My latest book recommendation is 'She Didn't See It Coming' by Shari Lapena. It is a gripping psychological crime thriller about the lies, deceit and betrayal hidden behind a perfect marriage.

She Didn’t See It Coming

By Shari Lapena

(Published by Transworld Digital)

Shari Lapena is the internationally bestselling author of nine thrillers, including 'The Couple Next Door', which have all been New York Times, Sunday Times, and Globe and Mail bestsellers. Lapena's books have been sold in forty territories around the world. She lives on a farm outside Toronto.

THE AUTHOR

PLOTLINE  

Running late for picking up her daughter Clara from the nursery, and distracted by the ping of an incoming text, Bryden Frost accidentally crashes into the back of a Tesla, driven by Derek Gardner. After profusely apologising to him and swapping insurance details, she then returns her thoughts to her daughter and dismisses the incident from her mind.

Six weeks later, after having breakfast with her husband Sam before he leaves for work, Bryden buckles Clara into her car seat and drives her to the nursery as usual. With a lot of work to get through she is looking forward to having the day to herself. However, that afternoon while Sam is in a meeting, he receives a phone call from the nursery saying that Bryden had failed to collect Clara and that they could not contact her. Knowing Bryden had planned to work at home that day, and slightly annoyed his meeting had been interrupted, Sam collects Clara himself and returns to their flat. Unfortunately, that annoyance soon turns to worry when he discovers there is no sign of Bryden in the flat, although her car is still in the garage and her bag and mobile are both on the hall table. Her computer is also still on, albeit in sleep mode.

Taking Cara to a neighbour, who often babysits for them, Sam is dismayed to discover Angela has not seen Bryden either, but she offers to take Clara while Sam searches for her. Now panicking, Sam calls Bryden's sister Lizzie who suggests he calls Bryden's best friend Paige. Unable to reach Paige and out of options, Sam realises he has no alternative now but to phone the police.

MY REVIEW

'She Didn't See It Coming' is a well written and gripping thriller that, with so many possible suspects, will keep you guessing right to the end. At first, it appears that Bryden and Sam have a perfect marriage and together with baby Clara, who they both adore, are the epitome of a happy family. However, as the story progresses it soon becomes obvious they both have secrets which they would rather not share.

As with Shari Lapena's other novels, 'She Didn't See It Coming' is perfectly paced, and with red herrings constantly throwing doubt into the mix, I found it difficult to put the book down. I must admit though, it did remind me at first of her novel 'A Stranger in the House', having a similar beginning of a missing wife who appears to have disappeared from her home. However, apart from this similar beginning, the two novels follow very different paths. If you have read and enjoyed any of Shari's other books, you will certainly enjoy this one.

'She Didn't See It Coming' is published by Transworld Digital and is available in eBook, paperback, hardback and audio formats from Amazon. It is also available in hardback and paperback from Waterstones and Foyles.