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

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.

Engaging Writing Style • Unpredictable Twists • Engaging Narration • Suspenseful Plot • Fast-paced Chapters
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Honestly you didn't know who did it, but at the same time you knew who didn't. Definitely glad I used a credit.

good listen

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From the beginning to the end it just carried me away into their crazy life. What a train wreck. So hard to know who did what until the very very end. I loved every detail!

Wow they are not a happy family.

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An ok book. I finished it. Nothing great stands out but it was enjoyable to read

Not a Happy Family

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Awesome story. A rich mother and father in of a very unhappy family are found Brutally murdered after an Easter family dinner. All family members are possible culprits. Each are pointing to the brother as the one who killed them. But, at least three have no true alibi. It was great trying to determine who done it.
Love Shari Lapena books and this was another good one.

Another great Lapena read

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Really enjoyed the ending. Narrator is one the best I’ve ever heard. Worth the credit!

Loved this book!

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I was really hoping the ending was going to be different but it wasn’t so it really lost stars during the last 20 minutes.

Potential was there but ending fell flat

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Every time I thought I knew who did it I changed my mind. Sadly I know a family or two like this. This book definitely held my attention right up to the end!!

Kept me guessing

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A great old fashion murder mystery! So glad nothing political was thrown in,it’s nice to escape when reading.

Refreshing book!

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All of this authors books are predictable. However, this one was pretty awful. I won’t be reading it again and I wish I could get my credit back. I will continue to support the author though. Just not this one

Predictable

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Was a great story and loved hearing the analysis from each characters perspective. Highly recommended!

Yes a Happy Listen

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