This is part of my Summer Reads series where I’ll be sharing book recommendations – a series of “not just cookbooks”.
Is it even #summerreads without devouring a Shari Lapena thriller? In my case , I read this in a single sitting on a flight from Toronto to Vancouver! I only discovered Shari Lapena in the summer of 2023 (she’s Canadian!) and have since read most of her books. They are the type of book you can blast through fairly quickly because you want to know what’s going to happen so they are the perfect summer (or cozy winter) read! “She doesn’t want you to be able to put her books down” according to her bio and she’s doing an excellent job there!
From the publisher:
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 . . .
First off, let me say that you don’t have to love all the characters in a book in order to love the book overall. This is most definitely the case with Getting Away with Murder! Jill and Ted are two of the least likeable characters, yet I couldn’t stop reading – they (and their plotting!) are terribly compelling!
Something I enjoyed about this book that was a little bit different, was that it begins with the murder and so we know who the murderers are – instead of this being a “whodunit”, it was an exploration of the events that led to the crime. How did two well-off and “successful” people get to the point where the only way out of a bad situation is murder? It’s a fascinating look at how one bad decision (ok, maybe a few more than one!) can be the unravelling of, well, *everything*.
Lapena is the queen of mic drop plot twist situations and this book is no exception – there was a lot going on to keep the pages practically turning themselves. Short chapters combined with this pace mean you’ll need to pack an extra book for your trip because you’ll finish this on the way there!
Unputdownable! A highly recommended summer read!
Buy Getting Away with Murder on Amazon (this affiliate link should bring you to the Amazon store in, or closest to, your country).
For free worldwide shipping, find Getting Away with Murder on Blackwell’s.
Support your local Indie bookstore and purchase Getting Away with Murder on Bookshop.org.
Please note: This post contains affiliate links. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This post also contains a Blackwell’s affiliate link. This means that if you click over and purchase something, I will receive a very small percentage of the purchase price (at no extra cost to you). Thank you in advance!
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