A review by litwithleigh
The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager

3.0

**Updating my review**

THE PLOT

15 years later, Emma returns to the summer camp where her three cabin-mates disappeared, hellbent on figuring out what happened that fateful summer.

MY OPINNI

This was my second Riley Sager book and as with, [b:Final Girls|32796253|Final Girls|Riley Sager|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1496658340l/32796253._SY75_.jpg|50669966], it was a slow ass burn. It only got interesting in the last 100 pages or so. I find Sager's books to drag on with too many flowery details—but if you like atmospheric writing, you would enjoy this style. It's just not for me. I'm all about every single word driving the storyline forward. If it doesn't advance the plot, keep it. I really don't care about hair colours, weight, scenery, etc. Just get my heart racing, PLS.

I'm generously giving this three stars, but the ridiculousness of the plot and the height to which I had to suspend my disbelief, made this a dud for me.

So after experiencing one of the most traumatic times of her life, Emma just waltzes back to Camp Horror and decides to go full Nancy Drew and solve a decades old missing persons cold case? K... And not only that, but she gets her friend back in the city to run a background check (aka social media creep sesh) on a potential suspect? Bro BYE. Oh and don't forget that the guy she accused of kidnapping and low-key murder just happens to be back at the camp too. Gangs all back guys!!

And don't get me started about the ending, ending. Like the ending after the big ending? Just chill with it Sager—this book is already ridiculous enough.

Also, classic male gaze writing with over-sexualizing a 16 yr old girl and making her buss it open in the camp bathroom with a rando. Normal stuff.

PROS AND CONS
Pros: I guess... It kept me guessing until the end who the villain was
Cons: Slow burn, totally unrealistic storyline and stereotypical characters