I didn’t write a TBR post for December. I decided that I wanted to read whatever I was in the mood for. I rented three books from the library that sounded interesting to me, who knows if I will get to them or not. The first book I rented was Murder in the Family by Cara Hunter. I didn’t know much about this book before renting it. Murder in the Family is like the “Hunt a Killer” boxes if the boxes were books instead.

Successful filmmaker, Guy Howard, was 10 when his step-father, Luke Ryder was murdered. The murder has gone unsolved for close to 20 years. Guy decides enough is enough and partners with a TV producer to launch a six-episode series reinvestigating the crime. Guy wants the truth, that’s all that matters to him. In six episodes, readers will become hyperfocused on the crime, the secrets, and who could gain from Luke’s death. Can you solve the crime or are you simply along for the ride?

This is unlike any book I have ever read. Throughout the book, there are images of newspaper clippings, emails, and text messages between several characters. Most of the story is told through the episode transcripts which highlight which characters are discussing what part of the story. That’s why I feel this is similar to the Hunt A Killer boxes because it feels less like a book and more like evidence being presented to the reader. I didn’t realize this when I rented the book and enjoyed this concept. I would read more thrillers from this author or more thrillers presented in this way.

When I began reading this book, I was immediately hooked. It’s not often that I stay up until midnight reading a book. I finished this book in a few days and towards the end of the day, I couldn’t wait to continue where I left off. Any book that feels addicting will automatically be a book that I rate highly even if I’m not a fan of how the story plays out.

With that said, I liked the first half of the story. The first reveal was jaw-dropping. I had to re-read it several times to make sure I fully realized what the reveal meant and how that changed the course of the investigation. I can’t say much more than this without spoiling the entire book, so I will leave it at that. While the book started strong, I felt the second half to be lackluster in comparison. I mentioned the similarity between this book and the Hunt A Killer boxes. I have completed some of the Hunt A Killer boxes where the killer reveal seems out of place and I’d put Murder in the Family in that category.

I’m glad I read this! The story could have been more refined, but it didn’t make me enjoy the book any less. I hope to see more books written in this format. I rated Murder in the Family four and a half stars on Goodreads.