Family Closets: A Novel of Suspense

by Marjorie Dorner

The bulldozing of an old farmhouse uncovers a skeleton with a bashed in skull, revealing, to medical examiner Barbara Mullins, the explanation behind her uncle's disappearance and long-buried family secrets

Genres: Mystery

293 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1989

Reviews

[RJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. My favorite re-read. 💛

[Jill Manske · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a murder mystery, but it is much more than that. It's about relationships, expectations and living life based on lies and secrets. The main characters are wonderfully written - very real and very human. The dialog is realistic, as is the storyline. As the mystery gradually unfolds, you learn more and more about all of the people in this small, Wisconsin farming community. I found myself anticipating how they would behave, based on behaviors described previously. It was like reading about a real family, with all their quirks. I will definitely read another Dorner book.

[jimtown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an older book that's probably hard to find now, but I'd gotten it at the library years ago. It's one of the few books that stays fresh in my mind. It's rare to find a suspenseful story that doesn't involve murder or kidnapping. In this story, bones were found in the family barn, so someone died but the suspense is captivating. I'll read it again soon and do a fresh review because I have my own copy of this book that tops my list of favorites.

[Christine Mathieu · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the four Dorner novels which I've read so far, this is the third best.
Barbara tries to solve the mysterious death of her uncle some 40 years after it happened.
I've read this novel before, but found it somewhat slow this time around.
However, I can highly recommend "Nightmare" and "Freeze Frame".

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compared with "Nightmare" and "Freeze Frame" the weakest of the three books, but still a good thriller.

[Lisa Greer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a passable mystery. I like the hero, but I didn't like the ending much. :)

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. It's a great read.