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The Family Bones
What makes a psychopath? A young woman delves into her family’s shadowy legacy.
Psychology student Olivia Eriksen’s family is notorious among true-crime buffs. Faced with a legacy of psychopathy that spans generations, Olivia has spent much of her academic life trying to answer one chilling question: Nature or nurture?
Although she’s kept a safe distance from her blood relatives for years, Olivia agrees to attend a weekend reunion. After all, her fiancé is eager to meet his future in-laws, and the gathering may give her a chance to interview her elusive grandfather about the family traits.
But nothing is ever peaceful among the Eriksens for long. Olivia’s favorite cousin is found dead in a nearby lake. Then another family member disappears. As a violent storm isolates the group further, Olivia’s fears rise faster than the river.
And an uninvited guest is about to join the party. True-crime podcaster Birdie Tan has uncovered a disturbing mystery in her latest investigation―and she’s following it right to the Eriksens’ mountain resort. There’s a deadly twist in the family plot that even Olivia doesn’t see coming.
Psychology student Olivia Eriksen’s family is notorious among true-crime buffs. Faced with a legacy of psychopathy that spans generations, Olivia has spent much of her academic life trying to answer one chilling question: Nature or nurture?
Although she’s kept a safe distance from her blood relatives for years, Olivia agrees to attend a weekend reunion. After all, her fiancé is eager to meet his future in-laws, and the gathering may give her a chance to interview her elusive grandfather about the family traits.
But nothing is ever peaceful among the Eriksens for long. Olivia’s favorite cousin is found dead in a nearby lake. Then another family member disappears. As a violent storm isolates the group further, Olivia’s fears rise faster than the river.
And an uninvited guest is about to join the party. True-crime podcaster Birdie Tan has uncovered a disturbing mystery in her latest investigation―and she’s following it right to the Eriksens’ mountain resort. There’s a deadly twist in the family plot that even Olivia doesn’t see coming.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 7, 2023
1923 people are currently reading
9582 people want to read
About the author
Elle Marr
9 books801 followersElle Marr is a #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author of seven thrillers. Her work has been featured in PopSugar, Woman’s World Magazine, Goodreads, Audible, and TV affiliates for CBS, ABC, FOX, and NBC. Originally from Sacramento, Elle graduated from UC San Diego before moving to France, where she earned a master’s degree from the Sorbonne University in Paris. She now lives and writes in Oregon with her family.
Last year's THE ALONE TIME was named a Silver Falchion Award Judges' Pick among 2024 Suspense titles. Her following book YOUR DARK SECRETS was her first thriller romance, from Disney Publishing and Hyperion Avenue.
Now, THE LIE SHE WEARS publishes on November 18, and contains one of Elle's favorite twists that she's written. Signed copies are available via indie bookstore, Annie Bloom's Books (and make great gifts!).
For more info, check out ellemarr.com or follow her on social media.
Last year's THE ALONE TIME was named a Silver Falchion Award Judges' Pick among 2024 Suspense titles. Her following book YOUR DARK SECRETS was her first thriller romance, from Disney Publishing and Hyperion Avenue.
Now, THE LIE SHE WEARS publishes on November 18, and contains one of Elle's favorite twists that she's written. Signed copies are available via indie bookstore, Annie Bloom's Books (and make great gifts!).
For more info, check out ellemarr.com or follow her on social media.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 394 reviews
March 16, 2025
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I tried to like this book, I really really did. The book is intelligently written with lots of clinical terms and you can tell the author did a lot of research. I also liked that the premise was so unique, a family reunion of psychopaths where someone goes missing and another turns up dead. Throw a true crime podcaster into the mix and it sounds exciting, right? But this was a slooooow burn of a book and not in a good way. Honestly, I was bored out of my skull. I am getting really tired of thrillers using the "no phones allowed" as part of their plot. Who would allow that rule if they're on a retreat with a bunch of psychopaths!?
The book is from dual points of view with newspaper clippings and journal entries. I love a good epistolary novel but this one was like three different books smashed together, it was incohesive. I also had a hard time connecting to any of the characters. Maybe that was the author's intent with a family full of psychotics. I couldn't get into the story itself either and I struggled to finish it. There were no real surprises and I was very unsatisfied with the ending and the book in general.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
The Book Review Crew Blog
I tried to like this book, I really really did. The book is intelligently written with lots of clinical terms and you can tell the author did a lot of research. I also liked that the premise was so unique, a family reunion of psychopaths where someone goes missing and another turns up dead. Throw a true crime podcaster into the mix and it sounds exciting, right? But this was a slooooow burn of a book and not in a good way. Honestly, I was bored out of my skull. I am getting really tired of thrillers using the "no phones allowed" as part of their plot. Who would allow that rule if they're on a retreat with a bunch of psychopaths!?
The book is from dual points of view with newspaper clippings and journal entries. I love a good epistolary novel but this one was like three different books smashed together, it was incohesive. I also had a hard time connecting to any of the characters. Maybe that was the author's intent with a family full of psychotics. I couldn't get into the story itself either and I struggled to finish it. There were no real surprises and I was very unsatisfied with the ending and the book in general.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
arc
March 14, 2024You'll never call your family crazy again after spending time with this one.
It's a familiar premise for a psychological thriller: a group of people with shared history and dark secrets are stuck together in an isolated location with no means of escape... and then they start disappearing. Winter cabins, summer cabins, resorts, islands, ships - you name it, this locked room murder mystery theme has been done to death over the past few years (don't forget, Agatha Christie did it first).
But here we get a family of psychopaths just to keep things really interesting. It's dark, and clever, and sharp, and twisty, and tense, and unnerving. It's anything but formulaic, with subtle clues, wild twists, and a fresh take on the genre with a compelling exploration of nature vs. nature.
It's frightening to be wondering if you can trust your family members, but it's far more frightening to be wondering if you can trust your own mind.
It's a familiar premise for a psychological thriller: a group of people with shared history and dark secrets are stuck together in an isolated location with no means of escape... and then they start disappearing. Winter cabins, summer cabins, resorts, islands, ships - you name it, this locked room murder mystery theme has been done to death over the past few years (don't forget, Agatha Christie did it first).
But here we get a family of psychopaths just to keep things really interesting. It's dark, and clever, and sharp, and twisty, and tense, and unnerving. It's anything but formulaic, with subtle clues, wild twists, and a fresh take on the genre with a compelling exploration of nature vs. nature.
It's frightening to be wondering if you can trust your family members, but it's far more frightening to be wondering if you can trust your own mind.
October 28, 2022
Bad to the Bone......
It happens. Do the building blocks that constructed you have a far-reaching source from generations past? Or are you just a product of your panoramic life view and experiences? The Eriksen family just may be marinating in a giant petri dish.
Now as we are settling into this one, keep in mind that Elle Marr has taken on a monumental excursion into the occurences of ASPD (Anti-Social Personality Disorder) within a family unit. We'll be hobnobbin' with psychopaths strapped with a backpack of multiple social disorders. You'll need a scorecard to keep track of all the in-laws and outlaws.
Olivia Eriksen is a twenty-three year old grad student organizing her thesis on cognitive disorders. But she needs primary sources and is desiring to interview her grandfather, Edgar. Lo and behold she's just received an invitation to the Eriksen family reunion in Oregon at her uncle's lodge. She's newly engaged to Howard who will be accompanying her to announce their wedding plans to these delightful souls. Divin' right in, Howard.
Let's just say that the Eriksen family has more wingnuts than the bolts on a B-52 bomber. Each has their own backstory and level of concern. And the first night alone will bring a cousin face down dead by the pier. Oh, and we've just begun. A treacherous storm arrives with dangerous rock slides. No police. No rescue coming. The body count will rise moment by moment. And Olivia and Howard are in the midst of all this.
Elle Marr had a very creative idea for The Family Bones. However, the number of characters is mindboggling and difficult to keep track of. In addition, Marr divides this storyline into three sections with three unreliable voices. My favorite character was Birdie, the podcaster, who seemed to fizzle towards the end. I could have sat through a solo book on Birdie. You'll not care for any of the other tons of characters. Far too much heavy lifting here with a far too predictable ending.
You must experience this one for yourself. And listen for the rattlin' of those bones.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to Elle Marr for the opportunity.
It happens. Do the building blocks that constructed you have a far-reaching source from generations past? Or are you just a product of your panoramic life view and experiences? The Eriksen family just may be marinating in a giant petri dish.
Now as we are settling into this one, keep in mind that Elle Marr has taken on a monumental excursion into the occurences of ASPD (Anti-Social Personality Disorder) within a family unit. We'll be hobnobbin' with psychopaths strapped with a backpack of multiple social disorders. You'll need a scorecard to keep track of all the in-laws and outlaws.
Olivia Eriksen is a twenty-three year old grad student organizing her thesis on cognitive disorders. But she needs primary sources and is desiring to interview her grandfather, Edgar. Lo and behold she's just received an invitation to the Eriksen family reunion in Oregon at her uncle's lodge. She's newly engaged to Howard who will be accompanying her to announce their wedding plans to these delightful souls. Divin' right in, Howard.
Let's just say that the Eriksen family has more wingnuts than the bolts on a B-52 bomber. Each has their own backstory and level of concern. And the first night alone will bring a cousin face down dead by the pier. Oh, and we've just begun. A treacherous storm arrives with dangerous rock slides. No police. No rescue coming. The body count will rise moment by moment. And Olivia and Howard are in the midst of all this.
Elle Marr had a very creative idea for The Family Bones. However, the number of characters is mindboggling and difficult to keep track of. In addition, Marr divides this storyline into three sections with three unreliable voices. My favorite character was Birdie, the podcaster, who seemed to fizzle towards the end. I could have sat through a solo book on Birdie. You'll not care for any of the other tons of characters. Far too much heavy lifting here with a far too predictable ending.
You must experience this one for yourself. And listen for the rattlin' of those bones.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to Elle Marr for the opportunity.
February 23, 2024
Graduate student Olivia Eriksen is currently in the throes of writing her dissertation. Hoping to reveal whether nature or nurture is behind psychopathy, she has thrown herself into studying cases of those known to exhibit the disorder.
For Olivia, however, the interest is a little more personal. Her family, going back generations, has always had a heaping dose of the condition. From narcissists to out-and-out murderers, they’ve developed quite the following in true-crime circles. A fact that Olivia has used to her advantage as she writes her final—and biggest—graduate paper.
Desperate for more information that she could use as a resource, Olivia decides to join her family for a weekend reunion despite having kept them at arm’s length for years. After all, her new fiancé is eager to meet them and it would give her plenty of time to plunder their memories.
Unfortunately, no Eriksen family get-together is quiet for long. And this one, of course, is no different. Just hours after arriving, Olivia’s one favorite cousin is found floating dead in the lake. Then strange happenings begin. Followed quickly by the disappearance of yet another family member. On top of that, even more bad weather is on its way. Now trapped at the isolated resort, they seem to be at the mercy of whatever is going on.
What no one yet knows, however, is that an unexpected guest is about to join the rather eccentric family. A true-crime podcaster named Birdie Tan. Determined to root out the truth about a new cold case she’s investigating, she’s set her sights on the Eriksen clan. And now, no matter what Olivia thinks she knows, she’s definitely not ready for the secrets that Birdie is about to set free after all this time.
Well, I’m slightly muddled on what I think of The Family Bones. One part excellent psychological thriller that just kept raising the stakes, it also held a notable amount of over-the-top action that required significant suspension of disbelief. But once I set my BS meter to the side, it was quite the rollicking rollercoaster ride of suspense.
For obvious reasons, most of the characters were thoroughly unlikeable. From the self-serving narcissists to the out-and-out psychopaths, it was certainly hard to warm to them. But at the same time, they offered up plenty of dark humor and a righteous game of cat-and-mouse. In fact, their twisted family dynamics were the basis for quite the entertaining read.
The plot itself was rather unusual. Told through dual POVs as well as a smattering of news articles and journal entries, I was unsure just how on earth it would all come together. For obvious reasons, a great number of things were hidden until the great revelation, at which point this one sort of went off the rails for me.
Unfortunately, it was the conclusion, which should have offered up one gigantic whopper of a twist (and it did to a certain extent), that fell down just a little bit flat for me. I can’t explain how, or it’d ruin the shocking turn of events, but ultimately it did feel somewhat anticlimactic when the truth finally came to light. But then again, take my thoughts with a rather large grain of salt because my perusal of other reviews has shown that opinion to be an outlier.
Done and dusted, however, it was such a fun, quick easy read that I’ll gladly overlook my mild disappointment. After all, this original locked room mystery offered up a smorgasbord of subtle hints and interlinked plot threads that felt undeniably well-written. And I will, without a doubt, be reading more by this author in the future. With a superb premise that delivered in spades, I definitely recommend that you check this one out. Rating of 4 stars.
Trigger warning: racism, unplanned pregnancy, strangulation, incest, death by gunshot, poisoning, mention of: controlling relationship
*A note on the trigger list. As you would expect from a story based around a family of psychopaths, there were a ton of potential triggers mentioned obliquely, so I only included those that were emphasized a bit more. But if you are easily triggered, you might want to give this one a miss despite it’s less than graphic nature.
**Available on Kindle Unlimited.
For Olivia, however, the interest is a little more personal. Her family, going back generations, has always had a heaping dose of the condition. From narcissists to out-and-out murderers, they’ve developed quite the following in true-crime circles. A fact that Olivia has used to her advantage as she writes her final—and biggest—graduate paper.
Desperate for more information that she could use as a resource, Olivia decides to join her family for a weekend reunion despite having kept them at arm’s length for years. After all, her new fiancé is eager to meet them and it would give her plenty of time to plunder their memories.
Unfortunately, no Eriksen family get-together is quiet for long. And this one, of course, is no different. Just hours after arriving, Olivia’s one favorite cousin is found floating dead in the lake. Then strange happenings begin. Followed quickly by the disappearance of yet another family member. On top of that, even more bad weather is on its way. Now trapped at the isolated resort, they seem to be at the mercy of whatever is going on.
What no one yet knows, however, is that an unexpected guest is about to join the rather eccentric family. A true-crime podcaster named Birdie Tan. Determined to root out the truth about a new cold case she’s investigating, she’s set her sights on the Eriksen clan. And now, no matter what Olivia thinks she knows, she’s definitely not ready for the secrets that Birdie is about to set free after all this time.
Well, I’m slightly muddled on what I think of The Family Bones. One part excellent psychological thriller that just kept raising the stakes, it also held a notable amount of over-the-top action that required significant suspension of disbelief. But once I set my BS meter to the side, it was quite the rollicking rollercoaster ride of suspense.
For obvious reasons, most of the characters were thoroughly unlikeable. From the self-serving narcissists to the out-and-out psychopaths, it was certainly hard to warm to them. But at the same time, they offered up plenty of dark humor and a righteous game of cat-and-mouse. In fact, their twisted family dynamics were the basis for quite the entertaining read.
The plot itself was rather unusual. Told through dual POVs as well as a smattering of news articles and journal entries, I was unsure just how on earth it would all come together. For obvious reasons, a great number of things were hidden until the great revelation, at which point this one sort of went off the rails for me.
Unfortunately, it was the conclusion, which should have offered up one gigantic whopper of a twist (and it did to a certain extent), that fell down just a little bit flat for me. I can’t explain how, or it’d ruin the shocking turn of events, but ultimately it did feel somewhat anticlimactic when the truth finally came to light. But then again, take my thoughts with a rather large grain of salt because my perusal of other reviews has shown that opinion to be an outlier.
Done and dusted, however, it was such a fun, quick easy read that I’ll gladly overlook my mild disappointment. After all, this original locked room mystery offered up a smorgasbord of subtle hints and interlinked plot threads that felt undeniably well-written. And I will, without a doubt, be reading more by this author in the future. With a superb premise that delivered in spades, I definitely recommend that you check this one out. Rating of 4 stars.
Trigger warning: racism, unplanned pregnancy, strangulation, incest, death by gunshot, poisoning, mention of: controlling relationship
*A note on the trigger list. As you would expect from a story based around a family of psychopaths, there were a ton of potential triggers mentioned obliquely, so I only included those that were emphasized a bit more. But if you are easily triggered, you might want to give this one a miss despite it’s less than graphic nature.
**Available on Kindle Unlimited.
July 20, 2022
Smart, razor-sharp and shocking, The Family Bones will keep you up late, with all the lights on. A family of psychopaths, trapped by bad weather at an isolated retreat, what could possibly go wrong? With dual storylines racing toward a chilling climax, The Family Bones is a tense, must-read thriller. You’ll cheer for Olivia and Birdie, until you realize there are the obvious ones that you shouldn’t cheer for. Bravo!
August 17, 2022
With a fresh take on the locked room mystery, Elle Marr weaves a perilous and pulse-pounding tale of nature versus nurture. THE FAMILY BONES is a clever, wild, riveting ride that amps up the tension until I couldn't flip the page fast enough. The interconnected threads, subtle clues, and jaw-dropping twists lead to a whopper of an ending.
April 9, 2023
Thank you to Thomas and Mercer for my copy of this book. The premise sounded amazing and caught my attention right away. It's about Olivia, a woman who is from a family full of psychopaths. Her family is well known by lovers of true crime for all the horrible things they have done in history. She has tried to avoid them, but gets an invitation to a secret family reunion and for some reason thinks this is a good time to introduce her fiance to her extended family of violent psychopaths. She also wants to use them to learn about her history and work on her dissertation. Then a storm cuts them off from the rest of the area, and she realizes being stuck may not be the best situation.
Thoughts: This book read like a robot or AI was trying to sound human. Example- calling people by their first name, a nickname, and their first and last name within a few sentences. No one addresses people like that in real life. The writing was jilted and felt like it was just repeating the same sentences in different ways. There was a lot of dead time in the middle of the book where nothing happened AT ALL, which got really boring. I did like the chapters with the journal, but they were also written in a very weird way.
I thought the true crime podcast would be a cool element, but Birdie randomly would equate the case she was looking into with the case of her cousin for no reason. It was thrown in there for context? but really just made her look like a poorly done stereotype. Since I have a degree in psychology, I loved the idea of exploring psychopaths and nature vs. nurture. This book used the most watered down version of these stereotypes and explained away lots of issues by using mental health. It used lots of unethical practices and went against what a lot of people would do in most situations. I could go on and on, but no I did not DNF but I kinda wish I did. 2-stars.
Thoughts: This book read like a robot or AI was trying to sound human. Example- calling people by their first name, a nickname, and their first and last name within a few sentences. No one addresses people like that in real life. The writing was jilted and felt like it was just repeating the same sentences in different ways. There was a lot of dead time in the middle of the book where nothing happened AT ALL, which got really boring. I did like the chapters with the journal, but they were also written in a very weird way.
I thought the true crime podcast would be a cool element, but Birdie randomly would equate the case she was looking into with the case of her cousin for no reason. It was thrown in there for context? but really just made her look like a poorly done stereotype. Since I have a degree in psychology, I loved the idea of exploring psychopaths and nature vs. nurture. This book used the most watered down version of these stereotypes and explained away lots of issues by using mental health. It used lots of unethical practices and went against what a lot of people would do in most situations. I could go on and on, but no I did not DNF but I kinda wish I did. 2-stars.
April 18, 2023
Audiobook Rating: 2/5
Book Rating: 4/5
The Family Bones by Elle Marr was a very surprising and very wild ride that had a nice atmospheric quality thanks to the family getting trapped at a family reunion that takes place on a mountain. People are dropping like flies, and it basically feels up to our main MC Olivia to figure out the whodunnit. There is a family tree at the front of the book that I thought was incredibly helpful as there are a lot of different members in this family that are spoken about. I would be lying if I said I never got confused, and they did tend to run together a lot for me. The story is told through journal entries and news articles along with Olivia and Birdie's viewpoints. I liked the way this kept things fresh, and I was interested to see how the journal entries and especially the news articles would end up tying into the story. They really started clicking near the end and it was a pretty genius way of giving the reader extra details.
Now, while I would normally recommend an audiobook over reading a book, that is not going to be the case for this one. Olivia has a very large section of the story and the girl who narrated her was just not it and a poor choice. I didn't like her narration at all, and there was one point where her pauses were entirely too long even at over a 3x speed. The other narrators were wonderful, but Olivia's viewpoints are just too often to warrant the listen. I highly recommend reading The Family Bones, and honestly, it would also probably help with keeping the family members straight. You can find both on Kindle Unlimited at the time of this writing, and if you are in the mood for a twisty murder story with a devious twist, I highly recommend this!
Book Rating: 4/5
The Family Bones by Elle Marr was a very surprising and very wild ride that had a nice atmospheric quality thanks to the family getting trapped at a family reunion that takes place on a mountain. People are dropping like flies, and it basically feels up to our main MC Olivia to figure out the whodunnit. There is a family tree at the front of the book that I thought was incredibly helpful as there are a lot of different members in this family that are spoken about. I would be lying if I said I never got confused, and they did tend to run together a lot for me. The story is told through journal entries and news articles along with Olivia and Birdie's viewpoints. I liked the way this kept things fresh, and I was interested to see how the journal entries and especially the news articles would end up tying into the story. They really started clicking near the end and it was a pretty genius way of giving the reader extra details.
Now, while I would normally recommend an audiobook over reading a book, that is not going to be the case for this one. Olivia has a very large section of the story and the girl who narrated her was just not it and a poor choice. I didn't like her narration at all, and there was one point where her pauses were entirely too long even at over a 3x speed. The other narrators were wonderful, but Olivia's viewpoints are just too often to warrant the listen. I highly recommend reading The Family Bones, and honestly, it would also probably help with keeping the family members straight. You can find both on Kindle Unlimited at the time of this writing, and if you are in the mood for a twisty murder story with a devious twist, I highly recommend this!
December 5, 2022
Wow, what a screwed up family and I thought mine was crazy! Olivia and her fiancé Howard go to her family reunion at the retreat. It’s full of psychos. Many bad family genes come to light.
Family members start getting knocked off one by one. Meanwhile Podcaster, Birdie investigates a cold case of a missing woman.
This was an edge of my seat read that I flew through. Thanks NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC!
Family members start getting knocked off one by one. Meanwhile Podcaster, Birdie investigates a cold case of a missing woman.
This was an edge of my seat read that I flew through. Thanks NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC!
May 15, 2023
The Family Bones by Elle Marr is a thrilling read that explores the dark inheritance of a family's generations of psychopathy. The protagonist, Olivia Eriksen, is a psychology student who has dedicated her academic life to understanding the nature versus nurture debate when it comes to her family's notorious legacy.
While Olivia has kept her distance from her family for years, she agrees to attend a family reunion with her fiancé, hoping to finally get information on the family traits from her elusive grandfather. However, the reunion takes a turn for the worst when one of Olivia's favorite cousins is found dead in a nearby lake.
The plot of The Family Bones is undeniably complex, which unfortunately can make it confusing at times. There are a multitude of characters introduced, which can also make it challenging to keep track of who's who. These factors may detract from the book's realistic portrayal of family dynamics. However, despite these drawbacks, the story remains engaging and is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Marr's writing style is suspenseful and expertly crafted, drawing the reader in with vivid and detailed descriptions of the settings and characters. The author has a knack for creating tension and successfully maintains it throughout the novel, leaving the reader feeling anxious and invested in the outcome.
Overall, The Family Bones deserves a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars. While it may not be the most realistic or easy-to-follow read, it is undoubtedly enjoyable. If you're a fan of true crime or psychological thrillers, this book is definitely worth picking up.
I received an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy of the book.
While Olivia has kept her distance from her family for years, she agrees to attend a family reunion with her fiancé, hoping to finally get information on the family traits from her elusive grandfather. However, the reunion takes a turn for the worst when one of Olivia's favorite cousins is found dead in a nearby lake.
The plot of The Family Bones is undeniably complex, which unfortunately can make it confusing at times. There are a multitude of characters introduced, which can also make it challenging to keep track of who's who. These factors may detract from the book's realistic portrayal of family dynamics. However, despite these drawbacks, the story remains engaging and is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Marr's writing style is suspenseful and expertly crafted, drawing the reader in with vivid and detailed descriptions of the settings and characters. The author has a knack for creating tension and successfully maintains it throughout the novel, leaving the reader feeling anxious and invested in the outcome.
Overall, The Family Bones deserves a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars. While it may not be the most realistic or easy-to-follow read, it is undoubtedly enjoyable. If you're a fan of true crime or psychological thrillers, this book is definitely worth picking up.
I received an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy of the book.
December 24, 2022
What do you get when family of psychopaths attend a reunion in the mountains? Trouble! I didn’t know what to expect when I picked this up. The chapter alternate between Olivia who is a member of the family at the reunion, Birdie a true crime podcaster on a mission, and a mystery person’s diary. I liked the actual psychology theories woven into the story as Olivia is working on her dissertation. There were a lot of characters which I’m not a fan of. I kept having to reread parts to keep who everyone is straight.
Olivia has tried to distance herself from her questionable family. Her family has a haunted history of psychotic behavior going back multiple generations. Despite her roots, she has managed to create a stable, normal life for herself. She’s engaged and working on her dissertation when she receives an invitation to her family reunion.
Simultaneously, Birdie, a true crime podcaster is determined to track down a missing person. These two weave together perfectly as the story continues.
The Family Bones is available March 7, 2023.
Thank you netgalley and thomas&mercer for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion
Olivia has tried to distance herself from her questionable family. Her family has a haunted history of psychotic behavior going back multiple generations. Despite her roots, she has managed to create a stable, normal life for herself. She’s engaged and working on her dissertation when she receives an invitation to her family reunion.
Simultaneously, Birdie, a true crime podcaster is determined to track down a missing person. These two weave together perfectly as the story continues.
The Family Bones is available March 7, 2023.
Thank you netgalley and thomas&mercer for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion
October 25, 2022
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for an ARC of this title.
I tried...and tried...and tried some more..but I simply could not find anything enjoyable about the story. It felt like three books that had been haphazardly turned into one but with no actual connection besides the fascination of true crime. The story is told from the POV's of Olivia who comes from a long line of murderers and Birdie a podcaster who focuses on unsolved crimes of minorities and then interspersed with news articles. Reading Olivia's chapters felt like someone had copy and pasted from a medical textbook while Birdie's chapters had no real focus and felt mostly like regurgitated facts on the lack of justice given to a minority who has been murdered. The best chapters were the ones written as news articles and even those lacked a connection. The whole book fell completely flat for me.
I tried...and tried...and tried some more..but I simply could not find anything enjoyable about the story. It felt like three books that had been haphazardly turned into one but with no actual connection besides the fascination of true crime. The story is told from the POV's of Olivia who comes from a long line of murderers and Birdie a podcaster who focuses on unsolved crimes of minorities and then interspersed with news articles. Reading Olivia's chapters felt like someone had copy and pasted from a medical textbook while Birdie's chapters had no real focus and felt mostly like regurgitated facts on the lack of justice given to a minority who has been murdered. The best chapters were the ones written as news articles and even those lacked a connection. The whole book fell completely flat for me.
November 12, 2022
This one was a wild ride! The story centers on Olivia, who is a grad student who comes from a family who exhibit psychopathic (amongst others) tendencies throughout multiple generations. Olivia has tried to distance herself from her family but is working on her dissertation around whether these traits or inherited or not, and wants to talk to her grandfather as part of her research. You also get chapters told by a podcaster named Birdie who is tracking down a missing person, and chapters from an unknown person's journal. All of these are weaved together in a big way as the story unfolds.
I like the style of alternating narrators and I enjoyed reading chapters by both Olivia and Birdie. I really liked Birdie and felt like she is someone I'd want to know better; The author did a great job of creating the scene of the resort where Olivia's family was staying- I could picture it well as I was reading. The story itself was very fast-paced and there was a lot of action (and killing!). I was truly surprised by the end, as I thought the twist was obvious and then it turned out that I was completely wrong. Well done to Marr on tricking me! My one nit with the story is that there were an awful lot of characters and I kept forgetting who was who and how they were all related, and then had to reference back to remind myself.
Overall, this was a unique read and was a fun mix of of the mystery and psychological thriller genres. It had kind of a "locked room" vibe since the family was in a secluded area but people kept disappearing. I'd recommend to those who are fascinated by psychopathy and also just like a good mystery. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I like the style of alternating narrators and I enjoyed reading chapters by both Olivia and Birdie. I really liked Birdie and felt like she is someone I'd want to know better; The author did a great job of creating the scene of the resort where Olivia's family was staying- I could picture it well as I was reading. The story itself was very fast-paced and there was a lot of action (and killing!). I was truly surprised by the end, as I thought the twist was obvious and then it turned out that I was completely wrong. Well done to Marr on tricking me! My one nit with the story is that there were an awful lot of characters and I kept forgetting who was who and how they were all related, and then had to reference back to remind myself.
Overall, this was a unique read and was a fun mix of of the mystery and psychological thriller genres. It had kind of a "locked room" vibe since the family was in a secluded area but people kept disappearing. I'd recommend to those who are fascinated by psychopathy and also just like a good mystery. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2022
Olivia Eriksen is completing her doctoral work on her own family, the theme being, "What makes a psychopath?" Her family, the Eriksens are well known for the many sociopaths and psychopaths, some murderous in Oregon's history, and Olivia has made a career online discussing her family and the science behind the mental disorder.
When an opportunity arrives for Olivia to observe her estranged family at a reunion party, she jumps at the chance and bring her fiance Howard. It isn't long though, before there's a probable murder and the family realizes they are cut off from civilization by a natural disaster. Can Olivia survive the weekend? And are these mental disorders genetic only? This fast moving mystery is interspersed with a journal and a parallel story of a lost woman. How it all comes together is very satisfying. f you like reading about serial killers, psychopaths and locked room mysteries, The Family Bones is for you!
#Thomas&Mercer
When an opportunity arrives for Olivia to observe her estranged family at a reunion party, she jumps at the chance and bring her fiance Howard. It isn't long though, before there's a probable murder and the family realizes they are cut off from civilization by a natural disaster. Can Olivia survive the weekend? And are these mental disorders genetic only? This fast moving mystery is interspersed with a journal and a parallel story of a lost woman. How it all comes together is very satisfying. f you like reading about serial killers, psychopaths and locked room mysteries, The Family Bones is for you!
#Thomas&Mercer
February 8, 2023
Special thanks to NetGalley and the author for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: March 7, 2023
Olivia Eriksen is a psychology PhD student, studying psychopathy and whether or not psychopaths are a result of nature or nature, and she has the perfect research subjects- her own family. Known throughout true crime circuits, the Eriksen’s have been plagued by psychopathy for generations- from her uncle, the renowned but narcissistic surgeon, to her own father- now behind bars for murder. When Olivia receives an invitation to a family reunion, she is cautious but curious and decides to interview her relatives in person for her dissertation. Unfortunately, when a massive storm knocks out the power, Olivia finds herself surrounded by a growing pile of dead bodies—and the evidence points to her as the killer.
Elle Marr’s newest novel, “The Family Bones”, is a twisted examination of the deepest, darkest parts of the human psyche, and what role genetics play in the recipe.
The Eriksen family is extensive, with aunts, uncles, cousins and their partners, and it is difficult to keep track of who is related to whom (luckily, Marr helps by adding a family tree at the beginning of the novel). Olivia narrates her side of the novel, of course, but we also hear from true crime podcaster, Birdie, who surreptitiously becomes involved with the Eriksen’s while researching the disappearance of a young woman years ago. Oh, and there’s also some very cryptic journal entries from an unknown source close to the Eriksen clan- but that secret isn’t revealed until the final pages (of course).
So, with three separate narrators all connected by thin thread, among generations of family members (some psychotic, some not) the plot can get overwhelming. But it is also captivating and deliciously creepy! Marr delves deep into what makes a psychopath tick, and how to recognize one (even among those you love), all with the backdrop of a family reunion at a secluded wooded estate.
Marr’s novel is a must-read for psychological fiction fans (stress on the ‘psychological’). Although “Bones” is similar to Marr’s other novels, “Lies We Bury” and “Strangers We Know” in that they both revolve around solving family-related murders, “Bones” is unique in its own right- and is worth a read!
Expected publication date: March 7, 2023
Olivia Eriksen is a psychology PhD student, studying psychopathy and whether or not psychopaths are a result of nature or nature, and she has the perfect research subjects- her own family. Known throughout true crime circuits, the Eriksen’s have been plagued by psychopathy for generations- from her uncle, the renowned but narcissistic surgeon, to her own father- now behind bars for murder. When Olivia receives an invitation to a family reunion, she is cautious but curious and decides to interview her relatives in person for her dissertation. Unfortunately, when a massive storm knocks out the power, Olivia finds herself surrounded by a growing pile of dead bodies—and the evidence points to her as the killer.
Elle Marr’s newest novel, “The Family Bones”, is a twisted examination of the deepest, darkest parts of the human psyche, and what role genetics play in the recipe.
The Eriksen family is extensive, with aunts, uncles, cousins and their partners, and it is difficult to keep track of who is related to whom (luckily, Marr helps by adding a family tree at the beginning of the novel). Olivia narrates her side of the novel, of course, but we also hear from true crime podcaster, Birdie, who surreptitiously becomes involved with the Eriksen’s while researching the disappearance of a young woman years ago. Oh, and there’s also some very cryptic journal entries from an unknown source close to the Eriksen clan- but that secret isn’t revealed until the final pages (of course).
So, with three separate narrators all connected by thin thread, among generations of family members (some psychotic, some not) the plot can get overwhelming. But it is also captivating and deliciously creepy! Marr delves deep into what makes a psychopath tick, and how to recognize one (even among those you love), all with the backdrop of a family reunion at a secluded wooded estate.
Marr’s novel is a must-read for psychological fiction fans (stress on the ‘psychological’). Although “Bones” is similar to Marr’s other novels, “Lies We Bury” and “Strangers We Know” in that they both revolve around solving family-related murders, “Bones” is unique in its own right- and is worth a read!
May 1, 2023
3.5 stars
Olivia Eriksen is a doctoral student in psychology, studying whether psychopathy is evident at birth. It’s a topic close to home; her infamous family tree is full of psychopaths. When she gets invited to a family reunion she is hesitant to attend because she’s tried to keep a safe distance from them for years. The lure of being able to get some first hand interviews for her research is too much to pass up. Of course, with a gathering of psychopaths, things get interesting fast. Murder runs in this family, and it happens again. But there is something even more twisted happening!
I could not put this book down! I love books like this with weird, twisted families. I will say, there are a lot of names and nicknames and it was hard to keep them all straight. I did round my review down from 4 stars because I could guess one of the big plot points and the ending seemed kind of abrupt and didn't leave me fully satisfied. If you like a cleverly plotted, quick-paced, locked-door mystery/thriller with murder, lots of family secrets and a shocking ending, then add this one to your reading list now!!
Olivia Eriksen is a doctoral student in psychology, studying whether psychopathy is evident at birth. It’s a topic close to home; her infamous family tree is full of psychopaths. When she gets invited to a family reunion she is hesitant to attend because she’s tried to keep a safe distance from them for years. The lure of being able to get some first hand interviews for her research is too much to pass up. Of course, with a gathering of psychopaths, things get interesting fast. Murder runs in this family, and it happens again. But there is something even more twisted happening!
I could not put this book down! I love books like this with weird, twisted families. I will say, there are a lot of names and nicknames and it was hard to keep them all straight. I did round my review down from 4 stars because I could guess one of the big plot points and the ending seemed kind of abrupt and didn't leave me fully satisfied. If you like a cleverly plotted, quick-paced, locked-door mystery/thriller with murder, lots of family secrets and a shocking ending, then add this one to your reading list now!!
April 9, 2023
I really wanted to like this book! Absolutely intriguing premise, but it just fell flat for me.
I thought long and hard about how to leave a review for this book. I really appreciate the author's tries to explore such an interesting topic, but... oh, I don't know, it just didn't land well.
Firstly, I think one timeline was written in such a different way than the others, now I'm thinking - maybe on purpose? And there were SO MANY characters, I am not going to lie, I lost track of the family very early on and never really knew who was who and they all blended together anyway.
Then there were so many odd inputs of quite heavy topics (like incest!?) and they were never really taken anywhere further and it felt like - why add such a jaw-dropper and then just leave it there?
Overall, the timeline charters just seemed weird and I simply did not understand a lot of the reasonings.
Maybe it's just me!
Anyhow, the twist was unexpected, so that's cool!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
I thought long and hard about how to leave a review for this book. I really appreciate the author's tries to explore such an interesting topic, but... oh, I don't know, it just didn't land well.
Firstly, I think one timeline was written in such a different way than the others, now I'm thinking - maybe on purpose? And there were SO MANY characters, I am not going to lie, I lost track of the family very early on and never really knew who was who and they all blended together anyway.
Then there were so many odd inputs of quite heavy topics (like incest!?) and they were never really taken anywhere further and it felt like - why add such a jaw-dropper and then just leave it there?
Overall, the timeline charters just seemed weird and I simply did not understand a lot of the reasonings.
Maybe it's just me!
Anyhow, the twist was unexpected, so that's cool!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
November 13, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer, for the copy of The Family Bones. This had an intriguing storyline, and I was excited to read it. The beginning was promising because Olivia is an interesting character. Then we have other narrators/news reports/diary entries that didn’t really seem to relate to Olivia or her family. This threw me off until it all started to come together near the end, but by then my interest had started to wane. I know Olivia was writing her dissertation on psychopathy, but the constant references to how her family exhibited it and at what ages got tiresome. If we had seen it displayed, I would have liked it more. There were so many characters, the only ones I could really get invested in were Olivia and Howard. The last part of the book was great, and I really enjoyed the action. It really made me wish I had gotten to know the other characters better. I also wish the two narratives and the journal entries had been tied together in a loose way earlier. The end was great and now I want to read the book again, now I know what to pay attention to! 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
November 4, 2022
Thank you Thomas and Mercer for having provided me a copy of The Family Bones for review. Sadly this book wasnt for me. I Just couldnt get into it like I was hoping for. I felt it was kinda dull and boring, a slow burn for sure. I wish I Could have gotten to it but my mind just kept wandering elsewhere. Lots of characters to try to remember and just yeah, I couldnt do it. I hope others will enjoy it though!
March 8, 2023
3.5 stars
The Family Bones by Elle Marr is a thriller about a family of psychopaths.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Thomas & Mercer, Beata Garrett from Wunderkind-pr, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Olivia Eriksen is a psychology student. Her family history is why she decided on psychology as a career. She fears that she will soon inherit the traits that her family is known for.
The Eriksen's are notorious among law enforcement agencies and true-crime buffs. They have a higher than normal number of psychopaths in the family, spanning generations. A number of them are in jail at the moment, Olivia's father Ephraim among them.
Olivia, is writing her dissertation on neurodivergent cognitive conditions and is, for her own sanity, concerned with the nature vs nurture theory of psychopathy. She reluctantly agrees to attend a family reunion at a mountain resort so that she can speak directly to her grandfather. This will help her school-work, introduce her fiancé to her family, and hopefully set her own mind at ease that she will not become like them.
But on the first night of the reunion, during a wicked storm, her favorite cousin Alfred is found dead in the lake. Then another member of the family is missing. All evidence is starting to point toward Olivia. Is she being set up, or is mental illness taking over?
Eventually, true-crime podcaster Birdie Tan ends up at the resort as well, where she followed a lead in the cold case of a missing woman.
My Opinions:
First, there are a lot of characters. It's a big family, and although there is a family tree at the start of the book....it is much too small to read on an e-reader.
The atmosphere was quite interesting. A family of psychopaths get trapped in a mountain resort when a storm hits. Tensions and attitudes are bound to collide.
The book is about nature vs nurture. It is about strange family dynamics, where anger, selfishness, attention-seeking, and lack of emotional understanding seems to be normal. It is, above-all, about mental illness/cognitive disorders.
The story is told from both Olivia's and Birdie's perspectives, as well as that of an "unknown" diarist, and the occasional newspaper article. Even with a red herring, I did guess the author of the journal. However, that didn't really detract from the information gleaned.
The characters were really "out-there". I had some early suspicions about Olivia, was rather surprised (although I shouldn't have been) about Howard, and most of the other Erickson's were just strange, and often scary. I also didn't like Birdie's story...who kept professing her love for her little girl, but seemed to ignore/forget about her much too much. I don't think she was necessary to the plot, unless the author was saying she may be a psychopath too. I didn't really relate to any of the characters....which in hind-sight is probably a good thing.
Overall, it was a rather dark book, with a rather sad look at mental disorders. It was, however, a rather fast read, and it did hold my attention. So overall, better than average.
For a more complete review of this book and others, (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information and contact details), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
November 3, 2022
I found this book to be fascinating - I’ve always had a morbid curiosity about psychopathy, so what sounds like a better book than a family of psychopaths stranded at a retreat together?
I found the first several chapters a bit hard to get into, only because there are SO many characters in this book, several perspectives, journal entries and news articles. My advice - use the family tree in the book as you read - once I started referencing it, I enjoyed the book much more.
Olivia was a fascinating character. I enjoyed all of the breadcrumbs left throughout the book as well, it was very intelligently done!
I wish that some characters were developed a bit more, because they didn’t add much to the story. I know that is hard to do given the sheer number of them, but I would’ve liked to see more of Howard and Kyla in particular.
Overall, I give this 4.5/5 stars ⭐️
Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!
I found the first several chapters a bit hard to get into, only because there are SO many characters in this book, several perspectives, journal entries and news articles. My advice - use the family tree in the book as you read - once I started referencing it, I enjoyed the book much more.
Olivia was a fascinating character. I enjoyed all of the breadcrumbs left throughout the book as well, it was very intelligently done!
I wish that some characters were developed a bit more, because they didn’t add much to the story. I know that is hard to do given the sheer number of them, but I would’ve liked to see more of Howard and Kyla in particular.
Overall, I give this 4.5/5 stars ⭐️
Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!
October 31, 2022
Wow!!! Just finished it and loved it! I didn't know quite what to expect when I picked up this book, but I was initially intrigued by the family of psychopaths together on a retreat. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down and really liked the nature vs nurture through line of the book. The twists were really fun and the ending was very satisfying. I'm going to grab Elle's next book when it comes out. Highly recommend this one!
July 7, 2023
This was an excellent audiobook! It starts with a family reunion. Olivia isn't excited to go and, as you get to know the family, it's easy to understand why. And the bodies start to pile up pretty quickly. And wow, were there a lot of suspects!
But there are 2 other perspectives to this story. One is a journal - telling the struggles of a new relationship and worries. The other is of a armchair sleuth that is mother by day, true crime hound at night. I loved the different perspectives. At first they were confusing but I liked how it broke up the tension by flipping to another POV. It rounded out the story and didn't slow down the pacing of the mystery. I have to be honest and say I had no idea who was doing what. I was completely sucked into the family drama and the unsolved crimes. I liked the detective and the tenacity of the amateur sleuth.
As soon as I started this one, I was sucked in. So glad I flipped to audio. The narrator did a great job, really adding flavor to the story!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
But there are 2 other perspectives to this story. One is a journal - telling the struggles of a new relationship and worries. The other is of a armchair sleuth that is mother by day, true crime hound at night. I loved the different perspectives. At first they were confusing but I liked how it broke up the tension by flipping to another POV. It rounded out the story and didn't slow down the pacing of the mystery. I have to be honest and say I had no idea who was doing what. I was completely sucked into the family drama and the unsolved crimes. I liked the detective and the tenacity of the amateur sleuth.
As soon as I started this one, I was sucked in. So glad I flipped to audio. The narrator did a great job, really adding flavor to the story!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
March 19, 2023
When psychology student Olivia decides to delve into her family history for her dissertation, she knows that accepting the invitation to her family reunion is the first step into getting more information. Although estranged from her family, Olivia is also engaged and her fiance is keen to meet his future in-laws. But then Olivia's cousin is found murdered and another family member disappears. With a deadly storm brewing, the family are stuck indoors.....with a murderer.
I don't know if it's because I read so many thrillers or if this one just missed the mark for me but I managed to figure most of this one out. There were a ton of family members too, who I struggled to keep track of. If you enjoy locked room thrillers, you might want to give this one a go. I hope you'll enjoy it more.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I don't know if it's because I read so many thrillers or if this one just missed the mark for me but I managed to figure most of this one out. There were a ton of family members too, who I struggled to keep track of. If you enjoy locked room thrillers, you might want to give this one a go. I hope you'll enjoy it more.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
February 12, 2023
The Family Bones is a psychological thriller by author Elle Marr.
This one is a twist filled mystery which asks the age of question about nature vs nurture. Murder and psychopathy runs in Olivia's family, and as she nears her next birthday she starts to wonder if murder runs in the blood. Attending a family reunion with her boyfriend, what follows is a locked room style murder mystery as Olivia and her relatives are stranded on an island where the bodies start to pile up. Alongside this we also get chapters from another character, Birdie who is investigating a missing woman and has her own podcast. As well as interspersed journal entries from an unnamed woman. It's not initially obvious how these three plots intertwine but as the story progresses you will be treated to some mindblowing twists and reveals. I didn't love the character of Birdie and felt this plot line was quite slow and not as interesting as Olivia's. I liked how it all wrapped up. Overall I really enjoyed this one and will keep an eye out for new releases by this author.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for an arc of this book.
This one is a twist filled mystery which asks the age of question about nature vs nurture. Murder and psychopathy runs in Olivia's family, and as she nears her next birthday she starts to wonder if murder runs in the blood. Attending a family reunion with her boyfriend, what follows is a locked room style murder mystery as Olivia and her relatives are stranded on an island where the bodies start to pile up. Alongside this we also get chapters from another character, Birdie who is investigating a missing woman and has her own podcast. As well as interspersed journal entries from an unnamed woman. It's not initially obvious how these three plots intertwine but as the story progresses you will be treated to some mindblowing twists and reveals. I didn't love the character of Birdie and felt this plot line was quite slow and not as interesting as Olivia's. I liked how it all wrapped up. Overall I really enjoyed this one and will keep an eye out for new releases by this author.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for an arc of this book.
November 1, 2022
The Family Bones is one of the most page-turning locked-door thrillers I've read in years. The premise surrounding a family filled with psychopaths is interesting enough on its own, but the true crime component really grabbed me.
There were some parts that felt unnecessary, such as the journal entries and newspaper articles, as well as one of the sub-plotlines. But overall, I thought it was a great and well-done concept.
There were some parts that felt unnecessary, such as the journal entries and newspaper articles, as well as one of the sub-plotlines. But overall, I thought it was a great and well-done concept.
December 5, 2022
Wow, what a screwed up family and I thought mine was crazy! Olivia and her fiancé Howard go to her family reunion at the retreat. It’s full of psychos. Many bad family genes come to light.
Family members start getting knocked off one by one. Meanwhile Podcaster, Birdie investigates a cold case of a missing woman.
This was an edge of my seat read that I flew through. Thanks NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC!
Family members start getting knocked off one by one. Meanwhile Podcaster, Birdie investigates a cold case of a missing woman.
This was an edge of my seat read that I flew through. Thanks NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC!
May 25, 2023
In a nutshell, psychopaths at a family reunion retreat. What can possibly go wrong?
Everything
Everything
December 14, 2022
I received this book as an arc and honestly had not even the slightest idea what it is about and went into it completely blind. Personally I think we should do that more often because this way books may surprise us and this one did.
First of all I love the authors writing style a lot, it‘s a dual POV with news stories and journal stories as chapters as well, which makes the book even more interesting. It‘s so easy to read and to follow the story. It wasn‘t the best book I ever read but I enjoyed it quite a lot. It talks about mental illness and the huge question that gets asked a lot in the plot is if being a psychopath is something that they are born with or something that they are conditioned to be. It‘s an interesting topic and makes you think about stuff like that.
Description:
Psychology student Olivia Eriksen’s family is notorious among true-crime buffs. Faced with a legacy of psychopathy that spans generations, Olivia has spent much of her academic life trying to answer one chilling question: Nature or nurture?
Although she’s kept a safe distance from her blood relatives for years, Olivia agrees to attend a weekend reunion. After all, her fiancé is eager to meet his future in-laws, and the gathering may give her a chance to interview her elusive grandfather about the family traits.
But nothing is ever peaceful among the Eriksens for long. Olivia’s favorite cousin is found dead in a nearby lake. Then another family member disappears. As a violent storm isolates the group further, Olivia’s fears rise faster than the river.
And an uninvited guest is about to join the party. True-crime podcaster Birdie Tan has uncovered a disturbing mystery in her latest investigation―and she’s following it right to the Eriksens’ mountain resort. There’s a deadly twist in the family plot that even Olivia doesn’t see coming
First of all I love the authors writing style a lot, it‘s a dual POV with news stories and journal stories as chapters as well, which makes the book even more interesting. It‘s so easy to read and to follow the story. It wasn‘t the best book I ever read but I enjoyed it quite a lot. It talks about mental illness and the huge question that gets asked a lot in the plot is if being a psychopath is something that they are born with or something that they are conditioned to be. It‘s an interesting topic and makes you think about stuff like that.
Description:
Psychology student Olivia Eriksen’s family is notorious among true-crime buffs. Faced with a legacy of psychopathy that spans generations, Olivia has spent much of her academic life trying to answer one chilling question: Nature or nurture?
Although she’s kept a safe distance from her blood relatives for years, Olivia agrees to attend a weekend reunion. After all, her fiancé is eager to meet his future in-laws, and the gathering may give her a chance to interview her elusive grandfather about the family traits.
But nothing is ever peaceful among the Eriksens for long. Olivia’s favorite cousin is found dead in a nearby lake. Then another family member disappears. As a violent storm isolates the group further, Olivia’s fears rise faster than the river.
And an uninvited guest is about to join the party. True-crime podcaster Birdie Tan has uncovered a disturbing mystery in her latest investigation―and she’s following it right to the Eriksens’ mountain resort. There’s a deadly twist in the family plot that even Olivia doesn’t see coming
December 29, 2023
Say “neurotypical” one more time, I dare you.
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