Shari Lapena keeps you guessing till the very last page

Gripping plot twists, multiple points of view,and short snappy chapters this book is an absolute thrill ride.

Read if you like
Small town crimes
Teenage drama
Spooky vibes
Bingeworthy reads

Available July 30/2024

Copy and pasted review below from Goodreads- third attempt to submit feedback for this book, bug error fixed and I’m happy to report: PHENOMENAL, long awaited release that didn’t let me down. Honoured to receive an ARC for a book that I would have raced to my local bookstore to purchase the day it releases.
Like many who devour Shari Lapenas reliably enthralling contemporary/domestic thrillers the moment theyre published, it without a doubt scratched an itch I’m sure everyone who’s been waiting for her next novel to land on shelves & audiobooks were dying to scratch

-goodreads copy and paste-ARC review! It’s been awhile since I sat and read a book with my eyes, lol (I’ve been inhaling audiobooks like tic tacs lately) but thanks to penguin random audio house & NetGalley I got cozy and ABSOLUTELY BLEW THROUGH THIS BOOK today.

Overall thoughts? Another Reliable Shari Lapena novel - always worth a read. was easily digested and reminded me of reading the couple next door, mostly because I was new to the genre years back and it kept my wheels spinning -
I had it all figured out early, but it’s a breezy read, and id definitely recommend it to anyone who isn’t completely sunken into thriller-esqe or for those of us who’s tbr list is feeling daunting it was a great popcorn read that didnt feel like AI wrote it compared to most popcorn palate cleanser reads

This was such a quick read and I loved the small town setting! I did enjoy the story, but I felt like there were too many POVs to keep track of. Although some of the perspectives were interesting (including the ghost of the victim), I found that a lot of them were unnecessary and I spent a lot of time trying to keep track of the POVs since they switched so frequently. I didn’t find the twists overly surprising, but it did keep me guessing throughout since there are so many suspicious characters. Overall, it’s definitely an enjoyable thriller, but I wish it focused on fewer characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Canada for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5/5
I really enjoyed the multiple POV for the telling of this story. The continuous switching between characters definitely helped to keep the intrigue alive. I found myself constantly changing my mind about who I thought killed Diana Brewer. Almost everyone a suspect. The twist at the end got me pretty good, but I can’t help but feel a little disappointed with how things were wrapped up.

A popular high school student is found murdered in a sleepy little town. This novel discusses the impact of the murder on the town. The events leading up to and resulting from the murder are told from the viewpoint of town residents including the victim’s close friends.

This novel was a compelling and fast read. The underbelly of small town living is brought to the forefront and I was equally horrified/fascinated by the secrets revealed. In the end I couldn’t put it down and read it one setting. Its filled with suspense, sprinkled with red herrings and has a twisty ending that kept me thinking about the book long after it was read.

Many thanks to the publisher and authors for providing me with an ARC of this novel. All of the opinions offered in this review are my own.

Nothing ever happens in Fairhill, Vermont. It is the kind of predictable town that people move to for its safety, and small town community vibes where everyone knows everyone else. Until Diana Brewer is found dead in a hayfield.

Now the whole town suspects one another, and no one can be sure who is hiding a terrible murderous side. Diana's boyfriend, Diana's best friend and even the ghosts in the graveyard are suspicious of one another. It is one of those books who reminds us that you never really know anyone, especially your neighbours and those you trust.

What Have You Done is a fast paced, binge-worthy thriller that kept me guessing throughout! I'm terrible at guessing the twists and turns in thrillers so this one kept me on my toes, and was something I inhaled in record time! I found the end left me a little bit disappointed as there were a few plot lines that I felt weren't completely wrapped up. My second Shari Lapena read, and an author I would come back to in the future for a light summery thriller!

What Have You Done? was a massive disappointment from an author whose earlier books felt fresh and exciting.

The sleepy town of Fairhill, Vermont is surrounded by lush farmland, and one Friday morning the body of a girl turns up in one of those farmer’s fields. There couldn’t be a less likely place for a murder to happen, and there couldn’t be a more unlikely victim. Everyone loved Diana Brewer. Now, everyone is a suspect.

From the opening scene, the book showed a lot of promise. Unfortunately, the first scene was the high point and it all went down hill from there.

I have no idea how this town could be described as a place where nothing ever happens, when it is chock full of predatory males.

We get the point of view of just about every character in the book, including the dead girl’s voice from the beyond the grave with chunks of her memory gone. I’m tempted to say that’s where this book lost me, but I checked out around the quarter way mark when I picked out the murderer.

The last line was so bad it made me cringe. The worrying thing is that I think it was intended to be clever.

Oh, and the title felt like it was picked at random.

Shari Lapena is known for fast-paced, propulsive plots, told through multiple points of view in the present tense, with tons of despicable characters. This one was no different. It is very thriller-y. I think a lot of fans of her books will love it. This fan, however, did not.

An Unwanted Guest and The Couple Next Door are two books of hers I enjoyed enough to read more than once.

It’s a privilege to get to read books ahead of their release date. Thank you to the publisher who provided me with a copy of What Have You Done? through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5

I’d never read a Shari Lapena book, so I wasn’t prepared to be as engrossed in the book as I was.

This book tackles some major themes: parenting, teenage struggles, and sexual abuse. There is a sense of hopelessness for all the parents who seem to be onlookers in their children’s lives, and as a parent, I found this to be profoundly sad. Nevertheless, this book is a page-turner, and fans of mystery novels should definitely consider reading it. I was impressed by the author’s understanding of the demographic she’s writing about. It shows in the way she carefully presents relatable characters and gives us insight into their thoughts.

I should say I’m immensely grateful for how the author spares the reader the gory details of sexual abuse. Rather than spotlight it, she gives it a momentary gaze.

I wished the culprit's character had been well developed so that we could accept that this seemingly nice person had such sudden, psychopathic tendencies. I also wished that some explanation was given to help us understand how the ghost could be confused about her own killer. This loophole makes everything we’ve heard/read from this character questionable. For these reasons, my rating is .5 lower.

All in all, I highly recommend this book to parents/guardians of teenagers and preteens and to everyone who's looking for a good mystery novel.

Shari Lapena’s What Have You Done? is a fast-paced thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The story centers on a couple, the Pine’s, who are reeling from a tragic accident involving their teenage daughter, which sets off a chain of events leading to dark family secrets and unexpected twists.
Lapena has a knack for creating suspenseful plots, and this book is no exception. The way she gradually unravels the mystery behind the accident and the characters' hidden motives is gripping. The pacing is spot-on, making it hard to put the book down as new revelations and twists keep coming.
One of the highlights is how Lapena delves into the complexities of family dynamics and personal guilt. The characters are well-drawn, with their flaws and secrets adding depth to the story. You’ll find yourself questioning who to trust and what’s really going on as the plot thickens.
Overall, highly recommended!

* I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada | Doubleday Canada in exchange for my honest review

Shari Lapena is an auto-read author for me as she writes page-turning thriller reads with great twists. What Have You Done, her latest, is a solid, quick read that kept me turning the pages. I loved the short chapters and the pacing was good. There were twists and turns and red herrings.

I did find it a little hard to keep track of all the different character points of view and the technique used for one of the viewpoints, for me, was unnecessary. The ending was not that unexpected to me.

Overall, a good, enjoyable read but not my favorite by this author.

Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

When I tell you I couldn’t put down Shari Lapena’s newest novel, I mean it literally. I saw the clock ticking closer to midnight and then a new day was upon me, but I couldn’t stop. What Have You Done? hade captivated from start to finish.

The story is told from multiple perspectives, one of which being the ghost of our murder victim. So different to see that side of it. The other points of view were interesting, I questioned most of them and whether they were honest. As a mother, this book provoked a fear within me for my children, and I definitely had a hard time sleeping after I finished it. It’s also one of those books that has you questioning, ‘how well do I really know people?’

This is one of those books I wish I could go back and read again for a first time. I will definitely be grabbing this one when it hits shelves next Tuesday, July 30th.

Trigger Warnings include: Murder, strangulation, pedophilia, underage drinking, abuse of power, gore, suggested sexual scenes, rape mentioned and rage.

Thank you for giving the opportunity to read one of my favourite thriller author.

To honest this one kind fell flat for me, granted it did keep me in and wanted to read more. Just wasn’t one of my favorites by Shari Lapena. It was fast pace and always kept me wondering who was the killer. I had a feeling it might be who it was from how they were interpreted in the book. I did really enjoy the pov of the person that was killed I think that was my favourite part about the book.

3.5 Stars

The last Shari Lapena novel I read was Everyone Here is Lying (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2023/07/review-of-everyone-here-is-lying-by.html). What Have You Done? has many similarities with this previous offering.

The naked body of 17-year-old Diana Brewer is found in a farmer’s field. Very quickly, Fairhill, Vermont, where nothing ever happens, becomes a town full of suspects. Who killed the well-liked teenager? Was it Cameron Farrell, her controlling boyfriend? Was it Brad Turner, Diana’s track coach who has been accused of inappropriate behaviour towards female students? Was it Joe Prior, the creepy guy who harassed Diana at her job? But then it seems these three are not the only ones who have secrets and are not totally forthcoming during the investigation into Diana’s murder.

The novel has multiple perspectives. Among them are a number of people connected to Diana: her mother, her friends (Riley and Evan), her boyfriend, and her educators (principal, English teacher, track coach). Then there are others more tangentially connected: Mr. Turner’s fiancée and various parents. Diana also narrates brief sections in the first person. This narrative approach creates a long list of potential suspects as the reader becomes aware of people’s actions and motivations which cause them to lie. Unfortunately, the distinctiveness of one perspective makes it easy to identify the killer.

Diana’s return as a ghost to provide her point of view is, I think, unnecessary. She doesn’t remember who killed her, presumably having blocked it from her memory because of the trauma, so she has nothing to add that will provide clues to her murderer’s identity. Most of her comments are about the grieving of her mother and her friends. What she mentions the reader already knows from others, so this supernatural element seems purposeless.

Of course it is not just Diana’s life that is destroyed. As secrets are uncovered, it’s obvious that the lives of many are turned upside down and will never be the same. The fallout may include marriages and careers being damaged beyond repair. Parents question how well they know their children. And people become suspicious of others, even loved ones.

Diana makes a comment at one point: “How many ways, I think, can a girl be assaulted?” This statement summarizes the theme of violence against women that permeates the book. Diana is harmed by other people besides her killer. She and other girls are subjected to unwanted sexual attention and suffer at the hands of men wanting to control their lives. And those who should protect them are dismissive and negligent.

This is an enjoyable book, and its short chapters make it a quick and easy read as well. Though it is not exceptional, I would classify it as a decent thriller perfect for a summer read.

Thrillers are not my typical go to read, but I enjoy Shari Lapena’s novels. I am constantly trying to read more approachable Canadian authors.

Her novels are not gory which is another reason I can read these domestic thrillers. The imagery in What Have You Done? was quite dark for me (as the death was of a high school student), but the story was engaging and fast paced.

The multiple POVs throughout the same chapters was somewhat difficult to keep track of. I blame myself due to my own current distracted reading cycle.

The twists and turns made sense to the storyline. It highlighted unhealthy teenager relationships and the pressures they face. What adults will do to protect their friends/kids/family is always eye opening.

I give this novel a 3.5.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Diana Brewer, a popular high school student, is found murdered in a farmers field in a small town where nothing ever happens, and no one can figure out who’s responsible.
This story follows multiple POVs of the people who live in this town, those who are accused of Diana’s murder and their family and friends. I did enjoy this, but found the ending really disappointing and anticlimactic, slightly predictable. I definitely liked the first half better than the second. This wasn’t one of my favourite books the authors written, but it did keep me reading. Short chapters and the short snippets, back and forth between all the characters kept it fast moving. I do think because there’s so many characters, it’s slightly repetitive and you don’t get to know any of them on a deeper level. I didn’t really understand the need for the ghost aspects of the story at all. The other thing that bothered me a bit is we really never got any clues for who might of done it. You find out more and more about these other suspects, but then at the end it’s just a total other person that is found by happenstance, so what’s the point? Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free preview in exchange for an honest review.

When it comes to mystery and psychological thrillers, Lapena never disappoints her readers. The story hooks you right from the first chapter and keeps you on edge until the last. While I expected so many endings, I didn't see it coming the way the story takes you by surprise.
The story starts with a high school girl, Diana, found murdered in a local farmer's field. There are three major suspects: her boyfriend Cameron, her gym teacher Brad Turner and a customer from Home Depot, Joe, who keeps an eye on her. At the end of each chapter, you'd pick the convict, but then the story takes another turn.
Highly recommended for people who love mysteries and thrillers.
It's an excellent story for a Netflix series.

3.5*
In a quiet little town, a local farmer finds the naked and deceased body of a teenage girl. This is a town where you leave your doors unlocked, where people know each other. Did one of their own do this to her?

The book follows numerous perspectives, Diana, her mother, her friends and boyfriend, their parents, their teachers, honestly most people in the town, but it’s easy to follow and determine who is who. The multiple perspectives do a good job showing how the murder in a small town affects people around the person differently.

I was on board with it until the twist ending, which took it down a half star for me. Without spoilers, I don’t like the trope given for the ending, with its minimal explanation. Otherwise, enjoyable and quick.

Thanks to Penguin Random House Canada for a digital ARC.

A thriller in the way only Shara Lapena can write them. This took me a little while to get into - maybe because the main characters are younger (in high school) and to me it felt a little bit like a YA novel at the start. After a few chapters I started to get drawn in by the storyline which was much more complex than I had initially thought. Written from multiple POVs (this took a bit of getting used to, and there's one particular POV that felt superfluous, but that might just be me), this had quite a few twists and turns and a few red herrings! I didn't guess "who did it" until it was revealed.

A page-turner for sure!

Shari Lapena’s new novel “What Have You Done” is another page turner by the author. Although the characters and the storyline fall a bit flat sometimes, the overall plot pulls you right in and keeps you guessing in this who-dunnit mystery about a sleepy town and a 17-year-old girl, found dead in a farmer’s field. Some parts reminded me of “The Lovely Bones”, although Lapena’s book is not quite as emotionally charged.
Definitely a quick read, but not as memorable as her other books.

This was extremely well written but with a young adult feel since many of the characters were younger. There were many character which was sometimes difficult for me to remember and their perspectives would be within the same chapter. I appreciate multiple points of view especially in a thriller or crime drama because it gives the reader new perspectives and may lead to new possible predator identification. I was often compelled to read “just a little longer” to learn more. I would highly recommend.