Game More, Pay Less
£5.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.. This price was set by the publisher.
Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will pre-order your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships and Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Joseph Knox
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

True Crime Story: The Times Number One Bestseller Kindle Edition

by Joseph Knox (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 1,584 ratings

'A triumph. Dazzlingly original' Sunday Times
'Riveting and relentless...A unique story, brilliantly told' Terry Hayes
'Brilliant, compelling and original' Steve Cavanagh
'Highly original and mischievous' John Boyne
______________

'What happens to those girls who go missing? What happens to the Zoe Nolans of the world?'

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.

She was never seen again.

Seven years after her disappearance, struggling writer Evelyn Mitchell finds herself drawn into the mystery. Through interviews with Zoe's closest friends and family, she begins piecing together what really happened in 2011. But where some versions of events overlap, aligning perfectly with one another, others stand in stark contrast, giving rise to troubling inconsistencies.

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.

Zoe Nolan may be missing presumed dead, but her story is only just beginning.
______________

Readers love TRUE CRIME STORY:

'Perfectly combines the best parts of true crime, fiction and mystery. Superb'
'My favourite read of 2021...fascinating, perplexing and bloody brilliant'
'I've been looking for something different and new in the crime genre. Here it is'

Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    433 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Transworld Digital
  4. Publication date
    17 Jun. 2021
  5. File size
    7.8 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details

From the Publisher

TCS 1

TCS 2

TCS 3

TCS 4

TCS 5

TCS 6

TCS 7

TCS 8

TCS 8

Product description

Review

The gifted Joseph Knox continues his upwards trajectory...forging something original and innovative. -- Barry Forshaw ― Financial Times

One of the most engaging cold-case novels I have read -- Natasha Cooper ― Literary Review

Scandalously entertaining...Knox is a fantastic writer. His ambitious fourth novel satirises and celebrates the true-crime genre with glee ... by turns horrific and hilarious -- Mark Sanderson ― The Times

Truly immersive: complex, disturbing, unexpectedly funny and very smart -- Laura Wilson ― The Guardian

Knox the author pulls off a hybrid triumph: at once an old-fashioned whodunnit and a smart postmodern literary novel asking questions about the ethics of all editing, as well as the true-crime genre. Dazzlingly original. -- John Dugdale ― Sunday Times

From the Back Cover

'The most exciting and original crime book you'll read this year' Anna Mazzola
'A work of outstanding and staggering genius' Imran Mahmood
'Pure genius' Jane Casey
'Highly original and mischievous' John Boyne
'Ingeniously executed' Sarah Hilary

'What happens to those girls who go missing? What happens to the Zoe Nolans of the world?'

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.

She was never seen again.

Seven years after her disappearance, struggling writer Evelyn Mitchell finds herself drawn into the mystery.

Through interviews with Zoe ' s closest friends and family, she begins piecing together what really happened in 2011.

But where some versions of events overlap, aligning perfectly with one another, others stand in stark contrast, giving rise to troubling inconsistencies.

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.

Zoe Nolan may be missing presumed dead, but her story is only just beginning.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08HGMDNP2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Transworld Digital (17 Jun. 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 7.8 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 433 pages
  • Customer reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 1,584 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Joseph Knox

Joseph Knox

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Joseph Knox has lived in Stoke on Trent, Manchester and London. In 2020, he became an Irish citizen.

His debut novel, Sirens, was a bestseller and has been translated into eighteen languages. The Smiling Man and The Sleepwalker are the second and third books in the Waits trilogy. His first standalone novel, True Crime Story, was a Times number one bestseller.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
1,584 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book's concept clever and appreciate its unique storytelling approach, with one review describing it as a gripping tale of real events. The writing style receives mixed reactions - while some find it well written, others say it's hard to follow. The narrative and character development also get mixed reviews, with some saying the characters come to life on the page while others find them unrealistic and unlikable.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

28 customers mention ‘Readability’28 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as brilliant and making reading worthwhile.

"...True Crime Story is one of the most original books I’ve read this year. It’s told in a very unusual way, and I thought it really worked...." Read more

"...And on that level, it works well - this is smart, meticulously plotted and absorbing...." Read more

"...when you have read it and know the story - this book would easily repay a re- read...." Read more

"...as with me, it may take a little while to get into it but it’s well worthwhile doing so...." Read more

23 customers mention ‘Story quality’23 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's story engaging and compelling, appreciating its unique way of telling the tale.

"...I think this would make a great audiobook. True Crime Story is an addictive read and it’ll have you thinking and examining everything you think you..." Read more

"This is a clever, elaborately plotted thriller about a student, Zoe Nolan, who goes missing from a party, setting in motion a chain of events with..." Read more

"...I was so convinced that this was an actual true story which also shows how many young females go missing each year..." Read more

"...The plot gradually unfolds and it’s clear that there is more than one version of the ‘truth’ depending on who is telling the story...." Read more

7 customers mention ‘Concept’7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the clever concept of the book.

"This is a clever, elaborately plotted thriller about a student, Zoe Nolan, who goes missing from a party, setting in motion a chain of events with..." Read more

"I ground myself to keep going to the very contrived end. It is a new idea and could have worked out far better...." Read more

"...Unexpected things and huge discoveries make this a moving and addictive read. Highly recommend this to everyone." Read more

"The concept for this is great. A “true crime” story in which two writers become embroiled, one of whom is Joseph Knox...." Read more

23 customers mention ‘Writing style’16 positive7 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style of the book, with some finding it well written and easy to read, while others describe it as hard to follow.

"...with a wide range of different characters. All were written really well and my mind could see each and everyone easily...." Read more

"...It’s quite a different style of writing so, as with me, it may take a little while to get into it but it’s well worthwhile doing so...." Read more

"...Sadly, I can only give it two stars. It is not a writing style I enjoy and 'True Crime Story' was a huge disappointment for me...." Read more

"...I'm hoping this one was a one off. I much prefer the style of writing in his other books and look forward to reading his next one...." Read more

22 customers mention ‘Narrative quality’14 positive8 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the narrative quality of the book, with some finding it weirdly unfulfilling and implausible, while one customer describes it as an intriguing true crime book.

"...It’s told in a very unusual way, and I thought it really worked. It is so engaging, and the characters came to life on the page...." Read more

"...reason I didn't like this 'True Crime Story' is that it is told in narrative passages, with the various people associated with Zoe Nolan telling..." Read more

"...This is crossover crime fiction, clearly drawing inspiration from true crime podcasts and Netflix serials...." Read more

"...Unexpected things and huge discoveries make this a moving and addictive read. Highly recommend this to everyone." Read more

14 customers mention ‘Character development’8 positive6 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the character development in the book, with some saying the characters come to life on the page while others find them unlikable.

"...They all had their own unique voice and I thought it was really well done how Joseph Knox mad their stories come to life...." Read more

"...Everything is told, nothing is shown. There is no depth to any character, none of them exist outside of broad brushstrokes— the posh one, the gay..." Read more

"...It comprises interviews with the key characters, pals and relatives, including Zoe’s twin sister Kimberly and her creepy, domineering dad, Rob...." Read more

"...I particularly liked how each character had their flaws and none were created to fit into any particular conventional image...." Read more

13 customers mention ‘Twists’4 positive9 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the twists in the book, with some appreciating the many plot turns while others find them contrived or hurried.

"...Not that I minded that, it was different. For me, the book dragged-on for 90% of it, without any particular pointers apart from one large red herring..." Read more

"...and first couple of chapters, it became clear this was a fictitious story made to look like a factual real life case that happened in 2011...." Read more

"...The twists at the end, and indeed throughout, are unpredictable, and again very clever...." Read more

"...this one is just superb - my only minor issue was that the ending was a little ambiguous and I felt like I was missing something, but it's made me..." Read more

it consumed me whole.
5 out of 5 stars
it consumed me whole.
written as if following a real true crime story, 'true crime story' is infact completely fictional. in 2011, nineteen year old zoe nolan mysteriously vanishes without a trace, following a christmas party at her student flat. seven years on, in 2018 struggling writer evelyn finds herself consumed by the case, and takes on the challenge of interviewing zoe's family, friends, and acquaintances in an attempt to get to the bottom of what really happened to zoe nolan, that fateful december night. many of the stories evelyn hears seem to align and corroborate a storyline, but small insights into the secret life of zoe nolan shine a light on a much bigger and more complex web of lies, deceit, and ever more mystery. i was absolutely captivated by this book, i could not put it down. a friend messaged me earlier in the week as she knows i am a true crime nerd, and had heard about the book from the two girls one book podcast. i immediately reserved it from the library and awaited it's arrival. over two evenings, chlo and i buddy read it to completion. we were both utterly consumed by the storyline, the characters, and all of the twists and turns. it was a wild ride from start to finish, and i honestly could have not loved the book more. if you love deep characters, a challenging story line, and a story you can be utterly consumed by - you need to get this book now. i just cannot recommend it more highly.
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry, we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Jacob Collins
    5.0 out of 5 stars Addictive!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 September 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I’m a huge fan of Joseph Knox’s work. True Crime Story is one of the most original books I’ve read this year. It’s told in a very unusual way, and I thought it really worked. It is so engaging, and the characters came to life on the page.

    The title is perfect for this book. It really does feel as though you are reading about a true-life event that has taken place. Joseph Knox himself is a character in his story as he tries to work out alongside aspiring writer, Evelyn Mitchell, what happened to Zoe Nolan a student who went missing in 2011. It was interesting reading this as I kept wondering if this was indeed based upon true events. But that was part of the magic of the storytelling.

    The mystery of Zoe Nolan’s disappearance drew me into the book. I could see Evelyn Mitchell’s excitement as she talked about what she was hoping to achieve with her book, and her excitement at the prospect of solving the mystery. It made me want to read on as I wanted to find out what had happened to Zoe myself as much as she did.

    Joseph Knox tells the story through a series of interviews with the people who knew Zoe and who were among the last to see her. They all had their own unique voice and I thought it was really well done how Joseph Knox mad their stories come to life. I couldn’t work out if any of them could possibly be involved in Zoe’s disappearance and I wanted to find out more about them. I had different theories forming in my mind, but I was never able to guess what had happened to her.

    I think this would make a great audiobook. True Crime Story is an addictive read and it’ll have you thinking and examining everything you think you know about the characters. It was very entertaining. If you love listening to true crime podcasts, then you will love this book. I highly recommend it.
    9 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Graham G Grant
    4.0 out of 5 stars Cherchez la femme
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 March 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This is a clever, elaborately plotted thriller about a student, Zoe Nolan, who goes missing from a party, setting in motion a chain of events with far-reaching repercussions for her friends and family. It comprises interviews with the key characters, pals and relatives, including Zoe’s twin sister Kimberly and her creepy, domineering dad, Rob. And it’s interspersed with email exchanges between Evelyn Mitchell, who’s writing a book about Zoe’s disappearance, and Joseph Knox, writer of True Crime Story, making him a character in his own novel, in true postmodernist style. In its presentation, True Crime Story is an update of the epistolary genre - using letters to tell a story (eg Dracula) - this time it’s emails and interview tape transcripts. In some ways, about 90 per cent of it could be said to resemble dialogue from a script rather than prose from a novel. Suspicion falls on room-mates and relatives in a sprawling tale full of dead ends and red herrings. There is a sense of the macabre at times, and a fair helping of dark comedy. And on that level, it works well - this is smart, meticulously plotted and absorbing. The format left me a bit cold, as inspired as it was… For that reason, it may be better listened to than read, as it is very dialogue-heavy (essentially almost the entire novel is dialogue from Evelyn’s tape transcripts). That said, some may find it refreshing to read something other than first or third-person prose, and initially it is - perhaps it’s a technique that simply outstays its welcome. The twists at the end, and indeed throughout, are unpredictable, and again very clever. This is crossover crime fiction, clearly drawing inspiration from true crime podcasts and Netflix serials. It’s not the kind of novel where you savour the memorable prose - though there are some great lines, and it’s frequently funny despite the subject matter.
    7 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Ruby
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Author
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 February 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Oh my. I am beyond impressed with this book and I will admit that I did Google to see if there had been any updates on Zoe! I was so convinced that this was an actual true story which also shows how many young females go missing each year (far too many to remember faces/names etc)

    I actually really liked the format of this book. I have read some reviews/comments where some readers found it difficult to follow due to it however I felt that it flowed perfectly and really suited the whole subject matter and storyline. I don't think it would have had the same effect it it had been written in the usual style.

    The author managed to conjure up a whole entire world (one I fully believed existed!) with a wide range of different characters. All were written really well and my mind could see each and everyone easily. I particularly liked how each character had their flaws and none were created to fit into any particular conventional image.

    I have no idea how the author managed to create all this as the amount of detail is on another level. This book is definitely one that I shall be recommending to others. My kindle has pulled up some other books by this writer and I will be seeing about reading them also. Extremely addictive read which had me completely immersed.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Pammy-Sue
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not ‘true’ crime
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 March 2022
    Verified Purchase
    As others have said, the writing style is completely different to the usual novel format. Not that I minded that, it was different. For me, the book dragged-on for 90% of it, without any particular pointers apart from one large red herring, and then the last few chapters seemed hurried. I was disappointed that the main question - the thread that the whole story was about - remained un-solved at the end. Or maybe I missed something - which is completely possible …
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of twists and turns
    Reviewed in the United States on 2 May 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed the way the book was presented. It was very clever. I was hoping to obtain more info by googling Zoe, only to find out it's all fiction.
    Report
  • Dawn Daly
    5.0 out of 5 stars A hugely gripping read
    Reviewed in Spain on 19 October 2024
    Verified Purchase
    A great read, excellently written, keeps you gripped all the way through to the end. Definitely worth reading.
    Report
  • T Roderick
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
    Reviewed in the United States on 11 December 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This was a great book, I loved the format, the story, everything. Definitely in my top 5 books of 2024. This kept my interest from the beginning to end. Well done, Joseph Knox.
    Report
  • Tom Wescott
    5.0 out of 5 stars An exceptional thriller: fresh, innovative, riveting
    Reviewed in the United States on 31 May 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I swear the characters become so real in the reading that you'll want to google them or look them up on Facebook. Brilliantly plotted, smartly written, and compulsively readable. Possibly the best thriller of 2021 and 2022.
    Report
  • Ashley State
    5.0 out of 5 stars Had me guessing until the end, and happy I guessed right
    Reviewed in the United States on 21 June 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I was hanging on the edge of my seat throughout this entire book which I read in two days. I couldn't put it down!
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report