Who Can You Trust

Cristy Ward #4

by Susan Lewis, Unknown Author

The gripping new Cristy Ward thriller from the Sunday Times bestselling author!

The gripping new Cristy Ward thriller from Sunday Times bestseller Susan Lewis!

Book 4 in the Cristy Ward series

A terrible crime. A shocking confession. Do you believe her?

Twenty years ago, Nicole's twins disappeared without a trace.

No bodies. No witnesses.

Despite her pleas of innocence, Nicole was convicted.

Now she's out. And she's finally confessed.

But for true crime podcast host Cristy Ward, the story doesn't add up.

Having worked on the case as a young reporter, Cristy can't help but wonder whether Nicole is the villain everyone believes her to be.

Why did Nicole confess after so many years ... and is the truth still out there, waiting...?

Genres: Thriller, Mystery

Hardcover

About the author

This is the disambiguation profile for otherwise unseparated authors publishing as Susan Lewis

Reviews

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who Can You Trust? is another taut, quietly unsettling entry in Susan Lewis’s Cristy Ward series, and it’s one that lingers long after the final chapter. From the opening pages, there’s a chill in the air: a mother’s twins vanished twenty years ago, a conviction followed, and now—after decades of silence—Nicole has finally confessed. But nothing about her confession feels clean, or complete.

Cristy, now a true‑crime podcaster but once a young reporter on the original case, slips back into the story with a mix of instinct and unease. Lewis captures that tension beautifully, the way old doubts resurface and familiar shadows lengthen. Cristy’s voice remains grounded and human, driven as much by empathy as by curiosity, and it’s this emotional thread that gives the novel its pulse.

What unfolds is a story steeped in ambiguity: shifting memories, fractured truths, and the unsettling possibility that the past has been misunderstood all along. Lewis plays with perspective in a way that keeps you leaning forward, questioning every revelation, every motive. The pacing is measured but gripping, the kind of slow-burn suspense that tightens almost imperceptibly until you realise you’ve been holding your breath.

This instalment feels especially interested in the cost of certainty—how quickly a narrative can harden, how easily a woman can be cast as villain, and how dangerous it is when the world stops asking questions. It’s a thriller, yes, but also a thoughtful exploration of guilt, grief, and the stories we choose to believe.

A compelling, atmospheric read that deepens the Cristy Ward series while standing confidently on its own. Perfect for readers who enjoy their crime fiction layered, character-driven, and quietly haunting.

With thanks to Susan Lewis, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[andshe.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who can you trust is the latest addition to The Cristy Ward Series. This one isn't a fast paced action packed thriller like the others it's more of a slow burn character driven suspense that relies heavily on psychological tension & morally grey situations.

The story is based upon a young mother convicted of killing her twins, however no bodies to be found, no witnesses & an out of the blue confession 20 years later.

I love the podcast element to this series, it gives off a fresh modern feel & shows how investigation & the public opinion can shape the media.

What I thought was different with Who Can You Trust was the emotional depth this story had. It wasn't just about crime but also explored guilt, grief, & public scrutiny.

This can be read as a standalone but I honestly recommend reading the series in order as re-appearing characters & their individual storylines have more impact this way.

Overall for me this wasn't as gripping as the other books in the series, I wished for more fast paced action & clear cut resolutions however it still made for a decent read.

Thank you to Netgalley & the Publisher for providing me with an ARC.

[LindyLouMac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Lewis is a prolific author writing across a broad range of genre, crime thrillers, suspense and family drama. I have been reading and enjoying her books on and off for over twenty five years now.

'Who Can You Trust' is the fourth title in the series about "hindsight" a podcast with the protagonists Cristy and Connor. This time they are investigating a suspected miscarriage of justice concerning a young woman convicted of murdering her baby twins some twenty years ago. The investigation is not an easy one and it impacts on the characters working and personal lives. It was great to catch up with the many familiar characters as they worked on another fascinating case.

Although this novel will read well as a stand alone story, I would recommend reading the whole series in order for maximum enjoyment and understanding of the relationships between the characters. Definitely recommend to fans of the series, the author and mysteries in general.

https://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogsp...

With thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and the author for the opportunity to read and review

[Val Millard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the latest book in the series about a podcast featuring Cristy Ward, called Hindsight. It’s about a woman, Nicole, who has been in prison for the alleged murders of her twins twenty years ago. It was not long before the terrorist attacks in London which then took precedence over the investigation into the disappearance of the twins. Cristy had been a young reporter who had recently had her first child and was reporting on this awful case.
Nicole has only just admitted to the murders so she can be released from prison on licence. Cristy has decided to look at the case again and try and find out what really happened all those years ago. She still has her long distance boyfriend David who lives in Guernsey who has arranged a big party for her 50th birthday.
Eventually, through the usual twist and turns the true story of what happened all those years go is revealed. Andee Lawrence, from other Susan Lewis books makes a brief return and the scene is set for another book in this series which I will look forward to reading.

[Pamela Viti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who Can You Trust
Susan Lewis

Thank you NetGalley for the arc

Twenty years ago, Nicole’s one year old twins went missing. Nicole pleaded her innocence but was convicted and has spent the last twenty years in prison.

Cristy Ward is a crime journalist who now has a podcast. Cristy covered the story twenty years ago and when Nicole is released from prison as she has ‘confessed’ after years of staying silent, alarm bells are ringing and Cristy can’t help but delve further into this case to see what really happened to the one year old twins.

I could not put this book down. It is written in a way that you can actually hear the podcast in your head. I loved the way Cristy brings us along on her investigations, it leaves you second guessing everything and I found myself trying to solve this mystery myself.

It’s gripping, fast paced, packed with twists and turns with tonnes of suspense. If you like crime fiction you will love this one.
It’s part of a four book series (The Cristy Ward series) but you don’t have to have read the previous three books to jump straight into this one.

[Sarah Truckell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. 4.5 stars. This is part of the Cristy Ward series. I haven’t read any books in the series but that didn’t matter as I was quickly introduced to the main characters of the Hindsight podcast – Cristy, Connor, Jacks and Clover. In this book the team are investigating the murder or disappearance of infant twins 20 years ago resulting in their mother Nicole being imprisoned following a trial. Nicole has now been released on parole having finally confessed to the murders but the team look into matters, interviewing people along the way and launching a new series of their podcast to see if Nicole was responsible or if they really had been taken from the house when she was out – her original claim. I loved how the story unfolded at just the right pace, revealing more of the events of 20 years before and in the present context of the twins’ father being revealed. Very sad and emotional, well written. More of Cristy’s personal life and her relationship with David too.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Latest in the Hindsight series. Cristy and Connor revisit a case that had affected Christy nearly 20 years ago when she worked as a TV journalist.
Nicole was imprisoned for killing her year old twins, something that she had denied, saying that they had been abducted. Now she has admitted that she did kill the babies and has got parole as a result. Christy had been affected by the story at the time, having a baby of the same age and feels that Nicole loved her babies too much to kill them. With Nicole in hiding, Christy and Connor set out to find out the truth.
I really like the Hindsight series and recommend

[Sally Tyrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great instalment from the Hindsight team, Christy, Connor and team are back with another podcast, this time it features Nicole a young mum alleged to have murdered her twins 20 years ago! Nicole has now changed her plea to guilty and is about to be released from prison.
Christy originally covered this case as a junior reporter when she was newly married and pregnant and it had a profound effect upon her, the team are now going to see what else they can discover as it appears there are gaps from the initial investigation which coincided with terrorist attacks at that time!
Throughout the new investigation we see Christy in a new light as she revisits the past, has a conflict of interests re a new job opportunity, suffers the effects of menopause, a relationship blip with David and turns 50!, this I felt added a while new dimension to the read!
A great read full of twists and turns as more evidence is revealed that kept me invested right till the end
Thank you NetGalley for this early read read

[Kim Melbourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read in this series, missing out number 2 and 3. However this in no way spoilt how this story flowed and could very easily be read as a standalone. Nice to revisit the original characters but enough details to fill the gaps if you haven't read the others.

I enjoyed the added dimensions that were added to Christys characters as she fought internal battles of considering a new job whilst staying loyal to her team, a crumbling relationship and the menopause.

Fast paced, really easy to read with twists along the way. Highly recommend a read of this book.

[Bianca Albu · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a way to get pulled into a world of dark secrets and composted relationships and the uneasy feeling that nothing is what it seems.

I have been gripped from the start and I enjoyed the pace of the book. The reader is being taken through a podcast investigation into a gruesome cold case full of twists and turns. Susan Lewis carefully reveals pieces of the story, allowing the mystery to unfold naturally while constantly making you question what you think you know.

Thank you NetGalley for this thought provoking and absorbing read that is #whocanyoutrust

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A welcome return to the Hindsight Podcast team - Cristy. Connor, Jodi, Clove, Jacks, Harry, Meena, her boyfriend, David, ex-husband Matthew and her kids, Hayley and Aiden. The series is set in Bristol. The premise is Cristy is contacted to look into twins' disappearance almost 20 years ago as their Mum is released after serving time behind bars. It was dark in places, entertaining, full of twists and turns, and mysterious. More please!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book regarding two babies which went missing in 2005 Podcast journalist from Hindsight, Cristy and Connor interview Nicole who was the young mother and try to find out if it was true that she was part of a cult run by Jean-Claude Meier. There is twist to the story, and the more you read the book the more you want to who what happened to the twins, Noah and Ivorson.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book in the series about Christie Wards Crime Podcasts and it doesn't disappoint. The mystery surrounding the woman who was convicted for the murder of two babies who's bodies were never found was exactly what their pod cast liked to look into. The story unraveled beautifully set against the unraveling of Christies own life. Gripping and emotional.

[Sarah Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book really interesting and did enjoy it however I found it a little slow at times.
I was very invested in the story and had enjoyed the main female character (Cristy)
The ending was a little disappointing in my opinion and was expecting more of a twist.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging, well-plotted story ... but although I did welcome the inclusion of the impact Christy's perimenopausal symptoms were having on her behaviour (both personal and professional), I did eventually start to feel irritated by the frequency with which they were mentioned!

[Holly Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first Susan Lewis novel I have read. I think the storyline was interesting but I really didn't warm up to the main characters, which made it difficult to get into. I persevered and, as I said, the storyline was good. It didn't make me want to read more of the Cristy novels

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

P

[Natalie M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good potential.

The promise of the podcast investigation appealed to me and the case of the missing twins holds a lot of intrigue, but it never gets the bite I was expecting. The characters are okay, again, I kept expecting something more from both sides. Strangely, the case is largely resolved by two-thirds of the read and then it meanders down a personal resolution pathway to set up what looks to be a series.

Overall, it was entertaining in a background sort of way.

Thanks to my local library for releasing early copies of this book.

[Leanna · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5.

[Hsiau Wei · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a woman named Nicole who has spent twenty years in prison for the alleged murder of her twin babies. In Who Can You Trust?, Susan Lewis revisits the case as Nicole finally admits guilt—seemingly so she can be released on licence—yet her confession raises more doubts than closure. At the time of the original investigation, the looming shadow of the London terrorist attacks shifted public focus, leaving troubling gaps in the case.

Cristy Ward, then a young reporter and new mother covering the tragedy, feels compelled to re-examine the story through the lens of her true-crime podcast. Determined to uncover what really happened, she digs into the past while balancing her personal life, including her long-distance relationship with David in Guernsey and preparations for a milestone birthday celebration.

As the investigation unfolds, secrets surface through the expected twists and turns until the truth finally emerges. A brief appearance from Andee Lawrence adds a welcome connection to Lewis’s wider world, leaving readers eager for the next instalment in this gripping, character-driven series.

[Bookwormbadger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another gripping read in the Cristy Ward / Hindsight podcast series, this one is about the mysterious 2005 disappearance of 11 month old twins Noah and Abigail. Their young mother was charged with their murder, but was she responsible or was she innocent?
Living in south Gloucestershire, I like the way these books are set locally and I can picture the locations - aside from Guernsey which I haven't visited.
In theory each book in the series could be read as a standalone, however I recommend reading them in order to get the most out of them, as the characters' stories interlink and develop over the series.