Summary
Never Lie by Freida McFadden is a tense psychological thriller exploring deception and hidden truths within intimate relationships. The story focuses on newlyweds Tricia and Ethan, who become trapped in an isolated mansion during a snowstorm. While stranded, the couple uncover secrets guarded by the mansion’s owner, a psychiatrist who mysteriously disappeared. In the process, Tricia and Ethan discover disturbing facts about each other.
Plot
Never Lie follows newlyweds Tricia and Ethan and their connection to Dr. Adrienne Hale, an enigmatic psychiatrist who vanished years earlier. The novel employs dual timelines and unreliable narrators.
The story begins with Tricia and Ethan stranded during a snowstorm at an isolated mansion in upstate New York previously owned by Dr. Hale. While trapped inside, the couple discovers a hidden room containing recordings of Dr. Hale’s therapy sessions. These tapes expose secrets involving clients identified as "EJ," "PL," and "GW."
Gradually, Ethan reveals chilling details surrounding a former visit to the mansion to retrieve his paranoid mother from therapy. Tricia reveals her true identity as Patricia Lawton (PL), a former patient of Dr. Hale who committed violent acts and was later manipulated by the doctor she trusted. As tensions rise, incidents suggest another presence in the mansion. As the plot unravels, it becomes clear that Tricia and Ethan are willing to go to extreme lengths to secure their future—just as Dr. Hale was to protect her reputation. Their relationship becomes one of mutual vigilance over secrets, merging a dark past with a tense present.
Characters
Tricia Lawton: Also known as “PL,” Tricia appears as an innocent newlywed at first but has a dark and violent background. Her return to the manor is motivated by a desire to address past wrongdoings. Her complex nature becomes apparent as the story unfolds.
Ethan: Ethan, Tricia's husband, has a similarly troubled past. While he expresses remorse, his willingness to aid Tricia hints at a potential for violence. The strain of their shared secrets affects his actions.
Dr. Adrienne Hale: Dr. Adrienne Hale was a notable psychiatrist who disappeared mysteriously. She left unresolved issues with Tricia, a former patient whom she manipulated for personal gain.
Luke Strauss: Previously romantically involved with Dr. Hale, Luke unwittingly becomes a key player in the central plot.
Edward Jamison (EJ): Edward, a former patient of Dr. Hale, who serves as an important element in the intricate plot.
Setting
The isolated manor in Never Lie plays a crucial role in building narrative tension and suspense. The story centers on the secluded estate, previously owned by the elusive Dr. Adrienne Hale. A severe winter storm traps newlyweds Tricia and Ethan inside, creating a confined and uneasy atmosphere. Tricia and Ethan navigate the manor's dark hallways and secret rooms. The environment becomes an unavoidable presence, heightening the sense of foreboding. The storm isolates them and compels them to confront the manor's mysterious history and their own fears and mistrust. The ominous setting becomes a pivotal element in the story’s psychological tension and suspense.
Themes
In Never Lie, Freida McFadden explores deception, identity, manipulation, and isolation within its narrative. Deception is central as characters encounter layers of hidden truths. Recordings of Dr. Adrienne Hale’s patient sessions disclose secrets and lies, drawing protagonist Tricia into a web of deceit.
Manipulation is integral, with characters like Tricia and Ethan navigating deceit. Tricia's dual identity and concealed past highlight personal secrets that influence and control others. Ethan's involvement further reveals manipulation's complexity in relationships. Identity is addressed through themes of disguise and hidden histories, urging characters to confront their true selves in a world of concealed realities.
Isolation is more than a setting; it serves as a catalyst for psychological unraveling. The characters' confinement in the snowbound manor heightens internal struggles and anxieties. This setting enhances deception and manipulation themes, creating an environment conducive to psychological tension.
Quick facts
Never Lie is a psychological thriller by Freida McFadden, published on September 19, 2022.
The novel follows newlyweds Tricia and Ethan who are trapped in a secluded mansion during a violent winter storm.
Dr. Adrienne Hale, a psychiatrist who mysteriously disappeared, previously owned the mansion, enhancing the narrative's suspense.
Tricia discovers secret audio tapes of Dr. Hale's therapy sessions in a hidden room missed by the police.
The story uses dual narratives and timelines, including flashbacks and therapy tapes, to reveal hidden secrets and character motivations.
The plot involves multiple unexpected twists and turns, keeping readers guessing until the end.
McFadden's background as a physician contributes authenticity to the psychological aspects of her characters and narrative.
Never Lie emerged as a fan favorite, highly recommended on platforms like BookTok and praised for its intense pacing and suspenseful cliffhanger chapters.
The novel explores psychological manipulation, identity crises, and ethical dilemmas within mental health practice.
Never Lie is part of a duology with The Locked Door.
About the author
Freida McFadden is the bestselling author of psychological thrillers and medical humor novels. She also works as a physician specializing in brain injury. Her works, including The Housemaid, The Housemaid’s Secret, Never Lie, and The Locked Door, have been translated into 40 languages. She has garnered critical acclaim for her intricate plots and is a winner of the Goodreads Choice Award and the International Thriller Writers Award.
