An artist who specializes in sculptures of female genitalia, she spends most of her time partying in New York City. Selective focus on the edge of book and page edges. And they don't come much richer than Fred and Sheila Merton. She is expecting a windfall. A windfall she feels she is owed, since she has kept the family secrets for all these years. 
I expected more resolution from a couple of the sorta subplots. it just feels really repetitive. Not a Happy Family is a terrific read for anyone who loves the suburban thriller market or who enjoys character driven whodunits. Audrey, Freds sister, joins the family for all their celebrations even though the kids and Sheila cant stand her. It was the only book from BOTM Ive actively disliked. Would've been interesting if she resented Sheila for having the life she never did and for not caring for her kids like Ellen cared for Rose, and guilt for not being able to give Rose all the advantages they the Merton kids had. The writing was pretty stilted and wooden and lifeless, the characters werent interesting, and it was predictable. Although at first it was thought the double murder was a robbery/home invasion, the spotlight quickly turns to the Merton offspring as there are millions of dollars to be split between them. The story is told with serpentine twists throughout. Early reviews are loving this and I've enjoyed the author in the past, but I was bored to tears. We meet the Merton family assembled all together to have Easter dinner. What could be better than a holiday dinner with family? There is another party in this pressure cooker as well. Sheila Merton the matriarch of the family has little backbone when standing up to her domineering husband. Wed love your help. In this family, everyone is keeping secrets--especially the dead. I would have preferred a different ending. Log in. This announcement cuts Catherine to the quick. You have to be rich to have a house there. Enjoy . I couldn't finish it. He made his fortune at his Robotics company. The Merton siblings are shocked when they hear the news. Also, she low key resented Audrey for her entitlement and selfishness. (LogOut/ However, based on the problems I addressed above I just couldnt get fully involved with the story or characters so 3 stars it is, If youre the type to play detective, this will be the book for you! Unbeknownst to the others, someone behind the scenes has been a part of all the recent family drama. I was really leaning towards Katherine! {js=d.createElement(s); Meanwhile, his father having no respect for his abilities, sold the company. The Book of the Month Club is a United States subscription-based book club that offers a selection of new books each month to members. If you continue reading, you will be exposed to spoilers about the above book. It is she who finds the bodies and she whose alibi for the night in question is the weakest. Another driving factor in the tale is Audrey. Pingback: Not A Happy Family by Shari Lapena Book Review @doubledayca #NotAHappyFamily @sharilapena #NetGalley #BookReview Book Library, Pingback: Not A Happy Family by Shari Lapena Book Review @doubledayca #NotAHappyFamily @sharilapena #NetGalley #BookReview Imobiliare 24. Fred, the patriarch, is malicious and makes his adult children miserable with his endless sly manipulations and vicious put downs. But even all their money can't protect them when a killer comes to call. Excellent review Lynne. I did not like the ending, but obviously won't spoil anything. See all 12 questions about Not a Happy Family, 2021: What Women Born In The 1970s Read In 2021, 2022: What Women Born In The 1970s Have Read So Far This Year, 72 of the Most Popular Mysteries and Thrillers of the Past Three Years. I really enjoyed it. Follow Shari Lapena on Twitter @sharilapena, Pingback: #BookRecommendations with titles that start with the letter N #GreatReads | Fictionophile, Pingback: Fictionophiles Top Reads of 2021 #BookRecommendations #GreatReads | Fictionophile. The Mertons are brutally murdered the night after an Easter Dinner with their three adult kids. She weaves fantastically complicated, intricate personas out of our typical suburban characters.
Ellen is a good friend of Audrey Stancik. The only thing she looks forward to that day is being in the family home. He knows Fred will start an argument with someone and doesnt want to get caught in the middle of it, but Catherine pushes him into going. To all the people who picked and have read Not a Happy Family, how was it? Press J to jump to the feed. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. She doesn't deserve half. I finished it, but only really to say I did. I say four because Irena, too, is caught up in everything that is happening. You have to be rich to have a house there. All of the characters are suspects and the author does a great job of keeping the reader guessing til the end. To annoy her dad, she brings along James, a young artist she recently met, and the two of them smoke pot on their drive to upstate New York from the city, giggling over the fact that they will reek of marijuana when they arrive. Who would want to kill Fred and Sheila Morton? July 27th 2021 I am starting it today! Id love a spoiler free (obviously) review. Although the ending of, the plot twist wasnt that good, it was pretty predictable which sucks because i spent the entire book being so shocked by the twists and turns just to get to the end and be let down. She essentially raised all three Merton children and considers herself to be part of the family. I agree the ending did feel a little rushed but I really enjoyed the story all the way through. Who, of course, are devastated. This is one novel where I have to say that I didnt much care for any of the characters. But could one of them have commit such a brutal crime? , Count me in as a fan!! Youngest daughter Jenna is the family wild child. She missed attending Easter dinner because of a nasty flu bug. They stand to inherit millions or could lose everything. I don't think Jenna makes sense as the murderer. The family presents a united front to the detectives investigating the crime. Not a Happy Family is bestselling author Shari Lapenas new suburban domestic thriller. https://allaboutromance.com/the-agora-at-aar/profile/mboyd/, The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. That didnt stop be rapidly turning pages though. Or someone else? js.src='https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js'; I mean, Im glad that I got it, but it wasnt as good as some of Lapenas other work, IMO. She's interfering in the investigation? A mistake that she must find a way to remedy herself. They all will all have a big surprise when their parents wills are read. , 2007-2022 Lynne LeGrow First time reading a Shari book, but I really enjoyed my reading experience. He prides himself on his work-life balance. I read the whole book in half a day, the ending was a little rushed but as a whole it was worth it! The book starts with the murdered bodies of Fred and Sheila Merton. . Its not because of the upkeep. The Mertons are all personalities that pepper everyday life in the U.S. and yet they are also all folks who prove to have a very dark side indeed. What's the harm in taking time and adding an additional 100 pages? Even though the plot of her books are always fast paced, the dialogue is stilted and when not invested in the characters it is very hard to really enjoy the story. im also confused on why the person killed the. Open book in the hands of a mature man. What a scandalous bunch of liars!! This makes the third book of hers that I rated 3 stars, and I rated one 1 star so this will probably be the last Lapena book I will read for a while. It is definitely difficul, 3.0 stars Not a Happy Family is the fifth book I have read by Shari Lapena. Brecken Hill in upstate New York is an expensive place to live. Publication date: July 27, 2021 Publisher: Penguin Random House Canada, ISBN:9780385695046 ASIN: B08V4TQ98H 368 pages. The reason? Please post a comment and let me know what brought you to my corner of the web. But Not A Happy Family was a winner in my book! Also, she would hate Fred for obvious reasons. the plot twist wasnt that good, it was pretty predictable which sucks because i spent the entire book being so shocked by the twists and turns just to get to the end and be let down. I am on hold at the library for the audiobook, but it is a long wait, so I may give up and read it, it sounds like one I will really enjoy. SPOILERS for After Anna by Lisa Scottoline, SPOILERS for Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell, SPOILERS for The Good Liar by Catherine McKenzie, SPOILERS for The Haunting of Brynn Wilder. A fast-paced, entertaining, page-turning domestic suspense novel!
Audrey becomes determined to prove that the children are responsible for the crime and begins to tell the police some damning family secrets. I loved it! Worlds Biggest Digital Book Club The Big Library Read! His sister? Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. It would make a fantastic movie. 3.0 stars Not a Happy Family is the fifth book I have read by Shari Lapena. Everyone but Audrey (who has the flu) duly shows up, and everything goes as badly as they expect it to. This review was written voluntarily and my rating was in no way influenced by the fact that I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Doubleday Canada via NetGalley. All three of the Mertons did go out that night and asked for alibies from their significant others. She also does a great job of slowly peeling away the layers of their personalities so that we get to know the real people beneath the sympathetic facades. , Pingback: Fictionophiles SEPTEMBER 2021 Reading Wrap-Up #MonthlyWrapUp | Fictionophile, Pingback: Links Ive Enjoyed This Week 19/09/2021 #WeeklyRoundUpPost #SecretLibraryBookBlog Secret Library Book Blog, Glad you were tempted Katherine. The real story begins when Irena goes to the Merton residence on the Tuesday after Easter to clean the house. I just finished the book and I wonder if I missed a clue. She works as an attorney and has recently done something she deeply regrets. So many shady and unpredictable characters to choose from. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. LaPena is amazing. Proceed with caution.
She is a physician who has retained her maiden name. She loves the lavish estate with its beautiful furnishings, tasteful and expensive artwork, elegant, pricey dishware and costly antiques. i noticed in another book i read by this author that the plot twists at the end arent very twisty and in both books it was pretty obvious who it was and it was like the author was trying to throw you off on who it was, with both books. This is a real who did it book. And she, not their mother, loves them and knows them better than anyone. He earned his MBA with the goal of one day taking over the family business from his father. This book was definitely one of the best reads of the year!
I didnt like it at all. All of the Merton siblings are harboring long-standing secrets. By the end of the novel, we have four very viable suspects for murder. I loved this book so much, and I really enjoyed how this book kept me guessing. Many thrillers are lauded for their twists and turns, and this book is no exception. Fred had told her prior to that fateful dinner that he will be leaving half his money to her and the other half is to be divided up amongst his progeny, and when she learns that is not actually the case, shes furious. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good mystery. This is an addictive whodunit featuring a seriously dysfunctional family. Before dessert is even put on the table, the guests all leave angry. it just feels really repetitive. Now, six months afterward, Dan and Lisa are in financial difficulties. Who could it be?? It felt so short! There will be two other guests at the dinner. Jenna Merton the youngest child is a sculptor. I currently read approximately 150 books a year, comprised of a mix of Young Adult, romance, mystery, women's fiction, and science fiction/fantasy. She aspires to one day inherit the beautiful family home when her parents pass away. Poison her iced tea, which she would be able to do, since as her best friend, she would have access to her apartment. What a page turner! This makes the third book of hers that I rated 3 stars, and I rated one 1 star so this will probably be the last Lapena book I will read for a while. by Pamela Dorman Books. I agree with some of the other poster's saying that the ending felt rushed because that's EXACTLY how I felt about it. Just like he sold the business so that Dan couldnt have it., Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Mystery & Thriller (2021). Oooo boy this is one family tree in need of chopping down! (LogOut/ (LogOut/ Lies and deception abound. Skimmed to end. Thats whats exceptional about Lapenas work her ability to craft believable villains out of ordinary humans. Each new piece of information yanks us in a different direction. Ellen Cutter, Roses mother is worried about her daughter. Hes so cruel, she thinks, and so adept at finding vulnerabilities. His father hates him the most and has made no secret of that. All the characters felt pretty flat, the plot felt pretty thin (I think I needed a subplot or something) and the resolution left me wanting. I have to say guessing what a secret will be uncovered next was so much fun. The narrative fairly races along as the Merton siblings fall into dissension. A fact they all try to hide from the police when Fred and Sheila are violently murdered later that night. This is my third novel by Shari Lapena and I really enjoy her writing style. They are riddled with mistrust and suspicion. This is a Psychological Thriller. if(!d.getElementById(id)) It could be anyone they all have motives, and below their average, seemingly normal benign veneers they all have the hard, cold core it would take to see the job done. There are a lot of different perspectives in this book (like ten) and a couple of them should have just been cut out. The kids dont spend much time with their folks, but holiday gatherings are a mandatory event, and Easter Sunday morning finds all three Merton offspring getting ready for dinner at their parents house. I can't tell if this is a me problem and I'm burned out, or if it's a book problem, so no rating. Fred Merton the wealthy, malicious, manipulative and controlling patriarch of the family. Brecken Hill in upstate New York is an expensive place to live. Just finished this one. The author does a nice job of showing how basic investigative work begins to unravel the Merton siblings alibis. Audrey tells her that Fred is changing the will to give his sister half, which would reduce Rose's portion immensely. To say that the narrative is stripped down is an understatement. And they don't come much richer than Fred and Sheila Merton. I loved it!! Top 30 Book Review Blogs on the internet as voted by ShoutAbout.org. belong to their rightful owners. And his wife was the total wuss, letting him get away with all his nastiness. Her books are all quick reads and are rivetting! Im sure you wont be disappointed. Lisa, Ted and James find themselves asking the same question. Highly recommended! im also confused on why the person killed the Shelia and Fred, like it was explained in the book it just wasnt good enough imo. We're here to share our enthusiasm and discuss the month's picks, judges, etc. Hes selling it so that she cant have it. And Irena, the childrens beloved former nanny who now works two days a week as housekeeper, will earn her dinner by helping set up and clean up the meal. {var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; I think for the sake of keeping the mystery alive, this book really suffered. The author just does a fantastic job of showing how ordinary lives can be filled with extraordinarily complex and violent undertones. And who killed Sheila? Irena is also the person most likely to lie or kill for the Merton children. [Not really. js.id=id; He hates that he will have to ask his father for a loan or face the fact that he and his wife Lisa will be in deep financial trouble without it. Then his father sold the company, leaving Dan with no job and no future prospects. His is an egotist who is disappointed in all three of his children. The fact that we have a plethora of possible killers is another factor that really drives up the suspense in the tale. Its the Tuesday after Easter; an Easter that was a contentious family gathering. Let us know whats wrong with this preview of, Published This sounds very similar in style to Christies family murder mysteries, which I love. 4+ stars! I think after 5 books I finally figured out why I am middle of the road when it comes to reviewing her books: it is that her books read like a Wikipedia version of a good thriller. This is my 6th try with this author. I think after 5 books I finally figured out why I am middle of the road when it comes to reviewing her books: it is that her books read like a Wikipedia version of a good thriller. //]]>. I even tried the audiobook, but I just disliked the characters too much to get into the story. She, not their mother, raised them. She never challenges Freds abuse and is concerned only with what their equally rich neighbors think of them. Her husband Ted doesnt want to attend. She was a lawyer and an English teacher before turning her hand to fiction. !function(d,s,id) Werent they an awful family! Alluding to the fact that Jenna was going to be caught. I think a better choice would be Lisa, Dan's wife. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. I really liked it. Dan Merton married to Lisa. Dan is the middle child. She would want her daughter to have her fair share, something she could never give her, as much as she wanted to. No come on, own up, who killed Fred Merton. Glad you enjoyed Lynne! i noticed in another book i read by this author that the plot twists at the end arent very twisty and in both books it was pretty obvious who it was and it was like the author was trying to throw you off on who it was, with both books. Jenna has zero desire to see her family, but she lives off a stipend her parents provide and has no choice but to go when they demand it. Lapena is fast becoming one of my auto-reads too Carla. But more than that they are RELIEVED! Lisa, Ted, James and Irena are forced to sit as awkward witnesses to both Freds cruelty and the fallout. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Mix (Opens in new window). Id definitely recommend reading it. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. I enjoyed the way the story was told giving perspectives of all the characters. But all fairytales are tinged with darkness., father doesnt know that, but he might have guessed. A group for reviewers and book bloggers who review titles from Edelweiss. Being pleased that someone is dead isnt something you admit to. Fictionophile has read 83 books toward her goal of 120 books. It is definitely difficult to connect to any of the characters when all you get is the briefest snapshot of their lives. //
She prides herself on her unpredictability and likes to shock her parents with myriad partners and a somewhat bohemian lifestyle. Now the three other halves find themselves lying to the police and questioning whether their partners are capable of slaughtering two elderly people. Congratulations for being nominated as one of the best thrillers for Goodreads Choice Awards! Thanks for commenting. Sometimes I can be a really slow learner. Letting In Light by Emma Davies Book Review #LettingInLight @EmDaviesAuthor @AmazonPub #BookReview, "Still Life" by Sarah Winman - Book Review, Kindlepreneur - and why Book Reviews matter @DaveChesson #BookReviews #Kindlepreneur, "Misery Bay" by Chris Angus - Book Review @simonschuster #MiseryBay @YuccaPublishing #BookReview, "The Keeper of Stories" by Sally Page - Book Review, #BookRecommendations with titles that start with the letter 'T' #GreatReads #ReadingForPleasure, "The Floating Girls" by Lo Patrick - Book Review, "The Murder Rule" by Dervla McTiernan - Book Review, "The First Day of Spring" by Nancy Tucker - Book Review, "Not A Happy Family" by Shari Lapena - Book Review. Dan worked for his father for years, putting up with being insulted and berated on a regular basis by holding on to the dream that he would eventually inherit the family business. I am so glad you stopped by. Start by marking Not a Happy Family as Want to Read: Error rating book. Fiction reviews, Bookblogger, Fiction book reviews, books, crime fiction, author interviews, mystery series, cover, love, bookish thoughts. Id skip it. ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDNo copyright infringement intended. Oh, what a deliciously wicked mystery. Catherine, the eldest, is a successful doctor married to an equally successful dentist.
Audrey ended up buying the house where Jenna buried the bloody suit. It was a fast read and the way the story is broken up helped it be a fast read. Rose Cutter is Catherine Mertons best friend and she is under stress. The narrator really brings the villain to life and it adds something special to the reading experienced. To say that the narrative is stripped down is an understatement. All three children and their partners leave the dinner abruptly, before dessert is served. As the title suggests, the wealthy Merton Clan is not a happy family. So the question is, who murdered them? As the police close in, that figure must determine what they can and will do to survive.
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Will definitely be picking this one up. I've only just started reading, but does anyone else feel that this might have been inspired by the murders of Barry and Honey Sherman? Shari Lapena is the internationally bestselling author of The Couple Next Door, A Stranger in the House, An Unwanted Guest, Someone We Know and The End of Her. She had motive and opportunity and with Lapena's children plus the nanny, I think it would have made for a better twist. While I was reading this, I thought the exact same thing. Thanks to a foolish investment, Dans savings are tied up and hes pushed the limit of all his credit cards trying to stay afloat. Irena Dabrowski formerly the family nanny is now the part-time housekeeper. While looking for who killed a rich couple their secrets and their kids secrets slowly unfolds. Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena (Author), Ellen Archer (Narrator), Ok, so I definitely predicted who the killer was, but. I came straight here to see what you thought of this one! Audrey Stancik is Fred Mertons sister. . SPOILERS for 56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard, SPOILERS for Hairpin Bridge by Taylor Adams, SPOILERS for For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing, SPOILERS for Not A Happy Family by Shari Lapena. [CDATA[ I thought Ellen Cutter would've made sense. To see what your friends thought of this book. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Fred has a knack for crushing peoples hopes and at the dinner he tells Catherine hes selling the house, tells Jenna hes cutting off her allowance, and advises Dan there will be no loan. Fred is such a nasty man, I would have wanted to do him in. All other in soft focus. The Mertons are brutally murdered the night after an Easter Dinner w. In this family, everyone is keeping secrets--especially the dead. Matriarch Sheila has survived her marriage by drawing completely into herself. I am so glad you enjoyed this! Change). My favorites are An Unwanted Guest, The End of Her and this one. Will be adding to my reading list. You literally dont know whether youre coming or going. The novel is told via multiple viewpoints, so you get to discern a little of what is going on in each of their minds. Refresh and try again. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website.