A review by justacatandabook
Little Sister by Gytha Lodge

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Riveting thriller about missing sisters

DCI Jonah Sheens is enjoying a day outside when a teen stumbles out of the woods, covered in blood. Keely tells him he needs to look for her younger sister, Nina. Jonah and his team discover that Keely and Nina went missing from their care home and have a tangled past in care. He brings in Keely to find out where Nina is, but she insists on starting from the beginning of their story.

This is a dark tale, told in a compelling narrative, alternating between Keely's story and Jonah and his team investigating on their own. This ratchets up the tension, as we slowly learn more from both sides, never sure exactly what it all means, or who to trust. The horrors of the foster care system are made abundantly clear, but Keely also comes across as cold and supremely manipulative. Is she telling the truth? As always, the dynamics around Jonah and his team are great. The result is a strong thriller that keeps you turning the pages.