Today I’m posting my review of The Sister, by Louise Jensen.
The Sister is a gripping thriller. I read it in two sittings, because I had to work in between, otherwise it’s the type of novel I wouldn’t have put down until I’d finished it!
Grace, the narrator, and Charlie were inseparable friends until something happened and Charlie left their town suddenly and inexplicably. She returned and died in an unfortunate accident, five months before the novel begins.
As a result of her death, Grace has what appears to be an emotional breakdown. She misses her friend, and grief, guilt and her own insecurities are ruining her relationship with her boyfriend, Dan. At the same time, Charlie’s words: ‘I did something terrible, Grace’, haunt Grace, and compel her to find out more about her deceased friend.
Charlie’s unstable and secretive mother, Lexi, is of little help in Grace’s quest to find Charlie’s unknown father, although Grace gradually finds out why Charlie died, why she had left, and who her father is. Just as the mystery seems to be unveiled, more twists appear in the plot.
As the story progresses, another character bursts into Grace’s life, namely Charlie’s half-sister, Anne, thus the title of the novel.
Neither Charlie nor Anne had known knew they were related, and Grace embraces Anne as if she were her best friend, letting her stay at her cottage, even though this puts a strain on her already complex relationship with, her boyfriend, Dan.
Suspense is created by the way in which Grace narrated the story, alternating present day events called ‘Now’ and flashbacks ‘Then’, as the past is gradually unveiled.
Grace is a lovely person, most girls would love to have her as a friend, but she’s often too nice and too gullible, which made me want to shake and shout at my kindle! Then in comes Dan, the most unworthy of boyfriends any girl could have. Dan is weak and pathetic, which leads him to do some unforgivable things.
The Sister is well plotted with engaging and believable characters. It’s beautifully written with many poetic descriptions of the English countryside, where the action takes place.
It has a satisfactory ending, which isn’t a traditional happy ever after. Grace has finally moved on and become more assertive, which is a welcome relief. All the ends are tied up and there is hope for the future.
A satisfying and enthralling read. I’m looking forward to reading The Gift now!
Louise Jensen is a USA Today Bestselling Author, and lives in Northamptonshire with her husband, children, madcap spaniel and a rather naughty cat.
Louise’s first two novels, The Sister and the Gift, were both No.1 Bestsellers, and have been sold for translation to ten countries. The Sister was nominated for The Goodreads Awards Debut of 2016. Louise is currently writing her third psychological thriller.
Louise loves to hear from readers and writers and can be found at http://www.louisejensen.co.uk, where she regularly blogs flash fiction.
Shortly after reading The Sister, quite by chance, I ‘met’ Louise through her blog, when I was taking part in Friday Fictioneers a weekly Flash Fiction Challenge she also often takes part in. Don’t forget to check out Louise’s blog.
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