Book Review: "The Open House" By Sam Carrington

This gives new meaning to leaving it all in the family!

To divorce amicably isn't an unfound solution however, it's not always clear what one's motive may become.

The Open House is the newest thriller by Sam Carrington in which Nick and Amber Miller on on the verge of divorcing and need to sell their home to split the proceeds equally.

Unfortunately, hardly anyone is interested so they decide to hire a real estate agent to conduct an open house to get more foot traffic in their neighborhood.

Speaking of which the neighborhood seems anything but supportive so when 13 individuals enter and only 12 leave the open house fingers start pointing while gossip mills go full force.

All of this has become stressful upon this family including the two boys-Finley and Leo- as well as the grandmother Barb.

Barb isn't upset but seems more determined to find a solution for reasons that have yet to go explored.

When it all comes together it's a hell of a ride. Doorbell apps being used to spy, locks needing to be changed, cut fuses, broken dishware, and a new dating prospect on the horizon for Amber creates turmoil.

So many fine tooth details come to light including the fact that Carl-the estate agent-seems to only be showing the home to women.

Could there be ulterior motives? Is this 'Carl' guy a creep in disguise wanting to have his way with women in someone else's home?

Oh, and there's much more as we encounter a whole host of secrets from within in regards to internal fighting within the family.

When Amber is kidnapped all hell breaks loose and truths finally become revealed; truths long well hidden.

Remember that boyfriend of Ambers, the bitchy grandma, the long lost relatives... oh baby it's about to go down.

Did I fail to mention a young girl who was killed many years ago?

Add that to the mix and you have a hum dinger of a novel.

Could someone truly have bugged the home? Is someone using current techno savvy ways to hone in and stalk this family?

The way in which Sam Carrington brought this to a finale was spectacular. The inner bickering, the drama, the heightened sense of alarm and power struggles was splendid.

Could someone be protecting the truth surrounding this young girl's death?

Could there be more than one body nearby?

Since we're only days away from winter beginning I've not performed many outdoor activities including in my garden. Boy I miss the garden but perhaps it's best we leave the garden alone for now.

I'm also wondering what of this Tim guy that's off center? Readers know they met on FB but something seems not quite right.

Perhaps he's a real charmer and there's nothing more or perhaps it's all in the head.

For those keeping track I'm a speed reader who only jots journal notes if I'm enjoying a read and want to remember every fine tooth detail.

In this case I jotted 5 full pages of notes which shows how much I was into this amazing read.

To uncover a killer we must first uncover all the facts especially surrounding Chloe Jenkins.

More disturbing may be what might or might not be going on within this family that seems so dysfunctional.

One thing is for certain - how one acts in public can be extremely different from how one acts in private.

In closing, I can only offer this commentary from The Open House, "Best to let sleeping dogs lie."

Enjoy!!