Not a Happy Family

The gripping bestseller from the Sunday Times, ideal for enthusiasts of "Knives Out," has gained recognition as a Richard & Judy Book Club selection. Shari Lapena, renowned for her twisted family dramas, captivates readers with suspense until the final page in her new thriller. Set in the affluent and serene Brecken Hill, this story unfolds around the brutal murder of an elderly couple, occurring just hours after a fraught Easter gathering with their three grown children. Although the siblings outwardly appear devastated, each stands to inherit a fortune, sparking the question of their true feelings. The family’s longstanding unhappiness, fueled by a vindictive father and neglectful mother, now reveals the potential for deeper disturbances in one of them. Was there a breaking point that night, or did an unexpected visitor arrive later with malevolent intentions? Surely, if such brutality were within the family, it would be apparent. Or would it?Shari Lapena’s portrayal of malicious family dynamics is unmatched, leading Cara Hunter to highly recommend this novel. Known as the queen of contemporary crime fiction, Lapena returns with another enthralling murder narrative that keeps readers in suspense up to the conclusion, as praised by the Sunday Express. The book skillfully marries elements of "Big Little Lies" with the classic mystery style of "Miss Marple," delivering a dramatic, tense, and fulfilling murder mystery, according to Woman’s Weekly and My Weekly.