It’s Not What You Think blends procedural tension with psychological misdirection at the heart of its mystery. When a crime exposes more questions than answers, two women are drawn into investigations that pull them in opposite directions.
Clare Mackintosh’s upcoming crime novel It’s Not What You Think is set to be adapted for television.
The rights were secured by Fremantle-owned Red Planet Pictures following a highly competitive auction. The adaptation will be written by Kam Odedra, whose recent credits include Hijack, Lupin, and All Her Fault.
The novel follows Nadeeka Prasanna and Detective Chief Inspector Lauren Caldwell, whose paths collide after a murder forces them into parallel investigations. As their inquiries unfold, the story explores hidden secrets, shifting truths and a narrative built around perception and misdirection.
The book is among Mackintosh’s most anticipated crime releases of 2026 and will be published by HarperFiction in March. The project joins Red Planet’s slate alongside titles such as Death In Paradise and Sanditon, while the company is also developing Chris Chibnall’s Death at the White Hart.
