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Not a Happy Family
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
113 posts | 125 read | 1 reading | 56 to read
The new unputdownable thriller from the multi-million-copy bestselling author of THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR. In this family, everyone is keeping secrets - even the dead. In the quiet, wealthy enclave of Brecken Hill, an older couple is brutally murdered hours after a tense Easter dinner with their three adult children. Who, of course, are devastated. Or are they? They each stand to inherit millions. They were never a happy family, thanks to their vindictive father and neglectful mother, but perhaps one of them is more disturbed than anyone knew. Did someone snap after that dreadful evening? Or did another person appear later that night with the worst of intentions? That must be what happened. After all, if one of the family were capable of something as gruesome as this, you'd know. Wouldn't you? ****** Praise for Shari Lapena: 'The queen of the one-sit read' Linwood Barclay 'Shari Lapena is one of the best thriller writers in the business' Steve Cavanagh 'A masterful whodunnit, perfectly paced and expertly plotted, that had me guessing all the way through. I loved it and couldn't put it down.' C L Taylor 'No-one does suburban paranoia like Shari Lapena - this slowly unfurling nightmare will have you biting your nails until the end' Ruth Ware 'Shari Lapena just gets better and better' Cara Hunter AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW
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DHill
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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No likable characters and plot felt undeveloped.

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AudiobookingWithLeah
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Pickpick

4⭐
While it didn‘t hit quite as effectively as Everyone Here Is Lying….it wasn‘t bad by any means either. I did have fun trying to sort out who it could and couldn‘t be based on what we were given throughout the story. As far as the narration...Ellen Archer pulled off several POVs rather sufficiently.

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Madison91
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Pickpick

Best book I‘ve read in a long time!

10 likes1 stack add
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KatieRose23
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Shari Lapena at it again. I‘m on the edge of my seat reading the next page. Almost done with this book and I still am not sure who did it! But I have my suspects 🫢

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Andrew65
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Pickpick

This one was a soft pick for me. The parents of a family are killed shortly after the revelation that they are selling the family home. Could any of the children be responsible for the double murders.

Certainly not a family you‘d want to be part of. A few twists are revealed as the book progresses.

96 likes2 stack adds
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ShyBookOwl
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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As Easter approaches, I'm reading the tagged book, set over Easter weekend. Gotta say, I hoped it'd be ... greener by now 😅

Ruthiella Yikes! 🥶 13mo
ShyBookOwl @Ruthiella Yikes, indeed! 13mo
70 likes2 comments
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Clutterbucks_Queen
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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I know the 12 days of Christmas doesn't start until the 25th December but it just couldn't wait any longer!
My first 12 days of Christmas book advent of 2022! 🥰

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EadieB
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Pickpick

#NotAHappyFamily #ShariLapena #BookSpinBingo

In this family, everyone is keeping secrets--especially the dead. Brecken Hill in upstate New York is an expensive place to live. You have to be rich to have a house there. And they don't come much richer than Fred and Sheila Merton. But even all their money can't protect them when a killer comes to call. The Mertons are brutally murdered the night after an Easter Dinner with their three adult kids.

EadieB Who, of course, are devastated.
Or are they? They each stand to inherit millions. They were never a happy family, thanks to their capricious father and neglectful mother, but perhaps one of them is more disturbed than anyone knew. Did one of them snap after that dreadful evening? Or was it someone else that night who crept in with the worst of intentions?
1y
EadieB It must be. After all, if one of your siblings was a psychopath, you'd know. Wouldn't you?
This book is a major family drama. They are all lying and could have killed their parents. Your job is narrowing it down to find out who did it. There are chapters with POV's from each character and I kept changing my mind. They are all guilty as far as I was concerned but in the end it is a surprise who did it!
1y
EadieB Loved this book and you will too if you love mysteries that keep you guessing. 1y
See All 8 Comments
Andrew65 She us usually writes a good mystery, pleased to hear she‘s keeping a good standard. Excellent review. 1y
EadieB @Andrew65 Yes I love her books. She's great! 1y
Andrew65 @EadieB Always equate her for some reason with Alice Feeney, possibly because I discovered them around the same time. If you‘ve not read Daisy Darker by her I strongly recommend it, because I know you don‘t have enough books to read. 🤣 1y
TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! 1y
EadieB @Andrew65 You‘re funny! But I did put it on hold to read! 1y
59 likes8 comments
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chlolovesbooks
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4/5

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bookandbedandtea
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Mehso-so

This started strong but lost steam halfway. It became a bit repetitive and there was not even one likeable charactor, still, I was pretty content with the story until the end, spoilers in comments.

bookandbedandtea Jenna is the sibling we spend the least time with (and understand the least) so having her be the killer fell flat for me. Then, the others chose to let her get away with it, which infuriated me! Audrey's actions at the very end tell us that she'll likely find the evidence so Jenna won't really get away with it but I still hated the lame reveal and lack of consequences. 1y
20 likes1 comment
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erickahhh
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Mehso-so

A wealthy couple is murdered in what looks like a robbery gone wrong. But as the evidence begins to come to light, it seems that this was an act of murder by someone closely involved with the couple. With many suspects, all with motive and a shaky alibi, the police begin to investigate the couple's four living children. Family secrets begin to emerge. We find that this was NOT a Happy Family, but would that lead one to commit murder?

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Nalbuque
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Mehso-so

Apparently I had started this book before and dropped it by chapter 3 lol. It managed to stick around this time, and listened to it quite quickly. The characters are pretty horrible but the story is packed with twists that kept coming up until the very end. Decent mystery/thriller.

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Paigepiers
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
Pickpick

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camilla_788
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Pickpick

Holiday read no. 5

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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janeycanuck
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Pickpick

Shari Lapena's brain somewhat alarms me. An absolute page turner in the vein of rich people problems with entirely unlikeable characters - so perfect hot summer day reading!

41 likes2 stack adds
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Cinfhen
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Pickpick

“Catherine‘s family was a fucking train wreck” - ain‘t that the truth!! A messy family drama that kept me turning the pages. Too bad the ending was disappointing. A mindless mystery. Low pick #BorrowNotBuy

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Cinfhen
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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This is how you know your vacation is coming to an end😜when you spend part of your Friday at the laundromat 😛Still enjoying this dysfunctional family drama 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦

MicheleinPhilly You get 1 shirt, 1 pair of pants, and 2 pairs of underwear in that tiny thing. 2y
70 likes1 comment
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Cinfhen
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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My vacation brain is liking this one 🤷🏼‍♀️ a dysfunctional family mystery. A wealthy couple have been brutally murdered in their home. Who would want them dead? Was this a random robbery or something else?? I‘ve never read on my phone before but it‘s convenient between innings or downtime at the field. I‘m in Valencia for a baseball tournament.

TrishB Sounds fun! I think I have this paperback somewhere on the piles! 2y
Cinfhen I only read about 45 minutes today in total but it‘s holding my interest @trishb 2y
BarbaraBB How nice to go watch baseball although I can imagine it being disappointing for Americans - not so much going on around the field I mean! 2y
85 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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GypsyKat
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Random trip to Target and came home with these, because I needed more books on my TBR shelf. 🙄😅😂 #TBR #Bookhaul

brittanyreads My mom and I really enjoyed Not a Happy Family. I hope you do too! 2y
Kappadeemom We always need more books! 2y
57 likes2 comments
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RaeLovesToRead
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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I had a VOUCHER!!!!!!!!!! Stop looking at me like that 🤣🤣

And yes, I know I hated Normal People, but you know me... I can be a bit masochistic when it comes to reading and everyone deserves a second chance 😋

Cathythoughts Looks good Rae 😁 enjoy! 2y
AnneCecilie I loved the Rooney (but I loved Normal People too), and The Lockwood really grew on me and had me thinking a lot of afterwards. 2y
RaeLovesToRead @Cathythoughts Thanks, Cathy! 😊💕 2y
RaeLovesToRead @AnneCecilie I've heard mixed reviews of both, but I love making my own mind up on controversial reads! These are certainly popular 😀💕 2y
AnneCecilie That‘s the best. That‘s why I love to read books that are either loved or hated instead of just OK for everyone 2y
55 likes5 comments
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TamTracy
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Pickpick

I couldn‘t stop reading this book. I loved that it really kept me guessing the whole time. I believed every person was the killer at some point in the book but had two serious guesses the entire time. It was one of them but it was still exciting getting to that point. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

55 likes1 stack add
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Megabooks
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Pickpick

I wanted to read a domestic thriller with good #audiobook narration, and that‘s what I got. It was a tad annoying that the author seemed to repeat the same salient facts of the case over & over & over.

A wealthy couple is murdered, and money always hides secrets. As facts come out about the will, all their children are under suspicion for the murder. Their maid and the husband‘s sister are under the spotlight, too. 🧐🔪

Cinfhen Sounds like a good #BorrowNotBuy for me 😛 2y
Megabooks @Cinfhen glad this was a library book for sure! 2y
squirrelbrain Sounds like a decent, easy palate-cleanser…! 2y
See All 6 Comments
5feet.of.fury I like Lapena‘s twists but hate her characters. I always finish and I‘m like “ok, good enough” lol @squirrelbrain good palate cleanser for sure 2y
Megabooks @5feet.of.fury exactly! She just edges over into a pick. It satisfies if that‘s what you‘re looking for. 2y
77 likes1 stack add6 comments
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erzascarletbookgasm
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Mehso-so

Oh my, what a bunch of liars. Everyone is a suspect. Any one of the unlikeable, and shallow characters could have done it. 🔪 But that‘s not the flaw of the book. Some parts felt dragged on, and I‘m not a fan of the writing style. But the chapters are short and I had to know who the killer was. Sad to say, the reveal felt flat. It‘s a shame, as it ruins the ride. Makes a fun beach read though.

Cinfhen Great review 💚 2y
59 likes1 comment
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marleed
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Pickpick

Well props to the author because this is a miserable example of family yet somehow I was engaged and intrigued to read to the end to discover who was the worst of the lot.

Suet624 Props to you for this review. :) 2y
marleed @Suet624 Haha - thank you! 2y
83 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Lauram
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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My work busy season is slowly wrapping up and I‘m excited to be reading again!

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eraderneely
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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ClairesReads
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Pickpick

Just a VERY COMPELLING rich people problems domestic mystery. There is just no better murder narrative than one grounded in a messed up family dynamic, too much money, and a healthy dose of secrets. Highly satisfying mid-week read. No regrets.

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Rachiiebookdragon
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
Pickpick

A mostly enjoyable read, I‘m still not a massive fan of this author‘s writing style but it was a good thriller.

3.75/5

Read for prompts for #NerdDaily2022ReadingChallenge2022 and for my Patreon buddy read with MegWithBooks.

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Katie.happens
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Pickpick

A classic Whodunit? with characters that are just as mysterious as they are unlikeable. All the suspects seem equally able to fit any theories. You have to keep reading just to know if the one you chose is right.

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Chelsea.Poole
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Mehso-so

I read “thrillers” for the unputdownable, gotta find out the ending, feeling. This one didn‘t deliver that, though it was cohesive. Rich, unlikeable, spoiled brats fight to inherit their parents‘ wealth. Forgettable and it took me forever to listen to, a sure sign I didn‘t enjoy it. So-so, but could be a pan 🤷🏼‍♀️

Booksarelifeaddict Oh no!! I just bought this book! Good thing it was a thrift book so I only paid 3 bucks lol 2y
Chelsea.Poole @Booksarelifeaddict maybe it‘ll work better for you! Don‘t let my negative Nancy review discourage you! 😆 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
Chelsea.Poole #Booked2022 #AMurderMystery (though not a very good one 😬) (edited) 2y
90 likes5 comments
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twinkletoes74
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Mehso-so

The ending to this was so predictable. It just seemed to plod along

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MidnightBookGirl
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Pickpick

This is a case of a thriller where everyone is terrible and yet you're still drawn in because of the mystery. I'm not even sad about the murder, because the patriarch was an awful, awful human, although maybe the mom could have redeemed herself? Still, lots of suspects, lots of theories, and even I had a motive to kill the old man. 😉 💀
#Readin22 #TBR

61 likes4 stack adds
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Clwojick
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Not that it counts as a match for the #Pantone2022 challenge, but my manicure totally matches the colour #HarbourBlue! 💖

Chelsea.Poole Pretty! 2y
AkashaVampie Gorgeous!!! Is it a blue green color? That's how it looks in the picture to me. 2y
Clwojick @AkashaVampie Yes! It‘s like a deep teal colour! 2y
See All 8 Comments
AkashaVampie @Clwojick besides purple... teal is one of my favorites! 2y
IndoorDame Love the Harbor Blue! 2y
ReadingRachael So pretty! 2y
marleed So funny. I matched a book to harbor blue yesterday. I saw this post and before reading your comment, thought - oh those nails are a great harbor blue! 2y
PageShifter Nice! 👍 2y
109 likes8 comments
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kaytee_mcmar
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena

She‘s expecting a windfall soon. A significant windfall. It‘s too bad someone has to die for it
She‘s going to be rich. It‘s about time.

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Jgacreations
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Pickpick

Oh boy. This family is straight up F*ed up. Damn!

19 likes3 stack adds
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DrLReads
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
Pickpick

I flew through this book. While ultimately forgettable, it is an easy, domestic thriller that is impossible to put down. The perfect weekend read.

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kbuggle
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Pickpick

All these characters are terrible people 😭😂
A true who-dun-it, when the matriarch and patriarch of a family are murdered, everyone wants to know, did one of their grown children do the crime? Everyone has a motive! #botm

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Airykah13
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Finished my first book of the month

TBR Read - 15pts
#WGWordSearch - 1,930pts
Participation - 1pt

Total: 1,946pts

#WinterGames2021 #MistletoeManiacs

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Kris10H
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Pickpick

⭐⭐⭐⭐⚡
This was an enjoyable read. 😊 It reminded me a bit of the film Knives Out, in that it is the same type of family whodunit, where everyone has a motive.

11 likes2 stack adds
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OriginalCyn620
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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Pickpick

A page-turner that keeps you guessing!

#bookspinbingo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y
44 likes1 comment
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peacegypsy
Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena
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A few months behind on BOTM, but it‘s a leisurely Sunday read.

23 likes1 stack add