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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
I finished reading "Stranger in the House" by Shari Lapena, and it was an absolute page-turner!
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
⭐️2-2.5
This is another Shari Lapena book with a couple that acts way too suspiciously for my tastes. Neither of them could keep their composure. The way they conducted themselves made them literally suspects.
In addition, Brigid was far too nosy for my liking (this is explained later as the story unfolds). Nosy characters, especially noisy neighbours, generally annoy me. Take up a hobby or make new friends. Having her as a friend would be a nightmare for me. As a reader, I was fervently praying for her demise throughout the book. All the worst traits a human being could possess can be found in her. Her behaviour is unhinged, delusional, pathetic, creepy, and desperate. During all my reading experiences, I've never disliked a character so much, especially in a thriller/mystery book.
It made no sense for Tom to lie to the detectives or withhold the truth from Karen throughout the book, so why does he do so? Despite what his wife has done, he's not directly involved in it. In addition, how is he so unaware of Brigid's plan to pursue and get him for herself? Throughout the book, Tom acts densely and lacks any backbone, which are traits common to Shari Lapena's characters.
In terms of plot twists, they were very predictable, especially the connection between Tom and Brigid, Brigid's involvement in Karen's case and investigation, and Brigid's surprise pregnancy hinted at at the end. I couldn't, however, predict the parts of the book dealing with Karen's past completely, but the last chapter provided a full explanation of it. Without reading the entire book, one could get the whole story by reading the final couple of chapters or even the last chapter. All of the story can be summed up in those last chapters.
All in all, this is an okay thriller/mystery book, but it isn't an excellent thriller/mystery that I would recommend wholeheartedly. The majority of the time, I found myself rooting for Karen because of my dislike for Brigid and Tom. Lastly, after initially being intrigued by Karen and the events leading to her car accident, all the mystery surrounding this and Karen's past was revealed before the half-way point, and I found this to be extremely disappointing.
This is another Shari Lapena book with a couple that acts way too suspiciously for my tastes. Neither of them could keep their composure. The way they conducted themselves made them literally suspects.
In addition, Brigid was far too nosy for my liking (this is explained later as the story unfolds). Nosy characters, especially noisy neighbours, generally annoy me. Take up a hobby or make new friends. Having her as a friend would be a nightmare for me. As a reader, I was fervently praying for her demise throughout the book. All the worst traits a human being could possess can be found in her. Her behaviour is unhinged, delusional, pathetic, creepy, and desperate. During all my reading experiences, I've never disliked a character so much, especially in a thriller/mystery book.
It made no sense for Tom to lie to the detectives or withhold the truth from Karen throughout the book, so why does he do so? Despite what his wife has done, he's not directly involved in it. In addition, how is he so unaware of Brigid's plan to pursue and get him for herself? Throughout the book, Tom acts densely and lacks any backbone, which are traits common to Shari Lapena's characters.
In terms of plot twists, they were very predictable, especially the connection between Tom and Brigid, Brigid's involvement in Karen's case and investigation, and Brigid's surprise pregnancy hinted at at the end. I couldn't, however, predict the parts of the book dealing with Karen's past completely, but the last chapter provided a full explanation of it. Without reading the entire book, one could get the whole story by reading the final couple of chapters or even the last chapter. All of the story can be summed up in those last chapters.
All in all, this is an okay thriller/mystery book, but it isn't an excellent thriller/mystery that I would recommend wholeheartedly. The majority of the time, I found myself rooting for Karen because of my dislike for Brigid and Tom. Lastly, after initially being intrigued by Karen and the events leading to her car accident, all the mystery surrounding this and Karen's past was revealed before the half-way point, and I found this to be extremely disappointing.
Shari Lapena never dissapoints. Really good twists and just couldn't stop reading.
Having heard good things about Lapena's previous novel, The Couple Next Door, I was very excited to read A Stranger in the House. The premise intrigued me and I wanted to discover the answers to the mysteries hinted at in the blurb. Where did Karen Krupp rush off to in such a hurry? Why caused her to have an accident in a "bad" part of town? Was her amnesia for real, or was she faking it to cover up some sort of criminal misdeed?
I imagined dozens of possible ways those questions might have been answered, but none of them were even close to be as satisfying as what is ultimately revealed in this engrossing novel. Lapena saved the best surprise for last, with a shocking plot twist that shed new light on everything that came before. It was outstanding!
If you enjoy a twisty psychological thriller and haven't already read it, be sure to treat yourself to this book!
I received an advance review copy of this book courtesy of Pamela Dorman Books via Edelweiss.
I imagined dozens of possible ways those questions might have been answered, but none of them were even close to be as satisfying as what is ultimately revealed in this engrossing novel. Lapena saved the best surprise for last, with a shocking plot twist that shed new light on everything that came before. It was outstanding!
If you enjoy a twisty psychological thriller and haven't already read it, be sure to treat yourself to this book!
I received an advance review copy of this book courtesy of Pamela Dorman Books via Edelweiss.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
dark
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
Loved this book. Quick read and very engaging. It had enough twists and turns without being overwhelming and an absolutely fantastic ending.