My Rating
A Cold Case With a Twist
Cara Hunter has been on my recommendation lists for a long time, but Murder in the Family is actually the first book of hers I’ve read. I’ve always been drawn to cold case mysteries — stories where old crimes resurface through discoveries, modern investigations, or advances in forensic technology. This book fits perfectly into that category, yet it stands apart because of its unique storytelling style.
Episodic Storytelling & Cliffhangers
The entire novel is written in the form of a screenplay or documentary transcript. Instead of traditional narration, we see the story unfold through interviews, transcripts, newspaper clippings, and show notes. Six characters are invited by a TV show host to re-examine the details of a 20-year-old unsolved murder — and one of them, interestingly, is the stepson of the victim.
Each “episode” of this fictional TV series ends on a cliffhanger, just like a real true-crime show, which makes it compulsively readable. The twists and turns are masterfully done, and Hunter’s pacing is excellent. You genuinely feel like you’re watching an investigative documentary rather than reading a novel.
That said, I struggled a bit with the formatting on Kindle. Some of the newspaper clippings and chat transcripts were hard to read, and I found myself wondering how they appear in the physical edition. If the print version also mimics real newspaper layouts, I imagine it might be quite small or tricky to read closely.
Family Secrets & Revelations
The story itself is gripping — full of secrets, family tensions, and shocking revelations. It revolves around a dysfunctional family with stepchildren, half-siblings, and complicated relationships. Without giving spoilers, I’ll say that while I could guess a few twists, the final reveal still managed to surprise me.
Overall, Murder in the Family is an ingeniously structured and highly atmospheric mystery. While I wasn’t entirely sure about the screenplay-style format, I can’t deny that it added a fresh, cinematic edge to the storytelling. For fans of true crime or unconventional mystery formats, this is an excellent pick.
This book also made me want to explore more of Cara Hunter’s work — especially her most acclaimed novel, Close to Home. I’d love to read that next to understand her usual writing style better.
In All
Brilliant, innovative, and full of tension — a must-read for anyone who enjoys cold cases, family secrets, and stories told in fresh new ways.
Book Blurb
A shocking thriller about a cold case, a fictional true crime series, and the family caught in the middle.
SIX EPISODES. ONE KILLER.
It was a case that gripped the nation. In December 2003, Luke Ryder, the stepfather of acclaimed filmmaker Guy Howard (then aged 10), was found dead in the garden of their suburban family home.
Luke Ryder’s murder has never been solved. Everyone present around the time of the murder swears they saw nothing. Despite a high-profile police investigation and endless media attention, no suspect was ever charged.
But some murder cases are simply too big to forget…
Now comes the sensational new Netflix series Infamous, dedicated to investigating–and perhaps cracking–this famous cold case. The production team will re-examine testimony, re-interview witnesses, and once again scour the evidence. The family will speak. The key players will be reunited–on camera. The truth will come out.
Are you ready to see it?
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