Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell

I finished Don’t Let Him In in a single day, and I’m still reeling. Lisa Jewell has once again delivered a dark, twisty thriller that burrows under your skin and refuses to let go. It’s unsettling, infuriating, and utterly compelling — though not without its flaws.

Plot Summary

The story centres around Nick Radcliff — or at least, that’s one of his many names. After the death of Paddy, a beloved restaurateur, Nick reaches out to Paddy’s widow, Nina, under the guise of an old friend. What begins as a seemingly heartfelt gesture quickly spirals into something far more sinister. Nina’s daughter, Ash, is immediately suspicious, and rightly so. As Nick weaves his way into Nina’s life, we begin to see the extent of his deception — and the many women he’s manipulated, robbed, and emotionally destroyed.

Told through multiple POVs and timelines, we meet Martha, a florist juggling motherhood and a mysteriously absent husband; Al, her partner with secrets of his own; and a host of other women whose lives have been touched — and tainted — by Nick’s presence. The narrative jumps between past and present, slowly revealing the full scope of his crimes and the psychological damage he leaves in his wake.

Themes

Jewell explores manipulation, grief, mental health, and the terrifying reality of narcissistic abuse. The novel is less a whodunnit and more a psychological unravelling — we know early on that Nick is the villain, but watching the women piece it together is where the tension lies. There’s also a strong undercurrent of female empowerment, especially in the final chapters, which offer a satisfying sense of justice.

What Worked For Me

• Short chapters & fast pacing: Jewell’s signature style makes this a breeze to read, even when the subject matter is heavy.
• Nick’s POV: Getting inside his head was chilling but effective. His delusions of grandeur and crocodile tears made my skin crawl.
• Complex female characters: I especially loved Martha — strong, smart, and quietly resilient. The diversity of voices added depth.
• Realism: The plot may stretch believability at times, but the emotional realism is spot-on. These women felt real, and their reactions were painfully relatable.

What Didn’t Work So Well For Me

•  Too many characters: Honestly, there were moments I had to flick back a few pages just to remind myself who was who.
• Overlapping timelines: While I appreciate the ambition, the constant time jumps made it hard to stay grounded. It does become easier to follow, but the early chapters are a bit of a maze.
• Predictability: Some twists were easy to spot — once you know Nick’s MO, it’s not hard to guess what he’s done. That said, the execution kept me hooked.

Who Should Read This?

If you’re a Lisa Jewell fan, this is a must. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with emotional depth and character-driven tension. If you like true crime, con artist stories, or books that make you yell “WHY are you trusting him?!” at the page, you’ll be right at home.

Just be prepared to feel a bit exasperated — not with the writing, but with the sheer audacity of the villain and the heartbreak he causes.

Conclusion

Don’t Let Him In is a slow-burning, multi-layered thriller that grips you with its chilling realism and emotional intensity. While the structure can be confusing and the twists aren’t always surprising, the story is powerful, the characters compelling, and the ending deeply satisfying. It’s not Jewell’s most flawless work, but it’s certainly one of her most disturbing — and I mean that as a compliment.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Just don’t let him in.

Thank you to Penguin Random House SA for the opportunity to read this book.

Read an extract of the book here: Extract: Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell Penguin Random House South Africa

About the author:

Lisa Jewell

Also read: Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell

 

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