It's Not Her

This wasn't the suspense read I was expecting. 

It's got an eerie, atmospheric vibe and I always love a story that uses short chapters and multiple POVs. The story is told using two perspectives - Courtney, and her teenage niece Reese who goes missing. Kubica gives readers a few culprits for readers to suspect but it felt like the story's focus was off. 

It centres around a SUPER messy family, most of whom are quite unlikeable and a few that are easy to hate. The story is about a missing teen and a horrible double murder, but the dysfunctional family drama and some of Courtney's poor decisions distracted this reader from the suspense. 

I hung on because of the promise of a good twist (and it was good), but the story was too slowly paced and repetitive with the family members' animosity toward each other and some of their behaviours feeling over the top (and not well explained). 

I'm in the vast minority with my feelings about this book and despite this not being a favourite of mine by this author, I continue to be a fan of Mary Kubica and will eagerly recommend her books - like Local Woman Missing, She's Not Sorry, and The Other Mrs. 

My Rating: 2.5 stars

Author: Mary Kubica

Genre: Suspense

Type and Source: hardcover from public library

Publisher: Park Row

First Published: Feb 10, 2026

Read: Feb 2-9, 2026

Book Description from GoodReads: A scream shatters the silence…

Courtney Gray’s peaceful vacation turns into a nightmare when she discovers her brother and sister-in-law dead in their lakeside cottage. Her niece Reese is missing. Her nephew Wyatt is asleep upstairs—unharmed.

A town full of secrets…
As police swarm the quiet resort, dark truths about Courtney’s family—and the town itself—begin to surface. Is Reese a victim… or the killer?

A truth no one saw coming…
With everyone hiding something, Courtney races to uncover the terrible mystery. But the closer she gets, the harder it is to know who—or what—to trust.