Review - the Oppposite of Murder by Sophie Hannah

The Opposite of Murder by Sophie Hannah
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Release date: 29 January 2026

Back cover blurb: What if the only way to prevent a murder is by confessing to it? Jemma Stelling has confessed to a murder - one she can't have committed. She has an unshakeable alibi: when Marianne Upton was stabbed to death outside her home, Jemma was at the police station confessing to a murderous obsession with Marianne and a plan to kill her in precisely the way she was killed. So is Jemma innocent? Or is she an ingenious, cold-blooded murderer?

The opening line of this novel is (excuse the pun) a killer... Literally. There is no holding back when we meet Jemma.

But there is more to her 'confession' than meets the eye.

Because she isn't actually a killer, and hasn't committed the murder that she has confessed to.

Yet...

By going to the Police and telling them everything she has planned, Jemma hopes that she won't carry out her plan.

The visit to the Police Station is a perfect alibi should the unthinkable happen. 

The only trouble is, whilst Jemma is at the Police Station that is exactly what happens. 

Jemma's wicked Stepmother and arch nemesis Marianne is found dead. Murdered. In exactly the way Jemma described to the police and Jemma is now the prime suspect.

She knows that she didn't commit the murder, and is almost 100% certain that no one else would have carried out her 'plan' without her knowledge. 

So what exactly did happen to Marianne? 

And why is everyone being so weird about it?

A strange, but enjoyable whodunnit.

The Opposite of Murder is available to pre-order now via Amazon online and all good book shops.

Thank You to the publishers who approved my request via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.