She Treads Softly: The Opposite of Murder

Sunday, July 26, 2026

The Opposite of Murder

The Opposite of Murder by Sophie Hannah
8/25/26; 352 pages
Poisoned Pen Press

The Opposite of Murder by Sophie Hannah is a recommended murder mystery which opens with a woman at the police station confessing to a murder she wants to commit, but hasn't yet done.

Jemma Stelling wants to murder her stepmother, Marianne Upton. She believes her confession to the police will stop her from committing the act, but the police are obviously questioning her mental stability. While Jemma is at the station, Marianne is found murdered, stabbed to death. This gives Jemma an excellent alibi, but begs the question did she plan the murder for someone else to commit.

First, this is an evil stepmother tale, you really can't trust anyone and you will be required to suspend a huge dose of disbelief while reading. In this case, I wasn't entirely sure it was worth it, but the final reveal is satisfying.

The strong opening is followed by the introduction to a large cast of unreliable and several unlikable characters. The narrative follows them from October 30th to November 7th through the points-of-view of mainly Jemma, but also Charlie, Gibbs/Sellers, Simon, and Sam. Also interspersed through the narrative are diary entries. The frequent shifting, and altogether unreliable perspectives in this very dialogue heavy narrative can become annoying. The whole secret room/office red herring was also annoying.

It should be mentioned that the plot is complex and clues are present along the way which can piece together the mystery. If you enjoy closely following clues and don't mind just going with the flow, no matter how unbelievable it is, this novel may work well for you. However, this complexity combined with the shifting points-of-view can result in the direction of the plot feeling vague, off-putting, and occasionally overwhelming, especially if you are craving a more straightforward action-packed procedural or murder mystery.

The Opposite of Murder may be a good choice for those who enjoy dialogue heavy mysteries and can suspend disbelief. Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

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John Updike's six rules for reviewing:

1. Try to understand what the author wished to do, and do not blame him for not achieving what he did not attempt.

2. Give him enough direct quotation--at least one extended passage--of the book's prose so the review's reader can form his own impression, can get his own taste.

3. Confirm your description of the book with quotation from the book, if only phrase-long, rather than proceeding by fuzzy precis.

4. Go easy on plot summary, and do not give away the ending.

5. If the book is judged deficient, cite a successful example along the same lines, from the author's oeuvre or elsewhere. Try to understand the failure. Sure it's his and not yours?

To these concrete five might be added a vaguer sixth, having to do with maintaining a chemical purity in the reaction between product and appraiser.....Review the book, not the reputation.... Better to praise and share than blame and ban. The communion between reviewer and his public is based upon the presumption of certain possible joys in reading, and all our discriminations should curve toward that end.