Other People’s Houses by Clare Mackintosh is a layered thriller of secrets, lies, and murder

When break-ins on a luxury English estate collide with a body discovered in a Welsh lake, Clare Mackintosh’s Other People’s Houses unravels into a gripping web of crime, corruption, and personal drama.

The story begins with two separate investigations: in Cheshire, DS Leo Brady looks into a string of break-ins on The Hill, a posh community where people pay a premium for safety and exclusivity. Across the Welsh border, DC Ffion Morgan pulls the body of an estate agent from a lake. Neither case seems connected—until they are, and then things get complicated fast.

I didn’t realize at first that this book was part of a series, though it became clear when references cropped up about past cases and characters. These nods aren’t distracting, and for new readers, the book still works as a standalone. If anything, the references could have been trimmed, since the story is strong enough on its own.

One of the most engaging aspects of the novel is its sense of place. The border setting adds nuance, and the Welsh language woven into the narrative deepens the cultural backdrop. Mackintosh also tackles timely issues, including the housing crisis in Wales, where locals are priced out by short-term rentals, and the shadowy sides of the real estate industry. It’s both a sharp social commentary and a crime thriller.

The plotting here is especially intricate—three cases, at first disconnected, eventually intertwine in a way that feels both surprising and inevitable. A true crime podcast threads through the story too, though in a fresh way. Instead of portraying podcasters as meddling nuisances, Mackintosh shows how even the police can’t stop obsessing over the cold case being broadcast, blurring the line between professional detective work and amateur sleuthing.

Character drama plays a big role as well, particularly in Leo’s personal life. His ex-wife Ally is a standout—unhinged, hypocritical, and desperate to claw her way into The Hill’s exclusive community. Her manipulations made me want Leo to take full custody of their son. On the other hand, Ffion embodies the “cop gone rogue” trope that never quite wins me over. Her disregard for rules makes her less sympathetic, and I often wondered how she hasn’t tanked more cases with her impulsiveness. Still, the messy personal lives of both detectives add tension to the investigation and keep the story layered.

Overall, Other People’s Houses is a smart, multi-layered crime novel with plenty to sink your teeth into—whether you’re here for the social commentary, the puzzle-box plotting, or the messy human drama.

Book club question: Do you think a character like Ffion—who bends or outright breaks the rules in the name of justice—makes a story more compelling, or does it undermine the realism of police work?

An advance reader copy of this book (ARC) was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Related Content

• Clare Mackintosh on Coping with Failure (The Novelry)
• Writing twists and marketing as a traditionally published author with Clare Mackintosh (The Creative Penn)
• In conversation with award winning author and alumna, Clare Mackintosh (Royal Holloway University of London)
• Other People’s Houses by Clare Mackintosh (Portobello Book Blog)

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