Karen and Tom Krupp are happy—they’ve got a lovely home in upstate New York, they’re practically newlyweds, and they have no kids to interrupt their comfortable life together. But one day, Tom returns home to find Karen has vanished—her car’s gone and it seems she left in a rush. She even left her purse—complete with phone and ID—behind. There’s a knock on the door—the police are there to take Tom to the hospital where his wife has been admitted. She had a car accident, and lost control as she sped through the worst part of town. The accident has left Karen with a concussion and a few scrapes. Still, she’s mostly okay—except that she can’t remember what she was doing or where she was when she crashed. The cops think her memory loss is highly convenient, and they suspect she was up to no good. Karen returns home with Tom, determined to heal and move on with her life. Then she realizes something’s been moved. Something’s not quite right. Someone’s been in her house. And the police won’t stop asking questions Because in this house, everyone’s a stranger. Everyone has something they’d rather keep hidden. Something they might even kill to keep quiet.
A Stranger in the House isn’t the first book by Lapena I’ve read (I started with The Couple Next Door, which I highly recommend!), and I really enjoyed it! Lapena has truly earned the title of “Queen of the One-Sit Read,” and it’s easy to see why. Her writing is absolutely captivating, and the plot twists are insane yet believable, keeping you hooked until the very last page!
Karen and Tom are written so well—I wanted to dislike them at first, but for a long time, I actually found myself liking this couple! Brigid, on the other hand, is that nosy neighbor we all try to avoid. She loves to hear the sound of her own voice, and as the story progresses, she turns into a truly nasty piece of work. I’m still not entirely sure whether her behavior is driven by wanting something she can’t have and manipulating the situation to get it, or if she’s simply been pushed over the edge by her obsession—probably a mix of both, as I continue to think about it.
Karen was absolutely fantastic! Without giving away the major plot twist, I was left wanting more and secretly hoping for a sequel!
If A Stranger in the House were ever adapted into a TV show, I would expect a bit of a follow-up at the end, but I think it would make for easy viewing. There are no complicated time jumps or character changes, and the plot twist was intense without being confusing (like some twists can be). I didn’t have to read the chapter twice to fully understand it, which is always a plus! It had the perfect ending for a reader who likes to see loose ends tied up but also enjoys a “I know what’s coming next—time to grab the popcorn!” moment.
I highly recommend Lapena’s books overall. Even though I’ve only read half of her available titles so far, the characters are written in such a relatable way, whether it’s their personalities or the circumstances surrounding them. Lapena has a way of making you empathize with them, only to pull the rug out from under you with a sharp and satisfying twist that leaves you reeling.
Author Bio.
Before becoming a bestselling novelist, Shari Lapena was a Canadian-born lawyer and English teacher. Her debut novel, Things Go Flying, was published in 2008, and she hasn’t looked back since. Lapena has since written a series of gripping thriller novels, including The Couple Next Door, An Unwanted Guest, Someone We Know, and The End of Her. Her latest title, Not A Happy Family, is available for purchase now.
Morelli’s Reads 