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It's Not What You Think
Win a free print copy of this book!
4 days and 05:19:49
50 copies available
U.S. only
He has a secret. She knows he's lying…
YOU THINK YOU KNOW THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE
Nadeeka is certain Jamie is having an affair. She knows the tell-tale signs.
She's been here before.
YOU THINK YOU KNOW WHO YOU CAN TRUST
When Jamie claims to be at work late, she knows he's lying. He's with another woman, and she's determined to catch him in the act.
YOU THINK YOU KNOW HOW THE STORY ENDS
But when Nadeeka arrives home to confront him, Jamie can't explain himself. The house has become a crime scene…
Jamie is dead.
IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK
YOU THINK YOU KNOW THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE
Nadeeka is certain Jamie is having an affair. She knows the tell-tale signs.
She's been here before.
YOU THINK YOU KNOW WHO YOU CAN TRUST
When Jamie claims to be at work late, she knows he's lying. He's with another woman, and she's determined to catch him in the act.
YOU THINK YOU KNOW HOW THE STORY ENDS
But when Nadeeka arrives home to confront him, Jamie can't explain himself. The house has become a crime scene…
Jamie is dead.
IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK
400 pages, Paperback
First published March 26, 2026
About the author
Clare Mackintosh
33 books12.7k followersWelcome to my Goodreads profile! Whether you're new to my work, or a hard-core fan, it's lovely to see you here. My latest book is OTHER PEOPLE'S HOUSES, the third book in my DC Ffion Morgan series. Like THE LAST PARTY and A GAME OF LIES, this is designed to be read as a standalone, but if you've followed Ffion and Leo from the beginning, I think you'll love seeing where OTHER PEOPLE'S HOUSES takes them.
If this is the first time we're meeting, welcome! In addition to the books above, I'm the author of I LET YOU GO, I SEE YOU, LET ME LIE and HOSTAGE - page-turning thrillers that have sold more than three million copies across 40 countries, and hit bestseller lists including The Sunday Times and The New York Times. I also wrote the emotional rollercoaster, AFTER THE END: a family drama about an impossible choice that threatens to tear a couple apart. It's the most personal novel I've written, and I've loved hearing from readers who have connected with it. In 2024 I released a memoir, I PROMISE IT WON'T ALWAYS HURT LIKE THIS, based on my experiences of navigating grief following the loss of my son eighteen years ago. It's a book to offer hope when you feel as though there's none to be had; a book to give to a friend when you don't know what to say.
Coming in 2026 is what I'm boldly going to tell you is my best book yet... a standalone thriller with a twist that'll knock your socks off! It's called IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK, and I would love you to add it to your shelf right now!
I love connecting with my readers, and there are plenty of ways you can get a sneak peek at what's going on behind the scenes. My Facebook group offers reading recommendations and exclusive extras to members (just search online for 'The Clare Mackintosh Book Club'), or if it's general chit chat you're after, please do follow me on Instagram, where I go to avoid writing, and to share snippets of my life in rural Wales, complete with three spaniels and Pete the goat. I'm also on TikTok, much to the dismay of my three teenagers...
* * *
With over three million copies of her books sold worldwide, number one bestseller Clare Mackintosh is the multi-award-winning author of I Let You Go, which was a Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller and the fastest-selling title by a new crime writer in 2015. It also won the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year in 2016. She has since written seven more bestselling novels. Together, her books have been translated into 40 languages and spent more than sixty-five weeks in The Sunday Times bestseller lists.
Clare is patron of the Silver Star Society, a charity based at the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford, which supports parents experiencing high-risk or difficult pregnancies.
* * *
For more information find Clare on Facebook, Instagram, Threads or TikTok at @ClareMackWrites
#ILetYouGo #ISeeYou #LetMeLie #AftertheEnd #HostageBook #TheLastParty #AGameOfLies #IPromise #OtherPeoplesHouses #ItsNotWhatYouThink
If this is the first time we're meeting, welcome! In addition to the books above, I'm the author of I LET YOU GO, I SEE YOU, LET ME LIE and HOSTAGE - page-turning thrillers that have sold more than three million copies across 40 countries, and hit bestseller lists including The Sunday Times and The New York Times. I also wrote the emotional rollercoaster, AFTER THE END: a family drama about an impossible choice that threatens to tear a couple apart. It's the most personal novel I've written, and I've loved hearing from readers who have connected with it. In 2024 I released a memoir, I PROMISE IT WON'T ALWAYS HURT LIKE THIS, based on my experiences of navigating grief following the loss of my son eighteen years ago. It's a book to offer hope when you feel as though there's none to be had; a book to give to a friend when you don't know what to say.
Coming in 2026 is what I'm boldly going to tell you is my best book yet... a standalone thriller with a twist that'll knock your socks off! It's called IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK, and I would love you to add it to your shelf right now!
I love connecting with my readers, and there are plenty of ways you can get a sneak peek at what's going on behind the scenes. My Facebook group offers reading recommendations and exclusive extras to members (just search online for 'The Clare Mackintosh Book Club'), or if it's general chit chat you're after, please do follow me on Instagram, where I go to avoid writing, and to share snippets of my life in rural Wales, complete with three spaniels and Pete the goat. I'm also on TikTok, much to the dismay of my three teenagers...
* * *
With over three million copies of her books sold worldwide, number one bestseller Clare Mackintosh is the multi-award-winning author of I Let You Go, which was a Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller and the fastest-selling title by a new crime writer in 2015. It also won the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year in 2016. She has since written seven more bestselling novels. Together, her books have been translated into 40 languages and spent more than sixty-five weeks in The Sunday Times bestseller lists.
Clare is patron of the Silver Star Society, a charity based at the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford, which supports parents experiencing high-risk or difficult pregnancies.
* * *
For more information find Clare on Facebook, Instagram, Threads or TikTok at @ClareMackWrites
#ILetYouGo #ISeeYou #LetMeLie #AftertheEnd #HostageBook #TheLastParty #AGameOfLies #IPromise #OtherPeoplesHouses #ItsNotWhatYouThink
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,383 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As book titles go, “It’s Not What You Think” couldn’t be more apt!
It certainly wasn’t what I thought anyway!
Nadeeka Prasanna is divorced with two little girls. Though her first husband, Scott, is still very much involved in the girls’ lives, he was a serial cheater and it’s left Nadeeka with real trust issues.
She’s currently dating Jamie Golding. The girls have accepted him, and she believes he’s a wonderful person, he even lets her have full access to his phone in order to alleviate her worries about cheating. That is until he suddenly doesn’t. He’s started taking his phone wherever he goes, and she believes he’s cheating on her. Then come the excuses about working late or missing his bus. However, what Nadeeka discovers is not what she (or indeed I) thought it was!
Nadeeka heads home from work determined to confront Jamie about his lies, but the scene that awaits her is like something from a horror movie. Jamie lies dead in a pool of blood, and in that moment Nadeeka realises that there is much more to this than a simple case of him cheating on her with another woman, but “IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK”!
I’m used to my thrillers coming with their inevitable twists, but this one came with some cracking ones! Don’t think for one minute you know what’s going to happen because, like me, you probably won’t have a clue where it’s going! This book held me spellbound. It is superbly paced, it has believable, credible characters, and is, in short, a brilliant story, told by a writer who is at the very top of her game. Highly recommended.
.*Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
It certainly wasn’t what I thought anyway!
Nadeeka Prasanna is divorced with two little girls. Though her first husband, Scott, is still very much involved in the girls’ lives, he was a serial cheater and it’s left Nadeeka with real trust issues.
She’s currently dating Jamie Golding. The girls have accepted him, and she believes he’s a wonderful person, he even lets her have full access to his phone in order to alleviate her worries about cheating. That is until he suddenly doesn’t. He’s started taking his phone wherever he goes, and she believes he’s cheating on her. Then come the excuses about working late or missing his bus. However, what Nadeeka discovers is not what she (or indeed I) thought it was!
Nadeeka heads home from work determined to confront Jamie about his lies, but the scene that awaits her is like something from a horror movie. Jamie lies dead in a pool of blood, and in that moment Nadeeka realises that there is much more to this than a simple case of him cheating on her with another woman, but “IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK”!
I’m used to my thrillers coming with their inevitable twists, but this one came with some cracking ones! Don’t think for one minute you know what’s going to happen because, like me, you probably won’t have a clue where it’s going! This book held me spellbound. It is superbly paced, it has believable, credible characters, and is, in short, a brilliant story, told by a writer who is at the very top of her game. Highly recommended.
.*Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
November 12, 2025
Nadeeka Prasanna rushes home, nearly getting a speeding ticket in the process, because she’s certain her partner Jamie Golding is having an affair. Why is she so sure? That will be because she’s seen the warning signs before, in her ex, Scott. However, when she arrives at her house, she’s confronted by a horrifying sight which she probably won’t ever be able to unsee. It’s very clear that Jamie is dead and the house is already a crime scene. As the mystery of Jamie and of his death deepens, it’s not what you think.
Oh my goodness, this latest novel by Clare Mackintosh starts with a shock and a bang and then at 20% there is a plot EXPLOSION. My mouth of literally drops open in shock as it’s so unanticipated. What an earth is going on? So yes, it’s most definitely not what you think - was ever a novel well titled. This is utterly gripping, twist comes after twist and they’re really good ones. It barrels and turns this way and that, it’s topical, thought provoking and disturbing as it propels its way to a chilling end.
As another reviewer wisely comments – go in blind with this one. It’s an absolute belter, so best buckle up. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins/HarperFiction for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Oh my goodness, this latest novel by Clare Mackintosh starts with a shock and a bang and then at 20% there is a plot EXPLOSION. My mouth of literally drops open in shock as it’s so unanticipated. What an earth is going on? So yes, it’s most definitely not what you think - was ever a novel well titled. This is utterly gripping, twist comes after twist and they’re really good ones. It barrels and turns this way and that, it’s topical, thought provoking and disturbing as it propels its way to a chilling end.
As another reviewer wisely comments – go in blind with this one. It’s an absolute belter, so best buckle up. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins/HarperFiction for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
April 3, 2026
➡️ FROM START TO FINISH.......
"It's Not What You Think" was NOT what I thought.
It's a masterclass in misdirection, suspense, and intrigue.
This emotionally charged, smart, gripping, twisty, and deeply unsettling thriller is in a league of its own.
🔷 Characterizations were stellar.
🔷 Pacing was relentless.
I especially enjoyed the compelling dynamic between the two female protagonists: the murdered man's girlfriend who questioned her own sanity, and the brilliant and deeply flawed DCI.
➡️ BEWARE:
I usually stay far, far away from books with heavy-handed political commentaries.
While this book explored the darker side of contemporary ideological extremism, it did so tactfully and with restraint.
No political agenda was ever pushed.
👏👏👏👏👏
Instead, the storyline focused on the human fallout of political extremism and its devastating consequences.
I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Richard Armitage, Samuel Barnett, Tuppence Middleton, and Vineeta Rishi.
Full-cast narrations are always a treat, and all narrators gave outstanding performances.
❤️ My favorite Clare Mackintosh thriller to date.
❤️ One of my besties of 2026.
All the stars!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
April 18, 2026
I really enjoyed the opening of this one—it pulled me in quickly and had me excited to see where the story was headed! Unfortunately, the pacing slowed quite a bit through the middle, and I found my attention drifting during that stretch. A large part of that was the heavier focus on politics, which isn’t something I typically gravitate toward in fiction. I didn’t realize how central it would be based on the blurb, so that piece just didn’t fully work for me.
That said, it’s clearly well written, and there are some genuinely strong twists woven into the story. I especially liked the multiple POV structure—Lauren and Nadeeka were both compelling in different ways, and their perspectives kept things interesting even when the plot lagged a bit.
I did end up guessing the major twist before it was revealed, but I still found the story entertaining overall. For me, it could have benefited from being a bit tighter, as various sections felt longer than necessary. That said, some of my experience comes down to personal preference—I went in expecting something a little different in terms of theme. Even so, there’s a lot here to appreciate, especially for readers who enjoy politically driven narratives!
** I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher! **
That said, it’s clearly well written, and there are some genuinely strong twists woven into the story. I especially liked the multiple POV structure—Lauren and Nadeeka were both compelling in different ways, and their perspectives kept things interesting even when the plot lagged a bit.
I did end up guessing the major twist before it was revealed, but I still found the story entertaining overall. For me, it could have benefited from being a bit tighter, as various sections felt longer than necessary. That said, some of my experience comes down to personal preference—I went in expecting something a little different in terms of theme. Even so, there’s a lot here to appreciate, especially for readers who enjoy politically driven narratives!
** I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher! **
August 30, 2025
This is the book everyone will be talking about in 2026. Timely, tense and terrifying, with more twists and turns than an episode of Line of Duty, It's Not What You Think is a breathless, edge-of-your-seat, tour de force. A masterclass in pace, characterisation and plotting, Clare Mackintosh has delivered the biggest book of her career. I read it in two sittings (on flights) and the time just sped by. I could NOT put it down.
PS: I'm deliberately not giving away anything about the plot or characters as I want readers to discover the surprises within the pages for themselves...
PS: I'm deliberately not giving away anything about the plot or characters as I want readers to discover the surprises within the pages for themselves...
Review of advance copy
It’s Not What You think by Clare Mackintosh narrated by multiple narrators is a crime thriller that I was invested in from the beginning to the end, I love police procedurals & this was no different although when the premise got a bit heavy it sort of made me rate this one down⬇️ for me but still enjoyed the writing.
Nadeeka rushes home to find out if her partner Jamie is having an affair he says he was at work but Nad knows he is hiding something why isn’t he telling Nad what she wants to hear? & does she know Jamie at all!!
I am not going to go into anymore detail & there are so many twists & turns in this book that made my head spin , I want the reader to enjoy the unravelling of this book without giving too much away a solid 4 star⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️read.
Nadeeka rushes home to find out if her partner Jamie is having an affair he says he was at work but Nad knows he is hiding something why isn’t he telling Nad what she wants to hear? & does she know Jamie at all!!
I am not going to go into anymore detail & there are so many twists & turns in this book that made my head spin , I want the reader to enjoy the unravelling of this book without giving too much away a solid 4 star⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️read.
July 5, 2026
3 stars
Loved the writing, but storyline was lacking.
A woman fears her partner is cheating and races home to find out the truth. She arrives home to an active crime scene with her partner lying dead on their living room floor.
The premise of this novel grabbed my attention and immediately had me engrossed and captivated. This novel unfolds through multiple sections, each from a changing character perspective. It flowed well and kept the tension weaving throughout the story. This authors writing always pulls me in quick and keeps me hanging on every word.
I’ve read many of this authors books and have really enjoyed them all. I find her writing gripping, suspenseful and captivating. This novel was no different. My issue with this book was how unrealistic several main plot points were. Right from the start, I had a hard time suspending my disbelief. I have never had believability issues with this author before, but it was a major deterrent from me fully connecting with this one. I appreciate what the author was exploring and think it’s an important topic, but it wasn’t executed in a believable way for me. I found myself rolling my eyes here and there.
There are some heavy themes in this book. The author definitely had a clear agenda in what she wanted to portray and share which I appreciate, but I did find the story as a whole was quite forceful. Be prepared for heavy political and racial themes. I do feel that it’s important to share these stories and educate readers, but I did find many of the situations and some dialogue were over the top (eye-rollingly unrealistic) which took away from my investment.
Overall, this was an informative read with a clear agenda to educate readers on various political issues. Of all of the books I’ve read by this author, I would rank this my least favourite. I highly recommend this authors book, I Let You Go, if you haven’t read that already. It’s on my All Time Favourites List!
Thank you to the publisher for my review copy!
Loved the writing, but storyline was lacking.
A woman fears her partner is cheating and races home to find out the truth. She arrives home to an active crime scene with her partner lying dead on their living room floor.
The premise of this novel grabbed my attention and immediately had me engrossed and captivated. This novel unfolds through multiple sections, each from a changing character perspective. It flowed well and kept the tension weaving throughout the story. This authors writing always pulls me in quick and keeps me hanging on every word.
I’ve read many of this authors books and have really enjoyed them all. I find her writing gripping, suspenseful and captivating. This novel was no different. My issue with this book was how unrealistic several main plot points were. Right from the start, I had a hard time suspending my disbelief. I have never had believability issues with this author before, but it was a major deterrent from me fully connecting with this one. I appreciate what the author was exploring and think it’s an important topic, but it wasn’t executed in a believable way for me. I found myself rolling my eyes here and there.
There are some heavy themes in this book. The author definitely had a clear agenda in what she wanted to portray and share which I appreciate, but I did find the story as a whole was quite forceful. Be prepared for heavy political and racial themes. I do feel that it’s important to share these stories and educate readers, but I did find many of the situations and some dialogue were over the top (eye-rollingly unrealistic) which took away from my investment.
Overall, this was an informative read with a clear agenda to educate readers on various political issues. Of all of the books I’ve read by this author, I would rank this my least favourite. I highly recommend this authors book, I Let You Go, if you haven’t read that already. It’s on my All Time Favourites List!
Thank you to the publisher for my review copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
How well do you know your partner?!
Nadeeka thinks she knows Jamie inside and out. Not only does she love him, but she trusts him implicitly. So much so she invited him to move in with her and her two children.
But lately, he’s been acting a bit off. When she called him from work this morning, he told her he was at the office. But her instincts told her he was home and wasn’t alone. So… Nadeeka hops in her car to drive home and confront him. Maybe even catching him in the act with another woman?
Upon arrival, the police are there. She may be too late.
Now what she discovers about Jaime doesn’t sound like the man she fell in love with at all.
This is a stand-alone novel by one of my favorite authors. I love how Clare Mackintosh has mastered the complexity of weaving a thriller, cleverly stitching all the pieces together by the end, while keeping the reader on the edge of their seat throughout!
Don’t let the page count of over 400 scare you. It reads extremely fast. You’ll be flying through it to find out how it ends!
✍️ Clare Mackintosh
📄 416 pages
🗓️ Anticipated release date: September 22, 2026
📈 4.5/5🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
👉 Thriller, suspense, standalone
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark
Nadeeka thinks she knows Jamie inside and out. Not only does she love him, but she trusts him implicitly. So much so she invited him to move in with her and her two children.
But lately, he’s been acting a bit off. When she called him from work this morning, he told her he was at the office. But her instincts told her he was home and wasn’t alone. So… Nadeeka hops in her car to drive home and confront him. Maybe even catching him in the act with another woman?
Upon arrival, the police are there. She may be too late.
Now what she discovers about Jaime doesn’t sound like the man she fell in love with at all.
This is a stand-alone novel by one of my favorite authors. I love how Clare Mackintosh has mastered the complexity of weaving a thriller, cleverly stitching all the pieces together by the end, while keeping the reader on the edge of their seat throughout!
Don’t let the page count of over 400 scare you. It reads extremely fast. You’ll be flying through it to find out how it ends!
✍️ Clare Mackintosh
📄 416 pages
🗓️ Anticipated release date: September 22, 2026
📈 4.5/5🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
👉 Thriller, suspense, standalone
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark
April 21, 2026
‼️BANGER ALERT ‼️
— Out now in the UK with Harper Collins
— US Pub Date - 9/22/26 through @bookmarked
I have FIVE of her previous novels just sitting on the shelves and ALL UNREAD 🫣🫣🫣. Why am I like this?? Please tell me I’m not the only one that does this. lol
I went into this COMPLETELY BLIND. All I knew was that it was going to be twisty, crime, and part police procedural. The average rating on Goodreads stands at 4.26 ⭐️. I thought to myself this is gonna be damn good and IT WAS!!!
Mackintosh really knows how to throw some red herrings. What I thought I started reading turned into something that completely blindsided me. It’s truly scary where this novel leads to and so fitting for the times.
This will BLOW YOUR MIND! Get ready because IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK! Mind boggling. Addictive and utterly unputdownable!
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ BANGER
US Pub Date 9/22/26
Thank you to @netgalley for the digital copy. I purchased one of the 1200 special editions from Goldsboro Books in the UK.
— Out now in the UK with Harper Collins
— US Pub Date - 9/22/26 through @bookmarked
I have FIVE of her previous novels just sitting on the shelves and ALL UNREAD 🫣🫣🫣. Why am I like this?? Please tell me I’m not the only one that does this. lol
I went into this COMPLETELY BLIND. All I knew was that it was going to be twisty, crime, and part police procedural. The average rating on Goodreads stands at 4.26 ⭐️. I thought to myself this is gonna be damn good and IT WAS!!!
Mackintosh really knows how to throw some red herrings. What I thought I started reading turned into something that completely blindsided me. It’s truly scary where this novel leads to and so fitting for the times.
This will BLOW YOUR MIND! Get ready because IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK! Mind boggling. Addictive and utterly unputdownable!
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ BANGER
US Pub Date 9/22/26
Thank you to @netgalley for the digital copy. I purchased one of the 1200 special editions from Goldsboro Books in the UK.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
PREPARE TO BE HOOKED
In It’s Not What You Think Nadeeka is rushing home after she suspects her partner Jamie is having an affair. When she gets home rushes she finds their house turned into a crime scene and Jamie dead.
I believe the only book I have read from this author was ‘I let go’ and its one of my favourite psychological thrillers, so I am surprised I have not delved into her other reads, but when I saw the blurb and the cover of her latest release something compelled me to want to give this one a read.
THIS DID NOT DISAPPOINT!
GUYSSS I would love to give the nitty of the grittiest review but trust and believe me when I say that this is one of those books you need to go blind in and let the story blow you away. The audio was absolutely amazing, and I honestly could not stop listening. A true one sit listen/read.
The story is told in six parts, and I would urge you to not go looking at who is narrating all six parts as it will somewhat ruin it for you.
This was a high intense, thrilling, heavy themed novel that won’t be leaving my noggin anytime soon.
➽ The characters are real
➽ The police procedural was detailed well
➽ The storyline is a heavy hitter
➽ The twists (expect one) had me SHOOK!
That’s it. I am saying no more. GO AND GIVE THIS BOOK A READ IMMEDIATELY!
4.5 ⭐
Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Audio for an ALC of this novel.
In It’s Not What You Think Nadeeka is rushing home after she suspects her partner Jamie is having an affair. When she gets home rushes she finds their house turned into a crime scene and Jamie dead.
I believe the only book I have read from this author was ‘I let go’ and its one of my favourite psychological thrillers, so I am surprised I have not delved into her other reads, but when I saw the blurb and the cover of her latest release something compelled me to want to give this one a read.
THIS DID NOT DISAPPOINT!
GUYSSS I would love to give the nitty of the grittiest review but trust and believe me when I say that this is one of those books you need to go blind in and let the story blow you away. The audio was absolutely amazing, and I honestly could not stop listening. A true one sit listen/read.
The story is told in six parts, and I would urge you to not go looking at who is narrating all six parts as it will somewhat ruin it for you.
This was a high intense, thrilling, heavy themed novel that won’t be leaving my noggin anytime soon.
➽ The characters are real
➽ The police procedural was detailed well
➽ The storyline is a heavy hitter
➽ The twists (expect one) had me SHOOK!
That’s it. I am saying no more. GO AND GIVE THIS BOOK A READ IMMEDIATELY!
4.5 ⭐
Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Audio for an ALC of this novel.
January 26, 2026
Amazing! Clare Mackintosh always delivers and then some. It is dark and confronting, and scarily could really happen in today’s messed up world. An incredible read, one that you do not want to miss.
The plot is clever and layered, making you doubt everything and everyone. I love it when a book can do that and still work. It is twisty but realistic. With multiple points of view, there is never a dull moment.
It begins with a woman racing home to confront her partner who she believes is cheating on her. What she discovers is the beginning of a nightmare, with her home a crime scene surrounded by police. Her partner has been murdered and her whole world is turned upside down.
Go into this knowing only that, trust me. It will make the experience of reading this more enjoyable.
A must read, definitely a favourite for 2026 already.
Thank you to Harper Collins Australia for my early copy of book to read by a favourite author. Publishing on March 26th. The ARC is just stunning, and a hardback 🩷
The plot is clever and layered, making you doubt everything and everyone. I love it when a book can do that and still work. It is twisty but realistic. With multiple points of view, there is never a dull moment.
It begins with a woman racing home to confront her partner who she believes is cheating on her. What she discovers is the beginning of a nightmare, with her home a crime scene surrounded by police. Her partner has been murdered and her whole world is turned upside down.
Go into this knowing only that, trust me. It will make the experience of reading this more enjoyable.
A must read, definitely a favourite for 2026 already.
Thank you to Harper Collins Australia for my early copy of book to read by a favourite author. Publishing on March 26th. The ARC is just stunning, and a hardback 🩷
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Sadly, this one just didn’t work for me. Had I known beforehand how heavily it would lean into political themes and police procedural elements, I probably wouldn’t have requested it, as that’s not typically what I gravitate toward in my reading. I also struggled to connect with the characters, and I found myself feeling surprisingly detached from Jamie’s storyline and the mystery surrounding him. At times, my interest waned enough that I skimmed certain sections. Under different circumstances, I likely would have dnf’d it, but since it was an arc, I decided to see it through.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 26, 2026
Another awesome crime thriller by Clare MacKintosh!
Gripping and addictive.
I was hooked from the very first page until I reached the stunning ending and the epilogue 18 months later.
Full of so many twists, twists within twists, that you didn't see them coming and when you were thinking you had something figured out, a new perspective showed that you were completely wrong!
The amazing and flawless storyline, the police procedurals so well written, as always, the characters with clear motivations, believable reactions, flawed, loveable, breathed an authenticicity to the plot!
It focuses on heavy issues, and nothing really is what you think, hence the title of the book.
And among all of this there was a beautiful love story, an unexpected second chance on love!
The start of December.
Nadeeka Prasanna lives in 10 Cedar Walk with her partner Jamie Golding and her 2 daughers Maya 8 years-old and Nish 6 years-old.
They met through a dating app and it was love at first sight, being together for 6 months now and he left his home town Sheffield to be with her.
She divorced her ex husband Scott Hadley 3 years ago because she cheated on her and he has a visceral hate for Jamie.
The girls liked Jamie and him likewise, helping with their school projects and with domestic tasks.
They are so happy!
So when he started to come home late from work too many times, and always tired to do anything else but sleep, not looking in her eyes, all the warmth between them almost gone, she thought he was cheating on her!
On that day she talked to him on the phone and he lied to her.
He wasn't at the office but at home and she heard a woman's voice.
She rushed home in her car, disregarding so many safety rules, to catch him in the act.
But when she finally arrived home a police car was at her door.
She was able to get inside and saw Jamie in the living room in a pool of blood.
He was dead!!!!
Stabbed!
The DI in charge Colin Burton was kind and would be her family liaison officer.
They took Jamie's laptop, phone, searched the house, and took the body away.
She was devasted!
How lucky she was to have a second chance on love with Jamie, to now being so cruelly taken away from her!
She stayed with her ex mother-in-law, but she had to find the woman, because she was not a witness but most probably the killer!
She goes to his office, talks to his boss takes his personal things, finding a work diary with meetings with someone initials ND, 5 in total, that matched the days he was late from work.
Who is she?
And why was everybody calling her Nadia?
Of course she passes all the things to DI Colin to help find Jamie 's murderer.
He's sorry to inform that at the moment they have no leads.
So he asks her to lend him her personal phone too, because it will help find this woman.
All the things he took away with him he always gave her a neat, signed receipt.
But as days go by and her phone isn't returned, and the DI doesn't answer the phone number he gave her, she decides to go in person to the police station.
The first big twist happens!
And there will be many different POVs from now on!
I won't say anything else because those who haven't read it yet should experience by themselves the surprises that awaits them!!!
Gripping and addictive.
I was hooked from the very first page until I reached the stunning ending and the epilogue 18 months later.
Full of so many twists, twists within twists, that you didn't see them coming and when you were thinking you had something figured out, a new perspective showed that you were completely wrong!
The amazing and flawless storyline, the police procedurals so well written, as always, the characters with clear motivations, believable reactions, flawed, loveable, breathed an authenticicity to the plot!
It focuses on heavy issues, and nothing really is what you think, hence the title of the book.
And among all of this there was a beautiful love story, an unexpected second chance on love!
The start of December.
Nadeeka Prasanna lives in 10 Cedar Walk with her partner Jamie Golding and her 2 daughers Maya 8 years-old and Nish 6 years-old.
They met through a dating app and it was love at first sight, being together for 6 months now and he left his home town Sheffield to be with her.
She divorced her ex husband Scott Hadley 3 years ago because she cheated on her and he has a visceral hate for Jamie.
The girls liked Jamie and him likewise, helping with their school projects and with domestic tasks.
They are so happy!
So when he started to come home late from work too many times, and always tired to do anything else but sleep, not looking in her eyes, all the warmth between them almost gone, she thought he was cheating on her!
On that day she talked to him on the phone and he lied to her.
He wasn't at the office but at home and she heard a woman's voice.
She rushed home in her car, disregarding so many safety rules, to catch him in the act.
But when she finally arrived home a police car was at her door.
She was able to get inside and saw Jamie in the living room in a pool of blood.
He was dead!!!!
Stabbed!
The DI in charge Colin Burton was kind and would be her family liaison officer.
They took Jamie's laptop, phone, searched the house, and took the body away.
She was devasted!
How lucky she was to have a second chance on love with Jamie, to now being so cruelly taken away from her!
She stayed with her ex mother-in-law, but she had to find the woman, because she was not a witness but most probably the killer!
She goes to his office, talks to his boss takes his personal things, finding a work diary with meetings with someone initials ND, 5 in total, that matched the days he was late from work.
Who is she?
And why was everybody calling her Nadia?
Of course she passes all the things to DI Colin to help find Jamie 's murderer.
He's sorry to inform that at the moment they have no leads.
So he asks her to lend him her personal phone too, because it will help find this woman.
All the things he took away with him he always gave her a neat, signed receipt.
But as days go by and her phone isn't returned, and the DI doesn't answer the phone number he gave her, she decides to go in person to the police station.
The first big twist happens!
And there will be many different POVs from now on!
I won't say anything else because those who haven't read it yet should experience by themselves the surprises that awaits them!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Different wave lengths that bind us all to this Earth tied up in connecting and then opposing mindsets.
People are complicated. What you think you see is not necessarily portrayed in actuality in the scheme of things. Beware the masks. They seem to camouflage the darker sins of humanity. And Clare Mackintosh pulls back the curtain here revealing just how easily one can absorb the sludge of the bottom feeders. A most frightening concept.
Nadeeka has been jilted before. She's never been able to completely relax in her new relationship with Jamie. His behavior as of late has led her to sleepless nights and tension headaches. She's convinced that betrayal is on her doorstep once again.
She's rushed home to try and catch him in the act. But Jamie won't be engaging in anything anymore. The police are lined up in front of her house. As she bursts into her home, Jamie is lying in a pool of blood. Nadeeka is shattered.
And this is just the beginning of what is to unfold in the Nadeeka/Jamie story. As the police investigate, Jamie's past will rear up and haunt Nadeeka. But through a lense of love, Nadeeka refuses to believe the accusations piling up against Jamie. She decides to prove the police wrong.
It's Not What You Think is written with a highly political slant by Mackintosh. She's unfolded the dirty laundry and outrageous beliefs that float in and out in daily life in this world. What's even more frightening is how such beliefs seep into the minds of even the most intelligent of our species. But in all honesty, Mackintosh does drift into some over-the-top scenarios to make her point. Know this going in. The "twisty" was part of residing on Unbelievability Avenue. Nevertheless, the novel as a whole was well written and intense. Kudos to Clare Mackintosh for dipping her toes into a pond where many fear to swim.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to HarperCollins Publishing and to Clare Mackintosh for the opportunity.
People are complicated. What you think you see is not necessarily portrayed in actuality in the scheme of things. Beware the masks. They seem to camouflage the darker sins of humanity. And Clare Mackintosh pulls back the curtain here revealing just how easily one can absorb the sludge of the bottom feeders. A most frightening concept.
Nadeeka has been jilted before. She's never been able to completely relax in her new relationship with Jamie. His behavior as of late has led her to sleepless nights and tension headaches. She's convinced that betrayal is on her doorstep once again.
She's rushed home to try and catch him in the act. But Jamie won't be engaging in anything anymore. The police are lined up in front of her house. As she bursts into her home, Jamie is lying in a pool of blood. Nadeeka is shattered.
And this is just the beginning of what is to unfold in the Nadeeka/Jamie story. As the police investigate, Jamie's past will rear up and haunt Nadeeka. But through a lense of love, Nadeeka refuses to believe the accusations piling up against Jamie. She decides to prove the police wrong.
It's Not What You Think is written with a highly political slant by Mackintosh. She's unfolded the dirty laundry and outrageous beliefs that float in and out in daily life in this world. What's even more frightening is how such beliefs seep into the minds of even the most intelligent of our species. But in all honesty, Mackintosh does drift into some over-the-top scenarios to make her point. Know this going in. The "twisty" was part of residing on Unbelievability Avenue. Nevertheless, the novel as a whole was well written and intense. Kudos to Clare Mackintosh for dipping her toes into a pond where many fear to swim.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to HarperCollins Publishing and to Clare Mackintosh for the opportunity.
September 9, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Audio for granting me access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
My biggest piece of advice with this book? Go in as blind as possible. I'm so glad I did, because this is one of those stories where discovering things for yourself makes the experience that much better. And believe me...there is a LOT to discover!!
I was hooked from the very beginning, and honestly, saying that feels like an understatement. This story grabbed me by the throat and pulled me into its darkness. It was deliciously dark, deeply unsettling, and at times downright disturbing, with a tension that kept building and kept me questioning everything and everyone.
I thought I could sense the direction it was taking, but every time I felt like I was getting my bearings, the story shifted beneath my feet. The twists were shocking, clever, and wonderfully unexpected, throwing me for a loop more than once.
How well do you really know the person you love?
Do you really know who you can trust?
And do you really know how this story will end?
I certainly thought I did!
I loved the way the mystery slowly unfolded through multiple POV's, revealing pieces of the story little by little. The police procedural elements were fascinating, but what truly stood out to me was how beautifully character-driven this story was. The characters were flawed, nuanced, and deeply human, and I became invested in their stories as much I did the mystery. The character development was just as compelling as the mystery, and I loved how the two worked together so seamlessly.
There were secrets everywhere, and the mystery slowly revealed itself piece by piece, giving me enough information to stay invested without giving too much away. The red herrings had me second-guessing what I was seeing, while each new revelation made me want to keep going to see what would come next.
And those short chapters? Perfect for a story like this. They made it so easy to tell myself, just one more chapter, and before I knew it, I was still reading or listening to find out what would happen next.
And that title was extremely fitting!
I had the privilege of both reading and listening to this one, and the audiobook was such a pleasure to listen to. The full cast of narrators was phenomenal, and they did an outstanding job bringing these characters to life. Each voice added another layer and made the characters feel even more real. The narration was easily 5 stars for me.
One thing I will mention, without giving anything away, is that the book contains some heavier subject matter that isn't mentioned in the synopsis. It caught me completely by surprise because these aren't themes I normally gravitate toward. I thought the author handled them very well, but personally, they did take away from my overall enjoyment of the story a little.
When all is said and done, this was a gripping, addictive, and thought-provoking read, pulling me deeper and deeper into the mystery. And that ending? Haunting!
If you enjoy mystery thrillers and suspenseful, twisty stories filled with secrets, questions of trust, shifting perceptions, and characters who may not be exactly who you think they are, I highly recommend this one.
You think you know.
You think you understand.
You think you've figured it out.
But...
It's Not What You Think.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫4.5 Stars
My biggest piece of advice with this book? Go in as blind as possible. I'm so glad I did, because this is one of those stories where discovering things for yourself makes the experience that much better. And believe me...there is a LOT to discover!!
I was hooked from the very beginning, and honestly, saying that feels like an understatement. This story grabbed me by the throat and pulled me into its darkness. It was deliciously dark, deeply unsettling, and at times downright disturbing, with a tension that kept building and kept me questioning everything and everyone.
I thought I could sense the direction it was taking, but every time I felt like I was getting my bearings, the story shifted beneath my feet. The twists were shocking, clever, and wonderfully unexpected, throwing me for a loop more than once.
How well do you really know the person you love?
Do you really know who you can trust?
And do you really know how this story will end?
I certainly thought I did!
I loved the way the mystery slowly unfolded through multiple POV's, revealing pieces of the story little by little. The police procedural elements were fascinating, but what truly stood out to me was how beautifully character-driven this story was. The characters were flawed, nuanced, and deeply human, and I became invested in their stories as much I did the mystery. The character development was just as compelling as the mystery, and I loved how the two worked together so seamlessly.
There were secrets everywhere, and the mystery slowly revealed itself piece by piece, giving me enough information to stay invested without giving too much away. The red herrings had me second-guessing what I was seeing, while each new revelation made me want to keep going to see what would come next.
And those short chapters? Perfect for a story like this. They made it so easy to tell myself, just one more chapter, and before I knew it, I was still reading or listening to find out what would happen next.
And that title was extremely fitting!
I had the privilege of both reading and listening to this one, and the audiobook was such a pleasure to listen to. The full cast of narrators was phenomenal, and they did an outstanding job bringing these characters to life. Each voice added another layer and made the characters feel even more real. The narration was easily 5 stars for me.
One thing I will mention, without giving anything away, is that the book contains some heavier subject matter that isn't mentioned in the synopsis. It caught me completely by surprise because these aren't themes I normally gravitate toward. I thought the author handled them very well, but personally, they did take away from my overall enjoyment of the story a little.
When all is said and done, this was a gripping, addictive, and thought-provoking read, pulling me deeper and deeper into the mystery. And that ending? Haunting!
If you enjoy mystery thrillers and suspenseful, twisty stories filled with secrets, questions of trust, shifting perceptions, and characters who may not be exactly who you think they are, I highly recommend this one.
You think you know.
You think you understand.
You think you've figured it out.
But...
It's Not What You Think.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫4.5 Stars
May 13, 2026
First part hooked me, the twist at the end of part one genuinely surprised me. Then it literally turned into some extreme political soapbox out of nowhere. The author prioritised getting in lots of trendy buzzwords rather than focusing on writing a good story.
I genuinely struggled to finish it and considered dnfing but pushed through in the hopes that it really would live up to its name and not be what I thought but alas, after that first twist at the beginning of the book it was just boring and downhill from there. Personally, had I had any inclination that it would be such a politically charged book, I wouldn’t have bothered reading. There’s enough of it in every day life these days. I prefer to read for escapism.
I genuinely struggled to finish it and considered dnfing but pushed through in the hopes that it really would live up to its name and not be what I thought but alas, after that first twist at the beginning of the book it was just boring and downhill from there. Personally, had I had any inclination that it would be such a politically charged book, I wouldn’t have bothered reading. There’s enough of it in every day life these days. I prefer to read for escapism.
August 29, 2026
Nadeeka doesn’t have the best track record with relationships. Her narcissistic ex-husband Scott was having multiple affairs behind her back. With a bruised heart and two small children Maya and Nish in tow, she decides to try and find a new man. Someone who won’t use and abuse her. Someone who will love her no matter what and stay true to her through thick and thin. And she finds him — on a dating app. Jamie is perfect. He adores Nadeeka’s two daughters, and suddenly, things are starting to look up. With his meagre belongings, he moves down south, starts a new job in the area, and, despite it being early days, moves into Nadeeka’s house. However, when Jamie starts to work late, Nadeeka, fuelled by her past experience, can’t help but be suspicious. She’s seen the signs before but this time, she’ll catch him in flagrante and put an end to things. Knowing Jamie is at home, she leaves work early, bracing herself to catch him in the act with another woman.
Imagine the shock when she comes home to find that Jamie has been murdered in her house and the police are already attending the scene. Who hates her boyfriend that much and what has he done to engender such rage?
Imagine the shock when she comes home to find that Jamie has been murdered in her house and the police are already attending the scene. Who hates her boyfriend that much and what has he done to engender such rage?
November 1, 2025
"Twisty" is an adjective which is used in pretty much every thriller review or blurb. Never has it been more accurate that this one.
I am not going to get into the synopsis, it's one of those books you go into Blind and enjoy it better
I am not going to get into the synopsis, it's one of those books you go into Blind and enjoy it better
May 16, 2026
౨ৎꨄ︎ 2.75 stars
what a good and very important idea for a story but not really well done… some things were thrilling, but a majority of the story was dragging. and i figured out the major plot twist quite soon, so it wasn't very surprising. i’m still quite conflicted how to rate and review this… maybe i will come back to this and write a full one, maybe not.
────୨ৎ────
౨ৎꨄ︎ pre-read: honestly, this was a random pick on audible... no expectations, i just hope i will enjoy this
what a good and very important idea for a story but not really well done… some things were thrilling, but a majority of the story was dragging. and i figured out the major plot twist quite soon, so it wasn't very surprising. i’m still quite conflicted how to rate and review this… maybe i will come back to this and write a full one, maybe not.
────୨ৎ────
౨ৎꨄ︎ pre-read: honestly, this was a random pick on audible... no expectations, i just hope i will enjoy this
August 22, 2026
IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK
By Clare Mackintosh
Narrated by Richard Armitage, Samuel Barnett, Tuppence Middleton, and Vineeta Rishi
In this psychological crime mystery thriller, we follow Nadeeka Prasanna, who has suspected her partner, Jamie, of having an affair. As she hurries home to confront him, she finds Jamie dead and the house a crime scene. What follows is a dark and twisted story in which nothing is as it seems.
The book moves at a measured pace before gradually building tension as we witness Nadeeka’s world come crashing down around her. Despite the measured pace, I was engaged from beginning to end. The story maintains an uneasy and mysterious tone throughout and explores some dark issues that feel all too relevant in today’s world.
While I didn’t always agree with their choices, the characters felt believable, with enough complexity and flaws to make them feel authentic.
I’ve read and enjoyed a few of Mackintosh’s other books, and as someone who also enjoys police procedurals, It’s Not What You Think did not disappoint. As a former police officer, Mackintosh brings authenticity to the procedural elements, creating an investigation that feels believable and rich in detail.
The story also explores themes of trust, loyalty, and the things people conceal from one another.
The narration was very well done by the entire cast and added to my enjoyment of the audiobook. Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton are both excellent narrators, and I’ve really enjoyed their work in other audiobooks.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Audio for the ALC. Publishing September 22, 2026.
By Clare Mackintosh
Narrated by Richard Armitage, Samuel Barnett, Tuppence Middleton, and Vineeta Rishi
In this psychological crime mystery thriller, we follow Nadeeka Prasanna, who has suspected her partner, Jamie, of having an affair. As she hurries home to confront him, she finds Jamie dead and the house a crime scene. What follows is a dark and twisted story in which nothing is as it seems.
The book moves at a measured pace before gradually building tension as we witness Nadeeka’s world come crashing down around her. Despite the measured pace, I was engaged from beginning to end. The story maintains an uneasy and mysterious tone throughout and explores some dark issues that feel all too relevant in today’s world.
While I didn’t always agree with their choices, the characters felt believable, with enough complexity and flaws to make them feel authentic.
I’ve read and enjoyed a few of Mackintosh’s other books, and as someone who also enjoys police procedurals, It’s Not What You Think did not disappoint. As a former police officer, Mackintosh brings authenticity to the procedural elements, creating an investigation that feels believable and rich in detail.
The story also explores themes of trust, loyalty, and the things people conceal from one another.
The narration was very well done by the entire cast and added to my enjoyment of the audiobook. Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton are both excellent narrators, and I’ve really enjoyed their work in other audiobooks.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Audio for the ALC. Publishing September 22, 2026.
May 10, 2026
I’ve read and enjoyed five of this author’s previous books, so I was really looking forward to this one. It started off really well — I enjoyed getting to know the characters, and the mystery pulled me in straight away. But as the story went on, it just became too unbelievable for me. I know thrillers usually require a bit of suspension of disbelief, but this felt like too much. By the end, I just couldn’t buy the victim’s actions or motivations, and I found myself thinking that no rational person would behave that way.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Eeek!! Clare Mackintosh has done it yet again! Living up to its title in the best possible way, It’s Not What You Think had my mind utterly spinning as a series of “HOLY S***!?” twists led to some *mic drop* developments. Taking a well-plotted storylinetimely, thought-provoking themes and increasingly high stakes, this book not only evaded every one of my armchair-sleuthing predictions, but it also managed to immerse me in the story like I was watching it on TV. You see, as the plot became more intense and complex, it turned into a very Harlan Coben-like tale as it switched from feeling like a domestic thriller to something much darker. Fear not, though, I won’t spoil the surprise. A finely spun web of misdirection and suspense, the handful of distinct, well-crafted narrators helped to blur the truth with dark secrets, deceitful motives, and cunning lies. Bravo, Ms. Mackintosh, you had me fooled.
One of the best things of this one-sitting read, though, was probably the most divisive parts of the story. Shining a bright light straight on our current messed-up world, the chilling social commentary made the whole book believable. Don’t get me wrong, as things went off the rails towards the end, it did get a tiny bit dramatic. Then again, I could actually see everything going down just as it did. I do have to warn you, however, that this novel was just as much of a police procedural as it was a tale of suspense. Following Nadeeka’s story from both inside and outside of the investigation, the police operation merged flawlessly with the edge-of-your-seat thrills to produce a ratcheting pace all the way up to the nerve-wracking, action-movie-esque climax and slightly open, real-world ending. Twisty, sharp, and relevant, you need to read this one now. Just PLEASE go in blind! Rating of 5 stars.
Read if you’re a fan of:
- Police procedurals
- Multiple POVs
- Domestic suspense
- Timely themes
- Increasingly high stakes
- Short chapters
- Social commentary
- “WTF?!” twists
- Thought-provoking stories
- Complex plotting
- Red herrings
- Hidden motives
BRIEF BLURB:
Did you not hear me?! I said GO IN BLIND! All you need to know is the very beginning. You see, it starts off with a story of Nadeeka and Jamie…
After infidelity broke up her first marriage, Nadeeka is always waiting for the other shoe to drop—even in her new picture-perfect relationship with boyfriend Jamie. So it’s no surprise that when she thinks he’s meeting up with a woman, she drops everything to catch him in the act. All she wants is answers, after all. What will she find when she gets to the house? A woman? An empty driveway? Or something much darker? Guess you’ll have to read the book to find out!
Thank you Clare Mackintosh and Sourcebooks Landmark for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: September 22, 2026
Content warning: murder, grief, racism, hate crime, nationalism, arson, xenophobia, Islamophobia, racial slurs, religious bigotry, violence, police corruption, domestic terrorism, mention of: infidelity
One of the best things of this one-sitting read, though, was probably the most divisive parts of the story. Shining a bright light straight on our current messed-up world, the chilling social commentary made the whole book believable. Don’t get me wrong, as things went off the rails towards the end, it did get a tiny bit dramatic. Then again, I could actually see everything going down just as it did. I do have to warn you, however, that this novel was just as much of a police procedural as it was a tale of suspense. Following Nadeeka’s story from both inside and outside of the investigation, the police operation merged flawlessly with the edge-of-your-seat thrills to produce a ratcheting pace all the way up to the nerve-wracking, action-movie-esque climax and slightly open, real-world ending. Twisty, sharp, and relevant, you need to read this one now. Just PLEASE go in blind! Rating of 5 stars.
Read if you’re a fan of:
- Police procedurals
- Multiple POVs
- Domestic suspense
- Timely themes
- Increasingly high stakes
- Short chapters
- Social commentary
- “WTF?!” twists
- Thought-provoking stories
- Complex plotting
- Red herrings
- Hidden motives
BRIEF BLURB:
Did you not hear me?! I said GO IN BLIND! All you need to know is the very beginning. You see, it starts off with a story of Nadeeka and Jamie…
After infidelity broke up her first marriage, Nadeeka is always waiting for the other shoe to drop—even in her new picture-perfect relationship with boyfriend Jamie. So it’s no surprise that when she thinks he’s meeting up with a woman, she drops everything to catch him in the act. All she wants is answers, after all. What will she find when she gets to the house? A woman? An empty driveway? Or something much darker? Guess you’ll have to read the book to find out!
Thank you Clare Mackintosh and Sourcebooks Landmark for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: September 22, 2026
Content warning: murder, grief, racism, hate crime, nationalism, arson, xenophobia, Islamophobia, racial slurs, religious bigotry, violence, police corruption, domestic terrorism, mention of: infidelity
August 23, 2026
Well the first thing to say........
In Clare's own words..... "My favourite book of mine was I Let you Go", which is a book I always recommend. Now I can say I agree with Clare, now I can say this is her best book.
"It's Not What You Think"
Escape with the gripping new psychological thriller for 2026, an instant number one Sunday Times bestseller.
This is so addictive, shocking, surprising, gripping, and twists I never saw coming.
YOU THINK YOU KNOW THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE
Nadeeka is certain Jamie is having an affair. She knows the tell-tale signs.
She’s been here before.
YOU THINK YOU KNOW WHO YOU CAN TRUST
When Jamie claims to be at work late, she knows he’s lying. He’s with another woman, and she’s determined to catch him in the act.
YOU THINK YOU KNOW HOW THE STORY ENDS
But when Nadeeka arrives home to confront him, Jamie can't explain himself. The house has become a crime scene…
Jamie is dead !!
Read the last 40% in one sitting !
What to be shocked, caught by twists never expected In this 5 star thriller
In Clare's own words..... "My favourite book of mine was I Let you Go", which is a book I always recommend. Now I can say I agree with Clare, now I can say this is her best book.
"It's Not What You Think"
Escape with the gripping new psychological thriller for 2026, an instant number one Sunday Times bestseller.
This is so addictive, shocking, surprising, gripping, and twists I never saw coming.
YOU THINK YOU KNOW THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE
Nadeeka is certain Jamie is having an affair. She knows the tell-tale signs.
She’s been here before.
YOU THINK YOU KNOW WHO YOU CAN TRUST
When Jamie claims to be at work late, she knows he’s lying. He’s with another woman, and she’s determined to catch him in the act.
YOU THINK YOU KNOW HOW THE STORY ENDS
But when Nadeeka arrives home to confront him, Jamie can't explain himself. The house has become a crime scene…
Jamie is dead !!
Read the last 40% in one sitting !
What to be shocked, caught by twists never expected In this 5 star thriller
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
RTC 🙌🏼
March 18, 2026
4.5 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐Suspense, domestic drama, police procedural, thriller, this one had it all!
There was so much to love about this one, I found myself eager to pick it up whenever I had a chance to read and also chatting about it with my family and coworkers. I would eagerly watch this as a British crime drama! I guessed some of the twists but certainly not all including the first one, and just wow.. I didn't see that coming!! It was such a neat idea for a plot twist!
Nadeeka thinks her partner is cheating on her and rushes home to catch him in the act but instead finds that her home is a crime scene and her partner dead. You wont believe were we go from there. This novel doesn't shy away from dealing with some current hot button topics.
I love a novel with different POVs but this one was written in a fairly unique way for me as it had large chunks from each characters POV and I found it surprising sometimes whose head we would end up in. My favourite POV was the police one for sure, it was so interesting and kept me so engaged. There was one that slowed the book down a bit for me and thus the loss of star but all in all, was so glad I kept picking it up.
I loved the female leads, both so different, and loved learning more about their characters as I read.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Canada for the advance copy. Be sure to pick this one up on March 26th when it publishes and see if you can forecast the ending or will you agree that It's Not What You Think! 👀
There was so much to love about this one, I found myself eager to pick it up whenever I had a chance to read and also chatting about it with my family and coworkers. I would eagerly watch this as a British crime drama! I guessed some of the twists but certainly not all including the first one, and just wow.. I didn't see that coming!! It was such a neat idea for a plot twist!
Nadeeka thinks her partner is cheating on her and rushes home to catch him in the act but instead finds that her home is a crime scene and her partner dead. You wont believe were we go from there. This novel doesn't shy away from dealing with some current hot button topics.
I love a novel with different POVs but this one was written in a fairly unique way for me as it had large chunks from each characters POV and I found it surprising sometimes whose head we would end up in. My favourite POV was the police one for sure, it was so interesting and kept me so engaged. There was one that slowed the book down a bit for me and thus the loss of star but all in all, was so glad I kept picking it up.
I loved the female leads, both so different, and loved learning more about their characters as I read.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Canada for the advance copy. Be sure to pick this one up on March 26th when it publishes and see if you can forecast the ending or will you agree that It's Not What You Think! 👀
April 16, 2026
Well… It’s Not What You Think is definitely not what I expected 😅
I absolutely loved I Let You Go, and I See You was a solid read for me… but this one? I’m honestly confused.
The first half really pulled me in the premise was intriguing and I was hooked: a woman finds her husband dead in their home… I was ready for a gripping thriller.
But the second half completely lost me. I struggled with Jamie’s storyline and didn’t connect with the character at all. At some point, I genuinely didn’t know whether to keep going or just DNF.
And when the big reveal finally came… it just didn’t hit. It lacked impact and felt underwhelming, especially for what should have been the final twist.
Honestly, it just didn’t work for me.
⭐️ 2.75
I absolutely loved I Let You Go, and I See You was a solid read for me… but this one? I’m honestly confused.
The first half really pulled me in the premise was intriguing and I was hooked: a woman finds her husband dead in their home… I was ready for a gripping thriller.
But the second half completely lost me. I struggled with Jamie’s storyline and didn’t connect with the character at all. At some point, I genuinely didn’t know whether to keep going or just DNF.
And when the big reveal finally came… it just didn’t hit. It lacked impact and felt underwhelming, especially for what should have been the final twist.
Honestly, it just didn’t work for me.
⭐️ 2.75
September 19, 2025
Is it too soon to call my book of 2026!?
This book comes with some very bold claims, including the one that got my attention: this is Clare Mackintosh’s BIGGEST twist yet! (Yes, that Clare Mackintosh…of I LET YOU GO genius…possibly the greatest twist of all time!!). I knew immediately that I had to dive into this one as soon as it landed on my doormat, just to find out if these claims held any weight. And boy, oh boy, do they!! It does exactly what it says on the cover and NOTHING is what you think. When I say that this book is fully loaded with twists, I mean FULLY loaded and ready to eject its load at the most shocking times, in the most mind-blowing of ways! Having said all of this, you can probably guess that it is virtually impossible to tell you very much more. This is a book that you absolutely MUST read, and do so without any prior knowledge of what is contained within its pages. You will not regret picking this book up. It’s destined to be huge, because it deserves to be and is another example of just how incredible a writer Clare Mackintosh is.
If that isn’t enough to convince you…firstly, are you ok, hun!? Secondly, here is a non-spoiler-y round up of what I absolutely loved most about this book:
1. It’s SO timely, incredibly astute, and absolutely taps into the society we are currently living in. That is what ultimately makes it so terrifying and tense.
2. The story is told in 5 distinct parts, from different perspectives, and each section ends with another twist that flips everything we think we’ve known up to that point. It’s ADDICTIVE!
3. Mackintosh’s writing style shines brighter than the K-Pop Demon Hunters’ GOLDEN, as she builds layer upon layer of suspense, which comes to a breathtaking crescendo in the final chapters. The book progresses at breakneck pace, with short and engaging chapters, which get shorter and more exhilarating as events unfold. It’s basically impossible to put down.
4. The characters are so well drawn, with two central heroines I couldn’t help but love and root for. The misdirection is exceptional and the wider cast really help propel the narrative forward, whilst giving the reader really visceral feelings towards them.
5. The emotions this book garners is off the scale! My heart was racing and at times my anger was raging. There’s a real poignancy to this narrative, but I turned the final pages feeling a true sense of hope. This is no mean feat, considering how close to the bone the social critique is in these pages.
IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK will be released in March 2026. You should absolutely pre-order it this very minute. You do not want to miss the opportunity to read this the moment it’s released…we’re all going to be chatting about it! 🤯
My heartfelt thanks to @harperfiction and @claremacwrites for my #gifted advance copy. I will cherish it forever!
This book comes with some very bold claims, including the one that got my attention: this is Clare Mackintosh’s BIGGEST twist yet! (Yes, that Clare Mackintosh…of I LET YOU GO genius…possibly the greatest twist of all time!!). I knew immediately that I had to dive into this one as soon as it landed on my doormat, just to find out if these claims held any weight. And boy, oh boy, do they!! It does exactly what it says on the cover and NOTHING is what you think. When I say that this book is fully loaded with twists, I mean FULLY loaded and ready to eject its load at the most shocking times, in the most mind-blowing of ways! Having said all of this, you can probably guess that it is virtually impossible to tell you very much more. This is a book that you absolutely MUST read, and do so without any prior knowledge of what is contained within its pages. You will not regret picking this book up. It’s destined to be huge, because it deserves to be and is another example of just how incredible a writer Clare Mackintosh is.
If that isn’t enough to convince you…firstly, are you ok, hun!? Secondly, here is a non-spoiler-y round up of what I absolutely loved most about this book:
1. It’s SO timely, incredibly astute, and absolutely taps into the society we are currently living in. That is what ultimately makes it so terrifying and tense.
2. The story is told in 5 distinct parts, from different perspectives, and each section ends with another twist that flips everything we think we’ve known up to that point. It’s ADDICTIVE!
3. Mackintosh’s writing style shines brighter than the K-Pop Demon Hunters’ GOLDEN, as she builds layer upon layer of suspense, which comes to a breathtaking crescendo in the final chapters. The book progresses at breakneck pace, with short and engaging chapters, which get shorter and more exhilarating as events unfold. It’s basically impossible to put down.
4. The characters are so well drawn, with two central heroines I couldn’t help but love and root for. The misdirection is exceptional and the wider cast really help propel the narrative forward, whilst giving the reader really visceral feelings towards them.
5. The emotions this book garners is off the scale! My heart was racing and at times my anger was raging. There’s a real poignancy to this narrative, but I turned the final pages feeling a true sense of hope. This is no mean feat, considering how close to the bone the social critique is in these pages.
IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK will be released in March 2026. You should absolutely pre-order it this very minute. You do not want to miss the opportunity to read this the moment it’s released…we’re all going to be chatting about it! 🤯
My heartfelt thanks to @harperfiction and @claremacwrites for my #gifted advance copy. I will cherish it forever!
May 2, 2026
~3.5~
It's Not What You Think isn't your run-of-the-mill story about adultery. It's much more complex that that.
This is a story about Frankly, it's disturbing and terrifying. Haven't we learned anything from history?
There are two main twists in this novel. The first one shocked me, but I had a strong inkling about the second one.
Each section is narrated by a single character: Nadeeka, whose boyfriend is murdered in the first chapter; DCI Lauren, the main investigator on the case; Jamie, the murder victim (his section begins two months prior); and Fraser, Lauren's fiancé who's also a police officer.
I loved Nadeeka's and Lauren's sections but didn't think Jamie's and Fraser's were necessary. This book was long enough without these too obvious sections proclaiming like neon signs, Do you see what happened? Do you get it now?
This was my first read by Clare Macintosh, and I doubt it will be my last. Ms. Macintosh is a former police officer, and it shows in the realistic, well-paced police procedural aspects of the story.
While political tropes aren't my favorite, I can acknowledge that this book is deeply relevant to the world we live in.
It's Not What You Think isn't your run-of-the-mill story about adultery. It's much more complex that that.
This is a story about Frankly, it's disturbing and terrifying. Haven't we learned anything from history?
There are two main twists in this novel. The first one shocked me, but I had a strong inkling about the second one.
Each section is narrated by a single character: Nadeeka, whose boyfriend is murdered in the first chapter; DCI Lauren, the main investigator on the case; Jamie, the murder victim (his section begins two months prior); and Fraser, Lauren's fiancé who's also a police officer.
I loved Nadeeka's and Lauren's sections but didn't think Jamie's and Fraser's were necessary. This book was long enough without these too obvious sections proclaiming like neon signs, Do you see what happened? Do you get it now?
This was my first read by Clare Macintosh, and I doubt it will be my last. Ms. Macintosh is a former police officer, and it shows in the realistic, well-paced police procedural aspects of the story.
While political tropes aren't my favorite, I can acknowledge that this book is deeply relevant to the world we live in.
December 15, 2025
I really enjoyed the first half of this book and flew through it, unfortunately for me it got a bit bogged down by politics after that, which I am definitely not a fan of. It is well written and has a few good twists. I did guess the end one so maybe that’s why it’s a three star rather than a four.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced reading copy.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced reading copy.
August 31, 2026
4 stars - Review to come. 🫶
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