Let's be honest, I'd read Shari Lapena's shopping list at this point.

I adore her grasp on people - what makes people tick, where they break, how far they can be pushed - and this slightly concerning trait makes her writing undeniable. Characters who feel so fleshed out and rounded, who you're never sure what to make of. Quiet, little clues and moments that make you wonder if you're onto something. A pace that keeps you hooked in. Another fabulous masterclass in suspense.

Nobody does psychological thrillers better than Shari Lapena. Her plotting is exemplary and her characters are fully fleshed. Bryden and Sam seem to be the perfect couple, having an idyllic life and a happy family. However, when Bryden fails to collect her daughter one day, Sam's life is thrown into turmoil. Utterly engrossing.

★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

She didn't see it coming...but will you...?

Bryden and Sam have the perfect life. Happily married with a gorgeous three year old daughter Clara and a stunning condo in an exclusive complex. Both are successful in their well-paid jobs, have supportive friends and family, they are saving for a house and trying for a baby sibling for Clara. The perfect life for the perfect couple.

But neither of them saw what was coming...least of all Bryden.

One afternoon, Sam receives a call at the office alerting him to the fact that Bryden has failed to collect Clara from daycare. Bryden was working at home that day and left explicit instructions that no one call as she had plenty to do and needed the peace to do it in. She often thought she got more work done at home than in the office and fortunately her employers were fine with that. Sam tries and fails to reach Bryden, racing to pick up Clara himself. He arrives home with their little girl, calling out for Bryden. Her car was still in the garage downstairs, her laptop is open and in sleep mode, her mobile phone is on the table and her keys are in their usual place. All signs point to Bryden having just stepped out, soon to return.

But Bryden doesn't return. She has seemingly vanished without a trace.

Police are called and as the minutes stretch into hours then days, questions swirl within the community, their friends, family and even online. Suddenly holes are being picked in their carefully curated lives that is seemingly not so perfect after all. And nobody - not their friends, not their neighbours and not their family - appears quite so reliable.

No one is safe from the police's persistent probing as they peck at everyone's life and their alibis in their efforts to unravel the mystery of the missing woman and the truth behind what really happened to her.

There are a lot of characters to contend with but that's to keep us guessing which of them are responsible. Too few leave few surprises as it could only be one of however few there may be. Too many and we get bogged down and can't keep track of who's who. But this had the right amount, I think, to keep us on our toes.

The family: Bryden, Sam, Clara, Lizzie (the sister), Donna and Jim (the parents)
The friends: Paige, Angela (also a neighbour)
The neighbours: Angela, Tracey and Hank
The community: Derek, Alice, Kayly, Michael
The police: Jayne and Det Kilgour (and a few others in the beginning) but these two were the investigating officers

Police procedurals have a danger of being too bogged down in procedure that can have a snore-effect if it's too droning or too confusing with too many aspects. But this had the right balance of procedural and everything else that was going on to keep the pace moving quickly whilst giving us the chance to figure it out ourselves.

It was clear from the beginning who were the psychopaths of the story - but did that make them guilty? Almost everyone had a secret - but, did that make them guilty? And some were completely unlikeable - but again, did that make them guilty.

She didn't see it coming...but did you...?

In a word...yes! I wasn't as surprised as Bryden was. I had my own suspicions, for various reasons, and I kept changing my mind as to who I thought was responsible. I had three on my list - one of which was quickly eliminated (as much as I would have liked them to be the guilty party). The other two remained on my list throughout the duration until something clicked and made me look at them more closely. But with everything Shari throws at you, I could be forgiven for being indecisive about one or the other. BOTH looked equally guilty in my eyes and I wouldn't have been surprised if it had been my other suspect either.

Bryden disappears very early on in the story. I think she has just the one maybe two chapters, as well as the prologue, before she disappears and we're plunged headlong into a missing person's case that throws up all sorts of theories and red herrings. Shari's style is binge-worthy and utterly addictive from start to finish complete with cunning and tension-filled suspense on every page. Short snappy chapters filled with so much family drama alongside buried secrets, manipulative lies and dastardly deception that are paramount in any domestic thriller completing the tangled web that this thrilling tale is.

Whatever Shari has next, I'll be there with bells on!

I would like to thank #ShariLapena, #Netgalley and #RandomHouseUK for an ARC of #SheDidntSeeItComing in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

Shari Lapena delivers another page-turning domestic thriller in She Didn’t See It Coming, centered around the mysterious disappearance of Bryden, a young mother to a three-year-old girl. Bryden vanishes one afternoon while working from home, and as the investigation unfolds, suspicion quickly falls on those closest to her.
The novel grips you from the very beginning with Lapena’s trademark fast-paced chapters and shifting perspectives. The tension builds steadily as secrets come to light, making it a compulsive read that’s hard to put down. The portrayal of Bryden’s role as a mother adds an extra emotional weight to the mystery, making readers eager for answers not just about what happened to her, but about what will become of her child.

While the story kept me engaged throughout, the twists didn’t land with quite the same shock value as some of Lapena’s earlier works, and by the final chapters I had already guessed where the story was headed. That said, the journey to the conclusion was still suspenseful, and the character dynamics kept me invested until the very last page.

Overall, She Didn’t See It Coming is a gripping, quick read with strong emotional stakes and the kind of domestic tension Lapena is known for. A satisfying thriller that fans of her work—and of the genre in general—will enjoy.

Shari Lapena is one of my go-to authors when I am in need of a guaranteed twisty, twisted story.

She Didn’t See It Coming is her latest thriller that blends suburban secrets, emotional tension with a chilling mystery. In this story, the seemingly perfect life of Bryden and Sam Frost unravels when Bryden vanishes without a trace. Her car is in the garage, her phone and laptop are untouched, and her keys are in their usual spot—but she’s gone, leaving her baby daughter at daycare.

What starts off as a missing person soon turns into a violent and tragic crime and once the police are involved they uncover layers of betrayal, jealousy, addiction, and hidden relationships. Everyone—from Bryden’s sister to her best friend and even her neighbours—have deep and dirty secrets, and no one is above suspicion.

With Lapena’s signature blend of domestic tension, the reader is taken on an uncomfortable journey looking at the dark side of surburban life.

Another fabulous book which I highly recommend for fans of fast-paced, twisty thrillers.

I love this authors books and this one certainly didn’t disappoint. It was full of twists and kept me guessing throughout. It was very well written with lots of red herrings

I read this ARC in exchange for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

Love this author
This was a great read
I thoroughly enjoyed this

Such a treat

When Sam gets a call from his daughter's daycare saying that her Mum hasn't collected her he is worried. When he gets home Bryden is missing and there is no clue as to where she is. Sam find himself under suspicion and his life starts to fall apart. However there is another suspect, a man who Bryden ran into in her car, he is rich and has secrets, as does his wife. Now it is up to the police to try and find out what has happened to Bryden.
I hadn't read a Lapena book before but have read so many glowing reviews that I thought I'd try this. Now I know that I've been missing out! This is a cleverly plotted story with multiple suspects, each of whose motivations and back stories are revealed slowly. The narrative twists and turns so the reader does not know which protagonist is guilty. In the end it makes sense and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

Another brilliant book by Shari
Absolutely loved this book great story great characters and well written
Plenty of twists and turns
You will not want to put this book down
Thanks Netgalley

This was another excellent book by Shari Lapena!

I love how her books manage to keep you engaged and on the edge of your seat throughout the entire story. This book was another quick read, and I realy liked the writing style. It had a somewhat staccato rhythm, which encouraged me to read just one more chapter.

A wife and mother vanishes without a trace from her apartment. She appears to be happily married, and there are no indications of any foul play.

What could have happened to her? Is she still alive, and who is behind all of this?

She Didn’t See It Coming is another great thriller by Shari Lapena. I received a copy from Random House UK/Transworld Publishers via Netgalley.

The story opens with Bryden Frost’s sudden disappearance from her secure Albany condo. There is no forced entry, no struggle, and no sign of where she’s gone. This was a great opening, and it drew me in completely.

Lapena masterfully builds tension through shifting perspectives. Bryden’s husband, Sam, is both sympathetic and suspicious. Sam’s sister Lizzie, with her obsession with true-crime narratives and social media commentary, added a contemporary edge to the story.

The suburban setting is the perfect backdrop for this web of secrets, lies, and hidden motivations. Every character has something to hide. I loved this tension and the twists throughout the book.

5/5 ⭐️

This book "She Didn’t See It Coming" written by Shari Lapena is amazing work. This isn’t just a thriller; it’s a layered exploration of trust, secrets, and the quiet dangers that lurk behind polished lives. When Bryden Frost vanishes, the story unfolds with chilling precision, revealing how little we truly know those closest to us. Lapena’s writing is sharp and emotionally resonant, with twists that feel earned rather than forced. I found myself questioning every character’s motive, and the ending stayed with me long after I turned the last page. Highly recommend if you love suspense with psychological depth. Highly recommend.

This is the third Shari Lapena book I’ve read and it’s another winner! She Didn’t See It Coming kicks off with an intriguing premise—a woman disappears from her fancy apartment leaving behind all her belongings after failing to pick up her daughter from daycare. Did she leave of her own free will? Did someone harm her? And did she even exit the apartment building? There are several POVS that are easy to keep track of and a whole cast of suspects as the dogged detective (and the reader!) tries to get to the bottom of the mysterious disappearance. I thought I had this figured out a bunch of times but was wrong! A fast, addictive, five-star read.

Actual rating: 3.5 stars.

A very fast and easy read, with an intriguing premise, although not particularly original.

The book revolves around the disappearance of Bryden, a young wife and mother who vanishes from her own home, and it follows both Jayne, the detective who leads the investigation, and the people closest to Bryden. I thought the story was well constructed, fast-paced and interesting. At first Bryden's life seemed perfect, and her disappearance absolutely baffling, but then hidden details started to come to light. The gradual reveal of informations was very well done, and it kept my interest in the story.

I also liked how all of the characters acted suspicious and had something to hide, there were a lot of possible motives and plenty of red herrings. The character I found most interesting to follow was Alice, the wife of a man with a mysterious connection to Bryden.

The actual solution, unfortunately, wasn't that surprising. I was hoping for something more shocking. That being said, this is overall an enjoyable thriller and definitely good to pass a few hours.

4.5

This is my third novel by Shari Lapena, and it's my favorite so far. Her latest mystery-thriller is very readable and completely addictive, I found myself flying through the pages despite it being slightly longer than her previous books. I won’t go into plot details, as this is one of those stories best experienced with no knowledge. What I will say is that the mystery is both gripping and cleverly crafted, with well-developed characters that kept me invested throughout.

If I had one critique, it would be that the resolution felt a bit rushed. I would have loved a more drawn-out, impactful ending with a bigger culmination. Still, I really enjoyed this one. Highly recommend it.

Thid was a really good read!

I definitely didn't see it coming!

It is told from different POV and it keeps you guessing. I definitely got it wrongg when I was so sure I knew who did it!

I find it hard to review it without spoilers so you will have to read it and find out!

This was a great read!

Devoted wife and mother, Brydon, just disappears! Her bag, phone and car are left behind and she can’t be seen leaving the building on the CCTV.

Gripping and twisty, with a fast pace and a plethora of suspects, there are plenty of red herrings and every time I thought I had worked it out, something else would cast doubt.

The story is told by many perspectives, including Brydon’s husband, parents, sister and best friend. As the plot opened up, cracks started to appear in this supposedly blissfully happy family and a couple of side plots added additional suspects into the mix.

I really liked the detective, Jayne, and a series based around her would be great! The only bit I didn’t like was the reveal and ending as they felt a bit rushed and anticlimactic.

4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Shari Lapena and Random House for an ARC of this book.

Sam receives a phone call to inform him that his wife has failed to pick up their little girl from day-care. This is completely out of character as normally Bryden is a conscientious mother and dotes on her daughter. The mystery deepens when Sam arrives home and finds their luxury condo empty, and even more worrying is that all of Bryden’s belongings are still lying around, seemingly untouched. With no choice, Sam alerts the police and a detailed investigation is launched into Bryden’s mysterious disappearance.

This is a cleverly written domestic drama which has twists and turns aplenty and with a cast of charmless characters who could, in their own unique way, all know something about Bryden’s uncharacteristic disappearance. With few clues to go on the local police have to delve deeply into Bryden and Sam’s lives in order to try and fit together all the missing pieces of this complex puzzle. The other main characters, particularly Bryden’s sister, and her best friend, have a difficult time as they too can’t work out why Bryden would willingly go off and leave her husband and young daughter.

She Didn’t See It Coming is a cleverly constructed psychological thriller which not only keeps you turning the pages but also keeps you guessing towards a clever ending that I really didn’t see coming.

Exceptional suburban thriller from one of the best authors of this genre. Brydon and her husband Sam have a seemingly great life, but when Sam is called by his daughter’s nursery to say Brydon has not arrived to collect he is concerned. Walking into their apartment Brydon’s phone and computer are there and she is not. Her friends and family worry and the police are called.

The plot is full of twists and turns, introducing the characters who pose as potential suspects to the disappearance of Brydon and what subsequently happens to her. The characters were complex and interesting and the reader is pulled in many different directions prior to the end reveal, which I wasn’t expecting.

Great read and one I will definitely be recommending.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved Shari Lapena's earlier books - not really enjoying her later releases. Well, I really liked this book! I sped through it, it had me hooked from the beginning. I usually struggle when a book has a lot of characters, but Lapena's writing made each of the characters so distinct that I didn't have this problem with this book.
The main reason why I didn't give this the full 5*'s is the ending. I felt it was very rushed, and just very simple considering all of the red herrings and expansive plot. It made me think that the book could have just been told in 100 pages. I felt a bit let down by the conclusion.

Overall though, I did enjoy my time with this book - I just wish the ending had been more fulfilling!