Keep it in the Family by John Marrs Book Review

Have you ever opened an old attic door and wondered what kind of mysteries lay hidden within it? This is the concept that author John Marrs has explored in his new psychological fiction novel, Keep it in the Family. In this story, Mia and Finn take us through a journey filled with suspense and remarkable plot twists as we uncover the forgotten memories housed in an attic in their new house. It’s guaranteed to keep readers up all night eagerly turning pages to find out the answers hiding above their bed!

Click me to go to my Review

Synopsis

In this chilling novel from bestselling author John Marrs, a young couple’s house hides terrible secrets—and not all of them are confined to the past.

Mia and Finn are busy turning a derelict house into their dream home when Mia unexpectedly falls pregnant. But just when they think the house is ready, Mia discovers a chilling message scored into a skirting board: I WILL SAVE THEM FROM THE ATTIC. Following the clue up into the eaves, the couple make a gruesome discovery: their dream home was once a house of horrors.

In the wake of their traumatic discovery, the baby arrives and Mia can’t shake her fixation with the monstrous crimes that happened right above them. Haunted by the terrible things she saw and desperate to find answers, her obsession pulls her ever further from her husband.

Secrecy shrouds the mystery of the attic, but when shards of a dark truth start to emerge, Mia realises the danger is terrifyingly present. She is prepared to do anything to protect her family—but is it already too late?

About The Author

John Marrs is an author and former journalist based in London and Northamptonshire. After spending his career interviewing celebrities from the worlds of television, film and music for numerous national newspapers and magazines, he is now a full-time author. His books include No1 bestseller and Netflix series The One, The Passengers, award winning What Lies Between Us and The Good Samaritan.

My Review

Mia and Finn were so excited to finally make their dream home a reality – only for an unexpected development: Mia’s pregnancy. Little did they know what horrors lie beneath the surface of this seemingly perfect property; upon further investigation, hidden in the attic was unspeakable evidence from dark past events that left them with sleepless nights. As they pieced together clues leaving intentional messages throughout the house, it slowly started to dawn on them just how close danger lurked around every corner as more secrets unravelled before their very eyes…

I am usually a big fan of John Marrs books but this one feels a little short for me. The premise was a good one, Mia and Finn buy a house unseen, never a good plan but especially so in their case. They don’t have much money but embark on the renovation project as best they can until things become more rushed when they find out Mia is pregnant, think Grand Designs and almost every project on there! They go through many twists and turns as they piece things together and there is danger at every turn.

I guessed where the book was going fairly early on and I did enjoy it but it didn’t hold together as well as Marrs’ usual books. The concept felt a little too far-fetched but not in a fantasy-type way, just unrealistic. Perhaps it was a little flirt with horror, but it wasn’t quite there for me, and not quite dystopian either.

I didn’t like any of the main characters, but I did enjoy the bits of podcasts, interviews, and news clippings which added to the story well.

A good book but not the best I’ve seen from John Marrs.

Rated