Shari Lapena

Shari Lapena
In a 2026 interview
Born1960 (age 65–66)
OccupationsNovelist, lawyer, teacher

Shari Lapena (born 1960) is a Canadian novelist.[1]

Lapena, a lawyer and English teacher before beginning her writing career,[2] published her debut novel Things Go Flying in 2008. That novel was shortlisted for the Sunburst Award in 2009.[3] Her second novel, Happiness Economics, was a Stephen Leacock Award finalist in 2012.[4] Her books have been sold in forty territories around the world. She lives in Toronto.

Lapena became best known for her 2016 thriller novel The Couple Next Door, which was a bestseller both in Canada and internationally.[5] An upcoming Paramount+ limited series was in development as of 2026.[6]

Works

  • Things Go Flying (2008)
  • Happiness Economics (2011)
  • The Couple Next Door (2016)[7]
  • A Stranger in the House (2017)
  • An Unwanted Guest (2018)
  • Someone We Know (2019)[8]
  • The End of Her (2020)[9]
  • Not a Happy Family (2021)
  • Everyone Here Is Lying (2023)
  • What Have You Done (2024)
  • She Didn't See It Coming (2025)

References

  1. ^ "In the world of Shari Lapena, everyone has a secret". Maclean's, August 14, 2017.
  2. ^ "Is Shari Lapena Canada's next grip-lit star?" Archived March 13, 2018, at the Wayback Machine. Metro, August 17, 2016.
  3. ^ "Sunburst Award 2009 Winners". Locus, September 29, 2009.
  4. ^ "Stephen Leacock Award 2012 Shortlist". CBC Books.
  5. ^ "Shari Lapena follows up her bestselling thriller with another domestic nail-biter". Quill & Quire, July 2017.
  6. ^ https://bleedingcool.com/comics/recent-updates/couple-door-paramount-anonymous-series/
  7. ^ Review, Thriller Book (November 29, 2024). "The Couple Next Door Summary: Who Can You Trust?". Thriller Book Review. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  8. ^ 21 Books to Curl Up With This Fall, Newsweek
  9. ^ "12 Canadian books coming out in July we can't wait to read". CBC Books. July 7, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.