I absolutely loved this third book in the Fion Morgan series. As before, the book is set on the borders of Wales and England. In Wales, DC Fion Morgan is investigating a body that has been found in a kayak on the lake while on the other side of the border, DS Leo Brady is investigating a series of burglaries that have taken place in an exclusive area simply known as The Hill. Their personal relationship has moved on too although Fion is still refusing to make any commitments.
This is a brilliantly plotted book. We have the two separate cases which involve Fion and Leo and in the background there is a twenty year old murder case which is the subject of a very popular pod cast and is being reinvestigated by a cold case team. At first, there appears to be nothing to link these cases but gradually links begin to appear. The book also looks at the shady aspects of property buying and the role of estate agents who sadly, don’t come out of this story very well. As always with this author’s novels, I loved the way that all of the pieces come together.
The characters in this series are what makes it so good. I love Leo and it’s refreshing to have a male police officer who doesn’t appear to have any hangups or skeletons in the cupboard. Fion can be irritating and at times she comes across as quite immature in her professional life which seems surprising given her age. However, during the book there are signs of how she is becoming more mature and this is clearly seen in her dealings with Leo’s ex wife Allie. Allie isn’t at all likeable and the scenes involving her are often funny but we gradually get to see a little bit of what drives her to act this way and as with Fion, there are signs of her becoming a nicer character towards the end of the book. The minor characters are all vividly written and add a lot to the depth of the story.
This was a brilliant read. I think that this is the best in this series so far but would be a great stand alone read too.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers Little Brown Book Group UK for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Other Peoples Houses by Clare Mackintosh in return for my honest review.
I loved this book and didn’t want to put it down once I started, the story line is so cleverly written with lots of intriguing characters, seemingly unrelated crimes and plenty of twists to keep you engaged. I really liked the growing relationship between Ffion and Leo and of course Dave the dog, I hope this series continues for a long time, can’t wait for the next exciting instalment.

Not a bad story but definitely all the profanity was not needed to enhance the story.
A hint: You don't also know what goes on behind closed doors.

It's good to know that Ffion and Leo are still together in this third book in the DC Ffion Morgan original crime thriller series. This story features a 'True Crime' thread in the form of a podcast that explores a cold case where the wrong person was convicted, and the perpetrator remains free. It's not immediately clear if this is relevant to Ffion and Leo's current North Wales and Cheshire investigations, but as the story unfolds, connections emerge, and the suspense deepens. Ffion and Leo are likeable protagonists and intelligent detectives in contrast to the cast of mainly unlikeable characters they encounter. I like the relatable complex characters and the clever interweaving of the various plot threads. The pacy thriller combines the investigations and the personal lives of the detectives seamlessly, and there is a slow-burn menacing ethos that delivers impactful concluding chapters. It's an emotional and twisty thriller.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

4.5*

This series has really found its stride and I'm finding Ffion to be much less abrasive, more rounded and im really enjoying how her character is developing. Leo and George (and of course Dave the dog) also balance her out brilliantly.

I thought the case was great in this instalment and love the mixed media elements interspersed throughout. My only real fault for this one was the Allie chapters. She was so infuriating and annoying to read for most of it and whilst I absolutely get why she was needed and what her angle added I did get a little frustrated. However, whilst not redeemed I did come to accept her perspective for the final quarter as everything started to round up.

This is a series I've become really fond of and based on the ending I'm looking forward to what comes next!

Thank you to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK | Sphere for this digital review copy of "Other People's Houses" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

A great thriller! Loved this one, i really grew to love Ffion and Leo too. This book kept me on my toes, wanting to know what was happening! A real page turner!! A must read! I'm such a fan of this author!

Although this is the third book in the series it works well as a stand alone for anyone starting with this one. Fiona is hoping to buy a house when a body is discovered. Meanwhile Leo is working on a case involving burglaries from houses in a select part of town. Then these two cases become intertwined.

Interesting characters, including Leo’s ex-wife who, despite having moved into a new relationship herself, seems to begrudge Leo attempting to do likewise
All this plus an ending I didn’t see coming made for an excellent read.

I am a big fan of the other two Ffion Morgan books and this one is no different! Another amazing instalment in the series that will leave you wanting more.
In this instalment, Leo and Ffion are investigating two seperate crimes only they may not be as seperate as first believed. Their investigations will lead you down winding roads and just when you think it’s solved a spanner is thrown into the works and it changes direction. I was not able to solve this one so the reveal was a shock which I love in crime thriller books.
I honestly believe that Clare Mackintosh can do no wrong and I eagerly await her next offering.

I love this series that keeps getting better and better. Ffion is investigating the murder of an estate agent while Leo is working on a series of burglaries in a posh neighborhood. There are also snippets of a podcast that is focused on the cold case from 10 years prior of a murdered couple. The mysteries are fast-paced and well plotted, and I did not see the end coming. I love getting to know Ffion and Leo better - they are such great characters and I cannot wait for the next installment. I love Clare's writing style and sense of humor. Highly recommend this series for anyone who enjoys a clever mystery with also great character development. Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy. 4.25 stars

This is a great crime thriller.
Ffion is called when a woman’s body is found in a kayak. She’s soon identified as an estate agent who was on a team building weekend.
Leo is called when a house in an affluent area has been broken into, but it’s strange as not much has been taken.
Leo’s ex-wife lives nearby and is desperate to be accepted by the couples who live ‘on the Hill,’ so is around more than Leo would like.
Things start to overlap and soon Ffion and Leo are chasing the same person.
This is a great crime thriller that I really enjoyed.
Thanks to Little Brown Book group for the opportunity to read this book.

Okay, so, new book about Ffion Morgan, right? I've read all of them, and this one? Wow. Might be the best yet.

Ffion's looking into one thing, her partner Leo's looking into another. Turns out, they're chasing the same bad guys! The story goes all over the place, like a maze. I had no clue who did it, but when they showed me, it made sense. They even threw in parts of a true crime show, which was cool.

Leo's ex, Ali, she's in it a lot more. She's trying so hard to be friends with these fancy people, and it's super awkward but you can't look away.

Ffion and Leo? They're getting closer. They have some funny moments, and Dave the dog is back causing trouble. Plus, Ffion's getting along better with her coworker, George.

You could read this one by itself, but honestly, the other two books are great too. Read them all! I can't wait for the next one.

*Other People's Houses* by Clare Mackintosh is a gripping and thought-provoking psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of human relationships, secrets, and betrayal. The novel opens with a seemingly innocent act—a neighbor witnessing an affair—but quickly spirals into a story of tangled lives, deception, and the consequences of actions.

Set in a middle-class neighborhood where everyone seems to know everyone else's business, the novel revolves around a tight-knit group of residents who unknowingly become entangled in a scandal that shakes their community to its core. The book’s central character, Frances, a stay-at-home mom, has a complicated relationship with her neighbors, and when she witnesses a moment of infidelity, it triggers a chain of events that no one saw coming.

Mackintosh masterfully builds tension as she unravels the narrative, switching perspectives between key characters and revealing their hidden motives and vulnerabilities. The prose is sharp and insightful, with an emotional depth that resonates throughout. The pacing is strong, keeping readers on edge, especially as the stakes rise in the second half of the book.

What truly stands out in *Other People's Houses* is Mackintosh’s ability to portray the fragility of trust and the consequences of keeping or sharing secrets. The themes of guilt, loyalty, and judgment are explored with sensitivity, and the way the characters are shaped by their choices feels authentic and relatable.

The book is full of twists and turns, and though some may see a couple of plot developments coming, the payoff is still rewarding. The ending leaves readers reflecting on the nature of relationships and how easily lives can be upended by a single moment of decision.

Overall, *Other People's Houses* is a page-turning exploration of the messiness of human lives and the secrets we keep from the people closest to us. It’s a novel that will make readers question how well they really know the people in their lives, and how much of what we see is truly real.

This is the third instalment in the DC Ffion Morgan series; I am a big fan of the series and I absolutely loved this one, it might even be my favourite.

Ffion and Leo both start out investigating separate cases but as their enquiries deepen their investigations start to overlap. The plotting is brilliant, lots of twists and turns. I didn’t work out ‘whodunnit’ but the clues are there and the solution is satisfying. The snippets from a true crime pod cast were a great addition to the story.

It was brilliant to see Leo’s ex-wife Ali, take a more central role. Her desperate attempts to fit in with the residents on The Hill were both cringeworthy and riveting.

The relationship between Leo and Ffion progresses in this novel and their interactions provide some humouros, lighter moments as does Dave the dog, who is back and is still getting into mischief. It was also nice to see the relationship between Ffion and her colleague George develop.

I think this would work as a stand-alone but the first two books are equally brilliant so I would recommend you read them all! I’m already looking forward to the next one…

This book was great. It read well as a standalone even thought it was part of a series.
Ffion and Leo are police officers and we follow them as they work on their respective cases!
The story was multi-layered and fast-paced.

A super read It kept me interested throughout with its twists and turns. The characters were interesting particularly Ffion with her sharp remarks. Lots of interesting issues of social climbing, exclusive neighborhood, marital issues plus Dave the dog kept you thoroughly engaged,

Absolutely gripping thriller, I didn't want to put it down. Even though I haven't read the other two books in the series, it didn't stop me from enjoying this.

I would highly recommend if you love a crime thriller that is fast paced, easy to follow and an easy read.

5 stars.

I absolutely loved #OtherPeoplesHouses. It’s unputdownable, addictive, pulse pounding, action packed, emotional and fast paced.
Book #3 in the series but could also be read as a standalone.
It’s cleverly written and descriptive. The storyline flows well and is easy to read with the chapters alternating between Ffion, Leo and Abbie. With several plots that all link together. It’s not predictable, you’re guessing till the end with plenty of twists, intrigue and tension mixed with humour keeps you turning the pages.
DC Ffion Morgan, along with George are investigating the body found floating in a kayak. At the same time DS Leo Brady is investigating burglaries that are taking place in The Hill, which his ex wife Abbie is connected to. Also the cases have connection to the cold case/ podcast everyone is talking about.
The characters are loveable, funny and relatable.
Overall, a gripping, twisty mystery thriller. Definitely recommend. I can’t wait for the next instalment @claremackintoshwrites
With thanks to #NetGallery #LittleBrownBookGroupUk #Sphere for an arc of #OtherPeoplesHouses in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 27 February 2025.

DS Leo Brady is investigating recent burglaries that are occurring in a very exclusive street in Cheshire called The Hill, where surprisingly nothing of great value is being stolen, which leads Leo to think they are looking for something in particular, there is also a cold case that has been reopened from ten years ago, due to a social media podcast #WithoutConviction that has got everyone talking and it appears this is also linked to The Hill somehow. Over the border in Wales, DC Ffion Morgan has been called to an estate agents team building event where one of the team has been found dead in the lake, was it an accident or something more sinister?

Other People's Houses is the third in this series and its great to see Mackintosh returning with the familiar faces of Ffion, Leo, George and, of course, Dave the dog. Allie, Leo's ex wife also appears quite heavily in this one, trying desperately to get in with the hoi polloi who live on The Hill, and it would appear she will do anything to try and fit in. The story is told across a timeline of one week and interspersed throughout are the comments from the podcast fans for each episode which throws up an interesting twist to the tale. This is a fast paced read, filled with intrigue and suspense, with many of the characters having secrets they didn't want revealing and some going to great lengths to protect them. I've loved seeing them all again and I hope, with that ending, that we will be seeing even more of them, here's to book four!!

I'd like to thank Little, Brown Book Group UK, Sphere and NetGalley for the auto approval, i will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

Thank you Little Brown Book Company and Netgalley

This was a totally gripping read and it really did not disappoint.
This is third in a series but could be read as standalone,

The storyline kept me hooked and my jaw dropped a few times!
Highly recommend.
Thank you

‘Other People’s Houses‘ is the third book in the DC Ffion Morgan series by author Clare Macintosh. I really enjoyed the previous two books in this series so was eagerly looking forward to this one. Because I was already familiar with both the characters and the authors writing style I found it very easy to get straight into the story.

In Cheshire, DS Leo Brady is hunting a burglar who isn’t just after valuables and seems to be searching for something, or someone, in particular. Meanwhile, across the border in Wales, DC Ffion Morgan stumbles upon a chilling discovery, the body of an estate agent floating in a lake. When the two cases become connected Ffion and Leo must deal with a deceit, ambition, and long-buried secrets to uncover the truth.

This was not my favourite novel in the series but the bar was set quite high.

This is a good police procedural series with interesting strong characters and cleverly thought out plots.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.