The Family Home

by Lorraine Mace

IS BLOOD ALWAYS THICKER THAN WATER?

Sally has lived in fear of her husband long enough. But after twenty years of suffering, she has been left with nothing of her own and no one to turn to - except her estranged sister, Alison. When Alison agrees to help Sally escape, she knows she must return to the one place she was told never to show her face again - the family home - and confront her father once more.
But soon, Sally begins to suspect that all is not as it seems, and as she is forced to face the ghosts of the past, she discovers there may be secrets hidden in her own memory that are best left buried . . .

A twisting and compulsive page-turner, with a shocking twist. If you love Keri Beevis, L H Stacey and K. L. Slater, you'll love The Family Home.---READERS ARE HOOKED ON LORRAINE MACE'S '⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Menacing and twisty''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Dark, disturbing and claustrophobic''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ [A] suspense-packed story full of tension . . . I did not see that twist coming at the end!''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ A real unputdownable page-turner which had me totally gripped''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ I didn't see that coming! What a great roller-coaster ride of a thriller'

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 25, 2024

About the author

Lorraine is the author of the D.I. Sterling series. Her first standalone psychological thriller, The Guest, was published April 2023. The second, The Family Home, was published 25 April 2024.

Find her at:
Website: www.lorrainemace.com
X: https://twitter.com/lomace
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/lomace.bsky....
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@mace_lorraine
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mace_lorraine/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LorraineMace...

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book deals with a few dark subjects including domestic abuse and I have to say was impressed the author managed to include briefly but really well how to deal legally with abuse via injunctions, an almost step by step guide was given and if this helps one reader then it was a very worthwhile and cleverly done inclusion

Our main character flees above mentioned abuse and goes to live with her half sister where she re meets her Dad and her Uncle Peter, far from being a refuge it seems she has opened a very large pandora’s box and life goes from bad to chaotically worse

A detailed book with family history, secrets and long held suspicions turns this into a tense ‘against the clock’ read where you wonder how one person can cope with it all happening to her

Unlikeable set of characters but that’s ok wouldn’t have worked if were nice, some life problems many face with family members dealt with ie Dementia not shyed away with and a good whodunit tale made this a worthwhile read.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second Lorraine Mace book I have read and all I can say is wow! I loved this book from start to finish. I was totally hooked. I couldn’t put it down.

Sally is in an abusive relationship. Her husband Gordon is extremely charming and kind to everyone else apart from his wife Sally. Sally walks on eggshells constantly and never knows what mood he is going to be in. She hasn’t seen any of her family for years and Gordon won’t let her have any friends. She has secretly been in contact with her half sister Alison and starts to formulate a plan to leave Gordon once she has stashed away enough money.

Things come to a head and Sally ends up leaving Gordon suddenly only with the clothes she’s wearing and some money she’s managed to steal from his wallet. She can only think of one place to go to - her childhood home where Alison lives with their father. Alison is very happy to see Sally but their father isn’t so happy!

This story is fast paced and there are some great unforeseen twists and turns. I loved this book.

[Helen Frost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark and pretty chilling stuff. There are some strong themes in this book such as domestic abuse but they are handled really well. There are also some very dark family secrets and lies which have remained hidden for years. The main character is Sally who seeks refuge from her abusive husband but starts to uncover secrets from her own past along with long lost family members each who seem to have their own agendas.
The action is fast and the tension certainly grows. There are also some fabulously descriptive gore fests and lots to sit on the edge of your seat for with the odd red herring thrown in for good measure. I felt a couple of the characters could’ve stepped in more to aid the situation, so that was slightly irritating but overall a good engaging story.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author and what a brilliant read it is!!!

Sally has decided to escape her abusive husband and seeks refuge at her father and sisters home. She hasn't seen her father or sister since she was a little girl. As memories come flooding back, who can she trust? Will she be finally free from her evil husband?

[Vanessa Krushner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the plot but I thought the book was a little repetitive. However it was an easy read and quite entertaining. The characters were well described and carried the plot to its conclusion. I did guess the ending but it was still satisfying

[Heather Copping · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Sally escapes from her home by drugging her abusive husband, she makes a long journey back to her childhood home in Rutland, which is in a very small county in the middle of Britain, only to find her dad has really bad dementia and mistakingly thinks she is her deceased mother. Her step sister Alison is also living there and is seemingly pleased to see her, but others are not so pleased, including her Uncle Peter. What is he hiding from the family? Meanwhile, her ex is fuming that Sally has gone off, and it's his personal mission to find her, whatever it takes. After Sally goes to Peterborough with Alison to buy new clothes so she can get a job, she is brutally attacked and hits her head really hard on a shop window. Is it her husband? He certainly seems very deranged. After hit and runs, poisoning, being held prisoner, you truly don't know who to believe. This story has many twists you don't know what to think. I thought I had it sussed, then I thought no, can't be can it?

Cleverly written, this would make a great TV series. It certainly kept my attention throughout. It's the first book I have read by this author, and I will certainly be looking out for more. A five-star read from me.

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fell into reading Mace's books after falling in love with her DI Sterling series. The Family Home is the second standalone thriller I've read by her and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

There is a recurring theme of domestic abuse, which may be a trigger for some, but it's dealt with in a sensitive manner by the author, who has clearly researched the legalities of the subject.

It's fast paced, chock full of secrets, lies and familial drama. The tension builds, with your pulse racing faster with each page your turn. There are several red herrings throughout to catch you off kilter and an unexpected ending.

Admittedly I didn't take to any of the characters and found them all to be on my dislikeable radar, but this didn't distract from my enjoyment in any way.

[mrsbookburnee Niamh Burnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This needs to be added to your TBR, if you are looking for a dark read, with darker characters and a sense of foreboding in every page.

Sally was such an endearing character, seeing her strength as she leaves her volatile home life, but o did end up shouting at her as she couldn’t see what was happening/did spot any red flags.

The twists and revelations were so so good!!! My favourite aspect was Sallys father and how his dementia affected him and his relationships with his daughters.

I’m looking forward to reading more by the author.

[Yvette Salmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and it won’t be the last. Loved it even though it did cover some dark subjects ie: domestic violence. It was done in a sensitive way. Good characters and good story.

[Tracy ann Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

my first read from this author and very much enjoyed. Sally is controlled buy her husband Gordon and he violent she has had enough and she wants out she has contacted her half sister Alison and she has told her to contact as soon as she want to leave him but one night she has had enough. now Sally makes her way to the family home where her dad and half sister live. now Sally has no memories much of her childhood as she was in a coma and her grandmother brought her up as her mum left her as a young child how this story comes together such an addictive read I so recommend

[Kira · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was enjoyable and easy to read. It felt a bit repetitive at times and like the author threw in many red herrings. The villain was who I suspected all along, I just didn’t have it all worked out.

[Clare Brack · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a belter of book ....thrills and chills at every turn of a page ! Sally has escaped the clutches of her abusive husband and taken refuge with her estranged sister and father..Some family members aren't so happy to see Sally return and at 1st it seems Alison (sister) has her sisters back ....but all is not as it seems and as the story goes on all becomes clear! Fantastic ..

[Vanessa Wild · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sally escapes her violent husband and returns to her ‘family home’ to stay with her half sister and father. But the peace she was hoping for isn’t forthcoming and nothing is as it seems.

I quite enjoyed this fast paced psychological mystery, the plot rattles along and it’s intriguing. However, I did find it a little repetitive at times and lacking a certain depth - I thought it was missing a sense of place and the characters seemed pretty one dimensional. It kept my attention throughout, nevertheless, as I wanted to know how it all concluded, although I guessed the twist quite early on. It makes for easy, quick reading and has a satisfying ending. 3.5⭐️

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had me hooked from the very first page. Sally lives with her very controlling husband Gordon and suffers from domestic violence. Estranged from her family but wanting to get out of such an abusive relationship it is them that she turns to. Her half sister Alison greets her with open arms but her father and uncle aren’t so welcoming. It turns out that nothing is as it seems. This has so many twists, turns and events that make you question what you thought was happening. There were some bits that I had figured out but that no way distracted me from the rest of the book which I thought was very cleverly written. Believable characters, great plot and certain topics covered sensitively this is a great read

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

When I started this book, I hadn't realised how much domestic violence there was at the beginning. So I think that should be addressed as a trigger, as some may find this a difficult read for them.

This book, for me had me intrigued from the outset and had the makings of a good story. However, I found that the main character Sally just seemed a little too naive for me. I seemed to be able to call all the twists as the book went on, which left the story lacking a bit for me.

This was the first book I have read by this author, and although this book wasn't for me. I would definitely try another.

Thank you to the author, publishers and Netgalley for giving me the chance to read this.

[Miriam · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a MEH read BUT the ending was rushed. I had to reread the last couple of pages to see if I missed something as it ended abruptly. Definitely has lots of holes in the story and the characters don’t have much details about them.

[Bri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very underwhelming. It was an entertaining plot, but the story lacked substance, and the characters lacked dimension.

[Sydney Stylites · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the suspense, hated the writing.
Too repetitive.
MC asserts at least 5,000 times how getting a job would solve all her problems in life. And the other dialogues are simply her insistence that she's making life too difficult for her half-sister and should move out ASAP.

Like literally.
The whole novel is basically -
Character P - Get out of the house, you waste of space buffoon!
Character A - Leave her alone! She can stay here however long she likes!
MC - you know maybe P has a point. I'm making things too tough for you. I should go.
Character A - Nonsense. You're the greatest thing since sliced bread. You stay forever.
MC (to herself) - when I get a job, everything will be a-okay.

*repeats a couple hundred times and that's basically the book.*

Also, sidenote, the woman has literally run away from her abusive husband but still thinks it's the perfect time to take up dawn jogging. In an isolated spot. And jog for miles from her home while she KNOWS that her husband is not only actively looking for her, but also knows where she lives.
Talk about brain cells.

It was just a very juvenile attempt at writing a thriller.
I obviously had to finish bcoz I needed to know the ending. And it was a pretty easy book to read.
Nothing much happened.

MC had fallen down the stairs when she was a child and gone into a coma. When she recovered, she could barely remember her life before the fall.
She's estranged from her family and ends up in an abusive relationship (for 20 years!!!). She then screws up her courage and runs away to seek shelter with her family.

The book is about her past and how she deals with her gradually returning memories. Dark secrets are uncovered. Typical suspense.

Pros -
The abusive relationship was really well written. Chilling. I was genuinely afraid!
The story was pretty good. And even though the ending was somewhat predictable, it was still engaging.
Taut atmosphere well conveyed.

Cons -
The writing. The rubbish dialogue.
The monotony of the same sequences playing out again and again.

This book barely took me a couple of hours to get through. So not too bad.

[loopyloulaura · Rating 4 out of 5]

TRIGGER WARNING: domestic violence
Sally's husband Gordon is violent and controlling. She manages to escape one night and the only place she can turn is to her estranged family. Her father and uncle reject her but her sister Alison is delighted to be reunited. But Gordon refuses to let her go...
The Family Home is an intense psychological thriller set in the UK.
The opening chapter is pretty horrific. Sally's fear was so palpable that I felt scared for her. The writing was so vivid and powerful yet incredibly difficult to read. Gordon is terrifying and I was desperate for Sally to run away. But out fo the frying pan and into the fire, as they say! She heads to her estranged family where she finds her father battling with dementia and she is rejected due to her mother's past. Luckily she has her half sister Alison to rely on and stick up for her. But she doesn't feel welcome and is living in fear that Gordon will find her, and he does...
The majority of the book is written from Sally's perspective but there are some chapters that focus on Gordon. These heighten the tension as we realise he will stop at nothing. As well as her difficult present situation, Sally suffers from flashbacks and nightmares about the past. The writing is vivid throughout the book and I found that I cared about Sally and wanted her to find happiness after so much pain.
There are big hints about what may have happened decades ago and I did guess the twists. I thought that there was a bit too much repetition (many references to Sally looking like her mother, Alison and Peter arguing etc) which slowed the pace of the book a little. My credulity was stretched and the ending was quite abrupt.
The Family Home is very intense and the issue of domestic violence was handled very sensitively but explicitly.

[Karen Mace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an absorbing and dark read that really brings home the fear that domestic violence brings to a victim and how secrets from the past can really change your perception of how things played out.

This is a standalone read, and the author does a brilliant job of packing on the tension and exploring so many different aspects of controlling behaviour, and we follow Sally as she's trying to move on from an abusive husband, and finds herself back home with her half sister Alison, and her father and while Alison is happy to have her home, her father is not so keen and you're immediately wondering what lies in the past in this family set up.

There's a lot revealed that really twists your mind on what you think had been going on, and the dementia of the father really adds to the muddle. I loved how well the story flowed and there was no let up in pace of revelations and drama! A book that really keeps you on your toes!! Very enjoyable!

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sally has lived in fear of her husband long enough and finally she has reached breaking point. With only her estranged sister to turn too, Sally returns to the family home but the nightmare has just begun. The book delves into a few dark subjects including domestic abuse and it includes a guide of how to report it. Another tough and heartbreaking issue it delves into is dementia. I loved how the author has included tough topics in a twisty who dunnit physcological thriller. I had not solved it myself until nearly right up to when it is revealed. With a cast of unlikeable characters which I think complimented the plot as I don't think likeable characters would have worked, it made more sense to me too try to work out who I disliked the most and I still haven't decided on one. The plot is dark, disturbing, chilling and utterly addictive, the gameplay had me struggling to put the clues together!

[Fee (Ebook Addicts) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sally finally escapes the clutches of her controlling and abusive husband and finds refuge with her estranged sister Alison, and returns to her family home. There are some dark secrets from Sally's past that are hovering on the fringes of her memory but she just can't quite grasp at them, Alison help fills in some of the blanks but I think she is bending the truth a little to fuel her own agenda as to what happened in the past. Her father and her Uncle Peter are far from welcoming Sally into the home, and with her husband being menacing from afar, poo Sally doesn't know what to do!

This was an easy read, dark and twisted but it was very repetitive. I got fed up with Peter constantly asking Sally to leave all the time without giving her a valid reason, it got to the point were I was fed up and I just wanted his reasoning to come out, and when it did I was almost underwhelming as it had gone on for so long! 

4 stars

[Melanie Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, it has dark themes running through it but the author deals with them really well and even has advice for people in the same situation dropped into dialogue between the Police and the main character Sally which is skilfully done.

Sally is planning to leave her abusive husband Gordon but her hand is forced and she has to take immediate action, leaving without her things and the fund she has been secretly saving.
She heads to her family home, to her half sister and their father, who she hasn’t seen in decades. Returning home she finds her father to be suffering from dementia, her uncle trying to get her to leave and her sister hiding things from her. She has no choice but to stay until she is on her feet but is she in danger in the place she thought would be her safe haven.

Love the idea for the story and the way the author has chosen to tell it.

Thanks to netgalley and Headline accent.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sally's husband Gordon is a bully and controls everything she does, he beats her regularly to keep her undercontrol. Managing to escape one night after drugging him she goes to stay with her sister & father. But all isn't normal there and with Gordon finding out where she is just how safe is Sally? Her uncle who controls the families finances tries his best to get her to leave. Her Father has dementia and only remembers that Sally's mum left him so isn't very welcoming. There are things that happened in Sally's life that she has shut out after falling down the stairs and nearly dying when younger and with her sister's help she is slowly putting things together but is that a good idea? Loved this book brilliant read.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping psychological thriller that was hard to put down. Full of twists and turns the storyline kept me guessing as to the outcome. Sally’s estranged sister Alison helps her to escape from her husband who she had lived in fear of for twenty years. Sally then decides to confront her father but that means returning to the family home, a place she has been forbidden to return to. Sally is forced to faced the ghosts of her past, but soon discovers that she holds her own secrets hidden in her memory. This novel is a real page turner and kept me happily turning the pages. I recommend picking up the book today!

[Jamie Park · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought British people were supposed to be polite but no, this uncle is like "leave. You aren't wanted" every five minutes when he is around. No explanation.
This is my second book in a row where a girl was knocked down the stairs (or fell) and went into a coma. Except in the first one the weird person at the family home was her sister's "mom". or whatever.
Regarding Gordon- this is why we pick the bear. He is kind of cheesy in his evil ways though. I think that is as lot of fun. You cannot top that ending!

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish the characters had been more fleshed out, and there were some scenes that felt jumpy with little detail. I called the twists pretty close to the beginning so unfortunately there wasn’t much left to the imagination. I think that this book would’ve better suited me with more descriptions (environment and settings for sure), and less me trying to conjure up an image myself. Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Accent for the ARC of the book. Also major DV warning for the beginning chapters.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author and the blurb sounded so good I had to read it. I'm impressed by the way the author made the jumping off point of the story, when Sally leaves her husband, am important part of the story but not the whole story. When Sally returns to her childhood home she uncovers things about her childhood she didn't know. The vivid writing had me in the story with the characters watching as things unfolded. I really enjoyed this story and the unexpected ending.

[Patsy Goodsir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this latest work from Lorraine Mace. At no point did it test my concentration. I liked the twists and turns which I've learned to expect from this author. Good pace throughout. The issue of domestic abuse was dealt with in an informative, rather than upsetting manner, but this is a tale of family secrets and finding the truth. I've read every book by this writer and shall continue to do so. This is a stand alone, but I loved the D. I. Sterling series also.

[Read_WithRobyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book did grab my attention quickly and had a decent storyline. However, I guessed a lot of the plot details (and early on), so it made the story a bit lackluster for me. I wasn't surprised by anything. I also felt the ending was a bit abrupt. This was my first book from this author. I'd definitely read another of their books- with the hopes the story wasn't so transparent.