Not a Happy Family Audiobook By Shari Lapena cover art

Not a Happy Family

A Novel

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Not a Happy Family

By: Shari Lapena
Narrated by: Ellen Archer
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About this listen

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

Another thrilling domestic suspense novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Couple Next Door

“Lapena is a master of manipulation. With her latest page-turning thriller… she is once again at the top of her game.” —USA Today

“In this fast-paced, twisted family saga, Shari Lapena keeps you guessing until the very last page...” Paula Hawkins

In this family, everyone is keeping secrets—even the dead.

Brecken Hill in upstate New York is an expensive place to live. You have to be rich to have a house there, and Fred and Sheila Merton certainly are rich. But even all their money can't protect them when a killer comes to call. The Mertons are brutally murdered after a fraught Easter dinner with their three adult kids. Who, of course, are devastated.

Or are they? They each stand to inherit millions. They were never a happy family, thanks to their vindictive father and neglectful mother, but perhaps one of the siblings is more disturbed than anyone knew. Did someone snap after that dreadful evening? Or did another person appear later that night with the worst of intentions? That must be what happened. After all, if one of the family were capable of something as gruesome as this, you'd know.

Wouldn't you?

©2021 Shari Lapena (P)2021 Penguin Audio
Psychological Suspense Thriller & Suspense Women's Fiction Thriller

Critic reviews

“Who wouldn’t be drawn to a book called Not a Happy Family?,... Like [her] earlier best sellers.... Not a Happy Family splashes into a stew of nightmares.” (New York Times)

“Lapena is a master of manipulation. With her latest page-turning thriller.... She is once again at the top of her game.... Lapena does what she does best, so much so that trying to put the book down is futile. Once you start reading, you won't want to stop.” (USA Today)

“A quintessential ‘beach read,’ I half expected sand to fall out of it. This one brings lurid family mayhem to the Hudson Valley [and] plausible suspects. With her cascading short chapters and teasers by the dozen, you stick with Lapena eagerly.” (Washington Post)

Featured Article: Home Is Where the Harm Is—The Best Domestic Thriller Audiobooks


Every neighborhood has a story. It could be the tragedy that took place years ago, or maybe an urban legend about that creepy house down the street. Or perhaps it's the new couple on the block who seem to be hiding something. These tales of suspense and mystery are what drive the popularity of the fastest growing subgenre of thrillers: the domestic thriller. We’ve made this list to help you choose the best domestic thriller audiobooks out there.

What listeners say about Not a Happy Family

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Twisting Plot Engaging Storyline Engaging Writing Style Suspenseful Narrative Intriguing Mystery
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Lots of suspense, no idea till the end

Loved it!! The story was so great and kept you guessing till the very end.

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not my favorite by this author but still good

this wasn't the best thing I've read by Shari Lapena but it still was pretty good. a little confused by the reviews saying it was super predictable, as I really wasn't 100% sure on my guess of who the culprit was until the last couple hours of the book.. and I'm a thriller junkie who is usually pretty good at predicting the endings of books. it did drag on a little bit, but I also think it was the author's way of trying to throw readers off by implementing addiontal scenes/scenarios. overall would recommend.

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I liked this book

I read a lot so listening is new to me.
I liked the reader and the story line kept me interested and wondering what happened. Everyone had a motive. I liked that the author opened up many possibilities but once the book was over you weren't left wondering about any of the other characters.

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Couldn’t stop listening!

This was by far one of the best books I’ve listened to so far. The entire book kept me guessing “who done it” and I wasn’t disappointed. Highly suggest!

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Fun Listen

This was a fun easy listen.Not as great as A Stranger in the House, but better than the others Ms. Lapena has. Definitely worth a listen.

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Loved the book, but the narrator….

I loved the book! The narrator sounded like a robot though. Very monotoned. Such a cute book though!

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Guessing to the end

Story was engaging from beginning to end. So many possible outcomes so you were never sure of the truth

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Her best book yet

This book had me thinking in many directions A absolute must read for those who enjoy thrillers.

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Kept my interest

This book has a lot of suspense even if the ending was just ok. Nice listen but not fantastic.

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Love

I’ve read a few and I’ll read all of Shari Lapena books i love the way she tells a story!!!

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