Member Reviews
I loved this book. It was captivating from the beginning and with all its twists and turns it made for a real page turner. I loved the characters and how the story unfolded. I was taken aback at the twist at the end. A truly wonderful book.
Thank you NetGalley for this advance reader copy in exchange for my free and honest review. This novel contained many twists and turns, while keeping me intrigued and trying to solve the several mysteries I knew about. The ending was nothing short of shocking with both the answers to the mysteries being brought to light, along with another surprise from Sabrina. Don’t wait, read this one now!
Here is the blurb "Every family has secrets. The Dorseys bury theirs.
Sabrina Adams thought her luck had finally turned around when she was hired to restore the private library of the wealthy Dorsey family. But as soon as she arrives at their elegant estate, she senses something is off. Rooms are locked without explanation. And why does the housekeeper, Mrs Manning, insist on so many rules?
Then police officers arrive at the door with questions about the disappearance of a local woman. Sabrina is shocked to learn her charming employer, Theo Dorsey, was the last person to see the missing woman alive. He insists he's innocent, and Sabrina believes him. Until she discovers Theo was linked to another woman's death several years before. And Sabrina starts to ask herself... Who can I trust in this family? And will I be next?"
This book was ok, the premise started off well, but to be honest I found it a bit unbelievable, why would Sabrina still be there after her initial worries about the family. I have to confess a reveal near the end surprise me in a good way but still I just found the premise a little far fetched. Any hint of romance in a book, especially when a character can't make a sensible decision because of their attraction to another character just puts me off a book. I am sure lots of people will enjoy this but I just wanted to give Sabrina a good talking to!
Family lies, drama, secrets, mysteries, murder...it's all here! Not to mention sliceable tension, thick atmosphere and swirling suspense around every corner. The majority of the story is, after all, set in a mansion. I love that the library is practically a character with its dusty old books and hidden secrets.
Librarian Sabrina is laid off her job in a library and is surprised by wealthy fellow book lover Theo Dorsey's job offer to restore his family's vast private library. The salary is generous plus room, board and health benefits are included. However, the housekeeper has a strange list of rules such as being home by midnight and no food allowed in bedrooms. Sabrina sought other sources for help on valuing books and generally liked what she did. But there is a pervasive sense of foreboding as snippets of stories of a sick sister and shadowy figures appear on the grounds. Teenager Luca helps out in the library but is obviously hiding something, too. The Dorsey household is quirky, mysterious and secretive but Sabrina is determined to discover who did what and why.
The atmosphere and setting drew me in most but my attention was held by the plot and subplots, questionable characters, sense of unease wondering how on earth it would end. I was happy with the surprises along the way. Bits of the ending were a bit over the top but I enjoyed my reading adventure nonetheless.
My sincere thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this smashing thriller.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed reading the book very much until the last 10% or so. I thought the story was interesting and the characters were well drawn. I wanted to keep reading which is a sign of a good book. But then, for me, it all went pair shaped. One of those books where less would be more. Too many twists and turns just too much. A certain suspension of disbelief is good but this went too far. A pity.
This book was fabulous at the beginning but I started to get bore at around 60%. It ended with a huge twist but to be honest I couldn’t make it work and think I maybe missed something along the way. I’m sure a lot of readers will absolutely love it, and I thank NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.
Loved it engaged me right from the start and gripped me for the entirety. Kept me guessing and on the edge of my chair
Absolutely brilliant book!
I am a big fan of this author and love the writing style!
I cant wait to read more!
I LOVED the first 50% of this book. It was so intriguing and really drew you into this story about Sabrina. Unfortunately the last half had me lost and confused and unsure of what was really happening. The multiple plot lines ended up being lost in translation and leaving gaps in the scenes.
If you are a fan of keeping up with multiple characters and varying plot lines then I highly recommend this book.
I really enjoyed how it was laid out like a case and we worked through each individual section. It was interesting to see each characters thoughts on the situation as well.
Thanks you to Netgalley, Angela Henry and Storm publishing for gifting me this arc 🫶
The Family Lies had me hooked from beginning to end. You won't want to miss it!
Sabrina hasn't had it easy and when she is offered to work as a private librarian in the Dorsey Estate, she jumps at the chance without really thinking it through.
The Dorsey family is surrounded by a lot of gossip and speculation and it doesn't help that a young woman was found dead in the outskirts of their estate. When Sabrina is approached by a man pretending to be the missing woman's brother, she decides to help him find out anything she can on her disappearance.
Sabrina tries to find clues regarding the missing woman and while she does, many secrets begin to come to light, including secrets about Theo her employer, his sick sister who no one has seen in years and a housekeeper who seems to be keeping more secrets than anyone else.
Thank you Netgalley for this exciting ARC!
This thriller had me hooked from the start, with a fast-paced plot that never let up. The twists were expertly crafted, each one more shocking than the last, keeping me on edge the entire time. I was completely caught up in the tension and drama of it all and loved it.
This book delivers a compelling blend of drama and suspense. The characters are well-developed with an engaging writing style. The book captures the complexities of relationships and the emotional weight of hidden truths.
I have read many thrillers over the years but none this dark and twisty. What you think you know, you don't. Who you think you know, you don't. Even realities that seem to be... aren't.
What an amazing ride!!
I am rating this book 2 stars because I thought it was okay. It was slow in the beginning, and then out of nowhere, there was so much going on that it seemed confusing. At some points, it was boring to where I almost didn't finish it. Unfortunately, this book was not for me, but it does seem others enjoyed it.
Thank you, Netgalley and publisher, for the opportunity to read this ARC for my honest review.
Another gripping thriller from Angela Henry! The first half of the books had me absolutely hooked, I couldn’t put it down. While the last half if im honest didn’t hit quite as hard, it was still a fun, twisty ride. Some of the plot felt a bit far-fetched, but it only added to the drama and suspense.
Sabrina Adams shows more bravery than I’d ever muster staying in a house full of unsettling “rules” and secrets! But her determination, paired with the Dorsey family’s dark past, made for a thrilling story full of twists, lies, and unexpected revelations. Sabrina has her own skeletons, which only added to the intrigue.
I really need to stop reading Angela Henry because her books don't hit for me. I requested this ARC because the premise sounded interesting and I wanted to give the author a second chance.
Unfortunately, I was disappointed in every single way. The mystery was meh, the romance subpar, the dialogue juvenile and the character development non-existent. There was a twist at the end that doesn't make sense and is an obvious plot hole.
I do like reading about non-white characters but must we shove in racism especially when it doesn't make sense and is committed by a character who doesn't add anything to the plot and we never see again.
Honestly, I think I'm done with thrillers, at least for a while. I'm tired of being disappointed every single time.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was super excited about this book-it started off great but lost interest until around 85 percent. I appreciate that the author ended with a bang, this isn’t a timid or weak ending but I found it too chaotic and messy.
Sabrina and Theo didn’t have chemistry for me which impacted how invested I felt about the book.
Sabrina Adams is a librarian in Ohio, laid off from her library job, when she is offered a job at the Dorsey estate’s private library. What could possibly go wrong? This is a good story with good pacing, told from multiple points of view. This is a good rainy weekend or beach read.
The Family Lies is a bit of a slow-burn, but well worth the read. I really enjoyed the characters in this story, and couldn't figure out who Sabrina could really trust as she tries to settle into her new job. It only gets harder from there as you get to know each character, and question all of their motives. And that ending twist, woahhhhhh!!!! I did not see it coming, and always appreciate when that happens. Angela Henry tells a compelling story and I look forward to reading more of her work.
#NetGalley #TheFamilyLies
This was a nail biter that left me on the edge of my seat! Chapter after chapter kept me turning the pages for more and I did not put this down until I was finished!