The Opposite of Murder Review: A Cleverly Constructed Thriller

 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

"Feeling his words like something tightening around me, I take a deep breath. 'I haven’t killed her yet.'"

What would you do if you couldn’t stop thinking about killing someone? That’s exactly what Jemma Stelling is dealing with in The Opposite of Murder. She’s so scared she might actually kill her stepmother, Marianne, that she does something totally unexpected: she walks into a police station and confesses, "before" she ever does anything. She plans that if her dark thoughts are officially on record, she’ll never go through with it because she’d get caught right away. But things get wild fast: while she’s still talking to the cops, Marianne is found dead, stabbed exactly the way Jemma described. Now Jemma has a perfect alibi, but she knows way too much about the crime. Is she an innocent woman trying to do the right thing, or a mastermind who planned every detail?

It’s such a clever idea that immediately pulls you in, though this isn’t the fast-paced, twist-packed thriller you might expect. If you’re picking it up hoping for shocking, mind-blowing plot twists that catch you completely off guard, this story won’t deliver that kind of surprise. Instead, it’s a deeply character-driven story, focusing primarily on the complicated and messy relationship between Jemma and Marianne, their feelings toward one another, and how their dynamic affects those around them. The first half of the story moves quite slowly. But this slow start makes sense once you settle into the story; it’s designed to pull you deep inside the characters’ heads, helping you truly understand their minds and motivations.

I wasn't so surprised when the revelation happened, which didn’t bother me here with what this book is and isn’t trying to be. Even so, I really enjoyed the separate mystery of the earlier murder attempt mentioned in the story, and the way all the different pieces come together in the end. This is a thoughtful, absorbing read that stands out for its brilliant core idea and focus on the people over plot shocks. Perfect if you love thrillers that dig deep into what makes their characters tick. 

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for providing me with the review copy.