Oh my days, what have I just read?? This is such an engrossing, twisty, double-crossing story. A wild ride that doesn't let up from the first page to the last, it's like a Michael Bay film in book form.
No-one is who they seem or driven by what you think they are and this means that you just have to strap yourself in and let yourself be swept along in the tsunami-strength plot as it batters you against the rocks, making you question which way is up and what your own name is...all in the best possible way. It was so much fun to read, I read it until my eyes couldn't stay open last night and then picked it up again as soon as I woke up this morning. All the characters are brilliantly written and the scenes delivered perfectly, meaning that even though it's far-fetched I never questioned any of it.
Lynch was an excellent portrayal of a lifetime grifter and con-man, jaded at all the mayhem he saw around him, just taking it in his stride and trying to figure out how he could use it (or escape it, if needed) to give him the best chance at survival. He's trying to do good, show he can be a better person, but the lies are too entrenched - it's too hard to stop 'choosing another personality from the fancy dress box'.
I had literally no idea how this was going to pan out right up to the end, I still had multiple theories and a feeling that I could have missed things that signposted who was behind everything...if it was indeed only one person.
True Crime Story has been on my list for a while now, it's definitely moved way up towards the top after reading this.

“Imposter Syndrome” by author Joseph Know is an exciting thriller full of suspense, deception, intrigue, and danger.

Lynch is a con artist who is looking for a fresh start when he arrives in London. Life up to now has been full of mistakes and he desperately needs a break. But a chance encounter with a troubled heiress named Bobbie is not really the break he need as it sets him off on another rocky road.

Five years ago Bobbie’s brother, Heydon, walked out of the family home and never went back. His car was found parked on a bridge overlooking the Thames, in the early hours of the same morning. Unsettled by Bobbie’s story, and suffering from a rare attack of conscience, Lynch tries to back off.

The following day when Bobbie leaves for rehab Lynch finds himself drawn to her luxurious family home, and into a meeting with her mother, the formidable Miranda. When Miranda notices the resemblance between Lynch and her son Heydon she suggests Lynch assumes her son’s identity, in an effort to try and uncover his killer.

Once Lynch accepts the proposal he soon realises that Heydon wasn’t paranoid at all and someone was watching his every move and prepared to kill to keep the secret.

With Lynch stepping into Heydon’s shoes his life is full of danger and hidden enemies, certainly not the fresh start he was looking for.

“Imposter Syndrome” is an exciting read and I really did struggle to put it down, lots of atmosphere and twists to keep you guessing. I have read all of Joseph Know books but in my opinion this is the best yet.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Random House UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Whilst on the run, Lynch bumps into Bobbie who is startled by his resemblance to her brother who has been missing for 5 years.

He helps Bobbie and her family to use his similarity to Heston to figure out what happened the night he went missing and if he is still alive.
As Lynch digs further people around him start dying and Lynch discovers he is involved in something deeper than a simple missing person case.

The plot was really complicated so was difficult to follow at times. I started to get lost towards the end. Overall I did enjoy it and it did keep me intrigued enough to keep reading until the end to find out what happened.

Needs a bit of concentration!

I loved this, was gripping. Lynch, a con man, arrives in London where he literally bumps into Bobbie. He looks like bobbies brother Haydon who has been missing for the last 5 years. What follows is a gripping tale of deceit, lies, secrets and a few murders. Who was behind Haydon s disappearance? Who is coming for lunch?
Definitely recommend.
Thanks to netgalley for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I love this author's Aidan Waits series - wish there were more - and also enjoyed True Crime Story, so I was quite excited to get my hand on this, his latest offering.
We start with Lynch running from something that happened in Paris. He has just arrived in London and is a bit on high alert from anyone following him. He has no money, his phone is dead, but he is resourceful and, when we first meet him, he is wandering around the airport... Until, that is, he bumps into Bobbie who initially mistakes him for her estranged brother Haydon Pierce, who vanished without a trace some 5 years previously. They get talking and sort of team up, Bobbie having suggested that Lynch go to her family home to try and extract some money from her family. To complete the subterfuge, Bobbie also replicates the tattoo she drew on Haydon.
But things don't go as expected when Lynch is outed pretty much straight away but, instead of being thrown out, or the police called, the family have an another suggestion of ways he can help them...
An so begins a very convoluted and interconnected story that, at times I found to be way too busy and hard to follow, but which does all come good at the end. Lynch is an interesting character, hard to get to know, get to grips with, but I guess that's the nature of his profession! Other characters are equally tough as they also have many faces and facets and there are so many secrets and lies, and so much dysfunctional behaviour that my head nearly exploded!
But I toughed it all out, kept what I didn't get in my head, just, and I was rewarded at the end. It was worth the pain to get there. But it was a bit hard work on occasion keeping it all in the air.
All in all, not my favourite of his books but one I am proud of myself for getting through as it was rather challenging. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

I like books about con-men and I enjoyed the main character here. However, the plot overall was a bit too complicated and sometimes unrealistic. I understand that you have to suspend belief on occasion but there were too many occasions for me in this book. I still finished it, though.

Thanks to the publishers for an advanced copy of this book. I loved Joseph Knox True Crime Story and it was one of my favourite books of the year when it came out so was really looking forward to reading this new book. The book is a story of a con artist, a missing man and a wealthy family trying to get to the bottom of his disappearance. Heydon went missing 5 years ago with his car found on a bridge with everyone suspecting suicide however his family want to learn the truth and when Bobbie bumps in to lookalike 'Mr Lynch' at Heathrow airport by chance this spirals into a thriller to find out what really happened amongst all the lies. I really wanted to love this book however it almost felt like I was reading an unfinished article, perhaps and 1st or 2nd draft, it seemed a bit all over the place with unanswered questions. I also didn't really like or warm to any of the characters.

Joseph Knox hits another one out the park with Imposter Syndrome as he continues his new direction in high quality stand alone stories that do exactly that .. stand out.

After the incredible Aidan Waits series. Knox had a billing to live up to. And with this darkly intense psychological thriller he absolutely smashes it,

This story is so complex it requires all of your attention, so very clever and written with such an elegance, I hoovered this up.

Knox is a unique voice in Crime Fiction, he may not be for everyone as he has an edge that takes him ahead of the pack.

Top stuff again from an author who probably doesn’t realise just how good he is.

“One man in his time plays many parts”, could be the motto for grifters. Lynch has spent his time in this way but might want to change now and be himself, if can remember who that is! He’s just fled Paris for London after a con went wrong, abandoning his partner, Clare, in the process. We know that blood was spilled but don’t know whose. He feels he’s lost his touch, lost his motivation. Then he literally bumps in to Bobbie Pierce, who initially thinks he’s her missing brother, Heydon, but quickly realises her mistake because Haydon has a distinctive tattoo on his face. In the next rather confused 24 hours, he ends up with a copy of the tattoo, courtesy of Bobbie, and a mission to trace Heydon, alive or dead. After pointing him in the direction of the family home, a very upmarket house in Chelsea, and a promise that they will pay him well, Bobbie flies off for a fortnight’s REHAB in LA. Needless to say, a ‘simple’ missing person investigation turns into a complicated pinball game, as Lynch is batted around London by various competing interests, familial, professional and covert. Is Heydon still in the land of the living? Whose interests are going to win? What happened in Paris? It’s all out there right up to the last sentence.
This I would mainly class as a thriller, although mostly more a foreboding one rather than an imminent risk of death one (although there is the latter, of course). The pace feels smooth, due to sections which are quite expositional and unthreatening, but is actually galloping along, as Lynch careers from one threat situation to another. It isn’t that difficult to work out the answer to my three questions above, but none of them are really answered until shortly before that last sentence. So, if you’re invested in the characters, you will absolutely keep reading, and the ricochets from one ‘bell’ to another will keep you guessing. It’s not perfect, but I don’t see any flaws in the plot as finally revealed so it has to be 5.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

I had previously read “True Crime Story” by Knox and really enjoyed it and I was intrigued by the premise of this one so I was very pleased when I was approved for the eArc.

The story is told in first person narrative from Lynch’s point of view, which always helps me feel fully immersed in the story. However, bearing in mind Lynch is a con-man, this also adds a layer of slight complication in that everything we know about what is happening is told to us by an unreliable narrator. Lynch is also clearly trying to escape a situation that occurred in Paris and there are hints as to what this might be throughout most of the book. I did like Lynch but his almost obsession with Heydon felt a bit odd to me. He went from not knowing anything about him to getting completely sucked into the conspiracy around his disappearance pretty easily for someone who go has previously spent their time conning people.

Generally, I enjoy Knox’s writing. He weaves his stories well with twists and turns along the way. There is a lot going on here and at times it felt like there was maybe too much going on. Some of the plot points didn’t really seem to add much but rather took away from the story a little.

I enjoyed the topical elements of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Queen’s death being used to root the story in reality.

I must say I did read quite a lot of this whilst I was sick so I’d be keen to read it again when I’m firing on all cylinders as my brain definitely wasn’t functioning at max capacity for some of it.

Overall, it was an enjoyable, if unbelievable at times, story.

Joseph Knox has been high on my favourite author list for quite a while now and Imposter Syndrome only serves to cement his place.

As a low-life con artist, Lynch - if that is who he is - doesn't deserve our sympathy. His problems are pretty much of his own making and he's certainly no angel. Yet, Knox can make him interesting enough for us to care what happens to him when he gets mixed up with a seriously dysfunctional family hovering on the edge of the underworld.

Original without being outlandish, twisty with credible revelations and misunderstandings, I loved Imposter Syndrome. Naturally, as a Knox fan, I'd been relishing the moment I got my hands on this book. However, expectations are often met with disappointment - but happily not here, I'm pleased to report. The writing is as tight as ever, the dialogue flowing and easy to follow, the plot urgent and dark.

All I need to know now is whether we'll see more of Lynch. He's a bad lad, but I'm getting to kinda like him...

Joseph Knox’s "Imposter Syndrome" is a gripping and intense psychological thriller that masterfully explores themes of deception, identity, and the often-blurred line between truth and fiction. The plot is complex and well-constructed, with numerous twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. Knox skillfully weaves together various subplots, creating a tapestry of suspense that unfolds beautifully as the story progresses. Beyond the surface-level thriller, "Imposter Syndrome" delves into profound themes of self-doubt, the search for identity, and the fear of being exposed as a fraud. These elements resonate deeply, adding psychological depth to the novel. It is a standout thriller that combines a compelling protagonist, a richly atmospheric setting, and a plot filled with enough twists and turns to keep any reader engaged. Despite a few pacing issues, the novel’s strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.

There is no doubt that this author is a skilled and gifted one. His previous books are dynamic and taut, very readable indeed.
This is as good as those, with a plot that jumps around like a mosquito feeding, you are required to pay attention though to the very manufactured and tight plot throughout.
Perhaps deliberately, none of the central characters are endearing or likeable, you are more holding onto the frame of the plot as it races on.
Very accomplished writing and I am grateful to the publisher for allowing me to read this.

Lynch bumps into Bobbie who mistakes him as her missing brother, Heydon. Drawn to Bobbie’s story and their luxury home, he finds himself in conversation with Bobbie’s mother who proposes that he takes on Heydon’s identity to try and work out what happened. Soon dark forces are at work.

I was drawn to this book and the storyline as it looked interesting and original. As soon as I started reading I knew I was in for a good read and was drawn into the story. This was very well written and I enjoyed the character of Lynch. Although I enjoyed the beginning of this book and the general plot, my interest started to wane as the story progressed. The storyline takes a lot of concentration as it is complex and I found myself lost occasionally. There are also quite a few characters to try and get your head around, however I still think this is definitely worth a read and is a clever, twisty thriller. 3.5 stars rounded down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

Imposter Syndrome is a clever take on the modern world told with plenty of humour. It also contains a riveting story, full of edge of your seat suspense.

Mr. Lynch is a con artist who has left Paris with very little beyond the clothes on his back, an Oyster card, and his passport. He is thrust into a world of dealings and murder after a chance meeting in an airport hotel where he is mistaken for a women's missing brother.

I picked-up this book after having an absolutely incredible time with True Crime Story when it released a few years back; it was the first time I had seen a story quite like it and what hoping for a repeat of that magic. Whilst Imposter Syndrome is a very different story to True Crime Story both in the plotline and in the format, it is a story which maintains Knox's intelligent way of keeping the reader on their toes from start to finish. Like all good books in this genre, I had theories about what had really been going-on as I made my way through the book but this book keeps its cards very close to its chest and I probably did guess the conclusion at some point but I was so cleverly directed by a multitude of red herrings that I literally had no idea where the story was going to go until the final page and even, to an extent, beyond that point!

I really enjoyed how layered this story was as well as somehow not realising that we had no real clue who Lynch was.

Lynch is a con artist who is roped into pretending to be a distraught woman’s (Bobbie) missing brother. As the tale unfurls, we learn that Heydon was a paranoid character who has been missing for 5 years. His back story tells us that Lynch has fled from Paris and the love of his life Clare. He arrives via Eurostar where things don’t quite go smoothly due to a chance encounter with Bobbie. In typical Knox fashion, nothing seems to make sense . Any sane person would walk away from the scenario but Lynch delves deeper and deeper learning all the family secrets. Expect lots of shady characters and convoluted plots as Lynch’s impersonation of Heydon spirals with deaths piling up around him. Intriguing and original.

Joseph Knoz's latest is a cracking thriller you do not want to miss, is it perfect? No, but even so, it is beautifully written, fast paced, and revolves around the enigmatic Lynch, who we do know is a con man, a man who has hastily left Paris, got on the train to London, dressed in his cheap suit, with no luggage, no money, and only his phone. On arrival, he makes his way to Heathrow, which is where he bumps into Bobbie, from a extremely wealthy family, on her way to Califonia for rehab. She is surprised at how much he appears to be the double of her brother, Heydon, a troubled man who disappeared 5 years ago. She gives him instructions on how to get into her parents exclusive London home, and is gone in the morning, after tattooing him, without his knowledge, during the night.

Lynch is a man currently without a definitive purpose, and he is intrigued as he makes his way to the Pierce home, where he encounters the famous and formidable former actress, Miranda. She wants to wants to utilise his close resemblance to Heydon, by hiring him to play him to find out what happened to him. On the surface, it is Lynch who we should be suspicious of, but as the story progresses, it is hard not to root for him as it soon becomes clear nobody is as they appear to be. Lynch begins to feel he is being followed everywhere, as the deeper he delves, the more complex, deadly, and darker matters become. There are murders, shadowy corporations, and more, not all in the family are keen for him to investigate. However, despite his life being in peril, Lynch will not give up.

This is a well plotted story that the talented Knox spins, the characterisation of Lynch is terrific, and it is only near the conclusion we discover what he ran away from in Paris. There are more twists and turns than you could possibly imagine, and whilst perhaps the tying up of the threads is a trifle flawed, overall I loved this. I can see this doing really well on publication and I can definitely recommend this to all fans of the crime, mystery and thriller genre! Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
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2.5 stars
Unfortunately I just couldn't get into this one. I thought it might get better but I really struggled to get through it. I'm not sure what it was about the book but there was a lot of descriptive parts and overly detailed in many places which made my mind wander.
Good writing and an interesting premise but not for me, I'm afraid.

Joseph Knox is one of those authors whose books I've been meaning to read for a long time. I have only ever heard great things about them, so when Imposter Syndrome was offered on NetGalley I jumped at the opportunity to read it.

I realised early on that suspension of believe was going to be in order, but that was okay, I can do that for a really good story. Unfortunately, what I went on to read was convoluted, confusing and I'm still not really sure I understand what happened. I feel like the author was trying too hard to be too intelligent when a little streamlining and simplification was in order.

I did enjoy the complex characters, and the dark and gritty storyline in general, but overall this isn't really a book I can recommend. Having said that, from reading other reviews, Knox's other books are generally considered to be better than this one, so I will still go back and read some others.