** spoiler alert ** Separated at birth, twin sisters Emma Paxton and Sutton Mercer never had a chance to meet, and now they never will. Someone murdered Sutton and forced Emma into taking her place. Sutton can only watch from beyond the grave as Emma tries to figure out who killed her, and why. As Emma digs deeper, the girls discover that the truth may be far more terrible than they'd ever imagined, and the killer may be a lot closer to home. Being the fourth book in a six book mystery series, I wanted this book to advance the overall plot as we are going into the second half of the series. Unfortunately, the first 50% of this book didn’t engage me or move the story forward in any significant way, but the ending definitely made up for it and advanced the overall plot. This may be a small gripe, but I was surprised to learn that Alex, Emma’s friend from Las Vegas who knew about the twins, didn’t know about the switch and Sutton being dead. The previous book made me think that Alex was aware of Emma living Sutton’s life, but I may be remembering wrong. I feel like Sara Shepard could have made more details (like Alex and Emma’s relationship) more clear and defined, even if they are considered smaller details in the grand scheme of things. I feel like the “Devious Four” should have been fleshed out and utilized more. I liked that this book fleshed out some of the other secondary characters and evolved them beyond their base archetypes. This book made the secondary characters feel more human and less like caricatures. I liked the introduction of Sutton’s “grandmother” and I found her character interesting despite not much being done with her (initially). Laurel being the first prime suspect in this book was interesting, but I felt like it wasn’t written as effectively as it could have been. I didn’t like Mr. Mercer being a suspect until it unraveled into the reveal that Becky is his daughter, the twins are Becky’s biological children, and that Sutton and Emma are technically Ted and Kristen’s grandchildren. This would also make Becky and Laurel biological sisters, and that would make Sutton and Emma Laurel’s biological nieces. I loved how this shook up the family tree and relationship dynamics. I loved how this book fleshed out Ted and Becky as characters and connected everything, revealing the true family tree to the reader. I’m very excited to see how the rest of the story unravels in the final two books.

I'm conflicted because Hide and Seek is much more dramatic and interesting than Two Truths and a Lie, but it's the same old pattern. In Hide and Seek, we get to learn more about Sutton Mercer's (insanely creepy and completely messed up) family and watch as Emma goes round in circles looking for Sutton's killer. Again. Why can't there be some new evidence about a suspect that isn't completely swept under the table by the end of the book? EMMA'S MURDER SOLVING FORMULA: 1. Pick any character that acts remotely suspicious, become convinced that they are most definitely and completely certainly Sutton's murderer. 2. Be really freaked out whenever you're around them, avoid them, read way too much into everything they do, constantly tell us readers how crazy and creepy they are. 3. Sutton has helpful flashbacks that may or may not prove the person guilty or innocent. 4. Emma finds out exactly what happened in the flashback afterwards due to people with that information that are somehow always helpfully there. 5. Repeat 2-4 until one flashback proves the person completely innocent. They are an angel, Emma can repair Sutton's relationship with them, and Emma is relieved that they aren't the killer. She is back to square one. 6. Repeat 1-5 as needed until 6 books are churned out. Maybe that's a little harsh, but that's basically how it's going. I have to say that I really wasn't expecting the weird family twist about Mr. Mercer being related to both Emma and Sutton (I hope that's not spoiling too much). I'm not sure how that will play out in the next book. I wonder how Laurel would feel if she found out / if she ever will find out eventually? Also, Becky's really creepy based on the (very few) things I know about her. I thought it was neat that Emma started to repair Sutton's relationship with Nisha and I hope we'll see more of her, she seems to be a very complex and dimensional character. I don't think it's neat that Emma's starting to revel in pranking people as well, and feels the need to get 'revenge' on a group of freshman girls, but I suppose that's what impersonating Sutton Mercer does to you. My biggest complaint with the last book was that Emma was losing her Emma-ness, which is true to an extent, but we get to see more of it in Hide and Seek. (She seems to be making fewer and fewer news titles in her head, though - pity to see such a cute quirk disappearing). More and more suspicious of Ethan, but still doubtful that he would be the killer. Time to read Cross My Heart, Hope to Die!

WHAT THE WHAT?! I have a feeling I'm going to have a hard depression. I mean, at first I was sure this is going to be the last book of the series, and I was a bit sad about finishing it because I liked the story and I didn't want to part with the characters and "leave" Tucson, AZ, BUT... Oh, come on, Sara Shepard!.. I want to know how the story ends!!! What do you mean TWO MORE BOOKS?! Oh hell... he writes nicely, I'm easily satisfied with YA mystery novels, I'm ready to read even 10 of her books, but to wait!.. It's not fair.

Throughout this one, I kept finding myself losing interest. Thinking her dad was a suspect just came absolutely out of left field and, while I understand she's searching for the killer and it could be anyone, so far she's picked killers based off of the most juvenile things. then magically Sutton remembers her past and proves them innocent, and then shortly after Emma finds out they're innocent. she's just pointing her fingers at random people saying "it was them" then finding the most absurd "evidence" meh. i'll keep going just cause I want to say I finished them all, even though I already know who the real killer is

I AM CONVINCED ITS ETHAN

Hide and Seek, the fourth novel in The Lying Game series, is just as fast paced and mysteriously chilling as the first of the series. Fortunately for readers, it picks up right where the last book left off and is perfect for binge reading. Sara Shepard once more makes its terror and the luxury of Sutton's life blend together in a dark and fascinating way. There’s no path of safe return for Emma Paxton at this point, who has taken the place of her long lost twin sister to solve the teenage girls murder. In order for Emma to do this, she must put on a successful front and impersonate a girl she hardly knows. Sutton Mercer was the girl to be at Hollier High; now no one knows she died weeks prior to this. She was no saint, she was shallow and spiteful in a way that only rich teenagers can be. It isn’t an easy front for Emma to put up, but so far so good. And with every week that passes, the further Emma dives into her sisters shoes, the higher the stakes are for her. Emma has fooled Sutton’s family; Kirsten and Ted Mercer as well as Sutton’s little sister Laurel. She has even fooled Sutton’s friends, her classmates and secret boyfriend. Emma has become Sutton in order to bring her sisters killer to justice and risks what little she has to do so. As a matter of fact, the only people who know her true identity are the killer and Emma’s new boyfriend, Ethan Landry. Continued @ BOOKEDJ.