Advertisement
Books

True Crime Story by Joseph Knox: Post-modern playfulness

Joseph Knox becomes a character in his own novel in the twisty and compelling novel True Crime Story.

Joseph Knox has produced something extraordinary. True Crime Story begins with a note from his publisher stating that “they and Mr Knox have mutually agreed to conclude their business dealings and have no plans to undertake any future projects”.

This immediately throws the reader off balance, and it takes a few pages before you realise it’s all part of the plot. Knox is in fact a character in his own novel, which is told through competing and often conflicting statements by the friends and family of Zoe Nolan, a Manchester student who has vanished without trace.

This post-modern playfulness works because it is embedded in a rich and compelling plot that twists and turns until the final pages. Sometimes risk pays off.

True Crime Story by Joseph Knox is out now (Doubleday, £14.99)

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

SIGN THE PETITION

It's our call to Keir Starmer to pass a law to end poverty.
big issue vendor holding up a 'we need a poverty zero law' sign

Recommended for you

Read All
The best books to read in summer 2025
Summer books

The best books to read in summer 2025

Women were a huge part of the Gold Rush. Why do we never hear about them?
Women

Women were a huge part of the Gold Rush. Why do we never hear about them?

Top 5 spy books for kids, chosen by Cecily Sawyer author Iona Rangeley
Books

Top 5 spy books for kids, chosen by Cecily Sawyer author Iona Rangeley

Moderation by Elaine Castillo review – modern love story falls short
Books

Moderation by Elaine Castillo review – modern love story falls short

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue