Elliot Foster is a lonely orphan living in a beautiful, upper middle-class London neighborhood. He is a successful philanthropic scientist, and is passionate about teaching underprivileged children. During an open garden event, he meets an attractive young vet assistant, Gemma Robinson. Soon afterwards, they marry. Everything appears idyllic until Elliot's lazy, poor white-trash in-laws move in. Initially, they promised to only remain for two weeks. Now they are refusing to leave; it seems they are there to stay forever. Meanwhile, deadly tragedies befall Elliot's neighbors and friends. When he digs into the past of the Robinson family, he discovers a trail of corpses. Elliot must find a way to exterminate these human pests before he becomes the next one to die.
Mark Edwards's "Here to Stay" is a rare treat that was offered to me from Amazon Prime's First Reads program. I thoroughly enjoyed reading my first mystery from this best-selling British author. In fact, many of my friends at work subscribe to Amazon Prime; they are learning about the First Reads program through me whenever I rave about one of its proffered novels, such as "Here to Stay." I found it extremely suspenseful, and violent. I kept telling everyone, "It has a high body count. I love a high body count!" I learned something very valuable from reading this novel: Never allow someone, especially your in-laws, to move in; they may never want to leave, especially if your house is large, attractive, and immaculate. They will keep making excuses as to why they can't leave.
I learned there are actual creatures of the Wild Kingdom that will force another creature out of its home in order to take it over. Certain species of insects and birds will do this. For example, European Cuckoos, known as brood parasites, will brazenly barge into another bird's nest, lay their eggs, and force the other bird to incubate them. Incidentally, Elliott lives at 26 Cuckoo Lane. Jeff and Lizzy Robinson bring their mentally ill daughter, Chloe, into Elliott's house. He is having to clothe, feed, and shelter her as though she is his own daughter. Also, an elderly neighbor, George Whiteley, refers to the Robinsons as Knotweeds. The Japanese knotweed, much like the kudzu vine, is a fast-growing, suffocating weed that is difficult to kill. Once it gets a hold on your garden, it can produce extensive damage. Thanks to the Robinsons, Elliot's home and garden are toast.
While reading "Here to Stay," I kept thinking of the Robinson family in Irwin Allen's popular television soap opera, "Lost in Space." I also thought of the Robinson family of Walt Disney's classic 1960 film, "Swiss Family Robinson." How could I not think of Daniel Defoe's classic novel, "Robinson Crusoe," which inspired the aforementioned cinematography. For me, the name Robinson has always been synonymous with good Christian families who love and protect each other as well as those around them. Not true with Jeff and Lizzie Robinson. They are the in-laws from hell and they will kill everyone around them, including each other, in order to get what they want, which is a life of luxury without having to work for it. Extremely evil, this Robinson family is the most dysfunctional family I've encountered in literary fiction, except maybe for that cannibalistic, inbred family in Jake Ketchum's classic horror novel, "Off Season."
"Here to Stay" is an extremely clever and suspenseful novel. The corpses, which are evenly spaced throughout the plot, keep it fast-paced. There is some gore, but I wouldn't call it graphic. There is also a tremendous amount of symbolism and double entendres. Lizzie's crude humor shocked me; she referred to her daughter, Gemma, as "Not-so-precious Gem." "Here to Stay" reminded me of my beloved slasher flicks of the eighties. Hence, some of the novel is predictable; however, it does have a major twist at the end, which I never saw coming. It also has an open ending, but not one that justifies a sequel. Though "Here to Stay" isn't replete with complex medical and police procedurals, it taught me how easy it is for in-laws to spread filthy lies that can destroy your career and how difficult it is to rid them from your life. Most importantly, having read his latest novel, I've learned why Gary Edwards is a best-selling author who is definitely here to stay.
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Popular Highlights in this book
No more wasting time. No more wasting life. From now on, I was going to be impetuous and brave. Willing to take risks.Highlighted by 393 Kindle readers- It had been a good day. It was the last good day we had.Highlighted by 179 Kindle readers
- Gemma’s parents, sticking out my hand. I knew their names, of course. Jeff and Lizzy. The Robinsons.Highlighted by 154 Kindle readers
From the Publisher
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| Follow You Home | The Magpies | Because She Loves Me | Here To Stay | The Retreat | |
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Reviews with images
Well Written Original Concept Thriller
This book was exceptionally well written and I love the non-stop roller-coaster of emotions it took me away on. The best books are the ones that make you feel something- and this one definitely makes you feel eerie/scared/angry/weepy/horrified right up until the jarring end. Mark Edwards is a great author and I would recommend any of his books. I am always on the lookout for anything he writes with eager anticipation. Read it. You won't be disappointed.*I received a review copy of the book from the publisher*
Top reviews from the United States
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Horror and Murder Surround the In-Laws from Hell in Edwards' Disturbing, Suspenseful "Here to Stay."
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2019Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2021
Top reviews from other countries
Alphenaar migrant
In-laws from hell and why you should never rush into marriage!
Reviewed in the Netherlands on July 27, 2021Tabitha
Brilliantly written!! If you like thrillers, you'll LOVE this story!
Reviewed in Canada on January 6, 2020