Review of Is Truth Stranger Than Fiction? You Decide . . .

[Anu Anand]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Is Truth Stranger Than Fiction? You Decide . . ." by Jody B. Miller.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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“Is Truth Stranger Than Fiction? You Decide . . .” by Jody B. Miller is, as the title suggests, a mystery for readers to solve. The book has three stories, and they are all connected in some way, like pieces of a puzzle. The author wants readers to figure out how these stories fit together and solve the mystery. The author had also provided an email address to which readers could send their conclusions.

I have read two other books by J. B. Miller, but this one is on a whole other level. I finished it in one go and was able to find some connections. It was really an exciting journey for me; connecting the dots in the stories was very engaging.

The first story, ‘Is P,L My Half Brother?,’ is about a narrator trying to find their half-brother, whose existence was recently revealed by their father, who, driven by guilt and affected by Alzheimer’s, felt compelled to share the truth. This story portrays the emotional trauma of an unstable family exceptionally well. The different dynamics and struggles are depicted vividly; one could easily relate them to real-life struggles.

The second story, ‘Tweeker,’ was very dark. It tells the story of a woman struggling with drug addiction. The lack of affection from family members and the common tendency to escape reality to avoid pain are challenges that some individuals face, and these are clearly evident in her experience. I wouldn’t recommend this story to young readers because, although it sheds light on the harsh realities of addiction and serves as an eye-opener, its dark themes, including profanity and sexual content, could be overwhelming and emotionally heavy, making readers feel sad or hopeless. While the story is insightful, its intensity may not be suitable for all audiences.

The third story, ‘The Recruiter,’ was my favorite. It is about a hardworking institutional salesman named Bill and how he grapples with what life throws at him. I also liked the character Elisabeth, who played a very important role in the story. This story has all the elements of action, suspense, drama, twisted affairs, and unexpected love. It was an exciting and comforting read.

All the stories were interconnected in some way. I couldn’t solve all the mysteries, even after doing a quick second scan. There are still some unanswered plot twists calling out to me. If you are up for a challenging read, get a copy and dig in. As for the editing, the book is impeccably edited; I found just a single typo. And there’s nothing I dislike about this book. Therefore, I rate this book 5 out of 5 and recommend it to adult readers who are interested in mysteries that explore the nature of truth. If you can figure out how the stories connect, you may be acknowledged by the author in the next volume for being spot on.

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Is Truth Stranger Than Fiction? You Decide . . .
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Qwerty Writes]

Cool! I love a good mystery within a mystery. It sounds like a puzzle except in writing form. I wouldn't sitting down with the author for a cup and have a chat on their book. Ha!

[Following is a volunteer review of "Is Truth Stranger Than Fiction? You Decide . . ." by Jody B. Miller.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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All the stories were interconnected in some way.

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Is Truth Stranger Than Fiction? You Decide . . .
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Gerry Steen]

I like how all three stories are mysteriously connected to each other. The themes of truth, unstable family, drug addiction, and the challenges of living life are all intriguing to me.

[Priya Murugesan]

Your review is spot-on! I have read this book and totally agree with you. I too enjoyed solving the puzzles.

[Stephen Christopher 1]

I was wondering what the motive was behind emailing the author your conclusions. I don't know, I think I'd rather have him give me all the answers by the end of the book. Unless that's the subject of the next book.

[Sarah Zain]

I love the kind of mystery surrounding puzzles. The interweaving of stories at one point makes curiosity grow. The book will be on my list. Thank you for the recommendation.

[Neha Panikar]

What an interesting book! Never imagined authors could write mysteries for audiences to test their "detective skills". This would make a neat book for a book club for sure! I also like your review about the stories in the book without revealing any spoilers! Nicely done!

[Rajaee R]

I have read this book myself, and I liked it for the most part. The interconnections and the mystery involved give strength to the book.
Thanks for the review.

[Julie Marie Basil]

This book sounds very unique with the mystery elements for the readers to solve. I am usually a fan of short stories, but due to the dark themes you mentioned in the second story I will pass on reading this book.

[Chi Chiu Michael Mak]

The tone and stories of this book certainly feel different from the author's other two books. I can't wait to decipher the plots and see how everything comes together in the end.

[Seetha E]

The author's request that readers solve and connect with them is a first. Did you actually write to the author? The plot and this new element are surely interesting, and I cannot wait to dig in.
Thanks for a great review @Anu Anand.

[Anu Anand]

The author's request that readers solve and connect with them is a first. Did you actually write to the author? The plot and this new element are surely interesting, and I cannot wait to dig in.
Thanks for a great review @Anu Anand.

No, I haven’t written to the author. I couldn’t solve the puzzle. If you end up reading this book, I would love to hear your take on it.