The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager Also by this author: Final Girls, Lock Every Door, Home Before Dark, The House Across the Lake
Published by Diversified Publishing on July 3rd 2018
Genres: Fiction, Psychological, Suspense, Thrillers
Pages: 528
Fifteen years ago, Emma Davis witnessed a tragedy at Camp Nightingale, the first summer camp she attended. The other three girls in her cabin went missing, never to return. Now a painter, she revisits this incident through her artwork, painting and repainting each of the three girls.
When the camp opens for the first time in fifteen years, Emma is offered the position of art instructor. Emma quickly agrees; She's ready to get some answers about the missing girls and put an end to the torment that has followed her into her adult years. The question is, however, will she find the answers she seeks or will she, too, succumb to the curse of camp Nightingale?
Much like Sager’s previous title, Final Girls, Emma is the girl that remains after a pretty tragic experience at a summer school for wealthy children. Following the incident, Emma was cast in a shadow of doubt by others involved and to be honest, herself as well. The setting of a summer camp is perfect; some of the very best horror movies revolve around such a setting.
Sager’s allusions to the various rumors regarding the camp’s past added another element of fear and terror. The reader, much like Emma herself, found themselves question each and every thing that transpired 15 years ago, opening up the cast of suspects to nearly anyone who was present at the camp. Sager takes the reader on numerous twists and turns, throwing in a few false leads as well. Just when you think you have it figured out, something else is revealed, taking you on a completely different path.
Though I thoroughly enjoyed the read (and the twisty twisty ending), there were aspects that did bother me. Emma’s character, for one, seemed quiet naive. There’s scene in which she has her first period, and she’s left clueless as to how to deal with it. Perhaps this was a nod to Carrie, but given the time in which this took place, Emma should have been a bit more informed as to what was taking place. Another issue I had is the pacing. It started off great, but dwindled down in the middle, just when it should be picking up. My fear is that readers will abandon the book before they get to the best scenes, which really do happen near the end of the book.
Though I have my issues with this book, I’m still quite a fan of this author’s work (be it under this pen name or not). The Last Time I Lied is still, without a doubt, a must read summer thriller!
