“𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆.”

Rating: 2.75/5 ⭐️⭐️✨

Pub date: 7/16/24

Thank you @netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Closed door murder mystery with clue like vibes.
I enjoyed the first half of this book, until it sputtered out.
For those who don’t read a lot of mystery books this one will be worth reading. For those who read a lot of this genre this was lackluster and predictable. It was an ok read, worth finishing but nothing that makes it stand out from others.


#onebighappyfamily

I'm a big fan of locked room mysteries, but this one slightly missed the mark. It felt longer than it really was, and could have done with some parts taken out. I also felt like the book had too much going on, but after liking the Block Party I would be willing to give the author another shot.

Wow, what a ride! I really enjoyed reading this one, especially toward the end when I couldn’t put it down until I finished. I did guess who pretty quickly, but the why came as a surprise.

Charley is a maid at a hotel, a job she uses to cover the cost of her grandmother’s care home. When the owner unexpectedly dies, his 3 daughters come into town to settle his will. There’s a bad hurricane happening so they all end up getting stuck together at the hotel, along with two partners, two sons, one attorney, and one woman Charley has agreed to hide in the hotel to escape an abusive relationship.

When one of the sisters’ husband suddenly dies, murder is quickly suspected. Secrets and lies start getting exposed, another murder occurs, and it’s a fight to make it through the hurricane alive.

I really enjoyed reading this one, and appreciate NetGalley letting me read it early!

This is the second title from Jamie Day that I have read. I did prefer the Block Party. This book is set in Maine. I did enjoy the setting and felt that Day did a good job of putting me in the location. The story itself was not the most engaging, but I found the setting and characters interesting. The story was mildly suspenseful, but didn't necessarily hold my interest very well.

It was a bit thrilling but a bit boring at times. I found it hard to tell the difference in narrators as tghey didn't have distinguished voices for parts of the book. I would recommend but not at a high level.

I absolutely loved the IDEA of this book-seriously, a stormy hotel with family secrets? How cool is that? The premise had me hooked from the start. But here's the twist: while the concept was great, the execution felt a bit like a slow drizzle rather than a full-on hurricane. The big reveal came a bit too soon for my taste, even if it wasn't exactly what l'd predicted in the end. Also, the romance subplot felt a little like an afterthought or just didn't quite hit the mark for me.
Some moments/ aspects felt a bit corny too, which took me out of the suspenseful vibe I was craving. But don't get me wrong, if you're into atmospheric settings and family drama with a mystery side, this might still be worth a read. It's got charm, but it's also got a few quirks.

One Big Happy Family by Jamie Day is an engaging exploration of hidden truths and complex dynamics within a seemingly perfect family. The story masterfully builds suspense, keeping you on edge as secrets unravel and tensions rise. Each revelation adds another layer, pulling you deeper into the characters’ lives and the dilemmas they face.

The shifting perspectives enhanced the mystery, allowing the reader to piece together the truth alongside the characters. The emotional struggles and relationships felt raw and relatable, heightening the stakes as the plot moved toward its climax.

While the ending felt a bit abrupt, the journey was gripping and full of thought-provoking twists. This is a must-read for anyone who loves domestic dramas with an emotional punch and a strong element of mystery.

When their father passes away, the Bishop sisters, Iris, Vicki, and Faith, return to their family’s Maine coastal hotel, the Precipice. The sisters are there to claim what they feel is theirs from the hotel, but they arrive just ahead of a hurricane and aren’t prepared for what comes next. The sisters are in for a fight, but don’t know who they are up against or why. Will they survive the hurricane AND their greed?

Suspenseful with some good twists and turns!

Thank you to @netgalley for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

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#onebighappyfamily #jamieday

I love a good locked room mystery and this one is so twisty and fun. The Maine setting adds its own haunting vibe and the house almost seems to have its own personality. I enjoyed the unreliability of the characters and the dual timelines. Oliver was fascinating and possibly my favorite character as I felt I understood him the best. The ending was surprising and I loved the redemption aspect. The audiobook is fantastic and the narration very well done. Loved it!

With the weight of taking care of her ailing grandmother on her shoulders, Charley accepts employment at The Precipice Hotel as a housekeeper. This affords Charley with the ability to make the payments to her grandmother’s assisted living center a little easier. Then the owner, George Bishop, passes away leaving the future of the hotel in limbo.

The death of the hotel owner brought the three Bishop sisters to town – Vicki, Iris and Faith. Three very distinct personalities who all have their own desires as to where the future of the hotel should be directed. With a hurricane brewing on the horizon, things are about to more interesting for the guests and employees of the hotel. Who will come out of the storm unscathed? Who will find more than they bargained for with a fight for the legacy of the Bishop family?

The premise of One Big Happy Family was very interesting. The backstories to each character added to the layers of the mysteries surrounding the hotel. However – I did figure things out early on. As a thriller, I found the book interesting but LONG and drawn out. The novel could have been shortened and still had the same effect. Although there were times where I could easily predict what was coming, I still found myself engrossed in the book.

The combination of family dynamics, murder, and the looming hurricane kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Day's writing is so immersive and gripping, and I found myself completely invested in the fates of all the characters.

One Big Happy Family lands somewhere between "take it or leave it" and "worth the read." Jamie Day crafts an engaging premise with moments of genuine emotion and relatable family dynamics. The characters have their strengths, but some felt underdeveloped, and the pacing was uneven, making it hard to stay fully invested. That said, there’s enough heart and intrigue here to make it enjoyable for the right reader, even if it doesn't quite hit the mark as a must-read. A good pick if you’re in the mood for a lighter, family-focused drama but not something that demands your full attention.

This was a great read! I thought I’d figured things out and while I was partially correct, there was much more going on that I didn’t predict. If you like your locked door mysteries/thrillers to include a crazy cast of characters, this book is for you!

This is a summertime thriller filled with suspense.

However, it just wasn't for me. It was a slow read, especially at the start. The twists were easy to guess.

Three sisters return to their family-owned hotel on the Maine coast to claim their inheritance. A storm headed their way has stranded the sisters and others in the hotel. When someone is murdered, they realize they are trapped with a killer.

One Big Happy Family is told from the point of view of the hotel’s maid, Charley. Charley is young, and worried about keeping her job and providing for her grandmother. Interesting characters and an atmospheric setting.

A slow paced locked room mystery. One Big Happy Family is an entertaining whodunit.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much @StMartinsPress for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 16 July 2024)

SYNOPSIS | Charley lives + works as a maid at an eclectic family owned hotel in Maine, however when the owner (George Bishop) dies his daughters (Vicki, Iris + Faith) come to the hotel for the reading of the will and to claim their inheritance. They all have different ideas of what they want to do with the hotel leaving Charley to worry that her home + job are at risk.

WHAT I LIKED:
- the setting + atmosphere really added to the murder mystery vibes
- toxic family drama

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- the twists + reveals felt like the end of a Scooby Doo episode (including the villainous monologues)
- this is ultimately a locked room thriller, yet I didn't find myself caring who actually did it
- super slow paced throughout especially once the sisters were introduced
- character development was lacking and I found it very difficult to distinguish between the three sisters which pulled me out of the story on numerous occasions

This was a twisted family thriller. I was initially intrigued but I quickly lost interest in it. The setting was perfect but the dynamics of the family didn't keep my gripped.

The narrator did the best to keep the listener gripped, but the storyline did not help.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for an advanced reading and listening copies of this book.

This felt a lot like Jamie Day’s previous novel. Suspenseful suburb and I was not particularly interested in finding out what was happening.

Jamie Day’s One Big Happy Family delivers a gripping tale of secrets, suspense, and family drama set against the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of Maine’s rocky coast. The story centers on The Precipice, a legendary family-owned hotel, as the Bishop sisters—Iris, Vicki, and Faith—reunite after the death of their father to decide its fate. However, as a hurricane brews outside, it’s the storm of lies, betrayals, and hidden agendas that truly takes center stage.

Day does an excellent job of giving each of the Bishop sisters distinct personalities. Iris, the pragmatic eldest, Vicki, the fiery middle child, and Faith, the enigmatic youngest, all come with secrets that could unravel their family’s legacy—and their relationships. The addition of Charley Kelley, the resilient young chambermaid with her own precarious situation, adds another layer of tension. Charley’s story intertwines with the sisters in unexpected and thrilling ways, especially as her hidden actions threaten to upend the already volatile weekend.

The atmosphere is another highlight. Day paints The Precipice as a character in its own right—majestic yet eerie, full of history and shadows. Combined with the looming hurricane, the setting becomes the perfect stage for murder and mayhem.

The audiobook is a standout, thanks to the incredible narration by Saskia Maarleveld. Her ability to bring each character to life with distinct and believable voices is remarkable, making the tangled emotions and suspense feel even more vivid. Whether capturing Iris’s sharp pragmatism, Vicki’s fiery passion, or Charley’s quiet resilience, Maarleveld delivers a masterful performance that elevates the story to new heights.

While some twists were predictable, the journey was nonetheless engaging. With its layered characters, rich setting, and suspenseful pacing, One Big Happy Family is a captivating read (or listen) for fans of domestic thrillers with a touch of mystery..

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for advanced copies in exchange for my honest review.

I just finished reading One Big Happy Family by Jamie Day, and I’m so excited to share my thoughts with you!

This book is a delightful exploration of family dynamics, filled with warmth, humor, and relatable moments. Day’s writing is both engaging and heartfelt, making it a perfect read for anyone who enjoys a good family story.

One of my favorite scenes is when the entire family gathers for a chaotic and hilarious backyard barbecue. The way Day captures the interactions between different family members—whether it’s the sibling rivalries, the kids running around, or the grandparents sharing old stories—is so vivid and entertaining. There’s a particularly touching moment when the family comes together to support one another after a small accident, showcasing the deep bond and love that holds them together. This scene perfectly encapsulates the book’s themes of unity, support, and the joy of familial connections.

What I love most about One Big Happy Family is its authentic portrayal of the ups and downs of family life. The characters are wonderfully developed, each with their own quirks and personalities that make them feel real and relatable. The story is filled with heartwarming moments and valuable lessons about forgiveness, understanding, and the importance of being there for each other.

If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and appreciate the beauty of family, One Big Happy Family is a must-read. Trust me, you’ll be charmed by the delightful storytelling and the lovable characters.