Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 05/09/2025
Published by: Century
ISBN: 9781529196016
‘Don’t Let Him In’ may not deliver much mystery or thrills, but the psychological tension and insane manipulation keep me turning the pages.
Cover:
Writing:
Storyline:
Main character(s):
Secondary characters:
Nobody is what they seem. Everything is an illusion.
Once I settled into the dual timelines and shifting perspectives, I found myself oddly captivated by the storyline and its main character, Nick Radcliffe. The short chapters and well-timed reveals made the story even more addictive, and I eagerly consumed the escalating tension as Nick’s carefully constructed life began to unravel. However, some parts of the story felt frustratingly repetitive, and the climax didn’t quite reach the intensity I had hoped for.
People never fail to amaze me.
Nick is a truly disturbed character and undeniably the star of the story. His manipulative, vengeful nature and inflated sense of superiority made him both infuriating and fascinating. Sadly, the supporting characters fell flat in comparison. Ash, for example, is mainly defined by her vegan lifestyle and past mental health struggles, which makes her character painfully underdeveloped. Then there’s Martha, who folds too easily to Nick, constantly choosing her desires to unwind with a glass of wine over confronting him.
Discussion Questions (Contains spoilers!):
Q: Do you have any similar book recommendations?
For another read about twisted relationships, I recommend Nearly All the Men in Lagos Are Mad by Damilare Kuku. It’s a drama-packed collection that delves into the chaotic dating scene of Lagos. Another recommendation is Don’t Tell Me How to Die by Marshall Karp, which has messy relationships and con women.
Q: Which of Nick’s actions shocked you most?
His involvement in Ash’s mental breakdown out of revenge against her father truly floored me. I never would have guessed that he was behind the letters that led Ash to her breakdown. That level of pettiness and determination to cause pain was chilling! It really highlighted just how vindictive and coldly manipulative his character is.
Q: What is your favourite flower?
I don’t really have a favourite, but I think blue lilies are absolutely stunning! Plus, blue is my favourite colour.
Q: Can you remember a time when you were caught in a lie or caught someone in a lie?
Q: Do you think Nina would have eventually become another of Nick’s victims, or seen through him without Ash’s investigation?
Q: Has someone ever borrowed a lot of money from you and never paid it back?
Q: Can you relate to the experiences of gaslighting or love bombing described in the book?
Q: Have you ever found yourself obsessing over someone?
Q: What was your first impression of Ash, and did it change as the story progressed?
Q: Would you have approached investigating Nick in the same way Ash did?
Q: Have you ever looked into someone for a friend or loved one?
Q: Were you surprised by Nick’s involvement in Nina’s husband’s death?
Q: How would you react if you saw someone you thought was dead?
Q: Have you lost a parent? How did you process the grief?
Q: Which of the secondary characters did you find the most interesting?
Q: Have you secretly tracked someone’s location before?
Q: What did you think of the climax and resolution of the story? Would you have changed anything?
Q: What are your thoughts on the structure of this book?
Q: Have you tried life coaching before, and did it help you?
Do you agree or disagree with anything mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below.
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