Not a Happy Family is a dysfunctional family whodunit mystery. I'm really digging these plots right now. No, this story isn't very original and reminds me of the movie "Knives Out", but I'm still entertained from start to finish.

The downside? Since there are only so many characters to choose from...I felt I could eliminate the 'obvious' suspects at about 60-70%. I had a very interesting ending in mind that I was hoping would somehow be accurate (and provide me with the crazy twisted ending I was looking for) but it didn't come to pass. Each family member(including the deceased couple) was repugnant, loathsome, and distasteful in different ways. One or more members of the Merton family is possibly a psychopath. That is actually the case with the whole book. It seems like it was brought to us in such... passive way that the it was hard to be emotionally invested. Somewhere around 50% mark we all thought we figured out who the killer was, but I am glad to say we were wrong. What a scandalous bunch of liars!! The Merton adult children have lost their parents to a gruesome murder and they cannot get their stories straight. They stand to inherit millions or could lose everything.

I just finished the book, and I have to say that I was disappointed in it, not just the ending. I’m a fan of Lapena’s but think her other books were somehow better. I borrowed these. A couple of weeks ago.’ ‘Can anyone confirm that?’ She looks up at him angrily. ‘What are you suggesting? That I murdered my parents and kept these earrings?” Classic “who done it?” tale that has you questioning your thoughts just when you’re convinced that you have figured it all out. Wish the author would have gone into more details on childhood, but 4/5!

The family has gathered for the annual Easter dinner, hosted by Fred and Sheila, and patriarch Fred has an announcement to make. Predictable. Barely anything happened the whole book, suspense wise. Them all pointing their fingers at each other got tedious and played out.This was my first novel by Lapena and I own The Couple Next Door so I am excited for that to be my next read by this author! She’s the wild child and works as a sculptor. Jenna’s parents support her financially but don’t approve of her bohemian lifestyle. She has a boyfriend, Jake. What do you mean, upkeep?’ Catherine says, her voice growing bolder, her anger showing. ‘You don’t even do any of the work yourself – you have a gardening company, a snow removal service, Irena does all the cleaning. What upkeep?”