Not What She Seems by Yasmin Angoe

Not What She Seems by Yasmin Angoe
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Ginger

After years of self-exile, Jacinda “Jac” Brodie is back in Brook Haven, South Carolina. But the small cliffside town no longer feels like home. Jac hasn’t been there since the beloved chief of police fell to his death—and all the whispers said she was to blame.

That chief was Jac’s father.

Racked with guilt, Jac left town with no plans to return. But when her granddad lands in the hospital, she rushes back to her family, bracing herself to confront the past.

Brook Haven feels different now. Wealthy newcomer Faye Arden has transformed the notorious Moor Manor into a quaint country inn. Jac’s convinced something sinister lurks beneath Faye’s perfect exterior, yet the whole town fawns over their charismatic new benefactor. And when Jac discovers one of her granddad’s prized possessions in Faye’s office, she knows she has to be right.

But as Jac continues to dig, she stumbles upon dangerous truths that hit too close to home. With not only her life but also her family’s safety on the line, Jac discovers that maybe some secrets are better left buried.

Not What She Seems by Yasmin Angoe is a compelling mystery set in a small Southern town. The story follows Jacinda Brodie as she returns home after six years, haunted by a tragic incident involving her father, the police chief. Will the town have a change of heart or will Jac’s return open old wounds?

Told entirely from Jac’s perspective, the novel offers a limited viewpoint that can be both intriguing and frustrating. While the single narrator provides a deep dive into Jac’s thoughts and feelings, it can also limit the reader’s understanding of the broader community and the events surrounding her grandfather’s death.

The story begins with a strong premise, however, the introduction of multiple subplots was distracting, taking away from an already full storyline. Some of these subplots, such as the mysterious two cases her grandfather was working on solving, specifically what happened to the Colleton Girls, feel disconnected and raise more questions than they answer. When the truth came out about what happened to Jac’s dad I was confused she was there, how did she not know what happened? Was there an investigation into what happened to her father?

Jac’s grandfather’s killer is suspected early on, but the suspense of why they were the killer, along with the resolution to the other mysteries, kept me reading. While I appreciated the author’s writing style and her ability to create memorable characters, the storyline was lacking for me. It was long-winded and Jac was not a character that I admired. She seemed immature to be taking on murder cases, accusing people with little to no evidence, and then having a tantrum when the police did not take her seriously.

Despite its shortcomings, the author’s writing style is engaging enough to warrant exploring her future works. While the conclusion may not be entirely satisfying, the novel does provide closure. The book’s title and cover are fitting and effectively capture the theme of the book.

Ultimately, Not What She Seems is a mixed bag. While the central mystery is intriguing, the execution could have been fine-tuned.

Readers who enjoy character-driven mysteries may find this book worth exploring, but those seeking a fast-paced plot may be disappointed.