Nothing ever happens in this sleepy small town—until now. A shocking murder has shattered the peace, and the quiet streets are buzzing with whispers. Who has done what to wake up this town? Everyone looks guilty. Every clue leads to a secret, a hidden motive, and a potential killer.

The pace is fast creating suspense that had me clicking the pages as fast as I could. The twists and turns were sharp, and I did not see this killer coming. While some of the clues didn’t quite add up or felt a little forced in tying the killer to the crime, like all of Shari Lapena's books it was enough to make it a thrilling read for me.

Shari Lapena has once again crafted a gripping thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. "What Have You Done" is a masterful blend of suspense, mystery, and psychological drama, earning it a well-deserved five-star rating.

The story revolves around the lives of two brothers, Paul and Liam, whose lives are turned upside down when a murder case hits too close to home. Paul, a decorated detective, and Liam, a forensic psychologist, find their familial bond tested as they navigate the treacherous waters of suspicion and deceit. The author’s ability to weave intricate plots and build tension is on full display here, as she expertly peels back the layers of family secrets, betrayal, and lies.

One of the novel's greatest strengths is its character development. Shari’s creates multi-dimensional characters who are deeply flawed yet relatable, making their struggles and triumphs all the more compelling. Paul, the elder brother, is portrayed as steadfast and reliable, yet burdened by the weight of past decisions and the pressure of his role in law enforcement. His internal conflicts and moral dilemmas add a rich depth to his character.

Liam, on the other hand, is a complex character whose expertise in understanding the human psyche is juxtaposed with his own personal insecurities and dark secrets. His journey throughout the novel is particularly engaging as he grapples with his past, his loyalty to his brother, and his own sense of right and wrong.

The supporting characters, including their families and colleagues, are also well-developed, each contributing to the overarching narrative in meaningful ways. Their interactions and relationships add layers of intrigue and emotional resonance to the story. Shari’s skillful depiction of these characters ensures that readers are emotionally invested in their fates, heightening the suspense and impact of the plot twists.

As the narrative unfolds, we are taken on a rollercoaster of emotions, questioning the characters' motivations and the truth behind the murder. The author’s writing is sharp and concise, with each chapter ending on a cliffhanger that compels you to keep reading. The pacing is relentless, and the twists and turns are both surprising and satisfying. Just when you think you've figured out the mystery, she throws in another curveball that keeps you guessing until the very end.

"What Have You Done" is not just a thriller; it's a deep dive into the complexities of family dynamics and the lengths to which people will go to protect their loved ones. Shari Lapena has crafted a story that is as thought-provoking as it is thrilling, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.

In conclusion, "What Have You Done" is a stellar example of Shari Lapena's talent for creating suspenseful, character-driven narratives. The rich character development, combined with the relentless pace and intricate plot, makes it a book that stays with you long after you've turned the last page. It's no surprise that it has earned a five-star rating.

I liked the alternating points of view, although it did get a little confusing at points throughout the novel. The pace was quick, the story was interesting, and I was able to guess who the killer was before the reveal.

I look forward to reading more of Shari Lapena's work in the future.

I loved this thriller, kept me guessing till the end. Shari is a wonderful psychological thriller writer and this new one from her was in line with the rest of her books as being a keep you guessing, and intrigued read

One of the better thrillers of 2024. What have you done keeps you guessing on who the killer is and if someone else is next. Told from multiple views, the story stays interesting and hard to put down. It’s overall a solid 4 star read, in my opinion.

I will warn that they do describe somethings in detail, so if a little bit of gore bothers you, you may want to skip over the description of the body at the beginning.

Question: Shari Lapena, What Have You Done?
Answer: You expertly created a layered thriller that manipulated my mind!

With ghost stories and graveyards in the opening paragraph and the incredibly descriptive imagery of a vulture ripping into flesh on page four -Lapena hauntingly sets the scene of a sleepy little Vermont town torn apart by the discovery of a young girls body in a farmers field!

I had convinced myself who the killer was so concretely, that I could not be swayed from my stance... so when the big reveal happened I was completely shocked! I loved that all the breadcrumbs were strewn about, making it so easy to hypothesize and finger point!

-high entertainment value
-small town drama
-atmospheric and gripping plot

I was on the edge of my seat the whole time!

Everyone is lying. Everyone is covering their tracks. Everyone is guilty of something.

What Have You Done?

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada and Doubleday Canada for the complimentary copy to read and review.

I found this book to be a strong start, I really enjoyed the character development but the ending was a little long winded and expected.

Another super fun and engaging book by one of my favorite authors. I always know I'm going to be drawn into one of her stories, and this one did not disappoint.

Diana, a 17 year old girl, is found murdered in a field in a small town. Who could have killed the beautiful, smart, popular girl? Was it her possessive boyfriend, Cameron? Was it her lecherous gym teacher? Or was it the creepy male customer at Home Depot who seemed to have a thing for Diana? As the investigation deepens, it comes to light that many had secrets, including Diana.

I've said it before and will say it again, this author knows how to write!! The story was incredibly suspenseful. I was gripping my Kindle in anticipation to find out who did it. Where this book lost a star was in its pacing. The start was a tad too drawn out with the end feeling rushed. There was also a paranormal component that could've been so much fun but wasn't executed quite right. It felt more like an afterthought than a necessary plot element.

However despite its shortcomings, I'm a fan of this book and author and absolutely cannot wait for her next one. I recommend this "easy to read and get swept into" mystery suspense thriller to others. It gripped me from the start.

A gracious thank you to #PenguinRandomHouse and #NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#WhatHaveYouDone

In typical Lapena fashion I was not sure who truly did it until the end. Oh I had guessed, and guessed again, but that’s niggle of doubt never left me. Honestly, it was still there when the killer was revealed 🤷‍♀️. That is why I keep coming back. Sometimes I “know” early on in the book, but there are enough trails to keep me going. I love that I can feel smart AND surprised!
The setting was so appropriate, noting creepier than a farm field in the dark. I have to admit for a while after reading this I may have driven a bit faster past cornfields at night 🤫
Having the ghostlike presence of the victim was very cool. It was great to get insider info in a way. I truly wish that we had heard more from Diana.

This book kept me wanting to read with its constantly switching narratives and unexpected twists and turns. Although the narratives switch quite often, Shari does a great job at identifying the character so you’re never left confused. The murder happens at the beginning of the book so you’ll find it hard to put down until you figure it out. Not necessarily my favourite by Shari, but I couldn’t put it down so that’s a sign of a captivating story.

When seventeen year old Diana Brewer’s body is found in a farmers field, her small town is shocked. Who would want to murder the popular teenager? As we follow the people who love her, and those connected to her case, we find out that everyone involved is keeping secrets, including Diana. This was a propulsive mystery, that kept me turning pages, eager to find out what happened. However, I will say the resolution was predictable, I had guessed what happened about halfway through. Despite that, I found it to be a quick, enjoyable read. I would recommend this one to those who are new to the mystery thriller genre.

Shari Lapena is always a solid read for me and yay for another Canadian author that the grades 12s can draw from for their English A independent reading. Short chapters that encourage you to read just one more, a cast of characters and a multitude of suspects (although I was pretty sure who the killer would be, and I rarely get it right),

This was a solid mystery although I do wonder about the multitude of books I’ve read lately with men behaving badly. Aside from the farmer who found the body, are any of the male chapters in this book likeable? The one misstep I think the author made was what happened to the victim the night before the murder. That whole scenario seemed very implausible.

I enjoyed the paranormal aspect, which is saying a lot, because normally I wouldn’t touch that with a ten-foot pole.

This was a great book! Perfect for spooky season!
I liked how anyone could have been a suspect. So many people had secrets that could have led to Diana's death.
Everyone had something to hide.
It was also interesting that a big theme was women's vulnerability in society.
Women don't come forward about being assaulted or even being made to feel uncomfortable because they are scared no one will believe them.
Women are objects of desire.
Women are made to be controlled.
Maybe Diana would have been alive if people didn't treat women this way.
It was very interesting to have these themes so prevalent in a thriller.
I had a feeling from the start who the killer was but i liked seeing the different motives the other characters had.
This was definitely a great book and I would reccomend it!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book. I found What Have you Done, which is Shari Lapena's latest thriller, to be a satisfying read. The story revolves around a local teen named Diana Brewer who is found dead in a field. The author gives us a fresh twist from her usual style by making one of the characters perspectives as Diana herself. Yes, that's right, Diana, as a ghost. But it doesn't come off corny or cheesy. It adds to the mystery. The police think they have a good suspect in one of Diana's teachers, but could it be the creepy man that visited her at her job? Or is it Diana's boyfriend, who even their friends think might have done it?? The author does a good job keeping the final reveal a mystery until near the end. Nicely done.

Unfortunately, this was not my favourite Shari Lapena book, but the mystery was still good. I just had a hard time connecting to any of the characters and could not get invested in the story. I did not have any problem continuing to read the book until it was finished.

Thanks to NetGalley and Pamela Dorman Books for the opportunity to read this book!

First off a big thank you to NetGalley and Pamela Dorman Books for the ARC!

This thriller/mystery had me guessing until the end. There were a whole lot of POVs which got a bit crazy but did keep me on my toes storyline wise.
Wasn’t a huge fan of the paranormal aspect but that’s my preference, I feel like it didn’t mesh well.

Overall 3/5⭐️

I’ve seen mixed reviews for this one but I definitely enjoyed it . Was it somewhat predictable ? Sure . But I like the small town setting and the multiple POVs. I do wish there was more from the ghost’s perspective

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this novel for review purposes.

I am a Shari Lapena fan and eagerly signed up to read this novel. I was not disappointed!

The plot is as twisty as any of Lapena's other books but, as expected, it is so well written and so intriguing that I felt that I was taking the ride with the characters, not just watching from the sidelines.

This novel was full of plausible characters fully developed and I found myself relating with more than one of them.

I can't wait for the next novel from Shari Lapena

small town murder had has me guessing at every turn. On the edge of my seat trying to figure out the who how and when of this twisty domestic thriller… binge worthy page turner! Loved it!

✨ Publication date: July 30, 2024✨

What Have You Done is a mystery/Thriller written by Shari Lapena. This story takes place in a small town in Vermont where the body of a naked teenage girl is found on a rural farm.

This starts an investigation in the sleepy small town to determine who is responsible for the killing a beloved local teen. This is a multiple POV book as several potential suspects and other side characters (including the ghost of the murdered girl) piece together what happened that night and who is responsible.

As small town secrets come to light the town tries to come to terms with who is responsible for the murder. The twists and turns of this book were incredible. There were a lot of characters and several weren’t very likeable but ultimately this was a great book! This is a 4.5 star book for me!

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#NetGalley #sharilapena #whathaveyoudone