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The Opposite of Murder
What if the only way you could prevent a murder was by confessing to it?
Jemma Stelling has confessed to a murder.
She is the police's lead suspect.
She couldn't have committed the crime.
She has an unshakeable at the time of Marianne Cass's brutal murder, Jemma was at the police station, confessing to a murderous obsession with Marianne.
Is Jemma Stelling innocent? Or is she an ingenious, cold-blooded killer?
Can you be guilty of the opposite of murder?
Jemma Stelling has confessed to a murder.
She is the police's lead suspect.
She couldn't have committed the crime.
She has an unshakeable at the time of Marianne Cass's brutal murder, Jemma was at the police station, confessing to a murderous obsession with Marianne.
Is Jemma Stelling innocent? Or is she an ingenious, cold-blooded killer?
Can you be guilty of the opposite of murder?
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 29, 2026
About the author
Sophie Hannah
115 books4,640 followersSophie Hannah is an internationally bestselling writer of psychological crime fiction, published in 27 countries. In 2013, her latest novel, The Carrier, won the Crime Thriller of the Year Award at the Specsavers National Book Awards. Two of Sophie’s crime novels, The Point of Rescue and The Other Half Lives, have been adapted for television and appeared on ITV1 under the series title Case Sensitive in 2011 and 2012. In 2004, Sophie won first prize in the Daphne Du Maurier Festival Short Story Competition for her suspense story The Octopus Nest, which is now published in her first collection of short stories, The Fantastic Book of Everybody’s Secrets.
Sophie has also published five collections of poetry. Her fifth, Pessimism for Beginners, was shortlisted for the 2007 T S Eliot Award. Her poetry is studied at GCSE, A-level and degree level across the UK. From 1997 to 1999 she was Fellow Commoner in Creative Arts at Trinity College, Cambridge, and between 1999 and 2001 she was a fellow of Wolfson College, Oxford. She is forty-one and lives with her husband and children in Cambridge, where she is a Fellow Commoner at Lucy Cavendish College. She is currently working on a new challenge for the little grey cells of Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s famous detective.
Sophie has also published five collections of poetry. Her fifth, Pessimism for Beginners, was shortlisted for the 2007 T S Eliot Award. Her poetry is studied at GCSE, A-level and degree level across the UK. From 1997 to 1999 she was Fellow Commoner in Creative Arts at Trinity College, Cambridge, and between 1999 and 2001 she was a fellow of Wolfson College, Oxford. She is forty-one and lives with her husband and children in Cambridge, where she is a Fellow Commoner at Lucy Cavendish College. She is currently working on a new challenge for the little grey cells of Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s famous detective.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
December 4, 2025
I adore Sophie Hannah's novels and The Opposite of Murder was another winner for me. I sometimes feel that Sophie is criminally underrated and for some reason however I do understand why some people may not love her the way I do.
In TOOM, we meet Jemma Stelling in a police station confessing to a murderous desire to kill Marianne Upton. Jemma is hoping that confessing to the desire to kill Marianne will mean she will never carry out the act - knowing that should she ever do it, the Police would know right away it was her.
However, at the very time Jemma is confessing to this desire, Marianne is actually murdered. Whilst we know it could not have been Jemma who carried out the fateful act, Marianne's murder leads to a number of questions and unravels a lifetime of secrets, desires, jealousy and much more.
Like I say, I am a massive fan of Sophie and especially the Spilling CID series of which I think this is book 12. Simon, Charlie and the team work tirelessly and frustratingly to try and unravel this mystery and, as usual, it is the brilliant Simon Waterhouse who finally figures it out....and you'll be glad he did....cause there is no way you will!
Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
In TOOM, we meet Jemma Stelling in a police station confessing to a murderous desire to kill Marianne Upton. Jemma is hoping that confessing to the desire to kill Marianne will mean she will never carry out the act - knowing that should she ever do it, the Police would know right away it was her.
However, at the very time Jemma is confessing to this desire, Marianne is actually murdered. Whilst we know it could not have been Jemma who carried out the fateful act, Marianne's murder leads to a number of questions and unravels a lifetime of secrets, desires, jealousy and much more.
Like I say, I am a massive fan of Sophie and especially the Spilling CID series of which I think this is book 12. Simon, Charlie and the team work tirelessly and frustratingly to try and unravel this mystery and, as usual, it is the brilliant Simon Waterhouse who finally figures it out....and you'll be glad he did....cause there is no way you will!
Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
February 13, 2026
The Opposite of Murder by Sophie Hannah. This was such a mess I don't know where to start. The story has multiple points of view over several time periods. Some of the points of view are first person accounts, others are third person plus we also have diary entries. With every new chapter you need to be aware of the time and date, and who we are following.
There are too many police officers to deal with. Towards the end of the book it makes a point that six are gathered together. How did we get to six?! Three of them were completely unnecessary and added nothing to the story. There's also stuff going on in the background with the police officers. Two are being sent off to Lincolnshire for some reason by the superintendent (who they all hate) and another isn't happy about it. This one is also a maverick, says inappropriate things, and goes off by themselves miles away to do some investigations.
After the murder victim is found the best friend of the step daughter goes around to the house they have been murdered outside of. She goes to the kitchen and proceeds to cook lasagna everyone, including the police officers. Why would you this? How would this be allowed?
The whole Ollie/Olly thing is a big part of the plot but gets so confusing about which is the right one/wrong one, who writes which one.
The plot and who did it, how and why? It was obvious on all accounts. There was also a previous incident and I was awaiting why this person was so taken with one of the other characters. The reason? I was left baffled.
In the acknowledgements section the author says they rewrote the book five times and spent a year wondering if they had 'accidentally produced something that made no sense'. I'll say no more.
There are too many police officers to deal with. Towards the end of the book it makes a point that six are gathered together. How did we get to six?! Three of them were completely unnecessary and added nothing to the story. There's also stuff going on in the background with the police officers. Two are being sent off to Lincolnshire for some reason by the superintendent (who they all hate) and another isn't happy about it. This one is also a maverick, says inappropriate things, and goes off by themselves miles away to do some investigations.
After the murder victim is found the best friend of the step daughter goes around to the house they have been murdered outside of. She goes to the kitchen and proceeds to cook lasagna everyone, including the police officers. Why would you this? How would this be allowed?
The whole Ollie/Olly thing is a big part of the plot but gets so confusing about which is the right one/wrong one, who writes which one.
The plot and who did it, how and why? It was obvious on all accounts. There was also a previous incident and I was awaiting why this person was so taken with one of the other characters. The reason? I was left baffled.
In the acknowledgements section the author says they rewrote the book five times and spent a year wondering if they had 'accidentally produced something that made no sense'. I'll say no more.
October 21, 2024
A Mind-Bending Psychological Thriller That Challenges Reality
In the realm of psychological thrillers, few authors can match Sophie Hannah's ability to craft intricate puzzles of the human psyche. Her latest offering, The Opposite of Murder, is a masterclass in misdirection and unreliable narration that will leave readers questioning everything they think they know until the very last page. With her trademark blend of razor-sharp wit and psychological insight, Hannah has crafted a novel that is both a gripping page-turner and a profound exploration of the nature of truth, guilt, and the sometimes blurry line between victim and perpetrator.
A Confession Without a Crime
At the heart of this labyrinthine tale is Jemma Stelling, a woman who walks into a police station to confess to a murder she hasn't committed yet. It's a premise that immediately hooks the reader, raising a host of intriguing questions. Is Jemma genuinely planning to kill someone? Is she mentally unstable? Or is there something far more complex at play?
Hannah expertly peels back the layers of this onion-like plot, revealing new twists and turns with each chapter. As we delve deeper into Jemma's psyche and her complicated relationships with her family, particularly her domineering stepmother Marianne, the lines between reality and perception become increasingly blurred.
The Art of Misdirection
One of Hannah's greatest strengths as a writer is her ability to lead readers down one path, only to pull the rug out from under them just when they think they've figured things out. In The Opposite of Murder, she employs this skill to great effect, crafting a narrative that is as much about the unreliability of memory and perception as it is about the central mystery.
The novel's structure, which alternates between present-day events and diary entries from the past, adds another layer of complexity to the story. These glimpses into the past not only provide crucial backstory but also serve to muddy the waters further, as the reader is forced to question the reliability of these accounts.
A Cast of Complex Characters
While Jemma is undoubtedly the central figure of the novel, Hannah populates her story with a rich cast of supporting characters, each with their own secrets and motivations. Particularly noteworthy is the character of Marianne, Jemma's stepmother, whose manipulative and controlling nature is gradually revealed through both present-day interactions and past diary entries.
The relationship between Jemma and Marianne is the beating heart of the novel, a toxic dance of love, hate, and mutual dependence that drives much of the story's conflict. Hannah's nuanced portrayal of this complex dynamic is one of the book's greatest strengths, offering a painfully realistic depiction of a dysfunctional family relationship.
Themes of Truth, Guilt, and Perception
Beyond its gripping plot, The Opposite of Murder grapples with weighty themes that elevate it above the typical thriller. Hannah explores the nature of truth and how it can be twisted and manipulated, both by others and by our own minds. The novel also delves into the psychology of guilt and the ways in which past traumas can shape our present actions.
Perhaps most intriguingly, Hannah plays with the concept of perception and how our understanding of reality can be influenced by those around us. The novel's title itself is a puzzle, inviting readers to consider what the opposite of murder might be and how such a concept relates to the story at hand.
A Master of the Psychological Thriller
Fans of Sophie Hannah's previous works, such as Little Face and The Monogram Murders, will find much to love in The Opposite of Murder. The author's signature style - a blend of psychological depth, clever plotting, and dark humor - is on full display here, refined to near perfection.
For those new to Hannah's work, this novel serves as an excellent introduction to her unique brand of psychological thriller. While it shares some DNA with other giants of the genre like Gillian Flynn or Paula Hawkins, Hannah's voice is distinctly her own, characterized by its sharp wit and psychological acuity.
Strengths and Potential Weaknesses
The Opposite of Murder is a novel that rewards close attention and rereading. Hannah's intricate plotting ensures that even seemingly throwaway details can take on new significance in light of later revelations. This complexity is both a strength and a potential weakness; while many readers will relish the challenge of unraveling the mystery, some may find the twists and turns overwhelming.
Similarly, Hannah's use of unreliable narration and shifting perspectives, while brilliantly executed, may frustrate readers who prefer more straightforward storytelling. However, for those willing to embrace the ambiguity and uncertainty, the payoff is immensely satisfying.
A Thrilling Psychological Puzzle
In The Opposite of Murder, Sophie Hannah has crafted a psychological thriller that is as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally gripping. With its intricate plot, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes, this novel is sure to linger in readers' minds long after they've turned the final page.
Hannah's skill in manipulating reader expectations and challenging our perceptions of reality is on full display here, resulting in a reading experience that is both exhilarating and unsettling. Like the best psychological thrillers, The Opposite of Murder forces us to question not only the reliability of the characters but also our own ability to discern truth from fiction.
In Conclusion: A Must-Read for Thriller Fans
For fans of psychological thrillers that challenge the mind as much as they quicken the pulse, The Possibility of of Murder is an absolute must-read. Sophie Hannah has once again proven herself to be a master of the genre, delivering a novel that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.
With its clever premise, intricate plotting, and deep psychological insights, this book is sure to satisfy both longtime Hannah fans and newcomers to her work. It's a novel that demands to be discussed, debated, and revisited, making it an ideal choice for book clubs and thriller enthusiasts alike.
In a genre that can sometimes feel oversaturated, The Opposite of Murder stands out as a shining example of what a psychological thriller can be when crafted by a true master of the form. It's a testament to Hannah's skill as a writer and her unique ability to get inside the heads of her characters - and her readers.
In the realm of psychological thrillers, few authors can match Sophie Hannah's ability to craft intricate puzzles of the human psyche. Her latest offering, The Opposite of Murder, is a masterclass in misdirection and unreliable narration that will leave readers questioning everything they think they know until the very last page. With her trademark blend of razor-sharp wit and psychological insight, Hannah has crafted a novel that is both a gripping page-turner and a profound exploration of the nature of truth, guilt, and the sometimes blurry line between victim and perpetrator.
A Confession Without a Crime
At the heart of this labyrinthine tale is Jemma Stelling, a woman who walks into a police station to confess to a murder she hasn't committed yet. It's a premise that immediately hooks the reader, raising a host of intriguing questions. Is Jemma genuinely planning to kill someone? Is she mentally unstable? Or is there something far more complex at play?
Hannah expertly peels back the layers of this onion-like plot, revealing new twists and turns with each chapter. As we delve deeper into Jemma's psyche and her complicated relationships with her family, particularly her domineering stepmother Marianne, the lines between reality and perception become increasingly blurred.
The Art of Misdirection
One of Hannah's greatest strengths as a writer is her ability to lead readers down one path, only to pull the rug out from under them just when they think they've figured things out. In The Opposite of Murder, she employs this skill to great effect, crafting a narrative that is as much about the unreliability of memory and perception as it is about the central mystery.
The novel's structure, which alternates between present-day events and diary entries from the past, adds another layer of complexity to the story. These glimpses into the past not only provide crucial backstory but also serve to muddy the waters further, as the reader is forced to question the reliability of these accounts.
A Cast of Complex Characters
While Jemma is undoubtedly the central figure of the novel, Hannah populates her story with a rich cast of supporting characters, each with their own secrets and motivations. Particularly noteworthy is the character of Marianne, Jemma's stepmother, whose manipulative and controlling nature is gradually revealed through both present-day interactions and past diary entries.
The relationship between Jemma and Marianne is the beating heart of the novel, a toxic dance of love, hate, and mutual dependence that drives much of the story's conflict. Hannah's nuanced portrayal of this complex dynamic is one of the book's greatest strengths, offering a painfully realistic depiction of a dysfunctional family relationship.
Themes of Truth, Guilt, and Perception
Beyond its gripping plot, The Opposite of Murder grapples with weighty themes that elevate it above the typical thriller. Hannah explores the nature of truth and how it can be twisted and manipulated, both by others and by our own minds. The novel also delves into the psychology of guilt and the ways in which past traumas can shape our present actions.
Perhaps most intriguingly, Hannah plays with the concept of perception and how our understanding of reality can be influenced by those around us. The novel's title itself is a puzzle, inviting readers to consider what the opposite of murder might be and how such a concept relates to the story at hand.
A Master of the Psychological Thriller
Fans of Sophie Hannah's previous works, such as Little Face and The Monogram Murders, will find much to love in The Opposite of Murder. The author's signature style - a blend of psychological depth, clever plotting, and dark humor - is on full display here, refined to near perfection.
For those new to Hannah's work, this novel serves as an excellent introduction to her unique brand of psychological thriller. While it shares some DNA with other giants of the genre like Gillian Flynn or Paula Hawkins, Hannah's voice is distinctly her own, characterized by its sharp wit and psychological acuity.
Strengths and Potential Weaknesses
The Opposite of Murder is a novel that rewards close attention and rereading. Hannah's intricate plotting ensures that even seemingly throwaway details can take on new significance in light of later revelations. This complexity is both a strength and a potential weakness; while many readers will relish the challenge of unraveling the mystery, some may find the twists and turns overwhelming.
Similarly, Hannah's use of unreliable narration and shifting perspectives, while brilliantly executed, may frustrate readers who prefer more straightforward storytelling. However, for those willing to embrace the ambiguity and uncertainty, the payoff is immensely satisfying.
A Thrilling Psychological Puzzle
In The Opposite of Murder, Sophie Hannah has crafted a psychological thriller that is as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally gripping. With its intricate plot, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes, this novel is sure to linger in readers' minds long after they've turned the final page.
Hannah's skill in manipulating reader expectations and challenging our perceptions of reality is on full display here, resulting in a reading experience that is both exhilarating and unsettling. Like the best psychological thrillers, The Opposite of Murder forces us to question not only the reliability of the characters but also our own ability to discern truth from fiction.
In Conclusion: A Must-Read for Thriller Fans
For fans of psychological thrillers that challenge the mind as much as they quicken the pulse, The Possibility of of Murder is an absolute must-read. Sophie Hannah has once again proven herself to be a master of the genre, delivering a novel that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.
With its clever premise, intricate plotting, and deep psychological insights, this book is sure to satisfy both longtime Hannah fans and newcomers to her work. It's a novel that demands to be discussed, debated, and revisited, making it an ideal choice for book clubs and thriller enthusiasts alike.
In a genre that can sometimes feel oversaturated, The Opposite of Murder stands out as a shining example of what a psychological thriller can be when crafted by a true master of the form. It's a testament to Hannah's skill as a writer and her unique ability to get inside the heads of her characters - and her readers.
February 11, 2026
I'm giving up on Sophie Hannah, I think. I lived the early Culver Valley books but this was just completely ridiculous.
March 8, 2026
I’ve been wanting to read this once since I saw it in the Waterstones app in early 2025… Unfortunately it didn’t live up to my expectations, I wasn’t a fan of this one really. The premise sounded so interesting but it just wasn’t for me.
The pacing felt slow at times, the characters were all so very unlikeable and the twist so incredibly predictable. For a thriller I wasn’t very thrilled. We are supposed to dislike Marianne but honestly it didn’t feel like it gave you enough background to why. She didn’t seem like a very nice person but I felt like something about that was missing. Maybe we could have had less chapters with the officers and some chapters from the past.
The change of POV’s, especially for the police officers got incredibly confusing for me, I was getting mixed up on who’s who. I found it hard getting an image of what that character looked like.
Apparently this is part of a series (kinda) one of the officers (Simon) had a series… From what I’ve seen and it doesn’t say it’s part of a series on Goodreads.
The reading slump is real! Hopefully my next thriller will be a good one! 🤞🏻
Book Title: The Opposite of Murder
Author: Sophie Hannah
Pages: 358
Rating:📔📔.25
Started: 4th March
Finished 7th March
The pacing felt slow at times, the characters were all so very unlikeable and the twist so incredibly predictable. For a thriller I wasn’t very thrilled. We are supposed to dislike Marianne but honestly it didn’t feel like it gave you enough background to why. She didn’t seem like a very nice person but I felt like something about that was missing. Maybe we could have had less chapters with the officers and some chapters from the past.
The change of POV’s, especially for the police officers got incredibly confusing for me, I was getting mixed up on who’s who. I found it hard getting an image of what that character looked like.
Apparently this is part of a series (kinda) one of the officers (Simon) had a series… From what I’ve seen and it doesn’t say it’s part of a series on Goodreads.
The reading slump is real! Hopefully my next thriller will be a good one! 🤞🏻
Book Title: The Opposite of Murder
Author: Sophie Hannah
Pages: 358
Rating:📔📔.25
Started: 4th March
Finished 7th March
March 22, 2026
When Jemma walks into the police station to confess to a murder - saying she needs to tell them the details so she won’t be tempted to follow her plan through - they think she’s crazy. However, when the person she says she planned to murder - her stepmother, Marianne - is found murdered while she’s at the station nobody is quite sure what to think.
The book follows the investigation and also unfolds the dynamics of the relationships the murdered woman had. She’s not a particularly pleasant person, and as the truth about the situation unfolds you can’t help but side with the police officer who decides to go off the book in his approach.
Yes, this requires some serious suspension of disbelief but it’s an entertaining read.
The book follows the investigation and also unfolds the dynamics of the relationships the murdered woman had. She’s not a particularly pleasant person, and as the truth about the situation unfolds you can’t help but side with the police officer who decides to go off the book in his approach.
Yes, this requires some serious suspension of disbelief but it’s an entertaining read.
April 14, 2026
The plot was a big pull with this but there was too much filler , I can't suspend massive disbelief for all the police antics , and I'm just a bit mad when you're told 'no it couldn't possibly be this person' when it absolutely was . also , who puts this many writing styles in a book?!
March 16, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
this was a really unique murder mystery and i was thoroughly intrigued the whole time.
i enjoyed the diary entries, the split narration, following the police in some chapters and our main character Jemma in others. it played out well, it felt like we were getting information trickled out at the perfect pace, nothing revealed too fast but not too slow that i grew bored. i really enjoyed the way it wrapped up and the twists that came to be. a very interesting and unique mystery.
this was a really unique murder mystery and i was thoroughly intrigued the whole time.
i enjoyed the diary entries, the split narration, following the police in some chapters and our main character Jemma in others. it played out well, it felt like we were getting information trickled out at the perfect pace, nothing revealed too fast but not too slow that i grew bored. i really enjoyed the way it wrapped up and the twists that came to be. a very interesting and unique mystery.
March 19, 2026
I wanted to like this so much more than I did. Yes it does have a bit of cleverness but I feel like this is oversold as a crime thriller when it’s really a domestic drama. It’s fairly repetitive and dull for the better portion of the story. Frustratingly, more than a few times a character has untangled part of the mystery but the information is not passed on to the reader until the final chapters. It’s a tease, this bait and switch as you return to yet another nonprogressing conversation.
January 7, 2026
I really couldn’t get into this book. It was confusing in its style, jumping about every few pages. I didn’t like the characters. I have tried to get into this author’s books before but I find her very difficult to understand.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is such a twisted thriller, and I adored it. What happens when someone admits to plotting a murder in detail and then confesses to it at a police station before the actual murder takes place?
This is exactly what Jemma Sterling does. There is, however, a problem: a murder has taken place! It was committed at the same time as Jemma was at the police station and in the way she had planned to do it. But, obviously, it cannot be Jemma as she was talking to a detective a the time.
Details of the plan, Jemma's life with her husband, Paddy and their daughter, Lottie, her relationship with her stepmother, Marianne, who was the murder victim, a past romance, and how a mysterious locked room has suddenly been cleared of all the items contained within it.
The author spends time allowing the reader to understand the people in this story, but there is always something that is being held back. There is a police investigation, but the main focus is on Detective Simon Waterhouse and his "off the books" investigation. There are reasons behind this line of enquiry, and while there may be some readers who disagree with this happening, it does actually add to the thriller and suspenseful nature of the plot. It is, after all, a story and a work of fiction.
The plots are numerous, and you are expertly led through them. I did go through a few guesses, and while I can say I was correct at one point or another, I was nowhere near the real reasons. In truth, the perpetrator could be any one of the characters, so in essence, I didn't correctly choose.
This is a character-led story that has depth and drew me in from the beginning. It is complex, and at times far-fetched, but again, this is something that I didn't mind, and it added to the feel of the story. A crime thriller, based firmly within a family, with secrets and a whole lot more. I would definitely recommend this one.
This is exactly what Jemma Sterling does. There is, however, a problem: a murder has taken place! It was committed at the same time as Jemma was at the police station and in the way she had planned to do it. But, obviously, it cannot be Jemma as she was talking to a detective a the time.
Details of the plan, Jemma's life with her husband, Paddy and their daughter, Lottie, her relationship with her stepmother, Marianne, who was the murder victim, a past romance, and how a mysterious locked room has suddenly been cleared of all the items contained within it.
The author spends time allowing the reader to understand the people in this story, but there is always something that is being held back. There is a police investigation, but the main focus is on Detective Simon Waterhouse and his "off the books" investigation. There are reasons behind this line of enquiry, and while there may be some readers who disagree with this happening, it does actually add to the thriller and suspenseful nature of the plot. It is, after all, a story and a work of fiction.
The plots are numerous, and you are expertly led through them. I did go through a few guesses, and while I can say I was correct at one point or another, I was nowhere near the real reasons. In truth, the perpetrator could be any one of the characters, so in essence, I didn't correctly choose.
This is a character-led story that has depth and drew me in from the beginning. It is complex, and at times far-fetched, but again, this is something that I didn't mind, and it added to the feel of the story. A crime thriller, based firmly within a family, with secrets and a whole lot more. I would definitely recommend this one.
April 28, 2026
Having loved and read all of Sophie Hannah’s earlier books, I continue to read her newer ones but unfortunately I was disappointed again by this one.
Lots of the ways in which the characters behave are just ridiculous- the police officers are repeatedly completely unprofessional and this is presented as acceptable because they’re mavericks but I just found it utterly unbelievable.
I knew the dad had killed Marianne but the long winded and convoluted story about why was just ridiculous.
Unfortunately I’ve been tempted again to read ‘nobody would do what the Lamberts have done’ because of the title. I hope that may restore my faith in this author again!
Lots of the ways in which the characters behave are just ridiculous- the police officers are repeatedly completely unprofessional and this is presented as acceptable because they’re mavericks but I just found it utterly unbelievable.
I knew the dad had killed Marianne but the long winded and convoluted story about why was just ridiculous.
Unfortunately I’ve been tempted again to read ‘nobody would do what the Lamberts have done’ because of the title. I hope that may restore my faith in this author again!
April 20, 2026
when you read the summary of this book it sounds great in theory. very very intriguing one might say even.
That is why I, in my infinite wisdom, purchased this book without a second thought, convinced that it would get me out of my reading slump with some thrilling murderous escapades. This was not that. It was kind of bland. kind of stale in fact.
First. You could not pay me to care about the main girl. She's boring. The police officers are more interesting (esp the main guy whose name I can't remember), but difficult to distinguish from each other because they're not particularly memorable.
The villain woman is evil. Like cartoonishly evil. I don't get it. I mean I get it, cartoonishly evil villains/murder victims can be fun, but also she's cartoonishly evil and NO ONE REALLY CARES? Like in my head she's just the step-mother from Fleabag and the dad is the dad from Fleabag, but also like without the charm and like entertainment value that the step-mother brings. This woman is just literally demented and no one gives a shit other than the occasional 'oh gosh she is a bit manipulative isn't she?' LIKE SHE WAS PLANTING DRUGS ON HER SIL + BRAINWASHING HER STEP-GRANDDAUGHTER?????
um
right
ok
I know no one knew this - but saying 'oh Marianne has some control issues when she is CLEARLY MENTALLY ILL AND POTENTIALLY SOCIOPATHIC? (which they never reallyyyyy say, but is kind of the undercurrent of the book). Like the main girl is SO WEAK. This 38 year old GROWN ASS ADULT is like completely weak and useless. I mean she makes a murder plan. But like. She's useless she cannot take control of her life to save it (LITERALLY) - um. All I could think in relation to this main character is WHY DOES SHE STILL ALLOW THIS EVIL WOMAN INTO HER LIFE??? SHE'S PUSHING 40 AT THIS RATE JUST CUT THE WOMAN OUT????
its all kind of poorly justified and just doesn't make for the most logical story progression idk. It's also very like heavy on the police officers POV and the suspects POV (which I feel like is too many POVS for a mystery/thriller novel like this? Like I can't really think of another like this because what they end up having to do is basically recompile everything together - like we have to hear about what we already know is being repeated to the police officer because he didn't know and yada yada yada ...) I fear it would've saved time to just have it in 1 POV, and then also there was the weird POVS which only came up once which didn't matter and REALLY did not help with confusing the two (or three) unmemorable police officers.
The twist is fine. It's pretty good honestly (Im talking abt the emails not the dad I don't like that - because how is your limit for your daughter's emotional abuse well into her late 30s her potential murder???? How and why is that where we must draw the line?) Mai Tai tyrant is fun and tbh that part where they figure it out is the best part, because I don't need to hear once more how unreliable Paddy is or how much Jemma loves Oliver and her child (if she loved her child so damn much she wouldn't gallivant off with this man first thing before sorting her shit out but ok sure whatever.)
also there's like A LOT of build up for things which are just not deserving of the build up? like ok her office had photoshopped images in it. BUT LIKE, her husband knew? AND IT IS PSYCHOTIC BUT LIKE NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE ABOUT HER BEING FUCKING PSYCHOTIC SO WHY IS THIS AN ISSUE NOW???? NO ONE HAD A GODDAMN ISSUE WITH HER ERASING HER STEP-DAUGHTER'S MOTHER'S EXISTENCE AND LIKE DOING A MILLION OTHER SHITTY THINGS SO LIKE WHY DO WE CARE? THIS WOMAN IS CAPABLE OF MUCH WORSE WHY SHOULD I BE SHOCKED OVER SOME SHITTY PHOTOSHOPPED PHOTOS????? same for the 'reason why Oliver left' - it was SO SO BUILT UP to be something (and I know its part of the dramatic irony, but the actual reason should've also been something more than OH JEMMA'S IN A WEIRD WILL THEY WON'T THEY WITH PADDY AND SHE PICKS HIM ) like wtf? why? do? I? care?
I feel like it doesn't build up tension on the right things. Like the damn room. The damn room was built up to be sooooo weird and shit but like in the end all that was in it was photoshopped photos? Genuinely not half as psychotic as some of the other shit she does so like eh?
anyways, justice for Paddy. He didn't smoke the weed.
That is why I, in my infinite wisdom, purchased this book without a second thought, convinced that it would get me out of my reading slump with some thrilling murderous escapades. This was not that. It was kind of bland. kind of stale in fact.
First. You could not pay me to care about the main girl. She's boring. The police officers are more interesting (esp the main guy whose name I can't remember), but difficult to distinguish from each other because they're not particularly memorable.
The villain woman is evil. Like cartoonishly evil. I don't get it. I mean I get it, cartoonishly evil villains/murder victims can be fun, but also she's cartoonishly evil and NO ONE REALLY CARES? Like in my head she's just the step-mother from Fleabag and the dad is the dad from Fleabag, but also like without the charm and like entertainment value that the step-mother brings. This woman is just literally demented and no one gives a shit other than the occasional 'oh gosh she is a bit manipulative isn't she?' LIKE SHE WAS PLANTING DRUGS ON HER SIL + BRAINWASHING HER STEP-GRANDDAUGHTER?????
um
right
ok
I know no one knew this - but saying 'oh Marianne has some control issues when she is CLEARLY MENTALLY ILL AND POTENTIALLY SOCIOPATHIC? (which they never reallyyyyy say, but is kind of the undercurrent of the book). Like the main girl is SO WEAK. This 38 year old GROWN ASS ADULT is like completely weak and useless. I mean she makes a murder plan. But like. She's useless she cannot take control of her life to save it (LITERALLY) - um. All I could think in relation to this main character is WHY DOES SHE STILL ALLOW THIS EVIL WOMAN INTO HER LIFE??? SHE'S PUSHING 40 AT THIS RATE JUST CUT THE WOMAN OUT????
its all kind of poorly justified and just doesn't make for the most logical story progression idk. It's also very like heavy on the police officers POV and the suspects POV (which I feel like is too many POVS for a mystery/thriller novel like this? Like I can't really think of another like this because what they end up having to do is basically recompile everything together - like we have to hear about what we already know is being repeated to the police officer because he didn't know and yada yada yada ...) I fear it would've saved time to just have it in 1 POV, and then also there was the weird POVS which only came up once which didn't matter and REALLY did not help with confusing the two (or three) unmemorable police officers.
The twist is fine. It's pretty good honestly (Im talking abt the emails not the dad I don't like that - because how is your limit for your daughter's emotional abuse well into her late 30s her potential murder???? How and why is that where we must draw the line?) Mai Tai tyrant is fun and tbh that part where they figure it out is the best part, because I don't need to hear once more how unreliable Paddy is or how much Jemma loves Oliver and her child (if she loved her child so damn much she wouldn't gallivant off with this man first thing before sorting her shit out but ok sure whatever.)
also there's like A LOT of build up for things which are just not deserving of the build up? like ok her office had photoshopped images in it. BUT LIKE, her husband knew? AND IT IS PSYCHOTIC BUT LIKE NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE ABOUT HER BEING FUCKING PSYCHOTIC SO WHY IS THIS AN ISSUE NOW???? NO ONE HAD A GODDAMN ISSUE WITH HER ERASING HER STEP-DAUGHTER'S MOTHER'S EXISTENCE AND LIKE DOING A MILLION OTHER SHITTY THINGS SO LIKE WHY DO WE CARE? THIS WOMAN IS CAPABLE OF MUCH WORSE WHY SHOULD I BE SHOCKED OVER SOME SHITTY PHOTOSHOPPED PHOTOS????? same for the 'reason why Oliver left' - it was SO SO BUILT UP to be something (and I know its part of the dramatic irony, but the actual reason should've also been something more than OH JEMMA'S IN A WEIRD WILL THEY WON'T THEY WITH PADDY AND SHE PICKS HIM ) like wtf? why? do? I? care?
I feel like it doesn't build up tension on the right things. Like the damn room. The damn room was built up to be sooooo weird and shit but like in the end all that was in it was photoshopped photos? Genuinely not half as psychotic as some of the other shit she does so like eh?
anyways, justice for Paddy. He didn't smoke the weed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2026
I do love Sophie Hannah's writing although this one seemed so tedious to start with. No matter, that was just the groundwork and the story became more interesting as it went along and it was really quite clever.
March 19, 2026
3.25 stars rounded down. This sounded great in premise, and I was excited to read it. I’m actually part way through another of Hannah’s books in the Culver Valley series, which I’ve parked due to not enjoying it particularly. So when I realised that this was another in the same series, my heart sank a little. I persevered, but sadly it wasn’t for me. None of the characters are particularly likeable (except maybe Sam), the overall plot seems a bit far fetched, and the police end up acting entirely out of character/role.
I really enjoy the Poirot books that Hannah writes, but sadly this book of her own characters didn’t work for me.
I really enjoy the Poirot books that Hannah writes, but sadly this book of her own characters didn’t work for me.
Read
January 27, 2026While Jemma is at the police station confessing to an intention to murder Marianne, her intended victim is being killed in precisely the way Jemma planned. Surely, with her solid alibi, Jemma is innocent of the crime—unless she is an ingenious, cold-blooded killer…
Another pacy puzzler from the queen of fiendishly plotted mysteries. Fans of Sophie Hannah will love it.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.
Another pacy puzzler from the queen of fiendishly plotted mysteries. Fans of Sophie Hannah will love it.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.
February 16, 2026
Not her best in the usually great Culver Valley series. I struggled to care about any of the suspects, who are all incredibly satisfied with their own depth and cleverness, and there was too much of them and not enough of the detectives. What's happening with Simon's sexual problems? How is his neurotic mother? What's happening with Liv? We've got to know these characters over the previous books but this was so one-dimensional.
February 9, 2026
I usually really enjoy Sophie Hannah’s books, but The Opposite of Murder just didn’t quite land for me.
Firstly I didn’t realise it was part of a series (I couldn't see it advertised as such) however I thought it mostly worked fine as a standalone.
The main issue for me was the plot. It felt confusing and, even a few days after finishing, I’m still not entirely sure it all made sense. The pacing could also have been tighter, and the twist just felt a bit implausible.
That said, there were still engaging moments with flashes of what I normally enjoy from Hannah. Fans of the series will likely get more out of it, but for me this was an OK read rather than a standout.
Firstly I didn’t realise it was part of a series (I couldn't see it advertised as such) however I thought it mostly worked fine as a standalone.
The main issue for me was the plot. It felt confusing and, even a few days after finishing, I’m still not entirely sure it all made sense. The pacing could also have been tighter, and the twist just felt a bit implausible.
That said, there were still engaging moments with flashes of what I normally enjoy from Hannah. Fans of the series will likely get more out of it, but for me this was an OK read rather than a standout.
December 17, 2025
I really liked the description of this book ‘ What if the only way you could prevent a murder was by confessing to it?’ however I am sorry to say that it didn’t live up to my expectations, I’m just really confused by the whole thing, it was jumping all over the place, nothing made sense however I kept going just because I wanted to know what the mystery was around Mariannes room and how Ollie tied into it…. Which transpired to be nothing exciting or thrilling! In all honesty it was a fairly dragged out short story.
I appreciate the opportunity to have received a digital ARC however this wasn’t for me I’m afraid.
I appreciate the opportunity to have received a digital ARC however this wasn’t for me I’m afraid.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I found this book quite hard to get through. The first two-thirds of this book were very waffly, with not a huge amount to actually keep you gripped. This book is so dialogue-driven that it's almost written like a script. I don't think this helped with the flow of the story or the ease of reading it. The final third got a lot better, as the story starts to unravel and you find out what's going on, but again this is basically all done through dialogue and no real story telling. It also seemed a bit far fetched and strange, not the real jaw dropping or shocking twist that I was expecting. Not sure how to feel about this one really!
May 18, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
There is something so immediately chaotic and attention-grabbing about the premise of “The Opposite of Murder” by Sophie Hannah that I was hooked almost instantly. A woman walks into a police station to confess that she is seriously considering murdering her stepmother because she wants to stop herself from actually doing it, only for that exact woman to then be murdered while the potential killer is sitting safely at the station with the police. It’s ridiculous, dramatic, slightly absurd, and honestly exactly the kind of twisty setup Sophie Hannah thrives on. Before going into this book, I do want to point out that this book is a part of a series involving detectives from previous books; it’s not required to read those books to read this one, but being familiar with them will help with all the names and relationships shown throughout the book.
The story follows Jemma Stelling, who is convinced she might kill her deeply unpleasant stepmother Marianne Cass if she doesn’t do something drastic first. So she decides the solution is to confess her murderous intentions to the police in advance. Unfortunately for everyone involved, Marianne is actually murdered at the exact same time Jemma is giving her statement, immediately turning what sounded like nonsense into a complete investigative nightmare.
From there, the book becomes this tangled web of family dysfunction, secrets, shifting perspectives, and psychological games where absolutely nobody feels entirely trustworthy. Sophie Hannah really excels at creating that atmosphere where every conversation feels loaded and every character seems to know more than they’re admitting. Even when I started suspecting certain reveals, the story kept nudging me sideways just enough to make me second guess myself again.
This is definitely a very character-driven thriller rather than a super fast-paced action-heavy one. A lot of the story unfolds through conversations, interrogations, and unraveling complicated family dynamics. We spend a huge amount of time inside Jemma’s head learning about her marriage, her daughter, her past relationships, and especially her toxic relationship with Marianne. Marianne herself is one of those characters who is so unpleasant that you almost understand why half the cast seems capable of murdering her.
Simon Waterhouse was also a really entertaining presence throughout the book. Apparently, as stated earlier, this is part of Sophie Hannah’s Spilling CID series, which I didn’t fully realize going in, but I still think it mostly works as a standalone. Simon is chaotic in the best way here, increasingly frustrated with rules and procedures and very willing to push boundaries during his investigation. His “off the books” approach probably requires a little suspension of disbelief, but honestly it added a lot to the tension and unpredictability of the story for me.
That said, this book absolutely requires you to roll with the chaos a little.
The plot gets very complicated, very messy, and occasionally pretty far-fetched. There were definitely moments where I stopped and thought, “Wait, does this actually make sense?” Some may love how twisty and bizarre it gets, while others may find it overly convoluted. I honestly bounced between both feelings depending on the chapter. The first two-thirds especially can feel a bit slow and overly dialogue-heavy at times.
But once the final stretch kicks in and the truth starts unraveling, the book becomes much more gripping. I really enjoyed watching all the strange little clues and odd behaviors finally click into place. Even when certain reveals felt implausible, they were still undeniably entertaining.
I also appreciated how morally messy the entire story felt. Nobody here is entirely innocent, and the story constantly plays with the line between fantasy and action, thought and guilt, justice and obsession. The title itself is interesting too because by the end it feels more symbolic than literal. The book isn’t really just asking what the opposite of murder is; it’s asking what people owe each other emotionally, what it means to protect someone, and how far people will go for family.
Overall, “The Opposite of Murder” is a strange, twisty, dialogue-heavy psychological thriller that probably won’t work for everyone, but I still found it entertaining and unique. The central premise is fantastic, the family drama is deliciously toxic, and even when the plot gets wildly implausible, it stays compelling because the atmosphere of doubt and suspicion never lets up.
There is something so immediately chaotic and attention-grabbing about the premise of “The Opposite of Murder” by Sophie Hannah that I was hooked almost instantly. A woman walks into a police station to confess that she is seriously considering murdering her stepmother because she wants to stop herself from actually doing it, only for that exact woman to then be murdered while the potential killer is sitting safely at the station with the police. It’s ridiculous, dramatic, slightly absurd, and honestly exactly the kind of twisty setup Sophie Hannah thrives on. Before going into this book, I do want to point out that this book is a part of a series involving detectives from previous books; it’s not required to read those books to read this one, but being familiar with them will help with all the names and relationships shown throughout the book.
The story follows Jemma Stelling, who is convinced she might kill her deeply unpleasant stepmother Marianne Cass if she doesn’t do something drastic first. So she decides the solution is to confess her murderous intentions to the police in advance. Unfortunately for everyone involved, Marianne is actually murdered at the exact same time Jemma is giving her statement, immediately turning what sounded like nonsense into a complete investigative nightmare.
From there, the book becomes this tangled web of family dysfunction, secrets, shifting perspectives, and psychological games where absolutely nobody feels entirely trustworthy. Sophie Hannah really excels at creating that atmosphere where every conversation feels loaded and every character seems to know more than they’re admitting. Even when I started suspecting certain reveals, the story kept nudging me sideways just enough to make me second guess myself again.
This is definitely a very character-driven thriller rather than a super fast-paced action-heavy one. A lot of the story unfolds through conversations, interrogations, and unraveling complicated family dynamics. We spend a huge amount of time inside Jemma’s head learning about her marriage, her daughter, her past relationships, and especially her toxic relationship with Marianne. Marianne herself is one of those characters who is so unpleasant that you almost understand why half the cast seems capable of murdering her.
Simon Waterhouse was also a really entertaining presence throughout the book. Apparently, as stated earlier, this is part of Sophie Hannah’s Spilling CID series, which I didn’t fully realize going in, but I still think it mostly works as a standalone. Simon is chaotic in the best way here, increasingly frustrated with rules and procedures and very willing to push boundaries during his investigation. His “off the books” approach probably requires a little suspension of disbelief, but honestly it added a lot to the tension and unpredictability of the story for me.
That said, this book absolutely requires you to roll with the chaos a little.
The plot gets very complicated, very messy, and occasionally pretty far-fetched. There were definitely moments where I stopped and thought, “Wait, does this actually make sense?” Some may love how twisty and bizarre it gets, while others may find it overly convoluted. I honestly bounced between both feelings depending on the chapter. The first two-thirds especially can feel a bit slow and overly dialogue-heavy at times.
But once the final stretch kicks in and the truth starts unraveling, the book becomes much more gripping. I really enjoyed watching all the strange little clues and odd behaviors finally click into place. Even when certain reveals felt implausible, they were still undeniably entertaining.
I also appreciated how morally messy the entire story felt. Nobody here is entirely innocent, and the story constantly plays with the line between fantasy and action, thought and guilt, justice and obsession. The title itself is interesting too because by the end it feels more symbolic than literal. The book isn’t really just asking what the opposite of murder is; it’s asking what people owe each other emotionally, what it means to protect someone, and how far people will go for family.
Overall, “The Opposite of Murder” is a strange, twisty, dialogue-heavy psychological thriller that probably won’t work for everyone, but I still found it entertaining and unique. The central premise is fantastic, the family drama is deliciously toxic, and even when the plot gets wildly implausible, it stays compelling because the atmosphere of doubt and suspicion never lets up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Opposite of Murder feels, for me, like Sophie Hannah at her twisty, absorbing, brilliant best. I love the Simon Waterhouse (Spilling CID) series so was thrilled to see a new release, as the last one was released back in 2022. The situation as it stands in the police station and Simon’s team has changed quite significantly and Simon isn’t dealing with it so well - but he’s still his brilliant best.
We start the book finding out all about the puzzling, strange situation that Jemma Stelling has got herself into - she hates her stepmother so much that she is tempted to kill her, so to avoid this happening and being sent to prison (and with the obvious negative impact this would have on her daughter weighing heavily on her mind), Jemma decides to go and admit her dark intentions to the police, so she can’t then feasibly follow through on it.
However, at the exact same time Jemma is telling all to a disbelieving Simon, her stepmother really IS murdered. Is this coincidence - or is Jemma still involved and trying to set up a rock solid alibi? A fairly chaotic Simon is determined to find out.
In The Opposite of Murder, Simon really seems to have lost any desire to play by the rules, but he’s as brilliant as ever. We don’t get to see as much as usual about Simon’s team other than Charlie / they appear but not a huge amount as we spend a lot of the novel in Jemma’s head. However, I loved unpicking the mystery with Simon and exasperated Charlie, as well as learning from Jemma what she herself discovered.
There’s plenty of craziness from the Stelling family all round, so you perhaps need to suspend your disbelief a little, but both the conclusion and reveals and clues along the way were great fun to follow along with and satisfying. I really enjoyed finding out more about Jemma, Paddy, Ollie, Marianne and their family - Sophie Hannah always tells a brilliant tale about the characters as well as the mystery itself. A great and welcome return to the Spilling series! More to come too, I hope!
(With thanks to Netgalley for the ARC on which I’ve written an honest and unbiased review)
We start the book finding out all about the puzzling, strange situation that Jemma Stelling has got herself into - she hates her stepmother so much that she is tempted to kill her, so to avoid this happening and being sent to prison (and with the obvious negative impact this would have on her daughter weighing heavily on her mind), Jemma decides to go and admit her dark intentions to the police, so she can’t then feasibly follow through on it.
However, at the exact same time Jemma is telling all to a disbelieving Simon, her stepmother really IS murdered. Is this coincidence - or is Jemma still involved and trying to set up a rock solid alibi? A fairly chaotic Simon is determined to find out.
In The Opposite of Murder, Simon really seems to have lost any desire to play by the rules, but he’s as brilliant as ever. We don’t get to see as much as usual about Simon’s team other than Charlie / they appear but not a huge amount as we spend a lot of the novel in Jemma’s head. However, I loved unpicking the mystery with Simon and exasperated Charlie, as well as learning from Jemma what she herself discovered.
There’s plenty of craziness from the Stelling family all round, so you perhaps need to suspend your disbelief a little, but both the conclusion and reveals and clues along the way were great fun to follow along with and satisfying. I really enjoyed finding out more about Jemma, Paddy, Ollie, Marianne and their family - Sophie Hannah always tells a brilliant tale about the characters as well as the mystery itself. A great and welcome return to the Spilling series! More to come too, I hope!
(With thanks to Netgalley for the ARC on which I’ve written an honest and unbiased review)
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Many thanks to Jonathan Ball Publishers for sending me a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
There’s something deeply unsettling about a character walking into a police station to confess to a murder that hasn’t happened yet — and somehow, Sophie Hannah manages to make that premise feel both absurd and completely believable at the same time.
At 5:05pm, Jemma Stelling tells the police she’s terrified she’s going to kill Marianne Cass. At 5:05pm, Marianne is murdered while Jemma is sitting safely inside the station, giving her statement. It’s a genuinely strong hook, and the kind of setup that immediately drags you into the psychological chaos of the story.
What I enjoyed most was the way the narrative constantly blurred the lines between certainty and doubt. Even when I started predicting certain reveals, the story kept nudging me sideways, making me second-guess what I thought I knew. Every time I settled on a theory, the book would quietly rearrange the pieces just enough to make me reconsider. That uncertainty became the real engine of the novel for me.
The multiple POVs also worked well in building that atmosphere. Seeing events filtered through different characters added layers of tension and suspicion, especially because nobody feels entirely trustworthy. It gives the novel that classic “everyone knows something they aren’t saying” energy that psychological thrillers thrive on.
I will say, though, the title itself feels slightly misleading once you sit with it for a while. The opposite of murder isn’t really not murdering someone — it’s giving life, preserving it, saving it. So while The Opposite Of Murder is undeniably a catchy title, it feels more symbolic than literal by the time the story unfolds.
This isn’t a thriller that completely reinvented the genre for me, but it was clever, tense, and psychologically messy in a way I enjoyed. Even when the predictability peeked through, the constant shifting of perspective kept the reading experience engaging.
There’s something deeply unsettling about a character walking into a police station to confess to a murder that hasn’t happened yet — and somehow, Sophie Hannah manages to make that premise feel both absurd and completely believable at the same time.
At 5:05pm, Jemma Stelling tells the police she’s terrified she’s going to kill Marianne Cass. At 5:05pm, Marianne is murdered while Jemma is sitting safely inside the station, giving her statement. It’s a genuinely strong hook, and the kind of setup that immediately drags you into the psychological chaos of the story.
What I enjoyed most was the way the narrative constantly blurred the lines between certainty and doubt. Even when I started predicting certain reveals, the story kept nudging me sideways, making me second-guess what I thought I knew. Every time I settled on a theory, the book would quietly rearrange the pieces just enough to make me reconsider. That uncertainty became the real engine of the novel for me.
The multiple POVs also worked well in building that atmosphere. Seeing events filtered through different characters added layers of tension and suspicion, especially because nobody feels entirely trustworthy. It gives the novel that classic “everyone knows something they aren’t saying” energy that psychological thrillers thrive on.
I will say, though, the title itself feels slightly misleading once you sit with it for a while. The opposite of murder isn’t really not murdering someone — it’s giving life, preserving it, saving it. So while The Opposite Of Murder is undeniably a catchy title, it feels more symbolic than literal by the time the story unfolds.
This isn’t a thriller that completely reinvented the genre for me, but it was clever, tense, and psychologically messy in a way I enjoyed. Even when the predictability peeked through, the constant shifting of perspective kept the reading experience engaging.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Sophie Hannah’s latest Culver Valley mystery begins with a premise so disarmingly odd that only she could pull it off: a woman walks into the police station and announces that she had planned to commit a murder, had fully intended to do it, but ultimately didn’t go through with it. There is no victim, no crime scene, and no evidence that anything at all has happened. Yet she insists on making a statement.
It’s a brilliant inversion of the usual crime‑fiction setup, and Hannah uses it as a springboard for one of her most psychologically playful plots. Instead of chasing a killer, the detectives are forced to unravel a confession without a crime, a motive without an act, and a suspect who may be dangerously honest or dangerously deluded.
This structure gives the novel its clever, off‑kilter energy. The investigation becomes a puzzle about intention, guilt, and the stories people tell themselves and, as is often the case with this author, she delights in pushing the reader to question every assumption. The more the Culver Valley team digs, the stranger the situation becomes, and the more it feels like reality itself is bending around the woman’s account.
For returning readers, one of the real pleasures is slipping back into the familiar dynamics of the Culver Valley characters. Their quirks, tensions, and long‑standing relationships add warmth and humour to the increasingly bizarre case. It’s like catching up with old colleagues who are brilliant, exasperating, and endlessly entertaining.
And yes, the book is gloriously bonkers in that signature Sophie Hannah way. The twists are audacious, the logic is intricate, and the emotional undercurrents are as sharp as ever. She manages to make the absurd feel plausible and the plausible feel unsettling, all while keeping the narrative tightly controlled.
The Opposite of Murder is a clever, twist‑rich return to the series: a psychological puzzle wrapped in procedural precision, with just the right amount of chaos. Fans will relish the reunion with familiar characters, and newcomers will find themselves quickly drawn into Hannah’s uniquely skewed world.
It’s a brilliant inversion of the usual crime‑fiction setup, and Hannah uses it as a springboard for one of her most psychologically playful plots. Instead of chasing a killer, the detectives are forced to unravel a confession without a crime, a motive without an act, and a suspect who may be dangerously honest or dangerously deluded.
This structure gives the novel its clever, off‑kilter energy. The investigation becomes a puzzle about intention, guilt, and the stories people tell themselves and, as is often the case with this author, she delights in pushing the reader to question every assumption. The more the Culver Valley team digs, the stranger the situation becomes, and the more it feels like reality itself is bending around the woman’s account.
For returning readers, one of the real pleasures is slipping back into the familiar dynamics of the Culver Valley characters. Their quirks, tensions, and long‑standing relationships add warmth and humour to the increasingly bizarre case. It’s like catching up with old colleagues who are brilliant, exasperating, and endlessly entertaining.
And yes, the book is gloriously bonkers in that signature Sophie Hannah way. The twists are audacious, the logic is intricate, and the emotional undercurrents are as sharp as ever. She manages to make the absurd feel plausible and the plausible feel unsettling, all while keeping the narrative tightly controlled.
The Opposite of Murder is a clever, twist‑rich return to the series: a psychological puzzle wrapped in procedural precision, with just the right amount of chaos. Fans will relish the reunion with familiar characters, and newcomers will find themselves quickly drawn into Hannah’s uniquely skewed world.
April 23, 2026
A boring, irritating book about boring, irritating characters. Half the stuff that happened was unprofessional and weird, the main detective was incredibly strange and just decided to not tell anyone who did the murder because he just didn’t feel like it?
One police officer yelled at her boss and the only result was the boss disappearing? There was a weird sub plot about two of the police officers being moved to a different location which turned the main detective into a whiny, melodramatic baby who acted like his family was being murdered instead of two of his colleagues being reassigned. Most of the characters were unnecessary, the victim was downright insane which no one really addressed, and the ending went on and on about how they were a crack team of detectives who couldn’t be broken up when really they had done basically nothing.
The writing was juvenile and the tone was wrong for a murder mystery with lots of lame jokes and weird tangents, and everyone was so unlikeable. The plot was so unnecessary too, because without leaning into the victim having severe delusions and psychiatric problems, then it was just a bunch of bored people rehashing the decision one of them made seventeen years ago. I really wanted to tell the main lady that this could have all been avoided if she’d realised there were more then two men in the world to choose from, especially since she didn’t even like one of them.
Something that really annoyed me too was the friend of the main lady going off to make lasagna for everyone (including the police officers!) right after they discover the victim. That’s such a labour intensive meal to make and you really need the right ingredients, you don’t just make it on a whim, especially in someone else’s house right after someone has been murdered!
This has become a bit ranty…
TL:DR I didn’t like this book and I’m still mad about the lasagna
One police officer yelled at her boss and the only result was the boss disappearing? There was a weird sub plot about two of the police officers being moved to a different location which turned the main detective into a whiny, melodramatic baby who acted like his family was being murdered instead of two of his colleagues being reassigned. Most of the characters were unnecessary, the victim was downright insane which no one really addressed, and the ending went on and on about how they were a crack team of detectives who couldn’t be broken up when really they had done basically nothing.
The writing was juvenile and the tone was wrong for a murder mystery with lots of lame jokes and weird tangents, and everyone was so unlikeable. The plot was so unnecessary too, because without leaning into the victim having severe delusions and psychiatric problems, then it was just a bunch of bored people rehashing the decision one of them made seventeen years ago. I really wanted to tell the main lady that this could have all been avoided if she’d realised there were more then two men in the world to choose from, especially since she didn’t even like one of them.
Something that really annoyed me too was the friend of the main lady going off to make lasagna for everyone (including the police officers!) right after they discover the victim. That’s such a labour intensive meal to make and you really need the right ingredients, you don’t just make it on a whim, especially in someone else’s house right after someone has been murdered!
This has become a bit ranty…
TL:DR I didn’t like this book and I’m still mad about the lasagna
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2026
There’s been a number of recent crime novels where authors have relished telling readers how to ‘off’ those people they really hate. Not to be taken seriously, they seem to be a fashion, guzzled by readers.
So when celebrated author Sophie Hannah decides to take the opposite tack we’re left with a combination of the curious, ingenious and the original. The Opposite of Murder by Sophie Hannah dwells on those murderous thoughts you may have had, knew you’d never fulfil, but the planning, the detail, is revenge in itself. Perfection guaranteed.
So it is with Jemma, the rather perverse, now adult stepdaughter who has lived under her stepmother Marianne’s rule since a child. The insidious stepmother from hell. Moulding, controlling, emotionally, psychologically abusive, meddling, Jemma has suffered over decades. Her father is under Marianne’s spell, even Jemma’s husband and child seem taken in. Until the last humiliating straw. Jemma has planned the perfect murder, time frame, diary entries, a little help from a friend. But – good sense prevails, she realizes that reporting her intentions to the police is preventative. As she sits at the local police station giving her ‘preventative murder confession’, Marianne is being murdered, exactly as described. Jemma is the chief suspect, despite her alibi. A whirligig of clues; dipping, circling, diving, as bizarre as the concept.
Red herrings, cops with issues, secrets, hidden articles, lovers, marriage falling apart, dead- beat friends, anger, and buckets of revenge: Hannah employs all the elements – messing with your head, irritating at times, laughable and, I felt, a contradiction in terms. But I kept reading. Because I wanted to know whodunnit and, despite the long and winding road, that was satisfactory. Hannah has a loyal readership and this will satisfy many.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I liked the basic premise of this book- tell the police that you have had thoughts of committing a murder so that such evidence in the public domain will prevent you ever carrying out the murder as you would immediately be suspected and caught.
However I found the first 20% of the book very slow with Jemma going round in mental circles and the police not being very accommodating when she owns up to murderous thoughts regarding her nasty stepmother. However when a murder finally takes place , the pace picks up a lot and the reading became much more enjoyable. Although it again slowed up near the end with a bit of an impasse with everyone having good alibis.
This is the first book I have read by Sophie Hannah and although she seems to have a reputation for writing character driven novels , I felt some of the characters very superficial. What on earth made Jemma marry Paddy who is basically just a good looking slob, as opposed to Ollie who is portrayed a bit unrealistically as Mr perfect. Maybe not too much detail is given about the detectives in the case as the reader is expected to have picked this up in the earlier books in the series. They are a quirky bunch and I enjoyed all the sections with DI Simon Waterhouse. It might be a bit cliched , the step mother from hell, but the interactions between Jemma and Marianne are the best bits of the book.
I was not surprised when the identity of the murderer is revealed but I liked the mystery of who had made an earlier attempt at murder and the final explanations.
Everything gets wrapped up nicely in the end and in keeping with the rest of the book, normal procedures are not followed.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC.
However I found the first 20% of the book very slow with Jemma going round in mental circles and the police not being very accommodating when she owns up to murderous thoughts regarding her nasty stepmother. However when a murder finally takes place , the pace picks up a lot and the reading became much more enjoyable. Although it again slowed up near the end with a bit of an impasse with everyone having good alibis.
This is the first book I have read by Sophie Hannah and although she seems to have a reputation for writing character driven novels , I felt some of the characters very superficial. What on earth made Jemma marry Paddy who is basically just a good looking slob, as opposed to Ollie who is portrayed a bit unrealistically as Mr perfect. Maybe not too much detail is given about the detectives in the case as the reader is expected to have picked this up in the earlier books in the series. They are a quirky bunch and I enjoyed all the sections with DI Simon Waterhouse. It might be a bit cliched , the step mother from hell, but the interactions between Jemma and Marianne are the best bits of the book.
I was not surprised when the identity of the murderer is revealed but I liked the mystery of who had made an earlier attempt at murder and the final explanations.
Everything gets wrapped up nicely in the end and in keeping with the rest of the book, normal procedures are not followed.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
We start with a woman rocking up at a Police Station to confess to wanting to murder someone. She hopes that in doing so, it will prevent her from actually carrying out the crime. Meanwhile, at the very same time, that someone is murdered. Jemma, who would have been the prime suspect in the murder of Marianne Upton is actually the one person the police can be sure did not do it...
Or did she...? And if so, how...? And if not, then who...?
And that's basically all you need to know going into the book. Try and go in as cold as this. Maybe stop reading reviews. Honestly, you'll have a much better time if you do this...
Oh and you'll also need your wits about you if you want to try and guess ahead. This author is master of adding little innocuous titbits into the narrative that will probably pass most readers by but when the whole is revealed, the hindsight kicks in...
She's also very good at reader manipulation. She'll take you down paths and insert perceptions into your head and then smash them to bits when it suits! And even me, a seasoned reader of the genre, is powerless to resist... Adding layer upon layer of intrigue before reaching the point where she starts to let you see the big picture.
And her characters are always very well created and all act as they should. Not necessarily as you would always expect though!
And it will be another of that rare category of book which I will definitely revisit on Audiobook. I'm excited to re-read with the hindsight of the wonderful, thoroughly satisfying ending.
All in all, another winner from another favourite author. Roll on next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
Or did she...? And if so, how...? And if not, then who...?
And that's basically all you need to know going into the book. Try and go in as cold as this. Maybe stop reading reviews. Honestly, you'll have a much better time if you do this...
Oh and you'll also need your wits about you if you want to try and guess ahead. This author is master of adding little innocuous titbits into the narrative that will probably pass most readers by but when the whole is revealed, the hindsight kicks in...
She's also very good at reader manipulation. She'll take you down paths and insert perceptions into your head and then smash them to bits when it suits! And even me, a seasoned reader of the genre, is powerless to resist... Adding layer upon layer of intrigue before reaching the point where she starts to let you see the big picture.
And her characters are always very well created and all act as they should. Not necessarily as you would always expect though!
And it will be another of that rare category of book which I will definitely revisit on Audiobook. I'm excited to re-read with the hindsight of the wonderful, thoroughly satisfying ending.
All in all, another winner from another favourite author. Roll on next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What if the only way to stop a murder… is to confess to it? Sophie Hannah takes this chilling premise and spins it into a psychological puzzle that is as unsettling as it is addictive.
Jemma Stelling’s confession is impossible to ignore: she admits to a murderous obsession with Marianne Upton, detailing a plan to kill her in the exact way Marianne is later found dead. The twist? At the time of the murder, Jemma was already at the police station, calmly laying out her confession. The paradox is irresistible—could she be innocent, or has she orchestrated the perfect crime with unnerving precision?
Hannah’s storytelling thrives on this tension. The novel is less about gore and more about the slippery boundaries between obsession, guilt, and truth. Every chapter feels like a trapdoor, pulling the reader deeper into a maze of psychological suspense. Her prose is sharp yet fluid, and the pacing ensures you’re always one step behind, questioning everything you thought you knew.
What lingers most is the atmosphere: claustrophobic, intimate, and tinged with unease. Jemma is a character you can’t quite trust, but can’t look away from either. Hannah’s gift lies in making the reader complicit—drawn into the confession, unsettled by the ambiguity, and desperate to know whether Jemma is victim or villain.
The Opposite of Murder is an ingenious thriller that asks whether truth can ever be untangled from obsession. Elegant, eerie, and impossible to put down, it’s a masterclass in psychological suspense.
With thanks to Sophie Hannah, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Jemma Stelling’s confession is impossible to ignore: she admits to a murderous obsession with Marianne Upton, detailing a plan to kill her in the exact way Marianne is later found dead. The twist? At the time of the murder, Jemma was already at the police station, calmly laying out her confession. The paradox is irresistible—could she be innocent, or has she orchestrated the perfect crime with unnerving precision?
Hannah’s storytelling thrives on this tension. The novel is less about gore and more about the slippery boundaries between obsession, guilt, and truth. Every chapter feels like a trapdoor, pulling the reader deeper into a maze of psychological suspense. Her prose is sharp yet fluid, and the pacing ensures you’re always one step behind, questioning everything you thought you knew.
What lingers most is the atmosphere: claustrophobic, intimate, and tinged with unease. Jemma is a character you can’t quite trust, but can’t look away from either. Hannah’s gift lies in making the reader complicit—drawn into the confession, unsettled by the ambiguity, and desperate to know whether Jemma is victim or villain.
The Opposite of Murder is an ingenious thriller that asks whether truth can ever be untangled from obsession. Elegant, eerie, and impossible to put down, it’s a masterclass in psychological suspense.
With thanks to Sophie Hannah, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
December 5, 2025
'As I said to DC Brodigan, it was the opposite of murder.'
It's so much fun to be back in Hannah's Spilling/Culver Valley series - the last book was in 2022 and much has happened since then. With a new and awful superintendent, the whole team is under pressure with the potential for them to be divided up, something that neither Simon nor Charlie are prepared to put up with. There are scenes that take place in their boss' office which are literally unbelievable, but they do fulfill those fantasies we all have of ditching diplomacy and work personalities and saying what we really think of those in charge!
The mystery isn't quite as 'impossible' as Hannah's usually are and I always find it a bit difficult when the murder victim around whose personality the book revolves is dead from the start so we never get to meet them in direct action. Nevertheless, there is some Christie-level tangled family stuff going on (Hannah's Poirot series seems to be definitely having an impact here), and some nice unravelling of clues from Simon.
The regular personalities might be dialled down a bit now: Sellers and Gibbs have (sadly!) matured and there is just one mention of Liv. Even Simon seems less left-field than usual. All the same, this is a fun and tangled case and it's always good to be back in the company of these characters.
Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for an ARC via NetGalley
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