Book Review: Everyone Here Is Lying by Shari Lapena
I’ve always been a fan of Shari Lapena, her thrillers gripping me with twists and tantalizing revelations. So, when I picked up Everyone Here Is Lying, I was buzzing with anticipation. The premise, centered around a seemingly perfect neighborhood with dark secrets lurking in each corner, instantly drew me in. However, as a lifelong reader and an ardent admirer of Lapena, I found myself wrestling with disappointment amidst the intrigue.
At the heart of this story is William Wooler, your archetypal trusted doctor and family man embroiled in an affair with his neighbor, Nora Blanchard. Their Tuesday meetings are clandestine escapes from their everyday lives—until Nora suddenly chooses to end the affair, prompting William’s world to tilt on its axis. When he returns home, he’s greeted not by his wife but by his rebellious nine-year-old daughter, Avery, whose impulsive behavior sets off a chain of events that spirals into tragedy when she goes missing. The narrative deftly explores themes of infidelity, the complexity of family dynamics, and the multiplied truths hidden beneath the surface of domestic life.
The multi-perspective narrative structure allows us a glimpse into the minds of various characters, enriching the plot but, frustratingly, also diluting the tension. While each character is drawn with meticulous detail—largely unlikable yet fascinating—this shift in perspective often revealed critical secrets too early. The police investigation, which should have served as the spine of suspense, instead felt hampered by their ineptitude. I longed for the moments where they would piece together the puzzle rather than watching them stumble through, making the thrill of the chase feel a little flat.
Yet, what’s a Lapena novel without a twist that leaves your jaw on the floor? Just when you think you have the story figured out, a mind-bending revelation flips everything you thought you knew. It’s moments like these that remind me why I keep coming back to her work. The characters’ fates weave a dark tapestry of karma, satisfying in its poetic justice, but I couldn’t help but wish for a more tightly wound narrative arc leading to that climactic moment.
In terms of writing, Lapena’s prose is sharp, engaging, and accessible. It pulls you in, even as you grapple with the pacing. As much as I enjoyed reading about each character’s unraveling, I felt that some of the depth I expected from her previous works was missing. This time, the build-up lacked the tautness that usually makes her domestic thrillers so appealing.
Everyone Here Is Lying may not have reached the heights of Lapena’s past works for me, but it remains a gripping read filled with secrets and lies. If you’re an enthusiast for psychological thrillers rich in character and moral complexity, you might still find much to savor here. I’d recommend it to those who appreciate a mix of domestic drama and suspense with a hint of the macabre—just be wary that the pacing may not adhere to the thrilling expectations set by her previous novels.
Ultimately, while this installment may leave some fans wanting more, it did stir a reflection on the facades we maintain in our lives. Sometimes, peering into our own neighborhoods might reveal more than we’d like to admit. So, for Lapena fans—manage your expectations, but dive into this eerie exploration of truth disguised as lies; it might just take you on a chilling ride.
Rating: 3.5 Stars