The coincidental meeting between two strangers, each celebrating her 45th birthday, progresses into a decidedly creepy relationship in the engrossing and entertaining None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell (The Family Remains; Invisible Girl; The Family Upstairs).
This edgy novel, Jewell's 21st, raises the standard for psychological thrillers, with realistic characters who have indecipherable motives that enhance its wonderfully off-kilter plot. Effervescent, glamorous Alix Summer instantly mesmerizes docile, drab Josie Fair; each is celebrating her birthday in the same North London pub. Alix, Josie's "birthday twin," appears to have what Josie wants--a successful career as a podcaster, a nice husband, two beautiful children, friends. Josie's solitary life includes a husband 27 years older than she is, two estranged adult daughters, no friends, and a part-time job as a seamstress. Josie insinuates herself into Alix's life, arranging chance meetings and eventually suggesting the story of a regular woman, such as herself, changing her life as the perfect podcast fodder--instead of the successful females usually featured. Josie's stories are hardly ordinary, with tales of pedophilia, child abuse, domestic violence, and murder. In her frequent, often unplanned, visits to Alix's home to record the podcast, Josie becomes overly intrusive in Alix's life and marriage, repeatedly making note of Alix's husband's alcoholic binges. Alix begins to wonder if Josie's lurid stories are true, as her new friend becomes more unhinged and controlling.
Jewell's affinity for devious characters soars in None of This Is True. She explores the darkness that creeps into ordinary homes, leading to a shattering, deliciously pitch-black finale. --Oline H. Cogdill, freelance reviewer