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One Big Happy Family
Win a free print copy of this book!
0 days and 03:08:46
10 copies available
U.S. and Canada only
The newest, riveting summer suspense by the author of The Block Party, Jamie Day.
The Precipice is a legendary, family-owned hotel on the rocky coast of Maine. With the recent passing of their father, the Bishop sisters—Iris, Vicki, and Faith—have come for the weekend to claim it. But with a hurricane looming and each of the Bishop sisters harboring dangerous secrets, there's murder in the air—and not everyone who checks into the Precipice will be checking out.
Each sister wants what is rightfully hers, and in the mix is the Precipe's nineteen-year-old chambermaid Charley Kelley: smart, resilient, older than her years, and in desperate straits.
The arrival of the Bishop sisters could spell disaster for Charley. Will they close the hotel? Fire her? Discover her habit of pilfering from guests? Or even worse, learn that she's using a guest room to hide a woman on the run.
With razor-sharp wit, heart, thrills, and twists, Jamie Day delivers a unique brand of SUMMERTIME SUSPENSE.
The Precipice is a legendary, family-owned hotel on the rocky coast of Maine. With the recent passing of their father, the Bishop sisters—Iris, Vicki, and Faith—have come for the weekend to claim it. But with a hurricane looming and each of the Bishop sisters harboring dangerous secrets, there's murder in the air—and not everyone who checks into the Precipice will be checking out.
Each sister wants what is rightfully hers, and in the mix is the Precipe's nineteen-year-old chambermaid Charley Kelley: smart, resilient, older than her years, and in desperate straits.
The arrival of the Bishop sisters could spell disaster for Charley. Will they close the hotel? Fire her? Discover her habit of pilfering from guests? Or even worse, learn that she's using a guest room to hide a woman on the run.
With razor-sharp wit, heart, thrills, and twists, Jamie Day delivers a unique brand of SUMMERTIME SUSPENSE.
368 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication July 16, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 853 reviews
February 6, 2024
4.5 STARS
What a fun setting! 🏩🌩️
I had a blast reading this one (after not really feeling The Block Party). I'm glad I gave the author another chance!
We have another tale with a maid. The hotel she works at is The Precipice, family owned, and full of vintage keepsakes, considered eclectic, and unusual. It is near a cliff with a steep drop. The owner is George Bishop. His collecting and antiquing habit well known in Maine, as well as his obsession with conspiracy theories.
Charley is the maid and she has her hands full as the wind wails outside the hotel. A hurricane is looming and a homicidal maniac is on the loose! It was like the weather was forecasting what would ultimately take place inside (the eye of the storm)! Walls shaking, as bone-rattling gusts hit and the Bishop sisters arrive for the reading of George's will. Oh my! Someone will NOT be happy.
Get reading for a heaping dose of chaos, family toxicity at a new level, shocking secrets, a sordid history with long grudges. I felt some strong Christie vibes in the storytelling (which I loved)! Took off half star for a few quibbles, but I devoured this and enjoyed the journey!
Thanks NetGalley for my arc. Comes OUT July 16, 2024
Thanks to NG for my arc! OUT July 16, 2024
What a fun setting! 🏩🌩️
I had a blast reading this one (after not really feeling The Block Party). I'm glad I gave the author another chance!
We have another tale with a maid. The hotel she works at is The Precipice, family owned, and full of vintage keepsakes, considered eclectic, and unusual. It is near a cliff with a steep drop. The owner is George Bishop. His collecting and antiquing habit well known in Maine, as well as his obsession with conspiracy theories.
Charley is the maid and she has her hands full as the wind wails outside the hotel. A hurricane is looming and a homicidal maniac is on the loose! It was like the weather was forecasting what would ultimately take place inside (the eye of the storm)! Walls shaking, as bone-rattling gusts hit and the Bishop sisters arrive for the reading of George's will. Oh my! Someone will NOT be happy.
Get reading for a heaping dose of chaos, family toxicity at a new level, shocking secrets, a sordid history with long grudges. I felt some strong Christie vibes in the storytelling (which I loved)! Took off half star for a few quibbles, but I devoured this and enjoyed the journey!
Thanks NetGalley for my arc. Comes OUT July 16, 2024
Thanks to NG for my arc! OUT July 16, 2024
July 8, 2024
I’m a big fan of locked room mysteries and the evil incarnation family members theme seen in the Succession series. Thankfully, this book is an amazing combination of these two themes, piquing my interest and hooking me from the beginning. It pushed me hard to decide which Bishop sister is worse than the others! My vote is still for Vicki as the craziest and most unpredictable one! Of course, the maid Charley, who might be an angel when compared with Millie the maid and less eccentric than Molly the maid (my other favorite book characters), might be the kindest-hearted character in the book, mostly kept in the dark about the real evils lurking nearby.
The main plot revolves around the new heiresses of Precipice Hotel: a legendary family hotel located on the rocky coast of Maine, the three Bishop Sisters who gather at the family resort to hear the will of their late father George Bishop.
Enter Charley, the chambermaid of the hotel, only 19, living in a closet in the hotel turned into a rent-free room, trapped in her job to pay for her nana’s care house. It vacuums the entire funds she’s made and forces her into pickpocketing from wealthy guests. Now she’s more desperate after the care house made a raise for her grandmother’s accommodation. When a young girl named Bree needs help in exchange for cash that can give her financial relief, Charley accepts to hide her in one of the empty hotel rooms. The poor girl is hiding from her abusive boyfriend, and she has no position to say no to her, even though this secret may threaten her job.
Enter the Bishop sisters: Vicki - vicious, bad-tempered, the elder sister, founder of a jewelry store chain, married to charismatic Todd in her 50s, greedy, money-oriented, ruthless - a match made in heaven for her (or the women he’s cheating on her with). Iris - ex-convict, troubled, ex-drug addict, middle sister, in the new religious awakening. Finally, Faith - model, stylish, addicted to the spotlight and to being admired, married to eccentric Hope who is a vegetarian cook, spiritualist, Zen person.
Vicki’s gorgeous son Quinn, who also steals Charley’s heart at first sight, and young Oliver: the son of Faith & Hope, must be on the spectrum, likes to rhyme, acting like an oracle who knows the future are the other attendants of the hotel.
After the hearing, the family members start arguing because one of them might have manipulated George to change his will. Iris and Faith are not happy with the outcome. Brenda Black, the ex-shady prosecutor, new lawyer also acting suspicious, might be involved in a scheming that the sisters wouldn’t like.
But things suddenly change when a murder occurs. All the sisters are bound with sins and dirty secrets related to the crime. A murderer is among them, leaving creepy messages about their doom. None of them can escape from the hotel as Hurricane Larry is out their door, blocking each escape way. As you can imagine, the electric circuit does not work well, just like cell phone reception. They cannot call for help, and they cannot take their eyes off each other. One of them is losing control, and he or she never intends to stop until the secrets come out, and the truth is revealed. Poor Charley has to find a way to survive, but how can she achieve this when the Bishop sisters are cooking up plans to shut her up?
Overall, this was a delicious, heart-throbbing whodunnit with Christiean vibes! I couldn’t resist it! I honestly recommend it! It’s even better than Block Party, which I also enjoyed!
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this addictive book’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
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The main plot revolves around the new heiresses of Precipice Hotel: a legendary family hotel located on the rocky coast of Maine, the three Bishop Sisters who gather at the family resort to hear the will of their late father George Bishop.
Enter Charley, the chambermaid of the hotel, only 19, living in a closet in the hotel turned into a rent-free room, trapped in her job to pay for her nana’s care house. It vacuums the entire funds she’s made and forces her into pickpocketing from wealthy guests. Now she’s more desperate after the care house made a raise for her grandmother’s accommodation. When a young girl named Bree needs help in exchange for cash that can give her financial relief, Charley accepts to hide her in one of the empty hotel rooms. The poor girl is hiding from her abusive boyfriend, and she has no position to say no to her, even though this secret may threaten her job.
Enter the Bishop sisters: Vicki - vicious, bad-tempered, the elder sister, founder of a jewelry store chain, married to charismatic Todd in her 50s, greedy, money-oriented, ruthless - a match made in heaven for her (or the women he’s cheating on her with). Iris - ex-convict, troubled, ex-drug addict, middle sister, in the new religious awakening. Finally, Faith - model, stylish, addicted to the spotlight and to being admired, married to eccentric Hope who is a vegetarian cook, spiritualist, Zen person.
Vicki’s gorgeous son Quinn, who also steals Charley’s heart at first sight, and young Oliver: the son of Faith & Hope, must be on the spectrum, likes to rhyme, acting like an oracle who knows the future are the other attendants of the hotel.
After the hearing, the family members start arguing because one of them might have manipulated George to change his will. Iris and Faith are not happy with the outcome. Brenda Black, the ex-shady prosecutor, new lawyer also acting suspicious, might be involved in a scheming that the sisters wouldn’t like.
But things suddenly change when a murder occurs. All the sisters are bound with sins and dirty secrets related to the crime. A murderer is among them, leaving creepy messages about their doom. None of them can escape from the hotel as Hurricane Larry is out their door, blocking each escape way. As you can imagine, the electric circuit does not work well, just like cell phone reception. They cannot call for help, and they cannot take their eyes off each other. One of them is losing control, and he or she never intends to stop until the secrets come out, and the truth is revealed. Poor Charley has to find a way to survive, but how can she achieve this when the Bishop sisters are cooking up plans to shut her up?
Overall, this was a delicious, heart-throbbing whodunnit with Christiean vibes! I couldn’t resist it! I honestly recommend it! It’s even better than Block Party, which I also enjoyed!
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this addictive book’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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June 18, 2024
2.5 stars ⭐️
Hurricane Larry is bearing down on the rocky coast of Maine, and all of the guests have cancelled their reservations at the family-owned Precipice Hotel. 🏨
But, there is a WILL to be read and an inheritance to claim, so the Bishop Sisters, Vicki, Iris and Faith, are still planning to arrive as scheduled.
The front desk manager, Rodrigo and the Precipe's nineteen-year-old chambermaid Charley, begin preparations for both the storm and the Bishops arrival.
And, to add to the challenge, they have to figure out how to hide a woman named Bree, who is on the run from an abusive boyfriend.
I really liked our protagonist, Charley-so much so that I could even forgive her petty theft from guests because I knew she was desperate to provide for the only family she had left-her Nana-who was in a care home with dementia.
BUT EVEN CHARLEY COULD NOT SAVE THIS STORY
Part One was so S L O W-and it was hard to believe that the Bishops would not even look inside the room that Bree was hidden in-especially since they all wanted to stay in that room. And, Vicki was even in the room next door!
Part Two stalls the plot even further as we learn the sister’s back stories and secrets-explaining the animosity that they had for one another.
Parts Three and Four is when the action picks up, but because of the revelations in Part Two-I had all but the little details already figured out. It’s also pretty OTT.
The epilogue: I just didn’t buy it.
I guess I am starting to realize that I am not really a fan of locked room mysteries after all-unless they are REALLY well done.
I did enjoy the author’s debut, “The Block Party” but unfortunately, I am less enthusiastic about this one.
A buddy read with DeAnn and MarilynW. Be sure to see if they enjoyed their time at the Precipice hotel by watching for their reviews.
Available July 16, 2024
Thank You to St. Martin’s Press for the gifted ARC, provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review.
Hurricane Larry is bearing down on the rocky coast of Maine, and all of the guests have cancelled their reservations at the family-owned Precipice Hotel. 🏨
But, there is a WILL to be read and an inheritance to claim, so the Bishop Sisters, Vicki, Iris and Faith, are still planning to arrive as scheduled.
The front desk manager, Rodrigo and the Precipe's nineteen-year-old chambermaid Charley, begin preparations for both the storm and the Bishops arrival.
And, to add to the challenge, they have to figure out how to hide a woman named Bree, who is on the run from an abusive boyfriend.
I really liked our protagonist, Charley-so much so that I could even forgive her petty theft from guests because I knew she was desperate to provide for the only family she had left-her Nana-who was in a care home with dementia.
BUT EVEN CHARLEY COULD NOT SAVE THIS STORY
Part One was so S L O W-and it was hard to believe that the Bishops would not even look inside the room that Bree was hidden in-especially since they all wanted to stay in that room. And, Vicki was even in the room next door!
Part Two stalls the plot even further as we learn the sister’s back stories and secrets-explaining the animosity that they had for one another.
Parts Three and Four is when the action picks up, but because of the revelations in Part Two-I had all but the little details already figured out. It’s also pretty OTT.
The epilogue: I just didn’t buy it.
I guess I am starting to realize that I am not really a fan of locked room mysteries after all-unless they are REALLY well done.
I did enjoy the author’s debut, “The Block Party” but unfortunately, I am less enthusiastic about this one.
A buddy read with DeAnn and MarilynW. Be sure to see if they enjoyed their time at the Precipice hotel by watching for their reviews.
Available July 16, 2024
Thank You to St. Martin’s Press for the gifted ARC, provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review.
January 19, 2024
I want to start off by saying that I was super happy to get my hands on the advanced copy of this book, considering I LOVED the author’s debut “The Block Party”. While I gave “The Block Party” five glowing stars, this book didn’t quite make the cut for me.
This story centers around Charley, who works at The Precipice Hotel. Charley is young, broke, and trying to pay for her grandmother’s care at an assisted living home. The owner of The Precipice Hotel, George Bishop, passes away- which involves his three daughters coming to town for the funeral. The arrival of the Bishop sisters- Vicki, Faith, and Iris bring a whole set of thrills and complications to the hotel. As the author stated in the book, “these sisters definitely put the fun in dysfunctional!” I just wish that I would have had more fun when I was reading about them…
This story was broken down into Four Parts. While the chapters were nice and short (that’s always an added bonus), I unfortunately felt that this book was too long. It started off with a bang for me, but about halfway through I felt the story started to drag on. I also predicted what was going to happen and how this story would end pretty early on. Another thing that took away from my enjoyment was all the backstories on each of the characters- now normally I enjoy that, but for a thriller it just made for a super long book.
I had super high hopes and expectations going into this book, especially since I loved the author’s debut novel so much. But as you can see, this was a middle of the road read for me. Will I read more from this author? You betcha!! I just felt that this book was going in a few too many directions.
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for an ARC of this book which I had the pleasure of reading. Publication date: July 16, 2024.
Genre~ General Fiction, Mystery & Thrillers
This story centers around Charley, who works at The Precipice Hotel. Charley is young, broke, and trying to pay for her grandmother’s care at an assisted living home. The owner of The Precipice Hotel, George Bishop, passes away- which involves his three daughters coming to town for the funeral. The arrival of the Bishop sisters- Vicki, Faith, and Iris bring a whole set of thrills and complications to the hotel. As the author stated in the book, “these sisters definitely put the fun in dysfunctional!” I just wish that I would have had more fun when I was reading about them…
This story was broken down into Four Parts. While the chapters were nice and short (that’s always an added bonus), I unfortunately felt that this book was too long. It started off with a bang for me, but about halfway through I felt the story started to drag on. I also predicted what was going to happen and how this story would end pretty early on. Another thing that took away from my enjoyment was all the backstories on each of the characters- now normally I enjoy that, but for a thriller it just made for a super long book.
I had super high hopes and expectations going into this book, especially since I loved the author’s debut novel so much. But as you can see, this was a middle of the road read for me. Will I read more from this author? You betcha!! I just felt that this book was going in a few too many directions.
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for an ARC of this book which I had the pleasure of reading. Publication date: July 16, 2024.
Genre~ General Fiction, Mystery & Thrillers
June 28, 2024
Every book has a dash of family drama, but when a thriller is more drama than thrills, it leaves you craving something more.
This book had a promising setup: the Bishop sisters return home to hear their father's will, with a murderer on the loose. Sounds thrilling, right? Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations.
The drama took center stage, overshadowing the suspense. It left me wanting a lot more excitement. So, it's a 2.5 stars from me.
Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the chance to listen and review this audiobook!
This book had a promising setup: the Bishop sisters return home to hear their father's will, with a murderer on the loose. Sounds thrilling, right? Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations.
The drama took center stage, overshadowing the suspense. It left me wanting a lot more excitement. So, it's a 2.5 stars from me.
Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the chance to listen and review this audiobook!
May 28, 2024
Rating: ⭐⭐ ½
Genre: Mystery Thriller
This mystery thriller is set in the iconic family-owned hotel, The Precipice. As the owner's passing leaves a void, his three daughters, the Bishop sisters, step into the spotlight to claim their inheritance. Little do they know, a storm of unexpected events is about to hit. A hurricane rages, revealing hidden truths! And amidst this chaos, a sinister murder mystery takes hold.
The story is narrated in the first person from the perspective of a maid named Charlie. The reader gets to feel Charlie’s insecurities and fear, especially now that there is a chance that she might lose her job after the owner's death.
The synopsis sounded amazing to me, but despite the author's great job with the setting and the overall atmosphere of the story, the tale itself felt somehow flat. Going back to the past period to understand the Bishop sisters didn’t help. It took me out of the tension that the author has built for the present.
Generally speaking, I enjoy reading about flawed characters as they represent us as humans. Unfortunately, I think the characters in this story still need a lot of work. The narrator is the eye with which we, as readers, look at the story and characters from her perspective. I couldn’t connect to her or sometimes understand her behavior. The other characters were not that interesting either.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
Rant: When is NetGalley going to update the format of the ARCs they send to our Kindles? I need to use my Kindle Scribe to take notes, and sticky notes do not even work with the old format! I also wish the publisher would send us a decently formatted e-book. This ebook could have been more appropriately formatted. There were numbers inside the paragraphs, which really hurt the reading flow. I’m not sure who is responsible for the quality of the ebooks sent, NetGalley or the publishers; whoever is needed to do a better job.
Genre: Mystery Thriller
This mystery thriller is set in the iconic family-owned hotel, The Precipice. As the owner's passing leaves a void, his three daughters, the Bishop sisters, step into the spotlight to claim their inheritance. Little do they know, a storm of unexpected events is about to hit. A hurricane rages, revealing hidden truths! And amidst this chaos, a sinister murder mystery takes hold.
The story is narrated in the first person from the perspective of a maid named Charlie. The reader gets to feel Charlie’s insecurities and fear, especially now that there is a chance that she might lose her job after the owner's death.
The synopsis sounded amazing to me, but despite the author's great job with the setting and the overall atmosphere of the story, the tale itself felt somehow flat. Going back to the past period to understand the Bishop sisters didn’t help. It took me out of the tension that the author has built for the present.
Generally speaking, I enjoy reading about flawed characters as they represent us as humans. Unfortunately, I think the characters in this story still need a lot of work. The narrator is the eye with which we, as readers, look at the story and characters from her perspective. I couldn’t connect to her or sometimes understand her behavior. The other characters were not that interesting either.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
Rant: When is NetGalley going to update the format of the ARCs they send to our Kindles? I need to use my Kindle Scribe to take notes, and sticky notes do not even work with the old format! I also wish the publisher would send us a decently formatted e-book. This ebook could have been more appropriately formatted. There were numbers inside the paragraphs, which really hurt the reading flow. I’m not sure who is responsible for the quality of the ebooks sent, NetGalley or the publishers; whoever is needed to do a better job.
April 4, 2024
Wow! What an intense family. Loved the concept of this book. Perfect Maine setting. Creepy guests and family members. Seemingly innocent (tho she does steal from time to time) protagonist. Supporting cast who many be integral to the plot or just background fodder. Then there's the hurricane. Tons of good things, but I unfortunately think the plot unwound itself and too many opportunities were missed to make this from a good book to a fantastic one. I enjoyed it, don't get me wrong, but it had moments where it was excessive and then some that were too vague or left unused in the best way possible. From a character perspective, some of the most multi-dimensional I've seen in a while. Wish it tied more things together across the board, but certainly kept me guessing for most of the time. The true culprit is mostly obvious but there were lots of paths it took before getting there.
January 8, 2024
One Big Happy Family
by Jamie Day
I do love this cover! It has the right amount of intrigue with a splash of colour. It’s fabulous.
This is my second novel by Jamie Day. I was not the biggest fan of the Block Party, but Fomo got me once again and the story sounded good, so here we are!
A legendary family owned hotel on the coast of Maine (love the setting!). As their father recently passed away, the Bishop sisters came to claim their inheritance. Little did they know that not everyone who visits a the hotel this weekend will come out alive. Plus, there’s also a hurricane coming. This makes for an excellent, eerie setting.
Not only do the sisters have their secrets, so does Charley, a young chambermaid. Maybe hiding a woman on the run is not the most spectacular idea?!
You have to admit, the sound of all of this makes for a perfect novel! Jamie Day is a master at crafting an eerie and suspenseful atmosphere. I love the setting of the hotel and all the characters with their secrets. It’s such a mix of things which blend together perfectly! I enjoyed this so much more than the Block party! I felt a much bigger connection with the characters. There were also some really good twists. I don’t need a twist in every novel I read but I appreciate a twist well done! So all in all, I was happy to have read this, it was well worth it!
Publication : 16 Jul 2024 by St. Martin's Press
ARC received courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own, I was under no obligation to review.
by Jamie Day
I do love this cover! It has the right amount of intrigue with a splash of colour. It’s fabulous.
This is my second novel by Jamie Day. I was not the biggest fan of the Block Party, but Fomo got me once again and the story sounded good, so here we are!
A legendary family owned hotel on the coast of Maine (love the setting!). As their father recently passed away, the Bishop sisters came to claim their inheritance. Little did they know that not everyone who visits a the hotel this weekend will come out alive. Plus, there’s also a hurricane coming. This makes for an excellent, eerie setting.
Not only do the sisters have their secrets, so does Charley, a young chambermaid. Maybe hiding a woman on the run is not the most spectacular idea?!
You have to admit, the sound of all of this makes for a perfect novel! Jamie Day is a master at crafting an eerie and suspenseful atmosphere. I love the setting of the hotel and all the characters with their secrets. It’s such a mix of things which blend together perfectly! I enjoyed this so much more than the Block party! I felt a much bigger connection with the characters. There were also some really good twists. I don’t need a twist in every novel I read but I appreciate a twist well done! So all in all, I was happy to have read this, it was well worth it!
Publication : 16 Jul 2024 by St. Martin's Press
ARC received courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own, I was under no obligation to review.
March 25, 2024
I really enjoyed the author’s previous book The Block Party so I was happy to have received this through Goodreads Giveaways.
I could describe One Big Happy Family as a closed room thriller but there’s more. Action, murder, and mayhem combined with fully rounded protagonists also made this a character study in my opinion.
We’re introduced to everyone slowly which allowed me to get acquainted and absorb the individual personalities. And what colorful people they were! Some despicable and others I could empathize with and get behind.
Combined with numerous plot twists, I was entertained throughout.
Thank you to McMillian Publishers for my advance printed copy.
I could describe One Big Happy Family as a closed room thriller but there’s more. Action, murder, and mayhem combined with fully rounded protagonists also made this a character study in my opinion.
We’re introduced to everyone slowly which allowed me to get acquainted and absorb the individual personalities. And what colorful people they were! Some despicable and others I could empathize with and get behind.
Combined with numerous plot twists, I was entertained throughout.
Thank you to McMillian Publishers for my advance printed copy.
June 4, 2024
This is a well-written, entertaining, murder mystery novel. It is fast paced and has wit, a touch of humor, a diverse group of interesting characters, suspense, intrigue, family drama, secrets, a beautiful, vividly described setting, twists and turns, and a satisfying conclusion. Many thanks to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley, and Jamie Day for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of this fantastic novel. This is my honest opinion.
January 13, 2024
Charley Kelley is a young maid working at the Precipice Hotel. The perverted owner suddenly dies and his 3 daughters come back to see what they inherit. Family dysfunction and discord abounds. Many secrets and lies are revealed.
Not all will make it out alive.
This was a great book with enough twists and turns to give whiplash.
Thanks NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the opportunity to read this eARC!
Not all will make it out alive.
This was a great book with enough twists and turns to give whiplash.
Thanks NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the opportunity to read this eARC!
January 23, 2024
I had such high hopes for this one because of the blurb. High thrills stakes, a dead body, family secrets and a hurricane bearing down on an out of the way coastal hotel. Sign me up!
I liked the atmosphere and the location as they were described well but the actual story wasn't as thrilling as I expected. It had more than a few things that were, to me, predictable and this just went on longer than it needed to. In the end, this felt less psychological thriller and more family secrets saga (and some of the sisters' stuff was eye-rollingly petty). Not bad but not exactly what I was looking for. This is the first I've read by Day and I would definitely read another.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the Advance Reader's Copy.
I liked the atmosphere and the location as they were described well but the actual story wasn't as thrilling as I expected. It had more than a few things that were, to me, predictable and this just went on longer than it needed to. In the end, this felt less psychological thriller and more family secrets saga (and some of the sisters' stuff was eye-rollingly petty). Not bad but not exactly what I was looking for. This is the first I've read by Day and I would definitely read another.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the Advance Reader's Copy.
Want to read
February 5, 2024ARC received! Thank you, St. Martin's Press!!!
This synopsis sounds right up my alley. We love a Maine setting, particularly on the coast. This should be a perfect Summer Thriller!
This synopsis sounds right up my alley. We love a Maine setting, particularly on the coast. This should be a perfect Summer Thriller!
January 9, 2024
I will start off with what I liked about this book.
Setting: coastal hotel in Maine
Mood: mysterious, moody, impending doom (hurricane incoming)
What I didn't like: Any of the characters, the romantic interaction that Charley had with one of the guests, the constant talking about looks and how beautiful they all were and likened them all to model like looks.
Also when Bree comes along, this was all too forced and I felt right away that this was suspicious and didn't fit into the story. Charley was way too trusting right off the bat. Also, the hotel has 13 rooms if I recall correctly....why not put her in the smallest/most unused room, or have her bunk with Charley? So stupid.
I felt like this book was trying too hard. It all wrapped up a bit too conveniently in the end as well which was not believable in my opinion. This all felt more like a family drama than a thriller. IMO thrillers tend to have a bit more suspense which this book did have, but I felt the family drama took front and center.
I guess I'm in the minority here with not loving this one. It was ok, and I did finish but I wasn't in love.
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Jamie Day for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Setting: coastal hotel in Maine
Mood: mysterious, moody, impending doom (hurricane incoming)
What I didn't like: Any of the characters, the romantic interaction that Charley had with one of the guests, the constant talking about looks and how beautiful they all were and likened them all to model like looks.
Also when Bree comes along, this was all too forced and I felt right away that this was suspicious and didn't fit into the story. Charley was way too trusting right off the bat. Also, the hotel has 13 rooms if I recall correctly....why not put her in the smallest/most unused room, or have her bunk with Charley? So stupid.
I felt like this book was trying too hard. It all wrapped up a bit too conveniently in the end as well which was not believable in my opinion. This all felt more like a family drama than a thriller. IMO thrillers tend to have a bit more suspense which this book did have, but I felt the family drama took front and center.
I guess I'm in the minority here with not loving this one. It was ok, and I did finish but I wasn't in love.
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Jamie Day for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 9, 2024
One Big Happy Family by Jamie Waters
Mystery, suspense thriller.
The Precipice is a family owned hotel on the Rocky coast of Maine. With their father dying, the Bishop sisters have returned to the hotel for the reading of the will. They each want their piece of the estate regardless of the secrets that should have kept them away.
Charley Kelley just wants to keep her chambermaid job. She doesn’t care who the new owner is. Her concern is making enough money to pay for her Grandmother’s care and if that means letting someone stay at the hotel and paying her to keep quiet, why not? She’s not hurting anyone.
Family arrives, the lawyer reads the will and suddenly someone is dead. No one can leave because the Hurricane is getting close. Can you trust the person sitting next to you? Can you feel safe sleeping in a hotel where the secrets outnumber the guests?
🎧 I alternated between an ebook and an audiobook copy narrated by Saskia Maarleveld. A wonderful performance. I’ve followed this narrator for years. Voices are distinct and clear with emotions and tension leaving you breathless. I was comfortable with the speed at 1.4 for the best theater.
I like reading along with an audiobook. In this particular story, the printed format was helpful to keep the sisters straight with each of their backstories as the mysteries and twists got deeper.
An edge of your seat read. Definitely read the epilogue. A bit more righteous closure.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Macmillan Audio.
Mystery, suspense thriller.
The Precipice is a family owned hotel on the Rocky coast of Maine. With their father dying, the Bishop sisters have returned to the hotel for the reading of the will. They each want their piece of the estate regardless of the secrets that should have kept them away.
Charley Kelley just wants to keep her chambermaid job. She doesn’t care who the new owner is. Her concern is making enough money to pay for her Grandmother’s care and if that means letting someone stay at the hotel and paying her to keep quiet, why not? She’s not hurting anyone.
Family arrives, the lawyer reads the will and suddenly someone is dead. No one can leave because the Hurricane is getting close. Can you trust the person sitting next to you? Can you feel safe sleeping in a hotel where the secrets outnumber the guests?
🎧 I alternated between an ebook and an audiobook copy narrated by Saskia Maarleveld. A wonderful performance. I’ve followed this narrator for years. Voices are distinct and clear with emotions and tension leaving you breathless. I was comfortable with the speed at 1.4 for the best theater.
I like reading along with an audiobook. In this particular story, the printed format was helpful to keep the sisters straight with each of their backstories as the mysteries and twists got deeper.
An edge of your seat read. Definitely read the epilogue. A bit more righteous closure.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Macmillan Audio.
March 1, 2024
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: July 16, 2024
“One Big Happy Family” by Jamie Day, author of “The Block Party”, is a locked room mystery with so many family secrets at its core there is only way it could play out- with murder. Epic suspense and constant twists and turns fill the pages, and the plotline is deliciously addictive.
Charley has worked (and lived) at the Precipice Hotel for years, since her beloved grandmother was admitted to a nursing home. Tolerating abuse from the guests, and from the owner himself, Charley has become resilient, brave and determined. But after the death of the owner, George, Charley’s fate is in the hands of his daughters- Vicky, Iris and Faith- but once they show up, things only get worse. Once the will is read, Vicky’s husband is discovered, dead, and the women instantly turn on each other. Charley is soon fighting for more than a roof over her head as she starts to discover that the Bishop sisters have secrets worth killing for.
I am a fan of locked room mysteries and this genre is overflowing as of late, as it seems most of the new books I’ve read have a locked room mystery vibe. Somehow, though, Day manages a creative and refreshing story, and I was not disappointed.
Charley is young but hardened by life and not all naïve, which made her instantly likable. I wanted her to succeed and I cheered for her from the first page. As an avid reader of this genre, I guessed some of the plot points, but that did not put a damper on my enjoyment. It’s obvious something is up with the Bishop family, but Day manages to keep these secrets until the last moment. “Family” flowed well, building tension until the final pages, when the ending provided a satisfying release.
I was a fan of “The Block Party”, and I was excited to get another chance at a Jamie Day novel. Day’s writing is razor sharp, clever and intriguing, and I will eagerly read anything else she puts to print. “Family” is far more than another locked room mystery, and I highly recommend it!
Expected publication date: July 16, 2024
“One Big Happy Family” by Jamie Day, author of “The Block Party”, is a locked room mystery with so many family secrets at its core there is only way it could play out- with murder. Epic suspense and constant twists and turns fill the pages, and the plotline is deliciously addictive.
Charley has worked (and lived) at the Precipice Hotel for years, since her beloved grandmother was admitted to a nursing home. Tolerating abuse from the guests, and from the owner himself, Charley has become resilient, brave and determined. But after the death of the owner, George, Charley’s fate is in the hands of his daughters- Vicky, Iris and Faith- but once they show up, things only get worse. Once the will is read, Vicky’s husband is discovered, dead, and the women instantly turn on each other. Charley is soon fighting for more than a roof over her head as she starts to discover that the Bishop sisters have secrets worth killing for.
I am a fan of locked room mysteries and this genre is overflowing as of late, as it seems most of the new books I’ve read have a locked room mystery vibe. Somehow, though, Day manages a creative and refreshing story, and I was not disappointed.
Charley is young but hardened by life and not all naïve, which made her instantly likable. I wanted her to succeed and I cheered for her from the first page. As an avid reader of this genre, I guessed some of the plot points, but that did not put a damper on my enjoyment. It’s obvious something is up with the Bishop family, but Day manages to keep these secrets until the last moment. “Family” flowed well, building tension until the final pages, when the ending provided a satisfying release.
I was a fan of “The Block Party”, and I was excited to get another chance at a Jamie Day novel. Day’s writing is razor sharp, clever and intriguing, and I will eagerly read anything else she puts to print. “Family” is far more than another locked room mystery, and I highly recommend it!
May 6, 2024
Charley has been a live in maid at The Precipice on the coast of Maine ever since her single mother died and her grandmother began developing dementia. The lecherous owner of the inn has passed away and now his three daughters, the dysfunctional Bishop sisters are coming for the reading of the will. With all of them hiding secrets, including Charley, and a hurricane fast approaching, the situation for Charley is made worse when a young woman hiding from an abusive boyfriend shows up penniless seeking refuge. What could possibly go wrong in this suspenseful thriller from the author of The Block Party?
There are twists and turns here in this toxic family drama, some of them predictable. The story unfolds in four parts, with different timelines and points of view, providing backstories for the various characters. All of the sisters and even the family attorney who turns up are pretty despicable. Atmospheric, eerie and with twisted characters, this was a fast read.
Thanks to #netgalley and @stmartinspress for the DRC
There are twists and turns here in this toxic family drama, some of them predictable. The story unfolds in four parts, with different timelines and points of view, providing backstories for the various characters. All of the sisters and even the family attorney who turns up are pretty despicable. Atmospheric, eerie and with twisted characters, this was a fast read.
Thanks to #netgalley and @stmartinspress for the DRC
June 8, 2024
FULL REVIEW WILL BE ON JULY 16.
A reading of their father's will at the Bishop family’s luxurious hotel brings everyone together.
They really do not like each other, have secrets, and haven’t seen each other for a while.
Most likely it will be a stormy reading along with the hurricane that is predicted to arrive in a few days.
How will it all turn out? Or should we say: Who will win out - the storm, the siblings, or neither one?
A little slow at first, and I lost interest when the book gave background information on the characters, but the current-day storyline is intense and good. 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
A reading of their father's will at the Bishop family’s luxurious hotel brings everyone together.
They really do not like each other, have secrets, and haven’t seen each other for a while.
Most likely it will be a stormy reading along with the hurricane that is predicted to arrive in a few days.
How will it all turn out? Or should we say: Who will win out - the storm, the siblings, or neither one?
A little slow at first, and I lost interest when the book gave background information on the characters, but the current-day storyline is intense and good. 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
January 14, 2024
Imagine being trapped in a hotel on the coast of Maine during a major hurricane. Now imagine that each of the guests are hiding secrets and the only way to survive is to uncover the truth. What follows is an intense thriller with lots of twists and action!
Charley lives and works at the hotel. When the owner dies and the three daughters come to the hotel to hear who will inherit what, she is worried that her life might change drastically. She needs this job to support her grandmother in her nursing home. The same day that the three sisters are coming to the hotel she meets Bree, who needs a place to hide from her abusive boyfriend. Charley, decides to help Bree but is risking her job to do it. After meeting the three sisters and their families things only get more intense as we find out that each sister has her own baggage in more ways than one.
This book was told from multiple points of view which helped keep me glued to the pages. The author did an excellent job keeping the reader on their toes. Lots of action, mystery, and even murder. This is one thriller fans won't want to miss.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Charley lives and works at the hotel. When the owner dies and the three daughters come to the hotel to hear who will inherit what, she is worried that her life might change drastically. She needs this job to support her grandmother in her nursing home. The same day that the three sisters are coming to the hotel she meets Bree, who needs a place to hide from her abusive boyfriend. Charley, decides to help Bree but is risking her job to do it. After meeting the three sisters and their families things only get more intense as we find out that each sister has her own baggage in more ways than one.
This book was told from multiple points of view which helped keep me glued to the pages. The author did an excellent job keeping the reader on their toes. Lots of action, mystery, and even murder. This is one thriller fans won't want to miss.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 20, 2024
Three sisters reunite at their recently deceased father's hotel for the reading of his will. There is a hurricane coming and they will be trapped inside with the 19 year old maid, Charley, and her stow away guest, Bree.
Told in a deliberately Agatha Christie tone, the plot is less thriller and more family drama. I am in the minority here with not loving how the story unfolds. This read like a pre-edited manuscript : things needed to be cleaned up with much of the dialogue (cringy), the rambling, unnecessary parts removed (pages and pages of rambling) and a less soft and sweet ending (we can take it). The potential for a great book is there, it just needed a heavier hand with the editing.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I enjoyed The Block Party very much though and would definitely try her next novel.
Told in a deliberately Agatha Christie tone, the plot is less thriller and more family drama. I am in the minority here with not loving how the story unfolds. This read like a pre-edited manuscript : things needed to be cleaned up with much of the dialogue (cringy), the rambling, unnecessary parts removed (pages and pages of rambling) and a less soft and sweet ending (we can take it). The potential for a great book is there, it just needed a heavier hand with the editing.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I enjoyed The Block Party very much though and would definitely try her next novel.
January 23, 2024
This is a locked room mystery located in an isolated hotel in Maine. Our protagonist is a nineteen-year-old female maid. The owner dies, and his three evil daughters show up, which begins a few murders. It was fun trying to guess who was the craziest sister.
January 31, 2024
Release date: July 16th 2024
One big happy family is a locked room thriller, casting a vastly toxic family who have gathered at their late father’s hotel for the reading of his will. “We put the fun in dysfunctional”.
Our main character Charley works as a live in hotel maid. She gets a front row seat to all the drama whilst unintentionally gets sucked into one big crap storm of a night, (pun intended).
To say people aren’t thrilled about the will is an understatement, and when one of the family members turns up mysteriously dead, along with cryptic threatening poems showing up all over the place, it’s clear that more is going on and some shocking secrets from the past are the catalyst for this night from hell.
Combine that with a tropical storm that causes power outages and no cell service to call for help, the guests are left in quite the predicament and left to play detective all on their own.
I really enjoyed my time reading this one. I found the defective relationship between the three siblings with all the obnoxious bickering quite entertaining. I felt a strong connection with the MC and have high praise for the way things turned out in the end.
I enjoyed the atmosphere of the stormy weather raising hell outside whilst the characters play cat and mouse and the blame game. Lots of laughs for a mysterious thriller.
Thank you to Jamie day, st martins press and NetGalley for an advanced copy!
One big happy family is a locked room thriller, casting a vastly toxic family who have gathered at their late father’s hotel for the reading of his will. “We put the fun in dysfunctional”.
Our main character Charley works as a live in hotel maid. She gets a front row seat to all the drama whilst unintentionally gets sucked into one big crap storm of a night, (pun intended).
To say people aren’t thrilled about the will is an understatement, and when one of the family members turns up mysteriously dead, along with cryptic threatening poems showing up all over the place, it’s clear that more is going on and some shocking secrets from the past are the catalyst for this night from hell.
Combine that with a tropical storm that causes power outages and no cell service to call for help, the guests are left in quite the predicament and left to play detective all on their own.
I really enjoyed my time reading this one. I found the defective relationship between the three siblings with all the obnoxious bickering quite entertaining. I felt a strong connection with the MC and have high praise for the way things turned out in the end.
I enjoyed the atmosphere of the stormy weather raising hell outside whilst the characters play cat and mouse and the blame game. Lots of laughs for a mysterious thriller.
Thank you to Jamie day, st martins press and NetGalley for an advanced copy!
July 8, 2024
If you enjoy locked room thrillers where the characters are basically stranded with a killer in the midst, then I think you’ll enjoy this one. Personally, I enjoyed the author’s previous novel The Block Party better because it was a clever domestic thriller, but this one still has its perks. For one, there’s lots of family drama and I LOVE reading about family drama. Secondly, I love books where characters are stranded in a location and here, they are stranded during a hurricane. There’s just something so intense about being stranded without help that brings chills to my body. Finally, there’s a few good twists that I didn’t see coming. Not all, there was some predictability, but there were certain parts that shocked me.
Overall, I enjoyed this one and think many other readers will too, so I recommend giving it a try especially if you enjoyed the writing style of Jamie Day’s previous novel.
𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙
❥ Locked Room Thrillers
❥ Books where characters are stranded
❥ Family Drama
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐ (3.5)
Overall, I enjoyed this one and think many other readers will too, so I recommend giving it a try especially if you enjoyed the writing style of Jamie Day’s previous novel.
𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙
❥ Locked Room Thrillers
❥ Books where characters are stranded
❥ Family Drama
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐ (3.5)
May 14, 2024
George Bishop owns the Precipice Hotel off the coast of Maine - at least, he did before he died. His three daughters are coming into town for the reading of the will/funeral, and they brought with them Hurricane Larry (because you can’t have a locked-room mystery without a storm to knock out the power!)
The story is mostly told from the perspective of a chambermaid at the hotel, 19-year-old Charley. Her mother overdosed, so she lives and works at the hotel to take care of her Nana, who suffers from dementia. As the storm is rolling in, she awaits the Bishop Sisters and the drama they will bring. Along with them, we have:
-Rodrigo, the maintenance man who went home when the storms started
-Olga, the cook who quit when the family arrived
-Bree, a girl on vacation with her boyfriend, Jake, who she is running from after he assaulted her, and
-Brenda, the attorney who is there to read the will
And then we have the Bishop sisters: uptight Vicki, her creepy husband Todd, and their son Quinn; Faith, her hippie partner Hope, and their poetic son Oliver (my favorite character), and Iris, the recovering addict born-again Christian.
Charley immediately notices the family doesn’t seem to care for each other, or about their father’s passing, and the reading of the will definitely didn’t help matters. Then, someone is dead and there’s a weird poem written on a mirror, which leads to the Tarot cards coming out. Soon, the story takes a short turn on the back burner while we hear all about the sisters and how they became the women they are. Finally, a lot of stuff goes down before a conclusion I never saw coming.
This is definitely a typical locked-room murder mystery, with a wealthy family at odds and a storm that makes escape impossible. The lack of originality in the plot overall was slightly disappointing, but the ending did get quite creative as family secrets kept coming out. You’ll need to suspend plausibility, but overall this was a mystery that surprised me at almost every turn. 3.5 stars!
(Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Jamie Day and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on July 16, 2024.)
The story is mostly told from the perspective of a chambermaid at the hotel, 19-year-old Charley. Her mother overdosed, so she lives and works at the hotel to take care of her Nana, who suffers from dementia. As the storm is rolling in, she awaits the Bishop Sisters and the drama they will bring. Along with them, we have:
-Rodrigo, the maintenance man who went home when the storms started
-Olga, the cook who quit when the family arrived
-Bree, a girl on vacation with her boyfriend, Jake, who she is running from after he assaulted her, and
-Brenda, the attorney who is there to read the will
And then we have the Bishop sisters: uptight Vicki, her creepy husband Todd, and their son Quinn; Faith, her hippie partner Hope, and their poetic son Oliver (my favorite character), and Iris, the recovering addict born-again Christian.
Charley immediately notices the family doesn’t seem to care for each other, or about their father’s passing, and the reading of the will definitely didn’t help matters. Then, someone is dead and there’s a weird poem written on a mirror, which leads to the Tarot cards coming out. Soon, the story takes a short turn on the back burner while we hear all about the sisters and how they became the women they are. Finally, a lot of stuff goes down before a conclusion I never saw coming.
This is definitely a typical locked-room murder mystery, with a wealthy family at odds and a storm that makes escape impossible. The lack of originality in the plot overall was slightly disappointing, but the ending did get quite creative as family secrets kept coming out. You’ll need to suspend plausibility, but overall this was a mystery that surprised me at almost every turn. 3.5 stars!
(Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Jamie Day and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on July 16, 2024.)
January 26, 2024
"My name is Todd...And I'm going to be the best thing that ever happened to you." If you think Todd sounds bad, just wait until you read this book and get to know him. But is he the worst character? That's for you to find out because reviews should not ruin a reader's fun with spoilers.
Wow, author Jamie Day planned an intricately woven cast of characters, and I enjoyed not being able to predict all of the ins and outs and dysfunctional-family backstories. There are plenty of characters going through the daily routines of normal life with despicable behavior bubbling beneath the surface for quite a few.. The Maine boutique resort with 14 themed rooms spread out over 3 floors is an intriguing setting and the plot line immediately drew me in. Readers will understand main character Charley's gratitude that part of her pay as the housekeeper is a room to sleep in and food to eat at this hotel. Afterall, Charley must support not only herself but also support her beloved grandmother who needs to live in an assisted-living home. As Charley says, hers is life on the bottom rung, and she's used to it.
Fortunately, Charley has Rodrigo, a gay guy pal who also works at the Precipice Hotel. He supports Charley in every way he can and has had enough hardships in his life that makes him a good judge of character.
The book begins with the present day and kept my attention. When the focus shifted to the backstory of the characters, I was disappointed at first; however, the backstory is essential and quickly becomes equally as interesting as the contemporary timeline. I wish there were half stars available because this was an entertaining 4.5 book for me. The reason I did not round it up to a 5 was that I would have preferred some tightening and condensing of the chaotic actions when the novel returns to the contemporary timeline.
I will definitely be interested in reading books from author Jamie Day in the future!
Wow, author Jamie Day planned an intricately woven cast of characters, and I enjoyed not being able to predict all of the ins and outs and dysfunctional-family backstories. There are plenty of characters going through the daily routines of normal life with despicable behavior bubbling beneath the surface for quite a few.. The Maine boutique resort with 14 themed rooms spread out over 3 floors is an intriguing setting and the plot line immediately drew me in. Readers will understand main character Charley's gratitude that part of her pay as the housekeeper is a room to sleep in and food to eat at this hotel. Afterall, Charley must support not only herself but also support her beloved grandmother who needs to live in an assisted-living home. As Charley says, hers is life on the bottom rung, and she's used to it.
Fortunately, Charley has Rodrigo, a gay guy pal who also works at the Precipice Hotel. He supports Charley in every way he can and has had enough hardships in his life that makes him a good judge of character.
The book begins with the present day and kept my attention. When the focus shifted to the backstory of the characters, I was disappointed at first; however, the backstory is essential and quickly becomes equally as interesting as the contemporary timeline. I wish there were half stars available because this was an entertaining 4.5 book for me. The reason I did not round it up to a 5 was that I would have preferred some tightening and condensing of the chaotic actions when the novel returns to the contemporary timeline.
I will definitely be interested in reading books from author Jamie Day in the future!
May 6, 2024
This was a twisted fun read with a who did it premise. The main character and narrator Charlie, who happens to be a maid reminded me of Nina from The Maid. The characters were easy to keep up with, with a whole lot of dysfunction, dual timelines and short chapters that kept this one interesting. It was a bit far fetched but other than that, an entertaining and enjoyable read. Thank you St. Martins press for the gifted arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
May 25, 2024
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the copy.
I’d give this one a 3.5/5. This was my first Jamie Day book and I think it was pretty decent. The premise was intriguing - I’m a sucker for thriller movies set in hotel/motel settings so I was reeled in from the beginning. It was honestly reminiscent of an Agatha Christie style of storytelling.
I’d give this one a 3.5/5. This was my first Jamie Day book and I think it was pretty decent. The premise was intriguing - I’m a sucker for thriller movies set in hotel/motel settings so I was reeled in from the beginning. It was honestly reminiscent of an Agatha Christie style of storytelling.
March 10, 2024
I didn’t like this book as much as the previous book I read from this author. This one felt very long and sometimes boring, even when exciting things were happening. The story centers on a young maid named Charley who works at a hotel. When the owner dies and his 3 daughters arrive for the reading of the will, many secrets get exposed.
I thought the characters were pretty surface level in this one, though I did appreciate the backstories that were told in flashback chapters. While the 2nd half of the book moved at a faster pace, the writing style, long internal narratives, and repetitive conversations between characters made it feel like a slow read. I figured out the big twist early on, but there were a couple other surprises throughout. The end tied things up just a little too cleanly, but honestly I didn’t mind that and felt satisfied with the way it all turned out.
Overall, this was a decent story that just took way too long to tell. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I thought the characters were pretty surface level in this one, though I did appreciate the backstories that were told in flashback chapters. While the 2nd half of the book moved at a faster pace, the writing style, long internal narratives, and repetitive conversations between characters made it feel like a slow read. I figured out the big twist early on, but there were a couple other surprises throughout. The end tied things up just a little too cleanly, but honestly I didn’t mind that and felt satisfied with the way it all turned out.
Overall, this was a decent story that just took way too long to tell. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 5, 2024
A new thriller from Jamie Day!
The Precipice Hotel is located on the rocky coast of Maine in a small town. Charley has been the cleaner at the hotel for a handful of years in order to pay her Nana's housing. She is stuck between a rock and a hard place and unable to leave the job that she hates. When the owner dies, his three daughters rush back to read the will. Iris, Vicki and Faith and their families flood the hotel.
The will provides surprises and a hurricane bears down. Suddenly Charley is stuck in the hotel with the sisters and at least one of them is out for blood. Can Charley survive the weekend? Can she keep her job?
Who is the most dangerous? What do they really want?
I enjoyed the novel, it was interesting and different. I felt the ending was rushed but it didn't completely detract from the story. If you like a stormy night thriller, this is a book for you!
#stmartin #jamieday #onebighappyfamily
The Precipice Hotel is located on the rocky coast of Maine in a small town. Charley has been the cleaner at the hotel for a handful of years in order to pay her Nana's housing. She is stuck between a rock and a hard place and unable to leave the job that she hates. When the owner dies, his three daughters rush back to read the will. Iris, Vicki and Faith and their families flood the hotel.
The will provides surprises and a hurricane bears down. Suddenly Charley is stuck in the hotel with the sisters and at least one of them is out for blood. Can Charley survive the weekend? Can she keep her job?
Who is the most dangerous? What do they really want?
I enjoyed the novel, it was interesting and different. I felt the ending was rushed but it didn't completely detract from the story. If you like a stormy night thriller, this is a book for you!
#stmartin #jamieday #onebighappyfamily
January 14, 2024
Meh. This was my first Jamie Day book, and likely my last. 😬 While the setting of an old coastal Maine hotel during a hurricane was clever, that was about it. The characters and the plot lines were all a little chaotic, and immature.
Thanks to Netgally, St Martin’s Press, and Jamie Day for the advanced copy.
Thanks to Netgally, St Martin’s Press, and Jamie Day for the advanced copy.
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