The End of Her by Shari Lapena

The End of Her

by Shari Lapena

The new domestic suspense novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Couple Next Door and Someone We Know

A long-ago accident--and a vistor from out of the blue. . .


Stephanie and Patrick are adjusting to life with their colicky twin girls. The babies are a handful, but even as Stephanie struggles with the disorientation of sleep deprivation, there's one thing she's sure of: she has all she ever wanted.

Then Erica, a woman from Patrick's past, appears and makes a disturbing accusation. Patrick had always said his first wife's death was an accident, but now Erica claims it was murder.

Patrick insists he's innocent, that this is nothing but a blackmail attempt. Still, Erica knows things about Patrick--things that make Stephanie begin to question her husband. Stephanie isn't sure what, or who, to believe. As Stephanie's trust in Patrick begins to falter, Patrick stands to lose everything. Is Patrick telling the truth--is Erica the persuasive liar Patrick says she is? Or has Stephanie made a terrible mistake?

How will it end?

Reviewed by Kim Deister on

5 of 5 stars

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This is a great domestic thriller that just may leave you with more questions than answers by the time you close the book. As all good domestic thrillers do, the story began with what seems like an entirely normal relationship between two people. Then, as happens, their lives are turned on end until it becomes a tangled mess of lies and betrayal. Soon, it begs the question… how well do you really know your partner? It is the kind of book that makes you look at your own partner and wonder just who they really are.

The mood of the novel is set right from the beginning… suspenseful, tense, and dangerous. The author’s writing style definitely added to the feel of the story, even as much as her word choice, often using short sentences to convey a sense of urgency, a sense of fear. The story is told from multiple perspectives, allowing the characters to be revealed in ways that add to the mood, in bits and pieces. It keeps the reader guessing, trying to figure who is telling the truth and who isn’t.

The plot is very twisty, with lots of unexpected moments that keep the reader guessing, and often guessing incorrectly. There may be differences of opinion concerning the ending, with many people feeling it fell flat or was uncharacteristic. I disagree with both of these feelings. For me, it felt on point and entirely possible. Because who knows what any of us are capable of in the worst moments of our lives? People are unpredictable.

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Reading updates

  • 4 September, 2023: Started reading
  • 7 September, 2023: Finished reading
  • 28 September, 2023: Reviewed