It’s Not What You Think

I like Clare Mackintosh’s books, especially I See You. She’s mastered the art of psychological suspense. And she’s written another bestseller here.

Convinced her new boyfriend, Jamie, is cheating on her again, Nadeeka makes plans to confront him. On her way home, police pull her over for erratic behavior. After a short debrief, they understand her behavior is emotionally fueled, so they escort her home. When they arrive, they find the house swarming with police.

There’s been a murder. Jamie is dead. 

This book is good, but I wasn’t as big a fan as the others. For some reason, the present tense—though unique and wildly popular—felt forced. It felt like a robot narrated it. That made it difficult to emotionally align with the protagonist. The names are also a little wonky, but I don’t want to disparage this read. It’s got a lot to offer fans of psychological suspense and thrillers.

As the title says, it’s not what you think.

Every page evokes emotions and questions in the reader. The novel also uses multiple POVs—including Jamie’s. The author has created very likable characters, especially Detective Inspector Burton and Chief Inspector Caldwell, who face the unenviable task of untangling a mystery with multiple suspects. 

One surprise after another leads the reader down rabbit holes and, eventually, to a shocking ending. 

Image Courtesy of NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark