A great book! One of Jeneva Rose's best. I loved the character development of each sibling. It was refreshing to read realistic emotions and reactions to situations and experiences that the characters faced, especially when they started to not trust each other.

What would you do if you discovered a dark family secret? This is the dilemma facing estranged siblings Beth, Michael and Nicole. Of the three, Beth is the only one who remains close to the family home in Wisconsin and she’s the one that hears their dying mothers incomplete deathbed confession. Michael arrives first from San Jose, having stayed away for years, whilst addict Nicole is in a mess in more ways than one. Later, when the will is read they’re all in for a number of surprises. Not only that but in a desperate attempt to recapture some nostalgia from happier times, they watch some videotapes. They choose one from 1999 which shockingly shows their father covered in blood and there’s even worse to come. Does this have anything to do with the disappearance of their father seven years ago? Whatever will the three of them do?? The story is told in dual timelines and in four narratives.

I’ve been curious about Jeneva Roses’ novels for a while and I’m impressed, especially with the quality of the characterisation. All of them are flawed to a greater or less a degree and therefore not necessarily likeable but that does add another dimension to the tone of the novel.

There are several layers to the story telling such as the relationship between the siblings and the family dysfunction as well as the mystery of the confession and what’s on the tape. This family are the very epitome of dysfunction and this is a very effective part of the plot.

The storytelling is lively and visual, in fact, this would make a great movie or miniseries. The four points of view and the dual timelines work really well allowing secrets to bubble to the surface organically, deepening the intrigue. It’s all told at a quick pace, it’s easy to read with plenty of dramatic tension. There are some twists which pull you up sharply and which I don’t foresee. The conclusion is good, perhaps a tad overdramatic but it is exciting and that’s what counts.

Overall, my curiosity is more than satisfied and I’ll happily read other books by this author.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Orion Publishing Group for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Full disclosure I love Jeneva Rose. So she is an auto read for me. This novel is my favorite of hers. Full of twists and turns and I can’t get over the cover!

This thriller will have you on the edge of your seats as you devour page after page. It is perfect for the chilly autumn nights of October when I am wanting something to keep me up at night

Thank you to netgalley for providing an e-galley for review. Home is Where the Bodies Are is what would happen if you had a found footage of your seemingly benign parents hiding a dead body, and you have to watch it with your estranged siblings. This was so mych fun to read. Who was this deada body, who killed them, and how were the parents involved. Secrets are hidden from everyone, especially from family.

While the storyline was fairly predictable, I still enjoyed this story. Much better than the last Jeneva Rose I read. I liked the setting and most of the characters.

This book was fabulous!! I could not put it down! A twisty thriller with an ending I did not predict. Highly recommend!

DNF - unfortunately I don’t think this author is for me. I have picked this up a couple times and just can’t get into it so I’m setting it down.

*I don’t rate DNF books, but marking one star per NetGalley request for rating.

Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy.

Although I did not particularly like any characters in this book, I still could not put it down. I devoured this book so quickly because I just could not wait to find out what the answer to the mystery was. It kept me guessing right up to the very end. The pacing was balanced and the two timelines tied together seamlessly to make this a really enjoyable reading experience. I would definitely find myself recommending this one to anyone who loves a quick mystery read.

Home is Where the Bodies Are quickly rose to the ranks of my favorite Jeneva Rose book. Of course, the cover design and the synopsis sparked my interest, but hearing the author say that she got the inspiration from watching home videos her mom made and during a pan out on the forest thought, “but wouldn’t it be crazy if my dad appeared on the screen covered in blood?” is what really pulled me in. This type of “intrusive thought” inspiration is so genuine and relatable, and I feel like it helps spark that level of believability that a story like this needs.

Home is Where the Bodies Are is a domestic thriller where three estranged siblings come back together at the end of their mother’s life only to learn that the disappearance of a young girl that haunts their small town and the later disappearance of their father may have more in common than they could have ever imagined.

This is a well-paced, quick, and entertaining thriller with a satisfying ending and a hit of nostalgia.

Three estranged siblings stumble upon a collection of home videos that reveal a night back in 1999 that none of them have any recollection of. This is an original, fast paced thriller. The characters are relatable and their emotions of loyalty and grief made the story even better. I love Jeneva Rose books and this is one of her best! Highly recommend.

Jeneva Rose is a thriller genius. Once I start a book I can't put it down. Each one of her books has me turning page after page. This book was no different. The suspense and thrill had my heart racing and I never suspected the twists she would throw in there. You will always think you've guessed the suspect, but you haven't. I can't wait for my next Jeneva read.

Fast-paced, interesting characters, great mystery. I love this author and think I will eat up anything she writes in a matter of days (which is rare for me!) I did guess the twist a bit, but still overall liked the storyline and loved the detailed setting and description of the 90s.

Soo first off apologies this review is long overdue, so to make up for it can review both the ebook and the audiobook (does that make up for things? please)

All and all I liked this book.
All the main characters are unlikeable, so the story of the unraveling of the Thomas tracks.
Mom - Laura
Dad - Brian
Oldest - Beth
Middle - Nicole
Youngest - Michael
Enjoyed how needed all the POVs for the story and the mystery to come together, at times that did make things drag on a bit. Question why highway X, random but that name just irrationally irritated unless it was intention then good job. Glad Christie got away, poor girl, she is the only one that deserved a happily ever after.
Really liked the audiobook, glad each POV had it's own distinct voice narration made it easier to follow along with the intertwining timelines.

Our parents appear to be figures we never truly manage to understand fully—enigmatic souls shrouded in the mystery of their lives beyond our childhoods. In Home is Where the Bodies Are, the illusions we cling to about our parents are poignantly laid bare, revealing the complexities of their existence outside our perception. While the premise is undeniably intriguing, sparking many thought-provoking questions, the execution falls slightly short of its potential. The development of the parents feels rushed and superficial, leaving them as mere shadows rather than fully realized characters. Similarly, the siblings remain partially formed and lack depth, struggling to find their footing in the narrative. The conclusion leaves us contemplating whether the journey was truly worth the destination, casting a lingering doubt on the entire experience.

Jeneva Rose writes absolute gold. This book was so entertaining to read and kept me on my toes. 5 stars

This was another fun book by Jeneva Rose. When a mother passes, estranged siblings must come together to sort out the estate. Each sibling has their own life and their own wants--coming back together isn't easy. While going through their mother's belongings, they stumble upon a collection of home tapes, and they decide to watch, to see their happier moments of childhood. But instead, a dark night from 1999 is revealed that involves their father covered in blood. It seems their mother had her own secrets. This was a bit predictable but still a fun read!

This was a fun little thriller with lots of twists and turns. I enjoyed the creepy vibe as well. You won't be able to put it down. I finished it in a day! I also really like the cover.

This book was fantastic! From start to finish I was totally engrossed in the story. I thought it was so unique and unlike any thriller I’ve read before. Jeneva rose never disappoints!

Thank you, Partner @bibliolifestyle @blackstonepublishing  for the hardcover copy of this book. I was absolutely thrilled to get a copy as I love all books by this author. I flew through this one. I loved the characters, dual timelines (with 90s nostalgia galore) and the mystery. The cover is one of the coolest I’ve seen so far this year.

Pub date: April 30, 2024

SYNOPSIS: 

From New York Times bestselling author of The Perfect Marriage and You Shouldn't Have Come Here comes a chilling family thriller about the (sometimes literal) skeletons in the closet.
After their mother passes, three estranged siblings reunite to sort out her estate. Beth, the oldest, never left home. She stayed with her mom, caring for her until the very end. Nicole, the middle child, has been kept at arm's length due to her ongoing battle with a serious drug addiction. Michael, the youngest, lives out of state and hasn't been back to their small Wisconsin town since their father ran out on them seven years before.
While going through their parent's belongings, the siblings stumble upon a collection of home videos and decide to revisit those happier memories. However, the nostalgia is cut short when one of the VHS tapes reveals a night back in 1999 that none of them have any recollection of. On screen, their father appears covered in blood. What follows is a dead body and a pact between their parents to get rid of it, before the video abruptly ends.
Beth, Nicole, and Michael must now decide whether to leave the past in the past or uncover the dark secret their mother took to her grave.