Éramos mentirosos [We Were Liars]

I’ll admit: I went into *Éramos mentirosos* expecting a twisty beach read, but what I got was far more unsettling—a family saga that reads like a Greek tragedy with iPhones. Noe Antúnez’s narration is the secret weapon here. His voice for Cadence oscillates between brittle fragility and steely resolve, mirroring her struggle to piece together the summer that broke her. The supporting cast—grandfather’s booming authority, the cousins’ snarky camaraderie—feels distinct without veering into caricature. That said, the production’s pacing stumbles slightly in the first hour; Lockhart’s deliberate repetition (*“Welcome to the beautiful Sinclair family”*) lands better on the page than in audio, where it risks feeling overly mannered. Where the audiobook *excels* is in its use of silence. Antúnez lets the unspoken fester—pauses after Cadence’s migraines, the hollow echo of a door slamming on the island. The story’s nonlinear structure could confuse in lesser hands, but his timing makes the reveals gut-punches, not gimmicks. My one critique? The ending’s emotional payoff hinges on a reveal that might feel *too* abrupt for some listeners, especially those expecting a slower burn. But if you’re here for a family mythos that’s equal parts *The Virgin Suicides* and *Knives Out*—with narration that cuts like glass—this is your audiobook. Just don’t start it before bed; the Sinclairs’ brand of chaos lingers.