Details Condition: New Format: Paperback ISBN: 9781398542679 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's UK Age Range: 12+ Years Overview This Story Is a Lie is Benjamin Dean's scandalous, twist-packed contribution to World Book Day 2025 - a compact, fast-paced YA thriller built for teens who love mysteries with bite. Following underdog Harley Matthews as he's drawn into a cut-throat talent competition and a chilling threat on school grounds, it's a page-burning read perfect for reluctant readers, book clubs, and anyone hooked on twisty contemporary YA. About the Book Harley Matthews has always preferred the background - until he's handpicked for his school's prestigious Rising Stars programme, a talent scheme promising to change the winning student's life forever. Suddenly Harley is thrust into a world of jealous rivals, unexpected admirers, and impossible expectations. But when a chalk outline of his own body turns up at the bottom of the school stairs, the competition stops being about talent and starts being about survival. Someone wants Harley out - and he has to work out who, and why, before it's too late. Written specifically for World Book Day 2025, this short, sharp novella distils Benjamin Dean's trademark scandal-and-secrets style into a story that can be devoured in a single sitting. It's packed with the twisty plotting, sharp dialogue, and diverse, relatable characters that have made Dean a favourite with teen readers, while its shorter length and lower price point make it an ideal introduction for readers who might normally shy away from a full-length novel. Themes of ambition, jealousy, identity, and the pressure to win run throughout, giving it real substance alongside the pace and suspense. Genuine World Book Day 2025 title - a collectible, timely edition for fans and classrooms. Short, high-pace format perfect for reluctant readers and busy teens. Twisty school-set mystery with a likeable, relatable underdog hero. From an award-winning, bestselling YA author praised for scandal-driven storytelling. Great for group reads, book clubs, and World Book Day gifting. Compact paperback that slips easily into a school bag. About the Author Benjamin Dean is a British author and former celebrity journalist based in London. He is best known for his YA and children's fiction, including the Waterstones Children's Book of the Month Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow, and has built a reputation for scandalous, twist-filled storytelling that resonates with teen readers. Drawing on his background in entertainment journalism, Dean brings sharp observation, humour, and authentic contemporary voice to his characters, and his work is widely praised by fellow YA authors and critics alike. Why You'll Love This Book A gripping, bite-sized thriller from a celebrated YA voice, This Story Is a Lie delivers scandal, suspense, and a hero worth rooting for - ideal for World Book Day, gifting, or tempting a reluctant reader into their next favourite author. Please Note: Cover shown is the UK edition; ISBN and format are as listed above.