68 pages • 2 hours read
Shari LapenaNot a Happy Family
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena is a psychological thriller about the wealthy Merton family, whose Easter Sunday dinner ends with parents Fred and Sheila announcing plans to sell their home, which causes turmoil among their grown children, Catherine, Dan, and Jenna. Later, Fred and Sheila are found brutally murdered, making their children the prime suspects, each with motives rooted in greed and resentment. The investigation reveals dark family secrets, unraveling a complex web of deception and betrayal. The book contains graphic descriptions of violence and murder, and themes of emotional abuse and familial conflict.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Shari Lapena's Not a Happy Family receives praise for its fast-paced plot and intriguing family dynamics, holding readers' interest with numerous twists. Critics enjoy the well-developed characters and the suspenseful narrative. However, some note predictable elements and an over-reliance on family conflict tropes. Overall, it’s a compelling read for mystery enthusiasts.
Who Should Read Not a Happy Family?
Readers who would enjoy Shari Lapena's Not a Happy Family are fans of fast-paced, psychological thrillers with family drama and dark secrets. Ideal for admirers of Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies and Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl, they crave intricate plots and unexpected twists.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Mystery / Crime Fiction
Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction
Psychological Fiction
Relationships: Family
Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
Values/Ideas: Power & Greed