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The Impostor: The utterly unmissable new psychological thriller from the international bestselling author of Girl, Missing
Not yet published
Expected 2 Apr 26Keep it in the family. Whatever it takes.Nathaniel Carson is dead. His family host a dinner to celebrate what would have been his 79th birthday only to have an unexpected guest arrive.
Mia says she's Nathaniel's daughter. The product of an affair. But not everyone is convinced her claims are genuine. After all, Nathaniel left behind a vast fortune. The kind of money people would do anything for.
The more the Carsons' get to know Mia, the more concerned they become. Can they trust her?
Because every family has its secrets. But this truth might hurt the Carson's more than they expect
A tense psychological thriller full of twists and turns. Perfect for fans of Gillian McAllister and Lisa Jewell.
Mia says she's Nathaniel's daughter. The product of an affair. But not everyone is convinced her claims are genuine. After all, Nathaniel left behind a vast fortune. The kind of money people would do anything for.
The more the Carsons' get to know Mia, the more concerned they become. Can they trust her?
Because every family has its secrets. But this truth might hurt the Carson's more than they expect
A tense psychological thriller full of twists and turns. Perfect for fans of Gillian McAllister and Lisa Jewell.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 2, 2026
14 people want to read
About the author
Sophie McKenzie
85 books1,500 followersHey there! Welcome to my Goodreads page where you can keep up with all my stories - both the ones that are already published and the works in progress!!
I write mostly teen thrillers - plus some teen romance, books for younger children and four adult psychological thrillers.
I'm really excited right now because of...
Boy, Missing, my £1 book for World Book Day and Truth or Dare, my new teen thriller. (UK)
For more info on these and my other books, check out my website: www.sophiemckenziebooks.com
I write mostly teen thrillers - plus some teen romance, books for younger children and four adult psychological thrillers.
I'm really excited right now because of...
Boy, Missing, my £1 book for World Book Day and Truth or Dare, my new teen thriller. (UK)
For more info on these and my other books, check out my website: www.sophiemckenziebooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 10, 2026
Sophie McKenzie pens some good, twisty thrillers.
The Impostor is filled with messy family dynamics, lots of murder and lots of secrets! While I do feel the reveals were quite obvious from the start, it was still a thrilling read. Things don’t have to be overly complicated to be enjoyable! In fact, when all the reveals began happening in the end (but in a way that McKenzie kept trying to confuse the reader, drawing out the suspense) is actually when the book is at its weakest — it becomes overly complicated and messy for something that was not complicated at all.
Overall, this was a good read with a decent pace. I enjoyed how the characters were a mixture of terrible, it made it all the more exciting.
Thank you to Canelo for the e-arc
The Impostor is filled with messy family dynamics, lots of murder and lots of secrets! While I do feel the reveals were quite obvious from the start, it was still a thrilling read. Things don’t have to be overly complicated to be enjoyable! In fact, when all the reveals began happening in the end (but in a way that McKenzie kept trying to confuse the reader, drawing out the suspense) is actually when the book is at its weakest — it becomes overly complicated and messy for something that was not complicated at all.
Overall, this was a good read with a decent pace. I enjoyed how the characters were a mixture of terrible, it made it all the more exciting.
Thank you to Canelo for the e-arc
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Cassie’s father is dead, and her family is still grieving when an unexpected stranger turns their mourning into shock, their father Nathaniel's posthumous birthday.
This stranger is claiming to be Nathaniel’s daughter and Cassie’s stepsister. Given their father’s history as a serial cheat, the claim isn’t entirely that shocking. Cassie herself is a stepsibling, after all. What makes the situation even more unsettling is how easily the girl fits in: she shares Cassie’s hair and eye colour, has a gentle nature, and quickly convinces the family that she truly belongs.
A DNA test confirms that she is truly family, and she's getting along so well with Cassie's family and little daughter that there's no doubt she's family. Not even if Cassie's older stepsister and stepbrother are still insisting they don't want her to inherit anything from them.
Everything is going well until two consecutive deaths bring up old wounds, suspicion and resentments. Could Uncle Edgar, long an inheritance first by his father, and then his brother, finally be making his move? Even Cassie finds herself questioning her own husband and wondering whether the real threat has been in her home all along. And where is Adam? The only one child Nathaniel left out of the inheritance?
Honestly, this story felt like a drag for me in the beginning, and the first chapter didn't quite interest me. However, by the second chapter, the writer had picked up the pace, and even though I've read so many novels like this, it kept me on my toes (can't even imagine the number of red herrings I followed!).
It was enthralling, which is how I ended up reading it in one day instead of keeping it aside after the first chapter like I planned. I only hated the fact that, just as the beginning was slow, the last chapter felt like it was too abrupt, and I feel like some of the characters would've been held liable or at least portrayed realistically ( I mean, being left out of the inheritance will hurt everyone, so show their evil thoughts or opinions! But that's just me.) If, like me, you read Karin Slaughter and Lisa Jewell, this is one book you'll love!
Thank you to the author for this e-ARC. That has in no way influenced my opinion and review.
This stranger is claiming to be Nathaniel’s daughter and Cassie’s stepsister. Given their father’s history as a serial cheat, the claim isn’t entirely that shocking. Cassie herself is a stepsibling, after all. What makes the situation even more unsettling is how easily the girl fits in: she shares Cassie’s hair and eye colour, has a gentle nature, and quickly convinces the family that she truly belongs.
A DNA test confirms that she is truly family, and she's getting along so well with Cassie's family and little daughter that there's no doubt she's family. Not even if Cassie's older stepsister and stepbrother are still insisting they don't want her to inherit anything from them.
Everything is going well until two consecutive deaths bring up old wounds, suspicion and resentments. Could Uncle Edgar, long an inheritance first by his father, and then his brother, finally be making his move? Even Cassie finds herself questioning her own husband and wondering whether the real threat has been in her home all along. And where is Adam? The only one child Nathaniel left out of the inheritance?
Honestly, this story felt like a drag for me in the beginning, and the first chapter didn't quite interest me. However, by the second chapter, the writer had picked up the pace, and even though I've read so many novels like this, it kept me on my toes (can't even imagine the number of red herrings I followed!).
It was enthralling, which is how I ended up reading it in one day instead of keeping it aside after the first chapter like I planned. I only hated the fact that, just as the beginning was slow, the last chapter felt like it was too abrupt, and I feel like some of the characters would've been held liable or at least portrayed realistically ( I mean, being left out of the inheritance will hurt everyone, so show their evil thoughts or opinions! But that's just me.) If, like me, you read Karin Slaughter and Lisa Jewell, this is one book you'll love!
Thank you to the author for this e-ARC. That has in no way influenced my opinion and review.
February 8, 2026
The Impostor is a thoughtfully crafted story about family dynamics, privilege, and the emotional toll that secrets and betrayals can take. I’ll be honest, as a thriller girlie who has read so many of these, I didn’t have high expectations when I requested this via NetGalley. But despite a few predictable moments, I found myself surprisingly invested in the messy, layered complexity of this family.
The characters feel incredibly realistic, each with their own strengths, quirks, and flaws. I actually liked all of them, which made the guessing game even more fun. I kept going back and forth trying to figure out who the culprit was. And that twist? I genuinely didn’t see it coming. Kudos to the author for manipulating the narrative so cleverly. It made for such a satisfying weekend read especially with a freshly made coffee in hand while listening to the rain.
What I Enjoyed:
• Inheritance trope never gets old
• Whodunit vibes that kept me guessing
• Tight sibling relationship despite the complexities
What Didn’t Sit Right:
• The oppressed “uncle” felt a bit too underdog
• Some questions were left hanging since the patriarch passed away too early in the story
• The villain felt slightly forced
Ratings Breakdown:
• Setting: 4⭐️
• Characters: 5⭐️
• Writing: 4⭐️
• Message: 3⭐️
• Overall: 4⭐️
To sum it up, this is an entertaining and gripping story filled with twists and heart‑stopping moments. Highly recommended for mystery‑thriller readers like me who always crave that classic whodunit feeling. Huge thanks to NetGalley, Canelo, and author Sophie McKenzie for my advance copy.
~ JaNnA ~
The characters feel incredibly realistic, each with their own strengths, quirks, and flaws. I actually liked all of them, which made the guessing game even more fun. I kept going back and forth trying to figure out who the culprit was. And that twist? I genuinely didn’t see it coming. Kudos to the author for manipulating the narrative so cleverly. It made for such a satisfying weekend read especially with a freshly made coffee in hand while listening to the rain.
What I Enjoyed:
• Inheritance trope never gets old
• Whodunit vibes that kept me guessing
• Tight sibling relationship despite the complexities
What Didn’t Sit Right:
• The oppressed “uncle” felt a bit too underdog
• Some questions were left hanging since the patriarch passed away too early in the story
• The villain felt slightly forced
Ratings Breakdown:
• Setting: 4⭐️
• Characters: 5⭐️
• Writing: 4⭐️
• Message: 3⭐️
• Overall: 4⭐️
To sum it up, this is an entertaining and gripping story filled with twists and heart‑stopping moments. Highly recommended for mystery‑thriller readers like me who always crave that classic whodunit feeling. Huge thanks to NetGalley, Canelo, and author Sophie McKenzie for my advance copy.
~ JaNnA ~
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – A Tense, Twisty Tale of Family Greed
I’ve always been a fan of Sophie McKenzie’s ability to weave tension into the domestic space, and The Impostor did not disappoint. From the very first chapter, I felt like a fly on the wall at the most awkward, high-stakes dinner party imaginable.
The Hook
The premise is classic but executed with a modern, sharp edge. The Carson family is gathered to honor their patriarch, Nathaniel, only for Mia to show up claiming to be his long-lost daughter. As a reader, I found myself constantly shifting my loyalties. One moment I was rooting for Mia as the underdog fighting a "snobby" elite family, and the next, I was just as suspicious of her motives as the Carsons were.
What I Loved
• The Atmosphere: McKenzie nails that "gilded cage" feeling. The wealth of the Carson family feels heavy and claustrophobic, making the stakes—a massive inheritance—feel incredibly real.
• The Pacing: It’s a quick read. I flew through the second half because the "is she or isn't she" mystery kept me guessing.
• The Secrets: Every character in this book is hiding something. It’s less about a single "big reveal" and more about the slow unraveling of a family’s carefully constructed image.
My Verdict
If you love psychological thrillers that focus on family dynamics, inheritance drama, and characters you love to hate, you’ll enjoy this. It’s a reminder that sometimes the people you share DNA with are the ones you should trust the least.
I did feel the ending was a bit polarizing, but in a way that makes you want to immediately message a friend to discuss it.
Final Thought: Come for the mystery of Mia’s identity, stay for the delicious drama of a wealthy family falling apart at the seams.
#Canelo#NetGalley#The Imposter#Sophie McKenzie
I’ve always been a fan of Sophie McKenzie’s ability to weave tension into the domestic space, and The Impostor did not disappoint. From the very first chapter, I felt like a fly on the wall at the most awkward, high-stakes dinner party imaginable.
The Hook
The premise is classic but executed with a modern, sharp edge. The Carson family is gathered to honor their patriarch, Nathaniel, only for Mia to show up claiming to be his long-lost daughter. As a reader, I found myself constantly shifting my loyalties. One moment I was rooting for Mia as the underdog fighting a "snobby" elite family, and the next, I was just as suspicious of her motives as the Carsons were.
What I Loved
• The Atmosphere: McKenzie nails that "gilded cage" feeling. The wealth of the Carson family feels heavy and claustrophobic, making the stakes—a massive inheritance—feel incredibly real.
• The Pacing: It’s a quick read. I flew through the second half because the "is she or isn't she" mystery kept me guessing.
• The Secrets: Every character in this book is hiding something. It’s less about a single "big reveal" and more about the slow unraveling of a family’s carefully constructed image.
My Verdict
If you love psychological thrillers that focus on family dynamics, inheritance drama, and characters you love to hate, you’ll enjoy this. It’s a reminder that sometimes the people you share DNA with are the ones you should trust the least.
I did feel the ending was a bit polarizing, but in a way that makes you want to immediately message a friend to discuss it.
Final Thought: Come for the mystery of Mia’s identity, stay for the delicious drama of a wealthy family falling apart at the seams.
#Canelo#NetGalley#The Imposter#Sophie McKenzie
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Imposter is a tense, twist‑filled psychological thriller that sinks its hooks in from the moment Mia walks into the Carson family’s birthday dinner claiming to be Nathaniel’s secret daughter. Sophie McKenzie builds the suspense beautifully—what starts as an awkward surprise quickly spirals into a full‑blown family crisis where every glance, every question, and every half‑truth feels loaded.
The Carsons are a fascinating bunch: wealthy, guarded, and clearly used to keeping their skeletons firmly locked away. Watching them try to figure out whether Mia is a grieving outsider or a calculated threat is half the fun. McKenzie captures that simmering paranoia so well—the way suspicion spreads, the way alliances shift, and how money has a way of making everyone behave just a little worse.
Mia herself is a great catalyst: calm, composed, and just mysterious enough to keep you guessing. As the family digs deeper into her story, the tension ramps up, and the sense that something much darker is lurking beneath the surface becomes impossible to ignore.
The pacing is tight, the twists land cleanly, and the final reveals are satisfying without feeling over the top. It’s the kind of thriller you breeze through in a couple of sittings because you need to know who’s lying—and why.
A gripping, character‑driven read perfect for fans of domestic suspense and family‑secrets thrillers.
With thanks to Sophie McKenzie, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
The Carsons are a fascinating bunch: wealthy, guarded, and clearly used to keeping their skeletons firmly locked away. Watching them try to figure out whether Mia is a grieving outsider or a calculated threat is half the fun. McKenzie captures that simmering paranoia so well—the way suspicion spreads, the way alliances shift, and how money has a way of making everyone behave just a little worse.
Mia herself is a great catalyst: calm, composed, and just mysterious enough to keep you guessing. As the family digs deeper into her story, the tension ramps up, and the sense that something much darker is lurking beneath the surface becomes impossible to ignore.
The pacing is tight, the twists land cleanly, and the final reveals are satisfying without feeling over the top. It’s the kind of thriller you breeze through in a couple of sittings because you need to know who’s lying—and why.
A gripping, character‑driven read perfect for fans of domestic suspense and family‑secrets thrillers.
With thanks to Sophie McKenzie, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If you are a fan of thrillers this one is for you.
The book starts with Cassie and her family knowing that they are about to receive an inheritance since their father has passed away. A stranger, Mia, shows up on their doorstep claiming to be their sister. The family is shocked, with some believing her based on similar looks and DNA testing while other family members doubt the legitimacy of the results.
Mia moves in for a brief stay with Cassie, her husband and daughter Iris. Things start to happen (2 deaths) and Cassie worries that she has let a complete stranger into her home and family.
This book held my interest and had me guessing at how it was going to resolve itself. My only gripe was that it was tied up very neatly and nicely with everything being explained and admitted to. It was tied up in a perfect little bow.
Though I enjoyed the twists and turns and believe that others will as well, I think leaving a bit to the imagination and not explaining everything verbatim (can't say much more without spoilers!) bothered me a bit.
If you can look past that, this is a great thriller that is a quick read.
The book starts with Cassie and her family knowing that they are about to receive an inheritance since their father has passed away. A stranger, Mia, shows up on their doorstep claiming to be their sister. The family is shocked, with some believing her based on similar looks and DNA testing while other family members doubt the legitimacy of the results.
Mia moves in for a brief stay with Cassie, her husband and daughter Iris. Things start to happen (2 deaths) and Cassie worries that she has let a complete stranger into her home and family.
This book held my interest and had me guessing at how it was going to resolve itself. My only gripe was that it was tied up very neatly and nicely with everything being explained and admitted to. It was tied up in a perfect little bow.
Though I enjoyed the twists and turns and believe that others will as well, I think leaving a bit to the imagination and not explaining everything verbatim (can't say much more without spoilers!) bothered me a bit.
If you can look past that, this is a great thriller that is a quick read.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews