With the weight of taking care of her ailing grandmother on her shoulders, Charley accepts employment at The Precipice Hotel as a housekeeper. This affords Charley with the ability to make the payments to her grandmother’s assisted living center a little easier. Then the owner, George Bishop, passes away leaving the future of the hotel in limbo.

The death of the hotel owner brought the three Bishop sisters to town – Vicki, Iris and Faith. Three very distinct personalities who all have their own desires as to where the future of the hotel should be directed. With a hurricane brewing on the horizon, things are about to more interesting for the guests and employees of the hotel. Who will come out of the storm unscathed? Who will find more than they bargained for with a fight for the legacy of the Bishop family?

The premise of One Big Happy Family was very interesting. The backstories to each character added to the layers of the mysteries surrounding the hotel. However – I did figure things out early on. As a thriller, I found the book interesting but LONG and drawn out. The novel could have been shortened and still had the same effect. Although there were times where I could easily predict what was coming, I still found myself engrossed in the book.

The combination of family dynamics, murder, and the looming hurricane kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Day's writing is so immersive and gripping, and I found myself completely invested in the fates of all the characters.

One Big Happy Family lands somewhere between "take it or leave it" and "worth the read." Jamie Day crafts an engaging premise with moments of genuine emotion and relatable family dynamics. The characters have their strengths, but some felt underdeveloped, and the pacing was uneven, making it hard to stay fully invested. That said, there’s enough heart and intrigue here to make it enjoyable for the right reader, even if it doesn't quite hit the mark as a must-read. A good pick if you’re in the mood for a lighter, family-focused drama but not something that demands your full attention.

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.