Believe Me is a novel by bestselling author J.P. Delaney, published in 2021.
J.P. Delaney is known for writing gripping thrillers and Believe Me was a Sunday Times bestseller and book of the month.
I read Playing Nice by J.P. Delaney after it was featured on the Richard and Judy Book Club Spring 2021 list. I already had Believe Me by the same author on my bookshelf so in an attempt to read the books I actually already have rather than buying more I decided to give that one a try too!
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Plot
Claire is a British struggling actor living in America without a green card and she needs work and money to survive. She agrees to work for a firm of divorce lawyers hired to entrap straying husbands. However, Claire’s life changes when the wife of one of Claire’s targets is violently murdered. The police suspect the husband and they enlist Claire to lure him into a confession.
As an actress, Claire is determined she can do it as she has perfected the art of manipulation. But as she becomes closer to the husband she realises things may be a little more complicated. Is she the decoy, or the prey?
Believe Me Book Review
Ah, I hate it when I don’t enjoy a book! I know I’m in the minority with this one, as it has received so many plaudits, but I just didn’t enjoy this one at all. I think J.P. Delaney has a talent for creating thoroughly unlikeable and annoying characters and I just couldn’t connect to any of them.
I found the constant references and overall focus on Baudelaire a bit irritating. It was all just a bit too dark for me and despite the twists and turns throughout, nothing really surprised me. I found it to be quite dull and depressing and after becoming bored midway through, I began to skim read- something I never do!
Again, as with Local Girl Missing by Claire Douglas, I appreciate it might just be me as others seem to have really enjoyed it. For me, however, it was a really disappointing read.
What should I read after Believe Me by J.P. Delaney?
If you enjoyed Believe Me, I would suggest reading more J.P. Delaney books such as Playing Nice. You may also enjoy You Had it Coming by B.M. Carroll.