Genuine Fraud begins with two women meeting in a hotel, both using the treadmills and causally starting a conversation. Jule arranges to meet the woman later on for a game of trivia but after discovering something terrible, the plan changes. She packs her suitcase and flees, neatly disguised under a wig and makeup, finished off with a new accent. Jule is an expert at reinventing herself, painting different shades for herself like an artist crafting a masterpiece with a canvas and brush or a writer creating a new character to transform into. Time and time agin she has done it. And now she is running away as someone entirely new, shrugging off her identity like a coat and slipping on a new one. Away from her old self and away from the woman who poses a threat.
Ambitious, clever, talented. Are a few words to describe Jule. Cunning. Devious. Murderous. Are a few more. Jule isn't at all likeable (perhaps she isn't meant to be) but having said that I absolutely loved her. If you've read my reviews before, you might have an idea how much I like the 'bad guys' in books so she was an utter delight to read about. She surprised me and shocked me, made me wonder how far she'd go to get what she wants and if she has any limits or morals whatsoever.
Imogen and Jule's friendship was a constant source of fascination. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. How would it end? How did it begin? Where will it take them? They are complete opposites and yet they stick together, manipulation and deception a huge factor in their strange world.
Something else I loved about Genuine Fraud is how it is written in reverse. With chapters starting at eighteen and counting down to one, it opens with Jule and the other woman in the hotel then runs backward describing how Jule got there in the first place. Murder, identity theft, lies, deceit, manipulation. This book has it all. And more. Such a brilliant read - absolutely loved it!!
Chilling. Shocking. Compelling.