What the Sinclair Family Tree Reveals in 'We Were Liars'

Elle

3 days ago

Among the books that dominated the year 2014—and then enjoyed a resurgence during the COVID pandemic—was E. Lockhart's bestselling young-adult novel, We Were Liars, a psychological horror story with a deadly plot twist. Lockhart's story, which has since been adapted for a new TV series on Prime Video, centers the Sinclairs, a wealthy Kennedy-esque family who spend each summer on Beechwood Island, a private haven off the coast of New England. There, protagonist Cadence Sinclair Eastman flits between the four homes on her grandfather's property: Clairmont, where patriarch Harris Sinclair and his wife, Tipper, spend their summers; Windemere, bestowed to middle daughter Penny and her family; Red Gate, for eldest daughter Carrie and her crew; and Cuddledown, for youngest daughter Bess and hers.
The three Sinclair daughters are all either married with children or divorced with children. (Or, in the case of Carrie, divorced with children and practically engaged to a new partner, who brings his nephew along each summer). Given the many faces and names in We Were Liars—both the novel and the series—you might find yourself questioning who's who as Lockhart's mystery unfolds on screen. Are Cady and Gat related? (Mercifully, no.) Are Mirren and Johnny related? (Yes, but as cousins, not siblings.) Why is everyone but Gat and Ed so blonde? (The Sinclair genes, apparently, run strong.) The branches of the family tree reveal how wide-spread Harris and Tipper's brood have become...and how difficult it might become for Harris to control them.
Below, peruse our quick guide to the Sinclair family—and keep your Liars in a row.
The protagonist of We Were Liars, Cady suffers from amnesia caused by a traumatic event that took place during Summer 16. She's the eldest Sinclair grandchild; her parents are divorced; and she's been in love with Gat Patil for years.
Parents: Penny Sinclair and Sam Eastman
Siblings: None
Grandparents: Harris Sinclair and Tipper Taft Sinclair
Cousins: Johnny, Will, Mirren, Liberty, and Bonnie
Family base on Beechwood Island: Windemere
The eldest son of Carrie, Johnny is one of the four oldest cousins, known collectively as the Liars.
Parents: Carrie Sinclair and William Dennis
Siblings: Will
Cousins: Cadence, Mirren, Liberty, and Bonnie
Family base on Beechwood Island: Red Gate
The eldest daughter of Bess, Mirren is one of the four Liars and an artist.
Parents: Bess Sinclair and Brody Sheffield
Siblings: Liberty and Bonnie
Cousins: Cadence, Johnny, and Will
Family base on Beechwood Island: Cuddledown
Although Gat is himself not a Sinclair, nor is he related to the Sinclairs (by blood or marriage), he spends his summers with their brood on Beechwood, thanks to his Uncle Ed's long-term relationship with Carrie. Although not their cousin, he is one of the Liars.
Parents: Maya and unknown
Uncle: Ed Patil
Carrie is the eldest daughter of Harris and Tipper, as well as a jewelry designer and mother to Johnny and Will. She is divorced and currently dating Ed Patil, uncle to Gat Patil.
Parents: Harris Sinclair and Tipper Taft Sinclair
Siblings: Penny and Bess
Children: Johnny and Will
The middle daughter of Harris and Tipper, Penny is a dog breeder and divorcée, as well as Cady's mother.
Siblings: Bess and Carrie
Ex-husband: Sam Easton
Children: Cadence
Bess is the youngest daughter of Harris and Tipper and a philanthropist. She seemingly has a happy marriage to Brody Sheffield, and is mother to eldest daughter Mirren and younger twin daughters Bonnie and Liberty.
Siblings: Carrie and Penny
Husband: Brody Sheffield
Children: Mirren, Liberty and Bonnie
An art curator and lawyer in Brooklyn, Ed is dating Carrie and is a paternal uncle to Gat.
Partner: Carrie Sinclair
Nephew: Gat Patil
Harris Sinclair is the family patriarch and a successful businessman with a media empire—and very distinct ideas about how the Sinclairs ought to live.
Wife: Tipper Taft Sinclair
Children: Bess, Carrie, and Penny
Grandchildren: Cadence, Johnny, Will, Mirren, Liberty, and Bonnie
Family base on Beechwood Island: Clairmont
Tipper is the Sinclair family matriarch. Her black pearls are coveted amongst her daughters and play a central role in Cady's story.
Husband: Harris Sinclair
Family base on Beechwood Island: Clairmont