I Will Ruin You sounds like the title of a new movie starring Liam Neeson. But no, it’s just the title of a thriller novel by Linwood Barclay.
Richard Boyle is a high school English teacher. While teaching class one day, he spots a former student decked out in camouflage and a dynamite vest, walking toward the school’s entrance.
Richard, knowing something terrible is about to happen, rushes to stop the student, Mark, from coming into the school. He convinces Mark he doesn’t have to hurt anyone, but clumsy Mark trips over his shoelace and accidentally detonates himself anyway. The next day, Richard is hailed as the town hero for saving everyone in the school.
Meanwhile, in another part of town, a drug dealer is watching the news with his friend when he sees the story about Richard being a hero. He jabs a finger at the TV, pointing out the teacher who sexually assaulted him when he was a student. Next, Richard finds himself being blackmailed for a sexual molestation crime he didn’t commit, unless he pays up.
Richard tries piecing everything together to save himself and his reputation, and learns he’s caught in a web of problems bigger than he ever imagined. Can he make it out of this mess unscathed?
The main characters in Linwood Barclay books are super hilarious, and their personalities so endearing. They’re everyday guys with everyday jobs—just practical, normal men who get caught up in unexpected shenanigans. That’s what makes these books so fun and entertaining.
I just realized the main character in Barclay’s No Time for Goodbye is also a high school English teacher. Maybe that’s what the author really wanted to do for a living.
There are a few parts where Richard ties to hide stuff about the blackmail incident from his wife Bonnie, and he’s described as being super sweaty and anxious—all those descriptions are funny and spot on. Pretty relatable if you’ve ever tried hiding stressful things from your spouse for the sake of sparing them the heartache.
I Will Ruin You is full of twists and turns, so good luck figuring it out. I was definitely stumped, though I did guess who the real bad guy was early on.
There’s a part where a character is murdered, but several people visit the person beforehand so you don’t know who killed the person. Each chapter shares a different character’s perspective, and the overall timeline isn’t linear or chronological, so it keeps you guessing until the end. This same effect is used in shows and movies all the time, and I love it.
Overall, I Will Ruin You was incredibly good and very enjoyable. Maybe not the author’s very best, but still great.
Other books by Linwood Barclay include:
- The Lie Maker (2023)
- Whistle (2025)
- Not a Word (2026)
What did you think about I Will Ruin You, did you like it?
Last Updated on January 30, 2026 by Sarah Ann
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