Book Review - It's Not What You Think by Clare Mackintosh - #HolidayReading Tunisia

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Title: It's Not What You Think

Author: Clare Mackintosh

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: 16th July 2026

Rating: 5 Stars

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

This has to be one of the most aptly titled books I've read in a long while.  And it comes from a queen of the twist - Clare Mackintosh. 

This is twisty, and then its twisty, and then it just has to twist a little more.  

I literally couldn't predict anything reading this, which really is the sign of an excellent thriller, 

I was completely hooked and invested in just what happened to Jamie, and never would have dreamed about the directions this book takes us in. 

It has a big theme central to it, that is a real life rather disturbing thought process, and reading about it (and I'm deliberately being vague so as to avoid spoilers) was really uncomfortable at times. 

There are viewpoints in this book that I'd like to think most people will find abhorrent, as I strongly suspect those that agree wouldn't be reading this anyway! 

This takes us down so many different directions, but at the same time you never feel lost.  It's just a writing masterpiece from a ridiculously talented author, who I'm so glad is back to writing psych thrillers. 

I definitely and whole heartedly recommend this, and thought it was a wonderful book to kick off my holiday reading with. 

Thank you to HarperCollins and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.