Not a Happy Family: A Novel
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!
“A quintessential ‘beach read,’ I half expected sand to fall out of it. This one brings lurid family mayhem to the Hudson Valley [and] plausible suspects. With her cascading short chapters and teasers by the dozen, you stick with Lapena eagerly.” —Washington Post
“Lapena is a master of manipulation. With her latest page-turning thriller, Not a Happy Family, she is once again at the top of her game.” —USA Today
The new domestic suspense novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Couple Next Door and The End of Her who has sold more than 7 million copies of her books worldwide
In this family, everyone is keeping secrets—even 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 Fred and Sheila Merton certainly are rich. But even all their money can't protect them when a killer comes to call. The Mertons are brutally murdered after a fraught Easter dinner with their three adult kids. 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 the siblings 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?
Dive into the twisted world of "Not a Happy Family" by Shari Lapena, a gripping novel that explores the dark secrets and hidden resentments lurking within a seemingly perfect family. This captivating tale will keep you on the edge of your seat as you witness the unraveling of a family torn apart by deceit and betrayal.
In this riveting story, we meet the Warren family, a picture-perfect clan living in a quiet suburban neighborhood. But beneath the facade of happiness, a simmering cauldron of tension threatens to erupt. As the narrative progresses, we delve deeper into the lives of each family member, uncovering their hidden motives, unrequited desires, and long-buried secrets.
At the heart of the family lies Fred and Sheila Warren, a couple grappling with the challenges of a faltering marriage. Their two children, Jenny and Daniel, are entangled in their own struggles, dealing with the pressures of school, friendships, and first love. As the Warren family navigates the complexities of everyday life, their carefully constructed facade begins to crumble, revealing a web of deceit and manipulation that threatens to tear them apart.
With each turn of the page, Lapena masterfully weaves a intricate tapestry of suspense, keeping readers guessing until the very end. The novel explores the darker aspects of human nature, delving into the depths of jealousy, envy, and the lengths people will go to protect their own interests. As the story progresses, the line between love and hate becomes blurred, and the true nature of the Warren family is laid bare.
Not a Happy Family is a thought-provoking and unsettling read that challenges our perception of family and the illusion of happiness. Lapena's skillful storytelling and keen eye for detail create a gripping narrative that will haunt readers long after they finish the final page. Immerse yourself in this captivating tale of domestic suspense and witness the consequences of keeping secrets in the name of preserving a perfect family.
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