I read this book as a standalone and I didn’t not feel like I had missed out even though there are two other books in the series.

I loved the author, Clare’s, style of writing. It has humour and was informative when explaining the police elements. It also had me gripped from the start.

I can not recommend this book enough, I will be searching for more by this author.

Other People's Houses is the third instalment in the DC Ffion Morgan series and probably my favourite of the series so far.

Working in an estate agent's the setting of the exclusive street and fancy houses was absolutely perfect for me.

As usual Mackintosh provides a gripping storyline that keeps you guessing all the way through. There are lots of characters to keep track of and all of them add to the plot and make you question who the killer is. I didn't see the outcome coming at all.

I loved the new dynamics between Ffion and Leo and how their relationship develops.

It's a thoroughly entertaining read that isn't just your normal crime novel. The humour as well as the twists and turns are second to none.

Definitely a series to start if you haven't already!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 from me.

Envy, jealousy, infidelity, greed, thieving, murder and estate agents.

This story involves a lot of crime, including a cold-case double murder, that initially seem to be separate cases. The plot includes a lot of characters, which took me a while to get my head around them all, but the three main ones have their own perspectives in discrete chapters, but are linked. First is a woman detective based in north Wales investigating the death of a woman in a kayak, who is dating a detective sergeant who is working on a series of robberies in Cheshire, and third, his social climbing ex-wife who has aspirations to become like the rich folk in the fancy Cheshire houses. There is also a true crime podcast with a social media group to fill in the gaps about past murder.

As the cases unfold, strange facts emerge linking them together. Some seem to be tenuous at first but the story delves deeper. Meanwhile, the detectives have their relationship to sort out, with obstacles to navigate such as living arrangements, his son, her boisterous dog (called Dave - love it!) and the ex-wife. She brings a lot of light relief as she is desperate to be like the rich folk in every way such as how they dress, what they do even the nick-nacks around their home.

The book is well-written and the pace is stable. Not really a thriller, more of a police procedural and a domestic drama and whodunnit, but the characters are distinct and well drawn, with some warm and likeable. Good to see a nice man featuring prominently. Difficult to guess the ending as the story has many layers, so kudos for that. Overall a good read. Part of a series about the woman detective, D.C. Ffion Morgan. Looking forward to reading more about her.

Another fab thriller from Clare Mackintosh! I loved the storyline, suspense and twists, but I did struggle a bit with the amount of characters involved. This is the only reason it dropped 1 star for me

Clare Mackintosh had done it again! Another fantastic book with lots of intrigue and twists that will keep you glued to the book to the very end.

We are treated to two mysteries - Ffion is investigating the death of an estate agent in Wales and Leo is tasked with solving a string of burglaries in an affluent suburb in Cheshire. As the pair delve deeper they realise that the cases maybe linked and they need to work together to solve them.

The lovable duo going steady but still trying to take their relationship to the next level, with Leo wanting Ffion to meet his son, Harris, which thanks to some meddling from his wife does not go very well. I love that their relationship is evolving in a real-world way and not in the rushed way you often see in other books. I really look forward to seeing what comes next for them both/all.

The pacing of the plot is faultless, weaving flawlessly from one mystery to the next and neatly inserting new plot points with each delicious twist. It is a shame that the book is a bit Cwm Coed-lite, but Clare makes up for this by fleshing out The Hill neighbourhood in exceptional detail. The residents are fleshed out and I enjoyed the way they are portrayed - it’s almost satire of the stereotypical type of people that live in these neighbourhoods. A veneer of kindness and neighbourliness that hides an ugly bitchiness and disdain for outsiders. Hopefully more Cwm Coed in the next book!

Overall, a fantastic addition to the DC Morgan series that ticks all the boxes and then some!

I'm a huge fan of this series and Ffion as a character. Unfortunately, I found this story to be slightly confusing with a lot of characters. I also wasn't a fan of Ally's POV and felt this was unnecessary. Ffion stressing about Leo cheating on her also felt very out of character.

I listened to a part of this on audio and as someone from Liverpool, the scouse accent was offensive.

A detective whodunnit which centres around the lengths people go to to protect their secrets.

The Hill in Cheshire is a road full of luxurious homes. It is an exclusive area, full of fairly unlikable residents!

There has been a string of burglaries, but it is not clear to DS Leo Brady what the thief is looking for, as only random items have been removed.

Just across the border in Wales DC Ffion Morgan is investigating the murder of a young estate agent, when her body is discovered in a kayak on the river.

Additionally there is a true crime podcast which even Ffion is gripped by, with keen amateur sleuths trying to solve an historic double murder case.

Leo and Ffion are romantically involved and begin to find their work-life overlapping, as the cases collide.

I liked Ffion. I’m always drawn to detectives with maverick tendencies. She is headstrong and goes off piste during the investigation, to the detriment of her relationship with her superior. She’s a great character who reminds me a little of Val McDermid’s Karen Pirie. I will look out for the two preceding books in this series.

I found the pacing a little bit slow at points and the plot not quite as gripping as I would have hoped, but it would be a pretty good beach or weekend chill-out read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

3.5/5

Third book in the DC Morgan series. Ffion is investigating a body found in a kayak while Boyfriend Leo is investigating a burglary in an upscale neighborhood.

This was a fun, quick read. I didn’t read the first book but had no issues following the storyline in books two and three. I enjoyed the MCs and their relationship challenges. Allie (the ex) is such an annoying but fun character showing desperation and social climbing at its best/worst. Short chapters a plus. I did find the introduction of so many characters, along with the naming of houses in the toney neighborhood, a little overwhelming and hard to keep straight. There was a chart at the beginning but I didn’t find it very helpful, especially since I was reading on my kindle and had to go back and forth from the picture taken on my phone. This was a nice distraction from my thrillers and I look forward to see what’s next for this duo.

Thanks to Little Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

A fast paced, twisty, and highly entertaining thriller, the third in DC Morgan series.
It starts as a series of bizzare breaking and enterting, a body found in a river and it develops in a rollercoaster of crime thriller
I've to admint that Fflon is growing on me as a characters and there's changes in the story
A well plotted novel I thoroughly enjoyed
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Other People's Houses by Clare Mackintosh is an intense and intricately woven mystery that grips the reader from the very beginning. It is the third instalment in the DC Ffion Morgan series, and it continues to deliver the clever plotting and deeply human characters that the author is known for.

The story unfolds on The Hill, a luxury street in Cheshire where everyone wants to live, boasting exclusivity, safety, and opulence. But beneath the shiny exterior, something sinister is happening. Homes are being broken into, and DS Leo Brady suspects the burglar isn’t just stealing things—there is something or someone they are specifically looking for. As the crimes unfold, secrets start to emerge, and the question arises: What is being targeted here?

Meanwhile, across the border in Wales, DC Ffion Morgan is investigating the discovery of an estate agent’s body pulled from a lake. Though Ffion has no love for estate agents, she can’t ignore the fact that someone wanted this woman dead, but why? This murder adds a new layer of intrigue as the two cases begin to collide.

As Ffion and Leo's paths cross and their investigations intertwine, they uncover a network of lies and deceit, where everyone seems to be hiding something, and the stakes for keeping secrets are dangerously high. With a large cast of well-developed characters, Other People's Houses becomes not just a mystery about a murder, but a story about people’s deepest, darkest secrets and how far they will go to keep them hidden.

The pacing of the plot is flawless, with twists and turns that keep the reader on edge throughout. The characters are deeply fleshed out and complex, making them feel real and relatable. The sense of place is also a standout element—Mackintosh creates a vivid backdrop that pulls you into the luxurious but morally murky world of The Hill, as well as the gritty, suspenseful atmosphere of Wales.

The real strength of the book lies in its character-driven storytelling. The personal and professional dynamics between Ffion and Leo are engaging, and their development throughout the book adds emotional depth to the mystery. As the investigation progresses, the web of secrets grows, and the story becomes more convoluted, never allowing for a dull moment.

In conclusion, Other People’s Houses is a superb addition to the DC Ffion Morgan series. It is a thrilling, intricately plotted mystery with a host of intriguing characters and a setting that feels both luxurious and chilling. Fans of suspense and character-driven whodunnits will find this book a satisfying, page-turning read.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Thank you for my copy of this book to read and review.

I have read the previous two DC Morgan books and really enjoyed them…but this was my favourite by far.

I enjoyed the continuity of the characters but I especially enjoyed the storyline of this one. I liked the setting of The Hill, the residents that lived there and I liked the storyline of Leo’s ex-wife trying to fit in.

The story kept me gripped from the first chapter and I had no idea how everything was going to link together.

Dave the dog will always be my top character in these books though.

Looking forward to the next one.

This is the third book in the DC Ffion Morgan series and although I have read the previous books this could be read as a standalone, but reading the previous ones adds to the enjoyment as we meet familiar characters and find out how far their own journeys have come.

Although Ffion and her boyfriend Leo are both working on different cases the way the author interlinks them is brilliant.

This thriller was twisty, engaging and scattered with humour. At first I struggled with the number of characters but this soon disappeared as I became more engrossed in the storyline.

Claire’s knowledge and talent shine throughout this novel. I love this series and hope there is a number four.

I loved the twists in this book, they kept me invested and guessing, Suspenseful and intense read overall.

Entertaining on so many levels!

DS Ffion Morgan is looking forward to moving into a home which she owns; just as she's preparing to move a body is found in the lake which turns out to be an estate agent. Although she has no love for them, she wouldn't have wished any of them dead - so who would have? In Cheshire, there has been a series of burglaries on a development of very high-end properties known as The Hill. It's baffling DS Leo Brady because nothing is being taken - so is the burglar looking for something? When their cases collide, they can work together ...

This one covers both crime and humour; there's a lot going on and it's all so entertaining! Great characters, fantastic storyline and, as always from Clare Mackintosh, terrific writing. I was quite sorry when I reached the end of this one and I'm very happy to give it a full house of stars as well as my recommendation.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley.

I'm a massive fan of Clare's. I've read all of her books, but there's a special place in my heart for this series. I loved Ffion Morgan. Clare, please write another.

I’m a big fan of Clare Mackintosh and have read nearly all her books. I was delighted to receive a copy of her latest novel to review, thanks to Little Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for my copy. This is the third book in the DC Ffion Morgan series and I think it could be the best yet! This book does work as a standalone but I think it’s much better if you’ve read the other books in the series as you get to know the characters more.

We’re back in Wales/Chester again and Ffion and Leo are very busy with investigations, and trying to balance work with their relationship. Ffion is investigating the body of a young woman found in a kayak, and Leo is investigating burglaries at The Hill, an exclusive development of luxury homes. A true crime podcast has caused the reinvestigation of a cold case where a couple were murdered ten years before. Are all the investigations linked? Who can you really trust on The Hill?

This is an easy to read book and held my interest. It did take me a while to read but this was because I didn’t have much time to read. It’s definitely the kind of book you could finish in a couple of sittings.

The characters are great and Ffion has warmed up a little as her relationship with Leo progresses. I still love Dave the dog and can just picture him bounding around. I switched between totally cringing for Allie and feeling sorry for her, she seems to lose all sense of herself and is desperate to fit in with the wealthy neighbours living on The Hill.

At times I was a little muddled as to how everything linked together but I think it’s because I could only read in short spells. I liked how it all came together but I did find the very end a bit predictable. Nonetheless it’s still a nice development in the story.

Looking forward to more books in this series and I highly recommend all of Clare’s books.

The best of the series yet! Ffion and Leo are back. This time there is a series of crimes on The Hill, which keep Leo busy especially as his ex wife seems to be involved. Ffion meanwhile is dealing with a murder enquiry.

I love the character of Ffion and feel this series is getting better and better. The storyline is the best yet both in terms of the crimes and the Ffion and also arc.

A brilliant read.

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the ARC

I adored the first two books in the series and Clare Mackintosh continues to impress me in her third installment. The mystery is great as always, but what I love the most are the characters. Ffionis so badass and hilariously sassy while Leo is her perfect match. The humor mixed in is fantastic and cracks me up every time. I really enjoy the character dynamic and the witty banter.

The whole series by Clare has been a truly wonderful reading experience, but this latest book is by far the best one. Highly recommend and hope there will be some more to come.

This is the 3rd book in the DC Ffion Morgan series. I was delighted to get an advance copy and I wasn’t disappointed.
It was full of great characters whilst following the love life of Ffion and Leo.
Couldn’t put it down, can’t wait to see if there is going to be a 4th.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book.