She Didn’t See it Coming By Shari Lapena

I love a good Shari Lapena in the heat of summer. Her books always go well with a sunny spot and a cold drink.

Favourite Quote:

But it soon becomes clear that Bryden Frost had not left the building that day through the front doors. They check the footage on the back door, but they don’t see her exiting through there either.

Book Synopsis:

When a beloved wife and mother disappears, a luxurious condo building transforms into a potential crime scene, and the investigation begins: can the detectives find her before it’s too late?

Bryden and Sam have it all: thriving careers, a smart apartment in a luxury condominium, supportive friends and a cherished daughter. The perfect life for the perfect couple.

Then Sam receives a call at his office. Bryden–working from home that day–has failed to collect their daughter from daycare. Arriving home with their little girl, he finds his wife’s car in the underground garage. Upstairs in their apartment her laptop is open on the table, her cell phone nearby, her keys in their usual place in the hall.

Except Bryden is nowhere to be seen. It’s as if she just walked out.

Review:

She Didn’t See it Coming was the perfect bingeable read during a lazy summer afternoon. 

Bryden is happy: in her marriage, her work and her family. We only meet her for a couple of chapters, and then she is missing and found dead. The rest of the story is told through many different POV’s who all have different reasons for wanting to hide the truth. This book is a reminder that everyone has secrets, and you never know what will connect you to pieces of people they’d rather remain hidden. 

Bryden and Sam seem to be the perfect couple. But quickly on, the detective assigned to the case, Janice Salter, notices a lot of holes, and too many things occur to just be coincidences. As the hunt for Bryden heats up, we meet the man and his wife who Bryden accidentally rear-ended a few weeks ago; her neighbours in her expensive condo building, her devastated parents and sister, and Bryden’s best friend who wants to support the family. 

When Bryden’s body is found, Janice now has a murder on her hands, and each character has to be investigated. Who would want Bryden dead? Your head will spin at the amount of people who all are looking to protect themselves and Janice hunts for the killer. Shari uses modern day technology in an expert way to help the story: instead of running from tech, she uses it to her advantage and keeps the story fresh and intriguing. There were plenty of red herrings that had me guessing who the murderer was through most of the book. 

While the ending felt a little rushed, it worked because there were so many loose ends to tie up. I’m hoping we get to see more of Janice, she was an intriguing and engaging detective who added a lot to the story as one of the main characters we engage in. 

This is the perfect summer read for lovers of true crime. 

Thank you to Penguin Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.