Lying Game Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order

For the best reading experience, we recommend starting with the first full-length novel rather than the prequel novella. While the prequels offer fascinating backstory, they assume a level of familiarity with the central characters and the clique's dynamics that makes more sense after you have established your footing in the main mystery. Here is the recommended reading path:

1. The Lying Game (Book 1)
2. Never Have I Ever (Book 2)
3. Two Truths and a Lie (Book 3)
4. Hide and Seek (Book 4)
5. The First Lie (Novella 0.5)
6. Cross My Heart, Hope to Die (Book 5)
7. True Lies (Novella 5.5)
8. Seven Minutes in Heaven (Book 6)

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

Readers generally divide themselves into two camps when approaching Sara Shepard's series: those who prefer to read the books in the order they were published, and those who want to tackle the timeline chronologically.

Strict Publication Order

This is the order in which the books were released to the public. If you read them this way, you will experience the mysteries and revelations exactly as early fans did:

• The Lying Game (December 2010)
• Never Have I Ever (July 2011)
• Two Truths and a Lie (February 2012)
• Hide and Seek (July 2012)
• The First Lie (Novella, December 2012)
• Cross My Heart, Hope to Die (February 2013)
• True Lies (Novella, June 2013)
• Seven Minutes in Heaven (July 2013)

Chronological Order

If you prefer to follow the timeline of events from the absolute beginning, you should place the prequels before the main novels they lead into. Note that starting with the prequel might dilute some of the initial shock value of the main mystery's premise:

• The First Lie (Novella 0.5) – Set before the main series, this details the origin of the Lying Game clique and the early tension between Sutton and her friends.
• The Lying Game (Book 1)
• Never Have I Ever (Book 2)
• Two Truths and a Lie (Book 3)
• Hide and Seek (Book 4)
• True Lies (Novella 5.5) – Set between books 5 and 6, this companion novella offers Sutton's ghostly retrospective thoughts and fills in crucial gaps.
• Cross My Heart, Hope to Die (Book 5)
• Seven Minutes in Heaven (Book 6)

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into the series, it is helpful to understand its unique narrative framing. The books are narrated by Sutton Mercer, but she is already dead. She watches her long-lost twin sister, Emma Paxton, from a ghostly perspective. As Emma assumes Sutton's identity to find her killer, Sutton herself is suffering from amnesia, slowly recovering her own memories alongside Emma's investigation. This dual layer of mystery—Emma trying to figure out who killed her sister, and Sutton's ghost trying to remember her own life—keeps the pacing brisk and suspenseful.

Additionally, fans of the 2011 ABC Family television adaptation should be prepared for significant differences. The TV show kept Sutton alive and made major changes to the characters, subplots, and ultimate resolution. If you have only watched the show, the books will offer an entirely fresh mystery with a completely different ending.

Detailed Book-by-Book Breakdown

The Lying Game (Book 1)

The series opens with Emma Paxton, a foster child who discovers she has a wealthy twin sister, Sutton Mercer. When Emma goes to meet her, she discovers Sutton has disappeared, and Emma is forced by an anonymous blackmailer to impersonate her twin. Emma must pretend to be the popular, mischievous Sutton to find out what happened to her sister, all while navigating a hostile group of high-society friends.

Never Have I Ever (Book 2)

Emma continues her dangerous masquerade as Sutton. As she digs deeper into Sutton's past, she learns about the Lying Game—a secret club where Sutton and her friends played cruel, elaborate pranks on unsuspecting classmates. Emma realizes that the killer is likely someone close to Sutton, and any of her friends could be the culprit.

Two Truths and a Lie (Book 3)

The stakes escalate when Emma has to accompany Sutton's family and friends on a spring break trip. Away from the comfort of their suburban setting, Emma finds herself trapped with multiple suspects who all have secrets to hide, and she must keep up her disguise under intense scrutiny.

Hide and Seek (Book 4)

Emma finds a new lead that points toward Sutton's biological mother. As she tries to track down their mother's history, the killer begins playing a direct game of hide-and-seek with Emma, sending threats that make it clear they know Emma is an impostor.

The First Lie (Novella 0.5)

This prequel novella transports readers back to the summer before Sutton was murdered. It showcases Sutton's life before the swap, highlighting how the Lying Game clique began and the growing friction that eventually culminated in tragedy.

Cross My Heart, Hope to Die (Book 5)

With the circle of trust shrinking, Emma must confront the reality that Sutton's killer is close to finding out the truth. Old friendships fracture as the clique starts turning on one another, and Emma realizes she cannot trust anyone in Sutton's inner circle.

True Lies (Novella 5.5)

This supplemental novella bridges the gap between the fifth and sixth books. Told from Sutton's perspective, it provides readers with missing pieces of the puzzle and set pieces that pave the way for the final confrontation.

Seven Minutes in Heaven (Book 6)

The thrilling conclusion to the series brings Emma face-to-face with the killer. She must solve the mystery once and for all or meet the same fate as her sister. The final truths of Sutton's murder are revealed in a tense, fast-paced climax.