Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Everyone was certainly lying - from the beginning to the end in Shari Lapena’s novel Everyone Here is Lying. Young Avery disappears from her home following an argument with her father. The police quickly begin to canvas the area - interviewing the family, the neighbors both friends and strangers. Many of them lie - it’s hard to tell if anyone is being honest. Days pass and frustrations mount as secrets are revealed, but Avery remains at large. Oh and then a twist - well played, Ms. Lapena…well played.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by January LaVoy. Her performing experience was excellently put to use here. She differentiated between a number of voices - successful even as 9 year old Avery. Her skill enhanced the suspense and certainly maintained my interest.

Nobody here, with the exception of Avery’s 12 year old brother Michael, is likable. Honestly - if this is a real suburban slice of life, let me live in the country. LaPena expertly juggles a huge cast of characters - changing point of view regularly from Avery’s family to the neighbors to the police who are investigating the crime. I had the feeling of sort of investigating the crime as a reader more fully than I often do. Lapena layers the information carefully and grows the story in such a way that the twist, while unexpected, is completely believable. I remember thinking, of course, yes, this is absolutely what happened. Excellent plotting. And, no spoilers, the ending is just perfect. I love the uncertain certainty of how Lapena finished.

I like to finish my thoughts with a little lesson learned, and I’m not sure I can do so here. Perhaps I could wax eloquently about the reality of uncertainty?(I probably could.) But most importantly, this book is engaging, entertaining, and just what I needed when I got it from the holds list - worth the wait. If you enjoy a good suspenseful mystery, Everyone Here is Lying by Shari Lapena is for you. And please comment below if you want to talk about that ending.