The truth about her: A psychological thriller for the Instagram age

British author, Annie Taylor, is a freelance copywriter currently completing a doctorate in creative writing. She has previously published two crime novels under the name, AM Taylor, Forget me not and Innocent or guilty? A contemporary novel with its focus on social media, The truth about her is AM Taylor's first novel as Annie Taylor.

The truth about her | Published July 2023 | Read December 2023

I enjoyed The truth about her, partly for the Whitstable setting. I'd been to the seaside town for the first time while working in London the previous year to reading the book. I connected with the setting easily and loved reading about a place with which I am familiar. It truly is a contemporary novel, with its Instagram backdrop that is intelligent and intriguing. I liked the way the author explores what lies beyond the glamour and aspirational world that is presented on social media. The novel is well-paced and uses the literary devices of a dual timeline and an unreliable narrator to keep the reader wondering who to believe.

In the story, Callie arrives in Whitstable to rent a cabin for some much-needed time out from her studies in the United States and for the chance to pause after a recent personal tragedy. Her mother rents a fancy cabin for her that is owned by Instafamous, Vanessa, and her successful husband. The couple seem to have it all and Vanessa charts their glamorous life on Instagram as a mega influencer. Soon after Callie arrives, Vanessa's young son disappears and Callie is drawn into both the search and the unfolding drama. She meets Rachel, a now estranged friend of Vanessa's, whose dealings with Vanessa suggest that she is not all she seems.

The book jumps between Callie's telling of present events and the reverse chronology of Rachel's narration of her experience of befriending and losing Vanessa. The secrets and lies make for a tense and intriguing story. I was impressed with how the author creates believable and well-fleshed out characters. There's a lot to unpack in the novel - the façade of Instafame, the need for validation from others, the deterioration of friendships, and the trauma of personal loss. I couldn't put the book down and devoured it quickly as I was impatient to get to the end. The suspense is maintained right until the final page. I guessed some things but I did not see the ending coming. Clever!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐