Nest of Lies [Paperback] McQuillan, Heather

Tui's world fractures when a classmate's body is found in the local reserve. She knows more than she's saying — but in a small New Zealand town where everyone watches everyone, the truth is a dangerous thing to carry. Heather McQuillan writes YA that doesn't pull punches: this is grief, guilt, and the impossible weight of secrets, all tangled up in the everyday life of a teenager trying to hold herself together. The coastal setting feels both beautiful and claustrophobic, a perfect backdrop for a story about what we owe each other and what we're willing to hide. McQuillan, a New Zealand author and teacher, knows how young people actually think and speak, and it shows in every sentence. For readers who like their YA gritty and real — fans of Courtney Summers or E. Lockhart will find themselves at home here.