March 2026

Over the years, I have enjoyed Mary Kubica’s novels. But she has taken the craft of her thriller writing to a new level with the release of IT’S NOT HER.

In it, two families who are related --- Courtney Gray’s best friend, Emily, is married to her brother, Nathan --- are at a rustic resort in northern Wisconsin. We start with the oh-so-familiar vacation narrative about “who got the better cabin.” You know that if there are two places, this is bound to be part of the conversation. On the first night, Courtney’s daughter, Cass, begs to have a sleepover with her cousin, Mae, which Courtney allows. Courtney hears a scream in the night --- a blood-curdling one.

Emily and Nathan are found dead in their cabin. From there, questions arise as their 14-year-old son, Wyatt, is still in his bed sleeping, and their 17-year-old daughter, Reese, is nowhere to be found. Courtney is beside herself; she recalls what she can about that night and sends the police off to find the killer with few clues that are adding up. She is dealing with comforting the children and wondering just what Reese was up to that night. Where is she?

We learn that Reese has become infatuated with Daniel, who works at the resort, and he makes her feel better about herself than her friends back home. He has a “bad boy” reputation, and for a while he is a key suspect. In fact, there are times when everyone could be considered a suspect.

The tension makes for a propulsive read. You have to see what comes next, and you will not want to stop reading until the end. The storytelling is that strong as viable scenarios are presented and dismissed multiple times.

Just when you believe the story is over, there is one more flip of the page. And you think, Wow…again! I doubt anyone will have this figured out along the way.