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“The Family Lies” by Angela Henry is a gripping 5-star read brimming with lies, deception, and suspense! Set in Harper’s Ferry, Ohio, the story follows Sabrina, a bookstore employee who lands her dream job working in a private library. However, the house she’ll be working in has a dark history of misfortune for outsiders. Will she truly be safe there?

The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, primarily Sabrina’s, as we learn how she found herself in her current circumstances. The story also delves into the lives of Belle, who is struggling with her own unique circumstances, and Jared, a police detective. Each character is richly developed, including Theo, the millionaire son who now heads his late father’s company.

As the title suggests, this family—and every character in the story—is entangled in a web of lies. The pacing is masterfully executed, gradually building suspense and delivering twists and turns that keep you hooked until the very end.

This is the second book I’ve read by Angela Henry, and I enjoyed it as much as the first. I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

Thanks to Storm Publishing, Angela Henry, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.

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What a wild ride. The twists are twisting. This hooked me from the beginning and didn’t let up until the last page. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this arc.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Angela Henry for the advance reader copy of The Family Lies.

If you're a fan of Colleen Hoover's Verity, this thriller gave me all the vibes!
The Family Lie kept me guessing the whole way through. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, another twist completely threw me off. The story is gripping and full of surprises, making it well worth the read. While it didn't blow me away completely, I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. A solid, twisty thriller that keeps you on your toes! 3.5⭐️

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Tha family lies by Angela Henry was an okay novel that started promising but to me lost itself along the way, The main Character Sabrina hates living at home with her ex army sister and her layabout husband and whilst working at a bookshop, the charming and wealthy Theo Dorsey offers her the job of a life time archiving his mothers library and it's a live in position so she jumps at the chance but once she's there things are not what they seem.
Tha tale is told over multiple timelines and has a gothc edge to it but I did find my interest waning as I progressed through the book and it had a predictable edge and the final twist was far fetched.

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The Family Lies by Angela Henry is a twisty, atmospheric mystery that keeps readers guessing as layers of deception and dark family secrets unravel. Set against the eerie opulence of the Dorsey estate, the novel is a slow-burn suspense with Gothic undertones that evoke classic "house of secrets" narratives. While there’s plenty of intrigue to draw you in, some of the story’s momentum is slowed by familiar tropes and underdeveloped side characters.

Sabrina Adams is an engaging protagonist with a relatable mix of curiosity and skepticism. Her excitement at the rare opportunity to restore the Dorsey library is palpable, but her instincts immediately tell her that something about the Dorsey family doesn’t add up. Henry does a great job balancing Sabrina’s professionalism with her increasing unease, making her gradual descent into suspicion feel organic rather than overly dramatic. Her isolation in the vast, locked-up mansion heightens the tension, especially as she realizes that trusting the wrong person could be deadly.

The Dorsey family itself is a puzzle with sharp edges. Theo Dorsey is particularly compelling as the charming but enigmatic employer who seems too good to be true. His warmth and vulnerability make it easy to understand why Sabrina initially wants to believe in his innocence. However, as secrets from his past emerge, Henry masterfully tightens the noose of doubt, making Sabrina—and the reader—question everything.

The estate itself plays an almost character-like role in the story. From the locked rooms to the housekeeper’s rigid rules, the house pulses with a quiet menace. Henry’s descriptive writing builds a sense of dread as Sabrina uncovers clues that point to a sinister history, not just within the walls of the estate but in the Dorsey family itself.

The novel’s central mystery—centered around the missing woman and Theo’s murky involvement—builds effectively, but there are moments when the pacing drags. Some of the secondary characters, particularly Mrs. Manning and other household staff, feel underutilized despite their potential to add richer dimensions to the story. Additionally, certain revelations feel telegraphed early, softening the impact of the final twists. That said, Henry still delivers some satisfying surprises that highlight the dangers of ignoring the past.

The thematic undercurrents of wealth, privilege, and justice give the story additional weight. Sabrina’s outsider status makes her uniquely positioned to question the Dorseys’ air of untouchability, and her determination to seek the truth, even at great personal risk, underscores the novel’s exploration of power dynamics and moral gray areas.

While The Family Lies doesn’t reinvent the Gothic suspense genre, it offers a compelling take on familiar elements, with just enough paranoia and peril to keep readers invested. The novel’s strength lies in its eerie setting, well-constructed suspense, and the slow realization that everyone, even those closest to you, might be hiding something.

For readers who enjoy an unsettling house mystery with a morally ambiguous cast and steadily mounting tension, this one delivers plenty of chills and questions that linger long after the final page.

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This book had a good premise and started off well but slowed pace around the middle. The last 10% was unrealistic for me. All in all just an ok read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

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This book was TWISTY. There were so many different plot points that I did not anticipate the way they would end up tying together, but they did all in the last 10% of the book. There were far more "lies" than what I originally expected.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

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The third Angela Henry book I have read and another enjoyable read. As an ex librarian Angela had plenty of knowledge to write this book from and it adds to the depth of the background to this book. An interesting plot that gripped this reviewer. Thanks to Storm Publishing and Net Galley for the chance to review this book.

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A very twisty book which had me gripped from beginning to end. Everytime I thought I had it figured out another twist came in. A new author which I thoroughly enjoyed. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

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*Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. *

Told through multiple POV, we mostly follow Sabrina, who is hired to restore a personal library in a wealthy family. Upon arriving, she is given a long list of rules to follow, including some odd ones like "stay locked in your room after midnight." Through receiving a letter and hearing gossip, she is warned that horrible things happen to people who work for this family. What is this family hiding?

I found myself immediately interested in the characters. Seemingly normal people, but you question what they are hiding. In some cases, you get a hint early on, like the fact that Sabrina doesn't know how to do all of the aspects of her job. The connections are also interesting- things seem tense with the housekeeper and Sabrina has to fight her personal feelings for her gorgeous boss.

The setting of the mansion is intriguing. There are many secret pathways which are perfect for spying, eavesdropping, and sneaking around.

The writing is fantastic- I found myself tearing through the pages. When I wasn't reading, I was thinking often about the plot. Once the rumors about the family started coming to light and the first murder happens, I was completely hooked. Putting this book down became near impossible. I wanted answers. The twists were excellent and well executed. The end was absolutely mind-blowing and a bit of flurry as we discover new fact after new fact about the characters, we thought we knew about.

A fantastic book, and well worth the read.

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I really enjoyed reading this book! The author crafted a suspenseful storyline full of twists that kept on coming, secrets and lies.

This is a new to me author and I really enjoyed her writing style. The story was fast-paced, it hooked my attention early and kept me turning pages. I was invested in trying to solve the Mystery.

I think Thriller fans are definitely going to want to add this one to their TBR and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author in the future!

Thank you Angela Henry, Net Galley and Storm Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book!

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Wow, what a rollercoaster!

Sabrina had no idea how “lucky” she was when she landed a once-in-a-lifetime job working for the Dorsey's private librarian.

This book is packed with so many unexpected twists that I had to go back and reread certain parts to ensure I understood everything correctly.

The ending left me stunned, and I've been replaying the entire story in my mind ever since.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC!

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This book hooked me right from the start. I loved the characters and switching between points of view. I didn’t see most twists coming so it was fun to see how the story came together and the plot was developed. Parts of this book reminded me of Frieda McFadden’s The Wife Upstairs. Definitely a good read!

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I really liked this book! The thrilling suspense the mystery, and the buildup this book had. It was a good classic thriller suspense book. I enjoy the way this book was written, and how the characters were written and developed!!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

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I really enjoyed this book and the ending was brillant, didn’t see that coming. The Family Lies is all about the Dorsey family and they have many lies. Sabrina is offered the library position in the household, but when she arrives she’s met by the housekeeper and a set of rules. Very strange rules. The story has a twist and really liked it. The setting is perfect in the old stately house and the plot was really good. It’s a page turner. 5 star read.
Thanks to Net galley and the publishers for a copy.

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This book was full of lies, twist and turns! Sabrina gets hired to be a private librarian for a prominent family but then she learns maybe she’s not so safe in this house! Is her new boss behind murders? As more lies unfold She starts to learn the truth about who she’s really working for.!!

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Awesome book!! Great author! Will be looking for more!!!!!!!!!!! Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Angela Henry’s The Family Lies is a compeling thriller full of suspense and eerie secrets. The characters weren't that complex, but I still liked Sabrina Adams’ journey as the new librarian for the mysterious Dorsey family. It pulls you in right away, with an elegant estate full of rules, secrets, and possible danger.

While the story is undeniably engaging, the ending felt a bit too much with twist after twist. At some point, the surprises started to feel excessive. Still, the book is an entertaining read for thriller fans —just be prepared for a whirlwind finish.

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Every family has secrets. Some just hide them a lot better than others.

Sabrina loves books. So went she gets an opportunity to restore the private library of a wealthy family she takes it. But there’s something off about the house, what could it be? Why must she follow so many rules?

When her employer gets question by the police about the disappearance of a local women, she doesn’t know what to believe. Sabrina can’t trust Theo, who can she trust?

I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Such a good psychological thriller that had end on the edge of my seat. I was so shocked by the ending! I thought one thing and then another thing happened.

If you are looking for a good psychological thriller. I’d definitely recommend this book! Thank you NetGalley, Angela and Storm Publishing for the E-ARC!

Publication Date: January 22 2025
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#NetGalley #TheFamilyLies

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The way the ending shocked me 🤯
I never would have guessed how this ended!
I read this book in one day, I was obsessed with strange lives of the Dorsey family from the beginning.
I really thought I might have figured this book out but I was wrong. 🙌🏻

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