This one was a 'failure to launch' for me. A familiar premise which, when executed well is REALLY good. The best books I've ever read with this premise of the less-privileged being allowed into the rarefied lives of their more privileged friend(s) are Dominick Dunne's 'A Season in Purgatory' based loosely on the Martha Moxley murder. Another is Donna Tartt's 'A Secret History'. This one could have been so much better, especially since the writer is really, really good. But unfortunately, 'Here We Lie' missed the mark for me.

Some characters were stereotypical, like Lauren's mother. She was so ... flat and one-dimensional-- the political wife, and family matriarch with exacting standards, and a ruthless streak that has her protecting "the family" at all costs, even when it is clear she has little regard for each individual family member.

And on the narration, I really liked Alex McKenna when she narrated 'My Absolute Darling'. Her gravelly, rough voice was made for that book. But here, narrating the part of Megan, she was a little off. Moments that should have been filled with atmosphere and feeling were read in a way that was glib, or ironic. And lighthearted moments were given awkward emphasis and drama. Almost as though she hadn't been given adequate direction about the mood of the story, or, worse yet, hadn't read the entire thing before narrating her parts. The other narrator, Cassandra Campbell, who read the part of Lauren on the other hand was pitch perfect. She had the accent of the Northeastern moneyed class absolutely spot on.