None of this is True - Lisa Jewell

Reading Challenge Category: Free ARC from NetGalley

Official Blurb:

Celebrating her 45th birthday at her local pub, podcaster Alix Summers crosses paths with an unassuming woman called Josie Fair. Josie is also celebrating her 45th birthday. They are, in fact birthday twins.
A few days later, Alix and Josie bump into each other again, this time outside Alix's children's school. Josie has been listening to Alix's podcasts and thinks she might be an interesting subject for Alix's series. She is, she tells Alix, on the cusp of great changes in her life.
Alix agrees to a trial interview. Josie's life appears to be strange and complicated, and although Alix finds her unsettling, she can't quite resist the temptation to keep digging.
Slowly Alix starts to realise that Josie has been hiding some very dark secrets, and before she knows it Josie has inveigled her way into Alix's life - and into her home.
Soon she begins to wonder who is Josie Fair? And what has she done?

My Thoughts:

Having never delved into the works of Lisa Jewell before, I was intrigued by the positive buzz surrounding her previous books. With a leap of faith, I embarked on her new literary adventure, although I must confess that it took a while to fully immerse myself in the story. Nevertheless, as the plot unfolded, the tantalising podcast snippets hinted at an impending calamity, leaving me on the edge of my seat.
The novel's pacing may initially seem slow, but it masterfully builds suspense, assuring the reader that something significant looms on the horizon. Jewell expertly weaves a web of intrigue, maintaining an air of mystery throughout the first half of the book. While the podcast snippets didn't give away any concrete details, they artfully insinuated the existence of a dreadful event, adding to the mounting tension.
Around the midpoint, the narrative gains tremendous momentum, captivating me completely and rendering the book unputdownable. It was during this enthralling portion of the story that Jewell's writing truly shines. The author's ability to engage and grip the reader is commendable, transforming a slow beginning into a thrilling page-turner.
As the story hurtles towards its conclusion, the intensity escalates, and the plot becomes packed with revelations. Jewell's skilful penmanship artfully unveils a subtle yet impactful reveal, casually slipped into the narrative. This unexpected turn of events sent shockwaves through my senses, leaving me in awe of the author's ability to surprise and captivate. The ending tied up loose ends while leaving room for contemplation, resulting in a satisfying conclusion.
"None of This is True" has left an indelible impression on me, compelling me to explore more of Lisa Jewell's literary creations. Despite the slow start, the book's irresistible allure and the author's adept storytelling won me over. I look forward to delving into Jewell's previous works and eagerly anticipate her future releases.