"Don't Let Him In" | Reviewed by Susan Ferguson

“Don’t Let Him In,” by Lisa Jewell, is a psychological mystery full of twists, lies and deceptions. The story begins when Nina Swann receives a package and a note of condolence on the sudden death of her highly successful restaurateur husband, Paddy. He was well loved and known by many, so Nina doesn’t even question that the note from Nick Radcliffe is anything but sincere.

Soon their correspondences turn into a budding relationship. Although Nina is in awe of good-looking, kind Nick, her grown daughter, Ash, is skeptical. Ash, who has plenty of time on her hands, begins digging into Nick’s past. His past is vague and she grabs at any little straw she can find. Through Ash’s search, readers meet several new characters, all providing her with just a little more info enabling her to move forward.

The narrative and point of view switch from Nina and Ash to Martha, a successful businesswoman who owns her own floral shop. Martha is busy running her business, raising two teenage sons, by her first marriage, and now has a baby daughter by her second husband, the love of her life, Alistair Grey. Her life is crazy and it doesn’t help that Alistair is gone from home more and more. Despite the extra hours he is working, there is never enough money. Alistair disappears for days with his phone turned off. When Martha confronts Alistair about his disappearing act, he always has a legitimate explanation. Still Martha is suspicious and struggling with it all.   

The story fluctuates between the three women’s points of view. Eventually Ash learns enough about Nick’s past that she informs her mother of her suspicions. Their pursuit to find the truth leads them to Martha, who also is on a journey to learn the truth about Alistair. Together the women discover the disturbing truth about Nick and Alistair.

Although Nick and Alistair are despicable, and totally unlikeable, you can’t stop reading about them. The author, like Nick and Alistair, draws you in. “Don’t Let Him In” has so many characters that it takes effort to keep them all straight, but the short chapters make this novel an easy read. It's perfect for a beach or pool read, quick and easy.

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