Thank you HarperAudio adult and NetGalley for this arc.

I have a hard time rating true crime since it’s just that, true crime and not a fictional story. But I will say the audio was done in a way where it wasn’t cringey or annoying to listen too but kept my attention.

Learning about the south and LaHaye family was interesting, I was hooked from the beginning on the families storyline. All of the different takes throughout the years and extended family paints a real picture. I like true crime, I haven't heard of this story before. I haven't read a true crime book that didn't have an ending. It feels publishing should've waited.

For true-crime fans Home of the Happy will be very satisfying.

Richly detailed and well laid out, it grabs you from the start. Within the first hour of listening to this audiobook, “beautifully written” was my first thought. Jordan LaHaye Fontenot does an outstanding job and the audiobook is well executed.

Spellbinding and addicting are not a words I use often, but aptly apply to this book. You’ve got a crime and the unanswered questions which makes this story occupy your mind and leaves the reader with questions of their own.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC for my honest opinion.

This book was told with so many details. If you love true crime, this book is perfect. Really enjoyed all the different view points of who was affected by this crime.

LaHaye Fontenot approaches this deeply personal story with compassion and a strong desire to tie her familial history into the greater history of the region. This is well-written true crime with a lot of zigs and zags that were well contextualized and believable. The structure of moving back and forth between the past and present could have gotten tired, but it didn't, as LaHaye Fontenot deftly added on to the plot in both arenas.

Listening to the book definitely helps with pronunciation, but does create a bit of extra confusion with all of the overlapping familial names. LaHaye Fontenot does her best to explain how everyone is (and isn't) related, but a heavily Catholic region is just going to have these problems.

Audiobook ARC provided by Netgalley.

HOME OF THE HAPPY: A Murder on the Cajun Prairie
By Jordan LaHaye Fontenot

Reading by: Christine Lakin was very well done.

A journey of reinvestigating a kidnapping and murder in 1983 and interwoven with Louisiana history.

Jordan LaHaye Fontenot’s great-grandfather was kidnapped and murdered in Mamou, Louisiana in 1983. This impacted her family deeply, as well as, many in her hometown. Jordan tells this tragic story from when her great-grandfather was kidnapped, the ten days of the search and FBI investigations, before his body was found floating in the Bayou Nezpique. She tells of the trial and conviction of, John Brady Balfa. As a journalist, Jordan LaHaye Fontenot, wants to get all the facts and has done extensive research on this.

I can only imagine how difficult it was for this young journalist and author to be objective against her responsibility to family. “Yes, Home of the Happy is a book about a murder. But it’s also a memoir—the story of a family and of a place, and of the culture that defines both.” From Country Roads Magazine

This debut book/memoir was heartfelt and the rawness and openness of her storytelling was impressive. Her writing is so vivid, you see, feel and even smell the descriptions that she so skillfully has written. I look forward to what she writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult | HarperAudio for the audiobook

Home of the Happy is both a true-crime story and a memoir - Jordan LaHaye Fontenot tells the story of her grandfather Aubrey LaHaye's kidnapping and murder and of her in-depth investigation into the mystery of what happened to him in Mamou, Louisiana, where the LaHaye family was one of prominence. The French Cajun (Acadian) dialect and bayou environs make for a colorful and unique setting and cast of characters. As we follow the author's progress through her research, we get a taste of the culture of the area and an intimate look at the criminal justice and correctional system. I thought this was a really fascinating case, especially since the author had a personal connection to the story. The narration of the audiobook was excellent. The ending left me a little dissatisfied but I enjoyed the book overall!

I enjoyed this book. It was very interesting to hear about an old crime by the family of the victim. I had never heard of this case before and it was an interesting one. Personally I'm hoping to hear about updates when they happen.

A very interesting deep-dive into the kidnapping and murder of the author's great-grandfather [Aubrey LaHaye, a banker and influential and beloved man in his community, who's body was eventually found in the Bayou Nezpique] and both the history BEFORE it happened [and boy was THIS interesting; I know little about the this part of the South and learning different things was absolutely fascinating] and the aftermath, which continues to this day, 40+ years later.

Filled with cohesive, exhaustive research, rich Southern history [so much learning!], an amazing family lineage, and a story that will just blow your socks off [and make you question everything, much like the author and her family STILL are] and leave you with massive book hangover and wanting just a little bit more.

Christine Lakin is a new-to-me narrator, but I hope that I get to listen to her again soon. This could not have been an easy book to narrate [with all the names, crazy pronunciations, and EMOTIONS!] and she handles it with east and a clear, uplifting voice. I highly recommend this audiobook.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jordan LaHaye Fontenot, Christine Lakin - Narrator, Mariner Books, and Harper Audio Adult for providing the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.

A beautifully written, atmospheric novel that lingers—though I wanted more resolution

Home of the Happy by Jordan LeHaye Fontenot is a stunning debut full of lyrical prose, emotional depth, and richly drawn characters. The writing is immersive, and the setting practically hums off the page—it’s clear the author has a gift for capturing both place and feeling.

I was drawn into the characters’ lives and histories, and I appreciated the slow, thoughtful unraveling of their stories. The themes of memory, family, and personal reckoning were handled with nuance and care.

The only reason I’m giving this four stars instead of five is that I felt the ending lacked a clear resolution. While I understand the appeal of ambiguity, I personally would have liked more closure after becoming so emotionally invested in the journey.

That said, this is a powerful and memorable read, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for what Jordan LeHaye Fontenot writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book early. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

Home of the Happy. I listened to it quickly, as it was tantalizing and something I couldn't stop listening to. I would listen to it in the car, at home while relaxing, or while working. It made me think that I was there in the story as Christine Lakin read it, and yes, that is the same person who was Al on the Step by Step TV show. It allowed me to imagine that it could have been one of my family members who had been murdered and that they were trying to find the killer. It's such a heart-stopping book to listen to, and now I can't wait to read the book as well this summer.

This is a very interesting dive into one case in one place that has implications throughout the United State judicial system. The story is well-told and thoughtfully executed. I like that the author included details to center the reader geographically, socially, emotionally, and historically. The audiobook narrator is excellent.

Aubrey LaHaye was a well known and highly respected figure in his hometown of Mamou, Louisiana. Having just retired from his banking career, he was ready to enjoy his days with his wife, Emily. On January 6, 1983 this would all change as Aubrey was abducted from his home in the early morning hours while his wife Emily was left tied up at their home. His body would be discovered 10 days later in a nearby Bayou.

The book is true crime told memoir style as it is written by the great granddaughter of Aubrey LaHaye. The author has clearly done her research as so much is covered in the book. From court reports to LaHaye family interviews to interviews of the family of the man who still sits in jail for the crime.

I listened to the audiobook and would give it 3/5 stars. Being from Louisiana, more specifically about 30 miles from where the murder took place, I am very picky when it comes to "Cajun" narration. While most things were pronounced correctly, the accents were off. The narrator sounded like traditional "Southern" (ie: Mississippi) rather than Louisiana Cajun. She also mispronounced a few major names/locations that were repeated throughout the story so it was hard to listen to. This probably would not bother someone not from the area if you do not know the pronunciations.

I love how personal the author gets. She shares many "side stories" that create that small town atmosphere. Understanding the culture around small town South Louisiana is important in feeling the impact a case like this can have on the town. The material was a bit hard to follow - I felt like the layout/timeline was chaotic. I wish it had been organized a little better. Though with the amount of information presented I'm sure it was difficult to find a "flow" for the layout. I really appreciated that the author did not seem to have much bias even though this was her family's story. I felt like she did her best to stay objective and open minded throughout her research. Overall a very interesting read that I would recommend to true crime fans.

Thanks to NetGalley, Jordan LaHaye Fontenot, and the publisher for the audiobook copy and chance to give my honest opinion!

I'm not sure if I've just become less critical in my old age (early 40s, guys!), or if I've just been lucky enough to be picking really excellent books lately. Because seriously, with few exceptions, most of the books I've read lately have been 4- and 5-star books. And for someone who used to be much more prone to giving 2- and 3-star reviews, this is just wild to me!

I say all that to say that yes, yet again, Netgalley has provided me with an ARC of a really great, easy 4-star read.

"Home of the Happy" is an incredibly detailed account of the 1983 murder of Aubrey LaHaye, a banker from Evangeline Parish. Written by his great-granddaughter, the book is -- as I mentioned -- detail-oriented, well-investigated, and surprisingly unbiased. It hints at potential misconduct by the Evangeline Parish law offices and provides information from both sides of the crime. (i.e., both supporting the guilty verdict of John Brady Balfa and casting doubt on it)

That may make it seem like the author is indecisive, but that isn't the case at all. Instead, it's one of those cases that, as much as people would like it to be, isn't clear-cut or black and white. There was a whole lot wrong with the way the initial DA and authority figures handled the original case. Should that be enough to let Balfa walk free? Maybe not, especially if he really is guilty.

But is he? Or was the mishandling of justice so severe that an innocent man has been rotting in prison for 30+ years?

These are the questions Fontenot addresses in this book. And, again, she does an exceptional job of presenting the facts without bias, especially considering the murder victim was her great-grandfather and she knows her entire family will affected/judging her for what she says.

It doesn't tie everything up in a nice, neat bow at the end. If that's what you're looking for, you won't find it here. But it does present an interesting case in a refreshingly frank and exhaustively investigated way.

Four stars instead of five because it times it could be a bit wordy and would get slightly bogged down in technical details. Still, a great read if you're interested in true crime.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

Well written informative true crime book. However, I fear podcasts have destroyed my attention span. It was a long book.

On January 16, 1983, Aubrey LaHaye’s body was found floating in the Bayou Nezpique. His kidnapping ten days before sparked “the biggest manhunt in the history of Evangeline Parish.” But his descendants would hear the story as lore, in whispers of the dreadful day the FBI landed a helicopter in the family’s rice field and set out on horseback to search for the seventy-year-old banker.

Decades later, Aubrey’s great-granddaughter Jordan LaHaye Fontenot asked her father, the parish urologist, to tell the full story. He revealed that to this day, every few months, one of his patients will bring up his grandfather’s murder, and the man accused of killing him, John Brady Balfa, who remains at Angola Prison serving a life sentence. They’ll say, in so many “Dr. Marcel, I really don’t think that Balfa boy killed your granddaddy.”

For readers of Maggie Nelson’s The Red Parts and Emma Copley Eisenberg's The Third Rainbow Girl, Home of the Happy unravels the layers of suffering borne of this brutal crime—and investigates the mysteries that linger beneath generations of silence. Is it possible that an innocent man languishes in prison, still, wrongly convicted of murdering the author’s great-grandfather?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 Stars (Excellent)
Setting: Evangeline Parish, Louisiana
Genre: True Crime

The true crime book, The Home of the Happy, is a powerful and hauntingly personal exploration of generational trauma, justice, and unanswered questions. Jordan LaHaye Fontenot masterfully weaves together family lore, historical records, and modern-day reflections to tell the story of her great-grandfather Aubrey LaHaye’s tragic murder and the aftermath that continues to ripple through her family and community decades later.

The content of the book itself deserves a full five stars. Fontenot’s writing is intimate and investigative, striking a careful balance between personal memoir and journalistic inquiry. She doesn’t shy away from the complexities of the case, nor from the emotional weight it carries. I remember this case vividly myself; I was a freshman in college in Louisiana when it happened, and the memory of that time added a personal depth to my listening experience.

However, I had to lower my overall rating to four stars due to the audiobook narration. As a native South Louisianan, I found the repeated mispronunciations of local names and words to be a significant distraction. It was particularly jarring to hear the narrator sometimes pronounce a name or place correctly, only to mispronounce it moments later. For a story so deeply rooted in Louisiana—its culture, its people, its language—these inconsistencies detracted from the authenticity and immersion of the experience.

Still, The Home of the Happy remains a deeply moving and thought-provoking listen, especially for those with ties to the region or an interest in the intersection of family history and criminal justice. I highly recommend it—though if you’re from South Louisiana like me, you might find yourself wishing for a narrator with a bit more regional fluency. #netgalley #thehomeofthehappy #booked_this_weekend

As humans we have been asking “why?” since we learned to talk. When you or your loved one is a victim, you need to know why. The wondering will drive you crazy. I truly feel for her family as this devastating story of her great grandfathers kidnapping and murder unfolds. She lays the story out with an incredible amount of care with little bias. She is open and honest with her feelings and does not shy away from theories that most would. I am incredibly thankful for her bravery in sharing this story with the world. This could easily have been sold to Netflix as a true crime doc, and it would have no doubt pulled you in episode after episode. If there is even an answer to who truly killed Aubrey LaHaye (the man behind bars? His brother in law? A random act of violence? The Cajun Mafia?) I can see this being the next big story covered on every podcast.

There’s a lot of information and names thrown at you and more so states facts instead of telling a story which makes the book seem to drag on. I found myself counting down until it was over because of how bored I was

Jordan's great grandfather was murdered before she was born, but the incident has impacted the entire family's make up. She decides to write about the murder, and as she digs into details, she begins to wonder if the man convicted of the crime is actually guilty. There were some questionable actions by both the police and the DA's office.

This is one of those instances where I wonder if the audiobook negatively impacted my view of the book. This is no fault of the narrator, Christine Lakin. More that there are SO MANY people mentioned in the 40+ years this book covers, it is easy to get lost. Thankfully, the author does warn you of a lot of shared last names- and that they are usually not related. But since there are literally dozens of people who were in some way involved, it was a lot. The family alone is very large. Then you get into people of the community and it is a lot.

Anyway, this is told in more of a narrative format. Not a dry non-fiction text. I'd stick to the print version- or take notes. Maybe both, lol.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange of an honest review.

Jordan Lahaye Fontenot’s Home of the Happy is a beautifully written dive into a haunting true crime story set against the evocative backdrop of Louisiana. With lyrical prose and a novelistic touch, Fontenot breathes life into the people and places surrounding a decades-old murder. Her storytelling draws readers in with atmosphere and empathy, making the book feel more like literary fiction than investigative journalism.

However, as is often the case with true crime stories that lack new evidence or breakthroughs, the narrative can feel ultimately unsatisfying. The mystery lingers, and while Fontenot’s careful attention to detail and emotional nuance is admirable, readers looking for closure or a dramatic revelation may find themselves wanting more.