Not a Happy Family

Fred and Sheila Merton are found murdered in their mansion on Easter Sunday, shortly after hosting a tense family dinner with their three adult children. The police investigation focuses on the siblings - Dan, Catherine, and Jenna - who each stand to inherit millions but harbor deep resentments toward their controlling parents. As detectives dig into the family's history, they uncover a web of secrets, lies and complicated relationships beneath the Mertons' wealthy facade. The siblings become increasingly suspicious of each other while trying to prove their own innocence, forcing long-buried conflicts to the surface. The investigation exposes how money, power, and family dysfunction can create an environment where no one can be trusted. Through shifting perspectives and revelations about the Mertons' past, this domestic thriller explores the dark side of inheritance and the true cost of family wealth. The story examines themes of greed, psychological manipulation, and how childhood trauma shapes adult behavior. At its core, it questions whether family loyalty can survive when millions of dollars and deadly accusations are involved.

Readers describe this as a fast-paced whodunit with multiple suspects and red herrings. Many note they finished it in 1-2 sittings due to short chapters and quick pacing. Liked: - Multiple POV narration adds suspense - Family dynamics and psychological elements - Unpredictable ending that subverts expectations - Clear, straightforward writing style Disliked: - Characters feel underdeveloped and unlikeable - Plot points called "far-fetched" by several readers - Some found the ending rushed - Many note it's forgettable compared to Lapena's other books "The suspense kept me guessing but I couldn't connect with any character" - Goodreads reviewer Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (57,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (17,000+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.1/5 (900+ ratings) The book maintains consistent 4-star averages across review platforms but reader opinions split between those who appreciate the fast pace versus those wanting deeper character development.

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Someone We Know by Shari Lapena A neighborhood becomes a web of suspicion when anonymous letters reveal that a teenager has been breaking into houses and uncovering residents' secrets.

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🔍 This psychological thriller reached #1 on the Toronto Star and Globe and Mail bestseller lists within weeks of its 2021 release 📚 The story takes place in Brecken Hill, a fictional wealthy enclave in Westchester County, NY, an area known for having some of America's highest property taxes and median household incomes ✍️ Author Shari Lapena worked as a lawyer and English teacher before becoming a full-time writer at age 45 🏆 Lapena's debut thriller "The Couple Next Door" has sold over 3 million copies worldwide and has been optioned for film by Paramount Pictures 🔎 Like many of her novels, "Not a Happy Family" explores how wealth and inheritance can corrupt family dynamics - a theme inspired by real-life cases of family murders motivated by money