Publish Date: July 30, 2019
“We all wear masks. We all have something to hide at one point or another.” — Someone We Know
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…
Every single book that Shari LaPena has written is riveting grip lit. She has a talent for pulling readers into her stories with atmospheric creepy environments, diverse characters, and twists that make your jaw drop. All of her books are filled with surprises and unexpected turns, including this one.
This book is about an idyllic neighborhood and the families that live there. The ‘hood is similar to the ones that many of us live in, and some of the characters might remind you of people that live on your street. Each house on a street can represent a whole different universe because of the people living there, and you never really know what happens behind closed doors, especially in this ‘hood!
This book is about neighbors behaving badly and you have no idea how naughty they are. Everyone is hiding something and they’re constantly lying; I didn’t know who to trust. It’s also about a teen boy that breaks into houses just to get into their owners’ computers and fish out their deepest, darkest secrets.
My favorite quotes:
“I didn’t break in. I snuck in.”
“How are you supposed to teach kids anything these days, with all of the bad behavior they see around them, on the news, all the time, from people in positions of authority? No one seems to behave well or have any appreciation for boundaries anymore.”
“Parenting is so stressful… you try your best, but really, what control do you have over them once they’re not little anymore? You have no idea what’s going on inside their heads, or what they’re up to.”
“Every marriage has its secrets.”
This novel explores the themes of secrets, lies, deception, marriage, family, and betrayal with a dark, edgy vibe. As with all of Shari’s books, there are mostly unlikeable characters who become ones that you love to hate. Every neighbor is a suspect to a murder, and there are many people with a motive. Who did it remained a mystery to me all the way until the end.
I love the way that Shari LaPena writes, and her style shines brightly in this book. It’s a fun, fast, binge-worthy read that is an entertaining way to pass the time and I highly recommend it!
My rating: 4 of 5 stars 
Note: I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss exchange for an honest review.
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