Count My Lies by Sophie Stava

I first came across Count My Lies thanks to a recommendation on Instagram, which is funny because I usually have a pretty strong pulse on what’s new and trending in fiction, and this one had completely flown under my radar. That, in itself, made picking it up feel a little like finding a hidden gem. From the very first page, the book grabbed me with its tension and intrigue, giving me a little of The Housemaid vibes—though, importantly, it added more depth to the characters, which I really appreciated. Where The Housemaid is tightly plotted and suspenseful, Count My Lies is equally gripping but allows the psychology of its characters to breathe, making it more immersive and unsettling in the best possible way.

This story is full of twists, some that I anticipated and some that completely blindsided me. That mix is what made the reading experience so engaging; it kept me guessing but never felt contrived. In a psychological sense, Stava plays with the tension between expectation and reality. Certain behaviors or decisions by the characters seemed obvious at first, yet she layers in subtle motivations that completely reframed my understanding of them by the next chapter. That push-and-pull between what we think we know and what the characters actually do is what gives the book its emotional and psychological punch.

The psychology of unlikeable characters

Like it or not (I am usually within that ‘not’ category), nearly every character is deeply flawed, if not downright unlikable. Usually, books where no one is entirely sympathetic feel draining, and I find myself slogging through because I can’t connect or care about the outcomes. But here, the moral ambiguity is part of the fun. Not knowing who to root for (or more accurately, secretly rooting for everyone to stumble spectacularly) adds a delicious tension to the reading experience. Psychologically, it taps into a complex mix of empathy, schadenfreude, and curiosity about human behavior. Watching the characters navigate their own flaws, lies, and manipulations made me reflect on how we rationalize our own actions in morally gray situations.

There’s also an interesting layer of cognitive dissonance at play. As readers, we’re invited to judge the characters, yet we’re often caught rooting for them despite their obvious faults. Stava navigates this beautifully, showing how people can be both relatable and detestable at the same time. It’s a reminder that human behavior isn’t black and white, and the ways we justify, manipulate, and lie are often more nuanced than we like to admit. The psychological realism of this book makes it feel sharper than your typical thriller; it’s less about a whodunit and more about what drives each character to act as they do, and how those actions reverberate through the story.

Why the psychological angle works

What really sets Count My Lies apart is how adept Stava is at exploring the motivations behind the lies, secrets, and manipulations her characters engage in. Books about liars and relationships aren’t new, so it’s easy to pick up something that feels stale and overplayed from the get-go. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case here. In fact, the book feels like a study in human behavior: how people hide, deflect, and distort truth to protect themselves or gain power over others. She doesn’t just show the surface-level tension of a suspense plot; she digs into the internal logic of each character, making the twists feel earned rather than gimmicky. This is particularly satisfying from a psychological perspective because it encourages the reader to think critically about their own assumptions. Who do you trust? Why do you sympathize with one character over another? And crucially, how do your own biases shape that response?

The interplay of perspective is another fascinating psychological layer. By giving us insight into multiple minds, Stava highlights how perception shapes reality. Each character’s version of events is filtered through their own fears, desires, and justifications, creating a layered, almost game-like dynamic where we’re constantly trying to piece together what’s true. That uncertainty drives the tension and makes every decision, every revelation, feel weighty. It’s a subtle but powerful reminder that in real life, just as in fiction, truth is often more complicated than it seems.

Final thoughts

I had no idea, prior to picking this one up, that this was Sophie Stava’s debut, and if this is the starting point, I am genuinely excited to see what she does next. Count My Lies balances tension, depth, and psychological insight in a way that feels sophisticated yet effortlessly readable. The book manages to pull off something difficult: it keeps you on edge while giving the characters enough complexity that the story resonates on more than just a surface level.

Who should read it?

If you enjoy character-driven thrillers that probe the gray areas of human behavior, Count My Lies is a must-read. Fans of The Housemaid or other psychological suspense novels will likely find this book equally satisfying. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy analyzing motivations, watching characters grapple with moral dilemmas, and savoring unexpected twists that feel earned. Ultimately, it’s a thriller that rewards readers who like to think, feel, and guess along with the story, while secretly rooting for chaos along the way.