From the New York Times bestselling author of "The Housemaid" and "The Coworker" comes this gripping novel about the consequences of knowing the truth.

"Never Lie" focuses on Tricia and Ethan, newlyweds trying to find their dream house. They reach a remote mansion once belonging to Dr. Adrienne Hale, a well-known psychiatrist who disappeared one day years ago. They are stranded in the place due to a snowstorm, making Tricia restless. While seeking to pass the time, she stumbles upon Adrienne's collections of audio recordings of her patients. Tricia learns about the events leading up to the doctor's disappearance as she listens to the recordings.

Each tape is a piece of the puzzle falling into place. However, it will be too late when Tricia reaches the last tape, which unveils the entire story.

About the Author

Freida McFadden is a physician who specializes in brain injury and writes novels in the psychological thriller and medical humor genres. She has received various recognitions for her work. Her work has been chosen as one of the Amazon editors' best books of the year. McFadden has also won the International Writers Award for Best Paperback and the Goodreads Choice Award.

She wrote various bestsellers that have been translated into 40 languages worldwide. McFadden lives with her family and pet cat in a three-story house overlooking the ocean.

A Fast-Paced Thriller

A review from The Book Review Crew said that this book became the reviewer's second favorite book by McFadden. The book has two perspectives: Tricia in the present and Adrienne in the past. The book kept the reviewer guessing even after thinking they had the story figured out after reaching 28% of the book. They also did not see the twists in the end, giving it five stars.

Alycia Plans stated that this novel is fast-paced and held the reviewer's attention until the end. The reviewer's guesses about the secrets in the book were all wrong, and they found the twist unpredictable, making this novel one of their favorites.

Mixed Reviews

What We Reading praised the book for its plot and pacing, especially the developments and twists at the end of the book. At first, they wondered if things were too easy to guess. However, they also noted that they are bad at guessing twists. The book is not the deepest read, and some twists are spoon-fed. However, the characters become one-dimensional sometimes, noting that they are like NPC in a video game. Some characters also change abruptly, which is jarring. Some characters are also bland, except Adrienne, possibly due to McFadden being a practicing physician. 

Some parts are too basic, especially in Tricia's parts. Although the book did not reach the reviewer's expectations, it is still a good thriller novel anyone can enjoy. 

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Dark Side of the Word's review claimed that some huge moments distract the readers from the big reveal, keeping readers guessing until the end. However, the reviewer noted McFadden's bland writing, attributing it to some mistakes self-published writers make. The book is a good example of an unreliable narrator, making the ending successful. However, the descriptions are lacking, and the suspense does not have much buildup, receiving a score of three stars.

Amanda's Substack's audiobook review praised the book's readability due to its short chapters. The book also includes transcripts of Adrienne's work, adding to the suspense. The reviewer enjoyed the audio recordings of the patients. However, the twists have plotholes, and the repetitions take away from the enjoyment. 

Suspension of Disbelief Needed

The Bibliofile noted the book's shortcomings in terms of writing and said it would not win any literary award. However, what bothered the reviewer more was the character's ridiculous actions. One character seems willfully dense, requiring readers to "suspend disbelief."

Although the book has a strong premise, the mystery is lacking, especially toward the end. The reviewer recommended the book for readers who do not mind overlooking some unrealistic developments but warned those who want to read grounded stories to skip it.

Conclusion

"Never Lie" is a fast-paced psychological thriller with a strong premise but a lackluster suspense delivery. Still, it is an enjoyable read for fans of the genre and those who want to explore thriller stories. Its short chapters and unpredictable ending keep readers' attention until the end. 

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