Dickens & Rumi

book

Two Truths and a Lie

Sara Shepard · 2012

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for Two Truths and a Lie by Sara Shepard. This book is content notes include Frightening scenes, Death of a character, Romance; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Creativity & curiosity.

Book 3 · The Lying GameSource checked

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsFrightening scenes 4/5 · Death of a character 3/5 · Romance 3/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 3/5 · Creativity & curiosity 2/5
Series positionBook 3 · The Lying Game
Recommendation2.3/5

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: frightening scenes.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: frightening scenes.

Readiness snapshotMain watch-out: Frightening scenes 4/5
Recommendation 2.3/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
17Scored categories
17Evidence notes
0Explicit 0/5 checks
Nov 6, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

How ratings workReport a rating or series issue
Review depth17 scored categories17 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes4/5
  • Death of a character3/5
  • Romance3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience3/5
  • Creativity & curiosity2/5
  • Diverse representation2/5

Reading order

Series progression

All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.

Next volumeBook 4 · Hide and SeekStrongest cautions: Death of a character 3/5 · LGBTQIA characters 3/5Open next review →
  1. Book 1 · LYING GAMEAges 14+
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes4/5Alcohol or drugs3/5Romance3/5Violence3/5Products & advertising2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Graphic injury1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5
    Starting point
  2. Book 1 · THE LYING GAMEAges 14+
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes3/5Romance3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Violence2/5Graphic injury1/5Products & advertising1/5
    Gets gentler
  3. Book 2 · NEVER HAVE I EVERAges 14+
    Frightening scenes4/5Alcohol or drugs3/5Death of a character3/5Romance3/5Products & advertising2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Violence2/5Graphic injury1/5
    Gets more intense
  4. Book 3 · Two Truths and a Lie
    Frightening scenes4/5Death of a character3/5Romance3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Graphic injury1/5Products & advertising1/5
    About the same
  5. Book 4 · Hide and Seek
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5LGBTQIA characters3/5Romance3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Strong language2/5Violence2/5Graphic injury1/5Products & advertising1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    Gets gentler
  6. Book 5 · Cross My Heart, Hope to Die
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes3/5Romance3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Graphic injury1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Products & advertising1/5
    About the same
  7. Book 6 · Seven Minutes in Heaven
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5LGBTQIA characters3/5Romance3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Products & advertising2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Graphic injury1/5
    Gets more intense

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What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

Brands, clothing, or lifestyle details may appear incidentally, but there is no indication of strong product promotion or merchandise-driven content.

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

A past murder and its consequences are central to the mystery, though the available evidence does not establish graphic or repeatedly shown deaths.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Some injuries or past violence may be mentioned, but the available evidence does not indicate graphic blood, wounds, or detailed gore.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Contains mild to moderate teen-appropriate language and some insults.

LGBTQIA characters2/5
Why this rating?

A lesbian protagonist and her relationship are recurring parts of the story, but LGBTQIA themes do not appear to dominate the book.

Romance3/5
Why this rating?

Teen dating and romantic entanglements are central to the characters' lives.

Frightening scenes4/5
Why this rating?

The constant threat from an anonymous stalker creates a sustained tense atmosphere.

Sexual content & nudity2/5
Why this rating?

Features teen romantic relationships and mild suggestive themes.

Alcohol or drugs2/5
Why this rating?

Teen drinking and partying are depicted occasionally. The available evidence does not suggest that substance use is the main focus or strongly promoted.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Includes bullying, physical altercations, and psychological harassment.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

Protagonists show courage in facing their stalker and unravelling the mystery.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

Encourages interest in mystery-solving and deductive reasoning.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

The friend group includes some diversity, but the available evidence is limited about the range and depth of representation.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Educational value is minimal; primarily entertainment.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

Characters display loyalty to one another despite constant suspicion.

Positive messages2/5
Why this rating?

Explores themes of honesty, the consequences of secrets, and personal accountability.

Good role models2/5
Why this rating?

Characters often make poor choices, though they struggle with their actions.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
  3. Which choice in Two Truths and a Lie would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Two Truths and a Lie, and what caused that change?
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Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings

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