Home Is Where The Hurt Is

by KG Jessup

She thought she married into privilege. Instead, she walked into a trap. Marlys Brannigan believed she was stepping into a life of luxury. Instead, she’s caught in a house of secrets and under the suffocating control of her powerful husband, Hunter.

Then Hunter vanishes after a dinner party. Days later, his body is found buried in the woods. The police have only one Marlys.

To clear her name, she must dig into Hunter’s past, uncovering a mysterious care home, handwritten notes about a woman no one will name, and a black SUV that won’t stop following her.

But inside the Brannigan mansion, she’s not alone. The dead are waiting to be heard.

235 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2025

Reviews

[Chloe-Rayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first read of the year and boy did I start with a bang?! This book had me on the edge of my seat all the way through!

I found myself suspecting and second guessing throughout the whole book. But I couldn't have guessed the whole picture at the end.

I really enjoyed this book, and what a debut! I can't wait to read the next story.

[Eileen Murphy-Schmehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marlys has a wonderful life, or at least it LOOKS wonderful. Her husband is distant, and her stepson is moody. She tries to make everything perfect, but after a dinner party , her husband disappears. What does Marlys do now, and what is making her anxious?

A page turner and a domestic thriller about the people you trust - until you don’t.

I received a copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

I found this book to be phenomenal! Initially, I was perplexed by Miranda, as she was not what she seemed. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was fast-paced and well-written, keeping me on the edge of my seat. I read it in one sitting and loved the ending.

Thanks to Book Sirens for sending me an advanced copy to read and review

[Peta Wrigley · Rating 4 out of 5]

nothing like a good mystery to wrap up your reading year! I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the pacing was good and it kept me questioning what the heck was happening! the ending left me a bit flumoxed too...which I kinda liked!
Keen to read more from this author!

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to BookSirens for the advanced reader copy. There is dual points of view in this book and its done quite well and from opposite perspectives , you get the eerie feeling that something bad has happened but the author just doesnt give you enough to figure it out. The suspense builds over the chapters, the main character Marlys is married to Hunter, who is a successful businessman and workaholic . Although a fancy house and swimming pool doesnt make up the lack of emotional presence and love in a marriage. At first it was a fairytale for Marlys and she spends alot of time wishing for a glimpse of this again. Alot unravels in this book, it combines the ghost of the past with the future of the family. Its twisty and turny with its chapters, you can feel the anxiety in some of the chapters and the fact that Marlys just needs to know a few home truths. In this book alot is questionned about what we know about the people closest to us. The way this book comes across is quite unique as it mixes the past and a presence from elsewhere which i actually really liked. The writing was easy to read and a good storyline to follow, the last few chapters really started to race until it was finished.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genres: Suspense Thriller | Domestic Thriller | Psychological Thriller | Domestic Mystery | Psychological Suspense

KG Jessup’s Home Is Where the Hurt Is delivers a twisty domestic thriller with a strong premise: a controlling husband vanishes after a dinner party, and his wife becomes the obvious suspect when his body turns up buried in the woods. What follows is a spiral into secrets, surveillance, and a past that refuses to stay buried.

The story started off a bit slow for me, and at times it felt like the author was trying to build suspense… but the tension didn’t always land. That slower pacing also made it harder to connect early on, especially because I found Marlys frustratingly insipid and annoying at times, which took some of the emotional impact out of her situation.

That said, once the plot starts moving, it gets genuinely interesting. There are some satisfying twists and a creepy, unsettling thread running through the mystery that kept me turning pages. I just wish the ending had taken a little more time to breathe, because it felt slightly rushed compared to the build-up.

Overall, this is a very strong debut with enough intrigue to make me want to read more from this author, even with the slow start. If you like domestic thrillers with secrets behind closed doors and a main character under pressure, this one is worth the ride.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for me.

Marlys Brannigan thought she married a great man, Hunter is rich, charming and can give her life in luxury.With time he's more controlling and Marlys is stuck in this marriage for her stepson Kage, she don't want to leave him with cold father. She also suspect Hunter is cheating on her.
After a business party Hunter didn't come back home, and few days later is found dead. Police seem to think she's the one who kill him. Marlys must find killer before is to late,soon she uncover more then one secret Hunter was hiding. Good she have her neighbour Xander to help.

Will Marlys prove her innocence?
Why Kage behieve like he's hiding something?

Very enjoyable read,book was not long,it took me few hours to finish it.I liked Marlys but was hoping she get more respect from her stepson. The secrets and tension was great,and the ending creepy and disturbing in a way.My first book by this author and hope to read more.

Great for thriller with a twists fans.

Thank you author for arc,my review is honest and my own.

[Kaitlyn Stacks · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re a fan of thriller with twists, this book is for you. The storyline is great but I felt the ending was a bit rushed. I hoped to get more insight on Amelia and the story behind her injury. All that was given was that Hunter inflicted it due to his anger and control issues. However, with the ending feeling rushed, I do feel like it left opportunity for a second book which is exciting.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[NomadicReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a domestic thriller fan like me, do yourself a favor and add this to your TBR. I was immediately drawn into this novel by the tension and suspense the author weaves into the plot. I absolutely love the titled chapters. It gives a sense of what lies ahead, and it's something I haven't seen in a book in a long time. A missing husband, a disgruntled teenager, a haunting presence, secrets, lies, and betrayal make up the gripping plot of this novel. This book is fast-paced, well written, and easy to read. KG Jessup knocked it out of the park with her debut novel. This is an author to watch!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank you, Booksirens and KG Jessup, for the arc.

[Johanna Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page turner! You never know what happens behind closed doors, even when you view the doors from the inside. The author was able to help you to clearly see what can happen from both angles. This is the kind of story that has you expressing every feeling you can think of, and I think I did. You never know or can truly understand how people honestly feel, or how they will handle a certain situation. This story focuses on family, love, hurt, friendships, forgiveness and betrayal. The kind of book that kept me up late at night reading because I couldn’t put it down. I definitely recommend.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Pheadra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is described as a thriller, but for me, it was a sad story of the leopard never changing its spots.
The story is told primarily from Marlys' point of view in different timelines. She thought she was marrying into a life of privilege, but big homes and luxury cover a multitude of sins. When her husband Hunter disappears and she is left dealing with a moody teenager, the reader is taken on a journey of what happened in Hunter's previous relationships. There are some twists, but predominantly, this is a disturbing domestic story.
I received an advance copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily. 3 and a half stars

[Carol D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marlys Brannigan is the main suspect in her husband’s murder in the Psychological Thriller, Home Is Where the Hurt Is by K.G. Jessup.

As Marlys’s husband, Hunter Brannigan, goes missing one night, she frantically tries to locate

him. In her search, a few eye-opening secrets are revealed about his dark and ugly past.

If she didn’t already have enough on her plate, Marlys has an eerie feeling that someone is in her home, spying on her, a mysterious black SUV follows her around town, and she keeps receiving encrypted letters in the mail, her angry step-son hates her and gives her a hard time every chance he gets.

Can Marlys overcome all these obstacles, maintain her sanity, and try to convince the

police that she didn’t murder her husband?

In her debut novel, the author, K.G. Jessup, does a brilliant job in creating suspense, which keeps the reader guessing throughout the story.

One of her strong suits is she creates great characters. I find them believable and sometimes humorous, especially her step-son, Kage.

There is also her neighbor and best friend, Xander, who is supportive but not above suspicion, as well as a couple of minor characters that fit into the list of suspects.

Even though these other characters are mean, they are still likable in their own way, but

Marlys’s character stands out.

She starts off as passive, trying hard to please her dominating husband’s every want and need. But after her husband goes missing, she didn’t sit by and do nothing. She had her issues with Kage, but she didn’t let his negative attitude get her down for too long. She kept trying to be a good step-mother.

What I didn’t like about the story was how Marlys knew about certain events, but never

disclosed how she became aware of these things.

The author never cleared this up. There were also quite a few typos, but they didn’t weaken the story.

What I really enjoyed about this story is that it was fast-paced and a kept me interested from start to finish. It’s a quick read, and I loved the humor. It was a serious story, but some of the dialogue made me chuckle. Most of all, I loved the whole not knowing until you do!

I give this novel four stars. This story reminds me of my favorite psychological/thriller stories by author Kierstein Modglin. I recommend this book to readers that love mysteries and suspense novels.

[Jatin Zadoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Domestic Mystery thriller with amazing twists.

Things that make this book a great read.

The setup and the character interactions

The mystery: Apart from the amazing point of view story, there is a "who did it" mystery, and

The Twist: The slow build-up, the different point of view storyline, and then an amazing twist. There is a point of view in this book that I enjoyed reading.

If you love mysteries, then this one is for you.

The book teaches:

Anger is the root cause of all of our problems.

Love these lines from the book. If you haven't read the book, then these will be spoilers for you.

It’s one thing to love another if it’s reciprocated, but loving someone who is constantly at odds with you… that’s another challenge entirely.

It’s in the small fragments of things that love prevails.

It’s a curious thing to think you know a person. But even if you knew someone for a century, I think they would still hold something back, whether through shame, or guilt, or some other wretched feeling. You can’t truly know anyone.

Starting over some place new. Somewhere we can be the people we choose to be, without worrying about the fractures that hold us together.

Thank you to Book Sirens for the Advanced Review Copy of the book. Looking forward to reading more books this year.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Home Is Where the Hurt Is is a quietly devastating domestic thriller that explores the fine line between love and control, safety and isolation. Marlys Brannigan thought she was stepping into a life of comfort and privilege—but behind the polished facade of the Brannigan estate lies a chilling truth.

Jessup’s prose is restrained yet evocative, drawing us into Marlys’s unraveling with a sense of creeping dread. The mystery surrounding her husband’s disappearance is compelling, but it’s the emotional undercurrents—gaslighting, grief, and the slow erosion of self—that truly linger.

This is not a story of explosive twists, but of subtle revelations and psychological tension. The pacing is deliberate, the atmosphere claustrophobic, and the stakes deeply personal. Jessup handles difficult themes with sensitivity, never veering into sensationalism.

Perfect for readers who appreciate thrillers with emotional resonance and a touch of gothic elegance. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Gail Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

The suspense comes early and is built up - not over only one issue, but over multiple threads that run through the book. As each chapter switches to another character's POV, we are left hanging from the previous chapter - but wait! We need resolution! The book really does pull you along. A palpable sense of danger, but we're not always sure from whom or when it might occur.

I don't generally read thrillers because my sleep at night is fitful enough already, but I'm very glad I read this one. One star removed because of some plot holes and inconsistencies.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Starlight Lno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Home Is Where the Hurt Is quickly pulls you into Marlys’s world as her “perfect” marriage unravels into secrets, control, and danger. When her husband disappears and is later found dead, the mystery sharpens, and watching her uncover hidden notes, a strange care home, and a shadow that keeps following her makes the story hard to put down.
It’s a fast, atmospheric thriller with just enough twists to keep you hooked. A solid read for anyone who enjoys dark domestic suspense.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

So excited for this release! There’s always room on my shelf for a gripping, suspenseful mystery.

[Diane Macfarlane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excited for this!

[Kirby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Joanna for the recommendation and can’t wait to read it!

[Tangled Titles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the storyline and characters and I get why the ending was the the way it was but I will say one thing though. The FMC will be a fool to trust him ever agter seeing what he is capable off

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Thriller! Such a rollercoaster! I couldn’t put it down!

[Garnet Castle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt the book could have been more fast paced. I felt the author gave away two much in the beginning to where I knew what had happened. I would have liked more twist and unexpected plots. Overall it was a good read which is why I gave it a 4 star.

[Hrudley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great thriller! Page turner! Read it in one day!