Perfect Family

by Pam Lewis

Devastated by the drowning death of his twenty-four-year-old younger sister, William investigates the suspicious circumstances surrounding her accident and opens a Pandora's box of family secrets, including a dangerous fact that his mother has hidden for a generation. 75,000 first printing.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Family, Drama, Contemporary

288 pages, Hardcover

First published April 8, 2008

About the author

I was a city girl, born in Burbank California to a pair of ambitious parents who moved the family every few years as my father sought greater responsibilities in the then-bourgeoning aviation industry.
 We finally settled in New York City long enough for me to attend high school. I was shy, too tall too soon, and only excelled at school when I finally set my sights on Stanford University and squeaked in on so-so grades.

I married immediately after college, and went to work as a programmer until the birth of my sons Lukas and Joshua Casey, who are now well into their adulthoods.
 While they grew I worked at a motley assortment of jobs including Welcome Wagon lady, treasurer to a small corporation, reporter, freelance writer and swim instructor. When more serious money was required, I put my head down, gritted my teeth and wrote marketing copy for insurance companies in which the objective was to make readers see their diminishing health and retirement benefits as a welcome change. For this I apologize. As an antidote, I wrote fiction furiously every morning, more as pleasure and therapy than with an eye to publication, which, at that point in my life, seemed unlikely. On the cusp of my 59th year, however, Speak Softly, She Can Hear was taken by Simon and Schuster, then Perfect Family and now, with the publication of A Young Wife, a third.

A Young Wife is something of a departure from my earlier books. It’s a more sweeping story, told on a grander scale than the others. It also has some of its roots in family history.

During our many moves, my California grandmother’s rare visits were highlights. She told me stories of a disaster at sea, a burning ship, circling sharks and a husband’s heroism. She spoke of her life as a very young bride in a place called Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina. She recalled handsome gauchos who rode into town on fabulous horses decked in turquoise and silver, and of their thunderous races down the dusty main street.

I had many questions. Why had she and her husband gone there? Who was this husband? Why did my mother refuse to speak of him, not even to give me his name?

Much later in my life, I learned that at age fifteen my grandmother was hired to tend a dying relative in the home of my then thirty-five-year old grandfather, that he took her to South America to start a store there, and that he ultimately abandoned her in New York City with four young daughters and few skills. Most astonishingly, that she continued to love him until she died.

This scant but rich information was a rare gift for a fiction writer. The exotic settings, the passion, and his devastating betrayal became the bones on which to build a story. I was glad not to know everything—virtually nothing of my grandfather—so that my imagination was free to make up the rest.

Reviews

[karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a super-low three. will someone tell me why i do it?? i have thousands of unread books here. thousands. and i choose to read a book from an author whose first book was eh. and why do i own it in hardcover?? why am i so impetuous?? why not choose a book from someone whose track record is better?? and now i have to go read a library science textbook, so i won't even get to read anything better for at least 2 days. for a more pertinent review—this was mostly predictable and ludicrous, but i never wanted to throw it.

come to my blog!

[Bren fall in love with the sea. · Rating 4 out of 5]

"He envied them over there, the Nicelys, the Garners, the Wrights, and their neighbors, for the long slow afternoons filled with late light and the lazy wane of day".

Perfect Family by Pam Lewis


"and everything-the house, the lawn, the shore, and half the lake-was in shadow. A stiff wind was kicking up whitecaps on the water. a handful of sailboats scudded quickly, their small white sails crowded together as they headed for the last race buoy".

Perfect Family by Pam Lewis



When William's sister Pony, mysteriously dies in a drowning accident, her family is left reeling. And William himself has many questions.

Pony's always been an amazing swimmer. So how could she have drowned? What happened that night?

As William tries to adjust, he begins to suspect there is more to Pony's death then meets the eye. But as much as William wants to find out what happened, he is discovering that Pony may have had some secrets. And he also must deal with his family who is unraveling around him.

This was a really fun read. So much so that I suggested it to a former book group and we chose it as one of our monthly selections.

I really enjoyed the moodiness throughout this book. It takes place mostly in New England where I am from. One really feels the atmosphere all through the book and that just adds the allure of Family Secrets.

Daniel is an interesting and complex man. I liked him as well as feeling for him.

It was tough for me to warm to all the characters however....Tinker especially.I found her strident and annoying. I have known to many "Tinkers" in my life not to think of them as I read about her.


If there was one thing I did not love it was how easy it was to figure out some..not all..but some..of the details.


Also..Pony dies so early..she was such an interesting character she could have had her own book. I wanted to know her more. I'd still rate this a four though because it is an interesting and moody book

SPOILERS:

I really love the trip to Idaho. Love the unexpected humor. ("This is Idaho".) It is like saying "Your not in Kansas anymore!"

However I will never ever go white water rafting after reading this book!

A very good mystery. Had much fun reading it.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, I liked this one!

[Noella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dit verhaal gaat over de familie Carteret, bestaande uit vader Jasper, zoon William en de dochters Tinker, Mira en Pony. En ook over Andrew, het onwettige kind van Pony, waarvan ze niemand verteld heeft wie de vader is.
Op een dag belt Pony Willam op om te vragen of hij naar het familiehuis bij het meer wel komen, want ze wil hem iets vertellen. Maar als William arriveert, stelt Pony het gesprek steeds maar uit, ze gaat zwemmen, ze begint te kibbelen met William, en hij vertrekt zonder dat ze hem iets verteld heeft.
's Anderendaags wordt Pony vermist, en ze wordt verdronken terug gevonden, met haar lange haren verward in de ankerketting van het vlot dat in het meer ligt.
En dan beginnen de mysteries. Waarom is Pony zonder badmuts onder het vlot gedoken? Waarom heeft ze Andrew buiten in zijn box laten zitten terwijl ze dat deed? Wie is de man die de buurjongen gezien heeft na het vertrek van William? En wat wilde Pony William vertellen?
Eigenlijk gaat vanaf hier het verhaal nogal traag vooruit. We krijgen wel uitgebreid inzicht in de levens en karakters van de personages, maar aan het raadsel van Pony's dood wordt weinig aandacht besteed.
Slechts na pakweg 3/4 van het boek, komt het zowat in een stroomversnelling. Alles gaat vanaf dan echt snel. Het ene na het andere mysterie wordt ontrafeld, en alle puzzelstukjes vallen in elkaar.
Voor mij had de spanning al veel eerder mogen beginnen. Ik vond het aan de ene kant wel leuk om zoveel over de personages te lezen, aan de andere kant bleef ik te lang op mijn honger zitten wat betreft aanwijzingen voor de oplossing van de geheimen.

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book! This book is a murder mystery, but it's more about family; its hierarchy, secrets, and alliances. It held my interest throughout the entire book. The story begins with a drowning. An innocent baby is left motherless after the drowning and this baby's existence figures heavily into the plot. Everything that happens after that is wrought with sibling rivalry, long-held secrets and grudges.

Truthfully, on pages 7 and 11, I had a glimpse into what I believed was a secret that would figure into the story. And, it did. By page 144, I was certain of who was the 'bad guy'. And, he was. Beyond that, the author kept we wondering from one chapter to the next, how this drama would play out. The fascination for me was how the author presented each character, flaws and assets alike, and their relationships with each other. Fathers, Mothers, sons, daughters; these are what makes a family. Seems simple, yet it is usually so complicated.

I will share one quote from the book, which refers to the wonderful young woman who dies at the beginning of the story. "He looked about as if he might find her. They were all doing that, it seemed. A personality as strong as Pony's took a while to leave this earth". I just love that last line.

[Nette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like books about family secrets, but this one stretched credulity. By the end of the novel, my mouth was hanging open. Secrets on that level of hugeness could never have remained secret. An easy read, though.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A drowning. A family full of secrets. The past intrudes on the present. Once revealed, all the secrets will affect every family member, even the youngest.

A well paced story filled with likable and unlikable characters, (at first I didn’t like any of them, but as their personalities were expanded upon, some became more likable), a summer home on a lake that almost becomes another character and a family that almost disintegrates because of its many secrets. This book is part mystery, part family drama, with the two facets interweaving seamlessly. There are a few interesting twists, and a few red herrings, which keeps it interesting to the end.

[Caroline Wormsbecher-Hartsink · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tja, 2 of 3 sterren. Toch gekozen voor 2. Het leest in het begin vlot weg maar in de tweede helft raakte de schrijfster mij kwijt met een wat te complexe en wellicht onnodige wending.

[Jamaie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kind of book. Family secrets, murder...and all that other fun stuff mixed in. I can see this as a Lifetime movie. Excellent!~

I feel the need to mention that the cover of this book where you see an arm up....it's not what most will think it means...so you'll need to read to find out what it's really showing there.

[Charlotte · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not good. I didn't like or care about any of the characters, including the narrator, who was a pain the butt who treated his girlfriend badly all the time, but especially the sister, Tinker, who was NUTS. So her total turnaround and self-realization in the last 20 pages didn't seem at all plausible. The plot could have been interesting with some better characters. Like, all of them.

[Francesca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carino, di intrattenimento.

[Chloe Sinnamon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This author could have used a better editor. Interesting parts were the scenes set in my home town!

[June Ahern · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the opening of two family members meeting and the oddity of that event quickly turns to a mystery. The characters, Pony the youngest of four children, drowns under mysterious circumstances. William her older brother and the family's eldest child, have a special bond and after her death his grief leads him to discover ugly family secrets.

The two are from a wealthy New England family with the usual dysfunction found in families (some more than others as this one has.)The father a true patriarch, falls from power with because of a stroke after his daughter's death and all fall apart.There's an eccentric aunt (every family should have one) and Williams new girlfriend who has a voice of reason - somebody had to in this family as well as the non-orphaned child of the unmarried Pony who didn't know who the father was, or not telling. The key player is mother, who has died a few years earlier. The story truly revolves around her past decisions.

It's an easy read, figuring out all the characters and the writing style flows well. It wasn't difficult from near the beginning, the funeral, when a stranger shows up at it, what the plot was and what was to be revealed. It was how the story was told; the twists and turns, William digging deeper and searches farther than his other two sisters or father wants. I liked the character development, believable dialogue and how the author, Pam Lewis, threw in a surprise toward the end. I usually always figure my mysteries out before the end and this one was fun to learn, I'm not as smart as I think.
Will read more of Ms. Lewis' works.

[Laura Belgrave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Perfect Family is largely billed as a mystery, I found it far more a mainstream novel with well-crafted character and motivation. Indeed, the writing style struck me as akin to those penned so well by Ann Tyler and in some ways, an elevation beyond her style. That, for me, was a rare treat.

Essentially, the story involves a family with secrets that don't come out until the siblings are adults and one of them has tragically drowned at the family's summer retreat in Connecticut. The victim, "Pony," was the youngest and a superior swimmer. It seems natural that questions are raised and discoveries made that both weaken and strengthen family bonds.

There is mystery: Was Pony's drowning an accident, as police ruled? Or was it, in fact, murder? I really had no trouble figuring this out; thus, a 4-star rating instead of 5. On the other hand, if your interest is more in compelling characters, stories of trust and betrayal, and family dynamics, then don't neglect adding this to your TBR pile.

I'll be looking for more from this fine author.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt that the book was very predictable. I had figured out the entire plot and how the book would end by about the third chapter. Although the book changed narrators often, that was not enough to bring enough depth to the book. I also didn't feel like the author gave enough background information on Pony so there was a disconnect with her character, especially since she died so early in the book. I also felt like the author could not decide if she wanted William to be a good guy or bad guy when she was writing the book so it is hard to get a good read on that character as well.

I did like how the author wrote the family as a not so perfect, perfect family. The family ties were tight yet there were total misconceptions by family members which you find so often in families.

Overall, the book is an easy read and not too bad as long as you are not expecting too much from it. Although predictable, the book was just interesting enough to hold my interest until the end.

[Su · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was anxious to read this book because the blurb made it sound so intriguing, but instead it became a convoluted story
about a family and the secrets it had stored away for years. I just couldn't find myself caring about any of the characters.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stereotypical well-to-do family with the tyrannical father, family rules and meetings, and the kids have stupid nicknames (Pony, Mira, and Tinker), not a terribly logical plot, and we never find out what Tinker's real name is. I wish I could get back the time I spent reading this book.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book. I was sort of clear about the plot as I went through, but unsure how the author was going to get there. It does become more of a "mystery unfolding" type of story, but I enjoyed it.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patriarchal family, 4 adult offspring, tragedy befalls one of them, turns the family upside down, an old family secret comes to the surface. Some of it was unrealistic but I enjoyed it.

[ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe this took me a freakin' month to read. The only thing I can blame is school, since I am an English major and have to read tons of novels and other things.

I don't want to sound full of myself or like an idiot, but I think I'm pretty good at solving things, yes because I'm smart, but the main reason is probably because I watch a lot of crime shows like Criminal Minds, the Law & Orders, the CSI's, the NCIS's, Monk, and Psych. I grew up watching those and still watch them to this day. So if you want to get better at solving things, watch those shows. But, I digress.

*THIS IS THE SPOILER*
I was just at the sink cleaning my makeup brushes thinking about the book when I suddenly thought, "Keith did it." I didn't know who he was yet, or really why he had done it, I just KNEW he had to have been the one that killed Pony. The main thing that clued me in was when Mira asked him to leave and he told her she'd regret it. It was confirmed for me when he showed up at William's tent along the river, but I was surprised he turned out to be Patrick.

I think Pam Lewis did an amazing job with this book. I didn't figure anything out until near the very end, and I'm still shocked about the complexities of everything.

[Maison Koala · Rating 2 out of 5]

Parte bene, procede MEH.
Un thriller che ruota attorno ai segreti inconfessabili di una grande famiglia americana e alla loro prezzolata dimora estiva nel Vermont, con un quid di pruriginoso che, più che la suspence, mi è sembrato il vero filo conduttore di tutta l'indagine.
Indagine volta alla ricerca dell'assassino di Pony, giovane rampolla misteriosa e - naturalmente - disinibita.
Stile sciatto, sovrabbondanza di topoi americani - manca forse il marshmallow serale ad abbrustolire nottetempo lungolago ma per il resto c'è TUTTO - riconosco l'abilità dell'autrice a tenerti comunque incollata alle pagine perché, che diamine, qualcuno avrà pur avuto i suoi buoni motivi per far fuori la sirenetta che nuota nel lago solo in désabillé, o no?

Giudizio tecnico finale: anche i ricchi piangono/nudi alla meta.

[Wilma Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is no perfect family and this novel only exemplifies that point. But the story is about family, about imperfections, about secrets and lies. It’s not immensely original but it’s well written and there is mystery to make it intriguing. The story moves along at a decent pace, following members of a family that has just lost one of its own under suspicious circumstances. As members seek to understand what happened, they discover more than they bargained for. There is some tension, but aside from one chapter, it couldn’t be called a thriller. I liked the story but didn’t find any of the characters extremely compelling. Just good enough.

[Esmee Roks · Rating 2 out of 5]

In het begin leek het een veel belovend boek. Maar eigenlijk gaat het boek niet echt over de moord oplossen van Pony terwijl ik dat wel verwachtte als ik de achterflap las. Je volgt de levens van de familie na haar dood en ik heb mezelf echt moeten dwingen om door te lezen omdat ik er niet doorheen kwam. Uiteindelijk kwam er wel een verhaallijn die het wat interessanter maakte maar rondom de bekentenis over de dood van pony is denk ik hooguit 3 Pagina’s geschreven terwijl ik door het hele boek heen wat onderzoek etc naar de moord verwacht had. Boek viel hierdoor tegen omdat ik andere verwachtingen had en er niet echt spanning in zit

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read and very well written. It kept my interest all the way through even surprising me. Best of all it made me think about where I grew up and how life was a lot like where I grew up. It then really made me take pause about how it would be to find out my whole life was a lie. I guess I could relate somewhat and I have though about the story a great deal. All signs of a good book in my thoughts.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story's premise was better than its execution. Mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of a young mother, unknown identity of orphaned child's father, family secrets uncovered about another dead family member. I could have done without the incest overtones and brother-sister skinny dipping. 2.5 stars

[Carol Perreault · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story of a young woman found drowned at her family's lake house with her baby left in a playpen on the beach. The family meets to discuss what might have happened and who should take care of the baby. As facts come out, we're given glimpses into the history of the family, which is not so perfect.

[Annefleur Hoezen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boek leest vlot weg vond ik! Wel verloopt het verhaal langzaam en vond ik sommige hoofdstukken erg lang. Toch was het voor het verhaal en het einde wel leuk en belangrijk dat je veel wist van de personages. Het eind ging snel en alles viel in elkaar, op een manier die ik niet had verwacht. Wat maakte dat het verhaal wel bleef hangen! Ik raad hem aan!

[Kerrysue · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an engrossing story. The character development was a delicious, slow burn. The setting was described to the smallest detail without becoming ponderous. I enjoyed the family dynamics and would happily read more about ANY of them.

[Kelly Felske · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was kind of slow at first and it took me quite a few chapters to get into it. Once it hot going it was like a boulder rolling down a mountain going faster and faster till it stopped at the bottom. Fascinating and a little strange.

[emilyingiallo · Rating 1 out of 5]

“Il thriller è un genere di fiction che utilizza la suspense, la tensione e l'eccitazione come elementi principali della trama.”

Chiarito cosa sia un thriller, posso dire con certezza che “Famiglia perfetta” di Pam Lewis NON rientra in questo genere.
Credo che sia più corretto categorizzarlo come “narrativa psicologica”.

Lo so, mi impunto spesso su questo argomento! Ma capita sempre più spesso che ho voglia di leggere un libro di un determinato genere e mi ritrovo a leggere tutt’altro.
E no, non basta che sia annegata una ragazza per renderlo un thriller.

Purtroppo, non ho apprezzato assolutamente il modo in cui ha trattato determinati argomenti (come il bullismo e il razzismo), ho odiato i personaggi per lo più stereotipati (sempre a disprezzare gli altri e troppo presi da se stessi) e non ho apprezzato lo sviluppo della trama che risulta essere decisamente surreale, inverosimile e ai limiti dell’assurdo!

Sono riuscita a terminarlo grazie allo stile dell’autrice che risulta comunque essere abbastanza scorrevole.
Ammetto anche che speravo in un colpo di scena finale e invece. . banale e scontato.

Non credo di aver mai usato termini così duri per descrivere un libro e non credo di aver mai dato un voto così basso.