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Release date: February 3, 2026

Publisher: Park Row

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Two families vacationing at a secluded lake resort are at the center of a chilling crime and mysterious disappearance in this twisty, unputdownable thriller

A stunning discovery…
Courtney Gray’s tranquil family vacation is shattered when she hears a blood-curdling scream from the lakeside cottage next door. There she finds the lifeless bodies of her brother and sister-in-law. Her teenage niece Reese is nowhere to be found, while her nephew Wyatt lies asleep upstairs, unharmed.

A shocking investigation…
As the police descend on the quiet resort town, disturbing secrets about Courtney’s family start to emerge. When she learns that the town has secrets of its own, it makes her wonder if Reese is another victim in a brutal crime or if she’s the killer.

A truth no one could have imagined …
As Courtney begins to unravel the terrible mystery, she realizes that everyone around her has something to hide. And the closer she gets to the truth, the harder it is to see…

Review:

It’s Not Her by Mary Kubica is the kind of thriller that pulls you in immediately and never loosens its grip. Told through dual POVs—Courtney in the present aftermath of a brutal crime and Reese in the days leading up to it—the story balances two timelines that are equally compelling. I was fully invested in both narrators, which doesn’t always happen, and the way their perspectives slowly circle the same chilling event kept the pages flying.

Kubica excels at tension here. The pacing is fast, the twists are solid, and the sense of unease never lets up. Set in a secluded, wooded lake resort dotted with cabins, the atmosphere is claustrophobic and creepy in the best way. This is a story where trust is a liability, I suspected everyone, then doubted myself, then suspected them all over again. The author does an excellent job of planting seeds of doubt and constantly forcing you to reassess what you think you know.

Beyond the mystery itself, the family and domestic drama adds real weight to the story. Secrets unravel, relationships fracture, and the emotional stakes feel just as intense as the physical danger. With a strong opening, addictive momentum, and a finale that rewards all that second guessing, It’s Not Her is a highly satisfying, unputdownable thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.