The Family Lies

by Angela Henry

Every family has secrets. The Dorseys bury theirs.

Sabrina Adams thought her luck had finally turned around when she was hired as a librarian for the wealthy Dorsey family. But as soon as she arrives at their elegant estate, she senses something is off. They have cameras everywhere. She’s banned from the third floor, and she spotted someone watching the house from the nearby woods. And why does the housekeeper, Mrs Manning, insist on so many rules?

Then police officers arrive at the door with questions about the disappearance of a local woman. Sabrina is shocked to learn her charming employer, Theo Dorsey, was the last person to see the missing woman alive. He insists he’s innocent. Despite her growing doubts, Sabrina keeps her head down because she desperately needs this job. But then Theo is linked to another woman’s death several years before. And after finding out no one has seen the Dorsey’s previous librarian in years, she has to ask herself... Who can I trust in this family? And will I be next?

A gripping and utterly compulsive psychological thriller that will delight fans of Verity, The Housemaid and anything by Lisa Jewell.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Fiction

308 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 22, 2025

About the author

Angela Henry is an Amazon Charts bestselling and award-winning author of twisty mysteries, thrillers, and urban fantasy. A retired library reference specialist, she’s the author of the Kendra Clayton mystery series and the Xavier Knight series, as well as the thrillers The Perfect Affair, Her Pretty Lies, The Family Lies, and The Paris Secret. She also writes middle-grade fiction as Angie Kelly. Angela lives in Ohio with her husband and their spoiled Chiweenie, Gidget.

Reviews

[Debra - can't post any comments on site today grrr · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the word 'lies' in a book's title, I know that I am going to be in the land of secrets, deception, twists and turns! The Family Lies had me turning the pages and on the edge of my seat for most of the book. I thought I knew where this book was going and then the author threw in a twist and reveal which left me reeling!

Sabrina Adams can't believe her luck when she is hired by Theo Dorsey, to work as a private librarian for the uber wealthy Dorsey family. She will be working for them for two years and in addition to free room and board, she will be paid nicely. But she soon learns that all that glitters is not gold. She is given a set of rules by the housekeeper and told she must avoid the third floor and be home by midnight or be locked out for the night. When a woman disappears, the police come knocking and Sabrina becomes more suspicious and concerned.......

I devoured the first 80% of this book, then it took a turn, and it went off into OTT territory and I
found my enjoyment diminishing. It's a shame as I enjoyed most of this book immensely. I would still read another book by this author as most of this book is gripping, riveting, and hard to put down.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖

[BONNIE SMITH · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was hard to put down.
One of those books you can't wait to get back to you while you're out.

When Sabrina finds out she will soon be unemployed, the local Bookstore no longer needs her, she is thankful for the offer a regular customer offers her. It almost sounds too good to be true. Work and love in an estate and help restore a private library (for those that feel it was unrealistic for her to take this job, please note that I would leave my Director level position for a national company in less than 3 seconds for an offer like that- so it must be a booknerd thing)

Anyway- early on the creepy vibe starts, and this thriller will keep you on your toes. I did not see the outcome, and I love when a book tricks me like that! My first by Angela Henry- definitely will not be my last! It is set for release in January 2025 so keep your eyes peeled!

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the chance to read and review this one!

[Ⓢ Ⓨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Liars lie to everyone, including themselves”

Sabrina lies to get librarian job working for the tall, dark and handsome Theo Dorsey.
Detective Jared Green tries to warn Sabrina that the wealthy business owner is connected to multiple female murders but the young woman gets herself involved with the family anyway.
But she starts finding suspicious items and accidents start happening. Is she in too deep?

Angela Henry has become a firm favourite for me. I love her twisty and easy to read thrillers. This was no exception. Well written, fast paced and a punchy ending.

“We’re all capable of murder under the right circumstances”

Fans of Freida McFadden will like this.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my advanced copy.

[Kat (Katlovesbooks) Dietrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Family Lies by Angela Henry is a psychological thriller about a young woman who goes to work for a wealthy family.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Storm Publishing, and the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Sabrina Adams takes a job for the wealthy Dorsey family to organize, restore, and appraise their library.  Her dream job, and her boss is easy on the eyes.  She isn't quite as qualified as she had told them, but she knew enough to do this job. 

She isn't the only one keeping secrets though.   The estate has some strange rules, run by a strange housekeeper, and the house has a rather strange layout.

Theodore Dorsey seems to bow to the housekeeper, but his charms make him the most eligible bachelor in town.  That's if he isn't a killer.

Mrs. Manning, the housekeeper has really bizarre rules, but she seems to be able to justify them all.  She runs a tight ship.

Luca, the teenager living with the family, is socially inept.  Her mother is off somewhere, neglecting her only daughter.

The estate itself seems to have hidden rooms, and a lot of floors.  It's a bit creepy, and occasionally strange sounds emanate from it.

Sabrina sees a strange figure on the grounds at night.

There also seems to have been a lot of deaths and disappearances surrounding this family.

Sabrina starts wondering who she can trust.

 
My Opinions:
WOW, this book had a lot of twists, right to the end! The plot was sometimes a little "out there", but overall, very entertaining.

This book was about lies and deceptions.  It was also about families and love, all of them somewhat dysfunctional.

I did not always like the protagonist.  Sabrina often behaved like a nosy child, and I started wondering if she may be an unreliable narrator, but not in the way it turned out.

The book was told from multiple viewpoints, thereby adding depth to the characters and the story.

Overall, this was a fun and entertaining read, and although there were a few areas that dragged, I found that it moved quite well.  So many twists....I will now be looking for other books by this author.

 

For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, author information and a favorite quotation from the book), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/

[Another Read by Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ohhh this was so fun!

This is is another book that kept me up way past my bedtime and sent me chasing all kinds of dead ends as to what was going on in this story !

This is a very easy & bingeable psychological thriller that was a true page turner and I thought the pacing was perfect , but with an odd ending I did not see coming 😳

Told with multiple POV’s that are easy to follow , our main character is Sabrina , who is clever and down on her luck for jobs when the opportunity of a lifetime lands in her lap to be a personal librarian for the Elite Dorsey Family !

Quickly things get a little strange and the longer Sabrina stays at the mansion, she comes to the conclusion she’s in deep trouble ,and if she’s not careful her sleuthing could put her ten feet under !!

If you like books that keep you guessing with little red herrings and shocking endings then add this one to your TBR !

Thank you NetGalley ,Storm Publishing and Angela Henry for this Twisty ARC !

[Marci Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by Angela Henry and wow was I impressed. This books have so many twists and turns I was sure I would have whiplash by the end!!
This book is full of characters that you will love and some you’ll love to hate. I won’t give you too many details as to what you will read but, I will say if you love great thrillers, this book is definitely for you!!!! Enjoy this wonderful psychological thriller!!!!

[Kimmy Goldman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first half of this book, however the second half dragged on forever!
Interesting concept about a woman who is hired to be the librarian for a wealthy family. I didn’t even know such a job existed! 😂
In any event, I had a challenging time maintaining my interest in this particular book.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was full of twists and was hard to put down! The ending was good and I was wondering how it was going to end. If you enjoy thrillers with plot twists, I would highly recommend this! Special Thank You to Angela Henry, Storm Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think I've ever read a book with this many lies! I ate it up!
I love Angela Henry. I find her work to be very gripping, her ideas and writing are always well-crafted, and she adds enough suspense and twists to keep us on the edge of our seat without being overwhelming. Henry gave us outstanding page-turners with her last two novels, 'The Perfect Affair' and 'Her Pretty Lies', so I knew this next one, 'The Family Lies' would not disappoint.

After struggling for so long to find a job in her desired field, Sabrina Adams is finally offered a job as a private librarian by rich, handsome Theo Dorsey. This job comes with everything she could have imagined - a hefty salary, room and board at a wealthy estate, a 2-year contract, and, not to mention, eye candy. This seems like the perfect job, however, something isn't right at that estate. Sabrina is immediately given a list of rules that she must abide by, many of them being absurd. Then she learns that not only has a woman disappeared on a road near the estate, but that Theo is a suspect. This is not the worst of it, though. Sabrina then finds out that Theo is linked to another woman's disappearance some years prior. Things quickly get heated and intense as Sabrina battles with whether or not she should stay in that house, along with keeping her own secrets hidden.

This book is so good! It's suspenseful, it's intense, and just when we find out one secret, we are presented with more odd facts and information that leaves us questioning, "Who are these people?!" This book is definitely a page-turner, and Mrs. Henry did not disappoint!
Thank you NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Angela Henry for this read!

[Chloe ˚୨୧⋆｡ 🦢 · Rating 3 out of 5]

────୨ৎ────
🔑 ꒱ 3 ☆

when I was browsing through NetGalley, and I came across this Arc I rushed to request it! and when I requested it I was excited to get into it! as soon as the prologue opened I knew that I would be immediately hooked! I gave this 3 stars because the chapters were quite long and it did get a bit confusing with other pov’s but otherwise that it was a great and enjoyable read!

this books follows the main character who is financially struggling after being ‘sacked’ from her job as they were short-cut on money to fund the wages. But then she receives her dream job and gets to be a home librarian for 2 years within a contract. Apart of the contract is that she has to stay at the families house that she works for but she soon realises this family isn’t what she thought they were.

So first of all this gave me, ‘The Housemaid’ vibes by Frieda McFadden, with the advertising of a job and staying in the families home. this book was a quick and easy read and easily gets you out of a slump. I will definitely be buying a physical copy and re-reading when it is officially released!

☆ Publish Date: 22nd January 2025.

☆ thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for gifting and allowing me to read an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest rating and review.

────୨ৎ────
can’t believe I’ve been accepted for a thriller arc! let the fun begin ✨

[Samanthasue218 · Rating 5 out of 5]

No spoilers. Read via kindle unlimited.

WOW!!!!! This book has me shook with all the twists!! I love when the twists actually make sense too, like realistic instead of just like here it is that’s it out of nowhere. This is such a great palette cleanser. It’s a quick read and has you intrigued from the beginning to the very end of the book. This was a great thriller book and I’m just still in so much shock and don’t want to spoil anything so I can’t even say anything else aside from you need to read this! I definitely will be checking out Angela Henry’s other books.

Would I recommend? YES! If you love a story along with a thriller, or Riley Sager’s books I think you’ll really enjoy this one!

[Eszter Lajtos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read an early copy of The Family Lies!

This had been an incredible thriller that had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. It’s almost impossible to put down, and you’re never entirely sure what’s going on until the very last page. And oh, be prepared—there are so many twists coming your way! 🌪️

Angela Henry does an excellent job of setting the scene and bringing her characters to life. The multiple POVs added so much depth and made the story even more gripping. 🗝️

This was my first book by Angela Henry, but it definitely won’t be my last! 📚

[Zoe Lipman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this book sounds so good, but the execution didn't quite live up to what I wanted it to be. I found myself rather uninterested at most parts and I really couldn't get behind the main character (I don't know why, but she just wasn't that interesting to me).

This book follows Sabrina as she is hired to work at a wealthy family's library, but things get weird. There are lots of strange rules around the house and suspicious people about. And past mysteries and secrets resurface.

This was one of those books where the beginning is really slow and you don't see where it's going or what it's doing, but then all this information and action begins and starts just piling up at the very end. I know a lot of people love that in a mystery/thriller, but I don't really tend to like that. I prefer to always be on the edge of my seat and focused because the story and characters have just captivated me THAT much.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

[Lana B- thrills_chills_and_frills · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was utterly gripping and exciting! I really enjoy books by this author! She is very entertaining and an engaging author! If you like Emily Shiner or Ruth Ware, you will love this book!

Surprising TWISTS and the perfect ending!

[Nicole Hancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars. This had elements that reminded me of Riley Sager and Freida McFadden books (which is a positive for me!). Young woman goes to work at a wealthy estate as their private librarian. As a book nerd, I really liked the book restoration/cataloging angle. Of course, there are mysteries and questions surrounding this family. There were a lot of moving pieces, but not too hard to follow.

The end had some twists I did not predict, but honestly the last twist (and a half?) were unnecessary to me and put things over the top.

Will definitely check out more books from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

Expected date of publication: January 22, 2025.

[kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Angela Henry book and will definitely not be my last.

This was a quick, page turner thriller that I finished in less than 24 hours. The different POVs were done well where they give us enough information to keep us interested and wanting more without giving any upcoming twists away! One thing I love about a thriller is thinking you have everything figured out, just for yet another twist to come in and show your that you don’t know a thing and that is what this book did for me.

Haunted house vibes, forbidden floors, multiple bizarre rules, coincidental deaths/missing people. This book has you wondering what the heck goes on in this house?

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for giving me a chance to read this before release!

[Blaque Ace · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really need to stop reading Angela Henry because her books don't hit for me. I requested this ARC because the premise sounded interesting and I wanted to give the author a chance.

Unfortunately, I was disappointed in every single way. The mystery meh, the romance subpar, the dialogue juvenile and the character development non-existent. There was a twist at the end that doesn't make sense and is an obvious plot hole.

I do like reading about non-white characters but must we shove in racism especially when it doesn't make sense and is committed by a character who doesn't add anything to the plot and we never see again.

Honestly, I think I'm done with thrillers, at least for a while. I'm tired of being disappointed every single time.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Madelyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

idk what to say about this one... it's very bad... it had that thing I keep bumping into this year where like I truly don't have very high standards for dumb thriller writing but the writing is SO bad it stands out in a truly negative way. like within the first maybe 2-3 chapters it actually used "awkward AF" in prose and I had to read it a few times to make sure I'd just truly read what I thought I had.

also the ending had One More Twist syndrome and after a while it just got stupid. maybe the audacity would have hit harder if I cared about these characters more?

[Curt Dunnam · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Family Lies” by Angela Henry is a gripping 5-star read brimming with lies, deception, and suspense! Set in Harper’s Ferry, Ohio, the story follows Sabrina, a bookstore employee who lands her dream job working in a private library. However, the house she’ll be working in has a dark history of misfortune for outsiders. Will she truly be safe there?

The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, primarily Sabrina’s, as we learn how she found herself in her current circumstances. The story also delves into the lives of Belle, who is struggling with her own unique circumstances, and Jared, a police detective. Each character is richly developed, including Theo, the millionaire son who now heads his late father’s company.

As the title suggests, this family—and every character in the story—is entangled in a web of lies. The pacing is masterfully executed, gradually building suspense and delivering twists and turns that keep you hooked until the very end.

This is the second book I’ve read by Angela Henry, and I enjoyed it as much as the first. I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

Thanks to Storm Publishing, Angela Henry, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.

[Kelly (Little.shropshire.reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Family Lies follows Sabrina Adams as she gets offered a job restoring an old library for the Dorsey's at their family estate. Although this has multiple pov's, Sabrina is the main one. With so many rules to follow, locked doors and places that are off limits, Sabrina soon learns there a secrets within this family and doesn't know who to trust.

This is the second book I've read by this author, and I did prefer it to the other book I've read. I did enjoy reading this, and even though some of it was a little far-fetched for me, I just didn't love it. The story is entertaining, and it kept me interested throughout. This is a perfect book if you want something that's easy to get into, a quick and easy read. There are lots of twists, and although I had an inkling about a couple of them, it kept me guessing right up to the end. A story that is full drama, secrets, and lies. I recommend to those who love Freida McFaddon.

Thank you, Storm Publishing, for the opportunity to review this book.

[Maryann Forbes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever simply been gobsmacked by the ending of a book- you literally have to pick your jaw off the floor? That is exactly how I felt when I finished The Family Lies by Angela Henry. Short synopsis: Sabrina Adams is an unemployed librarian, working part-time in a bookstore and living with her older sister Cami and Cami's lecherous husband Bruce. Or is she? Sabrina is offered what seems like the perfect opportunity to restore the library of the late Lorraine Dorsey, matriarch of one of the richest families in Harper's Ferry, Ohio. The offer is made by Lorraine's charming and debonaire son Theodore- or is he? Sabrina must live in Dorsey home for the two years the project is projected to take, and abide by the rules of the house as outlined by the rather distant and overbearing housekeeper Anna Manning. This book is indeed a thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat: unsolved murders, new murders, family secrets,...etc. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, although a few of the resolutions stretched the imagination a bit. All in all, and with the jaw-dropping ending I highly recommend The Family Ties. Thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Angela Henry for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book; my review reflects my honest opinion. 4 stars

[sharon amenze · Rating 3 out of 5]

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

firstly, thankyou netgalley & storm publishing for this arc!

if you’re a fan of “the housemaid” you will definitely enjoy this book. a fast paced, plot-twisted thriller, it was unputdownable. from when sabrina becomes a live in librarian for the dorsey family, i thought to myself “sabrina, get out of that house NOW!”.

the unexplained deaths, the rules and just the eeriness of that home would make any sane person run & i was so scared for sabrina throughout the book.

the plot-twists at the end i did not expect AT ALL. i’m pretty much still in shock. with their being 3(4ish) pov’s it wasn’t confusing at all and they were all so important for the plot. the texts and interview style writing format was also very enjoyable to read.

first book I’ve read by angela henry so i will be checking out more books by her!

[Mel (CrazyforBooksandCoffee) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sabrina thinks her luck has finally changed when she is hired as a librarian for the wealthy Dorsey family but as soon as she arrives she feels something isn't right. So many cameras and places she is banned from going along with some very strange and strict rules she has to follow. The police arrived investigating the disappearace of a local woman and Sabrina realises her employer was probably the last person to see her alive. Who can she trust can she uncover the secrets.

This book got off to a great start and I was hooked but somewhere along the way it lost me a little bit and I found by the end I didn't care so much as I had at the start but still this was a decent quick thriller read and would recommend giving it a try.

Thank you to Netgalley, Storm Publishing and Angela Henry for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25⭐️




Sabrina acaba de ser despedida de su trabajo en la biblioteca, justo cuando pensaba dejar de vivir con su hermana y su cuñado. Sin embargo, su situación cambia cuando Theo Dorsey, cabeza de una de las familias más importantes de la ciudad, le ofrece un empleo por dos años. Sabrina no duda en aceptarlo, pensando que todo irá bien. Pero, de repente, se da cuenta de que los Dorsey podrían estar involucrados en las muertes de algunas mujeres.


Dos de los tres descubrimientos finales no me los esperaba, sobre todo el último, que no lo vi venir.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Amber Shepherd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I LOVED the first 50% of this book. It was so intriguing and really drew you into this story about Sabrina. Unfortunately the last half had me lost and confused and unsure of what was really happening. The multiple plot lines ended up being lost in translation and leaving gaps in the scenes.

If you are a fan of keeping up with multiple characters and varying plot lines then I highly recommend this book.

I really enjoyed how it was laid out like a case and we worked through each individual section. It was interesting to see each characters thoughts on the situation as well.

Thanks you to Netgalley, Angela Henry and Storm publishing for gifting me this arc 🫶

[Jessica Wilczynski · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of The Family Lies.

Sabrina is hired by a handsome wealthy man Theo Dorsey to work in his family’s library. It is the answer to all her problems until she realizes that the Dorsey family has many secrets and people around them keep disappearing. Will Sabrina be the next missing person?

This book was kind of slow for me at the beginning but it picked up in the middle. But the ending was crazy and threw a lot of things at you. I kind of felt like the author wanted more of a shock value at the end and I felt like some of the twists thrown in were way too forced. Overall an okay read for me.

[Stephanie Sabo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars - This book was unhinged and a wild ride. I need not see any of the many, many twists that happened in the final 5% of the book. You will have to suspend belief for a few of the twists but overall a fun read.

The characters were well developed and I loved the idea of the main character doing library restoration. This is my first book I have read by Angela Henry and I would absolutely read more by her.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[emy ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️

This book was pretty good, not the best but not the worst I’ve read.
Maybe it’s me but sometimes I felt the story was going nowhere and made it a bit boring, but at the end I really enjoyed how things turned out.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

What was that??? 😳 This was my first book by Angela Henry and I enjoyed her writing style a lot. My only complaint was that there was a section at the beginning of the second half of the book that slowed a bit and I almost put it down. I'm so glad I didn't because the last twist at around 75%, while a bit over the top, was totally worth it lol! If you're a fan of twisty family drama you should definitely check this one out!

[Andrea Dickerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! It kept me totally gripped through throughout the story. With a thick plot and a lot going on and an epic amount of characters to follow make sure you read and pay attention to all the clues because I definitely did not have this book figured out. This book comes out on January 22 and I think it is going to be a huge hit. Angela. Henry actually can write a book like none other and I cannot wait to read all of her other ones