Having read/enjoyed previous books by this author, I figured I’d give this one a go also. It was a pretty good gripping story throughout, plenty of tense moments, wondering what’s going to happen next and trying to figure out who is lying and who is telling the truth. It does keep you guessing a little bit. There was a twist within the story, which was a good twist but I’d kind of guessed it by the time it was revealed. Not that that spoiled my enjoyment of this story, not at all.

It was well written with some well developed characters. There was always something going on, plenty of drama, so pretty fast paced story from start to finish.

Looking forward to reading this authors next book for sure.

I was lucky enough to get this one as an ebook and on audio but I never got the chance to read it as I finished the audio in more or less one sitting. The storyline switches from past to present day an once I got to grips with it the story flowed and moved at a steady pace. It was great on audio and the narrator really gave you the whole picture and the creep factor that ran throughout. Alex is such a creepy character on every level. It’s cleverly written and kept you guessing were the plot was going and some great twists and turns. Engaging listen and one I enjoyed. Got me through the weekly clean.

This book is told from three different points of view first of we meet Joanne, she is on her way home it’s late at night when she gets kidnapped next up we meet Charlotte she’s waking up for college where she is a junior and yet she doesn’t hear all the normal breakfast sounds that usually come from the kitchen she goes downstairs to find her dad asleep at the kitchen table when she wakes them up they’re both worried about Joann but James is being a little more cautious then his daughter Charlotte and tells her to go to school and he will go look for Joanne. The next POV is Alexander he’s a young boy who is mom is an alcoholic and seems to always fight and argue with his dad and eventually he will be sent to live with his grandparents when he grows up. Joanne has been taken by an anonymous person who wears a gas mask and never reveals his identity Charlotte is panicking because she wants her mom back and although she has her best friend Hannah to talk to it seems Hannah is more worried about her new crush Jamie thnn Charlotte‘s mom being missing. When Alexander goes away to you knee he meets Simon Kennedy and although they are best friends when a classmate goes missing Simon and another friend of theirs Chloe are very suspicious of Alexander not to mention Alexander’s drinking is really causing problems in his friend group. What does the past and the present have to do with each other well let me say you’ll have to read this doozy of a book to find out and OMG if this author isn’t the best at making you fear one thing and then plot twist it’s actually something else we should’ve been fearing the whole time. thrillers with authentic plot twists and story lines that have no eye rolling involved is few and far between but I can honestly say The family on Smith Street by Elizabeth Carpenter is definitely one of those books. It’s original authentic and a definite five star read! I want to thank NetGalley and Bookoucher for my free Ark copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy of The Family in Smith Street. This is a captivating novel with believable and real characters that will keep you intrigued and on your toes. The storyline is suspense filled all the way to the end. Highly recommend!

Thank you @Netgalley and @ElisabethCarpenter for allowing me to read this early.


This is on my top favorite books I’ve read this year. I didn’t want to put this book down!I loved the 3 POV’s This book made me feel like I was actually in the story living through the moments. Scarlett’s mom goes missing no one know’s where she is. We get to see her POV, her mom’s and the killer on the loose. The twists were so good. I’m definitely going to buy their other books. I love this author and the way they write a story.

I definitely recommend everyone check out this book it comes out August 14th and I definitely will be buying a copy.

The action kicks off right at the start of this novel with an abduction and the story flits from 3 POVs using short, snappy chapters to keep the pace flowing. This book has you questioning every person you meet and the twists and turns are brilliant. The characters are pretty well written and I did find myself panicking for a couple of them. I wasn’t planning to read this in a couple of sittings but I simply couldn’t help it - I needed to uncover the truth!

Like with most thrillers, I tend to prefer going in knowing very little about the plot, so I’m not going to say anything else other than… if you love a fast-paced psychological thriller, definitely give this one a go! It will be released on 14th August and also will be available on kindle unlimited!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for sending me an ARC of this super fun book in exchange for an honest review. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from Elizabeth Carpenter as I really gelled with her writing style. This review will soon be uploaded on my goodreads and Instagram accounts - both @libraryofpearl

Thank you netgalley, bookouture and author for this amazing advance copy. All opinions are my own.

This book hooked me in from the beginning. Had multiple POVs, shocking twists and had past and present timelines. When I got to the end of the book I was SHOCKED and did not see the twist coming. Very well written.

Omg! I was really invested in this early on but that ending!! My jaw was on the floor!!!

So the characters are well written, they're original Al and well written. I liked the multiple pov and it's one of those books where you don't quite know hiw it all ties together or what's going on but once everything falls into place then the rest of the book just goes at such an amazing pace and is impossible to put down. The twists in this book are just outstanding, such a good read

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for access to this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Well, this book started off a bit confusing, I felt like I was reading 2 different books at the same time. But when it came around, wow.. It was great. I didn't see the twist at the end coming !! Even if I was more invested in one POV, I ended up feeling sad for one character. All in all, I really enjoyed this book.

Oh what a twist! A suspenseful thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, filled with twists, turns and mystery.

'It turns out karma is real...'

Thoughts
This one definitely kept me on my toes. The twist was one I didn't completely see coming, I was shocked! Pay attention to the various names throughout, as those are what will help you figure out the twists and mystery.

I enjoyed the multiple, first person POVs - seeing their perspectives of what was going on and how they reacted. We also jump back and forth in time, seeing where the killer started out, leading back to the present - putting you into the mind and thoughts of a serial killer.

'My life is becoming more and more surreal. I just want everything to go back to normal'.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this copy. This review is voluntary.

This psychological thriller was very enjoyable it has plenty of twists and turns with enough suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters were great, the story was exciting and the style of writing was perfect. I have read other books by this author and I have enjoyed every one of them. I would recommend this to anyone who likes reading this genre.
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a honest review.

The family on smith street

A new book by Elisabeth Carpenter

A psychological thriller with a surprising twist! I got 75% through this book and REALLY just thought it was a thriller with no twist at all. I assumed it was up front and just a psychological thriller. Then the plot twist came about 90% in and I’m ashamed I didn’t see it coming but it was definitely worth the wait.

I felt like some characters had more depth than others but over all the character layout was well done. The storyline was intriguing and a nice pace! Not to fast but not a drag out either. The over all story felt like the book the shadows by Alex North and local woman missing by Mary kubica had a baby and that’s the vibes of this book!

Very much enjoyed my early read thanks again @netgalleyarc

"The Family on Smith Street" by Elisabeth Carpenter, was a captivating and suspenseful book with intriguing twists that kept you engaged until the very end. This book kept you on the edge of your seat until the very end! Books that maintain suspense and mystery throughout the entire journey can be quite a thrilling experience. I highly recommend this book if you like mystery and suspense.

Twisty and dark! I enjoyed the dual timelines to see the character progression and motives. The prose was a bit choppy at the beginning, but the author began hitting her stride further into the story. Sometimes the dialogue read a bit juvenile, but the twists and the plot line were entertaining and kept me reading!

Thank you to Bookouture and Elisabeth Carpenter for my advanced reader copy.

A totally riveting tale with multiple point of views. I couldn't put this down. So many great and shocking twists too.

This was super twisty. I wasn't into the perspective of the "bad guy" at all. He was both creepy and super boring.
I liked the mom and daughter's perspective.
The ending was interesting.

Wow,this was a great story! It kept my interest to the end! They did a great job in the mind of a serial killer!
Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to read and review book!

The Family On Smith Street starts with a bang and does not let go until the very end. Elisabeth Carpenter is a accomplished writer who knows how to keep the audience enthralled and I loved the fast paced chapters that revealed something new at the end of every one.

The origins of this story take us back to 1989 and it is clear from the switching timelines that the events of the past are closely connected to the future. I became engaged quickly in this part of the story too, and I wanted to know who these characters were and what their secrets were. The characters in the novel are different ages and we see them in different times and the author is really good at ensuring they are all true to their age and the time in which they live.

The story is well plotted and there are lots of strands to it, and I was keen to see how they would all come together. There were several times I thought I had everything worked out, only for the author to completely blindside me! I must admit that I did have to suspend my disbelief on occasion, but overall I enjoyed reading The Family On Smith Street

4.5/5

The twists and turns in the book were so good. The different perspectives were great. Being able to see what Joanna, Scarlett, and the killer was thinking was so good. Definitely pay attention to all the names because they definitely come up multiple times and help you piece things together.

This novel had multiple, first person points of view and a dual storyline timeline.
Joanna goes out with a friend one night and wakes up to find herself bound in a room. Her captor comes in and out, briefly, but Joanna has no idea why she’s being held. She only worries about her family and being freed.
We are also introduced to Alex, whose family life is less than perfect-Abusive and distant. He’s sent to live with his maternal grandparents after a tragedy. He tried to move past the events, but darkness follows him. We learn more and more about Alex’s dark past and the secrets he keeps.

Scarlett, Joanna’s daughter is very concerned for her mother. Police become involved as they try to locate Joanna. There’s very few answers or clues, and the connection between Joanna and Alex starts to become clear.

This was a decent novel, but I found the plot to be predictable and not quite developed enough. I wanted more depth behind the motives of our villains, however, I did like the detail put into Alex’s thoughts and actions. This was a quick read, that could’ve used a little more.