Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell - Book Summary, Review, End Explained & FAQ

Hello, thriller lovers, this is my Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell Book Summary!

I’d been counting down the days to July, because it was packed with some of my most anticipated releases of the year, and Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell was right at the top of that list.

Well, the wait is over, and I finally got my hands on it! In this post, we’re going to dive deep into the story. I’ll review it, peel back the layers, explore the twists, turns, and shifting timelines, and answer your most-asked questions about this brand-new release.

So, get comfortable, and let’s dissect this one together.

Spoiler-Free Zone
This section of the post is completely spoiler-free, no twists revealed, no key plot points given away. It’s safe to keep reading, even if you haven’t started the book yet.

“To me, Don’t Let Him In reads more like a domestic thriller than a psychological one. There’s no big suspense hook or jaw-dropping twist, instead, it’s about the ripple effect a manipulative man can have on vulnerable women, and the emotional wreckage he leaves behind.”
A 4-star read!

Don’t Let Him in – Book Synopsis

Don’t Let Him in by Lisa Jewell

Published 3 July 2025

He’s the perfect man. It’s a perfect lie.
Nina Swann is intrigued when she received a condolence card from Nick Radcliffe, an old friend of her late husband, who is looking to connect after her husband’s unexpected death. But to Nina’s adult daughter, Ash, Nick seems too slick, too polished, too good to be true. Without telling her mother, Ash begins digging into Nick’s past. What she finds is more than unsettling…

Martha is a florist living in a neighboring town with her infant daughter and her devoted husband, Alistair. But lately, Alistair has been traveling more and more frequently for work, disappearing for days at a time. When Martha questions him about his frequent absences, he always has a legitimate explanation, but Martha can’t share the feeling that something isn’t right.

Nina, Martha, and Ash are on a collision course with a shocking truth that is far darker than anyone could have imagined. And all three are about to wish they had heeded the same warning: Don’t let him in. But the past won’t stay buried forever.

Goodreads Rating

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Title	Don’t Let Him in
Author	Lisa Jewell
Genre	Domestic Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Thriller
Format	464 pages, Hardback
Published	3 July 2025, Century
ISBN 10	1529196019
ASIN 13	978-1529196016
Language	English

Author’s Bio – Julie Clark

Lisa Jewell’s first novel, Ralph’s Party, was published in 1999 and was the best-selling debut novel of the year. Since then she has published another twenty-three novels, most lately a number of dark psychological thrillers, including Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs and None of This is True. Lisa is a number one New York Times and Sunday Times author who has sold over ten million books worldwide and been published in more than thirty languages. She lives in north London with her husband, two daughters, Daisy, a Romanian rescue dog, and a mad orange cat called Ivy.

Check her Official Instagram: Lisa Jewell

Consider adding Don’t Let Him in to your TBR list on Goodreads.

Don’t Let Him in – Quick Summary

Don’t Let Him in – Trigger Warnings, Sensitive Topics and Age Rating

Before we go any further, I always like to include a quick note on sensitive content. Every reader is different, and some themes in this book might be difficult for certain people.

If you prefer to check content warnings before reading, just click below to reveal the list of trigger warnings, sensitive topics and age ratting.

Age Rating

18+ (Mature Readers Only)
Due to the intense subject matter, and mature themes, this book is best suited for adult readers. It may not be appropriate for younger teens.

Trigger Warnings / Sensitive Topics:

Murder
Violence
Manipulation and gaslighting
Stalking
Domestic abuse
Infidelity
Fraud/Financial Scams
Mental Illness
Child Neglect/Abandonment
Substance Use
Sexual Content
Suicide
Dismemberment

Notes

This book includes a range of sensitive topics that may be distressing for some readers. While the writing is literary and not overly graphic, the themes are emotionally heavy and complex.

Plot Overview

Don’t Let Him In is a psychological thriller that weaves together multiple timelines and shifting points of view.

The story follows the lives of five women, Amanda, Tara, Martha, Nina, and Ash, all of whom have crossed paths with the same man. To each of them, he’s gone by a different name, but the impact he’s left is always the same: destructive.

At the heart of the book is Ash, the daughter of Nina. Ash has just lost her father, Paddy, in a horrific accident, he was pushed by a man into the path of a train in the London Underground. Paddy wasn’t just any man; he was a successful, well-loved restaurateur and a celebrated chef. But shortly after his funeral, the family receives flowers and a condolence letter from someone calling himself Nick, claiming to be an “old friend” of Paddy’s.

From there, the narrative shifts between present-day events and flashbacks spanning years of this man’s life, gradually peeling back the layers of his deceit. As the truth comes to light, we see the full extent of his scams, stalking, and emotional abuse. It’s a slow-burn mystery with bursts of high-stakes drama, exploring themes of trust, survival, and the unshakable strength that emerges when women stand together.

My Thoughts

According to the author, Lisa Jewell, Don’t Let Him In was inspired by her fascination with real-life stories of con men. She drew heavily from Netflix documentaries like Dirty John and The Tinder Swindler, as well as podcasts and memoirs by women who had been in relationships with manipulative men. What really intrigued her was how little we know about what goes on in the minds of these predators. That curiosity, and her deep dive into real-world stories of manipulation, sparked her desire to create a character that would let her explore exactly that.

I’ve lost count of how many podcasts and documentaries I’ve consumed on this topic, and every single time, I end up the same way, speechless. It’s hard to wrap my head around how someone can be so cold, so calculated, and manage to inflict this kind of harm on an innocent person.

That said, I have to admit, I loved hating the main character, Nick (and all his other fake names). He’s repulsive on so many levels, and honestly, Lisa Jewell nailed it. She took everything you’d hear in real-life con-man stories and cranked it up to the highest possible level of self-entitlement and psychopathy. Every time a chapter shifted to his point of view, I’d roll my eyes so hard and silently curse his entire family tree in my head, which, I have to say, was oddly satisfying.

Now, about the women in the story. I’ve seen a lot of criticism saying they were too naive, too blind to the obvious red flags. But honestly, I think that’s exactly the point. Jewell captured the reality of what vulnerability can look like. As someone who loves true crime, I can’t count how many times I’ve heard stories of women who were successful, educated, grounded, with strong families and good careers, and yet, they still ended up falling for manipulative, psychopathic men like the one in this book. It happens more often than people want to admit. Of course, there are some far-fetched moments, especially when it comes to the investigations and the police, but the women’s portrayals felt painfully believable to me.

To me, Don’t Let Him In reads more like a domestic thriller than a psychological one. There’s no big suspense hook or jaw-dropping twist, instead, it’s about the ripple effect a manipulative man can have on vulnerable women, and the emotional wreckage he leaves behind.

Also, you’ll notice some repetitive patterns in the story. That’s because Nick (who goes by many different names throughout the book) is a man who has fooled countless women over the course of his life. He’s in his fifties, so he’s had plenty of time to rack up victims. For me, this repetitiveness actually made sense, it reflects his modus operandi. The way he talks about himself, constantly admiring how handsome, brilliant, and irresistible he thinks he is, fits perfectly with his sociopathic, almost psychopathic personality. Personally, it didn’t bother me at all, but I can see how some readers might find it a bit much.

Flaws aside, I still found this book unputdownable. It’s a genuine page-turner with short, punchy chapters, an easy flow, and a story that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

Some Book Quotes

“Be careful who you let in — sometimes the danger isn’t outside your door, it’s already sitting in your living room.”

“It wasn’t just money he took from me — it was my trust, my confidence, my sense of self.”

“I used to think monsters hid in the dark. Now I know they hide in plain sight.”

Don’t Let Him In – Full Spoilers

Contains Major Spoilers
If you haven’t finished the book yet, you might want to bookmark this page and come back later. I’ll be diving into important plot points, big twists, and key character details.
Read on only if you’re ready for the full story!

Don’t Let Him in by Lisa Jewell – Book Summary

Chapter One – The Delivery

The story begins with a delivery driver arriving at the Swann family’s beautiful seaside home. The house is grand and full of light, a sign of a successful life. But behind this perfect image, we quickly sense that something has gone very wrong. The flowers he carries are addressed to Nina Swann and Family, a reminder that the family has just suffered a terrible loss.

Chapter Two – Ash and the Funeral Gathering

Ash, Nina’s daughter, brings the flowers inside where her family and close friends are gathered after the funeral. They don’t recognize the name on the card, “The Tanners”, but put the flowers in a vase anyway. The room is full of chatter and tired energy, that strange mix of relief and sorrow after a long, painful day.

We learn that Ash’s father, Paddy Swann, has died at just fifty-four years old. He was pushed onto train tracks by a stranger, a shocking and brutal way to go. Paddy had been the life of the party, a man who chased sunshine, loved music, and filled every space with laughter and energy. His family remembers him fondly, his festivals, his bucket hats, his loud, uncomplicated joy.

Now, sitting around the table without him, everyone feels the sharp hole he has left behind. The family keeps talking, almost loudly, as if to cover the silence that Paddy’s absence has created. Ash drinks her wine and wonders how they’ll manage to move on when tomorrow comes and life continues without him.

Chapter Three – The Letter from Nick

Ash finds a card from a man called Nick Radcliffe. He says he knew her dad, Paddy, years ago when they worked together in a Mayfair restaurant. He writes warmly about Paddy and even remembers bumping into him at the Whitstable restaurant. Curious, Ash looks him up online and sees he now owns a glamorous wine bar in London. She thinks it might be nice to meet him and hear stories about her dad, but her mum Nina doesn’t seem too interested. Meanwhile, Ash feels stuck, still working in the village boutique and living at home at twenty-six, when she thought her life would look very different.

Chapter Four – Four Years Earlier (Nick’s POV)

We switch to Nick’s perspective. He’s living with his wife, but everything about his life with her is an act. He makes sure to keep up little routines — morning kisses, sweet words — so she doesn’t question him. He invents fake financial advisors and pensions to coax money out of her, all while dreaming up a perfect future abroad. It’s clear he’s manipulative and living a lie.

Chapter Five – The Lighter

One day, a pretty parcel arrives at Nina’s door. Inside is Paddy’s old Zippo lighter and a thoughtful note from Nick. Nina is moved to tears, and Ash notices that he included his email address, almost like he’s inviting them to keep in touch. Ash can’t help but think it feels deliberate, as though he’s trying to get closer.

Chapter Six – Four Years Earlier (Nick’s POV)

Nick surprises his wife with a “romantic” trip to France. He makes it sound expensive and thoughtful, but really it’s a cheap voucher deal that he paid for with her own money. He packages it up beautifully so it feels like a gift. In his mind, he’s proud of how easily he can fool her.

Chapter Seven – The First Anniversary

A year has passed since Paddy died. The family has been through all the birthdays and holidays without him. Now Nina has started seeing Nick, and he comes to their home. He’s charming, tall, and polished, and Ash can’t help but compare him to her dad, noticing all the little differences. Nina lights up around him in a way she hasn’t since Paddy died. Ash tries to smile, but inside she feels unsettled.

Chapter Eight – Martha’s World

We meet Martha, a florist with three kids and a partner called Alistair. Her life is busy but mostly steady. She looks forward to a weekend trip with Alistair, only for him to cancel at the last minute because of “work.” She doesn’t want to doubt him, but disappointment lingers.

Chapter Nine – Ash and Nick at Home

Ash wakes one morning to find Nick in the kitchen, wearing boxers and fiddling with her dad’s old coffee machine. The sight unsettles her, it feels like he’s invading her father’s space. When her mum joins them, Nick and Nina look so natural together it makes Ash’s stomach turn.

Chapter Ten – Four Years Earlier (Nick’s POV)

Nick reveals his darker side. He follows a young woman on the street, enjoying her fear, then goes home and plays the perfect husband again. He cancels a family party with a fake work excuse and secretly keeps another lover on the side.

Chapter Eleven – Nina’s Confession

Nina gently asks Ash if she’s okay with Nick. Nina admits she’s still grieving but says Nick makes her feel like life could have a “part two.” Ash is suspicious, Nick claims to have money troubles, no children, and only a dead fiancée in his past. She notices too many red flags but doesn’t know how to say it without sounding paranoid. At work, she also spots a pink soap box just like the one Nick used for his gift, which makes her wonder.

Chapter Twelve – Alistair Returns

Martha’s partner Alistair finally comes home after another mysterious work trip. She challenges him, but he has excuses ready: ADHD, stress, his demanding job. She wants to be angry, but part of her still melts because she loves him.

Chapter Thirteen – Four Years Earlier (Nick’s POV)

Nick spends a dreamy weekend with Tara, making her fall harder for him. But when he gets back, the police are waiting. He’s accused of following women at night. He denies everything and manipulates his wife into believing him, though she starts to doubt who he really is.

Chapter Fourteen – Ash’s Obsession

Ash feels left behind in life. She snoops around her mum’s room and is shaken by signs of Nick everywhere. She even finds a gold ring hidden in the rug, far too big to belong to her or her mum.

Chapter Fifteen – The Missing Ring

Martha notices that Alistair’s wedding ring is gone. He claims he lost it at the gym during a work trip. She doesn’t quite believe him, but after a sweet moment with the kids watching the snow, she lets it slide.

Chapter Sixteen – Four Years Earlier (Nick’s POV)

Nick’s marriage grows tense after the police visit. He is desperate to leave and is obsessed with Martha. He sneaks away to see her, telling her emotional stories about a dead fiancée named Ruth, another invention to win sympathy.

Chapter Seventeen – Ash’s Suspicion Grows

Ash shows her mum the gold ring. Nina assumes it belonged to Nick’s fiancée. Ash wants to call him directly to hear his explanation, but Nina insists on just messaging him. Ash feels left out and increasingly uneasy.

Chapter Eighteen – Martha’s Discovery

Martha catches Alistair acting suspiciously with an old medical bag he keeps in the wardrobe. She nearly finds a secret phone hidden inside, but he comes back just in time to stop her.

Chapter Nineteen – Four Years Earlier (Nick’s POV)

Nick splurges on a Tesla while with Martha and her kids, even though he can’t afford it. He juggles debt and lies, spinning stories to both women. At home with Tara, she finally tells him to leave.

Chapter Twenty – The Ring Explained?

Ash presses her mum about the gold ring. Nina repeats Nick’s story that it was for his dead fiancée. Ash warns her to be careful, suggesting he might be after money. Nina laughs it off, saying Nick is wealthy.

Chapter Twenty-One – Ash Snoops Again

Ash searches Nick’s jacket when he visits. She finds odd things: a baby’s pacifier clip and a dog poo bag. Nick has never mentioned children or a pet. When she tries to ask him about her dad’s ex, Jane, he dodges the question.

Chapter Twenty-Two – Martha’s Doubts Deepen

Martha confronts Alistair about the phone and the ring. He waves it off with quick answers and even produces the “lost” ring, claiming he found it in the car. She wants to believe him, but nothing quite adds up.

Chapter Twenty-Three – Four Years Earlier (Nick’s POV)

Nick’s wife tells him to leave. He packs his bags, steals more from her, and messages Martha, hoping to move in with her. His narration reveals a long history of draining women’s money through lies and manipulation. He steals Tara’s mother’s sapphire and diamond ring from her jewelry box before leaving.

Chapter Twenty-Four – Meeting Jane

Ash finds her dad’s old girlfriend, Jane, online and arranges to meet her. Jane remembers Paddy fondly and admits their relationship was wild and messy. When Ash shows her the Zippo lighter, Jane insists Paddy never owned one, making Nick’s story look like a lie. Jane offers to have Nick checked out through her wealthy connections.

Chapter Twenty-Five – Amanda’s Shock

Nick, using yet another name, now he is Damian, he turns up at a woman’s door. Her name is Amanda, and she is stunned, she thought he was dead and had even gone to his funeral. It becomes clear Nick has lived multiple lives, leaving chaos behind him each time.

Chapter 26 – Suspicion in the Family

Nina takes Nick to one of her late husband’s restaurants, saying he’s giving her business advice. Ash watches closely and feels uneasy. Nick talks too smoothly, lies without blinking, and Ash can tell something’s off, especially when he overexplains about pets and children. Nina, though, is charmed and heads out with him, leaving Ash with a knot in her stomach.

Chapter 27 – Martha’s Crisis

Martha’s baby, Nala, gets a frighteningly high fever while her husband Al is nowhere to be found. She’s panicked and exhausted, trying to cope on her own. In the end, her friend Grace rushes her and the baby to hospital, where Nala is diagnosed with severe dehydration. The whole night leaves Martha feeling broken, realizing she can’t keep doing everything alone while Al disappears.

Chapter 28 – The Return of Damian

We jump back in time, and Damian, who once pretended to be dead, suddenly shows up at his ex-wife Amanda’s door. She’s shocked, because she’d mourned him for years. He spins a story about debts, danger, and how he had “no choice.” Amanda is torn, angry yet still vulnerable to him. Against her better judgment, she lets him stay, opening the door to his manipulations again.

Chapter 29 – A Dangerous Proposal

Nick drives Nina and Ash to a run-down beach pavilion and paints this big picture of turning it into a new Paddy’s restaurant. He makes it sound dreamy, almost magical. For a moment, Nina seems tempted, but then reality kicks in and she says no, she can’t risk more debt. Ash feels relief. It’s the first time she sees her mum not swept away by him.

Chapter 30 – Al’s New Vision

Martha secretly tracks Al’s car and, for once, finds he’s exactly where he says he is. When he comes home, he’s full of apologies and promises. He says he’s quitting his job to focus on her business, even brings her a grand idea of buying a coastal café and making it into “Martha’s Garden by the Beach.” Martha feels torn, part of her is excited, part of her is scared about the money.

Chapter 31 – Manipulating Amanda

Damian keeps working on Amanda, playing the role of the sick man with a weak heart, all while sneaking around in his other life. He’s staying in her flat, pawning things, snooping in Tara’s house, and even clashing with Tara’s daughter, Emma, who sees right through him. But Amanda, caught in old feelings, doesn’t walk away.

Chapter 32 – Jane’s Discovery

Ash and Jane start digging into Nick’s past. What they find is unsettling: Nick used to call himself Justin Warshaw and worked as a life coach, but almost no trace of him exists now. Even his car is only a recent lease. It’s like he appears and disappears from life. Ash knows she’s onto something but dreads telling her mother, afraid Nina will think she’s just being difficult.

Chapter 33 – A Festive Illusion

After Al quits his job, he and Martha are side by side in her shop, stringing bells on wreaths and listening to Christmas music. She feels joy again. Al even has a tender moment with her son Jonah, who confides in him about gender struggles. Martha is deeply moved, this makes her believe she was right to give Al another chance.

Chapter 34 – Lies and Loans

Damian tries to get into a fancy wine bar business but gets turned down because his past doesn’t add up. Frustrated, he turns back to Amanda, invents stories about needing hospital treatment, and pushes her for money. Amanda, still emotionally hooked, ends up helping him, even though it drains her.

Chapter 35 – Sarah’s Testimony

Ash and Jane video call a woman named Sarah May, who once knew “Justin Warshaw.” Sarah says he was her life coach years ago, charming at first, but he manipulated her into debt. She remembers him living in a small house with a wife named Laura and two little girls. Hearing this makes Ash’s blood run cold. It’s proof that Nick has been lying all along.

Chapter 36 – Seaside Dreams

On Sunday, Al takes Martha, baby Nala, and their dog Baxter to Bangate Cove for what feels like a perfect family outing, but while Martha is swept up in the beauty of the beach and her love for Al, her unease returns when he suddenly leaves her at a pub to run a mysterious errand, and the tracker on his car shows him parked outside a grand villa in a nearby village, hinting that something isn’t right.

Chapter 37 – Ash Confronts Nina

When Nick suddenly reappears after a week of silence, Ash can’t stand it anymore. She shows her mum proof: old photos, records of him using another name, even signs he once had a wife and kids. Nina listens but brushes it all off, convinced there’s a rational explanation. Ash feels crushed, she’s trying to protect her mum, but Nina doesn’t want to hear it.

Chapter 38 – Amanda’s Weakness

Back with Amanda, Damian slips into her bed again, rekindling a physical relationship she can’t resist. He pushes harder, convincing her to ask her wealthy sister Bella for money. Amanda hates the thought but agrees, showing how trapped she still is in his web.

Chapter 39 – Grace’s Doubts

Martha has lunch with Grace, who carefully says she’s worried about Al. Grace admits she’s read about men like him, men who vanish, lie, and use women. Martha bristles, defends him fiercely, and says Al is no psychopath. But later, when Al disappears again and doesn’t answer his phone, Martha’s unease creeps back in.

Chapter 40 – Nick at Christmas

It’s the second Christmas without Paddy, and the family is keeping it small. But Nick turns up uninvited, all charm and gifts. He wins over Arlo quickly, leaving Ash fuming. When she tries to push her mum to question him, Nick smoothly admits to once dabbling in life coaching, twisting it into a harmless story. To Ash’s horror, her mother buys it.

Chapter 41 – Al’s New Excuse

Al tells Martha his elderly mother has dementia and needs him. He claims this is why he’ll have to be away, and that he’ll need money to cover care. Martha is unsettled, she remembers the tracker failing on his car, the lies about his past. But looking at him, all she sees is a man who seems tired, loving, and vulnerable. She doesn’t know what to believe.

Chapter 42 – Cotswolds Fantasy

Damian uses Amanda’s money to whisk Martha away on a glamorous weekend trip. With Amanda, he says he’s off for medical treatment. With Martha, he’s the perfect partner, spinning dreams of a shared future. Martha is glowing, falling deeper for him, while Amanda sits at home believing he’s sick in a hospital.

Chapter 43 – A Collision of Worlds

After the trip, Damian returns to Amanda’s, pretending to be weak from “treatment.” But then there’s a knock at the door, it’s Tara, his wife. She storms in with proof: photos of him with Martha, calling him Jonathan. Amanda is stunned, her world cracking. Damian panics, his carefully built lies crashing into each other.

Chapter 44 – Murder

The confrontation explodes. Tara accuses him outright. Amanda is bewildered, demanding answers. Damian snaps, he attacks Tara in a fit of violence. Amanda, terrified, ends up helping him hold her down. In a horrifying moment, Damian kills Tara. He quickly spins it, telling Amanda Tara was the stalker he’d warned her about. Amanda, broken and confused, starts to believe him.

Chapter 45 – Christmas Doubts

Ash still doesn’t trust Nick, even though he explains his past in a way that sounds calm and convincing. Her brother Arlo shrugs it all off, but Ash can’t shake the feeling something is wrong. She remembers her own struggles with men before, and worries she might be obsessing again. When she opens Nick’s Christmas gift, a beautiful box of handmade soaps, it stirs a memory she can’t quite place, leaving her unsettled.

Chapter 46 – Boxing Day Guest

On Boxing Day, Nina insists on inviting Nick over, saying he shouldn’t be alone. Ash feels trapped, especially when Nick casually admits he’s no longer part of the wine bar he bragged about. He then drops the bombshell that he’s made an offer to buy Bangate Cove and wants Nina to run it. Everyone else seems charmed, but Ash is terrified by how smoothly he weaves himself into their lives.

Chapter 47 – Martha’s Discovery

Martha spends Boxing Day without Alistair and starts to suspect the worst. When she searches through his pockets, she finds a receipt from a restaurant called “Paddy’s” on a night he had lied about being at work. The discovery makes her furious, but also strangely relieved, because at least now she knows something is definitely wrong.

Chapter 48 – Moving in with Martha

Years earlier, Al had moved in with Martha, telling her he worked in hospitality training. In reality, he was still working as an escort, hiding the truth about his double life. He wanted to marry her and build something real, but his past was messy and dangerous. When news broke about a woman’s torso found in Essex, he knew it was Amanda, the woman who had once helped him cover up Tara’s death.

Chapter 49 – Ash in Cambridge

Ash travels to Cambridge, determined to find Laura, the woman Nick had supposedly lived with. Neighbors and a landlady tell her that Laura was scammed by her husband, left with children and heavy debts. Ash finally tracks down her details and sends Laura an email, hoping she will respond.

Chapter 50 – Martha and Al

Al comes home briefly but insists he must leave again to look after his sick mother. Martha listens to his excuses but feels something shift inside her. His emotional pleas no longer move her in the same way, and she begins to see him more clearly.

Chapter 51 – Woman X

Al remembers how Tara died and how Amanda helped him hide the body. He admits that killing her made him feel alive in a way he never had before. Despite trying to live a normal life with Martha, he still works as an escort and struggles with his envy. When he takes Martha to Paddy’s restaurant, he recognizes the owner, Paddy Swann, as someone who once humiliated him. Seeing Paddy so successful fills Al with rage and jealousy.

Chapter 52 – Soap Clues

Back at work, Ash notices that a colleague has a soap box identical to the one Nick gave her. She traces it to Marcelline’s ex-boyfriend, Jason, but the story doesn’t add up. Then, just when she’s about to give up, Laura replies to her email and agrees to meet.

Chapter 53 – Martha Finds Missing Money

Martha realizes money is missing from her flower shop’s accounts, over three thousand pounds. At first she blames herself, but then she knows it’s Al. When she confronts him over the phone, she hears seagulls in the background. It’s the final clue that he isn’t where he says he is.

Chapter 54 – Paddy’s Life (Flashback)

Al becomes obsessed with Paddy Swann, digging into his background and stalking his family online. He is eaten up by resentment that Paddy has built a life, a family, and success, while Al has nothing. His obsession with Paddy and his daughter, Ash, grows darker and more dangerous.

Chapter 55 – Nala’s Birth

Martha and Al have a daughter together, Nala. Al feels differently about her than his other children and believes she is perfect. But when he visits Jessie, an older client, she gives him a symbolic pebble as a gift, which enrages him. He steals a watch instead, and soon after begins watching Nina Swann from a distance.

Chapter 56 – Laura’s Story

Ash and Jane meet Laura in person. Laura tells them how she fell for Nick when he posed as a life coach, only to be left with children and crippling debts. She describes his manipulation and lies in heartbreaking detail. Laura also shares that another woman, Emma, once contacted her after her own mother, Tara, went missing while involved with the same man.

Chapter 57 – Soap Lies

Ash tests Nick by asking about the soaps again. He admits he regifted them, but she knows he’s lying, soap doesn’t keep its scent for years. Her search leads her to a shop in Enderford, where she gets closer to the truth.

Chapter 58 – Martha Investigates

Martha follows Al’s trail to Folkestone and then to Paddy Swann’s old house. There, she realizes he has been having an affair with Nina. The truth hits her hard, he is living a double life, pretending her family doesn’t exist.

Chapter 59 – Al’s Obsession (Flashback)

Al admits to himself that he is consumed with jealousy over Paddy. He spies on Nina, discovers her affair with another man, and begins interfering in Martha’s finances to cover his own crumbling situation.

Chapter 60 – Ash at the Flower Shop

Ash finally finds the shop that sells the soaps, Martha’s Garden. When she asks, the shop assistant recognizes Nick as “Alistair,” Martha’s husband. The pieces fall into place: Nick is living two lives, lying to everyone.

Chapter 61 – First Date with Nina (Flashback)

Al recalls his first date with Nina after Paddy’s death. He charms her easily, presenting himself as a wealthy, semi-retired businessman. Nina confides in him about her struggles, especially with her daughter Ash, who had her own mental health issues. To Al, Nina becomes a new opportunity.

Chapter 62 – Emma’s Story

Ash meets Emma, whose mother Tara disappeared after being involved with Nick. Emma is convinced he killed her. She warns Ash to keep him calm while they gather enough evidence to stop him.

Chapter 63 – Nina Learns the Truth

Ash finally tells her mother everything. Nina is devastated, but she believes her daughter. She admits she wasn’t truly in love with Nick and agrees it’s time to face the truth together.

Chapter 64 – Jessie’s Apartment

Al hides at Jessie’s flat, full of rage and fear after Martha discovers his lies. His thoughts spiral, and while out walking, he stalks a young woman in the street, taking pleasure in intimidating her. His darkness is fully exposed.

Chapter 65 – Martha Meets Nina

Martha meets Nina and Ash in her flower shop. Together, they compare stories and realize how deeply they’ve all been lied to. Martha admits Al tried to convince her to remortgage her house. For the first time, the women decide to team up and bring him down.

Chapter 66 – Messages with Martha

Al gets a message from Martha, who begs him to come home and admits she had tracked his car. Al softens, believing her excuses, and considers returning.

Chapter 67 – The Wine Bar Truth

Ash and Jane visit Bar Amelie, the wine bar Nick claimed to own. They meet Jensen, the real owner, who reveals Nick was never a partner. Instead, he sabotaged the bar out of spite, even planting a rat. Ash realizes his grudge against Paddy was part of a long pattern of cruelty.

Chapter 68 – Meeting Joe Kritner

Ash visits Joe Kritner, the man who pushed her father under the train. Joe insists a “Silver Man” told him to do it and even gave him money. When Ash shows him Nick’s photo, Joe identifies him as that Silver Man. For Ash, it’s the confirmation she dreaded, Nick was behind her father’s death.

Chapter 69 – Al’s Decision

Al decides to return to Martha, promising to be a better man. Martha responds warmly, saying she and the children are waiting. It’s all a trap to catch him and confront him.

Chapter 70 – The Fake Reviews

Jane gets a hacker friend to trace the fake reviews about Bar Amelie. They discover they were posted under the name “Jennifer Smith,” but really, it was Amanda Law, a once-famous interior designer. Ash and Jane go to Amanda’s flat, hoping to meet her, but instead they meet her son, Sam. The shock is immediate, Sam looks exactly like Nick. Ash realizes that Nick is actually his father, and she has no choice but to tell Sam the truth about all of Nick’s lies and crimes. Sam is devastated.

Chapter 71 – Robbing Jessie

Meanwhile, Al is with Jessie, his long-time client who has always been kind to him. When she refuses to give him money, something inside him snaps. He attacks her, threatening to reveal her secret, that she’s been paying him for years as her escort. Terrified, Jessie gives in. He forces her to empty her bank accounts, taking £20,000 in cash. Al tells himself it’s just temporary, but really, he’s building himself an “escape fund.”

Chapter 72 – Jessica Reports Him

Jessie, whose real name is Jessica Bland, goes to the police. She tells them everything, how “André” was her escort for years, how he attacked and blackmailed her, how he forced her to hand over her money. She even shows them CCTV footage of him outside her flat. For the first time, the police begin to take the case seriously.

Chapter 73 – Back with Martha

Al returns home to Martha, putting on his most loving, devoted face. They make up physically, but Martha isn’t fooled, she’s working with Nina and Ash now. Playing along, she convinces him they should go together to see Bangate Cove and talk about their dream café.

Chapter 74 – Martha’s Reflection

As they drive, Martha can’t stop thinking about how she let herself believe his lies for so long. She sees him smiling beside her, looking carefree, and she hates herself for still wanting that love. Quietly, she texts Nina to let her know they’re on their way.

Chapter 75 – Dreams of a Future

Al is full of fantasies. In his mind, he and Martha are about to start a glamorous new life with their beachfront café. He convinces himself this will make him respected and admired, a man to be envied. He even writes a bitter farewell letter to Ash, one last dig at the Swanns.

Chapter 76 – The Gathering

At Bangate, the trap is ready. Inside the pavilion, all the people Al has hurt are waiting, Ash, Nina, Martha, Laura and her daughter, Emma, Sam and Joel, plus other women he has stalked, scammed, or frightened. Together they’ve formed a Facebook group called DON’T LET HIM IN. Each of them has a story, and together, they’re ready to confront him.

Chapter 77 – The Reckoning

When Al walks in, he realizes too late what’s happening. He tries to charm his way out, but the women speak up one by one. Nina finally exposes him for who he really is, Simon Smith. They call him out for everything: the scams, the stalking, the violence, even the murders. Al loses control, lashes out at Emma, and is eventually pinned down by his own sons. Furious and desperate, he breaks free, pushes Martha aside, and runs straight out onto the beach. Without looking back, he throws himself into the sea.

Chapter 78 – Into the Sea

Sam and Joel dive in after him, trying to save their father. But the current is too strong. Emergency services arrive, but there’s no sign of him. The women and the children stand on the beach, watching the horizon, wondering if he drowned, or if he slipped away yet again.

Chapter 79 – News Report

The news breaks within hours. Simon Smith, aged 55, is “feared drowned.” He was wanted for assault, blackmail, disappearances, and even conspiracy to murder. Reporters mention the Facebook group that had united his victims. Jane reads it and feels torn, relieved he’s finally gone, but disappointed too. He escaped a proper trial, and the families of Tara and Amanda may never have answers.

Chapter 80 – Aftermath

Back home, Ash throws away the last traces of him, even the curry he once cooked for her. She and Nina talk about their future, finally free. Then Ash receives one last letter from Nick. In it, he hints at family secrets between her and her mother. When she shows it to Nina, her mother admits the truth at last. For Ash, it’s painful but also liberating, she finally feels ready to move forward, as her own woman, no longer defined by Nick or even by her father’s death.

Epilogue – The True Wife

Far away in Portugal, Amanda Law speaks. She reveals she was the one who helped Simon cover up Tara’s disappearance and even dispose of her body. She still believes she was his “true wife,” the only one he ever really loved. But when Simon finally comes back to her, smiling and ready to start over, Amanda steps aside. She lets the police waiting nearby take him away, deciding at last that her loyalty to him has gone too far.

Don’t Let Him in by Lisa Jewell – Relationships Timeline

I’ve seen quite a few readers mention that the structure of the book can be confusing. With multiple POVs and shifting timelines, it’s sometimes tricky to keep track of the story, especially in the audiobook format. I have to agree, without clear dates, events tend to blur together, and with so many characters it’s not always easy to figure out what happened when.

To make things simpler, I put together a little infographic of all Simon’s relationships. You can use it after finishing the book to piece everything together, or keep it handy while reading to help the story flow more clearly.

If you’re curious about the full extent of Simon’s cons, I’ve put together a detailed timeline for you, I hope it helps as you read!

Don’t Let Him in by Lisa Jewell – Character List

Character Name	Character Role
Amanda	Married to Damian (one of the antagonist’s identities) and mother to two adult sons, Sam and Joe. She vanishes and is presumed dead, but her story unfolds in relation to the antagonist’s schemes.
Arlo Swann	Ash’s younger brother and son of Nina and Paddy. He lives independently with a carefree lifestyle, somewhat detached from the family’s grief.
Ash Swann	Nina’s adult daughter, in her mid-20s, recovering from a mental health crisis and her father’s death. She works at a fashion boutique, lives at home, and grows suspicious of her mother’s new relationship, taking on an investigative role.
Ella	Ash’s best friend, present at family gatherings like the funeral, providing support.
Emma	Tara’s adult daughter, who harbors strong resentment toward Jonathan (one of the antagonist’s identities) due to her mother’s disappearance. She participates in key confrontations.
George	A fictional financial advisor invented by the antagonist to manipulate his wife in the past timeline. Not a real character but part of the deception.
Jane Trevally	Paddy Swann’s former partner and ex-girlfriend, described as eccentric. She becomes Ash’s key ally in investigating Nick Radcliffe’s true identity, using her sharp perception and resources to uncover his deceptions
Jason	Marcelline’s former boyfriend helps Ash identify where Nick bought the soap box.
Jessie Bland	A woman targeted by the antagonist for blackmail and extortion. She joins others in addressing his actions.
Joe Kritner	Joe Kritner was a mentally ill and homeless man who, manipulated by Simon Smith (Nick Radcliffe), physically pushed Paddy Swann under the Tube train.
Joel	Adult son of Amanda and Damian (one of the antagonist’s identities). He becomes involved in confronting the antagonist later in the story.
Joe Kritner	The man who pushed Paddy Swann in front of a train, described as a stranger with complications. His actions are indirectly linked to the antagonist.
Laura Drummond	A woman who had a romantic relationship with Justin (one of the antagonist’s identities). Her role connects to the pattern of manipulation.
Marcelline	Owner of the fashion boutique where Ash works, a minor supporting role in Ash’s daily life.
Martha	A florist and mother of two young children, married to Alistair (one of the antagonist’s identities). She deals with her husband’s frequent absences and secrets, becoming increasingly frustrated.
Nick Radcliffe/Simon Smith/Alistair Gray/Jonathan Truscott/Justin Warshaw/Damian Law/Andre	The central antagonist, a con artist operating under multiple identities. He scams and manipulates women for financial and personal gain, including roles as a wine bar owner (as Nick), husband and father (as Alistair and Damian), and occasional sex worker (as Andre). His birth name is Simon Smith.
Nina Swann	Widow of Paddy Swann and mother to Ash (and two other children). She manages her late husband’s restaurants while grieving and becomes romantically involved with Nick Radcliffe.
Paddy Swann	Deceased husband of Nina and father to Ash and siblings. A charismatic chef and restaurant owner whose sudden death by being pushed in front of a train sets the story in motion.
Peter Tovey	A fictional friend invented by the antagonist to justify a fake financial windfall in the past timeline. Not a real character but part of the deception.
Ritchie Lloyd	Ash’s married boss at the fashion boutique. He receives fake letters that impact Ash’s life, tying into the antagonist’s manipulations.
Sam	Adult son of Amanda and Damian (one of the antagonist’s identities). He becomes involved in confronting the antagonist later in the story.
Tara	A woman involved with Jonathan (one of the antagonist’s identities) who goes missing. Her disappearance affects her family and ties into the larger web of deception.

Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell – End Explained

The story comes to a head when Ash and Jane find Amanda Law’s son, Sam. They tell him the truth: Nick Radcliffe is not who he says he is. He is really Simon Smith, Sam’s father, who everyone thought had died years ago. Sam is shocked, and the idea that his mother Amanda may also have been one of Simon’s victims shakes him deeply.

At the same time, Simon starts to lose control. He attacks Jessie, an older woman who had paid him for years as an escort. He threatens her and forces her to give him £20,000. But Jessie doesn’t stay silent, she goes to the police and reports him.

By now Nina and Ash have already spoken with Martha and revealed the truth about her husband. Together, they set up a trap. Martha lures Simon to Bangate Cove, where he walks into a room full of women and families he has lied to, stolen from, and hurt. They have joined forces in a group called Don’t Let Him In, and now they finally face him together.

The meeting is tense and ugly. Nina reveals his real name, Simon Smith, and exposes his dark past. Others step forward to share how he ruined their lives. Simon snaps, attacks Ash, and has to be held back by his own sons.

But instead of facing the truth, Simon runs. He pushes past everyone and charges into the sea. The cold water swallows him, and even though rescue teams search, he never comes back. Everyone believes he is dead.

On the beach, there is a strange mix of relief and sadness. His victims feel some freedom now, but they also know he has taken many secrets with him, especially about what really happened to Tara and Amanda. Nina and Ash hold on to each other and promise to start again.

After Simon disappears into the sea, Ash thinks she is finally free. But then a letter arrives at her house, written in Simon’s usual smooth, manipulative style. In it, he tells her that her family was never perfect, not her father, not her mother, and that if she really wants to grow up and heal, she needs to sit down with her mum and force her to tell the truth about the past.

The letter shakes Ash. She shows it to Nina, and her mother finally opens up. Nina admits she had an affair, that Paddy also had many affairs, and that she never truly felt happy in her marriage because everything always revolved around him. It hurts Ash, but it also brings a strange kind of clarity. For the first time, she feels like she sees her family and herself clearly. Instead of breaking her, Simon’s words push her to stand on her own two feet.

Then Ash notices something chilling. The letter looks exactly like the ones she once received from “Ritchie Lloyd,” the man she had been accused of stalking months earlier. The same paper, the same font, the same style. She realizes it had always been Simon behind those letters, another layer of his twisted game.

Finally, the story gives us one last twist in the epilogue. In the Algarve, Amanda is alive. She explains how Simon pulled her into his lies and made her help cover up Tara’s disappearance. She lost years of her life because of him. When Simon finally shows up in disguise, Amanda steps aside and lets the police take him. After everything, she chooses to end his game once and for all.

Don’t Let Him In – FAQ

Nick Radcliffe is not who he claims to be. His real name is Simon Smith, and his past is full of lies, scams, and cruelty. He was once a beloved son, but behind closed doors he made his parents’ lives miserable. He borrowed money endlessly, demanded more than they could give, and treated them with contempt.

After his father’s death, Simon’s mother changed her will and left him with nothing. From then on, Simon reinvented himself over and over, using names like Nick Radcliffe or André. He posed as a life coach, a widower, a businessman, even a male escort, preying on lonely women and draining them of money, trust, and sometimes their safety. His “charming” surface always hid the same pattern: lies, control, destruction, and the pursuit of financial gain.

Paddy wasn’t killed in an accident; he was deliberately pushed under a Tube train at Leicester Square. Early in the book we are told that the man who physically pushed him was Joe Kritner, a mentally ill and homeless man.

But during the trial, Kritner explained he had been manipulated by the “Silver Man,” who gave him money and told him Paddy was dangerous. Later, when investigating Nick, Ash visits Kritner in jail and shows him a photo of Nick Radcliffe (aka Alistair Grey, Justin, Jonathan, etc.), and Kritner immediately recognizes him as that “Silver Man.”

So:

Joe Kritner carried out the act.
Nick Radcliffe/Alistair Grey orchestrated it, manipulating Kritner into believing Paddy was a threat and must be pushed.

In other words, Nick Radcliffe was ultimately responsible for Paddy Swann’s death.

Simon first encountered Paddy decades earlier, in the early 1990s, when Simon was a dishwasher at a Mayfair restaurant. Paddy, already a cocky young chef, caught him slacking and told him sharply to get back to work, adding, “You’re not being paid to breathe,” before slamming the door in Simon’s face. For Simon, who already carried deep resentment toward authority figures, especially his father, this moment left him humiliated, angry, and with a festering grudge.

Years later, when Simon dined with Martha at Paddy’s restaurant in Whitstable, he saw how successful Paddy had become. Paddy was running a chain of restaurants, admired and respected, and making half a million pounds a year. Simon compared this with his own life of scams and drifting, and he couldn’t bear that someone so “average” had achieved so much while he had nothing.

At that same dinner, Simon noticed how Martha looked at Paddy with admiration, even awe, calling his restaurant her “fantasy café.” Paddy touched her shoulder, smiled, and in Simon’s eyes showed a sexual interest in her. Simon couldn’t tolerate the idea of his partner admiring another man, especially a man he already despised.

From then on, Simon admitted he became obsessed with Paddy. He pored over Paddy’s cookbooks and website, studied his life, and confessed openly in his narration that he didn’t just want to emulate him, he wanted to ruin him.

Simon’s hatred of Paddy was a mix of old resentment from being belittled by him in his youth, envy of his success, family, and reputation, jealousy over Martha’s admiration for him, and a vindictive streak that fixated on destroying people he felt had slighted him. This toxic mix turned into a full-blown vendetta, which ultimately drove Simon to engineer Paddy’s death.

Simon Smith grew up as the only child of Richard and Felicity Smith. On the surface, he was spoiled and adored, his mother often called him her “beautiful boy.” His parents gave him everything, but it was never enough for him.

As he grew older, Simon borrowed money recklessly. He kept demanding more from his parents, bleeding them financially with loans they could barely cover. His sense of entitlement grew stronger, and he made their lives miserable with constant complaints and superiority.

Things came to a head when Felicity changed her will. She feared that Simon might actually harm her, so she cut him out. When Simon found out, he was furious. Neighbors later recalled him screaming into her face so violently that she described it as like being yelled at by the devil. After Richard died, Felicity even changed the locks on her house because she was terrified her son might come back and hurt her.

So, even though his parents loved him, Simon never felt it was enough. He twisted their care into resentment, convinced they owed him more. That mix of anger, greed, and bitterness shaped the man he became: manipulative, entitled, and dangerous.

Let’s Chat!

What did you think of Don’t Let Him In? Who was your favorite character, and what made them stand out to you?

Drop a comment below and let’s talk about it! Whether you’ve already read the book or just added it to your list, I’d love to hear your thoughts. I’m always up for a good book chat!

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