This was a great read! I thought I’d figured things out and while I was partially correct, there was much more going on that I didn’t predict. If you like your locked door mysteries/thrillers to include a crazy cast of characters, this book is for you!

This is a summertime thriller filled with suspense.

However, it just wasn't for me. It was a slow read, especially at the start. The twists were easy to guess.

Three sisters return to their family-owned hotel on the Maine coast to claim their inheritance. A storm headed their way has stranded the sisters and others in the hotel. When someone is murdered, they realize they are trapped with a killer.

One Big Happy Family is told from the point of view of the hotel’s maid, Charley. Charley is young, and worried about keeping her job and providing for her grandmother. Interesting characters and an atmospheric setting.

A slow paced locked room mystery. One Big Happy Family is an entertaining whodunit.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much @StMartinsPress for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 16 July 2024)

SYNOPSIS | Charley lives + works as a maid at an eclectic family owned hotel in Maine, however when the owner (George Bishop) dies his daughters (Vicki, Iris + Faith) come to the hotel for the reading of the will and to claim their inheritance. They all have different ideas of what they want to do with the hotel leaving Charley to worry that her home + job are at risk.

WHAT I LIKED:
- the setting + atmosphere really added to the murder mystery vibes
- toxic family drama

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- the twists + reveals felt like the end of a Scooby Doo episode (including the villainous monologues)
- this is ultimately a locked room thriller, yet I didn't find myself caring who actually did it
- super slow paced throughout especially once the sisters were introduced
- character development was lacking and I found it very difficult to distinguish between the three sisters which pulled me out of the story on numerous occasions

This was a twisted family thriller. I was initially intrigued but I quickly lost interest in it. The setting was perfect but the dynamics of the family didn't keep my gripped.

The narrator did the best to keep the listener gripped, but the storyline did not help.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for an advanced reading and listening copies of this book.

This felt a lot like Jamie Day’s previous novel. Suspenseful suburb and I was not particularly interested in finding out what was happening.

Jamie Day’s One Big Happy Family delivers a gripping tale of secrets, suspense, and family drama set against the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of Maine’s rocky coast. The story centers on The Precipice, a legendary family-owned hotel, as the Bishop sisters—Iris, Vicki, and Faith—reunite after the death of their father to decide its fate. However, as a hurricane brews outside, it’s the storm of lies, betrayals, and hidden agendas that truly takes center stage.

Day does an excellent job of giving each of the Bishop sisters distinct personalities. Iris, the pragmatic eldest, Vicki, the fiery middle child, and Faith, the enigmatic youngest, all come with secrets that could unravel their family’s legacy—and their relationships. The addition of Charley Kelley, the resilient young chambermaid with her own precarious situation, adds another layer of tension. Charley’s story intertwines with the sisters in unexpected and thrilling ways, especially as her hidden actions threaten to upend the already volatile weekend.

The atmosphere is another highlight. Day paints The Precipice as a character in its own right—majestic yet eerie, full of history and shadows. Combined with the looming hurricane, the setting becomes the perfect stage for murder and mayhem.

The audiobook is a standout, thanks to the incredible narration by Saskia Maarleveld. Her ability to bring each character to life with distinct and believable voices is remarkable, making the tangled emotions and suspense feel even more vivid. Whether capturing Iris’s sharp pragmatism, Vicki’s fiery passion, or Charley’s quiet resilience, Maarleveld delivers a masterful performance that elevates the story to new heights.

While some twists were predictable, the journey was nonetheless engaging. With its layered characters, rich setting, and suspenseful pacing, One Big Happy Family is a captivating read (or listen) for fans of domestic thrillers with a touch of mystery..

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for advanced copies in exchange for my honest review.

I just finished reading One Big Happy Family by Jamie Day, and I’m so excited to share my thoughts with you!

This book is a delightful exploration of family dynamics, filled with warmth, humor, and relatable moments. Day’s writing is both engaging and heartfelt, making it a perfect read for anyone who enjoys a good family story.

One of my favorite scenes is when the entire family gathers for a chaotic and hilarious backyard barbecue. The way Day captures the interactions between different family members—whether it’s the sibling rivalries, the kids running around, or the grandparents sharing old stories—is so vivid and entertaining. There’s a particularly touching moment when the family comes together to support one another after a small accident, showcasing the deep bond and love that holds them together. This scene perfectly encapsulates the book’s themes of unity, support, and the joy of familial connections.

What I love most about One Big Happy Family is its authentic portrayal of the ups and downs of family life. The characters are wonderfully developed, each with their own quirks and personalities that make them feel real and relatable. The story is filled with heartwarming moments and valuable lessons about forgiveness, understanding, and the importance of being there for each other.

If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and appreciate the beauty of family, One Big Happy Family is a must-read. Trust me, you’ll be charmed by the delightful storytelling and the lovable characters.

Unfortunately, this was a miss for me. I found the main character to be juvenile and annoying, and so much of this novel was absolutely unbelievable. Generally I really enjoy locked room murder mysteries, but this one didn't work for me. 2.5/5, Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy.

Wow- this author has blown my mind again with another 5 star read. She is another author that I will be putting on my must read list without reading the plot to the book.

Jamie Day’s One Big Happy Family is a twist-filled thriller set against the atmospheric backdrop of a storm-battered Maine coastline. Following the success of The Block Party, Day delivers another suspenseful tale that keeps readers guessing until the final page.

The Bishop sisters—each grappling with secrets as dangerous as the hurricane bearing down on them—arrive at The Precipice, their family’s storied hotel, to settle their inheritance. But with tensions high and a murder on the horizon, their weekend reunion becomes a deadly game of survival. Adding to the intrigue is Charley Kelley, the savvy yet desperate chambermaid whose hidden agendas intertwine with the Bishops’ unraveling drama.

The hotel setting is richly described, lending an air of claustrophobic tension perfect for this kind of locked-room-esque mystery. The storm intensifies the stakes, mirroring the turbulent relationships among the characters. Charley’s storyline adds a refreshing perspective, and her resourcefulness makes her a standout character.

Day’s knack for pacing and twists shines here. Just when you think you’ve pieced the puzzle together, another shocking revelation pulls the rug out from under you. The narrative alternates perspectives effectively, allowing readers to uncover secrets at a tantalizing pace.

While the suspense and twists are gripping, the large cast of characters sometimes results in uneven development. Certain motivations and backstories feel underexplored, which slightly dilutes the emotional impact of key moments. The resolution ties up loose ends quickly, leaving some elements feeling rushed or too convenient.

One Big Happy Family is an engaging summer thriller, perfect for fans of twisty, family-centric mysteries with a coastal setting. Though not without its imperfections, the novel’s clever twists and moody atmosphere make it a compulsive read. I rated this 4 stars for its entertainment value and the clever intertwining of family drama and suspense. It's an ideal pick for beach bags and book club discussions alike!

This was a fun closed room thriller that kept me wanting to know what’s going to be the next twist. This book reminded me of knives out, with its fun fast paced who done it energy. The family we follow had plenty of secrets and it just kept me entertained throughout. With that said it is a little forgettable but still a fun ride while reading it. This is my first book from this author and hope to pick up another from them soon. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

One Big Happy Family certainly has a lot of big things going on! Told from four different perspectives, this is a slow burn, locked room thriller. I loved Jamie Dayś Block Party, so my expectations for this were higher than my enjoyment of this. Not to say I didn´t like it. There were certainly lots of laughs, and I the mystery with the atmospheric setting was beautifully written. Read this if you´re stuck inside on a stormy day and in the mood for drama!

Incredibly written story about how sisters fight for what they think they are owed after their father dies. It shows there is more to the story once the sisters arrive on the property. Each sister is fighting their own demons and struggles to figure out the value of family.

What a way to write a book! Loved this one from the cute cover to the immediate plot twists to the story that kept me interested. This was my first Jamie Day and I would definitely read a second one of hers. I think my Goodreads friends would also like this one so I might suggest for Bookclub based on the topic involved. Looking forward to more!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!!!! I could not put it down. It's so atmospheric that you feel like you are right there. As an only child, I love reading books with a focus on sibling dynamics.

This book was good and I did not predict the ending at all (I love that). The author kept me guessing “whodunit” and the reveal blew my mind. That being said I’m an avid reader and usually finish most books within a few days and this dragged on for me. It took me almost q10 days to complete. I never got to that point where I was hooked and counting down till the end.

Who doesn't love a locked door thriller, especially when it involves a hurricane?
The detailed Maine theme really stood out to me with this read.
However, Charley was really the only character I felt like I could connect with.
Everyone felt frustrating and the story seemed to drag a little in the middle. It felt more dramatic than thrilling, which isn't what I was looking for.
The ending fell a little flat and didn't give me the shock factor I was hoping for.
Overall, a good read for someone looking for big time family drama.

[arc review]
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
One Big Happy Family releases July 16, 2024

The owner of the Precipice Hotel has recently died, and his family is gathering together to lay him to rest and take part in the reading of his will, even in the midst of a hurricane.

This was more of a family drama than a suspenseful thriller, and ended up being way too drawn-out for my liking.

The threads of romance with the housekeeper pining after Quinn felt really out of place and was completely unnecessary for the story. I found that the inclusions of the gay side character from a family of illegal immigrants added nothing of value to the narrative except showing that the author knew how to be extremely stereotypical in writing characters of colour.

I wish One Big Happy Family had been told entirely from the pov’s of the Bishop family, instead of being observed by Charley.
Bree integrating herself as one of the hotel staff members, or even impersonating Charley would’ve been less obvious than the placement she was given by the author.

One Big Happy Family by Jamie Day is a domestic suspense novel set at a remote family-owned hotel on the coast of Maine. George Bishop has suddenly passed away and his family is called in for the reading of the will. All of the other guests that were supposed to arrive have cancelled their reservations in anticipation of Hurricane Larry. But George's three daughters are determined to make it work.

This story is told from the POV of the hotel's chambermaid, Charley, who has been living on the premises in a tiny room for free for the past couple of years. Charley is trying her hardest to earn enough money to hlep her grandmother who raised her. Things are tight and the rates at her nursing home keep going up, causing Charley to steal some from the guests in order to make ends meet. Charley soon meets Bree, who is looking for a place out of the way to hide from her abusive partner. So Charley takes that as an opportunity to make a little extra money on the side and hides her in the hotel during the storm.

As the sisters arrive, the fighting starts. They definitely are not "one big happy family" and we see lots of secrets revealed. Shortly after the reading of the will there's a death. As problems continue and the storm intensifies, the family realizes they're stuck at the hotel with a possible murderer.

This is another in a long line of locked-room style mysteries that take place in secluded locations during some kind of storm or another published recently and this one really does nothing to set itself apart. Part family drama (and yes, there's drama) and part mystery I'm sure you will enjoy this one.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.