I wish more books could be formatted like this! What's better than a docuseries true crime style book? I've never read anything like it in that aspect, but I whole heartedly wish i could find plenty more like it! There were a lot of characters which was a little confusing for a bit there, but it added to the TV series vibe in the end. The story itself was alright. The big mystery of whodunit was underwhelming, but not terrible overall a fun read. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC opportunity!

This was a DNF for me. I cannot give an honest rating so I will give them 3 stars so to not mess up their ratings by others.

This mystery is put together in a different format....using a number of different media to tell the story, & presenting it in the form of a 'true crime tv drama' script. It reads pretty well that way, but I initially had a bit of a struggle trying to keep the many players/characters straight. I really like Cara Hunter, & liked this book ....but not as much as her 'DI Adam Fawley' series......which I noticed that she slipped in a clever nod to, in a media clipping! I think those readers who really like true crime dramas or reality tv, might especially enjoy this.
I received an e copy of the book from publisher William Morrow via NetGalley, giving me a chance to read it & share my own fair & honest review.

I'm starting to really love mixed-media books, and Cara Hunter is one of the best authors in this sub-genre. They somehow weave character development into newspaper articles, email threads, and text messages. I loved this book!

This thriller is about a cold case from 2003 that ends up a true crime documentary. Lots of interviews, texts, emails, etc.

It was different and entertaining. I feel I may have enjoyed this one more on audio.

I did figure out whodunnit long before the ending.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book is best read in print there is just too much happening to do Kindle or audio. I just couldn't get in to it.

I was SO INTRIGUED by the premise of this book!

With that being said, I unfortunately feel that receiving this book as an eARC did not help matters regarding how enjoyable of a read it was. As I was reading it on my Kindle, the formatting was challenging to read at times, especially when so much of the novel is told through “magazine clippings’ and news articles without much of an ability to zoom in.

As I am writing this review belatedly, I will say that upon publication date, I picked up a copy of the book so that I could read it properly and came away feeling like while the story dragged a great deal, I did find a lot of twists and turns throughout.

I think that it could have been better and could have gone through a few more editing runs, as I was losing interest in places and having to skim. However, I can understand the hype behind it, as it was a very unique type of story..

This is something that you might find in your nightly tv watching. A show that is pitting contestants against each other all with the hope of winning the big money prize. The exception is that in this show, the challenges are dangerous and over the top. But each contestant has a reason they need to stay and try to win. This has all the twists and turns. A great storyline with a surprising ending. I would definitely recommend it!

Cara Hunter's "Murder in the Family" presents the gripping tale of a fictional cold case that is thrust into the spotlight when it's turned into a Netflix true crime docuseries.

In 2003, Luke Ryder, married to a socialite with a significant age gap, is found murdered. Despite police efforts, the case remains unsolved for two decades. Then, in 2023, a diverse team of crime experts, comprising of detectives, a journalist, a psychologist, and an attorney, convenes to unravel the mystery live on television. However, beneath the surface lies a web of complexities surrounding the case.

The narrative unfolds through scripts, text exchanges, emails, interviews, news clippings, expert profiles, and photographs. While this innovative format offers a unique perspective, some readers may find it distracting, hindering character connection. Despite this, the plot brims with unexpected twists that maintain intrigue, particularly in unraveling Luke's enigmatic demise. Hunter's bold narrative experimentation deserves commendation, resonating with many readers.

Overall, "Murder in the Family" offers a compelling mystery peppered with unforeseen revelations via unconventional storytelling that may or may not appeal to readers.

It was a case that gripped the nation. In December 2003, Luke Ryder, the stepfather of acclaimed filmmaker Guy Howard (then aged 10), was found dead in the garden of their suburban family home. Luke Ryder’s murder has never been solved. Guy Howard’s mother and two half-sisters were in the house at the time of the murder—but all swear they saw nothing. Despite a high-profile police investigation and endless media attention, no suspect was ever charged. But some murder cases are simply too big to forget. Now comes the sensational new streaming series Infamous, dedicated to investigating—and perhaps cracking—this famous cold case. The production team will re-examine testimony, re-interview witnesses, and once again scour the evidence. The family will speak. The key players will be reunited—on camera. The truth will come out. This was such a unique storyline and I am not sure I have ever read a book like this. Twists galore and the ending just blew me away. Highly recommend this one!

Nearly two decades after Luke Ryder was brutally murdered, his stepson-accredited filmmaker Guy Howard-decides to revisit the past. Pairing the new true-crime television series Infamous, Guy seeks out the truth about that night. Despite a thorough police investigation, and many potential witnesses, Luke Ryder's murderer has never been found. Now, all these years later, Guy hopes the six episode mini series will provide closure to the family ripped apart.
Murder in the Family reads as though it is a script. Text messages, voicemails, newspaper clipping, emails, and Reddit posts are scattered throughout. This style of writing creates an atmosphere where the reader can be a first=person investigator. We are provided clues as they come in to the audience, with only the bare minimum of extra information via texts, emails, and voicemails. This unique style of writing allows for a fast-paced, twisty read!
While I loved the style of this book, I did think there were too many characters. It might have been helpful to have a "cast-list" or family tree at the beginning of the book. It may be because my reads were constantly interrupted, but at times, I found the story hard to follow. I will say, it all ties up nicely at the end, but at the beginning, I was constantly flipping back and forth saying "who the f*** is that?!"
I will say, however, the plot twists were inserted quite beautifully! As an avid watcher of true crime documentaries, I could vividly picture exactly how this story would air and where the information would come into play. Hunter did a fantastic job in creating a novel that truly felt like watching a documentary, and creating a crew that seemed rather realistic (seriously, think of the HBO documentary The Jinx, and you'll know exactly what I mean). The ending, however, did fall a little flat for me because of all the other well-placed twists and turns, though it did make sense, which is a plus for Hunter's creativity.
Overall, if you enjoy Podcast-esque reads, or are a true-crime fanatic, I think this book will be incredibly enjoyable for you!

Book-alikes:
The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera

TV director Guy Howard hopes to solve the 20-year-old murder of his stepdad by revisiting the crime in a Netflix docu-drama series. Relayed in script format, the investigation and evidence are presented in the form of emails, text messages, and newspaper articles. I am a huge fan of stories told in unique formats, and Murder in the Family is a clear standout. 4.5 stars.

I thought this was really well written and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I think it will find readers at our library, so we will definitely be purchasing for the collection.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"Murder in the Family" by Cara Hunter is a daring exploration of the true crime genre that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. With its inventive narrative approach and unexpected twists, this cold case thriller delivers an unforgettable experience.

The story opens with the formation of a team of experts brought together by a TV show to reopen a 20-year-old cold case. In 2003, Luke Ryder, the stepfather of acclaimed filmmaker Guy Howard, was found dead outside their suburban family home in an exclusive part of London. Despite a high-profile police investigation and endless media attention, no suspect was ever charged. Now, the sensational new Netflix series "Infamous" aims to investigate this famous unsolved murder. The production team will re-examine testimony, re-interview witnesses, and once again scour the evidence. The family will speak, and the truth will come out. Are you ready to see it?

Hunter's narrative unfolds through transcripts of the TV programs, emails, phone records, and newspaper articles. This multi-format approach adds layers of tension and intrigue. As readers, we become voyeuristic viewers, devouring the show while feeling both fascinated and slightly uncomfortable about its intrusion into people's lives. The format is reminiscent of our world of social media, reality TV, and docudramas, capturing the zeitgeist perfectly.

The clues are cleverly woven throughout the book, challenging readers to spot them. Nothing is quite as it seems, and the team faces a daunting task as they delve into the past. The pacing is just right, with each twist driving the narrative in unexpected directions. Hunter's fiendish plotting keeps us guessing until the gripping climax.

While the ebook formatting had a few quirks, including unadjustable font sizes and missing emojis, it didn't detract from the overall experience. I recommend grabbing a print copy to fully appreciate this excellent addition to Hunter's work.

"Murder in the Family" is a thrilling ride that combines true crime fascination with a fresh narrative style. Cara Hunter's ability to handle intricate plotting and engage readers across multiple formats is commendable. Prepare to be hooked from the first page to the last.

Rating: 🕵️‍♂️🔍🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

3.5 ⭐️

This was an enjoyable read, and I love a mixed media concept.

This did not translate well into a kindle format. Because this was an ARC, that is how I received. So much of the font was SO small that it was unreadable. I had to get the audiobook to help me.

The audio was full cast , which I loved. Without the pictures and media, the audio became difficult to follow.

Also the audio became repetitive with details you would skim over. Ex: email addresses. Reddit post times .


I think if you can read this in a paper copy, this would be a good, twisty murder mystery, but because you can’t do any other format, it was a bit of a miss.

Thank you netgalley for a copy of this book to review!

2.5/5 A murder mystery unraveling a a podcast with experts and those close to the victim talking about what happened all those years ago. There's a time to where if you point at everyone as the murderer that sooner or later you just don't care who actually committed the crime. Too many cooks in the kitchen on this one.

This was a good book but was difficult to read on Kindle with maps and articles. Once I took a break and picked it up again it went by fast.

A fantastic and original mixed media mystery perfect for fans of true crime and Patricia Highsmith. Well plotted and paced this book is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Thank you to Netgalley, William Morrow, and Cara Hunter for an advance copy of Murder in the Family in exchange for an honest review. First off, the way this book was written was truly like nothing I have ever read before. It was almost set in like a script, podcast, TV show type of way which made it so much fun to read. It was super fun getting to know all the characters as we tried to figure out who murdered Lucas all those years before. As we were attempting to solve said mystery, we learned alot about the characters and their many secrets. While this is vague, I dont want to spoil anything but I can say I was quite pleased & didnt see the ending coming. This one is out now and would be a good easter basket option for the mystery lover in your family!

I love the concept of using media to tell the story - it is just so fascinating.
I did not get a great sense of the characters but certainly enjoyed the formatting. The twists - so many twists! Great read!