Don't Believe A Word is a truly gripping story that is full of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. While this is the second book that follows podcaster Cristy Ward, it can be read as a standalone, which is what I did. Once I figured out who certain characters were and their role in Cristy's life, the story started to flow a lot easier, and I found myself unable to put the book down.

I really liked how this story and the case were told, especially in the script format. We really got to delve into these character's lives and the mystery of Sadie's childhood. I found it so intriguing, learning snippets of her life, as well as her aunt's who raised her as pieces of evidence came into play and the pieces of the puzzle started to fit together.

I'm definitely interested in reading the first book that followed Cristy (Nothing To See Here) and diving into more books by Susan Lewis in the future!

They raised me. Nurtured me. And lied about everything.

Sadie’s childhood has always been shrouded in mystery.

But there are three things she knows.

She was raised by two aunts.

She never knew her parents.

She is convinced she was stolen.

Cristy Ward, podcast host, is gripped by Sadie’s story. It’s perfect for her next true-crime investigation. Yet Sadie's aunt claims it’s all a fantasy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK Harper Fiction for giving me an advance copy.

So Initially I was invested in the mystery that surrounded this story the format worked well alternating between narrative and podcast script however at the half way point I had myself checking the percentage of reading left and it lost its appeal.

For me it became repetitive, drawn out and I disengaged with the plot and characters I just felt in was missing something and too drawn out.

Don’t Believe A Word by Susan Lewis and narrated by Kristin Atherton; Mark Meadows; Oliver Hembrough; Lucy Price-Lewis; and Catrin Walker-Booth, is the second book in the series featuring Cristy Ward and her podcast team, Sadly, it did take me awhile to listen to this audiobook as it was a slow burner but once I got into it I really enjoyed it.

All the narrators added an extra layer to the story, each of them delivered a fantastic production that really added to the layers of the story. If it was just 1 narrator I think I would have given up on it. So I am glad there was 5 narrators.

I was lucky to have the book as well to review, which I read and also listened to the audiobook which was great especially whilst I was sitting on the beach reading it.

Big thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK Audio | HarperCollins for my Audiobook/ARC.

It is over twenty-five years ago that I first read a novel by Susan Lewis and I have continued to read her writing from time to time over the years. She is a prolific author, who writes across a broad range of genre, crime, thrillers, suspense and family drama.

'Don't Believe A Word' sees the return of podcasters from Nothing to See Here, Christy and Connor and their team with another mystery for 'Hindsight' their podcast. This time the company has been approached by Sadie, a young woman who believes they may have the ingenuity to investigate who she really is!

Once again great character portrayal from Susan Lewis and a substantial read that will certainly keep you guessing. I am delighted that the author decided to feature these characters in a second novel and was also pleased to learn that a third story in the series Never Look Back is due to be published towards the end of this year. The two novels published so far definitely stand alone however reading the series enhances the understanding of the relationships of the many characters. Highly recommended to anyone that enjoys a good mystery.

Thanks to Net Galley, Harper Collins UK and the author for the opportunity to read and review.

I generally love books by this author but there were so many characters in this one that I just could not keep up with the story line.
Sorry this one isnt for me
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest review

This was a brilliant book!
As soon as I saw it listed I was hoping I would be accepted! Thank you for the ARC copy of this I really appreciate it!

Book 2 in the Cristy Ward podcast series and another cracker. I spent a lovely sunny day glued to this in the garden. David's daughter Anna asks Cristy to help her friend Sadie who has discovered a mystery around her early years. Brought up by two aunts, Sadie has never known her parents. Discovering papers within Aunt Lottie's paperwork after her death, she discovers she was left on a beach for the sisters to find. Who is her mother? Where did she come from? So begins another investigation as the latest series in the Hindsight True Crime podcast series gets underway. A truly shocking story but with some very humorous touches especially between Cristy, her ex Matthew and their children. I'd recommend reading the series in order to appreciate the relationships and nuances. #netgalley #dontbelieveaword

Susan Lewis is one of my favourite authors but I just couldnt get in to this book. I found the plot just too slow, and the number of characters just too hard to keep track of.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review

True crime podcasters Cristy and Connor are keen to explore what happened to Sadie who has a mystery surrounding her childhood .set in Guernsey. This story is based on family ,betrayal and murder

Harrowing story of a toddler found on an isolated beach in close proximity to an incoming tide. Two sisters one vivacious and attractive the other plain and introverted spot the young child from the window of their holiday let. True to their intrinsic natures, one wants to keep what she perceives a gift from the gods: the other terrified of the repercussions believes the authorities should be contacted although aware she is hopeful her sister will overrule her. Fast forward two decades and a young women recently bereaved and with access to documents from one of her guardians contacts a successful company specialising in investigating mysterious events and serialising them on pods. She believes they may have the acumen to investigate where she came from and who she is. This is a high octave emotional rollercoaster drawing on the skill of the professionals balanced against the sensitivity of discovering illegal activities secrets and lies hidden for two decades compounded by the ongoing search for witnesses and information long forgotten. A few red herrings, occasionally toward the melodramatic does little to affect the overall story which left the reader frustrated, impatient for answers and followed by a shocking conclusion. Many thanks to author publisher and Netgalley for ARC.

True crime podcasters Cristy and Connor are intrigued by Sadie who wants to unravel the mystery surrounding her childhood. She has been told her parents died in a car crash when she was tiny and was taken in by her father's two sisters. However Sadie believes she was stolen. One of her aunts has died and the other appears very eccentric and confused; could this be her way of hiding the truth. Sadie has come across random pages written by her deceased aunt which add weight to the theory that everything is not what it seems.

Initially I was enthralled by this mystery, a real page turner that had me reading long into the night. The format keeps the reader interested as the narrative swaps from podcast script to story. For me though, the book started to loose its appeal just over half way through, I felt the plot unnecessarily drawn out and in the end quite predictable. The momentous twist I had been expecting didn't materialise, I had already unravelled the mystery (unusual for me as I generally fall for every red herring available!). I have read a number of Susan Lewis' thrillers however, in my opinion, this is not one of her best.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for my advanced reader copy in return for my unbiased and honest review.

Brilliant as always! Susan lewis never disappoints. This book felt a bit different to previous books but had all the hallmarks you would expect of the author: brilliant in depth characters, a twisty plot and plenty of subplots too!

Christie and Connor are making a podcast for their series, they are not sure where the tale of unknown identity will take them but one thing is for sure they will not be bored with Sadie in their lives!

Set in Guernsey the story is one of family, loyalty, betrayal, trafficking and murder!

Brilliantly written, a must read!

Always a good read with Susan Lewis books. A mystery surrounding an abandoned child. I liked the dual timeline and a few secrets along the way. Worth a read.

Cristy and Connor of the Hindsight podcast have a new mystery to solve and what a mystery it is! A tiny girl is found by two sisters on a beach - she’s freezing cold, hungry and on her own but with a note in her pocket.asking them to take care of her. And there the mystery begins and continues as the grown up child enlists the help of Cristy and Connor to find her mother. Of course this isn’t easy and the plot becomes more and more complex as events and characters are added - possibly a little too complex at times with an occasional need to reread passages just to clarify who’s doing what. Nonetheless this really is a cracking story with plenty of unexpected twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. This reader gave up sleep on a long haul flight to finish the book!

The storyline relating to the podcast was fairly good with plenty of twists and turns. However, I felt that the story dragged on a bit and didn't really feel there was a lot of purpose to some of the sub plots and characters who were not connected to the podcast.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher foe an ARC of this book.

I thought the book started off really well but as a large number of characters joined the cast I found it hard to follow. I do believe that it would all have made more sense had I read the previous book, Nothing To See Here, first. Not having 'met' many of those characters previously I found it a bit confusing and as it was such a long book I tended to skim read in places. This isn't my favourite book by Susan Lewis but that's not to say that there is anything wrong with it. I feel sure that if I read the previous book. (as I hope to do), I will get more out of this one second time around. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for my honest opinion.

Thank you to netgalley, the author and publisher for a copy of this book. This book was good, the premise and characters great. However, I found it quite lengthy, it could have been a lot shorter and succinct. At times I was skim reading. There were bits of the storyline not needed, like the stalker which was hastily explained at the end. Felt a bit pointless. I was uncomfortable with a character being found with a noose but being described as ‘crazy’ and no one raising any concerns. All in all, I wouldn’t recommend this one to others.

This starts with a small child alone on a beach, who is she, where did she come from, a note in her pocket asks the finder to look after her. 20 years later she contacts a podcast company to find out her story, who she is, if she has any family. She has lived with the person who found her on the beach as their niece. As the story unravels it takes on several twists and some answers to her questions, but are they the ones she wants.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this awesome book

it was great to be back in the company of the podcast family.... i always feel as if i know the characters so well

sadie was found at the age of two abandoned on a beach, the two sisters who found her took her in and discovered a note asking for them to look after her until a day would come when she would be claimed....

that day never came.....

as it was sadie approached the podcast team asking for help in discovering where she had come from and what had happened for her to be left like that....

it was to be a rollercoaster of a ride for all...

what an epic read.... could not put it down.... and i cant wait to see what is next for the podcast team