Ours is a Tale of Murder
- Judith D Collins
- Jan 20
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 20
By: Nora Murphy
Narrators: Katharine Chin, Jane Oppenheimer, Gary Bennett, Curtis Michael Holland
ISBN: 9781464250880
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Publication Date: 02/10/2025
Format: Paperback
My Rating: 5 Stars + (ARC)
TOP THRILLERS OF 2026
"A shocking collision made all the more satisfying by Murphy's brilliant twists...Clear your schedule―you won't be putting this down until that last, mesmerizing page." ―Carter Wilson, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of Tell Me What You Did
One quiet neighborhood.
Three different families.
Bound by murder.
Klara never wanted the house with the white picket fence. Troy never wanted anything else.
Nothing is quite right with this happy couple, but they fit right in. The mother in the blue house, Mary, is cleaning out her son's old room before she sells, haunted by the mistakes of her past and afraid of what her home has become. Next door, Henry, freshly laid off and back living with his parents, has plenty of time to watch everyone―especially wives. He knows something is wrong. But then then nothing is quite as it seems, and sometimes you miss what is right in front of you.
Murder will soon thread its way through this world in ways no one will see coming―unless you've been plotting all along.
Cover Reveal
COMING FEB 10, 2026
Sourcebooks Landmark
Paperback and e-book
Praise
"Nora Murphy’s riveting thriller Ours Is a Tale of Murder is not what it seems...in the best possible way. Three seemingly disparate stories, all captivating in their own right, pull the reader toward a shocking collision made all the more satisfying by Murphy’s brilliant twists. The stakes are high, the casualties tragic, the losses profound. Clear your schedule―you won’t be putting this down until that last, mesmerizing page."
― Carter Wilson, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of Tell Me What You Did
"Beautifully creepy. Deliciously dark."
― Iliana Xander, bestselling author of Love, Mom
"Ours is a Tale of Murder is a brilliant puzzle of seemingly unrelated stories, intricately and expertly woven together into a satisfying, tense, and unexpected thriller. Congratulations to Nora Murphy for creating a gripping and moody world filled with danger and misdirection that entertains from beginning to end."
― Darby Kane, #1 internationally bestselling author of Pretty Little Wife
"Slick, masterful writing combined with sleek, serpentine twists add up to a first-rate domestic suspense. Murphy weaves together seemingly disconnected stories in delicious, frightening, and satisfying ways, creating a tale that quietly and cunningly asks a timeless question: how well can we ever truly know our neighbors?"
― Ashley Winstead, USA Today-bestselling author of This Book Will Bury Me
About the Author
Nora Murphy is the author of The Favor and The New Mother. A practicing attorney, Nora resides in Maryland with her husband, three sons, and four rescue pets. WEBSITE
My Review
OURS IS A TALE OF MURDER by Nora Murphy is undoubtedly her finest work to date! Top thrillers of 2026.
This brilliantly crafted psychological domestic thriller presents a captivating whodunit that delves into the complexities of human emotions within a seemingly idyllic suburban neighborhood. The lives of three families intertwine in unexpected ways, revealing dark secrets that ultimately lead to a shocking murder.
I assure you, this gripping narrative will keep you on the edge of your seat, with a mind-bending twist waiting for you on page 247 that will leave you utterly astonished. No jumping ahead. Enjoy the journey. No spoilers.
The story unfolds through a rich tapestry of perspectives, culminating in a major twist where the paths of three characters—a seemingly perfect couple, a vigilant neighbor, and a grieving mother—converge in a way that will leave you breathless. Don't miss out on this enthralling journey!
About...
Set in an affluent Maryland suburb of Hawthorne Heights, we meet three households, each with troubled characters hiding secrets behind "white picket fences".
Characters...
Klara and Troy Weston:
A couple whose seemingly idyllic marriage hides deep issues. Klara is a driven lawyer, while Troy fits the 'white picket fence' ideal. Their relationship is described as tense, with hints of domestic abuse, manipulation, and control emerging later in the story.
Widowed Mary:
A peculiar widow living in the blue house who is preparing to sell her home. She is haunted by past mistakes and an unspecified tragedy involving her son, Owen, from 20 years ago.
Stalker Henry:
An unemployed man living with his parents who spends his time observing his neighbors, particularly the wives. He has a history of stalking behavior and is convinced something is wrong with Klara and Troy's relationship.
The stories of these seemingly separate individuals quietly overlap, building tension and a sense of foreboding as the narrative progresses.
There is a MURDER. Whodunit? The ongoing mystery: how do these three neighboring houses and characters connect?
My reflections:
Allow me to share my reflections on a remarkable literary experience.
Nora, your brilliance truly shines through! While I have thoroughly enjoyed both THE FAVOR and THE NEW MOTHER— OURS IS A TALE OF MURDER transcends these works in a way that is simply extraordinary. Murphy is undeniably at the pinnacle of her craft! I've long believed that lawyers possess a unique talent for storytelling, and this book is a testament to that.
I made the somewhat ill-advised decision to start reading this engrossing novel just before bed. The allure of the story was so compelling that I found myself racing through to the second part, desperate to uncover the twist. By 4 AM, I was fully engrossed, and then back into it this evening to savor the deliciously satisfying conclusion!
OURS IS A TALE OF MURDER is a cinematic gem, perfectly suited for both the small and big screen, and it stands out as an exceptional choice for book clubs and engaging discussions. A fitting title and cover.
This captivating narrative is thoughtfully divided into two enthralling segments, expertly crafted to keep you on the edge of your seat. As you delve into the intricate relationships among three families and their homes, the suspense builds, leading you to unravel the mystery of the murderer’s identity.
The story's ingenious structure, woven with a rich tapestry of diverse and often unreliable perspectives, continuously challenges your understanding. It brings to light the unsettling truth that reality can be obscured, lurking just beneath the surface, waiting to be unearthed.
Murphy masterfully contrasts the idealized imagery of "white picket fences" in Hawthorne Heights with the deeply oppressive psychological state of its characters. This striking visual dichotomy serves as a powerful foreshadowing, hinting that the seemingly serene order of suburban life is on the brink of being shattered by an explosive eruption of violence.
~The "Happy" Couple
~The Helpful Neighbor
~The Grieving Widow
~The Neighborhood Aesthetic
These characters are undeniably troubled and flawed, yet I found myself deeply empathetic toward Mary. This street carries the weight of a past murder, adding layers of trauma and guilt that shape Mary's emotional journey.
The eerie basements, menacing knives, food allergies, secrets, the stalking, and the surprise character create an atmosphere that will keep you eagerly turning the pages.
Smartly written, the plot is razor-sharp, driven by acts of betrayal, both big and small, that highlight the fragility of trust and the complex motivations behind human actions with jaw-dropping twists.
Themes...
~Facade of Suburban Perfection
~Abuse and Control in Relationships
~Domestic Abuse and Emotional Manipulation
~Obsession and Stalking
~Grief and Guilt
~The Nature of Motherhood
~The Corrosive Power of Secrets
The narrative shift transitions the plot from a simple "tale of love" to a compelling "tale of murder," where each action meticulously paves the way toward a premeditated confrontation.
Initially, the families lead separate lives, yet their "seemingly disparate stories" are inextricably linked by an imminent act of murder. The underlying tensions within each household—Klara’s domestic confinement, Mary’s maternal guilt, and Henry’s fixation—ultimately converge, revealing their interconnectedness within a singular, unfolding narrative.
A central theme woven throughout this narrative is the relentless examination of reality and the reliability of perception. The complex experience of motherhood is portrayed with remarkable depth, capturing its profound love, isolation, regrets, and the pervasive guilt that often accompanies it. As the story unfolds, secrets emerge as a destructive force, culminating in murder and the unraveling of the characters' lives.
The plot intricately illustrates the far-reaching consequences of secrets and deceit, demonstrating how their eventual exposure can devastate lives and relationships.
The overarching message of OURS IS A TALE OF MURDER serves as a sobering reminder: one can never truly comprehend the events occurring behind closed doors, even in the most seemingly tranquil suburban settings.
Title Significance...
By employing the plural "Ours," Murphy artfully underscores that the murder transcends a singular victim or perpetrator. It evokes a sense of shared burden and connection among the three principal households in Hawthorne Heights.
The title acts as an "opening warning," alerting the reader from the outset that, despite the serene suburban backdrop, the narrative is inexorably racing toward a violent confrontation.
Recs...
If you appreciate the works of the following authors and titles that delve into themes of suburban secrets, domestic tension, and unexpected twists, you will undoubtedly find OURS IS A TALE OF MURDER to be a captivating read.
~Colleen Hoover and A.R. Torre
~My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney
~His & Hers by Alice Feeney
~All the Little Houses by May Cobb
~Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
~Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris
~You'll Never Know by Caleb Stephens
~I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh
~Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Many thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for graciously sharing a digital and paperback advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. Love the swag and cool stickers.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Pub Date: Feb 10, 2026
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