M.T. Edvardsson’s A Nearly Normal Family is a gripping legal thriller that forces the reader to consider: How far would you go to protect the ones you love? In this twisted narrative of love and murder, a horrific crime makes a seemingly normal family question everything they thought they knew about their life–and one another.Eighteen-year-old Stella Sandell stands accused of the brutal murder … accused of the brutal murder of a man almost fifteen years her senior. She is an ordinary teenager from an upstanding local family. What reason could she have to know a shady businessman, let alone to kill him?
Stella’s father, a pastor, and mother, a criminal defense attorney, find their moral compasses tested as they defend their daughter, while struggling to understand why she is a suspect. Told in an unusual three-part structure, A Nearly Normal Family asks the questions: How well do you know your own children? How far would you go to protect them?
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5 out of 5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and Celadon Books for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book for an honest review.
Adam always thought he, his wife Ulrika and their 18 year old daughter Stella were a pretty normal family. That is until one day in late August arrested on suspicion of killing Chris Olsen. Adam who is a pastor finds himself question everything he thought he believed in.
Told from the point of view from each family member the truth slowly begins to unravel. Adam who is a pastor finds himself questioning everything he thought he believed in.
Told from the point of view from each family member the truth slowly begins to unravel. Stella has never been your average child, she is the type of girl that lives life by her own rules. Yes, she has been a bit wild but could she ever kill someone? Adam certainly doesn’t believe she could do something like that. While Adam sets out to prove Stella’s innocence, Ulrika does everything to hold their family together even while Stella is incarcerated.
This is a very well written novel and as someone from America I really found it interesting to read about the legal system in Sweden. I wouldn’t say that this was a thriller. It was definitely more of a slow burn mystery/family drama/courtroom drama.
I would definitely pick this up if you want to lose yourself in an engaging mystery.
Love this book! It’s twisted. You think you get it. You think you like the characters. Read it!
This one was a pleasant and unexpected surprise for me. Centered on a family of three, Dad, Mom, and 18-year-old daughter; they seem to be a typical family: Dad is a pastor, Mom is a defense attorney, and the daughter is working to save money to go abroad after finishing school, before deciding about university. When the daughter, Stella, is arrested on suspicion of murder, we find out that even the families that appear to be typical have their own secrets and behaviors that will make you wonder.
Told in three parts from each family member’s viewpoint, we learn about the events that brought the family to this point, while also following the investigation and how it impacts each one.
Part family drama and part legal thriller; this one will suck you in quickly while you question just how far you will go to protect someone you love… and how well you really know the ones you love. The journey through this one will keep you wondering until the very end.
The characters were interesting and well-developed, and the author’s writing translated easily into English. I also enjoyed the look into Sweden’s legal process.
This novel is not one that I would have normally picked up, but I am glad I did.
#CeladonBooks #ANearlyNormalFamily #MTEdvardsson
A Nearly Normal Family is a well-written, character-driven legal thriller set in Sweden. Uniquely told from the POV’s of each member of the Sandell family as the eighteen-year-old daughter awaits trial for murder, the reader is privy to all the flaws, secrets and strengths of the individual family members, their relationships with each other, and of the family unit as a whole. Stella’s best friend Amina also plays a key role in the story.
Things are never as they seem from the outside looking in, and in this case, they are not what they seem from within as well. Edvardsson does a fine job of making all three members of this seemingly perfect yet very troubled family relatable. Through the course of the book, each family member must decide how far they are willing to go to protect one another, which moral and ethical values they will hold true to, and which they are willing to forego.
Stella is accused of murdering a man fifteen years older than she. Always headstrong and unable to control her temper, it appears she has gotten herself into a situation that cannot be brushed aside.
Adam, a well-respected pastor, finds himself at a loss with regards to Stella, the daughter he has always been close to, but who now seemingly prefers to hold him at a distance. He will learn anguishing facts about his daughter, his wife and himself throughout the book.
Ulrika, a lawyer, has never been a very present mother; she just never felt that immediate maternal bond other women seem to come by naturally. While she envies the bond that Adam and Stella share, she is seemingly unable to bridge the gap that her choice of career over motherhood has created. This unexpected situation will test her in ways she never imagined.
A Nearly Normal family is a very intriguing read. I love that the reader gets to see three entirely different takes on the family and the events leading up to and surrounding Stella being held for murder. I highly recommend this book and hope you put it on your TBR list. It’s one of this summer’s not-to-be-missed!!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Book Review A Nearly Normal Family by @mattiasedvardssonforf was THE perfect family dysfunction courtroom drama book. Take one unruly teenager with a pastor for a dad, lawyer for a mom and add in one murder. How far do these parents go to protect their daughter? That question will keep you turning pages non stop until you reach the answer. Thank you so much @celadonbooks for this review copy. Cannot wait to see what’s next for this author! Available now.
#anearlynormalfamily #mtedvardsson #celadonbooks #familydysfunction #legalthriller #familydrama #bookstagram #partner #sponsored #ad #bookstagrammer #bibliophile #instabooks #bookcommunity #booksofinstagram #arc #booksharks #bookbuzz #books #advancedreaderscopy
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Stella has been accused of killing Christopher, a man she had been dating. Her parents knew nothing about the relationship, but that is typical of 17-year-olds. We learn about the story through 3 different perspectives, through her father, Stella, and her mother, in that order. We learn what really happened that fateful night and so much more.
I think a lot of people didn’t like Stella, and she was rebellious and a bit oblivious of her actions, but I liked her. I personally think she had some undiagnosed bi-polar because of her rage issues, but maybe not. Edvardsson did create a bit of an unlikable character with her, but she’s a typical teen, sort of, and I found myself cheering her on.
As for our other characters, I didn’t like the father, Adam, and I felt that there was something more going on with him. That we were on the edge of discovery but never really told what it was. When he was telling his story, he seemed to put a lot of the blame for things on other people, (and I do realize reviewers saying Stella did this).
The mother, Ulrika, seemed like a typical mother torn between work and family. We get the impression from Adam that she was worried about her worth as a mother, and that she was distant, but I don’t get that vibe from Stella or Ulrika, so I’m deeming Adam an unreliable narrator. Stella’s best friend Amina is also at the center of things here, and I was curious as to some of the things revealed about her in Adam’s portion, but those things were never revisited. It’s clear these two are thick as thieves, friends, and sisters for life.
The story came together well in the ending. I had a few books going when I started this and completely abandoned them because I wanted to know what happened, who was really responsible for Christopher’s murder, and why. A great read with excellent, well-developed characters. Nicely done.
Do not start reading this book before bedtime, especially if you have to get up early or can’t call in sick, because you won’t be able to put it down! Put your phone to sleep, make yourself comfortable, make a pot of tea or coffee and go!
A refreshing style awaits from the first page. Written in a three part, first person narrative from three different viewpoints there is never a dull moment.
Edvardssin’s characters take us on a suspenseful journey with a twist around every corner. I could not put this down and read it in less than three days. I didn’t know there were writers like this left in the literary world.
Reminiscent of Dumaurier and Christie, Edvardsson quickly draws us in, making us care for these characters. I could feel myself standing on that cold, playground, staring at, well, that would be telling…
But, before you start reading, ask yourself a question. How far would you go to protect your family?
How far would you go to protect your family? Would you gamble with their freedom? Can one ever really justify the taking of another’s life?
It’s said that there are three sides to every story: side A, side B, and the truth somewhere in between. A Nearly Normal Family brings you three sides as well (the father’s, the daughter’s, and the mother’s), in this gripping novel centered around Stella, an eighteen year old girl accused of murder.
Edvardsson expertly interweaves the lives and experiences of the three members of the Sandell family together to tell a story that leaves the reader at the edge of their seat and reveals things at just the right time. Edvardsson also forces the reader to examine their own morals and convictions as the whole picture of what happened is revealed.
This is easily one of my favorite books of the year so far. I could hardly put it down and loved trying to figure out what really happened. I often found myself changing my opinions and feelings about characters, showing how first impressions aren’t always right, and by the end I think my initial impression of each major character, Amina included, was vastly different than when I began.
Anyone who likes a good mystery should definitely check out A Nearly Normal Family.
Thank you to Celadon Books and BookishFirst for an Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review.
I totally enjoyed M. T. Edvardsson’s psychological thriller, A Nearly Normal Family. Stella, a teenager, is accused of stabbing to death thirty-two year old, Christoper Olsen. Stella is an only child of Adam, a pastor, and Ulrika,a defense attorney. It has been difficult for Adam and Ulrika to set boundaries for Stella.
Each character gives his/her perspective in the story that is told in three parts. The gut wrenching phone call to the parents to have them come to the police station only to find out their daughter has been arrested for murder. The author did a great job of getting the reader really involved in this legal thriller. I loved the short chapters as I think it helped with the pace of the book.
I need to reread to spot any clues I did not catch! My thanks to Bookish First and Celadon Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A Nearly Normal Family is my first foray into Scandinavian crime fiction and I have to say I enjoyed it more that I thought I would. This book is part murder mystery, part legal thriller, and part family drama. It’s told from three different POVs. I enjoyed some parts and some POVs more that others but overall it was an entertaining read.
18 year-old Stella is accused of a murder of a much older man. Stella is a daughter of well-respected family. Her father, Adam, is a pastor and her mother, Ulrika, is a criminal defense attorney. Adam and Ulrika struggle to understand what happened to their daughter and how she became embroiled in the gruesome murder. What lengths will they go to protect Stella and will they sacrifice their morals to clear her name?
Unlike the domestic thrillers I am used to reading, A Nearly Normal Family is a slow-burn mystery with not a lot of urgency or suspense, it is rather a study in character(s). What drove Stella to commit murder? How far will her parents go to protect her? Even though it’s a slow-burn story, there were still some very interesting twists that surprised me and the ending was very satisfying. I would definitely recommend this book to readers who enjoy legal dramas and murder mysteries.
What a great read and what a family! Adam, a controlling pastor father, Ulrika, a workaholic mother who does not seem to be that interested in her daughter Stella and lets her do pretty much what she wants to. Stella turns 18 as the story starts with flashbacks to her younger years. Stella has been friends with Amina since preschool and they are inseparable. Stella and Amina meet Christopher Olsen, who is about about 10 years older than they are, at the bar one night. Christopher starts seeing Stella and then one night Christopher ends up murdered. Stella is arrested and charged with the murder and the story takes a lot of twists and turns as the case goes through the court with a very surprising ending. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this fascinating book in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 Stars
Really interesting story one I wasn’t expecting to appreciate as much as I actually did,
So first this is a Swedish translation which I didn’t realise before starting and am not usually a fan of.
To be honest, I didn’t really notice and It affected my overall enjoyment not one bit: this has been translated really well.
So this had quite an unusual story format and it is split into three parts The Father, The Daughter and lastly The Mother.
Out of the three, the middle one (The Daughter) Is the one I enjoyed the most.
Closely followed by Part one (The Father ) and finally part Three ( The Mother.)
Each separate part here focuses entirely on a member of this nearly normal family so each participant here gets to have their own voice and all the parts here slot together to make a cohesive eventual whole: it was very well done.
The question at the heart of this book is how far would you go to protect the ones you love?
And the answer in most cases is whatever it takes.
Certainly here Stella’s parents are prepared to scale mountains to protect her even in spite of the many doubts they have concerning their daughter’s actual innocence.
What was fascinating to me was how the same exact event could change slightly depending on who we were with at the time, each perspective evolving and changing the narrative solely dependent on who is driving the story.
I also think that the author here used the father’s profession that of a well-respected pastor and man of god to showcase that stripped back and laid bare we are all equally fallible.
The father here may seem beyond reproach in his belief system and basic morality but basically is as human as the next man or woman especially when it comes to his family.
It did get a trifle long-winded at times but I did enjoy this it was a solid read that definitely makes me think.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of A Nearly Normal Family.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
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Although it took me about a third of the way through the book before I really got invested in it, I have to say that this is one of the best mystery/suspense books that I have read in a long time. The pacing was slow at first but picked up very quickly once there was a murder and the “nearly normal family” was involved. I really liked the characters, particularly the 18 year-old daughter Stella. She was portrayed as a girl who was hard to trust and who had acted badly in the past. Nevertheless, I really liked her and her steadfastness and unselfishness. I enjoyed the themes of family loyalty and love that ran through the book. Having the book divided into sections in which the father, Stella and the mother were the narrators was illuminating and a unique way to present the murder case and the evidence. I would highly recommend this book to those who enjoy mystery, suspense and police procedurals. I actually felt bad for the police in this story because they just could not get to the truth, no matter how hard they tried. You will have to read it for yourself to find out if you can figure out who the real murderer is….it will probably surprise you!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, both via Netgalley and physically. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
I received this book as an ARC, and I really enjoyed it. The book starts with a murder and is told in 3 parts. The main characters are the father Adam, who is a pastor, the daughter Stella who is accused of murder, and the mother Ulrika who is an attorney working to get her daughter off. The book will have you guessing as to who the killer really is. You get a different view of each character based on their perspectives of themselves and the other main characters. This a page turner and it keeps you guessing until the end as to who the killer is. The book also makes you question whether the murder victim is really a victim or a crazy abusive man who deserved to die. The book is released June 25th and is sure to be a best seller. Thank you Celadon Books for this ARC. #celadonbooks #MTEdvardsson
-Description-
We have our Nearly Normal Family, and the story is told from each of their perspectives-Adam (a pastor-kinda), Ulrika (a lawyer), and their daughter Stella. It’s Stella’s 18th Birthday and shortly after her parents get the call that she has been arrested for murder of a man they have never heard of.
-Thoughts-
1. I love stories told from various points of view. This one did not disappoint. These were 3 very specific, very different voices. We got to really know each of these main characters. I would have loved if Stella’s best friend, Amina, also had a voice in this.
2. The ending for me wasn’t some great reveal. Maybe I’m just crazy and was expecting something that I didn’t see coming. It seemed predictable, but that was ok. Knowing that the ending wasn’t going to be some crazy reveal, may have lessened that disappointment.
-Similar Recommended Reads-
The Testament of Harold’s Wife
Sadie
The Silent Patient
“A Nearly Normal Family” is author M.T. Edvardsson’s first book published to the United States. Previously he has authored three novels and two books for young readers in Sweden. It is translated by Rachel Willson-Broyles. I received an ARC through BookishFirst in exchange for an honest review.
This legal drama/thriller has elements of murder, sexual assault, prisoner abuse, and mental health issues.
The story is told in three parts, all in first person:
** Adam, the father, a pastor (prologue to Chapter 41)
** Stella, the troubled daughter, accused of murder (Chapters 42-82)
** Ulrika, the mother, a lawyer (Chapter 83-109; as of note, this is the shortest part of the book)
At the center of the story is Stella Sandell. Recently turned 18 and accused of a brutal murder of a business man 15 years her senior. How does she know him and why would she kill him? How did the daughter of a pastor and lawyer go so wrong?
The father’s perspective starts out the novel. He begins with what leads up to their daughter’s arrest with slowly added histories of how they became a family. He also recounts the troubles and indiscretions his daughter had when she was younger, along with a troubling sexual assault. He also re-examines his daughter’s troubling behaviors to wonder if she is guilty or innocent. But, he cannot bring himself to tell the truth if it will convict her.
As the investigation unfolds, he gets caught up in wanting to know the truth and begins to do his own research. From questioning a witness to his daughter’s friend, Adam will stop at nothing to save the daughter he now barely knows, if he did at all.
Stella’s side is that of a rebellious and ungrateful teenager. She scrutinizes the jail system she now finds herself in, her relationship with her parents, relationship with her best friend Amina, along with an incident she’d used to get back at her father which backfired. Stella also tells of the counseling and abuse by the staff in jail along with the nightmares she suffers. It is here where the reader learns Stella’s connection with the businessman she’s accused of murdering.
Ulrika’s side starts with Stella’s murder trial. She recalls how her relationship with Stella was, and how Ulrika didn’t know her daughter after a while. It also goes through more of Stella’s friendship with Amina as well as Ulrika’s closeness to Amina.
This is where the reader will hit the heart and soul of the novel – as well as what lengths a parent would go to in protecting their child and how everything plays out.
The truth isn’t revealed until the final pages of the epilogue. Edvardsson is careful to drop hints throughout, though in Ulrika’s part, it is pretty clear as to who the killer is.
It was an interesting read over a three day period. It wasn’t particularly overwhelming, but it wasn’t boring. The insight into the Swedish justice system is educational – and definitely differs from the American system quite a bit. The family issues and themes tried to be strong.
Each character seemingly had their own agenda. Adam was trying to create a “nearly normal family” and ignoring signs involving Stella. He seems like a doting and responsible father. He’s about the only one I felt sorry for in this mess.
I found Stella to be impatient, rude, obnoxious, rebellious, and ungrateful. In one scene she puts herself in harm’s way in an effort to get back at her father. She seemingly has no remorse for most of her actions – she just says and does what she wants, regardless of consequences. She does have some loyalty to her friend Amina though.
I had no sympathy for Stella, and didn’t care if she ended up in prison or not. Most of what happened to her was the result of her bad choices. Behavioral disorders are tossed out, but she doesn’t like labels and none seem to fit. It’s worse when Amina, her childhood friend, simply states “well, she … she’s just the way she is. She’s Stella, there’s no one else like her”.
Ulrika came off as selfish. She regretted she thought more of her career than being a mom, which is something she’d wanted – being a mom that is. Despite knowing she was doing the wrong thing, she kept doing it though. There is even a hint at infidelity. Ulrika’s decision could result in Stella being convicted.
The novel has a good premise – a young girl being accused of murdering someone that no one knows she knew. There were twists and turns, along with self reflection.
For those who enjoy this type of genre, it might be a good read. I wasn’t exactly thrilled, wowed, or excited by it – but it wasn’t the worse thing I’ve read either. It could’ve been that it was a dark read or the translation. It did hold my interest long enough to finish it though.
Celadon Books and M. T. Edvardsson have knocked it out of the park with this legal thriller! How far will you go to protest the one you love? Stella Sandell is an 19 year old who is accused of murder. The book is told from the viewpoint of Stella, her father who is a pastor, and her mother who is an attorney. What is the truth about the murder since it seems like everyone is lying. A fast paced thriller and a great twisty read!!
A family that seems normal and close knit, but there are many cracks in the relationships. Adam is a gentle man, a pastor who loves his family more than anything, and will do anything to protect them. Even lie. The mother is a successful defense attorney, struggling to maintain her career and the needs of her family. Would she lie and sacrifice it all?
Stella is a high strung 17 yo, troublesome and defiant. How far will she go, to get what she wants, would she kill for it?
A very suspenseful, emotional read, full of twists, turns and “what if’s”. It is told from three perspectives, and the reader is left trying to grasp the truth, but they all lie! It comes down to the conclusion and you’ll never figure it out!
My thanks to Net Galley, M T Edvardsson and Celadon for the ARC of this entertaining book! It was riveting!
A Nearly Normal Family is a very engrossing legal drama, full of moral and relationship issues. Very well written English translation from the original Swedish.
Poses the question of just how far you would go to protect your child, or your best friend.
I gave it 4 1/2 stars. Due out in June.
(You know if Scott Turow and Karin Slaughter recommend it, it’s got to be good!)
Very interesting legal thriller told in three parts and points of view from father (a pastor), daughter, and mother (a lawyer) and set in Sweden. I liked that you really couldn’t figure it out until it all comes together at the end. Several scenarios of who really committed the murder will keep you guessing. Definitely a very good and interesting read. Thanks to Celadon Books for the ARC for an honest review. Will definitely put this author on my list to watch for new releases.