Book Review: Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell

Title: Don't Let Him In

Author: Lisa Jewell

Published: Jun 2025, 361 pages

Buy it on Amazon here

My Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Book Type: Slow burn psychological thriller - lower on the shock value, more on creepy vibes

Recommended for: Mystery and suspense readers, thriller lovers, anyone wanting to experiment with psychological thrillers that don't give you heart attacks (but might give you anxiety, so.)

Book Blurb:

Three women are connected by one man in this kaleidoscopic thriller.

He’s the perfect man. It’s a perfect lie.

Nina Swann is intrigued when she received a condolence card from Nick Radcliffe, an old friend of her late husband, who is looking to connect after her husband’s unexpected death. Nick is a man of substance and good taste. He has a smile that could melt the coldest heart and a knack for putting others at ease. But to Nina’s adult daughter, Ash, Nick seems too slick, too polished, too good to be true. Without telling her mother, Ash begins digging into Nick’s past. What she finds is more than unsettling…

Martha is a florist living in a neighboring town with her infant daughter and her devoted husband, Alistair. But lately, Alistair has been traveling more and more frequently for work, disappearing for days at a time. When Martha questions him about his frequent absences, he always has a legitimate explanation, but Martha can’t share the feeling that something isn’t right.

Nina, Martha, and Ash are on a collision course with a shocking truth that is far darker than anyone could have imagined. And all three are about to wish they had heeded the same warning: Don’t let him in. But the past won’t stay buried forever.

My Thoughts:

I’m still in my thriller era and binge reading crazy mysteries, so when I saw this Lisa Jewell mystery highlighted on the library shelf, I basically picked it up without reading the blurb because popular authors are popular for a reason, right? This one was entertaining with lovely, respectable writing, and I enjoyed reading this while I was able to take out a chunk of time and get through it all together. This is important, because if you read it in fragments and with gaps and have a fragile memory like mine, it may feel a bit frustrating due to the multiple POVs spanning different years. The frequency of the switches takes time to get used to, and in the beginning made it really hard to connect, feeling like nothing serious or mysterious is actually happening even though you’re already half way through the book. 

It starts very well, someone dying and another unrelated mysterious man appearing out of nowhere, seemingly perfect, saying all the right things, knowing exactly what you want and bringing those to you. As a reader, you instantly know something is amiss, heightened by the mistrust one character develops and starts to investigate. The story then reads slow, going back and forth in different timelines and POVs, unrolling the weird history and sequence of events that seem widely unrelated but come together in the end. The “shock” or the mystery itself is not as alarming- it’s actually quite obvious right from the beginning, the story unfolding slowly with additions to the initial crime, adding depth and intensity gradually. 

I definitely felt it was a slow burn kind of story, peppered with moments where I felt frustration from the absolute ridiculous manner the women/victims allowed this person into their lives and let him upend it, but I realized that was the point. These things happen, women become vulnerable and someone with enough brains and proclivity for selfishness can ruin it all with no remorse. The idea of a perfect husband and perfect life is so sought-after that nothing else seems to matter, red flags are missed, and women end up diminishing themselves to get that perfectly curated life. Despite the slowness and the frustrations, the book reads very well, I have to applaud the writing style. It is immaculate! It is what takes a normal story to a bestseller level - it makes you keep reading despite what you feel about the story, even making one feel sorry/pity for the criminal. And THAT, I attribute solely to good, strong writing. 

The ending was indeed satisfying, the meaning clear, and the story felt well-rounded. The characters also were well-developed, from the now dead Paddy Swan, his wife Nina, their daughter Ash, the mysterious too-perfect Nick Radcliffe, and even the series of other women in Nick/whatever-his-name-is’ life. The things people do may feel frustrating, especially when Nick shows all the red flags but I suppose it is what it is. As mentioned before, it is a reflection of reality and the way vulnerable people (and even not so much, as in the case of Martha), can be easily swayed with mere promises and appearances. The themes of hidden identities, trust and deception shine all through this book. 

I would definitely recommend this one to fans of good writing, thrillers and psychological suspense! 

PS - Check out my review of The Family Upstairs, the first Lisa Jewell mystery I read.

Book Review: You'll Never Know by Caleb Stephens

Author: Caleb Stephens
Published: Nov 2025
Pages: 345
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Find it on Amazon here. 

Blurb: 

They took his wife. They took his unborn child. He only has hours to find them … or they’re dead.

Grant Wilson has never been happier. He has a wife he loves, a home in the country, and a brand-new baby on the way. But all of that shatters when two masked men abduct his wife, Avery, in broad daylight.

The instructions Grant receives are If he wants Avery back, he must solve a series of riddles that arrive one after another—and the clock is ticking.

With every piece of the puzzle more outrageous and complex than the last, Grant knows he’s playing a dangerous game. But he’s determined to do whatever it takes to save Avery’s life … even if it kills him.

My Thoughts

You’ll Never Know is one of those books you want to read because its name keeps popping up everywhere and you just have to find out what it is. When it came up as an option for our book club’s pick for the month, I couldn’t resist! It’s a fast-paced, totally packed thriller but it wasn’t what I had expected. 

I would probably summarize it as a gripping, twisted story maybe held back by average writing, but also impossible to put down! 

Let me explain:
The story and plot is unique, complex, and well ideated but it did end up making me feel a lot of sadness with all the tragedy in it. At some point it felt like the extent of tragedies for different characters were overkill - but at the same time I have to appreciate the intricacies with which the story has been narrated, divided into different POVs, travelling back and forth in the past and present without confusing the reader too much. The descriptions, however, seemed to drag on here and there, making me gloss over entire paragraphs and speed-read to “get to the point”. That was one of the top irritants but not enough to make me abandon the book, because of the storyline. 

It is unique! We start with a happy couple expecting their first child when the wife Avery is kidnapped at gunpoint and the husband Grant is sent on a wild goose chase to get her back. BUT things start to not make sense very quickly, indicating there’s more to every action. The multiple POVs with each passing chapter, and even going back and forth in THREE different timelines, it feels like you have the first half the book overloaded with information you don’t know what to do with, and then it starts coming together in the second half. Become get this - the biggest twist, and what a reader would consider an “ending” happens in the middle of the story, and when you have half the book left you’ll be like, whoa what? 

Another big theme it is based on is tragedy. It’s certainly not for everyone, especially if things may be triggering for some. Deep loss, coming full circle, grief and acceptance are also themes the story is based on, other than morality, isolation, helplessness and guilt. This isn’t a comfortable read - it kind of sits heavy with you, knowing how the story of vastly different characters intertwined. How one small act or decision can set in motion a series of events that can permanently alter the course of life for multiple people. Then there’s also the message about how childhood experiences can affect behaviour and your entire life, basically. Other strong themes or ideas portrayed in the book are about desperation, control and power (you never really know who’s pulling the ropes), trust and betrayal (NO ONE can be trusted, no one is who they seem to be), and parenthood. 

Is there a crime one can commit and still be forgiven? Does an eye for an eye work where killing people is involved? What’s the justification for an act or crime? The story raises all these questions and makes the reader ponder - I wasn’t sure if they got my empathy or judgment. I’m still thinking about it, lol. 
The major twists and identity reveals start happening around the middle of the book, and the rest of the story explains how the first half happened. It’s very interesting from the perspective of narration. I haven’t really come across many books in this format, so kudos to the author for being imaginative, I suppose! 

Overall, I would say it’s maybe not the most polished book but worth reading for the thrill and experience, and I would recommend it as a one-time read for anyone looking to enjoy a book in the thriller/mystery/suspense genre. 

Review: The Housemaid (The Housemaid #1)

Author: Frieda McFadden

Published: April 2022

Publisher: Hachette (Grand Central Publishing)

Pages: 329

My Rating: 4.5/5 stars!

Find it at: Amazon

Frieda McFadden’s on a roll. This is her year for sure! I’m wondering how I have missed these books in the past couple years (New York Times Bestsellers???), only now realizing she’s having bestseller after bestseller and I had to find out why. Picking The Housemaid was only a matter of time, but when it became my local book club’s pick of the month I had no choice :P Also the movie adaptation came out in January so of course I had to read first. And boy did I read this fast! It was over in less than 24 hours and while this may not be a huge deal for someone who has nothing else to do, it was for me because I did it on a Sunday!!! A day when I had my toddler circling me all day and where was my nose buried? In this book, yes. Poor thing. My child, not the book. 

Let’s break it down into sensible, digestible pieces:

Overall theme: This book is about deception - nothing is what it appears to be. And it is also about power, control, and the liability of emotional baggage. 

Millie has a questionable past and she is shocked when she gets hired as a househelp for one of the families in a wealthy neighbourhood. Her employer Nina seems to have something sinister behind her behaviour and words. You know something is off about her but the author does a great job of making it really hard for the reader to figure it out. And then there were the other characters, Nina’s husband Andrew who is charming and too perfect, their daughter Cecelia giving off creepy vibes, and their gardener Enzo who only speaks Italian and doesn’t seem to understand English but spends a considerable amount of time tending to their lawns (to me Enzo had an important role and an air of mystery around him, but in the movie his role was so diminished it was disappointing - I guess most adaptations are). As Millie settles in her new home, she is convinced Andrew deserves better. Soon, things take a surprising turn until it becomes shocking altogether and bam! Plot twist with still a lot of pages to go. 

I do admire the author’s writing style - it keeps you engaged and motivated to keep going, yet it doesn’t make you fly through it. You want to read every word in case you miss something important. The characters are well developed, complete with their flaws and vulnerabilities. They’re relatable through the common themes of complex relationships, helplessness and anger. I did not particularly enjoy the overall theme, the message, the misogyny of it, but it is a well-written story and I am officially obligated to read her other books (especially the next in sequence The Housemaid's Secret). 

In terms of plot twists, loved them! You know something is coming but can’t quite figure it out until it happens. After you gasp and get over the sensations, you’re forced to rethink what you previously read to make sure it makes sense. Honestly, that’s the thing I live for. I want to be challenged, and the twists in this one excited me no end! There’s even a whole vibe to the book. You know how there are some stories (like She Didn’t See it Coming) that are considered “domestic thrillers”, that have a very small setting and everything happens in it? I kind of think of The Housemaid as similar - the vibe was small setting, limited characters, slightly isolating and claustrophobic. The power dynamics and how they shift as the story progresses is also a reason it kept me hooked and interested. I probably won’t go into too much detail about the ending - it kinda was expected but not in the way it happened! 

I’m impressed with the author for the writing and looking forward to reading more by her. Would most definitely recommend reading this one, and then watching the movie. :) 

Book Review: The Hallmarked Man by Robert Galbraith

My current-favourite investigator Cormoran Strike is back this season in the newest installment of the Strike series by J.K. Rowling (Robert Galbraith). Like the top-fan I am, obviously I HAD to read it as soon as it came out. (More apologies for my lateness and being awol later!) After many stolen hours and furious turning of the pages later, I can say that I'm satisfied in having finished it (feels like I've done my duty and re-starting the wait for another 2 years to get the next one), but did I absolutely love it or was it mostly devotion giving me the satisfaction? I had to introspect that for 2 days straight before realizing, the Strike series has had better books than The Hallmarked Man. Trust me, once you're a hardcore fan, it is hurtful to think you may not have enjoyed something as much as you expected (total betrayal!). 

Title: The Hallmarked Man (Strike series #8)

Author: Robert Galbraith/J.K. Rowling

Find it on Amazon here

Pages: 1440 (about 950 for regular print)

Publisher: Mulholland Books / Little, Brown and Company

My Rating: 4.5/5

For context, here's the blurb from the book's cover: 

A dismembered corpse is discovered in the vault of a silver shop. The police initially believe it to be that of a convicted armed robber – but not everyone agrees with that theory. One of them is Decima Mullins, who calls on the help of private detective Cormoran Strike as she’s certain the body in the silver vault was that of her boyfriend – the father of her newborn baby – who suddenly and mysteriously disappeared. 

The more Strike and his business partner Robin Ellacott delve into the case, the more labyrinthine it gets. The silver shop is no ordinary one: it’s located beside Freemasons’ Hall and specialises in Masonic silverware. And in addition to the armed robber and Decima’s boyfriend, it becomes clear that there are other missing men who could fit the profile of the body in the vault.

As the case becomes ever more complicated and dangerous, Strike faces another quandary. Robin seems increasingly committed to her boyfriend, policeman Ryan Murphy, but the impulse to declare his own feelings for her is becoming stronger than ever.

Overall, it has all the hallmarks (tee-hee) of JKR's amazing writing and storytelling, especially characterization. We revisit Strike and Robin's past as it is entwined with the present situations, and stay with the core characters as they (slowly) evolve and make decisions to move forward in their own lives. The mystery is complex, many-layered, gradually revealing, NOT predictable, and had decent explanations once solved (which is a big miss in a lot of mysteries in general). It was a fairly long book (900 pages approx.) so I appreciated the intertwining of many stories and angles - it did feel like Strike and Robin solved 4 cases at once instead of just the one they set out for (or maybe that was the point, lol).

Having said that, it felt a bit forced and drawn for the same reason. Was it necessary to have so many "mini-mysteries" running simultaneously that needed solving to solve the bigger crime? But again, I doubt the main crime could have been solved in as many pages, which is what is characteristic of this series, so perhaps it was needed. There were a couple of side-characters that were very annoying (Kim and Murphy, for instance), and did not feel super original (Murphy was drawn as an almost-equivalent of Matthew). Moreover, we did not get much insight into their other cases, and for the one that did drag over most of the book, it seemed to have been dragged extremely longer than necessary. I thought the problem was not focusing on main sub-characters and introducing too many new ones all at once. If I picked up the book and came across a name I couldn't recall, I had to go back trying to understand what their significance was! ALSO, I have been a strong shipper of Robin and Strike throughout the series and FINALLY they're getting somewhere but could it have not been dragged SO MUCH? ALL throughout the book Strike's trying to find the right time and place to express himself, and we literally get no closure even by the end of this book. That's just cruel! C'mon - a bit of romance won't harm the vibe. 

Despite everything, this series still remains one of the best I've ever read, mostly because of how memorable the characters have become to me. I recently also binge-watched the TV shows - SOOO good! (C.B. Strike Series on HBO). Plus, I read that JKR's planned a total of 10 books for this series, so yay! We have 2 more to look forward to. 

Side note: The other, recent Strike series that I enjoyed VERY much include Troubled Blood (so unique), and The Running Grave (excellent story-telling and unputdownable read!).

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Another Goodreads choice awards pick! The Silent Patient follows the story of Alicia Berenson, an artist accused of her husband's murder. Alicia did not speak a single word since she was found with the murder weapon and her husband's body. A psychotherapist, Theo, has been following Alicia's story since the event and feels the need to dig deeper as the years pass, because of his fascination and curiosity about what happened.

Title: The Silent Patient

Author: Alex Michaelides

Pages: 325

Published: 2019

Find it on Amazon: The Silent Patient

The book is narrated from two perspectives, one is Alicia's diary and the other is Theo's point of view. Alicia's diary narrates the story from when her husband gets her the diary to encourage her to write her feelings when she's overwhelmed. We get snapshots of her life and build up of the story along with Theo's POV narrating the current time - Theo finding a job at the institution Alicia stays at, and doing his best to try and get Alicia to talk.

I found the storyline and writing very engaging. The mystery about Alicia's silence unravels slowly while providing readers a complete backdrop of the past - Alicia's own personal troubles, her relationship with her husband as well as other characters who are linked in her life. As Theo continues trying to elicit a response from his patient, he shares with us his discoveries about things that seem to make Alicia respond, things that matter to her. 

Overall, I found myself flipping through the pages to get to the end and unravel the mystery. I did get a hint of the twist and the killer mid-way through the book, even though I found it exciting and wanted to read to understand how it could be! It was a fresh idea, it wasn't too predictable, and the setting was more contemporary than I've been reading lately. The suspense was built up throughout the book, so I didn't get bored. The little snippets and perspectives from Alicia's art was also something new to be found in this book - references to Greek myths, exploring storytelling through art and reading meanings through painted images. 

As for characterization, I felt like Alicia was the only character the author seemed to focus most on - perhaps because the story demanded it, but a couple of characters didn't seem to add much to the story other than being red herrings, I suppose. Otherwise, the plot and the narration was on-point for me. Also, a well-rounded and well-explained ending is a rarity these days in thrillers, so I was very happy with this one.

I would definitely say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading it - it was one of my fastest reads this year, and would surely recommend it for today's psychological thriller recommendations. I do feel it's now a bit over-rated, but highly delicious to read anyway!

PS - The book cover totally drew me in. 5/5 to this cover idea.

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell

Lately I’ve been “curating” my reading list straight from Goodreads choice awards (reduction in reading time, folks. Thank you, life). That’s how I found The Family Upstairs - a creepy thriller disguised as family drama. Libby Jones receives a letter after her 25th birthday stating she has inherited a grand house, which makes her search deeper into her past, revealing mysterious happenings, strange people and sinister occurrences. Going back and forth in the past and the present, this book is a take on dysfunctional dynamics in a family that can alter the way of life for generations to come. 

Admittedly, it was my first Lisa Jewell book, despite her being known for popular thrillers for quite some time (read Then She Was Gone, Watching You, etc). Before delving into details I can say for sure I would look out and proactively read more books by this author, because this gothic psychological thriller did not disappoint me when I needed my quick-read fix. 

The one thing that struck me as different about this story is that it’s not your typical fast-paced thriller in the traditional sense. It delves deep into family dynamics, psychology, uncomfortable but very real consequences of the tiniest emotions and actions. Perhaps that’s what makes it feel slightly unnerving - we’ve all been helpless in our relationships at some point in our lives, and reading this book can make you feel, “This could have happened to me.” 

The pacing and storyline was slow, keeping in with developments that happened over the years. The narrative takes on from different POVs which was a bit confusing at first because we don't know how all these people (Libby, Henry and Lucy) are related, but hold your breath... it starts coming together towards the later end and becomes exciting when you start realising how it makes sense. I also found character development to be decent, especially for Henry, who was a child witnessing the gradual change that came in when some strangers entered their home, and their lives. The story seemed to be focused more from Henry's perspective so he was the only one I could really connect with. The others went along with the events from a secondary viewpoint. 

As for the actual plot, I actually was surprised at one point with a major revelation, but that seemed to be the only part mildly ‘shocking’. The rest reads like a slow, unnerving development, so that when you’re at the end and look back, it’s when you see all that has changed. It’s not really fast-paced in that sense. It's enjoyable for its unique narration and pace. 

Overall, albeit all the emotions, I enjoyed the thrill from this book. The revelation of the mystery wraps up nicely enough. It gives a satisfying ending and closure, and stays thrilling even towards the end with mysterious occurrences and behaviours. I would rate it a 4/5 and would recommend to readers looking for a mystery recommendation. 

Buy it here!