- Author: J.P. Delaney
- Publication date: July 24, 2018
I really like BELIEVE ME. I was absolutely crazy about the first 2/3 of this addictive story. The plot had me second guessing my way through. Sadly, the last 1/3 just went so overboard it got ridiculous. I have a hard time understanding why the author (actual name: Tony Strong) wants to throw in everything he knows about his subject. It’s too much. He overshot that line of believability and my five star rating dropped to a four.
This novel is mostly set in the theater world and our main character, Claire, is a young actress trying to make a living in NYC and eager to do anything to pay her rent. I think Claire is one of my most favorite unreliable narrators in recent memory. She’s not a drunk or a sociopath or is she? We never know because she is ALWAYS acting. How CLEVER is that?
The performance aspect of her personality is a refreshingly innovative way to style an unreliable narrator! Hmmmm. Talk about “method actor method actor method actor”.
Some scenes come alive in Claire’s head in the form of an actual written play. At first this can be confusing, but you’ll catch on quickly. When she gets into serious trouble by being accused of murder, the real fun begins! This is a cat and mouse game with lots of twists.
BELIEVE ME is sophisticated, slick, beautifully written. It’s a dark and addictive book, just know an over the top ending is waiting for you!
Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book before publication on July 24, 2018. All opinions are mine.
I absolutely adore unreliable narrators when done proper! And a theater setting sounds like a welcomed change of pace, as I do not encounter it often. It is a shame about the ending though. Unrealistic endings that require too much suspension on my part nearly kill booms for me. Fantastic review!
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Thanks, Danielle! Two things:
1. Yes, the theater setting is absolutely refreshing and I love all the combinations of trickery that can happen due to our character being an actress.
2. Another reader pointed out to me that while the ending is undeniably over the top, it works with the creepy vibe of the story well…I have to agree with that!
Hope you get to read it and I will look for your review!!!
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Thank you so much and extra thanks for following up about the ending! I will shove it into this massive TBR 😂
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Haaaaa 😊👏
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Lovely review 💜
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thanks so much, Priyasha!
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I need to read this very, very quick! It’s on my netgalley list :I
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yes, it is fun and different and creepy and twisty….
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Lovely review, Jewels!!! I’m so glad to see that you enjoyed this book!!! That method acting–so fascinating as a concept in a book!
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Wonderful review Jewels! I loved this book more than The Girl Before, too. The plot was so creative and interesting. It’s one of the few books that I’m considering re-reading. Glad you enjoyed it too.
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