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Getting Away with Murder
The tenth thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of The Couple Next Door
“Shari Lapena is far and away one of the best psychological thriller writers in the world. . . She is intensely bingeable.” —Lisa Jewell
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…
“Shari Lapena is far and away one of the best psychological thriller writers in the world. . . She is intensely bingeable.” —Lisa Jewell
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…
10 pages, Audible Audio
First published July 28, 2026
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August 24, 2026
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⭐⭐⭐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.
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.
August 4, 2026
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!
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!
August 7, 2026
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.
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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
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
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 $$$. like, commit murder 😳 but can they get away with it?
i was so hooked the entire time and couldnt wait to see what would happen and how they’d get out of so much trouble LOL. loved all the red herrings in this one and how the neighborhood started to get involved… it had plenty of twists and turns along the way to keep me invested and i couldn’t figure it out.
did i mention the chapters were like 3-5 pages? absolutely loooove a thriller with short chapters. makes binging so easy (i read this in 2 sittings by the pool!)
my one issue is i wish there was one BIG twist and maybe i wanted a bit more of a sinister ending, but overall there’s so much to enjoy about this one.
TLDR; make this your summer thriller binge by the pool or on the beach!
PS: one of the best audio narrators does the audiobook, so check it out if that’s your vibe! i read it and enjoyed it.
thanks to Viking for the early copy :)
i absolutely loooove a neighborhood thriller / family thriller and this has both. one of my fave books of hers is NOT A HAPPY FAMILY and this felt very similar to me. a husband and wife are in serious money trouble and do something shocking to get $$$. 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 :)
August 2, 2026
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!
Review of advance copy
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!
💛🤍💛🤍
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!
💛🤍💛🤍
August 4, 2026
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?
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?
August 11, 2026
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.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2026
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.
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.
August 4, 2026
"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.
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.
July 28, 2026
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!
August 4, 2026
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.
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.
August 21, 2026
➡️ 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!
August 2, 2026
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.
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.
August 14, 2026
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!!
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!!
February 5, 2026
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!
The last third. Ugh! The ending ugh!
June 13, 2026
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!
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the ARC!
August 4, 2026
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.
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.
August 13, 2026
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!
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!
August 15, 2026
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
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
Currently Reading
August 31, 2026some of her books are hella hit or miss...
wish me luck with this.
wish me luck with this.
July 22, 2026
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.
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.
August 21, 2026
3.75 stars
I’ve read all of Shari Lapena’s thrillers and I’d rank GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER right around the middle. It’s an entertaining, page turner but by the end you can’t help but shrug your shoulders and feel slightly disappointed. The journey was great but the destination, not so much.
The story kicks off in style for all of us who love devious, unlikable characters in thrillers. Married couple, Ted and Jill, are on a boat with Ted’s brother, Greg. Apparently it’s been decided Greg needs to die and he’s shoved off the boat. We are then shown everything leading up to that moment and then the aftermath.
I read this book over the weekend when I was feeling stressed and needed a nice distraction. These selfish characters actually made me feel better. Wouldn’t want to interact with them in real life but man, I got a kick out of watching them stress over the situation they created. There are some surprises along the way but it lacked a mind blowing conclusion. It’s the weak spot in what was otherwise a good read.
I’ve read all of Shari Lapena’s thrillers and I’d rank GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER right around the middle. It’s an entertaining, page turner but by the end you can’t help but shrug your shoulders and feel slightly disappointed. The journey was great but the destination, not so much.
The story kicks off in style for all of us who love devious, unlikable characters in thrillers. Married couple, Ted and Jill, are on a boat with Ted’s brother, Greg. Apparently it’s been decided Greg needs to die and he’s shoved off the boat. We are then shown everything leading up to that moment and then the aftermath.
I read this book over the weekend when I was feeling stressed and needed a nice distraction. These selfish characters actually made me feel better. Wouldn’t want to interact with them in real life but man, I got a kick out of watching them stress over the situation they created. There are some surprises along the way but it lacked a mind blowing conclusion. It’s the weak spot in what was otherwise a good read.
July 30, 2026
Happy Publication Day!
Jill and Ted Westcott aim to pull off the perfect murder—but everything quickly spirals out of control. When Ted's financial troubles threaten their luxurious lifestyle together, he and his wife Jill devise what seems like a foolproof plan: murder a wealthy family member and wait to inherit his estate. But things inevitably go wrong—and a gripping game of cat and mouse unfolds with players you can't trust.
Getting Away with Murder is an addictive, page-turning thriller. Some scenes are hilariously absurd, and the tension builds with each complication. When you think things can't get worse, they do; a shocking twist made me gasp out loud, wondering how they'd dig themselves out of this mess. What stood out most was the undeniable unreliability of every character; each one hides a secret — you can't trust anyone — which creates a compelling cat-and-mouse atmosphere.
Getting Away with Murder is a thriller packed with suspense and twists at every turn. The pacing is razor-sharp, and the tension is relentless. The short chapters kept me eagerly turning pages late into the night. I couldn't put it down; I had to see how it all ended. I devoured this book over a weekend. If you enjoy fast-paced, twist-laden thrillers with morally grey, complex characters, plenty of suspense, and humour along the way, I strongly recommend adding this to your TBR list.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the ARC in exchange for an honest review—all opinions are my own.
Jill and Ted Westcott aim to pull off the perfect murder—but everything quickly spirals out of control. When Ted's financial troubles threaten their luxurious lifestyle together, he and his wife Jill devise what seems like a foolproof plan: murder a wealthy family member and wait to inherit his estate. But things inevitably go wrong—and a gripping game of cat and mouse unfolds with players you can't trust.
Getting Away with Murder is an addictive, page-turning thriller. Some scenes are hilariously absurd, and the tension builds with each complication. When you think things can't get worse, they do; a shocking twist made me gasp out loud, wondering how they'd dig themselves out of this mess. What stood out most was the undeniable unreliability of every character; each one hides a secret — you can't trust anyone — which creates a compelling cat-and-mouse atmosphere.
Getting Away with Murder is a thriller packed with suspense and twists at every turn. The pacing is razor-sharp, and the tension is relentless. The short chapters kept me eagerly turning pages late into the night. I couldn't put it down; I had to see how it all ended. I devoured this book over a weekend. If you enjoy fast-paced, twist-laden thrillers with morally grey, complex characters, plenty of suspense, and humour along the way, I strongly recommend adding this to your TBR list.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the ARC in exchange for an honest review—all opinions are my own.
July 29, 2026
4.5 Stars
Always love a good Shari Lapena novel.
This book is all about choices. The two MCs in this book seem to make the worst decisions.
These decisions ripple into everyone elses lives.
Ted and Jill have just committed murder hoping for a huge inheritance.
Things don't work out as planned when they find out someone might know what they did.
This turns into paranoia, lies and more murder.
I love a good novel of " What a tangled web we weave.....
Always love a good Shari Lapena novel.
This book is all about choices. The two MCs in this book seem to make the worst decisions.
These decisions ripple into everyone elses lives.
Ted and Jill have just committed murder hoping for a huge inheritance.
Things don't work out as planned when they find out someone might know what they did.
This turns into paranoia, lies and more murder.
I love a good novel of " What a tangled web we weave.....
August 17, 2026
Full Disclosure - I have read all nine of Shari Lapena’s previous psychological thrillers and enjoyed each of their emotionally charged explorations of our willingness to commit crime and murder because it provides an escape and respite from my own life. They are like reading true crime fiction of the rich, lonely, and desperate.
Truth be told, I have come to believe that a Shari Lapena book should read in the manner of peeling a savored sweet fruit, so I only share enough of the opening chapters to give you enough of a taste to kicks things off in what will be a 300-page plus storm of psychological drama and turmoil that will wrap you brain sideways. As in her prior novels, Lapena attacks with your views and perceptions in a multi-layered story of lies, secrets, deception, personal perspectives triggered by the irrational decision of a wealthy couple who decide that they must kill a family member in order to inherit his estate and protect what they have. Why, you ask, would they do this if they are already wealthy. Well, the answer is simple. They’ve spent most of their nest egg over time, and the husband just lost money in the stock market that he couldn’t afford to lose. Desperate times, baby, desperate times.
This year, Lapena delivers another mentally and emotionally twisted thriller - “Getting Away With Murder” - that leaves you feeling like you can bever trust your family, friends, and neighbors again. This is what Lapena does best. She psychology hits her characters with doubts and fears about those they know and love the most, and then uses the strongest of emotional torture techniques to make them try to cover and hide their innermost secrets and actions. Can you imagine having Lapena for a neighbor. I would want to keep my distance from her incredible imagination for creating crime fiction. She would have me doubting my spouse, family members, friends, and co-workers, regardless of how long I’ve known them. After talking with her, I would find myself questioning those closest to me as well as my strongest friendships.
The setting of “Getting Away With Murder” takes place in New York City, where Jill and Ted Wescott live happily in their fully remodeled and beautifully large upper-class brownstone condominium. Ted works at a prestigious investment firm and Jill in an art gallery, with hopes of owning her own someday. They have no children, and strongly desire not to have any. They’re living their best lives in their dream home.
That is until things turn bad. Jill likes to spend a lot of money, and they’ve been steadily working their way through Ted’s inheritance from his parents who passed away years ago. Then Ted takes a risk to replenish it by taking money from a loan shark to invest in a sure thing, that turns out to be a bust. A big bust. Now, Ted has to figure out to protect their beloved home and upscale lifestyle that Jill has become accustomed to.
There doesn’t seem to be an acceptable way out for them to take (it’s to be so hard for rich people in Lapena’s books to see things as clearly as they could). After Ted’s really rich and successful brother, Greg, turns them down just to be mean, an idea takes spark and Ted realizes there is a way out. One that will not only get them out of trouble, but also set them up with even more money for the future. How does he get Jill to consider this plan? Before he knows it, she comes to the same conclusion on her own. Because their parents are already passed on, and Greg just went through a bitter filled divorce battle, Ted is Greg’s only heir. As a matter of fact, Greg has told his brother that his approximate business and investment holdings valued at approximately $45 million will be Ted’s if he were to die.
The answer is obvious. Jill and Ted can solve all of their problems if Greg were to have an unfortunate accident. If they are fully committed to this action and each other, it can be simple. They can get away with murder…
Can it be that simple? Not in any Shari Lapena novel, that’s for sure.
Lapena changes things up a bit in this one, by flipping the mystery upside down; instead of trying to figure out who a killer is, she focuses on the point of view of those trying to commit a murder and get away with it. It certainly made things interesting. We get to watch things fall apart, one step and one moment at a time like peeling an onion and watching the tears fall slowly down your cheeks. We witness the intense eruption of human emotions like betrayel of trust, envy, greed, fear, and the need to protect our most inner secrets and our physical safety. Laena provides us the opportunity to look within our own weaknesses and impulses in ways that is wickedly escapist (because it’s not us, and we would never do such a thing), gripping, and intensely provocative. It is Lapena’s modern day version of Shakespeare’s classic couple – Macbeth and Lady Macbeth – reimagined in the world of the rich where greed and morality can be rationalized away. The great question to be answered is can you really live with it?
As with all of her books, this is one of the fastest and easiest 329 pages you will ever experience, using short chapters and movie script scenes to tell the story. I read it in pretty much 24 hours without any sense of rushing. Fans of Lapena’s formula driven and character study writing style will be happy with this one, finding it to be a mind-candy summer escape from reality.
For me, reading Lapena novels is like watching the contestants fall apart on the Survivor TV show. When bad things happen, individuals become worried, panicked, and lose trust in those around them. In Lapena’s case, this includes family, friends, and those we think we love. We go to extremes, panic, and do stupid things that we regret, because we lose control of our emotional state. In essence, we become our worst selves.
This is why Lapena’s novels have been such compelling thrillers for a lot us. She takes family type situations, throws in some emotionally stunning mystery related event like murder or disappearance, and then we watch as the characters involved have their public personas stripped away and their deepest secrets revealed in the solving of the mystery. In essence, we see the worst parts of our inner selves come to light, proving that we are own worst enemies.
Lapena focuses on human behavior and emotion to tell her stories, and for the most part she makes it work by drawing us in the same way driving by a gruesome car wreck demands our visual attention.
Other things I liked. Let’s start with Lapena’s writing style. It’s straight-forward, focused on the characters, their thoughts and emotions. There’s not any fluff or overly descriptive use of language to disrupt the flow of the story. Rather, Lapena focuses her attention on how the characters respond to the mystery and the conflict it creates for them on a personal level. Everyone has a secret and a reason to be seen as guilty, and Lapena uses that as her secret sauce to keep you invested from the beginning, throughout all of the twists and turns, and climactic reveal at the end. She turned the simple into complex, combining human weaknesses and psychological behaviors into a mesmerizing reading experience.
The one thing that I didn’t enjoy this time out was that I felt a bit empty with where the ending was headed and its delivery. I know that we are accustomed to twists being delivered at the end of her novels. There was a decent amount of build-up, and the plot twists were coming pretty fast from both the left and the right, keeping you on your toes and guessing. However, this was felt more predictive than normal for her. As we got to the last third of the book, I could only see two possible outcomes, and neither one excited me. I worried the climax might be rather underwhelming, and I had a decent idea of where Lapena was headed with the storylines and why. It turned out that I was guessing it correctly, but the ending felt a bit more like a whimper than the climactic payoff I was hoping for.
Now, being honest, that just may be me. I looked on Amazon and Goodreads, and the general feedback from most readers are very positive in their reviews and ratings, which I was glad to see. I love it when others enjoy a book as much as I do, or even more than I do. I am an equal opportunity reader.
For me, and this is going to sound a bit conflicting, I think it was the right ending. I just didn’t like it as much, and I am pretty sure that was what Lapena was seeking for me to feel as a reader. That Shakespearian Macbeth tragedy morality playing out in thriller fiction. Sometimes, we don’t get the ending we want, but we know in our hearts, it was the right ending. The correct ending. One that delivers the thematic message intended by the author. I know that because I will remember this novel longer in my memory because of that outcome.
That’s my two cents and I am sticking with it. 3.5 stars for me (and yes, Goodreads sucks with rounding…).
Truth be told, I have come to believe that a Shari Lapena book should read in the manner of peeling a savored sweet fruit, so I only share enough of the opening chapters to give you enough of a taste to kicks things off in what will be a 300-page plus storm of psychological drama and turmoil that will wrap you brain sideways. As in her prior novels, Lapena attacks with your views and perceptions in a multi-layered story of lies, secrets, deception, personal perspectives triggered by the irrational decision of a wealthy couple who decide that they must kill a family member in order to inherit his estate and protect what they have. Why, you ask, would they do this if they are already wealthy. Well, the answer is simple. They’ve spent most of their nest egg over time, and the husband just lost money in the stock market that he couldn’t afford to lose. Desperate times, baby, desperate times.
This year, Lapena delivers another mentally and emotionally twisted thriller - “Getting Away With Murder” - that leaves you feeling like you can bever trust your family, friends, and neighbors again. This is what Lapena does best. She psychology hits her characters with doubts and fears about those they know and love the most, and then uses the strongest of emotional torture techniques to make them try to cover and hide their innermost secrets and actions. Can you imagine having Lapena for a neighbor. I would want to keep my distance from her incredible imagination for creating crime fiction. She would have me doubting my spouse, family members, friends, and co-workers, regardless of how long I’ve known them. After talking with her, I would find myself questioning those closest to me as well as my strongest friendships.
The setting of “Getting Away With Murder” takes place in New York City, where Jill and Ted Wescott live happily in their fully remodeled and beautifully large upper-class brownstone condominium. Ted works at a prestigious investment firm and Jill in an art gallery, with hopes of owning her own someday. They have no children, and strongly desire not to have any. They’re living their best lives in their dream home.
That is until things turn bad. Jill likes to spend a lot of money, and they’ve been steadily working their way through Ted’s inheritance from his parents who passed away years ago. Then Ted takes a risk to replenish it by taking money from a loan shark to invest in a sure thing, that turns out to be a bust. A big bust. Now, Ted has to figure out to protect their beloved home and upscale lifestyle that Jill has become accustomed to.
There doesn’t seem to be an acceptable way out for them to take (it’s to be so hard for rich people in Lapena’s books to see things as clearly as they could). After Ted’s really rich and successful brother, Greg, turns them down just to be mean, an idea takes spark and Ted realizes there is a way out. One that will not only get them out of trouble, but also set them up with even more money for the future. How does he get Jill to consider this plan? Before he knows it, she comes to the same conclusion on her own. Because their parents are already passed on, and Greg just went through a bitter filled divorce battle, Ted is Greg’s only heir. As a matter of fact, Greg has told his brother that his approximate business and investment holdings valued at approximately $45 million will be Ted’s if he were to die.
The answer is obvious. Jill and Ted can solve all of their problems if Greg were to have an unfortunate accident. If they are fully committed to this action and each other, it can be simple. They can get away with murder…
Can it be that simple? Not in any Shari Lapena novel, that’s for sure.
Lapena changes things up a bit in this one, by flipping the mystery upside down; instead of trying to figure out who a killer is, she focuses on the point of view of those trying to commit a murder and get away with it. It certainly made things interesting. We get to watch things fall apart, one step and one moment at a time like peeling an onion and watching the tears fall slowly down your cheeks. We witness the intense eruption of human emotions like betrayel of trust, envy, greed, fear, and the need to protect our most inner secrets and our physical safety. Laena provides us the opportunity to look within our own weaknesses and impulses in ways that is wickedly escapist (because it’s not us, and we would never do such a thing), gripping, and intensely provocative. It is Lapena’s modern day version of Shakespeare’s classic couple – Macbeth and Lady Macbeth – reimagined in the world of the rich where greed and morality can be rationalized away. The great question to be answered is can you really live with it?
As with all of her books, this is one of the fastest and easiest 329 pages you will ever experience, using short chapters and movie script scenes to tell the story. I read it in pretty much 24 hours without any sense of rushing. Fans of Lapena’s formula driven and character study writing style will be happy with this one, finding it to be a mind-candy summer escape from reality.
For me, reading Lapena novels is like watching the contestants fall apart on the Survivor TV show. When bad things happen, individuals become worried, panicked, and lose trust in those around them. In Lapena’s case, this includes family, friends, and those we think we love. We go to extremes, panic, and do stupid things that we regret, because we lose control of our emotional state. In essence, we become our worst selves.
This is why Lapena’s novels have been such compelling thrillers for a lot us. She takes family type situations, throws in some emotionally stunning mystery related event like murder or disappearance, and then we watch as the characters involved have their public personas stripped away and their deepest secrets revealed in the solving of the mystery. In essence, we see the worst parts of our inner selves come to light, proving that we are own worst enemies.
Lapena focuses on human behavior and emotion to tell her stories, and for the most part she makes it work by drawing us in the same way driving by a gruesome car wreck demands our visual attention.
Other things I liked. Let’s start with Lapena’s writing style. It’s straight-forward, focused on the characters, their thoughts and emotions. There’s not any fluff or overly descriptive use of language to disrupt the flow of the story. Rather, Lapena focuses her attention on how the characters respond to the mystery and the conflict it creates for them on a personal level. Everyone has a secret and a reason to be seen as guilty, and Lapena uses that as her secret sauce to keep you invested from the beginning, throughout all of the twists and turns, and climactic reveal at the end. She turned the simple into complex, combining human weaknesses and psychological behaviors into a mesmerizing reading experience.
The one thing that I didn’t enjoy this time out was that I felt a bit empty with where the ending was headed and its delivery. I know that we are accustomed to twists being delivered at the end of her novels. There was a decent amount of build-up, and the plot twists were coming pretty fast from both the left and the right, keeping you on your toes and guessing. However, this was felt more predictive than normal for her. As we got to the last third of the book, I could only see two possible outcomes, and neither one excited me. I worried the climax might be rather underwhelming, and I had a decent idea of where Lapena was headed with the storylines and why. It turned out that I was guessing it correctly, but the ending felt a bit more like a whimper than the climactic payoff I was hoping for.
Now, being honest, that just may be me. I looked on Amazon and Goodreads, and the general feedback from most readers are very positive in their reviews and ratings, which I was glad to see. I love it when others enjoy a book as much as I do, or even more than I do. I am an equal opportunity reader.
For me, and this is going to sound a bit conflicting, I think it was the right ending. I just didn’t like it as much, and I am pretty sure that was what Lapena was seeking for me to feel as a reader. That Shakespearian Macbeth tragedy morality playing out in thriller fiction. Sometimes, we don’t get the ending we want, but we know in our hearts, it was the right ending. The correct ending. One that delivers the thematic message intended by the author. I know that because I will remember this novel longer in my memory because of that outcome.
That’s my two cents and I am sticking with it. 3.5 stars for me (and yes, Goodreads sucks with rounding…).
August 12, 2026
The book was twisty and unpredictable, which I like and appreciate. My biggest problem was I didn’t the plot once I got into it (summary was good). I couldn’t connect with any of the characters. Not one of them was likeable for me. And I found the whole book rather boring. But don’t give up on this author because she is normally a 4 to 5 star read for me!
July 29, 2026
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.
August 31, 2026
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!
August 19, 2026
Tim and Jill Westcott seem to have it all. He comes from money and had a large inheritance. They upgrade a beautiful Brooklyn Heights Brownstone and money seems to be limitless. Jill is proud she has married Tim and loves money more than anything else. Tim idealizes Jill and wants to give her all she wants and well she likes many things. Then, Tim gets himself into some financial trouble and can’t think of any other solution then to kill his brother, Greg and make it seem like a boating accident. Greg has an enormous amount of money and Ted is his only family member. So, you are aware of this from the start. Tim and Jill are involved in this Murder.
What will that mean? Can they pull it off? Both think so and if so will be forever happy. Friends and having Children are not ideals for them. Then they start getting anonymous Texts saying there is proof of what they did. They are not the only greedy ones. Trying to figure who is involved is satisfying. So, this is a fast paced thriller, but in reverse. You know the killers, and don’t like them, but can’t stop reading to find out how it will end up. Who else is involved? Blackmail will be involved. So, there are some great twists in here. I was surprised by the ending, quite depraved and did not see it coming. Yet, does money really buy happiness? Read on to find out. I certainly did.
Thank you NetGalley and Pamela Dorman Books for a copy of this book. I always leave reviews of books I read.
What will that mean? Can they pull it off? Both think so and if so will be forever happy. Friends and having Children are not ideals for them. Then they start getting anonymous Texts saying there is proof of what they did. They are not the only greedy ones. Trying to figure who is involved is satisfying. So, this is a fast paced thriller, but in reverse. You know the killers, and don’t like them, but can’t stop reading to find out how it will end up. Who else is involved? Blackmail will be involved. So, there are some great twists in here. I was surprised by the ending, quite depraved and did not see it coming. Yet, does money really buy happiness? Read on to find out. I certainly did.
Thank you NetGalley and Pamela Dorman Books for a copy of this book. I always leave reviews of books I read.
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