The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager
4.5 / 5 Stars
370 Pages
Originally Published in 2018
Finished Reading on May 20, 2024
Campfire tales always have a way of sticking with you, don’t they? As a kid, I loved the thrill of spooky campfire stories, but what happens when the nightmares follow you home? Riley Sager’s The Last Time I Lied is that haunting story you’ll want to tell around the fire – but only if you’re brave enough to relive the twists and turns.
“Two truths and a lie. The game we played that summer, the game that turned into something far more sinister.”
What I Loved
Riley Sager has a gift for atmosphere, and The Last Time I Lied delivers it in spades. The eerie nostalgia of summer camp paired with the chilling mystery of three missing girls had me hooked from the first page.
Emma, our narrator, is flawed and fascinating, and her return to Camp Nightingale decades after the tragedy unfolds like a beautifully messy puzzle. Sager’s writing makes you feel like you’re right there – smelling the pine trees, feeling the cabin’s creaks, and questioning every shadow.
“Sometimes we lie not to deceive, but to protect. And sometimes we lie because the truth is too painful to face.”
What I Didn’t Love
The pacing dragged slightly in the middle, and a few red herrings felt more frustrating than clever. But the payoff at the end? Worth every second of doubt. Some may find the twist predictable, but for me, it hit just the right balance of shocking and satisfying.
“Memories can be tricky things. Sometimes, they’re like reflections in the water – distorted and rippling with lies.”
Final Thoughts
At is core, The Last Time I Lied explores the fragile line between truth and lies and how both can twist memories over time. It delves into the psychological weight of survivor’s guilt and the lengths we go to bury painful secrets.
The story also examines how our childhood traumas can ripple through adulthood, shaping the way we see ourselves and the world around us. Through Emma’s journey, we’re reminded that confronting the past is the only way to move forward, but it’s never without its shadows.
This book is as much about unraveling the mystery as it is about the power of memory, deception, and redemption.
This book is for:
- Fans of unreliable narrators with secrets to unravel
- Readers who enjoy summer camp nostalgia mixed with mystery
- Anyone who loves twists that leave you second-guessing everything
The Last Time I Lied is a gripping blend of psychological suspense and eerie summer camp vibes. With an unreliable narrator, chilling secrets, and a final twist that delivers. Riley Sager keeps you guessing until the very end.
I gave this one 4.5 stars and highly recommend it to mystery lovers and anyone who enjoys a good game of two truths and a lie.
Have you ever played a game that revealed more than you bargained for?