The Complete We Were Liars Book Series: 5 Shocking Secrets And The New Third Novel, We Fell Apart
The literary world of the wealthy, secretive Sinclair family has exploded with new developments, making now the perfect time to revisit the "We Were Liars" book series. Since the original novel’s release in 2014, author E. Lockhart has expanded the universe with a prequel, a brand-new third novel, and a major television adaptation that has been renewed for a second season as of late 2025. This article provides the most current and complete guide to the entire series, including the shocking details of the new books and the latest news on the Prime Video show.
The core of the *We Were Liars* universe remains the haunting mystery of Cadence Sinclair Eastman and the tragic events of Summer Fifteen on Beechwood Island. However, new stories are now shedding light on the family's toxic history across generations. The saga is no longer just a single book but a trilogy of interconnected novels and a major streaming series, all exploring the dark side of inherited privilege, guilt, and devastating secrets.
The Complete We Were Liars Universe: Books and Adaptation
The "We Were Liars" series is a New York Times bestselling phenomenon, celebrated for its unreliable narrator and stunning plot twist. The books, while part of a shared universe, can largely be read as standalone stories, though E. Lockhart recommends reading the original first to avoid spoilers. The universe now consists of three novels and a major television series.
1. We Were Liars (2014)
The book that started it all, *We Were Liars*, is a young adult mystery novel that follows the story of Cadence Sinclair Eastman, the eldest grandchild in the impossibly wealthy and seemingly perfect Sinclair family. Cadence, or Cady, spends every summer on the family’s private island, Beechwood Island, off the coast of Massachusetts.
Core Plot: The story centers on Cadence's return to the island for Summer Seventeen, two years after a mysterious accident during Summer Fifteen left her with amnesia and debilitating migraines. She is desperate to piece together the events of that fateful summer with the help of the "Liars"—her cousins Johnny and Mirren, and the outsider, Gat Patil.
The Shocking Twist: The novel is famous for its devastating and memorable twist ending, which reveals the true nature of Cadence’s accident and the fate of the Liars, transforming the narrative from a simple mystery into a profound tragedy about class, guilt, and memory.
2. Family of Liars (2022) - The Prequel
Published eight years after the original, *Family of Liars* is a prequel novel that delves into the history of the Sinclair family, proving that the toxicity and secrets run deep through the generations.
- Setting: The story takes place in 1987, a generation before the events of *We Were Liars*.
- Protagonist: The novel follows Carrie Sinclair, Cadence’s mother, when she was a 17-year-old girl.
- Plot Focus: Carrie, along with her younger sisters Penny and Bess, spends the summer on Beechwood Island. The prequel explores the family's early dynamics, the pressure of inheriting the Sinclair legacy, and another summer tragedy that foreshadows the events of *We Were Liars*.
- Curiosity Answered: This book answers a major fan question: what caused the deep-seated dysfunction and emotional damage in the mothers' generation that was passed down to Cadence and the Liars?
3. We Fell Apart (TBA) - The Newest Novel
In the most recent update to the series, E. Lockhart announced a third novel in the universe, titled *We Fell Apart*. This news confirms the series is expanding beyond the original two books, offering a fresh perspective on the Liars' world.
- Nature: The novel is described as another "We Were Liars Novel," suggesting it will explore a new character or aspect of the Sinclair universe.
- Style: It promises E. Lockhart's signature "beachy gothic atmosphere" and psychological suspense.
- Significance: The title *We Fell Apart* suggests a focus on the aftermath, perhaps exploring the emotional and psychological fallout on the surviving members of the family or the Liars' extended circle after the tragedies of the previous books.
The We Were Liars TV Series Adaptation: Season 2 is Confirmed
A major development that has brought the series back into the spotlight is the television adaptation. The show, which premiered on Prime Video on June 18, 2025, has introduced the Sinclair family's dark secrets to a global streaming audience.
Key Details on the Adaptation
The TV series, crafted by showrunners Julie Plec and Carina Adly Mackenzie, made some notable changes from the book to deepen the narrative for the screen.
- The Timeline: The show condenses the timeline, with the main plot taking place over Summer Sixteen and Summer Seventeen, rather than the more disjointed timeline of the book.
- Expanded Storylines: Author E. Lockhart has stated that the adaptation will "flesh out" the characters and storylines, offering a more in-depth look at the lives of the Liars, including Cadence, Gat, Mirren, and Johnny, and the complex dynamics of the three Sinclair daughters: Carrie, Penny, and Bess.
- Season 2 Renewal: The series was renewed for a second season as of September 2025, indicating that the show will continue to explore the Sinclair family saga, potentially by expanding on the original novel's events, or even integrating elements from the prequel, *Family of Liars*, or the newest novel, *We Fell Apart*.
- Spin-off Potential: There are also discussions about a potential spin-off series, further cementing the *We Were Liars* universe as a major franchise.
The Liars and Key Entities of the Sinclair Family
Understanding the core group and the family structure is essential to following the series. The entire saga revolves around the vast wealth and control of the patriarch, Harris Sinclair, and his three daughters, who vie for his approval and inheritance.
The Liars (The Third Generation):
- Cadence Sinclair Eastman (Cady): The narrator of *We Were Liars*, who suffers from amnesia and migraines after the accident.
- Gat Patil: The outsider, the nephew of Cadence's aunt's boyfriend, who is the love interest and catalyst for many of the group's actions.
- Mirren Sinclair: One of Cadence’s cousins, known for her sharp wit and competitive nature.
- Johnny Sinclair: Cadence’s other cousin, known for his humor and easygoing personality.
The Mothers (The Second Generation):
- Carrie Sinclair: Protagonist of *Family of Liars* and Cadence's mother.
- Penny Sinclair: Mirren’s mother.
- Bess Sinclair: Johnny’s mother.
The Patriarch:
- Harris Sinclair: The wealthy, controlling, and demanding grandfather who owns Beechwood Island and whose will dictates the family's life.
The entire series, from the original novel to the new books and the TV show, continues to explore themes of inherited wealth, family loyalty, the devastating consequences of secrets, and the elusive nature of truth. The recent expansion confirms that the dark, gothic world of the Sinclairs is far from finished.
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