A Family of Strangers

Published by: Mira Books
Release Date: June 25, 2019
ISBN13: 978-0778309178
Buy the Book: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, Books-A-Million, Apple Books, Kobo, Audible

 
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OVERVIEW

Could a lifetime of memories…be a lifetime of lies?

All her life Ryan Gracey watched her perfect older sister from afar. Knowing she could never top Wendy’s achievements, she didn’t even try. Instead Ryan forged her own path while her family barely seemed to notice.

Now Wendy shares two little girls with her perfect husband while Ryan mourns the man she lost after a nearly fatal mistake in judgment. The sisters’ choices have taken them in different directions, which is why Ryan is stunned when Wendy calls, begging for her help. There’s been a murder—and Wendy believes she’ll be wrongfully accused.

While Wendy lies low, Ryan moves back to their hometown to care for the nieces she hardly knows. The sleuthing skills she’s refined as a true-crime podcaster quickly rise to the surface as she digs for answers with the help of an unexpected ally. Yet the trail of clues Wendy’s left behind lead to nothing but questions. Blood may be thicker than water, but what does Ryan owe a sister who, with every revelation, becomes more and more a stranger?

Is Wendy, who always seemed so perfect, just a perfect liar—or worse?

PRAISE

"I love settling down with a book by Emilie Richards, knowing I can turn myself over to her for a story that's both infinitely readable and emotionally deep. In A Family of Strangers, Emilie seamlessly mixes intrigue, romance and emotional drama as she puts family ties to the test with a protagonist you won't soon forget. You'll root for Ryan Gracey to do the right thing, even as you struggle along with her to determine what that right thing might be. A page-turner to the end!"
—Diane Chamberlain, New York Times bestselling author of The Dream Daughter

"A Family of Strangers is an absolutely riveting, thrilling read. I could not put it down. The suspense starts with the first line and does not let up until the last sentence. Emilie Richards writes electrifying family drama. There are deep emotions and startling secrets on every page. This one will keep you up all night."
—Jayne Ann Krentz, New York Times bestselling author

TRAILER

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Sometimes ideas for new books spring up and flourish like flowering bulbs. They wait underground, undetected, and then suddenly, like tulips and daffodils, they bloom happily, with absolutely no assistance from the novelist except maybe pulling a weed or two so they can spread and grow. Other ideas take longer. Those ideas are like magnolia trees, inching upward year after year until finally, after waiting for what seems like forever, their blossoms perfume the air.

A Family of Strangers falls into that latter category. More than a decade ago I read a newspaper article about a young woman who was well liked, well educated and well raised. Then she committed a murder, just for fun. I didn't want to write that story, but there was so many other possibilities. Was her family in denial even when the facts were clear? Did they believe whatever story she told them because loyalty blinded them? And what if she really wasn't the murderer? What if her denials were true and the only people interested in finding the real killer shared her last name?

The potential seemed endless, but so did the list of other books I wanted to write. Finally two years ago I had time to explore the idea I'd been carrying with me, and by then time had blessed it. Portions of the plot came into focus, and so did characters. I was on my way.

The wait was worth it for me. I hope you'll say the same.