Other People's Houses by Clare Mackintosh

Clare MackIntosh’s Other People’s Houses is one of those books that creeps up on you—in the best way. It begins with a seemingly ordinary premise: a couple buys their dream home in a quiet neighborhood, expecting peace and a fresh start. But as the title suggests, what goes on behind other people’s closed doors is never quite what it seems. And that’s where the story digs in. This novel is layered with suspense, emotion, and the kind of subtle psychological tension that keeps you flipping pages late into the night. McIntosh does a fantastic job of creating characters who feel real—flawed, private, and sometimes unknowable even to themselves. As the main couple becomes more entangled in the secrets of their new neighbors, the book raises deeper questions: How well do we really know the people around us? And what truths would we rather not uncover? What sets this book apart is its pacing. It’s not a thriller in the traditional sense, but the unease builds slowly and steadily, making every chapter feel like a breadcrumb trail to something big. And when the twists come, they land with impact—not because they’re flashy, but because they feel earned. If you're into domestic dramas with sharp insight and a good dose of mystery, Other People’s Houses delivers. It captures that eerie feeling of looking into someone else’s life and realizing that perfection is just a façade. It’s not just about what happens behind closed doors—it’s about what we choose to see, and what we ignore. This is a smart, quietly gripping read that will leave you thinking long after the final page. Definitely one to add to your nightstand stack if you like fiction that blends suspense with emotional depth.