Book Review: “None of This Is True” by Lisa Jewell
If you’re looking for a psychological thriller that lingers long after the final chapter, Lisa Jewell’s None of This Is True might be your next must-read. Known for her sharp storytelling and layered characters, Jewell delivers yet another suspenseful novel. But this time, with an eerie intimacy that makes you question everything you thought you understood about truth, identity, and the people we let into our lives.
The Audiobook Experience: A Podcast Within a Thriller
I listened to None of This Is True on audiobook, and I can’t recommend that experience enough. The story is cleverly framed around a true-crime podcast, unfolding almost like a documentary in real time. This format adds a fresh, immersive layer that makes you feel like a silent witness to something sinister and deeply personal.
For fans of true-crime series or slow-burning suspense, the audio format enhances the atmosphere in a way that a traditional read may not. The pacing is steady but haunting, building dread in a way that’s less about jump scares and more about psychological unraveling.
Meet Josie and Alix
At the heart of the story are two women:
Josie, an awkward, unnerving stranger who crashes a birthday dinner
Alix, a polished lifestyle influencer and podcast host
The story begins innocently enough, with a chance encounter between two women born on the same day. But it spirals into a chilling exploration of manipulation, obsession, and blurred boundaries. Josie is mesmerizing in that “Something is happening here, but I can’t figure out what” kind of way. She’s offbeat, unsettling, and oddly compelling. Meanwhile, Alix is someone we all recognize: curated, confident, and seemingly in control.
And then, their carefully crafted lives start to unravel. Right before our eyes.
A Slow, Creeping Dread
If you’ve read Lisa Jewell before, you might go in expecting the signature twisty-turny plot. While None of This Is True does deliver suspense, the brilliance lies in the slow, creeping dread rather than the sudden reveals. I suspected Josie all along. But watching her character evolve, slip, and reassemble herself was far more chilling than any last-minute twist.
Jewell masterfully builds tension by making you question the narrative itself. What’s true? What’s being manipulated? And perhaps more importantly, why do we believe what we’re told?
Final Thoughts: Unsettling and Unforgettable
By the end, I was left with more questions than answers. And honestly, that’s what made it brilliant. The title None of This Is True hits harder once you realize how much of the story plays with perception, memory, and self-presentation. It doesn’t just unravel the characters; it subtly unravels you, too.
You’ll finish this book with chills, a little paranoia, and probably a newfound fear of people-watching at your local café.
My Rating: 4.5/5
A gripping, atmospheric read that will appeal to fans of slow-burn suspense, psychological thrillers, and true-crime podcast culture. Not Lisa Jewell’s twistiest, but one of her most haunting.
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