I don’t choose Shari Lapena’s books, they choose me. I am under her spell, unable to resist, and She Didn’t See It Coming cast an enchantment that had me clicking the pages like my fingers were on fire.

What Lit My Mood

Bryden Frost has it all: a thriving career, a supportive husband, a daughter she adores, a loyal best friend, a loving family, and an apartment that practically drips with success. When Bryden vanishes, the mask cracks, secrets bubble up, and everyone around her becomes a suspect.

Shari Lapena is known for a few things: being a sorceress of suspense, writing utterly unputdownable stories, and crafting those irresistible “just one more chapter” reads. Now I can add another title to her magic, the queen of red herrings. And there are plenty here. Every character has secrets they’re desperate to hide, and I couldn’t rest until I knew them all.

Lapena lures us in with her usual blend of secrets and lies, but where she truly shines in this book is in the sheer number of suspects tied to Bryden’s so-called perfect life. Each one becomes its own red herring, keeping me on edge and second-guessing every turn.

Where My Mood Flickered

With so many red herrings and so much careful buildup, I was a little disappointed when the killer was finally unmasked. A few of those red herrings felt like they stretched a little too far. Still, the ending managed to satisfy me, and none of that could take away from the two brilliant characters who completely stole the show and that’s all I could think about.

Witchy Mood Reader Ratings

Absolute magic. Fully aligned with my mood. Couldn’t put it down.
Verdict

A must add to your altar and summon it anytime!!

The red herrings keep you guessing, but the two characters steal the story, and your sleep.

This was a buddy read with Lindsay!!

Shari Lapena has done it again. She never ever disappoints me! This book was addictive and twisty, unputdownable! The characters are memorable and well developed in this domestic suspense. It took me less than a day to finish this book because I had to keep flipping pages.

Binge worthy book!! Read this in one afternoon and couldn’t put it down!

Another great read from Shari Lapena.

While I wouldn’t say the twist was down right out of nowhere I was still a twist and not what I expected. But I must say that ending was sneaky 😏

Definitely recommend this one.

Four stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley & Penguin Random House Canada for this copy!

She Didn’t See It Coming kicks off when Bryden fails to pick up her daughter from daycare, and what seems like a simple miscommunication quickly unravels into a full-blown mystery. With a wide cast of suspects, from family and friends to neighbors and even a fender bender victim, Lapena throws in just enough twists to keep you second-guessing everyone.

The short, quick chapters made this book such an easy binge, and while I wasn’t shocked by every reveal, the misdirection and wild ending definitely delivered. I also loved the mentions of real-life true crime cases, some Canadian ones too! Including these cases gave the story an extra layer of realism. Overall, this was a juicy, fast-paced summer thriller that I couldn’t put down.

This is an interesting read, a domestic thriller that I did not guess until near the end, there were a lot of red herrings along the way, a very enjoyable read. Bryden is a mother of a young daughter, Clara, happily married to Sam and living in a very nice apartment style condo. Bryden has gone missing after not picking up her daughter from daycare, Sam is called and picks her up and when they return to home, it looks like Bryden has stepped out, her laptop, her phone, keys are all there, she's not. I was rather taken aback how quickly the police showed up, I was thinking they would wait 24 hours to see if she returned, after all it didn't appear that she was assaulted, but the police showed soon after being called and started investigating. Detective Jayne of the Albany police and her partner begin with questioning Sam, who has no idea where his wife could have gone, she's devoted to their daughter and wouldn't fail to pick her up unless something happened to her. Bryden's sister, Lizzie and her parents show up to support Sam, Paige, a close friend of Bryden's shows up as well. Lizzie suggests to the police that a search of the building with a dog would be a good idea, and they do it, and the dog finds her body in a suitcase down in the storage area. The police also find that a man who lives in the building was arrested for assaulting a woman, but the charges were dropped for lack of evidence. There are a number of subplots, and I found the short chapters really moved the story along at a good pace. Overall a very good book, I would recommend. Thanks to #Netgalley and #Pamela Dorman Books for the ARC.

The title of this book was so perfect! I don’t think many of us readers will see it coming either and the best part yet, I feel this book ends on a somewhat unique note, different from other Lapena novels. Did the author leave room for a sequel with this one? I kind of hope so! Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me the opportunity to start reading this one early! With so many books on the go, it took me awhile to finish this one simply because during the summer, working seven days a week, it’s hard to read a digital copy when audiobooks have taken over my summer reading list! I finished this book tonight while enjoying a nice little fire at my cabin! I do have to say though, I prefer actually reading a Shari Lapena novel over the audiobook version. I’ve done both but find I can emerge myself in the story easier by reading instead of listening! This woman sure has a great imagination and always comes up with a plot that just sets her apart from other thriller writers! I cannot wait to recommend this one to my library patrons and get their feedback! But I guess now the waiting begins for her next novel! As always, great characters, great writing and a plot that keeps you guessing. Everyone seems guilty in this one, except for the victim’s parents!

Another great thriller from author Shari Lapena! As always, Lapena keeps the reader’s attention with her fast-paced plot and crisp writing style. With each chapter ending on a cliff hanger, it’s impossible to put down the book.

What starts as a simple fender bender leads to the woman who caused the accident to go missing several weeks later. Bryden’s husband, Sam, is distraught when she doesn’t arrive to pick up their daughter at daycare. Finding her purse, computer, and cell phone in their apartment, he checks with their neighbor, her sister, and her best friend, who have no idea where she might be. The tension builds as police search the building, finding her car in the underground garage, but no sign of Bryden. Discovering a neighbor has been previously charged with the abduction of a young woman, he becomes a person of interest, along with the man whose car Bryden damaged. But Sam soon realizes he is the number one suspect, and he worries the police will uncover what he is hiding.

Written in the present tense, the story unravels with a sense of immediacy, with a glimpse into each of the main character’s thoughts with multiple points of view, including the family, the suspects, and the lead detective on the case. This shifting of POVs creates suspense and allows the reader to piece together the clues. As each piece of evidence is revealed, Lapena shifts the focus and doubt from one suspect to another. Masterful character development in a slow-burn kind of way makes the reader question everyone.

What appears to be a perfect couple with a loving family and friends may be tainted with secrets and lies. The twists start early and don’t stop. If you are looking for a book to devour in a day or two, pick up your copy of She Didn’t See it Coming now.

Shari Lapena consistently knocks it out of the park with her books and this one is no exception. It's written extremely well and keep you hooked on the story throughout. The twists are well thought out and clean - nothing feels forced and the red herrings are logical to the story line. The could have gone in many different directions because it was set up so well to keep you guessing that any one of the people in the story could have been the murderer. The further into the story you get the more the facade of the perfect story everyone was presenting started to peel away.

When wife and mother Bryden fails to pick up her daughter from daycare one day, her disappearance leads to a criminal investigation. Her keys, phone, and car are at home, so where could she have gone?

In classic Shari Lapena style, this book is all business and no excess information or development, which is exactly what I look forward to when I pick up one of her books. Chapters are to the point and short. There are quite a few characters, but it's not hard to keep track of them. The characters are mostly unlikeable, and with a plethora of red herrings thrown about, I suspected all of them at one point throughout the book, which is a success in my eyes. The ending wasn't what I expected, and changed right up until the last several pages really keeping you on your toes. As always, I'm looking forward to her next release!

This book was kind of repetitive. BUT, overall still totally worth the read! I totally thought I had everything figured out, but boy was I wrong!

A locked room thriller- but make it a locked condo thriller. The latest LaPena kicks off fast: a woman named Bryden, a seemingly perfect wife and mother, goes missing in the very first pages. There’s no footage of her leaving her building, so the question isn’t just where she went, it’s how she vanished at all.

The story flies from there, with everyone in her life suddenly a suspect: her husband (who may not be who he says he is), her sister, her neighbour, and more. Interestingly, Bryden herself wasn't as she appeared to be. I flew through this one- it’s tightly plotted, twisty, and full of suspicion.

What I really liked is that in reference to the title, there's actually more than one “she” in this story, which adds layers of intrigue… how many 'she's' are there and what didn't they see coming?

There were a lot of interesting characters in this and I wished a few of them had been more fleshed out so we could have better understood who they were and their motivations. I have to say this isn't my favourite thriller of the summer, as I just found some elements and believability were lacking. Still, if you’re into fast-paced thrillers where no one can be trusted and the walls feel like they’re closing in, this one delivers.

Read in one evening. Engrossing from the start, not reinventing the wheel here but the characters felt real and the simple setup helped the whole story avoid being too far-fetched.

This novel is perfect for summer escapist reading.

Sam Frost is called by his daughter Clara’s daycare because his wife Bryden didn’t pick her up at the scheduled time. When Sam arrives home, Bryden is not there, though her cellphone, computer, and keys are, as is her car in her parking space. Sam checks with a neighbour and calls Bryden’s sister Lizzie and best friend Paige, but no one has seen or heard from his wife. The police are called, and Detective Jayne Salter leads the missing person investigation which soon becomes a homicide case.

The novel is narrated in the third person but from multiple perspectives: Bryden’s family, (mother Donna and sister Lizzie), best friend Paige, and a neighbour, as well as the lead investigator. Also included are Derek Gardner, whose car Bryden rear-ended six weeks earlier, and his wife Alice. Of course, the reader is not told everything that someone is thinking and feeling.

Very quickly a number of suspects emerge as it’s obvious that many people have secrets and are untrustworthy, being capable of deception and betrayal. Many have motives, especially jealousy, and opportunity. Everyone thinks Sam and Bryden had a perfect marriage and a perfect life, but this proves not to be the case. The reader is certainly kept guessing; much of my interest in the book lay in trying to determine the identity of the murderer.

The plot does have some flaws. The broken security camera system is very convenient. Then the case is solved more by chance, a witness coming in after remembering something crucial at the right moment, than solid investigating. The back story of one of the characters also seems rather far-fetched, though no doubt such people do exist. And of course the ending, with that final exchange, is particularly chilling because of this character’s personality and backstory.

I would not say this book is a literary masterpiece, but it is definitely entertaining; it does what it was intended to do. It’s fast-paced with lots of potential suspects, red herrings, and twists. I liked Jayne Salter and would enjoy seeing her in a series. As stated at the beginning, this is a perfect summer read to take to a park, a beach, a cottage, or the backyard.

I really enjoyed She Didn’t See It Coming! Shari Lapena has a way of pulling you in right from the first page, and this one didn’t disappoint. The plot moved quickly, and there were just enough twists to keep me hooked without feeling over the top. Every time I thought I had it figured out, something would shift and throw me off, and I loved that. The characters were well-drawn too, and I found myself second-guessing everyone.
Definitely a fun, twisty read. If you’re into domestic thrillers or mysteries that keep you guessing until the end, this one’s worth picking up!

* I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada (Adult) | Doubleday Canada in exchange for my honest review

She Didn't See It Coming is a fast-paced, gripping thriller that masterfully maintains suspense from start to finish, keeping me on the edge of my seat and guessing until the very last page. The story explores how everyone carries secrets—some so deeply buried that even they struggle to reconcile their own truths.

Bryden Frost appears to live a happy, content life with her loving husband, Mark, and their six-year-old daughter, Lily, in a modern, bright condo overlooking downtown. One ordinary morning, while working from her home office, Bryden becomes distracted and forgets to pick up Lily from daycare, setting off a chain of events that rapidly spiral out of control. What initially seems like a missing persons case escalates into a complex murder investigation, with a growing list of potential suspects, including jealous neighbours, disgruntled colleagues, and family members with secrets and lies.

Detective Jayne Salter, known for her sharp intuition and relentless persistence, cuts through a tangled web of truths, lies, and half-truths to uncover the truth and get justice for Bryden. The author skillfully crafts numerous twists and red herrings, adding layers of complexity and intrigue to the case. That made it hard for me to put the book down and had me reading late into the night.

While I didn't connect with all the characters, I recognize that this was an intentional choice to emphasize their flawed and layered personalities.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone seeking an engaging summer beach read. The short, punchy chapters make it easy to devour quickly, and the compelling plot will keep you captivated from beginning to end.

Thank you, NetGalley, Doubleday Canada and Penguin Random House Canada, for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. I was under no obligation to provide a review.

She Didn't See it Coming by Shari Lapena is a psychological thriller about  a woman who  disappears from her condo, with no sign of her ever leaving the building.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Penguin Random House and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.




My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Bryden and Sam have a wonderful life, wonderful friends, and a great 3-year old daughter.  They are currently trying for another baby.

But when Bryden fails to pick up their little girl from daycare, and is not in the condo, Sam calls the police.  Although there are no signs of a struggle, there are also no signs that Bryden ever left the building, and both her purse and cell phone are still in the condo.

A door-to-door search is on, and Detective Salter and her team start looking into other residents, as well as family, friends, and even acquaintances.  There is a neighbour down the hall that is suspicious, and then there's the man who Bryden had a car accident with.  Bryden's sister Lizzie is a little too into true crime, and her best friend Paige is a little too close to the whole family.

But not everything is quite as it seems.  The perfect marriage may not be as perfect as it seems.




My Opinions:
Well, this was really quite good.  Nothing was as it seemed.

The book is about secrets and lies, and some rather despicable characters.  There were a lot of suspects, and a lot of twists.  Even though not all were guilty of murder, they all were guilty of something....even the victim.

The ending almost made it feel like there could be a sequel, which I'm not sure I liked.  Most things got wrapped up,  but not everything.  I am sure one was intentional, but another felt like it was just missed.

Overall, this was a fast and very entertaining read, but the ending didn't satisfy quite as much as I had hoped.

I adore Shari Lapena's books! I've read than all and with new entry I've declared it my favourite. But this latest? She Didn't See It Coming is crazy good!! And yes, it's my new fave.

Why, you ask? Everything starts with one event. Bryden fails to pick up her child from daycare. The daycare calls her husband Sam to come and get the child. He’s rather put out about it but jumps in the car to go get Clara. The thing is…Bryden hasn't come home or the next day either.

The police are called in and the tale takes off from there. Bryden is a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, friend, an employee and more. And as readers we have access to everybody’s thoughts and actions. But can we believe what each character is saying?

I love twists and turns in a tale, and my goodness there’s some of the best ones I’ve ever read this book. I couldn’t predict at all how things were going to go.

What a great summer read! Well, actually it’s a great read anywhere and any place!

Shari Lapena books tend to look the same. Is that good or bad? Dean Koontz is awesome, but you knew what you were going to get.
This thriller was solid, well written and enjoyable.

The tagline for the book was ‘She didn’t see it coming…. And neither will you.
Not really accurate. Again, her books are fairly predictable. At least I was more than halfway through before my predictive abilities kicked in.

Overall, kick your feet up, sit in a beach chair, don’t spend too much brain power and enjoy.

She Didn't See It Coming by Shari Lapena
5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada / Doubleday Canada for the advanced copy!

When Bryden doesn't show up to pick up her 3-year-old from daycare, her husband Sam knows something is amiss. After Sam picks her up and heads home, he finds their apartment as normal, and nothing seems wrong... except the fact that Bryden is nowhere to be found. What follows is a captivating thriller revealing secrets, family dynamics, and strange interactions with neighbours, and strangers alike.

I've said it before: Shari Lapena does not miss. I'm not sure what she puts in her books, but I was addicted and did not want to put this down. Lapena has delivered yet another page-turner of a suburban thriller. 

She Didn't See It Coming is out July 29th

She Didn't See It Coming by Shari Lapena is another fast paced thriller that will leave you guessing until the very end.
Bryden Frost lives a seemingly happy life with her husband and child in a nice condo. One day while working from home she fails to pick up her daughter from day-care. What starts as a missing persons case soon turns into a murder case with a long list of suspects. Detective Jayne Salter has to wade through the truths and lies in her pursuit for justice for this young woman. The twists and all the red herrings make this case intriguing.
Did I like all the characters, no, but I think that was the point. Everyone has so much to hide, so many secrets that even they find their truths hard to reconcile.
I recommend this book to anyone who needs a good summer beach read. The short chapters make it an easy read and the plot is entertaining.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in return for my honest review.