Book Review: What Have You Done by Shari Lapena

Shari Lapena has done it again with What Have You Done, a chilling and twisty tale set in the seemingly idyllic town of Fairhill, Vermont. Known for her talent in crafting domestic suspense, Lapena expertly transforms Fairhill from a sleepy, trusting community into a landscape of fear and suspicion after a young girl, Diana Brewer, is found dead in a hayfield. With vultures circling overhead and an air of menace settling over the town, Lapena dives deep into the darkness lurking behind closed doors.

At its heart, What Have You Done is more than just a murder mystery—it’s a sharp commentary on the societal dynamics that enable violence against young women. Lapena skillfully portrays how quickly suspicion can spread, as the police draw up their list of suspects: the jealous boyfriend, the male teacher accused of inappropriate behavior, and the creepy customer who harassed Diana at her job. These characters feel all too familiar, not just in fiction but in the real world, where stories of young women harmed by those around them are all too common.

What makes the novel especially impactful is its unflinching examination of complicity. Beyond the obvious suspects, Lapena shines a light on the enablers—the school principal who brushes off the teacher’s misconduct, the work supervisor who ignores the harassment, and the bystanders who know something is wrong but do nothing. Diana’s story becomes a powerful indictment of a culture that too often fails to protect young women, leaving them vulnerable and unsupported.

Lapena’s writing is darkly addictive, pulling readers into the narrative with sharp prose and relentless pacing. Every chapter ends with a twist, keeping you hooked and questioning who can truly be trusted. As the layers of Fairhill’s secrets are peeled back, the reader is left grappling with their own assumptions about guilt and innocence.

For fans of domestic suspense and socially conscious thrillers, What Have You Done is an unmissable read. It’s a book that doesn’t just entertain—it also sparks important conversations about the systemic failures that put young women at risk. Lapena’s storytelling is a masterclass in weaving tension with thought-provoking themes, leaving readers both satisfied and unsettled.

Have you read What Have You Done? What did you think of Lapena’s portrayal of complicity and societal failure? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Now that Jack has been forced to reflect on everything he has to lose, he resolves to do better. He’s determined to spend more time at home with his family and repair the relationships that have suffered over the years while he’s been so focused on work. But as Callie’s behavior becomes increasingly bizarre, Jack realizes he has a lot more room to improve than he realized – and it might be too late to save his daughter after all.

For fans of We Need to Talk About Kevin, The Push, and Baby Teeth.