None of This Is True
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2023 |
| Founder | Lisa Jewell |
| Products | Thriller novel |
None of This is True is a 2023 thriller authored by British writer Lisa Jewell.
The story revolves around Alix Summer, a well-known podcaster, and Josie Fair, a woman burdened by a difficult history who wants to share her experiences.
Premise
Josie Fair and Alix Summer have more in common than just their birthday: both were born in the same hospital on the exact same day and have now reached the age of forty-five. After years under the control of her significantly older husband, Josie chooses to disclose her story following her encounter with Alix. Meanwhile, Alix, grappling with creative block in her podcast and personal dissatisfaction, agrees to chronicle Josie's narrative. Told through present-tense narration, interview transcripts, and excerpts from an imagined Netflix documentary, the plot grows increasingly sinister and begins to intersect dangerously with Alix’s own life.
Plot
The two women cross paths unexpectedly during celebrations for their shared birthday. Josie has been married to Walter Fair—who is three decades her senior—since she was eighteen and longs for transformation after observing Alix’s success in social circles. Alix hosts All Woman, a podcast that highlights female accomplishments but is searching for compelling new material. Josie convinces Alix to feature her story in a fresh project aimed at changing her life.
Josie’s background quickly raises red flags for Alix: Walter met Josie when she was just thirteen; their elder daughter Erin is withdrawn and undernourished; their younger daughter Roxy has a history of violence and went missing at sixteen. Despite these warning signs, Alix proceeds with the interviews, sensing this could be a breakthrough story. Josie draws comparisons between Walter and Alix’s husband Nathan, whose battle with alcoholism strains their relationship.
The plot darkens as it becomes apparent Walter groomed and abused both Erin and Brooke Ripley, a friend of Roxy’s. Efforts to involve Walter in the podcast are thwarted when he cautions Alix about Josie’s manipulative tendencies—a concern she ultimately disregards. Conflict intensifies as Josie accuses Nathan of cheating and later arrives injured at Alix’s residence, alleging abuse by Walter.
Josie refuses police intervention and temporarily stays with Alix. However, contradictions arise: Brooke disappeared around the same time as Roxy; Josie’s presence causes tension in Alix’s marriage; Josie covertly withdraws funds from Erin's account to manipulate Alix.
Following Josie's departure, Nathan disappears. Alix uncovers Walter’s dead body and finds Erin confined at Josie's house. On the podcast, Roxy reveals that Josie was abusive and controlling, contradicting earlier claims that Walter was the abuser. Josie's mother supports this depiction, revealing Josie's habitual pattern of undermining relationships.
After a nationwide search, Nathan’s remains are discovered where Josie had held him captive. Josie evades capture and sends Alix a message asserting that Nathan’s death was accidental during what was intended as brief imprisonment. Later, Brooke’s body is uncovered concealed by Josie and Walter; Erin accuses Josie of murder.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Alix produces a podcast series based on her interviews, generating income after Nathan's death while exposing Josie's psychopathic nature. She sells the rights for a Netflix documentary titled Hi, I'm Your Birthday Twin!. In the concluding episode, Alix denounces Josie as malevolent. Josie replies with a letter denying all allegations before fleeing.
Sixteen months later, Josie recalls that Roxy killed Brooke in an outburst covered up by herself and Walter—a version she insists is accurate.
Bonus Chapter
Presented from Erin’s viewpoint in a bonus chapter, Erin and Roxy live together amid tension caused by past trauma. Erin regrets taking part in the podcast out of fear their lies about Brooke’s death—witnessed as Roxy strangling Brooke—and covered up by Josie and Walter will be exposed. Despite this, Erin intends to reach out to Alix to reveal the truth, even though Roxy believes no one will believe her account.
Characters
- Josie Fair — Walter Fair's spouse and mother to Erin and Roxy Fair.
- Alix Summer — Well-known podcast presenter, married to Nathan Summer.
- Walter Fair — Josie Fair's husband.
- Nathan Summer — Alix Summer's husband, facing challenges with alcoholism.
- Erin Fair — The elder daughter of Walter and Josie Fair.
- Roxy Fair — The younger daughter of Walter and Josie Fair.
- Pat O'Neill — Josie's self-centered mother who also manages the family estate.
- Brooke Ripley — A high school acquaintance of Roxy.
- Maxine and Zoe — Sisters belonging to Alix Summer.
- Eliza Summer — The eldest child of Alix and Nathan Summer.
- Leon Summer — The younger son of Alix and Nathan Summer.
- Katelyn Rand — An aspiring actress and former neighbor of Josie, implicated in a scheme to abduct Nathan.
Reception
Critics praised the novel for its swift narrative and unexpected plot developments, though its somber subject matter was acknowledged. According to Publishers Weekly, enthusiasts of Jewell will find the "darkly intense experience" and startling finale appealing, while sensitive readers should proceed with caution. Kirkus Reviews characterized it as "challenging to read but impossible to put down." An audiobook critique by The Guardian described it as "skillfully structured" and "compulsively engaging."
On Goodreads, the book holds an average rating of 4.09 out of 5, based on more than 950,000 user reviews.