If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers that delve into the dark secrets of everyday lives, Shari Lapena is an author you can’t miss. Known as the “queen of the one-sit read,” Lapena masterfully crafts domestic suspense novels filled with unreliable narrators, shocking twists, and suburban settings that feel eerily familiar. Her books explore themes like marriage, family dysfunction, and hidden betrayals, keeping readers guessing until the final page.
A former lawyer and English teacher turned full-time writer, Shari Lapena burst onto the international scene with her 2016 breakout hit The Couple Next Door, which sold millions and became a global bestseller. Since then, she’s consistently topped charts like the New York Times, Sunday Times, and Globe and Mail. All her thrillers are standalone stories, so you can jump in anywhere—but if you’re like most fans, you’ll want to read them all in publication order to see how her style has evolved.
Here’s the complete list of Shari Lapena books in order (updated as of December 2025), including her early non-thriller works and her latest releases:
Complete List of Shari Lapena Books in Publication Order
Shari Lapena is best known for her standalone psychological thrillers, with no ongoing series or recurring characters. All her books can be read independently, though many fans enjoy them in publication order to track her evolving style.
Here’s the full list as of December 18, 2025:
| # | Title | Publication Year | Genre/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Things Go Flying | 2008 | Literary fiction with humor and supernatural elements |
| 2 | Happiness Economics | 2011 | Literary fiction/comedy |
| 3 | The Couple Next Door | 2016 | Psychological thriller (breakout bestseller) |
| 4 | A Stranger in the House | 2017 | Psychological thriller |
| 5 | An Unwanted Guest | 2018 | Psychological thriller (locked-room mystery) |
| 6 | Someone We Know | 2019 | Psychological thriller |
| 7 | The End of Her | 2020 | Psychological thriller |
| 8 | Not a Happy Family | 2021 | Psychological thriller |
| 9 | Everyone Here Is Lying | 2023 | Psychological thriller |
| 10 | What Have You Done? | 2024 | Psychological thriller |
| 11 | She Didn’t See It Coming | 2025 | Psychological thriller (latest release) |
Upcoming: Getting Away With Murder is scheduled for 2026.
If you’re new to Lapena, start with The Couple Next Door—it’s her most iconic and a great introduction to her twisty domestic suspense style!
Shari Lapena Books in Order: The Complete Guide to Her Gripping Thrillers
Early Novels
- Things Go Flying (2008) Lapena’s debut is a darkly humorous literary novel about a midlife crisis, family grief, and supernatural elements. It’s quite different from her later thrillers but showcases her sharp wit and character depth.
- Happiness Economics (2011) Another comedic literary fiction piece, this one follows a stalled poet navigating marriage, ambition, and compromise. Nominated for the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, it’s a clever satire on success and relationships.
Psychological Thrillers (Standalone)
- The Couple Next Door (2016) Her breakthrough thriller: A couple leaves their baby home alone during a dinner party next door—and she vanishes. Secrets unravel in this addictive tale of parenthood and deception. If you’re new to Lapena, start here—it’s her most famous and a perfect entry point.
- A Stranger in the House (2017) A woman returns home after a car accident with amnesia, but her husband suspects she’s hiding something sinister. Fast-paced and twisty, exploring trust and memory.
- An Unwanted Guest (2018) A classic locked-room mystery set in a remote inn during a snowstorm. Guests start dying one by one—Agatha Christie vibes with modern psychological edge.
- Someone We Know (2019) In a quiet suburb, anonymous letters reveal neighbors’ secrets after a woman’s murder. Lapena excels at exposing the facades of ordinary lives.
- The End of Her (2020) A woman’s past comes crashing back when a stranger accuses her husband of murder. Full of red herrings and family drama.
- Not a Happy Family (2021) A wealthy family gathers for Easter, and the parents end up dead. Siblings become suspects in this deliciously dysfunctional inheritance thriller.
- Everyone Here Is Lying (2023) A young girl goes missing in a seemingly perfect neighborhood, and everyone has something to hide. One of her most gripping, with non-stop tension.
- What Have You Done? (2024) A small-town murder exposes buried secrets among friends and neighbors. Lapena ramps up the paranoia in this recent fan favorite.
- She Didn’t See It Coming (2025) Her newest release: When a beloved wife and mother disappears from a luxury condo, suspicion falls on everyone around her. Packed with whiplash twists, it’s already being hailed as one of her best—perfect for fans craving that signature Lapena shock.
Do You Need to Read Shari Lapena Books in Order?
No! Since all her thrillers are standalones with no recurring characters or series arcs, you can read them in any order. That said, reading chronologically lets you appreciate how her plotting and pacing have sharpened over time. Many readers start with The Couple Next Door for its iconic status, then binge the rest.
Why Shari Lapena Books Are So Addictive
Lapena’s magic lies in making the mundane terrifying. Her stories often unfold in suburban homes, family dinners, or cozy getaways—places we all know—before peeling back layers of lies and motive. Short chapters, cliffhanger endings, and unreliable perspectives make her books impossible to put down. If you love authors like Lisa Jewell, Gillian Flynn, or Liane Moriarty, Lapena’s domestic noir will hook you instantly.
Ready to dive in? Grab The Couple Next Door first, or check out her latest, She Didn’t See It Coming, for peak Lapena twists. Which one will you read next? Share your favorites in the comments—happy reading!
