Getting Away With Murder by Shari Lapena Review | Predictable Mystery from a Favorite Author

Getting Away with Murder by Shari Lapena: A Solid Mystery That Never Quite Surprises

There are very few thriller authors I trust as much as Shari Lapena. Over the years, she’s become one of my absolute favorite writers because she has an incredible ability to take extraordinary situations, and slowly unravel everyone’s secrets. Books like An Unwanted Guest, The Couple Next Door, Someone We know and Not a Happy Family kept me guessing until the very last pages and featured the kind of jaw-dropping twists that have become her trademark.

Unfortunately, Getting Away With Murder didn’t quite reach those same heights for me.

That isn’t to say it’s a bad book-it certainly isn’t. Lapena’s writing remains smooth, engaging, and incredibly easy to read. As always, the pacing moves quickly, the dialogue feels natural, and the story never drags. I finished the novel in just a couple of sittings because her writing style is still as addictive as ever.

The biggest issue for me was the mystery itself.

One of the things I love most about Shari Lapena is her ability to completely fool me. Her novels usually send me down multiple rabbit holes, making me suspect nearly every character before revealing an ending I never saw coming. With Getting Away With Murder, however, I found myself predicting the outcome very early in the story.

Within the first few chapters, I had a strong feeling about where the investigation was headed, and unfortunately, that’s exactly where it went. Rather than delivering the shocking final twist I’ve come to expect from Lapena, the ending unfolded much as I anticipated.

For a mystery novel, that takes away some of the excitement.

The suspense is still there, but it never reaches the level of tension found in many of her previous books. Instead of constantly questions every character and changing my theories, I found myself simply waiting to see if my original prediction would be confirmed.

And it was.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t enjoyable moments along the way. Lapena still knows how to create believable family dynamics, hidden resentments, and simmering interpersonal conflict. Those elements remain some of her greatest strengths, and they help keep the pages turning even when the central mystery feels more straightforward than expected.

I also appreciate that the novel is accessible. If you’re new to Shari Lapena, you may enjoy it more than longtime readers because you won’t necessarily be comparing ti to some of her strongest work. But for readers who have come to expect shocking reveals and last-minute rug pulls, this one may feel a little more restrained.

I hesitate to call the book disappointing because I genuinely enjoy Lapena’s work and will continue picking up every novel she writes. Even a middle-tier Shari Lapena novel is still better than many thrillers on the market.

For me, though, Getting Away With Murder simply lacked that unforgettable “wow” moment that has defined so many of her previous books. The mystery was entertaining enough, but it never surprised me, and that made the overall reading experience feel less satisfying than I’d hoped.

Not every book from a favorite author is going to become a favorite and that’s okay. I’ll still be first in line for Shari Lapena’s next release because she’s earned that loyalty with years of consistently excellent psychological suspense.

This one just wasn’t among her strongest.

Recommended for:

-Readers looking for a fast-paced, easy-to-read mystery

-Fans new to Shari Lapena’s work

-Readers who enjoy domestic suspense and family secrets

You may want to temper your expectations if:

-you’re hoping for one of Lapena’s signature, jaw-dropping twists

-you prefer mysteries that constantly keep you guessing

-you’ve read many of her previous novels and expect the same level of unpredictability

For me, Getting Away With Murder was an enjoyable read, but one that never quite delivered tthe suspense or shocking payoff I’ve come to associate with one of my favorite authors.

My Rating: 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Midnight Margians from Savannah, GA

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