Ever driven through one of those picture-perfect New England towns and thought, “Gosh, wouldn’t it be nice to live here?” Well, Shari Lapena’s latest thriller, “What Have You Done?”, might just make you think twice about that quaint little daydream. Set in the seemingly idyllic town of Fairhill, Vermont, this novel peels back the layers of small-town façade to reveal the rot lurking beneath. It’s a gripping, unsettling read that’ll have you side-eyeing your neighbors and double-checking your locks. Trust me, after this book, you’ll never look at a hayfield the same way again.
The Setup: A Body in the Field
Lapena wastes no time throwing us into the deep end. On page one, we’re introduced to Roy Ressler, a local farmer who stumbles upon the body of Diana Brewer in his field. Diana, a popular high school student, has been strangled, her body left for the vultures. It’s the kind of crime that just doesn’t happen in sleepy little Fairhill—until it does.
From this gruesome discovery, Lapena expertly sets the dominoes in motion. The town is thrown into chaos, suspicion spreads like wildfire, and suddenly everyone’s a potential suspect. It’s like watching a Norman Rockwell painting morph into something out of a Hitchcock film.
The Characters: A Town Full of Secrets
One of Shari Lapena’s strengths has always been her ability to create believable, flawed characters, and “What Have You Done?” is no exception. We’re introduced to a sprawling cast, each more intriguing (and suspicious) than the last:
- Riley Mead: Diana’s best friend, wracked with guilt and determined to uncover the truth.
- Cameron Farrell: Diana’s boyfriend, whose alibi starts to look shakier by the minute.
- Brad Turner: The charismatic gym teacher with a questionable past.
- Graham Kelly: The high school principal hiding more than just teenage drama.
And that’s just scratching the surface. Lapena deftly weaves these characters’ stories together, each revelation adding another layer to the mystery. It’s like watching a particularly tense game of Jenga—you know it’s all going to come crashing down, but you can’t look away.
The Atmosphere: Claustrophobia in Wide Open Spaces
One of the things that struck me most about “What Have You Done?” is how Shari Lapena manages to create a sense of suffocating claustrophobia in a rural setting. Fairhill may be surrounded by open fields and forests, but as the investigation progresses, the town feels increasingly like a pressure cooker about to explode.
The author’s descriptions of the Vermont landscape are vivid and evocative. You can practically smell the hay, feel the chill in the air. But there’s always an undercurrent of menace. Those same fields that look so picturesque by day become sinister hiding places by night. The covered bridges and winding country roads that tourists love suddenly feel like traps.
It’s this juxtaposition of beauty and danger that gives the book much of its power. Lapena understands that true horror often comes from the familiar turned threatening.
The Plot: Twists, Turns, and Misdirection
Let’s talk about the plot, shall we? Buckle up, folks, because Lapena takes us on one hell of a ride. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, she pulls the rug out from under you. Red herrings? She’s got ’em by the boatload. Unreliable narrators? You bet your sweet maple syrup.
The pacing is relentless, with short chapters that practically beg you to keep reading. “Just one more,” you’ll tell yourself at 2 AM, bleary-eyed but unable to put the book down. Lapena has a knack for ending each chapter on a mini-cliffhanger that makes it nearly impossible to find a good stopping point.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the plot is the way Lapena plays with perspective. We get glimpses into the minds of various characters, including—in a chilling twist—the victim herself. These shifting viewpoints keep us constantly off-balance, never quite sure who to trust.
The Themes: The Darkness Within
While “What Have You Done?” by Shari Lapena is undeniably a page-turner, it’s not just empty calories. Lapena uses her mystery to explore some weighty themes:
- The illusion of safety in small-town America
- The power of secrets and the toll they take
- The line between justice and vengeance
- The ways trauma can echo through generations
Perhaps most disturbingly, the book forces us to confront the capacity for darkness that exists in all of us. As the title asks, “What have you done?” It’s a question that haunts not just the characters, but the reader as well.
The Style: Lean, Mean, and Addictive
Stylistically, “What Have You Done?” showcases Shari Lapena at the top of her game. Her prose is crisp and efficient, without a wasted word. She has a gift for creating tension through understated details—a locked door, a missing phone, a sudden silence.
Dialogue is another strong point. Lapena has an ear for the way people really talk, especially when they’re under pressure. The conversations feel natural and revealing, often showing us more about the characters than they intend to let on.
Comparisons and Context
“What Have You Done?” fits comfortably into Shari Lapena’s impressive body of work. Fans of her previous bestsellers like “The Couple Next Door” and “An Unwanted Guest” will find plenty to love here. She’s consistently proven herself to be a master of the domestic thriller, and this latest offering cements that reputation.
In the broader context of the genre, “What Have You Done?” brings to mind other small-town mysteries like Gillian Flynn’s “Sharp Objects” or Liane Moriarty’s “Big Little Lies.” Lapena’s work stands out, however, for its tighter focus and more propulsive plotting.
Final Thoughts: A Chilling Trip to Vermont
“What Have You Done?” is the literary equivalent of a roller coaster—sensational, occasionally terrifying, and leaving you slightly breathless at the end. Lapena has crafted a mystery that’s both satisfyingly intricate and emotionally resonant.
Is it perfect? No. Some readers might find the large cast of characters occasionally overwhelming, and there are a few plot threads that feel slightly underdeveloped. But these are minor quibbles in what is overall a masterclass in suspense writing.
If you’re looking for a book that’ll keep you up way past your bedtime, that’ll make you look at your quiet neighborhood with new eyes, “What Have You Done?” by Shari Lapena is the ticket. Just maybe don’t read it right before a trip to Vermont. You know, just in case.
