This true crime / memoir blend story was pretty good! It was a quick paced story, kept me entertained. I liked the dual timeline and how the storytelling went back and forth in the different timelines. I liked the writing style and the pacing of it too.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and especially the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review of the book!!

Part memoir, part true crime, but written as a story that you will never forget. Jordan LaHaye Fontenot digs deep into family history to uncover secrets of the community, secrets of the LaHaye family, and ultimately searches for answers to ensure that the truth is heard.

I enjoyed this book and I think others will too.

WOW! I have not heard of this case before this book and now I fully vested! The details of this crime and the events that have come to play.....I am shocked! I will never forget this case and I hope this family gets the justice they deserve. Today, tomorrow and forever.

The authors great grandfather was kidnapped and then brutally murdered. Her great grandmother, Emily, was tied up and left to deal with the aftermath.
So begins the book "Home of the Happy"

The author describes what happened, how it unfolded, the FBI, the prosecution, and finally a conviction of John Brady Balfa.
But the question remains, did John Brady Balfa do it?

The book leads the reader down the path from the kidnapping, the murder, the hunt for suspects, the conviction, and then what happened afterward.

She describes how her family reacted, how the crime rippled across the family, affecting everyone.

The author follows leads and tracks down all potential other killers.

Yet the unease of the court case convicting John Brady Balfa is palpable. The question remained....did John Brady Balfa kidnap and kill her great grandfather?

Then the smoking gun. The reader will WANT to know what did she find out that made the answer to the question an absolute?!

This was an intense read that at times got bogged down with all of the Dixie Mafia names and a list of characters.

But the wild ending was worth it!

Thanks to NETGALLEY and Mariner Books for eARC

"Though this account is delivered with a deep dedication to accuracy and faithfulness, the book, at its heart, is my interpretation of the information as I uncovered it, and not intended to be a perfect representation of events as they occurred. The narrative follows my investigation of the 1983 murder of my great-grandfather, Aubrey LaHaye— a first-person narrative occasionally interspersed with scenes drawn from a past I was not present for." - Jordan LaHaye Fontenot

This emotional, raw, haunting, sad, triumphant, resilient, open memoir slash true-crime novel slash...IDK, geographical recount book is so well done. I couldn't put it down, I just instantly fell in love with Jordan's writing style. So much so that I Googled her to start following her on things like LinkedIn, and bookmarked other things she wrote. I am crossing all appendages that we'll get to see more from her, be graced with more books (please?). As insanely detailed as she could do. I don't know if the final product will provide images, as my eARC didn't come with any, but I think they would compliment this book (not the gory sort, I mean the places she references, a certain item from the case, etc, not looking for salacious for the sake of vapors here). We get exposed to the Cajun culture and I highlighted so many things, from music to food to words. I loved it.

Back included a bibliography, much appreciated.

This is one of those stories that will live rent free in your head for a long time. You will think about this book and the story behind it long after you finish reading it.

This is part memoir and part true crime, but it doesn’t disappoint at all! The author goes down the rabbit hole and does a deep dive into their family history only to learn of secrets of not only the family, but also of the community. The author is determined to make sure that these secrets are brought to light and that the truth is revealed and heard.

This story was fast paced and had me on the edge of my seat throughout most of it. It is written in a dual timeline, which is what made it so interesting, in my opinion.

I am looking forward to reading more from this author and will be purchasing a physical copy of this book! I highly recommend this book!

The author works to break the silence in her family surrounding the kidnap/murder of her dad’s grandfather Aubrey LaHaye back in January 1983 in Louisiana. Aubrey was taken from his home in the early morning hours and was found dead after 10 days of searching, floating in a bayou. Family members, locals, and others were interviewed as Jordan followed the story. She eventually realized that the true killer might not be the man sitting in prison for the crime.

This book was so fast pace and the writing style makes you forget that its true crime/memoir. I had to keep reminding myself that this was not fiction and that the "characters" were real people. I really enjoyed this book and looking forward to more from this author.

Such an interesting mix of true crime and family memoir. I enjoyed the sense of place conveyed in the writing as well as the juxtaposition of the author's upbringing vs. her aunts and uncles in the 1980s. There's no clear conclusion here, but maybe that's the point.

I really enjoyed this book! It was fast-pace and kept my interest piqued. This is not the author's fault, but it would have been so nice to have a final disposition...but in this case that would be impossible! I also enjoyed the personal touch, as the author was writing about an incident within her own family.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Jordan LaHaye Fontenot's "Home of the Happy: A Murder on the Cajun Prairie" is an enthralling blend of mystery and southern charm that will keep readers captivated. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Louisiana’s Cajun prairie, this novel delivers a potent mix of suspense, culture, and local color.

This story opens with a chilling murder that rocks the tight-knit community, sparking a whirlwind investigation.

Fontenot's storytelling is meticulously paced, with each chapter unveiling new clues and deepening the intrigue. The well-crafted plot is rife with unexpected twists that keep readers guessing (making it a real page-turner).

The protagonist, with their tenacious spirit and nuanced personality, serves as the beating heart of the story.

Fontenot excels in crafting multifaceted characters, from the determined investigator to the eclectic townsfolk who populate the Cajun prairie. Each character adds depth and dimension to the narrative, enhancing the overall reading experience.

Fontenot deftly explores themes of justice, community, and the dark undercurrents that lie beneath seemingly idyllic surfaces. The writing is rich and atmospheric, capturing the essence of the Cajun culture and landscape. Fontenot’s descriptive prowess brings the setting to life, immersing readers in a world brimming with authenticity and charm.

"Home of the Happy" stands out as a remarkable entry in the mystery genre. Fontenot’s ability to weave a complex, emotionally resonant story with a strong sense of place makes this novel a must-read. The intricate plot and well-drawn characters ensure that readers are not only entertained but also deeply invested in the outcome.

For those who enjoy a good mystery with a strong cultural backdrop, "Home of the Happy" delivers in spades.

Jordan LaHaye Fontenot's novel is a testament to the power of community and the unyielding quest for truth, making it a compelling addition to any mystery lover's collection.

This was written by an author from my hometown so it was very cool to get an ARC! The book was very well-researched and atmospheric. Would recommend for sure!

👉🏻 For my friends who want insight into how violence affects generations, especially in small, close-knit towns.

HOME OF THE HAPPY by Jordan LaHaye Fontenot

Thanks, @marinerbooks, for a review copy via #NetGalley. (Available 1 Apr 25)

“On January 16, 1983, Aubrey LaHaye’s body was found floating in the Bayou Nezpique. His kidnapping ten days before sparked ‘the biggest manhunt in the history of Evangeline Parish.’ But his descendants would hear the story as lore, in whispers of the dreadful day the FBI landed a helicopter in the family’s front lawn and set out on horseback to search for the seventy-year-old banker.”

Part memoir, part true crime, and all small-town Louisiana dynamics, this was a candid, well-researched, and unflinchingly written account of events by LaHaye’s great-granddaughter, Jordan. A proven journalist and exceptional writer, she dug deep into old court records, newspapers, and family interviews to clear the cloud of history and attempt to uncover the truth about who murdered her PawPaw Aubrey.

“As much as this story is about a murder, and about a place, and about a family— it is also a struggle for knowledge, for answers, for truth; a struggle that continues far beyond these pages. It is a grappling with things unknown, and things that might never be known, and how we carry on despite it. I have laid these gaps, these questions, bare.”

Personal story: While reading the book description, something sounded familiar. I asked hubby (a native of Evangeline Parish), “Do you remember Aubrey LaHaye?” After correcting my pronunciation (I’m a Yankee, forgive me), he reminded me. “I’ve told you this story. He disappeared on my 13th birthday. My mother was so upset she forgot it was my birthday. It was the only one she’s ever forgotten.” He then started naming classmates and relatives.

Fans of true crime will love this sad, atmospheric and well researched dive into a missing great-grandfather turned murder set in Cajun country. In the 1980’s, Jordon Lahaye Fontenot recalled her missing great grandfather’s body being discovered in a shallow part of the Nezpique River. Many years earlier, Audrey Lahaye, a retired bank president, was kidnapped by thieves who demanded a ransom for the old man. The ransom was never paid. Lahaye was never found.
Through meticulous research into the Cajun culture of central Louisiana, the author uncovers its people, their customs and the tragic mystery surrounding the missing Lahaye.
Enter a beautiful, mysterious and mystic place, often written about by James Lee Burke. Lahaye Fontenot surrounds the reader with a great sadness, a family both broken and unbroken, and an unbridled tenacity for truth.
Park your reading chair in Eunice and Mamou, Louisiana, for murder most Cajun, and the woman determined to peel away the mist of reckoning. Home Of The Happy is unique, passionate and as deep and flavorful as a good gumbo.

I received a free copy of, Home of the Happy, by Jordan Lahaye Fontenot, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. In Louisiana in 1983 a body was found, Aubrey LaHaye's body. Jordan LaHaye Fontenot, had questions about her grandfathers murder. This was a n interesting read, but im still left with questions not answered.

What a spellbinding memoir/true crime. The writer does an amazing job not in just taking the reader on a journey through the days after the murder of her great grandfather but also on her mission to find answers. I have never read a book that so seamlessly takes a reader through the past and into the future. Mid way into the book you find yourself also looking for answers for the murder and trying to predict what will happen next. The only problem with that is… it takes such a turn, you don't see the twist coming. This book is filled with just about anything you can think of when it comes to true crime books, a murder, a questionable conviction, and a quest for truth. When you pick this book up, be prepared to never want to put it down.

Jordan LaHaye Fontenot's "Home of the Happy: A Murder on the Cajun Prairie" is a riveting blend of true crime and memoir, centered around the 1983 kidnapping and murder of her great-grandfather in Louisiana.

Fontenot crafts a narrative that’s as much about the mystery of the crime as it is an exploration of family, trauma, and the complex relationships within a tight-knit community. The story immediately grips with its mix of personal history and the haunting backdrop of the Cajun prairie, which feels alive in Fontenot's vivid descriptions.

The investigation into her great-grandfather’s murder and the questions surrounding the man convicted of the crime pull readers deep into a web of small-town secrets and a larger quest for justice. Fontenot’s meticulous research and personal reflections create a captivating and emotionally charged narrative.

"Home of the Happy" stands out in the true crime genre, offering more than just a murder mystery. It’s a meditation on identity, memory, and the way communities carry collective grief. Fontenot’s emotional depth and dedication to uncovering the truth make this a thought-provoking and unforgettable read. Fans of true crime and memoirs alike will find it both compelling and poignant.