Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and John Marrs for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 10.18!
Have you ever felt the panic of a looming deadline, realizing you’ve completely forgotten about a crucial assignment? Imagine that frantic scramble to produce something, anything, just to avoid failing. Unfortunately, reading Keep It In The Family John Marrs latest novel evoked a similar feeling – a sense of rushed, last-minute execution that, sadly, just doesn’t deliver the quality we expect from such a talented author.
Mia and Finn, a young couple, are thrilled to have finally purchased their first home. Overlooking the necessary renovations, they are eager to settle in and begin their life together, especially with Mia expecting their first child. Their happiness, however, is quickly overshadowed when Mia discovers a chilling message etched into the attic skirting board: “I WILL SAVE THEM FROM THE ATTIC.” This unsettling discovery plunges Mia and Finn, along with Finn’s parents, Dave and Debbie, into a terrifying investigation to decipher the message’s meaning. They soon uncover a series of disturbing tragedies linked to their new home, leaving them to question: Have Finn and Mia unknowingly welcomed danger into their sanctuary, placing their unborn child directly in harm’s way?
It’s genuinely surprising that Keep It in the Family John Marrs comes from the pen of John Marrs. Initially, the book progresses at a somewhat slow pace, focusing on house-buying drama and strained relationships between Mia and Finn’s parents. While not gripping, it felt like a build-up, a foundation being laid for suspense.
However, the narrative takes a sharp, and unfortunately downward, turn when the focus shifts to Mia’s pregnancy. The depiction of pregnancy in Keep It in the Family John Marrs feels jarringly inaccurate, suggesting a lack of research that is uncharacteristic of Marrs’s usually meticulous writing. An unsettling scene involving an intruder observing a sleeping Mia includes the bizarre narration: “Now I am standing over her, my face, directly above hers, my mouth next to her nose. I gently exhale so that she breathes me in and I become the oxygen that fills up her lungs and feeds her baby.”
This scene is just one example of several strange inconsistencies. For instance, Mia is described as only fourteen weeks pregnant and not visibly showing, requiring her to “announce” her pregnancy. Yet, in the intruder scene moments later, her “swollen belly” is mentioned. These inconsistencies accumulate, detracting from the reading experience and making it difficult to fully invest in the story. Furthermore, Mia’s purported postnatal depression is handled poorly; instead of support or treatment, she faces dismissal and criticism from those around her.
Adding to the book’s woes, the characters in Keep It in the Family John Marrs are overwhelmingly unlikable. With the exception of the barely-present baby, every character is flawed, often to the point of being detestable. If you prefer thrillers populated with sympathetic or even relatable characters, this book will likely disappoint. Moreover, the narrative delves into disturbing acts against children, which may be particularly unsettling for some readers. While the gruesome elements were present, the overall writing quality in Keep It in the Family John Marrs was so underwhelming that it created an emotional distance, ironically making it easier to endure the darker themes.
Marrs attempts to inject intrigue with interspersed fake news articles that are meant to provide clues to the central mystery. However, these additions feel forced and ultimately fail to enhance the suspense. Unlike the captivating thrill of “What Lies Between Us,” Keep It in the Family John Marrs loses momentum early on, becoming a tedious read that struggles to maintain reader engagement.
After a couple of less successful forays into tech or sci-fi-influenced narratives, a return to psychological thrillers seemed like a promising move for Marrs. However, after two thrillers revolving around attics – one successful, one not – perhaps it’s time for John Marrs to explore new settings and themes, leaving the attic behind and grounding his next thriller firmly on the ground floor.
2.5 stars
