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This Family Lies: A jaw-dropping psychological thriller
Excellent book! Could not put it down. Got nothing done in my home until I finished it!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️-Wilma
I go through a book about every other day and this was the best I've read so far this year! Recommending to my book club so I can re-read and see how the answers were in front of me all along! Fantastic!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️-Sandy
OH MY LOVED THIS BOOK! Just finished it and so wanted more! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️-Jennie
_______________________________
Iris Adler was supposed to be killed.
In their home in southern Louisiana, Iris and her husband Joseph are both shot point-blank in the head by an unknown assailant.
While her husband is killed, Iris survives, but only by a ricochet.
She wakes with her memory fractured. She doesn’t remember her husband’s family, eager as they are to take her into their world of marble, maids and prim Southern manners.
Not long after Iris goes to heal at the family’s historic plantation, a girl is found dead in the sugarcane stalks nearby. And of these wealthy, strange people Iris is surrounded by, she realizes one of them might still be trying to kill her.
The only thing certain is not everyone is getting out of this alive.
I go through a book about every other day and this was the best I've read so far this year! Recommending to my book club so I can re-read and see how the answers were in front of me all along! Fantastic!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️-Sandy
OH MY LOVED THIS BOOK! Just finished it and so wanted more! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️-Jennie
_______________________________
Iris Adler was supposed to be killed.
In their home in southern Louisiana, Iris and her husband Joseph are both shot point-blank in the head by an unknown assailant.
While her husband is killed, Iris survives, but only by a ricochet.
She wakes with her memory fractured. She doesn’t remember her husband’s family, eager as they are to take her into their world of marble, maids and prim Southern manners.
Not long after Iris goes to heal at the family’s historic plantation, a girl is found dead in the sugarcane stalks nearby. And of these wealthy, strange people Iris is surrounded by, she realizes one of them might still be trying to kill her.
The only thing certain is not everyone is getting out of this alive.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 3, 2024
750 people are currently reading
6200 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
May 10, 2024
WHOA! I went into this book blind, and it was the most pleasant surprise! I LOVED THIS BOOK! This was such a great story, with twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. SO different from your typical thriller.
I loved Iris. She was a tough and determined main character. It was a breath of fresh air to have a FMC that wasn’t weak and dumb. The author did a great job developing Iris. I felt that I knew her, and I was rooting for her the whole way through. The supporting cast of characters was developed well also.
The plot fleshed out so well. All of my questions were answered, and everything that happened made sense in relation to the storyline. There were twists that had my mouth hanging open. My head was spinning as I tried to figure out what was going to happen next. This was a fast paced, action packed thriller with short chapters that kept you furiously flipping the pages!
This was one of my favorite books so far this year. Part 2 can’t come fast enough. This was my first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be my last!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
I loved Iris. She was a tough and determined main character. It was a breath of fresh air to have a FMC that wasn’t weak and dumb. The author did a great job developing Iris. I felt that I knew her, and I was rooting for her the whole way through. The supporting cast of characters was developed well also.
The plot fleshed out so well. All of my questions were answered, and everything that happened made sense in relation to the storyline. There were twists that had my mouth hanging open. My head was spinning as I tried to figure out what was going to happen next. This was a fast paced, action packed thriller with short chapters that kept you furiously flipping the pages!
This was one of my favorite books so far this year. Part 2 can’t come fast enough. This was my first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be my last!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
June 13, 2024
I had really high expectations for this book but I felt it was slow to start and the twists and turns felt fake and manufactured.
This was also one where I had guessed the players and most of the ending quite a way before we got there.
I had to push on through to reach the end, and then I realised it ended on a cliffhanger. I don’t think that I’m interested enough to pick up part two unfortunately!
This was also one where I had guessed the players and most of the ending quite a way before we got there.
I had to push on through to reach the end, and then I realised it ended on a cliffhanger. I don’t think that I’m interested enough to pick up part two unfortunately!
January 10, 2025
I couldn’t get into this book at all. I already didn’t care about anyone and then throw in an alternative lifestyle which I have no desire to read about and it becomes a book I wish I could return.
May 23, 2024
WOW! This book takes the cake for my favourite read of 2024!
Iris and her husband are shot in their southern Louisiana home. Miraculously, Iris survives. Her husband is killed. Iris wakes up in the hospital with virtually no memory of the last three years. Her husband's family welcomes Iris into their gorgeous home. The family is MEGA wealthy and essentially Louisiana royalty. Iris soon realizes that everything is not as it seems. She is pretty sure that someone is still out to kill her. With her failed memory, she has no idea who she can trust.
I don't want to say anything else about the plot, as it is best to go into this one blind. Because, HOLY MOLY , what a read!! I cannot put into words how much I loved this book! The story was phenomenal and unique, packed with so many twists and turns that I did not see coming. This is nothing like your typical thriller. The storyline is SO unique and packed with so many intricate details. J.M. Cannon's writing skills are INCREDIBLE!
I absolutely loved the main character, Iris. Such an amazing and strong female lead! All the characters are complex and well developed. I was actually low key sad when I finished this book, because it was so good and I didn't want it to end!
I cannot recommend this book enough. I read A LOT of thrillers and this one was actually different. No predicability, overused tropes, silly writing, or annoying characters. Just brilliant!
I cannot wait for Part 2 to come out. I am ready to do this crazy ride all over again!
Thank you Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Iris and her husband are shot in their southern Louisiana home. Miraculously, Iris survives. Her husband is killed. Iris wakes up in the hospital with virtually no memory of the last three years. Her husband's family welcomes Iris into their gorgeous home. The family is MEGA wealthy and essentially Louisiana royalty. Iris soon realizes that everything is not as it seems. She is pretty sure that someone is still out to kill her. With her failed memory, she has no idea who she can trust.
I don't want to say anything else about the plot, as it is best to go into this one blind. Because, HOLY MOLY , what a read!! I cannot put into words how much I loved this book! The story was phenomenal and unique, packed with so many twists and turns that I did not see coming. This is nothing like your typical thriller. The storyline is SO unique and packed with so many intricate details. J.M. Cannon's writing skills are INCREDIBLE!
I absolutely loved the main character, Iris. Such an amazing and strong female lead! All the characters are complex and well developed. I was actually low key sad when I finished this book, because it was so good and I didn't want it to end!
I cannot recommend this book enough. I read A LOT of thrillers and this one was actually different. No predicability, overused tropes, silly writing, or annoying characters. Just brilliant!
I cannot wait for Part 2 to come out. I am ready to do this crazy ride all over again!
Thank you Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 14, 2024
What a wild ride this was! Got to love rich family secrets I didn’t know wish one to trust.
March 24, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ | For the most part I enjoyed this quick twisty read. The family is with money and mostly not likable. The storyline held my attention pretty much through out. I’m just not sure about that ending. 🤔
January 1, 2026
Full disclosure- I hated this book at first. I almost quit. I’m so glad I didn’t. This book ended up being so good! So unexpected and unique. Perfect book to be my last book of 2025
June 29, 2024
This was a gripping book, and it's like we were all learning together since the main character had lost memories. The story was full of twists and turns that I did not see coming, and I enjoyed it all for the most part. I wish a little more time had been spent on the resolution, because it felt a bit rushed with so many intermingling details. I was also disappointed with the cliffhanger ending. So many more questions left unanswered!
June 11, 2024
3.25 stars - thank you to the author for a copy, I truly appreciate it.
Thoughts: https://www.tiktok.com/@kurryreads/vi...
Thoughts: https://www.tiktok.com/@kurryreads/vi...
May 9, 2025
I feel like they could have cut out the middle of the book and added more in the end....
December 6, 2024
I was hesitant to read this book because of the cover (oops) but this was GOOD
June 1, 2025
Holy plot twists. The first half of the book starts off slow and I was so confused and kept thinking I was missing things. But I was totally wrong because it all comes together. I was absolutely shooketh.
May 21, 2024
JM Cannon's 'This Family Lies' is a riveting exploration of the intricacies of familial relationships, secrets, lies, and figuring out who you are. Iris survives a gunshot wound to the head, but her husband didn't survive. As Iris slowly starts remembering fragments of her past and life, she slowly uncovers the truth of what occurred the night she was shot and just how deep those lies went. The story revolves around Iris and the Adler family, and her willingness to stop at nothing to uncover the truth of who she is, and what happened to her among a family full of liars and a police force they have bought off. What sets 'This Family Lies' apart is its nuanced portrayal of complex characters and the tangled web of relationships that bind them together. JM Cannon deftly explores themes of betrayal and redemption, drawing readers into this emotional twisty tale. The book had me at the very beginning and didn't let go until I completed it, and even now I have thought of not much else. Simply put, I loved this book so much and am sad to have finished and also anxiously awaiting a possible sequel with Iris and maybe a few surprise characters as well. You will not regret this buy, this book is so good!
May 8, 2025
Here are my thoughts:
1. The whole mention of slavery, and Sweet Blood being a plantation and just everything surrounding that part of the story I felt unnecessary. It didn’t bounce off anything, nothing bounced off that constantly repeated fact. I feel like something could’ve been done with that or just stop constantly mentioning it so much. Also, I will not concede to the FMC being so against the plantation part of the family, because she married into it knowing they’re racists. So, it’s either, take it out or stop overly making it seem like she’s so much more morally superior to the rest.
2. I wasn’t thrilled. I feel as though the story lacked so much for me. There wasn’t anything that interesting about this book.
3. The book has no ending. Don’t make me mad.
1. The whole mention of slavery, and Sweet Blood being a plantation and just everything surrounding that part of the story I felt unnecessary. It didn’t bounce off anything, nothing bounced off that constantly repeated fact. I feel like something could’ve been done with that or just stop constantly mentioning it so much. Also, I will not concede to the FMC being so against the plantation part of the family, because she married into it knowing they’re racists. So, it’s either, take it out or stop overly making it seem like she’s so much more morally superior to the rest.
2. I wasn’t thrilled. I feel as though the story lacked so much for me. There wasn’t anything that interesting about this book.
3. The book has no ending. Don’t make me mad.
August 29, 2024
ugh. decent twists and turns but i had no care for the characters and the story felt dragged on also its a series?? boo
June 7, 2024
3.5 Stars ⭐️
Iris survives a gunshot wound to the head. Her husband does not. She doesn’t remember much about her life before the shooting. She starts to remember by visiting places & certain scents help her recall memories. She married into a wealthy family with too much power. There is abuse, murder, & some of it was pushing too disturbing for me. Mostly the bad guys get what they deserve BUT it ended on a cliffhanger!! That’s why I rated 3.5. I didn’t know it was a Part One.
Iris survives a gunshot wound to the head. Her husband does not. She doesn’t remember much about her life before the shooting. She starts to remember by visiting places & certain scents help her recall memories. She married into a wealthy family with too much power. There is abuse, murder, & some of it was pushing too disturbing for me. Mostly the bad guys get what they deserve BUT it ended on a cliffhanger!! That’s why I rated 3.5. I didn’t know it was a Part One.
February 28, 2025
3⭐️ Well written and a good time! This book is a quick read. I think the beginning could’ve been shorter and the ending a little more fleshed out. There were times I wanted to be shown things and not told. But overall a fun, fast paced read and I’d like to read more books from this author in the future!
May 25, 2025
Iris wakes up to discover her husband was murdered and she was left for dead. Her memory is fragmented and she doesn’t remember who pulled the trigger. As she recovers at her deceased husband’s family plantation, she discovers the list of potential suspects is much much longer than she thought and she may still not be safe.
A truly twisty read that kept you guessing until the end.
A truly twisty read that kept you guessing until the end.
May 23, 2024
It was a well written thriller and I definitely didn't see all the twists that the story took. I'm truly disappointed in the ending (no spoilers). But it did capture my attention.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc and this is truly my opinion.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc and this is truly my opinion.
August 28, 2024
4.5⭐️ what a thriller. First book I’ve read from this author and will definitely be reading again. Every page had a different twist and you didn’t know what was happening right until the last chapter. Even then looks like we have a sequel. Really entertaining- couldn’t put it down
August 28, 2024
4.25 stars rounded up. Wow this book was brilliant. I did not know what was happening throughout - who was good who was bad who to believe. It kept you guessing all the way through . Finished a bit open ended and I see there is a sequel so will have to read that one too .
March 14, 2025
I liked this! I really appreciated how different this one was. It threw me for a loop multiple times which is hard to do!
April 27, 2025
2.5 stars. Such a good story line but a thriller where the main character has memory loss is such a cop out. Duh she doesn’t know what happened, she doesn’t know anything! Some parts were too detailed and others not nearly enough.
May 12, 2024
Book review 🔪 🩸
This Family Lies
JM Cannon
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (5)
Pub May 3 2024 check it out 👀 and add to your TBR immediately!
Thank you @netgalley @jmcannon author and @victoryediting for the ARC!
Woah woah woah! I LOVED this thriller. Everyone is lying. She cant remember… who can she trust?
All the twists and turns played out totally unexpected for me and I could see easily as riveting in a movie! 🎥
Iris the FMC was so refreshing as a strong smart head strong lead unlike some others that portray some main characters to be weak or dumb. Had me hooked from the start, page turning and reading late at night! Highly recommend!
This Family Lies
JM Cannon
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (5)
Pub May 3 2024 check it out 👀 and add to your TBR immediately!
Thank you @netgalley @jmcannon author and @victoryediting for the ARC!
Woah woah woah! I LOVED this thriller. Everyone is lying. She cant remember… who can she trust?
All the twists and turns played out totally unexpected for me and I could see easily as riveting in a movie! 🎥
Iris the FMC was so refreshing as a strong smart head strong lead unlike some others that portray some main characters to be weak or dumb. Had me hooked from the start, page turning and reading late at night! Highly recommend!
September 29, 2025
3.5 Such a good book until the end! The ending was cut so short with any closure of the story.
August 26, 2024
What a wild ride! Keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. Will definitely be reading more JM Cannon!
May 13, 2025
This was just not good...
There were way too many characters, so many random little plot lines, and just a bit too non-sensical. I felt like there were things left unanswered and random story lines that just died off (like Augusta literally...) It was just weird and not easy to follow. I did listen to it on Audiobook so maybe that played a part in why I didn't like it. The ending felt pretty anti climactic and felt like the author just gave up and needed to quickly end the book. It also felt so slow and like it too so long for things to actually happen which demotivated me from reading (well, listening) to it.
There were way too many characters, so many random little plot lines, and just a bit too non-sensical. I felt like there were things left unanswered and random story lines that just died off (like Augusta literally...) It was just weird and not easy to follow. I did listen to it on Audiobook so maybe that played a part in why I didn't like it. The ending felt pretty anti climactic and felt like the author just gave up and needed to quickly end the book. It also felt so slow and like it too so long for things to actually happen which demotivated me from reading (well, listening) to it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews