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The Less People Know About Us

A Mystery of Betrayal, Family Secrets, and Stolen Identity

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The Less People Know About Us

By: Axton Betz-Hamilton
Narrated by: Laurie Catherine Winkel
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About this listen

 In this powerful and “engrossing” memoir, identity theft expert Axton Betz-Hamilton tells the shocking story of how her family was destroyed by the actions of an anonymous criminal (The New York Times).

When Axton Betz-Hamilton was 11 years old, her parents both had their identities stolen. This was before the age of the Internet—authorities and banks were clueless and reluctant to help Axton's parents.

Convinced that the thief had to be someone they knew, Axton and her parents completely cut off the outside world. As a result, Axton spent her formative years crippled by anxiety, quarantined behind the closed curtains in her childhood home. Years later, Axton discovered that she, too, had fallen prey to the identity thief.

The Less People Know About Us is a cautionary tale, but not one without hope as Axton looks back on the dysfunctional childhood that led to her desire to help this from happening to others.

AN EDGAR AWARDS 2020 WINNER AND WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER Abuse Child Abuse Dysfunctional Families Dysfunctional Relationships Organised Crime Parenting & Families Relationships True Crime Emotionally Gripping

Critic Reviews

"Reads like a grim folk tale...intimate and engrossing."—The New York Times
"The air of menace is palpable...A deeply compelling story of a crime that hit close to home."—NPR
"The tension of a thriller...[and] jaw dropping revelations. Astonishing and disturbing, this emotionally resonant book is perfect for true crime fans."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"This memoir has all the suspense and twists of a thriller; even as readers begin to suspect the truth, it still shocks...highly recommended."—Booklist
"Betz-Hamilton expertly blends true crime and memoir in this tale of family, lies, and identity...a brave, candid examination of her painful past [and] a poignant and fascinating exploration of identity theft."
—Library Journal
"'Identity theft' sounds like something that happens far, far away and only to other people...certainly not within a seemingly picture-perfect family in the rural U.S. In a gut-wrenching portrayal of victimization starting at age 11, Axton Betz-Hamilton shows that's simply not true. The stunning revelations will keep you looking over your shoulder for a long time and even more troubling...at the ones you think you know the best!"—Nancy Grace, legal commentator, broadcast journalist, and New York Times bestselling author of The Eleventh Victim
"Axton Betz-Hamilton's story is remarkable. One of the primary challenges for those of us advocating for more rights and resources for identity theft victims is their reluctance to share their experience. Betz-Hamilton writes with candor and grace about both her relationship with her mother/perpetrator, and the long term effect victimization has had on her life."—EvaCasey Velasquez, president/CEO of Identity Theft Resource Center
"A brave, rueful memoir of fear and heartbreak in rural America. Axton Betz-Hamilton mines the most essential of life's questions: can we ever really know the people we love? The Less People Know About Us is an unflinching portrait of grit and determination in the wake of a fractured childhood and complicated grief."—Carolyn Murnick, author of The Hot One
All stars
Most relevant
Interesting story, though I guessed the answer not far into the book. Very well written and enjoyed it very much. Lots of surprises toward the end.

Excellent

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After finishing the book “Educated”, this was suggested to me as being in the same vein. I really enjoyed it and finished it in a matter of days. The narration was great and I would listen to more works with this narrator again. The characters were very well fleshed out, and the story telling was fantastic. I would highly recommend

Intriguing- couldn’t put it down.

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This story is definitely something "weird" and worth telling about in a book. But I definitely don't think the sub title "A mystery of betrayal, family secrets and stolen identify" comes out in the book. I was expecting more, so can't help but feel slightly disappointed with the outcome. I feel like the author has written a very long article about what happened to her but it wasn't a very exciting book.

This could have been a lot better

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I'm really picky about narrators but I truly enjoyed this book. It was immersive, interesting and the narration was not distracting like I find many to be.

very enjoyable

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I bought this book after hearing the author interviewed on local radio and it did not disappoint. There seems to be a plethora of people coming out with stories of parents who betrayed them and/or who lived double lives. My own father did this and I always wanted to know more about his layers of deceit but after hearing Axton's story I have let go of that idea. It is particularly fitting that Axton managed to turn a catastrophic upbringing into a useful field of study. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Book of the year for 2019 for me.

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I loved this book. it was well read and I will recommend it to anyone.

wonderful book

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