Lies on the Serpent's Tongue

By: Kate Pearsall

Narrated by: Julie Webster

In this haunting companion to Bittersweet in the Hollow, a girl who can smell the lies of others uncovers the incendiary mysteries of her small Appalachian town.

Everybody lies. And in knowing their lies, I become the keeper of their secrets.

As Caball Hollow slowly recovers from a tumultuous summer, the James family must also come to terms with their own newly revealed secrets.

18-year-old Rowan James has spent her whole life harboring unpleasant truths—that’s what happens when you can smell lies on the teller’s breath—and building walls around herself to block them out. Like her younger sister, Linden, who can taste the feelings of others, Rowan has long struggled with her gift, which has taught her that everyone distorts the truth, and no one is who they seem to be. So when her old rival Hadrian Fitch shows up on her front porch—bloodied and bruised and asking for the kind of help only she can provide—her first instinct is distrust.

Except Hadrian’s attack isn’t the only strange occurrence. Now small items are disappearing, but rather than report the losses the owners act as if their missing things never existed. Rumors of a new monster prowling the Hollow begin to swirl. But how can Rowan smoke out the culprit in a town full of secrets? And worse, how can Rowan trust beautiful, solemn Hadrian when every other word he speaks has the distinct burnt smell of a lie?

Critic reviews

Praise for Lies on the Serpent's Tongue

"Pearsall again paints an atmospheric family saga studded with folk magic, intrigue, sisterly bonds, and romance, and Rowan’s compelling character development ties the multifaceted plot together." —Booklist

“This gothic Appalachian mystery works as a stand-alone but weaves together complex characters and storylines from 2023’s Bittersweet in the Hollow. The plot is intricately crafted, with key information held back until the novel’s explosive conclusion… Sparkling and darkly atmospheric.” —Kirkus Reviews

“The atmospheric writing captures the impact of the supernatural on real-world events… An engrossing supernatural story with a nice slow burn romance... Strong first buy.” —School Library Journal

“Rowan’s strength as a narrator holds it all together, anchoring the story in her intensity, rage, and utter devotion to her family… Fans of the previous title will not be disappointed, and readers new to the series will happily head back to the first book.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books