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My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada/Doubleday for this compelling domestic thriller by Shari Lapena. This character study and mystery had me riveted to the pages throughout, and I found it a tantalizing, twisted puzzle.

The plot revolves around the gruesome murder of Fred and Sheila Merton, a multi-millionaire family in their mansion in an exclusive upstate New York area. Everyone left upset and angry after an unpleasant annual Easter dinner with their three adult children (with their spouses and partner) and their longtime housekeeper present. The wealthy Fred Merton was a psychopath who took delight in emotionally abusing and belittling his three adult children. Their mother was distant and ineffective and did nothing to spare them the insults over the Easter meal.

Fred was planning to revise his will and leave half to his sister, absent with the flu. This would still make the three siblings wealthy, but they were greedy and wanted the original bequest. He was murdered before any change could take place in the will.

We are introduced to the three adult children, their backgrounds, personalities, and unpleasant home life. None of the family were likable, but this enhanced the mystery of who killed the Merton parents. All came across as vile, duplicitous people beset by avarice, distrust, and covetousness. As each sibling fell under suspicion, they were only too eager to believe another must be guilty and shift the blame.

The police must sort through a series of lies, false alibis, deceit, distrust, and suspicious behavior. There were many surprises and red herrings uncovered in the investigation. It seemed that the truth would remain hidden, and justice would not be served. I was fascinated by the characters and their behaviors following the vicious murders and their growing distrust of one another.

I loved the open-ended conclusion to the story and the hint of what might happen in the future. Brilliant! I thought this was the best so far of Shari Lapena's thrillers. As she is a Canadian writer,
I just wish that she would use a Canadian location in one of her mysteries. Recommended.