𝑶𝒖𝒓𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒖𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕'𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆. 𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆. 𝑶𝒓 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒕.

This twisted tale had me in an absolute choke hold until I finished it. All the publishers are touting new thrillers with taglines like, "an unbelievable twist you'll never see it coming" and those are usually eye-rolling, but in this case, it's 100% true. It's the kind of book that you immediately want to start again when you get to that ending. Your flabbers will be gasted.

In a quiet neighborhood, three families exist separately, only tangentially connected by proximity. Klara never wanted the domestic life, but found herself led here by her new husband Troy. She feels trapped, isolated, but she duly follows conventions and allows herself to lose the solo home and career she built. Troy is so good to her, so she won't let herself think of the smooth way he insinuated himself into her life.

Mary, a retired teacher, is cleaning out her son's old room before she sells her home. She can't afford to keep it up, and the neighbors don't want her there anyway. She's tormented by the 'what-ifs' but consoles herself with the knowledge that she loved her golden boy more than life itself.

Finally, there is Henry next door, who has acquired a long list of all the women he yearns for who don't want a thing to do with him. Due to troubling behavior at work, he's been let go from his job and is living in his parents' basement. He's become quite interested in watching the neighbors, especially the wives. He senses that his help is needed, and Henry is always eager to assist.

Lots of things stand out about this book, but no one captures the essence of motherhood quite like this author. Mary's story in particular will just gut you in places. The wounds she carries are deep and life-changing, and her moments of reminiscing about her son's younger years made me unexpectedly emotional. Klara's story too will get under your skin in a different way--be prepared as you may see a version of yourself in her. And Henry. One of his mother's memories of him made me gasp out loud.

When these stories converge, it is absolutely shocking to see the level of detail and precision that went into creating all the moving parts of this plot and how brilliantly everything came together. I read the ending twice (ok, three times) and then stared off into the distance like an extra in an 80s music video. This book is going to be a smash hit of 2026.

A good mother will always see the best version of her children, flaws and all, but a great mother will have the courage to see what's standing right in front of her. You're not prepared for where this one will lead you. Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the early copy. This one is slated to publish February 10, 2026.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Nora Murphy's Ours Is a Tale of Murder isn't just a novel; it's a meticulously crafted clockwork of suspense, each cog a character, each spring a secret, all winding towards an explosive revelation. From the outset, Murphy establishes a mood as thick and oppressive as a fog rolling in off the moors, drawing the reader into the claustrophobic world of the Blackwood estate, where old money, older grudges, and a fresh corpse have converged.

Murphy masterfully employs a multi-perspectival narrative, allowing us glimpses into the minds of those entangled in the Blackwood web. This isn't simply a device to move the plot forward; it's a deliberate act of misdirection, a clever sleight of hand that keeps you guessing about motivations and allegiances. Just when you think you have a character pegged, Murphy peels back another layer, revealing a complexity that is both unsettling and utterly human. The pacing is a slow, simmering burn, a testament to Murphy's confidence in her ability to build tension without resorting to cheap thrills. The true horror lies not in gore or jump scares, but in the insidious creep of suspicion and the chilling realization that every character holds a piece of a truly sinister puzzle.

What sets Ours Is a Tale of Murder apart is its refusal to adhere to conventional whodunit tropes. While there is a central mystery—the titular murder—the journey to its resolution is less about deductive reasoning and more about psychological excavation. The Blackwood family itself feels like a character, a decaying institution haunted by its past, its members bound by a toxic mix of loyalty and resentment. The prose is elegant and precise, with a keen eye for detail that paints vivid pictures of both the crumbling estate and the equally crumbling psyches of its inhabitants. Murphy doesn't just tell you what's happening; she makes you feel the cold breath of fear, the prickle of paranoia, the heavy weight of unspoken truths.

However, readers seeking a neat, easily solvable mystery might find themselves challenged. Murphy delights in ambiguity, in the shadows between facts, and in the unsettling notion that some answers are more disturbing than the questions they resolve. The ending, while delivering a satisfying sense of closure, also leaves a lingering unease, a testament to the novel's profound psychological depth.

Ours Is a Tale of Murder is a chilling and expertly woven tapestry of deceit, obsession, and the corrosive power of secrets. It’s a book that demands your attention, rewards your patience, and lingers in your mind long after the final page is turned. Nora Murphy has not just written a murder mystery; she has crafted a dark and captivating character study, a tale that proves some narratives are best told in the unsettling whispers of the past. Highly recommended for those who appreciate literary suspense that delves deep into the human psyche.

Yikes!! My head is still spinning with this spine tingling psychological suspense story. I have enjoyed Nora Murphy's previous thrillers, and Ours Is A Tale Of Murder is her best yet. The carefully crafted plot, the attention to detail, and the flawless way everything is tied together have fast tracked Murphy to my must-read authors list. I read it in one sitting, though I tried to stretch it out, but as I lay in bed, it kept calling to me, so I got up and read all night.


In a quiet neighborhood, three families are dealing with their own personal turmoils. Each has their story to tell, and a little more than halfway through, they merge together. Filled with so much deception, lies, secrets, and narcissism, it's no wonder that when the stories do come together, there is an explosion of gasp out loud moments sending the reader scrambling to get to the finish.


This was one of my most favorite books so far this year. The smooth flow of writing makes it a fast-paced page turner. This is a must-read that will stay with you for a long time.

Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advanced copy

This was deliciously addicting!! I rolled my eyes when I read “ clear your schedule” & then proceeded to read this all in one sitting lol.. The story reads smoother than butter & is wayyyyy more addictive than anything you can purchase from your local dealer. I wish this was coming out before Christmas! It would make a great stocking stuffed for my thriller lovers

Wow! The plot of this book is so intricate and so well done. Parts one and two are seamlessly woven in a way that is both perfection and jaw-dropping. The multi POV add layers that enhance the overall story. The antagonist is written in such a way that it's almost skin crawling. And of course, you can help but feel for the MFC. Absolutely, without a doubt worth a read!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This was such an eerily good read! There were so many shocking twists and I had to read this book in one sitting because I couldn’t stand the suspense! I love books where everything intersects at a certain point between plot lines and characters and this satisfied that craving for me! Fantastic writing, a quickly evolving plot, and enough suspense to keep the reader on edge, this is the ideal book when you want to really get lost in a book for a day or two!

Wow talk about speechless !!! This had me hooked from the beginning. Finished within 48 hours, perfect example of fast paced, page turner

Ours Is a Tale of Murder 5/5 stars! By far the best thriller I’ve read in a while! I stayed engaged and at the edge of my seat until the very last page.

This story is told in two parts, from multiple points of view, with flashbacks to the past. It did take me a bit to sort out who was who and where their storyline was taking them, but once it clicked I found it very easy to keep track of everything happening because I was so invested! The twist was so well done and took me by total surprise and the way the stories merged was unlike anything I expected.

I highly recommend giving Ours Is a Tale of Murder a read when it releases this coming February!

Three families whose only apparent connection is where they live.
Troy and Klara, newcomers to the neighborhood, but all is not well between them.
Mary seems to live alone after a tragedy. But does she?
Then there is Henry, unemployed and living with his parents. He is also obsessed with the married woman across the street.
I could not put this book down! My little gray cells were smoking, trying to fit the pieces into a picture that made sense. If you guess the first major twist, kudos, because I did not see it coming.
This was so cleverly structured, that even after thinking about it for several days, I doubt that I could have seen what was coming. I am not going to say anything else for risk of giving important parts of the story away. Well done.
I read this on the beach and even though it will not be published until February, it will make a great indoor read too.

Book: Ours Is A Tale Of Murder
Author: Nora Murphy
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Pub Date: February 10, 2026

This book is so hard to summarize without giving something away. Each storyline has a strong twist – each chapter propels you forward and makes you want to stay up all night and finish it. Murphy opens this thriller in a seemingly quiet suburban setting – but you find yourself among three households that are anything but normal. Klara and Troy are mismatched; Mary who is reconnecting with loss in an empty childhood room; and Henry is restless and watchful after losing his job. The author hides the threads of connection among the three families well. When those threads finally snap into place, the collision is quiet at first but devastating. This is a chilling domestic thriller. I also feel like she did a great job with character development and the twists! Everything about this was believable including the ending. This is a great example of how well people hide what they are capable of.

Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for this sneak peak! Publication date is February 10, 2026.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Omg this was so good! I couldn’t put it down. Ms Murphy does an excellent job of writing twists you don’t see coming.

While a tale about seemingly disparate storylines of three characters living in a “safe” neighborhood, the reader comes to discover how intricately their lives are intertwined. Told through three different POVS, Ms. Murphy writes compelling characters that have you craving for more of them. I found her writing to be really engaging and couldn’t put the novel down, craving to find out what sort of resolution was in store for these characters. A fast paced, engaging novel I would recommend for thriller lovers.

You will not be able to put this book down!

This book follows several individuals, all hiding secrets. Klara and Troy, the couple who burned brightly at the start of their relationship, but things have taken a turn. Henry, watching the unhappy couple across the street. Mary, a mother who is grieving.

Murder has already hit this sleepy neighborhood. Will it hit it again?

The characters were all captivating, and the changing POVs propelled the book forward. I finished it in 24 hours, loving all the twists and turns.

Nora Murphy is a genius.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!