A review by dedicated_reader
Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena

mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

 Liked ✅

• Suspicions & motive everywhere
• Quick chapters
• Whodunnit murder mystery

Didn't Like ❌

• POV’s 

Thoughts 💭

I was recommended this book by a fellow reader to help kick myself out of a reading slump. 

The beginning pulled me in without any second thoughts. Right off the start we learn the parents were murdered and spend the rest of the book trying to figure out who did it. 

I wasn’t a fan of the anti-climatic ending, I felt like there could have been more consequences. Although the chapters are quick they are full of different POV’s from all the characters; that took some getting used to when I first started reading. 

The characters are written in such a unique way that they all have motive and act suspicious. They are always pointing fingers at one another, adding a layer to the mystery. I quickly wanted to learn who had committed the murders, spending every minute deep diving into their intentions. The name was perfectly fitting for this book, the outside perception and reputation does nothing to help what’s happening within the Merton family.