A New York Times Best Thriller of 2025
One of BuzzFeed‘s New Books You Will Not Want To Put Down
“The book [moves] at a deceptively languid pace until you realize that Trevelyan has expertly set up multiple mysteries that converge, stunningly, late in the game.” —The New York Times
“I absolutely loved this page-turning family mystery and didn’t want it to end. The author so effortlessly transported me to another place and time, and every character leapt off the page. An extraordinary, exquisitely written debut.” –Liane Moriarty, New York Times bestselling author of Here One Moment
“Dappled in sand and shadow, A Beautiful Family is part coming of age story, part taut thriller, part travelogue, perfectly transporting the reader not only to summer holiday on the New Zealand coast but also to that magical age between childhood and adolescence when the world starts to reveal its dark secrets and everything is more complicated — and, yes, beautiful — than it has seemed. Jennifer Trevelyan’s immersive debut is atmospheric and aching.” –Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling author of Family Family
“This novel, part mystery and part Bildungsroman, is gripping; every chapter brings an unexpected twist, further complicating and deepening each storyline.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Trevelyan’s taut thriller debut hauntingly captures the end of innocence through a child’s eyes.” —Booklist
“Immersive….Alix grasps at the truth of things, but her perspective means only the reader parses the more adult story unravelling around her. This framing is craftily handled, with Trevelyan building suspense as the underlying narratives coalesce, delving into familial ties, a child’s desire for harmony, and the pinballing of a child on the brink of adolescence.” —The Guardian
“Occasionally a book comes into the office and it’s so good, I want to tell everyone about it. Jennifer Trevelyan’s debut, A Beautiful Family is that good. I’ve been telling everyone: you simply must read it. . . It’s a thrilling book, and I really think you’ll love it.” –Caroline Overington, Literary Editor, The Australian
“An absolutely riveting read. A Beautiful Family held me captive from the first page to the last, both through Trevelyan’s uncanny ability to maintain inexorable tension throughout, and her wholly believable narration of a ten-year-old trying to make sense of the adult world around her. I loved it.” –Hannah Kent, international bestselling author of Devotion
“Taut yet tender, A Beautiful Family examines the precariousness of childhood through the lens of a long, hazy summer of secrets. Proving the maxim that all unhappy families are unhappy in their own way, Trevelyan has crafted a coming of age story that perfectly balances the nostalgia of summer holidays with a looming sense of danger. Find a sun-lit corner and devour this sensational debut in one session (like I did).” –Jacqueline Bublitz, international bestselling author of Before You Knew My Name and Leave the Girls Behind
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