I love John Marrs and enjoy his dark thrillers and his style of writing from multiple perspectives, in which this did not disappoint. The author is a favourite as he great at coming up with unique concepts for his novels. I was excited to read this one. Considering how dark it is, it’s cleverly written and remains very low on the gore score. Although I've said it once, it bears repeating: I had a hard time even believing this book was written by John Marrs. To start, things weren't so terrible, although they were a bit slow, with lots of set-up and drama involving the house buying and drama between Mia and Finn's parents. While I enjoyed the writing, I had issues with some inconsistencies as well as repetition. Each chapter is told through a different character’s perspective, oftentimes replaying the same events through a different viewpoint. This one literally kept me up at night and I’m glad that’s it over, it a good way, so I can move onto something else to distract my mind and hopefully sleep again 🥲 a great read and only not 5 star because it messed me up so much 🫣

The story. What unfolds is pretty silly(and nasty). A ludicrous premise, we have twist and turns that add nothing to the story and don’t misdirect as it was obvious to me from very early on what was going on. I did enjoy the excerpts of newspaper clippings, and podcasts sprinkled throughout, which helped to fill in details of the story. There was even one from a YOUTUBE SERIES by ex police detective and crime thriller author, Caroline Mitchell which was a fun touch! 😉 The plot is definitely disturbing and Marrs is not afraid to delve into darkness. However, I was able to figure out most of twists before they happened. And no sooner has work begun, than Mia suddenly discovers she is pregnant. The couple can barely believe it. And Debbie is excited at the prospect of a grandchild, despite the fact she and Mia have never gotten along. So it's decided the renovation will be undertaken in stages with the first stage ready for completion by the time the baby is due.Admittedly, it was the cover that sold the story for me, since I had previously read a book by this author (The One) and as I was not particularly fond of that one, I didn't have too high expectations in advance. This book was the gift that kept on giving, and not always in the right way. So many, so so many twists and turns and reveals and, double reveals debunking the previous... and well it all ended up a little bit of a farce at the end. A satisfying farce, but a farce nonetheless. This one was very triggering and I even messaged a book buddy not long before the end in fear of a suggested ending, my heart was racing and I felt so uncomfortable, it could’ve been a DNF at 90% but I know John Marrs and his twisty turny stories so soldiered on and I’m glad I did. Meanwhile Finn and Mia are still living in his parents annex with baby Sonny. Debbie is a Godsend if truth be told and suddenly Mia and Debbie’s relationship changes from very bad to good. Debbie is keen to help and is wonderful with Sonny. Mia cannot do much because of her injuries and sadly has trouble bonding with her baby. She has post-natal blues and becomes obsessed with the babes in the attic. The police investigation is ongoing and work on their new home is impossible. With time on her hands she starts an investigation of her own, looking at old newspaper articles. YouTube and even a crime writer’s take on what happened to the lost children. Mia and Finn have finally gotten pregnant and are attempting to renovate an old home so they can move out of Finns parents house, of whom Mia has never gotten along with.

This is one messed up family saga. One thing I love about John Marrs is that he always brings originality to every book he’s ever released. I’ve read a few of his books so far and each one feels so completely different in the best way possible. With Marrs’ latest novel, KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY, the story focuses on Finn and Mia, a couple purchasing a fixer-upper to finally call their own. After living with Finn’s parents, Debbie and Dave, the couple is ready for their new chapter. Almost immediately after purchasing this home, Mia discovers she’s pregnant and finds a chilling message saying “I WILL SAVE THEM FROM THE ATTIC.” This house is hiding secrets, and you’ll never see it coming! Really enjoyed seeing this side of Marrs, he is such an amazing story teller, and once again proves it to all. I can’t read one of his books and not rate it this because with every new book he continues to exceed my expectations.

Customer reviews

The final section went on a little bit too long for me, and the inner-dialogue style can slow things down a little. This is a crafted and very detailed novel, with a lot of layers and history to be discovered.

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? What I Disliked: After the big climax it took a bit too long to end it, I liked where to story went eventually but that's the only part where the book loses it's pace and slows down way too much. There was one moment that was so set up to go one way I think it would have benefitted the story if it went the way the audience thought it was going instead of Marrs not going that way.

I'm talking two hours before, no chance for an extension, and your grade counts on handing something, ANYTHING, coherent in by the deadline....even if all you think you'll manage to squeak out is a 'D'? Mia and Finn have brought a derelict house and are busy turning it into their dream home when Mia discovers, unexpectedly, that she is pregnant. During an already stressful and emotional time, Mia discovers a chilling message scratched into a skirting board: “I will save them from the attic”. Upon following this clue, a gruesome sight awaits her and Finn, and it’s clear their new home was once a house of unimaginable horrors. In the wake of this traumatic discovery the baby arrives, but Mia cannot stop being fixated by the monstrous crimes that happened in their house. Haunted by what she saw in the attic, her obsession pulls her away from her husband. And when little glimpses of a dark truth start to emerge, Mia realises the danger is terrifyingly present. She will do anything to protect her family, but could it already be too late?