Trust Me When I Lie shines a harsh spotlight on true crime television series like Netflix’ Making of a Murderer while also containing a twisty mystery.
Jack Quick is the creator of a true crime television series in Australia. The series digs into the kidnapping and strangling death of Eliza. By the finale, it has proven to the public that Curtis, the man convicted of the crime four years earlier, deserves a new trial. When Curtis is subsequently found innocent and freed, Jack wonders whether he helped a guilty man.
While there is a mystery to solve, Trust Me When I Lie is mainly a screed against the media retrying criminal cases in the press. The book shows that the media often has differing goals from the law. Entertainment, and subsequently high ratings, are the reason why true crime tales selectively present the facts. My issue with that belief is that prosecutors and defense attorneys do the exact same thing. Because I didn’t buy the whole premise of this book, I didn’t enjoy it much. Even the twisty ending seemed forced. 3 stars.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.