The Review

It has been a little over a year since Lorraine, also known as Rainy, left her life in New York City to join her boyfriend Grant on Tiger Mountain in the Pacific Northwest. As Rainy settles into her new life, she finds solace and companionship in Grant’s friend group, the Tiger Wives. However, Rainy can’t help but feel uneasy about the group’s leader, Tara, who sends mixed signals. When Tara invites Rainy on a girls’ trip to Las Vegas, Rainy suspects there may be an ulterior motive. Reluctantly agreeing to attend, Rainy’s suspicions seem justified when one of the women, Braithe, goes missing.

The synopsis of this novel is somewhat misleading, as it reveals a major plot point but fails to mention another significant aspect of the story. Early on, we learn that Rainy has a dark secret: she grew up in a cult near Las Vegas. This revelation raises questions about Rainy’s past and adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. However, the main criticism I have of this book is that the conflict could have been easily resolved if Rainy had been honest with her boyfriend and friends from the beginning. Despite this, the story is more of a “Final Girl” tale than a suspenseful thriller, with the mystery aspect fading early on.

That being said, Fisher has crafted an enjoyable story. The book explores themes of trauma, identity, and the lasting impact of one’s past. The alternating timelines between Rainy’s present and her past as a young girl named Summer living in the cult provide depth to the characters and keep the plot engaging. I am a fan of “True Crime” cult stories so while the pacing may feel slow at times, especially in Rainy’s chapters, I was heavily invested in Summer’s narrative as it was filled with tension and suspense.

The plot takes a somewhat chaotic turn in the latter part of the Vegas trip, but the story remains entertaining. The conclusion ties up loose ends, albeit with some convenient plot devices and predictable reveals. I cannot wait until we sit down at Book Club to discuss this one because I am still reeling about Grant. Despite its flaws, “An Honest Lie” offers an intriguing exploration of the aftermath of living in a cult and the lengths one must go to confront the past. Tarryn Fisher’s skillful writing ensures that the novel holds the reader’s interest, even if it doesn’t fully live up to its initial promise.

I give 3.5 out of 5 stars rounded down to 3 stars on Goodreads!

---

Short Review (AKA TLDR)

An Honest Lie by Tarryn Fisher is a psychological thriller that combines a girls’ trip to Las Vegas with a chilling exploration of a protagonist’s dark past in a cult. While the dual timeline adds intrigue, the pacing feels slow, and the plot fails to fully converge, resulting in a disjointed reading experience. Although the cult theme is well-executed, the believability falters in the chaotic and somewhat unrealistic events that unfold. While the book offers moments of entertainment and suspense, it ultimately falls short of its potential, leaving readers wanting more. It’s an enjoyable listen, but one that is easy to forget.