Genre: Psychological Thriller / Mystery
Format reviewed: Advance copy

A quiet lake.
A double murder.
A missing teenage girl.

A chilling lake-resort thriller packed with secrets, suspicion, and jaw-dropping twists.

It’s Not Her by Mary Kubica is the kind of thriller that grabs you from page one and doesn’t let go. Atmospheric, twisty, and deeply unsettling this one had me second-guessing everyone.

If you love isolated settings, “who can you trust?” mysteries, and books that keep your heart racing, add this to your February TBR.

⭐ Quick Take

It’s Not Her is everything a great psychological thriller should be: claustrophobic, twisty, and impossible to put down. Set at a secluded lake resort, this novel delivers relentless tension, a haunting atmosphere, and revelations that genuinely shock cementing Mary Kubica as a master of the genre.

If you love thrillers that make you question everyone, including yourself, this one belongs at the top of your list.

Where to Buy

It's Not Her by Mary Kubica book cover.

🔗 Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm
🎧 Audiobook: Available on release day

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What It’s About (Spoiler-Free)

Courtney Gray’s quiet family vacation in the Northwoods of Wisconsin shatters in an instant when she hears a blood-curdling scream from the lakeside cottage next door. Inside, she finds her brother and sister-in-law brutally murdered.

Her teenage niece, Reese, is missing.

Her young nephew, Wyatt, is found asleep upstairs—unharmed.

As police flood the once-peaceful resort town, Courtney is pulled into an investigation that begins exposing unsettling truths about her family and the community around them. With secrets emerging from every direction, one terrifying question looms:

Is Reese a victim…or something far more disturbing?

Why It Works

Mary Kubica wastes no time. The novel opens with a scream and never lets you catch your breath.

What makes It’s Not Her so effective is its slow, suffocating unraveling of trust. Kubica excels at creating an atmosphere where every interaction feels loaded and every character seems capable of deception. Neighbors feel off. The police feel opaque. Even moments of quiet hum with menace.

The isolated lake setting heightens everything. The woods close in. The cabins feel too close, yet impossibly far from help. Kubica’s descriptive writing is so immersive that it’s easy to feel like you’re standing beside Courtney listening for footsteps, bracing for doors to open, questioning what you think you know.

And the twists?
Let’s just say this is not a book that can be outsmarted easily.

Character & Emotional Depth

Courtney is a compelling anchor for the story. Thrown into unimaginable trauma, she reacts with a mix of shock, determination, and creeping dread that feels painfully real. Her emotional arc adds depth to what could have been a purely plot-driven thriller.

What stands out is how Kubica layers grief, guilt, and fear into the narrative without slowing the pace. The emotional stakes deepen alongside the mystery, making every revelation land harder.

Atmosphere & Pacing

This is a true nail-biter.

Kubica balances quiet, unsettling moments with explosive reveals, creating a rhythm that keeps tension high without exhausting the reader. The pacing is tight, the chapters fly by, and the story has that addictive quality where “just one more chapter” turns into hours lost.

If you love thrillers that feel cinematic, intense, and deeply immersive, It’s Not Her delivers in full.

Things to Know Before Reading

  • Features violent crime (off-page but impactful)
  • Centers on family trauma and long-buried secrets
  • Isolated, claustrophobic setting
  • High tension throughout
  • No excessive gore, but emotionally intense

Who Should Read This

Perfect for readers who love:

  • Atmospheric thrillers
  • Isolated or “locked-room” style mysteries
  • Ensemble casts with shifting suspicion
  • True-crime vibes
  • “Who can you trust?” narratives
  • Fast, binge-worthy reads

If you enjoyed 6:40 to Montreal or Kubica’s earlier novels, this one will absolutely hit.

Final Thoughts

It’s Not Her is a masterclass in suspense packed with chilling revelations, sharp emotional insight, and twists that actually surprise. Mary Kubica proves once again why she’s a go-to author for readers who want their thrillers dark, immersive, and unforgettable.

Clear your schedule before you start.
This is the kind of book that takes over your day.

⭐ Highly recommended.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is It’s Not Her by Mary Kubica a fast read?
Yes. The pacing is tight from the opening chapter, with short chapters and constant momentum that make it hard to put down.

Does It’s Not Her have big twists?
Absolutely but they’re earned. The reveals feel shocking without being gimmicky.

Is It’s Not Her scary or gory?
It’s psychologically intense rather than graphic. The tension comes from atmosphere, suspicion, and emotional stakes.

Do I need to read other Mary Kubica books first?
No. It’s Not Her works perfectly as a standalone.