Don't Believe It by Charlie Donlea

 

Grace Sebold has been imprisoned in a Caribbean prison for ten years.  At a destination wedding for her friends, Grace's boyfriend, Julian, had ended up in the ocean at the bottom of a cliff, dead.  When it was determined that the death had been murder, it didn't take long for the local authorities to arrest Grace.  The country depended on tourists and it was better if one tourist killed another over a relationship issue than if one of the locals had killed a tourist.  Grace found herself in prison, her dream of being a neurosurgeon now unattainable.

Sidney Ryan has made a name for herself as a documentary maker.  She has proven two prisoners innocent and now her desk overflows with pleading letters from prisoners all over the country asking for her help.  Grace's case catches Sidney's attention as she is looking for a case that she can film and release in a series of episodes where the audience finds out the evidence as she does, much like the popular podcast, Serial.  Grace's case is the one she chooses and soon the country is entranced with Grace's case as week by week Sidney uncovers evidence that Grace might well be falsely imprisoned.  Will Sidney win Grace's freedom?

This is my first Donlea book.  He has made a name for himself in the thriller genre with several bestselling novels.  His forte is shocking twists and turns and this book is full of those along with a breathtaking climax that will take the reader by surprise.  The characters have believable backstories and he never crosses the line into events that the reader wouldn't believe.  This book is recommended for mystery readers.