The title is very apt. A great story. Gripping, dark and twisty. A fast paced read with a clever plot.

I have read and loved all of John Marrs’ books to date, and Keep It In The Family is so deliciously dark!

Mia and Finn have brought a derelict house and are busy turning it into their dream home when Mia discovers, unexpectedly, that she is pregnant. During an already stressful and emotional time, Mia discovers a chilling message scratched into a skirting board: “I will save them from the attic”. Upon following this clue, a gruesome sight awaits her and Finn, and it’s clear their new home was once a house of unimaginable horrors. In the wake of this traumatic discovery the baby arrives, but Mia cannot stop being fixated by the monstrous crimes that happened in their house. Haunted by what she saw in the attic, her obsession pulls her away from her husband. And when little glimpses of a dark truth start to emerge, Mia realises the danger is terrifyingly present. She will do anything to protect her family, but could it already be too late?

I loved the different chapter perspectives of Mia, Finn and his parents Debbie and Dave and also the unnamed character from the prologue who had chapters interspersed throughout. This character added so much horror as more about them was revealed and it was clear they were linked to the house from the prologue, which was set 39 years earlier. I had a gut feeling about who this character was right near the beginning and couldn’t believe it when this was revealed at the end of part 2 and I was correct! There was so much though after this point that I just didn’t see coming at all! The shocks and surprises were fantastic and I couldn’t read the chapters quick enough to see what would be uncovered next! The final chapter was so chilling too! I didn’t stop thinking about it long after finishing the book.

It’s hard to say any more about this book without giving something away but it is such a compelling and addictive story, and I cannot recommend it highly enough!

This was my frist John Marrs book and I was not disappointed and will surely read more of him.
The best part of this book, in my opinion, is the fact that it has several POV. Four that we know of and others that are unnamed. So it keeps you guessing for a long while. And in between, we also have scraps of papers, interviews, etc.
I must admit that I did see many plot twists coming. But, at the same time, for me, it didn't take away the overall enjoyment of the book and its mystery.

Marrs does it again!!! I always know I’m in for a ride with John Marrs and the twists and turns and surprises got me each time again. Told from multiple viewpoints, this is a story of family and the ties that literally bind us. Throw in a little nature versus nurture here and you’re in for a thrill !

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 the 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 even further from her husband,

Told in alternating timelines this story is told from Mia, Finn, and Finn's parents Debbie and Dave's perspectives. There are also chapters from an unknown character who had previously lived in the house and had witnessed some of the events that had taken place there. The premise is original but it's a disturbing and dark read. With lots of twists and red herrings, there's more than enough to keep your attention throughout.

I would like to thank #NetGallet #AmazonPublishingUK #Thomas&Mercer and the author #JohnMarrs for my ARC of #KeepItInTheFamily in exchange for an honest review

Keep it in the Family || John Marrs

Keep it in the Family is a standalone domestic/psychological thriller by best-selling author, John Marrs. This was my first book by this author. I picked it up as I’ve long heard about John Marrs books and thought this one looked particularly promising.

The story follows couple, Mia and Finn who purchase a home with plans to renovate it. Only their dream home holds a traumatic past, the bodies of missing children. Told in alternating POV and across multiple timelines, this domestic thriller will have you questioning what really went on in this house of horrors. While a little predictable in places, this doesn’t stop this chilling story from being a joy to read. A fast-paced, difficult to put down psychological thriller that asks questions about nature, nurture and how well we really know those closest to us.

I look forward to reading more by this author. Thank you to Netgalley, John Marrs and Amazon Publishing UK for an advanced copy of this novel.

It’s no secret that I consider John Marrs to be one of my absolute favorite authors, and I always feel a little giddy inside whenever a new title becomes available. I knew that I simply HAD to read Keep It In The Family even before I knew what the story was going to be about… But once I learned about the house of horrors and serial killer angle, I was even more excited to read it. And I definitely liked what I found! True, it’s not my favorite story of his and there were a few things that niggled me, but there is no doubt that Keep It In The Family is a dark thriller that will chill you to the bone.

I’m going to keep this review short to avoid spoilers, because this is one of those thrillers where it’s best to go in blind for maximum impact. What I can say that Keep It In The Family most definitely tips its toe in the horror genre, and things will get very dark and twisted indeed before you reach that final page. The plot is build out of different layers, and each time you think you have the story all figured out, something new and equally shocking is revealed. True, I did guess some of the twists right, but somehow this didn’t influence the impact of the plot twists and you will be left with your jaw on the floor as you wonder how on earth all of that was actually happening for that long.

There is just something about the way John Marrs writes that is extremely engaging, and this story is no exception. I was hooked as soon as I started reading, and the story kept me on my toes as new information popped up. True, the flashback chapters going back to different points in time are a tad annoying to pinpoint without a name to connect them with… But then again, this is all due to one of the major twists. The story itself is hard to place into one neat little genre box; some parts are dark crime thriller, bordering on horror, while other sections of the story had a domestic thriller vibe instead… All packed with unreliable narrators and glimpses inside a serial killer’s head, and you are left wondering what is the truth behind it all and who the flashback chapters actually refer to.

I mentioned at the beginning of this review that there were a few things that niggled me, and that includes the main characters. They are not exactly likeable, and I’m not sure up to what point certain actions are exactly credible. They do play their roles in the plot well, but there was something about them in general that made me enjoy the story less than expected. And then I’m not even talking about the whole cheating/love triangle element, which put a bit of a damper on things. Still, the plot and plot twists themselves are cleverly developed, and I never guessed the full horrific truth behind it all.

All in all Keep It In The Family turned out to be a more than solid and engaging serial killer/domestic thriller hybrid, and the plot went so much further than I thought it would go. Recommended if you like your thrillers on the dark side.

I thought the pacing of this book was so solid - I kept turning the pages - and I loved all the twists and turns. Every time I thought I had the full story, something new and unexpected came into focus. As expected, this was a pretty dark story - I think a good comparative would be Karin Slaughter’s Pretty Girls. My only real quibble with the novel is that I found myself wanting to connect better with or understand Mia’s character - or really any character - but I had trouble liking them or sympathizing with them. At the same time, I can see how this might have been deliberate on the part of the author, since the organization of the book meant that the reader also felt just a little off kilter and unsure. Definitely a good read and I thank you so much for the advanced copy!

Dysfunctional families are always fascinating to read about, and this family certainly fits the bill! Add to this an abandoned & isolated house, and you have the makings of a creepy story. I really liked how something so simple as buying a house turned into the catalyst for so many secrets to be revealed and for so many lives to be destroyed. I thought that Mia, Finn, Debbie and Dave were great characters - they played off each other well and there was a degree of unlikability to them all. I did find that the pace fell off at times & my attention wandered, but the twists were well placed & I found myself eagerly turning the pages. Some of the twists & cliffhangers had me muttering WTF to myself! This was a dark, creepy & addictive read that I enjoyed.

Talk about dark and twisted - my goodness John Marrs! If you have ever read anything this author has written, you will know that the twists keep coming. Keep It in The Family was no different.

I feel it is best to go into this book without knowing too much about the plot. You will want to be surprised - trust me on that. What I will tell you is this:

Mia and Finn are excited to buy their first home. It needs work, so much work. Lucky Finn and his father are tradies. They are nearing the point where they think they can move in, when they discover a secret room in the attic. What they discover in there is shocking. This gruesome finding will change all of their lives forever, and not in a good way. You will have to read it to find out more.

Thanks to Amazon Publishing for my advanced copy of this book to read on Netgalley. Published October 18th

Keep it in the Family

Mia and Finn have finally gotten pregnant and are attempting to renovate an old home so they can move out of Finns parents house, of whom Mia has never gotten along with.

During renovations they unearth what the home has kept hidden for decades and all of their lives begin to spiral out of control because of a connection to the old home.

As the investigation into the house grows so do the lies.

Someone is a third generation serial killer and is doing everything in their means to keep it in the family for generations to come.

This is a multiple POV storyline of which you get Mia, Finn & both Finns' parents, Dave & Debbie, voices. There is also a 5th voice that gives you glimpses into the past. For the longest time I kept going back and forth over who it was and was shocked when it finally clicked.

The chapters are short which of course makes it almost entirely un-put-down-able.

Even once you feel like the main plot and secret has been revealed there's still 25% of the book left and the author just slings more at you from all corners until your mind kindly asks for it to be over with.

This might be my new favorite of the books of his I've read!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this in exchange for my review.

Keep It In The Family by John Marrs
I give this book 4.5 stars


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.
She is prepared to do anything to protect her family―but is it already too late?

WOW!
This authors ability to weave a dark and disturbing plotline is undeniable.Pick this up and be prepared to be shocked….. each chapter is told from one of 4 main narrators giving you their perspectives (unreliable maybe) lts also crammed full of twists and turns.News articles interspersed add to the suspense as does a unidentified narrative.There is no let up during this relentless read and it kept me guessing the whole time unable to put it down (who needs work,sleep or food) Looking for a chiller psychological thriller go grab your copy you won’t be disappointed !
With thanks to Netgalley,John Marrs and Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas and Mercer for my chance to read and review this book

Twisty, disturbing, unreal. Just a few words I would use to describe this new thriller from Marrs. I will admit this is my first book by him but I had heard great things and I currently have others on my TBR. I was surprised by some of the twists in this book and it was a fast-paced read.
With all that being said, I didn’t love this book. I felt like the constantly switching POV messed a bit with my connecting to any one character and left me disliking all of them. I think this story would have been much better had it been told from one or two POVs and spent time getting me to sympathize or at least get attached to one of them. I felt detached the whole book and toward the end found myself rolling my eyes at the sheer amount of reveals that kept getting thrown in.
I gave this three stars because it was a fast read and kept me entertained.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have only read one other book by John Marrs (The One) and this one was soooo different. It was creepy with serial killers so a bit more on the horror side than thriller IMHO. There were two twists that I figured out early one but there were quite a few more that I didn't! And that jaw-dropping ending!

Thank you to Amazon Publishing for my digital ARC copy.

John Marrs' writing is fantastic. I've literally just finished this and didn't want it to end.

To be honest I didn't like any of the characters, especially Mia and Finn. But maybe we're not supposed to?
I've heard this has Flowers in the Attic vibes so I'm off now to give that a go...
Rating:4/5

4.5⭐️

The author is a favourite as he great at coming up with unique concepts for his novels. I was excited to read this one. Considering how dark it is, it’s cleverly written and remains very low on the gore score.

In the prologue we hear of events that went on at a house 39 years earlier. What a hook! Very dark. I got me on board for what I hope is a thrilling journey.

Then the dilapidated house is bought by young couple Mia and Finn. In the mix are Finns parents Debbie and Dave who also wanted to buy the house as a renovation flip.

The lead up story is told by Mia, Finn, Debbie, and an unnamed voice. Transcripts from various sources give shocking details of present events. They are intertwined which really add to the suspense as the story unfolds.
The time frame moves from the present to varies stages of the past to unfold the story.

Non of the characters are likeable, but they are totally engrossing.
The pace is great, with plenty of revelations along the way which kept me riveted. It’s dark and gritty which is right up my street.

I was absolutely loving it until it took a different direction towards the end that I didn’t gel with. I also felt that it lost its pace at the end.

So very nearly a 5⭐️ if you love dark gritty psychological thrillers this is one you won’t want to miss.

Finn and Mia Hunter are a young couple currently living at Finns parents’ house. When they decide to buy a house that hasn’t been lived in for quite some time and needs a lot of work done to it.
When Mia strips some wallpaper of the wall, she finds a message ‘I will save them from the attic’. This leads them to find out more sinister and more horrors in the house after further discovery in the attic. The media finds out what has gone in the house. Which stars Mia off in an obsession of what went on in the house. Which puts pressure on her marriage and bonding with her son when he is born.
Thank you, Amazon publishing, for a copy of Keep it in the family by John Marrs. I am a fan of the authors work and his stories always blow me away. This this is a dark disturbing tale about one family and their secrets and found it a little bit cringe worthy. Especially Debbie with her twisted and sick mind and what ever she did, she didn’t think that she was doing anything wrong and that she was saving people. The story is told by different points of view in each chapter, and I had to keep going back just to check which character it was referring too. I did enjoy this creepy thriller from John Marrs. The story is very good, and I recommend reading it. But for me it didn’t blow me away as other books that I have read from this author has done. 4 stars from me.

This book absolutely blew me away! I read this book quickly because I had to find out what was happening. It is a dark and twisted book and I loved it. It is truly a jaw dropper. I liked the different POVs telling the story. I liked seeing it from different people's perspective. It hooked me from the very beginning and didnt let go to the very last page. Definitely pick this one up!!! The expected publication date is October 18, 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.

A dark and chilling mystery centred on a derelict house. I have enjoyed the authors previous novels and this was a slight departure from his speculative fiction. However, this novel.was uncomfortable reading, the subject matter of missing and dead children quite disturbing. I failed to finish..