This gripping thriller from author Charlie Donlea starts out seemingly straight-forward enough. Documentary filmmaker Sidney Ryan is contacted by an old friend who has been convicted of murder, and asked to look into the case with the object of clearing her friend’s name.

The farther in Sidney gets though, the more I started to second-guess everything I thought I knew about the murder. Don’t Believe It caught my attention from page one, and the pace and tension both pick up as you go. I look forward to reading more thrillers from Charlie Donlea.

A rushing thriller of epic proportions! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was full of twists and turns and completely unexpected adventure.

3.5-3.75 Stars - Grace and Julian went for spring break to celebrate their friend’s wedding, but then Julian’s body was found and two days later, Grace was taken into the custody and charged with her boyfriend’s murder! Ten years later, Grace asked her old friend, Sidney, to help her with looking into her case. So Sidney started filming a documentary. But the thing is Sidney, herself, doesn’t know if Grace is innocent or guilty! So is Grace really innocent? Why is all evidence against her? Why is she in prison? If she’s innocent, so who is the killer and What was the motivation for killing him? And if she’s the guilty one, why did she kill her own boyfriend who intended propose to her that night?

Well, I enjoyed the story but it was a bit slow for my taste. It started off really good and I couldn’t put it down but then part three was really slow and I got bored a little but then it picked up again. So no it wasn’t a steady read for me but I should say somehow it surprised me (about after 65%). I liked the writing style, the plot, and the short chapters! It was my first read by this author but won’t be my last! Told in multiple POV, 3rd person. Overall, it was a good read and hope you enjoy it as well!

Thanks to Charlie Donlea, Netgalley and Kensington for the advanced digital copy in exchange an honest review.

Over this summer and through the next ten episodes, we will become intimate with this once-promising couple. We will learn the sad events that led to Julian Crist's death on St. Lucia's famed Sugar Beach, and we will meet the girl who loved him. We will work to understand her, to show you the events that molded Grace Sebold's life and her on a quest to become a surgeon. We will also delve into the last decade of her life, which she has spent in a foreign correctional facility alongside other convicted murderers. We will learn her story. A story rife with baffling twists and bizarre revelations. A story told both from Grace's perspective and from those responsible for convicting her. We will examine the evidence that put Grace behind bars and determine if it was based on science or fiction. This summer, we will look into the soul of Grace Sebold and finally discover the truth. I am Sidney Ryan, and this is The Girl of Sugar Beach.

This is my 3rd book of Donlea and I have to gush. He is just as good as Nicholas Spark and a John Grisham. He is in a league of his own. I think this is best one yet. The plot is driven by the characters and in this instance the narrative is crucial and a little bit of genius.

As you open to read, right away there is intensity. An unknown character is watching his victim and very intentionally kills him but something went wrong. The victim is planning a romantic spot for his soon to be finance. He has found the one and he is ready to share his life with Grace. They both have an exciting future ahead of them full of promise and good things. But it all comes to an end as he is attacked from behind and falls into the ocean.

Grace is now serving time in the Bordelais Correctional Facility. She has been there for 10 years for the murder of her finance Julian Crist. She has maintained her innocence and has written a letter to TV documentary reporter Sidney Ryan to help clear her name.

Sidney Ryan remembers Grace Sebold from school and upon receiving her letter asking for help, she goes to producers to pitch a show to document her finding of Grace Sebold and Julian Crist. This becomes the major narrative of this thriller. Sidney is motivated from a secret to find the truth in cases where the guilty maintains their innocence. Before she takes a case, she examines the facts and lets the evidence point to the truth. She is compelling in who she interviews and how it leads her to another lead. Her story of Grace takes hold and has a life of its own.

The characters and the relationships between the characters are compelling. You don't know what to believe about Grace. What is she driven by? Passion, greed, or is she driven by empathy and devotion.

As the truth comes out, I did see it unfold but when it came to light I was still surprised by the intensity of emotions. My heart is still aflutter.

Loved it!

A Special Thank You to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

4.5 stars/ Wow!
Three days ago: Charlie Donlea- never heard of him. Today: Charlie Donlea- will never forget him. Remember his name if you are a fan of suspense and psychological thrillers!

The reasons I am now raving about this author are numerous. The structure of Don’t Believe It is unique. It is a treat to read a new voice and a new style developing a mystery. The author BRILLIANTLY alternated between different POVs and time frames. The plot is developed with an exquisite flair through a documentary setting ( think of Investigated Discovery, Making a Murderer television). Fascinating and scintillating! Layers of the mystery are peeled and revealed, but not before outstanding red herrings and twists! This is a captivating read with an explosive climax! I can’t say enough about the author’s sterling skill in this genre. I was 95% through the book and still did not have it figured out. And when I did figure it out, there is another surprising twist that is deliciously dazzlingly! I experienced multiple bouts of adrenaline as Mr. Donlea keeps this fascinating story going and going! Bravo! I will definitely be listing Charlie Donlea as go-to favorite for suspense thrillers!

My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me the pleasure of reading I Don’t Believe It!

*************** AUDIOBOOK REVIEW ***************

Wow! This audiobook was amazing! Mr. Charlie Donlea gave me a thoroughly entertaining story that shocked me every few chapters!
The narrator, Nina Alvamar did a great job portraying feelings and making you feel like your in the story. I couldn’t stop listening!!

So this premise was perfect for me. Sidney, a reporter has done documentaries on three people she believes were wrongly imprisoned. Sidney's productions manage to free those three people. A new case presents itself, will she be able to do her magic a fourth time?
I love to read True Crime. This was the perfect mix of true crime, reality TV, and mystery. This was such a unique read and I was sucked into it. It did remind me of "Making a Murderer".
Just when I thought I knew what was going on "BAM" I was hit with another surprise. Giving away too much about this title would ruin the reading experience, SO I am going to leave it at that.
I look forward to reading more by this author.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Don't Believe It is about a documentary that Sidney Ryan films. She looks for people who are possibly wrongly imprisoned and researches their "innocence"

This book follows several characters: Sidney (documentary producer) and Grace Sebold (we will discover if she murdered her fiance Julian on spring break.) As Sidney beings doing her research she is finding the detectives evidence just doesn't quite add up. First, there is evidence that doesn't fit the crime that was committed. Second, there are more witnesses and suspects that were unaccounted for. Also, a cop that has some evidence that points right at Grace being a murder. So, who murdered Julian. Was it Grace? Was it Grace's best friends? Or was it someone else?

I couldn't put this book down!!! Once I started reading I had to know who killed Julian. I read a lot of suspense books and I truly didn't see this ending coming! I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to sit outside and enjoy a good read or also someone who is on vacation.

When you read this book, you will discover if Grace is innocent or did Sidney make a huge mistake opening this case?!

Don't Believe It. by Charlie Donlea

I read this book a few weeks ago and would recommend it highly as one not to miss if you enjoy the thriller/mystery genre. I really loved it from the first page to the last. This author knows how to hook you on page one and keeps you riveted to the final page. It was pulse pounding suspense at it's best. This had an interesting format.

The book has many twists and turns that keep you guessing, which is a welcome relief as some thrillers and mysteries can be predictable. Sidney Ryan is making a true crime documentary about Grace Sebold who has been incarcerated for ten years in a St. Lucian prison for killing her boyfriend. Grace has exhausted all of her appeals and has written to Sydney in a last ditch effort to get the truth out to the American public.

As Sidney interviews and researches the original investigation we learn the details of the case as she uncovers them. The writing was very well executed and I liked Sidney. Sidney is filming each episode in live time as she goes back to the beginning of the scene of the crime. Sidney is smart and is up front with Grace about not making any promises to free Grace. Sidney peels back each layer of the onion as we reader's make new discoveries as Sydney does.

I really enjoyed this form of storytelling and found the character's to be realistic. This will hold your attention and you will not want to put it down, I stayed up all night reading it in one sitting as I was so captivated. It would make a terrific beach read. I will read anything this author writes even her grocery list. Five Stars.

I loved all the twists and turns in this book. I thought I knew what was going on for about the first half of the book, and then I started to doubt myself. After a few red herrings, I realized my first impression on the killer was the right one.

The author did a fantastic job of drawing me into the story and keeping me interested. The last sentence of the book left me hungry for more...plus I would love to know the whole story of Sidney's father's case.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review

Charlie Donlea is a master at what he does!

I was so beyond thrilled to get early access and to see what else he had to offer after The Last Girl Taken. I absolutely loved that he included characters from The Last Girl Taken to have a part of this book!

I absolutely loved the dynamic between the reporter and the accused so much! You want to believe what someone says when they constantly say that they aren't to blame but when multiple incidents come into question is when you have to really take a step back and reevaluate!

This was such an engaging story and I was so enthralled with everything that the ending completely took my breath away! I was so stunned and in awe I didn't know what to think for at least a few hours! With everything that was told about the menacing character you would have ever guessed they would have been the one to do what they did in the end!

I absolutely loved this book to the moon and back and cant wait to read more by Charlie!

4 twisty, thought provoking stars!

Wow oh wow! This was my first Charlie Donlea book and boy, was I impressed! Being a fan of true crime stories, the concept of this book was pure genius to me. Although not true crime, it certainly read like one and and kept me on the edge of my seat! In the little time I had to pick it up, I found it difficult to put down. The plot was fresh and I thoroughly enjoyed playing detective from the get-go. Just when I thought I MAYBE figured out what was going on, I was tossed back into confusion to re-think my theory. Don’t Believe It did that - a few times.

When all was revealed, it was a great, shocking surprise! What else could you want in a nice, twisted mystery? All I can say is that I would like more, Charlie Donlea! Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Books and Charlie Donlea for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first book that I’ve read by this author. It was quite simply excellent. I couldn’t put it down. I didn’t see the story meandering as it did and I really didn’t see the ending. I’m going to buy his other two books now and look forward to future works.

Don’t Believe It

by Charlie Donlea

There is so much to recommend in Don’t Believe It by Charlie Donlea. The initial setting is exotic: Sugar Beach in St. Lucia in the Eastern Caribbean. This mystery begins immediately with action and suspense. The main character, Sidney Ryan, is a smart, talented, ethical filmmaker. The documentary she is producing is presented almost in real time: the audience gets to learn the results of Sidney’s investigations and interviews in the same week they occur. Out of appeals, an old friend who has been incarcerated for murder for ten years in St. Lucia asks for Sidney’s help in drawing attention to her case as Sidney has done in three prior films that resulted in each instance in freeing the accused.

The story effectively jumps around to various locations and times and uses a variety of styles to convey the events. Designations for places and times are clearly and helpfully added to the first of each chapter. The inclusion of documentary episodes based on interviews is very effective as a storytelling tool.

Don’t Believe It is fast-paced, and the author knows just where to break the chapters so the reader wants more. The mystery is engaging and suspenseful, and the various threads all come together in the end. There were a lot of plot inversions and surprises. I would rate this mystery highly until the end when the crime puzzle is solved, but there is no closure to two major threads. What is the point? Is the author being artsy by leaving the reader dangling? Perhaps he is letting the reader mentally finish the book according to the way the reader wants it to end. Maybe this open-endedness is preparation for a series. Whatever the reason, I was a happy reader for most of the book, disconcerted by but accepting of a sudden change in direction, and then unsettled by the ending. Charlie Donlea proved he has good skills as a mystery writer, and I would like to read more of his work to get a comprehensive feel for his talents.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Kensington Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.


Rating: 4/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: Some swearing

Publication: May 29, 2018—Kensington Books

Memorable Lines:

The detectives did exactly what they’re trained not to do. They picked a suspect first, and then looked for evidence that supported their theory. And the problem with investigating a crime in that manner is that any evidence they came across that didn’t support their theory was ignored or discarded.

But she had found over the years that inmates, deprived of just about every luxury in life, possessed a great deal of patience. They never expected anything to happen quickly, and took news of delays in much the same fashion as finding the bathroom stall occupied. They simply took a breath and waited.

If I could start my career over and take a path that more closely represented my interests, I’d do it in a second.

This contemporary mystery novel was IMPOSSIBLE for me to put down - I finished it in one evening. It's the fascinating story of a documentary maker digging to the bottom of a ten year old murder on St. Lucia in the Caribbean.

We open with a chilling retelling of the murder itself, high up on a cliff overlooking the ocean, from the point of view of the murderer. The murderer is lying in wait for Julian Crist, who was planning a romantic meeting up on the bluff with his girlfriend, Grace Sebold. When Julian's body is discovered, Grace is soon arrested and convicted of the murder. She's been in prison on St. Lucia for the last ten years.

In what amounts to a last-ditch effort to prove her innocence, Grace writes a pleading letter to documentary filmmaker Sidney Ryan, an old college friend, who's previously made a couple of documentaries re-examining questionable evidence that resulted in the release of prisoners. Sidney gets a lot of these desperate letters from prisoners and their families, but she sees something in Grace's case that captures her attention. So Sidney convinces her network to allow her to make a real-time documentary about Grace, with each weekly episode outlining her latest findings in re-examining the evidence and interviewing witnesses.

As Sidney begins researching and producing episodes, the evidence that there's been a miscarriage in justice mounts, and a few stunning episodes capture the nation's attention. The public begins to demand that the case be reopened and Grace released from prison. But then Sidney gets a mysterious letter, telling her that there are things about Grace's case that she doesn't know ...

Don't Believe It is a gripping story that pulls you right along to the end. There are some major red herrings here, and I thought the ending veered into far-fetched territory. But it was plausible enough that it didn't bug me, and I definitely enjoyed the ride. I give Charlie Donlea props for fooling me to the very end. Definitely a worthwhile read for those who enjoy mystery novels!

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher for review. Thanks!!

EXCERPT: The blood was a problem. I knew it as soon as I felt it spit across my face. It streamed from his hairline and ran along his jaw until it dribbled onto the granite bluff, first in sporadic red blots like the leading raindrops of a coming storm, and then in a continuous stream, as though a spigot had been plugged into the spot on his head where I had struck him and had opened wide. It was an error in judgment and strategy, which was a shame because up to now I had been perfect.

ABOUT THIS BOOK: 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 pawn 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 newfound fame, her career . . . even her life.

MY THOUGHTS: WOW! Mr Donlea. Just WOW! You blew my socks off and rattled my bones. I thought I knew what was coming, but I was wrong. . . miles off base.

Now it has to be said that I am no great fan of true crime shows or reality television. I am, however, a great fan of Charlie Donlea and while I was a little reluctant about the subject matter, my love of this author's writing won out, and I am so very glad. I would have hated to have missed out on this read.

I don't want to give anything away here, but the closest I can come to describing Don’t Believe It, is that it's like a game of cat's cradle. . . did you ever play that? It looks complicated, needs more than one player and has bits of string twisted around one another to form an intricate pattern that, with one final twist, disappears.

It was great to see Dr Livia Cutty back in this novel, and I sincerely hope we meet Gus Morelli again.

Thank you to Kensington Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Don’t Believe It by Charlie Donlea for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.

This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...

With true crime documentaries (Making of a Murderer, etc.) being the new thing being streamed by audiences through Netflix, etc., this book delves right into that newfound popularity.

Sidney Ryan has a new idea whereby the documentary is produced weekly and then streamed at the end of that week. There are an unknown number of episodes as Sidney has no idea how the story will end. Her subject is Grace Sebold, who has many names such as "Grisly Grace", etc. Grace is in jail having served ten years of her life sentence for killing her fiancee by pushing him off a mountainside into the water below in St. Lucia.

There is also an elderly man named Gus who has just had one of his legs removed due to cancer and is in rehab learning to deal with this situation. The reader is advised that he worked in police enforcement, however, that doesn't happen right away. They are also not made aware of what Gus's role is going to be in the book for a while. However, he does become a very intricate part of the story.

The U.S. Attorney's office also gets involved as Grace is a U.S. citizen in jail in a foreign country who may be innocent. All of these things just add to the plot to garner a few more very interesting twists.

I found it fascinating to read and watch how Sidney Ryan deals with all these situations. Of course, that's not the only thing that held my attention.

The ending with its multitude of twists was crazy. I was shocked!! I will say though, I did not like a certain part of the ending. That's not what I wanted to happen, at all!! Ha!!

An interesting read that held me spellbound throughout the whole book.

Did she or didn't she? You gotta read it to know. And, it's worth it.

Thanks to Kensington Books and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

I don’t think it is a secret that true crime documentaries and podcasts have taken over the country.  For a while there, it was impossible to check social media without seeing an update on “Serial” or “Making a Murderer.”  Don’t Believe It is a clever fictionalized behind the scenes version of one of those documentaries.

The main character, Sidney Ryan, is a successful filmmaker and producer who has helped prove the innocence of several incarcerated criminals through her documentaries.  This success has drawn the attention of inmates all over the country, including one of her previous classmates, Grace Sebold.  Grace is incarcerated in St. Lucia, where she was convicted of murdering her medical student boyfriend while they were visiting the island for a wedding.  She mails Sidney several letters over the years with details about her case and the ways that she believes the St. Lucia police force screwed up the investigation.  After visiting Grace in prison, Sidney decides to create a new type of documentary chronicling her investigation of Grace’s case in real-time.



As Sidney begins to dig into Grace’s story, she discovers startling new information disproving the prosecution’s theory of the case.  Her documentary is a big hit and draws in millions of American viewers.  However, just as the American public is starting to call for Grace’s release, Sidney unearths information that makes her question Grace’s innocence.  Is she helping to free a murderer?  Sidney must uncover the truth before it is too late and must also decide which is more important – her career or her conscience.

Don’t Believe It was an engaging mystery that will appeal to fans of true crime documentaries.  Even though it is fictional, it follows Sidney’s investigation in real-time, so it feels like you are examining the evidence at the same time she is.  It also explores the science behind the evidence that was used to convict Grace.  As a full-time lawyer, I read a lot of criminal trial transcripts, and the analysis of the evidence felt realistic.  At one point, a scientist analyzes the skull fracture of the murder victim, and it felt like an episode of CSI.  People who find forensics interesting will really enjoy that aspect of the plot.

My one complaint – and I don’t want to get into this too much because it will give things away – is I think there were a couple of lose threads that weren’t ever tied up, and I don’t think a couple of plot points at the end felt very realistic.  Still, the “who dunnit” made sense, and the plot had a couple of twists, including one that I don’t see in books very often.  Overall, I think it is a great read that a lot of people will enjoy.

Don’t Believe It
Charlie Donlea
5 Stars


Synopsis:

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 pawn 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 newfound fame, her career . . . even her life. (Goodreads)

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. The two main characters, Sidney and Grace, intrigued me and I wanted to learn more about both of them. Sidney was only trying to do the right thing, freeing an innocent woman, if indeed she was innocent. Grace is secretive and manipulative, and the reader will have a hard time figuring out her guilt or her guiltlessness. And I think the reader will change their mind numerous times while reading this book.

The author is very talented in his suspense writing and right from the start I was drawn into the story. The twists and turns made me feel like I was riding a rollercoaster and he threw in enough red herrings that any fisherman would have been proud. The book moved along at a fast pace and was a gripping read. I felt like I was watching one of the True Crime shows on television and that made the book feel more realistic to me.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well written suspense thriller. Make sure that you carve out enough time to read this book because you will not want to put it down.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

Julian Crist has made the hike up Gros Piton in St. Lucia, and set the scene for a beautiful proposal. The champagne is open, the flutes are chilled, the sun is setting...but he is killed before he can propose.

His girlfriend, Grace is convicted and is still proclaiming her innocence, 10 years later.

She, and a close friend, Ellie Reiser have been reaching out to filmmaker, Sidney Ryan for years, hoping that she would look into her case. As Sidney begins her research, she decides to film a documentary in “real time” and present to her audience whatever she finds, as she finds it...not knowing where her investigation will lead her.

Called “The Girl of Sugar Beach” it becomes the most watched documentary in television history, gaining viewers each week, and causing a public outcry for Grace’s release. But, then, Sidney receives a letter which makes her wonder if she just helped a guilty woman be released from prison.

How should she end the “series”...should she reveal the letter and her latest findings? She has just three episodes left to film...

From page one till it’s twisty conclusion, I was riveted.

Prologue: In feature films, the director is God; in documentary films, God is the director” Alfred Hitchcock

This was the first book that I have read Charlie Donlea, but it won’t be the last. I am not sure why he is not yet on everybody’s radar, but if you like mystery and thrillers, download or buy this book TODAY, and move it straight to the VERY TOP of your TBR list!!

I would like to thank Netgalley, Kensington books and the author for the ARC I was provided in exchange for my CANDID review.