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It’s Not What You Think
Not yet published
Expected 26 Mar 26He 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
Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 9, 2026
6337 people want to read
About the author
Clare Mackintosh
28 books11.8k 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 158 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.
September 16, 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...
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
September 20, 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!
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 🩷
November 10, 2025
What a rollercoaster of a book!
I could not put it down… wow!
A great, twisty read, intelligent and thought provoking.
It touches some very important topics and was therefore a little hard to read, as it felt like it resonated a little too close to home at this time.
It’s my first book from the author, but it certainly won’t be my last.
Edit: It has been 2 days, and I am still thinking about this book and the topics it explored so well. Brilliant! That is what a book should do :)
I could not put it down… wow!
A great, twisty read, intelligent and thought provoking.
It touches some very important topics and was therefore a little hard to read, as it felt like it resonated a little too close to home at this time.
It’s my first book from the author, but it certainly won’t be my last.
Edit: It has been 2 days, and I am still thinking about this book and the topics it explored so well. Brilliant! That is what a book should do :)
November 4, 2025
I always enjoy reading Clare Mackintosh books and was delighted to receive an advance copy of her new book ‘It’s Not What You Think’.
This was an exciting story with some fantastic characters, lots action to keep you on the edge of your seat and a twist you won’t see coming.
I can’t wait for the next book from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was an exciting story with some fantastic characters, lots action to keep you on the edge of your seat and a twist you won’t see coming.
I can’t wait for the next book from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book really isn't what you think. Lots of twists that were carefully placed throughout the book and I particularly enjoyed the way it all started to unravel as the pieces fit together. The second half of the book was much more enjoyable and the first half felt a bit slow and didn't grab me hence 4 stars
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC
November 6, 2025
I am a big fan of Clare Mackintosh’s standalone psychological thrillers and her debut book I Let You Go still remains in my TOP TEN BOOKS OF ALL TIME and I will never tire of recommending it for one of the best twists in this genre.
When I saw Clare on Instagram sharing the exciting news about her latest book It’s Not What You Think I was very intrigued and would like to thank her for arranging an early ARC copy for me to read.
Due out mid March 2026, It’s Not What You Think is being marketed as “Clare Mackintosh’s biggest twist yet”. The story starts with Nadeeka, a divorced mother of two young girls, who suspects her boyfriend Jamie of having an affair. Having been cheated on by her first husband, she comes home early to catch him out, except what she actually finds is worse than she could ever have imagined. Her house is a crime scene and Jamie is lying dead in a pool of blood.
She has absolutely no idea why anyone would kill Jamie, the police won’t let her in the house and now she starts to question everything she thinks she know about the man she let into her family home.
The chapters are pacy and gritty and the author reveals tiny clues to as who Jamie really was.
This book is a timely and topical look at the darker side of humanity and unfortunately I can’t say any more than that as YOU need to read this book for yourself. However, if you are familiar with this author’s previous books you will know that NOTHING is what it seems to be. My only suggestion would be to trust no-one and suspect everyone (including the author) as It’s Not What You Think is going to make your jaw-drop and your eyes pop. I am pretty confident when I say that there is absolutely no way anyone could predict some of the twists in this story and once again the author has managed to blow my mind.
When I saw Clare on Instagram sharing the exciting news about her latest book It’s Not What You Think I was very intrigued and would like to thank her for arranging an early ARC copy for me to read.
Due out mid March 2026, It’s Not What You Think is being marketed as “Clare Mackintosh’s biggest twist yet”. The story starts with Nadeeka, a divorced mother of two young girls, who suspects her boyfriend Jamie of having an affair. Having been cheated on by her first husband, she comes home early to catch him out, except what she actually finds is worse than she could ever have imagined. Her house is a crime scene and Jamie is lying dead in a pool of blood.
She has absolutely no idea why anyone would kill Jamie, the police won’t let her in the house and now she starts to question everything she thinks she know about the man she let into her family home.
The chapters are pacy and gritty and the author reveals tiny clues to as who Jamie really was.
This book is a timely and topical look at the darker side of humanity and unfortunately I can’t say any more than that as YOU need to read this book for yourself. However, if you are familiar with this author’s previous books you will know that NOTHING is what it seems to be. My only suggestion would be to trust no-one and suspect everyone (including the author) as It’s Not What You Think is going to make your jaw-drop and your eyes pop. I am pretty confident when I say that there is absolutely no way anyone could predict some of the twists in this story and once again the author has managed to blow my mind.
December 12, 2025
4.5⭐️
I went into It’s Not What You Think knowing very little — and that is exactly how this book should be read.
This was my first Clare Mackintosh, and if this novel is any indication of her writing style, I’ll be picking up more immediately. The pacing is tight, the tension relentless, and the story is constructed in a way that makes it genuinely hard to pull yourself away. I read this in three sittings, and each time I had to actively convince myself to stop.
What really stood out for me was how confidently the story led me in one direction, encouraging certain assumptions that felt solid — until they very much weren’t. The reveals never felt thrown in for shock value; everything felt deliberate, layered, and unsettling in the best way. The title couldn’t be more fitting.
I can absolutely see this becoming one of the most talked about books of 2026.
If you take one thing from this review, let it be this: go in blind. Don’t research it. Don’t read the synopsis. Just pick it up, start reading, and trust the process.
I went into It’s Not What You Think knowing very little — and that is exactly how this book should be read.
This was my first Clare Mackintosh, and if this novel is any indication of her writing style, I’ll be picking up more immediately. The pacing is tight, the tension relentless, and the story is constructed in a way that makes it genuinely hard to pull yourself away. I read this in three sittings, and each time I had to actively convince myself to stop.
What really stood out for me was how confidently the story led me in one direction, encouraging certain assumptions that felt solid — until they very much weren’t. The reveals never felt thrown in for shock value; everything felt deliberate, layered, and unsettling in the best way. The title couldn’t be more fitting.
I can absolutely see this becoming one of the most talked about books of 2026.
If you take one thing from this review, let it be this: go in blind. Don’t research it. Don’t read the synopsis. Just pick it up, start reading, and trust the process.
February 8, 2026
It’s Not What You Think really lives up to its name. What starts as a familiar setup, Nadeeka certain Jamie is having an affair, convinced she knows the signs, convinced she knows who she can trust, quickly unravels into something much darker. When she comes home ready to confront him and instead finds the house turned into a crime scene and Jamie dead, everything you think you know goes out the window.
I genuinely enjoyed this one and it did not go where I expected. There were so many twists and turns, and the end of Part 1 had my jaw on the floor. I’ve never read anything quite like this, and it was a refreshing change from the usual thrillers. I also liked how it weaves in current world events. It added an extra layer that kept me hooked.
I did end up guessing the final twist (I never fully trusted that person), but it didn’t take away from the overall enjoyment at all. Clever, tense, and very bingeable.
Thank you NetGalley & HarperCollins Australia for the ARC copy.
I genuinely enjoyed this one and it did not go where I expected. There were so many twists and turns, and the end of Part 1 had my jaw on the floor. I’ve never read anything quite like this, and it was a refreshing change from the usual thrillers. I also liked how it weaves in current world events. It added an extra layer that kept me hooked.
I did end up guessing the final twist (I never fully trusted that person), but it didn’t take away from the overall enjoyment at all. Clever, tense, and very bingeable.
Thank you NetGalley & HarperCollins Australia for the ARC copy.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
⭐️5 Stars⭐️
Review coming
Review coming
September 11, 2025
This is going to be one of those very annoying reviews that can’t tell you anything about the book but will just tell you how exceptional it is. Clare Mackintosh has written something that physically made my stomach ache with the intensity of the storyline and the coming together of all of the action points. There are jaw dropping plot twists , multiple POVs, and it is INTENSE. It is going to be huge next year - I think everyone should read it, even if you usually think crime fiction isn’t your bag.
November 27, 2025
All hail, Clare Mack!
I was beyond excited to have been granted an ARC of It's Not What You Think by the brilliant Clare Mackintosh, and since I had not decided my next read yet, it arrived at the perfect time!
This addictive thriller made me wish I was unemployed! It hits the ground running and I was hooked from the get go, I did not want to go to work! Gripping, suspenseful and with more twists and turns than a Tour de France race, this book demands you drop everything.
A massive plot twist at the 20% mark - my jaw was on the floor! - had me wondering what the hell was going on. It's tense, terrifying and thought provoking. I suggest you go in blind, this one is a BEAUTY!
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins Publishers Australia for an ARC to read and review.
I was beyond excited to have been granted an ARC of It's Not What You Think by the brilliant Clare Mackintosh, and since I had not decided my next read yet, it arrived at the perfect time!
This addictive thriller made me wish I was unemployed! It hits the ground running and I was hooked from the get go, I did not want to go to work! Gripping, suspenseful and with more twists and turns than a Tour de France race, this book demands you drop everything.
A massive plot twist at the 20% mark - my jaw was on the floor! - had me wondering what the hell was going on. It's tense, terrifying and thought provoking. I suggest you go in blind, this one is a BEAUTY!
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins Publishers Australia for an ARC to read and review.
January 20, 2026
One of those books where life is frustrating me by getting in the way of being able to read this! Superbly twisty, and even though I guessed at the who, I could never have figured out the how and the where, and the when. Although the why is clear in the story, the reader is given four points of view of a murder - the victim, his partner, the allocated DI, and her partner (and also policeman). Gradually we’re taken into the lives of these people, with red herrings, and a frankly frightening insight into pro-white people radicalisation (the immigrants are taking all our jobs brigade). Fantastic story, well written, and a wake up call that people aren’t alway who you thought. With sincere thanks to Harper Collins Australia and NetGalley for the preview copy.
January 13, 2026
It’s certainly not what I thought, but definitely what I expected from a Claire Mackintosh plot!! Heartfelt characters, a good villain (or two) and suspense chapter after chapter.
Good on Clare Mackintosh for shining a light on such a huge current world problem!
Good on Clare Mackintosh for shining a light on such a huge current world problem!
December 4, 2025
Gotta say never come across a thriller as twisty as this, twisty gives twisty a new meaning & It's really not what you think.
If Clare Mackintosh wasn't already an auto-read author for me this book would have been the one that made it so.
Absolutely cracking plotting, I didn't know if I was coming or going & I bloomin loved it. The pacing is on point not super speedy that I didn't absorb information but not snail pace either just the right pace that had me flipping the pages thinking bloody hell It truly isn't what I thought.
Also the characterization was on point however I'm not about to divulge a single thing, this one is best read blind.
Go on buckle up, It's Not What You Think.
Thanks Netgalley, Harper Fiction for a digital copy, all thoughts are my own.
If Clare Mackintosh wasn't already an auto-read author for me this book would have been the one that made it so.
Absolutely cracking plotting, I didn't know if I was coming or going & I bloomin loved it. The pacing is on point not super speedy that I didn't absorb information but not snail pace either just the right pace that had me flipping the pages thinking bloody hell It truly isn't what I thought.
Also the characterization was on point however I'm not about to divulge a single thing, this one is best read blind.
Go on buckle up, It's Not What You Think.
Thanks Netgalley, Harper Fiction for a digital copy, all thoughts are my own.
December 23, 2025
I received an advanced reading copy of It’s Not What You Think by Clare Mackintosh, and I’m really glad I did.
Going into this, the first section had me thinking it was going to be a fairly middle-of-the-road thriller — enjoyable enough, but similar to others I’ve read before. Then Part 2 kicked in, and that’s when I realised this book was doing something a bit different, and actually quite special.
From that point on, I was fully invested. Yes, I worked out the whodunnit very early on, but surprisingly, that didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all. The tension, pacing, and character dynamics kept the suspense alive, and the journey mattered just as much as the destination.
There are enough characters to make things interesting without ever feeling confusing or overwhelming, which really helped me stay immersed in the story. Overall, this was a clever, engaging read that exceeded my expectations after a slower start.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the ARC
Going into this, the first section had me thinking it was going to be a fairly middle-of-the-road thriller — enjoyable enough, but similar to others I’ve read before. Then Part 2 kicked in, and that’s when I realised this book was doing something a bit different, and actually quite special.
From that point on, I was fully invested. Yes, I worked out the whodunnit very early on, but surprisingly, that didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all. The tension, pacing, and character dynamics kept the suspense alive, and the journey mattered just as much as the destination.
There are enough characters to make things interesting without ever feeling confusing or overwhelming, which really helped me stay immersed in the story. Overall, this was a clever, engaging read that exceeded my expectations after a slower start.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the ARC
November 2, 2025
I feel a little stumped with this one if I’m being honest. It was written really well as are all of Clare’s books but it was very different from her usual plot driven thrillers and it caught me off guard. No spoilers but there is a theme throughout this book on a specific topic and I found it quite repetitive to the point it made the book a little slow but overall you can’t go wrong with her books so still a high rating.
November 20, 2025
Book Review 📚
Title: It’s Not What You Think
Author: Clare Mackintosh
Wow!! This book grabbed me from the very first page! The pace was nonstop, and I could hardly put it down. The twists were fantastic and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I never knew what direction the story would take next. This was my first book by Clare, and now I can’t wait to read more of her work—I absolutely love her writing.
Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and Clare for the eARC!
Rating: ✨✨✨✨
Pub Date: March 26 2026
#ItsNotWhatYouThink #NetGalley
Title: It’s Not What You Think
Author: Clare Mackintosh
Wow!! This book grabbed me from the very first page! The pace was nonstop, and I could hardly put it down. The twists were fantastic and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I never knew what direction the story would take next. This was my first book by Clare, and now I can’t wait to read more of her work—I absolutely love her writing.
Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and Clare for the eARC!
Rating: ✨✨✨✨
Pub Date: March 26 2026
#ItsNotWhatYouThink #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wowww what a piece of art, this book is. It’s a complete package! It has it all. A gripping story, I did not want to stop. it grips from page one. It is multiple pov. you get all sides of the story which comes togheter at the end. A beautiful end. I loved every bit of it!
The chapters are not too long mostly leaving with a good twist or more questions...
So this one is going to be worth your money!
The chapters are not too long mostly leaving with a good twist or more questions...
So this one is going to be worth your money!
November 15, 2025
I struggled with this one. It started well and had a really good early twist but then was really boring and lacked tension. The end twist was good but 60% of it was just meh - such a shame.
December 16, 2025
4.75 stars rounded up. Hoo boy, this one grabbed me and I raced through it. Lots of twists and turns, just make sure you don’t start it late at night if you have an early start the next day, because I promise you you’ll stay up late to keep turning the pages.
I’ve already been recommending it to everyone I talk to at work and while volunteering at the library, and they’ll have to impatiently wait another 3 months!
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
I’ve already been recommending it to everyone I talk to at work and while volunteering at the library, and they’ll have to impatiently wait another 3 months!
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
January 11, 2026
Nadeeka rushes home from work convinced she is about to find her partner Jamie cheating on her. However when she arrives home there are police at her front door and she discovers Jamie is dead, seemingly murdered. What happens next really is Not What You Think!
This book had me gripped from the very beginning. The first twist/shock at the end of part 1 had me reeling for hours later! I loved the multiple POVs in this book, I enjoy seeing things from different angles. The book covers so very hard hitting and important topics for today’s world and honestly is both shocking and thought provoking.
I did figure out the whodunnit, however this is quite normal for me and thrillers after having read so many and it definitely does not take away from the story at all. There are so many twists in this book and it keeps you hooked the whole way through. Another amazing thriller by Clare Mackintosh and I am predicting now this to be one of the top 2026 reads!
Thank you Netgalley, Clare Mackintosh and Harper Collins for this ARC.
This book had me gripped from the very beginning. The first twist/shock at the end of part 1 had me reeling for hours later! I loved the multiple POVs in this book, I enjoy seeing things from different angles. The book covers so very hard hitting and important topics for today’s world and honestly is both shocking and thought provoking.
I did figure out the whodunnit, however this is quite normal for me and thrillers after having read so many and it definitely does not take away from the story at all. There are so many twists in this book and it keeps you hooked the whole way through. Another amazing thriller by Clare Mackintosh and I am predicting now this to be one of the top 2026 reads!
Thank you Netgalley, Clare Mackintosh and Harper Collins for this ARC.
November 10, 2025
Nadeeka is certain her boyfriend Jamie is having an affair, knowing the tell-tale signs he is displaying. Determined to catch him in the act she returns home early, but once she gets there Jamie can’t defend himself. Jamie is dead and the house has become a crime scene.
Clare Mackintosh has been one of my drop everything and read authors ever since I read I Let You Go a long time ago. As soon as I saw she had a new standalone (with a great cover) I knew I needed to read it straight away. I won’t say too much on the premise of this one as it is best to go in not knowing too much, but I can say it is clever, timely and of course (as always) very twisty!
The story is well written and I couldn’t help but be drawn into the premise straight away. The author is a natural storyteller and slowly builds a multi layered, detailed picture, until it all comes together in an action packed, intense finale; I can honestly say that I was glued to the pages, desperate to glean another clue to piece together the story. The topics explored are done fantastically, feeling authentic and at times shocking.
I felt such a range of emotions reading, from sadness, surprise and real anger, it was definitely an emotionally charged read. The red herrings had me constantly changing my mind, although I did manage to get there eventually one it all started to come together. The characters were also strongly portrayed and I felt myself feeling such a connection with some that I would love to read more featuring them in upcoming books.
This is definitely one of the best books I have read so far this year and one that deserves to be a huge hit! If you are looking for a thought provoking, fast paced thriller full of twists and turns then this is one to pick up. Clare will continue to be an author I wholly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
Clare Mackintosh has been one of my drop everything and read authors ever since I read I Let You Go a long time ago. As soon as I saw she had a new standalone (with a great cover) I knew I needed to read it straight away. I won’t say too much on the premise of this one as it is best to go in not knowing too much, but I can say it is clever, timely and of course (as always) very twisty!
The story is well written and I couldn’t help but be drawn into the premise straight away. The author is a natural storyteller and slowly builds a multi layered, detailed picture, until it all comes together in an action packed, intense finale; I can honestly say that I was glued to the pages, desperate to glean another clue to piece together the story. The topics explored are done fantastically, feeling authentic and at times shocking.
I felt such a range of emotions reading, from sadness, surprise and real anger, it was definitely an emotionally charged read. The red herrings had me constantly changing my mind, although I did manage to get there eventually one it all started to come together. The characters were also strongly portrayed and I felt myself feeling such a connection with some that I would love to read more featuring them in upcoming books.
This is definitely one of the best books I have read so far this year and one that deserves to be a huge hit! If you are looking for a thought provoking, fast paced thriller full of twists and turns then this is one to pick up. Clare will continue to be an author I wholly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
December 22, 2025
I have been a fan of Clare Mackintosh’s writing for a long time, so I was very eager to get stuck in to It’s Not What You Think. Nadeeka Prasanna is speeding home from work, with a sense of dread knotted in her stomach. Surely it couldn’t be happening to her again. Jamie seemed so different to her cheating ex-husband Scott. Very soon, Nadeeka wishes that was the only worry that she had.
Clare has written a book which is so relevant and current, featuring issues facing society these days, it feels so genuine, so possible, so familiar. Some of the characters reference real life incidents, which again increases the plausibility of the plot. As I was reading, my stomach was in such a tense knot, anxiety coursing through me.
This standalone thriller drew me in so quickly, and I did not see the huge first twist happening. When I realised what I was reading, my brain thought WOW! I have not read a twist like that in any other book before. I was gripped by the uncomfortable storyline. Reading quickly, eager to know what would happen next, whilst also being nervous of finding out what would happen next.
In a very crowded crime fiction genre, this book is very much at the top amongst its peers. It’s a 5⭐️➕ read in my opinion. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Clare has written a book which is so relevant and current, featuring issues facing society these days, it feels so genuine, so possible, so familiar. Some of the characters reference real life incidents, which again increases the plausibility of the plot. As I was reading, my stomach was in such a tense knot, anxiety coursing through me.
This standalone thriller drew me in so quickly, and I did not see the huge first twist happening. When I realised what I was reading, my brain thought WOW! I have not read a twist like that in any other book before. I was gripped by the uncomfortable storyline. Reading quickly, eager to know what would happen next, whilst also being nervous of finding out what would happen next.
In a very crowded crime fiction genre, this book is very much at the top amongst its peers. It’s a 5⭐️➕ read in my opinion. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
September 10, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for inviting me to read and review this book.
Nadeeka is convinced her partner is cheating, arriving home to catch him in the act, she finds a murder scene instead.
Lauren is a head of a specialised police group. Engaged to Fraser, also a police detective, and soon to be married. She works on Nadeeka’s case.
I can’t write anymore of the plot for fear of spoilers but…don’t believe anything you read! ‘It’s not what you think’ is the perfect title. And just when you think you know what has happened, plot twist!
I just finished and my heart is literally pounding. The book was exciting, especially the last chunk, where the pace of events really quickened. The subject matter was really controversial, but so relevant to today’s society. Reading this did scare me a bit I must admit. My head is truly spinning and just when I thought there were no more shockers in store, the author throw in another firework. Wow wow wow, this was such an amazing read. I couldn’t put it down, and I’ll be processing it for a good few days! So worth the read, I highly recommend it.
Nadeeka is convinced her partner is cheating, arriving home to catch him in the act, she finds a murder scene instead.
Lauren is a head of a specialised police group. Engaged to Fraser, also a police detective, and soon to be married. She works on Nadeeka’s case.
I can’t write anymore of the plot for fear of spoilers but…don’t believe anything you read! ‘It’s not what you think’ is the perfect title. And just when you think you know what has happened, plot twist!
I just finished and my heart is literally pounding. The book was exciting, especially the last chunk, where the pace of events really quickened. The subject matter was really controversial, but so relevant to today’s society. Reading this did scare me a bit I must admit. My head is truly spinning and just when I thought there were no more shockers in store, the author throw in another firework. Wow wow wow, this was such an amazing read. I couldn’t put it down, and I’ll be processing it for a good few days! So worth the read, I highly recommend it.
December 20, 2025
I usually always see the twists coming and the first twist in this story I did. But holy heck I didn’t see the last one and it was huge.
Nadeeka is in a relationship with Jamie, they live together with her daughters from her previous marriage. Lately Jamie has been acting strangely. Hiding his phone from her, working late and not his usual self. She is sure he is having an affair. When she phones Jamie at work she can hear a woman in the background whom he says is a work colleague. But then she hears the sound of a train and knows that Jamie and this woman are at their home, she leaves her work and races home to catch him out but when she arrives the police are there and Jamie is dead.
So starts this twisty, page turning tale and just when you feel clever with yourself that you have worked something out another twist will turn the story on its head. Told from different points of view and timelines it is hard to see who to trust and just who is not what they seem.
Brilliant as always.
#ItsNotWhatYouThink. #NetGalley.
Nadeeka is in a relationship with Jamie, they live together with her daughters from her previous marriage. Lately Jamie has been acting strangely. Hiding his phone from her, working late and not his usual self. She is sure he is having an affair. When she phones Jamie at work she can hear a woman in the background whom he says is a work colleague. But then she hears the sound of a train and knows that Jamie and this woman are at their home, she leaves her work and races home to catch him out but when she arrives the police are there and Jamie is dead.
So starts this twisty, page turning tale and just when you feel clever with yourself that you have worked something out another twist will turn the story on its head. Told from different points of view and timelines it is hard to see who to trust and just who is not what they seem.
Brilliant as always.
#ItsNotWhatYouThink. #NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Oooooh. She's a crafty one, that Clare Mackintosh. I've know since the very first book, I Let You Go, that she was a master at the twist, but I can completely understand why she thinks this book may be her best yet. And I can completely understand why it has the title that it does. It works on so many levels. So, so, many. Mystery and misdirection reign here, and give me one humdinger of a headache. How in the heck do I review a book that has more stings in its tail/tale than a scorpion, and more twists than spaghetti junction?
This is the story of Nadeeka. We meet her in a moment of personal crisis. Already stung in the romantic stakes, having been cheated on by her husband, she suspects that her new partner, Jamie, is heading down the same well worn path. Racing home to confront his infidelity, she could never have expected what she discovers, or all that would come to pass in the following days. Jamie is dead and Nadeeka's whole world is about to be turned upside down ... If only it were that straightforward. That easy, but then it wouldn't be half as good a book. Don't take anything you read on face value in this book because from this point in Clare Mackintosh takes everything I thought I knew and flipped it on it's head. Or maybe not. Or maybe it was a full 360 and in the end it was me on my head, because as sure as I thought up might be down, she found a way of showing me that, actually, it wasn't really after all.
You know how in all the best thrillers they say 'trust no-one'. That. On steroids. This book comes in multiple parts - that I can tell you. The first part belongs, undoubtedly, to Nadeeka. I really grew to like her, although she does appear to have a terribly unfortunate taste in men. In spite of what happens to her, she has an inherent fierceness, even if she can underestimate herself, and I like how the author played with her personality here, to both drive the story and create uncertainty about what I was reading. She is a mother who cared deeply for Jamie, and what she uncovers is the kind of thing that lands in quite and emotional way. But I was one hundred percent invested in her story, even if I did make some seemingly incorrect assumptions as the story evolved. And it is at the end of part one that the first real humdinger of a twists lands. It made me smile. A lot. And made me all the more hungry for what was to follow.
The following parts only enhance the story, adding context and in some cases confusion, following the perspective of other key characters in the story, moving the flow of the narrative back and forth in time whilst still maintaining the pacing, tension and intrigue that Clare Mackintosh excels at. And each new part delivers its own shock. It's own duff-duff revelation that had my head jerking back in surprise, and then nodding in sheer appreciation of what the author has done. This is a sort of ensemble piece with Jamie's colleagues, Nadeeka's extended family, and the police investigators, led by DCI Lauren Caldwell, all playing their parts in what comes to pass, and all delivered with an authenticity delivered with the benefit of Clare Mackintosh's experience and her adept ability to spin an absolutely gripping yarn.
There were one or two moments that had me puzzling, and if I'd listened to my inner voice, I might not have been quite so wide eyed when caught out by some of the twists. But I'm glad I didn't and that I was as everything landed so perfectly, I just ate it all up. The moral of this story? Trust no one, particularly naughty authors who like pulling the wool over their readers eyes, but still keep the faith in human nature. But still keep some faith in human nature. It's not all bad.
Definitely recommended and it can have one of these. A red hot reads badge. Well earned.
This is the story of Nadeeka. We meet her in a moment of personal crisis. Already stung in the romantic stakes, having been cheated on by her husband, she suspects that her new partner, Jamie, is heading down the same well worn path. Racing home to confront his infidelity, she could never have expected what she discovers, or all that would come to pass in the following days. Jamie is dead and Nadeeka's whole world is about to be turned upside down ... If only it were that straightforward. That easy, but then it wouldn't be half as good a book. Don't take anything you read on face value in this book because from this point in Clare Mackintosh takes everything I thought I knew and flipped it on it's head. Or maybe not. Or maybe it was a full 360 and in the end it was me on my head, because as sure as I thought up might be down, she found a way of showing me that, actually, it wasn't really after all.
You know how in all the best thrillers they say 'trust no-one'. That. On steroids. This book comes in multiple parts - that I can tell you. The first part belongs, undoubtedly, to Nadeeka. I really grew to like her, although she does appear to have a terribly unfortunate taste in men. In spite of what happens to her, she has an inherent fierceness, even if she can underestimate herself, and I like how the author played with her personality here, to both drive the story and create uncertainty about what I was reading. She is a mother who cared deeply for Jamie, and what she uncovers is the kind of thing that lands in quite and emotional way. But I was one hundred percent invested in her story, even if I did make some seemingly incorrect assumptions as the story evolved. And it is at the end of part one that the first real humdinger of a twists lands. It made me smile. A lot. And made me all the more hungry for what was to follow.
The following parts only enhance the story, adding context and in some cases confusion, following the perspective of other key characters in the story, moving the flow of the narrative back and forth in time whilst still maintaining the pacing, tension and intrigue that Clare Mackintosh excels at. And each new part delivers its own shock. It's own duff-duff revelation that had my head jerking back in surprise, and then nodding in sheer appreciation of what the author has done. This is a sort of ensemble piece with Jamie's colleagues, Nadeeka's extended family, and the police investigators, led by DCI Lauren Caldwell, all playing their parts in what comes to pass, and all delivered with an authenticity delivered with the benefit of Clare Mackintosh's experience and her adept ability to spin an absolutely gripping yarn.
There were one or two moments that had me puzzling, and if I'd listened to my inner voice, I might not have been quite so wide eyed when caught out by some of the twists. But I'm glad I didn't and that I was as everything landed so perfectly, I just ate it all up. The moral of this story? Trust no one, particularly naughty authors who like pulling the wool over their readers eyes, but still keep the faith in human nature. But still keep some faith in human nature. It's not all bad.
Definitely recommended and it can have one of these. A red hot reads badge. Well earned.
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