
Member Reviews

Another action packed outing for Welsh crime fighter, Detective Ffion Morgan and her Cheshire CID based boyfriend detective Leo Brady. The pair are busy as always investigating their own cases when a popular true crime podcast seems to have links to both their cases. As the story progresses the twists, turns and connections lead to a humdinger of a finale which will not disappoint.
Clare's experiences as a police officer brings a real authenticity to everything she writes. As well as writing thrilling crime fiction she manages to instil real humour in her writing through the hilarious exploits of Leo's social climbing ex wife Allie not to mention those of Dave the dog! Definitely a series that is going from strength to strength and one I hope continues for more than a few books yet.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

This is the third installement in the DC Morgan series, and oh my goodness did it deliver!
A true 'whodunnit' story with an array of intriguing characters that really does keep you on the edge of your seat, even as the story begins to unfold.
Fantastic!

I really enjoy this series. This is another 5 star for me. Ffion is such a realistic, relatable character. And her relationship with Leo is flawed and believable.
I love the work dynamic between her and George and this case showed off all the supporting characters really well.
Congrats Clare MackIntosh on another fab instalment in this series.

This is the third book in the DC Ffion Morgan series and they only get better. I can’t say that about a lot of series. Set on the border of north Wales and England (pretty much where I live), I’m completely invested in Ffion and Leo and all the characters that have grown on me. It’s like returning to an old friend when one of these books is released. If you’re looking for a detective series to keep you gripped and to make you smile and roll your eyes and get angry and learn to love…this is what you need. Clare Mack does it again!

Oh thank you so much for the privilege of allowing me to read an early copy! It was so so good to be back reading about Ffion and Leo! Full of twists, it kept me guessing. Once again an absolute masterpiece from Clare Mackintosh, she never ever disappoints!

I loved the first in the DC Morgan series and was a bit meh on the second, so really didn't know what to expect from Other People's Houses.
Set mostly in and around a wealthy housing estate called The Hill in Cheshire on DS Brady's patch, the book pulls together three disparate narrative strands: the death of an estate agent while on a team awayday in Wales, which Ffion Morgan is tasked with investigating, a series of burglaries on The Hill which Leo Brady is looking into, and the cold case murders of a middle aged couple in Cheshire a decade ago, which is now the subject of a successful podcast. Throw in the complicating factor that Leo's ex-wife and co-parent, the socially climbing Allie, now lives close to The Hill, and you have a recipe for a complex and enjoyable police procedural.
I continue to find Ffion more irritating than endearing, but Leo makes up for that and Allie makes a superbly awful antagonist to them both.
4.5 stars: highly recommended.

I absolutely love Clare Mackintosh books and was delighted to get an early copy of her newest book Other People’s Houses. As expected, I was not disappointed and simply could not put the book down once I started! Another triumph from Mackintosh and eagerly look forward to reading more from the author in the future.

This has become my favourite crime fiction series and one of my absolute favourite authors.
DC Ffion Morgan is back, this time investigating the death of a real estate agent. Over the border, DS Leo Brady is investigating some break-ins at a luxurious and exclusive estate, the Hill. As their cases collide, Ffion and Leo discover the lengths people will go to in order to hide their secrets.
Two of my absolute favourite detectives and another perfectly woven tale by the author, that I just could not get through quickly enough. And Dave the dog, bringing lots of entertainment🐾The way in which the author integrated the different threads of the story and the timing was just impeccable, making the story not just compelling and completely immersive, but so easy to follow and a complete joy to read. Lots of twists and turns and I could not guess the way in which this one was heading. I am so excited to see what happens next!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Other People’s Houses - Clare Mackintosh
This series just keeps getting better and better!
No spoilers here, but the characters have really grown on me - interspersed with the occasional Welsh word - and it’s a thrilling ride as ever to the dramatic conclusion.
I heard this might be the last we see of this series…..I hope not - but add it to your ‘To Be Read’ pile - I guarantee it won’t disappoint!
Twists, turns, surprises - it’s when domestic fiction gets good!!

It feels good to start a new year with a book that you know will have you turning the pages and be a compelling read. With that in mind, I started my reading year with Other People's Houses by Clare Mackintosh, knowing that this author was highly likely to satisfy my needs. I was not disappointed.
This is book 3 of the Ffion Morgan/Leo Brady detective series set in border country between Wales and England. As I live in Cheshire and I'm in the process of moving house, there was a lot to like for me.
The premise is a good one. Unusual burglaries on The Hill, an exclusive housing development in Cheshire, corrupt estate agents, plus details of a cold case that goes back years. Naturally, we get the feeling these plot lines will all cross at some point. The mystery had me guessing all the way through and changing my mind only to be foiled again. Characters are well formed and this time around, I even had some sympathy for Leo's ex-wife at the hands of those who lived further up the hill. What a despicable bunch! I loved some of the descriptions - 'enough product to make his hair look like a lego mini fig model,' was one that had me hooting with laughter.
At the end it played out as anticipated but was no less entertaining as a result.
I love this series by Clare and it's hard to say whether this or book 1 - The Last Party is my favourite. I can't wait to read the next instalment.

Am a big fan of Clare Macintosh, even though this is third in the series it could be read as a standalone. It's a fast-paced police procedural, I could figure out the outcome much before yet found it interesting . The author cleverly connected the 2 individual cases and the cold case from the podcast . Overall it's a great read. I thank netgalley and littlebrownukgroup for the eARC copy.

This was so so so good! Mackintosh just keeps getting better and better. The plot is gripping, the characters well rounded. An excellent read to begin 2025 with!

This series gets better and better. The writing is always excellent, the setting is well described, and the blending of Welsh and Cheshire cases is adroitly handled. In addition to the fascinating stories, the relationship between Ffion and Leo adds an extra frisson of drama. I love it!

Continuing the momentum of the previous Ffion Morgan novels, Other People's Houses is an excellent murder mystery combined with the heart and care that comes from creating characters we truly love and understand, and are now invested in. I feel as though character development was at the forefront of this novel, with no one left behind. Even the dog gets a bit of drama!
The perfect read!

Other People’s Houses was Unputdownable!
DC Ffion Morgan – Tourist season is in full swing in Cwm Coed when the body of a real estate agent – in town for a team-building weekend – is found floating in a kayak. Was her death the result of an accidental drowning? Or murder?
DS Leo Brady – Meanwhile, over the border in Cheshire Leo is dealing with a spate of burglaries in an upscale street known as The Hill.
Once again, Ffion and Leo both have their work cut out for them.
And what is the connection to the ten-year-old case of a married couple murdered in their own home? Presently the subject of a successful podcast #WithoutConviction, currently on its fourth season.
Just like the two previous books in this addictive series, I have no hesitation rating Other People’s Houses five stars. What a book! The mystery plot was multi-layered and as much as I tried to puzzle everything out, I was unsuccessful. There was a gasp-out loud-on-my-part twist three quarters of the way through that turned everything on its head, and the final reveal and the resulting fallout was pulse-pounding, action-packed, fast-paced and emotional. This instalment took place over a week, Sunday to Sunday, with some flashback reveals toward the end, and an epilogue/wrap-up of the remaining cliffhangers set a week later.
As you would expect, Ffion and Leo were the main narrators, and I relished spending more time in both their heads. Such great characters with amazing chemistry. Leo‘s snobby and manipulative ex-wife Allie (mother to his seven-year-old son Harris) was the third frequent narrator, with a connection to The Hill. Well, at least she was trying to form a connection, desperately and unsuccessfully inserting herself into the lives of the elite and sophisticated women of The Hill to elevate her social status. A unique way to give readers the inside track regarding the behaviour and secrets of The Hill families. Then there were the social media posts with fans of the podcast #WithoutConviction speculating on the cold case – a scandalous and welcome addition. My third favourite character, George, returned, along with a massive revelation from her past. Dave (Ffion’s dog) also featured prominently and was even given his own story arc.
In regards, to the crime/mystery plot, Other People’s Houses could be read as a standalone but given the abundance of recurring characters and their backstories if I were you, I would start at the beginning with The Last Party. Besides, Ffion and Leo’s meet cute, and slow-burn relationship is a must read. I’m crossing my fingers Clare Mackintosh intends to continue this series. There was nothing in the acknowledgements to indicate that this was the last book. And given that there were some things hinted at that weren’t addressed in this instalment, and because it ended on a tantalising note, I’m hoping there’s still more to come.
I’d like to thank Netgalley UK, Little Brown Book Group UK, and Clare Mackintosh for the e-ARC.
Release Date: 27th February 2025.

Two police officers working on cases in Cheshire and Wales are about to discover some connections both personal and professional. While Leo Brady's case involves break-ins in Cheshire, Ffion Morgan dealing with a dead estate agent in a kayak.
Told with her trademark humour and intelligence, this story from Clare Mackintosh does not disappoint. Enjoy!

I was thrilled to be given an ARC of this book as I had really missed Ffion and Leo and couldn't wait to get into this! The story is gripping from the start with the discovery of a woman's body found upside down in the lake in a kayak! This book has everything you could hope for in one of Clare's novels - humour, intrigue and a twisty plot that will keep you guessing until the end. I thought I had solved the cases several times as I read this only to be proved wrong within a few pages. The only disappointing thing with this book is that you'll read it too quickly and end up feeling bereft at having to wait for the next installment - hopefully it won't be too long!

I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in Clare Mackintosh's DC Ffion Morgan police procedural series and book three, Other People's Houses, is just as good if not better as The Last Party and A Game of Lies. The main characters' story arcs are developing nicely now and, although it would be possible to read this as a standalone, it really makes better sense when read in series order.
This time, there is intrigue on an exclusive residential development in Cheshire called The Hill, dodgy goings-on with some estate agents and interference from Leo's social climber ex-wife Allie. The magnificent Dave the dog also reappears and has a subplot all of his own. I love the setting of the North Wales/English border as I work near Chester and can really picture the locations.
Other People's Houses has a thrilling plot, an exciting crescendo and a satisfying conclusion which left me longing for book 4. Please let there be a book 4!

Another great instalment in this series from the author. I love the growing relationship between Ffion and Leo, the insecurities and how they navigate working life and their relationship.
The Hill is experiencing a spate of burglaries and Leo is called in to investigate whilst Ffion is investigating a murder. Could the two be linked?

Ffion Morgan is back with a very unusual, but brilliant case to solve. Put it this way " I wouldn't want to live on The Hill" even though it's luxurious. Absolutely PHENOMENAL read, dark, gripping, JAW DROPPING TWISTS. Characters are awesome, the plot is just WOW!. LOVED IT! LOVED IT! LOVED IT. Must read book of 2025. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.