True Crime Story: The Times Number One Bestseller

Product Information

This was a really hard one for me to review, it’s just so different from Knox’s Aidan Waits series, and I admit to being irritated and confused initially, I just found it difficult to grasp something that (for me) felt quite disjointed. However, slowly and gradually, Zoe’s story, (that is) the story presented to us by the aforementioned characters, pulled me in, and from then onwards, I found it a more compelling read. He said/she said/ they said - but what is the truth of it? I didn’t know who or what to believe, but I (eventually) enjoyed the journey. A very stylish novel revealing not only the unreliability of witnesses, but also the voyeurism in much crime reporting, crime investigation, and yes, in those of us who enjoy crime fiction.” - The Tablet It was a bit of a toll to get through this, as I found it slow and taking too long to get to the point. Every now and then, a suspenseful moment would occur. I kept chugging along in hopes that the ending would be worth my while. It wasn’t. Crime fiction as a distinct genre has been popular for over a century and if you are familiar with at least some of its history, then you will know that it is very rare to come across a genuinely original mystery. My last was Antony Horowitz’s Magpie Murders, published five years ago. Knox’s combination of fiction and fact is not only original, but innovative, offering a unique crime fiction experience that pushes the genre to its limits. Now that we’ve gotten the peculiarity of True Crime Story out of the way and know to look at it as a work of pure fiction (there is no Zoe Nolan true story to speak of), there is a logical question which can’t help but follow: is the story itself actually any good? Being more grounded in reality, Joseph Knox certainly has less room to manoeuvre than he would have had otherwise, but I believe he still manages to do a lot with it.

Here, the story is told in a series of short, punchy interview excerpts from the survivors of Zoe’s disappearance, including that of Kimberley, her twin sister and flatmate, her ex boyfriend Andrew Flowers, her other flatmates, her parents, the investigating detective, and other hangers-on. After reading Richard Chizmar’s Chasing Boogeyman: I truly get invested to read thrillers written in true crime story style based on real life events. The details and documents, photographs, the choices of words at the interviews always make you rethink what if the thing you’re reading is not a product of a talented author’s creative mind! In a sense I thought this was quite a good story looking at it as a whole. There are numerous twists and turns in the narrative as aspects of Zoe and her friends' lives are gradually revealed. I confess that I thought I knew the answer to this but I was wrong! From that view point I think this is a good story.In the early hours of Saturday 17 December 2011, Zoe Nolan, a nineteen-year-old Manchester University student, walked out of a party taking place in the shared accommodation where she had been living for three months. Zoe was drawn into local politics when defending our open spaces. She successfully opposed building plans on the edge of Lodge Lake and provided evidence and spoke out for the establishment of a permanent village green in Great Holm. Like many residents she enjoys the lake, walking or running with her dog around it most days. She continues to work to enhance our enjoyment of this lovely area. With a critical lens, this would get 4 stars but the experience I had makes it a 5 stars, no doubt. I see why some reviewers enjoyed this one, but while there were definitely intriguing and clever bits, it wasn’t enough for me. The crime and characters just weren’t compelling. If you’re looking for something similar (and stronger) in terms of reading like a true crime novel, I recommend Chasing The Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar. Just to be clear, for those wondering “was Zoe Nolan a real person?”, this is indeed a work of pure fiction, and despite the fact the author inserts himself into the plot, he is not the same person in the story as he is in real life, having some of his own dark secrets for the reader to discover… but I’m getting ahead of myself.

I’ll admit, I was taken a bit out of it when I noticed how many of the people Evelyn was interviewing were referring to Zoe in a negative manner, something I’d have trouble believing in a real missing person’s case. When this type of misfortune strikes someone, even those who wish to see them in a grave tend to soften their hearts. While it did work quite well from a storytelling perspective, it was a minor flaw in regards to the realism. This is one of the most original books I have read in a long time, because of the format. It is different, feels real, as if it could actually be a "True Crime Story". Can't wait to read Sirens, the author's debut novel, don't know how I missed it.

Who are the Cabinet members and what are they responsible for?​​​​​​​

Some of the stories and recollections overlap, aligning perfectly with one another; others stand in stark contrast, giving rise to troubling inconsistencies. We learn about the first story by following the second one, centred on Evelyn Mitchell, a writer acquainted with Joseph Knox. At some point, she became obsessed with what happened to Zoe Nolan and started collecting thorough interviews with anyone and everyone who knew Zoe. Slowly but surely, she built up a picture from these testimonies which contradicted the official version of events. So what didn't work for me? Knox chose to tell his story from the perspective of several voices in a series of interviews, though it's really the would be author doing this, some with law-enforcement, others, off the cuff, giving us a true POV experience. Perhaps this is how it would be if you were reading a case report of police and the notes of an author. He Said: She Said: and then They Said Again: and Again:; I'd have preferred a narrative read. I would recommend this book to others. I thought that the mystery of what happened to Zoe was very intriguing and I loved that the story kept me guessing until the very end. I would definitely read more of this author’s work in the future.

Cllr Zoe Nolan is a Labour councillor in Loughton and Shenley Ward, which includes the areas of Shenley Church End, Loughton, Shenley Wood, Great Holm, Medbourne, Oakhill, and Grange Farm. She serves on the Cabinet with responsibility for Children and Families including schools and children in care. Members of the public are welcome to attend meetings of the Cabinet unless there is confidential or exempt information being discussed. Thirty minutes is allocated at every meeting for public questions where notice has been given in advance to the Head of Democratic Services. The Government has produced a Guide to attending Cabinet meetings. Disappearances and vanishings have been plaguing missing persons units at an ever-increasing rate, our population always on the climb and urban labyrinths sprawling themselves further and further. I think we’ve all fantasized, in some capacity at least, of taking up the reigns of an investigation to find the truth behind the disappearance of so many people who end up as nothing more than pictures in the media. This is precisely what Joseph Knox sets out to do by writing himself into his own novel, True Crime Story. She is keen to engage residents in the politics of local issues so their views are always taken into account. She led the campaign to stop the closure of Great Holm fire station.This book explores the disappearance of Zoe Nolan. Writer Evelyn Mitchell is looking into what really happened to Zoe with the hopes of putting everything together for a book. She discusses her progress with her friend Joseph Know who is also a writer. We hear from a lot of key individuals that might hold some information as to what really happened to Zoe all those years earlier. Zoe was a new college student enjoying herself at school but there were some strange things that happened just before she disappeared. I typically love the "interview-style" formatting, but I had some problems with the way this was done which impeded my enjoyment of the story overall. Pure genius – all the things you want to a crime novel to be, also hilarious. I love it.” - Jane Casey

To begin with, it becomes clear fairly early on that Zoe Nolan is far from being a young little angel everyone has been incessantly crying over. The more digging Evelyn does into the case, the more interviews she collects from the people surrounding Zoe, the muddier the picture around her innocence becomes, and the closer we get to unearthing secrets no normal person should have.As your Councillor for Loughton and Shenley ward, I can help you with any of your local concerns- from parking permits to planning permission battles – please let me know.” In the early hours of Saturday 17th December 2011, Zoe Nolan, a 19-year-old Manchester University student, walked out of a party taking place in the shared accommodation where she had been living for three months. Shaken by revelations of Zoe’s secret life, and stalked by a figure from the shadows, Evelyn turns to crime writer Joseph Knox to help make sense of a case where everyone has something to hide. This man knows what he’s doing with a story. Gossip, bonechilling weirdness, heartbreaking sadness, a perfect description of the Trafford Centre, all in the one novel.” - Beth Underdown