What do you think?
Rate this book
The Un-Family
For better, for worse
Wildlife vet Holly's life seems blissful: husband Dylan is the man of her dreams, she has a rewarding career and a lovely home. And yet, a tiny niggle is growing daily. Dylan is becoming increasingly remote - but why? Holly is determined to mend the fissure in their relationship. But a shocking discovery changes everything...
Family ties
Then there's Dylan's family: his wayward twin Seth and their widowed mother Elaine, who is rather fond of a glass or two of sherry. Nothing in Elaine's life is easy, bringing up teenage granddaughter Megan while the family grieves the loss of Megan's mother.
Family lies
A tragic event rocks the foundations of the family, and Holly's life starts to unravel. Dylan drifts ever further away. Megan is left uncertain and alone, while Seth falls deeper into himself.
The bonds that once bound the family together are breaking. Can they ever be repaired?
Wildlife vet Holly's life seems blissful: husband Dylan is the man of her dreams, she has a rewarding career and a lovely home. And yet, a tiny niggle is growing daily. Dylan is becoming increasingly remote - but why? Holly is determined to mend the fissure in their relationship. But a shocking discovery changes everything...
Family ties
Then there's Dylan's family: his wayward twin Seth and their widowed mother Elaine, who is rather fond of a glass or two of sherry. Nothing in Elaine's life is easy, bringing up teenage granddaughter Megan while the family grieves the loss of Megan's mother.
Family lies
A tragic event rocks the foundations of the family, and Holly's life starts to unravel. Dylan drifts ever further away. Megan is left uncertain and alone, while Seth falls deeper into himself.
The bonds that once bound the family together are breaking. Can they ever be repaired?
- GenresThriller
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2022
33 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Linda Huber
23 books144 followersLinda Huber grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, but went to work in Switzerland for a year aged twenty-two, and has lived there ever since. Her day jobs have included working as a physiotherapist in hospitals and schools for handicapped children, and teaching English in a medieval castle. Not to mention several years spent as a full-time mum to two boys, a rescue dog, and a large collection of goldfish and guinea pigs.
Linda now lives in Switzerland, in a little town on the banks of beautiful Lake Constance.
Her debut psychological suspense novel The Paradise Trees was published in 2013, and was followed by The Cold Cold Sea, The Attic Room, Chosen Child, Ward Zero, Baby Dear, and Death Wish. Linda has also had over 50 short stories and articles published, some of which can be read in The Saturday Secret, a charity collection of short (feel-good) stories.
Linda now lives in Switzerland, in a little town on the banks of beautiful Lake Constance.
Her debut psychological suspense novel The Paradise Trees was published in 2013, and was followed by The Cold Cold Sea, The Attic Room, Chosen Child, Ward Zero, Baby Dear, and Death Wish. Linda has also had over 50 short stories and articles published, some of which can be read in The Saturday Secret, a charity collection of short (feel-good) stories.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 22, 2022
“THE UN-FAMILY” by Linda Huber
I learnt many months ago that when you start a ‘Hobeck’ book, to allow plenty of time to read because once you start, you literally cannot stop and Linda Huber’s “The Un-Family’ is no exception. The opening prologue grabbed me straight away, with a shock introduction to a story that is told from the perspective of a few weeks prior.
Harper Lee said ‘you can choose your friends but you sure can’t choose your family’ and never were truer words said. There’s no way you’d choose Seth and Dylan, the twin brothers in the story, for your family. However, they weren’t all dysfunctional, sixteen year old niece Megan, was a joy to read and a typical teenage girl with genuine concerns and emotions following her mother’s death and consequently being brought up by an elderly grandmother. This multi layered story comes together perfectly at the end, tying up a lot of intriguing loose ends and I was more than pleased with the epilogue.
For a slow burn style of family drama with an anticipated crime element that escalates in the last quarter, this is one of the best I’ve read. You are a genius Ms Huber, thank you so much for a truly riveting read! 👏
#TheUnFamily - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My thanks go to Rebecca at Hobeck Books for inviting my on this tour and for my copy of the book in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.
- [ ] Blurb - “Wildlife vet Holly's life seems blissful - husband Dylan is the man of her dreams, she has a rewarding career and a lovely home. And yet, a tiny niggle is growing daily. Dylan is becoming increasingly remote - but why? Holly is determined to mend the fissure in their relationship. But a shocking discovery changes everything. Then there's Dylan's family - his wayward twin Seth and their widowed mother Elaine, who is rather fond of a glass or two of sherry. Nothing in Elaine's life is easy, bringing up teenage granddaughter Megan, while the family grieves the loss of Megan's mother. A tragic event rocks the foundations of the family and Holly's life starts to unravel. Dylan drifts ever further away. Megan is left uncertain and alone, while Seth falls deeper into himself. The bonds that once bound the family together are breaking. Can they ever be repaired?”
Linda Huber is an ex-physiotherapist who grew up in Glasgow but has lived over half her life in Switzerland, where she writes psychological suspense novels as Linda Huber, as well as feel-good novellas under her pen name Melinda Huber. The inspiration for her books comes from everyday life - a family member's struggle with dementia, the discovery that a child in her extended family drowned in the 1940s, and more.
I learnt many months ago that when you start a ‘Hobeck’ book, to allow plenty of time to read because once you start, you literally cannot stop and Linda Huber’s “The Un-Family’ is no exception. The opening prologue grabbed me straight away, with a shock introduction to a story that is told from the perspective of a few weeks prior.
Harper Lee said ‘you can choose your friends but you sure can’t choose your family’ and never were truer words said. There’s no way you’d choose Seth and Dylan, the twin brothers in the story, for your family. However, they weren’t all dysfunctional, sixteen year old niece Megan, was a joy to read and a typical teenage girl with genuine concerns and emotions following her mother’s death and consequently being brought up by an elderly grandmother. This multi layered story comes together perfectly at the end, tying up a lot of intriguing loose ends and I was more than pleased with the epilogue.
For a slow burn style of family drama with an anticipated crime element that escalates in the last quarter, this is one of the best I’ve read. You are a genius Ms Huber, thank you so much for a truly riveting read! 👏
#TheUnFamily - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My thanks go to Rebecca at Hobeck Books for inviting my on this tour and for my copy of the book in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.
- [ ] Blurb - “Wildlife vet Holly's life seems blissful - husband Dylan is the man of her dreams, she has a rewarding career and a lovely home. And yet, a tiny niggle is growing daily. Dylan is becoming increasingly remote - but why? Holly is determined to mend the fissure in their relationship. But a shocking discovery changes everything. Then there's Dylan's family - his wayward twin Seth and their widowed mother Elaine, who is rather fond of a glass or two of sherry. Nothing in Elaine's life is easy, bringing up teenage granddaughter Megan, while the family grieves the loss of Megan's mother. A tragic event rocks the foundations of the family and Holly's life starts to unravel. Dylan drifts ever further away. Megan is left uncertain and alone, while Seth falls deeper into himself. The bonds that once bound the family together are breaking. Can they ever be repaired?”
Linda Huber is an ex-physiotherapist who grew up in Glasgow but has lived over half her life in Switzerland, where she writes psychological suspense novels as Linda Huber, as well as feel-good novellas under her pen name Melinda Huber. The inspiration for her books comes from everyday life - a family member's struggle with dementia, the discovery that a child in her extended family drowned in the 1940s, and more.
November 23, 2022
Holly and Dylan’s relationship is under strain.
The Un-Family starts and ends in dramatic fashion that I found both exciting and engaging, but it is the bulk of the story where action is less fast paced that is so fascinating because Linda Huber explores the psychology of family and relationships with absolute authority. She made me rage as I wanted Holly to be more assertive in her marriage to Dylan to the extent that I was ready to climb into the pages and shake her until her teeth rattled and yet I understood completely her hesitance, her desperation for her marriage to work and her reluctance to upset an obviously volatile man.
The reasons for Dylan’s volatility are gradually uncovered in an intelligent and well structured narrative that builds his character through a dual timescale illustrating his relationship with his twin Seth and his mother. The Un-Family is a vivid insight into nature versus nurture as well as into rationality and revenge that makes it actually quite chilling.
All the characters in The Un-Family are multi-layered and complex but realistic and authentic. I was especially impressed by Megan because I often find teenage characters too young or too old for their chronological age in fiction. Here Megan is pitch perfect. I loved the way she is also often the unwitting catalyst for action because through her Linda Huber illustrates how life can turn in an instant. The author gives credibility and status to Megan that feels respectful and real.
The themes of The Un-Family are equally multi-layered and complex. Certainly there is family upbringing and its impact on individuals at the heart of the story, but also an exploration of what family actually is. As a result of the narrative the reader comes to understand that family may not be those with whom we share a genetic link. In addition, the story contemplates love, addiction, obsession and trust so that I found myself thinking about its themes after I’d finished reading.
I found The Un-Family interesting, entertaining and thought provoking. Mind you, I won’t be taking up kayaking but you’ll need to read The Un-Family to find out why!
The Un-Family starts and ends in dramatic fashion that I found both exciting and engaging, but it is the bulk of the story where action is less fast paced that is so fascinating because Linda Huber explores the psychology of family and relationships with absolute authority. She made me rage as I wanted Holly to be more assertive in her marriage to Dylan to the extent that I was ready to climb into the pages and shake her until her teeth rattled and yet I understood completely her hesitance, her desperation for her marriage to work and her reluctance to upset an obviously volatile man.
The reasons for Dylan’s volatility are gradually uncovered in an intelligent and well structured narrative that builds his character through a dual timescale illustrating his relationship with his twin Seth and his mother. The Un-Family is a vivid insight into nature versus nurture as well as into rationality and revenge that makes it actually quite chilling.
All the characters in The Un-Family are multi-layered and complex but realistic and authentic. I was especially impressed by Megan because I often find teenage characters too young or too old for their chronological age in fiction. Here Megan is pitch perfect. I loved the way she is also often the unwitting catalyst for action because through her Linda Huber illustrates how life can turn in an instant. The author gives credibility and status to Megan that feels respectful and real.
The themes of The Un-Family are equally multi-layered and complex. Certainly there is family upbringing and its impact on individuals at the heart of the story, but also an exploration of what family actually is. As a result of the narrative the reader comes to understand that family may not be those with whom we share a genetic link. In addition, the story contemplates love, addiction, obsession and trust so that I found myself thinking about its themes after I’d finished reading.
I found The Un-Family interesting, entertaining and thought provoking. Mind you, I won’t be taking up kayaking but you’ll need to read The Un-Family to find out why!
November 22, 2022
Holly is a wildlife vet , married to Dylan .They have a lovely home , and with Dylan being newly promoted..it seems they have everything going well for them ..Yet Dylan is distant at times offhand , and Holly finds herself walking on eggshells around him .Dylan and his brother Seth are total opposites .Dylan's niece Megan has lived with her grandmother since the death of her mother.When tragedy strikes Megan stays with Holly and Dylan ..Though family is supposed to be our safe Haven..very often it's the place where we find the most heartache .The Unfamily is a story that criss crosses with the past as you build up a picture of the story ..A story of sins, lies and secrets ..A Taut and Gripping Pageturner..
December 27, 2022
Linda Huber tends to lure you gently into a domestic world where nothing is as it seems at first glance. The Un-Family is no exception, so I’d already made sure I had enough time to read this suspenseful novel in three sittings. Even then it was hard to put down - or to forget.
December 11, 2022
This is only my second book by the author but she is now cemented as one of my favourites, I love the characters she creates.
This is a one sitting book, slow burning that keeps you hooked, I had to keep reading to know what would happen next.
I thought I had it sussed, but I was well off the mark 😂
This is a one sitting book, slow burning that keeps you hooked, I had to keep reading to know what would happen next.
I thought I had it sussed, but I was well off the mark 😂
November 24, 2022
I always enjoy Linda Huber's books, and this one is no exception. A dark and twisty tale that kept me hooked until the end.
December 8, 2022
The old saying goes ‘you can choose your friends but not your family’ and this is critical to the life of Megan. Her very successful mother was also somewhat reckless and as a result died when Megan was very young. All is not lost though as she goes to live with her grandmother who clearly loves her but is starting to show her age.
Sibling rivalry is unedifying and, in this case, turns ugly as twins Dylan and Seth clash. Seth is outgoing and possesses self-confidence and natural ability. He doesn’t have to try hard to excel and so he doesn’t put much effort in and becomes an underachieving slacker. Dylan is the opposite and needs to work hard to achieve anything, and work hard is what he does. No matter what he does though, Seth remains Elaine’s favourite, the only thing he puts effort into is ingratiating himself with her. Dylan’s life moves on whereas Seth’s stagnates until he finally moves out from under his mother’s feet.
The Un-family is a psychological thriller but not of the constant danger or deep jeopardy type, this is far more subtle. Here the author chips away at the characters’ self-confidence, creating a climate of uncertainty and self-doubt. Central to this is Holly’s marriage to Dylan.
Megan’s doubts and worries manifest in two ways her fear for her future, particularly after tragedy strikes twice, and her relationships with her uncles. Can she trust either of them to have her best interests at heart? In the end it is quite fitting that her own desire to succeed is stoked by the achievements of her mother during her short career.
The storyline is written as an ensemble piece rather than centring on one character; Holly life and thought’s is covered the most but there is Megan’s development against the backdrop of her battling uncles. This means that as you read you have uncertainty how the plot will develop so interest never drops.
The characters themselves are well drawn. Holly just may be too nice, I bet many women readers will be tutting at her too trusting nature. Megan is a great amalgam of teenage angst and inner steel, a young woman destined to succeed. The twins are entertainingly loathsome, two men who have allowed jealousy and petty rivalry sour both their lives.
Relationships and family ties are central. Holly effectively becomes a surrogate big sister to Megan, in her finding an outlet for her warmth and human spirit spurned by Dylan and Megan certainly feels closer to her than her uncles. Generally families should stick together, but if hatred starts to develop perhaps, they are best apart. In the end the reader finds out what the ‘un-family’ of the title stands for.
The plot has two timelines, the current one and flashbacks to incidents in the lives of the twins which eventually catch up to the current and then a final epilogue. As a structure this is perfect, we understand that all is not as it should be and gradually understanding of the twins’ relationship is revealed with each flashback. It also works to keep the pacing of the storyline in check to build up the tension within.
The Un-family is an excellent psychological thriller that examines the effects of toxic sibling rivalries on family ties.
Sibling rivalry is unedifying and, in this case, turns ugly as twins Dylan and Seth clash. Seth is outgoing and possesses self-confidence and natural ability. He doesn’t have to try hard to excel and so he doesn’t put much effort in and becomes an underachieving slacker. Dylan is the opposite and needs to work hard to achieve anything, and work hard is what he does. No matter what he does though, Seth remains Elaine’s favourite, the only thing he puts effort into is ingratiating himself with her. Dylan’s life moves on whereas Seth’s stagnates until he finally moves out from under his mother’s feet.
The Un-family is a psychological thriller but not of the constant danger or deep jeopardy type, this is far more subtle. Here the author chips away at the characters’ self-confidence, creating a climate of uncertainty and self-doubt. Central to this is Holly’s marriage to Dylan.
Megan’s doubts and worries manifest in two ways her fear for her future, particularly after tragedy strikes twice, and her relationships with her uncles. Can she trust either of them to have her best interests at heart? In the end it is quite fitting that her own desire to succeed is stoked by the achievements of her mother during her short career.
The storyline is written as an ensemble piece rather than centring on one character; Holly life and thought’s is covered the most but there is Megan’s development against the backdrop of her battling uncles. This means that as you read you have uncertainty how the plot will develop so interest never drops.
The characters themselves are well drawn. Holly just may be too nice, I bet many women readers will be tutting at her too trusting nature. Megan is a great amalgam of teenage angst and inner steel, a young woman destined to succeed. The twins are entertainingly loathsome, two men who have allowed jealousy and petty rivalry sour both their lives.
Relationships and family ties are central. Holly effectively becomes a surrogate big sister to Megan, in her finding an outlet for her warmth and human spirit spurned by Dylan and Megan certainly feels closer to her than her uncles. Generally families should stick together, but if hatred starts to develop perhaps, they are best apart. In the end the reader finds out what the ‘un-family’ of the title stands for.
The plot has two timelines, the current one and flashbacks to incidents in the lives of the twins which eventually catch up to the current and then a final epilogue. As a structure this is perfect, we understand that all is not as it should be and gradually understanding of the twins’ relationship is revealed with each flashback. It also works to keep the pacing of the storyline in check to build up the tension within.
The Un-family is an excellent psychological thriller that examines the effects of toxic sibling rivalries on family ties.
November 24, 2022
Dylan and Seth are twins but they are like chalk and cheese. They don’t really get on with each other and it’s been like that ever since their childhood. Their mother, Elaine, always favoured Seth over Dylan and Dylan knew this. Seth dressed like a hippy with bell-bottom trousers etc whilst Dylan dressed normally. They were uncles to their sister’s daughter, Megan, and their mother was her main carer since her daughter, Bryony, passed away.
Holly had married Dylan and they seemed really happy until Dylan changed his job and he started to feel the pressure of the promotion. Holly worked as a vet which was a job she loved and found new opportunities opening up for her. She was just unhappy with the fact that Dylan seemed so distant and wouldn’t open up to her, no matter how often she tried.
Megan was sixteen and sitting her exams when she became worried about her grandmother, she thought she was becoming forgetful and putting her glasses in the fridge. She spoke to Holly who dropped in to see Elaine for a coffee and a chat. She mentioned it to Dylan but he just brushed it aside as did Seth as though nothing was wrong. Once when Megan was worried, Holly arrived just in time to ring for an ambulance and Elaine was taken to hospital. Dylan won’t let them stay at the hospital and won’t ring Seth who was in Paris with Laura so Megan and Holly spent the time at Elaine’s waiting for news. Eventually, Seth turns up and they hear the news that Elaine has died but Dylan hasn’t told them but Seth says he has only just found out by ringing him. Megan wonders what will happen to her now? Who will she live with?
Meanwhile Seth, Laura, Holly and Dylan need to discuss the arrangements for Megan and what will happen to Elaine’s house. While Holly is clearing out the spare room which is filled with Dylan’s winter ski wear, she makes a shock discovery that means she definitely needs to speak to him if their marriage is to survive as hopefully it wasn’t too late. But did she want to stay with him? Megan mentioned to Holly that she had noticed that Seth and Laura were wearing wedding rings but nothing had been said. Was that why they had gone to Paris? Holly mentioned it to Dylan and he just tried to say she was spreading malicious gossip.
Also, Gabe, one of Megan’s friends has gone missing which is unusual for him. The police are involved in searching for him. They have questioned Megan and she is in bits although they are no longer together.
Where could Gabe be? What is wrong with Seth? Why is he drinking so much and looking so wild? What is Dylan up to? Is it just work or is there something else going on?
This was a great psychological thriller with a slow build up and flicking between the present and the past. I like dual timeline books as you gather the story as you are reading. I liked how the book kept my attention and piqued my interest from the start. I would like to read more Linda Huber books in the future.
Holly had married Dylan and they seemed really happy until Dylan changed his job and he started to feel the pressure of the promotion. Holly worked as a vet which was a job she loved and found new opportunities opening up for her. She was just unhappy with the fact that Dylan seemed so distant and wouldn’t open up to her, no matter how often she tried.
Megan was sixteen and sitting her exams when she became worried about her grandmother, she thought she was becoming forgetful and putting her glasses in the fridge. She spoke to Holly who dropped in to see Elaine for a coffee and a chat. She mentioned it to Dylan but he just brushed it aside as did Seth as though nothing was wrong. Once when Megan was worried, Holly arrived just in time to ring for an ambulance and Elaine was taken to hospital. Dylan won’t let them stay at the hospital and won’t ring Seth who was in Paris with Laura so Megan and Holly spent the time at Elaine’s waiting for news. Eventually, Seth turns up and they hear the news that Elaine has died but Dylan hasn’t told them but Seth says he has only just found out by ringing him. Megan wonders what will happen to her now? Who will she live with?
Meanwhile Seth, Laura, Holly and Dylan need to discuss the arrangements for Megan and what will happen to Elaine’s house. While Holly is clearing out the spare room which is filled with Dylan’s winter ski wear, she makes a shock discovery that means she definitely needs to speak to him if their marriage is to survive as hopefully it wasn’t too late. But did she want to stay with him? Megan mentioned to Holly that she had noticed that Seth and Laura were wearing wedding rings but nothing had been said. Was that why they had gone to Paris? Holly mentioned it to Dylan and he just tried to say she was spreading malicious gossip.
Also, Gabe, one of Megan’s friends has gone missing which is unusual for him. The police are involved in searching for him. They have questioned Megan and she is in bits although they are no longer together.
Where could Gabe be? What is wrong with Seth? Why is he drinking so much and looking so wild? What is Dylan up to? Is it just work or is there something else going on?
This was a great psychological thriller with a slow build up and flicking between the present and the past. I like dual timeline books as you gather the story as you are reading. I liked how the book kept my attention and piqued my interest from the start. I would like to read more Linda Huber books in the future.
December 1, 2022
I love getting a request to read a book by Hobeck books, as they are yet to produce a bad one. Thankfully they havent broken that yet.
The Un-Family by Linda Huber is quite unusual in that it starts with the discovery of a body, then doesnt come back to that for about three quarters of the book.
My first reaction is poor Maddie, that poor girl, I dont know what she'd done to upset Linda, but she put her through the absolute wringer throughout the book. I dont think she could have thrown anything else at the poor girl, for she was just 16.
Surrounding Maddie, she has her grandma, two uncles, and their partners. The uncles are twins and the tales of their upbringing show they had massively different experiences throughout their youth, through schoool, gaining their mothers affection.
What is clear, is for various reasons, both brothers are awful humans. Dylan is married to Oliiva, who is also one of the shining lights throughout the book, despite being someone blind to her husbands activities and seeming to take quite a while to catch on, she seems to be the only one who genuinely cares about Maddie, as shes a vet, so thats a huge plus too.
Dylan and Seth are somewhat independent and successful as adults but still have a weird dynamic, a lot of animosity, but still lean on each other to some extent. A very very toxic relationship, and the mother didnt help that.
The story rattles along and despite being told mostly from the view of the sixteen year old, its fully engaging. I found I couldnt put it down, and couldnt wait to pick it up again when I was forced to work and sleep!
The last quarter is partcularly wonderful as all the threads come together and a lot makes sense.
The Un-Family by Linda Huber is quite unusual in that it starts with the discovery of a body, then doesnt come back to that for about three quarters of the book.
My first reaction is poor Maddie, that poor girl, I dont know what she'd done to upset Linda, but she put her through the absolute wringer throughout the book. I dont think she could have thrown anything else at the poor girl, for she was just 16.
Surrounding Maddie, she has her grandma, two uncles, and their partners. The uncles are twins and the tales of their upbringing show they had massively different experiences throughout their youth, through schoool, gaining their mothers affection.
What is clear, is for various reasons, both brothers are awful humans. Dylan is married to Oliiva, who is also one of the shining lights throughout the book, despite being someone blind to her husbands activities and seeming to take quite a while to catch on, she seems to be the only one who genuinely cares about Maddie, as shes a vet, so thats a huge plus too.
Dylan and Seth are somewhat independent and successful as adults but still have a weird dynamic, a lot of animosity, but still lean on each other to some extent. A very very toxic relationship, and the mother didnt help that.
The story rattles along and despite being told mostly from the view of the sixteen year old, its fully engaging. I found I couldnt put it down, and couldnt wait to pick it up again when I was forced to work and sleep!
The last quarter is partcularly wonderful as all the threads come together and a lot makes sense.
November 23, 2022
I’m always excited to read releases from Hobeck Books, who have proved themselves to be a hive of talent this year. This book is a thriller which begins fairly ordinarily, then takes many twists and turns as the story unravels through the pages…
Holly is a vet and is married to Dylan (30). They live in a nice house in East Sussex with their dog Fred. The previous month, Dylan was promoted to distribution manager at work and seems especially stressed, so that Holly is worried about the state of their marriage. Dylan has a twin brother called Seth and their mother Elaine (75) is bringing up her granddaughter Megan (16). As well as following events in the present day, there are also chapters set in the past when Elaine was bringing up the twins.
I really enjoyed this book. The story develops quite slowly, but never becomes boring and I found myself always wanting to read on and discover what was going to happen. All of the characters are very realistic and believable. I loved Holly, Elaine and Megan and found the brothers rather strange, but when you read the chapters set in the past, things become a bit clearer.
At a point in the book, things change, something shocking occurs – and then I had to keep reading, without stopping, because it was really exciting and I was desperate to find out what was going to happen. It’s a clever book, it hooks you in and pulls you along for the ride – and what a ride it is!
Highly recommended.
Holly is a vet and is married to Dylan (30). They live in a nice house in East Sussex with their dog Fred. The previous month, Dylan was promoted to distribution manager at work and seems especially stressed, so that Holly is worried about the state of their marriage. Dylan has a twin brother called Seth and their mother Elaine (75) is bringing up her granddaughter Megan (16). As well as following events in the present day, there are also chapters set in the past when Elaine was bringing up the twins.
I really enjoyed this book. The story develops quite slowly, but never becomes boring and I found myself always wanting to read on and discover what was going to happen. All of the characters are very realistic and believable. I loved Holly, Elaine and Megan and found the brothers rather strange, but when you read the chapters set in the past, things become a bit clearer.
At a point in the book, things change, something shocking occurs – and then I had to keep reading, without stopping, because it was really exciting and I was desperate to find out what was going to happen. It’s a clever book, it hooks you in and pulls you along for the ride – and what a ride it is!
Highly recommended.
November 22, 2022
I received an E-ARC with a request for my honest review.
This psychological thriller is set in East Sussex and follows Holly, her husband Dylan and their niece Megan.
Megan is a teenager preparing for her exams, but she feels as if something isn’t quite right with her grandmother, who she lives with. She confides in Holly about her concerns, but others in the family don’t seem to be worried.
Meanwhile Holly is afraid her marriage has hit hard times since her husband got a promotion and starts to question how much she trusts him.
Dylan has always held a grudge against his twin brother and when the family are required to pull together all will be revealed.
Will Megan’s grandmother be, OK? Can Dylan be trusted?
I found myself drawn into this psychological thriller as from the start you know there is going to be a murder of some kind so I just wanted to find out who it would be.
I did feel for Holly as she must deal with a lot as well as working out what is going on with her marriage, and all the small signs she spots with her husband would make me paranoid too.
I liked that you got to hear Megan’s story too, another character I warmed to, and I just wanted to give her a hug as she was just hit with more and more trauma.
Overall, a gripping psychological thriller where a family may not be as close as they seem.
This psychological thriller is set in East Sussex and follows Holly, her husband Dylan and their niece Megan.
Megan is a teenager preparing for her exams, but she feels as if something isn’t quite right with her grandmother, who she lives with. She confides in Holly about her concerns, but others in the family don’t seem to be worried.
Meanwhile Holly is afraid her marriage has hit hard times since her husband got a promotion and starts to question how much she trusts him.
Dylan has always held a grudge against his twin brother and when the family are required to pull together all will be revealed.
Will Megan’s grandmother be, OK? Can Dylan be trusted?
I found myself drawn into this psychological thriller as from the start you know there is going to be a murder of some kind so I just wanted to find out who it would be.
I did feel for Holly as she must deal with a lot as well as working out what is going on with her marriage, and all the small signs she spots with her husband would make me paranoid too.
I liked that you got to hear Megan’s story too, another character I warmed to, and I just wanted to give her a hug as she was just hit with more and more trauma.
Overall, a gripping psychological thriller where a family may not be as close as they seem.
December 9, 2025
The Un-Family is an unsettling psychological drama that showcases Linda Huber’s talent for weaving quiet emotional tension into a story that lingers long after the final page.
What begins as a seemingly ordinary family situation steadily evolves into a layered exploration of trust, memory, and the fragile narratives we build around the people we love.
Linda Huber’s strength is her ability to create atmosphere. The novel is soaked in a subtle, creeping unease—not the loud, twist-every-chapter kind of suspense, but the quieter, more sophisticated kind that makes you second-guess every character’s intentions.
She writes with a restraint that feels deliberate and effective; each chapter adds another delicate thread to the web of relationships at the heart of the book.
The characters are drawn with empathy and realism, especially the central figure whose emotional journey drives the plot. Their vulnerabilities are rendered with such authenticity that it becomes easy to slip into their uncertainty and feel the weight of their choices.
Beneath the suspense lies a thoughtful look at grief, belonging, and the stories families tell—both to each other and to themselves. Linda Huber handles these themes with nuance, letting them unfold gradually rather than forcing them into the spotlight.
What begins as a seemingly ordinary family situation steadily evolves into a layered exploration of trust, memory, and the fragile narratives we build around the people we love.
Linda Huber’s strength is her ability to create atmosphere. The novel is soaked in a subtle, creeping unease—not the loud, twist-every-chapter kind of suspense, but the quieter, more sophisticated kind that makes you second-guess every character’s intentions.
She writes with a restraint that feels deliberate and effective; each chapter adds another delicate thread to the web of relationships at the heart of the book.
The characters are drawn with empathy and realism, especially the central figure whose emotional journey drives the plot. Their vulnerabilities are rendered with such authenticity that it becomes easy to slip into their uncertainty and feel the weight of their choices.
Beneath the suspense lies a thoughtful look at grief, belonging, and the stories families tell—both to each other and to themselves. Linda Huber handles these themes with nuance, letting them unfold gradually rather than forcing them into the spotlight.
November 22, 2022
Having read previous works by Linda Huber I had great expectations about this book. She didn't let me down! What a grisly prologue.....perfect! The pace slowed to a relatively slow burner building up the intrigue and suspense. Once immersed there was no going back. I was gripped. The pace picks up and the mystery and intensity deepens.
I engaged with Holly immediately, trying with her to work out what the heck was going on with her family. Life was good to her, she was happy. Content. So why are things going so incredibly wrong? Families pull together in times of tragedy...don't they? The awkwardness between her husband and his twin brother is bothering her, but they have always been like chalk and cheese. Into the mix of worries is their niece Megan who she loves dearly. Megan is struggling with the ups and downs of adolescence as well as being extremely concerned about her aging grandma. Holly desperately needs to find out what is going on...but at what cost?
It's a very tense and chilling read. Great charactresation and a well thought out plot. Brilliantly written and very addictive.
This has got to be my favourite book by this author to date.....until the next one no doubt! A highly recommended psychological thriller that you shouldn't miss.
I engaged with Holly immediately, trying with her to work out what the heck was going on with her family. Life was good to her, she was happy. Content. So why are things going so incredibly wrong? Families pull together in times of tragedy...don't they? The awkwardness between her husband and his twin brother is bothering her, but they have always been like chalk and cheese. Into the mix of worries is their niece Megan who she loves dearly. Megan is struggling with the ups and downs of adolescence as well as being extremely concerned about her aging grandma. Holly desperately needs to find out what is going on...but at what cost?
It's a very tense and chilling read. Great charactresation and a well thought out plot. Brilliantly written and very addictive.
This has got to be my favourite book by this author to date.....until the next one no doubt! A highly recommended psychological thriller that you shouldn't miss.
October 25, 2023
This is a cracking domestic thriller.
We see life through the perspectives of various members of a family. Teenager Megan has not had an easy life and now lives with her granny, Elaine, after the death of her mother. Her twin uncles couldn’t be more different. Dylan is a hard-working businessman, while his brother Seth is a scruffy hippie, nearly living hand to mouth and reliant far too much on his mum, Elaine. Dylan is married to the lovely Holly, a vet who also works for the local wildlife centre. But Dylan is stressed out and distant after starting a new job, and Holly wonders where their marriage is heading, especially as she discovers disturbing things. A tragedy in the family should bring them closer together, shouldn’t it? But this is not an ordinary family and things that have been bubbling beneath the surface are now set free. They say ‘blood is thicker than water’, but in this case, maybe it isn’t.
We see life through the perspectives of various members of a family. Teenager Megan has not had an easy life and now lives with her granny, Elaine, after the death of her mother. Her twin uncles couldn’t be more different. Dylan is a hard-working businessman, while his brother Seth is a scruffy hippie, nearly living hand to mouth and reliant far too much on his mum, Elaine. Dylan is married to the lovely Holly, a vet who also works for the local wildlife centre. But Dylan is stressed out and distant after starting a new job, and Holly wonders where their marriage is heading, especially as she discovers disturbing things. A tragedy in the family should bring them closer together, shouldn’t it? But this is not an ordinary family and things that have been bubbling beneath the surface are now set free. They say ‘blood is thicker than water’, but in this case, maybe it isn’t.
November 23, 2022
The author very cleverly leads the reader into each character's life and their inter connections slowly and deeply until you are so caught up that you have to keep reading to find out what is going to happen next! We are given 2 brothers, their niece, 2 wives and a mother/grandmother whose lives fall apart little by little and where the book is heading has many twists and turns that the outcome will come as a surprise. Linda gives her female characters a strength to see them through the trials and tribulations that life throws at them and like many women, we do not always appreciate how strong we are until faced with challenges which initially seem insurmountable. Great story.
Thanks to the author for the ARC to review.
Thanks to the author for the ARC to review.
November 22, 2022
Flippin’ ‘eck, yet another belter of a book from Hobeck. I don’t know how they’ve honed their great book sniffing skills but it’s bang on with this one.
I’m not going to give much of the plot away; I read the prologue & I was hooked, it ticked all my grisly boxes. Predominantly told through the eyes of a 16 year old girl, the book is all about the unraveling of family life with perfectly drawn characters spiralling their way through this psychological thriller.
A brilliant read & highly recommended.
I’m not going to give much of the plot away; I read the prologue & I was hooked, it ticked all my grisly boxes. Predominantly told through the eyes of a 16 year old girl, the book is all about the unraveling of family life with perfectly drawn characters spiralling their way through this psychological thriller.
A brilliant read & highly recommended.
November 22, 2022
My review is based on an advance copy that I received from the publisher Hobeck Books.
This book definitely gripped me from the beginning to the point that I read most of it in one day. I really enjoyed the plot and the story. It was full of suspense!! I did not foresee how this would end for all the characters involved. I will recommend this book to my friends that enjoy a great psychological read!
This book definitely gripped me from the beginning to the point that I read most of it in one day. I really enjoyed the plot and the story. It was full of suspense!! I did not foresee how this would end for all the characters involved. I will recommend this book to my friends that enjoy a great psychological read!
February 22, 2026
I was 60% through and still wondering when the psychological thriller aspect would come in to play.. the last 25% of the book was a little bit more exciting, however, it left a lot of unanswered questions.
December 18, 2022
It was ok.
Very quick read
Very quick read
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews