Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

This thread is open to discuss Believe Me by J.P. Delaney.



Synopsis
In this twisty psychological thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Before, an actress plays both sides of a murder investigation.

A struggling actor, a Brit in America without a green card, Claire needs work and money to survive. Then she gets both. But nothing like she expected.

Claire agrees to become a decoy for a firm of divorce lawyers. Hired to entrap straying husbands, she must catch them on tape with their seductive propositions. The rules? Never hit on the mark directly. Make it clear you’re available, but he has to proposition you, not the other way around. The firm is after evidence, not coercion. The innocent have nothing to hide.

Then the game changes.

When the wife of one of Claire’s targets is violently murdered, the cops are sure the husband is to blame. Desperate to catch him before he kills again, they enlist Claire to lure him into a confession.

Claire can do this. She’s brilliant at assuming a voice and an identity. For a woman who’s mastered the art of manipulation, how difficult could it be to tempt a killer into a trap? But who is the decoy . . . and who is the prey?

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Really want to read this!

Hi Geri,
Brooke is making her way over. I think she wants to start a little later.

I'm looking forward to reading this one too!

Hey ladies! I've been looking forward to this one. I enjoyed The Girl Before, so hopefully this will also be good. One of the GR reviews mentions that this was originally published in 2001 as "The Decoy," and according to the author:
“although built around the same idea as the earlier one, and containing some of the same scenes, is completely different in plot, characterization, and structure.”

Either way, I'm in.

Oh - and I realized that I have this on audio, so if you want to start it Tuesday that's fine. :-)

Brooke wrote: "Hey ladies! I've been looking forward to this one. I enjoyed The Girl Before, so hopefully this will also be good. One of the GR reviews mentions that this was originally published in 2001 as "The ..."

Interesting! So the book is the same as the earlier book but not the same! LOL I never read the previous book, so it will be new to me. I’m ready to start Tuesday or later. I’m flexible.

@ Geri; sometimes you like to read the BOM ; if you want to nominate a book before deadline!

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Hi Chie. Welcome.
I didn't read the other one either so all good

Laura wrote: "@ Geri; sometimes you like to read the BOM ; if you want to nominate a book before deadline!

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/......"

Sorry I missed your post! Usually I just wait to see what books win. And then decide if I want to read it. It’s more fun for me that way. Sometimes I get to read a book I never would have considered.

Welcome Chie!

I just started the book and will come back later to comment more. But I am listening to the audio and it is great! Some parts are like a movie with different voices and sound effects. I know you don’t usually listen to audio, Laura. But this would be a good one. Really enjoying the book so far!

Geri wrote: "Welcome Chie!

I just started the book and will come back later to comment more. But I am listening to the audio and it is great! Some parts are like a movie with different voices and sound effects..."

Ooh - good to know! I have this one on audio and should be able to start it later today.

I read 3 chapters last night. Hoping to read more tonight! It was an interesting start.

WOW This book is so engrossing! Some chapters are dark and gruesome. But I love the cat and mouse game set up. I stopped at chapter 28. I had to make myself stop. LOL

Chapter 10 (view spoiler)[ Things are getting interesting. Patrick turns Claire down. Because she isn’t the right type or he figured out what was going on? Patrick and Claire did make a connection, I think. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 18 (view spoiler)[ Loved Dr. Lathem’s analysis of Claire, “insecure, fragile, can’t handle rejection and craves approval like a junkie craves a fix. In short, she’s an actress.” LOL (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 27 (view spoiler)[ Will Claire be able to convince Patrick he can trust her and reveal his true self to her? What a dangerous game if he truly is the serial killer they think he is! (hide spoiler)]

The book Flowers of Evil: A Selection by Charles Baudelaire (mentioned in chapter 9 or 10) is new to me. Have you heard of it, Laura, Brooke, Chie? It’s great how the author is able to incorporate it into the story.

I haven't heard of that book, Geri. I've never really been into poetry, although the darker theme sounds interesting.

I didn't make it far last night, but I am intrigued and can't wait to finish work today so I can get farther into the story!

Through part 1;
(view spoiler)[ The mystery is interesting. All signs point to the husband, which probably means he didn't do it.

If Claire was let go from the law firm, what does she do to earn enough money to stay in New York City? I'm very curious. I have a feeling Claire is hiding something from the reader. (hide spoiler)]

I read through Chapter 64. What a mind bending, twisty ride! LOL

Chapter 33 (view spoiler)[ It’s starting to read a little like 50 shades with all these emails detailing fantasies and visit to a bondage club! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 46 (view spoiler)[ WOW, I did not see that twist! Claire is the one thought to have killed Stella. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 64 (view spoiler)[ Now that Claire and Patrick are back together, what the heck is going to happen? Why can’t they find Durbin and Latham? Their involvement did seem suspicious.

The play Patrick wrote does sound interesting. (hide spoiler)]

Brooke wrote: "I didn't make it far last night, but I am intrigued and can't wait to finish work today so I can get farther into the story!

Through part 1;
.."

Claire is an interesting character. From the beginning, I wasn’t sure how much I could trust her too. I still am not sure.

I am speeding through the book. So I’ll take a break today so I can do some task reading. That should give everyone a chance to catch up!

I'm dying to read your spoilers, Geri!

Up to chapter 42
(view spoiler)[ With the 3 month time jump at the start of part 2, I'm even more curious as to what Claire has been doing to earn money. Very fishy.

Patrick headbutts the guy at the theater and no one reacts? Claire didn't even acknowledge it, and neither did the cops monitoring her. (hide spoiler)]

I'm still enjoying this one. The short chapters make it way too easy to keep going! I'll get another chunk read today and probably finish it tomorrow.

Up through chapter 65

(view spoiler)[ I am so confused!! She was sent to a mental hospital? And now there is no Durbin or Latham? What is even true??? LOL

I'm torn at this point as to whether Patrick or Claire killed her. Both are shady. Claire had a lot of money in her room, but she implied that she earned it as a prostitute. Patrick can just pick her up from the hospital and go back to normal?

Seriously. What is going on??!! Part of me is excited to be into a book I haven't figured out, but part of me is wondering if this is going to be a big ruse or all a dream or something silly like that. (hide spoiler)]

Brooke wrote: "I didn't make it far last night, but I am intrigued and can't wait to finish work today so I can get farther into the story!

Through part 1;
The mystery is interesting. All signs point to the hus..."

(view spoiler)[ Agree, the husband is too husband; so does that mean Claire did it? (hide spoiler)]

Geri wrote: "WOW This book is so engrossing! Some chapters are dark and gruesome. But I love the cat and mouse game set up. I stopped at chapter 28. I had to make myself stop. LOL

Chapter 10 [spoilers removed]..."

Nope, I hadn't heard of that book either. (view spoiler)[ Agree, Its truly a crazy plan to use her as bait to catch Patrick if he is indeed the serial killer. How crazy is Claire to agree to it? (hide spoiler)]

End of chapter 33
(view spoiler)[
Does Kathryn know Patrick as well as she thinks she does? How could they have not known he was out of country? I have the feeling that Claire is falling a little bit for Patrick.
Agree that this reads quickly!
(hide spoiler)]Trying to catch up!

Chapter 76

(view spoiler)[ Um....what?! Claire fake-confessed? And then Patrick almost murders her? This is getting out of control.

Patrick and Claire are kind of made for each other. They are both crazy and manipulative. (hide spoiler)]

Finished. I really enjoyed this one! Chapters were way too short. Did they need to be that short? LOL Dying to know what you guys think of the ending!

Laura wrote: "End of chapter 33

."

Kathryn really niggled at me too. I never knew what to believe about her.

Brooke wrote: "Chapter 76

.."

I had the same reaction!

I finished over lunch. I liked the audiobook, but there were times when I wish I had a print copy to go back and reference/check something. Especially in the last 10-20 chapters.

Regarding the ending: (view spoiler)[ I have mixed feelings. I liked it because it was mostly a surprise, but at the same time it felt so implausible that it was hard to take seriously. Once Patrick almost strangled Claire I knew he was the murderer (and admittedly when he showed no remorse after headbutting the guy at the play I started to think that), but him trying to get Claire to kill with him wasn't expected.

I still like the book overall because it was exciting and different. It just requires a bit more suspension of belief than usual. (hide spoiler)]

Brooke wrote: "I finished over lunch. I liked the audiobook, but there were times when I wish I had a print copy to go back and reference/check something. Especially in the last 10-20 chapters.

Regarding the end..."

Yes, it did require (view spoiler)[ suspension of belief! It was a fun, wild ride, though. It was crazy of Claire to immerse herself in her role that she didn’t want to know what was planned. But I guess that was the only way to get Patrick to truly trust her. And I guess it worked! I did not expect hm to command Claire to kill!

I did not know what to think when Durban and Latham seemed to disappear when Claire went to the mental hospital. I really started to doubt Claire. It was really scary how she got deeper and deeper into her relationship with Patrick. Her acceptance and almost wish that Patrick was a deviant, sociopath. I also became certain that Patrick was the killer once he strangled her. Claire should have freaked, but she seemed to take it calmly. Thinking his behavior was justified because she started it! Crazy! (hide spoiler)]

Hey, Laura. Have you finished the book? Or just too busy? I hate when real life gets in the way of reading!

Hi! Still working on it. I was away this weekend - early registeration for my son for college. I didn't get too much read last week. I'm hoping to finish it this week because I was enjoying it!

Laura wrote: "Hi! Still working on it. I was away this weekend - early registeration for my son for college. I didn't get too much read last week. I'm hoping to finish it this week because I was enjoying it!"

Exciting! Your son is off to college! Kids are back to school here too. I hope your son enjoys college, but not too much! I won’t mention any of the antics I got into when I went to college!

Laura wrote: "Hi! Still working on it. I was away this weekend - early registeration for my son for college. I didn't get too much read last week. I'm hoping to finish it this week because I was enjoying it!"

I bet you have mixed emotions about your son going to college. I know my parents did. They were happy and proud that I was going but also sad that I was leaving home and becoming (more) independent. Good luck to him!!

Brooke and Laura, I was thinking about rereading a paranormal series I loved. Succubus Blues is book 1. Would either or both of you be interested? I don’t want to start until September, after TT challenge. We could try the first book and see if you like it. And then go from there. I loved Georgina and her romance with Seth!

Geri wrote: "Brooke and Laura, I was thinking about rereading a paranormal series I loved. Succubus Blues is book 1. Would either or both of you be interested? I don’t want to start until Septembe..."

I wouldn't mind reading at least book 1 to see how it goes. And yes, after TT would be great. :-)

Geri wrote: "Laura wrote: "Hi! Still working on it. I was away this weekend - early registeration for my son for college. I didn't get too much read last week. I'm hoping to finish it this week because I was en..."

Ha! Lol, you best keep those antics to yourself. I suspect my imagination is good enough:-)

Yes, Brooke, lots of mixed feelings which you nailed down exactly. Even he has them; he is so nervous... but so excited at the same time. He will be too far away for weekend visits; which will be good for that independence!

Geri wrote: "Brooke and Laura, I was thinking about rereading a paranormal series I loved. Succubus Blues is book 1. Would either or both of you be interested? I don’t want to start until Septembe..."

I started the series and left at book 3 . I 'd re read the first few books again. I remember liking them. Shout out when you want to start. ( I 'd also prefer September!)
Yikes.. I've only read 5 books in August so far.

Laura wrote: "Geri wrote: "Brooke and Laura, I was thinking about rereading a paranormal series I loved. Succubus Blues is book 1. Would either or both of you be interested? I don’t want to start u..."

Great! Maybe this time, you’ll finish the series. I was so obsessed, I had to know how it ended. I’ve tried to find other paranormal series that I like as much. Alpha and Omega is the only one that comes close. I will be starting Mercy Thompson and The Graveyard Queen in September too.

Gosh, I don’t want to know how many books I have read this month! Too many! My chores, tv watching have suffered. LOL I’ve written down a “sane” reading schedule for September.

How did you like Circe? The book has had a long waiting list at my library for months. But I still have my eye on it.

Have either of you read Fatal Affair? I just heard about this series. And I’m curious if it is good.

Geri wrote: "Have either of you read Fatal Affair? I just heard about this series. And I'm curious if it is any good."
I haven't.

I also haven't read any in the Mercy Thompson series. I do own the first book, though, and have been meaning to get to it. Maybe September will be the month. LOL

Geri wrote: "Laura wrote: "Geri wrote: "Brooke and Laura, I was thinking about rereading a paranormal series I loved. Succubus Blues is book 1. Would either or both of you be interested? I don’t w..."

The Mercy Thompson series and the Alpha & Omega series are some of my favorite series. Loved them! I thought they were both better than the Georgina Kincaid series.
The Graveyard series is good. I finished that this spring. The earlier books were better; imo.
Recommendations: The Others by Anne Bishop and the Harry Dresden files by Jim Butcher. (starting to hit a lot of my favorites!!)

Fatal Affair is so far away from the above genres but again its another favorite series and I would totally recommend it to everyone if you love romance and police procedural. Marie Force has this series nailed! Its hot!! Characters are amazing and just keep growing. This is my favorite series by Marie Force ( she has quite a few)

Here's another series I enjoy: In Death by J. D Robb- Nora Roberts alter ego. Romance/ police procedural/character growth/suspense

Teehehe and my last one!
Lee Child's Jack Reacher series. Its a toss up whether Jack or Harry Dreden is my favorite book boyfriend. Reacher is ex military and always finds trouble and a murder to solve.

I read a lot of series books! Sorry for the overload. Feel free to give me your favorite books or series : I will check them out.

Up to chapter 56
(view spoiler)[
What? now she is in psychiatric care? This book has me so confused. I 'll have to wait to see how it ends. Interesting!
Ha, I did think it was Claire that killed the wife but perhaps that is why she is in psychiatric care? (hide spoiler)] Reading onward!

Brooke wrote: "I'm dying to read your spoilers, Geri!

Up to chapter 42
With the 3 month time jump at the start of part 2, I'm even more curious as to what Claire has been doing to earn money. Very fishy.

Patri..."

(view spoiler)[Yes, I thought that was totally weird? I'm still trying to figure out why! (hide spoiler)]

I am up to book 5 (I think?) in the Harry Dresden series. It is definitely getting better, and I live how it is all action right from page 1. I have a few of the In Death books (#1 and a few random ones) and as usual, I just haven’t gotten to them yet. Ugh. Has anyone invented a way to stop time yet so I can read more? 😜

Laura, I’ve actually read a few Jack Reacher books too. They are fun, kind of like James Bond or Mission Impossible movies: not a lot of substance but very entertaining.

The Jack Reacher books all follow the same formula. I find them very entertaining. The movie based on one of the books was horrible. Reacher is over 6".... casting was little ole Tommy Cruise. Jeez he would need stilts. Dwayne Johnson would have been a better casting choice. I'm a sucker for a good police procedural!!

Keep reading your Dresden series. Its awesome! That's a series I'll pick up again.
Lol and you need to fit the In Death books in somehow?? Teehee!

Laura wrote: "The Jack Reacher books all follow the same formula. I find them very entertaining. The movie based on one of the books was horrible. Reacher is over 6".... casting was little ole Tommy Cruise. Jeez..."

I agree about the casting. I was confused by Tom Cruise getting the part just because I know how Jack Reacher is described in the books. I'm sure he got the part because of his stunt work, although the movie was a flop. (I never saw it because of the casting...)

I'll definitely continue the Dresden series, maybe reading 1-2 books a month until I catch up. No idea how I am ever going to fit in the In Death series. I usually like to start a series at the beginning and read in order for the character development, but isn't the series at book 45 or something now?? I've heard the earlier books don't stand the test of time, but I'll read them anyway.

I love that I've discovered new series from GR and all the buddy reads we've done. I used to be a fairly predictable reader, sticking mostly to historic fiction around WWII and psychological thrillers, with an occasional biography or humorous essay collection thrown in from time to time. You ladies have definitely broadened my horizons! I still consider thrillers and WWII fiction my favorites, but I am way more open now to trying something new. So thank you!!! :-)

Laura wrote: "Geri wrote: "Laura wrote: "Geri wrote: "Brooke and Laura, I was thinking about rereading a paranormal series I loved. Succubus Blues is book 1. Would either or both of you be interest..."

Oh good! I will definitely read the Marie Force series now.

I tried The Others series. Only read the first 2 books. I found it a little silly at times. Does it get better?

I read the first few In Death. But like Brooke, I can’t keep up with all the new books. Do you recommend reading them all in order?

I haven’t read Dresden or Reacher. I’ll have to add them. I usually go for geeky-ish guys. Probably one reason I got so into Georgina Kincaid. My husband is a bit geeky. But not as much as Seth. LOL

I decided to add a bookshelf on goodreads to help me keep track of series. I usually read a book or two and then forget about them. So maybe this will help!

Have you tried Lady Sherlock series A Study in Scarlet Women? It’s a historical mystery series with a twist. Charlotte Holmes solves mysteries under Sherlock Holmes’ name.

I really like the Bannerless saga Bannerless and Detective Lottie Parker series The Missing Ones too.

For romance, I am really loving pretty much anything by Penny Reid these days. Her Winston brothers series is good. Book 1 is good. But book 2 is even better. And I started book 3 and it’s looking like it will be just as good as book 2.

Brooke wrote: "Laura wrote: "The Jack Reacher books all follow the same formula. I find them very entertaining. The movie based on one of the books was horrible. Reacher is over 6".... casting was little ole Tomm..."

Do you have a favorite series? I have read a few WWII books. But I find them so sad after awhile I need a break. Of course, I love mystery and thrillers!

Forgot to mention that I read the latest Elin Hilderbrand The Perfect Couple. I really loved it! I mention it because we read a Hilderbrand book last summer too.