I enjoyed this psychological thriller. The suspense was non stop and the twists were timely. I liked the way the author dealt with domestic abuse in such a delicate manner. I found some of the story to be a bit repetitive, but overall an enjoyable story. I would recommend it. I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

Wow, my heart was still racing after I reached the end of this book! A twisted psychological thriller, laced with long held family secrets and untold heartache.

There are some obvious trigger warnings for this one, with both domestic violence and mental health issues playing a prominent role.

When Sally escapes her violent husband Gordon and go to live with her sister Alison, you know as a reader that something is amiss with the situation, but the beauty of this storyline was how it wasn’t quite possible to pinpoint the outcome until the exhilarating twist at the end.

It’s hard to say much more without giving away key elements of the plot but if compelling, page-turning thrillers are your thing, then this one definitely needs to be added to your ‘to be read’ list!

With thanks to the author and Rachel at Random Resources for the opportunity to participate in the tour.

Last summer, I visited the Theakston's Crime Fiction festival in Harrogate for the first time. You can read my full write up on it on my blog (www.mycosybooknook.wordpress.com) if you could care less, but I loved it.

The only trouble is that I got a little bit carried away. Partly by the amount of beer I drank, but mostly because I came away with no fewer than twelve books signed by their authors, as well as quite a few more that I couldn't help myself from adding to the basket in the bookshop. The trouble is that now, with this year's festival only a month away - and yes, I am going again - I've so far only managed to read two of them.

I'll admit that a busy start to the year has been part of the reason. Mostly, though, it's because I hear about new books being released on Netgalley, or reduced to 99p on kindle, and I just can't help myself. This book, The Family Home, is a case in point.

I had never heard of the author until I happened to see her do a live chat on social media. She seemed very nice and I liked the sound of her latest book, which at the time was still available on Netgalley. I needed no further excuse and as soon as I read the prologue, it seemed that my decision was justified. It's fabulously, breath-holdingly terrifying, and it means that when we're then transported back two weeks - only two weeks - into the first chapter, we're taken there with a terrible sense of foreboding.

Then we're introduced to the character of Sally, and we're given just enough time for our hearts to go out to her as we realise that she's trapped in an abusive marriage, before rejoicing for her as she musters the courage to escape it. Soon after that, we feel both relieved and delighted for her as her estranged sister Alison treats her with kindness - the first person to do so in quite some time.

But of course, with this book being a psychological thriller, this isn't an early sign of a happy ending. The plot soon starts to thicken. Why is Uncle Peter's attitude so hostile? Are the dreams that Sally starts to have repressed childhood memories? And then there's the ever-present threat of Sally's husband, Gordon. Will he find her? And what will he do to her if he does?

So far, so very good. And the good news doesn't stop there. The story manages to outline how to issue an injunction against a violent partner - if you know someone who is in such a relationship, they might just be grateful for this. And I also felt that Lorraine Mace did a very good job of exploring, compassionately, the effects of living with a sufferer of dementia.

However. For all its good points, there's no getting away from the fact that I had a couple of fairly sizeable problems. For me, it failed on the two most important criteria for a psychological thriller. I saw the big plot twist coming almost from the beginning, because there really didn't seem to be any other way that the book could go. But, despite being able to predict the outcome, I still couldn't make myself believe, or even quite understand it. I can't give any details because they'd almost certainly lead to spoilers, but if someone really did hate someone else that much, there's a much easier and more obvious course of action that they could take, rather than what they chose to do here.

The Family Home certainly isn't a bad book. I don't regret reading it. I liked how it manages to touch upon, but not linger on some tough subjects thus still allowing it to be an easy read. I'm sorry to say though that whilst I'd be happy to read another book by the same author one day, I'm not about to be tempted to move it to the top of my teetering TBR pile.

My thanks to Netgalley for the digital ARC of this book, which I have reviewed voluntarily and honestly. I will post my review on Netgalley and Goodreads, but given its critical nature will not publish on Amazon unless asked to do so by the author.

Not one I can really rave about. The plot idea was good but I seemed to be guessing the twists or reveals a little too often. It was tense at times but not consistently so. The characters needed a bit of beefing up.

TRIGGER WARNING: domestic violence
Sally's husband Gordon is violent and controlling. She manages to escape one night and the only place she can turn is to her estranged family. Her father and uncle reject her but her sister Alison is delighted to be reunited. But Gordon refuses to let her go...
The Family Home is an intense psychological thriller set in the UK.
The opening chapter is pretty horrific. Sally's fear was so palpable that I felt scared for her. The writing was so vivid and powerful yet incredibly difficult to read. Gordon is terrifying and I was desperate for Sally to run away. But out fo the frying pan and into the fire, as they say! She heads to her estranged family where she finds her father battling with dementia and she is rejected due to her mother's past. Luckily she has her half sister Alison to rely on and stick up for her. But she doesn't feel welcome and is living in fear that Gordon will find her, and he does...
The majority of the book is written from Sally's perspective but there are some chapters that focus on Gordon. These heighten the tension as we realise he will stop at nothing. As well as her difficult present situation, Sally suffers from flashbacks and nightmares about the past. The writing is vivid throughout the book and I found that I cared about Sally and wanted her to find happiness after so much pain.
There are big hints about what may have happened decades ago and I did guess the twists. I thought that there was a bit too much repetition (many references to Sally looking like her mother, Alison and Peter arguing etc) which slowed the pace of the book a little. My credulity was stretched and the ending was quite abrupt.
The Family Home is very intense and the issue of domestic violence was handled very sensitively but explicitly.

Really enjoyed this book, it has dark themes running through it but the author deals with them really well and even has advice for people in the same situation dropped into dialogue between the Police and the main character Sally which is skilfully done.

Sally is planning to leave her abusive husband Gordon but her hand is forced and she has to take immediate action, leaving without her things and the fund she has been secretly saving.
She heads to her family home, to her half sister and their father, who she hasn’t seen in decades. Returning home she finds her father to be suffering from dementia, her uncle trying to get her to leave and her sister hiding things from her. She has no choice but to stay until she is on her feet but is she in danger in the place she thought would be her safe haven.

Love the idea for the story and the way the author has chosen to tell it.

Sally escapes her violent husband and returns to her ‘family home’ to stay with her half sister and father. But the peace she was hoping for isn’t forthcoming and nothing is as it seems.

I quite enjoyed this fast paced psychological mystery, the plot rattles along and it’s intriguing. However, I did find it a little repetitive at times and lacking a certain depth - I thought it was missing a sense of place and the characters seemed pretty one dimensional. It kept my attention throughout, nevertheless, as I wanted to know how it all concluded, although I guessed the twist quite early on. It makes for easy, quick reading and has a satisfying ending. 3.5⭐️

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Family Home' by Lorraine Mace.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Lorraine Mace, Hachette, Headline publishers, Headline Accent and Rachel's Random Book Tours.

Publication date 25th April 2024

This is the first book I have read by this author but it most definitely won't be my last!!!

This novel consists of a prologue and 45 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

'The Family Home' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Lorraine discusses/includes dementia and domestic abuse.

An absolutely epic read from the very talented Lorraine Mace!!! Absolutely rammed full of twists, tension and turns!! Congratulations Lorraine on a fantastic page turner!!

This is an extremely well written book with vivid descriptions that will suck you straight into the storyline and captivated from beginning to end. The synopsis and cover worked perfectly with the storyline.

I had never read a book by Lorraine before this one but I am definitely hooked after and have already added all her books to my wish list. I was absolutely hooked throughout, a true page turner from beginning to end. Lorraine is one of those amazing authors who writes these epic books that when you are reading them you promise yourself one more chapter and then you'll go to sleep but each time she ends her chapters in a way that has you hooked so you have to read just one more, but then another and before you know it you have walked around all day with the book glued to your hands and have devoured it in one sitting!!! In this book we meet Sally who suffers at the hands of her bullying husband Gordon who abuses and controls her. Sally finally manages to escape from him after drugging him. Sally left her family in her past a long time ago but with nowhere else to turn she finds herself having to return to them. Sally heads to the home of her father in Rutland but it is not the sanctuary she was hoping for. Although her half sister Alison welcomes her with open arms, her Father John suffering from dementia is not very welcoming as he believes she was running after her Mum Maggie when she left and then mistakes her for Maggie and her uncle Peter controls the family finances and tries to get her to leave. It is also a house filled with secrets and Sally starts remembering events that she had forgotten. Is Sally in more danger in this house than she was with Gordon? Will Gordon find her? Why does Peter want to get rid of her so badly? Grab your copy of this explosive, dark and gritty thriller to find out for yourselves!! I can guarantee you wont regret it!! With a storyline filled with suspense, hit and runs, tension, family, secrets, poisoning, drama, twists, kidnapping, danger and so much more you genuinely could not ask for any more!! Lorraine covers some difficult topics including dementia and domestic violence but does so in a way that helps the reader understand the affects, problems and difficulties of both but more importantly in a compassionate way so well done Debbie. I absolutely adored the unique storyline and was absolutely hooked from start to finish. I read this book in less than 24 hours and I'm looking forward to reading more books by this fantastic author. After reading hundreds of crimes and thrillers it's getting harder and harder to shock me but at no point did I even consider the ending of this mind blower!!! It is one of the best books I have read this year and I really enjoyed and loved the ending!!! I won't say more as not to spoil it for future readers. It is a true page turner that will leave you biting your nails on the edge of your seat with your heart racing. Hope your busy typing your next book up Lorraine as I cannot wait and until then I am off to get stuck into the rest of the books that you have written and if they are anything like this one are guaranteed to be huge successes!!! This book would make an absolutely amazing and box selling movie that I would be first in line to see!!!

Clear your schedules as you will not be able to put down this heart racing thriller!!!

I loved meeting all the characters who were all strong, well defined and unique. I become completely invested in Sally along with all of the other characters. Lorraine's absolutely fantastic evocative writing skills and descriptions made it feel like you were standing right next to Sally throughout feeling everything that she is feeling and going through everything she is right along with her. I must admit that I was not actually a huge fan of any of the characters although my heart does go out to anyone who suffers from domestic violence or abuse. However, all of the characters in this book seemed to be hiding their own secrets and I felt like I wanted to shout at Sally on a few occasions. What is surprising is that if I don't tend to like any of the characters in a book I usually struggle with the book itself but that wasn't the case with this book as the storyline was so gripping and addictive I don't think my feelings towards the characters made any difference at all in this case!! Although I was not a fan of the characters the fact that Lorraine cares for them shines through the pages in her vivid descriptions of them and how she brings each and every one of them to life throughout the pages. Each of the characters had their own different quirks and personalities and although I wasn't a fan of them they will definitely stay with me for a long time as will this storyline!

I could not praise this book enough and highly recommend it to anyone and everyone. Lorraine, I cannot wait to read more of your very successful work!!! I would also love to see this book turned into a movie. An absolutely addictive, compelling and gripping true page turner!!! This is exactly why I would like to welcome you to my favourite authors Lorraine!! Here is to your next guaranteed success 🥂!!

Overall a unique captivating, engrossing page turner that is compelling, chilling and addictive by an extremely talented author!!!

287 pages

This book is just £4.99 to purchase on kindle and £12.97 in paperback via Amazon at time of review, which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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I loved this book it had family issues, domestic abuse, Gordon is a bully and controls everything Sally does, he beats her regularly to to keep her undercontrol. She managers to escape one night after drugging Gordon. With no money she turns up on her father & sisters doorstep. But all isn't normal there and with Gordon finding out where she is just how save is Sally? A must read.

I thought British people were supposed to be polite but no, this uncle is like "leave. You aren't wanted" every five minutes when he is around. No explanation.
This is my second book in a row where a girl was knocked down the stairs (or fell) and went into a coma. Except in the first one the weird person at the family home was her sister's "mom". or whatever.
Regarding Gordon- this is why we pick the bear. He is kind of cheesy in his evil ways though. I think that is as lot of fun. You cannot top that ending!

Sally finally escapes the clutches of her controlling and abusive husband and finds refuge with her estranged sister Alison, and returns to her family home. There are some dark secrets from Sally's past that are hovering on the fringes of her memory but she just can't quite grasp at them, Alison help fills in some of the blanks but I think she is bending the truth a little to fuel her own agenda as to what happened in the past. Her father and her Uncle Peter are far from welcoming Sally into the home, and with her husband being menacing from afar, poo Sally doesn't know what to do!

This was an easy read, dark and twisted but it was very repetitive. I got fed up with Peter constantly asking Sally to leave all the time without giving her a valid reason, it got to the point were I was fed up and I just wanted his reasoning to come out, and when it did I was almost underwhelming as it had gone on for so long! 

4 stars

I enjoyed this book. There were definitely some twists and turns throughout the book. I really wanted the main character, Sally, to get on with her life. It has been so tragic throughout the book. the characters were well define and I felt as though I was able to see the scenes based on what the author was describing.

This is the first book I've read by this author and the blurb sounded so good I had to read it. I'm impressed by the way the author made the jumping off point of the story, when Sally leaves her husband, am important part of the story but not the whole story. When Sally returns to her childhood home she uncovers things about her childhood she didn't know. The vivid writing had me in the story with the characters watching as things unfolded. I really enjoyed this story and the unexpected ending.

This was an absorbing and dark read that really brings home the fear that domestic violence brings to a victim and how secrets from the past can really change your perception of how things played out.

This is a standalone read, and the author does a brilliant job of packing on the tension and exploring so many different aspects of controlling behaviour, and we follow Sally as she's trying to move on from an abusive husband, and finds herself back home with her half sister Alison, and her father and while Alison is happy to have her home, her father is not so keen and you're immediately wondering what lies in the past in this family set up.

There's a lot revealed that really twists your mind on what you think had been going on, and the dementia of the father really adds to the muddle. I loved how well the story flowed and there was no let up in pace of revelations and drama! A book that really keeps you on your toes!! Very enjoyable!

I fell into reading Mace's books after falling in love with her DI Sterling series. The Family Home is the second standalone thriller I've read by her and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

There is a recurring theme of domestic abuse, which may be a trigger for some, but it's dealt with in a sensitive manner by the author, who has clearly researched the legalities of the subject.

It's fast paced, chock full of secrets, lies and familial drama. The tension builds, with your pulse racing faster with each page your turn. There are several red herrings throughout to catch you off kilter and an unexpected ending.

Admittedly I didn't take to any of the characters and found them all to be on my dislikeable radar, but this didn't distract from my enjoyment in any way.

This needs to be added to your TBR, if you are looking for a dark read, with darker characters and a sense of foreboding in every page.

Sally was such an endearing character, seeing her strength as she leaves her volatile home life, but I did end up shouting at her as she couldn’t see what was happening/didnt spot any red flags.

The twists and revelations were so so good!!! My favourite aspect was Sallys father and how his dementia affected him and his relationships with his daughters. This needs to be added to your TBR, if you are looking for a dark read, with darker characters and a sense of foreboding in every page.

Sally was such an endearing character, seeing her strength as she leaves her volatile home life, but o did end up shouting at her as she couldn’t see what was happening/did spot any red flags.

The twists and revelations were so so good!!! My favourite aspect was Sallys father and how his dementia affected him and his relationships with his daughters. The shorter chapters by Gordon were really effective, I could ‘hear’ what he was saying, just a tad creepy!

I’m looking forward to reading more by the author.

I am a huge fan of Lorraine and her work. I especially love the series featuring Detective Inspector Sterling. I read the synopsis of 'The Family Home' and it certainly sounded like the sort of book I have come to expect from Lorraine - a psychological thriller with more than one twist and turn. Well it was certainly that and so much more. I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Family Home' but more about that in a bit.

It's fair to say that I was drawn into the story from the very start. I have to say that rarely have I read an opening chapter of a book that made as much of an impression on me as the first chapter of 'The Family Home' did. I won't go too far into the whys and wherefores as that may give too much away. I knew when I reached the end of the first chapter that I wouldn't be doing anything other than reading for the rest of the day because I simply had to know how the story panned out and what implications the ending would have for the main characters. I can't say that I particularly warmed to any of the characters but that could be because I have read too much crime fiction and I believe nobody and suspect everybody. I just got the impression that each of the characters was hiding something and that they presented one front in public but a different one behind closed doors. I hope that makes sense. The more of the book that I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. I was so wrapped up in the story and in the lives of the different characters that I didn't realise just how quickly the time was passing and the speed with which I was getting through the book. All too quickly I reached the end of 'The Family Home'. I found 'The Family Home' to be a gripping, tense and dramatic read, which certainly kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat.

'The Family Home' is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Lorraine Mace. Lorraine certainly knows how to grab the reader's attention and draw them into what proves to be one heck of a story. Lorraine clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes her characters seem just as real as you and I. I love the way in which Lorraine makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. Reading 'The Family Home' certainly felt like being on an at times rather scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with more twists and turns to it than you would find on a 'Snakes & Ladders' board.

In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Family Home' and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Lorraine's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

The Family Home by Lorraine Mace was a intriguing and interesting story!
This was one of those that once I started reading i could not put down!.
The writing was engaging from cover to cover.
A clever, fun, and intriguing mystery with captivating characters.
The author has a great descriptive style, well thought out characters and the twist was pretty amazing.

Thank You NetGalley and Headline for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

When Sally needs to return to the one place she said she never would go back to, her family home, with needing to get away from her husband, her estranged sister is her only option. Soon Sally unravels ghosts from the past, is everything as it seems?

Sally has lived in fear of her husband long enough and finally she has reached breaking point. With only her estranged sister to turn too, Sally returns to the family home but the nightmare has just begun. The book delves into a few dark subjects including domestic abuse and it includes a guide of how to report it. Another tough and heartbreaking issue it delves into is dementia. I loved how the author has included tough topics in a twisty who dunnit physcological thriller. I had not solved it myself until nearly right up to when it is revealed. With a cast of unlikeable characters which I think complimented the plot as I don't think likeable characters would have worked, it made more sense to me too try to work out who I disliked the most and I still haven't decided on one. The plot is dark, disturbing, chilling and utterly addictive, the gameplay had me struggling to put the clues together!