A Family of Killers

Publication Date: August 2024 |Thanks Edelweiss for an ARC

Overall Verdict: Sometimes tedious, this is an interesting take on a combination of historical fiction and horror. May be better suited for older YA audiences.

2/5 Stars

Book Summary: Warren has been growing increasingly concerned about the voice in his head that is urging him to be violent. At the same time, a number of people have gone missing in Kansas. When Warren’s father goes to investigate but doesn’t return, Warren sets out to prove to himself and his family that he is stronger than his impulses. As he makes his way through Kansas, he stumbles upon the Bender family. Warren becomes suspicious of them and believes they may be responsible for the missing people. Torn between becoming the person he wants to be and avenging those he holds dear, Warren must choose whether or not to give into the voice in his head.

My Analysis: This book was…odd. I’m honestly not even quite sure how to describe it. It was nothing like I was anticipating, but after finishing it and going back to the summary, it all matches up. I liked that this is based on the true story of the Bender family. Included at the start of each chapter is a real quote. It is important to note that this all takes place within the 1800s, which I had not realized going in. It does make for a very intriguing setting however. It took me a lot to get through the first half, the super slow build up took far too long. Halfway through though things pick up and I was interested in Warrens interactions with the Benders and others he encountered on his journey. I wish that there had been a focus on another character in addition to Warren. Although it was interesting to get his perspective, it got tedious after awhile. Also, I feel like the whole violent voices in his head thing was totally contradictory to his actions. He has a voice telling him to commit these heinous acts, yet when faced with even the smallest incidents of violence he gets nauseous at the thought. That didn’t really make sense to me. It’s one thing to want to fight the urges, but to have such opposing thoughts and actions was weird. In the beginning it also seemed like Warren may have OCD, but that was never really touched on again. I think I would have appreciated seeing more of the Benders perspective to break up Warren’s story. This may be better suited for older YA audiences, and not just because of the inter dispersed gore. I’m not sure some YA readers would be pulled in enough to make it through. Overall it was an interesting combination of historical fiction and horror. Readers just need to be aware that it may be a little harder to get through at some points.