A review by minimicropup
My Sister's Daughter by Liv Constantine

dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A brisk, plot-driven thriller. Well-paced, kept me guessing, and wrapped up before wearing out its welcome. 
 
Energy: Worrisome. Watchful. Wary.  
 
🐩 Tail Wags: Even though it’s a shorter read, it didn’t feel rushed. Snappy pacing. Plot drives the story forward. Easy (and fun!) to devour in a single sitting. Characters were surprisingly well-developed for such a quick read. The “creepy kid” vibe added tension without going overboard. Second-guessing every character’s motives. Clever fake-outs and suspicious behaviours. Resolves at good pace.
 
Scene: 🇺🇸 White Hall, Maryland, USA
Perspective: A spouse and parent with a 4- and 12-year-old. Their 13-year-old niece come to live with them after her parents died and initially fits right in despite all the worries she might be like her difficult parent. 
Timeline: Autumn. Linear. 2010s or 2020s. 
🔥 Fuel: Why are little accidents happening around the house so often? Is one of the teens acting up or are they being set up? How will the family handle the changing dynamics? Who can the main character believe? Does the apple ever fall far from the tree? 
📖 Cred: Plausible
 
Mood Reading Match-Up:
Birthday goody bags. Trampoline. Therapist office. Attic bedroom. Ketchup. Necklace. Building blocks. 
  • Invisible in the room (first person)
  • Breeze, casual, simple writing style
  • Creepy things kids say (and do)
  • Plot-driven psychological domestic suspense
  • Interplay of personality, genetics, and bias
  • Short, to-the-point family drama
  • Accusations, close calls, doubts, and suspicions
  • Guilty or innocent, everyone’s a suspect
  • Middle school feuds and friendships
  • How far would you go for your family?
  • Whodunit sabotage, who to believe, mom-turned-amateur-sleuth
 
Content Heads-Up: Alcoholism (off page). Drowning. Drugging. Foreclosure. Gambling addiction (off page). Infidelity. Loss of parents (as teen; as adult). Loss of sibling (as adult). Parental rejection. Potential false accusation. Rape (off page). 
 
Rep: American. Cis. Hetero. Creamy, pale skin tones. 
 
📚 Format: Kindle Unlimited
 
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