Don't Let Him In

Lisa Jewell is well known for her bestselling novels and Don’t Let Him In demonstrates why. It’s breathtaking. Born in London, Lisa Jewell worked in the fashion world before almost by chance she began her writing career. Her debut novel, Ralph’s Party, brought her instant success and she has since written over twenty novels in different genres including psychological thrillers like Don’t Let Him In.

The plot of Don’t Let Him In is so intricate and gripping that I sped through the pages to find out what happens next, only to be forced to slow down for the careful reading demanded by this novel. Just as the overall story seems to be on an even keel it turns sharply round another corner – and then another and yet another as it swings from character to character and from the recent past back to the menace of today. The story opens with Ash, daughter of Nina and Paddy, who is increasingly worried on her mother’s behalf. Nina’s husband Paddy had died a few months earlier, after being pushed under a train. But it isn’t long before Nina receives a card of sympathy from Nick Radcliffe and the relationship grows. To her daughter’s concern, he seems to be very much in love with Nina and moves in with them. Then there’s Martha married to Alistair, the perfect man – or so she thinks. Is everything as it seems though? Ash thinks not but her way forward to protect her mother proves a tortuous one. Nina is not alone in being at risk, but who are the others? That’s the puzzle.

Lisa Jewell excels in writing about ordinary people – as the characters in Don’t Let Him In at first seem to be. This is no ordinary thriller however. It’s in the hands of a superb writer. One mystery follows another, one shock cascades into the next as this chilling compulsive novel sweeps you along with it.

It’s a winner.    

Editor’s Note: Lisa Jewell is the British Guest of Honour at the 2025 World Crime and Mystery Convention Bouchercon New Orleans September 3 - 7, 2025