Review: "None of This Is True," Lisa Jewell

Lisa Jewell is one of my top favorite writers of psychological thrillers, and her latest one is a humdinger. But I have to admit, at one point, things got so bad for our protagonist, I almost put it down.

Sheer faith saw me through to the end of the novel.

It’s not like Alix Summer is a true heroine. She’s a successful podcaster with a hubby who sells pricey commercial real estate. She can follow her bliss while he brings home the bacon. They have two lovely children, and an exquisite home in the north of London. Did I mention she’s beautiful?

Dowdy, glum Josie Fair has booked a table in a posh restaurant to celebrate her 45th birthday when Alix and her entourage waltz in. Alix is celebrating her birthday, too, but in a much flashier way.

Josie waylays Alix in the restroom and tells the podcaster she’s her “birthday twin.” Indeed, both women are the same age and were born in the same hospital.

Alix thinks nothing of the encounter, but Josie sees it as a chance to escape her stifling life.

The podcaster always focuses on women who have successfully escaped uncomfortable or dangerous situations. What if, Josie tells Alix, she were to tell the story of someone who’s about to set herself free?

Alix is intrigued. The denim-clad Josie works part-time as a seamstress in a tailor shop. She lives only a few minutes from Alix, but in a small apartment on a congested street. She’s been with her husband, Walter, since she was 15—and he’s nearly 30 years older than her. One daughter is a recluse and she’s estranged from the other.

Josie slowly but surely infiltrates Alix’s life. Alix dismisses her discomfort because she thinks the podcast is going to be a great success. She waits too long to take action, and tragedy results.

Narratives from both Alix and Josie are interspersed with excerpts from the podcast and—yes!—the subsequent Netflix documentary. It’s called “Hi! I’m Your Birthday Twin! A Netflix Original Series.”

It’s all horribly delicious, and, despite the odds, ends on a satisfying note. Just ignore that squirmy feeling you get with that mental image of Josie wearing Alix’s $200 pj’s. Trust me (and Lisa Jewell): That too shall pass.