It's Not Her

By: Mary Kubica

Narrators: Jennifer Jill Araya, Brittany Pressley, Gary Tiedemann

ISBN: 978-0778387992

Publisher: Harlequin Audio | Park Row

Publication Date: 02/03/2026

Format: Other

My Rating: 5 Stars

FEB 2026 MUST-READ BOOKS

“A gripping thrill ride with razor sharp tension and a whiplash ending I never saw coming. Kubica is a masterful storyteller!” —Jeneva Rose, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Two families vacationing at a secluded lake resort are at the center of a chilling crime and mysterious disappearance in this twisty, unputdownable thriller

A stunning discovery…

Courtney Gray's tranquil family vacation is shattered when she hears a blood-curdling scream from the lakeside cottage next door. There she finds the lifeless bodies of her brother and sister-in-law. Her teenage niece Reese is nowhere to be found, while her nephew Wyatt lies asleep upstairs, unharmed.

A shocking investigation…

As the police descend on the quiet resort town, disturbing secrets about Courtney’s family start to emerge. When she learns that the town has secrets of its own, it makes her wonder if Reese is another victim in a brutal crime or if she’s the killer.

A truth no one could have imagined …

As Courtney begins to unravel the terrible mystery, she realizes that everyone around her has something to hide. And the closer she gets to the truth, the harder it is to see…

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My Review

Mary Kubica’s latest twisty thriller, IT’S NOT HER, delves into the dark heart of a family vacation gone terribly wrong. Set against the backdrop of a tranquil yet eerie Wisconsin lake resort, this intricately woven dual-timeline mystery draws inspiration from the haunting real-life Keddie cabin murders.

As the story unfolds, Courtney is thrust into a nightmare when she arrives at the idyllic retreat only to discover the brutal slaying of her brother and sister-in-law. The serene landscape is tainted by their tragic fate, and the ominous disappearance of her 17-year-old niece, Reese, casts a shadow over the family.

Highlights...

The Crime:

While on a family vacation, Courtney Gray hears a scream from the cottage next door. She discovers her brother Nolan and sister-in-law Emily have been murdered.

The Survivors:

Courtney's 14-year-old nephew, Wyatt, is found unharmed, apparently having slept through the massacre. However, her 17-year-old niece, Reese, has vanished.

Dual Perspectives: The narrative alternates between:

~Courtney (Present): Following the aftermath as she searches for Reese and uncovers family secrets.

~Reese (Past): Leading up to the murders, revealing her "stubborn and defiant" nature and a secretive relationship with an older man named Daniel.

Suspects:

The "locked-room" feel puts everyone under suspicion, including Courtney’s husband Elliott (who has blood on his shoes) and the secretive residents of the resort town.

Hidden Motives:

Nolan and Emily were having marriage troubles, and Wyatt may be hiding more than he lets on about what he saw.

Connection to Past Crimes:

Courtney learns of another girl who disappeared from the area years prior, leading her to wonder if Reese is a victim or a perpetrator.

The gripping psychological suspense escalates to a highly anticipated, shocking ending and many red herrings, designed to keep the reader guessing.

My thoughts...

Kubica masterfully crafts the narrative through alternating timelines, leading readers through the chaotic moments before the murders and the harrowing aftermath. Each perspective peels back layers of deep-seated family secrets, creating a tapestry of suspense and intrigue that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.

Atmospheric and gritty, the thriller explores themes of teenage angst, family dysfunction, and the secrets hidden within a small town. Because everyone is a "viable suspect," the story is in a constant state of suspicion and doubt with misdirection.

A central theme is the terrifying uncertainty of not knowing who to trust, even within one’s own family. Characters are forced to "decide who is telling the truth" as hidden motives surface. Beyond the suspense, IT'S NOT HER is layered, emotionally charged, and heartbreaking.

Kubica explores several dark, complex themes centered on a family tragedy and a shocking final twist.

Themes...

~Fractured Family Dynamics

~The Fragility of Trust

~Trauma and Grief

~Secrets and Deception

~Adolescence and Vulnerability

~Domestic Violence and Abuse

The takeaway centers on the fragility of family bonds and the dangerous gap between public perception and private reality. The story examines how trauma and unsettling truths about a family’s past echo through generations, often surfacing in violent or unexpected ways.

No one is as innocent as they seem. Kubica explores how grief, suspicion, and buried secrets can turn the people you know best into total strangers. Long-held family secrets and domestic drama can eventually fracture relationships beyond repair, leading to devastating consequences.

The Audiobook...

I recently acquired the audiobook, beautifully narrated by an exceptional cast of stars, including the talented Jennifer Jill Araya, the captivating Brittany Pressley, and the versatile Gary Tiedemann. Each of them brings their unique voice to the characters, skillfully breathing life into the story. Their remarkable performances truly capture the book's atmospheric setting and its dark undertones, immersing the listener in a vivid auditory experience that resonates long after the final chapter.

Readers who enjoyed Mary Kubica's It's Not Her might like other psychological thrillers featuring domestic suspense, remote settings, shocking twists, and hidden family secrets, such as:

~The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

~Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena

~Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

~None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

~The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager

~The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks

Pub Date: Feb 03, 2025

My Rating: 5 Stars

Feb Newsletter

Praise

“A family vacation turns unspeakably grim. I relished every page. Tantalizing, terrifying and all too real. I couldn’t put it down.”

~ Shari Lapena, New York Times bestselling author of She Didn’t See It Coming

“Twisting. Chilling. Heartbreaking. Mary Kubica is the master of misdirection, and It’s Not Her is the kind of killer thriller that keeps you guessing until the final page. Cancel your plans, you won’t be able to put this one down.”

~ Chris Whitaker, New York Times bestselling author of All the Colors of the Dark

“A gripping thrill ride with razor sharp tension and a whiplash ending I never saw coming. Kubica is a masterful storyteller!”

~ Jeneva Rose, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“A family vacation takes a deadly turn and will have you questioning everything and everyone in this chilling, fast-paced thriller. Wickedly smart and incredibly twisted, It’s Not Her hooked me from the start and never let go! You will not be able to put this one down!”

~ Ashley Elston, #1 New York Times bestselling author of First Lie Wins

“Compulsively readable and impossible to put down, this book starts with a bang and doesn’t let up. It’s Not Her is both a terrifying, twisting thriller, and a glimpse into the heart of a family both before and after a tragedy. Mary Kubica is an absolute master of suspense!”

~ Megan Miranda, New York Times bestselling author of You Belong Here

"Impressive."

—Kirkus

"Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden and Shari Lapena."

—Reader's Digest

“Heart pumping.” —Marie Claire

“[Kubica] keeps the reader guessing, revising, and then guessing some more in the well-plotted and superbly paced It’s Not Her.”

—Bookpage

About the Author

Mary Kubica is a New York Times bestselling author of suspense thrillers, including The Good Girl, The Other Mrs., and Local Woman Missing. Her books have been translated into over thirty languages and have sold over two million copies worldwide. She’s been described as “a helluva storyteller” (Kirkus) and “a writer of vice-like control” (Chicago Tribune), and her novels have been praised as “hypnotic” (People) and “thrilling and illuminating” (L.A. Times). She lives outside of Chicago with her husband and children.

Visit Mary at http://www.marykubica.com/