Family of Liars: Deluxe Edition (We Were Liars)
#2 of 2 in We Were Liars Series
on Goodreads (113,182)
What’s inside...
Set nearly two decades before the events of We Were Liars, this prequel follows seventeen-year-old Carrie Sinclair during the summer of 1985 on her family’s private Beechwood Island. While the privileged Sinclair clan tries to maintain their picture-perfect image, grief over the recent drowning of Carrie’s sister and the arrival of four charming but unpredictable boys crack the family’s carefully constructed façade. Romantic entanglements, prescription-pill dependence, and a fatal accident plunge the Sinclairs into a spiral of secrecy and blame that will shape every generation to come.
Character compass
Caroline 'Carrie' Sinclair
George
Major
Penny Sinclair
Bess Sinclair
Tipper Taft Sinclair
Rosemary Sinclair
Pfeff
Harris Sinclair
Discussion points
How does wealth influence the Sinclairs’ decisions after the accident?
What role does denial play in Carrie’s addiction and visions?
Which characters attempt to break the cycle of lies, and why?
How might events differ if the girls had sought adult help?
Tip: Role play these questions
Compare Carrie’s coping strategies with healthy alternatives.
Discuss real-world examples of peer pressure and accountability.
Encourage teens to write an alternative ending focused on honesty.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Honesty prevents harm
Explanation: The family’s cover-up compounds tragedy and guilt.
Real-World Application: Encourages teens to admit mistakes early.
Example Lesson: Wealth doesn’t excuse wrongdoing
Explanation: Sinclairs try to buy silence, yet trauma persists.
Real-World Application: Promotes accountability regardless of background.
Example Lesson: Healthy coping beats avoidance
Explanation: Carrie’s pill misuse worsens grief and judgment.
Real-World Application: Highlights need for support and open dialogue.