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Imposter Syndrome
On the run from his shady past, Lynch has just arrived in London, still looking over his shoulder to make sure he isn't being followed. His phone is dead, he has no money, no contacts, no one at all. Until he runs into a young woman named Bobbie who mistakes him for her brother, Heydon Pierce, who disappeared 5 years ago without a trace.
At Bobbie's suggestion, Lynch goes to the Pierce family home, posing as Heydon to try and con some money out of them. But far from tricking them, his subterfuge is instantly discovered. He strikes the devil’s bargain with them – their silence for his cooperation in finding out what really happened to Heydon.
But Lynch’s investigation goes too deep and uncovers the fact that Heydon Pierce was tangled up with some dangerous and powerful people in London. Everyone has their own motives to keep Heydon well buried in the past. In such a conspiracy of mirrors, there’s only one thing Lynch know for certain: the only person he can trust is himself.
At Bobbie's suggestion, Lynch goes to the Pierce family home, posing as Heydon to try and con some money out of them. But far from tricking them, his subterfuge is instantly discovered. He strikes the devil’s bargain with them – their silence for his cooperation in finding out what really happened to Heydon.
But Lynch’s investigation goes too deep and uncovers the fact that Heydon Pierce was tangled up with some dangerous and powerful people in London. Everyone has their own motives to keep Heydon well buried in the past. In such a conspiracy of mirrors, there’s only one thing Lynch know for certain: the only person he can trust is himself.
416 pages, Paperback
First published June 11, 2024
124 people are currently reading
9593 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews
May 18, 2024
A con-artist, an heiress and a missing doppelgänger!
Con artist Lynch leaves Paris in a hurry. We’re not party to the reason he left in such a hurry - well not yet anyway. He arrives in London completely broke, no idea what he’s going to do, and then he gets talking to Bobbie. Heiress Bobbie is from a very wealthy family and has addiction issues. Her brother Heydon also had problems and went missing 5 years previously.
Bobbie can’t believe Lynch’s resemblance to Heydon, it’s uncanny how much he looks like him. She’s about to fly to the States for rehab, but she puts a curious idea to Lynch, and although it may seem lucrative for him, especially in his current situation, it will lead him into some very dark places and into a life and death situation.
This is a well written story and I wouldn’t expect anything less from Joseph Knox, however, I struggled to maintain interest in the plot which was very complex, and sadly I didn’t really care about any of the characters either. Will it put me off any of his future offerings? Absolutely not as I normally love his books.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
Con artist Lynch leaves Paris in a hurry. We’re not party to the reason he left in such a hurry - well not yet anyway. He arrives in London completely broke, no idea what he’s going to do, and then he gets talking to Bobbie. Heiress Bobbie is from a very wealthy family and has addiction issues. Her brother Heydon also had problems and went missing 5 years previously.
Bobbie can’t believe Lynch’s resemblance to Heydon, it’s uncanny how much he looks like him. She’s about to fly to the States for rehab, but she puts a curious idea to Lynch, and although it may seem lucrative for him, especially in his current situation, it will lead him into some very dark places and into a life and death situation.
This is a well written story and I wouldn’t expect anything less from Joseph Knox, however, I struggled to maintain interest in the plot which was very complex, and sadly I didn’t really care about any of the characters either. Will it put me off any of his future offerings? Absolutely not as I normally love his books.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
April 25, 2024
4+
First of all, I love the cover which does the book justice!
A gouger : a charlatan, a cheater, a con artist, a chiseller and at the very least of the definition, a rascal.
Yes, Lynch is all of the above and he’s currently fleeing from Paris. He’s bound for London with no luggage, no money and a dying phone. At Heathrow, he accidentally bumps into Bobbie Pierce who mistakes Lynch for her brother Heydon who has been missing for five years. This chance encounter takes Lynch into the orbit of the Pierce family, in particular Bobbie’s formidable mother, former actress, Miranda. Miranda also sees Lynchs resemblance to her missing son and hires him to assume Heydon’s identity with the objective of drawing out the truth. However, ever since he arrives in the UK, Lynch has a sense of being watched. Paranoia or something way more sinister?
Joseph Knox delivers an excellent read yet again with corkscrew plot twists right from Heathrow and you need to keep up as it’s complex and could cause your head to spin! You think you’ve sorted out who’s behind the nefarious deeds only to find there are shadowy and even more dangerous characters or organisations lurking behind them. Lynch goes back and forth, back and forth, often retracing steps sometimes advancing his grasp on the goings on and sometimes just to clarify what he thinks MIGHT be going on! Heydon’s story is immersive, it’s twisty, his backstory tugs at the heart as it seems he’s prey but who is his predator or predators? That’s the billion dollar question and why? Joseph Knox has set us a very enigmatic puzzle full of many characters to navigate.
Lynch has certainly entered a lions den and his characterisation is so good. He’s tough, not necessarily likeable but he’s doggedly determined and he doesn’t baulk as he encounters yet another scary dude, suggesting for once, he’s trying to do the right thing. He’s a complicated man, I find him very intriguing and definitely would want to keep on his right side!
It’s an addictive read as I try to solve the riddles posed and what is ultimately revealed is a tense and dark tale of deception upon deception with very dangerous players. Think ‘Hustle’ but with characters from the darkest gangster film that you can think of.
Overall, it’s a different and wild ride, keeping you in suspense. The moral of the tale ? Trust no one.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK, Transworld for the much appreciated in return for an honest review.
First of all, I love the cover which does the book justice!
A gouger : a charlatan, a cheater, a con artist, a chiseller and at the very least of the definition, a rascal.
Yes, Lynch is all of the above and he’s currently fleeing from Paris. He’s bound for London with no luggage, no money and a dying phone. At Heathrow, he accidentally bumps into Bobbie Pierce who mistakes Lynch for her brother Heydon who has been missing for five years. This chance encounter takes Lynch into the orbit of the Pierce family, in particular Bobbie’s formidable mother, former actress, Miranda. Miranda also sees Lynchs resemblance to her missing son and hires him to assume Heydon’s identity with the objective of drawing out the truth. However, ever since he arrives in the UK, Lynch has a sense of being watched. Paranoia or something way more sinister?
Joseph Knox delivers an excellent read yet again with corkscrew plot twists right from Heathrow and you need to keep up as it’s complex and could cause your head to spin! You think you’ve sorted out who’s behind the nefarious deeds only to find there are shadowy and even more dangerous characters or organisations lurking behind them. Lynch goes back and forth, back and forth, often retracing steps sometimes advancing his grasp on the goings on and sometimes just to clarify what he thinks MIGHT be going on! Heydon’s story is immersive, it’s twisty, his backstory tugs at the heart as it seems he’s prey but who is his predator or predators? That’s the billion dollar question and why? Joseph Knox has set us a very enigmatic puzzle full of many characters to navigate.
Lynch has certainly entered a lions den and his characterisation is so good. He’s tough, not necessarily likeable but he’s doggedly determined and he doesn’t baulk as he encounters yet another scary dude, suggesting for once, he’s trying to do the right thing. He’s a complicated man, I find him very intriguing and definitely would want to keep on his right side!
It’s an addictive read as I try to solve the riddles posed and what is ultimately revealed is a tense and dark tale of deception upon deception with very dangerous players. Think ‘Hustle’ but with characters from the darkest gangster film that you can think of.
Overall, it’s a different and wild ride, keeping you in suspense. The moral of the tale ? Trust no one.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK, Transworld for the much appreciated in return for an honest review.
Read
December 14, 2024Joseph Knox is the author of the Aidan Waits trilogy, as well as the terrific thriller TRUE CRIME STORY. He is back with a new stand-alone title, IMPOSTER SYNDROME, a super-charged novel that propels readers through a treacherous situation that spins out of control before your very eyes.
It opens with an ideal quote from Kurt Vonnegut: “We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.” Mark Twain once made reference to the necessity for a great memory if you are going to put on a front about who you claim to be when it comes to your public persona. The lead character in IMPOSTER SYNDROME will find this out the hard way.
The man known as Lynch considers himself to be a con man and is currently on the run from a bad situation he left behind in Paris that caused him to flee to London with only the clothes on his back and no money in his pocket. While riding random tube lines in the London Underground, Lynch finds himself at Heathrow Airport, where he needs to help an elderly passenger with her luggage to gain access to the terminal. The next step will be the difficult one --- finding someone he can work on to provide him shelter and financial assistance so that he can hunker down and figure out his next move.
This will come sooner than Lynch expects and from an unlikely source. A crazed young woman who is sporting one heck of a shiner accosts him and keeps calling him Heydon. Once the two settle down to chat in the airport lounge, he learns that Heydon is Bobbie's older brother, who disappeared without a trace five years earlier. While some believe there is evidence that Heydon died by suicide, Bobbie does not believe it. She also tells Lynch that he could be his doppelgänger.
Coming from a wealthy and badly disjointed family with the surname Pierce, Bobbie was about to board a plane for Los Angeles, where her mother insists she check into yet another rehab facility. Bobbie still plans to do that, but not before she hatches a scheme to throw the Pierce clan into a whirling dervish while possibly also discovering the truth behind what happened to Heydon. She begins by giving Lynch what she refers to as a prison facial tattoo, a small teardrop under one eye --- the only feature of Heydon’s he did not possess. Then, like something out of Six Degrees of Separation, Bobbie quickly schools Lynch on all things Heydon so he can fool the Pierces and enter their house to rob them of riches that she wants back.
Lynch has access to the Pierce estate thanks to the security codes that Bobbie gave him, but the place is not empty as she had promised him. Not only is a member of the family’s security company present, Bobbie’s mother and sister are not far behind. Even with the resemblance, they see right through Lynch and know he is not the long-lost Heydon. They also are not surprised at the heist Bobbie had planned. However, they are not willing to let Lynch go that easily. They make him an offer that will provide him with the finances he needs to start over somewhere. All he has to do is pretend to be Heydon. This will involve retracing the last-known moments of his life that involved interaction with members of the London criminal underground who may have been responsible for his alleged murder.
Nothing and no one are as they seem in IMPOSTER SYNDROME, and Lynch is in far deeper peril than he ever could have imagined. The book reminds me somewhat of Tana French’s THE LIKENESS, which is about a detective who resembled a murdered college student and took on her identity to continue living with the housemates who may have killed her. The big difference is that the character in THE LIKENESS had the entire police squad behind her, ready to step in at a moment’s notice. Here, Lynch is on his own and operating without a net in a show that can quickly turn into a tragedy. What we have here is a very unnerving read!
Reviewed by Ray Palen
It opens with an ideal quote from Kurt Vonnegut: “We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.” Mark Twain once made reference to the necessity for a great memory if you are going to put on a front about who you claim to be when it comes to your public persona. The lead character in IMPOSTER SYNDROME will find this out the hard way.
The man known as Lynch considers himself to be a con man and is currently on the run from a bad situation he left behind in Paris that caused him to flee to London with only the clothes on his back and no money in his pocket. While riding random tube lines in the London Underground, Lynch finds himself at Heathrow Airport, where he needs to help an elderly passenger with her luggage to gain access to the terminal. The next step will be the difficult one --- finding someone he can work on to provide him shelter and financial assistance so that he can hunker down and figure out his next move.
This will come sooner than Lynch expects and from an unlikely source. A crazed young woman who is sporting one heck of a shiner accosts him and keeps calling him Heydon. Once the two settle down to chat in the airport lounge, he learns that Heydon is Bobbie's older brother, who disappeared without a trace five years earlier. While some believe there is evidence that Heydon died by suicide, Bobbie does not believe it. She also tells Lynch that he could be his doppelgänger.
Coming from a wealthy and badly disjointed family with the surname Pierce, Bobbie was about to board a plane for Los Angeles, where her mother insists she check into yet another rehab facility. Bobbie still plans to do that, but not before she hatches a scheme to throw the Pierce clan into a whirling dervish while possibly also discovering the truth behind what happened to Heydon. She begins by giving Lynch what she refers to as a prison facial tattoo, a small teardrop under one eye --- the only feature of Heydon’s he did not possess. Then, like something out of Six Degrees of Separation, Bobbie quickly schools Lynch on all things Heydon so he can fool the Pierces and enter their house to rob them of riches that she wants back.
Lynch has access to the Pierce estate thanks to the security codes that Bobbie gave him, but the place is not empty as she had promised him. Not only is a member of the family’s security company present, Bobbie’s mother and sister are not far behind. Even with the resemblance, they see right through Lynch and know he is not the long-lost Heydon. They also are not surprised at the heist Bobbie had planned. However, they are not willing to let Lynch go that easily. They make him an offer that will provide him with the finances he needs to start over somewhere. All he has to do is pretend to be Heydon. This will involve retracing the last-known moments of his life that involved interaction with members of the London criminal underground who may have been responsible for his alleged murder.
Nothing and no one are as they seem in IMPOSTER SYNDROME, and Lynch is in far deeper peril than he ever could have imagined. The book reminds me somewhat of Tana French’s THE LIKENESS, which is about a detective who resembled a murdered college student and took on her identity to continue living with the housemates who may have killed her. The big difference is that the character in THE LIKENESS had the entire police squad behind her, ready to step in at a moment’s notice. Here, Lynch is on his own and operating without a net in a show that can quickly turn into a tragedy. What we have here is a very unnerving read!
Reviewed by Ray Palen
June 28, 2024
This one is difficult to review. Mostly because I don’t think I had a clue what was going on.
The plot line became irrationally complicated, to the point where I was utterly confounded.
I’m more than willing to put reality aside for a book if it is clever and engaging.
However, this was just mind-boggling.
I’m sorry, I liked the premise of this book and really hoped for something that tickled my brain cells.
But I just felt a bit lost.
Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for the ARC
The plot line became irrationally complicated, to the point where I was utterly confounded.
I’m more than willing to put reality aside for a book if it is clever and engaging.
However, this was just mind-boggling.
I’m sorry, I liked the premise of this book and really hoped for something that tickled my brain cells.
But I just felt a bit lost.
Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for the ARC
January 26, 2025
Knox is great at narrating his own books – just like True Crime Story, this worked much better for me on audio than on the page, partly because it allowed me to get past the dull opening chapters and into the meat of the story. There’s a whole section in the middle where Imposter Syndrome turns into a weird gangstalking conspiracy thriller. This is great: with a madcap clue-chasing quest through London and characters called things like Vincent Control and Gym Morrison, it remined me of Ned Beauman’s
Glow
mixed with Erin Kelly’s The Ties That Bind. Unfortunately, the stuff that pads it out at the beginning and end is much less engaging. I couldn’t summon up any investment in either Lynch (a character left purposely blank) or the Pierce family. I wasn’t surprised by the double twist, not really because I’d anticipated it, but because I just didn’t care. I had some fun with this, in the same way I have fun watching Netflix thriller miniseries that look good but don’t really make sense.
February 24, 2025
⭐️ Synopsis:
The reader begins the book with the POV of a man on a train who admits he is running from something, that he wishes he could call his best girl but that is no longer possible because of said thing he is running from. This man tells the reader that he is a chameleon. As he gets off the train, penniless (which in a couple of years is going to be a phrase young people don’t get because they have stopped making pennies) he looks for people he can blend in with so he won’t be asked to pay his fare. He finds an older lady struggling with several large bags and uses helping her to get himself safely into the station. Job done, he As walks quickly away from his mark and immediately collides with a dramatic looking woman dressed all in black. From here on nobody, most especially the reader, has any idea who the real con artist is.
⭐️ What I thought of the book:
This is the first book that I have picked up since I got really sick in the middle of February. I was excited about it because it is Joseph Knox and I love his books. And I liked this one. But I didn’t love it. It had the fast pace and nonstop shock of the other books ~ but it just was lacking the punch. I am not exactly sure why. Maybe it was me. The characters were good but I was looking for more. The plot was complex but sometimes seemed more muddled and it robbed the reveals of some of the surprise. That being said, Knox’s writing is head and shoulders above most even on his not so good days. I would still recommend this as a fast paced, twisty, well written thriller. So, three stars for discerning Joseph. Knox fans and four stars for everyone else.
The reader begins the book with the POV of a man on a train who admits he is running from something, that he wishes he could call his best girl but that is no longer possible because of said thing he is running from. This man tells the reader that he is a chameleon. As he gets off the train, penniless (which in a couple of years is going to be a phrase young people don’t get because they have stopped making pennies) he looks for people he can blend in with so he won’t be asked to pay his fare. He finds an older lady struggling with several large bags and uses helping her to get himself safely into the station. Job done, he As walks quickly away from his mark and immediately collides with a dramatic looking woman dressed all in black. From here on nobody, most especially the reader, has any idea who the real con artist is.
⭐️ What I thought of the book:
This is the first book that I have picked up since I got really sick in the middle of February. I was excited about it because it is Joseph Knox and I love his books. And I liked this one. But I didn’t love it. It had the fast pace and nonstop shock of the other books ~ but it just was lacking the punch. I am not exactly sure why. Maybe it was me. The characters were good but I was looking for more. The plot was complex but sometimes seemed more muddled and it robbed the reveals of some of the surprise. That being said, Knox’s writing is head and shoulders above most even on his not so good days. I would still recommend this as a fast paced, twisty, well written thriller. So, three stars for discerning Joseph. Knox fans and four stars for everyone else.
July 1, 2024
2.5 stars
Unfortunately I just couldn't get into this one. I thought it might get better but I really struggled to get through it. I'm not sure what it was about the book but there was a lot of descriptive parts and overly detailed in many places which made my mind wander.
Good writing and an interesting premise but not for me, I'm afraid.
Unfortunately I just couldn't get into this one. I thought it might get better but I really struggled to get through it. I'm not sure what it was about the book but there was a lot of descriptive parts and overly detailed in many places which made my mind wander.
Good writing and an interesting premise but not for me, I'm afraid.
May 27, 2024
The title and synopsis had me greatly intrigued... unfortunately i didn't feel gripped into the story line as much as i was hoping. Bobbie however was my favourite character and felt like if she was more in the story with her funny lines would have made it more interesting.
December 19, 2024
In Joseph Knox's latest psychological thriller, "Imposter Syndrome," we descend into a world where nothing is quite what it seems. The novel follows Lynch, a con artist on the run, who stumbles into an elaborate web of deception when he's mistaken for Heydon Pierce, a man who vanished five years ago. What begins as a potential confidence trick evolves into something far more sinister, as Lynch finds himself entangled with some of London's most dangerous and influential figures.
Knox, known for his acclaimed Aidan Waits trilogy (Sirens, The Smiling Man, The Sleepwalker) and the innovative True Crime Story, demonstrates his evolving mastery of the psychological thriller genre. However, while his previous works were anchored in the gritty streets of Manchester, "Imposter Syndrome" takes us to London's corridors of power, where the stakes are higher and the shadows run deeper.
Writing Style and Narrative Structure
The prose in "Imposter Syndrome" is sharp and atmospheric, with Knox employing a first-person narrative that pulls readers directly into Lynch's increasingly paranoid mindset. The writing style is taut and economical, yet rich with psychological insight. Knox has a particular talent for creating tension through dialogue, with conversations often carrying multiple layers of meaning and threat.
However, the narrative occasionally suffers from pacing issues, particularly in the middle section where the multiple conspiracies and counter-conspiracies can become somewhat convoluted. The story's complexity, while intellectually engaging, might challenge readers trying to keep track of the various players and their motivations.
Character Development
Lynch is a fascinating protagonist - morally ambiguous yet strangely sympathetic. His character arc is well-crafted, moving from pure self-interest to something approaching redemption, though Knox wisely avoids any neat moral resolutions. The supporting cast is equally well-drawn:
- Bobbie Pierce: A complex character whose motivations remain tantalizingly unclear until the end
- Reagan Pierce: The seemingly stable sister whose facade gradually crumbles
- Miranda Pierce: A powerful matriarch whose influence extends beyond her physical presence
- Sebastien Keeler: A manipulator whose true nature unfolds like a slow-motion car crash
Themes and Psychological Depth
The novel excels in its exploration of several interconnected themes:
1. Identity and Impersonation
- The fluid nature of personality
- The masks we wear in different situations
- The thin line between acting and becoming
2. Power and Control
- The manipulation of truth
- The influence of wealth and privilege
- The price of revenge
3. Family Dynamics
- The weight of expectations
- The toxicity of secrets
- The complexity of sibling relationships
Strengths and Weaknesses
What Works
- The intricate plot construction
- The psychological complexity of the characters
- The atmospheric rendering of London's elite circles
- The growing sense of paranoia and uncertainty
- The satisfying yet unsettling conclusion
Areas for Improvement
- The pacing occasionally lags in the middle sections
- Some plot threads become overly complex
- A few secondary characters could be more fully developed
- Certain coincidences strain credibility
Final Verdict
"Imposter Syndrome" is an ambitious and largely successful psychological thriller that rewards careful reading. Despite some minor pacing issues and occasional complexity overload, Knox has created a compelling exploration of identity and power that keeps readers guessing until the end.
Knox, known for his acclaimed Aidan Waits trilogy (Sirens, The Smiling Man, The Sleepwalker) and the innovative True Crime Story, demonstrates his evolving mastery of the psychological thriller genre. However, while his previous works were anchored in the gritty streets of Manchester, "Imposter Syndrome" takes us to London's corridors of power, where the stakes are higher and the shadows run deeper.
Writing Style and Narrative Structure
The prose in "Imposter Syndrome" is sharp and atmospheric, with Knox employing a first-person narrative that pulls readers directly into Lynch's increasingly paranoid mindset. The writing style is taut and economical, yet rich with psychological insight. Knox has a particular talent for creating tension through dialogue, with conversations often carrying multiple layers of meaning and threat.
However, the narrative occasionally suffers from pacing issues, particularly in the middle section where the multiple conspiracies and counter-conspiracies can become somewhat convoluted. The story's complexity, while intellectually engaging, might challenge readers trying to keep track of the various players and their motivations.
Character Development
Lynch is a fascinating protagonist - morally ambiguous yet strangely sympathetic. His character arc is well-crafted, moving from pure self-interest to something approaching redemption, though Knox wisely avoids any neat moral resolutions. The supporting cast is equally well-drawn:
- Bobbie Pierce: A complex character whose motivations remain tantalizingly unclear until the end
- Reagan Pierce: The seemingly stable sister whose facade gradually crumbles
- Miranda Pierce: A powerful matriarch whose influence extends beyond her physical presence
- Sebastien Keeler: A manipulator whose true nature unfolds like a slow-motion car crash
Themes and Psychological Depth
The novel excels in its exploration of several interconnected themes:
1. Identity and Impersonation
- The fluid nature of personality
- The masks we wear in different situations
- The thin line between acting and becoming
2. Power and Control
- The manipulation of truth
- The influence of wealth and privilege
- The price of revenge
3. Family Dynamics
- The weight of expectations
- The toxicity of secrets
- The complexity of sibling relationships
Strengths and Weaknesses
What Works
- The intricate plot construction
- The psychological complexity of the characters
- The atmospheric rendering of London's elite circles
- The growing sense of paranoia and uncertainty
- The satisfying yet unsettling conclusion
Areas for Improvement
- The pacing occasionally lags in the middle sections
- Some plot threads become overly complex
- A few secondary characters could be more fully developed
- Certain coincidences strain credibility
Final Verdict
"Imposter Syndrome" is an ambitious and largely successful psychological thriller that rewards careful reading. Despite some minor pacing issues and occasional complexity overload, Knox has created a compelling exploration of identity and power that keeps readers guessing until the end.
December 27, 2024
A mysterious thriller about a conman turned detective. Whilst the book is a page turner, the plot may be complex for the sake of being complex. At the end I was left thinking- was all of that nessacary?
I am not left with any strong feelings towards any of the characters. I think this is because the author focuses more on what they do vs who they are.
An interesting subplot throughout the book is how the upper class people who Lynch works for are just as conniving, but better at covering their tracks. In saying this, the book is an easy, enjoyable read if thrillers are your thing.
I am not left with any strong feelings towards any of the characters. I think this is because the author focuses more on what they do vs who they are.
An interesting subplot throughout the book is how the upper class people who Lynch works for are just as conniving, but better at covering their tracks. In saying this, the book is an easy, enjoyable read if thrillers are your thing.
January 7, 2025
Gave up. It was like reading the writings of jay from the inbetweeners. Yah sure you’re such a brilliant con man 🙄 yah sure this rich girl you met one time is like come rob my family ! Then the family’s like … would you like to do espionage for us? Let’s go buy you a new wardrobe! Custom suit sir? Let’s put you up in a five star hotel!
July 6, 2024
I dove into Joseph Knox's new novel without even reading the blurb. The title and cover promised a wild, entertaining adventure involving a con artist plot. Was I right? Well, partially. I anticipated a con story (which I love), and the first few chapters delivered on that promise. The main character, Mr. Lynch, bears a striking resemblance to Heydon Pierce, the missing son of a wealthy family. His sister convinces Lynch to impersonate Heydon and profit from the deception. At this point, I was thinking: Highsmith meets Hitchcock, and I was thrilled.
However, when Lynch meets the family, the plot takes a turn. It shifts from a con-artist narrative to an action-packed noir featuring mysterious and dangerous organizations, dubious enterprises, contract killers, sinister entrepreneurs, and a family with more secrets than they care to admit.
The plot was intricate and often complex, with Lynch moving from one place to another, uncovering new clues, meeting enigmatic characters, and trying to unravel the mystery while becoming suspicious of everyone.
Overall, this was a fast-paced action thriller that I could easily see adapted into a film or TV series, though it wasn’t what I initially expected. I was amused and entertained throughout, but I couldn't help wondering why Lynch would go to such extremes for someone he didn't know or why the plot had to be so convoluted.
However, when Lynch meets the family, the plot takes a turn. It shifts from a con-artist narrative to an action-packed noir featuring mysterious and dangerous organizations, dubious enterprises, contract killers, sinister entrepreneurs, and a family with more secrets than they care to admit.
The plot was intricate and often complex, with Lynch moving from one place to another, uncovering new clues, meeting enigmatic characters, and trying to unravel the mystery while becoming suspicious of everyone.
Overall, this was a fast-paced action thriller that I could easily see adapted into a film or TV series, though it wasn’t what I initially expected. I was amused and entertained throughout, but I couldn't help wondering why Lynch would go to such extremes for someone he didn't know or why the plot had to be so convoluted.
October 30, 2024
Knox´s Aidan Waits series is excellent, as is his True Crime Story. This one, however,is not worthy of this author.
Unispired,too "clever" for its own good,it slides into being totally ridiculous. Twisty in a silly way,full of plot holes,and for a "thriller" quite boring.
Lee Child´s Reacher books are implausible, but believable;outlandish but fun and cohesive.
This one´s just a mess.
Unispired,too "clever" for its own good,it slides into being totally ridiculous. Twisty in a silly way,full of plot holes,and for a "thriller" quite boring.
Lee Child´s Reacher books are implausible, but believable;outlandish but fun and cohesive.
This one´s just a mess.
dnf
December 31, 2024Soft dnf at 24%. This just isn't capturing my attention at all, so I'd rather focus on other books right now and revisit this one later.
April 2, 2025
this was good and it almost was great but it just fell a little short!!
December 10, 2024
Engrossing, fast-paced, and sinister!
Imposter Syndrome is a brisk, compelling tale that takes you into the life of Lynch, a broke con man who, after running from the life he recently led in Paris, becomes embroiled in the dangerously messed-up lives of the complex, affluent Pierce family.
The writing is tight and intense. The characters are secretive, troubled, and multilayered. And the plot is an ominous thrill ride full of twists, turns, familial drama, secrets, lies, deception, guilt, grief, relationship dynamics, reckless behaviour, swirling emotions, manipulation, violence, vengeance, and murder.
Overall, Imposter Syndrome is an intricate, crafty, atmospheric read by Knox that captivated, satisfied, and highly entertained me and was a good reminder that things are never what they seem.
Imposter Syndrome is a brisk, compelling tale that takes you into the life of Lynch, a broke con man who, after running from the life he recently led in Paris, becomes embroiled in the dangerously messed-up lives of the complex, affluent Pierce family.
The writing is tight and intense. The characters are secretive, troubled, and multilayered. And the plot is an ominous thrill ride full of twists, turns, familial drama, secrets, lies, deception, guilt, grief, relationship dynamics, reckless behaviour, swirling emotions, manipulation, violence, vengeance, and murder.
Overall, Imposter Syndrome is an intricate, crafty, atmospheric read by Knox that captivated, satisfied, and highly entertained me and was a good reminder that things are never what they seem.
April 6, 2024
My thoughts about Joseph Knox’s Imposter Syndrome is a Riveting Tale of Deception, Identity, and Deadly Secret. Joseph Knox delivers a gripping narrative in Imposter Syndrome, weaving together elements of suspense, deception, and psychological intrigue. The story follows Lynch, a burned-out con-artist who stumbles upon a fateful encounter with Bobbie, a rehab-bound heiress, mistaking him momentarily for her missing brother, Heydon. What begins as a chance encounter quickly escalates into a tangled web of lies and danger as Lynch is drawn into impersonating Heydon at the behest of Bobbie’s formidable mother, Miranda. Joseph Knox’s Imposter Syndrome sets the stage for a thrilling ride, but Joseph Knox’s masterful execution takes the story to greater heights. One of the strengths of Joseph Knox’s thriller lies in its portrayal of the dynamics between the characters. Lynch’s interactions with Bobbie, Miranda, and other key players are fraught with tension, mistrust, and hidden agendas. Each character is meticulously crafted, adding layers of depth to the narrative and keeping readers guessing about their true motivations. Overall Joseph Knox’s Imposter Syndrome is a riveting thriller that captivates from beginning to end. Joseph Knox’s skillful storytelling, complex characters, and deft handling of suspense make it a must-read for fans of the genre. And with the blend of heart-pounding action, Joseph Knox’s thriller is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers long after the final page is turned. I would like to say a big thank you to author Joseph Knox and publishers Transworld books and Doubleday books, for kindly letting me read and review this breathtaking thriller on netgalley. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
September 18, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book 😊
“Imposter syndrome” is a thriller set in London, where a man named Lynch (who is also a con artist) is hired by Bobbie, an Heiress, to pretend to be her missing and presumably dead son, Heydon Pierce. In doing that, they will take part - against their will - in a series of twisted events…
Unfortunately, I struggled to finish this book and had to skim read the last 20% or so. I had trouble connecting to the characters: I didn’t find any specific personality traits that I could get attached to, thus had trouble differentiating them. I also felt very disconnected to this novel and did not really feel many emotions at all, which is a shame as I was very intrigued at the start.
I don’t think this book (and potentially this author) is for me, although if you like them, you might enjoy this book. I might give a shot to “True Crime Story”, the other book by this author, but it’s not my priority right now.
“Imposter syndrome” is a thriller set in London, where a man named Lynch (who is also a con artist) is hired by Bobbie, an Heiress, to pretend to be her missing and presumably dead son, Heydon Pierce. In doing that, they will take part - against their will - in a series of twisted events…
Unfortunately, I struggled to finish this book and had to skim read the last 20% or so. I had trouble connecting to the characters: I didn’t find any specific personality traits that I could get attached to, thus had trouble differentiating them. I also felt very disconnected to this novel and did not really feel many emotions at all, which is a shame as I was very intrigued at the start.
I don’t think this book (and potentially this author) is for me, although if you like them, you might enjoy this book. I might give a shot to “True Crime Story”, the other book by this author, but it’s not my priority right now.
December 10, 2024
I got this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This story is about a guy who gets himself stuck in some sticky situations. There were so many scandalous people and situations. It was suspenseful because I was wondering what he’d get into next! There were a lot of characters and I got a little confused on who was who sometimes, but overall it was a good book! If you like not-so-dark books, this one’s for you.
December 14, 2024
Joseph Knox is the British author behind the Aidan Waits trilogy as well as the terrific 2021 thriller TRUE CRIME STORY. He returns with a new stand-alone thriller, IMPOSTER SYNDROME, that is a super-charged novel which propels readers through a treacherous situation that spins out of control before your very eyes.
It opens with an ideal quote from legendary writer Kurt Vonnegut: ‘We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.’ Author Mark Twain once made reference to the necessity for a great memory if you are going to put on a front about who you claim to be with your public persona. The lead character in IMPOSTER SYNDROME is about to find all of this out the hard way.
The man known as Lynch considered himself to be a con man and is currently on the run from a bad situation he left behind in Paris that caused him to flee for London with only the clothes on his back and no money in his pocket. While riding random tube lines in the London Underground, Lynch finds himself at Heathrow airport where he needs to assist an elderly passenger with her luggage to gain access to the terminal. The next step will be the difficult one, finding someone he can work on to provide him shelter and financial assistance so that he can hunker down and figure out his next move.
That assistance will come sooner than he expected and from an unlikely source. A crazed young woman named Bobbie, who is sporting one heck of a shiner on her eye, accosts Lynch and keeps calling him Heydon. Once the two settle down to chat in the airport lounge, he learns that Heydon was her older brother who disappeared without a trace five years earlier. While some believe there was evidence to the fact that Heydon committed suicide, Bobbie does not believe it. She also tells Lynch that he could be her estranged brother’s doppelganger.
Coming from a wealthy and badly disjointed family with the surname Pierce, Bobbie was about to board a plane for Los Angeles where he mother insists she check into yet another rehab facility. Bobbie still plans to do that, but not before she hatches a scheme to throw the Pierce family into a whirling dervish while possibly also discovering the truth behind what happened to her brother Heydon. She begins by giving Lynch what she refers to as a prison facial tattoo, a small teardrop under one eye --- the only feature of Heydon’s he did not possess. Then, like something out of the John Guare play Six Degrees Of Separation, she quickly schools Lynch on all things Heydon so that he can fool the Pierce family and enter their house to rob them of riches that Bobbie wants back.
Lynch gets access to the Pierce estate because Bobbie gave him the security codes, but the place is not empty like she had promised him. Not only is a member of the families security company present but Bobbie’s mother and sister are not long behind. Even with the resemblance, they see right through Lynch and know he is not the long-lost Heydon. They also are not surprised at the heist Bobbie had planned. However, they are not willing to just let him go that easily. They make him an offer that will provide him with the finances he needs to start over somewhere and all he needs to do is pretend to be Heydon. This will involve retracing the last known moments of Heydon’s life that involved interaction with members of the London criminal underground who may have been responsible for his alleged murder.
Nothing and no one are as they seem in IMPOSTER SYNDROME, and Lynch is in far deeper peril than he ever could have imagined. This novel reminded me somewhat of Tana French’s classic THE LIKENESS, about the police detective that resembled a murdered college student and then took on her identity to continue living with the housemates that may have killed her. The big difference is that the detective in the French novel had the entire police squad behind her, ready to step in at a moment’s notice. In IMPOSTER SYNDROME, Lynch is on his own and operating without a net in a show that could quickly turn into a tragedy. A very unnerving read!
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
It opens with an ideal quote from legendary writer Kurt Vonnegut: ‘We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.’ Author Mark Twain once made reference to the necessity for a great memory if you are going to put on a front about who you claim to be with your public persona. The lead character in IMPOSTER SYNDROME is about to find all of this out the hard way.
The man known as Lynch considered himself to be a con man and is currently on the run from a bad situation he left behind in Paris that caused him to flee for London with only the clothes on his back and no money in his pocket. While riding random tube lines in the London Underground, Lynch finds himself at Heathrow airport where he needs to assist an elderly passenger with her luggage to gain access to the terminal. The next step will be the difficult one, finding someone he can work on to provide him shelter and financial assistance so that he can hunker down and figure out his next move.
That assistance will come sooner than he expected and from an unlikely source. A crazed young woman named Bobbie, who is sporting one heck of a shiner on her eye, accosts Lynch and keeps calling him Heydon. Once the two settle down to chat in the airport lounge, he learns that Heydon was her older brother who disappeared without a trace five years earlier. While some believe there was evidence to the fact that Heydon committed suicide, Bobbie does not believe it. She also tells Lynch that he could be her estranged brother’s doppelganger.
Coming from a wealthy and badly disjointed family with the surname Pierce, Bobbie was about to board a plane for Los Angeles where he mother insists she check into yet another rehab facility. Bobbie still plans to do that, but not before she hatches a scheme to throw the Pierce family into a whirling dervish while possibly also discovering the truth behind what happened to her brother Heydon. She begins by giving Lynch what she refers to as a prison facial tattoo, a small teardrop under one eye --- the only feature of Heydon’s he did not possess. Then, like something out of the John Guare play Six Degrees Of Separation, she quickly schools Lynch on all things Heydon so that he can fool the Pierce family and enter their house to rob them of riches that Bobbie wants back.
Lynch gets access to the Pierce estate because Bobbie gave him the security codes, but the place is not empty like she had promised him. Not only is a member of the families security company present but Bobbie’s mother and sister are not long behind. Even with the resemblance, they see right through Lynch and know he is not the long-lost Heydon. They also are not surprised at the heist Bobbie had planned. However, they are not willing to just let him go that easily. They make him an offer that will provide him with the finances he needs to start over somewhere and all he needs to do is pretend to be Heydon. This will involve retracing the last known moments of Heydon’s life that involved interaction with members of the London criminal underground who may have been responsible for his alleged murder.
Nothing and no one are as they seem in IMPOSTER SYNDROME, and Lynch is in far deeper peril than he ever could have imagined. This novel reminded me somewhat of Tana French’s classic THE LIKENESS, about the police detective that resembled a murdered college student and then took on her identity to continue living with the housemates that may have killed her. The big difference is that the detective in the French novel had the entire police squad behind her, ready to step in at a moment’s notice. In IMPOSTER SYNDROME, Lynch is on his own and operating without a net in a show that could quickly turn into a tragedy. A very unnerving read!
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
June 13, 2024
3.5-4 stars
Thanks to Doubleday for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I have seen nothing but absolute praise for this book and was so excited to be part of the book tour. It's my first Joseph Knox book, but we can be certain that it won't be my last.
I'd got to the third chapter and knew already that it was going to be something special.
I've read loads of thrillers and it's probably my most read genre, but I always worry that it's going to get stale, because how can there possibly be so many story ides within the genre? But this was new again. I've not read anything like it.
There were a few moments, particularly at the beginning when they're introducing characters, discussing what has already happened etc. where I got a little confused as it was a lot of information in a short space of time. It's not for long, and I soon got to grips with it, but at first I did have to re-read a couple of areas to fully bring myself up to speed.
It is quite involved. Many people, and many crimes, which means it's a little heavy, which took some getting used to, I admit. Was there maybe too much? The jury is out on that one. I never felt overwhelmed by it, but I can understand some people doing so. I personally felt Joseph had stopped just the right side of too much.
It isn't a 100mph all-guns-blazing kind of thriller (which isn't a complaint). Yes there's thrills and spills - subterfuge, missing people, impersonation, murder, drug abuse etc. etc - but it gives it to you in a slower way. We get to know Lynch very well and we see the story pan out through him, and not many really fast things in fiction happen in real time. For me, it meant you could focus more on the subtle things, how Lynch acts etc. It creeps up on you, like someone's watching you but they're always just out of reach. I suppose what I mean is, there's a whole lot of talking and not a lot of doing (again, not a negative, at least for me).
It is written in the first person which I'm not used to reading, but it really works here. It helps us with this real-time feeling I mentioned above. By having it all as "I", then we are discovering things as Lynch does, we find things out, who we like and dislike, who we trust and distrust, as he does. If it was in the third person then I think it would have feel a bit distanced, and I think you need that connection in order to feel any sort of compassion with the protagonist.
I admit, I'm not sure of my opinions on the ending. I mean, it was satisfying in one way, but for me, I felt I had too many unanswered questions. Some people may enjoy that but...it's hard to explain. You get some authors who deliberately don't wrap things up and allow the reader to decide the ending. This isn't that. This does have a conclusion, but I wasn't able to fully grasp it in a way that I could explain to others how it ended...if that makes sense.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read. I read it in less than a day. It was thrilling, interesting, unique, engaging, curious; not what I was expecting but no less of a great read for that. It's definitely given me the taste for Joseph's other books.
Thanks to Doubleday for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I have seen nothing but absolute praise for this book and was so excited to be part of the book tour. It's my first Joseph Knox book, but we can be certain that it won't be my last.
I'd got to the third chapter and knew already that it was going to be something special.
I've read loads of thrillers and it's probably my most read genre, but I always worry that it's going to get stale, because how can there possibly be so many story ides within the genre? But this was new again. I've not read anything like it.
There were a few moments, particularly at the beginning when they're introducing characters, discussing what has already happened etc. where I got a little confused as it was a lot of information in a short space of time. It's not for long, and I soon got to grips with it, but at first I did have to re-read a couple of areas to fully bring myself up to speed.
It is quite involved. Many people, and many crimes, which means it's a little heavy, which took some getting used to, I admit. Was there maybe too much? The jury is out on that one. I never felt overwhelmed by it, but I can understand some people doing so. I personally felt Joseph had stopped just the right side of too much.
It isn't a 100mph all-guns-blazing kind of thriller (which isn't a complaint). Yes there's thrills and spills - subterfuge, missing people, impersonation, murder, drug abuse etc. etc - but it gives it to you in a slower way. We get to know Lynch very well and we see the story pan out through him, and not many really fast things in fiction happen in real time. For me, it meant you could focus more on the subtle things, how Lynch acts etc. It creeps up on you, like someone's watching you but they're always just out of reach. I suppose what I mean is, there's a whole lot of talking and not a lot of doing (again, not a negative, at least for me).
It is written in the first person which I'm not used to reading, but it really works here. It helps us with this real-time feeling I mentioned above. By having it all as "I", then we are discovering things as Lynch does, we find things out, who we like and dislike, who we trust and distrust, as he does. If it was in the third person then I think it would have feel a bit distanced, and I think you need that connection in order to feel any sort of compassion with the protagonist.
I admit, I'm not sure of my opinions on the ending. I mean, it was satisfying in one way, but for me, I felt I had too many unanswered questions. Some people may enjoy that but...it's hard to explain. You get some authors who deliberately don't wrap things up and allow the reader to decide the ending. This isn't that. This does have a conclusion, but I wasn't able to fully grasp it in a way that I could explain to others how it ended...if that makes sense.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read. I read it in less than a day. It was thrilling, interesting, unique, engaging, curious; not what I was expecting but no less of a great read for that. It's definitely given me the taste for Joseph's other books.
June 27, 2024
Imposter Syndrome is a book that seems determined to thwart. From the outset it was apparent that we would get no easy answers, but so many questions were left unanswered and I found myself frustrated by some of the plot elements.
The main story focuses on a young man who bears an uncanny resemblance to one Heydon Pierce, a young man who went missing years ago and was presumed dead. Our main character has just arrived in the country from Paris and he bumps into Hayden’s sister Bobbie. Bobbie is amused by the resemblance and suggests he should pretend to be her brother.
For reasons that we never really get to understand our con man Lynch goes along with this idea. He gets into the Pierce family home, but when he is confronted by security he comes clean and then things get weird.
Hayden’s mother asks him to continue the charade a little longer, so they can get answers about what really happened to her son.
While Lynch stumbles through increasingly dangerous situations he learns more about the troubles faced by Hayden. He also uncovers rather unpalatable truths about Hayden’s family…and finds himself having to up his game in order to survive.
Unfortunately, by the time Lynch starts to get answers I felt every one of the privileged characters he encounters deserves what happens to them. The fact that we never got to the bottom of his situation was inherently frustrating - I had no reason to care for him or what happened to him.
The main story focuses on a young man who bears an uncanny resemblance to one Heydon Pierce, a young man who went missing years ago and was presumed dead. Our main character has just arrived in the country from Paris and he bumps into Hayden’s sister Bobbie. Bobbie is amused by the resemblance and suggests he should pretend to be her brother.
For reasons that we never really get to understand our con man Lynch goes along with this idea. He gets into the Pierce family home, but when he is confronted by security he comes clean and then things get weird.
Hayden’s mother asks him to continue the charade a little longer, so they can get answers about what really happened to her son.
While Lynch stumbles through increasingly dangerous situations he learns more about the troubles faced by Hayden. He also uncovers rather unpalatable truths about Hayden’s family…and finds himself having to up his game in order to survive.
Unfortunately, by the time Lynch starts to get answers I felt every one of the privileged characters he encounters deserves what happens to them. The fact that we never got to the bottom of his situation was inherently frustrating - I had no reason to care for him or what happened to him.
August 17, 2024
A chance meeting at an airport leads Lynch into a deceptive, manipulative and dangerous situation. He has a passing resemblance to a Heydon, a young man who went missing 5 years ago. His sister Bobbi sees Lynch and she has a proposition for him.
This book took me a while to get into and when I did I had to keep reading to see how it would end. The complex plot is forever evolving, the boundaries move and there is no sense of anyone telling the truth. But as much as I enjoyed this I did find myself thinking that I was getting confused as every time one thing was settled, it seemed that something else became unsettled. It was a story that seemed to keep going around in circles.
I do like thrillers that have an interesting or different slant to them and this book has that. The main theme I took from the story was how deceptions keep becoming more and more convoluted. The characters are completely untrustworthy and even when I thought they were telling the truth I was then waiting for another bombshell to drop to realise they were still spinning another lie.
This is a book that even though I enjoyed it, I didn't always get it. The plot became very complex and I am not totally sure that I got the answers to the numerous questions throughout the story. This one wasn't really for me but if you are looking for a story that is character-led with the voice of one narrator then this one may be for you. I would recommend it.
This book took me a while to get into and when I did I had to keep reading to see how it would end. The complex plot is forever evolving, the boundaries move and there is no sense of anyone telling the truth. But as much as I enjoyed this I did find myself thinking that I was getting confused as every time one thing was settled, it seemed that something else became unsettled. It was a story that seemed to keep going around in circles.
I do like thrillers that have an interesting or different slant to them and this book has that. The main theme I took from the story was how deceptions keep becoming more and more convoluted. The characters are completely untrustworthy and even when I thought they were telling the truth I was then waiting for another bombshell to drop to realise they were still spinning another lie.
This is a book that even though I enjoyed it, I didn't always get it. The plot became very complex and I am not totally sure that I got the answers to the numerous questions throughout the story. This one wasn't really for me but if you are looking for a story that is character-led with the voice of one narrator then this one may be for you. I would recommend it.
September 19, 2024
Imposter Syndrome by Joseph Knox tells the story of gifted con man and grifter Lynch and his later involvement in discovering what happened to the troubled son of a wealthy family.
Lynch, is on the run after a different con fell apart and while on the move, meets Bobbie, the sister to the missing Heydon Pierce. By means explained in the novel, Lynch is then pulled into an expansive scheme to enter what he soon learns to be a strange byzantine world filled with a wide range of powerfully dangerous people and plenty of mystery.
Knox goes to great lengths to introduce Lynch and the other characters and spins quite a complex tale many should enjoy. The novel then follows Lynch and others, as Lynch attempts to determine whether Heydon is dead or alive and if dead, whether was he murdered.
Upfront, and not to dissuade others from reading the novel, Imposter Syndrome is a very good novel, and though this was not my favorite Joseph Knox novel, I have no desire to negatively review it because my reaction was simply a matter of taste. In the past, I have greatly enjoyed Knox’s Aidan Watts novels and highly recommend those to fans of gritty crime fiction.
Imposter Syndrome is recommended to those who enjoy complex, wide-reaching tales with more than above-average character development.
Netgalley provided an ARC in return for a fair review and the novel is set to be released in December 2024.
Lynch, is on the run after a different con fell apart and while on the move, meets Bobbie, the sister to the missing Heydon Pierce. By means explained in the novel, Lynch is then pulled into an expansive scheme to enter what he soon learns to be a strange byzantine world filled with a wide range of powerfully dangerous people and plenty of mystery.
Knox goes to great lengths to introduce Lynch and the other characters and spins quite a complex tale many should enjoy. The novel then follows Lynch and others, as Lynch attempts to determine whether Heydon is dead or alive and if dead, whether was he murdered.
Upfront, and not to dissuade others from reading the novel, Imposter Syndrome is a very good novel, and though this was not my favorite Joseph Knox novel, I have no desire to negatively review it because my reaction was simply a matter of taste. In the past, I have greatly enjoyed Knox’s Aidan Watts novels and highly recommend those to fans of gritty crime fiction.
Imposter Syndrome is recommended to those who enjoy complex, wide-reaching tales with more than above-average character development.
Netgalley provided an ARC in return for a fair review and the novel is set to be released in December 2024.
May 3, 2024
Imposter Syndrome - Joseph Knox
A con-artist, an heiress and a missing doppelganger. I had no idea these 3 components could make for such a good story!
Lynch bumps into a secretive heiress, on her way to rehab, who recognises the similarities between him and her missing brother. After a hazy night together, Bobbie disappears, leaving Lynch in a hotel room with a seemingly random tattoo on his face and information that will allow him access to a family with more money than they know what to do with.
After striking a deal, Lynch gets invested in the case of his missing doppelganger as surprising clues keep falling into his hands. The deeper he gets, the harder it becomes to walk away.
Lynch’s investigation is enticing, leaving the reader to think the mysteries about to be solved after each emerging clue. However, you find yourself falling deeper into the questionable disappearance along with Lynch himself.
This is a brilliantly written book. One which is difficult to predict and comes with many surprising plot twists.
I struggled slightly with understanding the roles that each character plays, finding it quite complex and difficult to follow at times. However, persistence is key and as I progressed through the book, each event and character began to make more sense and become relevant to the story itself.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc in return for an honest review!
A con-artist, an heiress and a missing doppelganger. I had no idea these 3 components could make for such a good story!
Lynch bumps into a secretive heiress, on her way to rehab, who recognises the similarities between him and her missing brother. After a hazy night together, Bobbie disappears, leaving Lynch in a hotel room with a seemingly random tattoo on his face and information that will allow him access to a family with more money than they know what to do with.
After striking a deal, Lynch gets invested in the case of his missing doppelganger as surprising clues keep falling into his hands. The deeper he gets, the harder it becomes to walk away.
Lynch’s investigation is enticing, leaving the reader to think the mysteries about to be solved after each emerging clue. However, you find yourself falling deeper into the questionable disappearance along with Lynch himself.
This is a brilliantly written book. One which is difficult to predict and comes with many surprising plot twists.
I struggled slightly with understanding the roles that each character plays, finding it quite complex and difficult to follow at times. However, persistence is key and as I progressed through the book, each event and character began to make more sense and become relevant to the story itself.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc in return for an honest review!
May 29, 2025
1.5 stars -
I really enjoyed True Crime Story by this author, so I felt like despite the low average rating on this, I would probably still enjoy it but that was sadly not the case. Put simply, a good portion of this story made absolutely NO sense. Right off the bat, you have to completely suspend your belief and buy that not only does this man look EXACTLY like this girl's missing brother but that he and her family meet each other and minutes later are collaborating on this large-scale scheme to find out what happened to said missing brother. The story gets more and more hair-brained as it goes and I spent about 80% being confused and wanting to DNF. The only thing that saved this was the action sequences which were well-written and engaging - everything else, including the ending, made me want to quit. I don't recommend it.
I really enjoyed True Crime Story by this author, so I felt like despite the low average rating on this, I would probably still enjoy it but that was sadly not the case. Put simply, a good portion of this story made absolutely NO sense. Right off the bat, you have to completely suspend your belief and buy that not only does this man look EXACTLY like this girl's missing brother but that he and her family meet each other and minutes later are collaborating on this large-scale scheme to find out what happened to said missing brother. The story gets more and more hair-brained as it goes and I spent about 80% being confused and wanting to DNF. The only thing that saved this was the action sequences which were well-written and engaging - everything else, including the ending, made me want to quit. I don't recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2024
A really enjoyable read from Joseph Knox, author of one of my favourite ever books True Crime Story published in 2021.
I was therefore super excited to read Imposter Syndrome. This latest thriller is a must for fans of twisty fast paced mysteries centering around missing Heydon Pierce and the con artist set up to impersonate him; Lynch.
I loved how unflappable Lynch was, although couldn’t really get my head around why he went along with events given how deep he slipped into the intrigue. Some of his retorts, especially when faced with the ‘bad guys’ were laugh out loud moments.
I’ll admit there were a lot of characters and events, which did leave me feeling confused at times, but Knox did recap through the narrative so I did feel able to keep up (mostly!)
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review
I was therefore super excited to read Imposter Syndrome. This latest thriller is a must for fans of twisty fast paced mysteries centering around missing Heydon Pierce and the con artist set up to impersonate him; Lynch.
I loved how unflappable Lynch was, although couldn’t really get my head around why he went along with events given how deep he slipped into the intrigue. Some of his retorts, especially when faced with the ‘bad guys’ were laugh out loud moments.
I’ll admit there were a lot of characters and events, which did leave me feeling confused at times, but Knox did recap through the narrative so I did feel able to keep up (mostly!)
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review
September 5, 2024
As a fan of Joseph Knox’s previous novels, I found Imposter Syndrome to probably be his weakest so far but it’s not without qualities. Knox is excellent at creating flawed and troubled characters and there’s plenty of them here. The story is intriguing and I was always curious to see where it would go. I do think the plot becomes far too convoluted in the middle section with too many characters introduced and too many complicated story threads going on. They all do tie together nicely at the end though, resulting in a conclusion that is mostly satisfying.
Imposter Syndrome is a well written, good read. It just didn’t leave the lasting impression I hoped it would.
Imposter Syndrome is a well written, good read. It just didn’t leave the lasting impression I hoped it would.
July 21, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for an ARC of #ImposterSyndrome.
An interesting mystery surrounding the disappearance of a man, the appearance of his doppelganger and a race for answers.
When reading g this book I would suggest taking notes, there are a lot of characters to keep track of, who is associated with who, and who is trying to kill who. I slightly lost interest about two thirds through as I wasn't following the 'tech' explanation and I was getting slightly confused with characters etc. However I'm glad I stuck it out and I enjoyed the ending.
An interesting mystery surrounding the disappearance of a man, the appearance of his doppelganger and a race for answers.
When reading g this book I would suggest taking notes, there are a lot of characters to keep track of, who is associated with who, and who is trying to kill who. I slightly lost interest about two thirds through as I wasn't following the 'tech' explanation and I was getting slightly confused with characters etc. However I'm glad I stuck it out and I enjoyed the ending.
July 9, 2024
‘You just choose another personality from the fancy dress box (…) How do you remember who you really are?’
As dark as a Patricia Highsmith Ripley novel and as gripping as the best Alfred Hitchcock thriller, ‘Imposter Syndrome’ is an intricate mystery that keeps the reader guessing until the final page.
This is a novel in which identity is fragile and malleable, with dark, dangerous secrets threatening to erupt at any moment. In other words, an excellent thriller, deftly done.
As dark as a Patricia Highsmith Ripley novel and as gripping as the best Alfred Hitchcock thriller, ‘Imposter Syndrome’ is an intricate mystery that keeps the reader guessing until the final page.
This is a novel in which identity is fragile and malleable, with dark, dangerous secrets threatening to erupt at any moment. In other words, an excellent thriller, deftly done.
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