Liar’s Beach by Katie Cotugno

Liar’s Beach by Katie Cotugno. Delacorte Press, 2023. 9780593433287
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 3.5
Format: Hardcover
Genre: Mystery
What did you like about the book? Having gotten into a prestigious private school in Massachusetts with a full scholarship because of his excellence in Lacrosse, Linden (his last name which he goes by, his first name is Michael) is the son of a single mother with whom he lives in a two-bedroom apartment, his mother supporting them by house cleaning. He has kept his origins hidden from everyone at school, feeling that he will not be accepted. Since he has hurt his ankle very badly at the end of his junior year he is worried that will be the end of his sports scholarship.  This summer, however, he has been invited by his roommate, Jasper, to spend a couple weeks at their home in Martha’s Vineyard where Linden hopes to get closer to Jasper’s twin sister Eliza. There is much intrigue going on not only within Jasper’s family but with residents of the island as well.  In fact, one of them, Greg, is found floating in the pool, ending up in a coma.  Each chapter explores another person who just might be the one who purposely harmed Greg.
Anything you did not like about the book? I found it slow-moving at times, the chapters too drawn out.
To whom would you recommend this book? Readers who like who-dun-its with a bunch of twists and turns will be drawn into this one.
Who should buy this book? Public and high school libraries
Where would you shelve it? YA fiction
Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No.
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Katrina Yurenka, Retired Librarian, Contributor, Youth Services Book Review
Date of Review:  May 28, 2023