The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager is a suspenseful thriller that follows Emma, who returns to Camp Nightingale as an art instructor, the place where three girls disappeared 15 years ago. The novel expertly weaves between past and present, revealing secrets and mysteries surrounding the girls' disappearance. The writing style is engaging, with a mix of mystery and suspense that keeps readers captivated until the very end.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, particularly the protagonist Emma, whose complexity and guilt intertwine with the enigmatic and untrustworthy supporting cast.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is descriptive and engaging, skillfully using alternating timelines to create emotional depth and suspense.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative unfolds the mystery of three girls who disappeared at a summer camp, intertwining past trauma and present suspense as the protagonist seeks closure.

Setting:

The setting in a summer camp is crucial to the narrative, haunted by the past events that create a creepy and suspenseful atmosphere.

Pacing:

The pacing begins slowly but ramps up significantly, especially in the second half, maintaining suspense through continuous twists.

Then come the girls, sometimes clustered together, sometimes scattered to far-flung corners of the canvas. I put them in white dresses that flare at the hems, as if they’re running from something. The...

Notes:

The novel revolves around a summer camp called Camp Nightingale where three girls went missing.

The protagonist, Emma, was the last person to see the three girls alive when she was 13 years old.

Emma returns to the camp 15 years later as a painting instructor to uncover the truth about the disappearances.

The story alternates between Emma's present experiences at camp and flashbacks to the time of the girls' disappearance.

Emma's paintings become a way for her to cope with her guilt and past trauma related to the missing girls.

Riley Sager's writing incorporates suspenseful twists that keep readers guessing until the end.

The setting includes eerie elements, such as a flooded valley with secrets buried beneath the water.

The title refers to a game played by the campers, 'Two Truths and a Lie', which is a recurring theme in the plot.

The book addresses themes of guilt, trauma, and the complexity of female friendships.

Riley Sager is noted for creating strong female characters and suspenseful narratives.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains themes of trauma, mental health issues, and mentions of disappearances.

From The Publisher:

Have you ever played two truths and a lie?

It was Emma's first summer away from home. She made friends. She played games. And she learned how to lie.

Then three of her new friends went into the woods and never returned. . .

Now, years later, Emma has been asked to go back to the newly re-opened Camp Nightingale. She thinks she's laying old ghosts to rest but really she's returning to the scene of a crime.

The gripping new thriller from the bestselling author of Finale Girls - perfect for fans of A. J. Finn's The Woman in the Widow

*Don't miss Riley Sager's new thriller, LOCK EVERY DOOR. Available to pre-order*

Because Emma's innocence might be the biggest lie of all. . .

Ratings (76)

Incredible (10)
Loved It (37)
Liked It (20)
It Was OK (9)

Reader Stats (140):

Read It (78)
Currently Reading (2)
Want To Read (53)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (6)

3 comment(s)

greane726

Incredible

3 months

Oh my word. This is the second of Sager’s books that I’ve read and it was another winner. My mind was completely blown by the end. SO many red herrings, SO many wrong turns and dead ends. I will for sure be reading everything this author writes/has written!

fimbud315

Loved It

9 months

As soon as I dug into this book, I couldn't help but notice the déjà vu. The whole deal about three teens vanishing in the woods during summer camp, with the fourth girl Emma showing up years later to solve the case—it's a plotline we've all seen a gazillion times. And guess what? Theo, the guy she had a crush on ages ago, might be involved in it. Plus, Emma herself claims she had a hand in the whole disappearance. We've read it dozens of times, right? Honestly, this kind of story has never been my cup of tea. I've grown tired of it, and it never made it to my favorites list. But, surprisingly, this book, with Emma as its protagonist, managed to grab my attention in ways I never saw coming.

I need to give props to the author for breathing new life into this worn-out plot. Despite my initial skepticism, I found myself totally sucked into the story. It was like I'd never encountered a similar tale before. The author's skills were on point, bringing a fresh and original vibe to the narrative.

One thing that really stood out in this book was its really good pace. The story effortlessly glides along, sprinkled with unexpected twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. This constant stream of unexpected developments breathed life into the whole thing, preventing it from being just another predictable story. Unlike other books with this theme, I genuinely cared about what was happening. And Emma, the main character, didn't fall into the annoying traps that usually plague these stories. Somehow, her character felt refreshing and allowed me to fully embrace her role in the story.

Page after page, I was be amazed by how the author managed to hold my interest. The intricate suspense, coupled with well-crafted characters, made this book a joyride. And you know what? The author even took those clichés and tropes we're so sick of and turned them on their heads, delivering a fresh and captivating experience.

All things considered, despite my initial doubts about the overused premise, this book pleasantly surprised me. It reinvigorated a story I thought had gone stale. The perfect pacing, unexpected twists, and captivating protagonist breathed new life into it all. Kudos to the author for their exceptional storytelling skills and for reigniting my passion for a theme that had become a total drag. If you're after a thrilling read that breaks free from the usual genre limitations, this book is a solid choice.

TexasGrace2024

Incredible

10 months

Wow. Riley Sager is just awesome. Did not see where this one was going for sure. Suspenseful for sure, I caught myself holding my breath during intense scenes. And of course the ending was a BAM! moment. Love it! A must read.

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The Last Time I Lied?

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About the Author:

Riley Sager is the pseudonym of a former journalist, editor and graphic designer who previously published mysteries under his real name. Now a full-time author, Riley's first thriller, Final Girls, was a national and international bestseller that has been sold in 25 languages. A film version is being developed by Universal Pictures and Anonymous Content. A native of Pennsylvania, he now lives in Princeton, New Jersey.

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The Last Time I Lied

Riley Sager