Not a Word - a shocking crime scene uncovers dark family secrets in this twisty thriller.

Journalist Reece Chartwell, recently unemployed, stops by to see his parents at their home near Toronto and is shocked by what he finds. His father Brent is in his bed with a gun in his hand, lying next to a bloodied woman he assumes is his mother. While it looks like a murder-suicide, Detective Janice McCabe is not convinced. Especially when it is discovered that the woman in the bed was not Brent's wife, Catherine, who is very much alive and had been at a luncheon. Reece and his wife are especially concerned about how Brent's death will affect their 14-year-old son Gage. They also fear the reaction of Reece's brother Holden, who struggles with addiction. As the true story of the Chartwell family unfolds in multiple timelines, questions arise about whether Brent's former work as a salesman for Wiffel-Smith, the pharmaceutical giant, is connected to the deaths. And who was the woman in the bed?

Not a Word by Linwood Barclay is one twisty ride! It's a fast-paced, highly engaging, hard to put down thriller that I chose to alternate between reading the book and listening to the audio version, which features both male and female narrators, enhancing the story's suspense and enjoyment. If you are a fan of family dramas filled with dark secrets and lies, be sure to add this book to your list.

Many thanks to William Morrow for the advance.

Rated 4.25 out of 5 stars.

Mystery Thriller.

Publication Date: August 25, 2026.

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