The Perfect Family
Ratings14
Average rating3.6
15
Ratings14
Average rating3.6
Thomas and Viv Adler are the envy of their neighbors: attractive, successful, with well-mannered children and a beautifully restored home.
Until one morning, when they wake up to find their porch has been pelted with eggs. It’s a prank, Thomas insists; the work of a few out-of-control kids. But when a smoke bomb is tossed on their front lawn, and their car’s tires are punctured, the family begins to worry. Surveillance cameras show nothing but grainy images of shadowy figures in hoodies. And the police dismiss the attacks, insisting they’re just the work of bored teenagers. Unable to identify the perpetrators, the Adlers are helpless as the assaults escalate into violence, and worse. And each new violation brings with it a growing fear. Because everyone in the Adler family is keeping a secret—not just from the outside world, but from each other. And secrets can be very dangerous….
This twisty, addictively page-turning suspense novel about a perfect family’s perfect façade will keep you turning pages until its explosive ending.
Reviews with the most likes.
Thomas, Viv, Eli and Tarryn appear like the perfect family outwardly but each member is hiding secrets that could be responsible for them being targeted by petty acts of vandalism to their home that escalates.
I turned pages rapidly to discover who was behind it all.
But if you don't enjoy cliffhangers (albeit a mini one) you've been warned.
“So Many Secrets. So Many Lies. And So Much Anger.” Yes, the title of this review is a direct quote from the book. Yes, it is during the final 10%, when everything is being revealed and wrapped up. And yet you still have no idea what it actually refers to. ;) But that particular line really does sum the book up in and of itself. This is a four person family consisting of mom and dad who have been married for over 20 years, 20 yo college dropout son, and 17yo high school junior daughter - and every single one of them are keeping secrets from all the others and actively lying to both the other people and themselves. Harding does a tremendous job of showing flawed, nuanced characters just trying to do what they think is right with limited information... sometimes with tragic results. No one comes out looking squeaky clean, and yet no one comes out looking overly monstrous either. Great job of showing just how murky real life often is. Very much recommended.
When a privileged, seemingly perfect family are targeted by vandals with increasing malice each member begins to suspect its their own secret that is the cause. This is a fast paced, low stakes thriller that touches on darker undercurrents, but never quite goes there. I prefer my thrillers with a bit more bite, but if you feel like a fun read without too many stabby bits - this domestic thriller is for you.
