• Not a Happy Family

  • A Novel
  • By: Shari Lapena
  • Narrated by: Ellen Archer
  • Length: 9 hrs and 11 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (3,573 ratings)

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Not a Happy Family  By  cover art

Not a Happy Family

By: Shari Lapena
Narrated by: Ellen Archer
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Publisher's summary

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?

©2021 Shari Lapena (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Who wouldn’t be drawn to a book called Not a Happy Family?,... Like [her] earlier best sellers.... Not a Happy Family splashes into a stew of nightmares.” (New York Times)

“Lapena is a master of manipulation. With her latest page-turning thriller.... She is once again at the top of her game.... Lapena does what she does best, so much so that trying to put the book down is futile. Once you start reading, you won't want to stop.” (USA Today)

“A quintessential ‘beach read,’ I half expected sand to fall out of it. This one brings lurid family mayhem to the Hudson Valley [and] plausible suspects. With her cascading short chapters and teasers by the dozen, you stick with Lapena eagerly.” (Washington Post)

Featured Article: Home Is Where the Harm Is—The Best Domestic Thriller Audiobooks


Every neighborhood has a story. It could be the tragedy that took place years ago, or maybe an urban legend about that creepy house down the street. Or perhaps it's the new couple on the block who seem to be hiding something. These tales of suspense and mystery are what drive the popularity of the fastest growing subgenre of thrillers: the domestic thriller. We’ve made this list to help you choose the best domestic thriller audiobooks out there.

What listeners say about Not a Happy Family

Average customer ratings
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Yes I do love Shari Lapena

Another classic “who done it” by the amazing author Shari Lapena. I loved it. Kept me guessing.

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3 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Attention deficit’s dream (or nightmare)

You have to pay attention in this one, but you’re not going to get bored.

I’m not saying this is gonna catch your world on fire, but give up too soon... I typically don’t love this writing style, but after the first few chapters, it started to flow and grew on me. The scenes and characters change so quickly, but since it’s told from the third person, it’s manageable. For me, the neutrally toned narrator was perfect for her role.

However, the last few chapters and ending frustrated me. Lots of circling back, and for all the detail, buildup and suspects, the ending was very anti-climactic and flat. I really thought it was going to be a less obvious suspect with some big reveal, but it was disappointing.

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Great summer suspense

I enjoyed listening to it while laying out by the pool. It was an easy listen. With a surprise twist.

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Twists and Turns!

Just when you think you have it figured out…. Engaging mystery with fascinating family dynamics. Nothing is as it appears. Ellen Archer does a great job narrating. My only issue is that then ending feels a little rushed and leaves us wondering why?

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  • Overall
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A must read

Great story, everyone looks suspicious twists and turns keep you listening not being able to stop. Unexpected ending.

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greedy family

Very good book, Shari Lapena never disappoint me. This family is so mess up. This is a must read/listen.

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Good story but predictable

It’s hard to like a story when there are no likable characters.
The investigation was too drawn out, but I did hang in there to see the outcome.

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Great book!!

I loved how the author was able to keep me guessing from start to very end.

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What an outstanding thriller

I am a huge fan of thrillers like this one. I also like Joseph Finder. I recommend this one if you’re interested in a whodunit. More than the mystery, is the story, the background and the characters. I would have liked to have known some of the characters a little bit better.

I would have wanted to hear more stories about what happened when they were kids. I think if you enjoy this sort of thriller, you will really enjoy this.

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Amazing! Do NOT Listen to Negative Reviews

The writing and narration of this book is amazing! It had just the right amount of mystery and detail to keep me engaged the whole time but also enough to keep me wondering who did it! I thoroughly recommend it! A great listen!!

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