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Six Wicked Reasons
From the international number one bestseller comes the most clever and gripping thriller of 2019
It's June 2008 and twenty-one-year-old Adam Lattimer vanishes, presumed dead. The strain of his disappearance breaks his already fragile family.
Ten years later, with his mother deceased and siblings scattered across the globe, Adam turns up unannounced at the family home. His siblings return reluctantly to Spanish Cove, but Adam's reappearance poses more questions than answers. The past is a tangled web of deceit.
And, as tension builds, it's apparent somebody has planned murderous revenge for the events of ten years ago.
423 pages, Paperback
First published January 16, 2020
About the author
Jo Spain
28 books1,214 followersJo Spain is the author of the bestselling Inspector Tom Reynolds series and several international No. 1 bestselling standalone novels. Her first book, With Our Blessing, was a finalist in the 2015 Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller.
Jo, a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, writes TV screenplays full-time. Her first crime series was broadcast on RTE in 2018 and she's currently involved in a number of TV developments including adaptations of her own novels. In 2021, she co-wrote Harry Wild, starring Jane Seymour, with the Emmy award-winning David Logan (airing 2022).
Jo lives in Dublin with her husband and four young children. In her spare time (she has four children, there is no spare time really) she likes to read. Her favourite authors include Pierre Lemaitre, Jo Nesbo, Liane Moriarty, Fred Vargas and Jodi Picoult. She also watches TV obsessively.
Jo thinks up her plots on long runs in the woods. Her husband sleeps with one eye open.
Jo, a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, writes TV screenplays full-time. Her first crime series was broadcast on RTE in 2018 and she's currently involved in a number of TV developments including adaptations of her own novels. In 2021, she co-wrote Harry Wild, starring Jane Seymour, with the Emmy award-winning David Logan (airing 2022).
Jo lives in Dublin with her husband and four young children. In her spare time (she has four children, there is no spare time really) she likes to read. Her favourite authors include Pierre Lemaitre, Jo Nesbo, Liane Moriarty, Fred Vargas and Jodi Picoult. She also watches TV obsessively.
Jo thinks up her plots on long runs in the woods. Her husband sleeps with one eye open.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 459 reviews
December 27, 2019
Enmity
Six Wicked Reasons is a compelling story of a dysfunctional family with a recently departed mother, a narcissistic cruel father and six children with a reason to murder their father. I am so delighted to have finished this year off with another buddy read with the wonderful Beata. Thank you so much!
Ten years ago, Adam, one of the six Lattimer children, disappeared without a trace, leaving a devastating impact on his family, particularly his mother, Kathleen. She never overcame the grief, which is suggested as the reason for her early death. Out-of-the-blue, Adam returns home to the family home in Spanish Cove, Wexford, Ireland. Their father, Frazer, calls each of the other five children, Ellen, James, Kate, Ryan and Clio, to return home and welcome back the missing brother. Why do they all feel compelled to do as he asks and return home?
Frazer rents a boat from his lifelong friend Danny who also accompanies the family for a celebratory evening at sea. Not to miss an opportunity, Frazer announces at the party that he has a new partner in his life, Ana, and they plan to marry. This was probably Frazer's real purpose in hosting the evening, to let them know they are being cut out of the sizeable inheritance.
Survive that one Frazer!!
During the evening, Danny notices Frazer is missing, and in the search, they discover blood by a railing and the dead body of Frazer floating overboard. Told you!!
The story is narrated over different time periods with a voice given to each of the six children, providing background and their response to the call to return home. The other ever-present voice of Detective Rob Downes probes with questions to determine what happened. He keeps them all in the harbour master’s office, reluctant to let them leave until he has a clear understanding of the events of the evening while it's still fresh in their minds.
There are elements of the story that feel like an Agatha Christie novel where everyone is gathered in a restricted location and they know one of them is a murderer. The detective also knows one of them is a murderer but where will the story lead him. Jo Spain provides a wicked reason why each of them had the motive to kill Frazer and this is well balanced to the very end. I felt the guilty party was a great outcome, so it finished on a sound conclusion. The flow of the story mixing the characters, the thoughts of Detective Downes, and the various time shifts, was extremely well planned and executed with a seamless transition between each thread.
The big difference between Jo Spain’s approach and Agatha Christie’s is that the detective is pretty ineffectual in this novel and the murder mystery is revealed through the narration from each suspect. It is also difficult to come to terms with the animosity Frazer had towards each of his children.
This is a well-written murder mystery story and I would recommend reading it. I would also like to thank Quercus Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC version in return for an honest review.
Six Wicked Reasons is a compelling story of a dysfunctional family with a recently departed mother, a narcissistic cruel father and six children with a reason to murder their father. I am so delighted to have finished this year off with another buddy read with the wonderful Beata. Thank you so much!
Ten years ago, Adam, one of the six Lattimer children, disappeared without a trace, leaving a devastating impact on his family, particularly his mother, Kathleen. She never overcame the grief, which is suggested as the reason for her early death. Out-of-the-blue, Adam returns home to the family home in Spanish Cove, Wexford, Ireland. Their father, Frazer, calls each of the other five children, Ellen, James, Kate, Ryan and Clio, to return home and welcome back the missing brother. Why do they all feel compelled to do as he asks and return home?
Frazer rents a boat from his lifelong friend Danny who also accompanies the family for a celebratory evening at sea. Not to miss an opportunity, Frazer announces at the party that he has a new partner in his life, Ana, and they plan to marry. This was probably Frazer's real purpose in hosting the evening, to let them know they are being cut out of the sizeable inheritance.
Survive that one Frazer!!
During the evening, Danny notices Frazer is missing, and in the search, they discover blood by a railing and the dead body of Frazer floating overboard. Told you!!
“Their brother had returned and now their father was gone. Frazer Lattimer, sixty-one years of age, native of Scotland, resident in Ireland most of his adult life, was dead. His children looked at one another, and wondered. Which of them had murdered him?”
The story is narrated over different time periods with a voice given to each of the six children, providing background and their response to the call to return home. The other ever-present voice of Detective Rob Downes probes with questions to determine what happened. He keeps them all in the harbour master’s office, reluctant to let them leave until he has a clear understanding of the events of the evening while it's still fresh in their minds.
There are elements of the story that feel like an Agatha Christie novel where everyone is gathered in a restricted location and they know one of them is a murderer. The detective also knows one of them is a murderer but where will the story lead him. Jo Spain provides a wicked reason why each of them had the motive to kill Frazer and this is well balanced to the very end. I felt the guilty party was a great outcome, so it finished on a sound conclusion. The flow of the story mixing the characters, the thoughts of Detective Downes, and the various time shifts, was extremely well planned and executed with a seamless transition between each thread.
The big difference between Jo Spain’s approach and Agatha Christie’s is that the detective is pretty ineffectual in this novel and the murder mystery is revealed through the narration from each suspect. It is also difficult to come to terms with the animosity Frazer had towards each of his children.
This is a well-written murder mystery story and I would recommend reading it. I would also like to thank Quercus Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC version in return for an honest review.
January 16, 2020
Well. If someone hadn’t got to Frazer Lattimer first I think I may have felt inclined to murder him myself! At the very least, he made my hands clench, my jaw lock and my eyes flash and he’d definitely have been on the receiving end of one of my famous ‘dead eyes’!! What a horrible, terrible excuse of a man. This is the story of a dysfunctional family all of which is to the dubious credit of narcissist Frazer, who if he isn’t a psychopath I’d be very surprised. His children - James, Ellen, Kate, Adam, Clio and Ryan (especially Ryan) are all on the receiving end of his vicious tongue and harsh decisions all their lives. Their mother Kathleen (who had died several years before these events) sounds lovely but she is unable to temper his vile moods and controlling behaviour. Why on earth she marries him is beyond me as I can’t imagine what she sees in him, as it eludes most people. Frazer marries up big time, as Kathleen has great wealth which Frazer is meant to manage which of course, plays into his controlling hands.
The story is set in Albertstown near Wexford in Ireland. It starts with the return home of Adam who disappears ten years previously and is presumed dead. All the children are summoned home from various places they have fled to (apart from Ellen who for various reasons stays at home) to celebrate Adams return. Frazer dies in mysterious circumstances during a party on board a yacht owned by family friend, Danny. At first, his death is thought it be accidental but DS Rob Downes thinks otherwise and doggedly pursues the truth. The story is told between now and several years ago and from the perspective of each of the siblings. This works well as we learn a lot about them and their lives, the truth and the lies and their individual circumstances which doesn’t always match appearances.
This is a suspenseful slow burner which is a genre I like. It is very well written and keeps the interest from start to finish. The story encompasses anger and revenge, guilt, secrets and lies, mystery and intrigue which builds slowly a bit like building a bonfire and you are just waiting for the thing to ignite. The conclusion is very good and surprising. The characters are not all likeable especially Frazer obviously, but neither is James who is beyond selfish and a chancer and Kate seems to lie reflexively. Ryan, Adam, Clio, Danny and Rob are very likeable. Ryan suffers the most at the hands of Frazer and this led to drug addiction although thankfully he is now in recovery. All of them have serious issues and grievances with Frazer and any one of them has justification for wanting him dead so throughout the novel you are constantly wondering which one did it!!! The book feels like a fly on the wall ‘docu-drama’ as you peek at this dysfunctional family reeling in shock at the bombs that Frazer hurls and then sits back in satisfaction as he surveys the damage. His death is no loss, trust me!
Overall, another superb read from Jo Spain. She is an outstanding author who creates intriguing books and I highly recommend her books.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books for this excellent ARC.
The story is set in Albertstown near Wexford in Ireland. It starts with the return home of Adam who disappears ten years previously and is presumed dead. All the children are summoned home from various places they have fled to (apart from Ellen who for various reasons stays at home) to celebrate Adams return. Frazer dies in mysterious circumstances during a party on board a yacht owned by family friend, Danny. At first, his death is thought it be accidental but DS Rob Downes thinks otherwise and doggedly pursues the truth. The story is told between now and several years ago and from the perspective of each of the siblings. This works well as we learn a lot about them and their lives, the truth and the lies and their individual circumstances which doesn’t always match appearances.
This is a suspenseful slow burner which is a genre I like. It is very well written and keeps the interest from start to finish. The story encompasses anger and revenge, guilt, secrets and lies, mystery and intrigue which builds slowly a bit like building a bonfire and you are just waiting for the thing to ignite. The conclusion is very good and surprising. The characters are not all likeable especially Frazer obviously, but neither is James who is beyond selfish and a chancer and Kate seems to lie reflexively. Ryan, Adam, Clio, Danny and Rob are very likeable. Ryan suffers the most at the hands of Frazer and this led to drug addiction although thankfully he is now in recovery. All of them have serious issues and grievances with Frazer and any one of them has justification for wanting him dead so throughout the novel you are constantly wondering which one did it!!! The book feels like a fly on the wall ‘docu-drama’ as you peek at this dysfunctional family reeling in shock at the bombs that Frazer hurls and then sits back in satisfaction as he surveys the damage. His death is no loss, trust me!
Overall, another superb read from Jo Spain. She is an outstanding author who creates intriguing books and I highly recommend her books.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books for this excellent ARC.
February 1, 2020
I was looking forward to reading the latest offering by Ms Spain as I had enjoyed her previous novel. Six Wicked Reasons have a good idea behind it: an isolated premise and many suspects, however, this novel did not work for me and I stuggled a little while reading it. For one thing, much as I admit that a big dysfunctional family provides a solid background for a mystery, there is too much of a good thing in the Lattimer family. The father, cold, selfish and with the lowest emotional intelligence quotient possible, six children who want to escape the nest and are not particularly close to one another, and a mother who tries to keep the family together but seems unable to connect to all of her offspring at the same level.
Narration, set in the present and moving backwards, is the best bit about the novel which was quite good but definitely not as thrilling as I hoped it to be.
It was another buddy read with Peter who always encourages me to make an extra effort :)) I am happy you liked it one star more, Peter :)
*Many thanks to Jo Spain, Quercus Books and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
Narration, set in the present and moving backwards, is the best bit about the novel which was quite good but definitely not as thrilling as I hoped it to be.
It was another buddy read with Peter who always encourages me to make an extra effort :)) I am happy you liked it one star more, Peter :)
*Many thanks to Jo Spain, Quercus Books and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
December 20, 2019
Jo Spain is a crime author I love, and this, her latest, is a cracker of a read, set in Wexford and Spanish Cove in Ireland. It centres on the dysfunctional and damaged Lattimer family, the mother, Kathleen, from a wealthy family, and father, Frazer, a Scottish man who settled in Ireland, working as a lowly bank clerk until he married Kathleen, then quit to manage her large business portfolio of business investments. They have six children, Ellen, James, Kate, Adam, Ryan and Clio, all of whom have been a severe disappointment to Frazer. Ten years ago in 2008, Adam disappeared, despite intensive and wide ranging searches, he was never found, and presumed to be dead by many. A heartbroken Kathleen died, and the children scattered far and wide, with only Ellen remaining at the house, making a living as a online accountancy tutor. In 2018, Adam returns out of the blue having made a success of his construction business in France, claiming to have had a breakdown and depression that led to him running away all those years ago.
Frazer welcomes Adam back with open arms, inviting all his children back home to celebrate his return. James is a TV producer, once successful, a well known celebrity in Ireland, but now struggling to get his latest venture up and running. Kate works in her wealthy husband, Cheng Grant's upmarket hotel in Dublin. Ryan, an ex-drug addict has settled in Italy in a small town on the shores of Lake Garda. Clio has been living in New York, struggling to survive, hampered by her illegal immigrant status. Despite their misgivings, anger and resentments, all the siblings return to Spanish Cove for their first get together for years. They all embark for a celebratory party on Frazer's best friend, Danny's yacht, catered for by the Polish widow Ana, but are left reeling by Frazer's shocking surprise announcements. Frazer is recovered dead from the sea, in what is assumed to be an accident. DS Rob Downes, familiar with the Lattimer family, investigates what turns out to be a murder. As the trauma, secrets and lies of the dysfunctional family come to be slowly revealed, Rob is determined to find the killer.
Frazer is the husband and father from hell, a deplorable excuse of a human being, the only surprise is that someone hadn't finished him off years ago. He made his wife, sons and daughters lives a misery, directly responsible for many of their issues and traumas, I cannot imagine that many readers will feel any sympathy for him, and are much more likely to cheer at his demise. This is a fabulously entertaining read, full of intrigue and twists, tense and suspenseful, exploring the darkness, struggles, pain and hurt at the heart of a Irish family. A terrific psychological thriller that I recommend to those who love their crime fiction and thrillers. Many thanks to Quercus for an ARC.
Frazer welcomes Adam back with open arms, inviting all his children back home to celebrate his return. James is a TV producer, once successful, a well known celebrity in Ireland, but now struggling to get his latest venture up and running. Kate works in her wealthy husband, Cheng Grant's upmarket hotel in Dublin. Ryan, an ex-drug addict has settled in Italy in a small town on the shores of Lake Garda. Clio has been living in New York, struggling to survive, hampered by her illegal immigrant status. Despite their misgivings, anger and resentments, all the siblings return to Spanish Cove for their first get together for years. They all embark for a celebratory party on Frazer's best friend, Danny's yacht, catered for by the Polish widow Ana, but are left reeling by Frazer's shocking surprise announcements. Frazer is recovered dead from the sea, in what is assumed to be an accident. DS Rob Downes, familiar with the Lattimer family, investigates what turns out to be a murder. As the trauma, secrets and lies of the dysfunctional family come to be slowly revealed, Rob is determined to find the killer.
Frazer is the husband and father from hell, a deplorable excuse of a human being, the only surprise is that someone hadn't finished him off years ago. He made his wife, sons and daughters lives a misery, directly responsible for many of their issues and traumas, I cannot imagine that many readers will feel any sympathy for him, and are much more likely to cheer at his demise. This is a fabulously entertaining read, full of intrigue and twists, tense and suspenseful, exploring the darkness, struggles, pain and hurt at the heart of a Irish family. A terrific psychological thriller that I recommend to those who love their crime fiction and thrillers. Many thanks to Quercus for an ARC.
January 23, 2020
EXCERPT: Clio let herself hope. She let herself imagine this man her dad planned to hire would find her brother. Or at least tell them what had happened. She couldn't know that by the following spring, he would return with the worst news.
That Adam was probably dead. She couldn't know that her father would convey that to her mother. And that he would badger her to accept it, at exactly the same time Ryan took a turn for the worse. and that her mother's heart, fit to burst with love for them all, would finally burst with sadness. Months later it would only be Clio and Ellen and their father left in Spanish Cove. No Adam, no Ryan. James enjoying his life in Dublin. Kate scarpering up there as fast as she could. Her mother cold in the ground.
From eight to three.
From loud to silent.
From loved to ... nothing.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: It's June 2008 and twenty-one-year-old Adam Lattimer vanishes, presumed dead. The strain of his disappearance breaks his already fragile family.
Ten years later, with his mother deceased and siblings scattered across the globe, Adam turns up unannounced at the family home. His siblings return reluctantly to Spanish Cove, but Adam's reappearance poses more questions than answers. The past is a tangled web of deceit.
And, as tension builds, it's apparent somebody has planned murderous revenge for the events of ten years ago.
MY THOUGHTS: This is the third book I have read by this author, and it falls somewhere between The Confession, which I didn't enjoy, and Dirty Little Secrets, which I adored.
At the centre of this story is a dysfunctional family - extremely dysfunctional. A controlling father, a dead mother, an eldest son who will do anything to succeed, another who is a drug addict, and one who is busy trying to find himself. The girls are no better, Kate has left home as fast as she could for the bright lights of the city, Ellen has ensconced herself in the family home to care for their father, and Clio does a runner to New York.
The story is narrated over different time frames, and by the voices of the different children and Detective Rob Downes, investigating the suspicious death of their father, Frazer Lattimer. Yet despite the multiple narrators and different time frames, it never gets confusing. Jo Spain has choreographed a beautiful ballet of shifting times and views, while keeping the story flowing, and the mystery of the perpetrator intact. I honestly didn't have any idea 'whodunnit' despite some really wild guesses. Reminiscent of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, this is even better!
****
#SixWickedReasons #Netgalley
THE AUTHOR: Jo Spain is the author of the Inspector Tom Reynolds series. Her first book, top ten bestseller With Our Blessing, was a finalist in the 2015 Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller. The Confession her first standalone thriller, was a number one bestseller and translated all over the world.
Jo is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, a former political advisor in the Irish parliament and former vice-chair of InterTrade Ireland business body.
She now writes novels and screenplays full-time. Her first co-written TV show TAKEN DOWN was broadcast in Ireland in 2018 and bought by international distributors Fremantle.
Jo lives in Dublin with her husband and four young children. In her spare time (she has four children, there is no spare time really) she likes to read. Her favourite authors include Pierre Lemaitre, Jo Nesbo, Liane Moriarty, Fred Vargas and Louise Penny. She also watches TV detective series and was slightly obsessed with The Bridge, Trapped and The Missing.
Jo thinks up her plots on long runs in the woods. Her husband sleeps with one eye open and all her friends have looked at her strangely since she won her publishing deal.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Quercus Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Six wicked reasons by Jo Spain for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
That Adam was probably dead. She couldn't know that her father would convey that to her mother. And that he would badger her to accept it, at exactly the same time Ryan took a turn for the worse. and that her mother's heart, fit to burst with love for them all, would finally burst with sadness. Months later it would only be Clio and Ellen and their father left in Spanish Cove. No Adam, no Ryan. James enjoying his life in Dublin. Kate scarpering up there as fast as she could. Her mother cold in the ground.
From eight to three.
From loud to silent.
From loved to ... nothing.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: It's June 2008 and twenty-one-year-old Adam Lattimer vanishes, presumed dead. The strain of his disappearance breaks his already fragile family.
Ten years later, with his mother deceased and siblings scattered across the globe, Adam turns up unannounced at the family home. His siblings return reluctantly to Spanish Cove, but Adam's reappearance poses more questions than answers. The past is a tangled web of deceit.
And, as tension builds, it's apparent somebody has planned murderous revenge for the events of ten years ago.
MY THOUGHTS: This is the third book I have read by this author, and it falls somewhere between The Confession, which I didn't enjoy, and Dirty Little Secrets, which I adored.
At the centre of this story is a dysfunctional family - extremely dysfunctional. A controlling father, a dead mother, an eldest son who will do anything to succeed, another who is a drug addict, and one who is busy trying to find himself. The girls are no better, Kate has left home as fast as she could for the bright lights of the city, Ellen has ensconced herself in the family home to care for their father, and Clio does a runner to New York.
The story is narrated over different time frames, and by the voices of the different children and Detective Rob Downes, investigating the suspicious death of their father, Frazer Lattimer. Yet despite the multiple narrators and different time frames, it never gets confusing. Jo Spain has choreographed a beautiful ballet of shifting times and views, while keeping the story flowing, and the mystery of the perpetrator intact. I honestly didn't have any idea 'whodunnit' despite some really wild guesses. Reminiscent of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, this is even better!
****
#SixWickedReasons #Netgalley
THE AUTHOR: Jo Spain is the author of the Inspector Tom Reynolds series. Her first book, top ten bestseller With Our Blessing, was a finalist in the 2015 Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller. The Confession her first standalone thriller, was a number one bestseller and translated all over the world.
Jo is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, a former political advisor in the Irish parliament and former vice-chair of InterTrade Ireland business body.
She now writes novels and screenplays full-time. Her first co-written TV show TAKEN DOWN was broadcast in Ireland in 2018 and bought by international distributors Fremantle.
Jo lives in Dublin with her husband and four young children. In her spare time (she has four children, there is no spare time really) she likes to read. Her favourite authors include Pierre Lemaitre, Jo Nesbo, Liane Moriarty, Fred Vargas and Louise Penny. She also watches TV detective series and was slightly obsessed with The Bridge, Trapped and The Missing.
Jo thinks up her plots on long runs in the woods. Her husband sleeps with one eye open and all her friends have looked at her strangely since she won her publishing deal.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Quercus Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Six wicked reasons by Jo Spain for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
December 17, 2019
The Lattimer family, Jo Spain's subjects in this novel, would have to be one of the most dysfunctional in literature. The father, Frazer Lattimer is a masochistic narcissist who likes nothing better than to play psychological games and screw up the lives of his six children. With their mother dead, all but one of the children fled the family home as soon as they could but now Adam, who disappeared ten years ago and was presumed dead has reappeared and the others are summoned home to Wexford in Ireland.
At a Welcome Home party for Adam on family friend Danny's yacht, Frazer's body is found in the water after he had been struck on the head. With only the six children, Danny and Frazer's girlfriend on board (in an almost Agatha Christie-like scenario), the local Detective Rob Downes has his work cut out when he discovers that any one of the six had reason enough to murder their father.
This is slow burner of a psychological thriller with a long fuse but one that kept me glued to the pages as the plot is disclosed in two time lines - that of the events surrounding Adam's disappearance and the current time. The tension builds steadily as the characters of the children and all the truly horrible things Frazer had done to them is laid out. The ending was superb and the whole novel makes for a compelling read.
With many thanks to Netgalley and Quercus Books for a digital ARC to read
At a Welcome Home party for Adam on family friend Danny's yacht, Frazer's body is found in the water after he had been struck on the head. With only the six children, Danny and Frazer's girlfriend on board (in an almost Agatha Christie-like scenario), the local Detective Rob Downes has his work cut out when he discovers that any one of the six had reason enough to murder their father.
This is slow burner of a psychological thriller with a long fuse but one that kept me glued to the pages as the plot is disclosed in two time lines - that of the events surrounding Adam's disappearance and the current time. The tension builds steadily as the characters of the children and all the truly horrible things Frazer had done to them is laid out. The ending was superb and the whole novel makes for a compelling read.
With many thanks to Netgalley and Quercus Books for a digital ARC to read
April 29, 2021
"Zes duistere redenen van Jo Spain was een boek dat ik gelezen moest hebben en wel heel snel! Nadat ik eerder Iets te verbergen van haar las en dat beloonde met een dikke 5 sterren, was ik echt aan het hopen op een nieuw boek van haar."
https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2021...
https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2021...
January 15, 2020
Jo Spain is such a wonderful crime writer. I devoured this book in 24 hours as I have done with all of her books. Six Wicked Reasons will have you hooked right from the beginning. There are so many characters that have the motive and means - but whodunnit?? A family full of secrets, lies and hatred.
The Lattimer Family in Ireland - what a dysfunctional family they are. Blessed with money but this does not mean that they are happy. Frazer and Kathleen had 6 children - James, Ellen, Kate, Adam, Ryan and Clio and they have all disappointed their controlling father. Frazer is not a nice man all, he is the father and husband from hell. His children all have their reasons for hating him. 10 years ago Adam disappeared without a word from the family home. He had been presumed dead - but now he has returned. This brings the family back together, with the exception of mother Kathleen who died 5 years earlier. This is cause for celebration and the family board Frazers best mate Danny's yacht for a party - and more revelations. But one family member will not survive the night?
Thanks to Netgalley and Quercus Books for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
The Lattimer Family in Ireland - what a dysfunctional family they are. Blessed with money but this does not mean that they are happy. Frazer and Kathleen had 6 children - James, Ellen, Kate, Adam, Ryan and Clio and they have all disappointed their controlling father. Frazer is not a nice man all, he is the father and husband from hell. His children all have their reasons for hating him. 10 years ago Adam disappeared without a word from the family home. He had been presumed dead - but now he has returned. This brings the family back together, with the exception of mother Kathleen who died 5 years earlier. This is cause for celebration and the family board Frazers best mate Danny's yacht for a party - and more revelations. But one family member will not survive the night?
Thanks to Netgalley and Quercus Books for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
January 12, 2021
Possibly trying to be too complex for it's own good as the dysfunctional Lattimer family are the central focus of this mystery thriller.
The family have reluctantly returned to Spanish Cove having been summoned by their father Frazer, the siblings are soon shocked to see brother Adam who'd vanished and was believed dead surprisingly arrived unannounced.
The reunion is soon rocked as Frazer is found dead and with all the Lattimer children holding a grudge against him, the reader is left wondering what had happened for Adam to hide for a decade and the reason the reasons behind the fractious relationship with their father.
With the various POVs and time jumps it was easy to get confused with the various member of the familys strand and who I was suppose to be reading.
Most of the siblings were completely unlikeable and found them to be individually distinctive enough.
Despite this I was still invested enough to what to know all the answers - which didn't disappoint.
The family have reluctantly returned to Spanish Cove having been summoned by their father Frazer, the siblings are soon shocked to see brother Adam who'd vanished and was believed dead surprisingly arrived unannounced.
The reunion is soon rocked as Frazer is found dead and with all the Lattimer children holding a grudge against him, the reader is left wondering what had happened for Adam to hide for a decade and the reason the reasons behind the fractious relationship with their father.
With the various POVs and time jumps it was easy to get confused with the various member of the familys strand and who I was suppose to be reading.
Most of the siblings were completely unlikeable and found them to be individually distinctive enough.
Despite this I was still invested enough to what to know all the answers - which didn't disappoint.
January 16, 2020
In 2008 Adam Lattimer disappeared without trace. He was presumed dead. His family was devastated.
Its now 2018 and the remaining Lattimer siblings have been summoned back to their home is Spanish Cove by their father. Adam has returned home. Frazer (the dad) hires a boat so that he can throw a party to celebrate. But tragedy strikes when Frazers body Is found floating in the water.
The story is narrated by the six Lattimer siblings. The story is gradually revealed to us.we learn about each characters past and their relationship with their father. Frazer was ot a likeable character. He was cruel to his children in different ways. This is an intriguing whodunnit. The tension is high throughout the book. I really felt for some of the siblings and what they had to endure. There are plenty of twists in this steady paced read. I do recommend this book.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Quercus Books and the author Jo Spain for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Its now 2018 and the remaining Lattimer siblings have been summoned back to their home is Spanish Cove by their father. Adam has returned home. Frazer (the dad) hires a boat so that he can throw a party to celebrate. But tragedy strikes when Frazers body Is found floating in the water.
The story is narrated by the six Lattimer siblings. The story is gradually revealed to us.we learn about each characters past and their relationship with their father. Frazer was ot a likeable character. He was cruel to his children in different ways. This is an intriguing whodunnit. The tension is high throughout the book. I really felt for some of the siblings and what they had to endure. There are plenty of twists in this steady paced read. I do recommend this book.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Quercus Books and the author Jo Spain for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 17, 2020
Six Wicked Reasons is the latest stand-alone domestic noir/psychological thriller from bestseller Jo Spain and it is, in my opinion, her best novel to date. It centres around Adam Lattimer who, after a whole decade of being “missing”, returns home to his gobsmacked family. Since 2008 he has not spoken to any of them and was presumed long dead. However, his return to Spanish Cove prompts his father, Frazer Lattimer, to call a family meeting which doesn’t exactly go too well; naturally, some members of the rather dysfunctional Lattimer clan are bitter towards Adam and his selfishness in letting them believe he was dead for all of this time. Each of them now has their own lives and worries but each still attends the meeting where something murderous happens. One of them is about to take vengeance... and the victim is not who you’d believe.
This is a well written and immersive read with clever plotting, twisty reveals and a gradual unfurling of the narrative. Ms Spain is a superb storyteller and knows how to command your attention from the beginning right through to the end. I loved that the perspective switches between the point of view of the six Lattimer children as it builds a chilling picture of disturbing family secrets and the way each of them felt about the situation at play. Also, the fact it primarily takes place on a boat gives it a more claustrophobic feel to it and lent an extra tension to this slow-burning page-turner. Despite the limited suspect pool it still isn’t easy to guess who carried out blue murder and that is testament to Spain’s writing skills. An entertaining and addictive read. Many thanks to Quercus for an ARC.
This is a well written and immersive read with clever plotting, twisty reveals and a gradual unfurling of the narrative. Ms Spain is a superb storyteller and knows how to command your attention from the beginning right through to the end. I loved that the perspective switches between the point of view of the six Lattimer children as it builds a chilling picture of disturbing family secrets and the way each of them felt about the situation at play. Also, the fact it primarily takes place on a boat gives it a more claustrophobic feel to it and lent an extra tension to this slow-burning page-turner. Despite the limited suspect pool it still isn’t easy to guess who carried out blue murder and that is testament to Spain’s writing skills. An entertaining and addictive read. Many thanks to Quercus for an ARC.
January 21, 2020
Six Wicked Reasons is a complex, psychological thrillers, a clever and gripping thriller by bestselling Irish crime author Jo Spain. This book will mess with your mind!
The novel is set in Wexford and Spanish Cove in Ireland and revolves around a dysfunctional family…the Lattimer family, Frazer and Kathleen had six children-James, Ellen, Kate, Adam, Ryan and Clio. And they have all disappointed their controlling father.
James-Executive producer who works in Dublin, married to Sandra and stepdaughter Bello
Ellen-Plain old-fashioned spinster, lives in her father’s home, a cared for the father
Kate-Married, obsessed with herself, a liar, who works in Dublin running a busy Hotel.
Adam-Disappears and returns home, successful and wealthy runs a construction co in Paris.
Ryan-Youngest son recovering drug addict living in Italy.
Clio-Youngest daughter living in USA
All the children fell out with their dad at some point in their lives.
Ten years ago, Adam, disappeared without a trace. His mother, Kathleen never overcame the grief, the reason for her early death. This had a devastating effect on the family
Ten years later, with his mother deceased and siblings scattered across the globe, Adam turns up unannounced at the family home. His siblings return reluctantly to Spanish Cove, to celebrate Adam’s return, and hire a yacht, from Frazer’s best friend, Danny for a party. Frazer announces at the party that he has a new love in his life, Ana, and they plan to marry.
Nine people got on the yacht. Eight got off. Frazer, their father was found dead in the water.
The story alternates between past and present as well as the six different siblings. All eight-remaining people on the yacht are confined to the ship by Detective Rob Downes while he interviews all parties to determine what happened.
Was it an ACCIDENT or MURDER?
As the secrets and lies of the dysfunctional family are slowly revealed through the characters, Rob is determined to find the killer.
This is a fabulous read, terrific plot, full of intrigue and suspense, exploring the consequences of a dysfunctional family coming apart at the seams, amidst the tangled web of deceit. What makes this novel special is the drama created through the well-developed characters. This would make an excellent TV movie series.
Many thanks to Quercus Books for my digital copy.
The novel is set in Wexford and Spanish Cove in Ireland and revolves around a dysfunctional family…the Lattimer family, Frazer and Kathleen had six children-James, Ellen, Kate, Adam, Ryan and Clio. And they have all disappointed their controlling father.
James-Executive producer who works in Dublin, married to Sandra and stepdaughter Bello
Ellen-Plain old-fashioned spinster, lives in her father’s home, a cared for the father
Kate-Married, obsessed with herself, a liar, who works in Dublin running a busy Hotel.
Adam-Disappears and returns home, successful and wealthy runs a construction co in Paris.
Ryan-Youngest son recovering drug addict living in Italy.
Clio-Youngest daughter living in USA
All the children fell out with their dad at some point in their lives.
Ten years ago, Adam, disappeared without a trace. His mother, Kathleen never overcame the grief, the reason for her early death. This had a devastating effect on the family
Ten years later, with his mother deceased and siblings scattered across the globe, Adam turns up unannounced at the family home. His siblings return reluctantly to Spanish Cove, to celebrate Adam’s return, and hire a yacht, from Frazer’s best friend, Danny for a party. Frazer announces at the party that he has a new love in his life, Ana, and they plan to marry.
Nine people got on the yacht. Eight got off. Frazer, their father was found dead in the water.
The story alternates between past and present as well as the six different siblings. All eight-remaining people on the yacht are confined to the ship by Detective Rob Downes while he interviews all parties to determine what happened.
Was it an ACCIDENT or MURDER?
As the secrets and lies of the dysfunctional family are slowly revealed through the characters, Rob is determined to find the killer.
This is a fabulous read, terrific plot, full of intrigue and suspense, exploring the consequences of a dysfunctional family coming apart at the seams, amidst the tangled web of deceit. What makes this novel special is the drama created through the well-developed characters. This would make an excellent TV movie series.
Many thanks to Quercus Books for my digital copy.
January 11, 2020
This book was so boring and dull...
I really didn't connect with the writing style of this book. I'm not sure what it was about it but I really struggled with it.
I also got overwhelmed with the amount of characters. There was a lot and it was hard to follow who was who. I also didn't like any of them either which didn't help.
I struggled with the different timelines. This book jumped all over the place and it was difficult to follow.
I'm struggling to find any redeeming features of this book. I found it painfully dull, it wasn't engaging and I couldn't care for the characters.
Unfortunately this book was not for me but if you like domestic thrillers about dysfunctional families you might enjoy it.
TW: suicide, depression, addiction, miscarriage and murder
I really didn't connect with the writing style of this book. I'm not sure what it was about it but I really struggled with it.
I also got overwhelmed with the amount of characters. There was a lot and it was hard to follow who was who. I also didn't like any of them either which didn't help.
I struggled with the different timelines. This book jumped all over the place and it was difficult to follow.
I'm struggling to find any redeeming features of this book. I found it painfully dull, it wasn't engaging and I couldn't care for the characters.
Unfortunately this book was not for me but if you like domestic thrillers about dysfunctional families you might enjoy it.
TW: suicide, depression, addiction, miscarriage and murder
January 6, 2020
Having enjoyed previous novels by Jo Spain, I was keen to read her latest and, am pleased to say, it is an interesting read. Like others I have read by her, it is very character led and unfolds slowly, allowing the reader to discover why, and how, people are involved in events.
In 2008, Adam Lattimer disappeared from the family home, leaving his mother heart-broken and leading, his siblings felt, to her death. In 2018 he suddenly returns and father, Fraser, gathers his children home – well, all except for Ellen, who never left. Arriving are Kate, who is now married to a wealthy hotel owner, James, a TV producer, who is struggling to repeat his early success, Ryan, an ex-drug addict, who now lives in Italy, and Clio, who had outstayed her visa in New York.
This is a story of an unhappy family; each member of whom have their own secrets. It is also, of course, of how the family reunion leads to murder and of the investigation into who is responsible, led by a detective who knows the family well. Hints of Christie in this one, but a solid, well written crime novel. I received a copy of this from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
In 2008, Adam Lattimer disappeared from the family home, leaving his mother heart-broken and leading, his siblings felt, to her death. In 2018 he suddenly returns and father, Fraser, gathers his children home – well, all except for Ellen, who never left. Arriving are Kate, who is now married to a wealthy hotel owner, James, a TV producer, who is struggling to repeat his early success, Ryan, an ex-drug addict, who now lives in Italy, and Clio, who had outstayed her visa in New York.
This is a story of an unhappy family; each member of whom have their own secrets. It is also, of course, of how the family reunion leads to murder and of the investigation into who is responsible, led by a detective who knows the family well. Hints of Christie in this one, but a solid, well written crime novel. I received a copy of this from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
October 28, 2019
Wow this family is all twisted, they are a total mess but then if I had their Dad I’m fairly sure I’d have murdered him as a teenager….
As it is they are all adults now, including the seemingly dead Adam, one night, one boat trip and all the grievances build up to a murderous crescendo..
Jo Spain writes marvellously complex psychological thrillers, Six Wicked Reasons does exactly what it says on the tin and then some, throwing the reader into a madly divisive family dynamic with a christie-esque undertow and some beautifully clever plotting.
I devoured it in one sitting, the setting was absorbing, the cast of characters all absolutely compelling and this author is one of a few out there putting the genuine psychological back into thriller.
Highly Recommended.
January 21, 2020
4.5 stars
Ooooo I love a good revenge story! And a muder mystery.... And a complex family drama.... yay!
Basically it has many of the elements that make for a cracking good read in my opinion.
Jo Spain is one of my favourite authors and I had to start reading this on realease day ... I was not disappointed!
More please :)
Ooooo I love a good revenge story! And a muder mystery.... And a complex family drama.... yay!
Basically it has many of the elements that make for a cracking good read in my opinion.
Jo Spain is one of my favourite authors and I had to start reading this on realease day ... I was not disappointed!
More please :)
January 19, 2020
A twisty story involving the murder of the head of a wealthy, yet very dysfunctional family. A family all gathered together for the first time in ten years, six grown up children, each with a very good reason to kill their narcissistic father, ah but whodunnit? A clever tale that switches back and forth in time and is told from different character's POV. If I have a gripe it's that I found all the characters rather unlikeable, and kind of flat, I didn't really care about or warm to any of them until I was three quarters of the way through. The disturbingly unpleasant father was the most interesting but we didn't get enough about him, I would've liked to know more about his machinations and why he was the way he was, and indeed, why no one had brained him long before, the mother must've been an absolute saint. It all ties up nicely though and I found the ending very satisfying, I'll definitely be looking for more by Jo Spain.
February 2, 2020
Six Wicked Reasons is the third book I’ve read by Jo Spain, all stand-alones, and while perhaps not quite as clever as last year’s Dirty Little Secrets, was still another brilliant mystery. Unfortunately the ARC I received from NetGalley was dreadfully formatted, with about 90% of spaces between words missing - which serves me right for being late reading it I suppose - had I realised before archiving I could’ve downloaded another copy: no one else has mentioned it so seems like I just got a dodgy version.
Patriarch of the wealthy Irish Lattimer family Frazer has summoned his children home, because their brother Adam, missing for ten years and presumed dead, has turned up after finally learning of the death of their mother years before. James, is a failing TV producer. Kate runs a luxury hotel with the husband she refuses to introduce to her family. Ellen still lives at home, hiding away from the world. Clio has been living illegally in New York and recovered junkie Ryan is reluctantly persuaded to return from Italy. Each has a reason to hate their narcissistic controlling father, so when he’s knocked off a yacht during a celebration party, the police know one of them must be the murderer...
Told from various POVs and time periods, this was a tricksy variant of a locked room mystery, which slowly drip-feeds us information about exact what has been going on in this highly dysfunctional family. It wasn’t immediately obvious that Frazer deserved to die, but by the end you will certainly be on the side of the killer - but I had no idea who it would turn out to be! Spain cunningly has us changing our minds about the various characters and as we learn more about their secrets, our sympathies keep shifting.
Trigger warning (and minor spoiler) - a dog is murdered, which was only briefly described, and probably important to the plot, but animal lovers may still be upset by this. (It’s framed as euthanasia.)
Overall this was an enjoyably convoluted murder mystery which deserves to become another best-seller. My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc which allowed me to give an honest review, and apologies for it being a bit late - it was published on 28th January.
Patriarch of the wealthy Irish Lattimer family Frazer has summoned his children home, because their brother Adam, missing for ten years and presumed dead, has turned up after finally learning of the death of their mother years before. James, is a failing TV producer. Kate runs a luxury hotel with the husband she refuses to introduce to her family. Ellen still lives at home, hiding away from the world. Clio has been living illegally in New York and recovered junkie Ryan is reluctantly persuaded to return from Italy. Each has a reason to hate their narcissistic controlling father, so when he’s knocked off a yacht during a celebration party, the police know one of them must be the murderer...
Told from various POVs and time periods, this was a tricksy variant of a locked room mystery, which slowly drip-feeds us information about exact what has been going on in this highly dysfunctional family. It wasn’t immediately obvious that Frazer deserved to die, but by the end you will certainly be on the side of the killer - but I had no idea who it would turn out to be! Spain cunningly has us changing our minds about the various characters and as we learn more about their secrets, our sympathies keep shifting.
Trigger warning (and minor spoiler) - a dog is murdered, which was only briefly described, and probably important to the plot, but animal lovers may still be upset by this. (It’s framed as euthanasia.)
Overall this was an enjoyably convoluted murder mystery which deserves to become another best-seller. My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc which allowed me to give an honest review, and apologies for it being a bit late - it was published on 28th January.
July 25, 2021
I seem to find Jo Spain novels a little hit or miss and unfortunately this was one of the misses. Maybe tried to be a little too clever, lots of characters and POV’s and flips from past to present which all adds to the confusion.
I think that the many characters didn’t help me personally and I struggled to engage with the novel. Plot was slow paced and I never really got fully engrossed in this one. So glad I don’t belong to this family, a completely messed up, dysfunctional bunch of unlikeable individuals.
Twenty-one-year-old Adam Lattimer vanishes and presumed dead leaving his fragile family at breaking point. Ten years later, Adam returns unannounced at the family home. With his mother is now dead, the siblings spread around the world reluctantly return to Spanish Cove. There are a lot of questions that need answering and a lot of deceit to be unveiled. Somebody has planned a murderous revenge for the events of ten years ago.
A decent read but not my favourite Jo Spain novel.
I think that the many characters didn’t help me personally and I struggled to engage with the novel. Plot was slow paced and I never really got fully engrossed in this one. So glad I don’t belong to this family, a completely messed up, dysfunctional bunch of unlikeable individuals.
Twenty-one-year-old Adam Lattimer vanishes and presumed dead leaving his fragile family at breaking point. Ten years later, Adam returns unannounced at the family home. With his mother is now dead, the siblings spread around the world reluctantly return to Spanish Cove. There are a lot of questions that need answering and a lot of deceit to be unveiled. Somebody has planned a murderous revenge for the events of ten years ago.
A decent read but not my favourite Jo Spain novel.
January 27, 2020
Wow – Jo Spain really does like writing twisty, twisted tales and Six Wicked Reasons is a complex but addictive psychological thriller which will keep even the most clued up armchair detective spinning back and forth.
This book reminded me of Succession, a brilliant American TV series about a dysfunctional family with a controlling father – and if you haven’t watched it yet – you must. Anyway, back to this book. Set in Wexford, Ireland, Kathleen and Frazer Lattimer have a large family with 3 daughters and 3 sons and ten years ago Adam disappears without a trace aged 21, leaving his family confused, angry and about to self-destruct.
Ten years later Adam returns and all siblings reluctantly return home to find out what happened. Each sibling is hiding a secret and each have their own reasons not to want to return and face their family. When Frazer, their controlling, bullying and often sadistic father decides to host a party aboard a yacht, nine people get on the yacht but only eight get off.
One member of the family is murdered, but who did it and why? Six Wicked Reasons is a claustrophobic and atmospheric murder mystery with a very dark edge. The chapters alternate between the past and present day giving each of the six children their chance to tell the reader their story and believe me when I say this is one truly dysfunctional family.
I loved it and thoroughly recommend it to fans of twisty, dark thrillers. 5 stars from me.
This book reminded me of Succession, a brilliant American TV series about a dysfunctional family with a controlling father – and if you haven’t watched it yet – you must. Anyway, back to this book. Set in Wexford, Ireland, Kathleen and Frazer Lattimer have a large family with 3 daughters and 3 sons and ten years ago Adam disappears without a trace aged 21, leaving his family confused, angry and about to self-destruct.
Ten years later Adam returns and all siblings reluctantly return home to find out what happened. Each sibling is hiding a secret and each have their own reasons not to want to return and face their family. When Frazer, their controlling, bullying and often sadistic father decides to host a party aboard a yacht, nine people get on the yacht but only eight get off.
One member of the family is murdered, but who did it and why? Six Wicked Reasons is a claustrophobic and atmospheric murder mystery with a very dark edge. The chapters alternate between the past and present day giving each of the six children their chance to tell the reader their story and believe me when I say this is one truly dysfunctional family.
I loved it and thoroughly recommend it to fans of twisty, dark thrillers. 5 stars from me.
October 16, 2020
A complete guessing game throughout. It had all the properties that I love in a thriller - we had characters to love, characters to hate, the secluded family each with their own issues, we had mystery and at the end of each page I found myself saying "so, who did it!?". Just what I needed to read!
May 20, 2026
After vanishing in 2008 and being presumed dead, Adam Lattimer unexpectedly returns home ten years later, bringing his estranged siblings back to Spanish Cove and stirring up long-buried secrets. As old tensions resurface and unanswered questions pile up, it soon becomes clear someone is out for revenge for what happened all those years ago.
Told across multiple timelines, parts and perspectives, this was one of those thrillers that slowly peels back the layers, revealing just how messy, complicated and deeply dysfunctional this family really is. I especially liked how part two deepened both the family dynamics and the mystery itself, giving more insight into the events aboard the yacht while creating that countdown effect toward the present-day investigation.
Even though I usually gravitate toward faster-paced thrillers, I found the story's slower pacing surprisingly compelling. The short chapters made it bingeable, with cliffhangers that genuinely leave you hanging and practically force you into “just one more chapter.” The pacing felt punchy despite the slower unraveling, and the suspense kept me glued to the pages.
One thing I can almost always count on with Jo Spain is strong character work, and this book was no exception. While the plot is layered and complex, the characters feel fully fleshed out and believable, which isn’t always something I find in thrillers. Every Lattimer sibling has a reason to resent Frazer, as well as secrets of their own, which made the mystery around who killed him particularly gripping.
This one didn’t resonate with me quite as much as some of Spain’s other books, though her talent as a writer is still undeniable, and it’s another example of why she remains one of my favourite thriller authors.
All in all, this felt like an addictive, character-driven thrillers packed with secrets, simmering resentment and messy family dynamics, and I could especially see this working for readers who enjoy locked-room style mysteries, dysfunctional families and long-overdue reckonings.
Told across multiple timelines, parts and perspectives, this was one of those thrillers that slowly peels back the layers, revealing just how messy, complicated and deeply dysfunctional this family really is. I especially liked how part two deepened both the family dynamics and the mystery itself, giving more insight into the events aboard the yacht while creating that countdown effect toward the present-day investigation.
Even though I usually gravitate toward faster-paced thrillers, I found the story's slower pacing surprisingly compelling. The short chapters made it bingeable, with cliffhangers that genuinely leave you hanging and practically force you into “just one more chapter.” The pacing felt punchy despite the slower unraveling, and the suspense kept me glued to the pages.
One thing I can almost always count on with Jo Spain is strong character work, and this book was no exception. While the plot is layered and complex, the characters feel fully fleshed out and believable, which isn’t always something I find in thrillers. Every Lattimer sibling has a reason to resent Frazer, as well as secrets of their own, which made the mystery around who killed him particularly gripping.
This one didn’t resonate with me quite as much as some of Spain’s other books, though her talent as a writer is still undeniable, and it’s another example of why she remains one of my favourite thriller authors.
All in all, this felt like an addictive, character-driven thrillers packed with secrets, simmering resentment and messy family dynamics, and I could especially see this working for readers who enjoy locked-room style mysteries, dysfunctional families and long-overdue reckonings.
September 16, 2020
3.25|5
I am surprised I haven’t heard about this book more often given that, for its genre, I think it is pretty good. I guess it doesn’t have ten crazy turns and twists but the characters are interesting enough and pretty realistic while it still keeps your interest via the small reveals sprinkled in. And the end was also well written, giving the reader a pretty big twist without making it too crazy.
Would recommend.
I am surprised I haven’t heard about this book more often given that, for its genre, I think it is pretty good. I guess it doesn’t have ten crazy turns and twists but the characters are interesting enough and pretty realistic while it still keeps your interest via the small reveals sprinkled in. And the end was also well written, giving the reader a pretty big twist without making it too crazy.
Would recommend.
July 31, 2022
Can money ever make you happy? A tale of a wealthy but dysfunctional with a bully as the matriarch. The story is based around the children of this family. Told in two time periods then and now, the author gives up snippets of how their abnormal upbringing has shaped their adults lives and not for the better. Once I started reading it was very hard to put down and finally turned the last page in the wee hours. So we'll written, really nasty characters, loads of suspects and a really good whodunnit. A very happy but very tired reader.
January 19, 2020
If ever there were a dysfunctional, this is it. Very entertaining mystery that moves back and forth in time and between each of these six, largely dislikeable siblings. A fast read with such a strong sense of place. Review to follow shortly on For Winter Nights.
May 5, 2020
Fairly ok . Could see what was coming less than half way through . Bit of a twist at the end . Much prefer her earlier books
May 28, 2021
The Lattimer family members all went their separate ways ten years ago when Adam, one of the three sons, went missing. But now Adam’s back--returned out of the blue to their small Irish hometown with a suspiciously weak reason for letting his family think he was dead. Since Adam’s disappearance the five remaining siblings have all had their ups and downs (mostly downs) and particulary distressing for them, their mother passed away as a direct result of Adam being presumed dead. However, they dutifully agree to a reunion organised by their father, Frazer, which culminates with a gathering on a yacht, a man overboard, and accusations of murder.
Of all the mystery/thrillers I’ve read of late, Spain managed to switch from the present to the past most effectively. The timing of when she chose to progress the plot in the present versus when she chose to show the incidents in the characters’ past which led to the current crimes was perfect, creating just the right amount of tension and clues for the reader.
Her characterisation was also fantastic. There’s a lot of characters: with all the Lattimers and their friends and lovers, for starters. I was never confused or unsure of who was who though; each family member had their own distinct personality. One thing they did have in common was their dysfunctional lives. The circumstances of each Lattimer which led them to their current mental state ranged from minor issues to horrific events but all remained believable. They all too explained why each could easily be guilty of murder.
There were a couple of good twists. Some I had guessed would be the case and others I didn’t see coming at all. Overall the ending and resolution didn’t disappoint (which, unfortunately, it often does with this genre).
I would call this more of a mystery than a thriller. If you’re looking for chills and creepiness, this isn’t the book for you. That doesn't mean it wasn't an engrossing read. In some ways it reminded me of the movie Knives Out, with a splash of Irish quirkiness.
This was my first Jo Spain book but it won't be my last.
4 out of 5
Of all the mystery/thrillers I’ve read of late, Spain managed to switch from the present to the past most effectively. The timing of when she chose to progress the plot in the present versus when she chose to show the incidents in the characters’ past which led to the current crimes was perfect, creating just the right amount of tension and clues for the reader.
Her characterisation was also fantastic. There’s a lot of characters: with all the Lattimers and their friends and lovers, for starters. I was never confused or unsure of who was who though; each family member had their own distinct personality. One thing they did have in common was their dysfunctional lives. The circumstances of each Lattimer which led them to their current mental state ranged from minor issues to horrific events but all remained believable. They all too explained why each could easily be guilty of murder.
There were a couple of good twists. Some I had guessed would be the case and others I didn’t see coming at all. Overall the ending and resolution didn’t disappoint (which, unfortunately, it often does with this genre).
I would call this more of a mystery than a thriller. If you’re looking for chills and creepiness, this isn’t the book for you. That doesn't mean it wasn't an engrossing read. In some ways it reminded me of the movie Knives Out, with a splash of Irish quirkiness.
This was my first Jo Spain book but it won't be my last.
4 out of 5
July 9, 2023
A big, sprawling domestic murder story. Exactly what you want if this is the kind of story you’re looking for. It’s full of secrets, and a super messy family dynamic, with a healthy dose of rich people drama. A great holiday read for me.
February 17, 2020
Alternating time periods & characters made for a fascinating telling of a wonderful whodunnit that kept me guessing the whole time!
February 14, 2025
I've previously read The Confession by Jo Spain and greatly enjoyed it. Unfortunately, Six Wicked Reasons considerably less so.
Weak, stereotypical characterisations with functional writing meant that this one was all about the plot and the twists.
All of which I found very ho hum indeed.
It's a book to read by the pool this summer and forget once finished.
Disappointing 😞.
Weak, stereotypical characterisations with functional writing meant that this one was all about the plot and the twists.
All of which I found very ho hum indeed.
It's a book to read by the pool this summer and forget once finished.
Disappointing 😞.
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