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sngsweelian's review against another edition
4.0
Another satisfying whodunnit from Shari Lapena, whom I'm beginning to like more and more. Lapena's great story-telling skill keeps you turning the pages, her writing reminiscent of famous mystery writers like Agatha Christie. I'm now officially a Shari Lapena fan!
zarabalutch's review against another edition
5.0
SO GOOD! I am honestly in love with the way Shari Lapena writes!
abernathy_33's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
infinite_kay's review against another edition
4.0
Once more, Shari Lapena offers us a twisty thriller that keeps you guessing.
The story is just complex enough, the characters somewhat typical but still a lot of fun, and the surprises are paced just right. Her writing is concise and simple, though not in a boring way; it conveys everything easily and makes the book a very quick read. I appreciated the dual perspective (police vs. suspects & co.) more than I did in her previous book, but I found the plot just as engaging (though slightly predictable). I also appreciated the somewhat unlikable characters.
A good thriller overall!
The story is just complex enough, the characters somewhat typical but still a lot of fun, and the surprises are paced just right. Her writing is concise and simple, though not in a boring way; it conveys everything easily and makes the book a very quick read. I appreciated the dual perspective (police vs. suspects & co.) more than I did in her previous book, but I found the plot just as engaging (though slightly predictable). I also appreciated the somewhat unlikable characters.
A good thriller overall!
ishoy00's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
thedoglord's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
mik_kass's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Quick easy popcorn thriller. Reminded me of a couple of other books mashed together. The twist wasn’t really even a twist hence the average rating. This won’t stick with me in any way, but it entertained me enough to keep me reading.
rhiannaisabella's review against another edition
4.0
3.75*. This book was a really great audiobook read. That being said, it was lightly predictable. Overall I enjoyed it, though.
mrsbooknerd's review against another edition
4.0
'A Stranger in the house' didn't have the most complicated of plots or big, flashy events but it had a constant progression and building tension that meant I couldn't put it down.
I disagree with other reviews stating that the characters were dull. They were a just normal couple, living a normal life until BOOM. For me, the tension came from the fact that they were normal and therefore the events could happen to anyone. Okay, the layers were peeled back to reveal secrets eventually, but the initial tension was because it was disruption of an everyday life. Not every fictional character needs to have a complicated life, backstory or history. Sometimes it works because they are 'dull'.
I really enjoyed it, and I'm already reading another by this author.
I disagree with other reviews stating that the characters were dull. They were a just normal couple, living a normal life until BOOM. For me, the tension came from the fact that they were normal and therefore the events could happen to anyone. Okay, the layers were peeled back to reveal secrets eventually, but the initial tension was because it was disruption of an everyday life. Not every fictional character needs to have a complicated life, backstory or history. Sometimes it works because they are 'dull'.
I really enjoyed it, and I'm already reading another by this author.
booksandbea's review against another edition
3.0
Another one sitting read for Shari Lapena, something about the writing just flows perfectly into itself.