Rounded up from 2.5
Nothing ever happens in a little Fairhill, Vermont, until one day, a teenage girl is found dead in a field. Everybody is shocked. What could've happened?
Throughout this thriller/mystery, we follow the investigation to find out what happened to Diana. Somebody clearly knows something they will not disclose. The first 10% was strong, but then it kept on spinning and spinning and spinning until the end. I feel like I have read some iteration or another of this story so many times before, so it was super predictable. The author sprikled many red herrings, so someone who is not well versed in the genre will probably not find it as predictable. There were a few too many characters, which made the story and the investigation hard to follow at times, but it was fun to have Diana's ghost's POV sprinkled through the story.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I love Shari Lapena books, and find them to be the perfect binge-worthy summer read! This book was definitely a page-turner, where you see “normal” people’s hidden lives and secrets come out. That said, I found myself a bit confused with so many POVs, needing to re-check who I was reading about and how they fit into the story. I did guess the end fairly early on, but there were enough twists to make me second-guess the whole way through.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada, and Shari Lepena for the opportunity to read and review What Have You Done!

Absolutely gripping thriller from the start! It dives into the dark side of those picture-perfect, quiet neighborhoods where you’d never expect crime. I spotted the killer early on, despite the mix of suspects. Still, it was a blast to read. Huge thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking for the review copy. All thoughts are my own!

So for this being the first book I’ve read by this author I kinda feel let down a bit. I feel like it was rushed, there wasn’t much of a character build or much of anything really. It felt like the author rushed to put this book together. The twist at the end for me was not really a twist because I did see it a mile away. It felt like Cameron was dropped from the book 3/4 of the way through and same with the other creepy guy. Like what happened to these characters where did they go? Was Brad left to rot in jail? What happened to Joe? Did the principal and his wife make things work or did she run for the hills?

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for this advanced readers copy.

Holy suspects! So many possibilities. Had me on page one and couldn’t put it down. Loved it.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I’m a huge Shari Lapena fan, so I was thrilled to receive an ARC of What Have You Done from NetGalley and Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review. I liken this story to a spider; it doesn’t look too frightening at first but as the plot develops after the discovery of the murder and all the characters start looking more and more guilty, the spider grows fatter, hairier, darker and more venomous. Lapena does an excellent job of building the tension and dark details about everyone connected to the victim. The reader starts to feel frenetic with the need to know what happened! You’re tempted to squash the spider out of fear but you are mesmerized by the web and will hold off until the very last word!! The depth of the secrets keeps getting deeper, as people become desperate to be proven innocent. There are a few different first-person perspectives that add to the mystery. I don’t want to say anymore in case I spoil the suspense but I will state this is Shari Lapena’s best book.

As always Sheri delivers! Yet another twisty thriller that has you on the edge of your seat. This was layered with everything you’ve come to know and love and it will not disappoint

This was a fast-paced read that had me gripped from beginning to end!

A well-liked teenage girl is found murdered in a farmers field. This begins an investigation into who could have done such a thing. and runs through a cast of possible suspects..

The small-town setting worked perfectly for this mystery and the author did a great job of making you second guess your sleuthing abilities!

A perfect choice if you enjoy a popcorn thriller!

This story is about a small town where everyone knows each other and nothing bad ever happens until Diana brewer, a popular, good looking, and extremely well liked teenager, is found dead and naked in a field by a local farmer. Following this discovery is a host of POVs from the main suspects, Diana’s friends, related residents of the town, and even Diana herself as the story of her death and the nefarious things that went on behind the scenes leading up to it.

As always, Lapena has delivered a quick, enticing, unputownable book that had me up in the wee hours of the night finishing (short chapters that always end on a little cliffhanger never fail hook me). There were so many people to choose from who were so sick and disgusting and I I just had to know what happened and who was responsible for Diana’s untimely death. That said, aside from a few developments, the ending was pretty predictable and not that surprising or satisfying. Seemed rushed and I felt like the reasoning was pretty half-baked and random. It was also quite similar to Everyone Here is Lying (small town, lots of suspects, similar crime), which I enjoyed a lot more. Also, the phrase “stand by me” was used way too much lol. All in all, this was a fast read but it was a “just ok” story. Thank you to NetGalley for the arc. 3/5!

What Have You Done is a quick binge worthy thriller that kept me hooked. Although for me the suspect was obvious, it might not be to others. I did have it figured out early on, but it did not keep me from continuing and enjoying the rest of the book.

I loved all the different POV's we got. The motive for the murder was a little dull for me. There is also a ghost aspect, which I don't tend to enjoy and found it very unnecessary to be honest. The ending was also a little too abrupt for my liking.

I still did think this was a fun and entertaining book. It was a great story, the author definitely does make everyone a suspect and keeps the suspense building.

Another nail biter by Shari Lapena! I was “in it” from the beginning. Lapena writes in a straightforward and believable manner that takes her reader on a roller coaster of a ride. While I had many guesses “who done it”. - I was never truly convinced. The short chapters and fast pace story makes this one hard to put down. While not literary and leaves you feeling unsettled at the end - this book is a gripping, dark and twisty ride! Be warned!

* MILD SPOILERS AHEAD*

Shari Lapena is great at what she does. A queen of suspense, her stories are riveting, very well-paced, and her characters are distinct and well-developed. What Have You Done is no different.

What I loved: the pacing of this story was perfect: very little filler, was very quick and to the point, which I appreciate. It was very easy to sit down and read this in one sitting because I was dying to know what happened. She’ll keep you guessing until the end. I also like a story that commits to the omnipresent ghost instead of setting it up like a ghost story and then blaming it on a living character we just haven’t met yet.

What I struggled with: I did expect a little more of a shock towards the end, and I think there was a little too much smoke and mirrors to get to that point. I found the “various potential offenders” approach to be a little unbelievable (all of these men are terrible and none of them did it) and the idea of the real perpetrator having snapped in the moment - with no lead up or past of having done so - made less sense than the other storylines. I understand how it all came together in the end, but it was a stretch. I also expected a little more wrap-up with Diana’s ending: will she move on now that her killer has been found, or stick around to be close to her grieving loved ones?

I gave this 3/5 stars. I enjoyed the ride and would maybe read again. Many thanks to Penguin Random House for the galley.

What Have You Done? by Shari Lapena is another five star read from this captivating and always compelling author. I was hooked from the start and kept guessing until the very last page. Don't pick this one up until you clear your day. You will not be able to put it down.

High school student Diana Brewer is found murdered in a local farmer's field. Nothing like this has ever happened in the small, sleepy town of Fairhill, Vermont, where doors are never locked. Tensions begin to mount as nearly everyone in Diana's life quickly becomes a potential and viable suspect.

Told from multiple POVs, this one virtually propelled me through the pages as I searched for any clues as to the killer's identity. This is brilliant storytelling from beginning to end.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for an ARC.

What Have You Done by Shari Lapena will have you hooked the minute you start reading. The book centres around Diana and the mystery of her death. We are introduced to many characters who possible could be the one/ones responsible. What we find out are that many of them have their own secrets to hide. This book will keep you guessing right till the end. I enjoyed the style of writing and ended up being a very quick read. Thank you to Penquin Random House of Canada and NetGalley for the arc and the opportunity to read this book. Five stars!!

Book Review
What Have You Done by Shari Lapena

Tropes
Murdered girl
Paranormal Presence
Small town
Local drama
Teen romance
Multiple POV
Large cast of characters

Thoughts
Everyone has a potential motive
Everyone has secrets
Everyone has doubts about the people they love
Face paced page turner
At first felt like there was a lot (maybe too many?) characters and plot points to keep
Track of… was this done intentionally? Probably? It worked- there were so many people to Point fingers at (red herrings in hindsight) that when I did have an inking of the Who I completely disregarded it as improbable…. The Why completely eluded me until the finale
At the ending… kinda felt like a beginning…👀‼️

Overall
The addition of the victims POV told as a paranormal presence gave this book a fresh feel, setting it apart from your “typical” murder mystery
Highly bingeable

Thanks to @netgalley and @penguinrandomca @doubleday for my digital ARC in return for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

This book, like every other Shari Lapena, will leave you guessing until the end.

Five stars!!

**Feedback for Shari Lapena on "What Have You Done?"**

This book was an absolute rollercoaster that kept me second-guessing every character and I'll never look at skipping ropes the same way!

Brad Turner—wow, he's a narcissistic pedophile and you did a great job of making my skin crawl when telling his story. If there was an award for Most Disgusting Character, he’d win it hands down. Cameron, on the other hand, really pulled at my heartstrings. I felt so bad for him as he got dragged through the mud - that's when I wasn't questioning if he was the one that killed Diana. And Evan? He absolutely deserves a one-way ticket to life in prison, no questions asked. I love that you threw Joe Prior in the mix! I was really thrown that he wasn't the one that ended up killing Diana. Brenda’s storyline was heart-wrenching, leaving me reaching for tissues more than once.

Your portrayal of the small-town vibe was spot on. It was so vivid and believable, I could almost smell the fresh-cut grass and hear the gossip at the local diner. It truly added an extra layer of tension to the narrative, making the story all the more gripping.

The seemingly innocuous detail of a skipping rope on a door handle was a masterstroke. Who knew such an innocent piece of exercise equipment could become so sinister? Kudos to you for turning everyday objects into sources of sheer terror.

Overall, "What Have You Done?" was a deliciously twisted thriller that kept me guessing, gasping, and maybe even glancing over my shoulder a few times. It was an absolutely captivating read, and your ability to craft such a suspenseful, emotionally charged narrative is truly commendable.

Thank you for the thrilling ride—I’m already looking forward to your next book!

I could not put this one down and read it in an afternoon while waiting to see the Dr. Summer colds are the worst! This book, is full of great characters, twists and intrigue that keeps you on the edge of their seats from start to finish. At times I knew who the killer was but in the end, I was surprised, not shocked but surprised. I loved the way Shari jumpy from character to character, it really kept the pace up. Definitely another #mustread by Shari Lapena!

I really enjoyed this book! I love Shari’s way of using many POVs, and how she introduces us to all the characters at a good pace so you can keep up with who’s who. As always, I was guessing until the very end!

Share Lapena is the Queen of Thrillers!!

This book starts with a bang and ends with a bang and takes you on a twisty, whodunit ride in-between. This is a must must read!

A sleepy town is rocked to its core when the popular (but also kind and well-liked) girl is murdered. Who could possibly want her dead?
Told through multiple POVs which keeps the pacing moving quickly, it leaves you suspected several characters along the way.

A murder and ghost stories? I'm in! One of my favourite reads of the year!