Shari Lapena: From Literary Fiction to Bestselling Thriller Star

Shari Lapena, a Canadian author living outside Toronto, experienced a dramatic career shift about a decade ago. She transitioned from writing literary fiction for small presses to becoming an international bestselling thriller author. Her breakout novel, 'The Couple Next Door,' unexpectedly achieved massive global success, selling millions of copies and optioned by Paramount.

This newfound fame has been life-changing, enabling Lapena to dedicate herself entirely to writing thrillers, a pursuit she finds both fulfilling and exhilarating. She now publishes a new book annually, aiming to present a unique challenge with each subsequent release and striving to improve her work over time.

Her latest novel, 'Getting Away With Murder,' delves into a couple's meticulously planned crime to inherit a fortune. The narrative follows Jill and Ted as they attempt to murder a wealthy family member to maintain their lavish lifestyle, though their plan does not unfold as anticipated. Lapena is fascinated by the psychological unraveling of characters under extreme pressure, a theme central to her work.

Lapena believes the appeal of thrillers lies in their escapist nature, offering readers a vicarious experience of high tension and conflict from a safe distance. She personally prefers a serene existence and finds the drama on the page to be the ideal outlet for exploring such themes. Crime writers, she notes, often possess sunny dispositions despite the dark subjects they explore.

'Getting Away With Murder' is now available for purchase.