Not a Happy Family: A Novel

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?

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Published Jul 5, 2022

384 pages

Average rating: 6.96

418 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

What Bookclubbers are saying about this book

✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI

Readers say *Not a Happy Family* by Shari Lapena is a fast-paced, suspenseful thriller told through quick, shifting perspectives that keep tension hig...

Deborah Trahan
Oct 23, 2025
8/10 stars
I’m a Shari Lapena fan, so no surprises about me enjoying this novel. I love the psychological interplays between the characters (family members), each attempting to out-spite the other, all in the name of inheriting wealth. Lots of twists along the way and an ending one might not have suspected.
hayhaywillow
Aug 13, 2024
7/10 stars
If you like a true mystery, you will enjoy this read. The author does a great job of making you believe each character could’ve been the murderer.
Mary Pat Holt
Feb 05, 2026
6/10 stars
I've read several books by this author, but this was my 1st audio book ever and it definitely kept me entertained on a long car drive. This is a story made up of selfish, greedy liars. I didn't care for any of the characters because they are all so awful. The Merton's are dead, and their dysfunctional family wants to grab their inheritance as quickly as possible. All three adult children have motive as well as the sister of the deceased Mr. Merton.

The chapters are quick, jumping from one POV to another. I liked the audiobook. It was a good page and just enough of a cliffhanger at the end of each chapter to keep listening. 3.5 stars
Jenntwinmom
Jan 28, 2026
10/10 stars
I love the different points of views. She truly weaves the stories of each person to where you think you know who did it, but then you change your mind - again! Great mystery.
Kati
Jan 01, 2026
8/10 stars
So many twists and turns, enough to keep you guessing the entire book who did it. So many people with motives.

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