Home Is Where the Bodies Are

This book was good, the characters were written well even when I greatly disliked them, and the mystery had me guessing for a while. However, I wouldn't say that it was anything to write home about, the mystery was really that surprising and overall felt like an episode of a crime drama than a super suspenseful thriller. But I did enjoy it, and would recommend it as long as expectations are managed.

I can't put my finger on why I didn't like this more, but I think it could be how all the siblings hate each other and that's gotten boring to me. Otherwise, the story itself was fresh and interesting and kept me guessing. I just think I didn't really like any of the characters.

This was a fun, thrilling, quick read. Even with a twist I was long suspecting, I enjoyed it and flew through it. A nice slump breaker of a book, along the lines of a Lisa Jewell or Catherine Ryan Howard offering.

Rating Description:

1.0 - DNF/Despise

1.5 - Almost DNFed and wish I had

2.0 - Almost DNFed but had redeeming qualities/just boring

2.5 - Alright with lots of notes

3.0 - Alright with notes but I'm not raving about it

3.5 - Technically good but I'm not raving about it

4.0 - Technically good, and/or I enjoyed it a lot

4.5 - Loved it, I wanted to highlight lines in the book but still with notes

5.0 - Loved it, I wanted to highlight lines in the book, and notes are very positive

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I considered DNFing this book.

1.

The summary basically sold this to me as a murder mystery. Well, there were murders and who committed them was a mystery however this was really more of a family drama.

There was hardly any investigation. Most of the book was about their family problems. It felt like the murder mystery plot was shoe horned in.

2.

I was not a fan of the writing style. At 1st it was fine. However, the inner monologues were too dramatic and long. I would have understood if it was just Nicole who has like that. But Beth was the same.

Example:

There was a scene were Beth saw her high school sweetheart at the door. Between seeing him and finally opening the door, she had this long inner monologue that made it seem like minutes passed. I kept picturing that guy seeing Beth see him and waited for minutes before she opened the door.

3.

Another issue with the writing style was that the author had a fondness for metaphors. I’m not opposed to that usually but it was over used. It also popped up in places where it seemed inappropriate because it took you out of the scene.

Example:

There’s a scene where they were all grabbing for a gun and the author wrote that they were fighting over it like it was their favorite toy.

The whole scene was supposed to give the readers this sense that things were frantic. That description pulled me out of that. It was so annoying.

I tried to get myself to finish this book by listening to the audiobook more. But I think it made things worse. The performances in the audiobook were not great.

If there were fewer inner monologues, I think I would have enjoyed this book. Personally, I think this might have worked better as a screenplay.

“Home Is Where the Bodies Are” by Jeneva Rose is a spine-tingling thriller that grips you from the very first page and doesn't let go. The story centers around a young woman returning to her hometown after a devastating personal loss, only to stumble upon a dark web of secrets that lurk beneath its familiar surface. The twist? A VHS tape featuring a dead body that sets off a chain reaction of chilling events that will keep you guessing until the last moment.

Rose expertly blends nostalgia and horror, using the VHS as a haunting metaphor for the past—both its allure and its dangers. As our protagonist digs deeper into the mystery, each frame of that grainy tape unveils more unsettling truths about her hometown and the people in it. This clever intertwining of past and present creates an eerie atmosphere that's as captivating as it is unsettling, immersing you in a world where nothing is as it seems.

The pacing of the novel is electrifying, with every chapter revealing a new layer of intrigue. The tension builds as the protagonist confronts not only the ghosts of her past but also the living who may not be what they appear. Rose's writing is sharp and evocative, perfectly capturing the dread that accompanies every discovery.

And let's not forget the audiobook version—it's a phenomenal way to experience this chilling tale! The narration adds an extra layer of intensity, amplifying the suspense with each twist and turn. The voice acting brings the characters to life in a way that makes the horrifying revelations feel even more visceral.

Overall, “Home Is Where the Bodies Are” is a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat. With its compelling premise and spine-chilling plot, this book is a thrilling ride that lingers long after you've turned the last page. So grab your favorite reading nook, press play on the suspense, and prepare for a journey into a darkly captivating world where the past refuses to stay buried!

Family Drama

This book wasn't on my radar at all this year, but after it was recommended to me, I’m so glad I picked it up. Over two days, it provided the perfect break from reality. These days, it’s tough for a book to hold my attention, but Home Is Where the Bodies Are was so well-written and fast-paced that I couldn’t put it down.

Jeneva Rose delivers a thriller that’s equal parts twisted and entertaining. The central character—a seemingly ordinary suburban woman with a sinister secret—grabs you from the first chapter. The pacing is ideal for psychological thriller fans, with short, punchy chapters that kept me turning the pages late into the night.

What sets this book apart is Rose’s clever blend of suspense and dark humor. The plot, while sinister, is also laced with wit and surprising twists, making it more than just another crime thriller. Rose manages to make you feel both uncomfortable and entertained, which is no small feat. Her portrayal of small-town secrets and the murky undercurrents of suburban life keeps the tension high throughout.

The characters, especially the morally ambiguous protagonist, are well-developed. Despite her flaws, I found myself rooting for her, which adds an extra layer of complexity to the story. Rose strikes a good balance between psychological depth and fast-paced action, making the book feel like more than a surface-level thriller.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, there were a few moments where the plot felt a bit predictable. Some twists, while exciting, were telegraphed early on. However, the engaging writing style and overall entertainment value more than made up for these minor flaws.

Overall, Home Is Where the Bodies Are is a dark, witty, and fast-paced read that will keep thriller fans hooked from start to finish. It’s perfect for anyone who enjoys a mix of mystery, suspense, and a bit of dark humor. Jeneva Rose has crafted a story that keeps you guessing while delivering a few laugh-out-loud moments amidst the tension. If you're looking for a thriller that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still packs a punch, this one’s worth adding to your list.

Just wasn't fun to read. It was slow and easy to figure out.

3.5⭐️

So this one is tough because on the one hand, the characters were interesting and I liked the setting and the whole general atmosphere of the book. The fact that the characters are roughly my age made the flashbacks particularly enjoyable, in that “wow that's familiar” kind of a way. It's clear the author, too, is probably around my age, considering the little details in the eldest daughter's memories in particular were extremely close to my own teenage years. I think the handling of grief, substance abuse, and inequitable family dynamics was really well done here, and I really liked the parts of this story that dove into “how does a family with a bunch of secrets and seemingly unfair treatment of siblings deal with the death of a parent?”

However I'm not sure that's enough to make up for the lackluster thriller/mystery portion. There's a fine line between “this was a predictable ending” and “I figured it out because the author properly seeded the mystery and I followed her breadcrumb trail to its natural conclusion,” and I am not entirely sure this author pulled it off. There were some side plots that were mildly interesting, but the overall reveal of it left me in a kind of a “meh” place when it was all said and done.

3.5 stars rounded up because this kept my attention the whole way through. The main reason I choose to read this over many other similar books was the “found footage” trope and I wish there had been a little more of that.

I was pretty certain this “twist” was going to be that the brother, Michael, was the killer the whole time. It just had that feeling. Especially when Michael showed his violent side, I felt pretty certain. But this was written well enough that I doubted myself a bit, suspected Brian and Lucas each for a moment, and that's worth crediting.

Well written, good pace, did not want to put down. Good suspense build-up and a few great twists.

too me 4 days to finish. a <300 pages book. says a lot 

read like a wattpad story. too simplistic writing style, very repetitive at times

very very predictable and boring plot, with some annoying one dimensional characters. you don't root for anyone, there's barely any tension & the ending fell flat

michael sounded so much like a disney villain like ahah i hate everyone and im better than you, you and you !!! beth was just boring, & nicole annoying 

also, i really disliked the romance side plot like did we really need this unrealistic love ?? (like very realistic, like they literally didn't interact with each other for YEARS, got married, had kids, but now y'all get together for a day & suddenly can't live without each other ?? please)

i really couldn't connect with any of the characters so it was hard staying engaged with the story 

2/5

I loved the premise of this book and honestly found it pretty enjoyable. A 3 star thriller me is one I consider an average thriller.
I've seen a few people talk about how shocked they were by the ending, but bummer for me... I wasn't. I had figured it out already before it was revealed and in order for a thriller to get a 4 or 5 star from me I have to be shocked by the reveals and the plot twists. 

I'm definitely not saying I regret reading this one though I like I did with the last Jeneva Rose I read (You Shouldn't Have Come Here) cause this one was a good time!

That was better that I was expecting! 4 stars

Realistic Rating 3.6

Family Drama + Unsolved Murder Mystery.
This was a very well-crafted, character driven story about family dynamics, sibling drama and consequences. The tone is pretty bleak and mirrors some real-life family dynamics and other issues so if you're looking for an escape from that, this read might not be for you. This story might have been better served if it excluded the murder mystery aspect because it was underwhelming, and the killer was pretty obvious (and I say this as someone who usually guesses wrong) otherwise I enjoyed this read.

Audio notes: all the performers did well, good casting.

welcome back jeneva rose. this was so GOOD and sad and I also guessed the twist but I was happy about it. i love beth so much

2.0/5.0- this is the worst “thriller” I've read. I'm always so anxious and my heart pumps against my chest when I've read any other thriller. This? Absolutely no anxiety, no sitting on the edge of my seat wanting/needing to know what happens next. I am absolutely terrible at predicting who the murderer is or who did things... but I saw right through this one. It was a short book yet sooo slow. This whole family spoke in metaphors and I'm trying to figure out whether the author wanted to be inspirational amidst their grief. The plot is interesting but I would not recommend this.

This was my first Jeneva Rose book, and I'll definitely be reading others by her. This is a good mystery/thriller about secrets and lies. loss, and family. I think the pacing was good and the discovery of what happened in the past. The climax was really good. I'd recommend this book as long as you don't mind multiple POV

Lots of surprises in this one!

“No,” I lie again. I don't know why I don't just come out and tell them.

I don't know why either, girlypop.

I honestly did not enjoy this book but by the time I realized it wasn't for me, I was too far in to quit and decided to just power through. I'm new to mystery/thrillers in general and I don't usually enjoy “unlikeable characters” so please take my review with a grain of salt — you may love this book, as the majority of the reviewers seemed to love it. But for me, this was a miss.

Home Is Where the Bodies Are is about three miserable siblings discovering their parents were also miserable and half-heartedly investigating a string of disappearances.

THE GOOD

★ I always appreciate a book set in the rural midwest, and I can see this setting really working for people that enjoy the trope of “small town struck by the horrors of a murder in their own backyard realize their tight-knit community isn't as trustworthy as they once imagined.”

★ How could you not be drawn to a book with that cover?

THE BAD

★ The writing often drifted into this cheesy “chicken noodle soup for the soul” style that felt like it was trying too hard to create a quotable moment, but without the atmosphere and tension required to make it hit home.

”The moments that change us forever always feel recent, because we carry them with us whether we want to or not.”

this book could have ended at 20% if Beth had just opened the lockbox and read the letter that explained, quite literally, every detail of the mystery.

she overcomes adversity by realizing how precious life is — while I'm glad she gets her happy ending, I wish it was less straightforward. Addiction is a disease and healing is not linear, so this ending was overly simplistic for me.

Re: the Ending

I'm glad that everyone got their happily ever after, but I don't love that the big moral of the story is that their parents weren't bad people, they were just trying to protect the ones they love (according to Beth, at least). To me, the moral of the story is that if your child commits a horrible crime, you should get them the psychiatric help they need instead of hiding the body and rewarding them with a computer— but hey, that's just me.

I listened to the audiobook. Pretty writing is the only positive I really have to give? Audiobook is 8 hours, 6 hours of which I will never get back. The entire book happens at the end, most of the family dynamic business in the beginning is way too drawn out knowing what I know now and some of it is honestly pointless. The whole book is less than thrilling. I don't read a lot of thrillers but is it normal to be thrilled for only the 15% of a book? Also, EXTREMELY predictable. Rolled my eyes more than few times. Ithought maybe the final confession by the mom at the end might be the silver lining plot twist, but there was none (maybe ONE but about a real side character). And was this bitch for real covering up for her son again??? He is a grown ass ADULT.. COME ON. And how does the drug addict sister who is obviously struggling and needs love given LESS sympathy from her mother than her MURDERER brother. With that nasty ass death note to her daughter. Seriously? I'm sorry but fiction or not, I can't get on board with something SO far-fetched. Another book Booktok book hyped up that is a disappointment. In summary, this book is boring and predictable and I would not recommend.

This was so unlike what I thought and I liked seeing the three siblings come together after a death in the family. The beginning reminded me of How to Sell a Haunted House. I enjoyed reading from the three perspectives and thought everyone was distinct and I liked the flashback chapters from the mom! I also enjoyed the setting and got through this pretty quick. It surprised me that Michael was the cause of all the problems and the dad was actually dead. Thought for sure it would be Lucas

I love Jeneva Rose's writing and this did not disappoint!

Three siblings reunite to handle their mother's estate after she passes, but it's more like three strangers. Beth is the oldest and had stayed and cared for their mother all the way up until she passed. And her final words to Beth has Beth feeling confused along with bereft. Nicole is the middle child and battles substance abuse leaving her on the outs with everyone in her family. And Michael, the youngest, got out of their small town and now lives a life of luxury. He hasn't been back to his home town in seven years. With old wounds opening along with the fresh wound of their mother's passing they are more than eager to go through their mother's things and get the estate settled. However, when they stumble upon an old VHS that was meant to be their home tape from summer of 1999 but ends with the image of their father in bloodied clothes, a body, and their parents stating they plan on hiding the body, the siblings are left shocked and wondering what they should do with this information.

I really enjoyed how the story opens and progresses. It's told in the perspective of all three siblings and it's fascinating seeing how each sibling sees themselves and each other. The memories of their childhoods differ and each has a different perspective on how to handle this new knowledge they've gained. As the story unfolds I had several different ideas of what the twist was going to be. Jeneva Rose does a great job of making you feel like you've figured it out and then throwing another wrench in your theory. Overall, I did guess the twist but the lead up to its revelation was still fun. I especially enjoyed that there weren't too many characters involved, making it easy to keep up with the story.