It Could Have Been Her - a woman looks for a missing teen and finds herself at the location of a traumatic event from twenty-five years ago.

Jane Trevally, a fifty-five-year-old woman who has been divorced twice, lives alone with her dogs in a large, run-down family home in Dorset, England. Her aimless existence is upended when a lost dog shows up at her house. Thanks to the dog's tags, she is able to return him to his owner in London. However, upon seeing the house in the Vale of Health in Hampstead, Jane is struck by a terrifying memory of having been there before. When she learns that Rose White, the teenager seen near her home walking the dog, is now missing and has left her belongings in a local Airbnb, Jane takes on the role of amateur detective determined to find her. Together with Dexter, her former stepson with whom she has maintained a close relationship, they embark on a quest to locate Rose and uncover the history of the Vale of Health house, even if it means confronting her most traumatic memory. 

Lisa Jewell's last novel, Don't Let Him In, featured Jane Trevally in a supporting role. In It Could Have Been Her, Jane takes center stage, seeking the happiness that has eluded her. The story unfolds in the present and across various time periods, told through the perspectives of some dubious people. Packed with twists and surprises, Jewell keeps us guessing as to how all the characters tie together. It's dark, suspenseful, gothic and eerie - exactly what to expect from this consistently engaging author. 

Many thanks to Atria Books for the advance.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars.

Mystery Thriller.

Publication Date: June 23, 2026.

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