It Could Have Been Her

PREPARE TO BE HOOKED by the brand new thriller from Lisa Jewell, author of the Sunday Times bestselling novels None of This Is True and Don't Let Him In.

'A deliciously twisted gem of a thriller and her best yet' CLAIRE DOUGLAS
'A true masterpiece' ANDREA MARA
'Superbly written, entertaining and twisty' LIZ NUGENT
'Dark, intense, brilliant' SHARI LAPENA

It was the night she almost died.

Jane Trevally, newly divorced and feeling a little lost, agrees to accompany a man she doesn't know to his house in the darkest corner of Hampstead Heath. She's offered a drink, goes in, and then - a scream and the sound of something falling upstairs - Jane senses she's in a bad place. She runs.

Twenty five years later, Jane finds herself outside the same house, this time to return a small white dog who's been found near her home in the country; a dog whose owner has just been reported missing.

A fleeting glimpse of a haunted looking woman through the window sends Jane on a mission to uncover the house's secrets - secrets more terrifying than she could have ever imagined, especially when she realises it could have been her. . .

Lisa Jewell's first novel, Ralph’s Party, was published in 1999 and was the best-selling debut novel of the year. Since then she has published another twenty-three novels, most lately a number of dark psychological thrillers, including Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs and None of This is True. Lisa is a number one New York Times and Sunday Times author who has sold over ten million books worldwide and been published in more than thirty languages. She lives in north London with her husband, two daughters, Daisy, a Romanian rescue dog, and a mad orange cat called Ivy. @lisajewelluk on Twitter @lisajewelluk on Instagram @lisajewellofficial on Facebook.

It’s clever, absorbing and the characters are much richer and weirder than they would be in a by-the-book detective story’ — Sunday Times

Jewell does it again with an edgy thriller that grabs from the go — Good Housekeeping

An unsettling pageturner from the queen of thrillers. — Fabulous

I don’t know how she does it, but again, it’s her best book yet. Absolutely stunning storytelling, with layer after layer deftly and tantalisingly revealed, and a denouement that is so perfect, so devilishly clever, and yet I didn’t see it coming. A true masterpiece — Andrea Mara

A top-notch thriller, featuring the most endearing protagonist that I can easily identify with - a nosy middle-aged woman who stumbles across the story of a missing girl and decides to investigate it herself. Alternately cosy and harrowing, it investigates the most toxic family I have ever read. Superbly written with wit and class, Lisa Jewell remains at the top of her game with this entertaining and twisty thriller — Liz Nugent

Nobody does dark, dysfunctional families like Lisa Jewell. A writer at the top of her game who consistently smashes it out of the park. I devoured It Could Have Been Her in a day. A deliciously twisted gem of a thriller and her best yet. She really is a genius storyteller. — Claire Douglas

Lisa Jewell books are a must read for me. She creates living, breathing characters you recognise, but also because you can never tell where she is going to go next. I only know that it’s going to be dark! — Jojo Moyes

Twisty, twisted and oh so dark. Lisa Jewell once again proves herself a master of suspense. — Riley Sager

Deliciously dark, devilishly addictive and beautifully written. This gripping, twisted tale will keep you guessing until the end. Nobody writes like Lisa Jewell — Alice Feeney

Lisa is a rare gem of a writer, creating characters that feel steeped in their own histories, plots that feel straight from prime time tv, and endings that always, always stick. The main thing readers should know about her writing is that you will always be glad you’ve read a Lisa Jewell novel - and likely will straightaway order your next — Gillian McAllister

It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell is a gripping psychological thriller that explores obsession, hidden identities, family secrets, and the long-lasting consequences of a single act of violence. True to Jewell's style, the novel combines multiple perspectives, shifting timelines, and slowly unfolding mysteries to create a story that keeps readers questioning every character's motives until the very end.

The story begins with a shocking crime that appears to have no clear explanation. A young woman is attacked under mysterious circumstances, leaving investigators searching for answers while those closest to the victim struggle to understand why she was targeted. At first, it seems like an isolated incident, but subtle clues suggest that the attack may have been intended for someone else. The title itself hints at the central question that drives the novel: what if the victim was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, and someone else was the true target?

As the investigation unfolds, the narrative introduces several seemingly unrelated characters whose lives gradually become connected. Some are burdened by painful memories, while others are hiding dangerous secrets they have spent years trying to protect. Each character believes they understand the past, but as new information comes to light, they realize that the truth has been carefully concealed beneath layers of lies, misunderstandings, and deliberate deception.

One of the novel's greatest strengths is the way it examines how ordinary people can become trapped by extraordinary circumstances. Every character carries emotional scars, whether from childhood trauma, failed relationships, or difficult family histories. These experiences influence their decisions in the present, often leading them to make choices that seem irrational but feel completely believable. Jewell carefully reveals these personal histories piece by piece, allowing readers to understand why each person behaves the way they do.

As detectives work to identify the attacker, attention turns toward events that occurred years earlier. A forgotten disappearance, an unresolved family conflict, and long-buried betrayals begin resurfacing. The deeper the investigation goes, the more obvious it becomes that the recent violence cannot be understood without first uncovering what happened in the past. Old friendships are reexamined, family relationships become strained, and people who once appeared trustworthy begin to seem suspicious.

The novel frequently shifts between different points of view, allowing readers to see the same events through contrasting perspectives. This structure creates uncertainty because every narrator possesses only part of the truth. Some intentionally hide information, while others genuinely misunderstand what they have witnessed. As a result, readers are constantly encouraged to reconsider earlier assumptions. Characters who initially seem innocent may have something to hide, while those who appear guilty may simply be victims of unfortunate circumstances.

Throughout the story, the theme of identity plays an important role. Several characters struggle with the gap between who they appear to be and who they truly are. Public appearances often hide private fears, regrets, and ambitions. Jewell explores how easily people can reinvent themselves, conceal painful experiences, or manipulate the perceptions of others. These hidden identities contribute significantly to the suspense, as nearly everyone seems capable of keeping an important secret.

Relationships form the emotional core of the novel. Parents and children, siblings, friends, and romantic partners all find themselves tested by revelations that challenge their trust in one another. Some relationships survive because of honesty and forgiveness, while others collapse under the weight of years of deception. The novel suggests that even well-intentioned lies can grow into destructive forces when they remain hidden for too long.

As more evidence emerges, investigators begin connecting the recent attack to events that had once been dismissed as accidents or unfortunate coincidences. Small details that seemed insignificant early in the story suddenly take on new meaning. Jewell carefully plants clues throughout the narrative, rewarding attentive readers without making the solution obvious. The growing realization that several lives have been shaped by the same hidden truth creates steadily increasing tension.

The middle portion of the novel focuses heavily on psychological suspense rather than physical danger. Characters become increasingly uncertain about whom they can trust, and many begin conducting investigations of their own. Some uncover information they wish had remained buried, while others find themselves in greater danger because they have come too close to discovering the truth. Fear spreads not only because of the unknown attacker but also because the past refuses to stay hidden.

Eventually, the investigation reaches a turning point when the true connection between the major characters is revealed. Long-standing assumptions are overturned as the hidden relationships among families, former friends, and forgotten acquaintances become clear. The attack that initially appeared random is exposed as part of a much larger story involving revenge, guilt, mistaken identity, and unresolved emotional wounds. The realization that the wrong person may have suffered because of someone else's past decisions gives the novel its emotional weight.

The final chapters bring together every storyline in a tense and satisfying conclusion. The identity of the person responsible is finally uncovered, along with the motivations behind the crime. Rather than relying solely on dramatic action, the climax emphasizes emotional confrontation as characters face the consequences of choices made years before. Secrets are exposed, painful truths are accepted, and those responsible must finally answer for their actions.

Although justice is ultimately served, the ending remains thoughtful rather than completely triumphant. Jewell highlights the lasting impact that violence, deception, and unresolved trauma can have on individuals and families. Some characters find healing and new beginnings, while others are forced to live with the consequences of decisions they cannot undo. The novel concludes by reminding readers how easily lives can be changed by coincidence and how one person's hidden past can unexpectedly shape another person's future.

Overall, It Could Have Been Her is an absorbing psychological thriller that blends mystery with emotional depth. Lisa Jewell creates a compelling cast of flawed, believable characters whose lives become increasingly intertwined through secrets, lies, and unexpected connections. With carefully paced suspense, surprising twists, and a strong focus on family relationships and identity, the novel delivers both an engaging mystery and a thoughtful exploration of how the past continues to influence the present. It is a story about survival, truth, and the fragile line between chance and destiny, leaving readers reflecting on how differently life might have unfolded if events had taken just one small turn.