Summary
None of This Is True is a gripping psychological thriller by internationally bestselling author Lisa Jewell. Released in 2023, it unravels the twisted tale of a popular podcaster who becomes entangled in a dangerous web of secrets and lies. The novel's unique structure, blending present-tense prose with interview transcripts and scenes from a fictional Netflix documentary, adds depth and authenticity to the narrative. This innovative approach allows readers to experience the story from multiple perspectives, enhancing the suspense and psychological complexity that Jewell is known for.
Alix Summer, a popular podcaster, meets Josie Fair by chance on their shared 45th birthday. Intrigued by Josie's mysterious life story, Alix decides to make her the subject of her next podcast series. As Alix delves deeper into Josie's past, she uncovers a complex and troubling history involving Josie's controlling husband, Walter, their reclusive daughter Erin, and their missing daughter Roxy.
Despite feeling unsettled by Josie's revelations, Alix continues with the interviews. Josie shares disturbing details about Walter's alleged sexual abuse of Erin and his involvement with Roxy's friend Brooke. The situation escalates when Josie appears at Alix's house one morning with blood on her clothes, claiming to have had a violent confrontation with Walter. Alix reluctantly allows Josie to stay at her home, straining her relationship with her husband, Nathan.
Suddenly, Nathan disappears, and Alix discovers that Josie has abducted him, believing she was helping Alix escape an unhappy marriage. In her desperate search for Nathan, Alix visits Josie's house, where she finds Walter's decomposing body and a severely neglected Erin. Roxy reappears and reveals a shocking truth—Josie, not Walter, was the abusive parent who had killed Brooke years ago.
The story concludes with Nathan's remains being found in a lake, while Josie is still at large. Alix uses the interview recordings to create her podcast, attempting to understand Josie's psychopathy. In a final twist, Josie's own recollection of events suggests that Roxy might have been responsible for Brooke's death, with Josie and Walter covering it up. The novel leaves readers questioning the nature of truth and the reliability of personal narratives.
Themes
Manipulation and deception
Obsession and control
The dark side of true crime entertainment
Identity and reinvention
Trust and betrayal
Family secrets and dysfunctional relationships
The blurred lines between truth and fiction
Characters
Alix Summer: A popular podcaster celebrating her 45th birthday. She becomes intrigued by Josie Fair's story and decides to make her the subject of her next podcast series. Alix's curiosity leads her down a dark path as she uncovers Josie's secrets. As the story progresses, Alix finds herself and her family in danger, becoming the subject of her own true crime podcast.
Josie Fair: A mysterious woman who shares her 45th birthday with Alix. Josie has a complicated and troubled past, which she slowly reveals to Alix during their podcast interviews. She insinuates herself into Alix's life and home, hiding dark secrets that eventually lead to dangerous consequences for Alix and her family.
Walter Fair: Josie's husband, who is nearly 30 years her senior. Walter is portrayed as controlling and potentially abusive, with disturbing allegations surrounding his relationship with his daughters and their friend Brooke.
Nathan Summer: Alix's husband, who struggles with alcoholism. Nathan becomes increasingly frustrated with Josie's presence in their lives and eventually disappears under mysterious circumstances.
Erin Fair: Josie and Walter's elder daughter. She is described as reclusive, refusing to leave her room or eat normal food.
Roxy Fair: Josie and Walter's younger daughter, who has a history of violence. Roxy ran away from home at age 16 and hasn't been seen since.
Brooke Ripley: A high school friend of Roxy who allegedly had a relationship with Walter. Her disappearance becomes a key element in the unfolding mystery.
Maxine and Zoe: Alix's sisters. They play minor roles in the story.
Eliza Summer: Alix and Nathan's older daughter. Another minor character.
Leon Summer: Alix and Nathan's younger son. He is also a minor character in the story.
Quick facts
None of This Is True features a unique narrative structure that includes podcast transcripts and scenes from a fictional Netflix documentary.
The two main characters, Alix and Josie, share the same birthday and are both turning 45.
Author Lisa Jewell is known for her psychological thrillers.
The story explores themes of true crime podcasting, manipulation, and the dark side of relationships.
The book's title, None of This Is True, plays with the concept of truth and perception in storytelling.
Jewell incorporates elements of modern technology and media, such as podcasts and streaming documentaries, into the plot.
The novel received praise for its pacing and plot twists from publications like Publishers Weekly and Kirkus Reviews.
None of This Is True tackles difficult subjects like grooming, abuse, and alcoholism, leading some reviewers to note its particularly dark tone.
The audiobook version of None of This Is True is narrated by a full cast.
About the author
Lisa Jewell (1968-) is an acclaimed English author best known for her psychological thrillers. A native of London, she has achieved the coveted status of a #1 bestselling author on both the New York Times and Sunday Times lists. Her novels have been translated into over 30 languages.
Over a literary career spanning more than two decades, Jewell has demonstrated remarkable versatility. She made her publishing debut in 1999 with Ralph's Party, a romantic comedy that quickly became a bestseller. Gradually, she moved away from lighter fiction and found her niche in dark psychological thrillers. Some of her notable works in this genre include The Girls, Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs, The Family Remains, The Night She Disappeared, and None of This Is True.
Despite her global success, Jewell lives a quiet life. She makes her home in north London with her husband and two daughters.
