Tuesday 29 May 2018

Don't Believe It by Charlie Donlea - Book Review & #Giveaway (US only)


Don't Believe It by Charlie Donlea

 

About the Book

 
Mystery/Crime/Suspense 
Kensington (May 29, 2018) 
Hardcover: 304 pages 
ISBN-13: 978-1496713803 
Digital ASIN: B075CBLSDX 
Audio ASIN: B079VRWSRY 


From acclaimed author Charlie Donlea comes a twisting, impossible-to-put-down novel of suspense in which a filmmaker helps clear a woman convicted of murder—only to find she may be a puppet in a sinister game.

The Girl of Sugar Beach is the most watched documentary in television history—a riveting, true-life mystery that unfolds over twelve weeks and centers on a fascinating question: Did Grace Sebold murder her boyfriend, Julian, while on a Spring Break vacation, or is she a victim of circumstance and poor police work? Grace has spent the last ten years in a St. Lucian prison, and reaches out to filmmaker Sidney Ryan in a last, desperate attempt to prove her innocence.
As Sidney begins researching, she uncovers startling evidence, additional suspects, and timeline issues that were all overlooked during the original investigation. Before the series even finishes filming, public outcry leads officials to reopen the case. But as the show surges towards its final episodes, Sidney receives a letter saying that she got it badly, terribly wrong.
Sidney has just convinced the world that Grace is innocent. Now she wonders if she has helped to free a ruthless killer. Delving into Grace’s past, she peels away layer after layer of deception. But as Sidney edges closer to the real heart of the story, she must decide if finding the truth is worth risking her new found fame, her career . . . even her life.


"Grace Sebold had been described as a combination of a brilliant future physician and a ruthless murderer"

Charlie Donlea's novel The Girl Who Was Taken was one of my favourite reads of 2017 so my expectations were pretty high for his latest story ....... and he didn't disappoint - I think Don't Believe It is even better and more compelling!

From the beginning scenes where the murder of Julian is played out, though we don't know by whom, to the dramatic ending scenes, I was on the edge of my seat, totally hooked.

Sidney Ryan has already made two documentaries re-opening old murder cases and had succeeded in releasing innocent people, that's why Grace had written to her, in the hope that she could do the same for her.  

What follows is Sidney's investigation, as a twelve week real-time show that gradually builds to a huge ratings monster, as she uncovers surprises week by week, interspersed with the actual incompetent police investigation, and the Jury's deliberations at the trial.  I thought this was all so excellently done and it felt like I was actually in a court room watching while Sidney uncovers vital evidence that was suppessed at Grace's original trial.

The suspense was maintained throughout and, as the final scenes are played out, I thought the story was going in one direction when it suddenly changed course with totally unexpected shocks that really played with my mind!

Don't Believe It is a story that I won't forget in a hurry, it was totally absorbing and compelling.


About the Author

 
Credit - Carrianne Photography[/caption] USA Today bestselling author Charlie Donlea was born and raised in Chicago. He now lives in the suburbs with his wife and two young children. Readers can find him online at http://charliedonlea.com 
Author Links Website http://charliedonlea.com 
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/charliedonlea/?ref=hl 
Twitter https://twitter.com/CharlieDonlea 
GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13922088.Charlie_Donlea 
Purchase Links Amazon B&N Kobo Google Play BookBub 

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Tour Participants 
May 21 – Bea's Book Nook – REVIEW 
May 21 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
May 22 – DeeScoveries - SPOTLIGHT 
May 22 – Sinfully Wicked Book Reviews – REVIEW 
May 23 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
May 23 – Book Babble – REVIEW 
May 24 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT 
May 24 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW May 25 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW 
May 25 – Books Direct – REVIEW 
May 26 – A Blue Million Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
May 27 – T's Stuff – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
May 28 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW, GUEST POST 
May 28 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT 
May 29 – Carole's Book Corner – REVIEW 
May 29 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW May 30 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW 
May 31 – The Book's the Thing - REVIEW, GUEST POST June 1 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW 
June 2 – The Montana Bookaholic – REVIEW 

   

No comments:

Post a Comment

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...