The Less People Know About Us

A Mystery of Betrayal, Family Secrets, and Stolen Identity

De: Axton Betz-Hamilton

Narrado por: Laurie Catherine Winkel

In this powerful and “engrossing” memoir, identity theft expert Axton Betz-Hamilton tells the shocking story of how her family was destroyed by the actions of an anonymous criminal (The New York Times).

When Axton Betz-Hamilton was 11 years old, her parents both had their identities stolen. This was before the age of the Internet—authorities and banks were clueless and reluctant to help Axton's parents.

Convinced that the thief had to be someone they knew, Axton and her parents completely cut off the outside world. As a result, Axton spent her formative years crippled by anxiety, quarantined behind the closed curtains in her childhood home. Years later, Axton discovered that she, too, had fallen prey to the identity thief.

The Less People Know About Us is a cautionary tale, but not one without hope as Axton looks back on the dysfunctional childhood that led to her desire to help this from happening to others.

AN EDGAR AWARDS 2020 WINNER AND WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Reads like a grim folk tale...intimate and engrossing."—The New York Times

"The air of menace is palpable...A deeply compelling story of a crime that hit close to home."—NPR

"The tension of a thriller...[and] jaw dropping revelations. Astonishing and disturbing, this emotionally resonant book is perfect for true crime fans."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"This memoir has all the suspense and twists of a thriller; even as readers begin to suspect the truth, it still shocks...highly recommended."—Booklist

"Betz-Hamilton expertly blends true crime and memoir in this tale of family, lies, and identity...a brave, candid examination of her painful past [and] a poignant and fascinating exploration of identity theft."
—Library Journal

"'Identity theft' sounds like something that happens far, far away and only to other people...certainly not within a seemingly picture-perfect family in the rural U.S. In a gut-wrenching portrayal of victimization starting at age 11, Axton Betz-Hamilton shows that's simply not true. The stunning revelations will keep you looking over your shoulder for a long time and even more troubling...at the ones you think you know the best!"—Nancy Grace, legal commentator, broadcast journalist, and New York Times bestselling author of The Eleventh Victim

"Axton Betz-Hamilton's story is remarkable. One of the primary challenges for those of us advocating for more rights and resources for identity theft victims is their reluctance to share their experience. Betz-Hamilton writes with candor and grace about both her relationship with her mother/perpetrator, and the long term effect victimization has had on her life."—EvaCasey Velasquez, president/CEO of Identity Theft Resource Center

"A brave, rueful memoir of fear and heartbreak in rural America. Axton Betz-Hamilton mines the most essential of life's questions: can we ever really know the people we love? The Less People Know About Us is an unflinching portrait of grit and determination in the wake of a fractured childhood and complicated grief."—Carolyn Murnick, author of The Hot One

Predictable

The author has a fascinating story and the narrator did a superb job but.....It's so predictable I skipped to the end. She could have done better not to give so much away in the beginning.

The less people know about us

What an interesting story sad story on the count of her mother and her condition but yet a good ending to where she found out who his identity theft and as soon as I heard her mother say oh it’s not personal I knew right away it was the mother yeah I Suspected her before that even

interesting story, good read

Well-written and interesting. Narration is excellent. I enjoyed getting to know the author through this book. While still interesting, it did seem a little slow moving at first but all of the background story is necessary in order for the reader to grasp the gravity of the situation. My purpose in reading/listening to books is to calm myself and learn. This book served both these purposes well. :)

Remarkable story!

Loved this. I like true stories. Axton went through so much and I appreciate her sharing her story, her truth, her vulnerability and her learnings. It kept me engaged the entire time. Remarkable story!

Oh My Goodness!

Totally fascinated by this story! The author did a fantastic job of telling the story of her life as a victim of identity theft! I would definitely recommend this book!

Holy Shit

This book definitely makes me feel better about my own family. It is well written, and it is well performed.

Amazing book

This book is one of the best that I have listened to in 2020. I first heard about the story on an NPR episode and was intrigued. Be careful, once you pick this up, it will be hard to put it down.

Loved it

Totally worth the listen !!! Doesn’t matter I knew the culprit early on. The story was amazing

Poor narration

The book was well written. I wish it was narrated better. Narration was too rushed and if I slowed it down it sounded too robotic! Was a little hard to keep listening and to attend 100%.

Loved it

Couldn't stop listening! The story kept surprising me at every turn. This one is worth a re-listen even!