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The In-Laws
I peered over the ledge with my heart in my throat. A pop of color caught my eye – I would recognize that jacket anywhere. The body I knew so well lay still, torso twisted one way, head facing the other…
I’d planned this trip to the gorgeous, remote Michigan woodlands as a last-ditch attempt to help Pete and our families’ bond before the wedding of our dreams. Instead, it has turned into a nightmare that I can’t seem to wake up from. Anger, resentment, and heated arguments weren’t at all what Pete and I had imagined, even less so the horror of discovering a dead body…
Looking around the campsite at my terrified family and future in-laws, I realize that someone on this trip has been keeping secrets from me. What could be dangerous enough to kill for? But then again, I also have secrets of my own, something that if known, could be deadly. The only thing I know for certain is that the murderer is ruthless enough to do anything to keep their story hidden.
Who will be next to pay the ultimate price?
I’d planned this trip to the gorgeous, remote Michigan woodlands as a last-ditch attempt to help Pete and our families’ bond before the wedding of our dreams. Instead, it has turned into a nightmare that I can’t seem to wake up from. Anger, resentment, and heated arguments weren’t at all what Pete and I had imagined, even less so the horror of discovering a dead body…
Looking around the campsite at my terrified family and future in-laws, I realize that someone on this trip has been keeping secrets from me. What could be dangerous enough to kill for? But then again, I also have secrets of my own, something that if known, could be deadly. The only thing I know for certain is that the murderer is ruthless enough to do anything to keep their story hidden.
Who will be next to pay the ultimate price?
283 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 26, 2023
About the author
Laura Wolfe
12 books297 followersLaura Wolfe is an Amazon Charts bestselling author of dark and twisty psychological thriller and suspense novels. Her new and upcoming releases with Bookouture include PROM QUEEN, THE IN-LAWS, WE LIVE NEXT DOOR, HER BEST FRIEND'S LIE, SHE LIES ALONE, and TWO WIDOWS. The books in her YA mystery series and her adult suspense novel, TOP PRODUCER, have been shortlisted for multiple indie book awards. Laura is a lover of animals and nature. When she is not writing, she can be found hanging out with her highly energetic kids, growing vegetables in her garden, or spoiling her rescue dog. She enjoys living in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
www.LauraWolfeBooks.com
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www.LauraWolfeBooks.com
www.Facebook.com/LauraWolfeBooks
Instagram: @LWolfe.Writes
BookBub: www.bookbub.com/profile/laura-wolfe
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
January 11, 2023
A weekend away on a daring hike in the remote wilderness of a National Park with a guide....What could go wrong? The reveal in the description lets you know someone is not going to make it out!
The engaged couple Abigail and Pete have decided to take their parents for a camping trip and hike so they can "get to know each other". Abigail's parents have high standards and live a luxurious life and Pete even works with Abigail's father, so they adore him!! Pete's family is your average income family with peculiarities and a reveal that leaves the rest of the group unsure of this trip.
The first hint to leave this camping idea was a distraught couple at the Visitor's station fighting and not able to get into their vehicle quick enough. The Second hint is a creepy, shadow lurking man... begging for food.
Not a good idea with the in-laws, but it gets worse when their food & medicine disappears and odd messages are left throughout the trail... Not to mention the secrets exposed....You will not believe what all happens! It keeps you on the edge throughout with several twists to keep you guessing!!
I enjoyed this edgy thriller with a disturbing level of distrust, but this took hiking with family to a whole new level.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this copy in exchange for my honest review.
The engaged couple Abigail and Pete have decided to take their parents for a camping trip and hike so they can "get to know each other". Abigail's parents have high standards and live a luxurious life and Pete even works with Abigail's father, so they adore him!! Pete's family is your average income family with peculiarities and a reveal that leaves the rest of the group unsure of this trip.
The first hint to leave this camping idea was a distraught couple at the Visitor's station fighting and not able to get into their vehicle quick enough. The Second hint is a creepy, shadow lurking man... begging for food.
Not a good idea with the in-laws, but it gets worse when their food & medicine disappears and odd messages are left throughout the trail... Not to mention the secrets exposed....You will not believe what all happens! It keeps you on the edge throughout with several twists to keep you guessing!!
I enjoyed this edgy thriller with a disturbing level of distrust, but this took hiking with family to a whole new level.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this copy in exchange for my honest review.
December 28, 2022
Have you had enough family drama this weekend or can you handle a bit more?!
If you are looking for a great suspense story with multiple twists, Laura Wolfe’s, ‘The In-laws,’ is definitely one to add to your new year’s reading list.
“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”
Six soon-to-be related adults head into the wilderness on a bonding trip and only five return. Who is it? Who did it? Why?
Wolfe has curated the perfect storm:
✔️a fast approaching wedding
✔️a nervous bride
✔️future in-laws who do not get along
✔️a cast of characters each with a secret agenda
✔️a remote wilderness camping experience
What I loved:
✔️a fast-paced adventure
✔️seemingly resourceful heroes and a better equipped villain
✔️delightfully clever plot
✔️thought-provoking ending
✔️multiple twists throughout
✔️utterly plausible
✔️genuine page-turner
✔️no unnecessary gore
You’ll turn over the last page and wonder how well you really know those you love! Wolfe is an auto-buy author for me and this one showcases her outstanding talent extremely well. Congratulations, Laura Wolfe, you got me AGAIN.
I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
If you are looking for a great suspense story with multiple twists, Laura Wolfe’s, ‘The In-laws,’ is definitely one to add to your new year’s reading list.
“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”
Six soon-to-be related adults head into the wilderness on a bonding trip and only five return. Who is it? Who did it? Why?
Wolfe has curated the perfect storm:
✔️a fast approaching wedding
✔️a nervous bride
✔️future in-laws who do not get along
✔️a cast of characters each with a secret agenda
✔️a remote wilderness camping experience
What I loved:
✔️a fast-paced adventure
✔️seemingly resourceful heroes and a better equipped villain
✔️delightfully clever plot
✔️thought-provoking ending
✔️multiple twists throughout
✔️utterly plausible
✔️genuine page-turner
✔️no unnecessary gore
You’ll turn over the last page and wonder how well you really know those you love! Wolfe is an auto-buy author for me and this one showcases her outstanding talent extremely well. Congratulations, Laura Wolfe, you got me AGAIN.
I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
December 17, 2022
Abigail and Pete are getting married. In an effort to bring their parents together they go on a three day camping trip in the National Park, led by a team building tour guide. The hike starts off ok but soon one thing after another goes wrong. Medication and other items go missing, food is ruined and there is a shadow stalking the group. One of them ends up dead and the group starts pointing fingers. Who could have done this and why?
I love books set in the woods and while I wouldn’t say this one was particularly thrilling, it was entertaining. I kept trying to predict who the killer was but ended up being wrong which I liked.
The In-Laws is available January 26,2023.
Thank you to netgalley and bookoture for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
I love books set in the woods and while I wouldn’t say this one was particularly thrilling, it was entertaining. I kept trying to predict who the killer was but ended up being wrong which I liked.
The In-Laws is available January 26,2023.
Thank you to netgalley and bookoture for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
January 5, 2023
This one was a fun domestic thriller/suspense. Abigail and Pete are engaged and want their parents to get together after a one time meeting between them before, that didn't go too well. Now they have a hiking/camping trip planned for them all so they can get to know each other better before the wedding! During the trip, the families clash, and strange things start happening. Then one of them winds up dead.
Told through different POV in alternating chapters, you are kept on edge, wondering who is guilty and who is telling the truth. This pulled me in right from the beginning, and I didn't predict what was going on. This was a clever and unique plot, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Told through different POV in alternating chapters, you are kept on edge, wondering who is guilty and who is telling the truth. This pulled me in right from the beginning, and I didn't predict what was going on. This was a clever and unique plot, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
January 7, 2023
Review coming soon.
May 1, 2023
This was not a lame story about your usual hike/camp in the woods (National park) and something goes awry. This is an unusual nature experience, led by an experienced guide/outfitter, Liam.
The other participants are Peter and Abigail, engaged and soon to be married, and each of their parents who are so extremely different from one another in personality and status. The parents have met before and it did not go well. The mother of the groom is a little woo-woo and the father of the groom is crude and rude and obnoxious, with some surprisingly gentleness and concern thrown in when you’d least expect it. The bride’s mother is a doctor of psychiatry and her professional status just emanates from her pores. The brides father is a successful businessman and has some health issues. Also Throw in some oddities like healing and protective crystals and tarot card readings done by the future grooms mother. Throw in a flash of a black shadow in the woods. A dirty, gritty, ragged stranger emerging from the woods looking for food. Throw in some haunting messages spelled out in rock and fire pit ashes at campsites. The stress of a wedding that is coming up quickly and everyone has their own strong personal ideas and financial capabilities/incapabilities. Realize that everyone in this group is up to something and has something to hide.
So it’s not your typical storyline. This one is quite played out and there’s lots of snarkiness going on between every individual. Gosh I’ve never experienced such a bad grouping of 5 people that were so very wrong to be together on a remote camping excursion!! That fact alone just fed more fuel to the fire, so to speak. It was a steady build up of just what is going to happen here? It’s just a matter of time before the reader gets sucked into the story - There’s a lot going on here!
I was almost afraid to select this as a want to read because I was afraid it was going to be a disappointment, a waste of time and end up a poor review. And that it would be just another story about people in a hike/camp and the usual expected drama that unfortunately repeats itself ad nauseam. This was much more. A new twist to an old storyline. I really enjoyed this one.
The other participants are Peter and Abigail, engaged and soon to be married, and each of their parents who are so extremely different from one another in personality and status. The parents have met before and it did not go well. The mother of the groom is a little woo-woo and the father of the groom is crude and rude and obnoxious, with some surprisingly gentleness and concern thrown in when you’d least expect it. The bride’s mother is a doctor of psychiatry and her professional status just emanates from her pores. The brides father is a successful businessman and has some health issues. Also Throw in some oddities like healing and protective crystals and tarot card readings done by the future grooms mother. Throw in a flash of a black shadow in the woods. A dirty, gritty, ragged stranger emerging from the woods looking for food. Throw in some haunting messages spelled out in rock and fire pit ashes at campsites. The stress of a wedding that is coming up quickly and everyone has their own strong personal ideas and financial capabilities/incapabilities. Realize that everyone in this group is up to something and has something to hide.
So it’s not your typical storyline. This one is quite played out and there’s lots of snarkiness going on between every individual. Gosh I’ve never experienced such a bad grouping of 5 people that were so very wrong to be together on a remote camping excursion!! That fact alone just fed more fuel to the fire, so to speak. It was a steady build up of just what is going to happen here? It’s just a matter of time before the reader gets sucked into the story - There’s a lot going on here!
I was almost afraid to select this as a want to read because I was afraid it was going to be a disappointment, a waste of time and end up a poor review. And that it would be just another story about people in a hike/camp and the usual expected drama that unfortunately repeats itself ad nauseam. This was much more. A new twist to an old storyline. I really enjoyed this one.
January 28, 2023
This was a quick and fun read. It centers on Abigail, who is getting ready to marry Pete, but concerned that their parents don’t really know (or like) each other. She plans a 3 night wilderness retreat for them to get to know each other better while participating in team building type activities. Once out on the trails, it becomes clear that there are multiple people keeping secrets. The chapters are primarily told from Abigail’s POV but there are some chapters dispersed throughout the book from others’ POVs as well.
The premise for this story was unique and the characters were well drawn. I had no trouble picturing the dynamics between this group of very different people. The creepiness of the wilderness setting was a nice way to amp up the tension. I really enjoyed how multiple layers of secrets were uncovered, with most characters having something to hide. There were a few twists that I did not see coming. I felt like the end was rather abrupt but it did work, and managed to tie up loose ends fully even in just a few pages. The epilogue leaves the reader with a bit of a cliffhanger but I didn’t mind it- I felt like I was satisfied with what I imagined to happen after.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read that was also fast paced. I think I finished the whole book in probably 4-5 hours. I’d recommend to those who enjoy psychological thrillers and mysteries. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The premise for this story was unique and the characters were well drawn. I had no trouble picturing the dynamics between this group of very different people. The creepiness of the wilderness setting was a nice way to amp up the tension. I really enjoyed how multiple layers of secrets were uncovered, with most characters having something to hide. There were a few twists that I did not see coming. I felt like the end was rather abrupt but it did work, and managed to tie up loose ends fully even in just a few pages. The epilogue leaves the reader with a bit of a cliffhanger but I didn’t mind it- I felt like I was satisfied with what I imagined to happen after.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read that was also fast paced. I think I finished the whole book in probably 4-5 hours. I’d recommend to those who enjoy psychological thrillers and mysteries. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 22, 2023
Abigail and her fiancé, Pete, are getting married soon, but their parents barely know each other. What’s the best way to get a little family bonding in? A three-day hike in a national park, of course. What could possibly go wrong?
Well to start, Pete’s parents are slightly strange. Kenny is a felon who did prison time, and Darla is a mystic, never without her crystals and Tarot cards. Abigail’s parents however, sound straight out of an L.L. Bean catalog. Pete seems fine, but to them, this family is off. How did these two end up having such a normal child?
This hiking/camping trip was doomed from the start, and there were so many red flags that anyone who isn’t a book character would have run away from those woods as fast as possible. But this is a book, and the characters ended up trying to finish the hike and bond with each other.
Camping to me has always sounded creepy, and the events in this book only make me realize how right I’ve always been about being in the middle of nowhere! As a death occurs within the party, the rest are left wondering who did it - and if they are next.
This is a classic whodunnit, with a page-turning vibe and plenty of twists. It was a good story, but the ending got a little convoluted and I was never really pulled into the scenery or characters. I’m giving this 3.5, rounded up because it was definitely entertaining and a very quick read.
(Thank you to Bookouture, Laura Wolfe, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on January 26, 2023.)
Well to start, Pete’s parents are slightly strange. Kenny is a felon who did prison time, and Darla is a mystic, never without her crystals and Tarot cards. Abigail’s parents however, sound straight out of an L.L. Bean catalog. Pete seems fine, but to them, this family is off. How did these two end up having such a normal child?
This hiking/camping trip was doomed from the start, and there were so many red flags that anyone who isn’t a book character would have run away from those woods as fast as possible. But this is a book, and the characters ended up trying to finish the hike and bond with each other.
Camping to me has always sounded creepy, and the events in this book only make me realize how right I’ve always been about being in the middle of nowhere! As a death occurs within the party, the rest are left wondering who did it - and if they are next.
This is a classic whodunnit, with a page-turning vibe and plenty of twists. It was a good story, but the ending got a little convoluted and I was never really pulled into the scenery or characters. I’m giving this 3.5, rounded up because it was definitely entertaining and a very quick read.
(Thank you to Bookouture, Laura Wolfe, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on January 26, 2023.)
February 1, 2023
The In-Laws starts out with a bang and doesn't let up. In the beginning of the book a dead body is spotted down a cliff. You won't know who it is until much later in the book, but you will try to figure out who you think it is and if it was an accident or murder. Abigail and Pete are engaged and they want their families to get along. The first time both sets of parents met, it didn't go at all well. Abigail decides that a 3 day camping trip with a guide is the answer to bonding the group. She met a guide that she liked through a work bonding experience and has asked Liam to help with her current predicament.
As Abigail and her parents, Kristen and John, drive towards the meeting spot everyone is a bit on edge. Abigail is wondering if this was a good idea and her parents are not campers so they're not excited at all.. They would've preferred a trip with a nice hotel and spa. Kristen is a psychiatrist and John is in real estate with Pete, the groom to be. Abigail met Pete through her father. Pete's parents, Darla and Kenny, are okay with camping but don't like Abigail's parents. Darla is a fortune teller who uses palm readings and tarot cards to tell people about their life. Kenny just does what he can find and has some secrets that no one knows about. Will these secrets come out? Pete's brother, Trent, is the only family member not going camping. Trent is odd and seems to have some violent tendencies. always seeming to get into trouble in his youth.
Liam has planned the hike out on a map and has each rest stop marked as well as each spot they will camp overnight. He's got the food and dishes in his backpack along with bear spray, a knife, a first aid kit, and his clothes. The others are told to only pack what's necessary for 3 days as they will have to carry their packs for 8 miles or more each day. Once the backpacks are loaded and on, they start off on their adventure. The mom's complain about the weight of their backpacks at the first rest stop. The husband's help them out by relieving them of some of the weight. Darla's pack is crazy heavy because she's carrying lots of stones and crystals that she can't be without. Liam does his best to lead the conversation so that it's a positive discussion, but it seems like they don't have much in common. Disagreements arise at every turn and Abigail really starts to rethink her decision to do this.
The first night they stop to camp, Liam informs them that the men will sleep in one tent and the women will be in the other. Liam will keep watch and be in his own small tent. No one is too happy about this. The couples were all hoping to sleep with their spouse or spouse to be. They follow directions and work together to get their tents set up, gear placed, and sleeping bags ready. Liam gets a fire started and begins to cook dinner. After dinner they sit around a campfire and Liam tells them a scary story. The story is about a woman dying by falling off a gulch that they will see the next day. Was she pushed or did she fall? Nobody knows. Abigail keeps getting a creepy feeling as she sees shadows behind trees. When it happened earlier today they ran into a very scary guy who looked like he hadn't eaten in a week and looked strung out. Kristen gave the hiker a couple of granola bars because he looked like he needed them more than she did. Who was that guy and is he following them? Are they safe out here? Liam already told them he didn't have a gun, only bear spray and a knife for the food.
The next morning John's pills that he takes for his heart are gone! They were in his backpack last night because he took one. Who would take John's pills and why? This is very upsetting to Kristen and Abigail as John had a heart attack a couple of years ago and needs those pills! Everyone looks for them, but they are not found. Abigail wants to go back, but John tells her he'll be fine for a couple of days. Will he? Their cellphones don't work on the mountain so if there was an emergency they'd be out of luck. Liam discovers that his bear spray is missing from his pack!! Who would take the bear spray? It's the only thing that will keep a bear away if they run into one. Who is taking things and why? What do the palm readings that Darla gives Kristen and Abigail mean? Are they in danger? The tarot card reading that Darla gives Abigail is very creepy.....looks like a card of death! Darla won't tell Abigail much as she's afraid to. What is Darla hiding?
The In-Laws gets more and more intense as you read. I enjoyed the slow burn and guessing that the reader goes through. There are a couple of twists that I didn't see coming that make this book a 5 star rating for me. I highly recommend that you read this book if you like a good mystery. Will everyone make it home from the camping trip? Will Abigail and Pete get married? Who is hiding a secret? Will it come out? Was Trent so upset about being left out of the wedding party that he followed them to the mountain? Is he the shadow figure they see from time to time? Did he really kill the neighbor's dog when he was young? Was the death of Trent's best friend an accident? You'll have to read The In-Laws to find out!
I'd like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of The In-Laws in exchange for a fair review. #TheInLaws
As Abigail and her parents, Kristen and John, drive towards the meeting spot everyone is a bit on edge. Abigail is wondering if this was a good idea and her parents are not campers so they're not excited at all.. They would've preferred a trip with a nice hotel and spa. Kristen is a psychiatrist and John is in real estate with Pete, the groom to be. Abigail met Pete through her father. Pete's parents, Darla and Kenny, are okay with camping but don't like Abigail's parents. Darla is a fortune teller who uses palm readings and tarot cards to tell people about their life. Kenny just does what he can find and has some secrets that no one knows about. Will these secrets come out? Pete's brother, Trent, is the only family member not going camping. Trent is odd and seems to have some violent tendencies. always seeming to get into trouble in his youth.
Liam has planned the hike out on a map and has each rest stop marked as well as each spot they will camp overnight. He's got the food and dishes in his backpack along with bear spray, a knife, a first aid kit, and his clothes. The others are told to only pack what's necessary for 3 days as they will have to carry their packs for 8 miles or more each day. Once the backpacks are loaded and on, they start off on their adventure. The mom's complain about the weight of their backpacks at the first rest stop. The husband's help them out by relieving them of some of the weight. Darla's pack is crazy heavy because she's carrying lots of stones and crystals that she can't be without. Liam does his best to lead the conversation so that it's a positive discussion, but it seems like they don't have much in common. Disagreements arise at every turn and Abigail really starts to rethink her decision to do this.
The first night they stop to camp, Liam informs them that the men will sleep in one tent and the women will be in the other. Liam will keep watch and be in his own small tent. No one is too happy about this. The couples were all hoping to sleep with their spouse or spouse to be. They follow directions and work together to get their tents set up, gear placed, and sleeping bags ready. Liam gets a fire started and begins to cook dinner. After dinner they sit around a campfire and Liam tells them a scary story. The story is about a woman dying by falling off a gulch that they will see the next day. Was she pushed or did she fall? Nobody knows. Abigail keeps getting a creepy feeling as she sees shadows behind trees. When it happened earlier today they ran into a very scary guy who looked like he hadn't eaten in a week and looked strung out. Kristen gave the hiker a couple of granola bars because he looked like he needed them more than she did. Who was that guy and is he following them? Are they safe out here? Liam already told them he didn't have a gun, only bear spray and a knife for the food.
The next morning John's pills that he takes for his heart are gone! They were in his backpack last night because he took one. Who would take John's pills and why? This is very upsetting to Kristen and Abigail as John had a heart attack a couple of years ago and needs those pills! Everyone looks for them, but they are not found. Abigail wants to go back, but John tells her he'll be fine for a couple of days. Will he? Their cellphones don't work on the mountain so if there was an emergency they'd be out of luck. Liam discovers that his bear spray is missing from his pack!! Who would take the bear spray? It's the only thing that will keep a bear away if they run into one. Who is taking things and why? What do the palm readings that Darla gives Kristen and Abigail mean? Are they in danger? The tarot card reading that Darla gives Abigail is very creepy.....looks like a card of death! Darla won't tell Abigail much as she's afraid to. What is Darla hiding?
The In-Laws gets more and more intense as you read. I enjoyed the slow burn and guessing that the reader goes through. There are a couple of twists that I didn't see coming that make this book a 5 star rating for me. I highly recommend that you read this book if you like a good mystery. Will everyone make it home from the camping trip? Will Abigail and Pete get married? Who is hiding a secret? Will it come out? Was Trent so upset about being left out of the wedding party that he followed them to the mountain? Is he the shadow figure they see from time to time? Did he really kill the neighbor's dog when he was young? Was the death of Trent's best friend an accident? You'll have to read The In-Laws to find out!
I'd like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of The In-Laws in exchange for a fair review. #TheInLaws
January 3, 2023
I wasn't hooked right away. It took a little while for this story to puck up. Once it did though I devoured it. So freaking good. Suspenseful, captivating, full of tension and mystery. Great characters too.
February 11, 2023
When a couple invite their respective parents on a three day hiking trip, expect the unexpected and a whole lot of mystery.
Abigail and Pete are a newly engaged twosome.
There’s one small problem, both sets of parents don’t get along.
So to survive the perfect wedding day, Abigail comes up with a plan.
A wilderness getaway.
They are anxious to bring their families together and better the bond between them all.
What could go wrong……right?
Tensions are high, secrets are revealed, things go missing, words of accusations are thrown, heated arguments begin and a dead body is found.
Who do you trust?
It kicks off with a mysterious prologue that gives the reader an inkling of what’s to come.
A cleverly crafted plot, devious characters, atmosphere of tension and suspense, the location of eerie countryside and the twist you won’t see coming.
There’s much to really sink your teeth into here with the storyline building into a gripping final quarter of the book.
I will be reading more of Laura’s psychological thrillers when I get my hands on them.
Abigail and Pete are a newly engaged twosome.
There’s one small problem, both sets of parents don’t get along.
So to survive the perfect wedding day, Abigail comes up with a plan.
A wilderness getaway.
They are anxious to bring their families together and better the bond between them all.
What could go wrong……right?
Tensions are high, secrets are revealed, things go missing, words of accusations are thrown, heated arguments begin and a dead body is found.
Who do you trust?
It kicks off with a mysterious prologue that gives the reader an inkling of what’s to come.
A cleverly crafted plot, devious characters, atmosphere of tension and suspense, the location of eerie countryside and the twist you won’t see coming.
There’s much to really sink your teeth into here with the storyline building into a gripping final quarter of the book.
I will be reading more of Laura’s psychological thrillers when I get my hands on them.
January 13, 2023
✨The In-Laws By @lwolfe.writes
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️| 5
Wow what a brilliant psychological thriller. Truly gripping though-out, I could not put it down. My first read by this author and it will not be my last!
The TWISTS, yes you got that right multiple. I was so shocked and was not expecting any of them. However, I feel like maybe I should off.
Darla was supper weird but kinda loved her. She has got to be my favourite character.
Loved the multiple POVs really added depth to the story. I mean the Epilogue, Jesus!! I wholeheartedly recommend you pre-order this book!
Thank you to @netgalley and @bookouture for the ARC. Out January 26th😱
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️| 5
Wow what a brilliant psychological thriller. Truly gripping though-out, I could not put it down. My first read by this author and it will not be my last!
The TWISTS, yes you got that right multiple. I was so shocked and was not expecting any of them. However, I feel like maybe I should off.
Darla was supper weird but kinda loved her. She has got to be my favourite character.
Loved the multiple POVs really added depth to the story. I mean the Epilogue, Jesus!! I wholeheartedly recommend you pre-order this book!
Thank you to @netgalley and @bookouture for the ARC. Out January 26th😱
January 30, 2023
Two sets of parents who are polar opposites are about to spend time together at the behest of Abigail and Pete. The engaged couple are hoping that their parents will get to know one another, with hopes of all of them eventually becoming friends. The group of people are led by an experienced guide named Liam. More than being a guide, Liam’s experienced past includes targeted activities that in most cases bond whatever group he is leading.
As the story begins to unfold, it is delivered mostly from Abigail’s point of view. However, various chapters include the POVs of other characters, even Liam, their guide. As this is a psychological thriller, it goes without saying that things are not going to go smoothly. In fact, it becomes very clear that more than one character has secrets. There are lies that are being told and that have been told. There are strange things such as eerie messages occurring that are throwing everybody off. Then to top it off, someone is found dead at the bottom of a cliff.
This book is very much locked-room story, although it is set deep in a forest in Michigan. As far as that body that was discovered, it becomes almost immediately clear that it is a case of murder. With a small group of people, at least one of them has to be responsible for the murder, thus creating a tense atmosphere until they can get the attention of the authorities.
Laura Wolfe has created an intriguing story with more than a few twists that cleverly make discovering the killer near to impossible. The In-Laws is the fourth book I have read by the talented author, and it was another enjoyable page-turning read.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Please enjoy my YouTube video review as well - https://youtu.be/XT5fjFxwx2w
As the story begins to unfold, it is delivered mostly from Abigail’s point of view. However, various chapters include the POVs of other characters, even Liam, their guide. As this is a psychological thriller, it goes without saying that things are not going to go smoothly. In fact, it becomes very clear that more than one character has secrets. There are lies that are being told and that have been told. There are strange things such as eerie messages occurring that are throwing everybody off. Then to top it off, someone is found dead at the bottom of a cliff.
This book is very much locked-room story, although it is set deep in a forest in Michigan. As far as that body that was discovered, it becomes almost immediately clear that it is a case of murder. With a small group of people, at least one of them has to be responsible for the murder, thus creating a tense atmosphere until they can get the attention of the authorities.
Laura Wolfe has created an intriguing story with more than a few twists that cleverly make discovering the killer near to impossible. The In-Laws is the fourth book I have read by the talented author, and it was another enjoyable page-turning read.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Please enjoy my YouTube video review as well - https://youtu.be/XT5fjFxwx2w
March 20, 2024
This was my first book by Laura Wolfe and it won’t be the last. I just got another of her books to read/listen next.
Quite frankly, The In-Laws is just my kind of book. It’s not a completely original kind of story but it’s the kind I like best. A group of (crazy) people, in a setting not favorable, mystery, a murder, a final twist or two, a bit of romance (coff coff)… What’s not to like?
Quite frankly, The In-Laws is just my kind of book. It’s not a completely original kind of story but it’s the kind I like best. A group of (crazy) people, in a setting not favorable, mystery, a murder, a final twist or two, a bit of romance (coff coff)… What’s not to like?
January 2, 2023
Abigail and Pete are getting married! In an effort to bring their parents together, Abigail plans a special camping trip to focus on team building activities and connection. The camping trip unfolds and things go from bad to worse. First, Pete’s parents seem a bit standoffish; then, their guide Liam discovers his bear spray has gone missing and half of their food has been spoiled. As tensions run high, secrets becomes exposed and it becomes apparent that someone may not make it out of the woods.
This book grabbed my attention from the very first pages and didn’t let go til the very last. I loved the remote setting, untrustworthy characters, and secrets slowly coming to light. I swear my jaw dropped at the ending, even though at that point I was sure I had seen it all. This was exactly the kind of twisting thriller that I LOVE and I am so glad it was my first 5-star read of 2023! Don’t miss this one.
Thank you to Netgalley, Laura Wolf and Bookouture for the ARC! This book is out will be released January 26th.
This review will be shared to my Instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly.
This book grabbed my attention from the very first pages and didn’t let go til the very last. I loved the remote setting, untrustworthy characters, and secrets slowly coming to light. I swear my jaw dropped at the ending, even though at that point I was sure I had seen it all. This was exactly the kind of twisting thriller that I LOVE and I am so glad it was my first 5-star read of 2023! Don’t miss this one.
Thank you to Netgalley, Laura Wolf and Bookouture for the ARC! This book is out will be released January 26th.
This review will be shared to my Instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly.
January 2, 2023
This was a fun and twisty domestic thriller to start the year off with. Abigail and Pete are engaged and Abigail has planned an outdoor hiking adventure for their parents to get to know one another before the wedding.
During the course of their outdoor adventure several items go mysteriously missing, a strange man keeps showing up, threatening messages are found, several people are hiding something and someone winds up dead.
Some of these twists caught me by surprise and others I predicted while reading. There were some things mentioned in the narrative that never came up again that was also a bit confusing.
The ending was quite satisfying.
Overall, I enjoyed this book!
4 stars
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookoture for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
During the course of their outdoor adventure several items go mysteriously missing, a strange man keeps showing up, threatening messages are found, several people are hiding something and someone winds up dead.
Some of these twists caught me by surprise and others I predicted while reading. There were some things mentioned in the narrative that never came up again that was also a bit confusing.
The ending was quite satisfying.
Overall, I enjoyed this book!
4 stars
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookoture for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
January 28, 2023
In this twisty, swift-paced tale with some fantastic turns in the story, Abigail and Pete are to marry. But their parents hardly know each other so Abigail organises a trip to the Hiawana National Forest, Michigan... I really enjoyed this book with its chilling prologue that instantly had me hooked. A fantastic read that I loved every single minute of, I would definitely look out for more by this author. A great, edgy tale.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
December 27, 2022
Oh my word this was so good!!! I loved the set up - a couple about to get married going off on a bonding trip with their respective parents. And what a bunch of oddballs the parents turn out to be. The perfect recipe for conflict if ever there was one! The setting was also perfect - a remote park, off the beaten track. And nothing, I repeat, nothing is what it seems in this story. That's what makes it so good. I absolutely loved it and stayed up way too late last night so I knew what happened.
April 9, 2023
There are so many books about in laws, sisters, mother in laws, etc. I thought this was going to be the same old same old. Boy was I in for a surprise. I loved this book. Very fast paced, which I love. Lots of twists and turns. A couple who is going to be married soon take their parents for a camping weekend with a wilderness guide. The parents had met once before and they don't get along well. They are very different from each other. I can't say much more without spoiling the story, but things do not go as planned. Huge plot twist at the end. I'm definitely going to check out more of this authors books as I really enjoyed this. I recommend it highly.
April 16, 2023
I wonder if Laura and Leslie Wolfe are sisters? This was f#cking amazing. I'm an idiot 🤦🏽♀️ for hesitating so long to read.
This amazing book was about Abigail who is engaged to Pete, Abigail decides to organize a team wildness hike in the state forest to get to know Pete's parents better and for his parents and her parents to get to know one another and become friends. Abigail gathers the troops and with the help of a guide, Liam, they all embark on this crazy adventure to team build. All is fun and games until ...it's NOT
whew 😅 this was super amazing. I couldn't believe what I was reading. None of the characters have a background for you to like or dislike anyone but that's okay because it's not needed-trust me. This was pure and utterly gripping. At first, I wasn't sure exactly where this was going but...damn! This had the mystery you want, this had the twists you want, this had the psychological that you want, you have five characters that are all so different and are so...messed up, it becomes a fun game to get to figure out what the F is going on! ha. This leads you on a adventure of questions and guessing. And then there's that unexpected OMG moment you need and your so entwined in this mess that your speed reading to where you miss a few things and you have to back your ass up and reread to catch ...your..breath. damn! 😅 Again I have to ask is Leslie AND Laura related? because now I'm hooked! I'm game for more!! Both authors have me entwined.
I highly recommend this brilliant piece and if your a fan of Leslie Wolfe your gonna love Laura Wolfe. 😁
5/5 and a 10/10 👏
This amazing book was about Abigail who is engaged to Pete, Abigail decides to organize a team wildness hike in the state forest to get to know Pete's parents better and for his parents and her parents to get to know one another and become friends. Abigail gathers the troops and with the help of a guide, Liam, they all embark on this crazy adventure to team build. All is fun and games until ...it's NOT
whew 😅 this was super amazing. I couldn't believe what I was reading. None of the characters have a background for you to like or dislike anyone but that's okay because it's not needed-trust me. This was pure and utterly gripping. At first, I wasn't sure exactly where this was going but...damn! This had the mystery you want, this had the twists you want, this had the psychological that you want, you have five characters that are all so different and are so...messed up, it becomes a fun game to get to figure out what the F is going on! ha. This leads you on a adventure of questions and guessing. And then there's that unexpected OMG moment you need and your so entwined in this mess that your speed reading to where you miss a few things and you have to back your ass up and reread to catch ...your..breath. damn! 😅 Again I have to ask is Leslie AND Laura related? because now I'm hooked! I'm game for more!! Both authors have me entwined.
I highly recommend this brilliant piece and if your a fan of Leslie Wolfe your gonna love Laura Wolfe. 😁
5/5 and a 10/10 👏
April 7, 2023
What an adventure! A future bride and groom invite each of their parents on a camping trip in order to bond. But the pairs of in-laws are nothing alike! Good thing they have a Guide to help them -pan activities to bring everyone closer together! But, quickly, creepy things start to appear in the form of messages and fleeting shadows of another person. But, here, it may be one of the group who is responsible. Without giving anything away, I’ll just say that things only get worse, and soon everyone is a suspect!
February 27, 2023
This was a twister for sure. Lots of clues but i thru my heart on one person due to the clues, or lack of, and guess it correctly. However another blip occurs! Huh? Another curve ball.
Pete and Abigail are going to get married. Abigail hires a Guide, Liam to take them into the wilderness for a 3 night adventure. And a whole lot of hiking.
The parents all around are skeptical but willing. Petes parent are lower class and his mother is a psychic who believes in spirits, Tarot cards, and palm reading. A far cry from Abigails mom who is a psychiatrist. Abigail s parents are higher classed. So getting to know each other is difficult and when problems start they look at each other for blame.
Honestly i would be scared to death if i read this out on the wild at a camp site.
Pete and Abigail are going to get married. Abigail hires a Guide, Liam to take them into the wilderness for a 3 night adventure. And a whole lot of hiking.
The parents all around are skeptical but willing. Petes parent are lower class and his mother is a psychic who believes in spirits, Tarot cards, and palm reading. A far cry from Abigails mom who is a psychiatrist. Abigail s parents are higher classed. So getting to know each other is difficult and when problems start they look at each other for blame.
Honestly i would be scared to death if i read this out on the wild at a camp site.
February 26, 2023
I really thought I’d like this one more. The dead body wasn’t revealed until 57% into the thriller which felt too long for the story to really get going. Abigail and her fiancé, Pete, are on a future family bonding type camping/hiking trip with both their sets of parents. Needless to say, no one really gets along with each other and the guide, Liam, isn’t likable either.
Story had promise but after taking so long to get going it felt like a speed to the closure which did surprise me and that was the main save for me in this read. 2.5 stars.
Story had promise but after taking so long to get going it felt like a speed to the closure which did surprise me and that was the main save for me in this read. 2.5 stars.
January 31, 2023
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.The blurb for The In-Laws grabbed my attention, and I knew immediately I needed to read this book. The heroine plans a camping trip as a last-ditch attempt to get her parents and future in-laws to bond over the experience before the wedding. However, while on the trip, she discovers someone is keeping secrets. Arguments ensued and a member of the team ends up at the bottom of a cliff. Was it murder or was it an accident? Who has the most to gain from the death of this individual?
The In-Laws is the type of story readers need to go into blind. Wolfe created a dark and twisted tale with characters you will either hate or admire. Everyone on the camping trip has secrets which they are willing to kill for. The In-Laws proved difficult to put with its engrossing storyline. Readers will have questions about who will end up at the bottom of the cliff and why. The reason will shock you. If that wasn’t crazy enough, learning the real reason for the camping trip will probably lead to jaws dropping. Frankly, I am still trying to wrap my head around it, as there was an easier way to accomplish the task.
Told from the POVs of a few of the characters on the camping trip, readers are given an inside look into the twisted minds of these individuals. One POV wasn’t as twisted, but you will have to read the book to find out which. I found the quirkiness of this character endearing and funny.
Now while I enjoyed the story, the ending disappointed me. It didn’t provide the closure I hoped for regarding the shocking revelation near the end. This seems to be the trend with most of the books I have read in this genre.
Overall, The In-Laws fed my need for a thrilling and twisty read. If you need of a twisty and thrilling with an interesting plotline, then look no further. The In-Laws would make a great addition to your reading list. This was my first experience with Laura Wolfe’s writing, and I look forward to reading more of her work.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
The In-Laws is the type of story readers need to go into blind. Wolfe created a dark and twisted tale with characters you will either hate or admire. Everyone on the camping trip has secrets which they are willing to kill for. The In-Laws proved difficult to put with its engrossing storyline. Readers will have questions about who will end up at the bottom of the cliff and why. The reason will shock you. If that wasn’t crazy enough, learning the real reason for the camping trip will probably lead to jaws dropping. Frankly, I am still trying to wrap my head around it, as there was an easier way to accomplish the task.
Told from the POVs of a few of the characters on the camping trip, readers are given an inside look into the twisted minds of these individuals. One POV wasn’t as twisted, but you will have to read the book to find out which. I found the quirkiness of this character endearing and funny.
Now while I enjoyed the story, the ending disappointed me. It didn’t provide the closure I hoped for regarding the shocking revelation near the end. This seems to be the trend with most of the books I have read in this genre.
Overall, The In-Laws fed my need for a thrilling and twisty read. If you need of a twisty and thrilling with an interesting plotline, then look no further. The In-Laws would make a great addition to your reading list. This was my first experience with Laura Wolfe’s writing, and I look forward to reading more of her work.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
January 28, 2023
A very well done thriller. Slow build until the middle when the main character divulges what transpired weeks before the hiking trip. And the ending - oh I wanted to know!
The changing narrator gave a lot of depth to the characters as well as built the suspense.
The In-Laws - cringe worthy
The Parents - very prestigious
The Engaged couple - really not that well matched, Pete drove me nuts.
The Guide - very shady character
Lots of undercurrent.
The changing narrator gave a lot of depth to the characters as well as built the suspense.
The In-Laws - cringe worthy
The Parents - very prestigious
The Engaged couple - really not that well matched, Pete drove me nuts.
The Guide - very shady character
Lots of undercurrent.
December 31, 2022
An excellent plot with a lot of twists. It keeps you engaged till the end and the drama between the in laws, raises red flags about each character.
Overall a good read!
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!!
Overall a good read!
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!!
April 14, 2023
Ultimately, this was a 2.5 star read for me. I finished it and the more I thought about it, the less I was satisfied. I liked the setup but found some of the twists alternated between being a bit ho-hum to over the top. Also, I didn't enjoy the end. Still, I did want to know for sure what was going on and that made it a page turner and that counted in its favour.
I read this through Kindle Unlimited.
I read this through Kindle Unlimited.
January 27, 2023
★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)
Two families...countless secrets...the perfect nightmare...
Not sure why I've not read Laura Wolfe before but this one hell of a convoluted mess involving secrets, lies, more secrets, more lies...and some clever deception. Add that to two "very different" families and a remote wilderness walk in a National Park...what could possibly go wrong? And just which of them fails to make it out alive?
Abigail and Pete are engaged. But their respective parents failed to connect the one and only time they met some months before. So in an attempt to bond and to get to know each other before the wedding, Abigail organises a wilderness tour with guide Liam who had taken her colleagues out on a similar (though shorter) tour some months before. Abigail has seen Liam's bonding efforts and knows he can work wonders with the sparring families...or is this one a little out of his league?
Abigail's mum Kristen is a psychiatrist while her father John works in commercial real estate. In fact it was through her father that she met Pete who works with him. Her parents love Pete, John often saying he is the son they never had. Kristen and John have a luxurious lifestyle and high standards so when they met Pete's parents they were surprised at the difference between them. Kenny and Darla are somewhat average, if not kooky, with a few secrets that leave everyone wondering if they've made the right choice in making this trip.
There are several hints along the way that make them second guess themselves if this really is a good idea. But the group remain positive...until the families begin to clash and then one thing after another goes wrong. Items go missing, food is ruined and then there are the strange messages left in the dirt at each of their campsites. Is someone stalking them, knowing their route and going ahead of them to spook them? When one of them winds up dead, they all start pointing fingers. Who among them is a killer? And what do they really want?
OK so first up, Pete's parents Kenny and Darla are a little eccentric. Kenny spends his days watching reality TV (then boring others with the details) while Darla is a "mystic Meg" who is never without her crystals and Tarot cards. She read a couple of palms giving some vague answers to what she saw without really giving any clear answers. But then if she had, then we wouldn't have a story, would we? But is she for real? Or a fraud? Abigail's parents are straight-laced and maybe a little snobbish. They love Pete but his family is strange...so how did they end up with such a normal child? The two families couldn't be more different.
And hiking...camping...in the wilderness for three days? I couldn't think of anything worse! Spiders, snakes and all sorts of creepy crawlies. Not to mention no mobile phone signal. What if something went wrong? How would they contact emergency services when they are a full day's trek into a remote National Park? The whole wilderness tour and remoteness of it all has all the creepy hallmarks of the perfect storm. And what unfolded out there in all that nothingness just confirms everything I think about being in the middle of nowhere. Just no.
And then there's the whole in-laws thing. The coming together of two very different families...who couldn't be any more different than these two are in the middle of nowhere...what could go wrong?
THE IN-LAWS is a page-turning psychological and domestic thriller that will keep you guessing. This is a classic whodunit reminiscent of the locked room theory...only the players are in the remote wilderness. Same concept, different setting. The pieces finally slot into place for me and it became glaringly obvious at that point that I wanted to shout it out and warn everyone! Can you guess who it is?
I have mixed feelings about the epilogue because I felt it tainted a particular character I felt didn't need it. But at the same time, I also thought it was very clever. Those closing lines especially...
Overall, THE IN-LAWS is an edgy domestic thriller that is an entertaining read with a disturbing level of secrets, lies and distrust that is perfect for fans of this genre.
I would like to thank #LauraWolfe, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheInLaws in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Two families...countless secrets...the perfect nightmare...
Not sure why I've not read Laura Wolfe before but this one hell of a convoluted mess involving secrets, lies, more secrets, more lies...and some clever deception. Add that to two "very different" families and a remote wilderness walk in a National Park...what could possibly go wrong? And just which of them fails to make it out alive?
Abigail and Pete are engaged. But their respective parents failed to connect the one and only time they met some months before. So in an attempt to bond and to get to know each other before the wedding, Abigail organises a wilderness tour with guide Liam who had taken her colleagues out on a similar (though shorter) tour some months before. Abigail has seen Liam's bonding efforts and knows he can work wonders with the sparring families...or is this one a little out of his league?
Abigail's mum Kristen is a psychiatrist while her father John works in commercial real estate. In fact it was through her father that she met Pete who works with him. Her parents love Pete, John often saying he is the son they never had. Kristen and John have a luxurious lifestyle and high standards so when they met Pete's parents they were surprised at the difference between them. Kenny and Darla are somewhat average, if not kooky, with a few secrets that leave everyone wondering if they've made the right choice in making this trip.
There are several hints along the way that make them second guess themselves if this really is a good idea. But the group remain positive...until the families begin to clash and then one thing after another goes wrong. Items go missing, food is ruined and then there are the strange messages left in the dirt at each of their campsites. Is someone stalking them, knowing their route and going ahead of them to spook them? When one of them winds up dead, they all start pointing fingers. Who among them is a killer? And what do they really want?
OK so first up, Pete's parents Kenny and Darla are a little eccentric. Kenny spends his days watching reality TV (then boring others with the details) while Darla is a "mystic Meg" who is never without her crystals and Tarot cards. She read a couple of palms giving some vague answers to what she saw without really giving any clear answers. But then if she had, then we wouldn't have a story, would we? But is she for real? Or a fraud? Abigail's parents are straight-laced and maybe a little snobbish. They love Pete but his family is strange...so how did they end up with such a normal child? The two families couldn't be more different.
And hiking...camping...in the wilderness for three days? I couldn't think of anything worse! Spiders, snakes and all sorts of creepy crawlies. Not to mention no mobile phone signal. What if something went wrong? How would they contact emergency services when they are a full day's trek into a remote National Park? The whole wilderness tour and remoteness of it all has all the creepy hallmarks of the perfect storm. And what unfolded out there in all that nothingness just confirms everything I think about being in the middle of nowhere. Just no.
And then there's the whole in-laws thing. The coming together of two very different families...who couldn't be any more different than these two are in the middle of nowhere...what could go wrong?
THE IN-LAWS is a page-turning psychological and domestic thriller that will keep you guessing. This is a classic whodunit reminiscent of the locked room theory...only the players are in the remote wilderness. Same concept, different setting. The pieces finally slot into place for me and it became glaringly obvious at that point that I wanted to shout it out and warn everyone! Can you guess who it is?
I have mixed feelings about the epilogue because I felt it tainted a particular character I felt didn't need it. But at the same time, I also thought it was very clever. Those closing lines especially...
Overall, THE IN-LAWS is an edgy domestic thriller that is an entertaining read with a disturbing level of secrets, lies and distrust that is perfect for fans of this genre.
I would like to thank #LauraWolfe, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheInLaws in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
March 10, 2023
Twists kept coming all the way to the end
February 23, 2023
I loved this book! Wolfe weaves a tension-filled tale that keeps you guessing from the first word to the last. I can't wait to dive into her other works.
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