In the Wrong Family Tarryn Fisher provided the reader with an interesting, tension filled and twisted psychological thriller. The story introduced the reader to Juno, a retired therapist, and Winnie Crouch. Juno is looking to live the rest of her life in peace, so when the opportunity to live with the Crouch’s presented itself, she did not think twice. On the surface the Crouch’s appear to be the perfect family, but then she learns they had more imperfections than the moon had craters. At first, she had no intention in interfering in their domestic squabbles, but then she overheard a conversation, which led to her making assumptions which were not always correct. These assumptions ultimately led to a dangerous outcome.
The characters featured in this story were unreliable, unlikeable, and clueless. Told from the POVs of Juno and Winnie, the reader had a front-row seat into the warped minds of these individuals. Juno has a history of getting deeply involved in her clients, which went beyond a professional relationship. Her need to interfere in situations she perceived as being threatening came to light at the revelation of the Crouch’s secret. If only she had not been such a busybody. Winnie rubbed me the wrong way. Not only was she controlling, she proved to be a selfish and insensitive individual. The revelation of her secret did not put her in a good light either. Nick struck me as someone who lacked a backbone. The one person I felt sorry for in all of this craziness was Winnie, and Nick’s son, Samuel.
This was my second experience with the author’s work, having read her previous book The Wives, which I enjoyed. I had high expectations for her latest release. Even though I enjoyed the Wrong Family, it fell short when compared to The Wives. I struggled with the story in the initial stages. It moved at a slow pace, which was one reason I failed to connect with the story until around the fifty percent mark. It was at this point the story took a turn which made me eager to know the events would unfold. There were no dramatic revelations, but then Fisher ripped the rug from beneath me and the story took a tragic turn which I never saw coming.
Conclusions/Recommendation
Overall, despite this not being in the same category as The Wives, it was twisted enough to appeal to the author’s fans and readers who enjoy psychological thrillers.
Story Evaluation
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Characters
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Ending
Overall:
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About Tarryn Fisher
Tarryn Fisher is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of nine novels. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, she immigrated to America with her parents at the age of thirteen. She spent the next eighteen years in South Florida, where she earned her degree in Psychology. A sun hater, she currently makes her home in Seattle, Washington, with her children, husband and psychotic husky. Tarryn writers about villains and loves connecting with her readers on Instagram (@TarrynFisher, 61.9k followers). Visit her at TarrynFisher.com for more information, or check out her fashion blog at GuiseOfTheVillain.com. Tarryn is a Slytherin.
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Yikes, this is an author I keep meaning to read, but maybe I won’t start with this one. I appreciate your honest reviews.
Yikes, this is an author I keep meaning to read, but maybe I won’t start with this one. I appreciate your honest reviews.
[…] on December 29, 2020 by Nadz in Reviews / 0 Comments […]
I am happy to hear that this one had some thrills for you to enjoy.
I am happy to hear that this one had some thrills for you to enjoy.
It took me the longest time to appreciate domestic thrillers because the characters were all unlikable like you describe here. I found a few that were different. Interesting how she went to live with them and got something important confused. Too bad this one was slower and not as good as the previous one you really enjoyed.
It took me the longest time to appreciate domestic thrillers because the characters were all unlikable like you describe here. I found a few that were different. Interesting how she went to live with them and got something important confused. Too bad this one was slower and not as good as the previous one you really enjoyed.
I love a good psychological thriller.
I may still have to give this one a chance!
I can dig reliable and unlikable in a character, but I don’t know about clueless…
I can dig reliable and unlikable in a character, but I don’t know about clueless…
I have not read any of Tarryn Fisher’s work as of yet even though I have heard great things about The Wives. It’s too bad that this book wasn’t quite as good in comparison.
I have not read any of Tarryn Fisher’s work as of yet even though I have heard great things about The Wives. It’s too bad that this book wasn’t quite as good in comparison.
I haven’t read it but it doesn’t really sound like my kind of book.
I love unreliable characters. And this sounds right up my alley, thanks for sharing!
I love unreliable characters. And this sounds right up my alley, thanks for sharing!
I don’t usually enjoy slow starts but this sounds thrilling.
It sounds like this one rolls quietly along and then grabs the reader by surprise!