to a contest, an unexpected blizzard strands her acting troupe in a creepy motel. Soon they meet a group of strangers from another high school—including the mysterious and handsome Knox, who insists they play the game Two Truths and a Lie. When it’s Nell’s turn, she draws a slip of paper written in unfamiliar handwriting:

I like to watch people die.
I’ve lost count of how many people I’ve killed.

Suddenly, a night of harmless fun turns into a matter of life and death. As guests start to go missing, it becomes clear that a murderer is hiding in their midst ready to strike again. In a room full of liars and performers, the truth is never quite what it seems. Nell is going to have to act like her life depends on it—because it does.

• Praise for Two Truths and a Lie:
  Amazon Editor’s Choice for Best Young Adult 
  Teen Vogue 15 Best New Thriller & Mystery Books for Summer 2022
  She Reads: Best YA Thrillers Coming in 2022
  YALSA Top 10 Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers ​
  Featured in Crime Reads
  Featured in the Big Thrill 
  Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection 
  
  "Suspense, intrigue, and isolation converge in this perfect storm of a thriller."
  Mindy McGinnis, author of The Female of the Species
• "A white-knuckle, claustrophobic, locked-room tour de force, Two Truths and a Lie is a worthy successor to Agatha Christie."
  Gretchen McNeil, author of Ten and #murdertrending
• "Told with nods to Agatha Christie and in eerie detail, this ­thriller is sure to delight fans of mystery, suspense, and a little horror.... A grisly, fast-paced, suspenseful tale of a murder and mystery that is great for fans of noir thrillers who do not mind a little gore."
  School Library Journal
• "Henry returns with another thriller that will keep readers on the edges of their seats with mystery and romance, plus various theater references that give the novel a unique feel. Multiple twists and turns will keep readers guessing until the very end. An engrossing read."
  Booklist
• "Henry successfully incorporates elements of romance into a snowed-inn mystery with Agatha Christie roots."
  Publishers Weekly
• "An homage to Agatha Christie, Henry’s locked-room mystery is tautly plotted, with quick-moving nail-biting chapters, relatable characters, and a deftly wrought setting that paradoxically manages to feel both claustrophobic and sprawling …. An atmospheric and entertaining thriller perfect for snowy night chills."
  Kirkus Reviews
• "April Henry is a prolific author who, in my opinion, consistently writes engaging and authentically teen YA books that remind me of those 90s and 2000s paperback series, and this is the highest compliment I can give her as an author. Just as adults still love to read Harlequin romances, I believe that a lot is being lost in teen fiction and in our libraries by moving away from those quick, fun – and easy to carry because they are paperback – series that you can consistently count on for some great escapist reading that horrifies, delights, and engages. April Henry excels at this…A thing that I appreciate with April Henry is how authentically teen her protagonists feel and sound on a consistent basis. I have never walked away from an April Henry book thinking those characters were adults that they just labelled as 17 to market them as YA. And did I mention they are fun and engaging reads?!"
  SLJ.com’s Teen Librarian Toolbox