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The Family Lies
Everything I’ve been told about my family is a lie.
My cousin and my aunt died in a tragic accident on a family holiday.
I was fourteen when it happened.
One moment, we were planning a day at the mall. The next, they were dead in a car crash. A closed case. A past I was meant to forget.
Thirty years later. It starts with small things that don’t add up. A mug left on the kitchen counter. I didn’t put it there. A hand-delivered envelope containing an old-fashioned friendship bracelet. A bunch of fresh flowers left on my uncle’s grave.
I’m clearing out my mum’s attic when I find it. A diary. Belonging to the aunt who was killed in the crash . . .
My uncle was doing terrible things to the people who loved him. He wasn’t the charming, kind and generous man I remember at all. He was a monster
My cousin and my aunt died in a tragic accident on a family holiday.
I was fourteen when it happened.
One moment, we were planning a day at the mall. The next, they were dead in a car crash. A closed case. A past I was meant to forget.
Thirty years later. It starts with small things that don’t add up. A mug left on the kitchen counter. I didn’t put it there. A hand-delivered envelope containing an old-fashioned friendship bracelet. A bunch of fresh flowers left on my uncle’s grave.
I’m clearing out my mum’s attic when I find it. A diary. Belonging to the aunt who was killed in the crash . . .
My uncle was doing terrible things to the people who loved him. He wasn’t the charming, kind and generous man I remember at all. He was a monster
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
July 28, 2026
My interest was peaked early on with this one - it screamed dysfunctional family dynamics so I buckled up for every messy detail.
We meet Susie who has had to deal with a lot of death and grief in a short period of time. We learn of the trauma she endured of losing her cousin, who was like a sister to her and her aunt. Although this happened many years ago she never fully got over it.
As a seasoned thriller reader, I feel I am much better at picking up the little crumbs that authors like to sprinkle through the story, so I was able to guess a proportion of the ending. But the writing was captivating and kept me engaged. It felt less about the big twists and more about how it would all unravel.
The pacing was good and there were a few little twists I didn't see coming. I really enjoyed this book as there was a continued sense of mistrust throughout that left you wondering who could be trusted.
The ending was good - that epilogue nicely boxed a lot of things off. I just wondered whether things could have been slightly different for a couple of characters as they weren't really given a choice...
This book is for you if you love car crash-style family dynamics, twisty reads that keep you guessing, and characters who can't be trusted.
Thank you to Lorna Henderson, Joffe books for this complimentary advanced copy via Netgalley. This review is being left voluntarily and all opinions expressed are my own.
We meet Susie who has had to deal with a lot of death and grief in a short period of time. We learn of the trauma she endured of losing her cousin, who was like a sister to her and her aunt. Although this happened many years ago she never fully got over it.
As a seasoned thriller reader, I feel I am much better at picking up the little crumbs that authors like to sprinkle through the story, so I was able to guess a proportion of the ending. But the writing was captivating and kept me engaged. It felt less about the big twists and more about how it would all unravel.
The pacing was good and there were a few little twists I didn't see coming. I really enjoyed this book as there was a continued sense of mistrust throughout that left you wondering who could be trusted.
The ending was good - that epilogue nicely boxed a lot of things off. I just wondered whether things could have been slightly different for a couple of characters as they weren't really given a choice...
This book is for you if you love car crash-style family dynamics, twisty reads that keep you guessing, and characters who can't be trusted.
Thank you to Lorna Henderson, Joffe books for this complimentary advanced copy via Netgalley. This review is being left voluntarily and all opinions expressed are my own.
August 3, 2026
The Family Lies was an excellent book. I loved the story and thought the premise was strong and worked really well. The cover is ominous. I loved the photo of the family with the cracks in the frame. It worked extremely well. The writing was excellent and the story flowed perfectly. The story is written in first person from multiple points of view - including Susie. This was an excellent choice and gave the story so much depth. There was a small element of dual timelines with some flashbacks to 1995. I enjoyed this The story itself was shocking at times and I absolutely loved the shock plot twist at the end. I could not put this book down and I devoured it in one sitting. The book was set in Edinburgh and Canada. Glasgow was also visited briefly. This was good and gave the book a contemporary feel. The characters were fantastic. They were well thought out and well developed. The book did have small cast of characters which was good. I love how these characters interacted. The journey they went on and how the story and lies unraveled was tremendous. I cannot recommend this book and I'm definitely going to check out Lorna's thrillers!
August 5, 2026
When Susie returns to her childhood home after the death of her mother, she begins clearing out the house ready for it to be sold. Hidden away in the attic, she discovers her late aunt’s diary, reopening old wounds surrounding a family tragedy that has haunted her for years. As unsettling events begin to unfold, Susie is forced to question everything she thought she knew about her family.
I was immediately drawn in by the premise. Family secrets, old diaries and a mystery rooted in the past are always a combination I enjoy. I liked how the truth was revealed gradually rather than all at once, with each discovery adding another piece to the puzzle. The diary worked well as a way of uncovering the past and kept me curious to see how everything would connect.
Once the pieces started falling into place, I found the outcome a little easy to predict. However this was a solid domestic thriller with an intriguing family mystery at its heart. It was an easy, engaging read that kept me invested. I’d happily recommend and look forward to reading another book by Lorna Henderson.
I was immediately drawn in by the premise. Family secrets, old diaries and a mystery rooted in the past are always a combination I enjoy. I liked how the truth was revealed gradually rather than all at once, with each discovery adding another piece to the puzzle. The diary worked well as a way of uncovering the past and kept me curious to see how everything would connect.
Once the pieces started falling into place, I found the outcome a little easy to predict. However this was a solid domestic thriller with an intriguing family mystery at its heart. It was an easy, engaging read that kept me invested. I’d happily recommend and look forward to reading another book by Lorna Henderson.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Lorna Henderson, and Joffe Books | Choc Lit for a copy of The Family Lies (releasing tomorrow!) in exchange for an honest review.
You know those thrillers where everyone looks suspicious, everyone is keeping secrets, and by the end you're sitting there wondering, "Wait...who actually did what?"
Yep. That's The Family Lies.
Lorna Henderson took a family, tossed them into a blender with decades of secrets, lies, betrayal, and just a sprinkle of chaos, then hit puree. I spent this entire book changing my mind every other chapter about who I trusted. Spoiler alert: the answer was basically no one.
When Susie returns home after her mother's death to clear out the house, the last thing she expects is to uncover secrets that completely rewrite everything she thought she knew about her family. And let me tell you...this family needs a group discount on therapy.
What I really appreciated was Susie. She didn't back down when things got messy. She stirred the pot, asked the uncomfortable questions, and refused to let people sweep the past under the rug. Sometimes I wanted to yell, "Girl, stop digging!" But thankfully she didn't, because that's where all the good stuff was hiding.
One of my favorite moments involved Jake inheriting the house because of an agreement his mother had signed and the manipulative influence of his absolutely unhinged father. It would have been easy for Susie to turn it into a battle over money and property, but instead she proved what really mattered to her. She wanted answers, not real estate, and I respected that.
The diary entries and the letter from Susie's mother were another highlight for me. There's something fascinating about hearing someone's truth after they're gone, when they no longer have anything left to lose. Those moments added so much depth to the story and kept me glued to the pages.
The pacing never really let up. Every time I thought I had the mystery figured out, another secret surfaced, another lie unraveled, and another character climbed onto my suspect list. This is one of those books that keeps you guessing right up until the very last page.
Was it a little chaotic? Absolutely.
Did I always know who was manipulating whom? Not even a little.
Was I entertained the entire time? You bet.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 Stars)
Final Verdict
If family reunions already make you nervous, this book will make you grateful yours only argues over potato salad. Twisty, messy, and packed with enough secrets to keep you second-guessing everyone until the very end, The Family Lies is a solid domestic thriller that proves the truth can be far more complicated than the lies.
You know those thrillers where everyone looks suspicious, everyone is keeping secrets, and by the end you're sitting there wondering, "Wait...who actually did what?"
Yep. That's The Family Lies.
Lorna Henderson took a family, tossed them into a blender with decades of secrets, lies, betrayal, and just a sprinkle of chaos, then hit puree. I spent this entire book changing my mind every other chapter about who I trusted. Spoiler alert: the answer was basically no one.
When Susie returns home after her mother's death to clear out the house, the last thing she expects is to uncover secrets that completely rewrite everything she thought she knew about her family. And let me tell you...this family needs a group discount on therapy.
What I really appreciated was Susie. She didn't back down when things got messy. She stirred the pot, asked the uncomfortable questions, and refused to let people sweep the past under the rug. Sometimes I wanted to yell, "Girl, stop digging!" But thankfully she didn't, because that's where all the good stuff was hiding.
One of my favorite moments involved Jake inheriting the house because of an agreement his mother had signed and the manipulative influence of his absolutely unhinged father. It would have been easy for Susie to turn it into a battle over money and property, but instead she proved what really mattered to her. She wanted answers, not real estate, and I respected that.
The diary entries and the letter from Susie's mother were another highlight for me. There's something fascinating about hearing someone's truth after they're gone, when they no longer have anything left to lose. Those moments added so much depth to the story and kept me glued to the pages.
The pacing never really let up. Every time I thought I had the mystery figured out, another secret surfaced, another lie unraveled, and another character climbed onto my suspect list. This is one of those books that keeps you guessing right up until the very last page.
Was it a little chaotic? Absolutely.
Did I always know who was manipulating whom? Not even a little.
Was I entertained the entire time? You bet.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 Stars)
Final Verdict
If family reunions already make you nervous, this book will make you grateful yours only argues over potato salad. Twisty, messy, and packed with enough secrets to keep you second-guessing everyone until the very end, The Family Lies is a solid domestic thriller that proves the truth can be far more complicated than the lies.
August 16, 2026
Here is my review for The Family Lies by Lorna Henderson
I found this to be a roller coaster ride of emotional family drama, superb tension and suspense in a story that I enjoyed reading. In 1995, Susie, her mum, her aunt and cousin Rachel went on a family holiday to Canada to visit Uncle Sam but, unfortunately her aunt and cousin died in a tragic car accident. Now, it’s the present day and my cousin Jake has just rung to tell me he's seen an ambulance outside my mum's house. I go straight to the hospital but I'm too late, she’s already passed away. When I'm clearing the house, strange things start happening around the house and I feel like I'm being followed, although when I check, I can't see anything. I feel the same way when I get home to Edinburgh. Just what is going on? Why am I being so paranoid?
The story is layered in secrets all the way through. Also, it is a ‘now’ and ‘then’ story plus it's a multiple povs as well. Both these sorts of stories I enjoy reading. I thought the author did a marvelous job with writing such a superb and complex story while managing to hold the readers attention. The characters were intriguing whilst I didn't like Jake and the way he treated people at all. I thought the story was brilliantly plotted and extremely well thought out. I haven’t read this author before but I would like to read more of her books in the future.
Synopsis :
Everything I’ve been told about my family is a lie.
I was fourteen when it happened.
My cousin and my aunt died in a car crash on our family holiday to Canada.
One moment, we were planning a day at the mall. The next, they were dead.
Thirty years later. It starts with small things that don’t add up. A mug left on the kitchen counter. I didn’t put it there. A hand-delivered envelope containing an old-fashioned friendship bracelet. A bunch of fresh flowers left on my uncle’s grave.
I’m clearing out my mum’s attic when I find it. A diary. Belonging to the aunt who was killed in the crash . . .
My uncle was doing terrible things to the people who loved him. He wasn’t the charming, kind and generous man I remember at all. He was a monster . . .
AN EXHILARATING BLEND OF EMOTIONAL FAMILY DRAMA AND BREATHTAKING SUSPENSE WITH A SHOCKING FINAL TWIST.
Perfect for fans of Keri Beevis, Alice Feeney, Sadie Ryan, and Valerie Keogh.
I found this to be a roller coaster ride of emotional family drama, superb tension and suspense in a story that I enjoyed reading. In 1995, Susie, her mum, her aunt and cousin Rachel went on a family holiday to Canada to visit Uncle Sam but, unfortunately her aunt and cousin died in a tragic car accident. Now, it’s the present day and my cousin Jake has just rung to tell me he's seen an ambulance outside my mum's house. I go straight to the hospital but I'm too late, she’s already passed away. When I'm clearing the house, strange things start happening around the house and I feel like I'm being followed, although when I check, I can't see anything. I feel the same way when I get home to Edinburgh. Just what is going on? Why am I being so paranoid?
The story is layered in secrets all the way through. Also, it is a ‘now’ and ‘then’ story plus it's a multiple povs as well. Both these sorts of stories I enjoy reading. I thought the author did a marvelous job with writing such a superb and complex story while managing to hold the readers attention. The characters were intriguing whilst I didn't like Jake and the way he treated people at all. I thought the story was brilliantly plotted and extremely well thought out. I haven’t read this author before but I would like to read more of her books in the future.
Synopsis :
Everything I’ve been told about my family is a lie.
I was fourteen when it happened.
My cousin and my aunt died in a car crash on our family holiday to Canada.
One moment, we were planning a day at the mall. The next, they were dead.
Thirty years later. It starts with small things that don’t add up. A mug left on the kitchen counter. I didn’t put it there. A hand-delivered envelope containing an old-fashioned friendship bracelet. A bunch of fresh flowers left on my uncle’s grave.
I’m clearing out my mum’s attic when I find it. A diary. Belonging to the aunt who was killed in the crash . . .
My uncle was doing terrible things to the people who loved him. He wasn’t the charming, kind and generous man I remember at all. He was a monster . . .
AN EXHILARATING BLEND OF EMOTIONAL FAMILY DRAMA AND BREATHTAKING SUSPENSE WITH A SHOCKING FINAL TWIST.
Perfect for fans of Keri Beevis, Alice Feeney, Sadie Ryan, and Valerie Keogh.
Review of advance copy
There's a particular kind of ache that comes with childhood memories you can never quite trust again, and Lorna Henderson taps straight into it with The Family Lies. I went in expecting a straightforward family drama and came out with my heart in my throat and my loyalties in the wrong place entirely but more on that later.
The story opens with a memory that colours everything after it: fourteen-year-old Suzie and her cousin Rachel on holiday in Canada with Aunt Linda, in what turns out to be their final day together. A car accident takes Linda and Rachel, and Suzie carries that loss for thirty years, never imagining she'll ever learn what really happened.
Then her mother dies, and the past comes crashing back in. A box in the attic. A patient named Nicole who seems to know far more than she should. And cousin Jake, conveniently poised to inherit his father's estate now that Suzie's mother is gone. Lorna Henderson layers these threads with a patient hand, letting suspicion drift from one family member to another.
What I loved most is how quietly this book builds. It's a slowburn in the very best sense, the kind the UK does so well: no shock twist every other chapter, just a steady tightening of tension until you realise how deep the rot actually goes. The reveal about Aunt Linda and Rachel completely blindsided me. I did not see it coming, and I love a book that can still do that.
And then there's the ending. I won't spoil it, but I will say this: I found myself cheering for the killer. That's not something I say lightly, but the victim in this case had it coming, and everyone left standing had earned a shot at happiness after everything they'd survived. It's a rare book that can make you feel that satisfied by an act of violence, and Lorna Henderson pulls it off without it ever feeling cheap.
If you're drawn to stories about new identities, buried family secrets, and the kind of slowburn tension the UK does better than anyone, The Family Lies deserves a spot on your shelf. Lorna Henderson has written something that lingers.
The story opens with a memory that colours everything after it: fourteen-year-old Suzie and her cousin Rachel on holiday in Canada with Aunt Linda, in what turns out to be their final day together. A car accident takes Linda and Rachel, and Suzie carries that loss for thirty years, never imagining she'll ever learn what really happened.
Then her mother dies, and the past comes crashing back in. A box in the attic. A patient named Nicole who seems to know far more than she should. And cousin Jake, conveniently poised to inherit his father's estate now that Suzie's mother is gone. Lorna Henderson layers these threads with a patient hand, letting suspicion drift from one family member to another.
What I loved most is how quietly this book builds. It's a slowburn in the very best sense, the kind the UK does so well: no shock twist every other chapter, just a steady tightening of tension until you realise how deep the rot actually goes. The reveal about Aunt Linda and Rachel completely blindsided me. I did not see it coming, and I love a book that can still do that.
And then there's the ending. I won't spoil it, but I will say this: I found myself cheering for the killer. That's not something I say lightly, but the victim in this case had it coming, and everyone left standing had earned a shot at happiness after everything they'd survived. It's a rare book that can make you feel that satisfied by an act of violence, and Lorna Henderson pulls it off without it ever feeling cheap.
If you're drawn to stories about new identities, buried family secrets, and the kind of slowburn tension the UK does better than anyone, The Family Lies deserves a spot on your shelf. Lorna Henderson has written something that lingers.
July 28, 2026
This had a premise that immediately caught my attention, and I was quickly drawn into the mystery. The idea of uncovering decades-old family secrets through a long-forgotten diary made for an intriguing start, and the first half of the story was both believable and full of twists that kept me wanting to know more.
The biggest challenge for me was connecting with Susie. As a life coach, I expected her to project a little more confidence, but she often came across as so nervous that it felt like she was frightened of her own shadow, even during parts of the story where it didn't seem warranted.
I also struggled with aspects of the ending. Once the main source of danger was no longer a threat, I found it hard to understand why the women still felt they had to remain apart rather than finally reconnect after thirty years. It didn't feel like a natural conclusion to their journey.
Similarly, I couldn't quite understand Susie's decision not to tell Stacey the truth about her biological father. Given Stacey's difficult upbringing, discovering that there was a kind, living man who was her father could have been life-changing for them both. It also felt like something that could have brought Andy some much-needed peace. That choice felt out of character and unnecessarily cruel, which left me questioning it long after I'd finished.
Despite those frustrations, I did enjoy the story itself. The twists were well handled, and the family secrets unfolding throughout the story kept me turning the pages.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read with a strong premise and plenty of intrigue. While some character decisions and the ending didn't quite work for me, I'd still recommend it to readers who enjoy family dramas packed with secrets, lies and long-buried truths.
The biggest challenge for me was connecting with Susie. As a life coach, I expected her to project a little more confidence, but she often came across as so nervous that it felt like she was frightened of her own shadow, even during parts of the story where it didn't seem warranted.
I also struggled with aspects of the ending. Once the main source of danger was no longer a threat, I found it hard to understand why the women still felt they had to remain apart rather than finally reconnect after thirty years. It didn't feel like a natural conclusion to their journey.
Similarly, I couldn't quite understand Susie's decision not to tell Stacey the truth about her biological father. Given Stacey's difficult upbringing, discovering that there was a kind, living man who was her father could have been life-changing for them both. It also felt like something that could have brought Andy some much-needed peace. That choice felt out of character and unnecessarily cruel, which left me questioning it long after I'd finished.
Despite those frustrations, I did enjoy the story itself. The twists were well handled, and the family secrets unfolding throughout the story kept me turning the pages.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read with a strong premise and plenty of intrigue. While some character decisions and the ending didn't quite work for me, I'd still recommend it to readers who enjoy family dramas packed with secrets, lies and long-buried truths.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Family Lies is an atmospheric, emotionally charged thriller that hooked me from the very first line. Henderson blends family drama with creeping suspense so smoothly that the tension builds almost without you noticing — until suddenly you’re holding your breath.
The premise is instantly gripping: a childhood tragedy long buried, a family history wrapped in comforting lies, and small, unsettling signs that the past isn’t finished with the narrator. The everyday details — a mug moved, flowers left on a grave, a bracelet arriving out of nowhere — create a wonderfully eerie sense of intrusion. It’s subtle, but it gets under your skin.
The discovery of the aunt’s diary is where the story truly sharpens. What unfolds is a portrait of a family shaped by secrets, manipulation, and a man who was far darker than anyone dared believe. Henderson handles these revelations with restraint and emotional intelligence, making them feel both shocking and heartbreakingly inevitable.
I loved the way the novel balances mystery with character. The narrator’s journey — from unquestioning acceptance to painful clarity — gives the book real weight. And the final twist lands with exactly the kind of jolt you hope for in a psychological thriller.
Elegant, unsettling, and compulsively readable, The Family Lies is perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Alice Feeney. A gripping exploration of the stories families tell to survive — and what happens when those stories fall apart.
With thanks to Lorna Henderson, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
The premise is instantly gripping: a childhood tragedy long buried, a family history wrapped in comforting lies, and small, unsettling signs that the past isn’t finished with the narrator. The everyday details — a mug moved, flowers left on a grave, a bracelet arriving out of nowhere — create a wonderfully eerie sense of intrusion. It’s subtle, but it gets under your skin.
The discovery of the aunt’s diary is where the story truly sharpens. What unfolds is a portrait of a family shaped by secrets, manipulation, and a man who was far darker than anyone dared believe. Henderson handles these revelations with restraint and emotional intelligence, making them feel both shocking and heartbreakingly inevitable.
I loved the way the novel balances mystery with character. The narrator’s journey — from unquestioning acceptance to painful clarity — gives the book real weight. And the final twist lands with exactly the kind of jolt you hope for in a psychological thriller.
Elegant, unsettling, and compulsively readable, The Family Lies is perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Alice Feeney. A gripping exploration of the stories families tell to survive — and what happens when those stories fall apart.
With thanks to Lorna Henderson, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
• 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 4✨
• 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
- Psychological Thriller
- Family Secrets
- Dual Timeline
- Hidden Identity
- Inheritance Mystery
- Slow Burn Suspense
• 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
After her mother Denise suddenly passes away, Susie returns to her childhood home to sort through everything she left behind. What starts as an ordinary visit quickly turns into an investigation as old newspaper clippings, missing pieces of the past, and strange behavior from her cousin Jake reveal that the tragedy surrounding Rachel and Linda's deaths was never the full story.
I really liked Susie as the main character. She felt real, and I loved following her as she slowly uncovered one family secret after another. Jake made me suspicious from the beginning, and every time he appeared I knew something was off. Denise was no longer alive, but her presence was felt throughout the entire story, and learning why she kept so many secrets added so much emotion. Rachel's storyline completely surprised me, and I loved how everything connected in the final chapters.
The dual timeline worked so well because every chapter from the past answered a question from the present. The mystery kept growing instead of becoming predictable, and I enjoyed putting all the clues together. The ending delivered some really satisfying twists that I honestly didn't see coming.
The pacing was a little slow at times, but it fit the emotional family drama. If you enjoy thrillers that focus on secrets, complicated families, emotional moments, and shocking reveals, this is definitely worth reading.
Thank you zoolosbooktour for the ARC!
• 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
- Psychological Thriller
- Family Secrets
- Dual Timeline
- Hidden Identity
- Inheritance Mystery
- Slow Burn Suspense
• 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
After her mother Denise suddenly passes away, Susie returns to her childhood home to sort through everything she left behind. What starts as an ordinary visit quickly turns into an investigation as old newspaper clippings, missing pieces of the past, and strange behavior from her cousin Jake reveal that the tragedy surrounding Rachel and Linda's deaths was never the full story.
I really liked Susie as the main character. She felt real, and I loved following her as she slowly uncovered one family secret after another. Jake made me suspicious from the beginning, and every time he appeared I knew something was off. Denise was no longer alive, but her presence was felt throughout the entire story, and learning why she kept so many secrets added so much emotion. Rachel's storyline completely surprised me, and I loved how everything connected in the final chapters.
The dual timeline worked so well because every chapter from the past answered a question from the present. The mystery kept growing instead of becoming predictable, and I enjoyed putting all the clues together. The ending delivered some really satisfying twists that I honestly didn't see coming.
The pacing was a little slow at times, but it fit the emotional family drama. If you enjoy thrillers that focus on secrets, complicated families, emotional moments, and shocking reveals, this is definitely worth reading.
Thank you zoolosbooktour for the ARC!
July 18, 2026
The Family Lies by Lorna Henderson is a domestic suspense story built on long‑buried family secrets, a tragic past, and the slow unraveling of what really happened decades ago. I liked it enough to finish it and stay curious, but it didn’t completely sweep me off my feet. It’s one of those reads where the premise is stronger than the overall execution (solid, interesting, but not exceptional).
The book follows a woman who starts noticing strange things around her home, leading her back to a family tragedy she was told to forget. As she digs through old memories, hidden diaries, and unsettling clues, she begins to realise her family wasn’t what it seemed. The mystery is engaging, and the emotional weight of revisiting childhood trauma adds depth, but some parts felt predictable and not as punchy as I hoped.
What I Liked:
• Family secrets unraveling
• Creepy little clues that slowly build tension
• Diary element
What Didn’t Work Out:
• Slow pacing in several chapters
• Predictable twists
• Not fully gripping
Ratings Breakdown:
• Setting: 3⭐️
• Characters: 3⭐️
• Writing: 3⭐️
• Message: 3⭐️
• Overall: 3⭐️
In summary, a decent family‑mystery read with enough intrigue to keep me going, but nothing that truly stood out. If you enjoy domestic thrillers with old secrets, attic discoveries, and long‑buried betrayals, this one will still scratch that itch.
Huge thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and author Lorna Henderson for my advance copy. My views are my own.
~ JaNnA ~
The book follows a woman who starts noticing strange things around her home, leading her back to a family tragedy she was told to forget. As she digs through old memories, hidden diaries, and unsettling clues, she begins to realise her family wasn’t what it seemed. The mystery is engaging, and the emotional weight of revisiting childhood trauma adds depth, but some parts felt predictable and not as punchy as I hoped.
What I Liked:
• Family secrets unraveling
• Creepy little clues that slowly build tension
• Diary element
What Didn’t Work Out:
• Slow pacing in several chapters
• Predictable twists
• Not fully gripping
Ratings Breakdown:
• Setting: 3⭐️
• Characters: 3⭐️
• Writing: 3⭐️
• Message: 3⭐️
• Overall: 3⭐️
In summary, a decent family‑mystery read with enough intrigue to keep me going, but nothing that truly stood out. If you enjoy domestic thrillers with old secrets, attic discoveries, and long‑buried betrayals, this one will still scratch that itch.
Huge thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and author Lorna Henderson for my advance copy. My views are my own.
~ JaNnA ~
August 4, 2026
The Family Lies by Lorna Henderson
Everything I’ve been told about my family is a lie.
I was fourteen when it happened.
My cousin and my aunt died in a car crash on our family holiday to Canada.
One moment, we were planning a day at the mall. The next, they were dead.
Thirty years later. It starts with small things that don’t add up—a mug left on the kitchen counter. I didn’t put it there—a— hand-delivered envelope containing an old-fashioned friendship bracelet. A bunch of fresh flowers left on my uncle’s grave.
I’m clearing out my mum’s attic when I find it. A diary. Belonging to the aunt who was killed in the crash . . .
My uncle was doing terrible things to the people who loved him. He wasn’t the charming, kind and generous man I remember at all. He was a monster . . .
Having read Two Sisters and The Stepfather, I was so happy to see that Zoe of Zooloos Book Tours required reviewers for this author's latest book. Henderson has done it again, another unputdownable, atmospheric, emotional, domestic thriller. This tense, gripping, suspenseful family drama has a dark, twisty undercurrent that ripples beneath the surface, drawing you in as you turn the pages of every chapter. With well-developed characters and a thrilling finale, this novel is well worth reading.
I want to thank the publisher, Choc Lit Psychological Thrillers, Suspense and Crime: A Joffe Books Company, author Lorna Henderson and Zooloos Book Tours for providing a copy to read and review.
Everything I’ve been told about my family is a lie.
I was fourteen when it happened.
My cousin and my aunt died in a car crash on our family holiday to Canada.
One moment, we were planning a day at the mall. The next, they were dead.
Thirty years later. It starts with small things that don’t add up—a mug left on the kitchen counter. I didn’t put it there—a— hand-delivered envelope containing an old-fashioned friendship bracelet. A bunch of fresh flowers left on my uncle’s grave.
I’m clearing out my mum’s attic when I find it. A diary. Belonging to the aunt who was killed in the crash . . .
My uncle was doing terrible things to the people who loved him. He wasn’t the charming, kind and generous man I remember at all. He was a monster . . .
Having read Two Sisters and The Stepfather, I was so happy to see that Zoe of Zooloos Book Tours required reviewers for this author's latest book. Henderson has done it again, another unputdownable, atmospheric, emotional, domestic thriller. This tense, gripping, suspenseful family drama has a dark, twisty undercurrent that ripples beneath the surface, drawing you in as you turn the pages of every chapter. With well-developed characters and a thrilling finale, this novel is well worth reading.
I want to thank the publisher, Choc Lit Psychological Thrillers, Suspense and Crime: A Joffe Books Company, author Lorna Henderson and Zooloos Book Tours for providing a copy to read and review.
August 30, 2026
Manche Geschichten fangen mit einem Moment an, der einem gleich das Herz zusammenzieht bei “The Family Lies” ist es der Autounfall, der Suzies Tante Linda und ihre Cousine Rachel das Leben kostet, während Suzie selbst als Vierzehnjährige damit zurückbleibt. Dreißig Jahre später, als ihre Mutter stirbt, holt sie die Vergangenheit wieder ein: eine Kiste auf dem Dachboden, eine mysteriöse Patientin namens Nicole, die viel zu viel zu wissen scheint und Cousin Jake, der ganz zufällig kurz vor einem Erbe steht.
Ich mag es total, wenn ein Buch sich Zeit lässt, statt mich mit Twists im Minutentakt zu bombardieren – und genau das macht Lorna Henderson hier richtig gut. Die Spannung baut sich langsam, aber stetig auf, bis man merkt, wie tief der Sumpf eigentlich ist. Ehrlich gesagt hatte ich, weil ich einfach schon ziemlich viele Krimis und Thriller verschlungen habe, den großen Plottwist relativ schnell auf dem Schirm. Trotzdem hat mich das Buch nicht losgelassen, ich fand’s spannend und stellenweise richtig mitreißend geschrieben.
Kurz gesagt: Kein Buch, das mich komplett überrumpelt hat, aber definitiv eins, das gut unterhält und einen mitfiebern lässt, wenn man dranbleibt.
Ich vergebe 3,5 Sterne.
Danke an NetGalley für das Leseexemplar!
Ich mag es total, wenn ein Buch sich Zeit lässt, statt mich mit Twists im Minutentakt zu bombardieren – und genau das macht Lorna Henderson hier richtig gut. Die Spannung baut sich langsam, aber stetig auf, bis man merkt, wie tief der Sumpf eigentlich ist. Ehrlich gesagt hatte ich, weil ich einfach schon ziemlich viele Krimis und Thriller verschlungen habe, den großen Plottwist relativ schnell auf dem Schirm. Trotzdem hat mich das Buch nicht losgelassen, ich fand’s spannend und stellenweise richtig mitreißend geschrieben.
Kurz gesagt: Kein Buch, das mich komplett überrumpelt hat, aber definitiv eins, das gut unterhält und einen mitfiebern lässt, wenn man dranbleibt.
Ich vergebe 3,5 Sterne.
Danke an NetGalley für das Leseexemplar!
July 28, 2026
My cousin and my aunt died in a tragic accident on a family holiday.
I was fourteen when it happened.
One moment, we were planning a day at the mall. The next, they were dead in a car crash. A closed case. A past I was meant to forget.
Thirty years later. It starts with small things that don’t add up. A mug left on the kitchen counter. I didn’t put it there. A hand-delivered envelope containing an old-fashioned friendship bracelet. A bunch of fresh flowers left on my uncle’s grave.
I’m clearing out my mum’s attic when I find it. A diary. Belonging to the aunt who was killed in the crash . . .
My uncle was doing terrible things to the people who loved him. He wasn’t the charming, kind and generous man I remember at all. He was a monster . . .
AN EXHILARATING BLEND OF EMOTIONAL FAMILY DRAMA AND BREATHTAKING SUSPENSE WITH A SHOCKING FINAL TWIST.
OMG! The plot twists. This was beautifully written. Will recommend to others
I was fourteen when it happened.
One moment, we were planning a day at the mall. The next, they were dead in a car crash. A closed case. A past I was meant to forget.
Thirty years later. It starts with small things that don’t add up. A mug left on the kitchen counter. I didn’t put it there. A hand-delivered envelope containing an old-fashioned friendship bracelet. A bunch of fresh flowers left on my uncle’s grave.
I’m clearing out my mum’s attic when I find it. A diary. Belonging to the aunt who was killed in the crash . . .
My uncle was doing terrible things to the people who loved him. He wasn’t the charming, kind and generous man I remember at all. He was a monster . . .
AN EXHILARATING BLEND OF EMOTIONAL FAMILY DRAMA AND BREATHTAKING SUSPENSE WITH A SHOCKING FINAL TWIST.
OMG! The plot twists. This was beautifully written. Will recommend to others
July 28, 2026
A tragic accident while on holiday in Canada comes back to haunt Suzie.
Suzie discovers that all her childhood memories are based on lies. When her mother dies
and she is clearing her house, she is visited by her cousin Jake who drops a bombshell.
Her childhood home was never owned by her mother and her smarmy cousin reckons he is
the owner and he wants immediate possession. Suzie doesn’t want the house or its
proceeds but the family solicitor advises her to not give up just yet.
After four weeks, as stipulated in her mothers will, a letter is given to Suzie from her dead
mother. A mystery starts to unravel and a whole can of worms is opened.
The lovely protective uncle is not what he seems and the tragic accident that killed her aunt
and best friend is not what Suzie was led to believe. Her whole family has been hiding a
dark secret and as it unravels the more danger Suzie is in.
Suzie discovers that all her childhood memories are based on lies. When her mother dies
and she is clearing her house, she is visited by her cousin Jake who drops a bombshell.
Her childhood home was never owned by her mother and her smarmy cousin reckons he is
the owner and he wants immediate possession. Suzie doesn’t want the house or its
proceeds but the family solicitor advises her to not give up just yet.
After four weeks, as stipulated in her mothers will, a letter is given to Suzie from her dead
mother. A mystery starts to unravel and a whole can of worms is opened.
The lovely protective uncle is not what he seems and the tragic accident that killed her aunt
and best friend is not what Suzie was led to believe. Her whole family has been hiding a
dark secret and as it unravels the more danger Suzie is in.
August 3, 2026
I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with Zooloo's Book Tours.
When Susie’s mum passes away, her world is turned upside down. Then she is reminded of a previous tragedy, when her aunt and cousin both lost their lives in a car crash. Families are complex; sometimes they harbour secrets. Secrets come to light when Susie finds a diary belonging to her aunt.
The book has a few throwbacks to the nineties but most of it takes place in the present day. For me, its themes made it feel more like a family drama than a thriller, but I think that was what I had in mind before I started reading. The author had a subtle and clever way of building tension that had me turning the pages quickly. I wanted to find out the truth about what really happened. The book kept me guessing, and it was easy to read in one sitting too.
Thank you to Zooloo's Book Tours, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
When Susie’s mum passes away, her world is turned upside down. Then she is reminded of a previous tragedy, when her aunt and cousin both lost their lives in a car crash. Families are complex; sometimes they harbour secrets. Secrets come to light when Susie finds a diary belonging to her aunt.
The book has a few throwbacks to the nineties but most of it takes place in the present day. For me, its themes made it feel more like a family drama than a thriller, but I think that was what I had in mind before I started reading. The author had a subtle and clever way of building tension that had me turning the pages quickly. I wanted to find out the truth about what really happened. The book kept me guessing, and it was easy to read in one sitting too.
Thank you to Zooloo's Book Tours, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
July 31, 2026
This was a great quick read thriller by yet another new author to me.
I love finding new authors in my favourite genre.
I loved the front cover image of this book and the start of the read set the scene perfectly.
After Susie's mum passed away, she's tasked with clearing out her belongings which starts a chain of events as she uncovers a diary full of details about an accident that had happened decades earlier.
This was a really interesting premise and I loved putting the story together and picking through the details as they unfolded.
I did guess some of the twists before their reveals, but this still held my attention to the end.
I really felt sorry for Susie having to go through this alone, especially as she's also already grieving.
The accident had been such a long time ago, it definitely felt tough dredging up all the old information a d the secrets revealed.
The writing style made me feel on edge, especially as Susie can feel she's being watched.
This was overall well paced and I raced through the second half of the book to the end.
A great first read and I can't wait to see more from this author.
I love finding new authors in my favourite genre.
I loved the front cover image of this book and the start of the read set the scene perfectly.
After Susie's mum passed away, she's tasked with clearing out her belongings which starts a chain of events as she uncovers a diary full of details about an accident that had happened decades earlier.
This was a really interesting premise and I loved putting the story together and picking through the details as they unfolded.
I did guess some of the twists before their reveals, but this still held my attention to the end.
I really felt sorry for Susie having to go through this alone, especially as she's also already grieving.
The accident had been such a long time ago, it definitely felt tough dredging up all the old information a d the secrets revealed.
The writing style made me feel on edge, especially as Susie can feel she's being watched.
This was overall well paced and I raced through the second half of the book to the end.
A great first read and I can't wait to see more from this author.
July 29, 2026
Having previously enjoyed the author's contemporary fiction under the name Ellie Henderson, I was intrigued to discover her psychological thrillers written as Lorna Henderson - and I'm so glad I did.
This was one of those books that completely drew me in from the opening chapters. Rather than relying on constant twists, it gradually builds suspense through family secrets, mystery and an underlying sense of unease, making it difficult to step away from.
I particularly enjoyed the time spent in Canada, which brought back memories of my own visit and added an extra personal connection to the story.
A thoroughly absorbing psychological thriller that kept me immersed from beginning to end and has definitely encouraged me to read more of Lorna Henderson's thrillers.
To read my full review, visit MoMoBookDiary.
This was one of those books that completely drew me in from the opening chapters. Rather than relying on constant twists, it gradually builds suspense through family secrets, mystery and an underlying sense of unease, making it difficult to step away from.
I particularly enjoyed the time spent in Canada, which brought back memories of my own visit and added an extra personal connection to the story.
A thoroughly absorbing psychological thriller that kept me immersed from beginning to end and has definitely encouraged me to read more of Lorna Henderson's thrillers.
To read my full review, visit MoMoBookDiary.
August 1, 2026
This was such a gripping psychological thriller. The story follows Susie, who is already dealing with grief after her mother’s death when she uncovers shocking secrets about her family. What begins with clearing out her mother’s belongings quickly spirals into a web of lies, hidden diaries, and a tragic accident from years ago that may not have been what she was told.
I really liked how the suspense built gradually. Instead of relying only on big twists, the book layered tension through family secrets, mistrust, and subtle clues that made me question everyone. Susie’s journey was heartbreaking realizing that the people she trusted most weren’t who she thought they were.
The atmosphere was eerie at times, with little details that made me feel like Susie was being watched. That sense of unease carried through the whole book and kept me turning the pages.
I really liked how the suspense built gradually. Instead of relying only on big twists, the book layered tension through family secrets, mistrust, and subtle clues that made me question everyone. Susie’s journey was heartbreaking realizing that the people she trusted most weren’t who she thought they were.
The atmosphere was eerie at times, with little details that made me feel like Susie was being watched. That sense of unease carried through the whole book and kept me turning the pages.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a wild ride! This is a suspenseful story full of lies, secrets, family drama, more lies, and more secrets!
I loved being along for the ride as Susie uncovered the truth about every member of her family. It's a reminder that you really never know the others around you, even those closest to you. Do you ever really know who you can trust? Are others keeping things from you thinking they're helping you?
And that last little twist at the very end!!
This is a solid 4 star read. If you love a good suspenseful thriller full of twists & turns where many deep, dark secrets are revealed until the very end, I recommend reading this one!
Thank you to NetGalley, Joffee Books, and zooloo booktours for this advanced reader copy!
I loved being along for the ride as Susie uncovered the truth about every member of her family. It's a reminder that you really never know the others around you, even those closest to you. Do you ever really know who you can trust? Are others keeping things from you thinking they're helping you?
And that last little twist at the very end!!
This is a solid 4 star read. If you love a good suspenseful thriller full of twists & turns where many deep, dark secrets are revealed until the very end, I recommend reading this one!
Thank you to NetGalley, Joffee Books, and zooloo booktours for this advanced reader copy!
July 28, 2026
An excellent tale of family lies, the ones that change lives and perhaps should stay hidden. Susie is clearing the house she grew up in following her mother’s death when her cousin comes to the door demanding to come in, reluctantly Susie lets him. Jake informs her the house is now his as his father had helped her mother out years before. Susie is shocked and can’t wait to get right out of the house. Her mother’s death brings back all the memories of her aunt and cousin dying on a family holiday to Canada and Susie feels she just can’t take anymore.
But what if they didn’t die, it is what her uncle always suspected.
This had me gripped and there are a few twists and an unexpected turn at the end.
My thanks to the publishers for the arc.
But what if they didn’t die, it is what her uncle always suspected.
This had me gripped and there are a few twists and an unexpected turn at the end.
My thanks to the publishers for the arc.
July 29, 2026
Interesting story full of family secrets. Susie loses her mum and what follows is the unravelling of her family's lies.
I guessed part of what was going to be revealed but I think that's intentionally done as it sets the scene for a few more twists.
It's all very tragic with Susie realising that her uncles were responsible for the break down of the family that she loved. One was a monster and the other a saviour. It's a lot for Susie to take in and the insufferable Jake doesn't make things easy for her.
I was intrigued by the neighbours Helen and Rob as they seemed protective. I liked Helen and she too surprises us in the end.
A few good twists and turns in this to keep you on your toes 😊
I guessed part of what was going to be revealed but I think that's intentionally done as it sets the scene for a few more twists.
It's all very tragic with Susie realising that her uncles were responsible for the break down of the family that she loved. One was a monster and the other a saviour. It's a lot for Susie to take in and the insufferable Jake doesn't make things easy for her.
I was intrigued by the neighbours Helen and Rob as they seemed protective. I liked Helen and she too surprises us in the end.
A few good twists and turns in this to keep you on your toes 😊
July 28, 2026
Clearing out her mother`s house after her death , Suzie is reminded of her childhood and how her aunt and cousin were tragically killed whilst on holiday in Canada . She was very close to her cousin Rachel and the loss had a deep impact on Susie . Reading her mother`s letter and her aunt`s diaries discovered in the attic ,she starts to question whether her idyllic childhood was one big lie . Then items seem to move and appear in the house and she senses she is being watched . Is someone playing a game with her past . This was a sound thriller with twist and turns and family secrets that are meant to be kept secret
July 28, 2026
I like the play on words in the title, lies being both verb and noun as we discover by the dénouement . To be fair I guessed very early on what was happening hence only 4 stars, nonetheless the book was well written with plenty of twists and turns. People supposedly dead in a car crash …..strange things start to happen years later…we’ve been here before! However I did find it interesting to see why things had happened ( so difficult not to include spoilers) and it was definitely satisfying to see those who deserve it get their comeuppance. A decent read.
July 30, 2026
The Family Lies is a twisty family thriller, told across dual timelines - 1995 and present day.
A tragic accident in 1995 that claimed the lives of Susie’s aunt and cousin marks the start of grief and guilt.
Present day, Susie loses her mum unexpectedly.
As events start to unfold, Susie wonders if she ever really knew her family. When she clears out her late mother's attic, she discovers a box. Secrets start to unravel, and Susie is desperate to uncover the truth.
A slow burner, but also chaotic and twisted. Perfect for fans of Valerie Keogh.
A tragic accident in 1995 that claimed the lives of Susie’s aunt and cousin marks the start of grief and guilt.
Present day, Susie loses her mum unexpectedly.
As events start to unfold, Susie wonders if she ever really knew her family. When she clears out her late mother's attic, she discovers a box. Secrets start to unravel, and Susie is desperate to uncover the truth.
A slow burner, but also chaotic and twisted. Perfect for fans of Valerie Keogh.
August 7, 2026
3.5⭐️
The Family Lies is a solid, compelling domestic thriller that delivers on tension from start to finish.
The story unfolds at a really natural pace, it never feels rushed and maintains enough steady momentum to keep you hooked throughout. There’s a deep sense of mistrust built into the narrative and you genuinely can’t be sure who to trust, which makes Susie’s escalating paranoia feel justified and easy to empathise with.
An enjoyable, tight psychological read that keeps you guessing. But not one I feel will stick with me for long.
The Family Lies is a solid, compelling domestic thriller that delivers on tension from start to finish.
The story unfolds at a really natural pace, it never feels rushed and maintains enough steady momentum to keep you hooked throughout. There’s a deep sense of mistrust built into the narrative and you genuinely can’t be sure who to trust, which makes Susie’s escalating paranoia feel justified and easy to empathise with.
An enjoyable, tight psychological read that keeps you guessing. But not one I feel will stick with me for long.
August 9, 2026
Everything I’ve been told about my family is a lie.
~~~~~
Thanks so much to ZooLoo's Book Tours, Lorna Henderson, and Joffe Books for the gifted digital copy to read and review.
If you like some family trauma and drama with your psychological thrillers, you'll want to read The Family Lies! This book does such a great job making you feel like you can't trust anyone. Little twists and nuggets were dropped throughout that just kept me guessing. The pacing kept the tension up for the entire book, and that ending! I didn't see that coming at all!
~~~~~
Thanks so much to ZooLoo's Book Tours, Lorna Henderson, and Joffe Books for the gifted digital copy to read and review.
If you like some family trauma and drama with your psychological thrillers, you'll want to read The Family Lies! This book does such a great job making you feel like you can't trust anyone. Little twists and nuggets were dropped throughout that just kept me guessing. The pacing kept the tension up for the entire book, and that ending! I didn't see that coming at all!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Susie lost her mother and was obviously in denial and devastated when she found out.
When she finds hidden diaries in her mother's belongings, everything that she knew to be true fell apart.
I did enjoy this book. It is fairly predictable. Greed and secrets of the past always make a good plot.
Fairly creepy, the stalking made the hair stand up on my arms, and quite a few twists that are unexpected.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
When she finds hidden diaries in her mother's belongings, everything that she knew to be true fell apart.
I did enjoy this book. It is fairly predictable. Greed and secrets of the past always make a good plot.
Fairly creepy, the stalking made the hair stand up on my arms, and quite a few twists that are unexpected.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. This book was my first by this author and I would say it was a decent read and I would probably try another book by this author. It started off at a good pace but kind of fizzled and I felt like the ending was a little rushed. There was a decent twist at the end but I felt like some of the characters, especially Jake, didn't have much background information. Overall a nice read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
After losing her mother, Susie begins sorting through her belongings to prepare the house for sale. In the attic, she discovers a box containing her aunt’s diary. The find stirs painful memories of her aunt and cousin, who died in a car accident during a visit to their uncle in America—a loss she has never forgotten. Susie can’t shake the unsettling feeling that someone is watching her, making it an incredibly gripping experience.
July 28, 2026
Gripping
Cousins Susie and Rachel with their mums went on a family holiday to visit their Uncle Sam in Canada but only Susie and her mum came home. Rachel and Linda, (Rachel's mother) were killed in a car crash. More like sisters than cousins Susie was devastated. Years later after when Susie is sorting through her mums belongings after her death Susie finds an old diary and it seems everything she had ever thought about the events were wrong. I was gripped from day one by this book.
Cousins Susie and Rachel with their mums went on a family holiday to visit their Uncle Sam in Canada but only Susie and her mum came home. Rachel and Linda, (Rachel's mother) were killed in a car crash. More like sisters than cousins Susie was devastated. Years later after when Susie is sorting through her mums belongings after her death Susie finds an old diary and it seems everything she had ever thought about the events were wrong. I was gripped from day one by this book.
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