Freida McFadden's 'Never Lie': An Honest Book Review

Hey there, fellow book friends! Are you on the hunt for a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing?

"Never Lie" might just be the page-turner you need. It’s packed with twists and turns that will have you questioning everything you think you know about the characters and their motives.

Picture yourself piecing together a puzzle where every chapter adds a new layer of intrigue. This book is crafted to keep you on your toes, making it hard to put down.

If you're ready to embark on a suspenseful journey, consider adding "Never Lie" to your reading list. Now lets unravel my thoughts on this bestseller!

Never Lie by Freida Mcfadden

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Book Details and Content

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What is Never Lie About?

In "Never Lie" by Freida McFadden, Tricia and Ethan are out house hunting when a snowstorm suddenly hits, leaving them to take shelter in a remote manor they were visiting. As they wait for the violent winter storm to pass, Tricia comes across some audio transcripts of the previous owner, Dr. Adrienne Hale, a famous psychiatrist who mysteriously disappeared.

Curious about what the cassette tapes might reveal, Tricia begins listening and starts to uncover some dark and unsettling secrets about Dr. Hale's past. With the snowstorm raging outside, Tricia is caught up in digging up hidden truths that lead to surprising and chilling discoveries.

My Spoiler-free review

I was completely drawn into this book, finishing it in one sitting, only taking a short break. The start was interesting and grabbed my attention, though it went a little slower than I thought it would.

Freida McFadden knows how to keep readers hooked, But by the end, it seemed like some parts were left unfinished. The ending felt a bit rushed, with some unanswered questions that left me wanting more clarity. Even with these issues, the book kept me turning pages, showing McFadden’s skill in creating suspense and keeping readers engaged.

My Overall Thoughts

Freida McFadden sure knows how to grab your attention right from the start with her fast-paced stories, and "Never Lie" is no different. But this one had its share of highs and lows. Let me share what kept me glued to the book and where it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

What I Liked:

This book had me hooked from the very beginning, and I powered through it with ease. The part where Tricia uncovers the room filled with Dr. Hale’s therapy tapes caught my attention. I was eager to find out what each tape would reveal about Dr. Hale's disappearance. McFadden's writing kept me turning pages, wanting to know more.

Her thrillers are fast-paced and straightforward, making them perfect for when you want something quick and gripping. I often use her books as a palate cleanser—something easy to follow between heavier reads.

What I Disliked:

I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with Freida's books—there's no middle ground. Unfortunately, this one was a letdown. As the story moved forward, it started to feel unrealistic, as if the twists were there just for shock value. The blackmail situation in particular became predictable and a bit annoying to me.

By the time I reached the end, the pace felt rushed, leaving too many plot holes. I wanted more depth in the characters, especially Dr. Hale and Ethan, who are key to the plot. The entire time I was hoping for more backstory on what happened at the cabin because I felt it was important to strong character development. I also wished that Freida allowed for a chance of escape for Luke. I think the ending would be more believable if at least someone innocent survived.

Also, the unreliable narrator did not work for me simply because it was too unrealistic. What is the point of the story if everything from the narrator's point of view is a lie? It just made me even more upset at the ending because I wanted justice for the murders that happened in the story.

Despite these issues, McFadden's storytelling did keep me engaged. While the ending left some unanswered questions, the journey was exciting enough to hold my interest. This is a great book if you are in a reading slump.

If you're looking for a quick, straightforward mystery, "Never Lie" is worth picking up—but be prepared for a few bumps along the way.

Would I recommend it as a Christian?

I’d say it’s a maybe. I appreciate Freida's writing style, but honestly, I wouldn't give this book recommendation to anyone under 18 and only to those who are mature in their Christian walk.

If you enjoy this genre, it can be quite gripping. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. The characters might find themselves in morally challenging situations, and it's important to view these with discernment, especially if you're sensitive to themes that might not align with Christian principles like honesty and integrity. It's crucial to ensure that these behaviors aren't glorified but rather presented as part of the human experience.

Additionally, thrillers often contain tense scenes that could be unsettling. If you're comfortable with these elements and enjoy a good mystery, it might be worth reading. Just remember, it’s about understanding your comfort level.

Detailed Summary

Newlyweds Tricia and Ethan decide to check out this remote open house during a crazy snowstorm. The place is a secluded house that used to belong to Dr. Adrienne Hale, a renowned psychiatrist who just up and vanished three years ago. Before she disappeared, she dropped a bestselling pop psychology book called "The Anatomy of Fear." This book talks about dealing with trauma and features a single patient named "PL," whose friends and fiancé died at some cabin.

Tricia and Ethan are stranded and decide to take refuge inside the home. As Tricia and Ethan poke around the house, Tricia gets this bad feeling that something's not right. She hears weird noises, sees lights flickering, and even spots a footprint and fresh food in the fridge. Ethan doesn't think anything of it but Tricia's curiosity gets the better of her. She stumbles upon a hidden room full of Adrienne’s therapy tapes. These tapes are packed with shocking pieces of information, and she’s pretty sure the cops missed them. Even though she knows Ethan wouldn’t be thrilled, she sneaks a listen to the audiotapes from the therapy sessions, hoping to learn more about what happened to Dr. Hale.

The story flips between Adrienne’s past and the present. In the past, Adrienne had this patient, EJ, who was a real piece of work—stalking and blackmailing her with the tapes of sessions. Around this time, she meets Luke, her love interest.

Back in the present, Tricia keeps listening to the tapes and casually drops the news to Ethan that she’s pregnant. Ethan's over the moon, but Tricia can't shake the uneasy feeling, especially when she finds a clean sleeping bag in the dusty attic, hinting someone else might be lurking around.

Meanwhile, EJ’s demands on Adrienne get worse, so she teams up with Luke to try and get rid of the blackmail videos. But EJ’s still got them. In the present, Tricia and Ethan find a dead body hidden under the floorboards and come face-to-face with Luke, who’s been hiding out there.

Here comes the big twist: Tricia is actually "PL" and was behind the cabin murders. Adrienne found out and blackmailed Tricia into helping her hide EJ’s body under the house. Worried Adrienne would spill her secret, Tricia ended up killing Adrienne too.

Tricia came back to the house to wipe out any evidence linking her to EJ. Meanwhile, she discovers Ethan burning tapes connected to his past—his mom died under suspicious circumstances, and he was involved in getting insurance money. Tricia had cleverly met Ethan after finding out about his wealth, a secret in their love story.

Tricia spills the beans about her crimes to Ethan, and they decide to deal with their secrets together. They kill Luke and hide both bodies. In the end, they buy the house, settle in, and start a family, keeping their dark past under wraps.

Conclusion

To wrap it up, bestselling author Freida McFaddens's "Never Lie" is a gripping read that keeps you guessing with its twists and turns.

The story of Tricia and Ethan is packed with secrets and surprises that make it hard to put down. The ending of the book may not have been my cup of tea but it still kept me flipping the page to find out what happens next.

If you’re a mystery fan that keeps you on your toes, give this book a shot. Enjoy the ride!

Happy Reading!