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What Have You Done?
The new binge-worthy novel from the “queen of the one-sit read,” and New York Times bestselling author of The Couple Next Door
Nothing ever happens in sleepy little Fairhill, Vermont. But this morning that will change. And one innocent question could be deadly. What have you done?
The teenagers get their kicks telling ghost stories in the old graveyard. The parents trust their kids will arrive home safe from school. Everyone knows everyone. Curtains rarely twitch. Front doors are left unlocked.
But Diana Brewer isn’t lying safely in her bed where she belongs. Instead she lies in a hayfield, circled by vultures, discovered by a local farmer.
How quickly a girl becomes a ghost. How quickly a town of friendly, familiar faces becomes a town of suspects, a place of fear and paranoia.
Someone in Fairhill did this. Everyone wants answers.
Nothing ever happens in sleepy little Fairhill, Vermont. But this morning that will change. And one innocent question could be deadly. What have you done?
The teenagers get their kicks telling ghost stories in the old graveyard. The parents trust their kids will arrive home safe from school. Everyone knows everyone. Curtains rarely twitch. Front doors are left unlocked.
But Diana Brewer isn’t lying safely in her bed where she belongs. Instead she lies in a hayfield, circled by vultures, discovered by a local farmer.
How quickly a girl becomes a ghost. How quickly a town of friendly, familiar faces becomes a town of suspects, a place of fear and paranoia.
Someone in Fairhill did this. Everyone wants answers.
307 pages, Hardcover
First published July 30, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,758 reviews
July 7, 2024
writing: trademark Shari Lapena | plot: meh | ending: sure
my opinion
Can someone more intelligent than me please explain how Shari Lapena's sparse ass, nearly monotone prose somehow works vs Freida? I can't articulate it properly but there's something about Lapena's writing that makes it not ASS when it seems like it should be?? Help.
Anyways. If you hate books with filler and fluff, good news, this book took Ozempic and is nothing but skin and bones. As with her other books, she gets right to the point and is all about that action. Character development or depth? Keep looking.
This started off interesting but then kept spinning its tires until the end. I clocked the big twist, but only because I've read too much of this genre. I didn't need the ghost POV; it reminded me of The Soulmate by Sally Hemsworth which was okay at best. It was just a lot of rinse and repeat in this book. I definitely liked Everyone Here Is Lying and Someone We Know better.
All in all, this will do the job if you need a quick, digestible read OR if you're new to the genre.
tysm penguin random house canada for the arc
__
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my opinion
Can someone more intelligent than me please explain how Shari Lapena's sparse ass, nearly monotone prose somehow works vs Freida? I can't articulate it properly but there's something about Lapena's writing that makes it not ASS when it seems like it should be?? Help.
Anyways. If you hate books with filler and fluff, good news, this book took Ozempic and is nothing but skin and bones. As with her other books, she gets right to the point and is all about that action. Character development or depth? Keep looking.
This started off interesting but then kept spinning its tires until the end. I clocked the big twist, but only because I've read too much of this genre. I didn't need the ghost POV; it reminded me of The Soulmate by Sally Hemsworth which was okay at best. It was just a lot of rinse and repeat in this book. I definitely liked Everyone Here Is Lying and Someone We Know better.
All in all, this will do the job if you need a quick, digestible read OR if you're new to the genre.
tysm penguin random house canada for the arc
__
Check out my YouTube
August 13, 2024
3.5 stars — I can’t believe I am writing this, but this is the 8th Shari Lapena novel I have read. Although I’ve never rated any of her books 5 stars, I keep coming back for more. The reason why I keep reading her books is that Ms. Lapena is very talented at writing dialogue between characters and because she knows how to introduce multiple suspects in a way that makes it hard to guess who did what until the very end. “What Have You Done” does an excellent job of keeping the identity of the killer secret until the end, but (as I have noticed in some of her other novels)this comes with a sharp rise in the implausibility of the storyline. The story begins with the discovery of the dead body of Diana, a popular and beautiful young student, who was murdered and left in an isolated field. The book then introduces a very large number of characters, many of whom are suspects in Diana’s murder. At times it is difficult to remember which couple went together or which parents went with which child. But the story moves at a very quick pace and there is no getting bored with a slow storyline in this one. The book is set in Vermont and the Canadian author is definitely severely lacking in knowledge of the American criminal justice system regarding criminal suspects’ rights, search warrants, probable cause for arrests and, most definitely, law enforcement tracking of a phone’s location and contents. Despite these problems and the remarkable coincidences that would have had to have occurred for all of the major suspects to have had the level of involvement with Diana on the day before and the day of the crime, the book was still entertaining to read. Ms. Lapena reminds me of Freida McFadden in that her novels are fast paced but do not always have the most plausible storylines. However, Lapena outshines McFadden in writing dialogue and that is why I will be reading book #9 and probably be giving another 3-4 star review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2024
Another solid thriller delivered by Miss Lapena
What Have You Done is about a small community in Fairhill, Vermont, where nothing ever really happens. Until one day when teenager Diana Brewer is found de@d in a hayfileld by a local farmer. What the hell happened?, Who did this? This is the mystery we need to solve.
Ok let me be honest. I love Shari Lapena she is one of my favourite authors and i will always read whatever she writes, but this one fell a bit for me because there was just too many damn characters! Now Unwanted Guest by her also has a lot of characters but they were all secluded in one hotel and they all played a part in the story. With this one i could have happily done without some of the characters included. Trying to remember all the names and the relation they had to Diana and also who they were or not friends/ enemies/ lovers etc with was taking me out of the story a bit.
I'm also not sure how i feel about the ghost of Diana's POV in certain parts of the book. It sounds bad but i don't see what emphasis it gave to the story as she didn't even know herself who had k!lled her.
Ok getting those little gripes out the way, i enjoyed reading Shari take on a darker tone in this book with the sensitive subject that was included. And as much as i squirmed and raged at some chapters it was really interesting to read.
In terms of the culprit it was not a shock to me as Shari focused to much attention on other characters i could tell that they were red herrings. Pus the reasoning of culprit... Ummm OKAY!?
I would have liked the ending to be a bit more prolonged as it gave 'wham bam thank you mam... THE END' and it didn't feel resolute to me.
Maybe if less time was spent on regurgitating the same thing over and over again and I got more of a detailed ending i would have rated higher.
⋆｡°✩WHAT I LIKED⋆｡°✩
➽ Quick Chapters
➽ Writing style
➽ The rage it gave me
➽ Thought provoking
⋆｡°✩WHAT I DIDNT LIKE⋆｡°✩
➽ Way too many characters
➽ Repetitive and dragging in the middle
➽ Rushed ending
All in all this was a quick paced book that had me flipping through the pages because Shari's writing style is so addictive. It is perfect for a quick mindless weekend read and I will continue to read her work!
P.S. Ms Lapena thank you for teaching me a new word... HUBRIS
3.5 ⭐
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pre read
Shari Lapena is one of my fave authors!
I am so buzzed for this book
Letssssss Goooooooooo! 💙💛
What Have You Done is about a small community in Fairhill, Vermont, where nothing ever really happens. Until one day when teenager Diana Brewer is found de@d in a hayfileld by a local farmer. What the hell happened?, Who did this? This is the mystery we need to solve.
Ok let me be honest. I love Shari Lapena she is one of my favourite authors and i will always read whatever she writes, but this one fell a bit for me because there was just too many damn characters! Now Unwanted Guest by her also has a lot of characters but they were all secluded in one hotel and they all played a part in the story. With this one i could have happily done without some of the characters included. Trying to remember all the names and the relation they had to Diana and also who they were or not friends/ enemies/ lovers etc with was taking me out of the story a bit.
I'm also not sure how i feel about the ghost of Diana's POV in certain parts of the book. It sounds bad but i don't see what emphasis it gave to the story as she didn't even know herself who had k!lled her.
Ok getting those little gripes out the way, i enjoyed reading Shari take on a darker tone in this book with the sensitive subject that was included. And as much as i squirmed and raged at some chapters it was really interesting to read.
In terms of the culprit it was not a shock to me as Shari focused to much attention on other characters i could tell that they were red herrings. Pus the reasoning of culprit... Ummm OKAY!?
I would have liked the ending to be a bit more prolonged as it gave 'wham bam thank you mam... THE END' and it didn't feel resolute to me.
Maybe if less time was spent on regurgitating the same thing over and over again and I got more of a detailed ending i would have rated higher.
⋆｡°✩WHAT I LIKED⋆｡°✩
➽ Quick Chapters
➽ Writing style
➽ The rage it gave me
➽ Thought provoking
⋆｡°✩WHAT I DIDNT LIKE⋆｡°✩
➽ Way too many characters
➽ Repetitive and dragging in the middle
➽ Rushed ending
All in all this was a quick paced book that had me flipping through the pages because Shari's writing style is so addictive. It is perfect for a quick mindless weekend read and I will continue to read her work!
P.S. Ms Lapena thank you for teaching me a new word... HUBRIS
3.5 ⭐
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pre read
Shari Lapena is one of my fave authors!
I am so buzzed for this book
Letssssss Goooooooooo! 💙💛
August 1, 2024
What Have You Done? by Shari LaPena
Expertly narrated by January Lavoy (main text) with narrator Jorjeana Marie as Diana and narrator Barrett Leddy as Evan
8 hrs 49 min at 1.0x speed, 5 hrs 53 mins at 1.5x speed
The turkey vultures found her first.
Roy Ressler thought it would be a deer that the vultures were circling in his field, as he drove his big farm tractor early Friday morning. Nothing could prepare him for what he found instead. A local girl lying naked, and dead and one he recognizes-Diana Brewer.
Nothing like this ever happens in the sleepy town of Fairhill, so Detectives Stone and Godfrey are called in from the Major Crimes unit of the Vermont State Police. As they begin to investigate, three suspects emerge, and I kept changing my mind about who I thought might be guilty.
Cameron Farrell-her possessive boyfriend
Joe Prior, a customer who had been stalking her at her job at the Home Depot, and
Brad Turner-her high school gym teacher and Coach-whom she has recently filed a complaint against for “inappropriate behavior”.
The pace is FAST as the story unfolds from multiple, alternating POV’s delivered in short, snappy, “just one more” chapters. We even have some from Diana, as she tries to make sense of her own death from beyond (reminiscent of Lovely Bones). Her best friends, Riley and Evan take an active role in the investigation and we are also privy to Evan’s journal entries as the story progresses. I found it interesting that different narrators were used to voice the viewpoints of the teens-Diana and Evan.
I read to be entertained and as always, Shari Lapena has done so, with her engaging writing style. Not once was I tempted to skim ahead-she held my interest from start to finish.
DO read the author’s note at the end to hear about the farmhouse and the ouija board which helped inspire this story.
I paired my reading with the audiobook for an enhanced experience and wish to thank the Chandler Public Library for the loan of both formats.
AVAILABLE NOW!
September 4, 2024
3.5 rounded up. Not my favorite from Shari but definitely still a fun mystery! Binged it in a couple sittings and I really liked the paranormal POV from our MC/murder victim. Wasn’t too crazy about the ending but I still recommend!
August 26, 2024
I think I read too many thrillers. Either that or I've missed my calling and should have become a detective. Figured this one out 1/4 way in to the novel. 🕵🏻♀️
July 21, 2024
Ever wondered what happens when a sleepy little town wakes up to a chilling mystery? "What Have You Done?" is a classic whodunit that will keep you guessing till the very end.
In the quiet town of Fairhill, Vermont, nothing exciting ever happens. Kids tell ghost stories in the graveyard, parents trust their kids to come home safe, and everyone knows everyone. Doors are left unlocked, and life is peaceful. That is until Diana Brewer is found dead in a hayfield, surrounded by vultures.
Suddenly, the friendly town turns into a place of fear and paranoia. The best friend, the boyfriend, and a ghostly presence are all suspects. Who really did it? As the story unfolds, you'll find yourself gripped by the mystery and the question that hangs over Fairhill: "What have you done?"
If you love a good mystery with twists and turns, this book is for you. It’s a spine-chilling ride that will keep you hooked from start to finish.
In the quiet town of Fairhill, Vermont, nothing exciting ever happens. Kids tell ghost stories in the graveyard, parents trust their kids to come home safe, and everyone knows everyone. Doors are left unlocked, and life is peaceful. That is until Diana Brewer is found dead in a hayfield, surrounded by vultures.
Suddenly, the friendly town turns into a place of fear and paranoia. The best friend, the boyfriend, and a ghostly presence are all suspects. Who really did it? As the story unfolds, you'll find yourself gripped by the mystery and the question that hangs over Fairhill: "What have you done?"
If you love a good mystery with twists and turns, this book is for you. It’s a spine-chilling ride that will keep you hooked from start to finish.
August 9, 2024
Shari Lapena, WHAT HAVE YOU WRITTEN?????
Be forewarned:
"WHAT YOU HAVE DONE" is not a "typical" Shari Lapena book.
😭😥😭
The book begins with a horrific discovery:
A Vermont teen girl is found dead in a hayfield circled by vultures.
Had the book focused more on police procedural and adult dialogue, my star rating would have been elevated.
If you enjoy YA ghost story thrillers with teen angst vibes and abrupt endings, Shari Lapena's newest release is for you.
I respect and applaud authors for venturing out of comfort zones and into new territory but Shari Lapena’s new direction simply did not resonate with me.
I listened to the audiobook read by January LaVoy, Jorjeana Marie, and Barrett Leddy.
Even January LaVoy could not save this book.
My first one-star Shari Lapena book.
And my first one-star January Lavoy book, too!
UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 30, 2024
In the early morning hours, a farmer in Fairhill, Vermont finds the naked dead body of a popular high school student lying in his fields. In this small town, someone surely knows something. Everyone is a suspect and no one is safe. Told in alternating viewpoints through Diana’s friends, family, and teachers, secrets are hiding around every corner. What happened to Diana Brewer?
Shari LaPeña is the queen of the domestic suspense thriller and takes the reader on a fast ride through a quaint small town. I read this book in two days, so it’s definitely binge worthy! I enjoyed the build-up to the reveal, guessing who might have committed the murder along the way. Even through the red herrings and twist, I did ultimately guess correctly but was unsure of the motive. It also appears as if La Peña was unsure of the motive as well. Nothing is worse than the pieces not fitting together at the end of a locked room mystery! Several threads of the plot should also be explored further ie. the ghost plot line. When the book abruptly ended, I was looking for more! I seriously questioned whether it was the ARC I was reading or actually the end of the book.
While this is not my favorite of LaPeña’s books, I did enjoy the ride!
3.25/5 stars rounded down
Trigger Warnings: Pedophilia
Expected publication date: 7/30/24
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking for the ARC of What Have You Done in exchange for an honest review.
Shari LaPeña is the queen of the domestic suspense thriller and takes the reader on a fast ride through a quaint small town. I read this book in two days, so it’s definitely binge worthy! I enjoyed the build-up to the reveal, guessing who might have committed the murder along the way. Even through the red herrings and twist, I did ultimately guess correctly but was unsure of the motive. It also appears as if La Peña was unsure of the motive as well. Nothing is worse than the pieces not fitting together at the end of a locked room mystery! Several threads of the plot should also be explored further ie. the ghost plot line. When the book abruptly ended, I was looking for more! I seriously questioned whether it was the ARC I was reading or actually the end of the book.
While this is not my favorite of LaPeña’s books, I did enjoy the ride!
3.25/5 stars rounded down
Trigger Warnings: Pedophilia
Expected publication date: 7/30/24
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking for the ARC of What Have You Done in exchange for an honest review.
September 25, 2024
4 Stars
Looking for a gripping, fast-paced page-turner you can finish in a day? Shari Lapena's "What Have You Done?" is your perfect pick! When high school girl Diana Brewer is found dead in a farmer's field, the whole town of Fairhill, Vermont, is desperate for answers. The list of suspects is long, and the questions are even longer. Was it the boyfriend, the gym teacher, the creepy stalker, or someone else?
Lapena's writing is fast-paced and suspenseful, keeping you fully engaged until the surprising reveal at the end. The relentless pace will keep you invested, and the unexpected twists will leave you on the edge of your seat!
Trust me, the story had me hooked from the very beginning. You'll be furiously turning the pages, trying to figure out who murdered Diana. The paranormal elements add an extra layer of intrigue without overshadowing the plot.
If you love quick, intense reads with multiple points of view and a classic whodunnit vibe, this book is a must-read! I couldn't put it down and neither will you.
Make sure to read the author's note; she explains an experience she had in her formative years that made it into the book. I found it enjoyable.
Pre- Full Review I started reading it late yesterday; I just finished it. The story had me hooked from the very beginning. Lapena's style is full of twists and turns, with many suspects to keep you guessing. I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out who murdered high school student Diana Brewer. I just had to find out what happened to her and why. I will post a full review later. I hope everyone's having a fantastic Labor Day! 😊
Looking for a gripping, fast-paced page-turner you can finish in a day? Shari Lapena's "What Have You Done?" is your perfect pick! When high school girl Diana Brewer is found dead in a farmer's field, the whole town of Fairhill, Vermont, is desperate for answers. The list of suspects is long, and the questions are even longer. Was it the boyfriend, the gym teacher, the creepy stalker, or someone else?
Lapena's writing is fast-paced and suspenseful, keeping you fully engaged until the surprising reveal at the end. The relentless pace will keep you invested, and the unexpected twists will leave you on the edge of your seat!
Trust me, the story had me hooked from the very beginning. You'll be furiously turning the pages, trying to figure out who murdered Diana. The paranormal elements add an extra layer of intrigue without overshadowing the plot.
If you love quick, intense reads with multiple points of view and a classic whodunnit vibe, this book is a must-read! I couldn't put it down and neither will you.
Make sure to read the author's note; she explains an experience she had in her formative years that made it into the book. I found it enjoyable.
Pre- Full Review I started reading it late yesterday; I just finished it. The story had me hooked from the very beginning. Lapena's style is full of twists and turns, with many suspects to keep you guessing. I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out who murdered high school student Diana Brewer. I just had to find out what happened to her and why. I will post a full review later. I hope everyone's having a fantastic Labor Day! 😊
August 7, 2024
Things Your Mother Used to Say.
Shari Lapena has a way with domestic drama and ‘What Have You Done’ is in line with several others I’ve loved written by her.
It’s a case of everything being “just right” - Interesting characters, smooth pacing, appropriate length descriptions and a whodunit plot. The small farm town setting gives it an almost closed room atmosphere but with more variety.
I gravitate toward neighborhood gossipy tropes and this story weaves together several viewpoints to discover who murdered a pretty high school student. With three main suspects and more to consider, the pieces fit together for a satisfying conclusion. I didn’t guess the culprit although as a buddy read, my friend Jayme had the person in her sights as a possibility.
Heads up for themes of stalking and pedophilia.
Hardback purchased at Barnes and Noble.
Shari Lapena has a way with domestic drama and ‘What Have You Done’ is in line with several others I’ve loved written by her.
It’s a case of everything being “just right” - Interesting characters, smooth pacing, appropriate length descriptions and a whodunit plot. The small farm town setting gives it an almost closed room atmosphere but with more variety.
I gravitate toward neighborhood gossipy tropes and this story weaves together several viewpoints to discover who murdered a pretty high school student. With three main suspects and more to consider, the pieces fit together for a satisfying conclusion. I didn’t guess the culprit although as a buddy read, my friend Jayme had the person in her sights as a possibility.
Heads up for themes of stalking and pedophilia.
Hardback purchased at Barnes and Noble.
August 15, 2024
Shari Lapena has taken me on another enjoyable reading journey. I always look forward to her books and she always delivers. I found this book to be gripping, captivating, wonderfully written, well thought out, and mysterious.
Diana Brewer has been murdered and her body has been found in a local famer's field. An investigation instantly ensues while those in Diana's life grapple with her loss. As the detectives investigate, it becomes evident that quite a few people in the small town of Vermont have BIG secrets!
I loved how this mystery unfolded. Another plus is the various POV's of those in Diana's life. I also loved the paranormal aspect of Diana's ghost being around those who were in her life. This book had a nice number of twists and turns as characters lied, tried to protect their secrets, and were suspicious of others.
Another wonderful book by Lapena! I can't wait to read what she writes next!
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
September 3, 2024
Set in the small town of Fairhill, Vermont where bad things never happen until it does.
I always enjoy Ms Lapena's thrillers and this one is no different. Once again her style grips me from beginning to end and I couldn't put What Have You Done down and once you sample the first chapter, I don't think you could either.
A little part of What Have You Done reminds me of another novel by Alice Sebold. 😉❤️No spoilers.
I always enjoy Ms Lapena's thrillers and this one is no different. Once again her style grips me from beginning to end and I couldn't put What Have You Done down and once you sample the first chapter, I don't think you could either.
A little part of What Have You Done reminds me of another novel by Alice Sebold. 😉❤️No spoilers.
August 7, 2024
4 solid stars for a pretty solid thriller. Lapena is very reliable writer in this genre & her latest, "What Have you Done?" is no exception to that. Very fast paced & super easy to read - this story about who could have killed a popular small-town teen has twists & lots of characters, perhaps a few too many, but the underlying message here is that young girls should be believed and that the world is full of many bad guys of all walks & ages, which has been sadly true for all of history.
March 30, 2024
Shari Lapena’s books are always so addictive and What Have You Done? Is no different. I made the mistake of starting this late one night and really did not want to stop reading. I devoured it in under 24 hours, just so so clever.
Fairhill, Vermont is a small community, where everyone knows everyone and feels safe. That is until teenager Diana Brewer is found dead in a farmers field one morning. She was a popular girl, never in trouble, so who would want her dead?
We learn about the various people in Diana’s life, from her best friends, her boyfriend, her parents and her teachers. They all seem to be hiding something, things that could be motives for murder.
A very smart and thought provoking murder mystery from a must read author for me.
A massive thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Bantam and NetGalley for the very early copy of this book to read. An absolute pleasure to read.
Fairhill, Vermont is a small community, where everyone knows everyone and feels safe. That is until teenager Diana Brewer is found dead in a farmers field one morning. She was a popular girl, never in trouble, so who would want her dead?
We learn about the various people in Diana’s life, from her best friends, her boyfriend, her parents and her teachers. They all seem to be hiding something, things that could be motives for murder.
A very smart and thought provoking murder mystery from a must read author for me.
A massive thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Bantam and NetGalley for the very early copy of this book to read. An absolute pleasure to read.
January 7, 2024
Shari Lapena has done it again! Her latest thriller, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?, has blown me away. I was hooked from the first page. A well know teenager named Diana is found dead in the field of a local farm. There are many possible suspects. As you get deep into the story, you're taken on a wild adventure to find out the truth of what really happened to Diana that day. I really enjoyed trying to figure this one out. This is a solid thriller that you won't want to put down!
Many thanks to Pamela Dorman Books and NetGalley for my gifted copy.
This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
Many thanks to Pamela Dorman Books and NetGalley for my gifted copy.
This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
August 6, 2024
3.5 rounded up to 4 for GR! this was an easy read that grabbed me right away, but the backhalf and ending lost steam.
it’s hard to not play the comparison game, but i’ve read all Lapena’s work and this is the middle bottom of the pack for me (my faves are SOMEONE WE KNOW or NOT A HAPPY FAMILY!). which is a bummer bc it was one of my most anticipated ‘24 reads. however, Lapena really knows how to set the scene for a domestic / neighborhood thriller! she’s also fantastic at juggling 3938393 characters. it’s deff for fans of Lisa Jewell or Alice Feeney!
i loooooved the first half, but needed a twist or shocking moment halfway in to keep me really invested until the end. and that’s what it was missing! also the ending felt like it had a huge plothole for me? hard to describe more without spoilers, but i was left questioning the execution. also half of it felt very random (the teacher plot).
overall—an easy, quick read but doesn’t need to shoot to the top of your TBR.
thanks to Viking books for the gifted copy! time to update my Lapena author ranking…🖤
it’s hard to not play the comparison game, but i’ve read all Lapena’s work and this is the middle bottom of the pack for me (my faves are SOMEONE WE KNOW or NOT A HAPPY FAMILY!). which is a bummer bc it was one of my most anticipated ‘24 reads. however, Lapena really knows how to set the scene for a domestic / neighborhood thriller! she’s also fantastic at juggling 3938393 characters. it’s deff for fans of Lisa Jewell or Alice Feeney!
i loooooved the first half, but needed a twist or shocking moment halfway in to keep me really invested until the end. and that’s what it was missing! also the ending felt like it had a huge plothole for me? hard to describe more without spoilers, but i was left questioning the execution. also half of it felt very random (the teacher plot).
overall—an easy, quick read but doesn’t need to shoot to the top of your TBR.
thanks to Viking books for the gifted copy! time to update my Lapena author ranking…🖤
September 6, 2024
3.5/5 ⭐️
- This was a super easy read, lots of dialogue, and really fast paced from start to finish! Exactly the type of thriller I want to read when I pick one up. I love how the author always adds in so many characters to always keep you guessing and trying to figure out the villain.
- This book had a lot going on from the ghost stories to a girl being bullied that didn’t have much to do with the story. I feel like the author was trying to throw us off so we didn’t know who was a bad or good character, but it just seemed like it could have been taken out.
- This author is one of my favorites for thrillers because they’re always SO bingeable and this one didn’t disappoint. The pacing was great! Would have loved if we had a few more pages at the end for a wrap up, but it was a fun read nonetheless!
- This was a super easy read, lots of dialogue, and really fast paced from start to finish! Exactly the type of thriller I want to read when I pick one up. I love how the author always adds in so many characters to always keep you guessing and trying to figure out the villain.
- This book had a lot going on from the ghost stories to a girl being bullied that didn’t have much to do with the story. I feel like the author was trying to throw us off so we didn’t know who was a bad or good character, but it just seemed like it could have been taken out.
- This author is one of my favorites for thrillers because they’re always SO bingeable and this one didn’t disappoint. The pacing was great! Would have loved if we had a few more pages at the end for a wrap up, but it was a fun read nonetheless!
July 28, 2024
They say Vermont has no shortage of haunted happenings, ghostly apparitions, and spine-tingling tales to share with visitors. Knowing this, there’s no doubt in my mind that Shari Lapena’s Vermont setting adds to her tale steeped in mystery and intrigue.
The teenagers in the sleepy little town of Fairhill, VT are not unlike any other small-town USA teenagers; they’d be lost without wifi and their cell phones, love telling ghost stories in the town’s cemeteries on dark, foggy nights, play with an Ouija board under the cover of secrecy, they have a little more freedom than their counterparts in big cities and they grow up knowing everything about those they live among. They also keep secrets, experience the best and worst of the country’s teaching professionals, believe in vindication, live with scandal, and they hitch their futures on what colleges they’ll get accepted into once Fall comes.
You are going to get all the above in this story. There’s also going to be a murder.
I think what sets this story apart from others, is Lapena’s addition of the restless spirit point of view. The murder victim’s spirit lingers in despair on the page, hoping that someone will find the killer soon and bring them to justice.
I read in disbelief at the inaction of the adults in this story. They seemed content to let things be and to gloss over accusations. At first, the unique POV unnerved me and then I realized that it gave the story weight. Readers will be forced to hear from someone (representative of all women/girls) whose voice has been silenced.
Don’t let the slow-moving pace cause agitation. Most fires smolder before an explosive ending. Lapena won’t let you down.
I was gifted this copy by Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
The teenagers in the sleepy little town of Fairhill, VT are not unlike any other small-town USA teenagers; they’d be lost without wifi and their cell phones, love telling ghost stories in the town’s cemeteries on dark, foggy nights, play with an Ouija board under the cover of secrecy, they have a little more freedom than their counterparts in big cities and they grow up knowing everything about those they live among. They also keep secrets, experience the best and worst of the country’s teaching professionals, believe in vindication, live with scandal, and they hitch their futures on what colleges they’ll get accepted into once Fall comes.
You are going to get all the above in this story. There’s also going to be a murder.
I think what sets this story apart from others, is Lapena’s addition of the restless spirit point of view. The murder victim’s spirit lingers in despair on the page, hoping that someone will find the killer soon and bring them to justice.
I read in disbelief at the inaction of the adults in this story. They seemed content to let things be and to gloss over accusations. At first, the unique POV unnerved me and then I realized that it gave the story weight. Readers will be forced to hear from someone (representative of all women/girls) whose voice has been silenced.
Don’t let the slow-moving pace cause agitation. Most fires smolder before an explosive ending. Lapena won’t let you down.
I was gifted this copy by Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
August 24, 2024
Lapena is top-notch. Small Vermont town. Strange death. Families with secrets. School drama. Someone's lying, and I knew exactly who it was from the beginning. But it didn't stop me from reading the book. Loved how it all came together with 3 potential suspects, all mostly unlikeable, well, except for the young high school student whose only fault was being too possessive in his relationship. That said, it's also my primary concern with the book. All told post-death, we never SEE the possessiveness. We hear about it from others, so why would I believe it if I can't witness it. Nonetheless, the writing is good. The characters interact so fluidly. I felt like I was in Vermont. Great job!
November 2, 2024
What Have you Done? isn't groundbreaking but the journey from beginning to end is a solid and entertaining mystery/thriller.
I love supporting Canadian writers and Lapena is always easy to enjoy.
I love supporting Canadian writers and Lapena is always easy to enjoy.
August 20, 2024
Sheri Lapena writes an amazing thriller! I’m never disappointed when I choose to read her books. This one was an amazing rollercoaster of a plot full of twists turns and shocking moments. It was so good I read it in one afternoon!
August 22, 2024
3.5 stars
I always look forward to a new Shari Lapena domestic thriller coming out. What Have You Done? held my interest but it suffered from characters making dumb decisions and a so so ending. I’ve read all of her books and this one ranks somewhere in the middle for me.
A teenage girl is found dead and it appears she was murdered and then her body was placed there. Quite a few suspects and the story bounces around the various characters living in her hometown.
The setup is there for a good whodunit as my mind came up with different theories but I couldn’t settle in on just one suspect. Anything and everything was possible, right? I did struggle with certain characters making boneheaded decisions. I suggest they take the time to watch a Law & Order marathon so they can learn a thing or two about what not to do during a police investigation.
The pacing is good because the action moves from person to person and it was easy to get into a nice reading groove. I disagree though with the use of journal entries and well, the other thing (you will know what I’m referring to if you’ve read the book) as it felt like too easy of a road to take to advance the plot.
The ending didn’t have the shock value I was looking for but it’s a hard thing to pull off in this genre so I can’t complain too much.
Not a must read thriller but a decent one if you enjoy a whodunit plot.
I always look forward to a new Shari Lapena domestic thriller coming out. What Have You Done? held my interest but it suffered from characters making dumb decisions and a so so ending. I’ve read all of her books and this one ranks somewhere in the middle for me.
A teenage girl is found dead and it appears she was murdered and then her body was placed there. Quite a few suspects and the story bounces around the various characters living in her hometown.
The setup is there for a good whodunit as my mind came up with different theories but I couldn’t settle in on just one suspect. Anything and everything was possible, right? I did struggle with certain characters making boneheaded decisions. I suggest they take the time to watch a Law & Order marathon so they can learn a thing or two about what not to do during a police investigation.
The pacing is good because the action moves from person to person and it was easy to get into a nice reading groove. I disagree though with the use of journal entries and well, the other thing (you will know what I’m referring to if you’ve read the book) as it felt like too easy of a road to take to advance the plot.
The ending didn’t have the shock value I was looking for but it’s a hard thing to pull off in this genre so I can’t complain too much.
Not a must read thriller but a decent one if you enjoy a whodunit plot.
October 9, 2024
When Diana Brewer is found murdered and abandoned in a field, her small Vermont town is shaken up. Crimes like this don’t happen here ��� Who killed Diana and why? As police work to reveal answers and identify suspects, secrets in the small town come to light.
At one point while reading this, I was worried it would be reminiscent of another popular suspense story featuring a teenage girl but fortunately, that wasn’t the case. Like other Lapena books, What Have You Done? is an easy and compulsive read. Even with its dark subject, I enjoyed this entertaining story — 3.5 stars
At one point while reading this, I was worried it would be reminiscent of another popular suspense story featuring a teenage girl but fortunately, that wasn’t the case. Like other Lapena books, What Have You Done? is an easy and compulsive read. Even with its dark subject, I enjoyed this entertaining story — 3.5 stars
July 7, 2024
SPOILERS SPOILERS
IF YOURE GOING TO READ THIS BOOK, STOP READING NOW.
I have a whole review for this but I’m too mad to post it. I listened to this on audio which was great, BUT OMG. This audiobook has one narrators for everyone but one character. Hmmm, I wonder who the murderer is….
The audio ruined this book for me. Why would only one character be narrated by someone else? It’s so obvious that this character is important and clearly the killer. There were lots of red herrings and the story was interesting, but if you listen to this on audio it’s literally pointless. Story- 4 stars, audio- 1 star.
#thrillerbooks #bestbooks #crimefiction #bestthrillerbooks #psychologicalthriller #crazythrillers #mybookfeatures #bookstafriends #mysterybooks #crimeink #truecrimebooks #sharilapena #whathaveyoudone
IF YOURE GOING TO READ THIS BOOK, STOP READING NOW.
I have a whole review for this but I’m too mad to post it. I listened to this on audio which was great, BUT OMG. This audiobook has one narrators for everyone but one character. Hmmm, I wonder who the murderer is….
The audio ruined this book for me. Why would only one character be narrated by someone else? It’s so obvious that this character is important and clearly the killer. There were lots of red herrings and the story was interesting, but if you listen to this on audio it’s literally pointless. Story- 4 stars, audio- 1 star.
#thrillerbooks #bestbooks #crimefiction #bestthrillerbooks #psychologicalthriller #crazythrillers #mybookfeatures #bookstafriends #mysterybooks #crimeink #truecrimebooks #sharilapena #whathaveyoudone
August 26, 2024
First, Riley Sager, Now it's Shari Lapena that I've removed from my authors I enjot list. The one thing that theyhave in common is that I read enjoyed the ARCs I read for their respective debuts Sager's Final Girls and Lapena's The Couple Next Door. Sager's books have the equavilant of campy 80s horror film which was exactly why I DNF his latest, Middle of the Night. Lapena's previous title, Everyone Here Is Lying, finally delivered on the promise of her debut. Her latest, What Have You Done?, I can only describe is to list its cliche ridden plot one by one: 1) The body of a teenage girl, Diana Brewer, is found late at night by the town's eccentric. 2) The primary suspects include the late girl's horndog boyfriend, a gym teacher that was accused of inaapropriate behavior towards Diana, and naturally the town eccentric. 3) The discovery that the victim has a history of lying which causes second thoughts by the town's inveestigators. 4) The victim's guilt ridden oblivious BFF who questions whether she really knew Diana at all. 5) The question if a two ridiculous narrative shifts are really happening or made-up by Diana's murderer? The final straw for me was how Lapena could've ended the book with a truly surprising ending that would've elevated the book up a notch, but instead she ended it with a tired gimmick that I've read for the third time this year. I don't have an issue with formula fiction as long as its author writes a good story with an interesting hero or heroine, but a novel filled with cliches leaves me feeling that no care or effort was put into the story. I don't enjoy cutting authors off my authors I read list, but there are other authors whose works I want to explore more off and authors who I have yet to tackle. I bid my farewells to both Riley Sager and Shari Lapena with gratitude for their books that kept me reading, dissapointment for the ones that made me shake my head after I finished them, and wonder which authors will take over their empty slots on my authors I enjoy list.
July 30, 2024
Shari Lapena is a stable in the whodunnit thriller genre and her books are always on the top of my priority TBR list. These whodunnits usually are a slow building reveal, but always pay off in the end, so I was excited to pick up her newest book, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
The story takes place in a small town in Vermont called Fairhill. Nothing really happens in this small rural town, but when popular teenager Diana Brewer is found in a hayfield dead, this town gets turned on its head. The synopsis is very vague, so I will continue to keep it that way. The story is a neighborhood whodunnit and there's many suspects at play.
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? is not Lapena's strongest work, but her fans will probably enjoy this book regardless. The story is very slow and the reveal wasn't much of a shocker to me, but what makes this book enjoyable to me were the characters. We get several point of views and each and everyone one of them has a unique voice that I found engaging. This book has a ghost aspect that I haven't seen the author utilize in the past, but it works! Some people may not like that subtle que in the book, but I actually felt that it added to the suspense of the story. Again, I quickly was able to figure out the evolution of the story, so I had to be honest with my review of this book. I will continue to read Shari Lapena's books, but this was definitely one that I will forget about in the future.
The story takes place in a small town in Vermont called Fairhill. Nothing really happens in this small rural town, but when popular teenager Diana Brewer is found in a hayfield dead, this town gets turned on its head. The synopsis is very vague, so I will continue to keep it that way. The story is a neighborhood whodunnit and there's many suspects at play.
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? is not Lapena's strongest work, but her fans will probably enjoy this book regardless. The story is very slow and the reveal wasn't much of a shocker to me, but what makes this book enjoyable to me were the characters. We get several point of views and each and everyone one of them has a unique voice that I found engaging. This book has a ghost aspect that I haven't seen the author utilize in the past, but it works! Some people may not like that subtle que in the book, but I actually felt that it added to the suspense of the story. Again, I quickly was able to figure out the evolution of the story, so I had to be honest with my review of this book. I will continue to read Shari Lapena's books, but this was definitely one that I will forget about in the future.
July 13, 2024
Don't Try This in a Small Town
Review of the NetGalley Kindle ARC ebook (downloaded July 5, 2024) in advance of the Doubleday Canada hardcover/ebook/audiobook release (July 30, 2024).
This latest suspense thriller from Shari Lapena takes place in a Vermont small town & farming community. The strangled body of a popular 17-year-old daughter of a single parent mother is found in a farmer's field. She had been dating a popular high-school football player and to the best of everyone's knowledge the couple were thought to be close. No one appeared to have a reason to murder her.
But both the school and the town hold secrets and gradually potential suspects come to light as the State Police interview school teachers and students, families and friends. The POV changes constantly as we hear the innermost thoughts of the characters. They all seem innocent of the murder at first, although other crimes of commission or omission are gradually revealed. Someone must be lying though, and author Lapena does the misdirection very well to keep you guessing until the final twist.
There is a paranormal aspect which is introduced quite early, so I would say this is not a spoiler. The spirit / ghost of the murdered girl observes the action periodically and comments on it. The trauma of the actual assault has blocked their memory though, so they are not able to reveal the culprit. I've only read a non-paranormal Shari Lapena [[book:Not a Happy Family|56366617] (2021)] previously, and I don't think it is trick she otherwise has used. Some readers may find it to be not very realistic though. I could see for story purposes that it does allow for an otherwise untold POV, which becomes more significant as the book progresses.
My thanks to author Shari Lapena, publisher Doubleday Canada and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this preview ARC, in exchange for which I provide this honest review.
Review of the NetGalley Kindle ARC ebook (downloaded July 5, 2024) in advance of the Doubleday Canada hardcover/ebook/audiobook release (July 30, 2024).
This latest suspense thriller from Shari Lapena takes place in a Vermont small town & farming community. The strangled body of a popular 17-year-old daughter of a single parent mother is found in a farmer's field. She had been dating a popular high-school football player and to the best of everyone's knowledge the couple were thought to be close. No one appeared to have a reason to murder her.
But both the school and the town hold secrets and gradually potential suspects come to light as the State Police interview school teachers and students, families and friends. The POV changes constantly as we hear the innermost thoughts of the characters. They all seem innocent of the murder at first, although other crimes of commission or omission are gradually revealed. Someone must be lying though, and author Lapena does the misdirection very well to keep you guessing until the final twist.
There is a paranormal aspect which is introduced quite early, so I would say this is not a spoiler. The spirit / ghost of the murdered girl observes the action periodically and comments on it. The trauma of the actual assault has blocked their memory though, so they are not able to reveal the culprit. I've only read a non-paranormal Shari Lapena [[book:Not a Happy Family|56366617] (2021)] previously, and I don't think it is trick she otherwise has used. Some readers may find it to be not very realistic though. I could see for story purposes that it does allow for an otherwise untold POV, which becomes more significant as the book progresses.
My thanks to author Shari Lapena, publisher Doubleday Canada and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this preview ARC, in exchange for which I provide this honest review.
September 9, 2024
Disclosure - I have read all seven of Shari Lapena’s previous psychological thrillers and enjoyed an escapist, guilty-pleasure, read with most of them.
This year, Lapena delivers “What Have You Done?”, another mentally and emotionally twisted small town thriller which leaves you feeling like you can bever trust your neighbors, parents, or children again. Lapena may also have you doubting your spouse no matter how long you have been married, as well as questioning your teenage children regardless of how well-behaved or innocent they may be.
The setting of this novel takes place in Fairhill, Vermont, a small farm town in which everyone knows each other. A town where families know their children will be safe and few feel the need to lock their doors. Nothing ever happens in this sleepy little town… That is until…
One Friday morning Roy Ressler is driving his tractor out to his fields while thinking about his daughter’s upcoming wedding. He notices vultures gathering in the air above him as they appear to be protecting something ahead of him in the hay field ahead. To his shock, he finds the dead body of a teenage girl. It’s Diana Brewer, a popular high school senior, who is known and loved by many in Fairhill. Nobody can imagine who would want to kill her…
But her murder instantly turns Fairhill from a small town of friendly faces and familiar families into a place full of paranoia, fear, and people pointing fingers at each other in blame. The potential list of suspects grows quickly, including her boyfriend, a gym teacher who enjoyed looking at her too much, and a construction worker who aggressively flirted with her at her Home Depot job… In addition, there are many others connected to the victim through relationships and interactions, from the high school principal and teachers, Diana’s close group of friends and their families, her grieving mother, and other citizens in the town.
The question on everyone’s minds is who could commit such horrendous murder in their once safe town. A killer must be found before the community tears itself apart…
It is my belief that a Shari Lapena book should read in the manner of peeling a savored sweet fruit, so I only share enough of the opening chapters to give you enough of a taste to kicks things off in what will be a 300-page storm of psychological drama and turmoil that will wrap you brain sideways. Lapena attacks with your views and perceptions in a multi-layered story of lies, secrets, deception, personal perspectives and a mystery behind a teenage girl’s murder.
As with all of her previous books, this is one of the fastest and easiest 306 pages you will ever experience, using short chapters and movie script scenes to tell the story. I read it in 24 hours without any sense of rushing. Fans of Lapena’s formula driven and character study writing style will be happy with this one, finding it to be an enjoyable mind-candy summer escape from reality.
Strengths – As I have described in reviews of her previous novels, Lapena has a formula and she has it down pat. She is a guilty summer beach read. Her use of individual perspectives to explore self-delusional and paranoia behavior can be counted on to deliver a fun and entertaining read most of the time. She tells her stories through the perspectives of many characters. Normally, this can slow down readers and almost requires a scorecard to keep track, but Lapena moves from one to the other with ease and doesn’t slow down the reader in any way. Each character has their own cliched personality, secrets, and differing levels of psychological drama. We get to see distorted truth through their own twisted individual perspectives, which blinds and weakens them as the mystery unfolds. As a reader, you discover that nobody is being completely honest, which increases and amplifies the tension throughout the story. This is what I call her “secret sauce” and she is a master at it.
Lapena’s writing style is simple and direct. It flows so smooth and naturally, helping the reader get lost in the story. Her plotting is well-designed, fast moving, and full of many twists along the way. She is fluid, easy to follow, and transitions from one scene to another without any unnecessary descriptions and filler. As she tells the story, you get into each character’s head and motivation. Whenever you start to think about something, like why isn’t the character thinking that or doing this, Lapena is already ahead of you describing what and why.
Her use of language is simple, straight-forward, and plot focused, drawing you in by only using just enough technical based information or terms – legal, law enforcement, etc. - to help you understand critical plotline impacts and outcomes. She is one of the most compact writers I have read, focusing on human emotion and character paranoia to pull in the reader and distort their reading experience enough to miss out on the clues and fall for the red herrings. Lapena’s strategy is to make you as wacked out as whatever character you are reading in the moment.
Weaknesses – I found there were a couple of things that concerned and bothered me, and that is putting aside the pattern that most characters in Lapena’s books are so flawed that they can come across as unlikeable and hard to have empathy for. For example, there were several times when Cameron was just way too whiny and selfish that he became annoying and very unlikable. Also, Riley becomes so proactive in trying to find a killer that she turns herself into an unrealistic super-detective that is almost downright belligerent towards the adults around her. You just have to get used those things in a Lapena novel.
I also found the ending to be a bit disjointed and weak with the twist. Without giving things away, it was one of those things that sounds really good on paper, but didn’t deliver as well as it could have in the execution. That isn’t to say that it wasn’t good, just not as good as the build-up led up to it. For me, it felt a little formula-matic and the aha moment didn’t hit me as emotionally as I was hoping for. Maybe that’s just me. I looked at other readers Goodreads reviews and there were a lot of 3, 4, and 5-star reviews for this one, so most readers enjoyed it for the most part, and I would generally put myself into that group.
Please know that my frustrations with these two weaknesses did not keep me from enjoying this book. I would put this in the upper half of her books on an enjoyment level. She does a great job of making the simplest of scenes dramatic and interesting. She is one of the best writers of suburban psychology thrillers that I have read. She’s escapist mind candy at it’s best. On par with James Patterson when it comes to read it once and let it go summer pleasure reading.
My only feedback is that there is a big push in the mystery/thriller genre to come up with a big twist at the end, and with so many of these books being published over the last 5 – 10 years, it’s getting really hard to come up with something new. It feels like every twist is starting to become a derivative or a blend on a previous twist. There are only so many ways to reveal the killer and culminate the mystery and at some point, it becomes hard to keep things fresh. You can agree or disagree with that. It’s just my two cents, but it has an impact on writers like Lapena, whose success and expectation as a writer is built on that crucial element. It certainly can make the job harder in finding creative ways to deliver those shocking twists, especially after delivering 8 of them…
Overall – I find that Lapena has a strong ability for examining the psyche and behaviors that individuals exhibit when put under extreme undue pressure and fear. That alone almost makes her books an interesting read. It makes you wonder about yourself and how well you know your spouse, children, and other family members. It was enough for me to put this in the 3.5-to-4-star range of a 5-star rating scale.
“What Have you Done?” is a prime example of what a successful suburban mystery/thriller (and more importantly, a seriously guilty pleasure) should be. It is a fast and intense reading experience that plays on all of your psychological emotions and fears, allowing your inside voice out in a safe environment. Then, when you’re done, you can safely tuck that inner voice safely away…
This year, Lapena delivers “What Have You Done?”, another mentally and emotionally twisted small town thriller which leaves you feeling like you can bever trust your neighbors, parents, or children again. Lapena may also have you doubting your spouse no matter how long you have been married, as well as questioning your teenage children regardless of how well-behaved or innocent they may be.
The setting of this novel takes place in Fairhill, Vermont, a small farm town in which everyone knows each other. A town where families know their children will be safe and few feel the need to lock their doors. Nothing ever happens in this sleepy little town… That is until…
One Friday morning Roy Ressler is driving his tractor out to his fields while thinking about his daughter’s upcoming wedding. He notices vultures gathering in the air above him as they appear to be protecting something ahead of him in the hay field ahead. To his shock, he finds the dead body of a teenage girl. It’s Diana Brewer, a popular high school senior, who is known and loved by many in Fairhill. Nobody can imagine who would want to kill her…
But her murder instantly turns Fairhill from a small town of friendly faces and familiar families into a place full of paranoia, fear, and people pointing fingers at each other in blame. The potential list of suspects grows quickly, including her boyfriend, a gym teacher who enjoyed looking at her too much, and a construction worker who aggressively flirted with her at her Home Depot job… In addition, there are many others connected to the victim through relationships and interactions, from the high school principal and teachers, Diana’s close group of friends and their families, her grieving mother, and other citizens in the town.
The question on everyone’s minds is who could commit such horrendous murder in their once safe town. A killer must be found before the community tears itself apart…
It is my belief that a Shari Lapena book should read in the manner of peeling a savored sweet fruit, so I only share enough of the opening chapters to give you enough of a taste to kicks things off in what will be a 300-page storm of psychological drama and turmoil that will wrap you brain sideways. Lapena attacks with your views and perceptions in a multi-layered story of lies, secrets, deception, personal perspectives and a mystery behind a teenage girl’s murder.
As with all of her previous books, this is one of the fastest and easiest 306 pages you will ever experience, using short chapters and movie script scenes to tell the story. I read it in 24 hours without any sense of rushing. Fans of Lapena’s formula driven and character study writing style will be happy with this one, finding it to be an enjoyable mind-candy summer escape from reality.
Strengths – As I have described in reviews of her previous novels, Lapena has a formula and she has it down pat. She is a guilty summer beach read. Her use of individual perspectives to explore self-delusional and paranoia behavior can be counted on to deliver a fun and entertaining read most of the time. She tells her stories through the perspectives of many characters. Normally, this can slow down readers and almost requires a scorecard to keep track, but Lapena moves from one to the other with ease and doesn’t slow down the reader in any way. Each character has their own cliched personality, secrets, and differing levels of psychological drama. We get to see distorted truth through their own twisted individual perspectives, which blinds and weakens them as the mystery unfolds. As a reader, you discover that nobody is being completely honest, which increases and amplifies the tension throughout the story. This is what I call her “secret sauce” and she is a master at it.
Lapena’s writing style is simple and direct. It flows so smooth and naturally, helping the reader get lost in the story. Her plotting is well-designed, fast moving, and full of many twists along the way. She is fluid, easy to follow, and transitions from one scene to another without any unnecessary descriptions and filler. As she tells the story, you get into each character’s head and motivation. Whenever you start to think about something, like why isn’t the character thinking that or doing this, Lapena is already ahead of you describing what and why.
Her use of language is simple, straight-forward, and plot focused, drawing you in by only using just enough technical based information or terms – legal, law enforcement, etc. - to help you understand critical plotline impacts and outcomes. She is one of the most compact writers I have read, focusing on human emotion and character paranoia to pull in the reader and distort their reading experience enough to miss out on the clues and fall for the red herrings. Lapena’s strategy is to make you as wacked out as whatever character you are reading in the moment.
Weaknesses – I found there were a couple of things that concerned and bothered me, and that is putting aside the pattern that most characters in Lapena’s books are so flawed that they can come across as unlikeable and hard to have empathy for. For example, there were several times when Cameron was just way too whiny and selfish that he became annoying and very unlikable. Also, Riley becomes so proactive in trying to find a killer that she turns herself into an unrealistic super-detective that is almost downright belligerent towards the adults around her. You just have to get used those things in a Lapena novel.
I also found the ending to be a bit disjointed and weak with the twist. Without giving things away, it was one of those things that sounds really good on paper, but didn’t deliver as well as it could have in the execution. That isn’t to say that it wasn’t good, just not as good as the build-up led up to it. For me, it felt a little formula-matic and the aha moment didn’t hit me as emotionally as I was hoping for. Maybe that’s just me. I looked at other readers Goodreads reviews and there were a lot of 3, 4, and 5-star reviews for this one, so most readers enjoyed it for the most part, and I would generally put myself into that group.
Please know that my frustrations with these two weaknesses did not keep me from enjoying this book. I would put this in the upper half of her books on an enjoyment level. She does a great job of making the simplest of scenes dramatic and interesting. She is one of the best writers of suburban psychology thrillers that I have read. She’s escapist mind candy at it’s best. On par with James Patterson when it comes to read it once and let it go summer pleasure reading.
My only feedback is that there is a big push in the mystery/thriller genre to come up with a big twist at the end, and with so many of these books being published over the last 5 – 10 years, it’s getting really hard to come up with something new. It feels like every twist is starting to become a derivative or a blend on a previous twist. There are only so many ways to reveal the killer and culminate the mystery and at some point, it becomes hard to keep things fresh. You can agree or disagree with that. It’s just my two cents, but it has an impact on writers like Lapena, whose success and expectation as a writer is built on that crucial element. It certainly can make the job harder in finding creative ways to deliver those shocking twists, especially after delivering 8 of them…
Overall – I find that Lapena has a strong ability for examining the psyche and behaviors that individuals exhibit when put under extreme undue pressure and fear. That alone almost makes her books an interesting read. It makes you wonder about yourself and how well you know your spouse, children, and other family members. It was enough for me to put this in the 3.5-to-4-star range of a 5-star rating scale.
“What Have you Done?” is a prime example of what a successful suburban mystery/thriller (and more importantly, a seriously guilty pleasure) should be. It is a fast and intense reading experience that plays on all of your psychological emotions and fears, allowing your inside voice out in a safe environment. Then, when you’re done, you can safely tuck that inner voice safely away…
September 22, 2024
Another quick popcorn thriller by Shari Lapena. Her books always suck me in with their short chapters and multiple POVs. At first I was trying to keep track of all the characters (there are a lot!), but she does a great job at reminding you who they are and I was never confused on who was who. I will say that I predicted the killer pretty early on, and that typically doesn’t happen when I read Shari’s books, but I still really enjoyed this one!
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