Not a Word

Not a Word

UK Cover
North American Cover

North America On Sale August 25, 2026

United Kingdom On Sale September 10, 2026

In the latest chilling thriller from New York Times bestselling author Linwood Barclay, a man’s world is upended after he stumbles upon a grisly crime scene in the family home.

Every family has secrets, but when Reece visits his parents’ house, he’s shocked to find them in bed, dead. At first glance it looks like a murder-suicide perpetrated by his father, but on closer inspection there’s clearly more to the story. For starters, inconsistencies in the crime scene suggest his dad may not have shot himself.

As Reece, shaken by his horrifying discovery, awaits questioning from the police, his phone lights up with a call. It’s the last person he ever would have expected to hear from.

Reeling from the day’s events, Reece finds himself questioning everything he thought he knew about his parents—and whether he and his own family are in danger now. While the authorities work to untangle the baffling crime scene, Reece is pulled into a web of secrets linked to the unscrupulous pharma company his father worked for years ago.

In order to protect the people he loves most, he’ll have to dig deep into his own past to understand who his parents were, what they did, and who they hurt—before he ends up paying for their sins.

Praise

“This book is in the can’t-put-down category.” —Stephen King

Barclay is a terrific plotter, but his most prominent gift is his ability to anchor his stories with characters who feel like everyday, ordinary people…There are multiple plot twists, but they feel entirely organic, like naturally occurring twists and turns—like real life being its unpredictable self… First-class storytelling from a first-rate novelist.”Booklist

“The plot twists come fast and furious. It’s a winner.”Publishers Weekly

“This fast-paced page-turner will keep readers guessing until the end.”Library Journal