Thank you Atria Books for the gifted digital ARC!

The first 85% of this book was delightfully creepy, super fast-paced, and really interesting. I just kept thinking it would make such a good limited TV series!

And then.... the last 15%. I'm so bummed to say the ending just did *not* work for me at all. I won't say why since it's a very big spoiler but it was just... too much. There was one particular plot point that I really don't enjoy in thrillers as far as narrators are concerned.

Nevertheless, I won't hesitate to read whatever Fram comes up with next!

No Road Home pub date is July 23.

Trigger warnings all over the place!! Everything pretty much except no animals were injured (that I can recall).

Toby thinks he has finally caught a break when he marries Alyssa, a granddaughter of a wealthy and famous televangelist. But, like many of us assume about these families, they aren't quite so darn Christian! There are so many darn twists and secrets that even those have their own twists and secrets! While many readers have tagged this book as "paranormal" I think it fell much more into the "gothic" category with the house being its own character. Needless to say, while I am not a paranormal fan, it really worked for me here! And if any family and house are going to be haunted, I think an wicked evangelical family is the perfect victim!

A creepy mansion, a giant storm that cuts off access to the outside world, a family full of secrets and bigots, and a murder that the main character must solve before he is blamed for the crime. I was totally invested with this story from the beginning. John Fram did such a great job at conveying the eerie feeling of the house and the hateful nature of the family members.

The overall Southern Gothic atmosphere with this large compound in Texas that houses an extremely rich televangelist family definitely worked for me. Seeing the ways that Toby and his son Luca are introduced to the location and various family members through Toby’s new wife Alyssa worked really well in the narrative. I enjoyed seeing Toby’s love for his son Luca and wanting to make sure that he protected him from the bigots in the family that want to make Luca “like a man” instead of the sweet, queer child he was.

The majority of the book is told from Toby’s POV, but there are some sections throughout that jump to other characters. I think that Fram did a great job at differentiating between the voices of the characters. I do think that at times the book feels a bit repetitive and like some things could’ve been trimmed down some. Also, I do think that some of the reveals felt a bit obvious. But then there were some that really surprised me.

Overall I had a great time reading this book. I enjoy how John Fram writes horror/thriller books that portray the evils of homophobia and other sorts of bigotry within the stories. Definitely check this one out if it sounds interesting to you. Especially if you’re a fan of Michael McDowell’s books, I feel like there’s a lot of crossover in the overall atmosphere of the stories.

No Road Home

WOW. Fram is such an ambitious writer, and I am so thankful for his mastery.

No Road Home is an instant classic. It has all the hallmarks I’ve come to associate with Fram: a large cast of dynamic characters (who aren’t always what they seem), queer rep, a slow, suspenseful build, a setting that is as much a character in the story as its cast, and an explosive (maybe supernatural?!) ending sure to blow you away.

SYNOPSIS (courtesy of Simon & Schuster Canada): “a young father must clear his name and protect his queer son when his wealthy new wife's televangelist grandfather is found murdered”.

From the first chapter I was drawn into this world and the mystery behind it all. I loved the pacing because it allowed little bits to be revealed slowly over the course of the narrative, the way that small details were dropped and left for the readers to consider and reflect upon.

Plus: I absolutely love reading about religious families (in this case: a televangelist, cult-like group that I couldn’t help but relate to Righteous Gemstones at times, but for their deeply nefarious and scary history) and houses as characters (this massive gothic manse is sure to get under your skin).

The books biggest win is its portrayal of authentic characters. A tender, gorgeous father-son relationship. Toby might be my new favourite literary dad? Didn’t see that coming.

In short: my guy came through and delivered a compelling locked room gothic mystery that folks are going to love.

I tried, I really did. But I just couldn’t get into it. I tried to soft DNF it and pick it up again later when I was in a different reading mood, but I still just wasn’t having a good time, and the longer I went without picking it back up, the less I wanted to. It was slow, there were a lot of characters, I wasn’t totally vibing with the writing style/tone, and I was struggling to enjoy reading about some of the themes/topics. I believe I’m in the minority here, so there’s clearly an audience for it out there. I don’t think it was bad, I just don’t think it’s for me and that’s okay.

Super fun who-dun-it and I loved the LGBTQ+ vibes! There is so much happening all the time so you definitely have to pay close attention if you’re into figuring things out but the atmosphere and over all feel makes it totally worth it⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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.

This thriller explores how a family is destroyed by the secrets they tried to hide.

The Wright family is so very wrong (yes, I had to go there). While they may be tied to a ministry, they are far from sinless. In fact, I'd go as far to say that this family has committed more sins than the average family. Newly married to Alyssa Wright, Toby Tucker and his son, Luca, meet the family for the first time, and it is clear early on that they are not welcome. This is all the more evident when Jerome, the patriarch, dies (possibly murdered) and Alyssa immediately claims Toby must have done it. Yikes! Way to run a marriage really quick. I came to loathe Alyssa for many reasons.

Although the cards are stacked against him, I liked how Toby tried to investigate what really happened to Jerome. There seems to be plenty of suspects, especially when the dark secrets this family has tried to keep are revealed. This family is truly disturbing.

While I felt the book dragged on at times, the last quarter of the book had plenty of shocking revelations that kept me entertained. I especially like the twist involving Toby. Didn't see that coming.

Overall, this was a good thriller with surprisingly good LGBTQ representation.

"No Road Home" is a fascinating novel set in Texas featuring a family dealing with secrets and a mysterious locked room. Filled with unexpected twists, this suspenseful thriller explores family conflicts and hidden truths in a modern narrative. The story revolves around Toby Tucker and his son, Luca, as they get involved in family drama and mysterious events at the Wright family estate. Despite its length, the novel maintains a good pace and offers a satisfying ending. However, it's important to note that the story includes disturbing themes such as incest and physical and emotional abuse. Overall, "No Road Home" is a moving and emotional story that investigates the impact of past traumas and the journey toward self-forgiveness and healing while reminding us of the importance of shaping a better world for future generations.

a bizarre and twisty book full of strange characters. This is my first Fram novel, and i will look for more of his work in the future. Thank you to the author and publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

I have been lost in the Maasverse, and I decided to walk away from the Fae to a thriller. And boy did I…a televangelist family in Texas that has a murder of the patriarch. A “new” husband with a queer son seems the perfect suspects. There was nothing light in this plot line. John Fram set a gothic horror vibe from the very first chapter, and I adored his descriptions of the house. The plot moved a little slow for me, but it kept me engaged and I definitely wanted to finish the book. I had suspicions about the twist and I was glad that I was correct. But even my suspicions were not 100% right. Which is good because it kept me guessing.

* I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

Well that was a twisty ride that I kept frantically turning the pages through! Just when you think it can’t get crazier, the author throws another surprise your way. I was getting some (modern) VC Andrews vibes during a couple parts, so normally I’d think it was verging on gothic soap opera but…no, I can actually believe this insanity would happen! I did let out a big gasp at the climactic reveal though. Really nice job by John Fram.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Toby meets Alyssa Wright and marries the pediatrician within a few months of knowing her. Toby, Alyssa and Tobys son, Luca go visit her televangelist grandfather on their family's giant estate.

When the grandfather is found dead, everyone's demeanor starts to change along with messages being left in red paint within the home. Toby must protect Luca from the Wright family as he tries to unravel what happened to Jerome.

This book has suspense, supernatural and it felt like a Clue game at certain points as Toby is trying to find a killer within the family.

At times it was confusing to figure out if we were still in the same day or even the same house.
I loved the story overall and thought the twists were brilliant.

Please note, there's child abuse aspects and religious trauma. Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC.

March 27, 2024
I loved John Fram's debut, The Bright Lands. It was so surprising and unique and I was happy to find out about No Road Home which is just as unique and thrilling.

Toby is a single parent to Luca and he's married rather quickly to Alyssa. He's never met her family but he knows of them. Her grandfather is a famous televangelist and the whole family has a role in keeping the business running smoothly. Now everyone is getting together at the Wright family compound in Texas.

Things immediately feel creepy and shady. Then the grandfather is found murdered on the roof and a storm has everyone trapped. That's when the atmosphere becomes extremely charged and intense. Toby's anxiety ramps up as he realizes the family's agenda and what they intend for his son.

He desperately tries to find a way out of the situation they're in. To get out of their clutches physically and otherwise. He might have a possible ally but it's hard to trust anyone. As if that wasn't enough there's a man only Luca can see. So yeah, this book has it all and seriously had me stressed!

I loved how protective Toby was of his sweet little boy who makes origami roses and wears sparkly socks. I love how this story was written, supernatural and reality melded perfectly. Nuanced characters and a lot of depth and emotion. Which I also found in The Bright Lands. It's safe to say John Fram is a favorite author of mine and I highly recommend his books.

Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC.

Expected Publication Date: July 23, 2024

WOW this was incredibly compelling and good!!! I would have finished it in one sitting if my body hadn't betrayed me and fallen asleep (which also led to some WILD dreams). I loved the complexity of the queer characters and the fact that they were not simply reduced to their queerness. I love watching the downfall of a corrupt wealthy family, and I really enjoyed the twists and fresh takes that this book added to the trope.

Thank you to Atria Books, Netgalley and John Fram for the ARC!

Single father Toby Tucker has done his best to provide a safe, loving environment for his sensitive son Luca. But when Toby marries Alyssa Wright - the granddaughter of a famous televangelist - he doesn’t realize his entire world is about to change. Heavily steeped in Old Testament teaching, the family’s compound is located in Texas - which Toby and Luca at first happily travel to. But they are unaware of the plans Alyssa has in store for her new family. Things get even worse when a family member is found murdered and a freak storm makes them unable to leave. But then Luca starts seeing a mysterious figure around the house…

What I loved most about this story is how the entire time, there was sense of impending doom - lol! Toby thinks he is getting a second chance at love and having a mother for his son, but he had no idea what he was getting into with Alyssa’s crazy family. Add to it the fact that they can’t leave the compound, and Luca seeing a mysterious figure and you have the perfect locked-room horror story. Though you do need to suspend belief a little bit at home things come together, it was a fun experience to read. And I was hanging onto every word. I haven’t yet read the author’s first novel but after finishing this, I added it to my TBR immediately!

“No Road Home” releases July 23, 2024. This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

After being wowed by the depths of John Fram’s depravity in “The Bright Lands,” I hoped that “No Road Home” would deliver the same levels of WTF-ness. While not a terrible read, I was a bit let down that it ended up a relatively standard thriller with a few nice touches of gothic atmosphere and a dash of the supernatural.

The less you know going in the better, but the broad strokes of the plot involve single father Toby trying to protect his (likely) nonbinary child, Luca, from their new in-laws – the televangelist Wright family – during a fraught weekend at their Texas compound.

The first half of “Home” is a slow burn, reminiscent of a game of Clue. After patriarch Jerome is found stabbed to death, all fingers point to outsider Toby, and he must solve the mystery before the police arrive. The foreshadowing is heavy-handed, but it's balanced with enough red herrings to keep you guessing and the pages turning.

Pretty quickly I grew tired of the half-baked bigotry mixed with family drama. Everything was over-the-top but in a grating and not groundbreaking way.

Through the Wrights, Fram created a proxy for every religious hypocrite, but each member of the extended family was written as a scheming, morally corrupt and greedy caricature. This approach dulled the impact of his attempted social commentary.

This is just one of several elements that hold the story back [some spoilers below]:

Outside of Toby, every single character is a plot device. The reliance on one-dimensional supporting characters is common in thrillers, sure, but framing characters solely as antagonists to hate felt lazy.

Take Alyssa, for example. As Toby's wife, she's the reason he's entangled in this mess, yet she disappears from the narrative after the initial chapters. We’re told her motivations, but without her perspective, I had a hard time buying what Fram was selling – specifically this was all a ruse to obtain a child so she could get access to her inheritance. Huh?

The pacing suffered from repetition. The "Memory Palace" concept, while interesting, became tiresome with excessive flashbacks for both Toby and Jerome. Plus, the search for the journal and family interviews could have benefited from streamlining. All told, there was way too much filler before entering the last act where – thankfully – Fram tied up most of the implausible loose ends.

The plot is too convenient. While believability isn’t essential for enjoyability, the plot relied too heavily on convenient tropes. The blackmail scheme felt uninspired, and Toby's miraculous recovery from a debilitating knee injury and concussion within a day strained credulity. I know Fram is creative, so it’s disappointing he didn’t push originality a bit more. [minor spoilers ended]

Still there were plenty of things that I enjoyed [major spoilers below]:

The father/child relationship. Luca grapples with self-discovery, unsure of where he fits on the gender spectrum. Unlike most boys his age, he doesn't feel confined to traditional masculinity. Toby – who we learn is actually his uncle – offers unwavering love and fierce protection against outside forces looking to mold him into a heteronormative image. While not a queer novel, so to speak, it’s nice to see that Fram included positive portrayals of nonbinary and trans representation into the plot.

The Wrath of God. Despite my aversion to religious texts, I adore horror steeped in religious lore, like "The Exorcist" or "The Nun." Fram balanced Old Testament rage with a variety of intriguing concepts – like prophecy, omens and possession – that added a touch of novelty. Still, I wish this would’ve been the primary focus rather than taking a backseat to the whodunit plot. I particularly enjoyed how Jerome dabbled in black magic to bring his brother/lover back to life Lazarus-style.

Last act POVs. Though Toby serves as the main narrator, it felt like his story ran its course about half way through “Road.” Fram's decision to introduce multiple viewpoints in the final chapters, including Luca, Jerome, Richard and Julian, revitalized a text that had lost momentum. Just when I thought the story had reached a dead end, this shift in structure changed my opinion – and overall rating.

The twist(s). The reveal of Toby's connection to the Wrights was unexpected. I, truly, did not think Willow (his transgender sister and Toby’s mother) spent time at Camp Cleve – the Wright’s conversion therapy camp – where she (then living as William) was sexually abused by Jerome. This positioning of “Road” as an old fashioned, biblical revenge tale was a nice touch. However, Toby's naivete in believing he wouldn't be a suspect in a murder he intended to commit strained credulity. Also, I did not see the incest plots coming, and they were a doozy! [major spoilers ended]

The final verdict: “No Road Home” is a good read, but it’s not groundbreaking. Fans of religious-themed horror and dastardly families (think “Ready or Not”) will appreciate this more than most. Readers picking this up hoping for a queer-focused story, like “The Bright Lands,” may be let down. Shortcomings aside, I’d still give Fram another shot.

Someone else compared this book to “The Righteous Gemstones,” but noted that this book is much, much darker. I’ll say it is—the family in this story is incredibly sick and twisted. I did enjoy reading it, especially the way it wrapped up at the end. I think it was a little bit too long/repetitive, and at times a bit confusing to follow the details. Overall, though, a solid read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In this locked-room thriller, Toby and his son must find a way to escape his new wife’s family mansion after her father, a famed televangelist, is found stabbed through the heart.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this e-arc.*

4 Stars – Provocative and engaging, but the twist at the end didn’t quite work for me~

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an ARC of “No Road Home” by John Fram in exchange for an honest review.

So, nine times out of ten, when I read a book description that suggests Christianity and bigotry are going to be a major focus, I say, “Thanks, but no,” and move right the heck along. Without extensive therapy that I certainly can’t afford, the best I can probably say on the matter is that it’s generally just too close to home for me to find more pleasure than frustration in reading about such topics. Which isn’t to say I can’t appreciate a good plot that roots around in religious themes. Hell, Endo Shusaku’s Silence nested in my brain about a decade ago and I still get moved to tears when I think about it. Not to mention, the number of queer romances that feature protagonists who’ve been shaped by their experiences with religious bigotry that I’ve managed to enjoy despite getting my hackles all raised about it and needing a week or so of intermittent grumbling and an endless supply of good tea to mentally recover from—I read "Heartsong" by AE Wasp at the end of last year and the whole thing with the gulls crying definitely left its mark on me.

All of that is just to say that “No Road Home” is not a book I would have been likely to pick up if I’d been browsing the aisles in my local bookstore. So, how then did I end up reading it? Well, the cover was intriguing and it’s shelved under LGBTQ+ and Mystery & Thrillers. And I didn’t actually read the description before committing to it. Whoops….

But, there’s certainly something to be said about impulse reads that get you out of your general wheelhouse, because I really enjoyed this one. It was both emotionally distressing and an utter delight—for the most part. It has all the grudging family chaos of something like “Knives Out” but with the eerie gothic, ambiguously threatening atmosphere of “The Fall of the House of Usher” and “The Turn of the Screw.”

The narrative is smart, well-paced, and engaging. It’s a whodunnit mystery with a dead patriarch, scheming relatives, and one hell of a haunted house that pitched me right back to my childhood obsession with the curiosity that is the Winchester Mystery House and its inscrutable design. While I did have my suspicions about the murderer, the plotting is sophisticated enough that I was never sure of how all the clues fit together, and when I thought I had it all sorted, a new revelation changed the implications of what I thought I knew. Of course, there’s also just enough biblical imagery and vague occultist references to paint uncertainty around the figure that haunts the grounds of the Wright family’s estate.

The characters are distinct, and the Wrights are pretty horrible overall, but thankfully not in a cartoon evil kind of way. They are messy and nuanced. And, though it doesn’t excuse their actions, their motivations make sense within the context of their experiences (and general selfishness). There are a lot of them though; so, understandably, some get more development than others. Still, even though there were limitations to how much insight we get into each character, they felt like their stories existed beyond what was written. Even our protagonist Toby Tucker isn’t framed as being some shining beacon of morality, despite how protective he is of his son and how out of depth he seems among the Wrights.

Probably the thing I enjoyed the most is also the thing that peeved me the most, and that’s the way memory is dealt with in the text. The concept of the memory palace is nothing new whether you’re coming at it from Jonathan Spence’s biography of Matteo Ricci, ancient Greek studies on rhetoric, or BBC Sherlock. That being said, I don’t recall ever seeing it employed in the way Fram uses it here. Memory and the various memory palaces that layer the text, are key both from a thematic perspective as well as a structural one. The memory palace becomes a plot device that obscures the truth, and without it the story—in this particular arrangement—just wouldn’t work.

It's handled well, for the most part. I appreciate the way it’s incorporated into the early stages of the story, the logic of the house, and throughout the building tensions of the mystery. However, it does become an issue for me towards the end with the final reveal. It’s a twist, to be sure, but not one that entirely worked for me. It felt cheap somehow, taking all that build up and intrigue and making it feel like nothing more than a gimmick. Even though the narrative delivers with all the biblical comeuppance that I’d been itching for from the moment Toby and Luca arrive at that house, the ending left me unsatisfied and annoyed because of the final twist and the entire shift in tone that comes with it. The sophistication of the plotting diminishes into a bland denouement that explains the remaining whys and hows in what felt like a dry and uninspired info dump.

It's not a bad ending, it just feels lacking in comparison to how good the rest of the text was. And it is just as likely to be a non-issue for other readers as it is an issue for me.

In any case, “No Road Home” was a great read that’s layered and interesting and that I would consider reading again. I’d recommend it for readers who like gothic novels and unreliable narrators.