“Believe Me” is a mystery book (family thriller?) by Dreda Say Mitchell and Ryan Carter. This book started off with one of those “shoot the sheriff in the first paragraph” chapters that hooked me in. As the story started I found myself a bit confused as the chapters were not always in linear time and the reader wasn’t told “flashback here.” I found the pacing a bit slow in the beginning - a bit of backstory and regrets - and then it sped up toward the end. I found that there was a lot going on in the book and while it was interesting, at times I wish not as much information was being related to the reader. While I’m glad that I read the book, I did think there’s a lot in this book that at times felt like way too much - it’s almost like it could’ve been a bit more streamlined in the way the overall story was told. Interesting idea, but not executed in a way that I enjoyed as much I hoped to from the summary.

I always believe women, it’s just my go-to response. This novel shows the devastating inequities of health care when it comes to actually listening and believing women and the medical treatment of women spun into a rather complicated mystery with strong gothic tone and twists. Starting out, I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy the read and it suddenly picked up and I was satisfied at the end.

Firstly thank you Netgalley for this Arc

The book was slow to start but persevere as it gets better a mystery at its best

An enjoyable read that had an engaging storyline and well developed characters, although I found most of them unlikeable, yet wholely believeable..

Believe Me
by Dreda Say Mitchell; Ryan Carter
I started out thinking the book was slow. It picked up and became more confusing as it did. I did complete it but was left less than feeling I just should have been taking notes.

I really could not get on with this book. I found it very confusing at times. I persevered and read it to the end but it really was not that enjoyable.I think the author over-complicated it.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Amazon Publishing UK and #NetGalley. Thank you to the publishers, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.


A well written story full of surprises.

Believe Me by Dreda Say Mitchell; Ryan Carter will command your attention and hook you almost immediately.

Another well written and interesting book that will surprise you at every turn.
I was completely enthralled. The characters has great depth. The writing is fantastic. And the story was engaging.
A story I devoured and enjoyed. If you enjoyed Say Her Name.... Get ready because here comes another enthralling read.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Amazon Publishing UK,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this eARC!

Gabby is a lawyer working on a property dispute case, and finds her mother's name on the title deeds. She knows her late mother could not possibly have owned the property and sets out to unravel this mystery.
Her mother died at the age of forty, of an undiagnosed mystery illness, and Gabby is about to turn forty and has the same symptoms.
Her sister has a make up range that she mixes herself, and her brother has distanced himself from the family.
All three of the siblings have tried to distance themselves from a toxic and cruel father.

Ocean House seems to be entwined with her family, her brother in law buys it, and she finds her brothers name carved into the wood.

A body is found buried, and Gabby becomes involved with the detective working on the case, and it turns out he too has connections to the house.

I enjoyed this mysterious and convoluted book, but did guess the cause of some of the deaths. However, there are quite a few twists and turns and the book is well worth reading.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I had enjoyed the book Say Her Name a lot in the mystery genre. So I was excited to read Believe Me, and it was what I was hoping for in a mystery book. The characters were what I was hoping for and worked with the plot going on this. I look forward to reading more from this team.

"Salina hovers by the edge of the bed, which Dad notices. ‘It took you long enough to show your face. Been here days, I have, and not so much as a “howdy do” call on the phone from you,’ he viciously snarls. His daughter looks grim, the strain on her face pulling her skin. ‘Too busy mixing potions and paints for women to tart themselves up as harlots.’"

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the eARC.
It started out well, I really felt for Gabby; what a horrible father, and I wasn't impressed with her sister either. Some things didn't seem to make sense though later in the book and that got me confused.
I wholeheartedly agree with the notion that women are often treated like half wits by doctors, Her poor mother!
On the whole I enjoyed this book, despite my confusion.