The Liar's Society

Gerber, Alyson. A Risky Game (The Liar's Society #2)

April 1, 2025 by Scholastic Press

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

After finding out a number of secrets about her lineage, Weather by is determined to get into the exclusive Last Heir Society, along with her cousin Jack. The two are determined to work together even though their parents aren't pleased that they are friends. Jack's father is rather evil, and Weatherby's mother doesn't seem too eager to put her daughter in contact with his brother, who  is her father. Weather by and Jack have a good group of friends (the Liar's Society) that includes Iris, Prescott, and Harper, whose father was sickened by the chemicals in the last book. The school puts together another trip to Hart Isle, which has presumably been cleaned up, but it still ends badly, with Jack being poisoned by something put into Weatherby's water bottle. She's gotten a number of threatening notes telling her not to try to get into the Last Heir Society, but she wants to be a part of this group so badly that she ignores the danger. There are a large  number of clues that propel Weatherby and her friends to different clues, and they find out information about Grier Bishop, who was killed by poison. DId Weather by and Jack's fathers have anything to do with this? When Weatherby's father shows up, even though her mother has tried to make sure she doesn't meet him, she has a chance to ask. There are still a lot of questions, and Weather by is preparing to go to Switzerland on an exchange program where she can also use a key she has found to open a safe deposit box there. Will she get her wish to join the Last Heir Society, and can even that keep her safe? 
Strengths: There is something appealing about the rarified atmosphere of a private institution like the Boston School, especially in places like the suburban midwest, where this seems as far fetched as British Manor houses. Weatherby and Jack are now working together, and it's interesting to see them navigating family issues together from their disparate perspectives. The anagrams and puzzles are very clever, and lead to all sorts of interesting secrets and hidden places. Weatherby's mother's reactions to their change of fortune seem very realistic, and it was good that Weatherby got to meet her father. Hart Isle sounds fantastic; I'd love to take a vacation there and stay at Wigglesworth House even if I have to zip line there. Readers who want thought provoking action and adventure and secretly want to attend a prestigious private school will want the third book in the series immediately, even though I haven't yet seen a title. 
Weaknesses: I had some trouble getting into this one, but then I really don't like clues and puzzles. I needed more information on why Weatherby was so intent on getting into the Last Heir Society. It didn't seem important enough for someone to want to kill her. Everyone else seems to really like this one, so I must not have been in the mood for this one. 
What I Really Think:This is a good choice for readers who liked the first book, or who like clues and puzzles similar to those in Grabenstein's Mr. Lemoncello's Library or Durst's Spy Ring,  Currie's The Mystery of the Locked Rooms.