Shari Lapena returns with another gripping psychological thriller that expertly dissects the veneer of suburban tranquility. In “Someone We Know,” the internationally bestselling author of “The Couple Next Door” and “A Stranger in the House” crafts a narrative that feels disturbingly contemporary, exploring how digital invasion can unravel the carefully constructed facades of seemingly ordinary lives.
The story begins with an anonymous letter that immediately establishes the book’s central tension: “This is a very difficult letter to write. I hope you will not hate us too much… My son broke into your home recently while you were out.” This opening gambit sets the stage for a complex web of secrets, lies, and ultimately murder in the fictional town of Aylesford, New York.
The Catalyst: When Privacy Becomes a Luxury
At the heart of the story is sixteen-year-old Raleigh Sharpe, whose nocturnal hobby of breaking into homes and hacking into computers serves as the catalyst for everything that follows. Lapena’s portrayal of Raleigh is particularly nuanced – he’s not a malicious criminal but rather a bored teenager who has discovered a skill that gives him power and knowledge. His mother Olivia’s decision to write anonymous apology letters to the victims creates a ripple effect that ultimately leads to devastating consequences.
The author’s handling of the digital intrusion theme feels remarkably timely. Raleigh’s ability to bypass security systems and access private information reflects modern anxieties about privacy and digital vulnerability. Lapena doesn’t sensationalize the hacking aspect but instead uses it as a vehicle to explore how secrets, once exposed, can destroy lives and relationships.
Character Development: The Complexity of Suburban Residents
Lapena excels at creating characters who feel authentically flawed and human. The residents of this upstate New York neighborhood are neither wholly good nor entirely evil – they exist in the gray areas that make for compelling psychological fiction. Olivia Sharpe emerges as a particularly well-drawn character, a mother torn between doing what she believes is morally right and protecting her family from the consequences of her son’s actions.
The character of Amanda Pierce, the murder victim, is skillfully developed despite her limited direct presence in the narrative. Through the perspectives of various characters, we learn that Amanda was simultaneously alluring and troubled, a woman whose beauty masked deeper psychological complexities. Her relationships with multiple men in the neighborhood create a web of potential motives that keep readers guessing throughout the investigation.
Detective Webb and his partner Detective Moen provide steady, professional anchors to the story. Their methodical investigation techniques and evolving understanding of the case mirror the reader’s own journey through the mystery. Lapena avoids the trap of making her detectives either incompetent or superhuman – they’re skilled professionals who make logical deductions based on available evidence.
Narrative Structure: Building Tension Through Multiple Perspectives
The author employs a multi-perspective narrative that allows readers to see events through various characters’ eyes while maintaining the central mystery. This technique creates dramatic irony as readers often know more than individual characters while still being surprised by major revelations. The pacing is expertly managed, with each chapter ending on a note that propels the reader forward.
Lapena’s use of shifting perspectives also serves to highlight how the same events can be interpreted differently depending on one’s position and knowledge. This narrative choice reinforces the book’s themes about the subjective nature of truth and the way personal biases shape our understanding of others’ actions.
The Murder Mystery: More Than Just Whodunit
While “Someone We Know” functions effectively as a murder mystery, it transcends simple whodunit conventions by exploring the psychological and social factors that lead to violence. The revelation that sixteen-year-old Adam Newell is the killer comes as a genuine shock, particularly because Lapena has carefully laid groundwork throughout the narrative without telegraphing this conclusion.
The author’s portrayal of how a moment of rage can spiral into multiple tragedies feels both realistic and heartbreaking. Adam’s motivations – discovering his father’s affair and wanting to protect his family – make his actions understandable without excusing them. Similarly, his mother Glenda’s decision to help cover up the crime reflects the lengths to which parents will go to protect their children, even when such protection ultimately proves destructive.
Themes and Social Commentary
Digital Privacy and Modern Paranoia
Lapena taps into contemporary fears about digital security and privacy. Raleigh’s ability to access private information reflects real-world concerns about how technology can be used to violate personal boundaries. The book suggests that our digital lives may be far less secure than we imagine, and that this vulnerability extends beyond mere inconvenience to genuine danger.
The Facade of Suburban Perfection
The author skillfully exposes the gap between public personas and private realities. Each family in the story maintains a carefully constructed image while harboring significant secrets. This theme resonates particularly strongly in our social media age, where curated online presence often masks complex personal struggles.
Moral Ambiguity and Parental Love
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the novel is its exploration of how love can lead to morally questionable decisions. Glenda’s actions in helping her son cover up a murder stem from maternal instinct, yet they ultimately lead to additional tragedy. Lapena doesn’t offer easy answers about right and wrong but instead presents situations where characters must choose between competing moral imperatives.
Writing Style and Technical Execution
Lapena’s prose is crisp and accessible, avoiding unnecessary complexity while maintaining sophistication. Her dialogue feels natural and reveals character effectively, while her descriptions create a vivid sense of place without becoming overwrought. The author demonstrates particular skill in building suspense through seemingly mundane interactions, finding tension in everyday conversations and domestic situations.
The technical aspects of the mystery are well-handled, with clues planted fairly throughout the narrative. Readers who pay close attention will find hints about the eventual resolution, but the revelations still feel surprising rather than inevitable. This balance between fair play and genuine surprise is one of the hallmarks of effective mystery writing.
Areas for Critical Consideration
While “Someone We Know” succeeds on multiple levels, some elements feel less fully developed. The character of Robert Pierce, Amanda’s husband, occasionally reads more as a plot device than a fully realized person. His cold, calculating nature serves the story’s needs but lacks the psychological depth that Lapena brings to other characters.
Additionally, some readers might find the coincidences that drive the plot – particularly Raleigh’s decision to break into the specific houses that prove crucial to the murder investigation – somewhat convenient. However, these elements don’t significantly detract from the overall effectiveness of the narrative.
The resolution, while emotionally satisfying, raises questions about the justice system’s handling of juvenile offenders that the book doesn’t fully explore. Lapena focuses more on the emotional consequences of the crimes than their legal ramifications, which may leave some readers wanting more closure regarding the characters’ fates.
Comparison to Similar Works
“Someone We Know” fits comfortably within the contemporary domestic thriller genre alongside works by authors like Gillian Flynn, Paula Hawkins, and Ruth Ware. Like these writers, Lapena excels at finding the sinister potential in everyday suburban life. However, her approach feels less cynical than Flynn’s “Gone Girl” while maintaining similar psychological complexity.
The book also shares DNA with traditional cozy mysteries, particularly in its small-town setting and focus on interpersonal relationships. However, Lapena’s willingness to explore darker psychological territory and include genuine violence distinguishes it from more traditional cozy works.
Recommended Reading for Similar Thrills
Readers who enjoy “Someone We Know” should consider:
- “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides – Psychological complexity with unreliable narrators
- “In the Woods” by Tana French – Atmospheric crime fiction with deep character development
- “Big Little Lies” by Liane Moriarty – Suburban secrets and domestic violence themes
- “The Woman in the Window” by A.J. Finn – Neighborhood-based mystery with psychological elements
- Lapena’s previous works: “The Couple Next Door,” “A Stranger in the House,” and “An Unwanted Guest“
Final Verdict: A Compelling Addition to the Domestic Thriller Canon
“Someone We Know” succeeds as both an engaging mystery and a thoughtful exploration of contemporary social issues. Lapena has crafted a story that entertains while also encouraging readers to consider uncomfortable questions about privacy, morality, and the lengths we’ll go to protect those we love. The book’s greatest strength lies in its recognition that ordinary people are capable of extraordinary actions, both noble and terrible, when pushed to their limits.
While not groundbreaking in its approach, the novel executes familiar elements with skill and adds enough contemporary relevance to feel fresh and urgent. Lapena continues to establish herself as a reliable voice in domestic suspense, creating stories that resonate with readers’ deepest fears about the hidden lives of those around them. For fans of psychological thrillers that ground their suspense in recognizable human emotions and situations, “Someone We Know” delivers the satisfaction of a well-constructed mystery while leaving readers with plenty to contemplate long after the final page.