This is a slow-burn narrative. I love the 'locked-room mystery' with paranormal and a bit of occult aspects. Pair this with LGBTQ characters it is compelling. . It's worth giving a try for those interested in a mix of suspense, mystery, and positive representation.

I'm in the minority on this one - it seems like I've been saying that about reviews a lot lately - but I just could not connect to the story at all. I was drawn to the premise and found the opening intriguing, but it rather quickly devolved into a bit of a hot mess of family dysfunction and personality flips and rather horrible name-calling and mistreatment of pretty much everybody. It felt like layer upon layer upon layer of awful that didn't seem to be going anywhere but it increasingly dreadful circles.... This just wasn't for me.

No Road Home by John Fram
Pub date: July 23, 2024

Toby is a single father to Luca and newly married to Alyssa. Alyssa comes from a very wealthy family that has made their money from televangelism. Toby and Alyssa married quickly and all seemed well until a trip to Alyssa’s family’s compound. It starts with a mystical and mysterious warning from a store clerk just outside the compound and things only get worse as a freak storm hits. There’s a murder and general mayhem along with a whole lot of homophobia and bigotry.

While I loved the atmosphere that Fram set, I had a hard time following the actual storyline. There’s a lot going on and a lot of characters to keep up with. Then there’s the complete personality shift in Alyssa and her family (her good to bad and them – some bad to good, or good to bad – depending) Anyways, for me, the plot got weighed down by a lot of unnecessary deviations. I think the paranormal/occultist shift and the deep dark family secrets all exploding into one big story took away from the core message, which I think was important.

My thanks to Atria Books for this gifted DRC.

Review of eBook

Toby Tucker and his son, Luca, and his new wife, Alyssa, travel from Los Angeles to Ramorah, her family’s estate in Hebron, Texas. His meeting with her parents had been less than auspicious; he felt rather anxious about meeting her televangelist grandfather and the rest of the family. Naturally, the reputation of Jerome Jeremiah Wright, billed as America’s Prophet, was a bit daunting, even for someone who considered The Prophecy Hour a carnival act.

But the Wright clan . . . filled with cruelty and spite . . . isn’t particularly welcoming.

And then Jerome is found on the roof . . . murdered.

======

With all the elements of a gothic horror novel, this unfolding narrative reveals the closely-held secrets in this family. With well-drawn [but not at all likable] characters, a huge Southern gothic mansion, a fierce storm, and a delightfully twisted plot filled with unexpected revelations, readers will find this dysfunctional family tale keeps them guessing.

With an undercurrent of tension running throughout the telling of the tale, the various characters reveal their true natures. Suspense builds, heightened by creepy sightings, shivery shadows, and a touch of the occult, all leading to an unexpected denouement. Fans of family drama, suspense, and thrillers will find much to appreciate here.

Recommended.

Unfortunately, the use of an unnecessary expletive throughout the narrative is certain to offend many readers; its overuse lowers the rating for the book.

I received a free copy of this book from Atria Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
#NoRoadHome #NetGalley

Great character development, and the plot kept me invested throughout the whole book! Unsettling in the best possible way.

Toby and his son Luca travel to Texas with his new wife Alyssa, to meet her family. Knowing of the televangelists only what he has seen on TV, The family has set plans for handling their empire. Toby is in no way prepared for what he and Luca are about to experience.
This book is a great representation of families who look great from the outside but don't look so great when you start to peel away layers. The eerie shadows, creepy sounds, and weird characters play great roles in this story. The family secrets and their way of keeping family members in line are such ingenious moves. This book gives you loads to ponder. It kept me guessing. Great take on welcome to the family.

I received an e-arc from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

A wild ride! Definitely an "outside the box" story. This story has a full house of quirky - and rather frightening - characters. Toby is a completely different type of MC, you're never quiet sure if he's vacant eye candy or someone with very high intelligence. He certainly has enough "locked doors" in his mind to keep you wondering what goes on behind those eyes!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC.
Toby Tucker and his son Luca are on their way with Toby's new wife, Alyssa, to her family of very wealthy and well-known televangelists. It doesn't take long for him to realize he and Luca have landed amidst a nest of vipers. They are particularly strange around Luca, at once wanting to indoctrinate him by toughing him up, as well as at the same time being snide about his gender.
Toby is very protective of sensitive and sweet Luca, who's desperate to keep close to him. The family is determined to separate the two, no matter the cost.
A very readable and frightening read that I enjoyed a lot. The ending was highly satisfying. Good stuff!

A creepy house, a disturbing family and a murder! Go John Fram! I almost gave up on this book in the beginning and I am glad I didn’t. The story picked up and then I could not put it down.
It does have some parts that are very shocking. I like disturbing and shocking, but it might be too much for some readers. #NetGalley

After reading this book, I can't help but sit back and say Wow! This was one heck of an involved tale that encompassed so many crimes and perversities happening on the estate of a televangelist. Toby becomes swept up in a whirlwind romance with Alyssa, not knowing that this will propel him into a storm of madness. Toby, Alyssa and Luca travel to the family estate, and are then faced with a house full of people with hidden agendas and secrets. Upon the patriarch's murder, it becomes evident that almost everyone has a motive. Since Toby is determined to find out what happened, he doggedly uncovers the secrets of his new family, putting himself and Luca in danger. They are cut off from the town by a raging storm outside, the danger of which is rivaled by the charged game of cat-and-mouse happening inside. Each secret uncovered has an explosive effect, and this book is the equivalent of fireworks! You will not see the end coming! This book grabs you at the start and tightens its hold with each new element introduced - you will not want to put it down and it will linger in your thoughts long after the last page! Oh, Mr. Fram, you have set a high bar for your subsequent books! What an incredible read!!

This started out as very mysterious and had potential but sadly it devolved into a warped and twisted story.

My favorite book of 2024!! This is a horrifying, fast paced, lock d0or, religious thriller/horror! Highly recommend checking out trigger warnings before jumping in - especially related to child abuse and religious trauma.

this is a story of a father and son in a dysfunctional family, the creepy house comes into play to. you won't guess the ending.

This story is about a father and a son who find themselves in a creepy house with a dysfunctional family. The house itself becomes a vital part of the story creating suspense and causing the reader to question what’s going on. The characters are suspicious as can be. I don’t giveaway spoilers. Read it!

This book has a lot going on and I mean a lot! Pay attention and enjoy the ride in this gripping and riveting book.

Toby Tucker has spent years trying to protect his young son, Luca, safe. When he marries Alyssa Wright, the daughter of a televangelist, he can't image what he is getting himself into. When they travel to the family's compound in Texas, Toby notices that the family has very strange plans for him and Luca. Then a storm hits, the family patriarch is found on the roof dead. How's that for come-home-and-meet-my-family weekend????

This book has an eerie and chilling vibe to it. Something isn't quite right with this family. There are secrets and then there are the Wright Family secrets! They are dark, dark secrets. Imagine being trapped in a home with them and they are circling around Luca, and you can't escape. I love that trapped feeling in books. Not only do the characters have to deal with not being able to leave and being cut off from the outside world, but they also must face being stuck with a killer, hidden alliances, and the weather. Tensions rise, anxiety mounts, and there is a figure/ghost that Luca has seen that has unfinished business.

Let's talk about the atmosphere in this book - it's fantastic! I love atmospheric books, and this felt the bill. The family compound paired with the storm creates a chilling atmosphere. This book has a gothic feel to it. I enjoyed the descriptions and the compound felt very much like a character in the book as well.

This book has a strong LGBTQ representation. The book also touches on identity/sexual identity, homophobia, bigotry, and mental health to name a few. This book also has religious talk and characters who talk the talk but aren't walking the walk.

I had no idea what I was getting into with this book. There are the secrets, the matter of whodunit, the dysfunctional relationships, and a father trying to protect his child from bigotry. This was a little bit slow in the beginning, but things really picked up for me close to the halfway point and I had to know what would be revealed or happen next.

Gripping, atmospheric, dark, and captivating.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was an advance reader copy of the book. This in no way affects my review.

This book was intense. I had a hard time putting it down. It followed me when I went to bed and lay awake thinking about it.

I did not see the ending coming the way that it did.

Thank you for the opportunity to preview No Road Home. This is an epic book. Lots of characters and intersecting story lines.
Well written but a bit long for me.
3.5 stars

For fans of Jordan Peele's work, especially those who enjoyed "Get Out" and are fond of claustrophobic locked-room mysteries with commendable queer representation intertwined with paranormal and occultist elements, this book might be a suitable choice. Despite its slow-burn nature and a few predictable twists, the narrative captures the charm of being trapped in a mansion amidst a storm, woven into a compelling whodunit mystery. Despite my initial inclination to rate it between three and four stars, I ultimately settled on 3.5 stars, rounding up to 4. However, the presence of the hateful Wright family members, marked by patriarchal bigotry, left a sour taste and invoked a visceral urge to punch each character in the face.

One of the book's standout aspects is the honest portrayal of Toby's struggle to shield his sensitive young son, Luca, from the shameful bigotry surrounding them. Toby's journey includes embracing Luca's sexual identity and providing unwavering support, creating a relatable and engaging narrative that resonates with readers.

The narrative revolves around Toby Tucker, a widower raising his son Luca. Despite recently marrying Allyssa Wright, the granddaughter of a famous televangelist, Toby finds himself caught between worlds. Allyssa's family, while powerful and wealthy, is also biased and judgmental, a stark contrast to Toby's liberal perspective in proudly raising a queer son.

When Toby and Luca accept an invitation to Allyssa's family compound in Texas, they are unaware of the Wrights' hidden agendas. The situation spirals out of control when the family patriarch is found stabbed, and an unforeseen storm severs their connection with the outside world. Trapped in the mansion with potentially dangerous people, Toby must navigate a web of secrets, including the presence of a brutal killer.

As the walls close in on him, Toby is compelled to act swiftly to save his son. However, the challenge lies in deciphering who can be trusted, especially when the woman he married may harbor hidden secrets. The story unfolds with suspense, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

In summary, the book offers a slow yet intriguing narrative—a claustrophobic locked-room mystery with commendable LGBTQ representation. It's worth giving a try for those interested in a mix of suspense, mystery, and positive representation.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing this digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The family dynamics in this "rich people have weird problems" drama kept me turning the pages many hours past my bedtime. Fram is a terrific writer, pulling us in through several very complex characters, and weaving a plot with just about every gothic trope imaginable: Southern estate? check. Dead patriarch? check. Half-brothers and sisters? check. People who will do anything for money and sex and power? Check, check and check. Add a bit of supernatural and yes, you have the full recipe.

And yet it didn't feel stale at all. I loved how Fram was able to use a lot of current issues in our culture wars to freshen a genre and make it timely.

Thanks to Netgalley for the arc to review.

Wow! This was so good. I couldn’t put it down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.