Everyone Here is Lying by Shari Lapena
A slow burn story about the disappearance of a small girl that accelerates to a jaw-dropping conclusion.
Today’s review is a dip into the back catalogue of Canadian author, Shari Lapena. Everyone Here is Lying* is the first book I’ve read by Lapena, so I went in without any expectations.
It’s initially a slow burn story that accelerates to a jaw-dropping conclusion.
From the blurb, you discover that the novel is about the disappearance of Avery Wooler from a quiet suburban home. But after the little girl vanishes, the story is about so much more than simply the police investigation.
The abduction, and the possibility of worse, is a terrible ordeal and would make a compelling story by itself. However, the impact it has on those close to her twists the ordeal into thoughts and actions that shock everyone involved.
Alongside points of view from the detectives, you get the perspectives of her family and her neighbours. What I found interesting was how much of the story focused on the inner monologues of these characters.
There was little scene setting or descriptive passages. The effect of this storytelling approach created an intense book and made the feelings of the characters even more visceral.
The pace quickens two-thirds of the way in and takes you to the shocking and unsettling ending.
For fans of suspense and psychological thrillers this is a must read. I’ll be looking out for more Lapena novels.
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