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The Perfect Family
How much can you really trust your family?
Private Investigator Stella didn't have an easy childhood. Watching her brother Jonathan commit suicide from the pressure of their overpowering and controlling father, she knew the only way to survive was to leave her mother and baby sister behind.
But the past is hard to shake off.
Almost two decades later Stella is forced to leave the safe life she has built for herself in Hong Kong when her mother tried to commit suicide and lies in an induced coma. But something feels off. Stella knows her mother would have never chosen Jonathan’s path. But if she didn’t try to kill herself, who did?
In the hope of finding out what really happened, Stella uncovers secrets darker than she could have imagined, all putting one person in the centre of her her own father.
The Perfect Family is a fast-paced domestic crime thriller that explores the darkest secrets families hide from each other and shows that a real family isn’t always blood related but the people we choose to be part of it.
Private Investigator Stella didn't have an easy childhood. Watching her brother Jonathan commit suicide from the pressure of their overpowering and controlling father, she knew the only way to survive was to leave her mother and baby sister behind.
But the past is hard to shake off.
Almost two decades later Stella is forced to leave the safe life she has built for herself in Hong Kong when her mother tried to commit suicide and lies in an induced coma. But something feels off. Stella knows her mother would have never chosen Jonathan’s path. But if she didn’t try to kill herself, who did?
In the hope of finding out what really happened, Stella uncovers secrets darker than she could have imagined, all putting one person in the centre of her her own father.
The Perfect Family is a fast-paced domestic crime thriller that explores the darkest secrets families hide from each other and shows that a real family isn’t always blood related but the people we choose to be part of it.
- GenresCrime
424 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 17, 2024
About the author
Denise Weiershaus
3 books19 followersDenise is a German native who has lived on three continents so far. Paying the bills working for the Government, her true passion has always been to read and create stories and share her experience with others.
She writes crime thrillers, contemporary romance and dystopian climate fiction short stories, foreshadowing dark climate scenarios that might soon become our new reality. Her stories always include strong female characters.
When she doesn't write or read, you'll find her with a camera in her hand or hiking boots on her feet, exploring the country she currently calls home. At the moment, she is living in Dublin with her Irish husband and Confucius, their not-so-wise rescue cat from China.
She writes crime thrillers, contemporary romance and dystopian climate fiction short stories, foreshadowing dark climate scenarios that might soon become our new reality. Her stories always include strong female characters.
When she doesn't write or read, you'll find her with a camera in her hand or hiking boots on her feet, exploring the country she currently calls home. At the moment, she is living in Dublin with her Irish husband and Confucius, their not-so-wise rescue cat from China.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 18, 2024
I had the honour to be among a group of select advance readers who were provided with a copy ahead of the official publication date. And I am so delighted that I volunteered for this job.
The Perfect Family by Denise Weiershaus is a crime novel that takes readers on a relentless, edge-of-your-seat journey through the dark underbelly of a seemingly flawless family.
Set against the vibrant and gritty backdrop of New York City, the story follows Private Investigator Stella Woodworth, who returns from Hong Kong to visit her mother in the hospital.
What should have been a simple visit spirals into a harrowing investigation as Stella begins to suspect that her father, Richard Woodworth, may have had a hand in her mother's supposed suicide attempt.
Stella teams up with Detective Samuel Green, a man battling his own demons as he struggles with sobriety. Together, they unravel a web of deceit spun by Richard Woodworth, uncovering dark secrets that shatter the facade of their family’s perfection.
Weiershaus masterfully weaves a tale full of twists and turns, making it impossible to predict what lies around the next corner. The character development in The Perfect Family is exceptional. Stella's determination and Green's troubled past add depth and complexity to their partnership and budding romance, making their victories and setbacks feel personal and real.
Richard Woodworth stands out as a chilling antagonist whose manipulations keep both the characters and the readers guessing until the very end. Weiershaus’s writing is rich with imagery, bringing the gritty streets of New York and the inner turmoil of her characters to life.
The pacing is brisk, ensuring that there is never a dull moment, yet it allows enough time for the tension to build and for the stakes to rise. The novel's relentless twists make it a true page-turner, one that is difficult to put down even in the late hours of the night.
In short, The Perfect Family is a thrilling read that captivates from start to finish. It's a story of lies, secrets, and the devastating cost of maintaining appearances. If you're looking for a crime novel that will keep you up at night, this is the book for you.
Get a copy as soon as the book is available.
The Perfect Family by Denise Weiershaus is a crime novel that takes readers on a relentless, edge-of-your-seat journey through the dark underbelly of a seemingly flawless family.
Set against the vibrant and gritty backdrop of New York City, the story follows Private Investigator Stella Woodworth, who returns from Hong Kong to visit her mother in the hospital.
What should have been a simple visit spirals into a harrowing investigation as Stella begins to suspect that her father, Richard Woodworth, may have had a hand in her mother's supposed suicide attempt.
Stella teams up with Detective Samuel Green, a man battling his own demons as he struggles with sobriety. Together, they unravel a web of deceit spun by Richard Woodworth, uncovering dark secrets that shatter the facade of their family’s perfection.
Weiershaus masterfully weaves a tale full of twists and turns, making it impossible to predict what lies around the next corner. The character development in The Perfect Family is exceptional. Stella's determination and Green's troubled past add depth and complexity to their partnership and budding romance, making their victories and setbacks feel personal and real.
Richard Woodworth stands out as a chilling antagonist whose manipulations keep both the characters and the readers guessing until the very end. Weiershaus’s writing is rich with imagery, bringing the gritty streets of New York and the inner turmoil of her characters to life.
The pacing is brisk, ensuring that there is never a dull moment, yet it allows enough time for the tension to build and for the stakes to rise. The novel's relentless twists make it a true page-turner, one that is difficult to put down even in the late hours of the night.
In short, The Perfect Family is a thrilling read that captivates from start to finish. It's a story of lies, secrets, and the devastating cost of maintaining appearances. If you're looking for a crime novel that will keep you up at night, this is the book for you.
Get a copy as soon as the book is available.
August 6, 2024
In truth, I could not put this book down, once I started it! The Perfect Family-or is it? Stella’s quest to find the truth about her Mum’s suicide attempt means she must confront her Father, a cold, manipulative bully. But is he responsible for? Follow Stella as she delves deep into the truth about her family. A brilliant debut Novel-can’t wait for the Authors next book.
September 17, 2024
Unputdownable!
Loved this thriller! If you are looking for a fast-paced, page-turner whodunnit, this one is for you!
All characters came to life, the author did a great job! I could see the movie in my head as I read, and enjoyed times when I laughed out loud! Great job! I found a new favorite author!
Loved this thriller! If you are looking for a fast-paced, page-turner whodunnit, this one is for you!
All characters came to life, the author did a great job! I could see the movie in my head as I read, and enjoyed times when I laughed out loud! Great job! I found a new favorite author!
September 10, 2024
My dear friend Denise wrote this book and I loved it. It is a page turner and I read the first part on the train to Paris and finished it on the way back to Zurich, Switzerland. I couldn’t wait to get to know the ending!
August 14, 2024
After a rather slow start it picked up and continued at a cracking pace" it was a real page turner that I couldn’t put down. It is about a PI who becomes embroiled in her own family’s dark past as she investigates the attempted suicide of her mother. Full of twists and turns I can thoroughly recommend it.
Marion.
Marion.
August 12, 2024
A fast-paced exciting thriller that is guaranteed to hold your attention with many surprising revelations and unexpected turn of events. The central characters are all very well-developed and sympathetic so that you genuinely become invested in their respective fates as the story reaches its thrilling conclusion.
August 4, 2024
This is a dark and gripping crime thriller that you won't be able to put down. A perfect summer read.
October 16, 2024
Excellent mystery with twists and turns you don’t see coming
What a great start! This debut novel from Weiershaus pleases as it punches. The Perfect Family sounds like it could be a made-for-tv movie, but this plot is anything but predictable. Stella is a self-centered former heiress trying to escape her narcissistic father and a family who seems perfect on the outside but is anything but perfect for its members. Her father, a wealthy New York businessman, has influence and power reaching far and wide in the city. But when Stella’s mother lands in the hospital from an apparent suicide, the threads of family begin to unravel. No spoilers, so you’ll need to read this for yourself. But you’ll never see it coming. Evil knows no depths, but will justice bend to power and influence or will it prevail?
What a great start! This debut novel from Weiershaus pleases as it punches. The Perfect Family sounds like it could be a made-for-tv movie, but this plot is anything but predictable. Stella is a self-centered former heiress trying to escape her narcissistic father and a family who seems perfect on the outside but is anything but perfect for its members. Her father, a wealthy New York businessman, has influence and power reaching far and wide in the city. But when Stella’s mother lands in the hospital from an apparent suicide, the threads of family begin to unravel. No spoilers, so you’ll need to read this for yourself. But you’ll never see it coming. Evil knows no depths, but will justice bend to power and influence or will it prevail?
September 16, 2024
Denise Weiershaus's "The Perfect Family" is a gripping crime thriller set in New York City. The story revolves around Stella Woodworth, a private investigator who uncovers disturbing secrets about her own family while visiting her hospitalized mother.
Teaming up with Detective Samuel Green, Stella investigates her father's possible involvement in her mother's alleged suicide attempt. As they dig deeper, they expose a tangled web of deception that challenges the notion of the ideal family.
Weiershaus crafts a suspenseful narrative filled with unexpected twists. The author's vivid prose brings the settings and the characters' inner struggles to life. Stella and Green's evolving relationship adds emotional depth to the plot, while Richard Woodworth emerges as a formidable and enigmatic antagonist.
With its fast-paced storytelling and complex character dynamics, "The Perfect Family" is an engrossing read for fans of psychological thrillers and family dramas. It explores the lengths people go to maintain appearances and the consequences of long-buried secrets.
Teaming up with Detective Samuel Green, Stella investigates her father's possible involvement in her mother's alleged suicide attempt. As they dig deeper, they expose a tangled web of deception that challenges the notion of the ideal family.
Weiershaus crafts a suspenseful narrative filled with unexpected twists. The author's vivid prose brings the settings and the characters' inner struggles to life. Stella and Green's evolving relationship adds emotional depth to the plot, while Richard Woodworth emerges as a formidable and enigmatic antagonist.
With its fast-paced storytelling and complex character dynamics, "The Perfect Family" is an engrossing read for fans of psychological thrillers and family dramas. It explores the lengths people go to maintain appearances and the consequences of long-buried secrets.
August 15, 2024
This book was an absolutely gripping read—I couldn’t put it down and finished it in just a couple of days. The story of a not-so-perfect family grabs you from the start and holds you captive until the very end.
When Stella returns home after her mother is hospitalized and teetering between life and death, she quickly realizes that the official explanation doesn’t add up. As she digs deeper, the situation becomes increasingly complex, pulling us into the tangled web of family secrets that were never meant to be uncovered. The suspense builds with each page, making this a truly captivating crime story.
When Stella returns home after her mother is hospitalized and teetering between life and death, she quickly realizes that the official explanation doesn’t add up. As she digs deeper, the situation becomes increasingly complex, pulling us into the tangled web of family secrets that were never meant to be uncovered. The suspense builds with each page, making this a truly captivating crime story.
August 26, 2024
This is an astounding debut. Denise Weierhaus has woven an absolutely gripping story filled with suspense and nuanced with relatable truths of a woman still trapped by a childhood ruled by her father. Told from both Stella and Sam's perspective, we can feel these two - and their baggage - as they come together to figure out why her mother attempted suicided. Just when you think you've seen enough, another secret is uncovered. This is an edge-of -your-seat thriller that is both beautifully written and fast paced. I'm already awaiting her next novel.
August 5, 2024
A psychological thriller with an unexpected twist! You will not be able to put this book down once you start . Nothing is as it seems in this Perfect Family, Stella’s journey to uncover the truth about how her mother ended up in the hospital in a coma means she must confront her father, a controlling overbearing parent & husband who is only concerned with his public persona. But is he responsible? Brilllintly written!
September 16, 2024
The Perfect Family is such a good read. Denise Weiershaus is an excellent writer and keeps us guessing until the very end. It’s definitely a page turner - I could barely put it down once I started, except for little pauses now and then just to break the tension. I love a good crime thriller and this is one of the best I’ve read in a long time. Looking forward to lots more from this exciting new author.
September 17, 2024
This book is worth your time to read, if you like thrillers, family drama and secrets. The writing is clear and concise, the characters are believable and have their own voices, there are no missing threads to the story and is, beyond for the reasons above a joy to read. If you like Freida McFadden, read The Perfect Family by Denise Weiershaus. Available now.
see Denise at www.deniseweiershaus.com
see Denise at www.deniseweiershaus.com
September 2, 2024
I had the pleasure of receiving an ARC for The Perfect Family from the talented author Denise Weiershaus, and I loved it. It's a fast-paced mystery/thriller that will keep you guessing until the end. It examines power structures and influence, and explores the darkest secrets families keep and their effects. It's a thrilling read with lots of twists and turns.
August 15, 2024
A lively well paced thriller that keeps you guessing as to what is coming next! Well defined characters and a cunning twist! "A Perfect Family"! A perfect read for the bedside, by the pool or anywhere in between them!
September 16, 2024
Great crime novel. Fast-paced, page turner that keeps you guessing. Loved the characters, even those I loved to hate! The book keeps you guessing until the end and is hard to put down. I would strongly recommend.
September 16, 2024
If an action packed crime thriller is what you are looking for, look no further! Filled with suspense and edge of your seat twists and turns, Denise Weiershaus delivers the perfect read!!! Looking forward to seeing this writer's next book.
September 13, 2024
This is an unputdownable murder mystery which is very well written. I look forward to reading more books by Denise
September 17, 2024
The author builds a detailed world, with surprising characters and a story that is as dark as it is gripping. Reading it is time well spent.
September 17, 2024
A dark, fast-paced thriller with some excellent and unexpected twists, exploring intense family dynamics. A very entertaining read.
February 12, 2025
Stella Woodworth has traveled far to escape from a dysfunctional family and made a new life for herself abroad, when she is suddenly sucked back in to family drama by her mother's apparent attempted suicide. Step-by-step, detail-by-detail, Denise Weiershaus unravels the fiction of a Perfect Family that has been built up by Stella's Tycoon father, Richard Woodworth. Violence, attempted murder, and an ugly secret wind tightly together into an intriguing and unexpected ending.
This book is a must-read.
This book is a must-read.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews