Someone We Know: A Novel

Written by Shari Lapena

Narrated by Kirsten Potter and Robbie Daymond

The new domestic suspense novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Couple Next Door, A Stranger in the House, and An Unwanted Guest, Shari Lapena

Maybe you don't know your neighbors as well as you thought you did . . .

"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."

In a quiet, leafy suburb in upstate New York, a teenager has been sneaking into houses--and into the owners' computers as well--learning their secrets, and maybe sharing some of them, too.

Who is he, and what might he have uncovered? After two anonymous letters are received, whispers start to circulate, and suspicion mounts. And when a woman down the street is found murdered, the tension reaches the breaking point. Who killed her? Who knows more than they're telling? And how far will all these very nice people go to protect their own secrets?

In this neighborhood, it's not just the husbands and wives who play games. Here, everyone in the family has something to hide . . .

You never really know what people are capable of.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio
• Release date: Jul 30, 2019
• ISBN: 9780525532286

Shari Lapena

Shari Lapena was a lawyer and English teacher before turning to writing fiction. Her work has been shortlisted for the CBC Literary Awards and in 2004 she won the Great Toronto Literary Project. Things Go Flying was shortlisted for the 2009 Sunburst Award. She has been featured in The Dalhousie Review, The Globe and Mail and is an alumnus of the Humber School for Writers. She makes her home in Toronto. Please visit sharilapena.com, or follow Shari on Twitter at @sharilapena.

Reviews for Someone We Know

[Andrea DePaoli · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Boring, drawn out, unsatisfying ending. I've enjoyed this author's other books so this one was a giant letdown.

[Susan Terendy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I just devoured this audiobook in two days. Was it a perfect thriller? No. Was I shocked at the ending? Not really, but my enjoyment level was very high and I wanted to keep listening every possible moment which in my book makes this one a winner. I was honestly surprised when I checked my progress earlier today and saw that I was 80% done already. This is a quite short book so it was easy to blast through it. It may not be super deep or meaningful but it is so darn entertaining and a nice distraction from reality. I found myself completely immersed in the story and lost track of time. Sometimes it's nice to become lost in a book and this one fits that bill!

The narrator was very good. She was easy to listen to and made it a breeze to fly though this book.

[Megan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In a non creepy way I love watching Shari Lapenas writing evolve in each book she’s written. She’s my go to for light, non nightmare inducing reads. This kept my attention all the way through, a quick read with an unexpected ending.

[Christine combs · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I could not put this book down.One of my favorite authors.

[Kourey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Just when I thought I knew what happened there’s a twist and you realize oh wow! Great read if you like suspense.

[John Wilkins · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Complex characters, lies, plot twists, all the qualities of a good “who-done-it”. I liked the reader too!

[Danielle Steele · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


I have come to love Shari Lapena's works. This book was no exception and I couldn't put it down. She is great building characters and slowly revealing hidden secrets that keep you guessing and redirecting you. Even the ending had me both satisfied and wanting more, which I praise her for. I very much enjoy when a book has me asking "what the..." After I have finished the book!

At this point, I will read anything Shari Lapena writes. However if you need recommendations for a great mystery/suspense, pick up this book or anything by the author!

[Leslie Shiflet · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book has a great twist ending that I didnt see coming!

[Sarah Hanson · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This was my first Shari Lapena novel and I’ve heard great things about her writing in the past. I’ll be trying out more of her books in the future because I can see the potential for her stories to be very interesting. But unfortunately, this was not the thriller for me.

What I liked:
- Concept: had the potential for a great thriller.
- Unreliable Characters: keeps you guessing who’s guilty, who’s being honest & if everyone has a secret.

What I didn’t like:
- Execution: The characters all felt the same, repetitive information from multiple perspectives (that didn’t feel different), lack of interest in characters.
- I didn’t feel anything. I was initially intrigued. But the characters were so bland that I lost interest. The husband of the victim is the most interesting POV.
- Not Fleshed out enough.