If you’re looking for a thrilling read for your summer reading list, Tell Them You Lied by Laura Leffler is it. Set in New York City in 2001, both pre- and post- 9/11, Tell Them You Lied follows the story of a young artist’s disappearance and her best friend, who may or may not be responsible for it. The novel captures the unique atmosphere of New York City during this tumultuous time, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the story.
Written in alternating timelines, Tell Them You Lied weaves the complicated story of young artists who are desperate to make it in the cut-throat art world of New York City.
Readers are thrown into the novel on the morning of September 11, 2001, which is a jarring start for anyone who lived through that moment. The intensity of the beginning maintains itself well throughout the novel. Readers are taken back and forth between the past (pre-9/11) and “present day” NYC following 9/11.
Framing the novel in this way allows readers to unravel bits and pieces of the story as needed, rather than learning all of the past at once and then plunging into the present day. This stylistic choice serves the world Leffler has written incredibly well. It helps build suspense, allowing the reader to feel like they are discovering things in real time along with the book’s characters.
Not only does Tell Them You Lied take a deep dive into the complicated world of friendship and competition, but it also provides a commentary on the misogyny of the fine arts world.
Readers are shown a brutal world where women are so often made to be a male artist’s muse, while their talent goes unrecognized. We are shown how female artists often work harder at their craft to receive recognition. Even then, they are usually more frequently recognized for their beauty and what they have to offer men sexually. We’re shown a predatory world where men use women as inspiration and puppets, only to discard them and leave their worlds completely shaken and even at times, destroyed.
An underlying message for those who read Tell Them You Lied is that women should never feel like their beauty and sexuality are all they have to offer. Their talent is just as important as men’s. They deserve to be seen for who they are and what they can do, rather than how much money a portrait of their face could make someone.
Anyone who has attended art school will recognize all of the character types in this book and can relate to many of the situations written about.
Anyone who reads and isn’t a former art student will be introduced to the ugly side of a world that is often only celebrated for its beauty. As a former art school student, I remember the condescension of one of my male professors and how terrible he made me feel about myself and my work. I remember the painful critiques where students’ art would get torn apart, while others were glorified. I remember how every class felt like a constant need to prove myself worthy of being in the room. Leffler’s novel uncovers a dark world that is often not talked about enough.
Thrilling, eerie, and suspenseful, Tell Them You Lied will surely be your favorite read this year.
Featured image via Min An on Pexels
Tell Them You Lied by Laura Leffler is a gripping thriller set in New York City before and after 9/11, following the disappearance of a young artist and her best friend’s possible involvement. The novel’s alternating timelines build suspense, immersing readers in the cutthroat art world while shedding light on its misogyny. Leffler’s storytelling exposes the harsh realities female artists face, making this a thought-provoking and intense read.
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