Don’t Believe a Word

Cristy Ward #2

by Susan Lewis

They raised me. Nurtured me. And lied about everything.

They told Sadie she was adopted.

They gave her a home and showered her with love.

But they lied.

Sadie was stolen.

They say Sadie’s making it all up.

But you shouldn’t believe a word…

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Audiobook, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Contemporary

480 pages, Paperback

First published April 10, 2025

About the author

Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.


Susan Lewis is the bestselling author of over forty books across the genres of family drama, thriller, suspense and crime. She is also the author of Just One More Day and One Day at a Time, the moving memoirs of her childhood in Bristol during the 1960s. Following periods of living in Los Angeles and the South of France, she currently lives in Gloucestershire with her husband James, stepsons Michael and Luke, and mischievous dogs Coco and Lulu.

Reviews

[Georgie Higson Smith]

Honestly took me so long to read this, I just didn’t enjoy the story at all and couldn’t get into it… it was just kinda boring

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small]

I received a gifted copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour hosted by Insta Book Tours.

3.5 rounded to 4.
Don't Believe a Word is the second book in this series but can be read as a stand-alone.
Christy Ward is a podcaster rising in popularity after her first podcast with co-host Connor was a huge hit. When a girl called Sadie (a family friend of Christys boyfriend) approaches them with her story they have mixed feelings about it but decide to take the risk.
The book starts with Sadie as a 2 year old alone on a deserted beach who is spotted by two sisters staying in a property behind her. They take her in but she's never gotten much information from them about her parents and anything she brings up has always been shut down by them immediately. After one aunt dies and Sadie begins finding pages from a story written by her hidden in different places in her home office, Sadie begins to wonder if the story is about her and how she really came to be in their care.
As Christy and her team begin investigating and trying to help Sadie uncover the truth about who she is, the second aunt begins displaying erratic behaviours and signs of dementia and mental health declines making it harder for anyone to uncover the truth.
I enjoyed the podcast element of this and found it intriguing and interesting to see how the case developed and was solved and I didn't expect the twist at the end.
My only reason for giving it a 3.5 rating is the use of language and insensitivity some of the characters had towards one of the characters who was clearly distressed and displaying major mental health issues and I found it very uncomfortable and upsetting with the things she was called and jokes made about her. I thought this could have been handled much more sensitively.

[Jo Lee]

This was my first read/listen from the author and it did not disappoint, my only gripe was that I felt I’d missed a little bit of backstory, and it seemed odd for a standalone, however it seems this title is in fact the second in a series, but I was so invested that I just believed part of the story was the mystery of the past - silly me. I’m really keen to read more by Susan Lewis and I’ve added the first title to my seemingly never ending audible wish list.

This was every inch a fantastic story, opening with a small child left alone on a beach, the decision to bring her inside, then catapulted forward in time when the child, Sadie, discovers part of her origin story and seeks the help of a true crime podcast team to help her unravel the story and get to the truth of who she is, where she came from and most of all why have her aunts lied to her for all these years, it’s clear that there are lies and secrets aplenty and the story unravelled brilliantly for my liking, I found it believable, shocking and desperately sad.
The whole team of podcasters and their side stories were really interesting and I warmed almost instantly to each of them.

The whole team of narrators added an extra layer to the story, each delivered a fantastic production that really added to the layers of the story.

Fabulous 🎧

Huge thanks to Harper Collins U.K. Audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review. This title is available now, go get it 😁

[Karen Chong]

3.75 / 5.0

Glad to have read another book in the Cristy Ward series, but frustrated at how long the plot held on for. Whilst I enjoyed the journey that Cristy and her Cohost connor (with the brilliant help of Jack and clover) I found the ending to drag on longer than I had anticipated, it was clear that something was clearly missing in the puzzle of events, but it’s the fact that it was thrusted into our face constantly that it felt like a slog to read through. Maybe the plot this time was a tad too ambitious and the execution was slightly off than the previous book. Whilst I enjoyed my time reading this book, it’s a very heavy worldly book, it’s ram packed with words - it’s hard to keep interest for that long. I am also frustrated about how random one plot was where Cristy was receiving text messages of someone stalking her location it felt very pointless and random - if the plot is already rammed with text why add more plot that doesn’t contribute anything?

Another side note is that this book follows from the events of the previous book, quite literally revealing the answers, it’s very difficult to follow if you didn’t have the background knowledge of characters and their history.

I have to admit the way this book is sold is pretty persuasive, we meet Sadie who’s doesn’t know her past and history. The only thing we know is that she is raised by two aunts, she never knew her parents and was stolen. Cristy ward, who is a podcast host takes on the challenge to find answers, but evidence begins to pile up soon the lies only start to form.

If you have the time to invest it’s a good book but it’s such a long story that drags on you will need the patience for.

[Georgie]

It was good lots going on but I think it was longer than it needed to be.

[Rose]

This book started off well. Then it started to drop off. And my god did it start to drag. And go on. And on. And on. I felt like I had been reading it forever and it was never going to end. Theres just so much useless filler crap in it like the Cristy, David, Matthew love triangle, the Matthew, Marley and child subplot, the Aiden as potential father subplot (which I found to be incredibly misogynistic), the weird Cristy stalker thing which went nowhere??? Like what was the point of that. A few other thoughts I had about the book… there was times where the podcast just felt a bit exploitative. Like the secret recording of telephone and video calls “in case we want to use it later”. Eeh??? WHY didn’t Cristy just tell Matthew to just F OFF??? Jesus christ. Imagine if that was just some random dude and not her ex husband. I found the ending butt dial to be incredibly convenient and a little lazy plus not even really necessary. I think i might also have had more of a connection to the characters if id read the first book. So much filler. Shame as there was a good story in there somewhere.

[Beth Johnson]

a slog of a book for me personally, found the storyline really boring and there were too many characters to keep up with - glad i only paid 30p for it in Tesco 🤭

[J]

Unfortunately this was a long drawn out disappointment for me.

I did find the overall premise of the story intriguing but thought it played out very slowly with no plot twists or anything to keep me guessing where it was going.

I listened to this as an audiobook and it was very flat and mundane, the relationships between the characters did not come across well and the dynamics with the family I found strange and without compassion.

I didn’t feel invested in the plot or the characters which made it hard to keep listening.

I have read others by this author which were far better but
I found this just went on far too long and was quite boring at times.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review

[Ashleigh Davidson]

3.5 - 3.75 stars… not a 4 but felt harsh giving it a 3 🤔

I really liked the array of characters, the podcast format, the Bristol bits, and the mystery kept me interested but definitely feel like the story was missing something - maybe not totally believable? Also agree with other reviews that it went on for a bit too long

[andshe.reads]

Don't Believe A Word is the second book of a 3 part series featuring the podcast host, Christy Ward.

After having read the first book , Nothing To See Here, I was mega excited for this one as I just loved the podcast element. Just like before, the podcast adds that extra bit to the narrative and truly gets the reader thinking about the case being investigated.

The story begins with two sisters looking out their window at 2 year old Sadie sat alone on a deserted beach they take her in only to find a note in her coat pocket asking them to look after her until the person can come back for her... what an opening, and it only got more twisty and intriguing from there.

Secrets to uncover, battle through lies to seek the truth, this story truly had it all. I can't wait to see what the 3rd instalment has to offer us later in the year.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC.

[Emily West]

This was by no means a bad book, I just found it languished on the middle. It could have done with being shorter and more to the point. I found myself getting a bit lost and not really caring about the characters. Despite the length of the book, the ending felt very rushed and I’ve finished with a sense of disappointment and the feeling that I don’t really know why anything happened.

[Kerrie Kelly]

We once again catch up with Christy, Connor and the rest of the hindsight team, this time we join them as Cristy is handed pages from a story told by Lottie Winters. Is there any truth in the words written on the page?

Sadie Winters has lived with her aunts for as long as she can remember. When Lottie died a few years ago, it left just Mia and Sadie. Sadie comes across some pages of what initially appear to be a story about finding a young girl on the beach and bringing her home. Is Sadie the little girl found on the beach? Who is her real parents? What happened to them

We follow hindsight team as they once again dig deep to investigate the mystery of their podcast titled who’s that girl the twists and turns that develop as the story unfolds leaves the podcast listeners wondering not only who’s that girl with a whole host of other questions.

I enjoyed this story. It kept me hooked. The continuation of the characters worked very well however this could also work as a standalone.

Thanks to netGalley for the opportunity to read this title

[Mrs Gill]

Had to give up on this one (p130) - it’s just too slow and boring for me.

[Stephanie Bull]

True crime podcasters Cristy and Connor are intrigued by Sadie who wants to unravel the mystery surrounding her childhood. She has been told her parents died in a car crash when she was tiny and was taken in by her father's two sisters. However, Sadie believes she was stolen. One of her aunts has died and the other appears very eccentric and confused; could this be her way of hiding the truth. Sadie has come across random pages written by her deceased aunt which add weight to the theory that everything is not what it seems.

Initially I was enthralled by this mystery, a real page turner that had me reading long into the night. The format keeps the reader interested as the narrative swaps from podcast script to story. For me though, the book started to loose its appeal just over half way through, I felt the plot unnecessarily drawn out and in the end quite predictable. The momentous twist I had been expecting didn't materialise, I had already unravelled the mystery (unusual for me as I generally fall for every red herring available!). I have read a number of Susan Lewis' thrillers however, in my opinion, this is not one of her best.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for my advanced reader copy in return for my unbiased and honest review.

[Claire]

With lots of twists and turns this one will keep you guessing all the way through!

Podcasters, Christy and Conner, with the rest of their team, set out to investigate a potential old case where a young child was left alone on the beach. We delve into this child’s life, from a baby through to present day, discovering many secrets along the way.

I found the format a little different with this book, following the script at times for the podcast, but I liked this and found it easy to follow the different characters and what they were thinking and feeling as we moved through the book.

I must say I did feel it was a bit draw out and could have been quite a bit shorter. The characters develop throughout the book, but I did find some of them I just didn’t care that much for.

The different scenery was great and I could imagine being in all the different places they visited.

All in all a good read. 3.5 stars

[Cath]

Hard to review this one. I had thought it would be 4 stars. There were times I couldn't put it down although it was somewhat unbelievable. As it went on it just became too drawn out and too unrealistic so it's down to 3. I did enjoy reading it though.

[Angela]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Don't Believe a Word by Susan Lewis . Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC; I can’t wait for everyone else to enjoy it come August 14, 2025!

As someone who loves podcasts, I was immediately drawn in by the unique structure of the book. The format cleverly mimics a true crime podcast, with entire sections reading like transcribed episodes, complete with interviews, speculation, and chilling cliffhangers. It gave the story an addictive, binge-worthy quality that kept me turning pages late into the night.

This is the second book featuring investigative journalist and podcaster Sadie, and although I haven’t read the first, I Know It's True, I never felt lost. If anything, Don't Believe a Word has made me eager to go back and read it. Susan Lewis crafts a world rich with suspense and psychological tension, and Sadie is a protagonist worth following.

What stood out to me most was the exploration of memory; especially how unreliable it can be. We often think of childhood memories as hazy and half-formed, but this book reminds us that the memories of the elderly can be just as murky, tangled with time, trauma, and even imagination. Lewis blurs the lines between truth and fiction so effectively that I found myself constantly questioning what I thought I knew.

Susan Lewis has delivered a gripping, emotionally layered thriller that podcast fans, amateur sleuths, and lovers of psychological suspense will devour.

[Sue Plant]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this awesome book

it was great to be back in the company of the podcast family.... i always feel as if i know the characters so well

sadie was found at the age of two abandoned on a beach, the two sisters who found her took her in and discovered a note asking for them to look after her until a day would come when she would be claimed....

that day never came.....

as it was sadie approached the podcast team asking for help in discovering where she had come from and what had happened for her to be left like that....

it was to be a rollercoaster of a ride for all...

what an epic read.... could not put it down.... and i cant wait to see what is next for the podcast team

[Katie Booth]

3.5 Stars
Firstly, I want to thank @@instabooktours and @harpercollinsuk for allowing me to join this tour - it has been a new experience and I have loved it! ❤
Onto the review, I was really unsure what to think about this book! This is a podcast form as a young women tries to discover the truth about her past after living with "two aunties" all her life.
I found this a little difficult to follow at times and, in my opinion, this book was a little too long for my liking! As a hardback, it hits near 500 pages! That being said, the last 30% of the book did pick up and there was a little shock in the ending! However, I did kind of expect that to happen! 😐 the reason this sits in the 3 stars is because reference to one of the characters left me feeling exceptionally uncomfortable as it was just inappropriate but I won't go into it because it can be a spoiler for the story! 😓
If you like an easy going thriller then I would recommend this but if you are a staple crime and thriller reader then this may not be for you!

[Carla Price]

Covers every topic known to man, is v good story but v v long with a capital V, like is unnecessarily long and just when you think you’re getting to the point is not a point, is the opposite of a point, which is a concave I guess???? I dunno, what I’m trying to say is if you cba then you can probably just read the actual podcast bits and know the whole story within like 10 mins as opposed to spending ten years and gaining hella frown lines

[Amanda Bartoszek]

Another fantastic story and an excellent follow-up to Nothing To See Here. Christy Ward mysteries are now firmly on my reading list for the future.

[Jacaranda21]

Didn’t flow as well as other books by the author. Just ok

[Samantha Crowley]

Firstly thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. I read the first instalment of this series earlier this year and really loved the format of being dipped in and out of a podcast and this second book follows in the same manor.
A fast paced thriller, with a truck load of twists and cliffhangers than make it a page turner of a read. The characters from book one are built upon and now feel familiar which I enjoy as I slot into the story quicker.

My reason for 3 stars is that in places the story feels like it’s unpolished. Without giving away spoilers, there are a few areas where random incidents are spoken about but they come out of nowhere with no previous mention. It makes it feel like chunks of the story has been cut.

I also find the Cristy and Matthew bantering has a weird vibe

[Ciara Verdon]

Major disappointing start to 2026

[Fizzy Poulton]

Bit meh by the end

[Morag]

I’ve just given up with this on the advice of my daughter.
It got off to a great start - woman trying to discover the truth about her past. Is she really the niece of the two ladies who brought her up? Is the information she finds after the death of one of them true?
The whole tale is being released gradually as more information appears, on a true crime podcast.
I’ve read half of the book now but honestly can’t face any more. I just don’t care enough.

[Karen M M]

borderline 2/3 story was ok but the big reveal or twist got scant coverage, was not believable without any proper explanation. and frankly the last chapter was just goop

[Vicki (chaptersofvicki)]

This is the second book in the series featuring Cristy Ward and her podcast team. I really enjoyed Nothing to See Here and this one did not disappoint. This one can easily be read as standalone if you have not read the first book.

I was intrigued by the case Cristy, Connor and the team were working on this time. A young woman believes her aunts who raised her may not actually be who she thought they were.

There were so many twist, turns and things I didn’t see coming revealed in this one. It kept me gripped throughout.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy.

[Sarah Johnston]

Susan Lewis delivers another intriguing novel featuring podcasters Christy and Connor who find themselves unravelling a convoluted story involving a young woman, Sadie Winters and the mystery surrounding her childhood.

Sadie has lived with her aunts for as long as she can remember, believing her parents to have died in a car crash. When one the aunts dies, Sadie begins sorting through her papers and discovers random evidence that suggests she may have been abducted by the aunts. With her other aunt behaving erratically and confused, Sadie turns to Christy and the Hindsight team to help her find out the truth and find her parents.

[Becky]

Conner, Christy and the team back again. Loved this new book following the pod cast team and their interviews and investigations into a new story with lots of twists and turns.