Richard & Judy Introduce A Game of Lies by Clare Mackintosh

Most TV reality shows have get-out clauses for contestants. At a pinch, they can leave if they want. Not on Exposure. Stranded in the wild Welsh mountains, the seven contributors may think they know the rules of the brutal survival game they’ve signed up for: they couldn’t be more wrong. Make a miss-step and they face desperately cruel exposure of their darkest secret. But as will become horribly clear, making a miss-step could also mean murder. Utterly gripping from start to finish.

Richard's Review:

As someone with inside experience as a contestant on reality TV shows – C4’s The Circle, where contestants had to assume fake identities online to ruthlessly ‘catfish’ other players, and ITV’s I’m A Celebrity, Get Met Out of Here (surely no description/synopsis required) I came to Clare Mackintosh’s take on the most merciless end of the market with some relish. I know the games that cunning producers play with ‘contributors’. I know the hidden agendas that seethe and bubble under. But not here. Not in this case. Exposure – Mackintosh’s brilliant, brutal reality show concept at the heart of Game of Lies – is in a class of its own, if in a class of the future. But maybe – just maybe – not far ahead in the future. You think Traitors is harsh? At least no-one dies. But on Exposure…

Judy's Review:

Most TV reality shows have exit clauses for contestants. If they get fed up, they can go home – even if that means taking a hefty cut in their appearance fee. Not on Exposure. Stranded in the Welsh mountains, the seven contributors may think they can quit. They can’t. They may think they know the rules of the brutal survival game they’ve signed up for. They don’t. Big, big surprises are in store – and not just for them. For the entire and increasingly bewildered production team. Who is REALLY running the show? Contestants realise that one miscalculation means pitiless public exposure of their darkest secret. But an even darker fate stalks them. Death. By murder. Let the game of lies begin…