Becky's Great Book Reviews Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell

Lisa Jewell has done it again with an unputdownable psychological thriller in Don't Let Him In. Stellar character development and a fascinating plot come together to make a top-notch novel.

According to his family, Paddy Swann was the most uncomplicated man in the world. When he dies unexpectedly and charming Nick Radcliffe comes into Nina's (Paddy's widow) life over a year later, Ash (Paddy and Nina's daughter) has an unsettled feeling. Is it just because she misses her dad, Paddy, so much? Ash, who questions her own state of mind because of struggling in the past with mental health issues, sets out to find out more about Nick.

Turns out Nick Radcliffe is just one of the names this man goes by. And he goes through wives just as often as he goes through names. Ash eventually learns, with the help of an old girlfriend of her father's, that Nick lies to and uses women. He ruins them financially and emotionally. And being a bigamist and a serial scammer is just the top layer.

Lisa Jewell deftly alternates chapters with Nick's point of view, giving readers a glimpse into his superiority complex. Nick uses love bombing, word salads, and gaslighting to get what he wants. As one of his wives puts it at one point, "he can make people do anything he wants them to do". Being emotionally vulnerable is perfect for Nick to swoop in and do his thing. Ash eventually uncovers many women that have been abused, manipulated, stolen from and broken by this man.

At one point Nick has this thought about his wives: "you all wanted me. You all had gaping voids in your lives, and you all invited me to fill them". However, his infuriating behavior is masked by his carefully crafted persona and one can see how Nick insinuates himself into someone's life only too easily. Lisa Jewell was inspired to write this book by various documentaries, podcasts, and books; this novel is believable and mirrors things that have actually happened.

Don't Let Him In is a kaleidoscope of a character study in psychopathy. This compelling story comes together with a gratifying ending that is not to be missed. Lisa Jewell's most recent novel gets five stars out of five from this reader.