INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author known for her “superb pacing, twisted characters, and captivating prose” (BuzzFeed), Lisa Jewell returns with a scintillating new psychological thriller about a woman who finds herself the subject of her own popular true crime podcast.
Celebrating her forty-fifth birthday at her local pub, popular podcaster Alix Summer crosses paths with an unassuming woman called Josie Fair. Josie, it turns out, is also celebrating her forty-fifth birthday. They are, in fact, birthday twins.
A few days later, Alix and Josie bump into each other again, this time outside Alix’s children’s school. Josie has been listening to Alix’s podcasts and thinks she might be an interesting subject for her series. She is, she tells Alix, on the cusp of great changes in her life.
Josie’s life appears to be strange and complicated, and although Alix finds her unsettling, she can’t quite resist the temptation to keep making the podcast. Slowly she starts to realize that Josie has been hiding some very dark secrets, and before she knows it, Josie has inveigled her way into Alix’s life—and into her home.
But, as quickly as she arrived, Josie disappears. Only then does Alix discover that Josie has left a terrible and terrifying legacy in her wake, and that Alix has become the subject of her own true crime podcast, with her life and her family’s lives under mortal threat.
Who is Josie Fair? And what has she done?
jesica love –
Whew. This one was stressful. I couldn’t put it down, but I also couldn’t read it after dark b/c it was so creepy.
Josie and Alix meet at a pub on their 45 birthday. Josie is a housewife who works as a part time seamstress and lives in a run-down apartment with her husband and one of her two adult daughters. Alix is a successful podcaster with a husband and two young kids living in a beautiful home. They were born on the same day in the same hospital and yet their lives have gone down two very different paths. Josie tells Alix she has a story to get out there and suggests being the subject of a podcast. Alix has been thinking of changing directions with her podcast and likes the idea of the story of Birthday Twins.
Alix realizes pretty quickly that Josie has had a lot of trauma in her life. There is something strange about her that Alix can’t quite put her finger on. She seems so vulnerable but also maybe a little bit dangerous. And the deeper she gets into Josie’s story, the more that feeling in her gut tells her to be careful. She doesn’t want to victim blame, but something just doesn’t seem right.
Told as part novel, part podcast transcription, and part Netflix documentary screenplay, this is a modern thriller for a modern world.
K. Perkins –
I am completely blown away by this novel. It was so good. I listened to it on audio book whenever I was driving or otherwise busy. The audio book is amazing. The story builds so much suspense and kept me thinking. Absolutely 5 stars. I’d give it 10 stars if I could.
Darren M. Reed –
Although at first, I was a little frustrated with the change in perspectives (Protagonists, Netflix documentary, and podcast recording excerpts) but I guess I can say I enjoyed it. It kept me turning pages as I wanted to get to the bottom of the mysterious Josie Fair’s life.
This story is about two women who happen to go to the same pub on their birthday nights. Alix and Josie. Josie is transfixed with Alix and as the evening unfolds finds her in the restroom and introduces herself as “Hi! I am your birthday twin!“
Alix is a semi famous podcaster and decided to do a podcast about Josie’s life change (that she is going to begin). This is when the real story begins.
The whole novel alternates from Josie, Alix ans the podcast interviews or excerpts from a (future) Netflix documentary based on the podcast.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys psychological suspense novels.
MINOR SPOILER ALERTS:
The author initially has us thinking Josie’s husband Walter is a pedophilic control freak. However, the more Josie talked the more crazy we realize she is. Or, how damaged she is if the things she is saying are true. Then, of course we eventually get the truth.
I loved the ending (Josie’s side of the story)
Christine –
It was a fun ride to see how the drama unfolds; highly recommend for when you need to turn your brain off and engage in a simple plot with minimal twists.
Amazon Customer –
This was one creepy weird book, full of surprises. I really enjoyed it.
Michael S Smith –
I loved this book because the characters were so well drawn out while allowing room for ambiguity as to what they were capable of and where this was going. I especially loved that the denouement was so drawn out, which in turn gave lots of context and answers to the little Easter eggs of mystery that had been dropped along the way. The final twists are consistent as to the conceit of the book, which is : can you ever really be sure of the truth? If someone believes it, does that make it true? I’m definitely going to read more of Jewell’s books. I respect a writer who keeps you guessing but everything ends up as consistent with the revelations along the way.
Dawn Pettit –
I don’t often read books like this, and there were some moments that I found a bit of a reach but it’s such a gripping story, well told. I found the Netflix setting details tedious but you can skip those without harming the narrative. A good summer read.
Lindsay –
Just finished. Loved this book. Suspenseful with some twists! Nice quick read
Caro Medina –
Es un regalo, no se si ya lo leyo pero llego perfecto.
Margaux W. Craig –
I have read at least 12 of Lisa Jewel’s books and this one does not disappoint. What a great author. She can deliver an engaging and fast paced story without sacrificing detail and personal affect. Loved it.
Robin Fields –
Oh my god. This was my first Mystery/ Thriller book I have ever read and it did not disappoint.
While it was written in the third person Lisa Jewell gives the reader an amazing insight into the thoughts and motives behind the characters. When you first meet both Alix and Josie you know there is more to them that meets the eye. While yes, Alix’s life isn’t picture perfect and she has a husband that will go out on benders she is not the perfect instagram podcaster that the internet see’s. Josie on the other hand has a dark past and mental health problems that makes everyone wonder is what she is saying true at the end. Josie seems to be living in a web of lies that she brings Alix into as they begin their podcast leading to many dark twists and turns. The addition of the Netflix Series snippets woven throughout the story help to build anticipation as you are also finding out what is going on with Alix and Josie. It leads me to think that maybe this would turn into an amazing Movie/ TV series. The ending is a bit unsatisfying as it does leave the door open to potentially continue Josie’s story. At the end of the book Lisa Jewell has the readers questioning who was actually telling the truth and as the title suggests None of this is True.
Leda –
I normally read Kindle unlimited but once in a while try something different and this book is well worth the price. From beginning to end it’s exciting riveting and just so well written. I will read this author again-going to find something by her now!😀
Harwinder Singh –
This book was fast paced and my first book by the author. Definitely will be reading more