Since I wanted to like No Road Home, by John Fram, I picked it up several times. Why? Because I had kept putting it down as it did not keep my interest. It's an odd story about odd people and told at a relatively slow pace.
I read the existing reviews, which encouraged me to pick it up again, but alas, it didn't speak to me. With sympathy for the author's travails, I just cannot recommend this novel
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
What an interesting book. We follow Toby and his son Luca when they go to visit his new wife’s family.
Boy do things get weird when they get to the wife’s families mansion.
Lots of bizarre happenings in this strange house. We have a bit of everything in this locked room thriller.
I found it to be an odd but enjoyable book to read. Definitely unrealistic and baffling as you learn more about this family but also hard to put down.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of No Road Home.

This is my first book by the author so I went into this with an open mind and moderate expectations.

Potential readers should be aware of triggering themes including incest, rape, sexual violence, drug abuse, addiction, just to name a few.

I liked the writing and the revenge theme (I love revenge stories) since I suspected Toby was not as innocent as Alyssa and her family of sexual deviants assumed he was.

Most of the books I read fall into the suspense/thriller genre so I'm pretty good at figuring out the twists before they happen.

The narrative is told from mostly Toby's POV, which means he's not reliable as a character, a literary device often (almost always) used by authors when concealing the main character's motivation.

Since I love when bad guys get their comeuppance (who doesn't) his one was a good one though a bit hard to suspend disbelief for.

I also love supernatural stories and/or supernatural elements in a narrative though I'm not sure the supernatural part of the story fit here.

Maybe it does since the patriarch dabbled in the occult and the entire Wright family are perverts that will burn in hell for all eternity.

There are a lot of moving parts in the story including the Wright family and their despicable backstories, Marie and Julian, the storm moving in, a huge and complex mansion, and Toby and Luca surrounded by predators.

Toby's info dump explains it all (where disbelief suspension comes in) but he was a decent character and by this point, I despised the Wright family so much I needed an outlet for my rage so I chose to roll with the ending.

John Fram's "No Road Home" offers readers an unputdownable journey into a locked-room thriller that seamlessly intertwines mystery, family dynamics, and hidden perils. Perfect for enthusiasts of Ruth Ware, Paul Tremblay, and Alex North, Fram crafts a suspenseful narrative that keeps the tension palpable and the stakes high.

The story revolves around Toby Tucker, a single father who, after marrying Alyssa Wright, finds himself thrust into a world of wealth, religious fervor, and intolerance. As Toby and his sensitive son Luca embark on a trip to the Wright family's compound in Texas, the idyllic setting turns ominous when a freak storm isolates them, and the family patriarch is discovered murdered. Suspicion falls on Toby, but a more chilling revelation emerges as Luca begins describing a spectral figure with nefarious intentions.

Fram masterfully explores themes of bigotry, family secrets, and the lengths a father is willing to go to protect his child. The locked-room scenario intensifies the suspense, with the storm cutting off escape routes and the murder casting a shadow over the Tucker family. The author's writing is immersive, drawing readers into the complex web of intrigue and danger.

The characters, particularly Toby and Luca, are well-developed and evoke empathy from the readers. Fram skillfully navigates the nuances of family relationships, elevating the emotional depth of the narrative. As the Wrights close in on Luca, Toby's fight to clear his name and shield his son becomes a high-stakes battle against both seen and unseen threats.

"No Road Home" stands out for its atmospheric storytelling, unpredictable twists, and the exploration of societal issues within a gripping thriller. John Fram delivers a compelling novel that keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the final page, making it a must-read for those seeking a blend of psychological suspense and family drama.

In conclusion, "No Road Home" is a riveting novel that excels in delivering a multifaceted thriller experience. John Fram's adept storytelling, coupled with a compelling plot and well-drawn characters, ensures that this book is a standout addition to the genre, captivating fans of psychological mysteries and domestic thrillers alike.

Intriguing premise and fast paced story. I just struggled to get and remain invested. I Would recommend for fans of thrillers and the author's previous work. It just was not for me.

A multiple POV story that feels unbalanced. For more of the story we’re following Toby’s pov and are interspersed with other characters. The downfall of the family and their lore is entertaining for sure but the execution was an overall miss for me.

This was a good locked room mystery with modern elements of family and society and a lot of emotional stuff. I wish more had been told from the sons point of view but I did enjoy the father's perspective on such a hard and emotional situation. The whodunit was pretty good and kept me guessing, but this story's big hitter was the family turmoil and secrets abound.

Content Warnings: Homophobia, Transphobia, Incest, Substance Abuse, Addiction, Child Abuse (Sexual), Suicide, Sexual Orientation and Gender Expression Conversion Therapy/Conversion Camps

This book mostly follows the third-person limited view of Toby, an anxious father of a gentle (potentially trans, but unclear) boy, Luca, as he meets his family-by-marriage: conservative, Evangelical Christians who make their money from preaching on TV and radio. All of the family members have secrets which begin to come to light after the murder of the family patriarch. There’s also a family ghost tied to these events.

This book has some strengths, including vivid descriptions. The emotional toll of having family members struggling with addiction, the weight of anxiety, and the drive to protect others are all explored well.

However, there are also some large weaknesses. One is the way the story is told. As previously mentioned, most of the book comes from Toby’s POV, but at times it shifts to other characters’ viewpoints. While each of these shifts is clearly labeled, it still was unbalanced for me. The book opens with the POV of the murder victim, then goes for Toby for almost the entire rest – until the last 1/4 of the book, where suddenly sections shift POV constantly.

Likewise, Toby’s use of the “mind palace” premise so central to the twist of the novel got repetitive – especially when the steps to “close and lock a door” wasn’t successful (see also: never successful). Its role in the plot also would have been stronger, I think, if Toby’s POV had NOT been the central one, but others may disagree.

Some may still enjoy this exploration and downfall of a terrible family, but. ultimately, I thought the idea behind the novel is better than its execution.

ooooh a new Fram novel.
to be fair, I've read more than few self-aware locked room mysteries over the past year or so, which means I'm fairly aware of the rules of the game, as well as the many ways in which authors seek to subvert those rules.... if you've read Fram's first book, you might be aware of some possible tactics he could employ here. I quite liked Toby as our detective/outsider and his love for his son is a strong component as well as clear counterbalance to the familial decay around him.

Overall it's a mixture of a murder mystery, queer identity, and religious hypocrisy, so I liked it and definitely recommend it.


*yes, I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

A great gothic story! Toby has thrown caution to the wind and married Alyssa Wright, an incredibly wealthy woman and part of a dynastic televangelist family. Alyssa and Toby dated for less than six months but they fell in love at first sight and travel home to her family home with Toby's son Luca.

Immediately, there are issues as the family snipes at one another and Toby learns there are strings attached to his marriage. When extreme weather cuts off the the compound and the famous patriarch televangelist turns up dead it's a race against time for Toby to clear his name and solve the mystery.

Fantastic characters, this locked room mystery is to die for! I was thoroughly engaged and checking the locks on my door until I finished! #noroadhome #johnfram .#atriabooks