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Keep It in the Family
In this chilling novel from bestselling author John Marrs, a young couple’s house hides terrible secrets—and not all of them are confined to the past.
Mia and Finn are busy turning a derelict house into their dream home when Mia unexpectedly falls pregnant. But just when they think the house is ready, Mia discovers a chilling message scored into a skirting board: I WILL SAVE THEM FROM THE ATTIC. Following the clue up into the eaves, the couple make a gruesome discovery: their dream home was once a house of horrors.
In the wake of their traumatic discovery, the baby arrives and Mia can’t shake her fixation with the monstrous crimes that happened right above them. Haunted by the terrible things she saw and desperate to find answers, her obsession pulls her ever further from her husband.
Secrecy shrouds the mystery of the attic, but when shards of a dark truth start to emerge, Mia realises the danger is terrifyingly present. She is prepared to do anything to protect her family—but is it already too late?
Mia and Finn are busy turning a derelict house into their dream home when Mia unexpectedly falls pregnant. But just when they think the house is ready, Mia discovers a chilling message scored into a skirting board: I WILL SAVE THEM FROM THE ATTIC. Following the clue up into the eaves, the couple make a gruesome discovery: their dream home was once a house of horrors.
In the wake of their traumatic discovery, the baby arrives and Mia can’t shake her fixation with the monstrous crimes that happened right above them. Haunted by the terrible things she saw and desperate to find answers, her obsession pulls her ever further from her husband.
Secrecy shrouds the mystery of the attic, but when shards of a dark truth start to emerge, Mia realises the danger is terrifyingly present. She is prepared to do anything to protect her family—but is it already too late?
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 18, 2022
About the author
John Marrs
21 books15.8k followersJohn Marrs is the author of #1 Best Sellers The One, The Good Samaritan, When You Disappeared, The Vacation, Her Last Move, The Passengers, The Minders and What Lies Between Us. Keep It In The Family and The Marriage Act are released soon.
What Lies won the International Thriller Writers' Best Paperback of 2021 award.
The One has been translated into 30 different languages and is to be turned into an eight-part Netflix series starting in autumn 2020.
After working as a journalist for 25-years interviewing celebrities from the world of television, film and music for national newspapers and magazines, he is now a full-time writer.
Follow him on Twitter @johnmarrs1 Facebook: @johnmarrsauthor Instagram: @johnmarrs.author website: johnmarrsauthor.co.uk
What Lies won the International Thriller Writers' Best Paperback of 2021 award.
The One has been translated into 30 different languages and is to be turned into an eight-part Netflix series starting in autumn 2020.
After working as a journalist for 25-years interviewing celebrities from the world of television, film and music for national newspapers and magazines, he is now a full-time writer.
Follow him on Twitter @johnmarrs1 Facebook: @johnmarrsauthor Instagram: @johnmarrs.author website: johnmarrsauthor.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 8,945 reviews
March 19, 2024
Oh my god???
October 3, 2023
Thank you Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.
Disclaimer: if you like popcorn/commercial thrillers, this will probably work for you. Still give it a try. I think it could work as a mindless vacay read, or if you're new to the genre.
THE PLOT
Mia and Finn buy a spooky abandoned home with hopes of turning it into their dream abode. But things quickly become a nightmare when they discover something unsavoury in the attic.
MY OPINION
I could hardly contain my excitement when I saw this was Read Now on NetGalley. I snatched it up (it has since disappeared...) and dove into it ASAP. After loving The Good Samaritan and The One, I was looking forward to what the sick af mind of John Marrs whipped up this time. And well... it's one star, so you know the vibes.
My streak of highly anticipated ARCs turning out to be the stankiest dookies of all time continues. So what went wrong?
Let's start with the writing. This was the laziest first person narrative I've read in awhile. I call this "dear diary writing" where the character tells the reader directly wagwan like they're writing in their diary. Ie: "Today I went to the store and saw John. I really like John. He has nice hair. He makes me feel special. Hopefully he likes me too." Instead of writing a narrative that immerses the reader in the story so they're living the experience (and feeling all the feels too), this was written with the intent to just tell you what's happening as if you're an outsider looking in. BLEH.
As usual when I'm reading a book with shockingly bad writing, I compare it to a previous work of the author to make sure I'm not trippin. I checked out The Good Samaritan again, and yep, still bangs. So this was just... off.
All the characters were particularly unlikeable and obtuse. The ending was contrived. The twists were thrown in there for pure shock value only. There was no expertly crafted red herrings dropped along the way... it was painfully obvious what was coming coupled with a few random reveals that held no bearing. It felt like the author was shaking a magic 8 ball while writing this: should I add a twist here? Magic 8 ball says: YOLO! Go for it!
Anyways, I'm going to cut myself off. It's one star. I HIGHLY recommend The Good Samaritan. An absolutely unhinged banger of a psychological thriller. It truly puts the psycho in psychological. Thank you, NEXT.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: I got this while it was still available as a Read Now on NetGalley
Cons: don't make me say it again...
Disclaimer: if you like popcorn/commercial thrillers, this will probably work for you. Still give it a try. I think it could work as a mindless vacay read, or if you're new to the genre.
THE PLOT
Mia and Finn buy a spooky abandoned home with hopes of turning it into their dream abode. But things quickly become a nightmare when they discover something unsavoury in the attic.
MY OPINION
I could hardly contain my excitement when I saw this was Read Now on NetGalley. I snatched it up (it has since disappeared...) and dove into it ASAP. After loving The Good Samaritan and The One, I was looking forward to what the sick af mind of John Marrs whipped up this time. And well... it's one star, so you know the vibes.
My streak of highly anticipated ARCs turning out to be the stankiest dookies of all time continues. So what went wrong?
Let's start with the writing. This was the laziest first person narrative I've read in awhile. I call this "dear diary writing" where the character tells the reader directly wagwan like they're writing in their diary. Ie: "Today I went to the store and saw John. I really like John. He has nice hair. He makes me feel special. Hopefully he likes me too." Instead of writing a narrative that immerses the reader in the story so they're living the experience (and feeling all the feels too), this was written with the intent to just tell you what's happening as if you're an outsider looking in. BLEH.
As usual when I'm reading a book with shockingly bad writing, I compare it to a previous work of the author to make sure I'm not trippin. I checked out The Good Samaritan again, and yep, still bangs. So this was just... off.
All the characters were particularly unlikeable and obtuse. The ending was contrived. The twists were thrown in there for pure shock value only. There was no expertly crafted red herrings dropped along the way... it was painfully obvious what was coming coupled with a few random reveals that held no bearing. It felt like the author was shaking a magic 8 ball while writing this: should I add a twist here? Magic 8 ball says: YOLO! Go for it!
Anyways, I'm going to cut myself off. It's one star. I HIGHLY recommend The Good Samaritan. An absolutely unhinged banger of a psychological thriller. It truly puts the psycho in psychological. Thank you, NEXT.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: I got this while it was still available as a Read Now on NetGalley
Cons: don't make me say it again...
May 25, 2022
An extremely dark and entertaining thriller by one of my favorite authors!
Mia and her husband, Finn, have just bought a house…site unseen (can anyone say red flag?!). It’s derelict and old, but they intend to fix it up and turn it into their dream home. Over the next few months, they slowly but surely make updates, while Mia finds that she’s unexpectedly pregnant. All is fine and dandy until one day when Mia makes a discovery underneath the old wallpaper in one of the upstairs bedrooms…in a child’s handwriting:
I WILL SAVE THEM FROM THE ATTIC.
What they find in the attic is terrifying and downright macabre.
Now that Mia has given birth to a baby boy, she can’t stop thinking about the crimes that have occurred in her home. But her obsession with it could prove to be deadly.
John Marrs is a phenomenal writer. I’ve loved all of his books, and this is no exception. It’s unputdownable, disturbing, tense, and atmospheric…all the things I love in a dark thriller.
One minor irritation is that I figured out a lot of the twists from the get-go. I can’t even hint as to why I was able to figure them out, because I’m sure other readers would too. However, I was pleasantly surprised by some surprises towards the end that I definitely didn’t see coming.
A twisted and deliciously unnerving read that makes me wonder what else goes on in the mind of Marrs.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 10/18/22.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
Mia and her husband, Finn, have just bought a house…site unseen (can anyone say red flag?!). It’s derelict and old, but they intend to fix it up and turn it into their dream home. Over the next few months, they slowly but surely make updates, while Mia finds that she’s unexpectedly pregnant. All is fine and dandy until one day when Mia makes a discovery underneath the old wallpaper in one of the upstairs bedrooms…in a child’s handwriting:
I WILL SAVE THEM FROM THE ATTIC.
What they find in the attic is terrifying and downright macabre.
Now that Mia has given birth to a baby boy, she can’t stop thinking about the crimes that have occurred in her home. But her obsession with it could prove to be deadly.
John Marrs is a phenomenal writer. I’ve loved all of his books, and this is no exception. It’s unputdownable, disturbing, tense, and atmospheric…all the things I love in a dark thriller.
One minor irritation is that I figured out a lot of the twists from the get-go. I can’t even hint as to why I was able to figure them out, because I’m sure other readers would too. However, I was pleasantly surprised by some surprises towards the end that I definitely didn’t see coming.
A twisted and deliciously unnerving read that makes me wonder what else goes on in the mind of Marrs.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 10/18/22.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
October 22, 2022
**Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and John Marrs for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 10.18!**
Did you ever forget you had an assignment until the absolute LAST minute?
I'm talking two hours before, no chance for an extension, and your grade counts on handing something, ANYTHING, coherent in by the deadline....even if all you think you'll manage to squeak out is a 'D'?
THIS kind of book from an author as capable and talented as John Marrs....was sadly VERY reminiscent of that type of last-ditch effort that just went nowhere.
Mia and Finn are ready to make their new house a home. Sure it needs some upgrades, but they feel lucky they avoided being gazumped (yes, the use of this word was one of the high points of my reading experience) and ended up with the house. To cap off their happiness, Mia is pregnant and the timing seems perfect. UNTIL one day in the attic Mia notices a disturbing message on the skirting board up above: "I WILL SAVE THEM FROM THE ATTIC." Naturally, she and her husband are horrified...and the problems multiply when the two, with help from Finn's parents Dave and Debbie, EXACTLY what that message means...and the disturbing tragedies that took place there. Have Finn and Mia been harboring something dangerous under their own roof? And have they put their precious new baby DIRECTLY in harm's way?
Although I've said it once, it bears repeating: I had a hard time even believing this book was written by John Marrs. To start, things weren't so terrible, although they were a bit slow, with lots of set-up and drama involving the house buying and drama between Mia and Finn's parents.
But then Marrs got into discussing Mia's pregnancy...or rather, discussing what HE thinks apparently takes place during pregnancy...and I started to realize everything was going to come crashing down around me pretty quickly. I understand not knowing the ins and outs, but Marrs is usually reliable when it comes to his research...but not this time. An intruder pops in on sleeping Mia and this narration takes place: "Now I am standing over her, my face, directly above hers, my mouth next to her nose. I gently exhale so that she breathes me in and I become the oxygen that fills up her lungs and feeds her baby."
Uh...okay.
(Not to mention that a few pages earlier, Mia is fourteen weeks pregnant and has to ANNOUNCE it because she isn't showing...and yet, when this intruder arrives, they talk about her "swollen belly" etc.) I could go into more, but I'd rather not revisit it. Suffice it to say, there is example after example of weird idiosyncrasies that don't make a lot of sense. Mia is also purported to have postnatal depression...but instead of being treated for it or helped in any way, everyone around her sort of ignores the 'problems' to her face and berates her behind her back. Which brings me to my next point...
ALL OF THESE CHARACTERS are unlikable. (Except Mia and Finn's baby, I guess...we don't really get enough info until the very end for that to matter.) If you can't stand a thriller where everyone is awful, terrible, and no-good, this is NOT the book for you. This is also not the book for you if you can't stand reading about horrific things being done to children. In all honesty, I was able to remove myself from the gruesome bits being discussed throughout the book and not let that get to me, but I'm not sure how...I think because the quality of the writing was so meh, I was able to distance myself emotionally and at times mentally, because I was just struggling to make it to the end in one piece.
Marrs also slips in fake news articles, etc. throughout to sprinkle in clues (?) to help you solve the mystery, but the whole thing was just so unbelievable and over the top, they didn't particularly help me maintain any sort of interest. Unlike the page-turning, gripping suspense of What Lies Between Us, this one ran out of gas early and I simply couldn't wait for it to end.
I had figured after a couple of misses with Marrs' tech/sci-fi leaning books that a dive back into the psychological thriller realm simply couldn't miss. But after two thriller books revolving around the attic (one hit and one miss) perhaps all Marrs needs before his next is some fresh air...down on the ground floor.
2.5 stars
Did you ever forget you had an assignment until the absolute LAST minute?
I'm talking two hours before, no chance for an extension, and your grade counts on handing something, ANYTHING, coherent in by the deadline....even if all you think you'll manage to squeak out is a 'D'?
THIS kind of book from an author as capable and talented as John Marrs....was sadly VERY reminiscent of that type of last-ditch effort that just went nowhere.
Mia and Finn are ready to make their new house a home. Sure it needs some upgrades, but they feel lucky they avoided being gazumped (yes, the use of this word was one of the high points of my reading experience) and ended up with the house. To cap off their happiness, Mia is pregnant and the timing seems perfect. UNTIL one day in the attic Mia notices a disturbing message on the skirting board up above: "I WILL SAVE THEM FROM THE ATTIC." Naturally, she and her husband are horrified...and the problems multiply when the two, with help from Finn's parents Dave and Debbie, EXACTLY what that message means...and the disturbing tragedies that took place there. Have Finn and Mia been harboring something dangerous under their own roof? And have they put their precious new baby DIRECTLY in harm's way?
Although I've said it once, it bears repeating: I had a hard time even believing this book was written by John Marrs. To start, things weren't so terrible, although they were a bit slow, with lots of set-up and drama involving the house buying and drama between Mia and Finn's parents.
But then Marrs got into discussing Mia's pregnancy...or rather, discussing what HE thinks apparently takes place during pregnancy...and I started to realize everything was going to come crashing down around me pretty quickly. I understand not knowing the ins and outs, but Marrs is usually reliable when it comes to his research...but not this time. An intruder pops in on sleeping Mia and this narration takes place: "Now I am standing over her, my face, directly above hers, my mouth next to her nose. I gently exhale so that she breathes me in and I become the oxygen that fills up her lungs and feeds her baby."
Uh...okay.
(Not to mention that a few pages earlier, Mia is fourteen weeks pregnant and has to ANNOUNCE it because she isn't showing...and yet, when this intruder arrives, they talk about her "swollen belly" etc.) I could go into more, but I'd rather not revisit it. Suffice it to say, there is example after example of weird idiosyncrasies that don't make a lot of sense. Mia is also purported to have postnatal depression...but instead of being treated for it or helped in any way, everyone around her sort of ignores the 'problems' to her face and berates her behind her back. Which brings me to my next point...
ALL OF THESE CHARACTERS are unlikable. (Except Mia and Finn's baby, I guess...we don't really get enough info until the very end for that to matter.) If you can't stand a thriller where everyone is awful, terrible, and no-good, this is NOT the book for you. This is also not the book for you if you can't stand reading about horrific things being done to children. In all honesty, I was able to remove myself from the gruesome bits being discussed throughout the book and not let that get to me, but I'm not sure how...I think because the quality of the writing was so meh, I was able to distance myself emotionally and at times mentally, because I was just struggling to make it to the end in one piece.
Marrs also slips in fake news articles, etc. throughout to sprinkle in clues (?) to help you solve the mystery, but the whole thing was just so unbelievable and over the top, they didn't particularly help me maintain any sort of interest. Unlike the page-turning, gripping suspense of What Lies Between Us, this one ran out of gas early and I simply couldn't wait for it to end.
I had figured after a couple of misses with Marrs' tech/sci-fi leaning books that a dive back into the psychological thriller realm simply couldn't miss. But after two thriller books revolving around the attic (one hit and one miss) perhaps all Marrs needs before his next is some fresh air...down on the ground floor.
2.5 stars
June 26, 2024
1.5 stars — I just finished, “Keep it in the Family” by John Marrs, and I think its name should be changed to “Keep it to Yourself”. Marrs has ALWAYS been one of my favorites, but this one is nowhere near the high quality work that I’m used to getting from him. I have to admit the characters just never seemed real to me because of their stupid actions and reactions across the board. Maybe this was because I just read “The It Girl” which grabbed me and kept me from the start. I felt that both of the main characters,Mia and Finn, were not genuine and missed the mark. The villain also was poorly written and just seemed incapable of pulling off the actions attributed to him/her. As the villian’s childhood and early adulthood are slowly revealed by the author, I could feel myself rolling my eyes at the book time and again. The plot did seem to speed up for the second half of the book, but that still does not mean it was any better. All in all I felt this one was a dud from beginning to end (especially the end). I realize this one got a lot of good reviews which means maybe it was just the mood I was in when I read it. But that mood lasted for the entire 10 days I was reading this below average thriller
March 3, 2023
Marrs wrote that the idea for the book came from a dream. That makes sense, since the whole story had an unrealistic, dreamlike quality to it.
I also felt it got too macabre, the evilness just got too much. There were some decent twists, but it didn’t help when everything was so farfetched and especially towards the end I just wanted to throw the book into a wall from frustration. I didn’t do it though, since I respect books and I respect Marrs. But this was not his best, and I hope his dreams make for better plots in the future.
I also felt it got too macabre, the evilness just got too much. There were some decent twists, but it didn’t help when everything was so farfetched and especially towards the end I just wanted to throw the book into a wall from frustration. I didn’t do it though, since I respect books and I respect Marrs. But this was not his best, and I hope his dreams make for better plots in the future.
February 3, 2023
“I WILL SAVE THEM FROM THE ATTIC.”
Mia and Finn are busy turning a derelict house into their dream home when Mia unexpectedly falls pregnant. But just when they think the house is ready, Mia discovers a chilling message scored into a skirting board. Following the clue up into the eaves, the couple make a gruesome discovery: their dream home was once a house of horrors.
Unfortunately, Keep it in the Family didn’t really hit with me. While I didn’t dislike the book, it was just an ‘okay’ read for me. I found the narrative slow, a bit tedious and incredibly predictable. I had it all figured out within the first 100 pages. The central characters also felt very wooden and they all shared the same, monotone delivery.
On the flip side, the writing was mostly good and the last few chapters were intense. The twist was great and the ending was perfect for this story. A good starter book for someone not used to crime/thriller fiction maybe?
Also, I don’t usually do content warnings, but this book revolves heavily around child abduction and murder. So keep that in mind if you pick this one up.
This was my January bookclub pick.
Mia and Finn are busy turning a derelict house into their dream home when Mia unexpectedly falls pregnant. But just when they think the house is ready, Mia discovers a chilling message scored into a skirting board. Following the clue up into the eaves, the couple make a gruesome discovery: their dream home was once a house of horrors.
Unfortunately, Keep it in the Family didn’t really hit with me. While I didn’t dislike the book, it was just an ‘okay’ read for me. I found the narrative slow, a bit tedious and incredibly predictable. I had it all figured out within the first 100 pages. The central characters also felt very wooden and they all shared the same, monotone delivery.
On the flip side, the writing was mostly good and the last few chapters were intense. The twist was great and the ending was perfect for this story. A good starter book for someone not used to crime/thriller fiction maybe?
Also, I don’t usually do content warnings, but this book revolves heavily around child abduction and murder. So keep that in mind if you pick this one up.
This was my January bookclub pick.
June 24, 2022
my track record with JMs books is mixed. im obsessed with his sci-fi thrillers, but his more traditional mystery/thrillers have always been a miss for me. but today, that pattern has been broken! because theres no sci-fi element to this story, but i actually really enjoyed it!
and it wasnt necessarily the twisty nature of the story that had me hooked. the reveals and misdirections along the way did nothing for me because i knew exactly what was going on from about the 40% mark. so instead, i was much more interested in the characters. these characters are fascinating. the lengths they will go to do something, all because they have an idea in their head, is crazy. i really found the characters’ layers to be the most interesting part of this story. it makes for a great case study!
so this is a win for me! would i have loved this more if it had a sci-fi element? probably, but only because i think those are the stories JM writes best. but this is still a very entertaining read.
thank you so much, amazon publishing UK, for the ARC!
↠ 3.5 stars
and it wasnt necessarily the twisty nature of the story that had me hooked. the reveals and misdirections along the way did nothing for me because i knew exactly what was going on from about the 40% mark. so instead, i was much more interested in the characters. these characters are fascinating. the lengths they will go to do something, all because they have an idea in their head, is crazy. i really found the characters’ layers to be the most interesting part of this story. it makes for a great case study!
so this is a win for me! would i have loved this more if it had a sci-fi element? probably, but only because i think those are the stories JM writes best. but this is still a very entertaining read.
thank you so much, amazon publishing UK, for the ARC!
↠ 3.5 stars
October 18, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
The last sentence of the opening prologue gave me chills!
An unnamed narrator confessing to being the BAIT that lured unsuspecting children to a home where they would end up dead and placed in suitcases in the attic.
The suitcases won’t be found for 39 years.
Finn and Mia have purchased a fixer-upper and they are hard at work trying to turn the derelict house into a dream home, before the birth of their first son. But, when Mia uncovers a message scored into a skirting board, she follows the clue into the attic, and finds the carefully arranged, dusty suitcases with their secrets still intact.
I thought perhaps the author was flirting with horror, this time, and I was ALL IN!
But, although John Marrs is a favorite author of mine-this one wasn’t a favorite of his-for me!
Finn and Mia will have to move in with his parents, Dave and Debbie, while the detectives investigate and try to give names to the skeletons of the missing children from many decades prior.
The TITLE gives us a clue of what to expect-this is a DYSFUNCTIONAL family drama as much as it is a psychological thriller, and, if you know me-dysfunctional families are not a favorite of mine!!
So when the story moved in this direction, it dragged a bit for me.
I did enjoy the excerpts of newspaper clippings, and podcasts sprinkled throughout, which helped to fill in details of the story. There was even one from a YOUTUBE SERIES by ex police detective and crime thriller author, Caroline Mitchell which was a fun touch! 😉
I loved “The Good Samaritan” and I am always captivated by the Dystopian World which John Marrs has created (The One, The Passengers, and The Minders) so you can be sure that I will still be auto-requesting his next, despite not being quite as enamored with this story.
Surprisingly-the creepy EPILOGUE actually earned the final half star!
Thank You to Thomas and Mercer for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
AVAILABLE NOW!
The last sentence of the opening prologue gave me chills!
An unnamed narrator confessing to being the BAIT that lured unsuspecting children to a home where they would end up dead and placed in suitcases in the attic.
The suitcases won’t be found for 39 years.
Finn and Mia have purchased a fixer-upper and they are hard at work trying to turn the derelict house into a dream home, before the birth of their first son. But, when Mia uncovers a message scored into a skirting board, she follows the clue into the attic, and finds the carefully arranged, dusty suitcases with their secrets still intact.
I thought perhaps the author was flirting with horror, this time, and I was ALL IN!
But, although John Marrs is a favorite author of mine-this one wasn’t a favorite of his-for me!
Finn and Mia will have to move in with his parents, Dave and Debbie, while the detectives investigate and try to give names to the skeletons of the missing children from many decades prior.
The TITLE gives us a clue of what to expect-this is a DYSFUNCTIONAL family drama as much as it is a psychological thriller, and, if you know me-dysfunctional families are not a favorite of mine!!
So when the story moved in this direction, it dragged a bit for me.
I did enjoy the excerpts of newspaper clippings, and podcasts sprinkled throughout, which helped to fill in details of the story. There was even one from a YOUTUBE SERIES by ex police detective and crime thriller author, Caroline Mitchell which was a fun touch! 😉
I loved “The Good Samaritan” and I am always captivated by the Dystopian World which John Marrs has created (The One, The Passengers, and The Minders) so you can be sure that I will still be auto-requesting his next, despite not being quite as enamored with this story.
Surprisingly-the creepy EPILOGUE actually earned the final half star!
Thank You to Thomas and Mercer for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
AVAILABLE NOW!
October 28, 2022
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I so enjoy John Marrs books. This is my sixth read of his, I have loved every single one of them and the prologue in this one gave me high hopes. About fifty percent through this one I was ready to give it five stars. It was engaging, creepy, and well-paced. Then about halfway in it started to get a bit over the top...now I can do over the top, I call them popcorn thrillers. They are a little out there but the entertainment value is worth looking past all the unbelievable parts. Then I got to the seventy-five percent mark of the book and it got SO unbelievably "out there" and I had to suspend my belief SO much that I stop enjoying it.
This book didn't even read like the John Marrs I am familiar with and I didn't like the style of the first-person narrative, it simply just didn't work here. I did not like ANY of the characters, not even Mia. I felt the entire cast was a bunch of deplorables and I had no one to root for. I had the big reveal figured out almost right away so there were really no surprises for me either. I loved this author's other works so much so I will keep reading whatever he puts out and will put this one down to a one-off bust.
I so enjoy John Marrs books. This is my sixth read of his, I have loved every single one of them and the prologue in this one gave me high hopes. About fifty percent through this one I was ready to give it five stars. It was engaging, creepy, and well-paced. Then about halfway in it started to get a bit over the top...now I can do over the top, I call them popcorn thrillers. They are a little out there but the entertainment value is worth looking past all the unbelievable parts. Then I got to the seventy-five percent mark of the book and it got SO unbelievably "out there" and I had to suspend my belief SO much that I stop enjoying it.
This book didn't even read like the John Marrs I am familiar with and I didn't like the style of the first-person narrative, it simply just didn't work here. I did not like ANY of the characters, not even Mia. I felt the entire cast was a bunch of deplorables and I had no one to root for. I had the big reveal figured out almost right away so there were really no surprises for me either. I loved this author's other works so much so I will keep reading whatever he puts out and will put this one down to a one-off bust.
November 7, 2022
!!! THERE'S A CHARACTER THAT SPITS IN A GIRL'S MOUTH WHILE SHE'S SLEEPING !!!
I can't make this shit up.
Lord, put me out of my misery.
I can't make this shit up.
Lord, put me out of my misery.
June 19, 2022
The saying goes you can’t choose your family - or can you? As you are ‘entering’ the dark mind of the marvellous John Marrs aka Mr Twisty himself, then anything is possible! It starts with a scare and there isn’t much let up until the bitter end. In 2018 Mia and Finn buy a doer-upper in Stewksbury , Bedfordshire. The house is neglected and definitely creepy but does it have a past?? Well, obviously it does if you’ve ever read the author before!! A chilling message in childlike writing is discovered above a skirting board followed by harrowing discoveries in the attic which implodes Finn and Mia’s world. The story is told by the young couple and by Finn’s parents Dave and Debbie, interspersed with podcasts, interviews and news clippings.
How do I categorise what I’ve just read? How about highly entertaining and bonkers which is just about my favourite combination! The characterisation is excellent and the author will confound your expectations on a few occasions. The impact of all that unfolds is done exceptionally well although Mia does sometimes wade in with both feet. I daresay we wouldn’t have such a hood story if she didn’t! Her guilt, fear and anxieties are described with real empathy and you do sympathise with her and understand her obsession with getting to the truth. It becomes ever more dangerous and she is put through the mill on several occasions. This is certainly a rollercoaster ride of a read with the shocks and twists keeping on coming especially as secrets come bubbling up to the surface. There are very good cliffhangers and some tantalising snippets of information that send your mind spinning in a multitude of directions.
However, it isn’t too hard to figure out at least two of the twists but I can say with certainty that some you do not! There’s me thinking my mind has a tendency to flit to the dark side but this is next level! This is dark, intense, disturbing and hard to put down as you’re desperate to unearth the truth and so you willingly board the train to crazy town! It’s another winner for me!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Amazon Publishing U.K. for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
How do I categorise what I’ve just read? How about highly entertaining and bonkers which is just about my favourite combination! The characterisation is excellent and the author will confound your expectations on a few occasions. The impact of all that unfolds is done exceptionally well although Mia does sometimes wade in with both feet. I daresay we wouldn’t have such a hood story if she didn’t! Her guilt, fear and anxieties are described with real empathy and you do sympathise with her and understand her obsession with getting to the truth. It becomes ever more dangerous and she is put through the mill on several occasions. This is certainly a rollercoaster ride of a read with the shocks and twists keeping on coming especially as secrets come bubbling up to the surface. There are very good cliffhangers and some tantalising snippets of information that send your mind spinning in a multitude of directions.
However, it isn’t too hard to figure out at least two of the twists but I can say with certainty that some you do not! There’s me thinking my mind has a tendency to flit to the dark side but this is next level! This is dark, intense, disturbing and hard to put down as you’re desperate to unearth the truth and so you willingly board the train to crazy town! It’s another winner for me!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Amazon Publishing U.K. for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
December 1, 2023
When your dream home turns into a nightmare!
Aren’t we all just a little curious when moving into a home what the history is? Every home has a unique feel and energy to it. Was it filled with warmth, joy and happy days? Or… if the walls could talk would they be screaming...MOVE OUT!
Mia and Finn just bid on and bought what they hope will be the house of their dreams. That is, once all the those repairs are done. And oh my, this just turned into more than they bargained for!
Thank goodness Finn’s parents are available to help with the reno work! But it all comes to a grinding halt when they come across specifically placed suitcases in the attic. Don’t you want to know what’s inside? Well…Sure you do! And it’s not what anyone expected! But definitely bad enough for the police to become involved.
I am a huge John Marrs fan and this was one of my favorites of his! It’s a bit darker than his others but just as clever and twisty! Loved it! Absolutely could not put it down!
Aren’t we all just a little curious when moving into a home what the history is? Every home has a unique feel and energy to it. Was it filled with warmth, joy and happy days? Or… if the walls could talk would they be screaming...MOVE OUT!
Mia and Finn just bid on and bought what they hope will be the house of their dreams. That is, once all the those repairs are done. And oh my, this just turned into more than they bargained for!
Thank goodness Finn’s parents are available to help with the reno work! But it all comes to a grinding halt when they come across specifically placed suitcases in the attic. Don’t you want to know what’s inside? Well…Sure you do! And it’s not what anyone expected! But definitely bad enough for the police to become involved.
I am a huge John Marrs fan and this was one of my favorites of his! It’s a bit darker than his others but just as clever and twisty! Loved it! Absolutely could not put it down!
October 18, 2022
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!
“This place could be good for us, I tell myself. It could be just what we need.”
Married couple, Finn and Mia, buy a fixer-upper in order to turn it into their dream home. While the work is being done, they are living with Finn’s parents, Debbie and Dave. Mia can’t wait to move out, as she doesn’t get along with her overly critical mother-in-law.
When Mia learns she is pregnant, she can’t believe her good fortune, as she has been unable to carry a baby to term. However, this miracle baby couldn’t have come at a worse time.
Mia’s happiness is cut short when she uncovers a cryptic message on a skirting board in their new house.
“I WILL SAVE THEM FROM THE ATTIC.”
Mia insists on searching the attic for answers.
…but some secrets are not meant to be found.
Mia and Finn are the new owners of a house of horrors.
Since reading What Lies Between Us, I have been anxiously awaiting John Marrs’ next dark and disturbing psychological thriller.
While I enjoyed the writing, I had issues with some inconsistencies as well as repetition. Each chapter is told through a different character’s perspective, oftentimes replaying the same events through a different viewpoint.
The plot is definitely disturbing and Marrs is not afraid to delve into darkness. However, I was able to figure out most of twists before they happened.
Nevertheless, kudos to Marrs for finding a successful way to set this book during the current pandemic! This is not an easy feat which many authors are still struggling to work out.
Unfortunately, Keep it in the Family doesn’t measure up to What Lies Between Us, one of my favorite reads of 2020. Regardless, I still mostly enjoyed this dark psychological thriller.
Trigger warning: child abuse
3.5/5 stars rounded up
Expected publication date: 10/18/22
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC of Keep it in the Family in exchange for an honest review.
“This place could be good for us, I tell myself. It could be just what we need.”
Married couple, Finn and Mia, buy a fixer-upper in order to turn it into their dream home. While the work is being done, they are living with Finn’s parents, Debbie and Dave. Mia can’t wait to move out, as she doesn’t get along with her overly critical mother-in-law.
When Mia learns she is pregnant, she can’t believe her good fortune, as she has been unable to carry a baby to term. However, this miracle baby couldn’t have come at a worse time.
Mia’s happiness is cut short when she uncovers a cryptic message on a skirting board in their new house.
“I WILL SAVE THEM FROM THE ATTIC.”
Mia insists on searching the attic for answers.
…but some secrets are not meant to be found.
Mia and Finn are the new owners of a house of horrors.
Since reading What Lies Between Us, I have been anxiously awaiting John Marrs’ next dark and disturbing psychological thriller.
While I enjoyed the writing, I had issues with some inconsistencies as well as repetition. Each chapter is told through a different character’s perspective, oftentimes replaying the same events through a different viewpoint.
The plot is definitely disturbing and Marrs is not afraid to delve into darkness. However, I was able to figure out most of twists before they happened.
Nevertheless, kudos to Marrs for finding a successful way to set this book during the current pandemic! This is not an easy feat which many authors are still struggling to work out.
Unfortunately, Keep it in the Family doesn’t measure up to What Lies Between Us, one of my favorite reads of 2020. Regardless, I still mostly enjoyed this dark psychological thriller.
Trigger warning: child abuse
3.5/5 stars rounded up
Expected publication date: 10/18/22
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC of Keep it in the Family in exchange for an honest review.
September 8, 2022
Mia and Finn are a newly married couple that decide to put all there money into a fixer-upper they have never seen but bought at auction. When they arrive at the property both are worried that they've made a huge mistake but rather than voice their concerns they plaster on fake smiles and move ahead in their commitment.
Months into the renovation a discovery is made in the attic: The bodies of seven children packed into suitcases.
Renovations and money worries are no longer their only concern because things are about to get much worse. Dun. Dun. Dun.
I have such a rollercoaster reading relationship with this author. The Good Samaritan blew my mind and I also enjoyed What Lies Between Us. All of his other books have been a DNF - yes, even The One. The One being the book that is probably raved about the most on Goodreads in this genre and I hated it. So how did I fare with his latest?
Meh.
I didn't DNF this though I considered it on several occasions so there was something here that was keeping me going even if it was only fleeting. The writing, to be honest, just wasn't that impressive. The storyline was OTT implausible. The ending was a whole big "What the fuck?" and not in the good way. He took an already implausible story and made it even more unbelievable and I was left scratching my head with the turn of events. Still, I finished this, so that's something but I can't really think of anything to praise about it either. 🤷♀️ 2 stars!
I'll leave you with this gem of a quote and for context I'll tell you that Mia is, I believe, 8 months pregnant:
"Then he starts massaging my shoulders before his lips brush my neck and ear. I'm tired and I ache and I want to protest but he knows exactly the right buttons to press no matter how shattered I feel. And before I know it, the iPad falls to the floor and despite my considerable size I'm straddling him and my hips are moving like Shakira's."
Cringe much. Eww. 🤢
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for my complimentary copy.
Months into the renovation a discovery is made in the attic: The bodies of seven children packed into suitcases.
Renovations and money worries are no longer their only concern because things are about to get much worse. Dun. Dun. Dun.
I have such a rollercoaster reading relationship with this author. The Good Samaritan blew my mind and I also enjoyed What Lies Between Us. All of his other books have been a DNF - yes, even The One. The One being the book that is probably raved about the most on Goodreads in this genre and I hated it. So how did I fare with his latest?
Meh.
I didn't DNF this though I considered it on several occasions so there was something here that was keeping me going even if it was only fleeting. The writing, to be honest, just wasn't that impressive. The storyline was OTT implausible. The ending was a whole big "What the fuck?" and not in the good way. He took an already implausible story and made it even more unbelievable and I was left scratching my head with the turn of events. Still, I finished this, so that's something but I can't really think of anything to praise about it either. 🤷♀️ 2 stars!
I'll leave you with this gem of a quote and for context I'll tell you that Mia is, I believe, 8 months pregnant:
"Then he starts massaging my shoulders before his lips brush my neck and ear. I'm tired and I ache and I want to protest but he knows exactly the right buttons to press no matter how shattered I feel. And before I know it, the iPad falls to the floor and despite my considerable size I'm straddling him and my hips are moving like Shakira's."
Cringe much. Eww. 🤢
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for my complimentary copy.
October 18, 2022
This book was brilliant! I could not put it down and read until the early hours. I wasn't sure how it would go but I was mind boggled. The twists in this book is amazing and didn't feel far fetched at all. They just kept coming and I could easily keep up. I loved everything about it. It just starts and keeps running. Saying that very familiar line "the character's were well developed" feels stupid because they were brilliantly thought out. Each one had a story of its own and no stones were left unturned. I really liked how it ended off, with another, out of many, twists but still happy. This is one of my favorites from John Marrs.
Thank you Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Thank you Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
May 30, 2022
On the 18th October, 2022, get ready for a chilling, unhinged, fun, bat-shit crazy read!
3.5 rounded up to 4.
The isolated, two-storey, five-bedroom Victorian house has sat empty for nearly forty years.
Until 2018, when first-time home buyers, married couple Mia and Finn, see it’s potential, and purchase it for a steal.
Renovations are well underway when an ominous message etched into the skirting board of one of the bedrooms, leads Mia, Finn, and Finn’s parents Dave and Debbie, to investigate the attic space more closely. Behind a false wall they make a horrific, macabre discovery – that sees their dream home become the site of a historical crime scene.
Following a very disturbing prologue, voiced by an unknown child narrator, things kind of slowed down, with the first 30% focusing on family drama, as Mia and Finn were forced to move back in with Finn’s parents following the grisly discovery in the attic. Having said that, I very much enjoyed that section – never fully realised the psychological and physical toll, financial ramifications, and media attention this couple would receive simply because they happened to buy the wrong house. I warmed to all four characters – Mia, Finn, Dave, and Debbie – even though I was certain they were all hiding a lot more than they were sharing. Of course I’m not going to divulge whether or not I still felt that way about them by the end…
Throughout the novel were chapters from an unidentified psychotic individual, beginning in the present and working backwards – one year, three years, etc. The insertion of intermittent interviews and news articles as a way of providing information essential to the plot gave ominous tantalising glimpses into what was to come. And what was to come was insanity times infinity, and exactly what I’ve come to expect from the dark, twisted mind of John Marrs. Even though I have used the word “fun” in my tagline, content wise there were some distressing passages involving children which could be upsetting and triggering. Anyone who has read a psychological thriller by this author should know exactly what to expect, but just to prepare you.
What let this novel down though was that a couple of the twists I could see coming a mile away, and I think most readers will too. Therefore, I’ve had to mark it down accordingly. That’s not to say there weren’t some good shocks, surprises, and chapter cliff hangers, but compared to the unhinged bizarreness of What Lies Between Us and The Good Samaritan, Keep It in the Family just wasn’t as unique or clever. Still a well above average domestic thriller though that I highly recommend.
I’d like to thank Netgally UK, Amazon Publishing UK, and John Marrs for the e-ARC.
3.5 rounded up to 4.
The isolated, two-storey, five-bedroom Victorian house has sat empty for nearly forty years.
Until 2018, when first-time home buyers, married couple Mia and Finn, see it’s potential, and purchase it for a steal.
Renovations are well underway when an ominous message etched into the skirting board of one of the bedrooms, leads Mia, Finn, and Finn’s parents Dave and Debbie, to investigate the attic space more closely. Behind a false wall they make a horrific, macabre discovery – that sees their dream home become the site of a historical crime scene.
Following a very disturbing prologue, voiced by an unknown child narrator, things kind of slowed down, with the first 30% focusing on family drama, as Mia and Finn were forced to move back in with Finn’s parents following the grisly discovery in the attic. Having said that, I very much enjoyed that section – never fully realised the psychological and physical toll, financial ramifications, and media attention this couple would receive simply because they happened to buy the wrong house. I warmed to all four characters – Mia, Finn, Dave, and Debbie – even though I was certain they were all hiding a lot more than they were sharing. Of course I’m not going to divulge whether or not I still felt that way about them by the end…
Throughout the novel were chapters from an unidentified psychotic individual, beginning in the present and working backwards – one year, three years, etc. The insertion of intermittent interviews and news articles as a way of providing information essential to the plot gave ominous tantalising glimpses into what was to come. And what was to come was insanity times infinity, and exactly what I’ve come to expect from the dark, twisted mind of John Marrs. Even though I have used the word “fun” in my tagline, content wise there were some distressing passages involving children which could be upsetting and triggering. Anyone who has read a psychological thriller by this author should know exactly what to expect, but just to prepare you.
What let this novel down though was that a couple of the twists I could see coming a mile away, and I think most readers will too. Therefore, I’ve had to mark it down accordingly. That’s not to say there weren’t some good shocks, surprises, and chapter cliff hangers, but compared to the unhinged bizarreness of What Lies Between Us and The Good Samaritan, Keep It in the Family just wasn’t as unique or clever. Still a well above average domestic thriller though that I highly recommend.
I’d like to thank Netgally UK, Amazon Publishing UK, and John Marrs for the e-ARC.
November 28, 2022
3.5 stars
John Marrs is one of my go-to authors. I know that I am going to get an original well thought out book when I reach for one of his books! In this book a young couple, Mia and Finn, purchase a home that they hope to fix up. A discovery is made in the attic which changes things. Their new home holds terrible, horrible secrets. Horrible disturbing crimes happened in their home.
Although this was not my favorite book by Marrs, I did enjoy it. I enjoyed how the book was told and even though it felt slow in parts, I hung in there and enjoyed it. This for me, was darker than his other books.
Thank you to Amazon publishing-UK who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
John Marrs is one of my go-to authors. I know that I am going to get an original well thought out book when I reach for one of his books! In this book a young couple, Mia and Finn, purchase a home that they hope to fix up. A discovery is made in the attic which changes things. Their new home holds terrible, horrible secrets. Horrible disturbing crimes happened in their home.
Although this was not my favorite book by Marrs, I did enjoy it. I enjoyed how the book was told and even though it felt slow in parts, I hung in there and enjoyed it. This for me, was darker than his other books.
Thank you to Amazon publishing-UK who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
May 30, 2022
My thanks to Amazon Publishing, John Marrs and Netgalley. I've not read Marrs more futuristic stories. I just don't care. But, he once wrote a book about the most messed up family. I loved it! So, I'd been waiting for something new. Something that didn't involve technology. This book sounded right up my alley! Oh, it was up something I suppose. Wasn't a good time. Also, if you can see the twists coming, they aren't really twists. Such a major disappointment.
May 30, 2022
Woah, I really don't think I'm ready for the upcoming nightmares from reading this.
John Marrs writes some of the darkest thrillers I have ever read. What Lies Between Us is still one of my go to recommendations in the genre, even now years after reading it.
But Marrs has surpassed his standards with this one. Put it this way, every time I have seen or heard the word 'child' since finishing the book, I have got shivers. I genuinely feel traumatised from what happened.
The characters were all creepy too, which just added to the tension. I love Marrs' speculative fiction novels too, but I live for these disturbing messed-up reads.
The ending has had me thinking of little else, and I know the book hangover will last a while with this one.
Intense, crazy, and so compulsive!
John Marrs writes some of the darkest thrillers I have ever read. What Lies Between Us is still one of my go to recommendations in the genre, even now years after reading it.
But Marrs has surpassed his standards with this one. Put it this way, every time I have seen or heard the word 'child' since finishing the book, I have got shivers. I genuinely feel traumatised from what happened.
The characters were all creepy too, which just added to the tension. I love Marrs' speculative fiction novels too, but I live for these disturbing messed-up reads.
The ending has had me thinking of little else, and I know the book hangover will last a while with this one.
Intense, crazy, and so compulsive!
October 18, 2022
This is probably John Marrs darkest book,as always it is a good story but this time we meet a couple who move into their newly acquired home only to discover their attic has a secret room….what they discover in that room is so hideous it changes their lives….forever
This book is full of twists and turns and the nearer to the conclusion it gets the cleverer the fooling of the reader is until we realise just exactly what has happened and how the effects of it will last….. for a long time…..I want to say more but wont,trust me it will make you shudder!
Great characters to love and hate and a fantastically woven story make this as always with this author a book you wont forget for a long time
10/10
5 Stars
This book is full of twists and turns and the nearer to the conclusion it gets the cleverer the fooling of the reader is until we realise just exactly what has happened and how the effects of it will last….. for a long time…..I want to say more but wont,trust me it will make you shudder!
Great characters to love and hate and a fantastically woven story make this as always with this author a book you wont forget for a long time
10/10
5 Stars
December 5, 2022
You will never look at a suitcase the same way after reading this latest title from John Marrs. This is one family you don't want to know. The subject matter is dark -- the serial killings of children. The ending of this book is chilling. Literally! John Marrs has written a complex tale full of twists and turns and at its heart is the legacy passed down from parent to child through generations. Unknown narrators and unknown timelines alternate with the POVs of our main characters in the present and assorted media like podcasts, news stories, emails, etc. Pay attention as you will start to connect the dots. This is most definitely his most creative plot yet, but reader beware. This one will put you in the deep freeze.
October 18, 2022
3.5 dark and chilling stars - now available
This book will keep you up at night! Filled with a sinister house, suitcases, and lies – I found myself wondering just what I had gotten myself into with this one!
Mia and Finn have embarked on rehabbing a home until several unsettling things are discovered. It turns out that the house has horrible secrets. As a surprise baby adds to the mix, things are on shaky ground with Mia and Finn.
Will the truth be discovered about the house and the suitcases? I wanted to scream at Mia to take the baby and run very far away!
This author does a terrific job with surprise twists, and I was wrong on several points. This one has a rarity too, an excellent epilogue! This family drama was well-paced and creepy.
Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK for the copy to read and review.
This book will keep you up at night! Filled with a sinister house, suitcases, and lies – I found myself wondering just what I had gotten myself into with this one!
Mia and Finn have embarked on rehabbing a home until several unsettling things are discovered. It turns out that the house has horrible secrets. As a surprise baby adds to the mix, things are on shaky ground with Mia and Finn.
Will the truth be discovered about the house and the suitcases? I wanted to scream at Mia to take the baby and run very far away!
This author does a terrific job with surprise twists, and I was wrong on several points. This one has a rarity too, an excellent epilogue! This family drama was well-paced and creepy.
Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK for the copy to read and review.
November 30, 2022
2.5 Stars
One Liner: Intriguing premise but a convoluted presentation
Mia and Finn invest all their money in an old house. They are busy repairing it when Mia realizes she is pregnant. The couple is elated. However, Mia sees a message carved into the wall in the nursery, resulting in a series of incidents that change their lives forever.
The past horrors of the house come to light, bringing more secrets to the surface. The killer is around, too, lurking and waiting for the right time. With the dangers surrounding Mia, her newborn, and the family, can they find a way to deal with it? Can Mia save her family and herself?
The story comes in the first-person POV of six characters. Sigh! Why!!!
My Thoughts:
The book starts with an intriguing chapter and alternates between different POVs and timelines. It can be super confusing if you don’t note the years (something I gave up halfway through the book).
The information comes in bits and pieces, but we are essentially going around in circles, with each character having its POV [Mia, Finn, Dave (Mai’s father-in-law), and Debbie (Mia’s mother-in-law]. We know many of them are hiding something but what? It gets revealed later.
Though things aren’t too graphic, we know that a lot of bad things happen to kids. If you are sensitive about this, be prepared for it. What made it easy to read is the writing (and not in a good way). I wasn’t the least bit affected, as the whole thing felt distant.
Thrillers tend to have unlikeable characters. Here, except for Mia (with exceptions again), the rest are pretty much unlikable. DC Mark is cool, though (he has very limited space in the book and is not explored at all).
The reveals start around 63%, which means a majority of the second half has a twist, reveal, twist, reveal, and so on. It got tiring when I could already see what the twist would be. I don’t usually mind guessing right, but here, it gets too much.
The epilogue is like a final and special presentation, but I couldn’t feel awed by it. There are enough hints to show this would happen. In fact, I might have upped the stars if the twist deals with Mia.
The best part of the book is that I could speed-read it and not miss any detail. That frees a day for me (hence the additional 0.5 stars). But it shows how much rambling could have been edited to make the narration taut.
The title is all you need to guess the plot. Really. It can’t be more evident than this, and once again, I pat myself on the back for listening to my friends and asking for help titling my stories.
To summarize, Keep It In The Family could have been a wow thriller but ended up underwhelming. I see the author has written some fab works, so time to check them out.
Thank you, NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #KeepItInTheFamily
*****
P.S: Also, can we please not have men ‘press the right buttons’ to excite a woman? It sounds weird.
P.P.S: Loads of triggers.
One Liner: Intriguing premise but a convoluted presentation
Mia and Finn invest all their money in an old house. They are busy repairing it when Mia realizes she is pregnant. The couple is elated. However, Mia sees a message carved into the wall in the nursery, resulting in a series of incidents that change their lives forever.
The past horrors of the house come to light, bringing more secrets to the surface. The killer is around, too, lurking and waiting for the right time. With the dangers surrounding Mia, her newborn, and the family, can they find a way to deal with it? Can Mia save her family and herself?
The story comes in the first-person POV of six characters. Sigh! Why!!!
My Thoughts:
The book starts with an intriguing chapter and alternates between different POVs and timelines. It can be super confusing if you don’t note the years (something I gave up halfway through the book).
The information comes in bits and pieces, but we are essentially going around in circles, with each character having its POV [Mia, Finn, Dave (Mai’s father-in-law), and Debbie (Mia’s mother-in-law]. We know many of them are hiding something but what? It gets revealed later.
Though things aren’t too graphic, we know that a lot of bad things happen to kids. If you are sensitive about this, be prepared for it. What made it easy to read is the writing (and not in a good way). I wasn’t the least bit affected, as the whole thing felt distant.
Thrillers tend to have unlikeable characters. Here, except for Mia (with exceptions again), the rest are pretty much unlikable. DC Mark is cool, though (he has very limited space in the book and is not explored at all).
The reveals start around 63%, which means a majority of the second half has a twist, reveal, twist, reveal, and so on. It got tiring when I could already see what the twist would be. I don’t usually mind guessing right, but here, it gets too much.
The epilogue is like a final and special presentation, but I couldn’t feel awed by it. There are enough hints to show this would happen. In fact, I might have upped the stars if the twist deals with Mia.
The best part of the book is that I could speed-read it and not miss any detail. That frees a day for me (hence the additional 0.5 stars). But it shows how much rambling could have been edited to make the narration taut.
The title is all you need to guess the plot. Really. It can’t be more evident than this, and once again, I pat myself on the back for listening to my friends and asking for help titling my stories.
To summarize, Keep It In The Family could have been a wow thriller but ended up underwhelming. I see the author has written some fab works, so time to check them out.
Thank you, NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #KeepItInTheFamily
*****
P.S: Also, can we please not have men ‘press the right buttons’ to excite a woman? It sounds weird.
P.P.S: Loads of triggers.
May 23, 2023
I straddled him and my hips moved like Shakira's. I should have given up then, and so should Mr Marrs tbf.
February 26, 2023
خب این روزا من کلا درگیر بودم و اصلا فرصت نمیشد سراغ گوشی و لپتاپ برم یا کتاب بخونم، اما هر بار که بالاخره خسته و کوفته دراز میکشیدم با یه چشم بسته تا جایی که جون تو تنم بود این کتاب رو میخوندم.
فقط میتونم بگم جان ماررررس، تو زندگیت چی کشیدی که انقدر مغزت کریپی نویس شده؟؟؟
فکر کن یه خونه رو میخری و قراره بازسازیش کنی، با هزار امید و آرزو شروع میکنی تغییر دادن خونه، بعد روی یکی از دیوارا یه پیام پیدا میکنی: «اونا رو از زیرشیروونی نجات میدم»
هر کی باشه شک میکنه که زیرشیروونی چه خبره مگه نه؟ اما اگه بری و ببینی اونجا هفت تا جسد توی چمدونای مختلف قرار داره چه حسی بهت دست میده؟؟؟
و اگه خطر فقط همون جسدا نباشن چی؟
اصلا نمیدونم چطور راجع به ماجرا بنویسم که هم اسپویل نشه، و هم میزان تریلر بودنشو نشون بده.
و در نهایت اپیلوگ به کاری باهام کرد که هیچ حرفی برای گفتن ندارم.
فقط میتونم بگم جان ماررررس، تو زندگیت چی کشیدی که انقدر مغزت کریپی نویس شده؟؟؟
فکر کن یه خونه رو میخری و قراره بازسازیش کنی، با هزار امید و آرزو شروع میکنی تغییر دادن خونه، بعد روی یکی از دیوارا یه پیام پیدا میکنی: «اونا رو از زیرشیروونی نجات میدم»
هر کی باشه شک میکنه که زیرشیروونی چه خبره مگه نه؟ اما اگه بری و ببینی اونجا هفت تا جسد توی چمدونای مختلف قرار داره چه حسی بهت دست میده؟؟؟
و اگه خطر فقط همون جسدا نباشن چی؟
اصلا نمیدونم چطور راجع به ماجرا بنویسم که هم اسپویل نشه، و هم میزان تریلر بودنشو نشون بده.
و در نهایت اپیلوگ به کاری باهام کرد که هیچ حرفی برای گفتن ندارم.
October 17, 2022
This is one messed up family saga. One thing I love about John Marrs is that he always brings originality to every book he’s ever released. I’ve read a few of his books so far and each one feels so completely different in the best way possible. With Marrs’ latest novel, KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY, the story focuses on Finn and Mia, a couple purchasing a fixer-upper to finally call their own. After living with Finn’s parents, Debbie and Dave, the couple is ready for their new chapter. Almost immediately after purchasing this home, Mia discovers she’s pregnant and finds a chilling message saying “I WILL SAVE THEM FROM THE ATTIC.” This house is hiding secrets, and you’ll never see it coming!
This book follows the domestic thriller / psychological suspense formula you’d come to expect with those types of books, but it’s also a completely wild and outrageous ride. This book is dark and oozes suspense and it was a completely different expectation I had when starting this book. If you like Karin Slaughter and old school Ruth Ware, KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY will be your type of book.
This book follows the domestic thriller / psychological suspense formula you’d come to expect with those types of books, but it’s also a completely wild and outrageous ride. This book is dark and oozes suspense and it was a completely different expectation I had when starting this book. If you like Karin Slaughter and old school Ruth Ware, KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY will be your type of book.
September 27, 2022
boy oh boy John Marrs came to play with this spooky, atmospheric and DARK thriller!!! 4-4.5 stars, still thinking!
i was expecting something more suspenseful and thrilling like THE ONE or THE PASSANGERS but this was far from it. from the synopsis, i was expecting a haunted house vibe like HOME BEFORE DARK or THE FAMILY UPSTAIRS but when the plot got going, it gave me THE WHISPER MAN and PRETTY GIRLS vibes… if ya know what i mean 🫣😅🫠😦😱🔪
i don’t typically love dark thrillers, but Marrs’ writing is unmatched. he has you hooked from the start and the twists just don’t stop coming. the first twist really shocked me and in hindsight i’m surprised i didn’t see it coming… but that’s how good of a writer he is! you’re just hooked with a good story.
the back 1/3 had twist after twist and my head was spinning 😂 there was a lottttt going on, but somehow it all worked. all you need to know is this family is TWISTED!!! and the ending… wheewwwwww!
this is a perfect fall, spooky thriller for your TBR. full review to come on my IG! thank you so much to John Marrs and his UK publisher for the gifted copy 🖤
i was expecting something more suspenseful and thrilling like THE ONE or THE PASSANGERS but this was far from it. from the synopsis, i was expecting a haunted house vibe like HOME BEFORE DARK or THE FAMILY UPSTAIRS but when the plot got going, it gave me THE WHISPER MAN and PRETTY GIRLS vibes… if ya know what i mean 🫣😅🫠😦😱🔪
i don’t typically love dark thrillers, but Marrs’ writing is unmatched. he has you hooked from the start and the twists just don’t stop coming. the first twist really shocked me and in hindsight i’m surprised i didn’t see it coming… but that’s how good of a writer he is! you’re just hooked with a good story.
the back 1/3 had twist after twist and my head was spinning 😂 there was a lottttt going on, but somehow it all worked. all you need to know is this family is TWISTED!!! and the ending… wheewwwwww!
this is a perfect fall, spooky thriller for your TBR. full review to come on my IG! thank you so much to John Marrs and his UK publisher for the gifted copy 🖤
October 25, 2022
This is one unique family! I was so excited to dive into this one! It started off slow and picked up rapidly towards the end. Plot twist after plot twist I was shook and the ending my jaw hit the floor.
August 18, 2024
pretty mediocre - not the best but not the worst. kept me engaged but not enough happened for me to love it or give it any higher than three stars. keen to read some more John Marrs though!
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