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Ours Is a Tale of Murder
10 hours, 44 minutes
"Three seemingly disparate stories, all captivating in their own right, pull the reader toward a shocking collision made all the more satisfying by Murphy's brilliant twists. The stakes are high, the casualties tragic, the losses profound. Clear your schedule—you won't be putting this down until that last, mesmerizing page."
--Carter Wilson, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of Tell Me What You Did
One quiet neighborhood
Three different families
Bound by murder
Klara never wanted the house with the white picket fence. Troy never wanted anything else.
Nothing is quite right with this happy couple, but they fit right in. The mother in the blue house, Mary, is cleaning out her son's old room before she sells, haunted by the mistakes of her past and afraid of what her home has become. Next door, Henry, freshly laid off and back living with his parents, has plenty of time to watch everyone – especially wives. He knows something is wrong. But then then nothing is quite as it seems, and sometimes you miss what is right in front of you.
Murder will soon thread its way through this world in ways no one will see coming ---unless you've been plotting all along.
"Three seemingly disparate stories, all captivating in their own right, pull the reader toward a shocking collision made all the more satisfying by Murphy's brilliant twists. The stakes are high, the casualties tragic, the losses profound. Clear your schedule—you won't be putting this down until that last, mesmerizing page."
--Carter Wilson, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of Tell Me What You Did
One quiet neighborhood
Three different families
Bound by murder
Klara never wanted the house with the white picket fence. Troy never wanted anything else.
Nothing is quite right with this happy couple, but they fit right in. The mother in the blue house, Mary, is cleaning out her son's old room before she sells, haunted by the mistakes of her past and afraid of what her home has become. Next door, Henry, freshly laid off and back living with his parents, has plenty of time to watch everyone – especially wives. He knows something is wrong. But then then nothing is quite as it seems, and sometimes you miss what is right in front of you.
Murder will soon thread its way through this world in ways no one will see coming ---unless you've been plotting all along.
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First published February 10, 2026
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About the author
Nora Murphy
7 books661 followersNora Murphy is the author of The Favor and The New Mother. A practicing attorney, Nora resides in Maryland with her husband, three sons, and four rescue pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 548 reviews
March 23, 2026
Brilliantly clever and impossible to put down, this mystery unfolds through a web of richly drawn characters whose lives interlock like pieces of a sinister puzzle. Each chapter pulls you deeper into a tightening spiral of dread, as the sense that someone will die grows stronger—and that one of these seemingly ordinary neighbors is responsible. The brilliance lies not just in who and why, but in how exquisitely the story leads you there. And when that first major twist hits, it feels like a perfectly timed punch to the face—in the best way possible. Absolute genius.
I’ve read Nora Murphy’s previous books and enjoyed them all, but this one is on another level. It is sharper, more daring, and emotionally richer. The novel explores dysfunctional relationships, love, obsession, marriage, control, abuse, stalking, motherhood, and guilt with chilling precision and surprising tenderness. It’s devilishly smart, yet deeply human.
Mary’s perspective, in particular, broke my heart. Her love for her child, her loneliness, her regrets, her guilt, her longing—it all felt painfully real. She isn’t just a character; she’s a soul you carry with you long after you close the book. For me, she is easily the most unforgettable figure in the story.
The narrative splits into multiple storylines that slowly but brilliantly collide.
One centers on Klara, a driven personal-injury lawyer in her thirties, freshly out of a long-term relationship and hoping to make partner at her firm. At a work event, she meets Troy Weston, a charming commercial lawyer. What Klara doesn’t realize is that Troy has already decided she is the love of his life—and he has no intention of letting her go. His fixation sets a disturbing plan in motion, turning what begins as a romance into something far more dangerous.
Another storyline follows Mary, a woman in her sixties preparing to sell her house while clearing out her son Owen’s old room. As she sorts through memories, we learn about her emotionally toxic marriage to her late husband, Ed, and the scars it left behind. But there’s also something far more unsettling lurking in her home: someone is secretly living in her basement. We don’t know who… but the truth grows more terrifying with every page.
Next door lives Henry, recently fired from his job after being caught spying on women. Now living with his parents, he spends his days obsessively watching his neighbor—an unhappy wife trapped in a controlling marriage. In his twisted mind, he sees himself as her savior. But how far will he go for a woman he has never even spoken to?
As these lives inch closer together, the tension becomes almost unbearable. You can feel the tragedy coming. You start building theories, connecting dots, second-guessing everyone. You read faster, heart pounding, unable to stop. The pressure keeps rising until—bam—the story explodes with a shocking twist and a devastating crime that changes everything. From there, the stakes skyrocket, and you race through the final pages, desperate to know who will survive and who will pay the price.
And the ending? Completely worth the ride. Smart, powerful, and deeply satisfying.
I absolutely loved this book. It is one of the best thrillers I’ve read this year, and I’m genuinely excited to recommend it. If you love psychologically sharp, emotionally intense, twisty mysteries, this is a must-read. In my opinion, this is Nora Murphy’s strongest and most accomplished work yet—and I wholeheartedly congratulate her for creating such a masterfully crafted thriller.
A huge thank-you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with a digital review copy of this unputdownable, brilliantly executed mystery in exchange for my honest thoughts.
I’ve read Nora Murphy’s previous books and enjoyed them all, but this one is on another level. It is sharper, more daring, and emotionally richer. The novel explores dysfunctional relationships, love, obsession, marriage, control, abuse, stalking, motherhood, and guilt with chilling precision and surprising tenderness. It’s devilishly smart, yet deeply human.
Mary’s perspective, in particular, broke my heart. Her love for her child, her loneliness, her regrets, her guilt, her longing—it all felt painfully real. She isn’t just a character; she’s a soul you carry with you long after you close the book. For me, she is easily the most unforgettable figure in the story.
The narrative splits into multiple storylines that slowly but brilliantly collide.
One centers on Klara, a driven personal-injury lawyer in her thirties, freshly out of a long-term relationship and hoping to make partner at her firm. At a work event, she meets Troy Weston, a charming commercial lawyer. What Klara doesn’t realize is that Troy has already decided she is the love of his life—and he has no intention of letting her go. His fixation sets a disturbing plan in motion, turning what begins as a romance into something far more dangerous.
Another storyline follows Mary, a woman in her sixties preparing to sell her house while clearing out her son Owen’s old room. As she sorts through memories, we learn about her emotionally toxic marriage to her late husband, Ed, and the scars it left behind. But there’s also something far more unsettling lurking in her home: someone is secretly living in her basement. We don’t know who… but the truth grows more terrifying with every page.
Next door lives Henry, recently fired from his job after being caught spying on women. Now living with his parents, he spends his days obsessively watching his neighbor—an unhappy wife trapped in a controlling marriage. In his twisted mind, he sees himself as her savior. But how far will he go for a woman he has never even spoken to?
As these lives inch closer together, the tension becomes almost unbearable. You can feel the tragedy coming. You start building theories, connecting dots, second-guessing everyone. You read faster, heart pounding, unable to stop. The pressure keeps rising until—bam—the story explodes with a shocking twist and a devastating crime that changes everything. From there, the stakes skyrocket, and you race through the final pages, desperate to know who will survive and who will pay the price.
And the ending? Completely worth the ride. Smart, powerful, and deeply satisfying.
I absolutely loved this book. It is one of the best thrillers I’ve read this year, and I’m genuinely excited to recommend it. If you love psychologically sharp, emotionally intense, twisty mysteries, this is a must-read. In my opinion, this is Nora Murphy’s strongest and most accomplished work yet—and I wholeheartedly congratulate her for creating such a masterfully crafted thriller.
A huge thank-you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with a digital review copy of this unputdownable, brilliantly executed mystery in exchange for my honest thoughts.
February 10, 2026
🐝
This is the EASIEST 5 stars that I have given a thriller in quite some time! You don’t want to miss this one!!
OPENING paragraph:
“ It might seem, as you read, that ours is the story of love. It’s not. Ours is the tale of murder.”
Klara never wanted children or the house with the white picket fence.
Troy never wanted anything else-and his sights are set on Klara.
Mary, is the mother in the blue house, finally cleaning out her son's old room before she puts the house up for sale.
Henry, is living at home again, after getting laid off from work and he has plenty of time to watch everyone.
This story unfolds from the alternating first person POV’s of Klara and Troy and from the third person POV’s of Mary and Henry and NOTHING is what it seems, as you will find out in PART 2.
There will be a MURDER in the sleepy suburb of Hawthorne Heights.
AND I KNEW from those opening sentences that this one had 5 star potential-as the short, snappy chapters kept me furiously swiping those Kindle pages to find out WHO would end up dead and WHO would be guilty of murder.
The story just kept on getting better and better!
Sometimes you miss what is right in front of you-and the clues are there if you are sharp enough to catch them!
The CLOSING paragraph is quite memorable too! Chef’s kiss!
I wasn’t enamored with the author’s second novel, “The New Mother” but I really enjoyed her debut novel “The Favor” so I was curious to see where I would land with this one. I am thrilled to report that this domestic suspense novel is her BEST yet!
NOW AVAILABLE!
Review for The Favor: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A buddy read with Mary Beth! Be sure to watch for her review for additional thoughts on this one!
Thank You to Sourcebooks Landmark for the gifted ARC provided by NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
This is the EASIEST 5 stars that I have given a thriller in quite some time! You don’t want to miss this one!!
OPENING paragraph:
“ It might seem, as you read, that ours is the story of love. It’s not. Ours is the tale of murder.”
Klara never wanted children or the house with the white picket fence.
Troy never wanted anything else-and his sights are set on Klara.
Mary, is the mother in the blue house, finally cleaning out her son's old room before she puts the house up for sale.
Henry, is living at home again, after getting laid off from work and he has plenty of time to watch everyone.
This story unfolds from the alternating first person POV’s of Klara and Troy and from the third person POV’s of Mary and Henry and NOTHING is what it seems, as you will find out in PART 2.
There will be a MURDER in the sleepy suburb of Hawthorne Heights.
AND I KNEW from those opening sentences that this one had 5 star potential-as the short, snappy chapters kept me furiously swiping those Kindle pages to find out WHO would end up dead and WHO would be guilty of murder.
The story just kept on getting better and better!
Sometimes you miss what is right in front of you-and the clues are there if you are sharp enough to catch them!
The CLOSING paragraph is quite memorable too! Chef’s kiss!
I wasn’t enamored with the author’s second novel, “The New Mother” but I really enjoyed her debut novel “The Favor” so I was curious to see where I would land with this one. I am thrilled to report that this domestic suspense novel is her BEST yet!
NOW AVAILABLE!
Review for The Favor: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A buddy read with Mary Beth! Be sure to watch for her review for additional thoughts on this one!
Thank You to Sourcebooks Landmark for the gifted ARC provided by NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
February 23, 2026
Wow! Some twists I absolutely didn’t see coming. Great mystery/thriller.
I definitely recommend going into this one blind--it's more surprising that way!
It's divided into multiple parts, for part one I thought I had it all figured out, but then part two started and bam! A twist that really surprised me, so much so that I said "WHAT?" out loud. Further on there are some other twists that really kept me invested in knowing what was going on with the story.
I don't give many 5 star ratings because it takes a lot to impress me, but this one definitely did. If you like a good twisty mystery, then give this book a try.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
I definitely recommend going into this one blind--it's more surprising that way!
It's divided into multiple parts, for part one I thought I had it all figured out, but then part two started and bam! A twist that really surprised me, so much so that I said "WHAT?" out loud. Further on there are some other twists that really kept me invested in knowing what was going on with the story.
I don't give many 5 star ratings because it takes a lot to impress me, but this one definitely did. If you like a good twisty mystery, then give this book a try.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
February 10, 2026
What a fast paced book with a very unpredictable twist!
Your best bet is to go into this one knowing as little as possible.
Part one is told from three different character’s perspectives. I had no idea how they were connected or what was going on or even who was who. Then part two happened. I definitely didn’t see that coming. Not even a clue. Which is fantastic! It’s very rare for a twist to actually land and in this case it did. However, after that, I wasn’t as invested as I had been during the first part. It was pretty obvious how everything was going to tie up. Maybe it was just because the twist itself was so good that anything thereafter would’ve been tough to match. Regardless, I really enjoyed reading this, and I enjoyed trying to figure out what was going on.
Highly recommended for fans of twisty, psychological thrillers.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Your best bet is to go into this one knowing as little as possible.
Part one is told from three different character’s perspectives. I had no idea how they were connected or what was going on or even who was who. Then part two happened. I definitely didn’t see that coming. Not even a clue. Which is fantastic! It’s very rare for a twist to actually land and in this case it did. However, after that, I wasn’t as invested as I had been during the first part. It was pretty obvious how everything was going to tie up. Maybe it was just because the twist itself was so good that anything thereafter would’ve been tough to match. Regardless, I really enjoyed reading this, and I enjoyed trying to figure out what was going on.
Highly recommended for fans of twisty, psychological thrillers.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 18, 2026
A tale filled not only with layers of shocking twists and unforeseen surprises but also bad marriages and neighborhood drama, Ours Is a Tale of Murder delivered an onion-like storyline plotted with precision. You see, this sinister puzzle of enigmatic mysteries pulled the wool over my eyes from the very first scene. Yup. I didn’t see the big, eye-popping twist coming at all. On top of that, though, were a long list of characters—almost all of whom were both unlikeable and suspicious—that were richly drawn. Depicting multiple households filled with a ton of dark and twisted secrets that I loved, I was pulled into the story with ease. Little did I know, however, that there was going to be a huge, whopping twist about 70% of the way into the book. Moving the plot in a jaw-dropping direction, I was stunned into silence by the kind of inherent genius that proves hindsight is 20/20.
This is where I’m going to get somewhat vague about what Murphy served up next as the shift would lose some of its strength if I gave any of it away. That being said, between the distinctly voiced multiple POVs and seemingly unconnected plot lines, I was utterly floored by how everything was wrapped up in this stunning tale of domestic suspense. You see, with short, snappy chapters, oodles of dysfunctional families, and unexpectedly poignant themes, my fingers flew through the pages until I reached that delicious open-ended conclusion. Exploring control, abuse, obsession, and love, it took a hard look at both motherhood and marriage in a way a wasn’t expecting. So if you love a constant, ever-present sense of dread in the vein of B.A. Paris or Lisa Jewell, grab this book now. I found it impossible to put down and I think you will as well. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
One quiet neighborhood…
Three different families…
Bound by murder.
Klara never wanted the house with the white picket fence. Troy never wanted anything else.
Nothing is quite right with this happy couple, but isn't every home hiding something? Mary, the mother in the blue house, is cleaning out her son's old room before she sells, haunted by the mistakes of her past and afraid of what her home has become. Henry, freshly laid off and back living with his parents, has plenty of time to watch everyone—especially wives. He knows something is wrong with the couple across the street. But then, nothing is quite what it seems, and sometimes you miss what's right in front of you. Murder will soon thread its way through this world in ways no one will see coming—unless you've been the one plotting it all along.
Thank you Nora Murphy, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley for my complimentary digital and physical copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 10, 2026
Content warning: domestic abuse, stalking, pregnancy, gaslighting, sexual harassment, emotional abuse, miscarriage, infertility, murder, animal death, grief
This is where I’m going to get somewhat vague about what Murphy served up next as the shift would lose some of its strength if I gave any of it away. That being said, between the distinctly voiced multiple POVs and seemingly unconnected plot lines, I was utterly floored by how everything was wrapped up in this stunning tale of domestic suspense. You see, with short, snappy chapters, oodles of dysfunctional families, and unexpectedly poignant themes, my fingers flew through the pages until I reached that delicious open-ended conclusion. Exploring control, abuse, obsession, and love, it took a hard look at both motherhood and marriage in a way a wasn’t expecting. So if you love a constant, ever-present sense of dread in the vein of B.A. Paris or Lisa Jewell, grab this book now. I found it impossible to put down and I think you will as well. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
One quiet neighborhood…
Three different families…
Bound by murder.
Klara never wanted the house with the white picket fence. Troy never wanted anything else.
Nothing is quite right with this happy couple, but isn't every home hiding something? Mary, the mother in the blue house, is cleaning out her son's old room before she sells, haunted by the mistakes of her past and afraid of what her home has become. Henry, freshly laid off and back living with his parents, has plenty of time to watch everyone—especially wives. He knows something is wrong with the couple across the street. But then, nothing is quite what it seems, and sometimes you miss what's right in front of you. Murder will soon thread its way through this world in ways no one will see coming—unless you've been the one plotting it all along.
Thank you Nora Murphy, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley for my complimentary digital and physical copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 10, 2026
Content warning: domestic abuse, stalking, pregnancy, gaslighting, sexual harassment, emotional abuse, miscarriage, infertility, murder, animal death, grief
August 6, 2025
"It might seem, as you read, that ours is a story of love.
It's not.
Ours is a tale of murder.
But that's to come. First, there was love. Or something like it. Something that looked like love, that wore its scent like a spritz of perfume.
Something that sounded right, that felt true.
Something that was always, actually, very, very wrong."
Murphy had me gripped from that very first paragraph and that grip never let go until I turned the final page.
Let me introduce you to our characters:
Klara and Troy - A married couple and the newest residents of Hawthorne Heights. They appear to be perfect and content yet something doesn't seem right.
Mary - A woman with a traumatic past that is trying to pack up her home so it can be sold. A lonely widow reminiscing about her sweet boy yet something doesn't seem right.
Henry - A man living in his childhood home with his parents after losing his job. With all this time on his hands he keeps watch over the neighborhood. It's a safe neighborhood yet something doesn't seem right.
This book had me baffled in the best way possible. I felt so off-kilter. As I was reading this it was as if there was this sense of menace that I just couldn't pinpoint but I sure as heck could feel. Murphy completely messed with my head and had me second guessing everything. I love when that happens.
Then at roughly 70% Part 2 starts and BOOM! 🤯 What the heck just happened?!?!
A very well written domestic suspense. Intricately layered and executed masterfully. Murphy didn't just come to play, she came to win, and this right here is a WINNER! 5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for my complimentary copy.
It's not.
Ours is a tale of murder.
But that's to come. First, there was love. Or something like it. Something that looked like love, that wore its scent like a spritz of perfume.
Something that sounded right, that felt true.
Something that was always, actually, very, very wrong."
Murphy had me gripped from that very first paragraph and that grip never let go until I turned the final page.
Let me introduce you to our characters:
Klara and Troy - A married couple and the newest residents of Hawthorne Heights. They appear to be perfect and content yet something doesn't seem right.
Mary - A woman with a traumatic past that is trying to pack up her home so it can be sold. A lonely widow reminiscing about her sweet boy yet something doesn't seem right.
Henry - A man living in his childhood home with his parents after losing his job. With all this time on his hands he keeps watch over the neighborhood. It's a safe neighborhood yet something doesn't seem right.
This book had me baffled in the best way possible. I felt so off-kilter. As I was reading this it was as if there was this sense of menace that I just couldn't pinpoint but I sure as heck could feel. Murphy completely messed with my head and had me second guessing everything. I love when that happens.
Then at roughly 70% Part 2 starts and BOOM! 🤯 What the heck just happened?!?!
A very well written domestic suspense. Intricately layered and executed masterfully. Murphy didn't just come to play, she came to win, and this right here is a WINNER! 5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for my complimentary copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Nora Murphy… what the?. Wow, just so clever, that twist was just brilliant and totally unexpected. I loved it.
Go into this blind, seriously you want that shock, you want to be surprised. It is a story of murder, a story of misdirection a domestic suspense story with a completely unique plot. How well do you know what your neighbours are doing? What happens behind closed doors will keep you turning the pages.
If you have read this author before, you know that she has a way of making you feel uncomfortable, making you think you have it all worked out when really you are being lulled into a false narrative. So well done.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for my early copy of this book to read. Published on February 10th, get this on your TBR, you don’t want to miss out on a book that everyone will be talking about.
Go into this blind, seriously you want that shock, you want to be surprised. It is a story of murder, a story of misdirection a domestic suspense story with a completely unique plot. How well do you know what your neighbours are doing? What happens behind closed doors will keep you turning the pages.
If you have read this author before, you know that she has a way of making you feel uncomfortable, making you think you have it all worked out when really you are being lulled into a false narrative. So well done.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for my early copy of this book to read. Published on February 10th, get this on your TBR, you don’t want to miss out on a book that everyone will be talking about.
August 3, 2025
If Carter Wilson gives a book his seal of approval im very clearly going to read it 😂
Nora Murphy is a new author to me and I was very pleasantly surprised with this book! The writing is very catchy and the plot will have you glued to the pages. The pacing is quick so if you are looking to get out of a reading slump and dive into something that will very quickly grab your attention and keep your interest then this is a solid choice.
As for the twists I was definitely caught by surprise!
There are multiple POV as well as two parts to the story, but everything is blended well together and nothing feels awkward or out of place, there’s definitely no jarring time jump that leaves you feeling out of place. The plot follows the lives of seemingly unconnected people but as we read on their paths are woven together and we start to conned the threads and see why they are all important to each-others stories. Arguably you won’t find many likeable characters here but that’s part of the fun.
Thank you to sourcebooks landmark and Nora Murphy for the #netgalley #gifted copy!
Publish date : February 10th 2026
Nora Murphy is a new author to me and I was very pleasantly surprised with this book! The writing is very catchy and the plot will have you glued to the pages. The pacing is quick so if you are looking to get out of a reading slump and dive into something that will very quickly grab your attention and keep your interest then this is a solid choice.
As for the twists I was definitely caught by surprise!
There are multiple POV as well as two parts to the story, but everything is blended well together and nothing feels awkward or out of place, there’s definitely no jarring time jump that leaves you feeling out of place. The plot follows the lives of seemingly unconnected people but as we read on their paths are woven together and we start to conned the threads and see why they are all important to each-others stories. Arguably you won’t find many likeable characters here but that’s part of the fun.
Thank you to sourcebooks landmark and Nora Murphy for the #netgalley #gifted copy!
Publish date : February 10th 2026
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February 26, 2026Here’s my review besides the “Help, I'm stuck here on Outlier Island! Not again??”
This started out as a fast paced, disturbing thriller filled with mounting dread and unease. The tone was definitely unsettling, gloomy and laced with melancholy. It seems everyone is unreliable and keeping secrets.
Most of the cast of characters were not only highly unlikeable people, but deeply disturbing, sick individuals, especially the men.
It certainly wasn't enjoyable to be in the head of these unhinged, morally bankrupt, mentally unwell, utterly despicable men!
Our main protagonist is not one of them, thank goodness, and I was really rooting for her. Oftentimes, when something feels quite “off” you really have to trust your gut and boy was I screaming at Klara to do just that!
I guess you can call the “big twist” unique…but let's just say it really pissed me off!!!!! To me, that's not a plot twist, it felt like a cop out, pure and simple. I didn't understand what it accomplished in the book besides making me feel like I wasted my time!
After that, I really lost interest. Nora Murphy definitely can write, even if this one didn't quite land for me. I would try other books by this author.
Trigger Warnings: Domestic violence, emotional abuse, gaslighting, manipulation, stalking, parental abandonment, miscarriage… to name a few.
This started out as a fast paced, disturbing thriller filled with mounting dread and unease. The tone was definitely unsettling, gloomy and laced with melancholy. It seems everyone is unreliable and keeping secrets.
Most of the cast of characters were not only highly unlikeable people, but deeply disturbing, sick individuals, especially the men.
It certainly wasn't enjoyable to be in the head of these unhinged, morally bankrupt, mentally unwell, utterly despicable men!
Our main protagonist is not one of them, thank goodness, and I was really rooting for her. Oftentimes, when something feels quite “off” you really have to trust your gut and boy was I screaming at Klara to do just that!
I guess you can call the “big twist” unique…but let's just say it really pissed me off!!!!! To me, that's not a plot twist, it felt like a cop out, pure and simple. I didn't understand what it accomplished in the book besides making me feel like I wasted my time!
After that, I really lost interest. Nora Murphy definitely can write, even if this one didn't quite land for me. I would try other books by this author.
Trigger Warnings: Domestic violence, emotional abuse, gaslighting, manipulation, stalking, parental abandonment, miscarriage… to name a few.
March 14, 2026
I was totally invested in this addictive, twisty thriller. With three seemingly unrelated stories, I was determined to make sense of the connection, until I got to Part 2. The big twist completely reframed the plot, and I had to stop and rethink everything I had worked out before. Filled with suspicious characters and dark secrets, I started to connect the dots as each bit of new information was slowly revealed and the separate stories began to converge. With themes of obsession, control, guilt and regrets, this was an unsettling, multi-layered story with escalating tension that had me hooked from the start.
March 14, 2026
4⭐️ This is a great twisty mystery/thriller! Just when you think you’ve finally connected the seemingly different POV’s, wrong!
Told from several different narrators, the stories at first seem unconnected. There’s Klara, the unhappy, newly married, pregnant wife, Troy, the handsome,scheming, possessive husband, Henry the young unemployed neighbor with a history of stalking, Mary the older woman who has a unrevealed past trauma, and a secret person residing in her basement.
I won’t reveal anything else about the people or story, it’s best to be surprised! I loved how the plot draws you in and suddenly it switches everything! The characters and their individual stories are engrossing and the storyline moves along quickly to the great and surprising ending!
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark publishers for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Told from several different narrators, the stories at first seem unconnected. There’s Klara, the unhappy, newly married, pregnant wife, Troy, the handsome,scheming, possessive husband, Henry the young unemployed neighbor with a history of stalking, Mary the older woman who has a unrevealed past trauma, and a secret person residing in her basement.
I won’t reveal anything else about the people or story, it’s best to be surprised! I loved how the plot draws you in and suddenly it switches everything! The characters and their individual stories are engrossing and the storyline moves along quickly to the great and surprising ending!
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark publishers for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
February 6, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Sourebooks for my gifted arc copy. All opinions are my own.
This was a twisty ride! Part one was a slow burning mystery that was heightened just before part 2 began. I was intrigued and hooked from the jump. Once the twist came to light (which I did not see coming) it became so fast paced and I had whiplash until the final page. I really enjoyed the plot and the characters. Murder in suburbia is one of my favorite tropes and this one did not disappoint!
I did wish that the chapters were titled with each character name POV because I sometimes got confused with the alternating POV’s since it follows three separate houses on the same street.
Three families in a quiet neighborhood become the center of attention in this domestic suspense that will have you on your toes until the last page.
This was a twisty ride! Part one was a slow burning mystery that was heightened just before part 2 began. I was intrigued and hooked from the jump. Once the twist came to light (which I did not see coming) it became so fast paced and I had whiplash until the final page. I really enjoyed the plot and the characters. Murder in suburbia is one of my favorite tropes and this one did not disappoint!
I did wish that the chapters were titled with each character name POV because I sometimes got confused with the alternating POV’s since it follows three separate houses on the same street.
Three families in a quiet neighborhood become the center of attention in this domestic suspense that will have you on your toes until the last page.
February 11, 2026
“Ours Is a Tale of Murder” by Nora Murphy
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This one creeps up on you like a cat in the dark, all quiet paws and sharp claws. Blink, and you’ll miss the danger until it’s right in your lap.
Thanks to the author and Sourcebooks Landmark for the #GiftedARC via NetGalley.
Murphy hands us three women, all living on the same sleepy street, where the biggest drama should be over who brings the best brownies to book club. But, there’s more going on behind those polite waves and perfect lawns. Secrets are buzzing under the surface, and the tension is as sharp as a knife’s blade.
Each woman brings a distinct energy. One is sharp and observant, seeing what others ignore. One feels trapped but is smarter than she appears. One carries a quiet, simmering resilience. Watching them connect the dots is deeply satisfying.
Mary totally got to me. She’s packing up her house, drowning in memories and what-ifs, and her loneliness just punched me right in the feels. She’s carrying enough regret to fill every moving box.
The pace is a slow burn, but when things finally snap, you’ll feel it. If you’re into thrillers where the women are complicated, the danger is next door, and the drama is juicier than your group chat, you’re in for a treat.
Sharp, tense, and totally worth sticking around for that last page.
#OursisaTaleofMurder
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This one creeps up on you like a cat in the dark, all quiet paws and sharp claws. Blink, and you’ll miss the danger until it’s right in your lap.
Thanks to the author and Sourcebooks Landmark for the #GiftedARC via NetGalley.
Murphy hands us three women, all living on the same sleepy street, where the biggest drama should be over who brings the best brownies to book club. But, there’s more going on behind those polite waves and perfect lawns. Secrets are buzzing under the surface, and the tension is as sharp as a knife’s blade.
Each woman brings a distinct energy. One is sharp and observant, seeing what others ignore. One feels trapped but is smarter than she appears. One carries a quiet, simmering resilience. Watching them connect the dots is deeply satisfying.
Mary totally got to me. She’s packing up her house, drowning in memories and what-ifs, and her loneliness just punched me right in the feels. She’s carrying enough regret to fill every moving box.
The pace is a slow burn, but when things finally snap, you’ll feel it. If you’re into thrillers where the women are complicated, the danger is next door, and the drama is juicier than your group chat, you’re in for a treat.
Sharp, tense, and totally worth sticking around for that last page.
#OursisaTaleofMurder
February 16, 2026
So we get bombarded with unlikeable characters left and right for more than half of the book to find out the two worst are fictional and actually characters in a book. A book inside of a book. OOOKKKK. But then we pick up with all of the other characters because they are in fact real? Now everything to me is unreliable and I don’t know who is actually telling me this story. The ending was also terrible and rushed and made no sense. Was it Henry? Why does everyone in this book have a peanut allergy? Was it Mary and Kate? Who made the muffins? What was the point of Owen? I’m so lost I hated this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2025
4.5⭐️
Ours Is a Tale of Murder absolutely blew me away. It’s been a long time since a thriller truly caught me off guard, but Nora Murphy did that.
The story follows three different households, and for most of the book, I had no clue how they were going to connect. I kept building theories, only for them to be completely destroyed by the twist which I did not see coming. When I say my jaw hit the floor, I mean it.
What really stood out was how strongly Murphy made me feel about so many characters whether I loved them, hated them, or suspected them. The pacing is clever, the tension builds perfectly, and by the end, everything ties together in a neat, chilling bow that’s so satisfying.
A smart, layered, and addictive read. Highly recommend if you love twisty mysteries that actually surprise you.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback!
Ours Is a Tale of Murder absolutely blew me away. It’s been a long time since a thriller truly caught me off guard, but Nora Murphy did that.
The story follows three different households, and for most of the book, I had no clue how they were going to connect. I kept building theories, only for them to be completely destroyed by the twist which I did not see coming. When I say my jaw hit the floor, I mean it.
What really stood out was how strongly Murphy made me feel about so many characters whether I loved them, hated them, or suspected them. The pacing is clever, the tension builds perfectly, and by the end, everything ties together in a neat, chilling bow that’s so satisfying.
A smart, layered, and addictive read. Highly recommend if you love twisty mysteries that actually surprise you.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback!
October 27, 2025
Ours is a Tale of Murder
By: Nora Murphy
Pub date: Feb 10, 1026
Publisher: Sourcebook Landmark
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have been a fan of Murphy’s books since the beginning and this one did not disappoint.
This novel has so many layers that you are engaged from start to finish. Klara and Troy are opposites, but Troy convinced Klara to marry him. Moving to a quiet neighborhood makes her feel very isolated. Troy is a smooth talker and she realizes things may not be what they seem.
We follow two other families which add depth to the story. Another brilliant story with twist, flawed characters with some mystery and regrets. Heading off to pre-order to add to my other Murphy books.
October 30, 2025
I’m a bit on the fence with this one. The story held my attention for a while, but I eventually found myself getting bored and a little irritated with the characters. The multiple POVs changed every chapter, which made it hard to keep track at times. There were also too many unnecessary details that made the book drag on without adding much to the story. Overall, it wasn’t a bad read—I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it either.
*Thank you NetGalley for the ARC*
*Thank you NetGalley for the ARC*
December 5, 2025
I love how this story is told. We go back and forth in the timelines of three families without much information on where we are being led. That can sometimes be frustrating, but it’s not here. There are few enough characters to keep straight. What transpires and how the stories intersect one another is so clever. I also enjoyed the dark humor. It looks like the audiobook will have a full cast and I plan on listening to it when I can get a copy.
February 17, 2026
4.5 stars - I Nora Murphy’s books and am so glad she’s back with another. Just hate that I have to wait for her next one now.
She writes domestic suspense/neighborhood mysteries so well. The tension, the buildup, the plot twists you don’t see coming?! She also does pacing really well. I was hooked from page one and couldn’t wait to finish in between all my adult responsibilities.
Since there are multiple POVs in this book, you need to stay attentive while reading. It all clicks and falls into place and you’ll be glad you read all the way to the end.
Highly recommend this book (and her backlist books)!!
She writes domestic suspense/neighborhood mysteries so well. The tension, the buildup, the plot twists you don’t see coming?! She also does pacing really well. I was hooked from page one and couldn’t wait to finish in between all my adult responsibilities.
Since there are multiple POVs in this book, you need to stay attentive while reading. It all clicks and falls into place and you’ll be glad you read all the way to the end.
Highly recommend this book (and her backlist books)!!
January 29, 2026
Ours Is a Tale of Murder is one of those thrillers that quietly tightens its grip until you suddenly realize you’re holding your breath. Nora Murphy builds tension patiently, letting unease seep in through small details, odd behaviors, and the sense that something is deeply off beneath the surface of this seemingly ordinary neighborhood. The pacing is deliberate but never dull, every chapter adds another layer of discomfort, making it impossible not to keep going.
What really worked for me was how the story follows multiple characters who initially feel separate, even unrelated. Watching their lives slowly intersect—and then collide—in unexpected ways was incredibly satisfying. I love when a book makes you constantly reassess what you think you know, and this one had me guessing and second guessing everyone. No one feels entirely safe from suspicion, and that uncertainty fuels the mounting dread.
This is absolutely a book best experienced with as little prior knowledge as possible. Letting the story unfold naturally makes the twists hit harder and the revelations feel earned. It’s unsettling, uncomfortable, and steeped in a low level sense of doom that lingers long after you turn the final page, a clever, immersive thriller that rewards patient readers who love psychological tension over shock and awe twists.
February 15, 2026
A contender for the best book of the year!
Three seemingly non-connected stories mesh with brilliant results!
Troy sweeps Klara off of her feet.
Mary cleans out her son’s room as she must move.
But someone else may want to stay in the house.
Henry’s been laid off of work and is back living with his parents. His parents have noticed that Henry loves to watch the neighbors.
Trust me…run out and get this book.
Three seemingly non-connected stories mesh with brilliant results!
Troy sweeps Klara off of her feet.
Mary cleans out her son’s room as she must move.
But someone else may want to stay in the house.
Henry’s been laid off of work and is back living with his parents. His parents have noticed that Henry loves to watch the neighbors.
Trust me…run out and get this book.
September 10, 2025
Ours is a Tale of Murder by Nora Murphy. Thanks to @bookmarked for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In one neighborhood, three different families have their secrets.
I love late in the story twists, especially when they change the entire plot and the reader’s viewpoint. This one was super twisty. It has the point of view of different neighbors and in the end shows how it all comes together. It was the perfect suspenseful read! Plus it takes place in the county I live in!
“I always knew, didn’t I? There is something wrong with you. Oil-slick and lurking. Dark and hidden, disguised and confusing for so long, but now it’s too late, I know for certain it’s there”.
Ours is a Tale of Murder comes out 2/10.
In one neighborhood, three different families have their secrets.
I love late in the story twists, especially when they change the entire plot and the reader’s viewpoint. This one was super twisty. It has the point of view of different neighbors and in the end shows how it all comes together. It was the perfect suspenseful read! Plus it takes place in the county I live in!
“I always knew, didn’t I? There is something wrong with you. Oil-slick and lurking. Dark and hidden, disguised and confusing for so long, but now it’s too late, I know for certain it’s there”.
Ours is a Tale of Murder comes out 2/10.
September 5, 2025
This book is a chilling and expertly crafted mystery that will keep you guessing until the very last page. The author creates a hauntingly atmospheric setting and a cast of deeply flawed and fascinating characters whose secrets slowly unravel.
The narrative is a masterclass in tension, as the story unfolds through multiple perspectives, leaving you to piece together the truth alongside the characters. It’s a compelling and immersive read that will leave you thinking long after you've turned the final page.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for a temporary e-ARC!
The narrative is a masterclass in tension, as the story unfolds through multiple perspectives, leaving you to piece together the truth alongside the characters. It’s a compelling and immersive read that will leave you thinking long after you've turned the final page.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for a temporary e-ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ours Is A Tale of Murder is well crafted thriller. The writing is very well done, Nora Murphy is a talented writer.
There is a huge twist in this book but it fell completely flat for me, leaving me a bit disappointed. I went in with very high expectations and as a result it misses the mark for me.
Sadly I think I would have loved it if I went in blind.
There is a huge twist in this book but it fell completely flat for me, leaving me a bit disappointed. I went in with very high expectations and as a result it misses the mark for me.
Sadly I think I would have loved it if I went in blind.
February 15, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
A slow-burn thriller that quietly tightens its grip until you realize you’re holding your breath. The tension builds through subtle details and shifting perspectives, with multiple characters whose lives slowly—and unsettlingly—intersect. I loved constantly second-guessing everyone. Best read knowing as little as possible. Uncomfortable, atmospheric, and lingering long after the final page!
Thank you NetGalley, for my gifted arc copy.
A slow-burn thriller that quietly tightens its grip until you realize you’re holding your breath. The tension builds through subtle details and shifting perspectives, with multiple characters whose lives slowly—and unsettlingly—intersect. I loved constantly second-guessing everyone. Best read knowing as little as possible. Uncomfortable, atmospheric, and lingering long after the final page!
Thank you NetGalley, for my gifted arc copy.
February 5, 2026
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC!
Three separate storylines each equally drew me in! First we have Klara and Troy - Troy appeared seemingly out of nowhere but quickly became Klara’s whole world…or is it the other way around? Mary finally found the strength to clean out her son’s old room, haunted by the past. Then there’s Henry, who quietly observes it all.
Each of these points of view equally drew me in. I was so immersed in each of their stories that I found myself constantly saying “just one more chapter” over and over again, til I got to the next chapter for that person. When part 2 started, I literally stared at the screen of my kindle - what the heck just happened?! The characters were so well written, the pacing was perfect and the mystery of how these stories were going to come together had me glued to the pages.
What a unique thriller! This book is the perfect example of how something different can totally work.
“Ours is a Tale of Murder” releases February 10, 2026! This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)
Three separate storylines each equally drew me in! First we have Klara and Troy - Troy appeared seemingly out of nowhere but quickly became Klara’s whole world…or is it the other way around? Mary finally found the strength to clean out her son’s old room, haunted by the past. Then there’s Henry, who quietly observes it all.
Each of these points of view equally drew me in. I was so immersed in each of their stories that I found myself constantly saying “just one more chapter” over and over again, til I got to the next chapter for that person. When part 2 started, I literally stared at the screen of my kindle - what the heck just happened?! The characters were so well written, the pacing was perfect and the mystery of how these stories were going to come together had me glued to the pages.
What a unique thriller! This book is the perfect example of how something different can totally work.
“Ours is a Tale of Murder” releases February 10, 2026! This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)
November 16, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
#ad much love for my advance copy @bookmarked #partner
OURS IS A TALE OF MURDER
< @
Releases: February 10, 2026
“Mary wanted to charge toward him. She wanted to run straight into him and shove him down the stairs. Obviously, years later, she'd wish that she had. That would have been as good a moment as any to end things,” (p. 41).
“I watch the rise and fall of your bare chest...I study your face, wait for the feelings to swell like the tide, to rush in like waves and foam along the beach. Nothing comes. I don't love you,” (p. 55).
He watched her before he ever approached her. She noticed him before he ever approached her. It may be a tale of murder, but it didn’t start out that way…not completely anyways.
Klara Martin is a personal injury attorney, an associate at Barron & Briggs - she should have made partner by now. But here she is. Troy Weston, also a lawyer, knows that she will be the girl for him - even if she doesn’t know it jet.
Let me tell you: this book will grip you from the start and not let up until the very end. I LOVED this one! It has the perfect mix of suspense and ominous undertones. But I was confused af for a bit - I felt like I was tripping reading this book. Who are these people? What does this chapter mean? Send help?!
There are three different storylines happening here and they aren’t marked out. So it was a bit confusing. But once you get past the first 8 chapters you’ll have it sorted.
Henry has been fired and is forced to move back in with his parents, but he’s obsessed with the couple next door. He knows the wife is unhappy and he wants to change that. He feels a magnetic pull towards her
Then there’s Mary - something tragic happened to her son 20 years ago and she’s just now cleaning out his room. But you won’t have any idea what is happening here either.
Don’t worry. This is all for a reason. Just keep reading.
Mem
Heather char and her “shit” wine 👏🏼
Plastic fork as a hair brush (gotta do what a girls gotta do)
With short chapters and a fast plot you won’t want to put this one down. Every word of this book will cut through to your soul. I loved the writing so much. But holy CRAPPERS the twist that is this book. My mind was spinning.
A must read for thriller lovers. If you want to feel totally out of control, read this book.
#ad much love for my advance copy @bookmarked #partner
OURS IS A TALE OF MURDER
< @
Releases: February 10, 2026
“Mary wanted to charge toward him. She wanted to run straight into him and shove him down the stairs. Obviously, years later, she'd wish that she had. That would have been as good a moment as any to end things,” (p. 41).
“I watch the rise and fall of your bare chest...I study your face, wait for the feelings to swell like the tide, to rush in like waves and foam along the beach. Nothing comes. I don't love you,” (p. 55).
He watched her before he ever approached her. She noticed him before he ever approached her. It may be a tale of murder, but it didn’t start out that way…not completely anyways.
Klara Martin is a personal injury attorney, an associate at Barron & Briggs - she should have made partner by now. But here she is. Troy Weston, also a lawyer, knows that she will be the girl for him - even if she doesn’t know it jet.
Let me tell you: this book will grip you from the start and not let up until the very end. I LOVED this one! It has the perfect mix of suspense and ominous undertones. But I was confused af for a bit - I felt like I was tripping reading this book. Who are these people? What does this chapter mean? Send help?!
There are three different storylines happening here and they aren’t marked out. So it was a bit confusing. But once you get past the first 8 chapters you’ll have it sorted.
Henry has been fired and is forced to move back in with his parents, but he’s obsessed with the couple next door. He knows the wife is unhappy and he wants to change that. He feels a magnetic pull towards her
Then there’s Mary - something tragic happened to her son 20 years ago and she’s just now cleaning out his room. But you won’t have any idea what is happening here either.
Don’t worry. This is all for a reason. Just keep reading.
Mem
Heather char and her “shit” wine 👏🏼
Plastic fork as a hair brush (gotta do what a girls gotta do)
With short chapters and a fast plot you won’t want to put this one down. Every word of this book will cut through to your soul. I loved the writing so much. But holy CRAPPERS the twist that is this book. My mind was spinning.
A must read for thriller lovers. If you want to feel totally out of control, read this book.
March 15, 2026
•My Rating: 2.75/5•
Try this if you like:
• domestic suspense
• mystery thriller
• tales of murder in suburbia
• more character-driven with very little action
• slow-burn atmospheric tension
• several POVs that can be difficult to track
Notes: I really liked The Favor by this author. There are many characters, and I struggled to keep track of them all. The main twist didn’t impress me much. I wanted to like this more than I actually did. I’m in the minority with my feelings towards this.
Narration: Four narrators voice what might be more than four different characters. Honestly, I’m not sure, but they all performed well either way.
Try this if you like:
• domestic suspense
• mystery thriller
• tales of murder in suburbia
• more character-driven with very little action
• slow-burn atmospheric tension
• several POVs that can be difficult to track
Notes: I really liked The Favor by this author. There are many characters, and I struggled to keep track of them all. The main twist didn’t impress me much. I wanted to like this more than I actually did. I’m in the minority with my feelings towards this.
Narration: Four narrators voice what might be more than four different characters. Honestly, I’m not sure, but they all performed well either way.
March 21, 2026
I did really enjoy this but it definitely felt like there was a chapter or two missing at the end? I loved the twist at the end of part one and it was super suspenseful throughout its entirety… but i’m still struggling to understand what exactly happened?????
The premise was brilliant. Three different families living on the same street all harbouring dark and dangerous secrets. Their stories eventually weave together. I have so many questions unanswered though and not in a good way! Still it was easy to get through and did keep my attention! 3.5 stars
The premise was brilliant. Three different families living on the same street all harbouring dark and dangerous secrets. Their stories eventually weave together. I have so many questions unanswered though and not in a good way! Still it was easy to get through and did keep my attention! 3.5 stars
March 5, 2026
Giving up on this one early as it's mega chatty and teeny tiny entertaining, and none of the characters feels real enough to engage my interest. I'd still give this author a 3rd try as the writing's not terrible, but I'm short of meaty reading time and this one's protein-free. 2 stars
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