Top 11 Books Like We Were Liars: Must-Reads for Fans of Mystery and Suspense

If you loved We Were Liars by E. Lockhart, you’re likely searching for another gripping novel full of secrets, unreliable narrators, and unexpected twists. We Were Liars is renowned for its intense emotional impact and an ending that left many readers shocked. Luckily, there are plenty of books that offer a similar experience. Here are some incredible books like We Were Liars that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

1. The Secret History by Donna Tartt

If you’re craving something with a similar dark and mysterious tone, The Secret History by Donna Tartt is a must-read. This book follows a group of elite college students whose obsession with Greek philosophy leads them down a dangerous path.

Much like We Were Liars, this story is about secrets, betrayal, and the lengths people will go to protect themselves. The atmosphere is both chilling and immersive, with characters who are as unreliable as they are fascinating.

2. One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus

Imagine The Breakfast Club, but with murder. One of Us Is Lying centers on five high school students who walk into detention, but only four walk out. The fifth, Simon, dies under mysterious circumstances, and each of the remaining students becomes a suspect. 

The tension and mystery in this book will remind We Were Liars fans of the way hidden truths slowly unravel. Like E. Lockhart’s work, McManus creates characters with complex, layered personalities that make you question who is telling the truth, making it a perfect addition to books similar to We Were Liars.

3. The Girls I've Been by Tess Sharpe

If you enjoyed the mind games in books like We Were Liars, you'll love The Girls I’ve Been. Nora, the protagonist, is the daughter of a con artist, and she's spent her entire life adopting new identities to help her mother. 

Now, Nora's trying to live a normal life—until a bank robbery forces her to confront her past and use her skills to survive. Full of tension, secrets, and moral dilemmas, this book gives readers a similar vibe of hidden truths coming to light. Plus, the pacing is relentless, making it hard to put down.

4. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

If what you loved most about We Were Liars was its psychological complexity, Sharp Objects is the next logical step. Gillian Flynn, author of the wildly popular Gone Girl, delivers another dark, twisty tale in this novel. It follows Camille Preaker, a journalist returning to her hometown to cover the murders of two young girls. But as Camille investigates, she is forced to confront her traumatic past. 

Like We Were Liars, this novel explores complicated family dynamics, with a narrator whose reliability is constantly in question. Expect plenty of twists, turns, and revelations that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.

5. The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas

For readers who enjoyed the eerie atmosphere and hidden layers of We Were Liars, The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas offers a similar mood. This story centers around Monica, whose older sister was one of five cheerleaders who tragically died in their small town. 

Five years later, Monica begins to suspect that there’s more to the story than what the police reported. The book is full of shocking twists, and like We Were Liars, it builds an atmosphere of suspense that will keep you guessing until the very end.

6. The Leaving by Tara Altebrando

Much like the hazy, dreamlike narrative style of We Were Liars, The Leaving plays with memory and identity. Six kids went missing when they were young, and only five of them returned years later, with no memory of where they were or what happened. 

The mystery unravels through multiple points of view, making it hard to know who to trust. The uncertainty of the characters' memories mirrors the unreliable narration in We Were Liars, giving readers the same sense of constantly questioning reality.

7. Sadie by Courtney Summers

For fans who appreciated the emotional intensity of We Were Liars, Sadie by Courtney Summers is a compelling choice. This novel follows Sadie, a teenager on a journey to find her sister's killer. The story alternates between Sadie’s perspective and a true-crime podcast investigating her disappearance. 

The layered narrative, filled with raw emotion and dark secrets, makes this a powerful and suspenseful read. Like We Were Liars, Sadie is about grief, trauma, and the desperate lengths we’ll go to for the ones we love.

8. Tiny Pretty Things by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton

Fans of books like We Were Liars who loved the tension of keeping up appearances and hidden truths will enjoy Tiny Pretty Things. This novel is set in an elite ballet school where competition isn’t just fierce—it’s deadly. The story follows three girls whose dreams of being the top dancer drive them to dangerous extremes. 

Each of the characters is harboring secrets that could destroy their careers—and each other. It’s a high-stakes drama with plenty of twists, reminiscent of the lies and deceit woven into We Were Liars.

9. All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda

Told in reverse, All the Missing Girls is a psychological thriller that will appeal to fans of books like We Were Liars who enjoy complex, non-linear storytelling. The book follows Nicolette, who returns to her small hometown to care for her sick father. 

However, her visit stirs up memories of her best friend’s disappearance a decade earlier. When another girl goes missing, Nicolette is forced to confront the secrets of her past. The reverse timeline and tense, suspenseful atmosphere make this book as engaging and unpredictable as We Were Liars.

10. The Lies They Tell by Gillian French

If you're looking for a book that delves into the lives of the wealthy and privileged while hiding dark secrets, The Lies They Tell is perfect. This novel follows Pearl, a girl from the wrong side of the tracks, who becomes entangled in the mystery of the Garrison family’s tragic deaths. 

As she digs deeper into their lives, she uncovers secrets that put her in danger. The novel’s setting and themes of wealth, privilege, and deception will remind readers of the Sinclair family in We Were Liars.

11. Broken Things by Lauren Oliver

In Broken Things, two girls are accused of murdering their best friend when they were thirteen. Though they were never convicted, the suspicion still lingers. Now, five years later, they try to unravel the mystery of what really happened that day. 

Like We Were Liars, this novel explores the complexity of friendship and the lies we tell ourselves and others. The book's eerie, haunting tone and shocking twists make it a great follow-up for fans of psychological suspense.

Final Thoughts

If We Were Liars captured your imagination with its blend of suspense, unreliable narration, and emotional depth, then these books are sure to satisfy. Whether you’re looking for psychological thrillers, mysteries, or complex character dynamics, 11 books like We Were Liars above will keep you hooked until the last page. Happy reading!