Lisa Jewell Bio

Born in London’s West End in July 1968, Lisa Jewell is a bestselling British author known for psychological thrillers and domestic dramas, and was raised in Totteridge with her two younger sisters. She attended St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School in Finchley, North London, before studying art and design at Barnet College, and then the Epsom School of Art and Design, where she continued her fashion studies in fashion illustration and promotion.

She worked for several years in the fashion retail sector, including being employed with Thomas Pink and Warehouse. After being made redundant she attended a creative writing course, and took up a friend’s challenge of writing three chapters of a novel in exchange for her friend taking her out to her favourite restaurant for dinner. That novel went on to become Ralph’s Party which became a bestseller in 1999 in the UK.

Jewell has won several awards including the Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance, the British Book awards for Crime & Thriller and the TikTok Book Awards UK and Ireland.

In 2022, her book Invisible Girl was banned from high school libraries in the Wentzville School District although the ban was later overturned. Jewell has transitioned from writing contemporary romances to become a master of dark psychological thrillers and domestic suspense.

As of 2007, Lisa Jewell lived in London with her husband and two children.

Lisa Jewell books in order: Family Upstairs and more

Lisa Jewell has published 24 books and contributed to an anthology. Her latest book, It Could Have Been Her, is due to be published in July 2026, and is a sequel to Don’t Let Him In. 

The Family Upstairs series

• The Family Upstairs (2019)

• The Family Remains (2022)

Ralph’s Party series 

• Ralph’s Party (1999)

• After the Party (2010)

Standalone novels 

• Thirtynothing (2000)

• One-Hit Wonder (2000)

• Roommates Waters/ 31 Dream Street (2000)

• A Friend of the Family (2003)

• Vince & Joy (2005)

• The Truth about Melody Browne (2009)

• The Making of Us (2011)

• Before I Met You (2012)

• The House We Grew Up In (2013)

• The Third Wife (2014)

• The Girls/The Girls in the Garden (2015)

• I Found You (2016) 

• Then She Was Gone (2018)

• Watching You (2018)

• Invisible Girl (2020)

• The Night She Disappeared (2021)

• None of This Is True (2023)

• Don’t Let Him In (2025)

• It Could Have Been Her (2026)

Marvel Crime Books

• Breaking the Dark (2024)

Anthologies 

• Tart Noir (2003)

Lisa Jewell Best Book: Then She Was Gone

Many fans would consider Then She Was Gone, first published in 2017, to be one of Lisa Jewell’s most popular thrillers, known for deep characterisation, dark plot twists, and a haunting mystery. Its exceptional writing and depth of characters, along with the way it explores the psychological impact of a missing child on a family and the search for truth around a missing girl, make it one of Jewell’s most heart-wrenching novels.

Then She Was Gone would be closely followed by None of This is True, released in 2023, a captivating read that won Crime Book of the Year at the 2024 British Book Awards and has been especially popular in audiobook format.

Screen Adaptations 

Two of Lisa Jewell’s books have been optioned for the screen, with both currently in development. There is a Netflix film adaptation in the works for None of This is True. Then She Was Gone is also in development with actress and writer, Catherine Steadman, writing the screenplay. 

Awards and honours

Lisa Jewell has won, or been shortlisted for several awards and honours. 

2008 – Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance – Won – 31 Dream Street

2020 – Audie Award for Fiction – Shortlist – The House We Grew Up In

2022 – Audie Award for Thriller or Suspense – Shortlist – The Night She Disappeared

2024 – Audie Award for Audio Drama – Shortlist – None of This Is True

2024 – Audie Award for Thriller of Suspense – Shortlist – None of This Is True

2024 – British Book Award for Crime & Thriller – Winner – None of This Is True

2024 – Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year – Shortlist – None of This Is True

2024 – TikTok Book Awards UK and Ireland for Book of the Year – Winner – None of This Is True

2026 – Audie Award for Thriller or Suspense – Winner – Don’t Let Him In

None of This Is True and Don’t Let Him In are New York Times bestsellers.