Review: The Mortons

4/5 stars

The Mortons, by Justine Larbalestier and Scott Westerfield (2026)

The Morton family are an old-money dynasty that have acquired their fortune through forced loyalties, connections to powerful people, and quite a bit of murder. Along with a couple of other "legacy" crime families, the Morton children attend a private school, Helshire College, with other "ordinary" wealthy family's children. They learn to strategically befriend and coerce powerful, influential people. They also learn the myriad of ways to commit homicide.

Jessica Morton is the family's golden child, the prodigy of her generation of Mortons. After committing her first murder, she is initiated into the upper echelon of the family. But what should feel like her crowning achievement ends up creating inner turmoil and, ultimately, unearthing secrets that pull her away from the family as she questions everything she's ever known.

This book is great for anyone who loves a dark academia vibe. It's sinister and cinematic, and has great world-building and character development. It's not hugely action-packed - more like a psychological thriller that builds slowly to a crescendo. It's got shifting alliances, secrets, revenge, a demented matriarch, an axe-wielding uncle, malicious ambition, a pyromaniac, and a lot of twists and turns. Very fun!

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