Phew, it was a short month, but I hope you managed to finish our February book! This was a great book and a great addition to our Moms’ Reading Challenge. We have finished 2 books! Hooray!
Since I purchased my copy of the book its name has actually changed! It now officially goes by Truth Be Told. This is also the name of the Apple TV+ miniseries based on the book. You have to check that out now that you have finished the book! Here is the new look of Truth Be Told :
For me, this book was a great shift in gears from my usual historical fiction. From the beginning I was hooked.
This is the story of two twin sisters who lose their father to murder when they are teenagers. The boy next door goes to jail for the crime, and life moves on. That is, until investigative journalist Poppy Parnell ‘reconsiders’ the case on her crime podcast. The podcast questions everything that the girls believed about their fathers’ death. Coupled with the suicide of their mother, their lives are again turned upside down. Does anyone know the truth?
Seriously so good! This was the first book I had ever read about a podcast and a great crime/thriller book. For me, it was as addictive as The Couple Next Door and All the Missing Girls. Books that keep you guessing!
The family themes of this book spoke to me. The sisters are portrayed as so different in their personalities and styles. But as you read further into the book, you see how they are actually very similar. As a reader I could really relate to both of them in some way.
If you missed this book, there are 31 days in March so plenty of time to catch up! You will love it!
I was so excited when the book author and old friend, Kathleen, agreed to an interview about Truth Be Told! It is so fun to get a glimpse into her writing world.
Author Interview:
Kathleen Barber
{author of Truth Be Told and Follow Me}
Where did you get the inspiration for Truth Be Told?
I actually spent years writing stories about Josie, the protagonist of TRUTH BE TOLD, and her twin sister Lanie, but I didn’t find the story I thought they deserved until I started listening to the “Serial.” As soon as I started listening to the first season, which was investigating the murder of Baltimore high school student Hae Min Lee and her ex-boyfriend Adnan Syed’s subsequent conviction, I was hooked! I spent a huge amount of time in the fall of 2014 thinking, reading, and talking about not only the “Serial” podcast but about the underlying case. I was so into the podcast that I nearly forgot it wasn’t just telling an interesting story—it was describing a very real tragedy that had happened to some very real people. Once I stopped to think about that, I decided that I wanted to explore what it would be like to be on the other side of a popular case like this—one where the incident has crossed over from the realm of criminal justice to that of pop culture.
How long did it take you to complete Truth Be Told?
Honestly, it’s hard to say! Like I mentioned, I’ve been writing stories about Josie and Lanie for years. Once I finally got the podcast idea and sat down to write the draft that would become TRUTH BE TOLD, it took me probably six months—but then I spent another year, off and on, working on revisions while I was searching for agents, and then another two months revising once I had an agent. Once I was under contract and working with my editor, there were even more revisions.
What are your favorite podcasts?
The first season of “Serial” is still my gold standard for podcasts. I also really like “Overdue,” which is about books, and “Reply All,” which is about the internet. (In fact, I mention the “Reply All” episode called “What kind of idiot gets phished?” in the Author’s Note of my new book, FOLLOW ME!)
Who are your favorite authors?
I have so many favorite authors! I’m a huge fan of Megan Miranda, Jessica Knoll, Caroline Kepnes, Kate Moretti, Robyn Harding, and Jennifer Hillier, among others.
What is the best book you have read lately?
Jennifer Hillier’s LITTLE SECRETS, which comes out on April 21, is phenomenal! It’s about a woman whose child is kidnapped, and the way her life unravels in that aftermath. I also highly recommend her last book, JAR OF HEARTS.
Can you tell us a little about your new release, Follow Me?
FOLLOW ME is about a minor social media influencer who has gotten so used to living her life online that she’s stopped thinking about who out there might be consuming her content. When she moves to Washington DC for a new job, she’s unwittingly brings herself closer to an obsessed fan who is interested in following her offline as well as online.
Do you have any other books in the works?
I’m always working on something! Right now I’m spending most of my time on another suspense novel with a social media angle, but it’s still pretty early so I can’t say too much about it. I hope to be able to share more soon!
Thank you SO much to Kathleen for the interview! We can’t wait to dive into Follow Me!
Have you already started on our March Reading Challenge book? I finished a couple chapters and have a feeling its a good one! 🙂
-Kelly
