Book Review: "Truth Be Told" by Kathleen Barber
“Truth Be Told” by Kathleen Barber
This novel was originally published with the title, “Are You Sleeping.”
Publisher Synopsis: Josie Buhrman has spent the last ten years trying to escape her family and with good reason. After her father’s murder thirteen years prior, her mother ran away to join a cult and her twin sister Lanie, once Josie’s closest friend and confidant, betrayed her in an unimaginable way. Now, Josie has finally put down roots in New York, settling into domestic life with her partner Caleb, and that’s where she intends to stay.
The only problem is that she has lied to Caleb about every detail of her past—starting with her last name.
When investigative reporter Poppy Parnell sets off a media firestorm with a megahit podcast that reopens the long-closed case of Josie’s father’s murder, questioning whether the wrong person may be behind bars, Josie’s world begins to unravel. Meanwhile, the unexpected death of Josie’s long-absent mother forces her to return to her Midwestern hometown where she must confront the demons from her past—and the lies on which she has staked her future.
Rating (out of 5): 3.25
Trigger Warning: …murder
Review: This was a nice quick suspense novel to end 2019 with. I wouldn’t call it a thriller per se, and the concept isn’t entirely original considering it’s definitely inspired by the podcast Serial, but I enjoyed it. The main reason I gave it the rating I did is because the ending wasn’t too difficult to guess.
I appreciated how each twin—Lanie and Josie—reacted to their father’s murder in different ways. I think examining the different ways people react to trauma is important, and the flashbacks helped establish their characters a bit more.
I have started watching the Apple TV+ show based on the book, and Poppy’s character is much more developed in the TV show. In the novel, she is portrayed as a voyeuristic vulture. (Also, if you have watched the TV show, know that the novel’s plot is completely different.)
A few minor bones to pick:
Josie’s boyfriend was insanely perfect. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I didn’t feel his character was developed at all beyond “most perfect and understanding partner ever.”
The conflict between Josie and Lanie is a bit ridiculous and juvenile
Once you get past those things (if you can), this book is an interesting look at revisiting a murder after over a decade, and how revisiting it affects the families of those involved. I found Josie’s aunt and cousin entertaining and compassionate, serving as twins’ primary family members after their father’s murder. My main takeaway from the novel is that nothing is ever black or white—there is no “good twin” and “bad twin,” and just because someone was convicted of the crime doesn’t mean he’s the killer, but he may not be entirely innocent, either.
TL;DR: A moderately engaging novel with the narrative basically ripped from IRL headlines. But, it demonstrates how differently we all react to trauma, and what can happen to families when old wounds are opened.
If you liked this, try:
“The Last Time I Lied” by Riley Sager
“Miracle Creek” by Angie Kim (Elizabeth’s review here)
“A Nearly Normal Family” by M.T. Edvardsson (my review here)
FYI: When you click links in this post to purchase a product, SFOL might get a cut of your purchase - it doesn’t add anything to the price for you. We promise. Thanks in advance!
