Blurb: In this family, everyone is keeping secrets - even the dead.
In the quiet, wealthy enclave of Brecken Hill, an older couple is brutally murdered hours after a tense Easter dinner with their three adult children. Who, of course, are devastated.
Or are they? They each stand to inherit millions. They were never a happy family, thanks to their vindictive father and neglectful mother, but perhaps one of them is more disturbed than anyone knew. Did someone snap after that dreadful evening? Or did another person appear later that night with the worst of intentions? That must be what happened. After all, if one of the family were capable of something as gruesome as this, you'd know.
Wouldn't you?
Review: Following discovering this author I thought I would dive into another read and wow! From the off this bunch are horrible…an Easter family dinner that almost instantly turns sour. So much drama and tension that quickly transpires. Fast forward to the siblings finding out that their parents are dead and the differing reactions from them. Sparking a classic case of whodunnit with many twists and turns amongst the family as well as from a few side characters also.
Following the dinner - Catherine was made to feel awful by comments from her father that he seemingly didn't realise. Dan is humiliated by his father once again and he's instantly red and angry. Jenna is the wild child who relies on her allowance and likes to antagonise her parents. I also have to mention Fred's sister Audrey as she's obsessed with money and full of herself until she feels wronged.
And then there are more secrets for the siblings to get there head around. The reading of the will was a defining moment for many reasons but in my opinion it left a lot unsaid too.
This story was a rollercoaster read, initially the reader is made to believe that one sibling had more motive than the others. They all have their faults but I kept thinking it's just too obvious to be Dan. I must admit I loved finding out more about the siblings and Dan's tragic story was the best to read. There is so much more to his character than meets the eye. He stands out as he's inherited some of his fathers traits enough to kill though? No.
Each of them are nasty in their own way, but there are also side characters that have you thinking ok, but could it be. Shari Lapena has created a bunch of characters that are unlikeable but completely relatable. Families can be a strange conundrum, through in a murder and money and you see the changes in people. Some will go to extreme lengths for an inheritance.
Without spoiling the plot there are a number of twists and turns and as this novel hits its crescendo it turns again making you doubt characters you hadn't even thought needed doubting. When we find out who the killer is they are cool and calm and think they have committed the perfect murder and in some ways they have….I really enjoyed listening to this one with the last few chapters having me well and truly hooked and eager to know the outcome.
Maybe I'll dive right into another Shari read as I have a number of her stories in my Libby library since discovering her.
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