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It’s Not What You Think

Not yet published
Expected 26 Mar 26
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He has a secret. She knows he’s lying…

YOU THINK YOU KNOW THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE

Nadeeka is certain Jamie is having an affair. She knows the tell-tale signs.

She’s been here before.

YOU THINK YOU KNOW WHO YOU CAN TRUST

When Jamie claims to be at work late, she knows he’s lying. He’s with another woman, and she’s determined to catch him in the act.

YOU THINK YOU KNOW HOW THE STORY ENDS

But when Nadeeka arrives home to confront him, Jamie can't explain himself. The house has become a crime scene…

Jamie is dead.

IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK

Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 9, 2026

17 people are currently reading
5924 people want to read

About the author

Clare Mackintosh

28 books11.7k followers
Welcome to my Goodreads profile! Whether you're new to my work, or a hard-core fan, it's lovely to see you here. My latest book is OTHER PEOPLE'S HOUSES, the third book in my DC Ffion Morgan series. Like THE LAST PARTY and A GAME OF LIES, this is designed to be read as a standalone, but if you've followed Ffion and Leo from the beginning, I think you'll love seeing where OTHER PEOPLE'S HOUSES takes them.

If this is the first time we're meeting, welcome! In addition to the books above, I'm the author of I LET YOU GO, I SEE YOU, LET ME LIE and HOSTAGE - page-turning thrillers that have sold more than three million copies across 40 countries, and hit bestseller lists including The Sunday Times and The New York Times. I also wrote the emotional rollercoaster, AFTER THE END: a family drama about an impossible choice that threatens to tear a couple apart. It's the most personal novel I've written, and I've loved hearing from readers who have connected with it. In 2024 I released a memoir, I PROMISE IT WON'T ALWAYS HURT LIKE THIS, based on my experiences of navigating grief following the loss of my son eighteen years ago. It's a book to offer hope when you feel as though there's none to be had; a book to give to a friend when you don't know what to say.

Coming in 2026 is what I'm boldly going to tell you is my best book yet... a standalone thriller with a twist that'll knock your socks off! It's called IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK, and I would love you to add it to your shelf right now!

I love connecting with my readers, and there are plenty of ways you can get a sneak peek at what's going on behind the scenes. My Facebook group offers reading recommendations and exclusive extras to members (just search online for 'The Clare Mackintosh Book Club'), or if it's general chit chat you're after, please do follow me on Instagram, where I go to avoid writing, and to share snippets of my life in rural Wales, complete with three spaniels and Pete the goat. I'm also on TikTok, much to the dismay of my three teenagers...

* * *

With over three million copies of her books sold worldwide, number one bestseller Clare Mackintosh is the multi-award-winning author of I Let You Go, which was a Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller and the fastest-selling title by a new crime writer in 2015. It also won the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year in 2016. She has since written seven more bestselling novels. Together, her books have been translated into 40 languages and spent more than sixty-five weeks in The Sunday Times bestseller lists.

Clare is patron of the Silver Star Society, a charity based at the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford, which supports parents experiencing high-risk or difficult pregnancies.

* * *

For more information find Clare on Facebook, Instagram, Threads or TikTok at @ClareMackWrites

#ILetYouGo #ISeeYou #LetMeLie #AftertheEnd #HostageBook #TheLastParty #AGameOfLies #IPromise #OtherPeoplesHouses #ItsNotWhatYouThink

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
Profile Image for Maureen .
1,726 reviews7,544 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
December 13, 2025
As book titles go, “It’s Not What You Think” couldn’t be more apt!
It certainly wasn’t what I thought anyway!

Nadeeka Prasanna is divorced with two little girls. Though her first husband, Scott, is still very much involved in the girls’ lives, he was a serial cheater and it’s left Nadeeka with real trust issues.

She’s currently dating Jamie Golding. The girls have accepted him, and she believes he’s a wonderful person, he even lets her have full access to his phone in order to alleviate her worries about cheating. That is until he suddenly doesn’t. He’s started taking his phone wherever he goes, and she believes he’s cheating on her. Then come the excuses about working late or missing his bus. However, what Nadeeka discovers is not what she (or indeed I) thought it was!

Nadeeka heads home from work determined to confront Jamie about his lies, but the scene that awaits her is like something from a horror movie. Jamie lies dead in a pool of blood, and in that moment Nadeeka realises that there is much more to this than a simple case of him cheating on her with another woman, but “IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK”!

I’m used to my thrillers coming with their inevitable twists, but this one came with some cracking ones! Don’t think for one minute you know what’s going to happen because, like me, you probably won’t have a clue where it’s going! This book held me spellbound. It is superbly paced, it has believable, credible characters, and is, in short, a brilliant story, told by a writer who is at the very top of her game. Highly recommended.

.*Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
Profile Image for Ceecee .
2,762 reviews2,326 followers
November 12, 2025
Nadeeka Prasanna rushes home, nearly getting a speeding ticket in the process, because she’s certain her partner Jamie Golding is having an affair. Why is she so sure? That will be because she’s seen the warning signs before, in her ex, Scott. However, when she arrives at her house, she’s confronted by a horrifying sight which she probably won’t ever be able to unsee. It’s very clear that Jamie is dead and the house is already a crime scene. As the mystery of Jamie and of his death deepens, it’s not what you think.

Oh my goodness, this latest novel by Clare Mackintosh starts with a shock and a bang and then at 20% there is a plot EXPLOSION. My mouth of literally drops open in shock as it’s so unanticipated. What an earth is going on? So yes, it’s most definitely not what you think - was ever a novel well titled. This is utterly gripping, twist comes after twist and they’re really good ones. It barrels and turns this way and that, it’s topical, thought provoking and disturbing as it propels its way to a chilling end.

As another reviewer wisely comments – go in blind with this one. It’s an absolute belter, so best buckle up. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins/HarperFiction for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for C.L. Taylor.
Author 27 books3,466 followers
September 16, 2025
This is the book everyone will be talking about in 2026. Timely, tense and terrifying, with more twists and turns than an episode of Line of Duty, It's Not What You Think is a breathless, edge-of-your-seat, tour de force. A masterclass in pace, characterisation and plotting, Clare Mackintosh has delivered the biggest book of her career. I read it in two sittings (on flights) and the time just sped by. I could NOT put it down.

PS: I'm deliberately not giving away anything about the plot or characters as I want readers to discover the surprises within the pages for themselves...
Profile Image for Kevin.
447 reviews9 followers
November 1, 2025
"Twisty" is an adjective which is used in pretty much every thriller review or blurb. Never has it been more accurate that this one.

I am not going to get into the synopsis, it's one of those books you go into Blind and enjoy it better
Profile Image for Stu Cummins.
178 reviews32 followers
September 20, 2025
Is it too soon to call my book of 2026!?

This book comes with some very bold claims, including the one that got my attention: this is Clare Mackintosh’s BIGGEST twist yet! (Yes, that Clare Mackintosh…of I LET YOU GO genius…possibly the greatest twist of all time!!). I knew immediately that I had to dive into this one as soon as it landed on my doormat, just to find out if these claims held any weight. And boy, oh boy, do they!! It does exactly what it says on the cover and NOTHING is what you think. When I say that this book is fully loaded with twists, I mean FULLY loaded and ready to eject its load at the most shocking times, in the most mind-blowing of ways! Having said all of this, you can probably guess that it is virtually impossible to tell you very much more. This is a book that you absolutely MUST read, and do so without any prior knowledge of what is contained within its pages. You will not regret picking this book up. It’s destined to be huge, because it deserves to be and is another example of just how incredible a writer Clare Mackintosh is.

If that isn’t enough to convince you…firstly, are you ok, hun!? Secondly, here is a non-spoiler-y round up of what I absolutely loved most about this book:

1. It’s SO timely, incredibly astute, and absolutely taps into the society we are currently living in. That is what ultimately makes it so terrifying and tense.
2. The story is told in 5 distinct parts, from different perspectives, and each section ends with another twist that flips everything we think we’ve known up to that point. It’s ADDICTIVE!
3. Mackintosh’s writing style shines brighter than the K-Pop Demon Hunters’ GOLDEN, as she builds layer upon layer of suspense, which comes to a breathtaking crescendo in the final chapters. The book progresses at breakneck pace, with short and engaging chapters, which get shorter and more exhilarating as events unfold. It’s basically impossible to put down.
4. The characters are so well drawn, with two central heroines I couldn’t help but love and root for. The misdirection is exceptional and the wider cast really help propel the narrative forward, whilst giving the reader really visceral feelings towards them.
5. The emotions this book garners is off the scale! My heart was racing and at times my anger was raging. There’s a real poignancy to this narrative, but I turned the final pages feeling a true sense of hope. This is no mean feat, considering how close to the bone the social critique is in these pages.

IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK will be released in March 2026. You should absolutely pre-order it this very minute. You do not want to miss the opportunity to read this the moment it’s released…we’re all going to be chatting about it! 🤯

My heartfelt thanks to @harperfiction and @claremacwrites for my #gifted advance copy. I will cherish it forever!
Profile Image for Mandy White (mandylovestoread).
2,808 reviews867 followers
January 26, 2026
Amazing! Clare Mackintosh always delivers and then some. It is dark and confronting, and scarily could really happen in today’s messed up world. An incredible read, one that you do not want to miss.

The plot is clever and layered, making you doubt everything and everyone. I love it when a book can do that and still work. It is twisty but realistic. With multiple points of view, there is never a dull moment.

It begins with a woman racing home to confront her partner who she believes is cheating on her. What she discovers is the beginning of a nightmare, with her home a crime scene surrounded by police. Her partner has been murdered and her whole world is turned upside down.

Go into this knowing only that, trust me. It will make the experience of reading this more enjoyable.

A must read, definitely a favourite for 2026 already.

Thank you to Harper Collins Australia for my early copy of book to read by a favourite author. Publishing on March 26th. The ARC is just stunning, and a hardback 🩷
Profile Image for Kristine.
151 reviews146 followers
November 10, 2025
What a rollercoaster of a book!

I could not put it down… wow!
A great, twisty read, intelligent and thought provoking.

It touches some very important topics and was therefore a little hard to read, as it felt like it resonated a little too close to home at this time.

It’s my first book from the author, but it certainly won’t be my last.

Edit: It has been 2 days, and I am still thinking about this book and the topics it explored so well. Brilliant! That is what a book should do :)
Profile Image for Pauline.
1,015 reviews
November 4, 2025
I always enjoy reading Clare Mackintosh books and was delighted to receive an advance copy of her new book ‘It’s Not What You Think’.
This was an exciting story with some fantastic characters, lots action to keep you on the edge of your seat and a twist you won’t see coming.
I can’t wait for the next book from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Meg.
83 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 2, 2026
This book really isn't what you think. Lots of twists that were carefully placed throughout the book and I particularly enjoyed the way it all started to unravel as the pieces fit together. The second half of the book was much more enjoyable and the first half felt a bit slow and didn't grab me hence 4 stars

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC
Profile Image for Tracy Fenton.
1,148 reviews220 followers
November 6, 2025
I am a big fan of Clare Mackintosh’s standalone psychological thrillers and her debut book I Let You Go still remains in my TOP TEN BOOKS OF ALL TIME and I will never tire of recommending it for one of the best twists in this genre.

When I saw Clare on Instagram sharing the exciting news about her latest book It’s Not What You Think I was very intrigued and would like to thank her for arranging an early ARC copy for me to read.

Due out mid March 2026, It’s Not What You Think is being marketed as “Clare Mackintosh’s biggest twist yet”. The story starts with Nadeeka, a divorced mother of two young girls, who suspects her boyfriend Jamie of having an affair. Having been cheated on by her first husband, she comes home early to catch him out, except what she actually finds is worse than she could ever have imagined. Her house is a crime scene and Jamie is lying dead in a pool of blood.

She has absolutely no idea why anyone would kill Jamie, the police won’t let her in the house and now she starts to question everything she thinks she know about the man she let into her family home.

The chapters are pacy and gritty and the author reveals tiny clues to as who Jamie really was.

This book is a timely and topical look at the darker side of humanity and unfortunately I can’t say any more than that as YOU need to read this book for yourself. However, if you are familiar with this author’s previous books you will know that NOTHING is what it seems to be. My only suggestion would be to trust no-one and suspect everyone (including the author) as It’s Not What You Think is going to make your jaw-drop and your eyes pop. I am pretty confident when I say that there is absolutely no way anyone could predict some of the twists in this story and once again the author has managed to blow my mind.
Profile Image for Lu thrillskillsandchills.
191 reviews7 followers
December 12, 2025
4.5⭐️

I went into It’s Not What You Think knowing very little — and that is exactly how this book should be read.

This was my first Clare Mackintosh, and if this novel is any indication of her writing style, I’ll be picking up more immediately. The pacing is tight, the tension relentless, and the story is constructed in a way that makes it genuinely hard to pull yourself away. I read this in three sittings, and each time I had to actively convince myself to stop.

What really stood out for me was how confidently the story led me in one direction, encouraging certain assumptions that felt solid — until they very much weren’t. The reveals never felt thrown in for shock value; everything felt deliberate, layered, and unsettling in the best way. The title couldn’t be more fitting.

I can absolutely see this becoming one of the most talked about books of 2026.

If you take one thing from this review, let it be this: go in blind. Don’t research it. Don’t read the synopsis. Just pick it up, start reading, and trust the process.
Profile Image for KathVBtn.
867 reviews30 followers
September 11, 2025
This is going to be one of those very annoying reviews that can’t tell you anything about the book but will just tell you how exceptional it is. Clare Mackintosh has written something that physically made my stomach ache with the intensity of the storyline and the coming together of all of the action points. There are jaw dropping plot twists , multiple POVs, and it is INTENSE. It is going to be huge next year - I think everyone should read it, even if you usually think crime fiction isn’t your bag.
Profile Image for Elle (IG: simply.elle18).
595 reviews10 followers
November 27, 2025
All hail, Clare Mack!
I was beyond excited to have been granted an ARC of It's Not What You Think by the brilliant Clare Mackintosh, and since I had not decided my next read yet, it arrived at the perfect time!

This addictive thriller made me wish I was unemployed! It hits the ground running and I was hooked from the get go, I did not want to go to work! Gripping, suspenseful and with more twists and turns than a Tour de France race, this book demands you drop everything.

A massive plot twist at the 20% mark - my jaw was on the floor! - had me wondering what the hell was going on. It's tense, terrifying and thought provoking. I suggest you go in blind, this one is a BEAUTY!

A huge thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins Publishers Australia for an ARC to read and review.
Profile Image for andshe.reads.
691 reviews21 followers
December 4, 2025
Gotta say never come across a thriller as twisty as this, twisty gives twisty a new meaning & It's really not what you think.

If Clare Mackintosh wasn't already an auto-read author for me this book would have been the one that made it so.

Absolutely cracking plotting, I didn't know if I was coming or going & I bloomin loved it. The pacing is on point not super speedy that I didn't absorb information but not snail pace either just the right pace that had me flipping the pages thinking bloody hell It truly isn't what I thought.

Also the characterization was on point however I'm not about to divulge a single thing, this one is best read blind.

Go on buckle up, It's Not What You Think.

Thanks Netgalley, Harper Fiction for a digital copy, all thoughts are my own.
Profile Image for Hannah.
109 reviews
December 23, 2025
I received an advanced reading copy of It’s Not What You Think by Clare Mackintosh, and I’m really glad I did.

Going into this, the first section had me thinking it was going to be a fairly middle-of-the-road thriller — enjoyable enough, but similar to others I’ve read before. Then Part 2 kicked in, and that’s when I realised this book was doing something a bit different, and actually quite special.

From that point on, I was fully invested. Yes, I worked out the whodunnit very early on, but surprisingly, that didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all. The tension, pacing, and character dynamics kept the suspense alive, and the journey mattered just as much as the destination.

There are enough characters to make things interesting without ever feeling confusing or overwhelming, which really helped me stay immersed in the story. Overall, this was a clever, engaging read that exceeded my expectations after a slower start.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the ARC
Profile Image for Kimmy C.
620 reviews9 followers
January 20, 2026
One of those books where life is frustrating me by getting in the way of being able to read this! Superbly twisty, and even though I guessed at the who, I could never have figured out the how and the where, and the when. Although the why is clear in the story, the reader is given four points of view of a murder - the victim, his partner, the allocated DI, and her partner (and also policeman). Gradually we’re taken into the lives of these people, with red herrings, and a frankly frightening insight into pro-white people radicalisation (the immigrants are taking all our jobs brigade). Fantastic story, well written, and a wake up call that people aren’t alway who you thought. With sincere thanks to Harper Collins Australia and NetGalley for the preview copy.
Profile Image for Caitlin Bunting.
267 reviews13 followers
November 2, 2025
I feel a little stumped with this one if I’m being honest. It was written really well as are all of Clare’s books but it was very different from her usual plot driven thrillers and it caught me off guard. No spoilers but there is a theme throughout this book on a specific topic and I found it quite repetitive to the point it made the book a little slow but overall you can’t go wrong with her books so still a high rating.
Profile Image for Hillary.
297 reviews5 followers
November 20, 2025
Book Review 📚
Title: It’s Not What You Think
Author: Clare Mackintosh

Wow!! This book grabbed me from the very first page! The pace was nonstop, and I could hardly put it down. The twists were fantastic and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I never knew what direction the story would take next. This was my first book by Clare, and now I can’t wait to read more of her work—I absolutely love her writing.

Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and Clare for the eARC!

Rating: ✨✨✨✨
Pub Date: March 26 2026

#ItsNotWhatYouThink #NetGalley
Profile Image for Thrillergeek.
65 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 14, 2026
Wowww what a piece of art, this book is. It’s a complete package! It has it all. A gripping story, I did not want to stop. it grips from page one. It is multiple pov. you get all sides of the story which comes togheter at the end. A beautiful end. I loved every bit of it!
The chapters are not too long mostly leaving with a good twist or more questions...
So this one is going to be worth your money!
Profile Image for my_reads_in_pictures.
157 reviews2 followers
January 13, 2026
It’s certainly not what I thought, but definitely what I expected from a Claire Mackintosh plot!! Heartfelt characters, a good villain (or two) and suspense chapter after chapter.

Good on Clare Mackintosh for shining a light on such a huge current world problem!
Profile Image for Heather Cairns.
186 reviews16 followers
November 15, 2025
I struggled with this one. It started well and had a really good early twist but then was really boring and lacked tension. The end twist was good but 60% of it was just meh - such a shame.
Profile Image for Beachcomber.
902 reviews30 followers
December 16, 2025
4.75 stars rounded up. Hoo boy, this one grabbed me and I raced through it. Lots of twists and turns, just make sure you don’t start it late at night if you have an early start the next day, because I promise you you’ll stay up late to keep turning the pages.

I’ve already been recommending it to everyone I talk to at work and while volunteering at the library, and they’ll have to impatiently wait another 3 months!

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
Profile Image for Sarah Grace.
30 reviews1 follower
January 11, 2026
Nadeeka rushes home from work convinced she is about to find her partner Jamie cheating on her. However when she arrives home there are police at her front door and she discovers Jamie is dead, seemingly murdered. What happens next really is Not What You Think!

This book had me gripped from the very beginning. The first twist/shock at the end of part 1 had me reeling for hours later! I loved the multiple POVs in this book, I enjoy seeing things from different angles. The book covers so very hard hitting and important topics for today’s world and honestly is both shocking and thought provoking.

I did figure out the whodunnit, however this is quite normal for me and thrillers after having read so many and it definitely does not take away from the story at all. There are so many twists in this book and it keeps you hooked the whole way through. Another amazing thriller by Clare Mackintosh and I am predicting now this to be one of the top 2026 reads!

Thank you Netgalley, Clare Mackintosh and Harper Collins for this ARC.
Profile Image for Hannah.
560 reviews11 followers
November 10, 2025
Nadeeka is certain her boyfriend Jamie is having an affair, knowing the tell-tale signs he is displaying. Determined to catch him in the act she returns home early, but once she gets there Jamie can’t defend himself. Jamie is dead and the house has become a crime scene.

Clare Mackintosh has been one of my drop everything and read authors ever since I read I Let You Go a long time ago. As soon as I saw she had a new standalone (with a great cover) I knew I needed to read it straight away. I won’t say too much on the premise of this one as it is best to go in not knowing too much, but I can say it is clever, timely and of course (as always) very twisty!

The story is well written and I couldn’t help but be drawn into the premise straight away. The author is a natural storyteller and slowly builds a multi layered, detailed picture, until it all comes together in an action packed, intense finale; I can honestly say that I was glued to the pages, desperate to glean another clue to piece together the story. The topics explored are done fantastically, feeling authentic and at times shocking.

I felt such a range of emotions reading, from sadness, surprise and real anger, it was definitely an emotionally charged read. The red herrings had me constantly changing my mind, although I did manage to get there eventually one it all started to come together. The characters were also strongly portrayed and I felt myself feeling such a connection with some that I would love to read more featuring them in upcoming books.

This is definitely one of the best books I have read so far this year and one that deserves to be a huge hit! If you are looking for a thought provoking, fast paced thriller full of twists and turns then this is one to pick up. Clare will continue to be an author I wholly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Jen.
1,735 reviews62 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 11, 2026
Oooooh. She's a crafty one, that Clare Mackintosh. I've know since the very first book, I Let You Go, that she was a master at the twist, but I can completely understand why she thinks this book may be her best yet. And I can completely understand why it has the title that it does. It works on so many levels. So, so, many. Mystery and misdirection reign here, and give me one humdinger of a headache. How in the heck do I review a book that has more stings in its tail/tale than a scorpion, and more twists than spaghetti junction?

This is the story of Nadeeka. We meet her in a moment of personal crisis. Already stung in the romantic stakes, having been cheated on by her husband, she suspects that her new partner, Jamie, is heading down the same well worn path. Racing home to confront his infidelity, she could never have expected what she discovers, or all that would come to pass in the following days. Jamie is dead and Nadeeka's whole world is about to be turned upside down ... If only it were that straightforward. That easy, but then it wouldn't be half as good a book. Don't take anything you read on face value in this book because from this point in Clare Mackintosh takes everything I thought I knew and flipped it on it's head. Or maybe not. Or maybe it was a full 360 and in the end it was me on my head, because as sure as I thought up might be down, she found a way of showing me that, actually, it wasn't really after all.

You know how in all the best thrillers they say 'trust no-one'. That. On steroids. This book comes in multiple parts - that I can tell you. The first part belongs, undoubtedly, to Nadeeka. I really grew to like her, although she does appear to have a terribly unfortunate taste in men. In spite of what happens to her, she has an inherent fierceness, even if she can underestimate herself, and I like how the author played with her personality here, to both drive the story and create uncertainty about what I was reading. She is a mother who cared deeply for Jamie, and what she uncovers is the kind of thing that lands in quite and emotional way. But I was one hundred percent invested in her story, even if I did make some seemingly incorrect assumptions as the story evolved. And it is at the end of part one that the first real humdinger of a twists lands. It made me smile. A lot. And made me all the more hungry for what was to follow.

The following parts only enhance the story, adding context and in some cases confusion, following the perspective of other key characters in the story, moving the flow of the narrative back and forth in time whilst still maintaining the pacing, tension and intrigue that Clare Mackintosh excels at. And each new part delivers its own shock. It's own duff-duff revelation that had my head jerking back in surprise, and then nodding in sheer appreciation of what the author has done. This is a sort of ensemble piece with Jamie's colleagues, Nadeeka's extended family, and the police investigators, led by DCI Lauren Caldwell, all playing their parts in what comes to pass, and all delivered with an authenticity delivered with the benefit of Clare Mackintosh's experience and her adept ability to spin an absolutely gripping yarn.

There were one or two moments that had me puzzling, and if I'd listened to my inner voice, I might not have been quite so wide eyed when caught out by some of the twists. But I'm glad I didn't and that I was as everything landed so perfectly, I just ate it all up. The moral of this story? Trust no one, particularly naughty authors who like pulling the wool over their readers eyes, but still keep the faith in human nature. But still keep some faith in human nature. It's not all bad.

Definitely recommended and it can have one of these. A red hot reads badge. Well earned.
Profile Image for Julie (Bookish.Intoxication).
975 reviews35 followers
December 10, 2025
Its Not What You Think

From the first page, I was hooked. Going in, knowing that it is a crime fiction novel, every interaction was a clue, and there were so many opportunities for the reader to get the wrong... or right... idea about what is happening.

Nadeeka is an interesting character. She is strong and independent, but like so many of us, she let's her past traumas affect her present. And that becomes clear and  frankly, a little tiring by the 100 page mark. The change of point of view at Part 2, really kept this novel moving, changed the vibe and propelled the story.

This book has so many twists and turns, its almost impossible to keep track of them. Which adds to the psychological thriller feel of the book.

Its hard not to love our Detective Duo, they complement each other so well, not just in the personal aspects, but as a team, they bounce off of eachother, asking questions Inspired by the others probing. A great detective team.

The twists are ones you won't see coming. You Think the direction is clear and from all view points and connected dots, you start to feel proud of your detective skills... Think again. And the fact that it is such a twist, really makes the last 100 pages of this novel.

Its Not What You Think is an interesting piece of crime fiction, threaded with psychological thriller elements. It deals with racism, fascism and radical groups. If politics isn't your jam, this probably isn't the book for you. This book is easy to read, with so many facts and fictions to interpret and carry through to the conclusion. The ending will leave you thinking long after the final page has been turned.

This novel is a conversation starter. And feels very relevant.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins AU for providing a review copy of this title. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Neely.
164 reviews14 followers
November 17, 2025
I really thought this was going to be a domestic thriller — paranoia, secrets, maybe an affair, maybe a murder. That’s what the blurb promised. But the book takes a completely different turn, and honestly, it just wasn’t for me. So the title at least stays true. It definitely wasn’t what I expected.

Nadeeka’s POV was tough for me from the start. She’s anxious, on edge, suspicious of everything… and I’m already anxious enough on my own, thanks. I just never connected with her voice or felt invested in her story. I didn’t enjoy being inside her head.

And then the big shift happens. I won’t spoil anything, but the story turns sharply into politics, ideology, and extremist groups. Suddenly, I’m not reading a domestic thriller at all — I’m in a political/police procedural. I can see why other people are enjoying it, and I’m glad they are, but that kind of story just isn’t my thing. There’s already enough of that going on in the real world; I don’t want it dominating my fiction too. By the end, there were more twists, but I still didn’t really care about the outcomes.

I’ll just say this: I’m really tired of modern thrillers labeling villains with political tags. Some of the most memorable villains — the Joker, Hannibal Lecter, Annie Wilkes — didn’t need a political affiliation for us to understand they were dangerous. A bad character can simply be a bad character. I miss when thrillers used motivation and personality to build the tension instead of ideology.

I kept hoping it would turn into the book I thought it was going to be, but it never did. Totally fine if that’s what some readers want — it just wasn’t what I wanted or what I thought I was signing up for.

Anyway....thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this ARC.
Profile Image for Sarah.
467 reviews34 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
December 21, 2025
‘It’s Not What You Think’ is Clare Mackintosh’s latest psychological thriller and, once again, she does not disappoint. This is her best novel yet.

Nadeeka is a single parent, looking after her two young girls after turning her back on life with her serial cheat of a husband. She can hardly believe her luck when Jamie comes into her life. He’s kind, considerate, mad about her and keen to embrace family life. Nadeeka is so grateful to have him at her side. So why, after a few months of co-habiting, does she begin to wonder if he can’t be trusted? Is this actually her problem? Has she become hyper-suspicious because of the way that her ex, Scott, treated her?

Imagine the shock when she comes home to find that Jamie has been murdered in her house and the police are already attending the scene. Who hates her boyfriend that much and what has he done to engender such rage?

This is a very gripping read which explores how extreme political ideologies are propagated and why they appeal to certain people. Sadly, this focus is highly relevant right now and the author’s presentation of such views feels pretty credible. Not only is the reader encouraged to consider the traps that people fall into but also why.

Mackintosh has crafted the story extremely well. The reader is propelled forward by the fast-paced narrative and invested in the characters’ predicaments. We also become as interested in the police as we do in the perpetrators and victims. Hard to put down!

My thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, HarperFiction for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
Profile Image for Lynda.
2,252 reviews121 followers
October 5, 2025
This really did provide what it said on the packet ‘ Clare Mackintosh’s biggest twist yet’ and it was certainly that, in fact I would say her two biggest twists yet in one book. Full disclosure in that I did have a tiny inkling about one of them, but the other one was a complete and absolute shock! Written in five parts and told from multiple points of view, but mainly those of the two main female protagonists Nadeeka and Lauren, this is such a good book. I honestly didn’t want to put it down and I read it in two days despite going to a book festival on one of them.

Briefly, as I don’t want to give too much away, Nadeeka Prasanna is separated from the father of her two children and living with her new partner Jamie. She has been concerned about his strange behaviour recently and arriving home from work early she is expecting to find him with another woman. However, the truth is far worse than her imagination and her home is a crime scene. Jamie has been murdered. DCI Lauren Caldwell is the officer tasked with solving the crimes (yes crimes plural) around Jamie’s murder. And that’s all you are getting I’m terrified of spoilers!

This is a very up to date storyline and one that is going to resonate with a lot of people, it’s a masterly plot, full of suspense and the tension just kept on racking up. Fast paced throughout with plenty of action and brilliantly written characters, if you love having loathsome characters to hate there’s plenty to be hating in this one. An intense, shocking and unsettling read. Beware, these people walk amongst us. Brilliant.
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