Wow, I'm not even sure where to begin with this outstanding mystery/thriller! "Don't Believe It" by Charlie Donlea is the first novel that I've read by this amazing author. This novel follows the life, trials and tribulations of Grace Sebold. She was accused and convicted of murdering her boyfriend, Julian, while attending a friend's wedding in St. Lucia, ten years earlier. She has exhausted the appeals process and reaches out to her old friend, Sidney Ryan. Ms. Ryan is a filmmaker whose documentary films focus on wrongfully accused inmates. As Ms. Ryan begins her investigation, she quickly realizes that there is enough evidence to warrant reopening the case. As the title of this novel indicates, "Don't Believe It", is full of twists and turns. Just as you think you have the mystery figured out, there is another twist to the plot. The reader is literally left guessing until the end. I LOVED the ending, as it was very unexpected. Mr. Donlea has a true talent as both a writer and storyteller. With this one novel, Mr. Donlea has become one of my favorite authors. His previous novels are definitely on my tbr list. If you are a fan of mystery/thrillers, you cannot go wrong with this novel. ( )

A fast moving mystery novel told from the perspective of a documentary series director. The plot centers on a young lady who ends up in jail on the island of Aruba for the murder of her fiancee but is seems she has been unjustly imprisoned. (She has been in the clink for ten years). Seems like the local police have done a slipshod job and there are a bevy of inconsistencies leading to her conviction.The will be a large number of people and possibilities leading to her death. Nice job. ( )

Don't Belive It by Charlie Donlea

While on spring break with friends and family Grace Sebold's boyfriend (Julian) is found dead. Grace is charged and imprisoned for his murder. Ten years later Sidney Ryan is making a live weekly documentary on her case, trying to prove Grace's innocence.

The story moves at a fast pace with intersting characters. Told from multiple views; one being the live true crime documentary that Sidney is making. One from the past when Grace was on the Island leading to the death/murder of her boyfriend Julian.

With different timelines I got the feel of what was happening then and now. Slowly secrets beging to surface leading to a slow burn. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, "I-din't-see-that-coming moments" occured. I was hooked from the first page until the end.

Don't Belive It was my first Charlie Donlea book, but it won't be my last. I Highly recommed this fantastic thrilling suspense to all. ( )

This intriguing plot begins with a wedding in a tropical island attended by friends since childhood. It ends with the death of one of the wedding party and the prosecution of another for the death. It is told from different timelines and perspectives, so we are introduced to people in varying scenarios.

Grace, the maid of honor, is convicted of the crime. After ten years, she appeals to a former acquaintance, Sidney, who has hosted several documentaries that focused on the wrongfully accused and were subsequently released. Sidney is intrigued by Grace's story and begins an investigation that results in many twists and turns. This documentary about Grace and the crime is watched by millions of people. Sidney unearths many discrepancies in covering the story, which leads to a startling conclusion. ( )

The premise of this book was enough to suck me in. A producer of true crime documentaries takes on the case of a woman who has been imprisoned for 10 years on a Caribbean island for the murder of her fiancée while they were attending a destination wedding. As a result of these investigations, the woman is freed - but then doubts creep in for the producer. Did she do the right thing? Was the woman really innocent?

*Plotting: pretty good. There were a number of possible resolutions, which I liked, although the final scenes took forever to unwind. I was put in mind of Garrison Keillor’s Minnesota goodbyes.

*Character development: so-so. There were plenty of throwaway characters and interactions that added little to the story, but took up space that might better have been spent on rounding out the principal characters.

*Writing: disappointing. My 11th grade English composition teacher probably would have given this book a C, using her standards for high school juniors. OK, she was a hard grader, but again, it was 11th grade. It’s not just that it’s unimaginative, but there are just so many cardinal sins of basic composition. Misplaced modifiers. Inappropriate adjectives. Careless repetitions (“depleted” twice in one short paragraph- seriously?).

I listened and didn’t make notes, and I don’t care enough to go back and locate actual examples. Let’s just say that I kept thinking of my own hastily written GR reviews that I re-read a week later and think, “OMG, that is SO embarrassing - I used “depleted” twice in the same paragraph!”

So, owning the fact that I’m a grammar nerd, I’m not going to hold it against the author that he clearly isn’t. Nor is his editor. Three stars for the premise. Another reminder to value the authors who write well, even in genre fiction. Top priority for my next read will be the writing. ( )