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Look What You Made Me Do
From the Booker Prize longlisted author of The Wall, comes his first novel in eight years.
What if the year's most talked about TV show was all about your marriage?
Kate, 30 years into her marriage, has a seemingly idyllic metropolitan, North London life.
Phoebe, a young screenwriter, is the creator of the year's hit TV show, Cheating.
When Kate's world takes a darker turn, she thinks she sees details and intimacies in the show that only she and her husband Jack could possibly have known. But who has betrayed who? Who gets to tell whose story?
A black comedy of resentment and entitlement, Look What You Made Me Do is the story of two very different women from two very different generations, heading toward a battle only one of them can win.
What if the year's most talked about TV show was all about your marriage?
Kate, 30 years into her marriage, has a seemingly idyllic metropolitan, North London life.
Phoebe, a young screenwriter, is the creator of the year's hit TV show, Cheating.
When Kate's world takes a darker turn, she thinks she sees details and intimacies in the show that only she and her husband Jack could possibly have known. But who has betrayed who? Who gets to tell whose story?
A black comedy of resentment and entitlement, Look What You Made Me Do is the story of two very different women from two very different generations, heading toward a battle only one of them can win.
Audible Audio
First published March 10, 2026
About the author
John Lanchester
36 books655 followersJohn Lanchester is the author of five novels, including the best-selling The Debt to Pleasure and Capital. His books have won the Hawthornden Prize, the Whitbread First Novel Award, and the E. M. Forster Award, have been longlisted for the Booker Prize, and have been translated into more than twenty-five languages. He is a regular contributor to The New Yorker and The New York Review of Books. He lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 526 reviews
June 16, 2026
Revenge is a dish best served cold....
John Lanchester has written some of the most fascinating novels over the last two decades; Look What You Made Me Do adds to this list of stories that intrigue and explore the human condition in various circumstances.
This new novel begins with a dinner party- very middle class London couples playing one-upmanship with their attitudes towards contemporary life and put-downs. Our lead protagonsists being Kate and Jack. This feels like the territory of Jonathan Coe. But then the story takes a sharp one eighty and what could have been a wry observational novel about 'elite ' lifestyles in London takes on a darker humoured path.
Kate discovers that the 'everyday 'dialogues and personal events of her life with her husband have formed the basis of a new and popular TV show- how can this be ? Is this the ultimate betrayal from her husband of several decades? So how should retribution be delivered to those concerned?
What follows is a deliciously twisted and certainly surprising story. The characters do seem like caricatures in some sense ( the world of media and publishing, book groups, restaurant dining are beautifully lampooned) but it is the ever growing wickedness in the plot that makes this an unforgettable tale.
John Lanchester has written another winner . Cleverly and tautly plotted and an outcome that you will want to talk about. The screen adaptation will have to be developed (like his novel Capital) A top read of 2026!
John Lanchester has written some of the most fascinating novels over the last two decades; Look What You Made Me Do adds to this list of stories that intrigue and explore the human condition in various circumstances.
This new novel begins with a dinner party- very middle class London couples playing one-upmanship with their attitudes towards contemporary life and put-downs. Our lead protagonsists being Kate and Jack. This feels like the territory of Jonathan Coe. But then the story takes a sharp one eighty and what could have been a wry observational novel about 'elite ' lifestyles in London takes on a darker humoured path.
Kate discovers that the 'everyday 'dialogues and personal events of her life with her husband have formed the basis of a new and popular TV show- how can this be ? Is this the ultimate betrayal from her husband of several decades? So how should retribution be delivered to those concerned?
What follows is a deliciously twisted and certainly surprising story. The characters do seem like caricatures in some sense ( the world of media and publishing, book groups, restaurant dining are beautifully lampooned) but it is the ever growing wickedness in the plot that makes this an unforgettable tale.
John Lanchester has written another winner . Cleverly and tautly plotted and an outcome that you will want to talk about. The screen adaptation will have to be developed (like his novel Capital) A top read of 2026!
April 29, 2026
The premise of Look What You Made Me Do immediately drew me in. Billed as a revenge story centred on Kate, who believes she has been betrayed by her husband. His affair with writer Phoebe, plays out in a Netflix drama penned by her and exposes the intimacies of Kate’s marital private life. It promised the sort of juicy tale where wrongs are righted and justice is aptly served. You go in expecting fireworks… Or at the very least, a satisfying dose of comeuppance.
Instead, this was a proper slog.
I found myself counting down the pages, determined to see it through rather than abandon it altogether. There is always the hope that a slow burn will eventually ignite, and the final act will reward your patience. Unfortunately, that moment never quite arrives.
A major issue lies with the characters themselves. They are not simply flawed or morally grey, they are largely unlikeable and, crucially, uninteresting. Kate experiences a bereavement that should evoke sympathy, yet she comes across as so unpleasant that it becomes difficult to care about her situation. Phoebe doesn’t fare any better. She feels written as the sort of cutting, sharp tongued woman the author perhaps imagined readers would find endearment, but there simply is not enough substance behind her to make that land. Without wit, vulnerability or depth, both women remain frustratingly distant.
The revenge plot, the core of the story, is equally underwhelming. I expected something bold or shocking enough to keep the pages turning, but early acts of retaliation, such as sending a barrage of unwanted pizzas to an address, feel more trivial than tantalising. When the central revenge finally unfolds, it veers into the outlandish without earning the emotional investment required to make it satisfying. The character most affected by these events is someone we barely know, which makes the outcome feel hollow rather than dramatic.
Even the motivation behind Phoebe’s decision to create the television show in the first place, a thread the novel spends considerable time building towards, ultimately lands with a thud. The backstory is treated as a major reveal, yet it proves surprisingly flat and anticlimactic.
Structurally, the novel meanders for long stretches before reaching the section where it is meant to accelerate. But rather than shifting into a gripping finale, the narrative continues at the same plodding pace. It never truly gets going.
I also struggled with Lanchester’s style. Many sentences feel overly complex and rambling, creating a heaviness that slows the reading experience. Interspersed script style excerpts from the fictional Netflix show do little to enhance the story and instead feel like unnecessary interruptions.
In the end, Look What You Made Me Do is an example of a strong concept that never realises its potential. The ingredients for a compelling revenge drama are all there, but the execution lacks tension, emotional weight and momentum.
An intriguing premise, but ultimately a complete snore and a missed opportunity.
⭐️.5
Instead, this was a proper slog.
I found myself counting down the pages, determined to see it through rather than abandon it altogether. There is always the hope that a slow burn will eventually ignite, and the final act will reward your patience. Unfortunately, that moment never quite arrives.
A major issue lies with the characters themselves. They are not simply flawed or morally grey, they are largely unlikeable and, crucially, uninteresting. Kate experiences a bereavement that should evoke sympathy, yet she comes across as so unpleasant that it becomes difficult to care about her situation. Phoebe doesn’t fare any better. She feels written as the sort of cutting, sharp tongued woman the author perhaps imagined readers would find endearment, but there simply is not enough substance behind her to make that land. Without wit, vulnerability or depth, both women remain frustratingly distant.
The revenge plot, the core of the story, is equally underwhelming. I expected something bold or shocking enough to keep the pages turning, but early acts of retaliation, such as sending a barrage of unwanted pizzas to an address, feel more trivial than tantalising. When the central revenge finally unfolds, it veers into the outlandish without earning the emotional investment required to make it satisfying. The character most affected by these events is someone we barely know, which makes the outcome feel hollow rather than dramatic.
Even the motivation behind Phoebe’s decision to create the television show in the first place, a thread the novel spends considerable time building towards, ultimately lands with a thud. The backstory is treated as a major reveal, yet it proves surprisingly flat and anticlimactic.
Structurally, the novel meanders for long stretches before reaching the section where it is meant to accelerate. But rather than shifting into a gripping finale, the narrative continues at the same plodding pace. It never truly gets going.
I also struggled with Lanchester’s style. Many sentences feel overly complex and rambling, creating a heaviness that slows the reading experience. Interspersed script style excerpts from the fictional Netflix show do little to enhance the story and instead feel like unnecessary interruptions.
In the end, Look What You Made Me Do is an example of a strong concept that never realises its potential. The ingredients for a compelling revenge drama are all there, but the execution lacks tension, emotional weight and momentum.
An intriguing premise, but ultimately a complete snore and a missed opportunity.
⭐️.5
June 1, 2026
5 Books In 5 Days Challenge Book 1: What the hell did John Lanchester put in this book, because I was internally (and occasionally externally) screaming to myself about the decisions and rationale that the characters in this book make. Everybody is crazy in the most entertaining way possible. One of my favourite reads of the year so far and one I wouldn't let any of my friends skip.
Want to Read
April 3, 2026A marriage revenge story by the guy who wrote the highly conceptual The Wall? Let's check whether this is his next ticket to the Booker longlist!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5
If you want the ultimate story of revenge then you have to read this.
Kate has been happily married to Jack for decades. Her life is all she could wish for but after tragedy strikes she is still recovering when a brand new series arrives on tv. It turns Kate's world on its head and she has to doubt everything she has believed about her life with Jack.
I cannot tell you what a joy it was to yell at this novel - mainly things like "you can't do that" and "that's terrible". The characters of Kate, Phoebe and Sarah are all completely believable even if the action strays into the somewhat fantastical at times.
I'm prepared to forgive it all because the end is so utterly diabolical and wonderfully. I only knocked off half a point because I didnt quite buy the coincidences at times.
Absolutely brilliant. Loved every minute. Highly recommended.
Thankyou very much to Netgalley and Faber & Faber for the digital review copy. Most appreciated.
If you want the ultimate story of revenge then you have to read this.
Kate has been happily married to Jack for decades. Her life is all she could wish for but after tragedy strikes she is still recovering when a brand new series arrives on tv. It turns Kate's world on its head and she has to doubt everything she has believed about her life with Jack.
I cannot tell you what a joy it was to yell at this novel - mainly things like "you can't do that" and "that's terrible". The characters of Kate, Phoebe and Sarah are all completely believable even if the action strays into the somewhat fantastical at times.
I'm prepared to forgive it all because the end is so utterly diabolical and wonderfully. I only knocked off half a point because I didnt quite buy the coincidences at times.
Absolutely brilliant. Loved every minute. Highly recommended.
Thankyou very much to Netgalley and Faber & Faber for the digital review copy. Most appreciated.
May 15, 2026
yeah he’s a competent writer but this was a mess with whirling thoughts that went nowhere
December 8, 2025
Clever and funny, this was a great story. Once it got going, I found myself unable to put it down. Phoebe and Kate’s characters were both deeply flawed and unlikeable, but in a way that kept me reading. I thought Jack’s death was the main plot point, but really it was just the tip of the iceberg!
I did predict one of the twists, but the rest towards the last half of the book took me by surprise. I really enjoyed reading about these two sophisticated and narcissistic women, it’s not often anti protagonist are written well, especially women written by men. The lack of accountability and empathy really compelled me, what an interesting set of characters!! I do wish we had more around certain supporting characters, such as Sarah and Tristan, but still a fantastic read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #LookWhatYouMadeMeDo #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I did predict one of the twists, but the rest towards the last half of the book took me by surprise. I really enjoyed reading about these two sophisticated and narcissistic women, it’s not often anti protagonist are written well, especially women written by men. The lack of accountability and empathy really compelled me, what an interesting set of characters!! I do wish we had more around certain supporting characters, such as Sarah and Tristan, but still a fantastic read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #LookWhatYouMadeMeDo #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
May 5, 2026
hab irgendwie lange gebraucht um reinzukommen, aber sobald man drin war wars funny, absurd und brutal
June 3, 2026
There's a special place in hell for books that start off this good and end this terribly...
March 26, 2026
This is a quick read with a great premise. Kate and Jack have been married for 30 years and as people in long term relationships do, they have developed expressions and private jokes that would be meaningless to others. When Jack abruptly dies (very early in the book), Kate is devastated.
Until a hit new TV show comes out and the philandering husband in the series spouts the same expressions and opinions as Jack. How could the young and attractive screenwriter know – unless she’d had an affair with him herself?
We move between Kate’s perspective and that of Phoebe the screenwriter. For a while my sympathies were firmly with Kate…until they weren’t. This has been my month of reading books about unlikeable people and Kate is definitely one of them. But to be fair all the characters are messy and you’re never sure whose perspective is reliable and whose isn’t.
It’s a riveting and very twisty read that keeps you guessing and it’s punctuated with lots of sly observations that frequently made me smile. Plus the plotting is extremely clever. Lots of little throwaway moments that with hindsight you realise were important. Occasionally I wondered “why are we spending time on this”, but there was always a reason.
Is it a feel good read? NO. Is it fast and dark and addictively clever? Most definitely.
Until a hit new TV show comes out and the philandering husband in the series spouts the same expressions and opinions as Jack. How could the young and attractive screenwriter know – unless she’d had an affair with him herself?
We move between Kate’s perspective and that of Phoebe the screenwriter. For a while my sympathies were firmly with Kate…until they weren’t. This has been my month of reading books about unlikeable people and Kate is definitely one of them. But to be fair all the characters are messy and you’re never sure whose perspective is reliable and whose isn’t.
It’s a riveting and very twisty read that keeps you guessing and it’s punctuated with lots of sly observations that frequently made me smile. Plus the plotting is extremely clever. Lots of little throwaway moments that with hindsight you realise were important. Occasionally I wondered “why are we spending time on this”, but there was always a reason.
Is it a feel good read? NO. Is it fast and dark and addictively clever? Most definitely.
May 7, 2026
Look What You Made Me Do is touted as “a black comedy of love, trust, resentment, and entitlement.”
From Booker-longlisted author John Lanchester, this revenge tale revolves around two women: Phoebe, writer of the British hit TV series ‘Cheating’ (and her partner Tony), and ‘baby boomer’ Kate (and her architect husband Jack). Kate believes she sees her decades-long marriage in the details of the show and enacts revenge on Phoebe.
The story is told through first person accounts, with long sections of stream of consciousness, with some major plot points only slowly being revealed through meandering thoughts. Some of them are enjoyable, like an indulgent peek into the minds of narcissists; however, staying focused on the plot of the book was sometimes difficult.
The characters in this London-set novel, are wholly unlikeable—and I generally don’t have an issue with this—but in this case, I didn’t have a stake in what happened to these people. The full consequences of their actions aren’t revealed until the final pages of the book, and the payoff was a little unsatisfactory and rather abrupt. There is little suspense to this battle of betrayal, given the outcome.
For a novel that is centered around a revenge plot, this is a character-driven story and it takes a long time for much to actually happen; the characters’ relationships are essentially the focus, rather than the actions of the characters. It takes cleverly crafted writing to pull this off, but it may not work for a reader who expects the storyline to be more clear. This sets this book squarely in literary fiction territory, rather than suspense or women’s fiction (or any other category that the character’s actions, or readership that the novel may suggest).
There is very little time devoted to the ‘Cheating’ TV show (there are some script pages included); the novel may have been strengthened with more focus on the TV series.
The novel is incredibly British (I say this as a Brit living in the States), so be aware of this if you think you will be bothered by English punctuation and spelling differences; there are many expressions like “getting off with” someone and mentions of English places and shops (US readers might have to look them up, if they don’t recognize them). These things may add to the charm or may drive a reader bonkers. But the language is essential, given the choice of perspective that Lanchester chose for this novel. I would have loved more comedy from this ‘black comedy;’ the topics of affairs and revenge might not be funny for some readers, but the dry humor could have been pushed a little further in this case.
If you enjoy a revenge tale with a literary bent, one that delves into the minds of resentful, snotty people, this is it.
Thank you to W. W. Norton & Company for the opportunity to review this book.
From Booker-longlisted author John Lanchester, this revenge tale revolves around two women: Phoebe, writer of the British hit TV series ‘Cheating’ (and her partner Tony), and ‘baby boomer’ Kate (and her architect husband Jack). Kate believes she sees her decades-long marriage in the details of the show and enacts revenge on Phoebe.
The story is told through first person accounts, with long sections of stream of consciousness, with some major plot points only slowly being revealed through meandering thoughts. Some of them are enjoyable, like an indulgent peek into the minds of narcissists; however, staying focused on the plot of the book was sometimes difficult.
The characters in this London-set novel, are wholly unlikeable—and I generally don’t have an issue with this—but in this case, I didn’t have a stake in what happened to these people. The full consequences of their actions aren’t revealed until the final pages of the book, and the payoff was a little unsatisfactory and rather abrupt. There is little suspense to this battle of betrayal, given the outcome.
For a novel that is centered around a revenge plot, this is a character-driven story and it takes a long time for much to actually happen; the characters’ relationships are essentially the focus, rather than the actions of the characters. It takes cleverly crafted writing to pull this off, but it may not work for a reader who expects the storyline to be more clear. This sets this book squarely in literary fiction territory, rather than suspense or women’s fiction (or any other category that the character’s actions, or readership that the novel may suggest).
There is very little time devoted to the ‘Cheating’ TV show (there are some script pages included); the novel may have been strengthened with more focus on the TV series.
The novel is incredibly British (I say this as a Brit living in the States), so be aware of this if you think you will be bothered by English punctuation and spelling differences; there are many expressions like “getting off with” someone and mentions of English places and shops (US readers might have to look them up, if they don’t recognize them). These things may add to the charm or may drive a reader bonkers. But the language is essential, given the choice of perspective that Lanchester chose for this novel. I would have loved more comedy from this ‘black comedy;’ the topics of affairs and revenge might not be funny for some readers, but the dry humor could have been pushed a little further in this case.
If you enjoy a revenge tale with a literary bent, one that delves into the minds of resentful, snotty people, this is it.
Thank you to W. W. Norton & Company for the opportunity to review this book.
May 7, 2026
3.75 ⭐️’s
After months of living inside this year’s prize-list fiction, I needed something a little lighter but engaging enough to hold my attention. Look What You Made Me Do was it.
Entertaining, psychologically tense, and paced so well that I kept telling everyone in my house, “give me a sec, I want to finish this chapter.”
The alternating POVs between Kate and Phoebe really worked for me.
The novel depends on that contrast and builds a ‘can’t look away’ climate because of it.
Perception against perception. Narrative against narrative. You need both women inside your head simultaneously for the psychological architecture of the book to fully grab you.
And, wow. The second half…
It drops into something much colder and more unsettling than I expected.
I literally said “whoa” out loud more than once near the end because the novel starts exposing a level of calculation and self-justification that feels crazy.
It is incredibly scary the way people can construct entire internal realities that allow them to live quite comfortably beside the harm they create.
I’m still saying, wow!
Thanks to RBMedia & NetGalley for the audio ARC. I read both the UK hardcover edition (because the cover is outstanding!) and listened to the audio. Go with the audio if you can. The dual narration by Louise Brealey & Genevieve Gaunt was great.
After months of living inside this year’s prize-list fiction, I needed something a little lighter but engaging enough to hold my attention. Look What You Made Me Do was it.
Entertaining, psychologically tense, and paced so well that I kept telling everyone in my house, “give me a sec, I want to finish this chapter.”
The alternating POVs between Kate and Phoebe really worked for me.
The novel depends on that contrast and builds a ‘can’t look away’ climate because of it.
Perception against perception. Narrative against narrative. You need both women inside your head simultaneously for the psychological architecture of the book to fully grab you.
And, wow. The second half…
It drops into something much colder and more unsettling than I expected.
I literally said “whoa” out loud more than once near the end because the novel starts exposing a level of calculation and self-justification that feels crazy.
It is incredibly scary the way people can construct entire internal realities that allow them to live quite comfortably beside the harm they create.
I’m still saying, wow!
Thanks to RBMedia & NetGalley for the audio ARC. I read both the UK hardcover edition (because the cover is outstanding!) and listened to the audio. Go with the audio if you can. The dual narration by Louise Brealey & Genevieve Gaunt was great.
March 16, 2026
This is quite the revenge book. Two women seek revenge for their perceived slights and set about creating the ultimate life-changing and humiliating acts possible. But before they figure it all out, there are some misconstrued theories and loss of trust.
The story opens with a party consisting of petty competitive friends who all live in an affluent part of north London. When tragedy strikes it seems as if the wife didn't know her husband at all. The other central character is a successful playwright whose play is shown on television to great acclaim. However, she soon receives criticism as does her placid geography teacher husband. She also has a bitter, selfish and awkward mother to deal with.
It was when I read about the playwright's mother that I realised that this book is a dark satire. The list of her nasty traits is truly over the top and she is an uncomfortable caricature, although not entirely implausible or unrecognisable. There is no one likeable in this story. Everyone is arrogant, selfish, privileged and entitled.
This is a fun read, although I didn't think it was about generationational conflict as the marketing comments suggested - simply two similar women of different ages. What they do have in common is that they are both self-absorbed and narcissistic. There are a few stretches of the imagination in a couple of the events, but that's okay because it was a sparky read, intense and carefully detailed.
A story about resentment, dysfunctional families and psychological control. Just like other John Lanchester books, it is very good.
The story opens with a party consisting of petty competitive friends who all live in an affluent part of north London. When tragedy strikes it seems as if the wife didn't know her husband at all. The other central character is a successful playwright whose play is shown on television to great acclaim. However, she soon receives criticism as does her placid geography teacher husband. She also has a bitter, selfish and awkward mother to deal with.
It was when I read about the playwright's mother that I realised that this book is a dark satire. The list of her nasty traits is truly over the top and she is an uncomfortable caricature, although not entirely implausible or unrecognisable. There is no one likeable in this story. Everyone is arrogant, selfish, privileged and entitled.
This is a fun read, although I didn't think it was about generationational conflict as the marketing comments suggested - simply two similar women of different ages. What they do have in common is that they are both self-absorbed and narcissistic. There are a few stretches of the imagination in a couple of the events, but that's okay because it was a sparky read, intense and carefully detailed.
A story about resentment, dysfunctional families and psychological control. Just like other John Lanchester books, it is very good.
Did Not Finish
May 14, 2026DNF - 66% percent through but I can’t stand these characters and some of the slurs the author uses, makes me way too uncomfortable regardless of whether they’re meant to be ironic or not. There’s also something about men writing female characters - it really didn’t work here
March 11, 2026
This is my first John Lanchester novel and I really enjoyed the way he crafts a slow burn suspenseful story that makes you think deeper.
Kate and Jack have been married for decades, sharing a life built on seemingly absolute familiarity. Kate is left reeling when a character in a new television show about cheating bears an uncanny, unsettling resemblance to Jack. This twist hooks you in and you find yourself cruising through the book to find the answers.
The writing is sharp and I especially loved Kate and her unfiltered viewpoint on grief, friendship and family. The author is masterful at highlighting the dark underbelly of his characters thoughts and musings.
A masterclass in slow-burn tension that lingers in your mind long after you’re done reading.
Huge thank you to NetGalley and Faberbooks for the digital ARC!
Kate and Jack have been married for decades, sharing a life built on seemingly absolute familiarity. Kate is left reeling when a character in a new television show about cheating bears an uncanny, unsettling resemblance to Jack. This twist hooks you in and you find yourself cruising through the book to find the answers.
The writing is sharp and I especially loved Kate and her unfiltered viewpoint on grief, friendship and family. The author is masterful at highlighting the dark underbelly of his characters thoughts and musings.
A masterclass in slow-burn tension that lingers in your mind long after you’re done reading.
Huge thank you to NetGalley and Faberbooks for the digital ARC!
April 6, 2026
John Lanchester continues his foray into popular fiction genres. Last time, it was dystopian, climate fiction. This time, it’s a twisty, domestic thriller. It’s gripping enough on the surface, but the whole thing collapses under even the slightest scrutiny of the plot. It also feels as if he’s writing with television adaptations in mind, prioritising pace and cliffhangers over depth.
June 4, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up. Unexpectedly twisty! Not big twists, but I just didn’t expect any, so I was more surprised than I might’ve been otherwise.
The writing was fun and entertaining. Some of the thoughts Phoebe and Kate had were annoying, but they weren’t great people in the end! Their sense of superiority over everyone else was hard to swallow at times. I get tired of grieving characters hating everything everyone around them says and does. Maybe when I have a big grief in my life I’ll change my tune.
It was long winded at times - the last bit with Phoebe and Tony felt way longer than it needed to be when you can see where it’s going.
Literary suspense maybe? Drama? Not a story to thrill you, but definitely juicy and messy.
The writing was fun and entertaining. Some of the thoughts Phoebe and Kate had were annoying, but they weren’t great people in the end! Their sense of superiority over everyone else was hard to swallow at times. I get tired of grieving characters hating everything everyone around them says and does. Maybe when I have a big grief in my life I’ll change my tune.
It was long winded at times - the last bit with Phoebe and Tony felt way longer than it needed to be when you can see where it’s going.
Literary suspense maybe? Drama? Not a story to thrill you, but definitely juicy and messy.
May 15, 2026
A well-written intriguing plot which delves into revenge, grief, dark humour, resentment, marital relationships and family dysfunction. Unexpected twists and surprises keep the pages turning!
June 11, 2026
I liked this up until the point that the MMC died. Every page after that I wish he had taken me with him. Both main characters were sooooo unlikeable and both big reveals did not have the pay off that sir thought it would when he wrote this book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2026
This was quite a diversion for me, and by that I mean that I haven't read John Lanchester before. So I was going in 'blind' so to speak. What had drawn me in was the synopsis but I have to admit that there were times early on when I wasn't sure if this was going to be my thing at all. I am glad that I persevered with it, but I can honestly say that there are no characters which I liked, in any way shape or form, and overall, the feeling of the book is really quite depressing and cynical.
The basic plot follows Kate and Jack. They are a married couple in their fifties. They have a very comfortable life together. A nice house in London, and both of them have careers. Their seemingly perfect world is rocked, though, when a popular television series comes out. It is called 'Cheating' and the writer has suggested that it is partly autobiographical. Thing is, the characters and the story seem to feature Kate and Jack's marriage. And so, therefore, Jack's infidelity. What repercussions will this lead to?
What Lanchester has done very well is to examine relationships, both marriage as well as relationships between parents and their children. Friendship is also closely examined - or what appears to be friendship - and grief also comes under the microscope. Not just grief following the bereavement of someone but also the grief which can be felt when the life you think you were going to have suddenly comes to an end. Lanchester manages to bring a dark sense of humour to the tale, and there are times he hits the nail on the head with certain feelings or observations. Perhaps given the nature of the tale, I didn't take to any of the characters. There is a ruthlessness to a lot of them, a sense of entitlement and privilege. And there were times when I felt that his female characters came across as a man writing a female character.
Having said that, this turned out to be a devastating story. There was one character who I felt empathy towards, and their demise was not warranted at all. But, that is the thing with those looking for revenge, they often take no prisoners.
The basic plot follows Kate and Jack. They are a married couple in their fifties. They have a very comfortable life together. A nice house in London, and both of them have careers. Their seemingly perfect world is rocked, though, when a popular television series comes out. It is called 'Cheating' and the writer has suggested that it is partly autobiographical. Thing is, the characters and the story seem to feature Kate and Jack's marriage. And so, therefore, Jack's infidelity. What repercussions will this lead to?
What Lanchester has done very well is to examine relationships, both marriage as well as relationships between parents and their children. Friendship is also closely examined - or what appears to be friendship - and grief also comes under the microscope. Not just grief following the bereavement of someone but also the grief which can be felt when the life you think you were going to have suddenly comes to an end. Lanchester manages to bring a dark sense of humour to the tale, and there are times he hits the nail on the head with certain feelings or observations. Perhaps given the nature of the tale, I didn't take to any of the characters. There is a ruthlessness to a lot of them, a sense of entitlement and privilege. And there were times when I felt that his female characters came across as a man writing a female character.
Having said that, this turned out to be a devastating story. There was one character who I felt empathy towards, and their demise was not warranted at all. But, that is the thing with those looking for revenge, they often take no prisoners.
March 23, 2026
I picked up Look What You Made Me Do after seeing it featured as my local bookshop’s Book of the Month, and partly because I’d previously read Capital, which I remember enjoying. I also ended up attending a Q&A with John Lanchester, which added an extra layer to the experience.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It sparked an ongoing internal dialogue about revenge and ultimately reinforced my own feelings on the subject. The writing is sharp and engaging, and while I could often see where the twists were heading, it didn’t detract from the enjoyment—in some ways, it added to the tension.
The characters are particularly well drawn; those who initially seem suspect aren’t always so, and others reveal more troubling sides as the story unfolds. Not everyone is as they first appear, which keeps things interesting throughout. It’s a real page-turner that I ended up devouring, and I especially liked the London setting and recognising familiar landmarks along the way.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It sparked an ongoing internal dialogue about revenge and ultimately reinforced my own feelings on the subject. The writing is sharp and engaging, and while I could often see where the twists were heading, it didn’t detract from the enjoyment—in some ways, it added to the tension.
The characters are particularly well drawn; those who initially seem suspect aren’t always so, and others reveal more troubling sides as the story unfolds. Not everyone is as they first appear, which keeps things interesting throughout. It’s a real page-turner that I ended up devouring, and I especially liked the London setting and recognising familiar landmarks along the way.
April 8, 2026
Kate and Jack have been happily married for thirty years. They know each other inside out, for better or worse. But when Kate watches a hit tv show called ‘Cheating’ she’s shell shocked. There are references within the show which allude personally to her marriage, things only she and Jack could know. Has he been cheating? And who with?
This is a brilliantly observational and candid look at marriages and family. It focuses on two women, Kate and Phoebe, who is the screenwriter of the tv show. Both very different characters but interestingly so and it’s exhilarating to see how they eventually connect, in a denouement rich in revenge and ruthlessness.
I found parts of this story acutely perceptive and honest; particularly Phoebe’s relationships with her brother and mother, and while pretty much all of the characters aren’t particularly likeable I was still hugely invested in this story, finding it to be such a compelling and clever read.
My first John Lancaster book and I have to say I’m impressed.
This is a brilliantly observational and candid look at marriages and family. It focuses on two women, Kate and Phoebe, who is the screenwriter of the tv show. Both very different characters but interestingly so and it’s exhilarating to see how they eventually connect, in a denouement rich in revenge and ruthlessness.
I found parts of this story acutely perceptive and honest; particularly Phoebe’s relationships with her brother and mother, and while pretty much all of the characters aren’t particularly likeable I was still hugely invested in this story, finding it to be such a compelling and clever read.
My first John Lancaster book and I have to say I’m impressed.
March 16, 2026
This one is a rather hilarious, thrilling, dark and entertaining page turner of a book.
It follows a story of a woman called Katie who’s life has been turned upside down by the death of her husband, and Phoebe who is a young screenwriter and has written a hit tv show called cheaters.
The two separate stories start to intertwine when Katie starts to see uncanny resemblances with her own life and the tv show.
It tells a really cleverly and well written twisted story on resentment, revenge and you get a real sense of entitlement thrown in there too. You’ll be kept guessing right up to the end and I promise you’ll have a hard time putting this one down. I know I did.
It follows a story of a woman called Katie who’s life has been turned upside down by the death of her husband, and Phoebe who is a young screenwriter and has written a hit tv show called cheaters.
The two separate stories start to intertwine when Katie starts to see uncanny resemblances with her own life and the tv show.
It tells a really cleverly and well written twisted story on resentment, revenge and you get a real sense of entitlement thrown in there too. You’ll be kept guessing right up to the end and I promise you’ll have a hard time putting this one down. I know I did.
March 28, 2026
A compulsive read about three completely unlikeable, mean women and the people who loved them and fell victim to their self absorbed vile actions.
June 22, 2026
This book had been on my radar as I had spotted a hardback copy in a local bookshop and I thought the cover looked amazing. Imagine my glee to find this two days later in a charity shop, a signed copy as well! I snapped it up and started it straight away.
I absolutely love this book. I can’t say too much as to why, as that would give the plot away. I felt that the characters were well rounded and I felt I loved and hated them at different stages of the book.
Clever, bold, raw and funny it was a fantastic read to the very last page. I could really see this book being made into a drama on TV.
I devoured it and I still can’t get over how much I like the cover! One I highly recommend.
I absolutely love this book. I can’t say too much as to why, as that would give the plot away. I felt that the characters were well rounded and I felt I loved and hated them at different stages of the book.
Clever, bold, raw and funny it was a fantastic read to the very last page. I could really see this book being made into a drama on TV.
I devoured it and I still can’t get over how much I like the cover! One I highly recommend.
June 5, 2026
I’m not sure how to describe this other than disappointing. The basic premise was intriguing to me: grieving widow Kate, reeling from the recent death of her husband Jack, discovers that the season’s latest Netflix hit, entitled “Cheating”, contains nearly verbatim details and pet names from her very private life. Her reasonable conclusion is that Jack must have been having an affair with the series’ decades younger writer, Phoebe, leading to Kate plotting her revenge. The story we get isn’t quite that though, and the story would have been much more effective (to me) if Kate was even remotely likable. Both main characters’ motivations just did not seem to justify the ultimately extreme actions taken, and the slow burn pacing did little to keep me invested in characters I really did not like. 2.5 stars.
June 15, 2026
Such an easy, quick read. I loved the concept, the plot twist and how insane both main characters were. I also found the exploration of grief to be really realistic and poignant. There were some questions left unanswered at the end which was a bit frustrating, I kinda wish the book was a bit longer. Overall a really engrossing page turner.
June 22, 2026
had such high hopes after reading the description, but ended up finding this book soooo boring. all the characters were unlikable, the plot was uninteresting, and the writing style felt so dull…🥱
🫒🍸⭐️🎬📀
“One of the worst things that happen when people get divorced is that they have to rewrite all your memories of the good times you had, and change them into unhappy memories.”
🫒🍸⭐️🎬📀
“One of the worst things that happen when people get divorced is that they have to rewrite all your memories of the good times you had, and change them into unhappy memories.”
June 7, 2026
Sinister revenge.
June 14, 2026
Horribly captivating, like a car crash you can’t look away from, unfortunately the ending was frustrating so cannot give more than 3 but would still recommend! Please someone come and talk to me about it 😅
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