The Perfect Family-Dounaeva-Review-Psych Thriller-Available Now

This is the first psych thriller I have read by Lorna Dounaeva, but The Perfect Family was just good enough to make me want to come back for more.

It is an intriguing look at how far a person will go to protect their image…and their family. But it also is a searing look at how quickly that image can disappear.

Victoria is a character who is easy to dislike. She is too perfect, too driven, and too clueless about the realities surrounding her situation.

Even as her image is “perfect” (hence “the perfect family”), there are several things that she chooses to stick her head in the sand about.

Her teenage daughter is pulling away from her.

Her son is showing all signs of being on the spectrum.

And she and her husband are hiding a deep secret that she will do anything to keep hidden.

As I said, she is easy to dislike because she is of a single mind about the last one. At least, that’s how it seems.

I got most annoyed with her when it came to her son. I have dealt with parents like her more often than I care to admit, and they bug the heck out of me. It does a kid no good to be protected to the point of “there is nothing wrong with them” when acknowledging an issue can do the kid a world of good.

But that is my little soapbox moment.

I think the author uses that to show just how narrow Victoria’s thinking is. Not that she is narrow-minded, just doesn’t have a large vision.

Anyway, the story is told from three points of view: Victoria, Anna (her daughter), and diary entries from Joey. To me, the last point of view is the most telling, and I wish there had been more of it.

To be frank, this is a decent psych thriller with okay plot points and a questionable lead character…right up until the end.

The choices made by the author for the climax and aftermath are shocking (given everything that comes before) and will leave you wondering what just happened.

I think it’s part character redemption (but who?) and part “let’s take the reader for a real ride.” I’m good with that.

So, pick up The Perfect Family and you will find that Lorna Dounaeva has created a story proving that perfection only exists on the surface.

About the Author

Lorna Dounaeva has a Masters in European Studies and used to work at the Home Office before turning to crime fiction. She lives in Godalming, Surrey with her husband, three children, and a crafty cat. 

The Perfect Family is her second psychological thriller with Inkubator Books.

Website: https://www.lornadounaeva.com