It’s Not What You Think (Clare Mackintosh)

The publisher’s presentation

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

My thoughts about the book

I sometimes have the feeling I have been living on another planet, and it was definitely the case when I started this book: how could it be that I had not read anything by Clare Mackintosh before? One thing is for sure: I am going to make up for it because I am now a fan!

I had no idea until the end who had done it. There were a few moments in the book where I thought I knew, but no, it went from twist to twist, and it kept me glued to the pages. There is a good pace to the story and a great cast of characters, but the first impressions about them are not always telling the truth about who they really are. The experience of the author in the police comes through. The details are interesting and show that keeping an open mind is one of the most crucial qualities a good investigator must have.

I was relieved that some of the characters were not the author of the crime. But still, this is a story that has a deep impact on many lives. It is also a story that I found very current, and the closing made me uncomfortable. Finding the author of the crime and having justice done is not the end, and that does leave us with food for thought.

I wish I could say more because there are really interesting topics around this book. But I would hate to spoil it for future readers. A really strong story that I can well imagine coming to our screens as a film or a series in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for giving me the opportunity to discover this author. with this ARC All opinions are my own.

You can find out more about Clare Mackintosh on her website and I also quite liked to listen to her in this interview, talking about her writing, this book and… the next book!