A Killer in the Family
A Novel
by Amin Ahmad
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Pub Date Apr 07 2026 | Archive Date May 08 2026
Henry Holt & Company | Henry Holt and Co.
Description
A thrilling, intoxicating novel set among New York City’s most elite residents, for readers of My Sister, the Serial Killer and The Age of Vice
Ali Azeem, a naive Muslim bachelor from Mumbai, thinks he has hit the jackpot when he agrees to an arranged marriage with Maryam Khan, daughter of Abbas Khan, a self-made real-estate tycoon and one of the richest men in New York. Moving with her to the United States, Ali quickly enters an intoxicating, Gatsbyesque world of supertall skyscrapers, sumptuous clothing, and helicopter rides to the Hamptons. However, shortly after the newlyweds move into one of the city’s most luxurious apartments, Maryam’s older sister, Farhan, tells Ali that beneath her father's success lies sinister deeds.
But can Farhan be trusted? She is a rebellious outsider and, according to Maryam, an unstable liar. Plus, as the newly minted husband of Abbas’s favorite daughter, Ali has an open invitation to join Tiger Corp., the family’s business empire. Before he commits, Ali launches his own investigation to determine who the Khans really are: the embodiment of the American dream—or cutthroat one-percenters out for themselves? As he closes in on the truth, Ali must ask himself if he can pay the price unimaginable wealth demands.
An unforgettable, riveting portrait of power and family secrets, A Killer in the Family will have readers second-guessing every Khan until its shocking end.
Advance Praise
“A Killer In The Family is a gripping, propulsive thriller that weaves a cutthroat family battle over a business empire (à la Succession) with a heart-pounding hunt for a notorious serial killer. Amin Ahmad takes us into the glittering world of an ultra-wealthy Indian American dynasty for a thought-provoking interrogation of the dark side of power, ambition, and the American dream. The deliciously twisty plot will have you reading—and guessing—late into the night!”
—Angie Kim, New York Times bestselling author of Happiness Falls and Miracle Creek
“Meet the Khans, an imperfect family of perfect liars. They’ve got money to burn and morals to leave behind—but there’s blood on someone’s Cartier-covered hands. Unraveling the unsolved murders surrounding them makes A Killer in the Family a perfect binge read. Sleek, propulsive, and packed with twisted family dynamics: Think Succession meets Crazy Rich Asians.”
–Karin Tanabe, author of A Woman of Intelligence
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781250394897 |
PRICE | $28.99 (USD) |
PAGES | 304 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews

This book absolutely blew me away. From the very first page, A Killer in the Family pulls you into a layered psychological thriller that is as emotionally tense as it is unpredictable. I finished it in a single day because I could not stop turning the pages.
The story follows Ali Azeem, a wedding photographer who marries into one of the wealthiest Indian Muslim families in America. On the surface, he is living a dream life filled with luxury and opportunity. But beneath that polished exterior lies a web of secrets, betrayals, and long buried trauma that slowly begins to unravel.
What makes this thriller stand out is not just the plot twists, which come one after another in the best way possible. It is the depth of the characters and the sharp social dynamics at play. The book explores themes like class divide, power, mental health, family legacy, and the emotional cost of survival. Every character feels complicated and real, and no one is exactly who they seem to be.
Amin Ahmad does something rare in this genre. He centers Indian Muslim characters and allows their identities to shape the narrative without turning them into tropes or background decoration. The representation is thoughtful and refreshing. The cultural details and interpersonal nuances give the book a strong sense of place and authenticity.
The structure is also incredibly smart. The story begins near the end and then loops back to the beginning, building suspense with every chapter. Just when you think you understand what is happening, the ground shifts again. And yet, it all comes together with satisfying clarity. There are no loose ends here. Every thread is tied up with precision.
If you are a fan of tightly written thrillers with complex characters and meaningful stakes, this book is for you. It is a chilling and brilliant exploration of what people are willing to do to protect power, keep secrets, and stay in control.
A Killer in the Family is gripping, haunting, and unforgettable.
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