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Kristin (KC)'s Reviews > Don't Believe It
Don't Believe It
by
by
Kristin (KC)'s review
bookshelves: mystery, thriller
May 21, 2018
bookshelves: mystery, thriller
Read 2 times. Last read May 21, 2018 to May 24, 2018.
*4 Stars* for shock-value
Well, that was a fun and twisty little shocker of a read!
I have to admit, after not entirely loving this author’s previous novel, The Girl Who Was Taken, I went into this one a bit unsure of what to expect.
However, this book proves that each novel an author produces should be treated as an isolated body of work, because there were so many elements of this book that completely blew me away!
Don’t Believe It presents a layered story with exhilarating turns that keep the reader second guessing, as a good mystery should. But it doesn't stop at one—the twists keep coming—like the waves of an ocean, and every time you think you’ve got it figured out you're knocked back off your feet again.
This story is constructed in a true crime documentary fashion that is being filmed in real-time. We follow the producer as she sells the show, the crime her show will feature, the convict who claims she’s been wrongfully accused, along with all the interviews and flashbacks in-between as this murder-mystery unfolds.
For me, this author’s core strength lies in his plot design, scattering clues with subtle but distinct indications as he masterfully leads the reader in all the wrong directions. The reveals are shocking and tremendous, but the groundwork applied beforehand will fully back them up.
The various characters are intriguing, sheltering side stories that branch away from the main focus only to gradually manifest into something deeper.
Although I appreciate that this book really delves into the behind-the-scenes politics of making documentaries, some of it grew tedious and caused certain areas to drag. I wanted more focus on the characters themselves, and less inconsequential narrative. But the shocking twists and turns were worth the wait.
If, like me, you are a fan of the hit true-crime documentary Making a Murderer, along with the Serial podcast, and would like see how investigating such a case would play out in fiction, I’d suggest giving this one a go!
*Traveling Sister read! Thanks, ladies :-)
*Arc kindly provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
Well, that was a fun and twisty little shocker of a read!
I have to admit, after not entirely loving this author’s previous novel, The Girl Who Was Taken, I went into this one a bit unsure of what to expect.
However, this book proves that each novel an author produces should be treated as an isolated body of work, because there were so many elements of this book that completely blew me away!
Don’t Believe It presents a layered story with exhilarating turns that keep the reader second guessing, as a good mystery should. But it doesn't stop at one—the twists keep coming—like the waves of an ocean, and every time you think you’ve got it figured out you're knocked back off your feet again.
This story is constructed in a true crime documentary fashion that is being filmed in real-time. We follow the producer as she sells the show, the crime her show will feature, the convict who claims she’s been wrongfully accused, along with all the interviews and flashbacks in-between as this murder-mystery unfolds.
For me, this author’s core strength lies in his plot design, scattering clues with subtle but distinct indications as he masterfully leads the reader in all the wrong directions. The reveals are shocking and tremendous, but the groundwork applied beforehand will fully back them up.
The various characters are intriguing, sheltering side stories that branch away from the main focus only to gradually manifest into something deeper.
Although I appreciate that this book really delves into the behind-the-scenes politics of making documentaries, some of it grew tedious and caused certain areas to drag. I wanted more focus on the characters themselves, and less inconsequential narrative. But the shocking twists and turns were worth the wait.
If, like me, you are a fan of the hit true-crime documentary Making a Murderer, along with the Serial podcast, and would like see how investigating such a case would play out in fiction, I’d suggest giving this one a go!
*Traveling Sister read! Thanks, ladies :-)
*Arc kindly provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
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Comments Showing 1-50 of 56 (56 new)
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Patty ~ Wrapped Up In Reading Book Blog
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May 22, 2018 04:13PM
Hope it's a good one! 💖💖💖
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Patty Belongs To Kellan~Jesse~Lautner~Miller~Jack~Racer~Rafe~Liam~Prince Nicholas~Hayes~Simon~Gianluca & Archer wrote: "Hope it's a good one! 💖💖💖"So far, so good, patty! ☺️
I finished yesterday & I’m really excited to hear what you thought of it! 💕
Norma * Traveling Sister wrote: "I finished yesterday & I’m really excited to hear what you thought of it! 💕"Oh, I hope you enjoyed! I’m almost at the halfway mark—been reading this in bits and pieces, which I hate doing—but so far it’s really good!
Glad you enjoyed this too! Wonderful review, Kristin!
So glad that you enjoyed it Kris & wonderful review! Loved reading this one with you!
Wonderful review KC!! I loved it too 😊❤️
Loved reading this one with you and love your review!
Meredith wrote: "Glad you enjoyed this too! Wonderful review, Kristin!"****Thanks, Meredith! :-)
Norma * Traveling Sister wrote: "So glad that you enjoyed it Kris & wonderful review! Loved reading this one with you!"
****thanks, Norma! I loved reading with you, as well! Glad you enjoyed :-)
Kendall wrote: "Wonderful review KC!! I loved it too 😊❤️"
****Yeah, so glad u loved! Thanks, Kendie :-)
Jen wrote: "Terrific review!"
****Thanks so much, Jen!
Sarah wrote: "Loved reading this one with you and love your review!"
****Thank u, Sarah! Loved reading this w u, too :-)
Fantastic review, Kristin!! I love shocking conclusions!!
Great review Kristin, glad this was such a terrific sister read!
Yeah, Kris! Love your review👏👏👏
Julie wrote: "Fantastic review, Kristin!! I love shocking conclusions!!"***Thanks, Julie! Same here :-)
JanB wrote: "Great review Kristin, glad this was such a terrific sister read!"
***Thanks, Jan! Everyone enjoyed :)
Melisa wrote: "Yeah, Kris! Love your review👏👏👏"
***Haha, thanks, Melis! <3
Holly wrote: "Great review Kris!"
***Thanks so much, Holly! :D
Glad this was a good one even if it did drag a bit., Kristin.
Marialyce wrote: "Glad this was a good one even if it did drag a bit., Kristin."***Thanks, Marialyce! The twists were great :-)
Natalie wrote: "Great review Kris!"
***Thanks, Nat! 😊
Terrific, well written review. I completely agree about each book being judged on its own merit. Every author has their ups and downs and some books are amazing, some... not so much.
Great review, Kris! Enjoyed reading this with you.
Ooooh . . . intriguing review, Kris! I myself am a Serial junkie (when are we getting a third season?!) and was obsessed with Making a Murderer, so I'm definitely going to have to consider this one. I should have gotten my stuff together and read it with the sisters. Hahahahaha. 🤣
Love the review, Kristin!!! I had so much fun on our first sister read together :) I can't wait for more!
Mackey wrote: "Terrific, well written review. I completely agree about each book being judged on its own merit. Every author has their ups and downs and some books are amazing, some... not so much."***It’s so true! Thanks, Mackey :-)
Mary Beth *Traveling Sister* wrote: "Great review, Kris! Enjoyed reading this with you."
***Same here, Mary! 😊
Melissa wrote: "Ooooh . . . intriguing review, Kris! I myself am a Serial junkie (when are we getting a third season?!) and was obsessed with Making a Murderer, so I'm definitely going to have to consider this one..."
***Ohh, a fellow Serial and MaM fan! I was hooked on both. Looking forward to the next season of MaM, as well. I think you might enjoy this. For me it was all about the twists and delivery. I’ll be curious to see what you think 😊
Mackenzie - Traveling Sister wrote: "Love the review, Kristin!!! I had so much fun on our first sister read together :) I can't wait for more!"
***Me, too, Kenzie! Lots of good conversation :-)
I loved your review, Kristin!! This sounds very intriguing to me. :)
Fantastic review Kristin! Loved this one too!😊
I loved your review, Kris, and I loved reading and discussing with you!
Jaline wrote: "I loved your review, Kristin!! This sounds very intriguing to me. :)"***Thanks, Jaline! It was definitely a twisty journey!
Kaceey wrote: "Fantastic review Kristin! Loved this one too!😊"
***Thanks, Kaceey! So glad you loved :)
Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader & Traveling Sister wrote: "I loved your review, Kris, and I loved reading and discussing with you!"
***Same here, Jennifer! Was a fun sister read :-)
Glad it turned out so well. Great review Kristin!
This one already on my TBR list, Kristin. Your review makes me want to read it asap!
Tina wrote: "Glad it turned out so well. Great review Kristin!"***Thanks so much, Tina! 😊
Joanna wrote: "This one already on my TBR list, Kristin. Your review makes me want to read it asap!"
***It’s a very twisty, shocker of a read, Joanna! Hope you enjoy when you get to it 🤗
Terrific review, Kristin. I liked this better than his first too.
Diane S ☔ wrote: "Terrific review, Kristin. I liked this better than his first too."Thanks, Diane! Maybe they’ll just keep getting better! 🤞🏻
Plot design is where so many thrillers fail for me, after so many accolades you finally got me to hit To Read with this review! I feel like a judge on The Voice. 🤩
Victoria wrote: "Plot design is where so many thrillers fail for me, after so many accolades you finally got me to hit To Read with this review! I feel like a judge on The Voice. 🤩"That made me laugh out loud, Victoria! 😂 The struggle is real for the *judgers* of books! I really hope you’ll enjoy this one. As I mentioned in my review, there were areas of monotony where I was tempted to skim—but the twists were executed to perfection. No holes, no slips—tight and well-done! I look forward to your thoughts if you get to this one :)
Excellent review, Kristin! My public library has it in processing. I'll read it later in the year.
Candace wrote: "Excellent review, Kristin! My public library has it in processing. I'll read it later in the year."Thanks, Candace—I hope you enjoy, when u get to it! Definitely has some crazy twisty 😊
Fantastic review, Kristin! Glad you really enjoyed ;) xox
Great review Ms. Kris! Glad you liked this - wishing I had read it with you all!!
KAS wrote: "Fantastic review, Kristin! Glad you really enjoyed ;) xox"***Thanks so much, Kas! 😊
Susanne wrote: "Great review Ms. Kris! Glad you liked this - wishing I had read it with you all!!"
***Me too, Suze! Would have enjoyed hearing your thoughts on this one :-)
Terrific review, Kristin! I finished this last night--I loved it a bit more than you, but I totally agree with the points you've made.
Larry wrote: "Terrific review, Kristin! I finished this last night--I loved it a bit more than you, but I totally agree with the points you've made."Thanks, Larry! I’m so glad you loved this one and I’ll have to go read your review :D
Excellent review, Kristin! I loved our discussion on this one!
fantastic review Kristin! I really enjoyed reading your review! 👌🏽👌🏽
Brenda - Traveling Sister wrote: "Excellent review, Kristin! I loved our discussion on this one!"***Me too, Bren! Loved all of our theories and moments of “shock”! (Although some knew what was happening early in)
Svetlana wrote: "fantastic review Kristin! I really enjoyed reading your review! 👌🏽👌🏽"
***Thanks so much, Svetlana! ❤️☺️
Christine wrote: "Fantastic review!"Thank you, Christine! This was a unique read :-)
Great review. Just started it and hard to put it down
Sherri wrote: "Great review. Just started it and hard to put it down"Get ready for some surprises! ;)
Fantastic review, Kristin! Glad you liked it!
Elyse wrote: "Author has written three books from what I can see have you read all of them or do you know which book most think is a favorite- if I want to try this author? I sometimes like a good quart room dra..."Hi, Elyse! Sorry, I’m only just now seeing your comment. Don’t worry about typos! ☺️
So I’ve read two by this author—the other one is The Girl Who Was Taken, and I enjoyed Dont Believe It more.
I don’t believe any of them have court room scenes, but they each had their own technical elements.
In “Girl Who Was Missing”, it was in depth forensic science talk—which I found interesting, and in this one here it’s the true crime documentary and all the research that goes into it being played out for us. Which was fun! And then then there’s the twist, which blew me away ;-)
