I was looking for a book with darker edges – and I knew I’d made the right choice when I read the rather stunning prologue as Imogen flees through the garden of her home, hoping to evade pursuit, leaving a scene of horror behind. We then learn that her daughter Hattie has returned to the family home at her mother’s request – she had moved away to distance herself both from her past and the carnage she witnessed (a bloodbath that left her father dead on the kitchen floor, her mother rendered incapable of speech). But now, nine years later and on her deathbed, her mother is speaking again – and apparently wants to share the truth about what happened that night, a mystery that has never been resolved.

Hattie’s brothers, Adam and Luke, unable to forgive her for abandoning them when they were so young, still live in the same Yorkshire village – their father was the vicar, their vicarage home falling into a state of neglect around them – but they need to try to pull together to finally put the past to rest. The story moves between past and present with particular ease – and we discover other key characters. Cousin Louisa is something of an enigma – a friend and ally to Hattie in her younger years, but perhaps not the best role model for her to follow, with secrets in both her past and present. And then there’s neighbour Griffin, once very close to Hattie, always there for her in times of trouble – but now married with a child, his wife understandably suspicious of their connection, and perhaps with some secrets of his own. The characterisation really is excellent – very real people (although none of them particularly likeable) with recognisable family relationships, small details gradually revealed and built on, preconceptions often overturned, suspicions raised about their involvement, with the truth about the events of that fateful night steadily emerging.

It is quite a convoluted story – and that’s not a criticism but a strong positive – and I really had no idea where it was going until events had played out and the many deceptions unfolded. It’s also very atmospheric, filled with tension, everything a bit oppressive at times (and rightly so) – and the story’s pacing is really excellent, edge-of-the-seat storytelling with so many shocks and touches of the wholly unexpected. And there are moments of considerable drama too – that sometimes feel like your nightmares brought to life.

Was it a book I enjoyed? That’s the wrong word I think – I certainly found it wholly compelling, and quite impossible to put down. That darkness though – I’ll admit there were times the story dipped into areas I might have preferred not to visit, things I witnessed I might have preferred not to have seen. But my goodness, the author does it so very well – this really was writing of the highest order, moving her into a quite different league.

Absolutely gripping!

Hattie hasn't returned to the family home since her father was murdered and her mother so badly beaten that she has been unable to say a word since. However, Hattie now needs to face her brothers and hope that her mother will tell them what happened before she dies Hattie wonders if she really wants to know, and it seems that someone else really doesn't want the truth to come out ...

This is a book which grabs the reader from the very beginning and doesn't let go until the very last word. Cleverly written, this one holds onto it's secrets until the very last. Thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. Definitely an author I'll be watching out for. 5* and my highest recommendation.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

This was a very suspenseful story of secrets hidden for years. Once a happy family with 3 children and unimaginable lies. Father is a vicar and he and his wife are devoted to help everyone in the community. But we have no clue what they are helping them with. The story is told in two timelines from nine years previous and present day. It all ties together in the end but it's disturbing as the truth comes out. I thought it was well written and the characters were believable, but the facts were difficult to embrace. However, I would recommend this book.

Nothing is as perfect as it seems…

That couldn’t be more true when it comes to L.H. Stacey’s The Family Home. This book was all the emotions tucked into one phenomenal book. The twists and turns it took was well written and so incredibly exciting to read. This is my first time reading L.H. Stacey and I guarantee it will not be my last. I recommend this one completely.
Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood Books and of course L.H. Stacey for the eARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books books for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very fast pace, twisty & thrilling book that had me hooked from the beginning. It is told in past and present with multiple point of views and I did find that hard at times to follow, but overall this was a very well written book and the ending was not something I was expecting.

“The Family Home” is a thriller filled with mystery, family drama and suspense.
I was intrigued by Hattie and her family’s story.
The chapters alternate between present and past (nine years earlier) and there are multiple POVs. This helps to gradually build the story.

I enjoyed the book and read it in one sitting. There were a few plot twists, but it was also a bit predictable. What I did not predict was the ending, but it did not surprise me.

Overall I would recommend this a quick and entertaining read.

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for a digital copy of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a twisty dark thriller with a great ending. It’s goes back and forth from past to present and the main characters. People go missing and Hattie’ wants to find the truth about it. I did find it a bit hard to keep on track with the to and fro, but I enjoyed the plot and I liked finding out the secrets that went on in the family home. A 4 star read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

This was weird. I did not like any of the protagonists but I did love the mystery and the setting. The ending was something new.

This book had me hooked right away, its secrets and danger was very intense and compelling all the way through.

Psychological thriller, lots of twists and turns with some unlikable characters. Readable and could while away an evening easily it there are better psychological thriller s out there.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Boldwood Books via NetGalley.

Hattie Gilby is forced to return to the family home she’s avoided for years, haunted by the dark events that shattered her family. Now, as her mother lies on her deathbed, Hattie is compelled to confront her estranged brothers and hear the long-buried truth of what really happened that fateful night—when her father was murdered, her mother was left speechless, and her family’s life changed forever. But with someone determined to keep these secrets hidden, Hattie’s journey for answers may prove more dangerous than she ever imagined.

While the premise promises a chilling, suspenseful family drama, the story didn’t quite live up to its potential. The pacing felt slow, and the characters lacked the depth and complexity needed to make their struggles relatable or engaging. Hattie’s family, though surrounded by secrets and trauma, felt distant, making it hard to invest in their fates. The plot also felt disjointed at times, with key details mentioned briefly and then dropped.

The suspense was also somewhat undercut by predictable plot twists. I found myself guessing many of the reveals early on, which took away much of the thrill. Loose ends left unresolved and a lackluster ending contributed to a sense of unfinished business that made the novel less satisfying.

Hattie hasn’t been home in over nine years. She’s headed home now to hear her Mom’s dying words.
This was an intense thriller. It has some twists and turns. Lots of secrets in this book.

This book started out well but sadly didn't improve too much, in my opinion. Long winded, not very likeable characters who never seemed to be getting anywhere and doing some stupid, unfathomable things!!
Book could and should have been half the length as it was rather obvious as to who had done what. Sorry, all my own opinions and this book was such a let down as other books by this author have been so good!
Many thanx to NetGalley, the author and publishers for allowing me to read and review this book

Wow!
This books was quite a psychological thriller with a rather eye opening ending!
Long ago dark family secrets have a way of reappearing when you least expect it.
So many twists and turns…
So many secrets…
This certainly was a very suspenseful read!

Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I will start off by saying that this book has a beautiful cover! Unfortunately, the inside of the book was not as good as the outside. The story itself isn't bad, but it wasn't very thrilling or exciting. It was pretty obvious where things were heading. It was heard to stay engaged because I knew what was going to happen.

The characters were very unlikeable and not developed well at all. It was long-winded and there were some loose ends left.

Hattie has not been home for nine years, the night took her father and left her mother fighting for her life. Her mother, Imogen, wants to talk to her three children as she is close to death, she has secrets to tell. But she dies before she can explain it all. The siblings, Hattie, Adam and Luke decide they want to find out the truth, but their lives are about to be turned upside down..

Imogen Gibly has not spoken since the night she was badly beaten and her husband was murdered.But now she wants to reveal what happened that night. The story has a dual timeline and it's told in the past and present day. None of the characters were likeable. There were secrets, betrayal and grief. Snippets are slowly revealed to us. The pace was steady, and it's told mainly from Hattie's point of view.There were parts where I had to suspend my beliefs.

Published 27th November 2024

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #LHStacey for my ARC of #TheFamilyHome

2⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced copy of The Family Home.

Hattie receives a call that her mother does not have much longer to live so she goes back home to see her. She has not been home in almost a decade since her father had been murdered and her mother left for dead. She and her brothers go to see their mother because she needs to confess the truth to them. She tries to explain but they do not understand and then she passes away. They try to figure out what she wanted to tell them but they may be better off not knowing.

This book was way too long and way too overly descriptive. I did not like any of the characters and the way the story jumped around was confusing. Plus it was way too rushed at the end. I was not a fan.

The Family Home by L.H. Stacey is a slow-burning mystery filled with secrets, family drama, and haunting memories. The story alternates between the present day and events from nine years ago, weaving a tale of betrayal, grief, and long-buried truths.

Hattie, the protagonist, is summoned back to her family home after years of estrangement. Her mother, Imogen, on her deathbed, has something important to share—a revelation that will unravel the dark events surrounding the night Hattie's father was killed and her mother was gravely injured. As Hattie reunites with her brothers, Adam and Luke, and cousin, Louisa, tensions rise, and the family’s fractured dynamics come to the surface.

The book starts with a gripping scene and builds an atmosphere of suspense as secrets are slowly revealed. However, the pacing is uneven, with long stretches that feel more focused on character interactions than advancing the plot. While the alternating timelines serve to fill in the backstory, they can sometimes disrupt the flow, making it harder to stay fully immersed in the mystery.

The characters are complex, though not particularly likable. Hattie, in particular, is a character you may struggle to root for, as her decisions and attitudes often come across as frustrating. Despite this, her pain and inner conflict are palpable, and her journey to confront the past is compelling enough to keep the pages turning.

The twists in the story are somewhat predictable, but the tension builds nicely toward the climax, with a couple of surprises to keep things interesting. The atmospheric writing and chilling setting enhance the reading experience, even if the mystery itself doesn't break new ground.

If you enjoy family-centered mysteries with a focus on emotional drama and secrets, The Family Home may be worth adding to your TBR pile. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review

I was searching for a psychological thriller and this book was perfect. The story buiding was linear and a bit predictible at times. I can't say I enjoyed the characters. I liked the creepy vibes of the ending.

This book took me on an emotional ride as I empathized with the characters that were well-crafted and multifaceted with different personalities being revealed as the story progressed. The book held me as each went on a painful quest for the truth. The surprises kept coming throughout with a huge jaw-dropper at the end. Nine years after her father is murdered and her mother is left for dead, Hattie is called to return to the family home because her mother is dying. As Hattie and her two brothers search for the truth of what happened all those years ago they find that nothing is what it seems to be and no one is to be trusted. This is not your typical family. Recommend it. Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this advance copy. Release date: 11/27/2024. #TheFamilyHome #NetGalley #boldwoodbooks