Just a heads up for those, like me, who are not huge fans of epistolary fiction.
I can handle epistolary formats sometimes, especially if there are some longer elements of narrative text, like letters.

But this book was hard-core epistolary, made up entirely of a lot of short elements like resumes, film scripts, texts, and newspaper articles.

I struggle with books like these because of the complete lack of world-building and the fact that the effort it takes to read them does not seem relaxing.

If you love books like The Illuminae Files, then this one is for you!

Buckle your seat belts for this one! There are so many twists that you might get whiplash!! A cold case about a gruesome murder that happened twenty years ago is revisited by a true crime series - with a twist. The filmmaker involved in the series is the stepson of the murder victim, Luke Ryder. You will meet the crew - journalists, police detectives/investigators, psychologists, etc. along with Guy and his two sisters. The manner in which each participant is drawn into the show is revealed like peeling layers from an onion. Each new layer is teased at the end of the episode resulting in quite the cliff hanger each time. Crew members are pitted against each other as they strive to figure out who knew what and when while still trying to see if they can solve this murder. Written like a stage play with excerpts of texts and clippings from newspapers to fill in holes. Overall, an enjoyable and engaging read.

A special thanks to NetGalley for the advanced e-copy of this book and to Cindy Burnett at Thoughts from a Page (Lit Lovers Traveling Galley program) and William Morrow for the advanced reader copy of this book - due to be published on September 19, 2023.

This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. Thanks to the publisher and the author. I could not get into the format of this book easily. Innovative style. Mystery and intrigue. I liked the book.

The format of this book is such a distraction for me. I’m one of those people who can’t watch a movie with subtitles because I focus only on the words and not the action. People who like reading things in a format other than a novel (ie, journal entries, play scripts, etc.) will enjoy this dive into an old and unsolved murder. Lots of twists!

I can be a little stingy with my five star ratings, so you know this is a GOOD one.

Cara Hunter is a genius. Her books are so creative, her plots incredibly unique, and her twists are absolutely wild! Murder in the Family is definitely her best work (in my very humble opinion).

THE PLOT:
Twenty years after his stepfather is murdered, filmmaker Guy Howard decides to work on a documentary about the cold case. But this isn’t any old documentary! A panel of experts is called in and they actually work on solving the case… in real time.

THINGS I LOVED:
•The pace! I felt like I had whiplash in the best possible way. Every time I thought things were slowing down they picked up in double time.

•Itty bitty Easter eggs from Hunter’s DI Fawley series. You don’t need to have read those books and nothing will be spoiled, but there are a few fun little mentions of cases/characters that someone obsessed with those books (moi!) will appreciate.

•Easy explanations of some key “Brit-isms”. During conversations the characters will say something like, “and for our American viewers”… which was really helpful.

•All of the characters were so unique and well developed.

THINGS TO KNOW:
This book is written as a screenplay with a lot of unique mixed media elements added in (news articles, voicemails, “Reddit” threads). It’s absolutely fabulous and so well executed, but I know this won’t be for everyone. Swipe to get an idea of what I’m talking about.

This is one book that you ABSOLUTELY need to read the physical copy of. I tried to read a bit on my kindle and it’s really hard to fully experience some elements. Also I was determined to solve the case and needed to flip back a lot (and take notes)!

Overall, this was SUCH a winner and I can’t recommend it enough!

thank you to the publisher for the chance to be an early reader. all opinions are my own!

I adored this book! I am sucker for anything told in non-traditional formats and this was perfect. The twists, the turns, I could not keep them straight. It was a quick read and I will be suggesting this for months to come.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A true crime documentary series, Infamous, starts to reinvestigate the cold case of Luke Ryder who was murdered in 2003. Initially there are no clues. No one saw or heard anything. But as the team digs into the details of the case, they begin to unearth some hidden secrets from twenty years ago.

I was very interested in the story and some of the reveals are shocking. However, the format just was too distracting for me. I did not like reading newspaper articles, clippings and transcripts but prefer to read a book in standard format. One star is deducted for that.

If you can overcome the format, this is an excellent story.

I don't usually read thrillers, but I heard about the format and premise of this book and figured sure why not. In terms of those, I enjoyed this book a lot and I loved how much effort was put into that aspect. I hope we continue to get books like that in the future in a variety of genres from a variety of authors. As for the story itself, like I said, I don't really read thrillers, so 3.5 stars for me.

The format of the book detracts from the actual story for me. If you’d prefer reading a transcript of a Dateline or cold case true crime series to watching one, this is for you.
I think I need more narrative and connection to characters than I found here.
There were some clever aspects & twists but it was hard to follow due to format.
I would still be intrigued to read other stories by this author in a traditional format though.
Thanks to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a chance to review an ARC of the book.

Book Review: A Supernatural Adventure Filled with Heart and Friendship

In the charming town of East Emerson, where magical creatures and mysteries lurk beneath the surface, three unlikely heroes – Will, Ivy, and Linus – once again take center stage in an enthralling story that seamlessly blends the supernatural with the everyday.

As I immersed myself in the pages of "Rise of the Undead," I found myself rooting for Will Hunter, a relatable character who is grappling with challenges both mundane and supernatural. Will's desire for a peaceful day in East Emerson is disrupted by a persistent bully and his mother's financial struggles. Joined by his steadfast friends Ivy and Linus, the trio has already saved their town from vampires and werewolves, but a new threat arises when the dead start coming back to life.

Ogle's writing is captivating, drawing me into the world of East Emerson and its quirky inhabitants. Despite this being the third book in the series, I was able to dive in seamlessly, as the characters and their past experiences are skillfully interwoven into the narrative. Will's struggles and determination resonated deeply, reminding me of the universal themes of friendship, acceptance, and facing adversity.

The diversity in the cast of characters is a highlight of the book, from Ivy's vibrant personality to Linus's nerdy charm. Ogle skillfully portrays their bonds, highlighting their unique qualities and strengths. The interactions among the trio are heartwarming and genuine, reminding readers of the importance of steadfast friendships, especially in times of crisis.

The plot takes a thrilling turn when zombies begin to roam East Emerson. As the protagonists unravel the mystery behind this unnerving phenomenon, the story gains momentum, culminating in a tense race against time. Ogle's narrative balance keeps the pacing engaging, offering both character development and pulse-pounding action sequences.

The novel seamlessly merges the supernatural elements with the relatable struggles of its characters, resulting in a rich and immersive reading experience. The town itself feels like a character, its history and secrets adding depth to the story. The impending danger looms large, creating a sense of urgency that keeps the reader invested.

"Rise of the Undead" touches on poignant themes, including self-acceptance, resilience, and the power of unity. Ogle's writing strikes a perfect balance between adventure and introspection, making this novel a thought-provoking read for readers of all ages. Fans of magical realism, friendship-driven stories, and middle-grade adventure will undoubtedly find themselves captivated by this imaginative tale from beginning to end.

Who killed Luke Ryder? 20 years ago, Luke was found murdered outside their home and the killer was never found. His step son, Guy, is now a filmmaker and is producing a true crime documentary on Netflix to try and get the truth.
The format of this book is told as we are actually watching the documentary. It also includes text messages, news articles, emails, chat forums, and voicemails. This book is truly different in this aspect and while it takes getting used to, it really is a unique reading experience.
This gripping murder mystery will keep you on the edge of your seat! It’s filled with unexpected twists and turns, you will want to keep turning the page!
The only drawback is I couldn’t read the chat forums and some newspaper clippings as I couldn’t zoom up on my kindle. I definitely would recommend reading on a physical copy.

Murder in the Family is told in such an innovative, unique format that kept me reading until I finished in one sitting!

Twenty years ago, Luke Ryder was found dead outside of his home by his step daughter. Today, his step son is participating in a true crime streaming series that is attempting to solve the murder all these years later. A team of experts convenes to go over the evidence and hunt down new clues, hoping to find a break in the case.

The story is told through newspaper reviews, transcripts of the series, emails, texts, and photos of maps and resumes. This makes it truly feel like a true crime podcast or show, keeping us out of the characters’ heads and fully outside of the action. I loved the innovative format and couldn’t wait to turn the pages and see what happened next.

The mystery at the core of the story is truly mysterious, involving multiple people, several settings, and lots of information. I liked the different characters in the series- a psychologist, a lawyer, detectives, a journalist, and a forensics expert. The mystery took every ounce of their expertise, and a bombshell or two were definitely dropped along the way.

This was a fun, bingeable book and I definitely look forward to reading more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and William morrow for the arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

*Advance copy provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review.*

Cara Hunter’s Murder in the Family was a wild ride. Told in real time through the form of production of an investigative tv show, newspaper clips, text messages, emails, online forums, and voicemails, the pace of the book was relentless. I found myself squeezing in reading time wherever I could to find out the next big reveal.

Guy Howard, whose stepfather’s murder is still unsolved decades later, invites a production crew and team of investigators in to try to crack the cold case. Very quickly it becomes apparent no one is who they seem, but this is the right group to finally solve the case.

Hunter’s novel, while certainly centering in solving the mystery, winds up shifting to address the ongoing ethical dilemma of when true crime becomes entertainment rather than informative. While the story ends with everything neatly wrapped up, readers are left with the discomfort of thinking about the careful orchestration of “reality,” even in true crime, and what it means for those of us who enjoy the genre.

This book has a really unique format to it in that it was written as a transcript for a TV mini-series. It was a great, fast-paced read though I was admittedly a little disappointed by who actually committed the crime, as it kind of makes a lot of the investigation almost pointless. But it was still a very interesting case and it kept me hooked until the end.

I had a hard time with the way this book was written. It felt like it dragged a bit and I didn't really want to keep reading it.

I loved the premise of this one but the way it was structured - articles, clippings etc - was not one that worked for me at all. I tried for 50 pages but it just didn’t hold my attention. I am sure it’s a great story and definitely unique in how it is set up but it just didn’t work for me. I am only leaving feedback since it is required by Netgalley. Thank you to William Morrow and Scene of the Crime Early Reads for the ARC.

I am so thankful to netgalley for approving me with this book as I loved it. I have discovered a hidden love for mixed media books and this was done superbly. The storyline was captivating, the who done it left you guessing and you were hooked from start to finish...definitely a must read

WOW. 5 stars for creativity alone. The fun twists are a bonus. The multimedia approach to a story is genius, and I couldn’t put it down. I feel like it speaks to so many things readers of thrillers love- true crime, whodunnit, good twists. It has it all!

What a suspense! I thought I figured it out, but I was wrong.
Is there a killer in the family? Can this 20 year old unsolved murder be solved?
Set as an 8 episode show, it’s written in a script format.Definitely a unique form of writing for a novel.
I enjoyed this one!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I have a confession to make…

I am obsessed and I mean obsessed with serial killers. Why are so many of us obsessed with such awful creatures who have stolen so many lives.

I can’t answer that. Maybe it’s because it seems just so far removed from reality that we are beyond curious as to why they do what they do and we are begging to understand it and cure the crazed!

I spend my evenings either reading thrillers or glued to the TV marathon watching ID Discovery.

I
JUST
CANT
GET
ENOUGH

so when I come across a book that combines my love for documentaries and reading, you know I’m all over it.

This book is absolutely incredible and will blow your mind, Murder in the Family.

Well, that just about knocked my socks off and I’m here for it. After I picked my jaw off the floor I had to sit for a minute to reflect back on what I just read and all I can say is, WOW!

Cara Hunter, has hit the ground running and can not be stopped.

Check out this teaser :

Mega-bestselling British crime novelist Cara Hunter makes her big American debut with a shocking thriller about a cold case, a fictional true crime series, and the family caught in the middle.

SIX EPISODES. ONE KILLER.

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.

Are you ready to see it?