Review: A Family of Strangers by Emilie Richards

This is a book that I was looking forward to for quite some time. I was really interested in the family dynamics in this summary, especially since I am the oldest sister and my younger sister and I are in constant completion with each other.

I thought this one would yield interesting family relationships and dynamics as well as present a fascinating mystery with lots of things to question and debate.

Plus this author has written a number of books, most of which are women fiction or romance, sprinkled with a few mysteries. This one sounded like it was going to be a little darker and more complex than her usual books. I have never read anything by this author before, but I was eager to discover her style and writing.

Summary

All her life Ryan Gracey watched her perfect older sister from afar. Knowing she could never top Wendy’s achievements, she didn’t even try. Instead Ryan forged her own path while her family barely seemed to notice.

Now Wendy shares two little girls with her perfect husband while Ryan mourns the man she lost after a nearly fatal mistake in judgment. The sisters’ choices have taken them in different directions, which is why Ryan is stunned when Wendy calls, begging for her help. There’s been a murder—and Wendy believes she’ll be wrongfully accused.

While Wendy lays low, Ryan moves back to their hometown to care for the nieces she hardly knows. The sleuthing skills she’s refined as a true-crime podcaster quickly rise to the surface as she digs for answers with the help of an unexpected ally. Yet the trail of clues Wendy’s left behind lead to nothing but questions. Blood may be thicker than water, but what does Ryan owe a sister who, with every revelation, becomes more and more a stranger?

Is Wendy, who always seemed so perfect, just a perfect liar—or worse? (summary from Goodreads). 

Review

From the summary, I was geared up for this to be more of a domestic thriller rather than women fiction/romance with a little mystery. I think the summary is slightly misleading. I think people who have read this author before would maybe know what to expect, but for me as a new reader, I thought I was getting something much different than what I actually read.

The domestic thriller/mystery seemed more like the secondary focus of this book with the familial relationships and budding romance taking center stage. I noticed that a few other reviewers noted similar thoughts and I wholeheartedly agree with their observations in regard to that aspect.

That is not to say the book isn’t good, I did enjoy it and found myself thinking about the story at random times during the day. I loved how honest and real the character were. They were smart but yet had flaws, as we all do, and lots of family and relationship baggage which I think many readers can relate to. I know I certainly found things to identify with, especially when it came to the sisters and their relationship.

I did find this one to be a little on the wordy and overly descriptive side though. I think some of the descriptions could have been pared down a little to make things more crisp. Even though this book had a few small imperfections, I did enjoy reading the story and found myself immersed in the story and thinking about the family dynamics often. I think this author is incredibly skilled and wrote a story that readers will enjoy reading on a last summer day!

Book Info and Rating