Book Review: "Part of the Family" By Charlotte Philby

How do you know who’s on your side, if you don’t know whose side you’re on?

After all, Anna, David, and Meg met with journalism and business degrees in hand and were close knit friends.

Part of the Family may make you think twice about joining in on this 'spy network' of friends, lovers, and toxic family members.

So many reviews said they're lost in transit on this one with the thought process but for me it was very good until the last sentence or two as the cliffhanger with two eyes staring back at me was a bit odd.

Needless to say, it starts off with this group of misfits that seamlessly plug in the holes of this vast empire of disaster known simply as TradeSmart.

Tradesmart is owned by Clive Witherall the father of David who supposedly committed suicide but not before marrying Anna.

Anna is a wild card in all sense of the word as she's called a spy but also a woman with a number of acquaintances. She's also been deemed mentally ill by those closest to her because it'll fit the agenda when they hope she too will take her own life and fit the narrative.
Speaking of which this plot is crazy busy with plenty of action that is mind blowing to absorb at such a fast clip. The paragraphs and or sentences were often brief so it was a zipper for me in terms of speed reading and not getting bogged down with the fluff.

In this case, Anna uncovers this contaminated and toxic material that's being transported with $79 million or so on the line and her partner David.

David has a temper and flies off the handle several times especially at the dinner party. Accusing Anna of being a whore and drinking, smoking, and partying way too much for his liking.

In addition, Anna suffers from inner turmoil including the death of her brother Thomas in which she took full blame.

This other situation surrounds Artemis/Clive in which Artemis becomes ill and she passes on leaving Clive to keep the business running smoothly.

The mastermind of a chemical dump comes to light but it takes some time to get to that point.

Meanwhile, affairs of the heart ramp up. Passion intensifies.

Readers get taken on a ride for their lives as they ponder the meaning of life. Is it to simply be married with kids and be successful? Is it to be wealthy? Is it to have supportive friends and family?

Anna is pregnant and it's quite the fiasco. Twin daughters, Rose and Stella are born. However, the father was in question and perhaps the will in the end was too until paternity proved facts.

Harry is a shady character that's on and off again like Meg and Maria.

When the time is right they pop in to say their peace and leave the story.

Harry simply wanted to screw David! Plain and simple! However, Anna was in the way. Anna provided David with drugs. She also gave Harry a motive to blackmail her.

Now, poor David is gone. Dead. Or, is that a matter of convenience?
Well, Hello...DAVID??
Wait, what??

Plus, we have these letters that are shockers! Going into hiding.....silence has a price....
That ending involving an African criminal (NGUEMA) on the loose and might be coming for Anna and her family next based on their company's involvement in the illegal actions.
All in all a good solid four stars for this wonderful new piece by Charlotte Philby.

Thank you to Charlotte, the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.