Make Me a Liar by Melissa Landers (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Make Me a Liar by Melissa Landers Natalie Berglind Landers, Melissa Make Me a Liar. Disney Hyperion, 2023 [256p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781368098380 $17.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R Gr. 7-10 Tia Dante has an unusual side business at school—she's a head-hopper, which means she can take over her clients' bodies with permission and for a fee. As other people, Tia does the dirty work of breakups, coming-outs, and deterring bullies, but she has to leave her real body prone and uninhabited to do so. Her side hustle, however, is utterly derailed when her real body walks away while she is inside of a client and murders a district attorney. Tia's in hot water, not just because everyone saw her get arrested on TV, but because head-hoppers or "immersionists" are supposed to be registered with the government, and she isn't. Now, she must team up with a charming ex, the son of a Russian mafia heavy, and her kooky astrology-obsessed BFF to find out who had motive to kill the district attorney—and how. An engrossing, twisty mystery paired with the wise-cracking narration of a teenage girl makes this novel an easy recommendation for Veronica Mars enthusiasts who crave something that lives up to the tone and humor of the show. Tia is a snarky delight of a teen sleuth, realistically using the resources available to her and her head-hopping ability to trade favors and information. Landers plants plenty of clues and red herrings for readers to make guesses that feel genuinely satisfying when Tia finally faces down the culprit. Enough threads are left open for a sequel to answer questions about an immersionist group with a secret and hopefully give readers more of Tia fumbling herself out of tough situations with just her supernatural ability and a snappy quip. [End Page 106] Copyright © 2023 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois