I flew through Shari Lapena's first book The Couple Next Door so was thrilled to be sent a proof of her new novel Someone We Know and what a treat it was. One neighbourhood, four couples, an amateur burglar and one dead body – this is a masterful whodunnit, perfectly paced and expertly plotted, that had me guessing all the way through. Like Desperate Housewives with bite. I loved it and couldn't put it down." And Richard Pierce worries about what the intruder might have seen in his house....like the burner phone he hid. In addition, many of the characters are two-dimensional, defined by characteristics like sleeping with Amanda; seeing Amanda at work; spotting Amanda with a man; having an affair with Amanda's husband; and so on. Olivia is mortified by her son Raleigh breaking into neighbors’ houses. Do you think the apology letters were a bad or good idea? To what degree should parents feel or be held accountable for the actions of their children? Discuss. 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. Fans will be delighted and if you haven’t read her books yet, then why on earth not?”

I never base a character on any particular person, although I’m sure I take the occasional trait here and there from different people I see and incorporate them into my characters. I develop characters organically; I put a character into a particular situation—usually a difficult one—and see what they do and say. They grow and develop as the story goes on and they face ever greater challenges. There’s no better way to learn about your characters than to put them in a situation of conflict and see how they react. For me, it’s much better than creating a chart with eye color and shoe size and how they take their coffee—although that would help to keep the details straight! Shari Lapena.... I love this book ❤️ Once I got started I struggled to put it down and would have read it in one sitting if I could. I have read books from the author before so I knew it would be good but I think this one is my favourite so far. There is so much going on all the time and getting to the end of each chapter you just want to keep going. The book has a claustrophobic feel since Aylesford is small and there are a limited number of people who might be the murderer. Thus the armchair detective has a pretty good chance of closing in on 'who done it.' A new thriller that willgive you serious Agatha Christie vibes . . . if you’re one of the many people who counts [ And Then There Were None] among their favorite books, you will love An Unwanted Guest. . . . Adeftly crafted and expertly paced thriller that will keep readers guessing (and terrified) until the very end.” Everyone who knew Amanda is interviewed, and the cops suspect one person after another of being her killer.

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A flirtatious, unfaithful wife is brutally murdered in the first chapter. Suspicion immediately falls on the men in her life, especially those suspected of having extramarital relations with her or her jealous husband. Meanwhile, two mothers are worried about their teenage sons. One boy has been sneaking into neighbourhood homes and reading the content of their computers. What secrets may he have learned and how will his snooping connect with the plot? Another boy is a drunk. Their two mothers are best friends and support each other in their concerns. Thank you to Edelweiss and Pamela Dorman Books for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion. A woman’s body is found and her husband and all of the neighbors are suspects. Who is your friend and who is your enemy? Sorry, I’m afraid that I cannot tell.

Lapena keeps the well-developed twists churning, with each a surprise notch in this ever-evolving plot, and she continues this skillful storytelling until the stunning twist at the end . . . memorable.” This compelling and realistic modern take on the country-house mystery will gain new fans for the author and is definitely one to hand to devotees of Agatha Christie (and her modern interpreter, Sophie Hannah).” A good old fashioned whodunit that will keep you dialed in, and in the dark all the way to the end! This is what Olivia Sharpe thinks. Her husband and son, and family lawyer are of a completely different opinion. The anonymous letters she has secretly sent her neighbours have enormous repurcussions on the life of everybody in this close-knit suburban neighbourhood, because everybody here has their own secrets. The many never-saw-them-coming twists and questionable characters . . . will keep you on the edge of your seat. First-time novelist Lapena’s writing is spare and tense, and it makes The Couple Next Doora compulsive read. The last line is absolutely a killer.”Well done, Ms Lapena! This was such a finely crafted thriller that I literally could not put down! This would make a perfect beach read! Highly recommend! This is a very difficult letter to write. I hope you will not hate us too much. . . My son broke into your home recently while you were out." Lapena has become known as the mistress of suspense, and her latest offering is as exciting as ever.”

No-one does suburban paranoia like Shari Lapena—this slowly unfurling nightmare will have you biting your nails until the end.” —Ruth Ware When his mother Olivia discovers his misdeeds, she feels compelled to put anonymous apology notes in the homes he has violated. Unfortunately, in this tight-knit community, Olivia confides in her friend Glenda that Raleigh has been up to no good, and later comes to the realization that one of Raleigh's targets was the Pierce home itself. As the gossip spreads about Amanda's possible courtships, EVERYONE becomes a suspect, leaving the women with no one to trust. Who is at the epicenter of this tornado...and will the right suspect end up behind bars before they strike again?I read this novel at one sitting, absolutely riveted by the story line. The suspense was beautifully rendered and unrelenting!” Seriously what an entertaining whodunit book, till the last moment you don’t know who is guilty, questions flying, revelations confuses you more. Shari Lapena knows how to write characters who will surprise you and keep you guessing…a fast paced and enjoyable read.”

Still, Raleigh's mother Olivia feels awful about her son's transgressions, and - without telling Raleigh or her husband Paul - Olivia writes anonymous apology letters. She slips these missives under the doors of the two houses Raleigh admits to entering (though there were many more). One house is the residence of a widow named Carmine Torres and the other is the home of Amanda's husband Richard. Who is this boy, and what might he have uncovered? As whispers start to circulate, suspicion mounts.

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poised and chilling… a work that dramatizes some of the unexpected consequences that may ensue when people take too close an interest in their neighbors' lives." Poised and chilling." --Wall Street Journal "No-one does suburban paranoia like Shari Lapena--this slowly unfurling nightmare will have you biting your nails until the end." --Ruth Ware