Keep It in the Family

Product Information

Mia and Finn are busy turning a derelict house into their dream home when 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.

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? Someone is a third generation serial killer and is doing everything in their means to keep it in the family for generations to come. That does not alter the fact that after reading this thriller I would like to read more from this author, and I eagerly look forward to reading more of his novels. Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and John Marrs for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 10.18!** The story is extremely dark but absolutely full of atmosphere and tension. It genuinely does grip you so much you just can’t stop reading until problems get resolved and then straight away something else will happen and you’ll think “oh I’ll just read on and see what happens with this” .. before you know it you’ve finished it in a day..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.

I love John Marrs and enjoy his dark thrillers and his style of writing from multiple perspectives, in which this did not disappoint.Really enjoyed seeing this side of Marrs, he is such an amazing story teller, and once again proves it to all.

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 will the previous tenants stop her from discovering their secret?I am a huge John Marrs fan, I love that all his books have so many twists and turns in them, you never know what’s going to happen next and this absolutely did not disappoint! The final section went on a little bit too long for me, and the inner-dialogue style can slow things down a little. This is a crafted and very detailed novel, with a lot of layers and history to be discovered. It won’t be long until the latest disappearance is made public…Everyone except their families soon forgets about a missing child. And me. I remember every one of them. Because I am the bait that lures them here.” 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.

Of course the media have lapped up this juicy news of the "Babes in the Attic" as the police tear down their newly renovated home in search of clues as to who these children are and how they got there in the first place. And instead of leaving it to the police, Mia decides to do some investigating of her own...which can only have dire consequences. 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. If you have this in your tbr read it! If not you’re probably not really missing out on a must-read but I did enjoy this book, it just wasn’t one that left me feeling wowed to where I will be telling my fellow readers to go read it. 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.One day, when the four family members are present, the men let down the attic stairs and climb up to see what’s in there. Hidden behind a wall they find seven suitcases with a pile of shrink-wrapped children’s clothing in front of each. The latches on the first case are corroded shut but with great effort Finn and Dave wrench it open to reveal a child’s mummified remains. And there are seven of them.