The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell Summary
Overview of The Family Remains
Lisa Jewell's NY Times bestseller unravels dark family secrets where twisted marriages become deadly obsessions. Fellow thriller author Gillian McAllister raves, "Other authors are at ten, Lisa is a solid hundred" - a masterclass in psychological suspense that explains the "why" behind the original's haunting mysteries.
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Key takeaways
Shadows of the Past Resurface
A human skull emerges from the muddy banks of the Thames, setting Detective Inspector Samuel Owusu on a trail leading to 16 Cheyne Walk-a Chelsea mansion with secrets buried deeper than the bones themselves. The remains belong to Birdie Dunlop-Evers, a violinist who vanished in 1996, around the time of an apparent suicide pact at that very address. But why were her remains wrapped in expensive towels and only recently disposed of after decades in hiding? And what connection does this have to Libby Jones, who recently inherited the property and seems to be concealing crucial information? The mansion's walls have witnessed unspeakable acts-psychological manipulation, sexual abuse, and murder-all hidden beneath a veneer of wealth and respectability. As Samuel methodically builds his case, he discovers plant evidence matching foliage found on the bones and the chilling message "I AM PHIN" scratched into a skirting board. Every clue points to a family fractured by trauma yet bound by secrets that refuse to stay buried. When money trails lead from Libby's accounts to individuals named Marie Caron and Phineas Thomson, Samuel realizes he's not investigating one crime, but unraveling a complex web of deception spanning decades. The mansion isn't just a crime scene-it's the epicenter of generational trauma that continues to claim victims long after the original perpetrators have gone.
The Perfect Predator
The Obsession That Consumes
From Running to Roots
The Monster Behind the Mask
Healing Broken Bonds
Darkness That Cannot Be Outrun
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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