John Fram

Rating: 3.5* of five

The Publisher Says: A young father must clear his name and protect his queer son when his wealthy new wife’s televangelist grandfather is found murdered in this binge-worthy locked-room thriller from the acclaimed author of The Bright Lands—perfect for fans of Ruth Ware, Paul Tremblay, and Alex North.

For years, single father Toby Tucker has done his best to keep his sensitive young son, Luca, safe from the bigotry of the world. But when Toby marries Alyssa show more Wright—the granddaughter of a famed televangelist known for his grandiose, Old Testament preaching—he can’t imagine the world of religion, wealth, and hate that he and Luca are about to enter.

A trip to the Wright family’s compound in sun-scorched Texas soon turns hellish when Toby realizes that Alyssa and the rest of her brood might have some very strange plans for Toby and his son. The situation only grows worse when a freak storm cuts off the roads and the family patriarch is found murdered, stabbed through the heart on the roof of the family’s mansion.

Suspicion immediately turns to Toby, but when his son starts describing a spectral figure in a black suit lurking around the house with unfinished business in mind, Toby realizes this family has more than murder to be afraid of. And as the Wrights close in on Luca, no one is prepared for the lengths Toby will go in the fight to clear his name and protect his son.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.

My Review: Fun, unbelievable Gothic suspense tale. I liked it best when Dad-mode was engaged, and Toby was fiercely defending Luca and his right to exist from fundy jerks. I was completely appalled that Toby would've gotten himself and his son tangled up with these assholes in the first place. Still, suspension of disbelief and all that...but that's what happened to my fourth and fifth stars.

The half-star I put back is down to the Texas-ness of it: the freak storm resembles one I experienced in my own decades in Texas, the supernatural-adjacent events also rang my atmosphere bells, and Author Fram's characters each have voices I relate to. In fact, I have relatives who sound like Aly's entire clan. I fully delighted in this Dad-beast, protective story's object, too. Luca's predicament is achingly familiar, and I liked the ending. show less

This is one of those books that makes review writing a tricky business. "The Bright Lands" by John Fram is a solid, engaging, frightening, and bizarre book and I loved it. I will endeavor to give you a feel for what this book is like without giving away the great surprises and twists that are in it!

Joel Whitley fled his home town and didn't look back... until the night he gets an accidental text from his younger brother. With just one text, Dylan hints that he too is finding Bentley, Texas show more to be a challenging place to live. But it shouldn't be like that. Dylan is young, handsome, the quarterback on the football team, and dating a gorgeous cheerleader. His life should be great, it should be much better than the life Joel has escaped.

Joel decides that it's time to step up and help out his brother. He is more than settled financially and can help Dylan with his future. He travels back to his home town and it's almost like going back in time. Nothing much has changed... the bright lights of the football field still call the townspeople together to celebrate one of the most important things in their world. Football is pretty much everything in Bentley.

Shortly after Joel arrives back home, his younger brother Dylan disappears. Joel promises his mother he will get to the bottom of what has happened and things just spiral down from there.

This is a really eerie story. Farm has a great style of writing. The pacing is great and there are stiletto punches of reveals that take your breath away. I read this in two days because every time I thought I had found a spot to put it down... something else would happen and I had to keep reading. It's hard to believe this is a debut novel because it's such a solid story!

The characters are well developed and all the way through I could sense my brain trying to put the pieces together to sort out the mystery but I just couldn't pull it off! I was locked into the plot from the moment Joel got a series of painful texts from his brother. I've given nothing away... and that's intentional. If you like horror... suspense...drama... you'll love this book. show less

It’s an absolutely wonderfully told story with crime fiction mixed with horror straight out of your worse nightmares. My kind of book in every way possible. We visit the conservative Texas town of Bentley where the residents live, eat and breathe Friday night high school football. I’m not taking about being average ‘fan”…I’m taking about overwhelming, over-the –top obsession. They would do literally anything for the players and very soon they will get a chance that they never show more in their worse nightmare thought they’d ever have. Strange dreams and a sense of impending dread take over the people. When Joel begins to investigate his brother’s death he soon discovers that the town itself may be responsible. Dark secrets that never should have seen the light of day are soon revealed and Joel finds his life in jeopardy…but the question is…from what? It’s a tale with twisted narratives and a brutal look at the human condition. Loved it from the first page to the last. If you like dark mysteries with a hint of the supernatural thrown in…you will love this book also. show less

Review of eBook

Toby Tucker and his son, Luca, and his new wife, Alyssa, travel from Los Angeles to Ramorah, her family’s estate in Hebron, Texas. His meeting with her parents had been less than auspicious; he felt rather anxious about meeting her televangelist grandfather and the rest of the family. Naturally, the reputation of Jerome Jeremiah Wright, billed as America’s Prophet, was a bit daunting, even for someone who considered The Prophecy Hour a carnival act.

But the Wright clan . . show more . filled with cruelty and spite . . . isn’t particularly welcoming.

And then Jerome is found on the roof . . . murdered.

======

With all the elements of a gothic horror novel, this unfolding narrative reveals the closely-held secrets in this family. With well-drawn [but not at all likable] characters, a huge Southern gothic mansion, a fierce storm, and a delightfully twisted plot filled with unexpected revelations, readers will find this dysfunctional family tale keeps them guessing.

With an undercurrent of tension running throughout the telling of the tale, the various characters reveal their true natures. Suspense builds, heightened by creepy sightings, shivery shadows, and a touch of the occult, all leading to an unexpected denouement. Fans of family drama, suspense, and thrillers will find much to appreciate here.

Recommended.

Unfortunately, the use of an unnecessary expletive throughout the narrative is certain to offend many readers; its overuse lowers the rating for the book.

I received a free copy of this book from Atria Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
#NoRoadHome #NetGalley show less