Cover Image: Someone We Know

Someone We Know

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Wow! Don’t make plans once you begin this novel. You will get nothing else accomplished. Young wife Andrea gets brutally beaten to death and all the neighborhood men are implicated. In other news, teenager Raleigh is breaking into homes in the neighborhood and hacking into computers, learning secrets, and teenager Adam has a drinking problem. The neighbors are up in each other’s business and the affairs are running rampant. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader.

Was this review helpful?

This is a book that I couldn’t put down! So many characters and new developments kept popping up in every chapter. I’ve read a lot of thrillers, but this is one I couldn’t figure out the ending of until I got to it.

Was this review helpful?

If the Desperate Housewives plot centered around a murder mystery instead of a suicide, it might look something like Someone We Know. This story was like suburbia mind candy. It's full of handsome husbands who have lucrative jobs in finance, work-at-home moms who have time to take walks and enjoy coffee with friends, and wayward teens from good homes. Throw a brutal murder into that mix and you've got a happy little suspense.

I rounded my rating to 4 stars because some of the writing was choppy and flat. Certain parts read like a play. The formatting of my ebook made it super confusing to follow. That's probably just the nature of the eARC, though, so hopefully it will be remedied in the final copy.

Was this review helpful?

"We need to talk." No one wants to hear these words, right? But think of them as the theme song for this latest in Lapena's wonderful suspense thrillers. If you're old enough to remember Peyton Place, think of a reboot on steroids to describe this novel! Soooo many secrets told from multiple perspectives. High school tech-savvy boy sneaks into neighbor's houses and snoops in their emails--just for fun. Flirty wife of a businessman found dead in the trunk of her submerged car and all the men in the neighborhood become suspects. Add to the mix gossip and innuendoes, and you have the recipe for a town rocked by scandal. I seriously felt like I had gotten off the teacups ride at Disneyland at the end of this book as my head was spinning! This one is not to be missed!

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed what felt like a "back to basics" mystery. No gimmicky twists that are trying too hard to be shocking. Just a regular page turner whodunit. Very good!!

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this one. So much so that I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it and then I had to read the ending again this morning because I didn't comprehend what I read. I think what I liked the best about this was the characterizations. These are people who live in my neighborhood, who do neighborly things, and make choices. Anyway. It's not necessarily groundbreaking but it's a fun ride and a very quick read.

Was this review helpful?

Wow! Glad I did not miss Shari Lapena's latest read! Lots of characters, lots of intrigue. Who killed Amanda?

An assortment of possible suspects in this one! Each time you think you've nailed the suspect, another person appears guilty. Lots of suspense in this story of a woman who was a bit of a flirt - and that may have been her demise.''

Without any spoilers, I can't tell you too much more than this is definitely a MUST READ!

Many Thanks to Penguin Group - Viking and NetGalley for a powerful story!

Was this review helpful?

First thank you Net Galley for this arc. Shari has done it again! This book was a great read.
It left me asking what kind of neighborhood is this? Full of chaos, and secrets. Lots and lots of
secrets. Someone We Know was a very quick read. I will read anything Shari Lapena writes.

Was this review helpful?

I have adored each of Shari Lapena's novels and her latest thriller does not disappoint -- at all! Everyone is a suspect in the murder of the young, attractive, new neighbor. It seems that all the married, older men are somehow involved with her and cannot be trusted. This was a fast paced novel that had you guessing until the very end. It was far from predicable even for seasoned mystery fans.

Was this review helpful?

Shari Lapena does it again! With changing perspectives and a perfectly drawn out plot of a murder of a young woman, as a reader I was engaged up until the very end. I would highly recommend this to fans of psychological thrillers and family dramas.

Was this review helpful?

I was thrilled when I was approved to read this title as I really enjoyed The Couple Next Door. Someone We Know was a bit of a slow starter for me as there was a slew of characters that you had to figure out. The book also switches from character to character within the chapters. Once I figured out the way it worked it was fairly easy to follow. I think this was also part of the charm of the book. The continual switching allows the reader to get a glimpse in to the mind of several characters. Like any good suspense novel, it keeps you guessing until the very end. After two great reads I can same that I am a fan of Shari Lapena.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for a review.

Was this review helpful?

Shari Lapena’s books are always enjoyable, fast reads and this was no exception. She spent a bit too long on a red herring making a character seem almost certain to be the killer, which I’ve noticed is a habit in all of her books, but her premises are always intriguing and her talent as a writer makes up for those minor issues. This book is nothing groundbreaking, but it’s a solid domestic thriller that creates an unsettling, claustrophobia atmosphere in this suburban neighborhood and the resolution of the mystery avoids unbelievable twists while still surprising the reader.

Was this review helpful?

This was a quick read - less than 300 pages! It was a bit of a page turner and I spent most of the book flip flopping on who I thought I killer was. Toward the end of the book I had it figured out but overall it was a good book and kept me guessing a little. My only complaint is how short the book was and that I didn't feel like there was enough suspense.

Was this review helpful?

I dont' know how Lapena can take such a simple matter and turn it into a bone-chilling story. A young man sneaks into his neighbor's houses and uses their computers to no good intent. Of course the owners have no idea. Suddenly one of their own is murdered - who did it? Of course the husband is he first to come to mind, but then as more and more secrets are revealed, one keeps guessing.right up until the end. It certainly pays to keep your doors locked and your computer password protected - especially if you don't want all your neighbors to know your secrets!

Was this review helpful?

Overall, I enjoyed this book and would highly recommend. Shari Lapena always have such great twists and turn in them.

Was this review helpful?

Another great Shari Lapena book. I can always count on Lapena for a quick, enjoyable read. I had my suspicions throughout the book, one of which turned out to be right, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Can't wait to read her next one!

Was this review helpful?

Someone We Know is Shari Lapena at her best. Great character development, great pacing, and a book you won't want to put down. When Olivia Sharpe discovers that her teenage son has been breaking into her neighbor's houses and hacking into their computers, she decides to send anonymous letters apologizing for him. Meanwhile, a neighborhood woman has been reported missing and is found murdered. Secrets begin to be revealed and the seemingly unconnected stories of the neighborhood begin to appear related. Entertaining as always, Lapena knows how to weave characters and plotlines together to keep readers guessing. Even readers suffering from domestic thriller fatigue won't be able to put this one down.

Was this review helpful?

Amanda has been killed. Was it her husband? He’s clearly an awful man. Or was it someone else in the neighborhood where nearly everyone has lived for years & been good friends. The author does a great job of layering in a little more information each chapter making it more likely that someone else killed Amanda. Or did they? It’s a definite page turner. Completely unputdownable. I went back & forth between 4 & 5 stars which probably means I’d give it 4 1/2.

Was this review helpful?

Olivia Sharpe’s son has been breaking into homes. She tries to make it right as only a mother can do. But someone ends up dead. Did her son take his hobby too far? This great read will leave you guessing until the end!

Was this review helpful?

Another great suspenseful book byShari. Right when you think you know what’s going on she throws in a twist. A nice quite neighborhood . Makes you think about what your neighbors do.

Was this review helpful?