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A Nearly Normal Family cover art

A Nearly Normal Family

Written by: M. T. Edvardsson
Narrated by: Emily Watson, Georgia Maguire, Richard Armitage
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Publisher's Summary

New York Times Book Review recommends M.T. Edvardsson’s A Nearly Normal Family and lauds it as a “page-turner” that forces the reader to confront “the compromises we make with ourselves to be the people we believe our beloveds expect”. (NYTimes Book Review Summer Reading Issue)

M.T. Edvardsson’s A Nearly Normal Family is a gripping legal thriller that forces the listener 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 of a man almost 15 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?

©2019 Text copyright M. T. Edvardsson,Translation copyright Rachel Wilson-Broyles (P)2019 Macmillan Digital Audio

What listeners say about A Nearly Normal Family

Average Customer Ratings
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Absolutely magnificent!

This book and narration exceed my expectations; I thought the story was interesting but.. wow. I am sad it’s over. Great character development— great story line.... keeps you guessing and hoping and the narration is on point. Well worth the money and the listen. I loved it!

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4 people found this helpful

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Excellent!

I greatly enjoyed the three party narrative with all the twists and turns only such differing viewpoints could provide. Father, daughter and mother caught up in a nightmare scenario with family secrets and personal failings laid bare. I didn’t know who to believe nor to what lengths each would be willing to go. I didn’t, at least not until the very end.

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2 people found this helpful

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very enjoyable read

As a parent this novel brought on a whole range of emotions for me. Would I've been able to have made those sacrifices? Very well written & translated. Definitely worth a listen!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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Trigger warning

These books should include trigger warnings for sensitive contents. There is a detailed description of a rape, be warned. I cut short of Richard Armitage’s performance because it was like a parody of his usual excellent performances, it was ridiculously intense. He opens doors with intensity. I could only listen to a few chapters of the daughter’s section before giving up. The story is slow and the narrative is repetitive and the impression on the whole is that the author repeats everything to make absolutely sure you understand. Maybe it picks up after that but I just didn’t have the patience nor could I muster the courage to listen to the rape scene.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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interesting tale

enjoyed this easy read. Good play between the characters and fascinating view if the legal system.

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Master of suspense

Edwardsson his a master of suspending the truth of this event and letting the truth slowly reveal itself. Well narrated and brilliant. What lengths might one go to to protect one’s child? At what price? Greatly enjoyed this novel.

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Well Done

Even though the ending was pretty evident early on in this novel, there were so many twists and turns along the way that this kept the story riveting and the ending satisfying.
There were times when I thought I might be wrong and this made the story even more fun to listen to.

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wonderful

Narrators were fantastic. Particularly enjoyed Georgie McGuire's performance as Stella. Loved the insight into multiple characters perceptions and motivations. Highly recommended!

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  • Overall
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Stunning ending...never saw it coming...true suspense!

It was bittersweet and yet so many characters developed into better human beings. Whether it was ethical or lawful remains to be debated by God alone. Truly a great criminal legal suspense thriller. Loved the setting in Sweden, please do more !

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  • JM
  • 2020-11-07

Excellent

Superb narration, couldn't stop listening. Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a must buy book.

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