I received a copy of The Family Bones by Elle Marr back in January, and it’s taken me far too long to write this review! Life has a tendency to get in the way when I try to make plans, but nevertheless, here’s my take on this thrilling novel!
The Family Bones Summary
Psychology student Olivia Eriksen’s family is notorious among true-crime buffs. Faced with a legacy of psychopathy that spans generations, Olivia has spent much of her academic life trying to answer one chilling question: Nature or nurture?
Although she’s kept a safe distance from her blood relatives for years, Olivia agrees to attend a weekend reunion. After all, her fiancé is eager to meet his future in-laws, and the gathering may give her a chance to interview her elusive grandfather about the family traits.
But nothing is ever peaceful among the Eriksens for long. Olivia’s favorite cousin is found dead in a nearby lake. Then another family member disappears. As a violent storm isolates the group further, Olivia’s fears rise faster than the river.
And an uninvited guest is about to join the party. True-crime podcaster Birdie Tan has uncovered a disturbing mystery in her latest investigation—and she’s following it right to the Eriksens’ mountain resort. There’s a deadly twist in the family plot that even Olivia doesn’t see coming.
The Family Bones is a tense and chilling look into what makes a psychopath and how family continues to haunt us even after we seem to have escaped them. Marr has crafted a deeply compelling and razor-sharp story of a young woman delving into her family’s shadowy legacy that’s perfect for fans of Lucy Foley, Sharp Objects, and Knives Out.
I hope you enjoy this suspenseful, fascinating tale that will have you seriously questioning whether you should attend your next family reunion!
My Review
I started reading The Family Bones on my one-year anniversary trip. I snuggled up by the fireplace and read the first 150 pages in one sitting, captivated by the family relationships and the idea of psychopathy as nature vs nurture. My husband, who loathes anything “scary,” was quite patient with me as I talked through every possible scenario to try and figure out what was going on in the story. I thought I solved the mystery about halfway through, but then I ran into yet another plot twist, and I was once again left to wonder what was really happening at the Ericksen family retreat.
I finished reading the book during a severe thunderstorm, which made me feel like I was in the storm with Olivia. Marr’s descriptions were so vivid that I often found myself losing touch with reality, allowing myself to feel the fear that Olivia felt as she navigated the retreat with her psychopathic family members.
I greatly appreciated the family tree at the front of the book and found myself referencing it multiple times throughout the story. I even found myself taking notes on the book to try and figure out who was responsible for what!
If you’re looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, look no further than The Family Bones. Marr’s novel kept me guessing until the very end, and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!
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About the Author
Elle Marr is the #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author of Strangers We Know, Lies We Bury, and The Missing Sister. Originally from Sacramento, Elle graduated from UC San Diego before moving to France, where she earned a master’s degree from the Sorbonne University in Paris. She now lives and writes in Oregon with her family.
For more information, visit www.ellemarr.com.
