literary gluttony

Home Is Where the Bodies Are follows three estranged siblings who reunite after their mother’s death, only to uncover a VHS tape that suggests their father—who vanished years ago—may have been involved in a shocking crime. As old resentments resurface and long-buried secrets claw their way to the surface, the siblings are forced to confront not only the mystery of their father’s disappearance but also the fractures within their own relationships. What unfolds is a family drama wrapped in a thriller’s pacing, where memory and truth don’t always align.

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I went into this one expecting tension thick enough to choke on and twists that would send me reeling. And while the premise absolutely delivers on intrigue, the execution didn’t quite hit the way I’d hoped.

The strongest aspect of this novel is the concept. A mysterious tape. A missing father. Siblings with complicated histories. It’s the kind of setup that practically begs you to settle in for a long, twisty night of reading. And at first, I was all in. The family dynamics had potential, especially with the emotional weight of grief and unresolved childhood trauma hanging over everything.

But here’s the thing: I found the central mystery rather predictable early on. Once I felt like I could see the shape of the ending taking form, it became difficult to stay emotionally invested. The suspense hinges so heavily on revelation that when those revelations don’t surprise you, the tension naturally deflates.

Because of that, I struggled to truly care about the characters or how the story would ultimately resolve. The siblings each have distinct personalities and backstories, but I never felt fully immersed in their emotional stakes. Instead of leaning forward in anticipation, I found myself observing from a distance.

That’s not to say the book is without merit. The pacing is steady, the writing is accessible, and Rose knows how to structure a story in a way that keeps pages turning—even if you suspect you already know where those pages are headed. If you’re newer to thrillers or enjoy family-centered suspense with a strong domestic focus, this may land better for you.

For me, though, it was a solid middle-of-the-road read. Not bad. Not breathtaking. Just… fine.

Devour or Nibble?

Nibble. If you’re craving a quick, family-driven thriller with a compelling hook and don’t mind a plot that may feel familiar, it’s worth picking up. But if you’re hunting for jaw-on-the-floor twists, this one might leave you wanting just a little more.