Three sisters from a close, loving family loose both parents within 6 months of each other. Each grieves differently with their loss and proof of that comes to the fore when a shocking revelation about their dad, the epitome of a parent, sends them in a tailspin. They can’t bring themselves to admit his hidden other life in spite of all the physical evidence they accidentally fell upon that really leaves no room for doubt: he was a famous serial killer. They decided not to share this knowledge with anyone and their secret destroys their relationships with each other and those around them.
   But was this discovery of the remnants of his sordid past really accidental or part of a well planned “reunion" of the family.
   As the story moved along my alliance changed between the daughters as they each dealt with this secret they should have shared. Their personal narratives became repetitious and I wanted the story to get past their situations and when it did, I was ensconced in my chair till the end. A real thriller with quiet characters that have no correlation in the story but turn the story on end.
   The term “the apple does’t fall far from the tree” holds true in this book.

The Killer’s Family
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Genre: Thriller
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 3/31/22
Author: Miranda Smith
Publisher: Bookature
Pages: 310
Goodreads Rating: 3.99

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookature for providing a copy of the book for me to read in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: A year after their father’s funeral, the sisters were estranged. Before their father’s secret, the sisters were extremely close. Molly won’t accept the truth. Rachel cannot forgive him. Cara spends her time digging through their father’s life, trying to understand. Then they hear the news of a woman that has been found by the docks with her wedding ring missing. The reporter says it appears to be the local serial killer, Gemini. This cannot be right because the serial killer was Henry Martin, their father. Someone is sending a message loud and clear, knowing that the girls lied. How do they know? What do they want from them?

My Thoughts: The chapters are short, which I love. The story is told in multiple POVs, from the three sisters, Molly, Rachel, and Cara, with a mysterious POV sprinkled in. Some of the parts of the story appeared repetitive. Losing your mother, then your father six months later can be extremely traumatizing. Add to this that your father may or may not have been a serial killer, well it makes for an awesome thriller. The story was divided into four parts. The first two parts, while necessary, were a slower burn. Part three starts to heat up the twists. The inter workings within a family matched with a serial killer, possibly within the family, makes for a great read. The last sentence blew my mind. I do wish some of the book sped up in parts, still a good read and I would read other books from this author.

This story has a very exciting premise but not such a strong delivery. So I enjoyed it in some ways but found it lacking in others.

Sisters Cara, Rachel and Molly are mourning the death of their father just six months after they lost their mother. Grieving their loving parents, they set about clearing out the family home, only to discover that their father may have been keeping a shocking secret. From the evidence they find in his shed, it seems as though he is the notorious serial killer nicknamed Gemini.

The sisters react to this in different ways. True crime writer Cara investigates everything she can about Gemini. Rachel falls apart, turning to drink and losing the woman she loves. Molly refuses to believe the father she adored could be capable of such crimes, and together with Cara, destroys the evidence.

Then more women are killed in the same gruesome way. Are the sisters wrong about their father and is the real Gemini striking again? Or is there a new copycat killer?

It seems that someone is taunting them about the evidence they destroyed. Then they discover yet another secret that their father has been keeping.

Because the author tells the story from the points of view of all three sisters, there’s quite a lot of repetition in the book. Also the writing isn’t of the best standard.

Still there’s a good twist about three quarters of the way through that I didn’t see coming, followed by quite a shocking surprise close to the end. This leads to a question in the final sentence. Not that I’m a fan of open endings.

For those of you who enjoy serial killer books, this one may appeal to you. It’s an interesting look at how these crimes affect the killer’s family.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A gripping, suspenseful thriller. Dark and twisty. A recommended read.

Thank you netgalley, author and the publisher for the ARC.

So the book was full of twist and turns and dark elements but at some point it got repetitive and I predicted the book ending when I was 50% through the book. Although I must confess the book was addictive and is good paced. I think the oov switching between the sisters was unnecessary. Still the story was good and I enjoyed it.

I was absolutely addicted to this book from start to finish. The premise is so clever and original, and the execution is brilliant.

I loved hearing about how each of the three sisters responded to the revelation about their father. These multiple perspectives gave a unique insight into each of their personalities, thoughts and worries. It helped me to build a picture of them as a family, and they became almost real to me.

This made the story and its event all the more creepy and haunting, as well as exciting. They seek to uncover the truth and this takes them down some pretty dark but also unexpected paths.

It also digs into your own psychology and psyche, as it makes you consider what you would do if you had been subject to such a dark and dramatic revelation. Would this change how you feel about someone you’ve always looked up to and admired?

Obviously, when the killings continue that provides a huge twist in the tale and I have to say that if you aren’t hooked by this point, you definitely will be after this. I found mysel struggling to put it down right from the start.

Emerging as a favourite author of mine in this genre, I am a huge fan of Miranda Smith, and would recommend her books to fans of Lisa Jewell, Shari Lapena and Shalini Boland.

I’ve been reading a lot of French thrillers lately, but it’s been a long time since I picked up one in English.

We follow three sisters who have lost their father and discovered while cleaning up his belongings that he was in fact a famous serial killer. After deciding to hide everything so that it wouldn’t impact their lives, our three sisters meet again a year later. But now, hiding the secret has turned everything upside down and they are struggling to get back on their feet. But something worse is about to happen: the murders are starting again and if it’s not their father, who is responsible? They will do everything to find out the truth, but the danger is getting closer and maybe even more than they thought.

This was a pretty cool novel and I had a great time with our three sisters. The turn of events finally surprised me. I’ve read better thrillers, but this was a good read.

Thank you to net galley and the publisher for approving this arc . I love domestic thrillers, I could not put this book down. I finished in less than a day.

This was an interesting concept but it fell a little flat for me. The story focuses on 3 sisters- Cara, Rachel, and Molly- who lose their father only to find out that he may have been a serial killer dubbed the Gemini killer. Their varying opinions on his guilt as well as their uneasy agreement to keep what they found a secret drives them apart, but then more murders similar to Gemini’s style occur and it’s clear that someone knows of the connection.

The 3 sisters felt somewhat interchangeable to me- their voices seemed similar even when their circumstances were different and there were a couple times I didn’t remember whose chapter I was reading. I also felt that the book was somewhat repetitive with the sisters constantly bemoaning their situation and questioning whether they are doing the right thing. It actually took me almost a week to finish this book because it just didn’t move at that quick of a pace.

That being said, there was one great twist that I didn’t see coming. I actually thought I had figured it out but only came up with a piece of the truth. Beyond that surprise, there is also a bit of a cliffhanger at the end in which the author intentionally leaves a question in the readers’ minds.

Overall, this one really didn’t do it for me but I thought the concept was very interesting. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

An addictive thriller that I just had to read in one sitting,all other chores set aside. A wonderful book, one of the best psychological suspense thrillers I have had the pleasure of reading. Loved this one.

I was very excited to start this book. Unfortunately, I struggled through the entire thing!! Extremely predictable storyline with unlikable and annoying characters. Not for me

This was a bit slow to start and I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy it as I felt it might have been a bit predictable but it was really enjoyable.

The sisters weren't overly likeable but I think their flaws and relationship needed to be that way.

I had guessed who it might have been and I was partially right except for that three way twist, which left my jaw actually on the floor. Would absolutely recommend this read for the twist alone.

*Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Miranda Smith for the copy of this book. All views are my own.*

The Killer’s Family by Miranda Smith is a thriller novel. The story in The Killer’s Family is one that is told by changing the point of view between the characters giving all sides to the story.

Sisters Molly, Cara, and Rachel have just lost their father only six months after having lost their mother. The women of course are all hit hard by the loss and dealing with their grief when they come across some things of their father.

It looks as if their father may have been the serial killer that police have been looking for years in their town and the women don’t know what to make of it. When they decide to cover up the evidence and murders begin happening again the women hope that their father was not who they think he was.

I have an obsession with books about a killer’s family and who is left behind so when seeing The Killer’s Family by Miranda Smith I figured it would be right up my alley. Also having read this author before I expect also to find a twisty tale which it did become. I wouldn’t say this one was totally top notch though as parts did seem a little repetitive and it slowed the story down some. Overall I thought this one came in at three and a half stars for me and I would still return to this author again.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Just months after their mother dies, the Martin sisters must gather again to bury their last remaining parent. While mourning the man they thought they knew, Rachel, Cara and Molly make a gruesome discovery - their father, Henry Martin, was Gemini, a serial killer who has been plaguing their hometown, Whitehill, for years.

Instead of revealing their father as the monster responsible for taking the lives of 17 women, the sisters decide to keep his secret, which begins to drive them apart. But someone else knows they lied, and their secret won't remain one for long.

Based on the summary, I was very keen to sink my teeth into Miranda Smith's 'The Killer's Family', but I soon realised that the plot - which was really interesting! - had very little to back it up. The writing missed the mark - often at the most critical moments - and while there's a very juicy plot twist that I didn't see coming, the novel falls flat. ESPECIALLY towards the end. What in the world was that end?!

I STRUGGLED my way through the story for over two weeks (a travesty!) and I was very close to DNF'ing this one around the 60% mark. I will admit that I'm glad that I pushed through, but the high of the twist was short-lived. The last couple of chapters read like the author was as desperate as I was for this whole ride to end, and honestly, Smith did a really good premise a disservice.

The novel ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, which gives me the idea that there might be a follow-up, but I won't be rushing to read anything else by this author any time soon.

I’ve read so many child of a serial killer tropes, I had hoped this one would stand out.

It was a little different - three sisters grieve the loss of their parents and following their father’s death, they find out he was a notorious serial killer “Gemini Killer.” Told in alternating perspectives, they try to determine (and disagree) on what to do about it. Then more killing happens.

Still too much of the same. Nothing really creative or standout here. I would rate 3/5 because it was okay and has entertainment value. Even if it missed the mark for me, I might recommend it to others who aren’t bored and tired of the trope. Happy to see the book was placed on Kindle Unlimited for its best chance at being successful.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookoutre, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this alc!

Oooh, a thriller according to my heart: gripping, full of twists and surprises, a whodunit with a psychological twists.
I was hooked since the first pages and couldn't put it down.
A page turner that kept me on the edge and entertained.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

3.75/5
Psychological Thriller, 310 pages
No Spoilers Review

I find myself having mixed feelings regarding this book. I found the overall plot to have a lot of promise. I think due to my being a huge thriller/murder mystery buff, I at times set the standard a bit too high. So I always hope for books that keep me guessing to the end, and I found that with this one didn’t do that for me all the way through (despite the plot twists).

Things I liked: 
* The story/premise itself was good.
* The family dynamics were very believable and relatable.
* I did feel myself getting invested early on. 
* I liked the serial killer premise as I’m a huge true crime fan.

Things I didn’t like: 
* The narrative style wasn't used effectively.
* There was some repetition, which for me, was the main detractor. I felt that it slowed everything down and killed any meaningful momentum for me.
* I felt that It was somewhat predictable.

Overall the book wasn't bad, and I would still recommend it to people, this was my first book by Miranda Smith and it won’t be my last. I’d like to read another as I find promise and creativity in her writing.

The Killer’s Family by Miranda Smith is another psych thriller that is more like a mystery suspense than what I think of as a psych thriller.
Although now that I think about it, there are elements of psych thriller in it. I mean, there are plenty of red herrings and other false leads that keep the reader guessing who is responsible for…well, everything.
But I am getting ahead of myself.
The story starts with a funeral – and that kind of event definitely sets the tone. Three sisters (Cara, Rachel, and Molly) mourn the loss of their father, a short time after they also lost their mother.
Their parents were essentially pillars of the community.
Or were they?
The sisters find information that casts a decidedly dark shadow on their father. And at that, one might think that the story that follows is low-key, as the “big reveal” happens early on.
Or does it?
As always, no spoilers here, but the author does a great job of balancing the story between the three sisters as they try to figure out both the past mystery and the one they are unwittingly thrust into.
I think the parallel is supposed to be made, but I was struck some similarities to the Zodiac killer who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 60s.
The author also cleverly casts doubt on just about everyone at one point or another. And the final reveal is one that you will not see coming. It answers who the killer’s family actually is.

Once The Killer's Family story by Miranda Smith got going, it didn't stop. The story is told from three sisters' perspectives. Even though I was able to figure out who was behind the killings, there were still several jaw-dropping twists and WTF moments. The Killer's Family is a well-crafted thriller. I couldn't put the book down as the story was rapid-fire action, and I had to find out what would happen next! The story had me questioning what I would do in each situation and my relationships with my siblings.

Wow. Every time I get an opportunity to read an early review copy of a book of  Miranda Smith’s, courtesy of
Bookouture, I jump. This further intensified why. Told through the POV of three sisters and split into four parts, it’s spellbinding until the end.