John Marrs, known for his dark psychological thrillers like The Good Samaritan and The One, returns with Keep It in the Family, a chilling domestic suspense novel that dives deep into obsession, trauma, and the unsettling secrets that hide behind closed doors. This time, Marrs trades his tech-driven narratives for something more intimate and claustrophobic a young couple’s nightmare unfolding inside their own home.
The Plot
Mia and Finn are newlyweds with a vision. They purchase a derelict house and set out to renovate it into their dream home. When Mia discovers she’s pregnant, life seems to be falling perfectly into place until she stumbles upon a message carved into the woodwork: I WILL SAVE THEM FROM THE ATTIC. What follows is a horrifying discovery that turns their renovation project into a descent into madness. As the couple tries to make sense of their home’s gruesome history, Mia becomes dangerously fixated on uncovering the truth, even if it means putting her new family at risk.
What Works
When Marrs is at his best, he builds tension with surgical precision. Keep It in the Family opens strong, instantly pulling readers into a sinister mystery. The imagery of the house itself a decaying structure holding literal skeletons in its walls is chilling. Marrs creates a creeping sense of unease that lingers long after the book is closed. The pacing, particularly in the first half, is brisk and engaging, keeping readers eager to uncover the secrets lurking in the attic.
Michael David, one of the early reviewers, captured the book’s appeal well: it’s dark, disturbing, and unputdownable. Marrs excels at creating atmosphere, and this novel is no exception. The claustrophobic setting and the sense that something terrible is always just out of sight make it a great pick for fans of gothic domestic thrillers.
What Falls Short
However, not everyone was impressed and rightly so. Some readers found Keep It in the Family to be a step down from Marrs’ previous work. The writing style has been criticized as too simplistic, told in what reviewer Lit with Leigh called “dear diary writing,” where the narrative feels like a summary of events rather than an immersive experience. The first-person perspective occasionally robs the story of its emotional depth and suspense.
Catherine from Alternatively Titled Books went further, describing it as a rushed effort that lacked Marrs’ usual polish. She pointed out inconsistencies in the plot and character behavior, particularly around Mia’s pregnancy and postpartum experiences, which sometimes felt implausible or poorly researched.
Another recurring complaint is the lack of likable characters. Every major player seems either oblivious or unpleasant, making it difficult to emotionally invest in their fates. For readers who prefer complex but empathetic protagonists, this can make the book feel emotionally hollow despite its shocking subject matter.
The Verdict
Keep It in the Family is a divisive novel. For readers who crave dark, twisty thrillers filled with jaw-dropping moments, it will deliver enough shocks to keep the pages turning. The atmosphere is suitably eerie, and the premise a home renovation turning into a crime scene is undeniably compelling. But for those who expect Marrs’ usual balance of psychological depth and narrative finesse, this might feel more like a rough draft than a finished masterpiece.
If you’re new to John Marrs, this isn’t the best place to start. The Good Samaritan or What Lies Between Us showcase his talent far better. But if you’re in the mood for a quick, macabre read that plays with domestic horror tropes and doesn’t shy away from the grotesque, Keep It in the Family could be worth your time.
Final Thoughts
Haunting, uneven, and undeniably creepy, Keep It in the Family will make you think twice before buying that fixer-upper. It’s a grim exploration of what happens when curiosity turns into obsession and when your home starts keeping its own secrets.
Rating: 3/5
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