Reviewed: 28 March 2026

A Killer in the Family

by: Amin Ahmad

a novel

Rating: (3.0/5)

Not quite what I expected…

With the title and summary, I thought I was in for a thrill ride as a murder and subsequent investigation unfolded. That’s not quite what this was. The Muslim family in NY with ties back to Mumbai intrigued me as I’d not seen that before in a story (maybe I haven’t been looking at the right lists). Keeping some of the traditions, like the arranged marriage, was a nice touch, and having the story from the male POV was a nice twist.

Perhaps the reason I feel the story was not what I expected is because of the light touch with which the murder and investigation were handled. Not to give too much away, but there was a murder or two, suspects from within Ali’s new family, and an investigation. This story was truly a psychological thriller. I marveled at the manipulation of the characters and, by extension, the reader as the story unfolded.

Abbas was a complex character. Shifting personas for the situation is not uncommon for minorities. The ease with which he did so amazed Ali, and soon he began to do it himself. Sometimes these personas take from the “good” characteristics of what is being emulated, and sometimes they draw from the stereotypes, especially if that is all one is exposed to. Because of this, it seemed to take Ali a while to understand who his new family really was.

There were a few different subplots that wove in and out of the primary plot in a way that kinda snuck up on you. I finished the story with a bit of dissatisfaction and unease. Was this done on purpose? If so, then well done. If not, then I missed something. As the summary says, I was second-guessing myself all along the way, and I was so engrossed I finished in one sitting.

Was it unforgettable? Yes. In a good way? I don’t know even as I write this. Perhaps another chapter that cleared up the lingering questions would do the trick. I’m not sure. That being said, it was a good story (did you see where I finished it in one sitting?). I can see some of the comparisons to Crazy Rich Asians. Since there wasn’t another chapter to clear up a few things, will there be another story featuring the Khans? I hope so.

Thank you, #NetGalley and #MacAudio2026, for the opportunity for an early read/listen of this book.

Happy Reading!

Release Date: 7-April-2026

Audiobook, NetGalley, Mystery, Thriller, Multicultural

Plot Summary

A thrilling, intoxicating mystery set among New York City’s most elite residents, for fans of My Sister, The Serial Killer and The Age of Vice

When Ali Azeem, a naïve Muslim bachelor from Mumbai, agrees to a traditional arranged marriage with pretty, reserved Maryam Khan, he thinks he has hit the she is the daughter of Abbas Khan, a self-made real estate tycoon and one of the richest men in New York City. After the wedding, the couple moves to America, and Ali quickly enters an intoxicating Gatsby-esque world of supertall skyscrapers, sumptuous clothing, and helicopter rides to the sprawling family property in Southampton. However, shortly after the newlyweds move into a luxury apartment in the center of New York City, he receives a warning from Maryam’s older sister, Farhan, a mercurial divorcee. Farhan claims their father is an amoral monster and a dark secret lies at the heart of his accomplishments.

But can Farhan be trusted? She is a rebellious outsider and, according to Maryam, an unstable liar. Unsure which sister to believe, Ali launches his own amateur investigation into the Khans and quickly discovers a possible connection to a serial killer. However, as the newly minted husband of Abbas’ favorite daughter, Ali has an open invitation to join Tiger Corp., the family’s empire. But before he commits, Ali struggles to determine who the Khans really The embodiment of the American dream—or a clan of cutthroat one-percenters out for themselves? As allegiances shift and crumble between Ali and those vying for a chance to take over Tiger Corp., he is forced to question everything he believes about family and loyalty. When the truth is finally revealed, Ali must ask himself if he can pay the price unimaginable wealth demands.

From the streets of Mumbai to the upper echelons of Manhattan to old haunts in Queens, A Killer in the Family is an unforgettable portrait of a family in the form of a page-turner. Exploring themes of immigrant achievement, family secrets, and the power of the one percent, A Killer in the Family is a riveting novel that will have listeners second-guessing every member of the Khan family until its shocking end.