Book Review: Never Lie by Freida McFadden
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) – A twist-filled, addictive read that will haunt you long after the final page.
If you’re a fan of locked-room thrillers that twist your mind in the most deliciously unsettling way, Freida McFadden’s Never Lie is a pulse-pounding ride you’ll devour in a single sitting. It’s not a new book, as it came out a couple of years ago, but well worth checking out if you haven’t yet!
Newlyweds Tricia and Ethan are on the hunt for their dream home when they stumble upon a remote manor once owned by renowned psychiatrist Dr. Adrienne Hale—who vanished without a trace years ago. Trapped by a violent winter storm, the house’s charm fades fast as something darker begins to stir.
The turning point comes when Tricia uncovers a trove of cassette tapes—Dr. Hale’s therapy session recordings. What starts as innocent curiosity soon transforms into a terrifying descent into hidden secrets as each tape slowly unravels a threaded tapestry of lies, betrayal, and suppressed horrors.
McFadden is a master of pacing: short, razor-sharp chapters and perfectly timed reveals keep your heart racing and your mind guessing. Just when you think you’ve pieced everything together, she pulls the rug out from under you—culminating in a final tape so horrifying, it redefines everything you thought you knew.
But Never Lie isn’t just about jump scares and plot twists. It explores the sticky territory of memory, deception, and the fragile nature of truth—warning readers that sometimes, “it’s better to tell lies,” because sometimes, “the truth kills.”
Why it works:
Atmosphere: The isolated manor and relentless winter storm create a claustrophobic backdrop that heightens every tension-filled moment.
Structure: The cassette tapes provide a compelling framework—each one peeling back another layer of the mystery.
Twists: McFadden expertly misleads and subverts expectations until the final explosive reveal.
Verdict:
Never Lie is a chilling psychological thriller that will leave you breathless, paranoid, and entirely captivated. Freida McFadden once again proves why she’s a New York Times bestselling queen of the unexpected.