Someone We Know

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Shari Lapena knows how to write characters who will surprise you and keep you guessing…a fast paced and enjoyable read.” I read this novel at one sitting, absolutely riveted by the story line. The suspense was beautifully rendered and unrelenting!”

Although her last book was an "Agatha Christie" style mystery, this one is more like her first two books, returning to a neighborhood FULL of secrets. And Richard Pierce worries about what the intruder might have seen in his house....like the burner phone he hid. I've been banging through police procedurals lately and neglecting my physical books (as per usual), so I decided to "challenge" myself to attempt to read five popcorn thrillers before 2022 comes to an end. The five books:

Success!

The police don't concern themselves too much at first, thinking Amanda probably ran off with another man. Then Amanda's car is found sunk in a nearby lake, with her bludgeoned body in the trunk, and the murder investigation begins.

Paul feels the need to employ an attorney since their son broke the law. Even though Olivia agrees, she takes it upon herself to type out anonymous notes of apology to be left in plain white envelopes at the homes Raleigh entered. Ironically, one of the homes was that of Robert Pierce, while the other was a relatively new person to the neighborhood, a woman named Carmine Torres, who lives alone. Suddenly Stanhope doesn't feel so safe. And William isn't the only one on his street who's hiding a lie. As witnesses come forward with information that may or may not be true, Ella's neighbours become increasingly unhinged. I’ve read some pretty intriguing 'bad neighbor' books... but this neighborhood just raised the bar! My For Sale sign would be immediately planted, and the only thing in my rear-view mirror would be skid marks and tire smoke as I make my get away!🚙 Where did that baby go! It’s hard not to read to the end to find out, and the twists waiting there are gratifyingly clever.” Now Amanda's handsome husband Richard Pierce has reported her missing. Amanda was supposed to have gone on a girls' weekend with her friend Caroline, but she never returned. And a call to Caroline revealed that no trip was planned.

Retailers:

In this neighborhood, it’s not just the husbands and wives who play games. Here, everyone in the family has something to hide . . . Thank you to Edelweiss and Pamela Dorman Books for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

the Drake of domestic suspense: a resolutely home-grown talent whose reach is truly international.” Neighbourhood gossip and hidden secrets makes this an addictively gripping and thrilling story that was impossible to put down. If you have not yet read her work , I would describe this novel as an addictive, domestic suspense tale, similar to a Lisa Jewell novel.We know from the very beginning of the book that a horrendous murder has taken place. We know the murder weapon used and the fact that the murderer was male. We also learn the identity of the victim: Amanda Pierce is reported missing by her husband Robert. The murderer is someone who lives in one of these houses. It is in all likelihood someone we know... But to discover who it was and why, we'll have to doubt every single person, no matter how nice and friendly they appear to be. When Olivia finds out, she sends anonymous apology letters to the owners of the houses...”I’m so sorry. My son has been getting into people’s houses. he’s broken into yours”... AS USUAL TOO MANY UNLIKABLE CHARACTERS: Of course I’m not quiet fan of cheaters, liars, fake friends, noisy neighbors who were watching (mostly stalking) the other houses’ inhabitants. Don’t forget Carmine Torres who threatens everyone just show them how smart and good detective she is. Lies, adultery, and murder roil a Hudson Valley neighborhood in Lapena’s ( An Unwanted Guest, 2018, etc.) latest domestic thriller.

Who is he, and what might he have uncovered? After two anonymous letters are received, whispers start to circulate, and suspicion mounts. And when a woman down the street is found murdered, the tension reaches the breaking point. Who killed her? Who knows more than they’re telling? And how far will all these very nice people go to protect their own secrets? Psychological thrillers like to toy with characters’ and readers’ perceptions. Where did your sympathies lie as the story unfolded? How did they shift as the story progressed? A Missing woman and Anonymous letters about someone breaking and entering has the whole neighborhood on edge. As I mentioned before these neighborhood dramas usually provide a good amount of entertainment. The things people are up to behind closed doors! The police certainly had their work cut out for them as there were quite a few murder suspects and as you are reading it's difficult to really eliminate anyone from the list. Now if you are looking for a story with likable people, keep searching as this is not the book for you. To be quite honest I don't think there was a single person I liked but that sure didn't stop me from being interested in their dirty laundry! Which character in Someone We Know did you have the most fun creating? Which one was the most challenging to write?

More from The Author

Someone We Know is a tour de force of thriller writing. Shari Lapena proves yet again that she is the mistress of the pacy plot, cliff edge tension and menacing suburban claustrophobia. Gilly Macmillan, author of THE NANNY