What do you think?
Rate this book
Not What It Seems
Not yet published
Expected 30 Jun 26#1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jackson brings her own brand of Southern Gothic back to the Spanish moss-draped shade of Savannah and the swampy marshes of Lowcountry Georgia, as crime writer Nikki Gillette and her husband, Detective Pierce Reed, race to expose an obsessive killer with an enigmatic M.O. . . .
The stone is small and round, easy to miss among the junk surrounding Billy Huber’s body. The man was a hoarder for sure. At first, police assume he fell from a ladder, injuring his throat and smashing his head in the process. Only on closer inspection do they see the polished stone nearby, with a number on one side etched in blood, and a strange symbol on the other.
Reporter Nikki Gillette seizes on the story and visits Huber’s sprawling property in Georgia’s low country. She gains little except the uneasy feeling of being watched. Within days, another body is found—a wealthy, thrice-married Savannah socialite dead in her lavish home. More victims follow, each one pierced through the throat. Beside each body, a stone engraved with a different number and symbol.
Detective Pierce Reed, Nikki’s husband, cautions her against getting in too deep. She’s a mother now and can’t keep putting herself in danger. Nikki knows he’s right, but her instincts are in overdrive. This is what she’s good at—finding answers and driving toward justice at any cost. Yet she knows, too, that the most terrifying killers don’t look like monsters at all. And by the time you realize how close they really are, it may already be too late to save yourself.
The stone is small and round, easy to miss among the junk surrounding Billy Huber’s body. The man was a hoarder for sure. At first, police assume he fell from a ladder, injuring his throat and smashing his head in the process. Only on closer inspection do they see the polished stone nearby, with a number on one side etched in blood, and a strange symbol on the other.
Reporter Nikki Gillette seizes on the story and visits Huber’s sprawling property in Georgia’s low country. She gains little except the uneasy feeling of being watched. Within days, another body is found—a wealthy, thrice-married Savannah socialite dead in her lavish home. More victims follow, each one pierced through the throat. Beside each body, a stone engraved with a different number and symbol.
Detective Pierce Reed, Nikki’s husband, cautions her against getting in too deep. She’s a mother now and can’t keep putting herself in danger. Nikki knows he’s right, but her instincts are in overdrive. This is what she’s good at—finding answers and driving toward justice at any cost. Yet she knows, too, that the most terrifying killers don’t look like monsters at all. And by the time you realize how close they really are, it may already be too late to save yourself.
- GenresThriller
400 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 30, 2026
About the author
Lisa Jackson
97 books102 followersLibrarian Note: This profile contains multiple authors.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 15, 2026
ARC review
I probably would have given this novel a 4 star review if it didn’t take me so much work to figure out all the characters and moving parts for the first 1/4 of the book. I read to escape, and when I have to do so much work to keep things straight you lose a star
Aside from that, this serial killer with a very unique MO book is definitely a “get under your skin” and make you very uncomfortable sort of novel. Simple things have creep factors, the underlying darkness is everywhere. Even the town the story is set in makes you look over your shoulder. A brilliant ability to get under your skin as you read!
Our detective/ newsperson main players are husband and wife which has been done before, the camaraderie is good, they play off each other well. Some humor throughout, and just wicked murder cases as the Star. Definitely a tour de force.
I probably would have given this novel a 4 star review if it didn’t take me so much work to figure out all the characters and moving parts for the first 1/4 of the book. I read to escape, and when I have to do so much work to keep things straight you lose a star
Aside from that, this serial killer with a very unique MO book is definitely a “get under your skin” and make you very uncomfortable sort of novel. Simple things have creep factors, the underlying darkness is everywhere. Even the town the story is set in makes you look over your shoulder. A brilliant ability to get under your skin as you read!
Our detective/ newsperson main players are husband and wife which has been done before, the camaraderie is good, they play off each other well. Some humor throughout, and just wicked murder cases as the Star. Definitely a tour de force.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lisa Jewell and It Could Have Been Her absolutely dragged me into the dark, locked the door behind me, and then handed me emotional damage wrapped in a creepy little bow. Atria Books, thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted ARC because apparently I enjoy being psychologically tormented by fictional families living in cursed houses. Fantastic decision-making on my part honestly.
This book doesn’t just creep under your skin… it moves in there permanently. From the very first chapter there’s this suffocating, slow-building sense of dread that never lets up. The kind where every interaction feels slightly wrong, every house creak feels intentional, and every character seems like they’re carrying enough secrets to collapse under the weight of them.
Jane Trevally might genuinely be one of my favorite thriller protagonists Lisa Jewell has ever written. She’s messy, lonely, sharp, funny without trying to be, and deeply human in that very specific midlife way where you can feel her questioning the shape of her life while still pushing forward anyway. I loved that she wasn’t some polished twenty-eight-year-old genius investigator with perfect instincts and zero baggage. Jane feels real. She’s twice divorced, emotionally bruised, living in a crumbling house with her dogs, and suddenly stumbling straight back into the orbit of a place that traumatized her decades earlier.
And all because of a lost little white dog named Hugo.
That’s what makes this story so effective. It starts with something almost gentle. Quiet. Innocent even. Then before you realize it, you’re spiraling into missing girls, buried trauma, manipulative family dynamics, addiction, abuse, horrifying secrets, and one of the most unsettling fictional houses Lisa Jewell has ever created.
Thornwood is basically a character itself. Every single time someone walked through that front door I felt anxious. The house feels infected with history. Rotting from decades of damage and dysfunction. Lisa Jewell writes atmosphere so well that I could practically smell the damp walls and stale air while reading.
And listen… when reviewers said this was her darkest thriller yet? They were not exaggerating. This book goes to some genuinely disturbing places emotionally and psychologically. There’s this constant feeling that something terrible already happened, something even worse might still be happening, and nobody inside this family escaped untouched.
The multiple POVs and timelines absolutely demand your attention in the beginning. I’m not even going to lie — for the first twenty percent I felt like I needed a corkboard, red string, and maybe an emotional support latte just to keep everyone straight. But then suddenly everything starts clicking into place and OH MY GOD the payoff is worth it. Lisa Jewell is one of the few thriller authors who can juggle this many characters and timelines without the story collapsing under itself. Instead, each reveal lands exactly when it should.
And those reveals? They’re not cheap shock-value twists thrown in for drama. They feel earned. Layered. Creepy in that deeply human way where the horror comes less from gore and more from realizing what people are capable of hiding behind closed doors.
“There are houses that hold memories. And there are houses that hold ghosts.”
This story also hit harder emotionally than I expected. Underneath all the suspense and psychological horror, there’s this really powerful thread about survival, aging, loneliness, identity, and how trauma reshapes entire generations of people differently. Some characters survive physically but never emotionally. Some become trapped inside their pain. Some become monsters because of it. And some spend decades trying to outrun what happened to them only to realize healing means finally turning around and facing it.
Jane and Dexter absolutely stole my heart too. Their relationship added so much warmth to an otherwise deeply unsettling story. The amateur detective energy between them genuinely made me want an entire series of these two investigating dark creepy mysteries across England while emotionally unpacking their lives over coffee and sarcasm.
Also… we need to talk about the clown stuff.
No because WHY was that necessary, Lisa?
As someone who already finds clowns deeply unsettling, this book took that fear, lit it on fire, and tossed it directly into my nervous system. Every single clown-related scene made my skin crawl. Pennywise walked so whatever nightmare fuel exists in this book could sprint barefoot through my subconscious at 3 a.m.
What I love most about Lisa Jewell’s thrillers is that she understands that fear isn’t always loud. Sometimes fear is subtle. Sometimes it’s a weird silence in a conversation. A locked door. A woman looking out of a window who seems afraid to speak. A family smiling too perfectly. A house sitting quietly at the edge of nowhere while everyone pretends nothing terrible happened there.
And this book weaponizes that kind of fear perfectly.
By the final chapters I physically could not stop reading. Full gremlin mode. Ignored responsibilities. Needed answers immediately. I kept thinking I understood where things were going and Lisa Jewell kept calmly pulling the rug out from under me in the most controlled, deliberate way possible. The ending left me sitting there staring into space questioning humanity, family dynamics, and whether I ever need to step foot inside an old isolated mansion again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is hands-down one of Lisa Jewell’s darkest, most unsettling, and most addictive thrillers to date. If you loved The Family Upstairs, None of This Is True, Then She Was Gone, or thrillers filled with morally gray characters, dysfunctional families, layered timelines, creepy atmosphere, psychological trauma, amateur sleuthing, and slow-burn dread that crawls under your skin and refuses to leave… you need this book immediately.
And honestly? The title hits so much harder once you finally understand everything.
What’s the last thriller that genuinely made you uncomfortable in the best possible way?
#LisaJewell #ItCouldHaveBeenHer #BookReview #PsychologicalThriller #ThrillerBooks #MysteryThriller #DarkThriller #SuspenseBooks #Bookstagram #BookReviewer #ReadersOfInstagram #CurrentlyReading #ThrillerAddict #BooksBooksBooks #AtriaBooks #NetGalley #CrimeFiction #MysteryBooks #BookCommunity #BooksCoffeeBrews #BookLover #ThrillerReader #SuspenseReads #LisaJewellBooks
This book doesn’t just creep under your skin… it moves in there permanently. From the very first chapter there’s this suffocating, slow-building sense of dread that never lets up. The kind where every interaction feels slightly wrong, every house creak feels intentional, and every character seems like they’re carrying enough secrets to collapse under the weight of them.
Jane Trevally might genuinely be one of my favorite thriller protagonists Lisa Jewell has ever written. She’s messy, lonely, sharp, funny without trying to be, and deeply human in that very specific midlife way where you can feel her questioning the shape of her life while still pushing forward anyway. I loved that she wasn’t some polished twenty-eight-year-old genius investigator with perfect instincts and zero baggage. Jane feels real. She’s twice divorced, emotionally bruised, living in a crumbling house with her dogs, and suddenly stumbling straight back into the orbit of a place that traumatized her decades earlier.
And all because of a lost little white dog named Hugo.
That’s what makes this story so effective. It starts with something almost gentle. Quiet. Innocent even. Then before you realize it, you’re spiraling into missing girls, buried trauma, manipulative family dynamics, addiction, abuse, horrifying secrets, and one of the most unsettling fictional houses Lisa Jewell has ever created.
Thornwood is basically a character itself. Every single time someone walked through that front door I felt anxious. The house feels infected with history. Rotting from decades of damage and dysfunction. Lisa Jewell writes atmosphere so well that I could practically smell the damp walls and stale air while reading.
And listen… when reviewers said this was her darkest thriller yet? They were not exaggerating. This book goes to some genuinely disturbing places emotionally and psychologically. There’s this constant feeling that something terrible already happened, something even worse might still be happening, and nobody inside this family escaped untouched.
The multiple POVs and timelines absolutely demand your attention in the beginning. I’m not even going to lie — for the first twenty percent I felt like I needed a corkboard, red string, and maybe an emotional support latte just to keep everyone straight. But then suddenly everything starts clicking into place and OH MY GOD the payoff is worth it. Lisa Jewell is one of the few thriller authors who can juggle this many characters and timelines without the story collapsing under itself. Instead, each reveal lands exactly when it should.
And those reveals? They’re not cheap shock-value twists thrown in for drama. They feel earned. Layered. Creepy in that deeply human way where the horror comes less from gore and more from realizing what people are capable of hiding behind closed doors.
“There are houses that hold memories. And there are houses that hold ghosts.”
This story also hit harder emotionally than I expected. Underneath all the suspense and psychological horror, there’s this really powerful thread about survival, aging, loneliness, identity, and how trauma reshapes entire generations of people differently. Some characters survive physically but never emotionally. Some become trapped inside their pain. Some become monsters because of it. And some spend decades trying to outrun what happened to them only to realize healing means finally turning around and facing it.
Jane and Dexter absolutely stole my heart too. Their relationship added so much warmth to an otherwise deeply unsettling story. The amateur detective energy between them genuinely made me want an entire series of these two investigating dark creepy mysteries across England while emotionally unpacking their lives over coffee and sarcasm.
Also… we need to talk about the clown stuff.
No because WHY was that necessary, Lisa?
As someone who already finds clowns deeply unsettling, this book took that fear, lit it on fire, and tossed it directly into my nervous system. Every single clown-related scene made my skin crawl. Pennywise walked so whatever nightmare fuel exists in this book could sprint barefoot through my subconscious at 3 a.m.
What I love most about Lisa Jewell’s thrillers is that she understands that fear isn’t always loud. Sometimes fear is subtle. Sometimes it’s a weird silence in a conversation. A locked door. A woman looking out of a window who seems afraid to speak. A family smiling too perfectly. A house sitting quietly at the edge of nowhere while everyone pretends nothing terrible happened there.
And this book weaponizes that kind of fear perfectly.
By the final chapters I physically could not stop reading. Full gremlin mode. Ignored responsibilities. Needed answers immediately. I kept thinking I understood where things were going and Lisa Jewell kept calmly pulling the rug out from under me in the most controlled, deliberate way possible. The ending left me sitting there staring into space questioning humanity, family dynamics, and whether I ever need to step foot inside an old isolated mansion again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is hands-down one of Lisa Jewell’s darkest, most unsettling, and most addictive thrillers to date. If you loved The Family Upstairs, None of This Is True, Then She Was Gone, or thrillers filled with morally gray characters, dysfunctional families, layered timelines, creepy atmosphere, psychological trauma, amateur sleuthing, and slow-burn dread that crawls under your skin and refuses to leave… you need this book immediately.
And honestly? The title hits so much harder once you finally understand everything.
What’s the last thriller that genuinely made you uncomfortable in the best possible way?
#LisaJewell #ItCouldHaveBeenHer #BookReview #PsychologicalThriller #ThrillerBooks #MysteryThriller #DarkThriller #SuspenseBooks #Bookstagram #BookReviewer #ReadersOfInstagram #CurrentlyReading #ThrillerAddict #BooksBooksBooks #AtriaBooks #NetGalley #CrimeFiction #MysteryBooks #BookCommunity #BooksCoffeeBrews #BookLover #ThrillerReader #SuspenseReads #LisaJewellBooks
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Twisty! me so sad.
Pierce and Nikki are just getting the feet back under them after a rocky stretch. She was going after a story tied to one of his cases, got in over her head, and it cost him his partner's life. She's still not really welcome in the station and the partner's son hates her, but she has felt the need to make reparations there and so is paying for their schooling.
One morning, Pierce gets a call and heads out to a crime scene. It's at a local farmer's who's been down on his luck. He's a hoarder so finding any clues is going to be difficult at best but find one he did! He showed his new partner, Sol, and they kept that evidence back from the general public for now. They get two more calls to crime scenes that were similar in nature only, not in victim choice. Then, the ADA's wife Naomi goes missing and he, Jamison, puts on a brave front to give an impassioned plea to turn his wife, the mother of his children, loose. But neither detective was filling buying it.
Then Nikki found Naomi, at one of the first crime scenes. Pierce and Sol got there and Sol said this crime scene was different from the others, wasn't the same killer. Then Jamison showed up and put another show of grief that just didn't sell it. Pierce got him turned away and found Sol waiting. Secure the crime scene and checks his messages.
Meanwhile, Nikki is at home and. Restless, she worked in her office for a bit, but she figured he wasn't coming back anytime soon. So she checked all the locks, and on her sister, her niece and her oh so precious and precocious daughter then took a sleeping pill and went back to bed. But this time, she was the target of the killer. He had found an open window and snuck in. He found the precious daughter's room and was in the process of trying to tape her mouth when all hell broke loose. Nikki sent a message to Pierce: come home detective, we need you. We caught the killer. All is well.
So, Nikki got her story, much more up close and personal than she'd have preferred. Pierce closed two cases and kept his new partner, still learning things about her. And that son that hated Nikki? Had an interesting turn of events.
Pierce and Nikki are just getting the feet back under them after a rocky stretch. She was going after a story tied to one of his cases, got in over her head, and it cost him his partner's life. She's still not really welcome in the station and the partner's son hates her, but she has felt the need to make reparations there and so is paying for their schooling.
One morning, Pierce gets a call and heads out to a crime scene. It's at a local farmer's who's been down on his luck. He's a hoarder so finding any clues is going to be difficult at best but find one he did! He showed his new partner, Sol, and they kept that evidence back from the general public for now. They get two more calls to crime scenes that were similar in nature only, not in victim choice. Then, the ADA's wife Naomi goes missing and he, Jamison, puts on a brave front to give an impassioned plea to turn his wife, the mother of his children, loose. But neither detective was filling buying it.
Then Nikki found Naomi, at one of the first crime scenes. Pierce and Sol got there and Sol said this crime scene was different from the others, wasn't the same killer. Then Jamison showed up and put another show of grief that just didn't sell it. Pierce got him turned away and found Sol waiting. Secure the crime scene and checks his messages.
Meanwhile, Nikki is at home and. Restless, she worked in her office for a bit, but she figured he wasn't coming back anytime soon. So she checked all the locks, and on her sister, her niece and her oh so precious and precocious daughter then took a sleeping pill and went back to bed. But this time, she was the target of the killer. He had found an open window and snuck in. He found the precious daughter's room and was in the process of trying to tape her mouth when all hell broke loose. Nikki sent a message to Pierce: come home detective, we need you. We caught the killer. All is well.
So, Nikki got her story, much more up close and personal than she'd have preferred. Pierce closed two cases and kept his new partner, still learning things about her. And that son that hated Nikki? Had an interesting turn of events.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Not What it Seems by Lisa Jackson
3.9⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (rounded up to a 4)
Spice: 0.8/5
Cursing: min
Format/Source: ebook from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing
Genres/Tropes: Thriller, mystery, crime, serial killer, southern gothic
Settings: Savannah
Audience: Adult
Characters: Nikki, Huber, Reed, Fink, Lily, Sol, Jamison, Naomi, Chloe, Phee
👍 short chapters, multi POV, figuring out whodunit, pets, storyline, serial killer
👎 cursing, Nikki (bull-headed and defiant - in a bad way)
Description:
The stone is small and round, easy to miss among the junk surrounding Billy Huber’s body. The man was a hoarder for sure. At first, police assume he fell from a ladder, injuring his throat and smashing his head in the process. Only on closer inspection do they see the polished stone nearby, with a number on one side etched in blood, and a strange symbol on the other.
Reporter Nikki Gillette seizes on the story and visits Huber’s sprawling property in Georgia’s low country. She gains little except the uneasy feeling of being watched. Within days, another body is found—a wealthy, thrice-married Savannah socialite dead in her lavish home. More victims follow, each one pierced through the throat. Beside each body, a stone engraved with a different number and symbol.
Detective Pierce Reed, Nikki’s husband, cautions her against getting in too deep. She’s a mother now and can’t keep putting herself in danger. Nikki knows he’s right, but her instincts are in overdrive. This is what she’s good at—finding answers and driving toward justice at any cost. Yet she knows, too, that the most terrifying killers don’t look like monsters at all. And by the time you realize how close they really are, it may already be too late to save yourself.
I enjoyed this novel especially the pets, trying to figure out whodunit, and the serial killer storyline. I did not care for the protagonist Nikki at all reducing rating from a 5 to a 4. I would recommend it to those who enjoy serial killer thrillers and don't mind a frustrating (at least to me) protagonist.
#bookstagram #booklovers #southerngothic #thrillerbooks #serialkiller
3.9⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (rounded up to a 4)
Spice: 0.8/5
Cursing: min
Format/Source: ebook from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing
Genres/Tropes: Thriller, mystery, crime, serial killer, southern gothic
Settings: Savannah
Audience: Adult
Characters: Nikki, Huber, Reed, Fink, Lily, Sol, Jamison, Naomi, Chloe, Phee
👍 short chapters, multi POV, figuring out whodunit, pets, storyline, serial killer
👎 cursing, Nikki (bull-headed and defiant - in a bad way)
Description:
The stone is small and round, easy to miss among the junk surrounding Billy Huber’s body. The man was a hoarder for sure. At first, police assume he fell from a ladder, injuring his throat and smashing his head in the process. Only on closer inspection do they see the polished stone nearby, with a number on one side etched in blood, and a strange symbol on the other.
Reporter Nikki Gillette seizes on the story and visits Huber’s sprawling property in Georgia’s low country. She gains little except the uneasy feeling of being watched. Within days, another body is found—a wealthy, thrice-married Savannah socialite dead in her lavish home. More victims follow, each one pierced through the throat. Beside each body, a stone engraved with a different number and symbol.
Detective Pierce Reed, Nikki’s husband, cautions her against getting in too deep. She’s a mother now and can’t keep putting herself in danger. Nikki knows he’s right, but her instincts are in overdrive. This is what she’s good at—finding answers and driving toward justice at any cost. Yet she knows, too, that the most terrifying killers don’t look like monsters at all. And by the time you realize how close they really are, it may already be too late to save yourself.
I enjoyed this novel especially the pets, trying to figure out whodunit, and the serial killer storyline. I did not care for the protagonist Nikki at all reducing rating from a 5 to a 4. I would recommend it to those who enjoy serial killer thrillers and don't mind a frustrating (at least to me) protagonist.
#bookstagram #booklovers #southerngothic #thrillerbooks #serialkiller
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Not What It Seems is a taut, atmospheric thriller that pulls you straight into the shadowed beauty of Savannah and the eerie quiet of the Lowcountry marshes. Lisa Jackson leans into her Southern Gothic strengths here, weaving a mystery that feels both sprawling and claustrophobic as Nikki Gillette and Detective Pierce Reed find themselves circling a killer who leaves behind more questions than clues.
The opening death is wonderfully unsettling—what looks like a tragic accident becomes something far more deliberate once that small polished stone is discovered, etched with a number and a strange symbol. From there, the pattern only grows more chilling. Each new victim adds another layer of dread, and the sense of a countdown ticking beneath the narrative gives the story a gripping momentum.
Nikki remains a compelling lead: sharp, instinctive, and unable to ignore the pull of a story even when she knows the danger is real. Her dynamic with Pierce adds emotional texture, especially as motherhood complicates her drive to chase the truth. Their tension feels grounded and human, never melodramatic, and it deepens the stakes in a way that complements the mystery rather than distracting from it.
The setting is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. Spanish moss, decaying estates, and humid marshland create a backdrop that feels lush and haunted, amplifying the sense that danger is always just out of sight. Jackson uses the landscape almost like another character—beautiful, secretive, and full of hidden rot.
Dark, twisty, and steeped in Southern shadows, Not What It Seems delivers a satisfying blend of suspense, atmosphere, and emotional complexity. A strong addition to the Reed & Gillette series and a gripping read for anyone who loves their thrillers with a gothic edge.
With thanks to Lisa Jackson, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
The opening death is wonderfully unsettling—what looks like a tragic accident becomes something far more deliberate once that small polished stone is discovered, etched with a number and a strange symbol. From there, the pattern only grows more chilling. Each new victim adds another layer of dread, and the sense of a countdown ticking beneath the narrative gives the story a gripping momentum.
Nikki remains a compelling lead: sharp, instinctive, and unable to ignore the pull of a story even when she knows the danger is real. Her dynamic with Pierce adds emotional texture, especially as motherhood complicates her drive to chase the truth. Their tension feels grounded and human, never melodramatic, and it deepens the stakes in a way that complements the mystery rather than distracting from it.
The setting is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. Spanish moss, decaying estates, and humid marshland create a backdrop that feels lush and haunted, amplifying the sense that danger is always just out of sight. Jackson uses the landscape almost like another character—beautiful, secretive, and full of hidden rot.
Dark, twisty, and steeped in Southern shadows, Not What It Seems delivers a satisfying blend of suspense, atmosphere, and emotional complexity. A strong addition to the Reed & Gillette series and a gripping read for anyone who loves their thrillers with a gothic edge.
With thanks to Lisa Jackson, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This novel marked my first foray into the work of Lisa Jackson. While I've acquired several of her books over time, this is the one I finally picked up to read. Upon seeing it featured on #NetGalley, I immediately requested it and was fortunate enough to be approved for an Advance Reader Copy (ARC). I am now providing my completely honest review of the experience.
I ultimately settled on a 3.5-star rating for this read. While the book didn't completely envelop me or capture my attention with the intensity I had initially hoped for, I genuinely did find the core storyline to be engaging and enjoyable.
What I particularly liked was the protagonist, Nikki, and her sheer ambition. Her drive to go out and secure the exclusive story she was chasing felt very real and compelling. The dynamic created by her husband being the lead detective on the mounting case a series of three distinct murders that have shocked the community was very well-executed. The tension arose from the fact that, despite their relationship, he remained completely tight-lipped with her about the confidential details of the investigation.
This setup created an intriguing dual-perspective structure. The way the narrative unfolded through these two separate points of view, with both Nikki and her husband separately uncovering pieces of the larger mystery, was a really nice touch that added depth and complexity to the plot. It allowed the reader to follow both the investigative procedure and the journalistic pursuit in parallel.
Overall, I would certainly recommend this book to others who enjoy this genre.
I ultimately settled on a 3.5-star rating for this read. While the book didn't completely envelop me or capture my attention with the intensity I had initially hoped for, I genuinely did find the core storyline to be engaging and enjoyable.
What I particularly liked was the protagonist, Nikki, and her sheer ambition. Her drive to go out and secure the exclusive story she was chasing felt very real and compelling. The dynamic created by her husband being the lead detective on the mounting case a series of three distinct murders that have shocked the community was very well-executed. The tension arose from the fact that, despite their relationship, he remained completely tight-lipped with her about the confidential details of the investigation.
This setup created an intriguing dual-perspective structure. The way the narrative unfolded through these two separate points of view, with both Nikki and her husband separately uncovering pieces of the larger mystery, was a really nice touch that added depth and complexity to the plot. It allowed the reader to follow both the investigative procedure and the journalistic pursuit in parallel.
Overall, I would certainly recommend this book to others who enjoy this genre.
Review of advance copy received from Storygraph
Release: June 30, 2026
Author: Lisa Jackson
Publisher: Kensington
Rating: 3.5★
Thoughts:
Lisa Jackson delivers a gripping Southern Gothic thriller in not what it seems, where crime, obsession, and the swampy Lowcountry of Georgia take center stage. With Nikki Gillette, a determined crime reporter, and her husband, Detective Pierce Reed, racing against a killer with a bizarre M.O., the book brings a chilling atmosphere that fans of Jackson's work will appreciate. The mystery builds slowly but intensely, with small clues—like the strange stones found with each victim—leading to an unforgettable final reveal. It’s the kind of mystery where you think you’ve solved it, only to have a new twist come out of nowhere.
This book suits someone in the mood for something: mysterious, tense, dark
Pace: medium
Plot or Character Driven?: plot-driven
Strong Character Development?: yes
Loveable Characters?: yes
Diverse Cast?: no
Are Character Flaws a Main Focus?: yes
Main Themes / Tropes:
obsession, crime investigation, Southern Gothic, family dynamics, danger
Synopsis:
In the swamps of Lowcountry Georgia, a string of murders begins to unfold, each victim killed with a strange precision, accompanied by an engraved stone. Crime reporter Nikki Gillette is drawn to the case, despite her husband, Detective Pierce Reed, urging her to stay out of it for her safety. As Nikki digs deeper into the mystery, she finds herself racing against time to expose the killer before someone she loves becomes the next victim.
Favorite Quote:
“The most terrifying killers don’t look like monsters at all.
Author: Lisa Jackson
Publisher: Kensington
Rating: 3.5★
Thoughts:
Lisa Jackson delivers a gripping Southern Gothic thriller in not what it seems, where crime, obsession, and the swampy Lowcountry of Georgia take center stage. With Nikki Gillette, a determined crime reporter, and her husband, Detective Pierce Reed, racing against a killer with a bizarre M.O., the book brings a chilling atmosphere that fans of Jackson's work will appreciate. The mystery builds slowly but intensely, with small clues—like the strange stones found with each victim—leading to an unforgettable final reveal. It’s the kind of mystery where you think you’ve solved it, only to have a new twist come out of nowhere.
This book suits someone in the mood for something: mysterious, tense, dark
Pace: medium
Plot or Character Driven?: plot-driven
Strong Character Development?: yes
Loveable Characters?: yes
Diverse Cast?: no
Are Character Flaws a Main Focus?: yes
Main Themes / Tropes:
obsession, crime investigation, Southern Gothic, family dynamics, danger
Synopsis:
In the swamps of Lowcountry Georgia, a string of murders begins to unfold, each victim killed with a strange precision, accompanied by an engraved stone. Crime reporter Nikki Gillette is drawn to the case, despite her husband, Detective Pierce Reed, urging her to stay out of it for her safety. As Nikki digs deeper into the mystery, she finds herself racing against time to expose the killer before someone she loves becomes the next victim.
Favorite Quote:
“The most terrifying killers don’t look like monsters at all.
May 7, 2026
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I liked this book but I just didn’t love it.
What worked for me: the author’s writing style. This was my first Lisa Jackson novel and even though I didn’t love it, I could see myself liking other works by her.
The setting. As someone who previously lived in the low country and spent a ton of time in Savannah, I always love to read about places I’ve been and know, and this did not disappoint.
The fact that she proposed multiple suspects. Listen, when you’re dealing with a serial killer, there’s nothing worse than when an author only offers up two main suspects. I’m happy to say, there were a lot of suspects in this one and it did and didn’t go the way I thought it would.
Which brings me to the parts I didn’t like: the serial killer. While it was someone I didn’t necessarily suspect, I felt it was kind of anticlimactic. I can’t really go into this further without giving anything away, but I just didn’t like it.
The paranormal factor. I knew this was a thing in this book going in based on the synopsis and it does somewhat go back to the setting, Savannah has a lure of the supernatural/paranormal, but to me, it didn’t add to the story and wasn’t needed.
Overall, I liked it but there were things that simply kept it from being a 4 to 5 star read for me. Would I recommend it? Sure, for people who like a good thriller that’s not necessarily overly complicated.
3 stars.
What worked for me: the author’s writing style. This was my first Lisa Jackson novel and even though I didn’t love it, I could see myself liking other works by her.
The setting. As someone who previously lived in the low country and spent a ton of time in Savannah, I always love to read about places I’ve been and know, and this did not disappoint.
The fact that she proposed multiple suspects. Listen, when you’re dealing with a serial killer, there’s nothing worse than when an author only offers up two main suspects. I’m happy to say, there were a lot of suspects in this one and it did and didn’t go the way I thought it would.
Which brings me to the parts I didn’t like: the serial killer. While it was someone I didn’t necessarily suspect, I felt it was kind of anticlimactic. I can’t really go into this further without giving anything away, but I just didn’t like it.
The paranormal factor. I knew this was a thing in this book going in based on the synopsis and it does somewhat go back to the setting, Savannah has a lure of the supernatural/paranormal, but to me, it didn’t add to the story and wasn’t needed.
Overall, I liked it but there were things that simply kept it from being a 4 to 5 star read for me. Would I recommend it? Sure, for people who like a good thriller that’s not necessarily overly complicated.
3 stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lisa Jackson is a master at leading you confidently in one direction while the truth waits quietly in another. Just when you think you’ve solved it, one sentence makes you question everything, and the next proves you wrong. It’s a classic cat and mouse experience — and she plays it well.
This is the fifth book in the Savannah series featuring Nicki Gillette, a freelance reporter, and her husband, Pierce Reed, a police detective. A serial killer is stalking the city, and Nicki wants the exclusive. With Reed keeping the investigation tight, she heads out on her own — and in true Nicki fashion, lands herself in more than one dangerous situation.
Lisa Jackson has long been one of my favourites. There are no cheap twists or shock value detours; everything is built on a solid foundation. She makes you think, she makes you question, and she rewards you for paying attention. The murder investigation drops hints at every turn, but the best pieces are saved for last.
This was a 3.5 star read for me. A few stretches dragged more than I expected and Nicki felt a little less likeable than in past books. But the mystery itself and the way Jackson ties it all together still kept me engaged.
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the advance reading copy. All opinions are my own.
This is the fifth book in the Savannah series featuring Nicki Gillette, a freelance reporter, and her husband, Pierce Reed, a police detective. A serial killer is stalking the city, and Nicki wants the exclusive. With Reed keeping the investigation tight, she heads out on her own — and in true Nicki fashion, lands herself in more than one dangerous situation.
Lisa Jackson has long been one of my favourites. There are no cheap twists or shock value detours; everything is built on a solid foundation. She makes you think, she makes you question, and she rewards you for paying attention. The murder investigation drops hints at every turn, but the best pieces are saved for last.
This was a 3.5 star read for me. A few stretches dragged more than I expected and Nicki felt a little less likeable than in past books. But the mystery itself and the way Jackson ties it all together still kept me engaged.
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the advance reading copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Nikki Gillette is a reporter and has written several books. Her husband Pierce Reed is a detective, his partner was killed trying to rescue Nikki. They have a little girl, Chloe who is almost three. Her sister Lily and her daughter Ophelia, live with them too. Pierce is investigating a man’s murder. He was found with his neck sliced, head trauma, and a rock under him. The rock has etchings and blood in the etchings. When two more people are killed the same way, with rocks found on or around them, they realize it’s a serial killer. Nikki is investigating on her own but has made a deal with her husband to not publish certain details. Another woman is found but they don’t believe she’s one of the killers victims. The killer wants Nikki for their next victim. Can they figure out who it is before they strike again?
I did not like Nikki. She is nosy, gets upset when her husband won’t share what he learns. Constantly leaving her daughter with her sister. I almost stopped reading because of her but I wanted to see who the killer was. I also believe the story drug on. Can be read alone. Mystery. Action. Suspense.
* VOLUNTARILY READ AND REVIEWED FOR NETGALLEY*
I did not like Nikki. She is nosy, gets upset when her husband won’t share what he learns. Constantly leaving her daughter with her sister. I almost stopped reading because of her but I wanted to see who the killer was. I also believe the story drug on. Can be read alone. Mystery. Action. Suspense.
* VOLUNTARILY READ AND REVIEWED FOR NETGALLEY*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I didn't realize this was a series, but it can be read as a standalone as previous things that happened are discussed and explained so you are not left wondering.
Detective Reed is called to investigate a murder and his wife, Nikki, who is a journalist, tags along but promises to stay in the car (insert laughing.) The victim is a hoarder so when they find something strange they're not sure if it's a calling card or just something that's amongst the trash. However, it becomes clear when there's another murder that they have a serial killer on the loose.
What I didn't like was the fact that the book had so many characters it was hard to keep up with and some were totally irrelevant to the plotline which seemed to lag in spots.
I did like the spooky atmosphere that was described in the book and the tension leading up to events.
The twist toward the end of the book I did not see coming. I thought I had figured out the killer, but I was also wrong about that.
Overall, this was a good book. I would have rated it higher if it weren't for all the characters I couldn't keep track of, but that's a me thing.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
Detective Reed is called to investigate a murder and his wife, Nikki, who is a journalist, tags along but promises to stay in the car (insert laughing.) The victim is a hoarder so when they find something strange they're not sure if it's a calling card or just something that's amongst the trash. However, it becomes clear when there's another murder that they have a serial killer on the loose.
What I didn't like was the fact that the book had so many characters it was hard to keep up with and some were totally irrelevant to the plotline which seemed to lag in spots.
I did like the spooky atmosphere that was described in the book and the tension leading up to events.
The twist toward the end of the book I did not see coming. I thought I had figured out the killer, but I was also wrong about that.
Overall, this was a good book. I would have rated it higher if it weren't for all the characters I couldn't keep track of, but that's a me thing.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!*
DNF at 16%. Going into this book, I was completely unaware that this is book #5 of Lisa Jackson's Savannah series. I must have missed that when requesting the ARC. If I had known this was the latest of an established series, I would not have requested to read it because I have not read any of the other books. I do not feel this book could be read as a standalone as there were numerous mentions to what I'm assuming is addressed in the other books in the series. I found Nikki to be incredibly frustrating and annoying at her complete inability to stick to her own lane but it sounds like this is a normal thing for her. If you are a fan of the Savannah Series, I hope you enjoy this book. If you have not read any of the other books yet, do not start with this one. Start at the beginning and gain all the insight that will be needed to understand who all the characters are and their dynamics.
DNF at 16%. Going into this book, I was completely unaware that this is book #5 of Lisa Jackson's Savannah series. I must have missed that when requesting the ARC. If I had known this was the latest of an established series, I would not have requested to read it because I have not read any of the other books. I do not feel this book could be read as a standalone as there were numerous mentions to what I'm assuming is addressed in the other books in the series. I found Nikki to be incredibly frustrating and annoying at her complete inability to stick to her own lane but it sounds like this is a normal thing for her. If you are a fan of the Savannah Series, I hope you enjoy this book. If you have not read any of the other books yet, do not start with this one. Start at the beginning and gain all the insight that will be needed to understand who all the characters are and their dynamics.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you @netgalley @kensingtonbooks @kensingtoncreatorhq for the opportunity to rwad and review this boom as an ARC.
✨️My thoughts✨️
Not What It Seems is a southern gothic thriller that keeps you on your toes. Nothing is what it seems in this book. I cant tell you how many times I thought I had the plot twist and I was horribly wrong in the end. I did enjoy our main characters are a crime writer and a detective... and they are married to each other. Talk about the perfect set up for a thriller.
Something I want to point out is, the book does start out slow. There's ALOT that of important information in the beginning so PAY ATTENTION LOVES. I thought the book picks up pace about chapter 6-7. Once it does, prepare to be fully invested in the storyline.
This was my 1st book ive read by this author, I have a couple of her books I need to read. They will be moved up on my tbr list now. I love a good thriller that keeps me suspenseful, gives the dark and twisted vibes, and has a dash of emotions in play. Well done Lisa Jackson. 👏👏👏
✨️My thoughts✨️
Not What It Seems is a southern gothic thriller that keeps you on your toes. Nothing is what it seems in this book. I cant tell you how many times I thought I had the plot twist and I was horribly wrong in the end. I did enjoy our main characters are a crime writer and a detective... and they are married to each other. Talk about the perfect set up for a thriller.
Something I want to point out is, the book does start out slow. There's ALOT that of important information in the beginning so PAY ATTENTION LOVES. I thought the book picks up pace about chapter 6-7. Once it does, prepare to be fully invested in the storyline.
This was my 1st book ive read by this author, I have a couple of her books I need to read. They will be moved up on my tbr list now. I love a good thriller that keeps me suspenseful, gives the dark and twisted vibes, and has a dash of emotions in play. Well done Lisa Jackson. 👏👏👏
May 4, 2026
ARC REVIEW
I’d like to start by thanking NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book.
Hope you're ready for a wild ride—this story throws together cops, members of the press, a wildly unhinged religious extremist, a touch of fortune-telling, and, of course, a serial killer on the loose. It’s a mix that keeps things interesting and unpredictable from start to finish.
I went into this thinking I had everything figured out, but the twists proved me very wrong. The plot does a solid job of keeping readers guessing, and that element of surprise definitely added to my overall enjoyment.
That said, there were moments where the pacing felt a bit drawn out, and a few topics seemed unnecessary or could have been trimmed without affecting the core story. Despite that, it was still an entertaining read that held my attention.
Overall, I’d rate this book 3.5 stars—a compelling and twisty story with a few pacing issues, but definitely worth the read if you enjoy crime thrillers with unexpected turns.
I’d like to start by thanking NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book.
Hope you're ready for a wild ride—this story throws together cops, members of the press, a wildly unhinged religious extremist, a touch of fortune-telling, and, of course, a serial killer on the loose. It’s a mix that keeps things interesting and unpredictable from start to finish.
I went into this thinking I had everything figured out, but the twists proved me very wrong. The plot does a solid job of keeping readers guessing, and that element of surprise definitely added to my overall enjoyment.
That said, there were moments where the pacing felt a bit drawn out, and a few topics seemed unnecessary or could have been trimmed without affecting the core story. Despite that, it was still an entertaining read that held my attention.
Overall, I’d rate this book 3.5 stars—a compelling and twisty story with a few pacing issues, but definitely worth the read if you enjoy crime thrillers with unexpected turns.
April 4, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, author Lisa Jackson, and Kensington Publishing for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
This novel offers an interesting premise, particularly through the dynamic between the married detective and reporter, which adds a compelling layer of tension as they attempt to maintain professional boundaries. That aspect of the story was engaging and provided some of the stronger moments throughout.
However, the pacing felt uneven, with parts of the storyline dragging and making it difficult to stay fully invested. As a long time reader of Lisa Jackson’s work, I found this one didn’t quite deliver the same level of suspense or emotional connection I’ve come to expect. The ending, in particular, felt somewhat underwhelming and lacked the impact typically associated with her novels.
Overall, while the book has its strengths especially in character dynamics it didn’t fully meet expectations.
3⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publishes June 2026
This novel offers an interesting premise, particularly through the dynamic between the married detective and reporter, which adds a compelling layer of tension as they attempt to maintain professional boundaries. That aspect of the story was engaging and provided some of the stronger moments throughout.
However, the pacing felt uneven, with parts of the storyline dragging and making it difficult to stay fully invested. As a long time reader of Lisa Jackson’s work, I found this one didn’t quite deliver the same level of suspense or emotional connection I’ve come to expect. The ending, in particular, felt somewhat underwhelming and lacked the impact typically associated with her novels.
Overall, while the book has its strengths especially in character dynamics it didn’t fully meet expectations.
3⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publishes June 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
📚Book: Not What It Seems
Author: Lisa Jackson
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Thriller/Suspense
Pages: 400
Coming June 30, 2026
📚My Book Review:
Not What It Seems by Lisa Jackson is a thriller/suspense novel, book 5 of The Savannah Series.
Crime writer Nikki Gillette and her husband, Detective Pierce Reed, investigate a series of murders where victims are found with pierced throats and a stone engraved with a number and symbol, leading them to a dangerous, obsessive killer. Let me start by saying, the beginning of the book was a very slow burn for me… almost too slow. But I stuck with it and it does completely turn around. I then found myself on the edge of my seat. If you find yourself in the same place, please keep reading it! The characters are well developed and my favorite characters are the dogs Arlo and Mikado, I can’t tell you why. There were twists and one big twist that I didn’t see coming. I was guessing until the end and I was completely wrong.
I rated the book 4 stars. If you like slow burning suspense, serial killer/crime thrillers and animals (the dogs are the best characters) then this book is for you!
Author: Lisa Jackson
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Thriller/Suspense
Pages: 400
Coming June 30, 2026
📚My Book Review:
Not What It Seems by Lisa Jackson is a thriller/suspense novel, book 5 of The Savannah Series.
Crime writer Nikki Gillette and her husband, Detective Pierce Reed, investigate a series of murders where victims are found with pierced throats and a stone engraved with a number and symbol, leading them to a dangerous, obsessive killer. Let me start by saying, the beginning of the book was a very slow burn for me… almost too slow. But I stuck with it and it does completely turn around. I then found myself on the edge of my seat. If you find yourself in the same place, please keep reading it! The characters are well developed and my favorite characters are the dogs Arlo and Mikado, I can’t tell you why. There were twists and one big twist that I didn’t see coming. I was guessing until the end and I was completely wrong.
I rated the book 4 stars. If you like slow burning suspense, serial killer/crime thrillers and animals (the dogs are the best characters) then this book is for you!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Not What It Seems by Lisa Jackson
I chose this book by Lisa Jackson as my very first ARC book because I am a fan of her books. I enjoyed this book, maybe not as much as her other books but it is still worth reading!
This one was hard for me because it had a lot of characters and POVs, but the chapters didn’t tell you who, so it took a few lines to realize who’s POV you were in.
The suspense and story line were great. The two main characters are husband and wife, the wife being a reporter and the husband being a detective. Working together yet not so much to local murders.
Parts I felt were drawn out and I just wanted to know who did it! I was shocked at the ending and whom the guilty person was for sure I did not expect it to be whom it was.
I gave this 3.5 stars and I recommend this for all the murder mystery, suspense driven readers.
Thank you #Netgalley and publisher for this ARC in return for reading and review of #NotWhatItSeems
I chose this book by Lisa Jackson as my very first ARC book because I am a fan of her books. I enjoyed this book, maybe not as much as her other books but it is still worth reading!
This one was hard for me because it had a lot of characters and POVs, but the chapters didn’t tell you who, so it took a few lines to realize who’s POV you were in.
The suspense and story line were great. The two main characters are husband and wife, the wife being a reporter and the husband being a detective. Working together yet not so much to local murders.
Parts I felt were drawn out and I just wanted to know who did it! I was shocked at the ending and whom the guilty person was for sure I did not expect it to be whom it was.
I gave this 3.5 stars and I recommend this for all the murder mystery, suspense driven readers.
Thank you #Netgalley and publisher for this ARC in return for reading and review of #NotWhatItSeems
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This mystery novel was quite suspenseful and included some interesting side stories such as the adopting of animals. It feels like part of a series but I'm not sure if it's the first book or not. The main characters were easy enough to like while still having flaws. The mystery itself felt easy to predict although the motivation for the crimes was more obvious than who the actual murderer was. I was confused for the first quarter of the book as the detective was called by his first name when at home but called by his last name when at work. I thought it was two different characters. It also took me about a quarter of the book to become fully invested in the story. Now that I'm familiar with the characters I would be inclined to read another novel involving them.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If you love Lisa Jackson’s suspense series, this one is just as excellent! I was instantly pulled in by the eerie Southern Gothic vibe of Savannah’s mossy streets, marshes, and the creeping sense that something is very wrong. The numbered stones left with each body were such a creepy and memorable detail, and I loved how the mystery unfolded piece by piece. Nikki is still one of my favorite journalist characters! She’s curious to a fault, stubborn, and driven in a way that feels very real, especially now that she’s balancing danger with motherhood. The pacing kept me turning pages, especially once the murders started stacking up and the pattern became clearer. I love this author and I really hope this storyline continues because I’m not ready to let these characters go yet!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Unfortunately this did not live up to my expectations. This was unnecessarily long, I feel like the story could’ve been cut in half if they didn’t include a lot of talk between the families. It was also hard to keep up with all the characters, sometimes they went by their first name sometimes their last, I had to constantly stop to figure out who is who and how they’re related to a certain person.
And don’t get me started on Nikki, I could not stand her at all. Clearly you’ve done something before that led to a bad thing, why are you doing it again? You’d think she would take a different approach. I only kept reading because I wanted to know who it was.
Thank you NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and Lisa Jackson for this ARC 🫶🏽
And don’t get me started on Nikki, I could not stand her at all. Clearly you’ve done something before that led to a bad thing, why are you doing it again? You’d think she would take a different approach. I only kept reading because I wanted to know who it was.
Thank you NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and Lisa Jackson for this ARC 🫶🏽
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m a HUGE Lisa Jackson fan and have enjoyed all of the Nikki/Pierce books. When bodies start piling up due to a serial killer, Nikki and Pierce start separately investigating. As usual, Nikki gets in the way and puts herself in the crosshairs of the killer. When another body is discovered, it at first appears he’s struck again, but like the title says, it’s not what it seems. I enjoyed the plot twists, but was a little annoyed with Nikki’s character in the beginning at her pushy sense of entitlement when it came to information and her lack of self-preservation when it was obvious she was in danger. Looking forward to the next one.
Thanks to Lisa Jackson and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Thanks to Lisa Jackson and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I didn't know that this was already book 5 in the series, so it is safe to say that you perfectly read this book as a standalone.
It started of really strong with some really tense chapters, but unfortunately the middle part dragged a bit too much for my liking. But somehow the book could still keep me engaged and I wanted to keep on reading. And I was glad I did, because the ending was really gripping again.
I found Nikki a bit annoying in the way that she had a hard time staying in her lane. But maybe I didn't feel that connected with her, because I didn't read the first books in the series.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
It started of really strong with some really tense chapters, but unfortunately the middle part dragged a bit too much for my liking. But somehow the book could still keep me engaged and I wanted to keep on reading. And I was glad I did, because the ending was really gripping again.
I found Nikki a bit annoying in the way that she had a hard time staying in her lane. But maybe I didn't feel that connected with her, because I didn't read the first books in the series.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.75 ⭐
I love stories about reporters/journalists. They are often a love or hate kind of personality and Nikki is no exception but I love the dynamic between her and Pierce. Nikki is driven and intense and sometimes in the way of everyone and herself. She's not always aware of her surroundings and is oblivious to the way she puts herself into harm's way. This story started off really strong, but got a lot slower towards the middle. It felt like some bits could've been left out in order to make it more gripping. Overall, I enjoyed the story and continued to love the characters and look forward to more by Lisa Jackson. I'll read everything she puts out!
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
I love stories about reporters/journalists. They are often a love or hate kind of personality and Nikki is no exception but I love the dynamic between her and Pierce. Nikki is driven and intense and sometimes in the way of everyone and herself. She's not always aware of her surroundings and is oblivious to the way she puts herself into harm's way. This story started off really strong, but got a lot slower towards the middle. It felt like some bits could've been left out in order to make it more gripping. Overall, I enjoyed the story and continued to love the characters and look forward to more by Lisa Jackson. I'll read everything she puts out!
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Not What It Seems is the latest installment in Lisa Jackson's Savannah series. The novel features reporter Nikki Gillette, who delves into the suspicious death of Billy Huber, a local man found dead under mysterious circumstances.
Why is there a polished rock under his body? What does it mean? Follow along as Nikki investigates.
The killer sets his sights on Nikki. Will Nikki figure out who the killer is before it’s too late?
Fast paced mystery that will keep you guessing.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Why is there a polished rock under his body? What does it mean? Follow along as Nikki investigates.
The killer sets his sights on Nikki. Will Nikki figure out who the killer is before it’s too late?
Fast paced mystery that will keep you guessing.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Police chief and news reporter, mom and dad, husband and wife. While they make a good team at home, their careers tend to cause conflict. When a serial killer shows up they both have their reasons to dig in. The murders appear connected but something seems off. Who will solve the murders and will everyone make it out alive?
This book kept me guessing which I love. But it seemed to lag a bit in the middle. I prefer a book without anything supernatural so that part didn’t really work for me. But don’t let that stop you if that’s your thing!
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC! 📚
This book kept me guessing which I love. But it seemed to lag a bit in the middle. I prefer a book without anything supernatural so that part didn’t really work for me. But don’t let that stop you if that’s your thing!
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC! 📚
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This thriller focuses on a serial killer who believes he is killing bad people as some sort of religious calling almost. Two of the main characters are a married couple, one a police officer and one a reporter. It was interesting to see their viewpoints as the crimes unfold. There is an additional murder that doesn’t seem to fit just right that threatens a close friendship and ultimately ends a marriage. I always enjoy the thrillers by this author!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely love the Lisa Jackson Nikki Gillette/Pierce Reed series and Not What It Seems (Book 5) did not disappoint! A sadistic killer in Savannah leaving polished rocks at the scenes while Pierce helps his best friend look for his missing wife. Nothing really is as it seems! Loved this one-5 stars! Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own. Expected publication 30 Jun 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the early digital copy of this new thriller. I didn’t realize this would be picking up in the lives of Pierce and Nikki Gillette from previous book(s) but even without having read those I was able to connect to the characters and jump right in. This murder mystery was all sorts of twisty and turny. It kept me guessing up until the last 15% or so with all the red herrings and slowly released clues. It’s a good one! Definitely Recommend
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Det Reed is investigating what may well be a serial killer spree in their southern laid back town.
The signs are beginning to point to it and hot on the trail is an investigative journalist angling for a lead and a possible new book. Reed is trying to keep his investigation under control and free from press analysis but the biggest reporter issue he has,to contend with is his own wife, Nicki.
Suspenseful and riveting at times, but the whole Nikki angle was irritating and distracting, at best, for me.
The signs are beginning to point to it and hot on the trail is an investigative journalist angling for a lead and a possible new book. Reed is trying to keep his investigation under control and free from press analysis but the biggest reporter issue he has,to contend with is his own wife, Nicki.
Suspenseful and riveting at times, but the whole Nikki angle was irritating and distracting, at best, for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Quietly tense
This book was one of those moody, Southern Gothic thrillers that pulled me in with vibe. The whole serial killer + numbered stones thing was genuinely unsettling, and the Savannah setting added this heavy, almost eerie backdrop that worked really well. It felt more like a slow-burn suspense. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This book was one of those moody, Southern Gothic thrillers that pulled me in with vibe. The whole serial killer + numbered stones thing was genuinely unsettling, and the Savannah setting added this heavy, almost eerie backdrop that worked really well. It felt more like a slow-burn suspense. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews