It’s Not What You Think

Author: Clare Mackintosh
Genre: Crime Fiction/Police Procedural
416 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark, US Publish Date September 2026

Synopsis
He has a secret. She knows he’s lying…

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 review
It’s Not What You Think is the latest standalone crime fiction novel from Clare Mackintosh. Wow! This is one of the best crime fiction novels I’ve read recently. As a former police officer, Mackintosh brings authenticity and precision to the police procedural elements, crafting a story that feels both believable and rich in detail. The plot kicks off with a bang and never loses momentum. I’m especially glad I went in without reading spoilers. This is a story best experienced with as little prior knowledge as possible. It’s clear Mackintosh has something to say about the darker corners of humanity, and she delivers that message brilliantly. Buckle up – this one’s a wild ride!

Mackintosh wastes no time getting straight to the heart of the story. We first meet Nadeeka as she races home, convinced she’ll catch her boyfriend, Jamie, with another woman. Instead, she arrives to find her house already a crime scene, and Jamie stabbed to death. Through flashbacks, we learn how Nadeeka and Jamie met, along with the emotional baggage she carries from her marriage to her unfaithful ex-husband, Scott. Nadeeka’s certainty about Jamie’s supposed affair stems from those past experiences and familiar warning signs. But nothing prepares her for the horrifying scene that greets her.

The title couldn’t be more fitting. As the mystery surrounding Jamie and his death deepens, it quickly becomes clear that nothing is as it seems.

Mackintosh leads readers down multiple paths, presenting a variety of suspects and plausible scenarios. Just when I thought I’d figured it out, the story veered in a surprising new direction, with twists continuing right up to the final pages. Nadeeka is forced to confront a troubling possibility. Either she didn’t truly know Jamie at all, or others have completely misunderstood him.

I especially loved the structure of this novel. Told through multiple POVs, the narrative shifts at pivotal moments, keeping the tension high. The story opens from Nadeeka’s perspective, then transitions to Lauren, before moving back in time to Jamie’s viewpoint. As we return to the present, Mackintosh layers in revelations, building toward a shocking climax.

It’s Not What You Think feels current and some of the storyline/social commentary is quite dark and disturbing. It’s a part of humanity I’m not all that familiar with but it’s important to be aware that certain political views do exist and permeate throughout our society. Scary!

This is not only a brilliantly written and expertly paced thriller, but also an illuminating look at some of society’s darkest undercurrents. I’m a huge fan — highly recommend.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Clare Mackintosh for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

My recommendation: definitely worth the read!