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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Sister by Louise Jensen is another page turning you think you know what’s coming but your wrong psychological thriller! Really enjoyed the twist in this without giving away any spoilers Louise had me hook line and sinker thinking I knew what was coming and I was wrong. Definitely recommend this book to all who like a good plot twist!
I generally really enjoy Louise Jensen, but her debut novel was rather a dud for me.
Grace’s best friend Charlie dies, her last words being, “I did something terrible, Grace. I hope you can forgive me.” Grace goes on a quest to find out what Charlie’s secret is. In her search she encounters Anna, a woman who claims to be Charlie’s half-sister, and soon thereafter Grace’s life starts falling apart.
I enjoyed the characters and the writing style, and the action moved along quickly. My problem was that I knew the ending before I was even halfway through. Everything was so obvious. Louise Jensen certainly improved in this respect in her subsequent novels. I’ll continue reading this author as she’s one of my recently discovered favorites, but if you’re perusing her works, I’d suggest giving this one a pass.
Grace’s best friend Charlie dies, her last words being, “I did something terrible, Grace. I hope you can forgive me.” Grace goes on a quest to find out what Charlie’s secret is. In her search she encounters Anna, a woman who claims to be Charlie’s half-sister, and soon thereafter Grace’s life starts falling apart.
I enjoyed the characters and the writing style, and the action moved along quickly. My problem was that I knew the ending before I was even halfway through. Everything was so obvious. Louise Jensen certainly improved in this respect in her subsequent novels. I’ll continue reading this author as she’s one of my recently discovered favorites, but if you’re perusing her works, I’d suggest giving this one a pass.
Louise Jensen explores the bonds of friendship, loyalty, and the paralyzing power of guilt in The Sister. Grace was befriended by Charlie when they were young girls on Grace's first day in a new school. Their friendship forged that day endured until Charlie's untimely death. The loss devastated Grace, who has remained haunted by Charlie's last words: "I did something terrible Grace. I hope you can forgive me." Grace has no idea what Charlie did or why she asked for forgiveness.
When Grace and Charlie met, Grace was already burdened with guilt. She had just moved into her grandparents' home. Charlie was raised by her single mother, Lexie, a would-be songstress who drank too much and left the girls on their own most of the time. Charlie never knew her father, but following her death, Grace uncovers clues to his identity and becomes determined to find him. Instead, she finds Anna, who claims to be Charlie's half-sister. Anna informs Grace that her father is also deceased, but she wants to learn about the sister she never knew. For Grace, Anna represents a new best friend with whom she can share her memories of Charlie. When Anna asked to stay with Grace and her boyfriend, Dan, briefly while she secures a new job, Grace readily agrees, But Anna settles in with no intent to leave. And once she does so, everything begins to go wrong for Grace. Her belongings go missing, her relationship with Dan becomes strained, problems develop at work, and Grace becomes convinced that she is being stalked. Determined to learn the truth, Grace continues her quest to learn what Charlie did that was so awful she was prompted to ask for Grace's forgiveness. As Grace uncovers more information, catastrophes continue to befall her. Has she figured out that she is in real danger in time?
Grace lacks self-esteem and confidence, always seeing herself as overweight and unattractive, unable to lose the ten pounds or so that separate her from satisfaction with her appearance. She was already weighed down by grief and regret about her father's death & her mother's reaction to that event when Charlie suddenly left town. Although Charlie sent postcards from all the places to which she traveled, Grace missed her terribly. When Charlie finally returned, her death was another cruel blow that rendered Grace unable to function. Dan stood by her and she has begun piecing her life back together when Lexie asks Grace to help her clean out Charlie's room. Grace's discovery sets in motion a series of events that lead Grace closer and closer to the truth but place her in danger. Anna is sweet and ingratiates herself into Dan and Grace's life, but from the outset there is tension between Dan and Anna that Grace does not understand. Grace's gullibility and vulnerability due to her long history of sadness inform and compel the action in this fast-paced mystery. Jensen has created an eclectic, but believable cast of characters with Grace at the center of the story. The question is whether the truth, once fully revealed, will serve to set Grace free and allow her to finally find peace and happiness. In Jensen's capable hands, learning the answer is entertaining, even if the promised shocking plot twist isn't very shocking. Readers will undoubtedly figure it out quickly, but that doesn't detract from the enjoyment of reading The Sister.
Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader's Copy of the book.
When Grace and Charlie met, Grace was already burdened with guilt. She had just moved into her grandparents' home. Charlie was raised by her single mother, Lexie, a would-be songstress who drank too much and left the girls on their own most of the time. Charlie never knew her father, but following her death, Grace uncovers clues to his identity and becomes determined to find him. Instead, she finds Anna, who claims to be Charlie's half-sister. Anna informs Grace that her father is also deceased, but she wants to learn about the sister she never knew. For Grace, Anna represents a new best friend with whom she can share her memories of Charlie. When Anna asked to stay with Grace and her boyfriend, Dan, briefly while she secures a new job, Grace readily agrees, But Anna settles in with no intent to leave. And once she does so, everything begins to go wrong for Grace. Her belongings go missing, her relationship with Dan becomes strained, problems develop at work, and Grace becomes convinced that she is being stalked. Determined to learn the truth, Grace continues her quest to learn what Charlie did that was so awful she was prompted to ask for Grace's forgiveness. As Grace uncovers more information, catastrophes continue to befall her. Has she figured out that she is in real danger in time?
Grace lacks self-esteem and confidence, always seeing herself as overweight and unattractive, unable to lose the ten pounds or so that separate her from satisfaction with her appearance. She was already weighed down by grief and regret about her father's death & her mother's reaction to that event when Charlie suddenly left town. Although Charlie sent postcards from all the places to which she traveled, Grace missed her terribly. When Charlie finally returned, her death was another cruel blow that rendered Grace unable to function. Dan stood by her and she has begun piecing her life back together when Lexie asks Grace to help her clean out Charlie's room. Grace's discovery sets in motion a series of events that lead Grace closer and closer to the truth but place her in danger. Anna is sweet and ingratiates herself into Dan and Grace's life, but from the outset there is tension between Dan and Anna that Grace does not understand. Grace's gullibility and vulnerability due to her long history of sadness inform and compel the action in this fast-paced mystery. Jensen has created an eclectic, but believable cast of characters with Grace at the center of the story. The question is whether the truth, once fully revealed, will serve to set Grace free and allow her to finally find peace and happiness. In Jensen's capable hands, learning the answer is entertaining, even if the promised shocking plot twist isn't very shocking. Readers will undoubtedly figure it out quickly, but that doesn't detract from the enjoyment of reading The Sister.
Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader's Copy of the book.
Read this in one sitting - it was a real page turner and , although predictable in parts, it was an exciting read. Tried to put it down and go to sleep but I couldn't, so I just finished it.
Really did enjoy this, excellent debut novel.
Really did enjoy this, excellent debut novel.
A twist I was unable to pinpoint! How exciting! I really enjoyed this story, though there were often times I wanted to give all of the characters a good shake. Definitely a first rate psychological thriller. The end was a little rushed after the story being so painstakingly told, but all the loose ends were neatly tied up, just like I like them to be.
Even though some plot points in the book didn't surprise me, something about it made me hooked and I finished it in two days. I was surprised as I read, because there were a couple of turns that I didn't see coming, like Lexi's part in everything.
I have to admit that just like Grace, I suspected Charlie along the way and thought she was the one who bullied her when they were eighteen. I was glad to find out that I was wrong. I think that what made me so interested as I was reading is finding out how Charlie will be stopped - honestly, I thought Dan and Grace will team up and do something about her.
To be honest, the Anna plot reminded me of Pretty Little Liars since there is a very similar character to her on the show, but I'm not pointing any fingers here.
When it comes to characters, I rather like Grace and the mention of her body image issues and the alcohol and drug abuse. She was a little over the top sometimes and naïve at other times, but it's good that she isn't perfect. Dan really disappointed me with his action and if at the start I wanted Grace and him to work out their problems and fix their relationship, at the end the main reason why I hoped they'll somehow be together again is the baby. Other than these two, I think that the main characters that interested me were Charlie, Siobhan, Abby and kind of Esme.
I have to admit that just like Grace, I suspected Charlie along the way and thought she was the one who bullied her when they were eighteen. I was glad to find out that I was wrong. I think that what made me so interested as I was reading is finding out how Charlie will be stopped - honestly, I thought Dan and Grace will team up and do something about her.
To be honest, the Anna plot reminded me of Pretty Little Liars since there is a very similar character to her on the show, but I'm not pointing any fingers here.
When it comes to characters, I rather like Grace and the mention of her body image issues and the alcohol and drug abuse. She was a little over the top sometimes and naïve at other times, but it's good that she isn't perfect. Dan really disappointed me with his action and if at the start I wanted Grace and him to work out their problems and fix their relationship, at the end the main reason why I hoped they'll somehow be together again is the baby. Other than these two, I think that the main characters that interested me were Charlie, Siobhan, Abby and kind of Esme.
This book is basically a Lifetime movie - and I mean that as a compliment. So many twists & turns & life threatening situations & creepy people who you can't trust. This is definitely a page turner if you're looking for a thriller. I wasn't the biggest fan of Grace at the beginning because she seemed a bit co-dependent & I honestly didn't understand her obsession with her friend Charlie (this is an issue with flashback books - are the flashbacks in the best order to explain a character or a relationship? At times it felt no), but her character grows and develops.