Not A Happy Family by Shari Lapena

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 349 pages
Published: July 2021

Not a Happy Family is an aptly-named mystery by Shari Lapena. It is about a very (white) privileged trio of siblings who immediately upon learning their parents have been murdered begin to calculate what benefits they will reap from their untimely deaths. Enter their bitter aunt who is sure their father (her brother) has adjusted his will to include a larger portion for her, and the siblings absolutely lose their mind because instead of inheriting tens of millions, they may only get a few million dollars. The whole plot, while realistic in some circles, was almost laughable. 

Most of the book vacillates between each of the family members providing more information with each short chapter leaving the reader more confused as to who the actual murderer was. You do learn at the end, but it's just beyond that revelation that the author introduces a twist that provides a satisfying ending. 

This book was a Book of the Month Club selection, and it didn't disappoint. My rating is a little low just because I couldn't really relate to the characters and their "problems." But it was an interesting read. I was invested to complete it. The author does a great job creating suspense and intrigue, thus engaging the reader. 

Recommendation: I would definitely recommend this novel as a quick read for mystery lovers. It will keep you guessing until the very end! 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.