The house of my Mother by Shari Franke, the daughter of Ruby and Kevin Franke from the “8 passengers” YouTube vlogs.

In the Netherlands family vlogs aren’t that popular as in other countries. So, the popularity from said YouTube channel didn’t reach all the way across. It wasn’t until some videos were circulating on TikTok about the mental abuse by mother Ruby. The things shown blew my mind as a mother of two.

Some things seemed harmless, but if you looked closer, you could absolutely see tension. Things didn’t make sense. How could a mother let her son sleep on a beanbag for months on end? Or even consider taking someones bedroom door away causing a lack of privacy kids that age really do need.

I have to say, that the dad had to be completely brainwashed to not pick up on things or just plain out of it to go along with those things. That’s still playing in my mind is the husband really blameless in all of this? Or did he know to some extend and turned a blind eye? I mean how can you not see the tension? The only way someone didn’t notice it if that someone works away from home for weeks on end or doesn’t even live in the same house anymore. How else can you agree to take so much away from your child, that his live is nothing more than being an inmate in a prison that’s supposed to be your home? Your save haven?

Shari has written her side of things, which was beautifully written. The fact that she had to go through sooooo much all by herself is mindboggling. It really is a lot, I think a lot of people would’ve shrunk into nothing; to depressed to even get out of bed or do anything at all. But she went through all that and still graduated uni and tried to advocate for her younger siblings.

This book is a true look behind closed doors, a family that looks like absolute joy and happiness on the outside but in truth is anything but. The abuse has always been there, in small ways but with time progressing and Jodi coming into the picture has taken turn for the absolute worst.

If you are into reading true crime books, if you were a fan, if you watched the trial or just seen some of the videos and are wondering what the hell happened? Read this book. Give it a chance.

I give this heartbreaking story ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars.