None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell Summary

None of This Is True is a psychological thriller about Alix Summers, a successful true crime podcaster who meets Josie Fair, a woman she shares a birthday with. Josie convinces Alix to feature her dark life story on the podcast, but as recording progresses, Josie insinuates herself into Alix's life before mysteriously disappearing, leaving behind a trail of destruction, murder, and secrets that make Alix the subject of her own true crime investigation.

Lisa Jewell is a #1 New York Times bestselling British author born in 1968 who has written over twenty novels. Her debut Ralph's Party became the UK's bestselling debut novel in 1999. She's renowned for dark psychological thrillers including Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs, and The Night She Disappeared. Her books have sold over fifteen million copies internationally and been translated into more than thirty languages.

None of This Is True is ideal for fans of psychological thrillers, true crime podcasts, and dark suspense. Readers who enjoyed The Family Upstairs or Then She Was Gone will appreciate Jewell's intricate plotting and complex characters. It's perfect for those interested in stories about:

• Manipulation
• Coercive control
• Obsession
• The darker sides of human nature, particularly how appearances can be deceiving

None of This Is True delivers a gripping psychological thriller with multiple narrative formats including prose, podcast transcripts, and fictional Netflix documentary scenes. The novel features Jewell's signature dark atmosphere, unexpected twists, and exploration of manipulation and control. It was nominated for Goodreads Choice Award for Mystery & Thriller in 2023, demonstrating strong reader reception and the author's continued mastery of suspenseful storytelling.

The central revelation is that Josie Fair orchestrated everything believing that eliminating their "disappointing husbands" would allow both women to transform and flourish. She kidnaps Alix's husband Nathan, and both Nathan's and Josie's husband Walter's bodies are eventually discovered. The final twist reveals that Josie's daughter Roxy actually killed her friend Brooke, and Josie covered it up to protect her daughter.

None of This Is True examines coercive control, manipulation, and how people create illusions for others, especially through social media and public personas. The novel places heavy importance on appearances versus reality, exploring jealousy, obsession, and the destructive nature of controlling relationships. It also investigates the ethics of true crime storytelling and how vulnerable people can be exploited when sharing their darkest secrets.

None of This Is True employs an innovative multi-format narrative structure combining present-tense prose, podcast interview transcripts between Alix and Josie, and scenes from a fictional Netflix documentary about the events. This layered storytelling approach creates tension by revealing information from different perspectives and timeframes, allowing readers to piece together the truth alongside the investigation as multiple viewpoints emerge.

Josie Fair and Alix Summers are "birthday twins" who both turn forty-five on the same day and were born in the same hospital. Josie appears unremarkable and downtrodden while Alix is beautiful, successful, and popular. Their relationship begins when Josie requests to be featured on Alix's podcast, but it evolves into a dangerous obsession where Josie manipulates her way into Alix's home and life.

At the conclusion, both Walter's and Nathan's bodies are found, along with Brooke's remains. Josie remains on the run but sends a letter claiming Nathan's death was accidental. The truth emerges that Josie's daughter Roxy killed Brooke, which caused Roxy to run away from home, and Josie lied during the podcast to protect her daughter. A Netflix show about the entire ordeal is eventually produced.

None of This Is True continues Jewell's evolution into dark psychological thrillers like The Family Upstairs and Then She Was Gone, moving away from her earlier romantic comedies. The novel showcases her recurring interest in coercive control and toxic relationships drawn from personal experience. It features her signature intricate plotting, unreliable narrators, and exploration of how seemingly ordinary people harbor dangerous secrets.

The podcast format serves as both plot device and meta-commentary on true crime entertainment. Alix's true crime podcast becomes the vehicle through which Josie manipulates her, blurring boundaries between subject and host. Ironically, Alix becomes the subject of her own true crime story, highlighting how podcasters can become dangerously entangled with their subjects and questioning the ethics of exploiting trauma for entertainment.

While None of This Is True received strong reviews and a Goodreads Choice Award nomination, some readers may find the multiple narrative formats—prose, transcripts, and documentary scenes—disorienting or fragmented. The dark subject matter involving grooming, abuse, and murder is disturbing and may not appeal to readers preferring lighter suspense. Additionally, the complex web of deception requires careful attention to track all revelations.