Never Lie

“Everybody lies.”

The book’s opening line speaks to the book’s thematic treatment of keeping up appearances, suggesting that everyone presents some sort of false image to the world. The first line contradicts the book’s commanding title, “Never Lie.”

“Something terrible has happened in this house.”

Tricia thinks these words as she and Ethan first enter Adrienne’s house. Through Tricia’s point of view, the author creates an ominous tone; Tricia’s anxiety becomes the reader’s anxiety. This is especially poignant as Tricia repeats this line again in Chapter 2.

“That’s how Ethan is. He’s always so confident. I love that about him. So I follow my new husband to the kitchen.”

The word choice here of “following” her husband into the kitchen suggests that Tricia is subservient to Ethan in some way. Such verbiage throws off the reader, who will only learn at the end that Tricia has been manipulating Ethan throughout their entire relationship.