Caffeinated Reviewer

Sophia Rose is here with a review of Don’t Believe It by Charlie Donlea. Come check out her thoughts on this crime thriller. If you love slow-building domestic thrillers vibe, you’ll want to check it out.

From the acclaimed author of Twenty Years Later 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. Fans of Freida McFadden and Alice Feeney will be left breathless by this unforgettable thriller that builds to a shocking conclusion...

The Girl of Sugar Beach is must-see TV—a riveting, true-life mystery that unfolds over twelve weeks and centers on a fascinating 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 overlooked during the original investigation. Before the series even finishes filming, public outcry leads officials to reopen the case.

Delving into Grace’s past, Sidney peels away layer after layer of deception. But as she edges closer to the real heart of the story, Sidney must decide if finding the truth is worth risking her newfound fame, her career . . . even her life.

Sophia Rose’s Review

When a true crime documentary filmmaker hears from a woman sitting in prison for a decade claiming she’s innocent of murder, she begins digging and following a dark, twisting trail to the truth.  Charlie Donlea’s books have long caught my attention and I’ve been meaning to try them.  I was glad to get the chance finally and now I have regrets for waiting so long to read his stuff.

Don’t Believe It opens with the moments before the murder from the perspective of the killer and then jumps forward in time to the court case and then into the present.  Sidney isn’t just a talented filmmaker; she’s a person who seeks out the truth.  She’s thorough and considering as she gathers all the available evidence and witness accounts, gets to know the people involved particular Grace herself.  The public is avid for the story and their fervor leads to the case being reopened and the new evidence Sidney uncovered looked at.

 Sidney tries seeing how it all was getting not just the who, but the why and how.  She becomes convinced Grace is innocent, but Sydney is also aware that there are secrets still uncovered and that she doesn’t have all the pieces to the puzzle.

For Sidney, the truth is bigger than the show and this becomes clear toward the end when she gets just the help she needs from a surprise source. But, she wakes a killer who has no desire for the true facts to be revealed. 

I enjoyed the format that felt like I was reading a narrative blended with a true crime documentary laced with a court file. It was obvious much research went into the judicial, criminal investigation, and documentary making elements including how someone like Grace who was in prison for years and how it affected her and others around her.

 The characters like Sidney, Grace, and Gus are layered and made it easy to engage with their parts in the story. I have no idea why I fingered a certain person pretty much as soon as I encountered them and understood their connection to it all, but I landed on the truth early on. I had moments when I doubted myself because there are some good twists and a few people who seemed guilty including Grace herself. I appreciated how the plot unfolded because it was one where a reader thinks they have a grasp on what happened and then another piece is revealed.

In summary, this read like one of those slow-build domestic thrillers to me.  I was sad at the outcome for a few things because I got emotionally vest, but oh so satisfied with the writing, the characters, and the mystery plot. I’ve added Charlie Donlea’s backlist and future books to my reading list and encourage others to do the same.

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About Charlie Donlea

Charlie Donlea is the USA Today, IndieBound, and #1 International bestselling author of critically acclaimed, propulsive thrillers including The Girl Who Was Taken, Don't Believe It, Twenty Years Later, and Those Empty Eyes. His eighth thriller, LONG TIME GONE, explores the science of forensic genealogy. A late bloomer, he was twenty years old when he read his first novel–THE FIRM by John Grisham–and knew he would someday write thrillers. Published in 40 countries and translated into nearly twenty languages, his books have sold 2.5 million copies in the U.S. alone and have been optioned for film and television. Praised for his "soaring pace, teasing plot twists" (BookPage) and talent for writing an ending that "makes your jaw drop" (The New York Times Book Review), Donlea has been called a "bold new writer...on his way to becoming a major figure in the world of suspense" (Publishers Weekly). He was born and raised in Chicago, where he continues to live with his wife and two children. Learn more at his interactive website at CharlieDonlea dot com.

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About Sophia Rose

Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.

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About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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