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.
