Another Cult Book

An Honest Lie is a psychological thriller about an artist whose dark and twisted past comes to light during a girls' trip to Vegas.

Now: Rainy, an artist, moved from NYC to Washington state to start a new life with her significant other, Grant. To please Grant, Rainy begrudgingly joins a group of female friends, known as The Tiger Mountain Group. When the cutthroat friends suggest a weekend in Vegas, Rainy cringes but gives in even though she knows that there is a chance that her secretive past could be exposed.

Then: Summer, a 13-year-old girl, is mourning the loss of her father when her mother makes the decision to move to a cult run by her childhood friend, Taured. Their life in the cult is one filled with terrors and abuse.

When now and then finally converge, Rainy must fight her demons to save an innocent life.

The chapters in the present are narrated by Rainy, and the chapters in the past are narrated by Summer. Both are likable.

I am so sick of cult-themed books and the now and then narrative trope. I have read several cult-themed books during 2022, and I will say that this was my favorite. However, this book has flaws in other ways.

The pacing is slow, as I was just waiting for something to happen. I was more intrigued with Summer’s narrative than Rainy’s chapters. Summer's fear is palpable, and her chapters are filled with tension and suspense. Whereas Rainy’s chapters are dull, and not much is going on outside of her having to deal with a bunch of bitchy so-called friends.

It isn’t until deep into the Vegas trip that something finally happens as a result of a stupid decision made by Rainy. The plot turns chaotic and messy at this point, but it also becomes very entertaining. The believability factor falters towards the end, and there are many convenient memories interjected from Rainy’s past to help wrap up the mess nice and neatly.

Even though I took a lot of issues with the plot, I still found this to be an entertaining and intriguing read. I think I just need a break from plots that revolve around cults for a while!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Can a former cult member ever escape her past?
What was supposed to be a simple fun girl’s weekend, becomes anything but in this new thriller from Tarryn Fisher.

Rainy Ives has a big secret. One she hopes she'll never have to reveal, but as she establishes a new life with her boyfriend, Grant, and his group of friends, she seems to be on the edge of a breakdown at all times. As this book switches from present to past, we learn just why she is always on edge.

Formerly known as Summer, we learn about her time spent within a cult and how she eventually got out. What surprised me was how much this cult felt like a prison, not just because the home base was literally an old women's prison. Past cult stories I have read seemed more free willed and respectful. In this book, Taured, the leader of this cult, treated his followers more like slaves. Sure, there are a couple loyal ones who reap the rewards others sow, but the lack of freedom Summer and her mom faced was frightening.

For years, Rainy hid her past from the new people in her life, and she tried to avoid the trip to Las Vegas that would bring up bad memories, but her female "friends" were quite persistent. Let's just say, Rainy should have followed her instincts and stayed clear of this town.

I wasn't sure who to trust in the group, all the women seemed to be off at one time or another, either being incredibly rude or just avoiding her altogether. But I didn't expect the crazy turn of events that turns the whole trip sideways. Although I thought Rainy made some foolish choices, she was very brave, and it turns out, also well prepared. Something that makes all the difference in the end.

If you enjoy thrillers, this is probably my favorite one from the author in this genre, so check it out!

This review is published on Goodreads, 4-9-22. I received this ARC through NetGalley, and am glad for the opportunity to read this book. My review is not influenced by the fact that I got an ARC. I breezed through the book in two days, that’s how hooked I was (and the fact that I’m a fast reader lol). The plot was unpredictable, and I was drawn into the MC’s story. It is very important to focus when reading this book, or else you will miss some crucial information. The book was very thrilling and suspenseful, and I will be reading more from this author. There were a few unpredictable plot twists which I liked. Generally I read mostly romance, but the plot was very interesting. One-person POV

Tarryn Fisher is a much-loved author of mine. Unearthing the details of Rainy's life and the revenge she intends to inflict was a slow burn that kept me turning pages well into the night.

This book was scary!! I liked the main character, Rainy. She seemed confident and smart. For the longest time I couldn’t determine how the Tiger wives fit into the cult issue. This book was scary!! I liked the main character, Rainy. She seemed confident and smart. For the longest time I couldn’t determine how the Tiger Mountain wives fit into the cult issue. Then everything came together at the end. I would say this is a 3.5 star rounded up. Mainly because it was quite a page turner. Pretty much from the very beginning everyone was acting odd, and I wanted to know why. There were some parts that needed a little more evolution. For example, the random trip to the desert or they half baked plan are the end. everything came together at the end. I would say this is a 3.5 star rounded up. Mainly because it was quite a page turner. Pretty much from the very beginning everyone was acting odd, and I wanted to know why. There were some parts that needed a little more evolution. For example, the random trip to the desert or they half baked plan are the end. Thanks net galley for the arc.

An Honest Lie is a feminist thriller novel that packs a punch and isn’t afraid to call out the patriarchy. What else would you expect from a Fisher novel?

The novel showcases FIsher’s love of women. The main, secondary, and tertiary characters are well-developed for their roles in the novel. Rainy is an easy character to identify with despite her secretive past.

An Honest Lie has a fairly slow beginning. Readers are introduced to Rainy as she tries to fit in with her boyfriend’s friend group who have known each other almost all their lives. At the beginning of the novel, it reads like almost every other popular thriller. A slow paced and mundane deep dive into the secrets the main character is keeping. However, the novel turns on a dime once the past POV chapters begin to unfold.

An Honest Lie is told from two of Rainy’s perspectives, her past and present self. These chapters remain almost unconnected for most of the novel until Fisher starts to ramp up the tension. Fisher balances these chapters by engaging readers with red herrings and character conflicts.

The ending of An Honest Lie is easily the best part of the novel. It’s action packed, but takes the time it needs to let character and plot points breathe. I always love an action packed ending, but climactic conversations between the protagonist and antagonist will always be my favourite.

Overall, An Honest Lie is Fisher’s best mystery/thriller novel yet. It hooks readers with an engaging plot and a strong female main character while challenging misogyny and the patriarchy.

3/5 stars.
I have read and enjoyed other books by Tarryn Fisher. This book was overall good, but it felt slow moving in the beginning. The book is broken down by 2 characters- Summer in the past and Rainy in the present. Summers story tells her life in a cult, and Rainys present day struggles with friends and a new move. As Rainy goes on a girls trip to Vegas, Rainy has to confront her fears to save an innocent person. Once I got through the first half, the end went much quicker! Stick with it because it was worth it!

First- Thank you Netgalley and HTP Books for the early review Copy.
Second- Wow this was really good. I was really worried because it started off kind of slow but oh man Rainey is a Bad ass Bitch. I am usually not into the who Cult in a book thing but this one was written just right.
The twist was very interesting and I did not guess it.
Thank you for letting me read this early

I had a really difficult time connecting to this book. I didn't connect to the characters, and felt like the plot was very rushed. I struggled to distinguish between the characters. I have really enjoyed Tarryn Fisher's previous books, but this one missed the mark for me. Thank you for the opportunity to read, and I look forward to the next one.

Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to give this one a try. Unfortunately, my try ended in failure as I just could not get into the storyline at all. After a couple attempts I had to put it down. I may try again later as it may just be a timing thing and will update my review if my next attempt produces better results.

Tarryn Fisher's work can be so hit or miss for most people and after reading 3 of her books so far, I am super happy to say they are definitely a hit for me! I think her books get better and better with each one that's released, and this one was definitely my favorite of the ones I've read. While her stories are nothing super ground-breaking or trailblazing in the thriller genre, she has such a unique way of storytelling and makes me care about even the unlikable characters. This book strongly delivered on all of the creepy fucked up cult vibes and in a year with so many cult-y releases, this one definitely hit the mark. The alternating timelines showing Rainy and her mother's story growing up in the cult contrasted with Rainy now experiencing events that drag her right back to her extremely dark and hidden past. Highly recommend this one if you enjoy any kind of cult-like thrillers or books exploring the dark dynamics in female friendships. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me with an ARC for review!

I read this book in 24 hours--you wouldn't have been able to pry it out of my cold dead hands if I had keeled over before the last page. I had to keep going--I had to know what was going to happen. I loved Rainy and I had to know if she was going to be OK at the end of the book. And the writing--chef's kiss. My copy is highlighted up the wazoo.

"'Some things are best kept broken.'"

Rainy has seen some shit. She had rough childhood and now spends her days as an artist, making her past trauma into art. After meeting and falling in love with a man, she moves from New York to the Pacific Northwest, where she falls in with a group of wealthy women who befriend her because of her partner. When the women suggest a girl's trip to Vegas, Rainy initially says no, but her partner and the women wear her down until she reluctantly agree. What they all don't know is that Rainy has a past in the desert--a past that doesn't want to be left behind.

This book! Ugh, I freaking loved it and I loved Rainy as well. Sign me up for all the passionate, strong, ass kicking females because I love them all. It's hard not to say too much about this one without giving things away, but it's definite must-read in my book.

"Little girls grew into women and women grew into hunters."

I've written and rewritten this summary and can't seem to get out what I want to say the way I want to say it but here's to trying...

The book is about Rainy (aka Summer) who has survived the death of her father, living in a cult with her mother, the death of her mother and finally leaving the compound & being adopted all while she's was a child.

The majority of the story takes place when she's grown up, in a relationship with a man she's in love with and is a famous artist. She never let her photo be published for fear the man brainwashing everyone would find her and punish her for leaving. She takes a girl's trip to Vegas unwillingly (which is close to where the compound was located). She goes back to the town of Friendship had digs up 20 year old evidence as proof of what the man did to everyone who lived at the compound. Someone sees her, recognizes her and she's forced to face her past head-on to save one of her friends.

I enjoyed the book. It was an easy read. I finished in about 24 hours. The author was very clear on who said what and whether we were in the past or present so it was very easy to follow. There were a few points in the story that could have used big twists in the storyline and it would have upped the thrill factor.

Since I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Wrong Family by Tarryn Fisher, I expected more from An Honest Lie, but I was left disappointed.

The story is told with a dual timeline with our protagonist in the past as a teen living with her mother in a cult-like community, while the current timeline has Rainy living under a new identity with her new boyfriend and surrounded by the "Tiger Mountain wives," a group of gossipy, hip women who are her neighbors.

This was supposed to be a thriller/suspense, but it fell flat for me. I didn't like the way the author used texting and phone calls as a way to build suspense and move the plot along, and the pacing was uneven. It took a long time for the thriller aspect to take off.

I didn't appreciate the portrayal of most of the women characters as shallow and catty. I felt connected to Rainy/Summer, but many of her actions were unbelievable in the later part of the book. This might make a better action movie.

I will cautiously recommend this book to readers who appreciate light thrillers.

Thanks to the publisher, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Q: What do you get when you combine a fun girls’ trip to Vegas with a religious cult?
A: An incredibly absurd plot.

Tarryn Fisher’s The Wives was a standout thriller for me a few years ago, but The Wrong Family was underwhelming. Still willing to give her writing another shot, I requested Fisher’s latest thriller.

An Honest Lie failed to grab my interest from beginning to end. It was almost a DNF for me more times than I wish to admit. The characters were flat and unremarkable other than their names. Braithe? Taured? Rainy? Viola? Outrageous names DO NOT make up for the lack of characterization.

I never became invested in this plot and found myself skimming my way through to the end. There was such a complete lack of believability and disconnect for me. While I do enjoy a good book about cults, this one just grazed the surface of this type of restrictive, religious, and abusive lifestyle and was missing an element of authenticity. I didn’t feel scared or anxious reading this at all!

Finally, don’t blink or you will miss the predictable minor twists!

Trigger warning: cults, kidnapping

Expected publication date: 4/26/22

1/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC of An Honest Lie in exchange for an honest review.

*Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Tarryn Fisher, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Previously published at https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/an-honest-lie/

“‘A story is not always a lie,’ said Tristan. ‘Some stories are truer than truth.’

Truer than truth? That sounded like something liars made up to tell people who found them out.”

― Mette Ivie Harrison, Tris & Izzie

Tarryn Fisher knows how to write suspense. This book was hard to put down. An Honest Lie is my first book by this author and I can’t wait to read through her bibliography.

Rainy is a child when her father dies from addiction and alcoholism. Her mother, Lorraine, with nowhere to go and very little money, looks up an old friend who offers to put them up in his house in Nevada. What Rainy and her mother don’t know is that Taured is the leader of a cult. As they arrive at the women’s federal prison in Friendship, Arizona, they find Taured and his followers, who have turned the prison into a compound for his “family”. When her mother dies under mysterious circumstances after a failed escape, Rainy knows she must get out. When she finally escapes, at 15, the trauma is almost too much to bear.

Fast Forward to many years later and Rainy is a famous sculpture artist in NYC, constantly looking over her shoulder to make sure Taured has not caught up with her. When she falls in love with Grant, an architect, she moves to Tiger Mountain in Washington state (my hometown!). Grant introduces her to a group of women that he has been friends with since high school. Rainy calls them the tiger wives. While she is wary of some of them, she agrees to a girl’s weekend in Las Vegas, though she had sworn never to go back to Nevada. She soon finds out that the entire weekend is a big mistake, as the girls ignore her after the first night. One girl, Braithe, didn’t return the last night. When Rainy receives a disturbing text from Braithe’s phone, she realizes someone has kidnapped her, but the kidnapper really wants Rainy.

An Honest Lie is told via alternating timelines: then & now, with Rainy narrating. Her narration of “then” is about growing up in a cult and how it formed who she is now. The story of “now” is what happens in Vegas, which is the majority of “now”. Both timelines are equally fascinating and it really drew me into Rainy’s past. However, I found the perpetrator to be a reach, as far as who they were to Rainy. It was confusing why he was doing what he was doing and what his connection to Braithe was. I felt that needed more explanation.

While this book is amazing, and I really enjoyed it, parts of it were confusing. For example, one of the “tiger wives” that goes on the trip is obsessed with Rainy’s boyfriend, Grant. While this plot Point is discussed frequently throughout the book, it doesn’t really add anything to Rainy’s story. The author has written a strong and complex character in Rainy, and while the focus was on her, there were strange little side stories I felt didn’t belong in the book. The last couple of chapters are fast-paced and suspenseful and I loved that, but the ending left me wanting more.

Tarryn Fisher's An Honest Lie combines cult story with fast-paced psychological thriller. Rainey gets sucked into a girls' trip to Vegas trying to please her Washington boyfriend, but she has secrets about her past that make her hesitant to step foot in Nevada. Once there, she can't help but sneak back to Friendship, the town that holds every one of her secrets. From there, things spiral out of control, and Braithe, one of her friends, goes missing. Rainey has to connect the dots from her past and the secrets that are being held from her now to save Braithe. This book was fun, exciting, surprising, and everything else a psychological thriller is supposed to be. Alternating timelines was a fantastic writing choice here and allowed readers to fully sympathize with Rainey. Every character was at least a little bit bad or flawed and it is almost impossible to disentangle yourself from the story once you've started.

Review for An Honest Lie • Pub Date: April 24

Will Rainy keep her past buried in secret? Or will her new friends, the ladies of Tiger Mountain in Washington state, pressure her to dig them up?

Read this if you enjoy…
Books about cults
Fast-paced thrillers
Girls trips to Las Vegas
A bad ass female MC

I went in blind and I was not disappointed! Overall, I give this thriller 4.5/5 ⭐️ Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! Put this on your TBR because tarryn fisher will not disappoint.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

It took me a minute to get into this book, but once I did I could not put it down.

Rainy is a beautiful artist who has moved to Tiger Mountain from NYC to be with her boyfriend Grant. Grant really pushes Rainy to be friends with the wives of the mountains, but Rainy really doesn't want to be close to these women. Rainy is full of secrets and soon all the wives and Grant will find them out.

This book was crazy-cults, drugs, murder, infidelity, palm reading, the list goes on. I loved it.

Fisher writes in the present and in flash backs. It's like 2 stories in one. It's a must read if you love psychological thrillers.

While I enjoyed certain aspects of this story, there were some things that didn't hit as well. Cult life is so easy to get sucked into, and is certainly scary, this one did it in a way that was more sneaky which elevated that scare factor for me. I felt like there were so many things that could have been better developed, and some ideas were as flushed out as they should have been. I also felt like parts of the story were just missing, leaving holes that needed to be filled. Overall, it was okay . I know I won't love everything an author touches, but I really wanted to like this one more.