Not a Word by Linwood Barclay: When Family Secrets Turn Deadly – Review

Not a Word is a twisty thriller about family secrets, buried truths, and a shocking crime that forces Reece to question everything.

Summary:

🇨🇦 Reece’s world is turned upside down when he discovers his father and a woman he assumes is his mother dead in bed at his parents’ home, in what initially appears to be a murder-suicide. But when his real mother calls and reveals the dead woman isn’t her, Reece realizes his family is hiding far more than he ever imagined. When his mother suddenly disappears instead of returning home, he begins to wonder whether she was involved—or whether the killer mistakenly believed she was the woman they murdered. As Reece investigates the shocking crime, he uncovers disturbing secrets about his parents and his father’s connection to an unscrupulous pharmaceutical company, forcing him to question everything he thought he knew while trying to determine who is responsible and whether he and his own family are now in danger.

My Thoughts:

Linwood Barclay is another of my auto-read authors, as I can always count on him to deliver a great thriller, and Not a Word is another compelling addition to his catalogue. This is a story about family secrets, buried truths, and just how well we really know the people closest to us. Barclay does an excellent job of creating well-developed characters, providing just enough backstory at exactly the right moments without slowing the story down. The pacing is perfectly judged, and once the pieces begin to fall into place, the story becomes increasingly propulsive.

Reece visits his parents’ home and makes a horrifying discovery: his father and a woman are dead in their bed, and the scene initially appears to be a murder-suicide. But things aren’t always what they first seem. While Reece is waiting to be questioned by the police, he receives a call from his mother—setting off a chain of events that leaves him questioning everything he thought he knew about his family.

There is a lot going on in this story, and I wasn’t even going to try to guess what would happen next. I’m not going to say much more for fear of giving anything away, but as Reece digs deeper, historical events begin to work their way back into the present. He starts questioning what he knew about his parents and his brother, while also realizing that he needs to act quickly to protect his own family. I really enjoyed how the layers of the story were gradually revealed, with Barclay keeping me engaged and curious throughout.

The Narration:

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Nan McNamara and Jonathan McClain, and their performances added to the chilling suspense of the story. Their narration helped bring the tension and unease to life, making this a particularly enjoyable listen. I highly recommend the audiobook to anyone who enjoys this format.

Final Thoughts:

Not a Word is a twisty, well-paced thriller that kept me guessing and reminded me once again why Linwood Barclay is an auto-read author for me.