Review by KG Whitehurst
Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase it.
If you think the policing, its procedures and politicking, feel authentic in Other People’s Houses, then know Claire Macintosh was a British police officer for twelve years before she turned full-time writer. Her debut novel won Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Novel Award in 2016. Twice, her novels have been Richard and Judy Book Club Picks. An Englishwoman now living in Wales where this novel is set, Macintosh believes it very important to include authentic Welsh character and place names. She provides a handy pronunciation guide to Welsh words, phrases, and place names. You will need it. Welsh is one of the most difficult languages in Europe.
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In policing, they aren’t in the same department. He’s in Chester CID; she, in North Wales. They aren’t even on the same case, at least initially. When a drowned woman in a kayak is found tangled in brush along the Awen, Ffion is called out. Accident? Suicide? Murder? The forensic pathologist must determine that, but first, the victim is identified as Natasha Brett, a go-getting estate agent. Given Ffion’s been the victim of estate agent chicanery, she investigates with a chip on her shoulder. Leo, on the other hand, has to investigate a burglary in a swanky enclave called the Hill, where little of importance was taken. (Mackintosh provides a map of the houses.) These burglaries grow in violence, if not in value. Allie wants desperately to crack the social exclusivity of the Hill, but the deliciously shallow, mutually antagonistic denizens make their disdain for her and each other clear. The cases cross when the forensic pathologist rules Natasha’s death a murder, and the most likely suspects live on the Hill.
This is an intricately plotted narrative. You must pay attention, and complexity warrants the long set up. Overall, this is an interesting story in an unusual location about which most readers know little. The strength lies in the principal characters. You may not like any of them, but you will react to them as people. Another strength is realistic presentation of the police. Under-resourced, yet still able to squabble over jurisdiction and precedence.
The story rockets from slow to flat-out in a matter of a few chapters, with a couple of feints in wrong directions. The climax is a heart-stopper.
To enter to win a copy of Other People’s Houses, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "other people's,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen October 11, 2025. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.
You can click here to purchase this book.
Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.K.G. Whitehurst holds a PhD in British history from the University of Virginia. K.G. has blogged about historical fiction at DIYMFA.com; she writes both historical and science fiction mysteries. She lives with her husband, three cats, and over 100 houseplants in Frederick, Maryland, USA.
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