EVERY LAST LIAR

Kidnapped teens face down grief, guilt, and revenge in a twisty battle to the death.

When high school senior Ana Reyes and six of her classmates win a coveted vacation in the school raffle, the last destination they expect is rundown Motel Loba in the middle of the desert. But sinister cell phone messages reveal the truth: They’re each responsible in some way for the fire that killed Ana’s twin brother, Danny, at school one year ago. Now, a stranger has lured them to the remote motel for punishment. Every hour they must banish the guiltiest person among them, who will die—or they will all be killed. The stranded teens are familiar archetypes—jock, goth, stoner, and so on—and the story is invigorated by the third-person narrative that pivots among their viewpoints. The cast presents as diverse in ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity, and their identities are subtly and naturally cued. As their tangled motives and interpersonal histories emerge, social cliques turn into deadly alliances. The hourly deaths, while deeply jarring, contain minimal gore. Francis’ debut is strongest when centering Ana’s growth through guilt and grief as she battles for survival. It’s undisputably her story, but other characters have their share of heroic, villainous, and even comedic turns. Ending on a hopeful note, the action closes with a nuanced take on forgiveness and redemption.

Readers who enjoy macabre drama tinged with poignancy will devour this character-driven thriller.