Getting Away With Murder

by Shari Lapena

The tenth thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of The Couple Next Door

Jill and Ted adore their New York brownstone the way others adore their children. They have carefully, expensively, made every inch of it their own. It reflects who they are, their status and tastes. With the grand mahogany staircase and state-of-the-art kitchen, it is the stuff of glossy magazines and real-estate dreams. It is their sanctuary.

So when Ted’s inheritance runs out and he makes a bad investment, they panic. How can they protect their beloved home and enviable lifestyle?

The answer is obvious. Or at least, it is obvious to Jill and Ted. The death of one wealthy family member—from whom they stand to inherit millions—could solve all their problems. Together, they will get away with murder.

As long as they trust each other.
As long as neither makes a mistake.
As long as there are no surprises…

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Suspense, Adult

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 28, 2026

Reviews

[Shelley's Book Nook · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
The Book Review Crew Blog


⭐⭐⭐1/2
Getting Away with Murder
Shari Lapena
Publication Date: July 28th, 2026
Penguin Random House Canada | Doubleday Canada
352 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction | Mystery & Thrillers | Women's Fiction

I liked the way the author wrote this one—we know who the killer is and we know why. The question here is: will they get away with it? It was pretty suspenseful throughout, and I loved that the killers are just ordinary folks who normally wouldn't do this sort of thing, except for the fact that they lost their riches and don't want to lose their home.

It's very fast-paced with plenty of twists. I felt tense reading some of it because every character has a reason to squeal. The pages passed quickly as I was so anxious to get to the end. There are lots of secrets, too, and I felt invested in the outcome. The short chapters kept my butt in the chair, and that really helped with the momentum.

The ending was very satisfying, though I wished the characters were a bit more developed. Overall, this was a very entertaining mystery that delivered the suspense and tension I was hoping for.

For me to give a thriller three-plus stars is a big deal because I am very fussy when it comes to my more suspenseful reads. I am a fan of Lapena's quick, twisty stories, and with this one, she doesn't disappoint.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.



Goodreads ratings reflect reader demographics and
popular enthusiasm rather than objective literary merit.

[Sydney Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 🌟

A quick and easily readable popcorn thriller! The first half really pulled me in, I actually found myself rooting for these terrible people 😆 It lost a bit of steam for me though and didn’t feel like much of a payoff in the end. I’ve definitely enjoyed Shari’s other books a lot more!

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I’ll admit it right away — I’m not usually a big fan of unlikable main characters, especially when they’re ruthless, power-hungry, money-obsessed murderers who plan to get away with it. But here’s the thing: when a story pulls off that kind of dynamic this well, I simply cannot resist. The perfectly executed cat-and-mouse game, the nonstop pacing, the taut, nerve-wracking tension — it’s impossible to look away. Each twist hit like a lightning strike, and by the halfway mark, I could practically feel the walls closing in! More popcorn and wine, please, because I stayed up all night devouring this thriller. It just kept getting better with every chapter until that juicy, explosive final epilogue had me whispering, “Hell yeah, that was good!”

It might not be my all-time favorite Shari Lapena novel, but it still delivers a wickedly fun, hyperventilating, mind-bending ride full of sharp twists and relentless suspense that will make you question everyone and trust no one.
Jill and Ted — the so-called power couple at the center of the chaos — are a perfect study in greed and moral decay. Let’s be honest: they don’t really deserve the glamorous lives they’ve built. Ted, a spoiled heir who inherited his father’s fortune, has the business sense of a potato. His stunning wife Jill, the classic trophy spouse, escaped her rough, working-class upbringing (with an alcoholic father and a string of disappointments) by marrying into money. She now works at an art gallery and dreams of opening her own — naturally expecting Ted to bankroll the whole thing.
But when Ted’s reckless investments implode and they’re suddenly on the verge of losing everything — including their elegant Brooklyn brownstone house — desperation takes hold. A visit to Ted’s arrogant, loaded brother Greg ends in rejection, and from there, Ted decides on a solution only a sociopath could justify: if Greg dies, he inherits everything. Forty million dollars, to be exact.

So the couple plots the perfect crime. A simple boating trip, a few too many glasses of champagne, a conveniently absent life vest — and Greg is gone, swallowed by the sea. The cover story? Smooth, polished, and believable... or so they think. But they didn’t count on Officer Ramirez, the relentless investigator who smells deceit from the start. Add to that Lara, Jill’s suspicious best friend, John, Ted’s unsettling old acquaintance who suddenly reappears, and Nadya, the cleaning lady with moral dilemmas of her own when her son falls in with dangerous company — and you have a tangled web of lies, guilt, and manipulation.

Then come the messages. Anonymous. Chilling. Someone out there knows what they did. Someone might even have proof. The tension skyrockets as paranoia takes over — and the price of their newfound wealth might just demand the ultimate redemption.

Overall: This was one of the fastest-paced mysteries I’ve read in ages — I devoured it in a single sitting! Addictive, sharp, and full of gasp-worthy moments, it’s a smart, entertaining thriller that keeps your pulse racing until the very last page. Shari Lapena once again proves she knows exactly how to deliver a slick, twist-filled psychological ride.

A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin / Pamela Dorman Books for providing me with this addictive, highly anticipated thriller’s digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:

medium blog
instagram
facebook
twitter

[emilybookedup · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rated up to 5 for GR, this was one of my favorite thrillers in a LONG time! Shari Lapena is so backkkk👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

i absolutely loooove a neighborhood thriller / family thriller and this has both. one of my fave books of hers is NOT A HAPPY FAMILY and this felt very similar to me. a husband and wife are in serious money trouble and do something shocking to get $$$. like, commit murder 😳 but can they get away with it?

i was so hooked the entire time and couldnt wait to see what would happen and how they’d get out of so much trouble LOL. loved all the red herrings in this one and how the neighborhood started to get involved… it had plenty of twists and turns along the way to keep me invested and i couldn’t figure it out.

did i mention the chapters were like 3-5 pages? absolutely loooove a thriller with short chapters. makes binging so easy (i read this in 2 sittings by the pool!)

my one issue is i wish there was one BIG twist and maybe i wanted a bit more of a sinister ending, but overall there’s so much to enjoy about this one.

TLDR; make this your summer thriller binge by the pool or on the beach!

PS: one of the best audio narrators does the audiobook, so check it out if that’s your vibe! i read it and enjoyed it.

thanks to Viking for the early copy :)

[Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting Away With Murder by Shari Lapena ✍🏻
Narrated by the fabulous January LaVoy 🎙️
Listening time 9 hours 36 minutes at 1x or 6 hours 24 minutes at 1.5 x 🎧

Can money buy you happiness?
EVERYONE in this book seems to think so!

Jill and Ted love their New York City brownstone as much as other people love their children, and in Jill’s case, probably more than she loves her husband…

They have already spent Ted’s sizable inheritance, and to try and get even more money, Ted has made one bad investment after another-without consulting with Jill.

When asking his brother, Gregg for a loan doesn’t work out, they “do what they have to do” to keep their lifestyle-plan his murder so that they can inherit the money instead.

But GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER is only the START of their problems…and they will have to stick together if they hope to avoid jail and get the money they feel they so rightfully deserve.

Will they?

I have read ALL TEN of Shari Lapena’s unputdownable psychological thrillers and this was a ONE day listen-perfect for KILLING the time indoors when it’s 115 degrees outside! I’m already looking forward to her next!

My copy also included the author and narrator interviewing each other after the book concluded! It has a couple of SPOILERS so don’t listen to it first!

I was able to read/discuss this immersion read with Marilyn as our library copies conveniently arrived in our inboxes just days apart!

Thank You to Libby and the Maricopa County Library system/Gilbert for my Audiobook copy and to the Chandler Public Library for the written copy!

[Laura Lovesreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

AS THE SAYING GOES.. F&CK ABOUT AND FIND OUT

In Getting Away With Murder status-obsessed couple Jill and Ted panic when Ted’s bad investments threaten their luxurious New York brownstone. To maintain their lavish lifestyle, they plot to murder Ted’s wealthy brother, Greg, standing to inherit his millions. However, the so-called "perfect murder" quickly spirals into suspicion and unforeseen consequences.

My OG thriller fave is back with another domestic whodunnit. What I love about this author works so much is her ability to draw you into a story from the get-go. You are immersed into the not so domestic bliss of issues rich people face and the diabolical measures they will go to, to secure their status or their Brownstone home in this case.

We are faced with handful of characters in this one that have a motive to want to blackmail Jill and Ted, and we are reading along trying to guess the perpetrator.

I enjoyed reading the drama of it all and Lapena’s writing style is so immaculate and addicting it makes it hard to put the book down.

Admittedly I will say that the reveal was a dud for me, and I was expecting an explosive, didn’t see coming reveal but it was very subpar for me unfortunately.

⋆｡°✩WHAT I LIKED⋆｡°✩
➽ Fast paced
➽ Love to hate characters
➽ The audaciousness of it all
➽ Entertaining

⋆｡°✩WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE⋆｡°✩
➽ The reveal
➽ Quite predictable
➽ A more juicier ending

With that said the story itself was juicy and entertaining and I do think some people will either love or hate this book especially with the ending.
Not my favourite Lapena book but also not a miss.
Excited to read her 11th book when it comes out!




3.5 ⭐


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
EEEEEEEEK! My fave domestic suspense author!
I cant get enough of Shari's pen game!
I will be devouring it all weekend!
💛🤍💛🤍

[Teres [on hiatus] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listen, I don't care how gorgeous you are or how much money you stand to inherit.

If you're as stoooopid as this husband, I'm in Divorce Court lickety-split.

In Getting Away With Murder, Shari Lapena writes in a no-nonsense present-tense style built for speed.

Want sentences to savor? You're not gonna find them here.

This is plot-first storytelling.

There is no whodunit in this novel. Lapena hands you the killers before the first chapter even begins.

The only question is the one in the title: can they actually get away with it?

Granted, the pages practically turn themselves, but, be honest now, how many of you just wanted to slap Ted and Jill Westcott upside the head?

[Joey R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars— “Getting Away with Murder” is the tenth book by Shari Lapena that I have read. I am definitely a big fan of most of her books, but this one wasn’t even in the same ballpark as several of her most recent books. The book begins with Jill and Ted murdering Ted’s brother, Greg, by pushing him off of a boat. This is not a spoiler as this is literally revealed in the first 20 pages of the book. The book then settles into what the story really is about: the aftermath of living with the guilt of what you have done and the fear of being caught. The entire time I read this book I felt like I was reading the Keystone Cops’ version of “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allen Poe. Unfortunately, unlike “Tell-Tale” there was no real suspense or dread in this book, just a couple of shallow, bone-headed main characters who whine and cry to each other the entire book about the chances of their crime being discovered. They live their lives paranoid of everyone they come into contact with and when they do eventually get blackmailed by some unknown person(s) who planted hidden cameras in their house, they act like even bigger dolts in how they attempt to handle the situation. Another major problem with the book was that basically every friend, co-worker, family member and law enforcement officer not only suspected but knew Ted and Jill were guilty of murder within minutes of talking with them. Ted and Jill must be horrible people because nobody in their circle felt sorry for them in the loss of Ted’s brother —they just assumed they were guilty from the get-go because they were set to inherit most of his brother’s estate. I mean -surely there is a mailman or dog catcher that Ted and Jill (definitely not Bonnie and Clyde) could convince they didn’t do it and might feel sorry for them and stick up for them. Finally, the reactions of Ted and Jill to accusations of them being killers were painfully stupid. They accused multiple people who they believed to be hostile to them of blackmailing them regarding Greg’s death. This allowed multiple people who hated them to be able to infer that the two of them were guilty of killing him and somebody had the details of this on a recording or video. These accusations by Jill and Ted to multiple people of blackmailing them over what they said about Greg’s death could have been used by authorities to build a case of murder against them along with all of the other circumstantial evidence law enforcement had gathered. Color me not impressed with this mess of a book. I enjoy my criminals a lot smarter than Tweedle Ted and Jil Dumb.

[~ Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ & semicolons ~ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jill and Ted have blown through Ted's sizable inheritance, and while Ted makes good money as a financial analyst, he's made some bad choices lately. They may have to sell their beloved, remodeled, multi-million dollar brownstone.

What's a couple to do? Why murder Greg, Ted's brother, of course. Ted is Greg's only heir, and money solves all the things.

I can get behind unlikable characters, but they have to be interesting. Ted and Jill are not. Ted is a self-righteous idiot. Jill is whiney and delusional.

The story is repetitive and tedious. There are no twists or surprises. We spend a lot of time in Ted and Jill's heads as they bemoan possibly not getting away with murder and feel sorry for themselves.

Weirdly, the blackmailer who has evidence that Ted and Jill are killers gives up easily when the couple refuses to pony up. I was expecting something more to happen with that, but nope.

The takeaway is that money is the root of all evil, and deep inside we're all greedy bastards. Did we need nearly 400 pages to tell us that?

Lapena has written some bangers, but this isn't one of them.

P.S. My recommendations: Someone We Know, An Unwanted Guest, What Have You Done?, She Didn't See It Coming.

[Bo.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jill and Ted's financial woes have reached breaking point, and when Ted realises one wealthy family member could solve all of their problems, there's really only one logical solution... right? Commit murder, of course.

Well... what a pair of entitled brats these two were. Between Ted's narcissism and Jill's damsel-in-distress mentality, I lost count of the moments where I had to stop and woosah, otherwise my phone would've gone flying out the window.

The action kicks off from the opening chapter, and it isn't long before we're introduced to our lovely pair of schemers. It quickly becomes clear that Ted's financial mess is entirely self-inflicted after blowing through his inheritance. From there, shit officially hits the fan. Oh no!

Sass aside, I genuinely had a lot of fun with this one. At no point did I find myself underwhelmed or bored. Instead, I was completely invested in watching Ted and Jill's plan unravel and seeing whether they'd finally get what was coming for them. Once the wider cast started to come into play, I also began noticing the divide between the haves and have-nots. Even the map at the beginning of the book seemed to reinforce that, which I thought was a nice touch.

What I appreciated most, though, was that this isn't simply a story about whether someone can get away with murder. It's about what happens afterwards. Ted and Jill become so consumed by the idea that money will solve all of their problems that they never stop to consider what they'll actually be left with. As the saying goes, be careful what you wish for. Money might buy comfort, but it doesn't buy peace of mind, and watching Ted and Jill realise that was strangely satisfying.

If you enjoy domestic thrillers with morally questionable characters, plenty of dark humour, and watching terrible people dig themselves into an even deeper hole, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a go.

[Holly B · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS!!!!!! 🙌🙌🙌

So close, but for a few things I can't disclose due to spoilers.......

This was GOOD! Hard to put down, had me questioning everything, pointing fingers all over the place and BINGE worthy!

Pour a glass of wine and just question what the what is going down with Jill and Ted! 😲 Why do they feel they have to/ need to murder his brother? Are they really that self absorbed, cold-blooded? They already live in a lovely brownstone that is their dream home. It seems a bad investment has been made.

Well, brother Greg, has a fully equipped 36 foot boat named "Fortune Seeker" ⛵ Sleek, white and worth a small fortune. But he is uber wealthy so no worries. 😲

Greg has invited his brother Ted and wife Jill for a boat ride. Greg is such a show-off!!!!!!

They have their story ready, but will anyone PANIC??

Recommend to Lapena lovers and those who enjoy gasp worthy twists and unlikeable characters!


Thanks to NG for my ARC. Comes out July 28, 2026

[L A · Rating 4 out of 5]

"So when Ted’s inheritance runs out and he makes a bad investment, they panic. How can they protect their beloved home and enviable lifestyle?
The answer is obvious. Or at least, it is obvious to Jill and Ted. The death of one wealthy family member—from whom they stand to inherit millions—could solve all their problems. Together, they will get away with murder.
As long as they trust each other.
As long as neither makes a mistake.
As long as there are no surprises…"
Ted and Jill are two of the most despised characters I have read and greed and stupidity doesn't help. When Ted and Jill squander their inheritance in bad investments, they plan to kill Greg, a multi-millionaire and Ted's brother. In a boating "accident", Greg falls overboard, setting the stage for some chaotic events. With Agent Rameriez rocking their world with questioning antics, their neighbors suspecting them as murderers, the housekeeper and her son getting involved in the investigation and last, but not least, hidden cameras record their every word and move. When anonymous messages begin to come in, their paranoia does too. Excellent book, even if you do know who committed the crime, it's more about will they get caught or get away with murder?
Thank you NetGalley and Viking Penguin/Pamela Dorman Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Matthew · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am genuinely shocked that this was written by Shari Lapena it is not a good book at all.

The characters are so shallow and have nothing to them hardly any characterisation, I don’t mind books with unlikeable main characters but make them interesting.

If they had a better reason for the murder I may have found some enjoyment from it.

The end is just boring and has no satisfaction whatsoever.

I think the issue is when authors have to have a new book out every year they run out of ideas.

This could have been told in under 100 pages of had no substance to it all and feels outdated and reads like a first book not her tenth.

I genuinely hope that Sharis next boon is better as her books are usually a lot better than this.

[suspenseisthrillingme · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

Tense, fast-paced, and beyond fun, Getting Away With Murder was quite the delightfully twisted, well-executed cat-and-mouse game. From the wonderfully unlikeable main characters to their spiral of deliciously unhinged behavior, this perfectly plotted, suspense-filled whodunnit had just enough of a satirical edge to make me grin with delight. You see, the morally gray actions, underlying sense of paranoia, and buckling marriage came together with the scathing critique of the wealthy to produce a stunning new novel. Who doesn’t love a popcorn thriller-esque tale focused on rich people behaving badly, after all? Throw in a web of suffocating secrets, just-barely-hidden lies, greedy decisions, and oodles of suspects, and even I had a hard time working the twists out in time. Don’t get me wrong, this seasoned thriller lover ultimately did guess them all, but I still loved every single moment of Lapena’s newest unputdownable novel.

So what was my absolute favorite part of this one-sitting read? Well, between the juicy, ripped-from-the-headlines-ish vibe and the ever-present sensation that yet another shoe was going to drop, I ate up every word of this murder mystery-meets-domestic suspense combo. Bringing together the feel of both Ruth Ware and Lisa Jewell, the dysfunction was definitely alive and well. Steadily escalating in pace and complexity through a series of reversals, it wasn’t, however, until this wild ride was officially over that I could take it all in. And let me tell you—once I finally did—I found that I had a big, giant Cheshire Cat-like smile plastered all over my face. Ending in quite the satisfying way, I literally laughed out loud when I saw what this insanely talented author pulled off. So if you love binge-able stories filled with red herrings, scheming characters, and moral quandaries, grab this one now. It was a blast. Rating of 4.75 stars.

Read if you love the idea of:
- A Macbeth-like tale
- Morally gray characters
- Short chapters
- Deliciously unhinged behavior
- A web of lies
- Unlikeable protagonists
- A sense of paranoia
- Rich people behaving badly
- Multiple POVs
- Fast-paced plotting
- Domestic drama
- A popcorn thriller feel
- High stakes
- Cat-and-mouse games
- Multiple suspects
- Constant misdirection

SYNOPSIS:

Jill and Ted adore their New York brownstone the way others adore their children. They have carefully, expensively, made every inch of it their own. It reflects who they are, their status and tastes. With the grand mahogany staircase and state-of-the-art kitchen, it is the stuff of glossy magazines and real-estate dreams. It is their sanctuary.

So when Ted’s inheritance runs out and he makes a bad investment, they panic. How can they protect their beloved home and enviable lifestyle?

The answer is obvious. Or at least, it is obvious to Jill and Ted. The death of one wealthy family member—from whom they stand to inherit millions—could solve all their problems. Together, they will get away with murder.

As long as they trust each other.
As long as neither makes a mistake.
As long as there are no surprises…

Thank you Shari Lapena and Pamela Dorman Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

PUB DATE: July 28, 2026

Content warning: murder, death, threatening messages, blackmail, home invasion, violence, knife violence, mention of: cancer, pregnancy

[Dee (in the Desert) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 solid stars for Shari LaPena's latest release - and while not my absolute favorite of hers, I still found it pretty good - very quick & easy to read with short chapters and enough going on plot-wise to keep me engaged. The two MC's, Ted & Jill, are horrid people, but by design - the secondary characters felt a bit weak, though I liked Rameriez the investigator who just didn't quit, and I also felt that the brownstone was a character in it's own compelling way. Overall, just what I expect in a thriller & will be looking forward to her next book!

[manas · Rating 2 out of 5]

nothingburger.

[Jayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

➡️ What’s a couple to do when they’re drowning in debt?
Murder a wealthy relative for the inheritance, of course! What could go wrong?

➡️ Deliciously dark premise.
How fast can greed spiral out of control? Exposed are the unhinged lengths people will go for money.

➡️ Blistering speed.
Buckle your seatbelts! The pace of this tense, addictive "Rich People Behaving Badly" domestic thriller is lightning fast. Right from the dramatic opening, Lapena dials up the tension and keeps you gasping.

Yes, I easily guessed the ending, but even with my seatbelt buckled and the easy-to-predict outcome, I still enjoyed the ride.

➡️ Audiobook performance.
I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by powerhouse narrator January LaVoy.

Even though January LaVoy perfectly captured the anxiety, entitlement, and sheer desperation of the characters, the book unfolded from multiple POVs, and a multi-cast narration would have further elevated the listening experience.

➡️ Bonus Interview with the author.
I especially enjoyed the EOB author interview. Hearing Shari Lapena unpack her writing process and share insights into creating deeply flawed characters with moral dilemmas was icing on the cake.

In the interview, readers/listeners learn that this is the author's tenth thriller!

➡️ Keep 'em coming, Shari and January!
Looking forward to audiobook thriller #11!

[Karen Casale · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started off good but nothing really happened. Why should I care about a bunch of rich people getting richer? Where’s the story arc? Where’s the character growth and development?
The last third. Ugh! The ending ugh!

[Lisa B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well what can I say about this novel by Shari Lapena it was a quick paced popcorn 🍿 thriller that I couldn’t put down but. Did I like it not particularly the characters were so full of themselves it made me want to vomit 🤢 I detested everyone of them including Lara, plus there was no connection to affluent couple who had 45 million due to an inheritance through setting up a murder.


Jill & Ted Westcott were so despicable , their standing in the community meant nothing in my opinion they were gutter rats prying on other, I had scenarios in my head about the ending it wasn’t surprising I know I am not giving much away but these are my thoughts on how this book went the ending was flat I felt ripped off, not one of Shari’s better novels felt a bit fluffy for me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars.

[chantalsbookstuff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The story starts with Jill and Ted making a terrible decision because of their money problems, and from there everything keeps getting more stressful. I liked how the mystery wasn't just about the murder but also about who knew the truth and who was sending the frightening messages. There were plenty of suspicious characters, so I kept changing my mind about what was going to happen. The short chapters and fast pace made it an easy book to keep reading, and I finished it much quicker than I expected.

The ending wasn't as shocking as I hoped, but I still had a great time reading it. The characters weren't very likeable, but that actually worked well for this type of story because it made all the lies and secrets more interesting. This is definitely worth picking up.

[Melissa (Always Behind) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
This is probably my least favorite of this author's books. I didn't really like any of the characters and thought they were really dumb and so vain and petty. This isn't as much a mystery as a story of will they or won't they get away with it and who is stalking them.

Jill and Ted are in financial dire straits due to a series of bad investments made by Ted. They don't want to sacrifice their wealthy lifestyle, so they decide--hey, why not kill Ted's uber-rich brother and inherit his estate? Well, things go according to plan at first, and then everything goes off the rails.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by January LaVoy, and her narration was, as always, fantastic. Kept me listening when I probably would have skipped ahead in a print book to see what happened.

I was kind of expecting (hoping for?) a really good twist, but alas it did not occur. And I just really hated Jill and Ted. Horrors, you might have to mortgage your house? How awful. Guess we'll just commit murder instead, sounds like a much better option. I do anxiously look forward to Lapena's next book. Hopefully it will be back to the twisty thrillers I've come to enjoy.

[Alicia Dupuis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shari Lapena has always been a 4 and 5 star author for me, so I’m very disappointed to say that this one was a letdown. It didn’t feel like her writing style at all. The dialogue was very repetitive, the characters weren’t likable, and there were no big twists. The ending felt very abrupt, especially without the twists and turns we normally get from Shari.

Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the ARC!

[Shawnaci Schroeder · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5
This was a fast paced thriller you can easily finish in a day or two because the writing style makes you want to keep flipping through the pages! Wasn’t the biggest fan of the ending. Would have loved to have a few things wrapped up differently, but enjoyed the story overall and would recommend!!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I loved this one.

Ted and Jill Westcott have a beautiful Brooklyn home and an expensive lifestyle—but they’re secretly broke. When Ted’s wealthy brother refuses to bail them out, they make the perfectly reasonable decision to cut back on spending. Just kidding. They decide murder might be easier.

What follows is a wonderfully tense spiral of suspicion, blackmail, and paranoia as their supposedly perfect plan starts falling apart.

The foreshadowing was so well done. I kept thinking I knew where Lapena was taking the story, only to discover I was close…but not quite. Fast-paced, twisty, and genuinely hard to put down. Five stars!

[Lindsay L · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars!

A unique narrative for a suspenseful murder mystery plot! The mystery isn’t “who did it?”, instead it’s “do they get away with it?”

A husband and wife murder the husbands brother, hoping to inherit from his multimillion dollar estate. This scene is revealed in the Prologue, followed by chapters that go back in time to their planning of the murder. This was such a unique and clever method of plotting this tension-filled, suspenseful novel!

As with all of this authors books, this was fast-paced, twisty, addictive writing that had me hanging on every word. The main characters are highly unlikable but ones I loved to hate. Secondary characters are introduced throughout, each of them adding a layer of tension, animosity and intrigue. The chapters are short, making this easy to fly through.

My one tiny critique which had me take away a star was the second half included a few implausible elements. I don’t usually have this issue with her books so this was a slight disappointment but didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment.

I’ve read all of this authors books and have rated every book 4-5 stars. Although this would fall to the lower half of my list of ranking her books, I highly recommend it and hope you get a chance to meet these characters.

Thank you to the publisher for my review copy!

[Nazanin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

Ted inherited money from his father, but he has run through it more quickly than anticipated. And that is the problem. Things have been getting away from him badly. He can’t bear losing his wife, too. Without her, the love of his life, he would be no one. So, now what can they do? Can they murder Ted’s brother without anyone suspecting them? You should read and see…

Told in multiple POV, 3rd person, it can be read as a standalone novel. I’m a fan of this author and have read most of her books, but unfortunately, this one was a disappointment. I was waiting for at least one twist before the end, but nope, nada! And that ending was unsatisfying. Reading this book was like waiting the whole time for something that never happened. Overall, it was a bit let down but I hope you enjoy it more than me!

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder is an art form, to some. So is writing, and Lapena delivers consistently. The title pulls you in. The main characters are balanced with the story. A good change of pace in style but still super strong and rich with plot. What I loved most is you know the killer from the beginning, and it's more a case of will they get caught, or is there more to the story than readers realize!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly don’t know if I’ve ever disliked a couple as much as I disliked the one in this book. 😂 And somehow, I think that was the point. It didn’t necessarily detract from the story, but I found myself irrationally angry more times than I can count—especially at a system where the rich can seemingly do whatever they want, including murder, and face little to no consequences.

I can’t even say that I enjoyed this book, exactly, haha. But I was invested enough that I absolutely had to know how it would all turn out, which has to count for something.

This was a really difficult book for me to rate. I had a lot of feelings about it, most of them involving frustration and rage, but I also think that reaction was part of what made the story effective. Definitely not a favorite, but one I’ll probably keep thinking about.

Thank you to Net Galley and Viking Penguin for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

My least favorite from this author. I didn’t like the repetitive writing; didn’t have the twists that the author is good at. Always look forward to her books & that won’t change, but this wasn’t a winner for me.

[Jonetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

the setup…
Jill and Ted Westcott love their Brooklyn Heights brownstone and she has lavishly decorated it. He comes from wealth with a hefty inheritance and has a well paying job but, unknown to her, they are now almost broke due to some bad and risky investments. Mortgaging their home isn’t an option so of course the next best one is to murder his ultra wealthy, successful jerk older brother Greg using his own sailboat…right? Rich people are truly different.

the heart of the story…
There’s a reason why Greg bested his younger brother because Ted, while affable and likable, doesn’t have a modicum of common sense or strategic thinking. Jill’s more cunning than decisive but as a pair, these two stumble from one bad situation to the next as they attempt to get away with murder. The mindsets of the wealthy don't follow typical logic.

the narration…
Why have a full cast narration when you have January LaVoy? She’s my most favorite narrator and delivered another outstanding performance. Listen to the Q & A with Lapena at the end and you’ll understand why she’s the best in the business.

the bottom line…
It’s a solid psychological thriller and Ted and Jill aren’t alone in behaving badly. It’s slickly clever in its manipulation as there’s a dearth of heroes here but I had to often remind myself I wasn’t rooting for any of them. Despite not liking most of the characters, I was seriously hooked and had a great time. The ending? Perfect.

Posted on Blue Mood Café