Shari Lapena’s fourth psychological thriller, Someone We Know, expertly peels back the pristine veneer of Aylesford, a picturesque suburb in New York’s Hudson Valley, to reveal the festering secrets that lurk behind perfectly manicured lawns and friendly neighborhood barbecues. This novel demonstrates Lapena’s continued evolution as a master of domestic suspense, building upon the foundation she established with her previous bestsellers The Couple Next Door, A Stranger in the House, and An Unwanted Guest.
The story begins with a seemingly innocuous premise: sixteen-year-old Raleigh Sharpe has been sneaking into neighbors’ homes, not to steal valuables, but to hack into their computers and explore their digital secrets. When his mother Olivia discovers his nocturnal activities through incriminating text messages, she makes what initially seems like an ethical decision—writing anonymous apology letters to the affected families. This single act of misguided conscience sets in motion a devastating chain of events that will ultimately expose the rot beneath Aylesford’s idyllic surface.
A Tangled Web of Deception and Desire
Lapena’s narrative architecture is particularly impressive in Someone We Know. Rather than following a single protagonist, she weaves together multiple perspectives, creating a complex tapestry where each character’s secrets interlock with devastating precision. The discovery of Amanda Pierce’s brutally murdered body transforms what begins as a story about teenage mischief into a full-blown murder investigation that threatens to destroy multiple families.
The character of Amanda Pierce, even in death, serves as the catalyst that exposes the moral compromises of seemingly respectable neighbors. Through flashbacks and revelations, we learn that Amanda was conducting multiple affairs, including liaisons with Larry Harris and Keith Newell. Her pregnancy adds another layer of complexity, raising questions about paternity and motive that keep readers guessing until the final chapters.
Detective Webb and his partner Detective Moen provide a professional counterpoint to the increasingly frantic civilians. Their methodical investigation serves as the novel’s backbone, gradually uncovering layers of deception while the neighborhood residents scramble to protect their own interests. Webb’s persistent questioning and Moen’s more empathetic approach create an effective investigative dynamic that drives the plot forward relentlessly.
The Psychology of Ordinary Evil
What elevates Someone We Know above typical suburban thrillers is Lapena’s nuanced exploration of how ordinary people become complicit in extraordinary evil. The most compelling character arc belongs to Glenda Newell, whose transformation from supportive mother to accessory to murder illustrates the terrifying lengths to which parental love can drive someone.
When Glenda discovers her sixteen-year-old son Adam has killed Amanda in a moment of rage, her decision to help cover up the crime rather than call the police reveals the moral complexity that makes this novel so unsettling. Lapena doesn’t present Glenda as a monster, but as a mother whose protective instincts override her moral compass. The meticulous cleanup scene at the cabin, where mother and son work together to dispose of evidence, ranks among the most chilling sequences in contemporary crime fiction.
The psychological toll of maintaining such a devastating secret becomes increasingly apparent as the investigation intensifies. Adam’s escalating drinking problem serves as both symptom and catalyst, threatening to unravel the careful façade his mother has constructed. Lapena skillfully portrays how guilt and fear can poison relationships, even between those bound by blood and shared culpability.
Technical Mastery and Narrative Tensions
Lapena’s prose remains crisp and accessible throughout, never allowing literary flourishes to overshadow the relentless pace of the investigation. Her ability to maintain suspense while juggling multiple plotlines and character perspectives demonstrates considerable technical skill. The revelation that Raleigh had broken into the Newell home and discovered Keith’s affair emails creates a particularly satisfying moment of convergence, where the teenager’s seemingly unrelated crimes become crucial to solving the murder.
The author’s handling of red herrings deserves special mention. Robert Pierce, Amanda’s husband, emerges as a genuinely unsettling character whose cold manipulation and hidden depths make him a credible suspect throughout much of the novel. Similarly, Larry Harris’s affair with Amanda and his presence at the conference near where her body was found creates legitimate doubt about his innocence. These misdirections never feel contrived but arise naturally from the characters’ actions and circumstances.
However, the novel isn’t without its weaknesses. The final revelation that Adam Newell is the killer, while emotionally powerful, feels somewhat rushed compared to the careful buildup of the preceding chapters. Additionally, some readers may find the coincidences—particularly Raleigh’s timely discovery of Keith’s emails—stretch credibility, though they don’t significantly undermine the overall narrative impact.
Contemporary Relevance and Social Commentary
Someone We Know succeeds as both entertainment and social commentary, addressing contemporary anxieties about privacy, technology, and the erosion of community trust. Raleigh’s computer hacking abilities reflect modern concerns about digital security, while his parents’ struggle with how to respond highlights the gap between traditional moral frameworks and technological realities.
The novel also explores themes of economic anxiety and social mobility. The characters’ desperate attempts to maintain their suburban lifestyle and reputation drive many of their questionable decisions. Keith’s affair with Amanda appears partly motivated by a midlife crisis exacerbated by professional pressures, while the various families’ reluctance to involve police stems from fear of social embarrassment as much as legal consequences.
Lapena’s portrayal of modern parenting anxieties resonates particularly strongly. Olivia’s struggles with Raleigh’s behavior, Paul’s resistance to therapy, and ultimately Glenda’s catastrophic attempt to protect Adam all reflect contemporary concerns about raising children in an increasingly complex world.
Comparison with Similar Works
Someone We Know positions itself confidently within the domestic thriller genre alongside works by authors like Ruth Ware, Gillian Flynn, and Paula Hawkins. Like Flynn’s Gone Girl, it explores how well we truly know those closest to us, while sharing with Ware’s novels a focus on seemingly ordinary people harboring extraordinary secrets.
The suburban setting and multiple suspect structure recall classic works like Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, though Lapena’s psychological realism and contemporary concerns give her work a distinctly modern edge. The novel’s exploration of teenage criminality and parental complicity also echoes Lionel Shriver’s We Need to Talk About Kevin, though with less philosophical weight and more commercial accessibility.
Final Verdict: A Gripping Addition to the Genre
Someone We Know confirms Shari Lapena’s position among the top tier of contemporary thriller writers. While it may not reach the psychological depths of Gone Girl or the atmospheric menace of In the Woods, it delivers exactly what its genre promises: compelling characters, genuine surprises, and a resolution that feels both shocking and inevitable.
The novel’s greatest strength lies in its portrayal of how quickly civilized society can unravel when secrets are exposed and loyalties tested. Lapena understands that the most frightening monsters often wear familiar faces and live in houses just like ours.
For readers seeking an intelligent, fast-paced thriller that doesn’t insult their intelligence, Someone We Know delivers on all fronts. It’s a worthy addition to any crime fiction collection and solidifies Lapena’s reputation as a master of suburban suspense.
Recommended Similar Reads
- Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty – Another exploration of suburban secrets with deadly consequences
- The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides – Psychological thriller with unexpected twists
- Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris – Domestic suspense with hidden depths
- Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng – Family secrets and tragic consequences
- The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn – Unreliable narrator and neighborhood mysteries
