[1][2] Faith Sunderly, the novel's 14-year old protagonist, lives in a male-dominated Victorian scientific society.

Her father is killed under unknown circumstances after the family moves from London to a small island.

Following her father in studying natural science, Faith discovers a tree that provides truths by feeding on whispered lies.

The Guardian praised The Lie Tree's "convincing picture of the times" and Hardinge's "trademark wit and intelligence", calling the book "at once entertaining and provocative".

[1][5] In 2021 the Japanese edition of The Lie Tree was shortlisted for the Best Translated Honkaku Mystery of the Decade (2010-2019).