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?

This book is going to be a huge hit for some people, but I am not one of them. I love a good mixed media, but I prefer my alternative formats to be mixed in – not the entire novel. Maybe this one would have worked better for me if it was in print format, I could see a nice hardback working. However, on kindle it was hard to see some of the writing on the maps for example.

Overall this one and I didn’t mesh well. I wish it all the success.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

20 years ago Luke Ryder was murdered and the case has been cold ever since. Now, a documentary team has brought together a group of experts to try and crack the case open! Told in an "episode by episode" format, this novel will have you flying through the pages as more and more secrets are uncovered and twists revealed! I was fully hooked into this story and felt more like I was watching a tv show than reading a book.

This is a book that non-readers can pick up and love, and I mean that as the highest of compliments! I think it will appeal to a diverse range of readers -- those who devour mysteries regularly and those who only pick up a book on occasion. Anyone who enjoys documentary style crime shows or murder mystery podcasts will love this.

I will absolutely be picking up more by this author in the future. Thank you to @netgalley and William Morrow Paperbacks for my copy of this book.

Prepare to be enthralled by Cara Hunter's chilling and suspenseful thriller, "Murder in the Family." As she makes her American debut, Hunter takes readers on a rollercoaster ride through a perplexing cold case, a fictional true crime series, and a family haunted by secrets that refuse to stay buried.

In December 2003, the nation was gripped by the shocking murder of Luke Ryder, stepfather to the talented filmmaker Guy Howard. Despite a high-profile police investigation and relentless media attention, the case remained unsolved, leaving scars on the lives of those closest to the victim.

Hunter's mastery of suspense is on full display as she weaves together six gripping episodes, each revealing new layers of intrigue and deception. The tension builds as the production team of the sensational streaming series "Infamous" investigates the dark corners of the cold case, determined to unearth the truth.

The characters are as intricate as the case itself, and Hunter explores the dynamics of a family torn apart by tragedy and suspicion. Guy Howard's mother and half-sisters were present at the time of the murder, yet all claim they saw nothing. Their strained relationships and hidden motives keep readers on edge, questioning every word and action.

"Murder in the Family" is a true whodunit that will keep you guessing until the final, shocking revelation. Hunter's storytelling ability shines as she delivers unexpected twists and turns, leaving readers utterly absorbed in the hunt for the elusive killer. The truth remains tantalizingly out of reach, and the deceptive secrets that emerge will leave you questioning the trustworthiness of every character.

The innovative format of the book, with its episodic structure mirroring the true crime series, adds an exciting dimension to the story. As readers follow the investigation through the lenses of multiple perspectives, they become entangled in a web of half-truths and red herrings that will keep them eagerly turning pages.

Cara Hunter's "Murder in the Family" boasts a wholly original and engrossing mystery that sets it apart from other thrillers. This is a book that will captivate fans of true crime, cold cases, and psychological suspense alike. Prepare yourself for a suspenseful journey through dark alleys of family secrets and lies, as the truth behind the murder remains elusive until the shocking final pages.

"Cara Hunter's 'Murder in the Family' is a genre-defying masterpiece! A riveting and unputdownable thriller that keeps you guessing until the very last page."

"Prepare to be hooked from the first episode! 'Murder in the Family' is a brilliantly crafted crime novel that unfolds like a gripping true crime series."

"Cara Hunter has done it again with 'Murder in the Family.' An intricately plotted whodunit that keeps you guessing with every twist and turn."

"Ingeniously structured and emotionally charged, 'Murder in the Family' will leave you breathless. Cara Hunter's writing is pure magic!"

"A gripping combination of cold case investigation and family drama. 'Murder in the Family' showcases Cara Hunter's storytelling brilliance."

"Cara Hunter's 'Murder in the Family' is an immersive and intense experience. The episodic format adds a thrilling dimension to an already compelling tale."

"A masterclass in suspense. 'Murder in the Family' is a rollercoaster of emotions, with surprises at every turn. Cara Hunter is a force to be reckoned with."

"The perfect blend of mystery, family secrets, and gripping revelations. 'Murder in the Family' will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final episode."

"Cara Hunter's talent shines in 'Murder in the Family.' The characters are so vivid, and the plot twists are mind-bending. A must-read for crime fiction fans."

"With 'Murder in the Family,' Cara Hunter has crafted a standout novel that defies expectations. Prepare for a thrilling journey you won't soon forget."

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC for this book. This book kept me hooked the entire time with each of its many twists. The format was unique and presented via email, text messages, old newspaper articles, as well as individuals reviewing previous findings.

A really unique writing and reading experience. It's like reading the script of a TV show series solving a cold case. It's a documentary with changes being made to the script week by week. Fun to read with all the twists and turns.