Two Truths and A Lie:
1. I grew up OBSESSED with summer camp. The Babysitters Club Super Special "Summer Vacation" was a yearly re-read. I loved the idea of camp uniforms, cabins, woods, & bonfires.
2. I love Riley Sager.
3. The Last Time I Lied is the book of the summer.
- Actually - all of these are truths.
Riley Sager has taken that cozy idea of a sleepaway camp and turned it upside down. Emma is a first time camper at Camp Nightingale. Since she's a late arrival, she's placed in a cabin with three older girls, Vivian, Natalie and Allison. Camp Nightingale has a reputation...as Camp Rich Bitch. It's a camp for girls of privilege and wealth.
Emma find herself taken under Vivian's wing, she's allowed to trail along with the older girls. Vivian treats her like a younger sister, showing her the camp ropes. July 5 - Emma wakes up to an empty cabin. Vivian, Natalie and Allison have all disappeared. Emma saw them sneak out, and is told she's too young to go with them. They are never found.
Fifteen years later, Emma is a painter, haunted by the three missing girls. She returns to the recently reopened Camp Nightingale and is determined to solve the mystery of her missing bunkmates. Clues are found and the suspect list grows longer and longer. ----and that's all I can say about this.
This is a thriller, a mystery and a redemption story. It's full of nostalgia and hope and fear and forgiveness. It's the perfect book for a long summer night.
Riley Sager is a master at creating an atmosphere. I could hear twigs snapping and the lake lapping against the dock. It's clear he's a fan of the 80's horror movie genre but I could see hints of "Picnic at Hanging Rock" as well - which, after reading the acknowledgements - I was right!
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and my main man, Riley, for the opportunity to read this book.
Check out the book trailer here: