Keep It in the Family by John Marrs
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Keep It in the Family

by

John Marrs

(Author)

4.2

-

39,379 ratings


In this thrilling novel from bestselling author John Marrs, a young couple’s house hides terrible secrets―and not all of them are confined to the past.

Mia and Finn are busy turning a derelict house into their dream home when Mia unexpectedly falls pregnant. But just when they think the house is ready, Mia discovers a shocking message scored into a skirting board: I WILL SAVE THEM FROM THE ATTIC. Following the clue up into the eaves, the couple make a gruesome discovery: their home was once a real-life murder house, with the evidence still concealed within the four walls.

In the wake of their traumatic discovery, the baby arrives and Mia can’t shake her fixation with the monstrous crimes that happened right above them. Tormented by the terrible things she saw, she is desperate to dig into the past to find answers.

Secrecy shrouds the mystery of the attic, but when shards of a dark truth start to emerge, Mia realises the danger is terrifyingly present. She is prepared to do anything to protect her family―but will the previous tenants stop her from discovering their secret?

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ISBN-10

1542017270

ISBN-13

978-1542017275

Print length

381 pages

Language

English

Publisher

Thomas & Mercer

Publication date

October 17, 2022

Dimensions

5.08 x 1 x 7.8 inches

Item weight

2.31 pounds


Popular Highlights in this book

  • No one under this roof believes in compassion. Empathy is an alien emotion here.

    Highlighted by 1,067 Kindle readers

  • I know that I wear a different, tougher skin now to the one I was born into, but scratch beneath the surface and below I am that same, frightened child.

    Highlighted by 1,040 Kindle readers


Product details

ASIN :

B09Q2WCSMP

File size :

6278 KB

Text-to-speech :

Enabled

Screen reader :

Supported

Enhanced typesetting :

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X-Ray :

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Word wise :

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Editorial Reviews

“One dramatic revelation after another will keep readers turning the pages. Marrs has outdone himself.” ―Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

“Highly suspenseful, this had us gripped.” ―Crime Monthly

“Keep It in the Family is a tour-de-force of a novel. Darkly disturbing and with twists that just keep on coming, this is John Marrs at his best, bringing you a family very much at their worst. I read it in one sitting.” ―Sarah Pinborough, author of Behind Her Eyes

“Fiendishly plotted, deviously compelling.” ―Cara Hunter, author of the DI Adam Fawley series

“This is John Marrs at his very best―and that’s saying something! Dark, twisty and pulsing with ‘no let up’ tension, Keep it In The Family will have you guessing until the very end―and likely checking out your own attic just to be sure.” ―Victoria Selman, author of Truly, Darkly, Deeply

“Keep it in the Family is the perfect blend of fascinating characters, chilling details, and gasp-worthy twists. Make sure you keep the lights on because this book is what nightmares are made of.” ―Jeneva Rose, author of The Perfect Marriage

“Marrs at his best, shocking you, disturbing you and completely messing with your head.” ―Louise Beech, author of Star Girl

“I love John Marrs’s novels, and this one is (as always) a real treat. Keep it in the Family is an up-all-night thriller and a thought-provoking emotional drama.” ―B. P. Walter, author of The Locked Attic and The Dinner Guest

“I’m never going into my attic again. Thank you for freaking the hell out of me.” ―Liz Nugent, author of Our Little Cruelties

“Clever, twisted, and dark as mighty hell.” ―Lisa Jewell, author of The Family Upstairs

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Sample

PART ONE

TRANSCRIPT OF ANGLIA TV NEWS INTERVIEW WITH KATE THURSTON, HIGH STREET, STEWKBURY, BEDFORDSHIRE

It’s the kind of house you don’t notice, even when you’ve been living in the village for years. It’s right on the outskirts and is so overgrown you can’t see it through the trees and the bushes. The last time anyone lived here was over thirty years ago – an elderly couple who I think were joined later on by a young family. Then a few years later, they all did a moonlight flit. Nobody knows why or where they went. Anyway, I’d never seen anyone come or go from it until that new couple arrived. We were all wondering who’d take on a place like that. We thought they must have deep pockets and a lot of time on their hands.

CHAPTER 1

MIA, 2018

Sitting inside Finn’s van, we stare at the property to our left. He turns off the ignition and the silence is palpable. Neither of us knows what to say first.

‘So,’ he eventually begins, ‘this is going to be our home?’

It’s as if he wants me to confirm information he already knows. I try to muster up something suitably enthusiastic, like, ‘We’re going to be so happy here’ or ‘This is our dream home’, but my reply is more succinct than reassuring. ‘It is,’ I say.

He responds with a slow nod as he tries to comprehend what we have done. Then we fall silent again as the enormity of the task before us sinks in. I feel nauseous.

I catch a glimpse of the rest of the high street in the wing mirror. We walked and drove along these roads a handful of times over the last year agreeing it was exactly the kind of village we wanted to move to. Our criteria were straightforward: the place could be no more than a fifteen-minute drive from the town centre and train station, it must have shops and a pub, it couldn’t be too overlooked and had to be surrounded by plenty of long countryside walks for when we get that dog we’re always promising ourselves. Stewkbury ticked each box.

The only sticking point – and it was a biggie – was property prices. If you don’t want to live in an identikit new build, then be prepared to pay for the privilege. And we didn’t have that kind of money.

Neither Finn nor I had noticed this two-storey, five-bedroom, detached Victorian house in our previous recces. It only appeared on our radar when my monster-in-law saw it advertised in an online auction-house brochure. She and my father-in-law were going to put a bid in to renovate it themselves, but it was perfect for Finn and me. And after a fair few arguments, they eventually – albeit reluctantly – agreed to let us make an offer for it.

And before we knew it, we were sitting in a draughty hall bidding on it against half a dozen strangers.

When the auction began, Finn’s knuckles were as white as his face. It was as if he was having a premonition of what lay ahead of us. Tearing apart and rebuilding this house was going to put an end to our Mr & Mrs Smith boutique hotel weekends away, my spa breaks with the girls, his Sunday morning football league with the lads, along with gigs and overpriced gym memberships. Goodbye fun, hello hard graft.

House buying hasn’t been an easy process for us. When we married five years ago, we sold my flat in London and moved into Finn’s terraced house in Leighton Buzzard. But the two-up two-down wasn’t spacious enough to start a family. So we sold it and moved in with his parents, Dave and Debbie, while we waited to find somewhere. Four times we had an offer on a house accepted, but four times we were either gazumped or the owners had a change of heart. So, throwing caution to the wind and without even seeing this house in person or organising a surveyor, we found ourselves the last ones standing at the auction.

Now, I look towards Finn, his gaze fixed on the house like he’s a rabbit caught in the headlights. I can’t let him know I too have doubts. My next question invites criticism, but I ask it regardless. ‘Is it better or worse than you thought?’

‘It’s hard to say,’ he says. He’s choosing his words carefully. I can almost hear the cogs in his brain turning as he prioritises the work required. Finn is the pragmatic sort, and possesses a natural talent for solving problems. I suppose that’s what makes him a good plumber and all-round handyman. He can look at an object and instinctively know how it works or how to repair it. I’m the opposite. I look at something and it falls apart.

‘But you and your dad will do a lot of the work, won’t you?’

‘I hope so.’

We exit the van. ‘Shall we go inside?’ I wrap my hands around his arm. He’s as tense as a hostage negotiator.

We’ve always been 100 per cent honest with one another, but today I hold back on sharing what I’m really thinking – that we’ve made a bloody huge mistake and we are so far out of our comfort zone that we can’t even see it from where we’re standing now. But this is the only way to get what we wanted – a house in the country for a fraction of the price, and to escape living with his parents. He may be close to them, but I am most definitely not.

This place could be good for us, I tell myself. It could be just what we need.

My positivity lasts for as long as the thought does. And then I’m back to feeling nauseous again.

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About the authors

John Marrs

John Marrs

John Marrs is an author and former journalist based in London and Northamptonshire. After spending his career interviewing celebrities from the worlds of television, film and music for numerous national newspapers and magazines, he is now a full-time author. His books include No1 bestseller and Netflix series The One, The Passengers, award winning What Lies Between Us and The Good Samaritan. Follow him at www.johnmarrsauthor.co.uk, on Twitter @johnmarrs1, on Instagram @johnmarrs.author and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/johnmarrsauthor.

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Reviews

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5

39,379 global ratings

M. Blazer

M. Blazer

5

Just when you think it’s over💥. There’s more. Much more. Keep going til the very end!

Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2024

Verified Purchase

Keep It In The Family by John Marrs Honest review: It was good enough that I kept going back to it even when life threw curveballs. Once I reached a certain point, it felt like the story could’ve ended. But it didn’t. And honestly, I was hesitant to keep going because I felt the rest would be unnecessary fluff. It wasn’t. It was basically a whole other story at the end lol. Then when it could’ve ended, it didn’t. lol And while I easily could’ve thought the rest is just fluff; I had a feeling I’d be wrong again lol. It wasn’t fluff. It was basically a whole other little short story lol Then when it could’ve ended, it didn’t. There was still an epilogue. I know some don’t read prologues and epilogues. I do. And man. I’m glad I do. Because that was basically a whole other short story and what the actual hell on that epilogue?! The story was great. But that epilogue really drove it home for me. Great author. Good character build up. Not a complex plot but did have multiple layers and I love that! Also, this author is not overly descriptive and I really appreciate that. Especially in regards to things that have no bearing on the story. This book isn’t just a snack in between meals. Enjoy this hearty meal. Savor it. It’s good! I don’t get triggered but if you do, in regards to children, beware. On the aphantasia scale, I’m a 5. (I share this because ever since I learned about aphantasia, it was a huge epiphany for me. I believe it’s a big reason why some people rave about a book and others don’t.). On this note…I can’t imagine being a 1 and reading(vividly experiencing) this book.

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15 people found this helpful

Anjela Waterman

Anjela Waterman

5

Hooked

Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2024

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This was my first John Marrs book and it did not disappoint! I recently started exploring other genres and wanted a really good psychological thriller. The pacing for this book was perfect and I was so excited each time I went to read more. I absolutely love the way this book was written. There were so many twists and turns throughout that I couldn’t wait to read the next page! There was a lot of content that I did not see coming, and I like to think that I am good at foreshadowing. As I said before, this was my first Marrs book— and I will be reading all of them! Highly recommend this author and this book, I’m hooked!

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9 people found this helpful

Andria

Andria

5

Dark and incredible

Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2024

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Wow. This book is simultaneously terrible and terrific... I almost stopped reading this book at the beginning because of the victims targeted.The plot twists and turns in such unique ways and keeps you at the edge of your seat the entire duration of the book. The misdirection was one of the elements that I enjoyed most, along with the gradual revelations that lead you to reality. John Marrs never disappoints. I've been intrigued and entertained by all books I've read that were authored by him. This is no exception.

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4 people found this helpful

Laura E. Felty

Laura E. Felty

5

Goodness

Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2024

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Wow! This is the first book by Marrs I have read. It took many twists and turns. I really enjoyed it. And the infamous chapter 39. This really is worth the read. Probably could have been shorter. But you know.....

meagan

meagan

4

Somewhat predictable, but very enjoyable

Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2024

Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed this book. It does get quite dark but not gory which I appreciate. There are a lot of twists. Some are easy to see coming and others were quite a shock. Absolutely worth the read

2 people found this helpful

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