Reviews - She Didn't See It Coming

394 reviews for:

She Didn't See It Coming

Shari Lapena

3.91 AVERAGE

kindle_and_crossstitch's review against another edition

3.5

mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

This was a fast paced and twisty thriller with a huge number of intertwining threads and I had no idea who the murderer was. Like the other Shari Lapena books I’ve read, it was really enjoyable but not my favourite of hers.

I did find the book a little slow in the middle - the beginning, up until Bryden goes missing is very quick and as I was reading I was expecting a flashback, or a big twist taking us off somewhere very different, but the bulk of the book is around the aftermath of the disappearance and the investigation.

That aside, great characters, great alibis and great twists!

nobookendinsight's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark mysterious 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

saraireads's review against another edition

4.0

Was it super groundbreaking? No. Is Shari capable of writing a domestic thriller without including several psychopaths? Also no. But was I entertained the entire time I was listening to this?? Yes.

nancyamerica's review against another edition

4.0

A great whodunit from Shari Lepena! Her books always hook me from the first page and this one was no different!

Bryden is a wife and mother who goes missing when she fails to pick up her daughter from daycare. With multiple POVs, a VERY long list of suspects, and very little evidence, this one had me guessing the entire way. I really had no idea who did it because everyone had a motive. A fun ride and a great read if you’re looking for a thriller!

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for the #NetGalley ARC!

the_sara_post's review against another edition

4.5

mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

krystlesbookclub's review against another edition

4.0

Omg this book! Hooked me from chapter 1, I feel like if my theory had been the outcome, it would have been 5 stars, but I was a bit disappointed in the ending.
I read this book in one day. It was so fast paced and suspenseful that I just couldn't put it down. Excellent domestic thriller with just enough suspects and twists to keep you guessing.
Shari Lapena will always be on my autobuy author list.

tinalynne577's review against another edition

3.5

dark 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

She Didn’t See it Coming by Shari Lapena is a domestic thriller that starts with a great prologue that gave me a sense of foreboding and hooked me immediately. The story was unpredictable, building up the mystery told from the points of view of family members, friends and neighbours of the missing woman, as well as the investigating officer.

The story moved at a pretty good pace, and it was hard to put down, as I was eager to make it to the conclusion and find out the mystery of what happened to Bryden. I enjoy books that plant red herrings to keep the reader guessing, and there were plenty of those here. I had my theories about the guilty party, and while I did guess correctly, the reveal felt quite anti-climactic.

There were a lot of characters in this book, and while I know they were there to add to the mystery, Lapena didn’t have enough time to really flesh any of them out. I will say that I think the character of Alice is one that could star in her own book. I would read an Alice origin-story!

All in all it was a decent mystery, but it didn’t offer much in the way of thrills or suspense. It was definitely a book that drives home the point that you never really know what’s going on behind closed doors.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and Netgalley for an egalley in exchange for review.