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Ask the Author: Shari Lapena

“So glad you enjoyed them! My next one will be out next July in the UK, August in the US and Canada. It's twisty!” Shari Lapena

Answered Questions (16)

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Hi Shari, I recently won your new novel 'A Stranger in the House' on a Goodreads giveaway back on August 23rd. I have yet to receive my copy. Can I expect my copy soon? I'm really looking forward to reading your novel as I enjoyed your last one so much.
Shari Lapena Hi Shanna, I'm sorry. I'm not sure how that works. I'll see if my publicist knows anything about this.
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Can you tell us a two-sentence horror story?
Shari Lapena How bout: She walked slowly down the creaking stairs into the dark. And then she ran as fast as she could back up.
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Thank you for this novel. I absolutely loved it. I used to read mystery novels a lot, and then got bored with it because they all starting becoming the same. Your novel brought back my interest in the genre, so thank you for that. Who are your favorite mystery authors?
Shari Lapena Thank you! Starting with Agatha Christie all the way up to Ruth Ware and Liane Moriarty.
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Hi when will your new book be released in south Africa?
Shari Lapena It's already published by Penguin Random House in South Africa.
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Hi, Shari! I'm a public librarian and The Couple Next Door is one of go-to Reader's Advisory titles - no one has been disappointed yet! I just finished an ARC of A Stranger in the House and ~loved~ it. Are you planning another novel yet or will you be taking a break for some R&R? :)
Shari Lapena Hi Emily,
Thanks for reading!
I am actually working on my third thriller now, but I don't have a title yet. :)
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Hi Shari, I just finished The Couple Next Door and loved it. It was so good, and kept my interest all the way through, I couldn't wait to pick it up each day. I was kind of shocked by the ending, but then again not too shocked. I think you could write a sequel to this novel, do you have any plans to do so? When is your next book coming out, I can't wait to read more!
Shari Lapena Hi Janita,
I'm so glad you enjoyed The Couple Next Door! I have no plans to write a sequel to that book, but I do have a new book coming out called A Stranger in the House, and Detective Rasbach is in it. :) It will be out in July in the UK and in August in the US and Canada. Thanks for reading!
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Ugh! Please tell me you'll be writing more!? I have been in bed with the flu and 'The Couple Next Door' has kept me entertained all day. Such a brilliant writer. Thank you, thank you!
Shari Lapena Hi Victoria,
Thanks so much! Yes, I have another thriller coming out next summer, called A Stranger in the House.
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Hi, Ms. Lapena! I can't tell you how much I loved, loved, loved "The Couple Next Door." What a masterpiece" Are you working on something new? Also, what are some of your favorite books that may be similar to this? Any domestic thrillers you can recommend? Thanks!
Shari Lapena Hi,
Thanks so much!
Yes, I'm just finishing my next domestic noir, called A Stranger in the House, which should be out next summer.
You could try The Perfect Girl, by Gilly Macmillan, The Woman in Cabin 10, by Ruth Ware, I Let You Go, by Clare Mackintosh, and a couple of new ones I've read in ARCs and loved coming out soon--What Alice Knew, by T.A. Cotterell, and Gone Without A Trace, by Mary Torjussen--all fabulous books I've read recently.
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Shari, I loved The Couple Next Door....have you considered a sequel? Could Cora grow up and be like her mother...but different? I hope this gets turned into a movie! Thanks for a great read!
Shari Lapena Hi Carol,
Thanks! I'm glad you liked it. I am not considering a sequel but Detective Rasbach will be back in my new book! A movie would be nice. :)
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Wow, what an incredible ride that was to read "The Couple Next Door." I was wondering, how did the story come about for you Shari? Did you outline, or did you just write on the edge of your seat and it just worked?
Shari Lapena Hi Josh,
No, I don't outline, I start with a premise and the characters take over from there. I start with a premise that can go in a lot of different directions and keep them all open as possibles till the end. Fortunately it seems to have worked with The Couple Next Door. I hope it works with the next one!
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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)
Shari Lapena Hi Mel,
No, I didn't plan it that way from the beginning. It was something that developed very late! Thanks for reading, and I'm glad you enjoyed it!
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What a talent you are! How did you keep up in your head with all the plot twists?
Shari Lapena Thanks, Lisa! I'm not sure how I do it--I think I just have a very twisty mind.
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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)
Shari Lapena Hi Kristina,
Yes, it will be a suspense for sure!
Best,
Shari
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Just finished "The Couple Next Door", and am still in shock at the twists and turns you created, without giving anything away. I'm an avid reader, and read over 1,000 books per year. I love mysteries, detective, and WWI stories. I have not read a book as good as yours since "Gone Girl". I hope they make your book into a movie!!! Loved it!!!! Will you write more stories?
Shari Lapena Hi Kathy,
Thank you!
And I absolutely am going to write more--I'm writing another one right now. So watch for it next year!
PS A movie would be nice. :)
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Amazing story I absolutely loved The Couple Next Door. I love the ending and I was wondering did you have the ending in your head all the time and you wrote the book to that end or was it a natural progression? Can't wait for the next one!
Shari Lapena Hi Sandra,
No, I didn't know the ending as I was writing--I figure it out as I go along!

Thanks for reading!
Shari
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I was up late reading your "Couple next door", I couldn't put it down ! Please tell me you have more suspense-fiction coming soon. What are your plans for future books ?
Shari Lapena Hi Christine,
I'm so glad you liked it!
Yes, I'm working on another thriller now, and I'm going to be writing many more thrillers, I think!
Very Best,
Shari
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