A RISKY GAME

A group of friends compete for membership in their school’s secret society, Last Heir—but they’re playing by their own rules.

School chums Weatherby, Jack, and their pals learned that the raison d’être of the Boston School’s most exclusive society seemed to be keeping atrocious acts buried: “Last Heir. Rearrange the letters and you get The Liars.” As a corrective, the kids formed the Liars Society. Readers need to be familiar with the series opener to fully appreciate this entry; in Volume 1, the Liars Society exposed Hunt International, run by Jack’s dad, Charlie, for illegally dumping chemicals. They also discovered that Weatherby’s estranged father is Yates, Charlie’s brother who moved away after their falling-out. Because the Hunts founded Last Heir, Weatherby and Jack desperately seek membership, hoping to locate Weatherby’s dad and learn how deep the family’s secrets go. Weatherby and Jack turn the group’s initiation process—the path to being admitted—on its head by working as a team. Their cohesion amid a toxic environment is heartening. After solving gambits and following clues, the Liars Society members explore hidden tombs, secret bunkers, and Hart Isle. The tension heightens as they uncover a past crime and realize that someone’s trying to kill Weatherby. Is history repeating itself? And how are Charlie and Yates involved? Jack and Weatherby read white; contextual clues point to some diversity in the supporting cast.

A compelling thriller that promises more chilling drama to come.