It’s a pleasure today to be joining the blog tour for the latest book from L.H. Stacey, The Family Home – and yes, it is a little different from my usual reading, but I always enjoy the author’s books, and really needed a bit of a change from all the Christmas reads! Published by Boldwood Books on 27th November, it’s now available as an e-book (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback, and as an audiobook. My thanks, as always, to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance reading copy (provided via netgalley).
I’ve read and enjoyed Lynda’s books from the very beginning of her writing career, and it’s been really lovely recently to see Boldwood repackaging and reissuing her older books for a brand new audience who seem to be enjoying them as much as I did. You’ll find my many reviews – first and second time around – if you pop her name into my search bar. On its first release, The Fake Date made it onto my 2018 Books of the Year list – if it’s one you haven’t read I’d recommend it really highly (the new edition is just £1.99, or free via Kindle Unlimited). But when I read No Place Like Home in 2021 (now The Sisters Next Door), I had to reluctantly admit it wasn’t really the book for me – it was such a well written dark and edgy thriller, but my own tastes had veered towards fresh starts in rural communities and teashops in Cornish villages. I do still listen to thrillers though, with my newly-discovered love of audiobooks – and I thoroughly enjoyed The Serial Killer’s Girl, immensely gripping as the tension steadily built, all enhanced by the isolation of the unique and vividly drawn Lindisfarne setting as the tide rose and fell. So when Lynda told me about her latest, just as the tinsel and lights were overwhelming me a little, I thought it might just be the right time to visit the dark side once more…
Nothing is as perfect as it seems…
Hattie Gilby has not been back to her family home since the devastating events that took place there years ago. Events that changed Hattie and which continue to haunt her today. But one phone call changes everything.
Now Hattie is going back to her family home to face her brothers, Adam and Luke and to hear the last words of her dying mother.
Imogen Gilby hasn’t spoken a word since the night she was beaten almost to death and her husband was murdered. But now it’s time to reveal the truth about what happened that night and the secrets that almost destroyed her.
Hattie isn’t sure she wants to know the truth. And it seems someone close to them will do anything to make sure the secrets stay hidden forever…
Another chilling read from bestselling author L H Stacey guaranteed to keep you up all night! Perfect for fans of Valerie Keogh, J.A. Baker and Diana Wilkinson.
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.
About the author
L. H. Stacey is the bestselling psychological suspense author of over seven novels. Alongside her writing she is a full-time sales director for an office furniture company and has been a nurse, an emergency first response instructor and a PADI Staff Instructor. She lives near Doncaster with her husband.
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Fantastic review!
Thank you Babs, but I do think yours was better! x
Brilliant review!
Thank you Karen – brilliant book!