Reviews tagging 'Death'

Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena

29 reviews

jesscoast's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

In classic Lapena form, the suspense and reveals were built on such an arc that this was impossible to put down. I was nervous that the book was a hasty post-pandemic project that rushed to print half formed. Although the writing itself did contain some typos, the story was layered and fully fleshed out. My expectations were low which might be reflected in my high rating, but for a pretty shaky premise (who killed rich mom & dad and a cast of abhorent suspects) I found the read quick and fun and totally enjoyable after the first chapter or two.

I will say that my track record of guessing twists isn’t perfect, and my theory was actually perhaps darker than the actual denouement. The characters gave plenty of red herrings to string a theory between, and it was fun to evolve my guesses as new information came to light. Overall, a satisfying classic whodunnit following the mystery formula in a new way. I’ll continue to read Lapena because of her reliable, clever, twisted plots. If an intricate investigative thriller where everyone’s a suspect and no one is trustworthy is what you’re after, I would always recommend Shari Lapena.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder

chloe_may's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent

Moderate: Cancer and Terminal illness

leahvanert's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Unfortunately, I did NOT like this one. It was your standard family member murdered, someone else in the family did it but we don't know who and they all have a reason to and no alibi. It would have been good if ANY of the characters were likeable, but all of them were selfish, angry, compulsive liars, and hateful toward each other. The other books I've read of Lapena's have been good, but this really fell flat for me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Murder

faerietale_princess's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Couldn’t put this one down— finished in a day. I was always eager to know more about whatever secret the author teased.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, and Death of parent

Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Vomit, and Pregnancy

jen1804's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I really loved this book, a great murder mystery story which kept me guessing the whole way through.
The writing style is very fast paced, with often short snappy sentences.
I really loved the way the ending is left.
Would recommend.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Emotional abuse

Minor: Pregnancy

juliaaa02's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Murder

Minor: Child abuse and Domestic abuse

julienicole1106's review

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy

kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This murder mystery is fast paced and interesting. It’s easy to read and the author makes you change your mind about who the killer is repeatedly. Deep down I knew who it was from about the middle of the book but the story telling was engaging enough to keep me second guessing.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infertility, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Classism

amanda_reads13's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder

erickert's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Murder