Reviews with content warning for Physical abuse - Everyone Here Is Lying: A Novel

We readers know Shari Lapena. We trust her with our thriller needs.
The title of Everyone Here Is Lying doesn't lie - everyone sure is!
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and Netgalley for my eARC for review!
Welcome to the neighbourhood. Everyone knows everyone, or of everyone.
When nine-year-old Avery Wooler goes missing after a fight with her father, we get to know those who live with her, and nearby. And what they're hiding.
The book sets out the plot at a measured pace, teasing us into thinking we know who is who and what's what. We don't.
There are many reasons for these characters to be unlikeable, but in a compelling way. Overall an entertaining read, though I personally found the ending a bit abrupt.
Regardless, recommended!
For release on July 25.

Content Warnings

gingermouse's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I read this in less than 24hours because I wanted to know what happened to Avery and who took her, so badly. I was completely drawn in.
Shari Lapena leads you deliberately to false conclusions and just when you think you've figured out what happened she pulls the rug out from under you. There is the tiniest bit of foreshadowing but it is very easy to miss or second guess after being fooled so many times.
Eventually when you finally figure it out, it's revealed within a couple of pages. But you have the who, you definitely don't have the how and the why though even though you think you do. Then a new set of problems are presented. You'll end up not feeling sympathy for the people you think you will. This is an emotional rollercoaster.
The ending, by the way is perfect, extremely satisfying. Lapena leaves absolutely no loose ends. Just for that alone it gets 5 stars from me.

Content Warnings

_thelitlibrarian's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

4.00 stars
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TW: Physical abuse, Murder, Infidelity, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault
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In a world where everyone is lying, who can you really trust? Everyone in the town of Stanhope has a secret, William Wooler is having an affair with neighbour Nora. After Nora abruptly ends their affair, William returns home to find his daughter Avery home when she's not supposed to. Avery, known to everyone as a "difficult child" gives her father attitude in response to her being home, William who finds himself crumbling lashes out and strikes her to the ground. After apologizing and begging her to secrecy, he leaves, unknown to him that hours later Avery would be reporting missing.

What a wild ride! Lapena is a genius at writing a suspenseful thriller, and what better way than introducing us to a neighbourhood where everyone gossips. This book had me hooked from the start, after Avery goes missing it doesn't take long before the whole street starts talking, and even sooner, do some of them start to become a suspect (including Nora's son). Without spoiling too much, I thought that what truly happened regarding Avery's disappearance was unique, and shocking.

Don't even get me started on the ending, it was probably my favourite thing about the entire book. After everything is seemingly wrapped up, I loved watching everything crumble to pieces. Part of me had wished it had been longer (to see the aftermath), but here's to hoping for somewhat of a continuation!

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