Believe Me
⭐ ⭐ ☆ ☆ ☆
Believe Me by J. P. Delaney
All filler, no thriller.
I know that “J. P. Delaney” is a pseudonym for an author behind several bestsellers, and that this book is a rewrite of an older novel that failed to gain traction. But even with that context, it’s clear that not every book can be a hit.
An interesting, but cliche, premise slapped on top of a non-suspenseful psychological thriller, is not a recipe for success.
One of the biggest issues is pacing. Roughly 60% of the book feels like filler, with entire sections dedicated to scenes that contribute little to plot or character development. These interstitial moments were clearly intended to stretch the story to a more conventional length, but instead, they slow the momentum and make the book feel disjointed. Even with all this padding, the novel remains short, which further emphasizes how little actually happens.
While some readers might be drawn in by Delaney’s previous success with The Girl Before, I suspect this book will be grossly overpriced for what it delivers.
