The Stepfamily

Silicon Valley Series, Book 1

By: Bonnie Traymore

Narrated by: Meghan Kelly

Laura's on the verge of living the life she's always wanted. At the age of twenty-seven, she put her career plans on hold, married handsome widower Peter Foster, settled down in his Silicon Valley home, and helped raise his two children.

Twelve years later, its her turn to shine. Her career is thriving, the kids are out of the house, Peter's company is on the verge of an FDA approval that could garner a windfall in stock gains for them, and she's training for the Kona Ironman. But when a series of freak accidents can no longer be chalked up to bad luck, it becomes clear that someone is out to get her. Is it someone from work, jealous of her promotion? Or is it perhaps someone more dangerous? Someone closer to home?

Laura has no enemies that she knows of, but she senses that husband Peter is keeping secrets. And when she starts digging into the family's past, a twisted and unsettling story starts to slowly reveal itself. But with the walls closing in on her, she needs to find out why someone would want to harm herand what really happened to his first wife. Before it's too late.

©2023 Bonnie Traymore (P)2024 Bonnie Traymore

Critic reviews

"Building on the success of tense mysteries like Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl (2012), author Bonnie Traymore has crafted a deliciously unsettling domestic thriller with her new novel The Stepfamily." - BookTrib

Great story ruined by the narrator

The narrator’s strange sing-song cadence makes everything sound like she’s confused or uncertain about what she’s reading. Almost intolerable. I will definitely not listen to any more books she narrates.

The StepFamily

The story is edge of your seat. And the beginning has you wondering if it’s just coincidence. Of course we know it’s not! I was a little let down with how easy the ending played out, but am definitely looking forward to the next book! Over all a good listen and the narration is spot on. She really nailed the characters.

Not a fan of the narration

I could listen to the story which I cant do with really bad narration. Her voice seems to a have wispy sound and it doesn't change no matter what is going on.
similar experience with the story itself. I teresting enough to keep me listening. I didnt feel compelled to keep listening as it was too far fetched to capture my attention.

the book may be good narration stinks

the narrator sounds like she is a robot speaking. I tried changing the speed several times. I can't finish the book

All around OK book

The plot was ok, nothing too over the top or mind blowing but good enough to keep listening. I listened at 1.4x to ease up the robotic soft voice of the narrator. The versatility of the narrator for each character was good.