Lisa Jewell never misses when it comes to crafting a compulsively readable thriller, and Don't Let Him In is no exception — though this one left me both hooked and slightly frazzled.
This is the story of Nick Radcliff (among other names), a master manipulator who infiltrates the lives of multiple women, leaving behind a trail of emotional wreckage, stolen money, and shattered trust. After the death of Paddy, a beloved restaurateur, Nick reaches out to his widow Nina under the guise of an old friend. Her daughter Ash is immediately suspicious — and rightly so. What unfolds is a chilling, multi-POV, multi-timeline narrative that exposes just how deep Nick’s deception runs.
I usually love a con artist thriller, and while this one had some brilliant moments — especially the tension of watching characters catch up to what the reader already knows — it was also a bit of a maze. There are so many characters and overlapping timelines that I found myself flipping back more than once to reorient.
That said, the short chapters and fast pacing kept me turning pages. Jewell’s writing is sharp, and I appreciated the inclusion of Nick’s perspective — disturbing, yes, but it added a layer of psychological depth. I even felt a flicker of sympathy for him at times (which I’m not sure was intentional!).
The themes — manipulation, grief, mental health, and female empowerment — are well handled, and the ending, while slightly far-fetched, delivered the kind of catharsis I was hoping for. I especially loved Martha’s storyline and would happily read more about her.
Overall, Don't Let Him In is a dark, unsettling read that’s perfect for fans of psychological thrillers and true crime vibes. Not Jewell’s most flawless, but definitely one of her most disturbing — and that’s saying something.
