Lisa Jewell is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of nineteen novels, including The Family Upstairs and Then She Was Gone, as well as Invisible Girl and Watching You. Her novels have sold over 10 million copies internationally, and her work has also been translated into twenty-nine languages. Connect with her on Twitter @LisaJewellUK, on Instagram @LisaJewellUK, and on Facebook @LisaJewellOfficial.
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author known for her “superb pacing, twisted characters, and captivating prose” (BuzzFeed), Lisa Jewell returns with a scintillating new psychological thriller about a woman who finds herself the subject of her own popular true crime podcast.
Celebrating her forty-fifth birthday at her local pub, popular podcaster Alix Summer crosses paths with an unassuming woman called Josie Fair. Josie, it turns out, is also celebrating her forty-fifth 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 her series. She is, she tells Alix, on the cusp of great changes in her life.
Josie’s life appears to be strange and complicated, and although Alix finds her unsettling, she can’t quite resist the temptation to keep making the podcast. Slowly she starts to realize 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.
But, as quickly as she arrived, Josie disappears. Only then does Alix discover that Josie has left a terrible and terrifying legacy in her wake, and that Alix has become the subject of her own true crime podcast, with her life and her family’s lives under mortal threat.
Who is Josie Fair? And what has she done?
I HIGHLY recommend listening to this book instead of reading it. It really enhances the content. I love podcasts, and I follow several closely. That was my first attraction to this book. I’ve heard a lot of great things about Jewell’s books, but never read any. The beginning of this book was confusing to me, and wasn’t very fluid. It may have been just my frame of mind, of course. Alix has kids still at home, and Josie has grown kids, but I believe one was still at home (Erin), although there is mystery surrounding her from the beginning. Josie is quickly obsessed with all things about Alix’s life. She’s a bit of a kleptomaniac and steals little things from Alix’s house. The characters are fascinating and the book kept me on my toes until the very last words. I will definitely seek out more Lisa Jewell books.
Josie Fair – wife of Walter Fair, whom she married when she was 18, and the mother of Erin and Roxy Fair
Walter Fair – husband of Josie Fair, whom he married when he was 43
Erin Fair – Josie and Walter’s daughter, reclusive in her room
Roxie Fair – Josie and Walter’s daughter, left home at 16, possibly anger issues
Fred – Josie’s dog
Pat O’Neil – Josie’s mother
Alix Summers – popular podcast host, and the wife of Nathan Summer
Nathan Summers – Alix’s husband, works in high-end real estate leasing
Eliza Summers -Alix and Nathan’s daughter
Leon Summers – Alix and Nathan’s son
Mandy – Office Manager at Alex and Nathan’s kids’ school
Pretty Colors Unabridged 