Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena

on

 


💰 Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena

📚 Genre: Domestic Thriller / Psychological Suspense
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
📍 Set in the fictional town of Aylesford

"A dysfunctional family drama where everyone has something to hide... and a motive to kill."

🧬 What’s It About?

The Merton family looks picture-perfect from the outside—wealthy, successful, upper-class. But behind the glass walls of their mansion? It's one hot mess of resentment, betrayal, and lies.

The novel kicks off on Easter Sunday at Fred and Sheila Merton’s home, where the couple hosts their three adult children and their partners for dinner. What should be a wholesome holiday quickly devolves into a disaster when Fred—a harsh, controlling patriarch—drops a few bombs:

  • He’s selling the family estate.

  • No one’s getting an inheritance unless he says so.

  • And he’s disappointed in every single one of his kids.

Let’s break down this charming little family:

  • Catherine: Oldest. A wealthy dermatologist, struggling with infertility. Married to a dentist named Ted.

  • Dan: Middle child. Fired from the family business. Broke. Desperate.

  • Jenna: Youngest. An artist with a tendency to overshare and underachieve. Living off daddy’s money. Dating a guy named Jake.

Also in attendance: Fred’s sister Audrey, who didn’t show up to the dinner—but trust me, she’ll be important later.

🩸 A Double Homicide

The next morning, the housekeeper Irena shows up and finds Fred and Sheila murdered—stabbed and strangled in their own home.

Now the question is: Who did it?

Well… everyone kind of had a reason.

🕵️‍♂️ Who’s On the Suspect List?

Dan is financially drowning, furious with his dad, and conveniently left the house that night without his phone.

Catherine found out Sheila wanted to tell her something important at dinner. Instead, her mother was killed. Catherine also secretly visited the house that night and stole a pair of diamond earrings… and never told anyone she saw the bodies first.

Jenna stayed behind the longest that night, had access to the spare key, and knew about Irena’s car.

Even Audrey had motive: Fred was planning to leave her half the estate, but hadn’t changed his will yet. (Yikes.)

Irena? She’s basically the kids' second mom, loyal to them all… but also knows just how toxic Fred really was.

And then we meet… Rose. Surprise! She’s Fred’s secret fourth child, the result of a long-ago affair. And she’s besties with Catherine. That alone would be scandal enough—except Rose also conned Dan out of his life savings in a shady investment deal. Did she know she stood to inherit? Oh yes, she did.

🔎 Twists, Lies, and Secrets

The autopsy reveals Fred was dying of pancreatic cancer, and didn't have long to live anyway. That doesn’t stop the kids from panicking when they learn about Rose. Now the estate is split four ways—and no one is happy about it.

Meanwhile, Audrey begins snooping, convinced one of the nieces or nephews did it. She even follows Jenna around and learns that Jenna visits a construction site frequently.

Eventually, DNA evidence ties Jenna to Irena’s car, but not enough to convict her. The case stalls.

Then comes the bombshell:

Audrey figures out that Jenna buried the murder weapons under a freshly poured concrete foundation at a friend’s farm. In a chilling final reveal, we learn that Jenna used Dan’s disposable coveralls, drove Irena’s car, strangled her mother, and stabbed her father—all while smiling and saying goodnight.

Why? Maybe resentment. Maybe desperation. Maybe just pure dysfunction.

🪦 Who Gets the Money?

The estate is divided:

  • Catherine, Dan, Jenna, and Rose get the majority.

  • Audrey and Irena each get $1 million.

  • Jenna walks away with everything… for now.

The last page? Audrey buys the farm where the evidence is buried. She's not done. 😈

✨ What I Loved

  • ✅ Dysfunctional family that’s realistically messy, not cartoonishly evil

  • ✅ Layered characters: no clear villain, just people pushed to their limits

  • ✅ Juicy secrets, constant twists, perfect pacing

  • ✅ You’ll change your mind multiple times about who did it

This wasn’t a thriller with spies or secret serial killers. It’s a thriller about emotional trauma, money, and the terrifying power of family loyalty. And I was hooked the entire time.

📚 Read If You Liked…

Book Why You'll Love It
The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell A twisted family inheritance mystery with long-buried secrets
Someone We Know by Shari Lapena More neighborly drama, more family secrets
The Perfect Family by Robyn Harding Dysfunction behind a carefully curated family image
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty If you like your drama with a side of murder and sharp women

🛒 Where to Buy

🧡 Final Thoughts

I freaking loved this book. As someone who grew up in a less-than-perfect household, the feeling of not living up to your parents' expectations hit hard. Jenna might be a psychopath… but I understood where her anger came from.

And Audrey? Honestly might be the most manipulative one of them all.

This one’s going on my “read again” shelf.

Comments

Post a Comment