Ask the Author: John Marrs
“Feel free to ask me anything about my books....”
John Marrs
Answered Questions (113)
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John Marrs
Hi Jack - I hope so! A few have been optioned by production companies, but that happens to a lot of authors and nothing ever happens. What Lies was optioned by Renee Zellweger's production company a few years back and they still have the rights to it, so who knows?
John Marrs
Hi Maya, I'm afraid there are no plans for any more for the time being. Sorry!
John Marrs
Thanks for your kind words. Unfortunately no, there are no plans for any more of them at present.
John Marrs
Hi Kate. I've never had that problem. A lot of the books I read aren't necessarily the kind of books that I write, so that helps. Before I start writing, I have a very clear direction of where I'm going to take my characters plot wise, and what makes them the people they are. So I don't let anything that I'm reading sway me. Hope that helps!
John Marrs
Hi there, I think almost every single one of my books has a crossover somewhere in it from another book. It could be a character, or an event, but there are Easter eggs inside one of my novels.
John Marrs
Get as many people as you can to read the book, including friends of friends who you don't know. Only ask people who will give you their honest opinions. Have a list of questions for them afterwards about what works and what doesn't work. And have a thick skin as you might not like what you hear. It's your choice what you take on board and what you ignore, just be prepared to listen. Good luck!
John Marrs
I'm guessing you haven't realised how many spoilers you've given away in that question, have you?!
John Marrs
That's really hard to answer. I like to try and have a diverse number of characters in my books but I am also conscious of not doing it for the sake of it. If they feel shoehorned in, they won't feel authentic. When it comes down to it, it just has to feel right in my head.
John Marrs
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)[Yes she is, and thank you very much! (hide spoiler)]
John Marrs
It's been used only a few times, I think. They are the family featured in Keep It In The Family.
Caitlin Adams
And "what lies between us"! Please do something tying them together! :D
And "what lies between us"! Please do something tying them together! :D
...more
Jan 08, 2026 05:12AM
Jan 08, 2026 05:12AM
Skylar Hoffman
So far I have noticed Jon Hunter in What Lies Between Us, the Hunters in Keep It In The Family, and most recently, while reading You Killed Me First,
So far I have noticed Jon Hunter in What Lies Between Us, the Hunters in Keep It In The Family, and most recently, while reading You Killed Me First, the "notorious Hunter family" was mentioned briefly. I love your books, thanks for the response! :)
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Jan 09, 2026 07:25AM
Jan 09, 2026 07:25AM
Skylar Hoffman
And now, the Stranger in Her House. ;) love that they're tied together!
And now, the Stranger in Her House. ;) love that they're tied together!
...more
Jan 11, 2026 11:05AM
Jan 11, 2026 11:05AM
This question contains spoilers...
(view spoiler)[Hi! I LOVED "Keep It In The Family", but I was wondering if you could explain the ending a bit more. We see Finn taking Sonny to the storage unit with all the suitcases, and letting him play with some of the past victims'remains. Does this mean that Finn ends up "Keeping it in the family", and passing Debby's tradition down to Sonny? Thank you from Illinois!~D.A (Age 14) (hide spoiler)]
John Marrs
Hi there, thank you for your kind words! I'm afraid I never really like to explain what happens after a book. When I finish writing it, my work is done. Now it's up to you to decide what happens next! You could well be right, who knows?!
John Marrs
5 books are in the same universe but they don't have to be read in order. If you want to, they are the one, the passengers, the minders, the marriage act and the family experiment.
John Marrs
Hi Kim - Jan 20 for the next psych thriller, April for five bonus chapters of The One for its tenth anniversary, then January 2027 for the next one. Hope this helps!
John Marrs
I've never bothered to set one up!
John Marrs
Thank you for your kind words. There were five books set in this world, but there are no plans at present to write any more.
Kayleah
I absolutely respect this decision and appreciate the 5 books in this universe. I would also be elated to see another book in this universe. I’m nearl
I absolutely respect this decision and appreciate the 5 books in this universe. I would also be elated to see another book in this universe. I’m nearly finished with my fifth installment and am already grieving the end! Fantastic work. You’ve become a favorite author of mine :)!
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Feb 17, 2026 07:19AM
Feb 17, 2026 07:19AM
John Marrs
Hi Kim, yes, it's a great name for a dog. It was my dog's name. He appeared in each of my novels until he died two years ago. In fact I think it's You Killed Me First that was dedicated to him.
John Marrs
Lose the attitude, okay?
John Marrs
Google it. The Midwest can suffer the tail end of hurricanes.
And don't send messages with such an attitude. You're really rude.
And don't send messages with such an attitude. You're really rude.
Andy Loftus
This from the Freida McFadden fan too. Known for her meticulous research that one!
Jul 17, 2025 06:32AM
Jul 17, 2025 06:32AM
John Marrs
Hi Denae, I hope you're well. I don't have a list of questions I'm afraid. Really sorry. Thanks for choosing my book though. John
John Marrs
The One, The Marriage Act and The Family Experiment were published by one publisher, and The Passengers and The Minders were published by another. So sadly they won't be working together to put all five together under the same umbrella. While they don't need to be read in order, technically, The Passengers would be second on that list.
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Jun 11, 2026 01:52PM