Author: Riley Sager
Publisher: Dutton
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Buy:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org

A Campfire Story That Refuses to Let Go

The Last Time I Lied grabbed me early and never let up. From the opening pages, it had that “just one more chapter” pull — the kind of book that keeps you hooked without feeling frantic or gimmicky. Everything about it clicked for me: the setting, the characters, the pacing, and the way the story slowly tightens its grip.

This one leans hard into atmosphere, and I loved it.

Camp Nostalgia, Done Right

The summer camp setting brings with it a strong sense of nostalgia. There’s something about camps — the isolation, the friendships, the secrets — that already feels a little eerie, and Sager knows exactly how to use that. It feels familiar and unsettling at the same time, which is a great combination for a thriller.

The story moves between past and present in a way that keeps things interesting without ever getting confusing. Each timeline feeds the other, adding tension instead of interrupting it.

Emma and the Girls

I really liked Emma as a main character. Watching her step back into a place tied to unresolved trauma felt believable, and her relationships with both sets of girls were one of the strongest parts of the book. Those dynamics add emotional weight and help ground the mystery in something more personal.

Nothing felt wasted here. Every interaction mattered.

A Satisfying Payoff

The ending worked for me. It was surprising, but not messy. Satisfying without feeling overly neat. The kind of ending that makes you sit for a second and appreciate how everything came together.

That’s not always easy to pull off in a thriller, but this one nailed it.

Final Thoughts

Riley Sager continues to be an author I trust. I’ve read around four of his books now, and I’ve loved every one of them. The Last Time I Lied might be one of my favorites so far — tense, nostalgic, and completely engaging.

If you’re a thriller fan, a Riley Sager fan, or just someone who enjoys a good mystery with strong atmosphere, this one is absolutely worth your time.

Five stars, no hesitation.

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