A Book A Week

It seems fitting that my latest read features the threat of a hurricane barreling toward the setting of this thriller. This week, I’ve been working on returning to normal after Hurricane Beryl disrupted everything. I much prefer reading about hurricanes than living through them! Jaime Day’s latest thriller, One Big Happy Family, provided a welcome escape from the stress of returning to work while dealing with the hurricane’s aftermath. This was my first book by the author, so I had no preconceived notions going in, and I think that’s the best way to approach this one.

Charley is doing her best to keep everything together. At nineteen, it feels like the weight of the world is on her shoulders. With her mother out of the picture due to a life of addictions and a series of bad romantic partners, Charley is left to care for her maternal grandmother, who is slowly succumbing to dementia. Struggling to afford her grandmother's space at an elder care facility and facing a rent increase, Charley is under immense pressure. To make ends meet, she works as a maid at The Precipice, an eccentric family-owned hotel on the rocky coast of Maine. The family patriarch has just died, leaving the future of the hotel uncertain.

With a hurricane threatening to land near the property's coast, most of the rooms are vacant. Charley decides to allow Bree, a stranger in need, to stay at the hotel for free as she tries to evade her abusive boyfriend. She knows this act could get her fired, but she believes in helping someone in need, hoping for some help in return.

The entire Bishop family is descending upon the hotel for the reading of their father's last will and testament. The Bishop sisters, Iris, Vicki, and Faith, are each driven by their own selfish motivations, and each sister wants their fair share of the family fortune. As the storm begins to overtake The Precipice, tensions build to a breaking point. The will is read, and someone ends up dead. Is it the result of a horrific accident or something more sinister? Cut off from the rest of the world amidst the raging winds of the storm, it will be up to the staff and family to uncover secrets and make it out of the hotel alive. 

One Big Happy Family sees Jaimy Day craft a soap opera of family drama packed with twists and turns. The story employs a kitchen-sink approach, throwing in every possible thriller trope, including family secrets, murder, money, and even a touch of the occult. Typically, this wouldn't be my cup of tea. Only some elements work in this story. Many plot points fail to reach a satisfying conclusion, the red herrings are often glaringly obvious, and none of the characters are particularly likable. Still, I'd be lying if I said I could pull myself away from all the over-the-top drama. The book reads like one of those trashy reality shows that you're embarrassed to admit you watch. One Big Happy Family isn't the best thriller I've ever read, but it doesn't try to be. It's silly, twisty, fun, and perfect for some light summer reading.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 54)