Ruby and her sister, Wren, are normal, middle-class Colorado high school students working a summer job at the local Renaissance Fest to supplement their meager college savings.

So when an eccentric old lady asks them to impersonate her long-absent grandchildren at a fancy dinner party at the jaw-dropping rate of two grand—each—for a single night… Wren insists it’s a no-brainer. Make some cash, have some fun, do a good deed.

But less than an hour into the evening at the mysterious Hegemony Manor, Ruby is sure she must have lost her mind to have agreed to this.

The hostess is dead, the gates are locked, and a magical curse ensures no one can leave until they solve both her murder and the riddles she left behind—in just three days. Because everyone else at this party is a powerful witch. And if the witches realize Ruby and Wren are imposters? The sisters won’t make it out of Hegemony Manor alive.

In “The Lies We Conjure” by Sarah Henning, the author has conjured a layered and dynamic story with compelling characters and an intriguing mystery. One of the aspects I liked the best was the way the mysteries and truths slowly unfolded bit by bit in an organic and natural fashion. 

The story is a magical murder mystery that does keep you guessing on the how as the writing alternates between Ruby and her sister and the Hegemony’s. There are multiple layers of deceptions and secrets, with a magical world building that excels at providing details at the exact moment you need them. One of the most successful aspects is that not everything is wrapped up into a nice neat bow but there are aspects that could be explored and expounded on if future books in the world are planned. 

If you like mystery with a dose of magic and witches, this story will thrill you. It is layered and dynamic, the characters are compelling and I loved how likable the characters actually were, how the relationships entwined and how the ending brought everything together. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 talismans