Daddy's Little Liar by Maren Smith unfolds in the shadowy corridors of family secrets, deceit, and the tumultuous journey of redemption. This novel is an engaging exploration of complex familial relationships, underpinned by the theme of betrayal intertwined with a longing for acceptance. Smith’s storytelling is robust and vivid, creating a world where her characters breathe, and their choices resonate with life-changing consequences.

The narrative centers around Emily, a young woman whose past and identity are shrouded in the lies told by her father, Arthur. Arthur, a once-respected businessman, has crafted a tapestry of deceit so intricate that Emily finds herself tangled in its threads, unable to discern the boundaries between truth and deception. As she navigates her rocky relationship with her father, Emily's journey is a poignant illustration of a child’s desperate bid for the truth from the very person who should epitomize honesty and protection. Smith’s portrayal of Emily illustrates a meticulous character study of someone perpetually on the brink of breaking yet resolved to unearth the truth.

The setting of Daddy's Little Liar swings between the opulent halls of Emily’s ancestral home and the more stark, unyielding environments that symbolize her mental captivity. Smith uses these contrasting backdrops not only as mere settings but as silent narrators to the emotional states and transformative journey of her protagonist. The devil is indeed in the details, and here, Smith has mastered her environments, ensuring they pulse with as much life and intent as her characters.

Dialogue within the book is another element where Smith excels. Conversations are not just exchanges of words but are layered with subtext that hints at the characters’ past pains and hidden motives. Particularly notable is the dynamic between Emily and her father. Each dialogue sharpens the reader's understanding of their complicated relationship. Arthur’s words are often loaded, serving as a facade of concern masked over intentions not quite so benign.

However, it's not just a story of familial discord; Daddy's Little Liar delves into themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the pursuit of authenticity. The narrative is decorated with a medley of secondary characters who, by their virtues and vices, mirror and challenge the lies that define Emily’s life. Through these interactions, Emily’s character is carved deeper, her resolve tested, and her world expanded. Smith deftly uses these relationships to propel the narrative forward, weaving in suspense and intrigue that makes the book hard to put down.

Maren Smith also doesn’t shy away from the psychological ramifications of living a lie. The mental and emotional toll on Emily is portrayed with raw honesty, often bordering on visceral. This psychological depth is one of the novel’s strengths, as it offers readers a lens into the potentially destructive nature of secrets and lies within a family, a microcosm of larger societal mores.

In terms of pacing, Daddy's Little Liar is a slow burner. The story builds meticulously, with Smith taking her time to lay down the foundation of her character’s motivations and the complexities of their past actions. While some readers might crave quicker resolutions or faster-paced developments, this deliberate pacing is necessary for the kind of narrative Smith aims to deliver – one where every revelation and character development feels earned and impactful.

In conclusion, Daddy's Little Liar by Maren Smith is a compelling psychological thriller that meticulously dissects the nature of untruths and their impact. It’s a narrative ripe with tension, emotion, and a deep dive into what makes us human – our flaws, desires, and our relentless quest for the truth. Smith’s novel is a thoughtful exploration of the ways in which our histories and the people in them manipulate our futures, and how, despite everything, there is a way to reclaim truth and, in doing so, discover ourselves. It's a poignant, reflective, and thoroughly engaging read that invites readers not just to entertain but to ponder long after the last page is turned.