Shari Lapena has garnered a reputation for crafting thrilling, edge-of-your-seat mysteries that keep readers hooked from the first page to the last. Her books often explore the darker sides of human nature, hidden secrets, and unexpected twists that leave you guessing until the final reveal. However, her latest novel, What Have You Done?, while still an engaging read, falls slightly short of the high bar she has set with her previous works.
A Gripping Premise, but a Predictable Culprit
What Have You Done? introduces us to a world of complex relationships and buried secrets, centering around the murder of a popular girl from a seemingly peaceful neighborhood. As is typical of Lapena’s style, the story begins with a bang, plunging us straight into the mystery. From the very beginning, there’s an undercurrent of tension that promises a thrilling ride. However, by the second or third chapter, I found myself already suspecting who the culprit was, and unfortunately, my hunch turned out to be correct.
It was disappointing to realize the mystery’s solution so early on, especially in a genre that thrives on keeping readers guessing. The clues felt too obvious, almost as if they were deliberately laid out in plain sight. While Lapena’s writing is as sharp as ever, the lack of suspense in this novel was a letdown. I kept hoping for a twist that would prove me wrong, a curveball that would take the story in an unexpected direction, but it never came.
A Familiar Protagonist in a Familiar Setting
The novel’s protagonist is, of course, the “popular girl”—a trope that Lapena has used before, but this time, it feels a bit overdone. We all know that popular girl in our neighborhoods or schools, the one who seems to have it all: beauty, charm, and the attention of everyone around her. In What Have You Done?, this character is central to the plot, and while she is well-drawn and compelling, her role as the focal point of everyone’s attention felt somewhat forced.
It’s almost as if the entire community revolves around her, making her less of a person and more of a symbol. This portrayal of the protagonist as the only “popular” girl in the locality, with everyone else either wanting to be her or wanting something from her, felt a bit one-dimensional. It painted a picture of a community obsessed with a single individual, which, while it might work in some contexts, made the story feel a bit insular and, frankly, a little sad.
The Sadness of Isolation
Speaking of sadness, there’s a pervasive melancholy that underlies the entire novel. The protagonist’s life, despite its outward glamour, is marked by a sense of loneliness. This is a theme that Lapena handles well, and it’s one of the novel’s strengths. The popular girl’s life is not all it’s cracked up to be, and as the story unfolds, we see the cracks in her seemingly perfect facade.
This exploration of the isolation that often accompanies popularity is poignant and adds depth to the story. However, it also makes the narrative feel heavy at times. The sadness of the protagonist’s life, combined with the overall lack of suspense, made the novel feel more like a character study than a thriller.
A Fan of Lapena, but…
As a fan of Shari Lapena’s work, I was eager to dive into What Have You Done?. Her previous novels, like The Couple Next Door and An Unwanted Guest, are masterclasses in suspense and have kept me guessing until the very end. Lapena’s talent lies in her ability to weave complex narratives with multiple twists and turns, making her books difficult to put down. Unfortunately, What Have You Done? didn’t quite deliver on that front.
The writing is still strong, and Lapena’s ability to create an atmosphere of tension is evident in the early chapters. However, the lack of a truly surprising twist and the predictability of the plot left me wanting more. It’s not that the book is bad—far from it. It’s just that it doesn’t live up to the standard that Lapena has set with her previous works.
A Missed Opportunity for More Suspense
One of the things that make Lapena’s books so enjoyable is the suspense. She’s a master at building tension, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat, unsure of what will happen next. In What Have You Done?, that element of suspense is present, but it’s not as strong as it could be. The clues are too easy to spot, and the big reveal lacks the punch that it should have.
This isn’t to say that the book is without merit. There are moments of genuine tension, and Lapena’s exploration of the darker sides of human nature is as compelling as ever. However, the overall lack of suspense makes the novel feel more like a missed opportunity. With a bit more misdirection and a less obvious culprit, What Have You Done? could have been a truly gripping read.
Final Thoughts
What Have You Done? is a well-written novel that explores interesting themes, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark as a suspense thriller. The predictability of the plot and the overuse of the “popular girl” trope detract from what could have been a much more engaging story. As a fan of Shari Lapena, I’m always excited to see what she comes up with next, but this novel left me feeling a bit underwhelmed.
If you’re new to Lapena’s work, I’d recommend starting with one of her earlier novels, where her talent for creating suspense shines through more clearly. However, if you’re a dedicated fan, What Have You Done? is still worth a read, if only to see how Lapena continues to develop as a writer.
In the end, while What Have You Done? didn’t quite live up to my expectations, I’ll still be eagerly awaiting Shari Lapena’s next novel, hoping for a return to the heart-pounding suspense that first made me fall in love with her work.
Honest Reviews 