The Perfect Parents by J.A. Baker Published by Boldwood Books on February 26, 2024
Genres: Psychological Thrillers
Pages: 293
Format: ARC, eBook
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
Buy on Amazon/Barnes & Noble
Jackson and Lydia Hemsworth are pillars of the community, feted for having the perfect marriage and three wonderful children – Florence, Jessica and Ezra.
But appearances can be deceptive.
Because behind closed doors Jackson Hemsworth rules his family with cruelty and control. His marriage is a sham; his children for years have cowed in fear.
Until the day that Jackson and Lydia throw themselves off Newport Bridge in a joint suicide pact – the final cruel blow by Jackson to control his wife and torture his adult children.
As the Hemsworth siblings return to their family home, they must try to make sense of their parents’ last act. But there are many dark secrets waiting to be unearthed at Armett House.
Like, why are the townsfolk so suddenly hostile towards them? And who are the strangers who arrive at Armett House unannounced? And why has their mother’s body still not been found?
In the aftermath of their parents’ death, it becomes clear that something terrible is about to be exposed about the Hemsworths’ perfect parents.
A secret they may all wish had stayed hidden…
My Thoughts
In “The Perfect Parents,” author J.A. Baker creates an engaging family mystery that explores the hidden shadows under the façade of the perfect Hemsworth family. This thrilling tale introduces readers to a rollercoaster ride of emotions as they discover the truth about the tragic joint suicide of Hemsworth parents and the secrets that the children must deal with.
Lydia Hemsworth and Jackson are esteemed members of their society, looked up to because of their perfect marriage and perfectly behaved kids. But as the story progresses, it is revealed that appearances are deceiving. Jackson’s cruel and controlling self pits a long shadow over their perfect life, leaving their children scared and afraid.
Jackson and Lydia’s shocking suicide pact is the ultimate act of manipulation and control. This incident triggers Florence, Jessica, Ezra, and Hemsworth’s siblings to return to their family house and face the consequences of their parent’s deeds. As they struggle to deal with their grieving and try to figure out the truth about their parents’ last deed, they must deal with a hostile community and unexpected visitors at Armett House.
The strong point of this novel is that Baker can create a true feeling of suspense and intrigue. The pacing is masterfully created, so readers are on the edge of their seats as they are plunged into the Hemsworths’ dark history. Baker intertwines several storylines, unveiling the family’s secrets bit by bit without uncovering the mystery.
The characters in “The Perfect Parents” are adequately developed and relatable because each has flaws and complications. The Hemsworth siblings give an incredibly captivating performance as they attempt to understand their shortcomings while trying to accept their parents’ actions. Their self-discovery and healing journey makes their narrative more layered and profound.
One minor criticism of the book is that some plot twists may seem a little predictable to readers of mystery novels. However, this minor flaw is independent of the strength of the storytelling and the well-developed characters.
In conclusion, “The Perfect Parents” is a thrilling and stimulating read that keeps its readers hooked until the very last page. Baker has created a spine-chilling family mystery that tackles the intricacies of human nature and the havoc that mystery and secrets can wreak. Psychological thrillers and domestic drama fans will enjoy adding this book to their reading lists.
Thank you to Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
About J.A. Baker
J. A. Baker was born and brought up in the North East of England. She has had 15 books published and recently completed book 16.
When she’s not writing and thinking up new and inventive ways of killing off her fictional characters, or looking after her young grandchildren, she can be found pottering around her garden with her madcap dog, Theo or in a coffee shop eating cake with her long suffering husband.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
