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The One to Blame
Why pretend your life is a dream when you’re living a nightmare?
When Annie met Dom, he seemed like everything she was waiting for: charming, loving, generous. When they got married, and he showed her the studio he’d built in the garden for her to paint in, she knew that at last she had found a way to be free.
She didn’t notice the trap until it had closed around her. And now, as she does his shopping and cooks his food and sits waiting for him well into the night, she has to smile through her tears, hide her anger, and tell no one the truth, not even her sister Isla.
Isla thought Annie was happy. They have always been as close as sisters can be, they knew everything about each other. And then the call comes in the middle of the night. Annie and Dom are dead.
When Isla arrives at her sister’s house, the smell of smoke still hangs on the air, and soon she realises she didn’t know Annie at all.
Because Annie was living a lie.
And as Isla sifts through the ashes, she must decide whether she wants to know the truth, or to protect what’s left of her family…
A brilliantly twisty tale of family secrets and the darkness that can lie behind closed doors, The One to Blame will keep you turning the pages till the final devastating revelation. Fans of Lisa Jewell, Gillian Flynn and Louise Candlish will love it.
When Annie met Dom, he seemed like everything she was waiting for: charming, loving, generous. When they got married, and he showed her the studio he’d built in the garden for her to paint in, she knew that at last she had found a way to be free.
She didn’t notice the trap until it had closed around her. And now, as she does his shopping and cooks his food and sits waiting for him well into the night, she has to smile through her tears, hide her anger, and tell no one the truth, not even her sister Isla.
Isla thought Annie was happy. They have always been as close as sisters can be, they knew everything about each other. And then the call comes in the middle of the night. Annie and Dom are dead.
When Isla arrives at her sister’s house, the smell of smoke still hangs on the air, and soon she realises she didn’t know Annie at all.
Because Annie was living a lie.
And as Isla sifts through the ashes, she must decide whether she wants to know the truth, or to protect what’s left of her family…
A brilliantly twisty tale of family secrets and the darkness that can lie behind closed doors, The One to Blame will keep you turning the pages till the final devastating revelation. Fans of Lisa Jewell, Gillian Flynn and Louise Candlish will love it.
329 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 13, 2021
478 people are currently reading
1394 people want to read
About the author
S.E. Lynes
19 books820 followersS. E. Lynes is the #1 Amazon best selling author of THE HOUSEWARMING, and 'intelligent and haunting' psychological thrillers, VALENTINA, MOTHER, THE PACT, THE PROPOSAL, THE WOMEN, THE LIES WE HIDE, CAN YOU SEE HER? and HER SISTER'S SECRET
Formerly a BBC producer, after gaining an MA in Creative Writing, she became a Creative Writing Tutor at Richmond Adult Community College and now combines writing, mentoring and lecturing. She has also published three children's books in Italy.
Formerly a BBC producer, after gaining an MA in Creative Writing, she became a Creative Writing Tutor at Richmond Adult Community College and now combines writing, mentoring and lecturing. She has also published three children's books in Italy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews
July 8, 2021
3/3.5 stars
Annie always appeared to be happy. She always had a happy face and she and Dom, her husband appeared to have it all. As least that is what her sister, Isla, thought. That is what many in their lives thought. But Annie was a master at presenting as happy when inside she was unhappy.
Isla gets a call late one night from her nephew, Callum "Cal" causing Isla to wonder who did everything go up in flames? Why didn't she know what was going on in her sister's life? What happened? Determined to be there for her nephew and to find answers, Isla learns more about her sister, her life, and those in it.
S.E. Lynes has become a go to author for me. I enjoy her writing and easily becomes engrossed in her books. Plus, she has some amazing twists. This book was no exception in the twist department. I thought I had everything figure out, but I was WRONG! I did not see that one coming! I thought it was an extremely clever way to end the book.
I did struggle a little in the middle as I found things to be a little repetitive. I also had difficulty connecting with the characters. Having said that, I found this to still be an enjoyable worthwhile book. It is dramatic, and delves into the secrets we keep, how we present one face to the world while covering up our pain, and the search for the truth. Are we fooling others or fooling ourselves when we pretend our life is perfect?
I also enjoyed how Isla came to realize that although she and her sister were once close, that she really did not know her sister as well as she thought.
Fans of S.E. Lynes will not be disappointed. I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
Dramatic read with a shocking twist!
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Annie always appeared to be happy. She always had a happy face and she and Dom, her husband appeared to have it all. As least that is what her sister, Isla, thought. That is what many in their lives thought. But Annie was a master at presenting as happy when inside she was unhappy.
Isla gets a call late one night from her nephew, Callum "Cal" causing Isla to wonder who did everything go up in flames? Why didn't she know what was going on in her sister's life? What happened? Determined to be there for her nephew and to find answers, Isla learns more about her sister, her life, and those in it.
S.E. Lynes has become a go to author for me. I enjoy her writing and easily becomes engrossed in her books. Plus, she has some amazing twists. This book was no exception in the twist department. I thought I had everything figure out, but I was WRONG! I did not see that one coming! I thought it was an extremely clever way to end the book.
I did struggle a little in the middle as I found things to be a little repetitive. I also had difficulty connecting with the characters. Having said that, I found this to still be an enjoyable worthwhile book. It is dramatic, and delves into the secrets we keep, how we present one face to the world while covering up our pain, and the search for the truth. Are we fooling others or fooling ourselves when we pretend our life is perfect?
I also enjoyed how Isla came to realize that although she and her sister were once close, that she really did not know her sister as well as she thought.
Fans of S.E. Lynes will not be disappointed. I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
Dramatic read with a shocking twist!
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
June 7, 2021
In September 2004, Isla Andrews gets a shocking phone call from nephew Callum to say that her sister Annie and husband Dominic are dead. Isla makes her way to the Swanage area in Dorset and what unravels rocks her world.
Right from the start where the first jolt rattles your core, this is compelling reading. The format of the book could have been a mess as it goes backwards and forwards in time to Isla and Annie growing up in Inveraray, Loch Fyne to today and from both perspectives. The fact it isn’t demonstrates the authors writing skill. It allows Isla to be reflective on the past, on her sister who is five years older than her, on her nephew and her brother in law. We witness her grief, her guilt, how she feels that she has betrayed her much loved older sister somehow. I especially love the little ‘thought bombs’ that Isla drops in with all the uncertainty of what led to the deaths, the doubts and a myriad of questions. I like the bond the sisters share which becomes even stronger when Annie falls pregnant aged 15 with Callum which in 1981 Scotland would have presented difficulties. The tempestuous and tricky marriage to Dominic is vividly portrayed too, as marriage to him is no picnic in the park. The character of Dominic is very strong, he can be charming but he’s a man child who wants his own way any which way he can. He’s not a pleasant man at all as Annie can testify to. However, we also get to understand that Annie sees Dominic as her ‘lifeboat’ out of Inveraray so has to accept her lot.
The final part of the book is a big surprise and one I don’t see coming, now that really is what you call a plot twist! It’s all a bit left field but I do like it and this is after all, fiction! My only negatives are that the format does lead to some repetition from the various viewpoints but it’s not a deal breaker!
Overall, another good, compelling read from S E Lynes. It has suspense, twists, it’s well written with strong characterisation and great settings in the Studland/Swanage/Purbeck area and in and around Loch Fyne.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bookouture for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Right from the start where the first jolt rattles your core, this is compelling reading. The format of the book could have been a mess as it goes backwards and forwards in time to Isla and Annie growing up in Inveraray, Loch Fyne to today and from both perspectives. The fact it isn’t demonstrates the authors writing skill. It allows Isla to be reflective on the past, on her sister who is five years older than her, on her nephew and her brother in law. We witness her grief, her guilt, how she feels that she has betrayed her much loved older sister somehow. I especially love the little ‘thought bombs’ that Isla drops in with all the uncertainty of what led to the deaths, the doubts and a myriad of questions. I like the bond the sisters share which becomes even stronger when Annie falls pregnant aged 15 with Callum which in 1981 Scotland would have presented difficulties. The tempestuous and tricky marriage to Dominic is vividly portrayed too, as marriage to him is no picnic in the park. The character of Dominic is very strong, he can be charming but he’s a man child who wants his own way any which way he can. He’s not a pleasant man at all as Annie can testify to. However, we also get to understand that Annie sees Dominic as her ‘lifeboat’ out of Inveraray so has to accept her lot.
The final part of the book is a big surprise and one I don’t see coming, now that really is what you call a plot twist! It’s all a bit left field but I do like it and this is after all, fiction! My only negatives are that the format does lead to some repetition from the various viewpoints but it’s not a deal breaker!
Overall, another good, compelling read from S E Lynes. It has suspense, twists, it’s well written with strong characterisation and great settings in the Studland/Swanage/Purbeck area and in and around Loch Fyne.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bookouture for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
June 4, 2021
I came across this authors work earlier in the year when I read ‘The Housewarming’ which I thoroughly enjoyed. Since then I have have been trying to catch up on the authors other books.
Isla receives a phone call in the middle of the night from her nephew Cal telling her that her sister Annie and partner Dom were dead. Annie was always a free spirit and had settled down with Dom and son Cal in Cornwall. Isla immediately heads to Cornwall from her London home to offer support to Cal and to find out what has happened.
On reaching Annie’s house she is met by smoke and ashes of her home and all her belongings. What has happened, what caused the fire and who is the one to blame.
The more I read the more I enjoyed it, it didn’t have the instant appeal from the earlier books but it did get there. Plenty of suspense and twists making this an excellent read.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Isla receives a phone call in the middle of the night from her nephew Cal telling her that her sister Annie and partner Dom were dead. Annie was always a free spirit and had settled down with Dom and son Cal in Cornwall. Isla immediately heads to Cornwall from her London home to offer support to Cal and to find out what has happened.
On reaching Annie’s house she is met by smoke and ashes of her home and all her belongings. What has happened, what caused the fire and who is the one to blame.
The more I read the more I enjoyed it, it didn’t have the instant appeal from the earlier books but it did get there. Plenty of suspense and twists making this an excellent read.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
July 12, 2021
I started writing this review and have deleted it all as was explaining the basics of the story, who is who and why their lives devastatingly and dramatically change but have decided
instead to give nothing, zilch away….the story is too good to give any clues about, plus I want the reader to gasp like I did ( no exaggeration I really did ) in part 3 of the book
I hope that is enough to tempt you to read this, it is a delight, a dark at times delight but has it all, great locations, wonderful characters, ( here I have to mention a Mrs Peterson who is described and loathed by one of the characters so so well it had me proper smiling ) very well written court scenes ( not stuffy or longwinded but placed you there ) a plot that outwitted me, again and again and as I mentioned a real, definite WOW moment
Intriguing, pensive and clever I enjoyed every page and also enjoyed the acknowledgements and author info, both very interesting
10/10
5 Stars
instead to give nothing, zilch away….the story is too good to give any clues about, plus I want the reader to gasp like I did ( no exaggeration I really did ) in part 3 of the book
I hope that is enough to tempt you to read this, it is a delight, a dark at times delight but has it all, great locations, wonderful characters, ( here I have to mention a Mrs Peterson who is described and loathed by one of the characters so so well it had me proper smiling ) very well written court scenes ( not stuffy or longwinded but placed you there ) a plot that outwitted me, again and again and as I mentioned a real, definite WOW moment
Intriguing, pensive and clever I enjoyed every page and also enjoyed the acknowledgements and author info, both very interesting
10/10
5 Stars
June 14, 2021
Isla is devised when she gets a phone call from her nephew to say her sister and her husband have been in a fire in their art studio.
When she arrives at their house the police inform her that both her sister and brother in law are dead.
The next day her nephew Calum is arrested for the murder of his mum.
Isla can’t believe this is true and is desperate to find out the truth.
An enjoyable read with and a twist that I guessed early on in the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
When she arrives at their house the police inform her that both her sister and brother in law are dead.
The next day her nephew Calum is arrested for the murder of his mum.
Isla can’t believe this is true and is desperate to find out the truth.
An enjoyable read with and a twist that I guessed early on in the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 15, 2021
Following the housewarming which was a solid 5 stars, this felt like reading a different author. Too much of descriptions of moods, thoughts, feelings which were totally unnecessary and was in no way contributing to the plot. The only interesting part was the court scenes. The characters were not appealing and hence couldn’t care what happened to them.
October 18, 2021
Having read and loved all of SE Lynes’ previous books I knew that I wouldn’t be disappointed in her latest book Her Sister’s Secret published by Bookouture on 21 July 2021.
Her Sister’s Secret introduces the reader to Isla, who is single, living in London, working for Habitat and enjoying her life when she receives a call in the middle of the night from her nephew Cal, to tell her that her beloved and adored older sister Annie and her husband are both dead.
Annie and her family located from Scotland to Cornwall years ago living what appears to be the perfect life, a booming business, a successful artist, a loving family, except when Isla arrives from London it appears everything she thought she knew about Annie is a lie. When her nephew is arrested for the murders, Isla needs to try to work out the truth about Annie whilst dealing with her grief and disbelief.
The story is dual narrated by both Isla in the present and Annie in the past, leading up to her death, and each chapter reveals more secrets to the reader.
With themes of abuse and domestic violence Her Sister’s Secret is not an easy read at times. Whilst the backdrop of both Loch Fyne in Scotland and the Dorset coastline add an additional layer of depth to the feel of the story, it’s the relationship between the two sisters which really kept me enthralled.
It wasn’t until the last couple of chapters that I began to think “hang on, has the author inserted a crafty little twist here” and obviously I’m not going to tell you if she did or not, but I will say that yet again Ms Lynes has created a thoroughly addictive, compelling, clever, twisty tale full of dark family secrets.
Her Sister’s Secret introduces the reader to Isla, who is single, living in London, working for Habitat and enjoying her life when she receives a call in the middle of the night from her nephew Cal, to tell her that her beloved and adored older sister Annie and her husband are both dead.
Annie and her family located from Scotland to Cornwall years ago living what appears to be the perfect life, a booming business, a successful artist, a loving family, except when Isla arrives from London it appears everything she thought she knew about Annie is a lie. When her nephew is arrested for the murders, Isla needs to try to work out the truth about Annie whilst dealing with her grief and disbelief.
The story is dual narrated by both Isla in the present and Annie in the past, leading up to her death, and each chapter reveals more secrets to the reader.
With themes of abuse and domestic violence Her Sister’s Secret is not an easy read at times. Whilst the backdrop of both Loch Fyne in Scotland and the Dorset coastline add an additional layer of depth to the feel of the story, it’s the relationship between the two sisters which really kept me enthralled.
It wasn’t until the last couple of chapters that I began to think “hang on, has the author inserted a crafty little twist here” and obviously I’m not going to tell you if she did or not, but I will say that yet again Ms Lynes has created a thoroughly addictive, compelling, clever, twisty tale full of dark family secrets.
June 9, 2021
I am Ophelia and I am an unapologetic, flag-flying S.E. Lynes fangirl. There it is. And I'm delighted (but not even the teensiest bit shocked) to say that The One to Blame has given me absolutely no reason to rethink my squeeing and gushing.
What Lynes does so brilliantly is to balance tight, edge of your seat plotting with warmth, humour and the most exquisite insight and sympathy for her subject matter. She's touched on domestic violence in previous books, so her sensitive approach here is no surprise. The One to Blame is a tale of a charismatic bully masquerading as a romantic free spirit who seduces a wide-eyed younger woman and entraps her - and the horrific aftermath of what tabloid writers might call a 'turbulent relationship', but is really just plain abusive. Lynes' understanding of how perpetrators work - the flattery, the flowery words, the put-you-on-a-pedestal-all-the-better-to-knock-you-off manipulation, the gaslighting - is so spot on, it made me draw an uncomfortable breath on more than one occasion. Any woman who's been the victim of such a man will absolutely feel the same. It's not easy to read, but it's accurate, and it's done with deep empathy and sensitivity.
As ever, Lynes' characters are richly drawn - sisters Isla and Annie, around whom the story revolves, are glorious, their strict Scottish childhood a good old nostalgia-wallow with a seam of darkness woven through. As so often is the case in Lynes' tales (and another reason why I love her so), women are front and centre here, in all their flawed, strong, looking out for one another, desperate, victorious, complicated beauty. The One to Blame is a feminist thriller and the world needs more feminist thrillers, please.
This is edge of your seat stuff with a fabulously satisfying denouement, and gorgeous writing, taut courtroom drama and a gripping mystery to get you there. It's an exploration of grief, and family ties, and hope both lost and regained. Oh, it's marvellous. But it's S.E. Lynes, so it absobloodylutely would be, wouldn't it?
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What Lynes does so brilliantly is to balance tight, edge of your seat plotting with warmth, humour and the most exquisite insight and sympathy for her subject matter. She's touched on domestic violence in previous books, so her sensitive approach here is no surprise. The One to Blame is a tale of a charismatic bully masquerading as a romantic free spirit who seduces a wide-eyed younger woman and entraps her - and the horrific aftermath of what tabloid writers might call a 'turbulent relationship', but is really just plain abusive. Lynes' understanding of how perpetrators work - the flattery, the flowery words, the put-you-on-a-pedestal-all-the-better-to-knock-you-off manipulation, the gaslighting - is so spot on, it made me draw an uncomfortable breath on more than one occasion. Any woman who's been the victim of such a man will absolutely feel the same. It's not easy to read, but it's accurate, and it's done with deep empathy and sensitivity.
As ever, Lynes' characters are richly drawn - sisters Isla and Annie, around whom the story revolves, are glorious, their strict Scottish childhood a good old nostalgia-wallow with a seam of darkness woven through. As so often is the case in Lynes' tales (and another reason why I love her so), women are front and centre here, in all their flawed, strong, looking out for one another, desperate, victorious, complicated beauty. The One to Blame is a feminist thriller and the world needs more feminist thrillers, please.
This is edge of your seat stuff with a fabulously satisfying denouement, and gorgeous writing, taut courtroom drama and a gripping mystery to get you there. It's an exploration of grief, and family ties, and hope both lost and regained. Oh, it's marvellous. But it's S.E. Lynes, so it absobloodylutely would be, wouldn't it?
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 11, 2021
★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)
In the past, I have found Susie Lynes to be hit or miss as her books are more of a slow burn of which I am not generally a huge fan. But...I have to say, that slow burning tension that her thrillers have simmering throughout just explodes in such a way that only she can excel at. Her books are some I never thought I would enjoy but Susie has mastered the slow burn in such a way that she keeps you enthralled throughout. And HER SISTER'S SECRET is proof that she just gets better and better.
Isla and Annie Andrews are two sisters that couldn't be more different. Growing up in the Scottish highlands in Inverary by strict and conservative parents, Isla is sensible, practical and prudent whilst Annie is wild, untamed and carefree. For many years Isla looked up to her older sister until she became the seemingly elder of the two. At 10 years old, she was wise beyond her years when 15 year old Annie woke her in tears one night to tell her she was pregnant. Instead of "fixing her problem", their parents set Annie up in a flat above their gift shop where she was to live with her newborn son Callum necessitating the fact that she must face her responsibilities and that with every decision there are consequences with which one must live. And there she and Callum lived happily for the first 11 years of his life.
And then she met Dom.
Isla had been away at uni and had returned home to scale the mountains the two sisters had always promised themselves they would but so far hadn't. Callum was with his granny and granddad, who doted on him, whilst the sisters were away for the weekend. Annie was charmed almost at once by Dominic who was on a boys weekend away with his two friends, doctor Gavin and barrister Tom. They talked long into the night and continued to correspond by phone and letter despite the long distance between them. Isla, the more sensible of the two, tried warning her sister to be careful but Annie was swept away by his charm and feelings she had never felt before.
Two years later they married and Dom whisked Annie and Callum away to their new home in Dorset.
Eleven years later, Isla returns from a night out to her flat in London and the ringing of the telephone, despite it being gone 1am. Wondering who could be calling at such an hour, she almost slurs her greeting but is immediately sobered by the frantic voice on the other end of the line. It's Callum. Her sister Annie and husband Dominic have been killed in a fire. No...not Annie. Almost immediately, Isla makes the journey to Dorset to support her nephew Cal, now her only living relative. But upon arrival she finds the place swarming with police and a wealth of unanswered questions.
Consumed with grief, Isla must now face the fact that not only is her beloved sister dead but that she had kept many secrets about her life from her. But why? She was her sister. She would have listened to her, been there for her. Why did Annie not confide in her what life with Dom was truly like? And then to make matters worse, Cal is arrested and charged with Annie's murder. Not Dom's...his mother's. But that is ludicrous. Cal and Annie were close. There is no way on earth he would harm his mother. Ever.
Over the next four months from the time of Annie's death to the trial in which Cal stands for her murder, Isla tries to make sense of what really happened that night and events leading up to it. She befriends Annie's best friend Daisy and close friend Jan whilst systematically uncovering the truth about Dom, his appalling treatment of Annie and their tempestuous marriage. The man who had charmed his way into her sister's life, who had seemingly doted on her, who had swept away to the other end of the country...had left her to look after his business and keep house while he did...what, exactly? Isla felt an inordinate amount of guilt for not keeping in regular touch with her sister and had she done so, feels she may have seen what was really happening and rescued her. She could have saved her. And Annie might still be alive today.
But Annie saw Dom as her way out of Inverary. And that despite her unhappiness, she'd made her bed and now she must lie in it...as her sister's voice echoed in her head - "Och, wheesht and get oan wae it!"
In the midst of all the secrets and lies, will Isla be able to uncover the truth before it's too late? And when she does, what will the future hold for her? Or for Cal, even?
What a fantastic read HER SISTER'S SECRET is! It's edge of your seat thrills and slow burn suspense that is palpable throughout right up to the courtroom drama that drips tension from start to finish. The grief, the secrets, the lies - every moment grips you as slowly the mystery is stripped away.
The portrayal of the tempestuous marriage between Annie and Dom is expertly carved - from the moment the charismatic bully masquerading as a romantic free spirit seduces the younger woman trapped in a small community in the highlands to the horrific aftermath of what essentially was an abusive situation. The flattery, the charm, the compliments that were really put downs, the manipulation and gas-lighting...Annie merely swapped one prison for another. Dom was pretty much a man-child who was spoilt and wanted to have his cake and eat it too. And if he didn't, he would behave like a spoilt child, over indulged by his parents and believing it was his right to get exactly what he wants when he wants. My heart broke for Annie but at the same time you could see her strength shine through even when Dom was at his cruelest. And when her art studio that Dom had once built especially for her burnt to the ground in a mass of turps, white spirit and candles...Isla found herself questioning which one of them was to blame.
HER SISTER'S SECRET is an enjoyable read filled with suspense and a palpable tension. And then there is the twist. But I wasn't to be hoodwinked or surprised by it because I had worked it out long before it was revealed. Little clues I had picked up that Susie had peppered throughout remained at the forefront of my mind that I had already guessed the twist that was to come...but it didn't spoil it for me. I love trying to work it out and even more so when I am proved correct. Three little (big) clues...can you spot them?
Cleverly told by Isla in the present with flashbacks from both Annie and Isla, HER SISTER'S SECRET is tense, compelling and brilliantly structured that will keep you guessing until the end. Susie has a way of creating intense characters, some of whom you will love to hate....and stories that will linger long after you have finished.
I definitely recommend this intriguing thriller which is perfect for fans of well constructed slow burns that continue to simmer beneath the surface throughout.
I would like to thank #SELynes, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #HerSistersSecret in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
In the past, I have found Susie Lynes to be hit or miss as her books are more of a slow burn of which I am not generally a huge fan. But...I have to say, that slow burning tension that her thrillers have simmering throughout just explodes in such a way that only she can excel at. Her books are some I never thought I would enjoy but Susie has mastered the slow burn in such a way that she keeps you enthralled throughout. And HER SISTER'S SECRET is proof that she just gets better and better.
Isla and Annie Andrews are two sisters that couldn't be more different. Growing up in the Scottish highlands in Inverary by strict and conservative parents, Isla is sensible, practical and prudent whilst Annie is wild, untamed and carefree. For many years Isla looked up to her older sister until she became the seemingly elder of the two. At 10 years old, she was wise beyond her years when 15 year old Annie woke her in tears one night to tell her she was pregnant. Instead of "fixing her problem", their parents set Annie up in a flat above their gift shop where she was to live with her newborn son Callum necessitating the fact that she must face her responsibilities and that with every decision there are consequences with which one must live. And there she and Callum lived happily for the first 11 years of his life.
And then she met Dom.
Isla had been away at uni and had returned home to scale the mountains the two sisters had always promised themselves they would but so far hadn't. Callum was with his granny and granddad, who doted on him, whilst the sisters were away for the weekend. Annie was charmed almost at once by Dominic who was on a boys weekend away with his two friends, doctor Gavin and barrister Tom. They talked long into the night and continued to correspond by phone and letter despite the long distance between them. Isla, the more sensible of the two, tried warning her sister to be careful but Annie was swept away by his charm and feelings she had never felt before.
Two years later they married and Dom whisked Annie and Callum away to their new home in Dorset.
Eleven years later, Isla returns from a night out to her flat in London and the ringing of the telephone, despite it being gone 1am. Wondering who could be calling at such an hour, she almost slurs her greeting but is immediately sobered by the frantic voice on the other end of the line. It's Callum. Her sister Annie and husband Dominic have been killed in a fire. No...not Annie. Almost immediately, Isla makes the journey to Dorset to support her nephew Cal, now her only living relative. But upon arrival she finds the place swarming with police and a wealth of unanswered questions.
Consumed with grief, Isla must now face the fact that not only is her beloved sister dead but that she had kept many secrets about her life from her. But why? She was her sister. She would have listened to her, been there for her. Why did Annie not confide in her what life with Dom was truly like? And then to make matters worse, Cal is arrested and charged with Annie's murder. Not Dom's...his mother's. But that is ludicrous. Cal and Annie were close. There is no way on earth he would harm his mother. Ever.
Over the next four months from the time of Annie's death to the trial in which Cal stands for her murder, Isla tries to make sense of what really happened that night and events leading up to it. She befriends Annie's best friend Daisy and close friend Jan whilst systematically uncovering the truth about Dom, his appalling treatment of Annie and their tempestuous marriage. The man who had charmed his way into her sister's life, who had seemingly doted on her, who had swept away to the other end of the country...had left her to look after his business and keep house while he did...what, exactly? Isla felt an inordinate amount of guilt for not keeping in regular touch with her sister and had she done so, feels she may have seen what was really happening and rescued her. She could have saved her. And Annie might still be alive today.
But Annie saw Dom as her way out of Inverary. And that despite her unhappiness, she'd made her bed and now she must lie in it...as her sister's voice echoed in her head - "Och, wheesht and get oan wae it!"
In the midst of all the secrets and lies, will Isla be able to uncover the truth before it's too late? And when she does, what will the future hold for her? Or for Cal, even?
What a fantastic read HER SISTER'S SECRET is! It's edge of your seat thrills and slow burn suspense that is palpable throughout right up to the courtroom drama that drips tension from start to finish. The grief, the secrets, the lies - every moment grips you as slowly the mystery is stripped away.
The portrayal of the tempestuous marriage between Annie and Dom is expertly carved - from the moment the charismatic bully masquerading as a romantic free spirit seduces the younger woman trapped in a small community in the highlands to the horrific aftermath of what essentially was an abusive situation. The flattery, the charm, the compliments that were really put downs, the manipulation and gas-lighting...Annie merely swapped one prison for another. Dom was pretty much a man-child who was spoilt and wanted to have his cake and eat it too. And if he didn't, he would behave like a spoilt child, over indulged by his parents and believing it was his right to get exactly what he wants when he wants. My heart broke for Annie but at the same time you could see her strength shine through even when Dom was at his cruelest. And when her art studio that Dom had once built especially for her burnt to the ground in a mass of turps, white spirit and candles...Isla found herself questioning which one of them was to blame.
HER SISTER'S SECRET is an enjoyable read filled with suspense and a palpable tension. And then there is the twist. But I wasn't to be hoodwinked or surprised by it because I had worked it out long before it was revealed. Little clues I had picked up that Susie had peppered throughout remained at the forefront of my mind that I had already guessed the twist that was to come...but it didn't spoil it for me. I love trying to work it out and even more so when I am proved correct. Three little (big) clues...can you spot them?
Cleverly told by Isla in the present with flashbacks from both Annie and Isla, HER SISTER'S SECRET is tense, compelling and brilliantly structured that will keep you guessing until the end. Susie has a way of creating intense characters, some of whom you will love to hate....and stories that will linger long after you have finished.
I definitely recommend this intriguing thriller which is perfect for fans of well constructed slow burns that continue to simmer beneath the surface throughout.
I would like to thank #SELynes, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #HerSistersSecret in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
July 19, 2021
Oh that ending!
Isla's world crashes with one phone call. Callum, her nephew, tells her Annie, his mother and Isla's sister has died tragically in a fire.
Isla drops her life to rush to his side. After the initial investigation, the police determine both Annie and her husband, Dominic, are both brutally murdered before the fire. Shockingly Cal is arrested for Annie's murder. And the secrets are just beginning.
Dealing with her sister's tragic death, Isla is forced to cope with Annie's life - all the secrets Annie spared her.
I loved these characters- Annie building an amazing life regardless of her life troubles. Isla embracing her sister's legacy- her friendships, business, desperate to know what really happened.
Isla's world crashes with one phone call. Callum, her nephew, tells her Annie, his mother and Isla's sister has died tragically in a fire.
Isla drops her life to rush to his side. After the initial investigation, the police determine both Annie and her husband, Dominic, are both brutally murdered before the fire. Shockingly Cal is arrested for Annie's murder. And the secrets are just beginning.
Dealing with her sister's tragic death, Isla is forced to cope with Annie's life - all the secrets Annie spared her.
I loved these characters- Annie building an amazing life regardless of her life troubles. Isla embracing her sister's legacy- her friendships, business, desperate to know what really happened.
August 4, 2021
There are not many authors where I will pre-order the book without thought but S.E Lynes is definitely one of them! I've loved her books for quite a few years now and can guarantee they will provide thrills and twists but also a lot of empathy and compassion. The author has a beautiful way of writing and her words can fill my heart in one sentence, have my eyes brimming with tears the next then leave me with a gormless smile on my face.
Her Sister's Secret is a story about two sisters Annie and Isla. As children they lived in Inverary, Scotland in a small community and were close but this all changes when Annie becomes pregnant at 15. While Isla manages to follow her dreams and live the life they discussed Annie is trapped as a single parent working in their parent's shop. When she later meets Dom she falls hard for his promises of a new life in Dorset but it emerges she swaps one form of prison for another.
Isla is oblivious to all this until she gets a call from her nephew Callum informing her that Annie and Dom have died in a terrible fire, as she arrives in the village she discovers that her sister was not living the perfect life she appeared to be. Dom was basically a spoilt brat who expected Annie to be at his beck and call, he thought she should be grateful to him "rescuing" her and that she would turn a blind eye to his indiscretions. What an awful man!! I felt so sorry for Isla who was left feeling that she didn't even know her own sister anymore and left to figure out the events of that night. This is made even more difficult when Callum is arrested for the murder of Annie and Dom...
A tense read with a twist that absolutely sucker punched me!!
Her Sister's Secret is a story about two sisters Annie and Isla. As children they lived in Inverary, Scotland in a small community and were close but this all changes when Annie becomes pregnant at 15. While Isla manages to follow her dreams and live the life they discussed Annie is trapped as a single parent working in their parent's shop. When she later meets Dom she falls hard for his promises of a new life in Dorset but it emerges she swaps one form of prison for another.
Isla is oblivious to all this until she gets a call from her nephew Callum informing her that Annie and Dom have died in a terrible fire, as she arrives in the village she discovers that her sister was not living the perfect life she appeared to be. Dom was basically a spoilt brat who expected Annie to be at his beck and call, he thought she should be grateful to him "rescuing" her and that she would turn a blind eye to his indiscretions. What an awful man!! I felt so sorry for Isla who was left feeling that she didn't even know her own sister anymore and left to figure out the events of that night. This is made even more difficult when Callum is arrested for the murder of Annie and Dom...
A tense read with a twist that absolutely sucker punched me!!
October 15, 2021
“The most dangerous lies, are the ones we tell ourselves”
And here I was, about to begin this review with a statement which went something like:
A great opening, with some excellent scene setting. A storyline which whilst not an action packed pot boiler, moved along at a steady seamless pace, with some well structured good length chapters. Topped off by an ending which … Hold the front page! … JUST ABOUT FLOORED ME!!
I fear that if I begin to elaborate on that more than adequate premise, I am going to let something slip which is going to give the game away big time, and I want you to be as totally gobsmacked as I was. Of course it was always obvious that there was more to this story than at first met the eye. However there were so many cleverly nuanced twists and turns being added all the time, that I never saw that grand finale coming, that’s for sure!
Alongside all the takes, double-takes and even triple-takes, in this dual timeline psychological thriller, narrated equally in the voices of two sisters, Isla and Annie; there is also the lugubrious, torturous saga, of a family which is on a roller coaster, downward spiral and hell bent on self destruction. An unrequited love might also have disastrous consequences for a professional, who puts their career and reputation on the line, in an act of selfless love.
The violence, the lies, the secrets, the cover-ups, the angst and anger, never let up and were without end. The odd snatches of what passed for happiness were fleeting and few and far between, in a storyline which was definitely both plot and character driven in equal measure. Susie was able to evoke the desperate intensity and terror of prolonged and sustained domestic abuse and coercive behaviour, followed by an almost tangible sigh and exhalation of a long held breath, when the ordeal came to an end.
This multi-layered storyline, was beautifully structured, slowly evolving and definitely not one to be rushed, as its many destructive layers were unfurled like so many wilting petals and cast aside. Intense, wonderfully textured and overwhelmingly claustrophobic, the writing is intricately detailed and rich in atmosphere. The imagery of the narrative adds visual depth and dimension to the plot, making it, if not always a pleasant reading experience, totally immersive and true to itself.
The juxtaposition of a cruel life lived behind closed doors, with the beauty of the two locations which Annie has hitherto called home, seems rather incongruous. However Susie has really captured the peace and calm of two of my favourite places; Loch Fyne in Scotland, which still calls for me to return, even after so many years; and the beautiful Dorset coastline, which in quieter times, is my ‘go to’ escape from reality. Whilst maybe not quite sufficiently detailed for real ‘armchair travel’ enthusiasts, her descriptive narrative definitely adds an extra layer to the story.
A cast of uninspiring, disparate characters, really owned this storyline from beginning to end and called all the shots, deciding just how much information was going to be revealed to me and when. Well defined and developed in their individual roles, they were always complex and emotionally starved; often vulnerable, raw and passionate; yet never truly authentic or believable. They were all deep, yet without real depth; animated but manipulative; and with little genuine synergy between them, they were never going to be engaging or easy to invest in. They almost sucked the air out of any room they were in, yet without their soul destroying uniqueness, and their ability to stick together as only a small and insular community can, this story just wouldn’t have had the same impact.
This was definitely a book which took me on a unique and personal journey, as so many times I thought I knew exactly what the outcome was going to be, only to be thwarted at every turn on this long and winding road. Revenge may not have been the original intention, but it turned out that it was definitely a dish best and most satisfyingly, served cold!
To read the full review post, including extracts and 'meet the author', visit..
https://www.fiction-books.biz/reviews...
And here I was, about to begin this review with a statement which went something like:
A great opening, with some excellent scene setting. A storyline which whilst not an action packed pot boiler, moved along at a steady seamless pace, with some well structured good length chapters. Topped off by an ending which … Hold the front page! … JUST ABOUT FLOORED ME!!
I fear that if I begin to elaborate on that more than adequate premise, I am going to let something slip which is going to give the game away big time, and I want you to be as totally gobsmacked as I was. Of course it was always obvious that there was more to this story than at first met the eye. However there were so many cleverly nuanced twists and turns being added all the time, that I never saw that grand finale coming, that’s for sure!
Alongside all the takes, double-takes and even triple-takes, in this dual timeline psychological thriller, narrated equally in the voices of two sisters, Isla and Annie; there is also the lugubrious, torturous saga, of a family which is on a roller coaster, downward spiral and hell bent on self destruction. An unrequited love might also have disastrous consequences for a professional, who puts their career and reputation on the line, in an act of selfless love.
The violence, the lies, the secrets, the cover-ups, the angst and anger, never let up and were without end. The odd snatches of what passed for happiness were fleeting and few and far between, in a storyline which was definitely both plot and character driven in equal measure. Susie was able to evoke the desperate intensity and terror of prolonged and sustained domestic abuse and coercive behaviour, followed by an almost tangible sigh and exhalation of a long held breath, when the ordeal came to an end.
This multi-layered storyline, was beautifully structured, slowly evolving and definitely not one to be rushed, as its many destructive layers were unfurled like so many wilting petals and cast aside. Intense, wonderfully textured and overwhelmingly claustrophobic, the writing is intricately detailed and rich in atmosphere. The imagery of the narrative adds visual depth and dimension to the plot, making it, if not always a pleasant reading experience, totally immersive and true to itself.
The juxtaposition of a cruel life lived behind closed doors, with the beauty of the two locations which Annie has hitherto called home, seems rather incongruous. However Susie has really captured the peace and calm of two of my favourite places; Loch Fyne in Scotland, which still calls for me to return, even after so many years; and the beautiful Dorset coastline, which in quieter times, is my ‘go to’ escape from reality. Whilst maybe not quite sufficiently detailed for real ‘armchair travel’ enthusiasts, her descriptive narrative definitely adds an extra layer to the story.
A cast of uninspiring, disparate characters, really owned this storyline from beginning to end and called all the shots, deciding just how much information was going to be revealed to me and when. Well defined and developed in their individual roles, they were always complex and emotionally starved; often vulnerable, raw and passionate; yet never truly authentic or believable. They were all deep, yet without real depth; animated but manipulative; and with little genuine synergy between them, they were never going to be engaging or easy to invest in. They almost sucked the air out of any room they were in, yet without their soul destroying uniqueness, and their ability to stick together as only a small and insular community can, this story just wouldn’t have had the same impact.
This was definitely a book which took me on a unique and personal journey, as so many times I thought I knew exactly what the outcome was going to be, only to be thwarted at every turn on this long and winding road. Revenge may not have been the original intention, but it turned out that it was definitely a dish best and most satisfyingly, served cold!
To read the full review post, including extracts and 'meet the author', visit..
https://www.fiction-books.biz/reviews...
July 11, 2021
4.5 stars
Her Sister's Secret by S.E. Lynes is a psychological thriller.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Annie and Isla were close growing up in Scotland, and when Annie got pregnant at 15, Isla was right there with her, even though she was only 10. Callum had two mothers for the first 10 years of his life.
Then Annie met Dom, and was swept off her feet. She and her son moved to Dorset where Dom had built a studio for her. Now she had her own space to paint. She was no longer under her parents thumb. Dom had thought of everything. However, Annie was suddenly also running Dom's cottage rental business, cooking his meals, entertaining all his friends, and barely has time to breathe. But no matter what Dom does to her, she keeps up a brave front. She keeps her rather miserable existence from her sister, who would be so disappointed.
Isla, back in London, misses her sister, but knows she is happy with her new life. But when Cal calls her in the middle of the night saying that both his mother and Dom are dead, Isla rushes to his side. She soon realizes that Annie was keeping some major secrets from her, and nothing was as it seemed.
Isla is determined to find out the truth of Annie's life, and protect Cal from harm....but he doesn't seem to want help.
My Opinions:
This was an amazing book, which is really no surprise, because Susie Lynes is a wonderful author, whose strong suit seems to be in her characters, who are are deep and relatable.
I got hooked right from the start, as it is a really compelling and suspenseful read. It did, however, drag once is a while, but I can't actually think of a specific instance, so....maybe it was me. On the other hand, it could be during Isla's recollections of earlier times that got a little boring.
The book alternated between Isla and Annie, past and present, and it read very smoothly.
It is about sisters, family, and secrets. It is also about abuse, grief and guilt.
There are a couple of plot twists, including a major twist at the end, and I actually considered it (and dismissed it), early on in the book. So it was a wonderful surprise when it came to be.
I would highly recommend this book, as well as anything else that this author writes.
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
February 28, 2023
This was a fast paced, immersive read and my first by this author, but not my last! Isla is called and shockingly informed that her sister, Annie, and husband, Dom, have tragically died in a terrible fire. Isla immediately goes to support her grieving nephew, Cam. But when she tries to find answers about her sister’s tragic and untimely death, she finds secrets and darkness that she can’t comprehend about her joy filled sister. This is a powerful story about sisterhood and family. It is also about discovering that we can’t always know others, even those closest to us. Thank you Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. Available now
June 15, 2021
Oh My! OK, S.E.Lynes has done it again! I was blown away by the ending of this book. The One to Blame
by S.E. Lynes is a Thriller in the sense of wanting to know the truth, and then the huge shocker of finding out the truth.
The story is told by Isla the younger sister. She and her older sister Annie were raised in Scotland by strict parents. The parents were not abusive to the girls, but they expected obedience to the house rules. Annie was five years older than Isla and pushed her boundaries instead of following the rules. One night Annis crept from her bed and confessed to Isla that she was pregnant. Isla was shocked and began to try and plan what they should do, but as the months dragged on Annie finally had to confess to her parents. The parents were disappointed but made arrangements for Annie to live alone with her child in an apartment over their shop. They required that Annie face her responsibility and care for her child. After baby Callum was born, Annie asked Isla to become the guardian of her child if anything should happen to her. Isla made the promise. A few years later Annie met and married an older man, Dominic. Isla was relieved that Annie was happy and had a very good life. Isla became an interior designer and lives in London.
One night Isla receives a very distressed call from Cal and he finally is able to tell her there has been a fire in his mother's studio. He tells her that Annie and Dominic are both dead. Isla leaves the next morning going to Cal and to find out more information on what has happened.
This is where we learn more about Annie's life with Dominic and how it changed over the years. What seemed to be a perfect couple was layered with misunderstandings about what Annie had promised when she married Dominic. He had been meeting with his girlfriends in Annie's studio. She decided to confront him again and all goes awry.
Isla stays with Cal as he has to go through a trial to prove his innocence in the murders and fire. Isla feels brokenhearted as she learns more of what really happened on that horrible night. This is an intriguing book that kept me reading far into the wee hours!
Publication Date: July 13, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley, S.E. Lynes, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
by S.E. Lynes is a Thriller in the sense of wanting to know the truth, and then the huge shocker of finding out the truth.
The story is told by Isla the younger sister. She and her older sister Annie were raised in Scotland by strict parents. The parents were not abusive to the girls, but they expected obedience to the house rules. Annie was five years older than Isla and pushed her boundaries instead of following the rules. One night Annis crept from her bed and confessed to Isla that she was pregnant. Isla was shocked and began to try and plan what they should do, but as the months dragged on Annie finally had to confess to her parents. The parents were disappointed but made arrangements for Annie to live alone with her child in an apartment over their shop. They required that Annie face her responsibility and care for her child. After baby Callum was born, Annie asked Isla to become the guardian of her child if anything should happen to her. Isla made the promise. A few years later Annie met and married an older man, Dominic. Isla was relieved that Annie was happy and had a very good life. Isla became an interior designer and lives in London.
One night Isla receives a very distressed call from Cal and he finally is able to tell her there has been a fire in his mother's studio. He tells her that Annie and Dominic are both dead. Isla leaves the next morning going to Cal and to find out more information on what has happened.
This is where we learn more about Annie's life with Dominic and how it changed over the years. What seemed to be a perfect couple was layered with misunderstandings about what Annie had promised when she married Dominic. He had been meeting with his girlfriends in Annie's studio. She decided to confront him again and all goes awry.
Isla stays with Cal as he has to go through a trial to prove his innocence in the murders and fire. Isla feels brokenhearted as she learns more of what really happened on that horrible night. This is an intriguing book that kept me reading far into the wee hours!
Publication Date: July 13, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley, S.E. Lynes, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
July 7, 2021
Annie and Isla were really close as children. They grew up with very strict parents and Isla always looked up to Annie. Annie got pregnant while very young, and this really alienated her from their parents. Years later Annie met and married Dom, and she and Isla had not seen much of each other since.
One day Isla gets the most devastating phone call of of her life. It is from her nephew Ca. He is in tears when he tells his aunt Isla of a fire that took the lives of his mother and stepfather. Isla rushes to Cal's side, and soon finds herself in shock when it comes to the things she is about to learn about Annie and Dom's life together. It certainly wasn't idyllic.
Cal's behavior stretches beyond grief as far as Isla can tell. There were secrets and there were lies. Will Isla be able to uncover the truth of everything concerning their lives? What does the future bode for Isla and Cal?
Wow! What a book! I could not put this book down. I just had to know what had been going on, what led to the fire and what the aftermath would be. The twists were surprising, crafty character development and the conclusion was utterly shocking. Nothing could have prepared me for that, so accolades to the author.
Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
One day Isla gets the most devastating phone call of of her life. It is from her nephew Ca. He is in tears when he tells his aunt Isla of a fire that took the lives of his mother and stepfather. Isla rushes to Cal's side, and soon finds herself in shock when it comes to the things she is about to learn about Annie and Dom's life together. It certainly wasn't idyllic.
Cal's behavior stretches beyond grief as far as Isla can tell. There were secrets and there were lies. Will Isla be able to uncover the truth of everything concerning their lives? What does the future bode for Isla and Cal?
Wow! What a book! I could not put this book down. I just had to know what had been going on, what led to the fire and what the aftermath would be. The twists were surprising, crafty character development and the conclusion was utterly shocking. Nothing could have prepared me for that, so accolades to the author.
Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
September 20, 2021
I'm struggling to find something original to say when reviewing this author, this is her 9th book and I've devoured them all. I've enthused, I've gushed and praised but nothing I say seems to sufficiently cover just how good these books are.
As always the writing is outstanding, this, as with many of her books may be a bit of a slow burner, but believe me, the tempo picks up, fizzling with tension and a feeing of unease, a wonderfully structured plot which kept me turning the pages and fantastically drawn, wonderfully observed characters (both loved and loathed) who I will remember for a long time. I loved the past and present narrators each telling their story which was expertly woven together in an utterly compelling and twisty read from one of my very favourite authors.
5 absolutely MASSIVE stars
As always the writing is outstanding, this, as with many of her books may be a bit of a slow burner, but believe me, the tempo picks up, fizzling with tension and a feeing of unease, a wonderfully structured plot which kept me turning the pages and fantastically drawn, wonderfully observed characters (both loved and loathed) who I will remember for a long time. I loved the past and present narrators each telling their story which was expertly woven together in an utterly compelling and twisty read from one of my very favourite authors.
5 absolutely MASSIVE stars
April 30, 2023
My first book by this author was The Baby Shower and it was an awesome read. I had high expectations for this one. The first half was so hard to get through. I knew something big was coming but it just seemed to be taking forever. The second half of the book finally brought with it the page turning I was looking for. Loved the twist and actually didn’t see it coming. Will definitely read more from this author.
July 12, 2021
Two sisters, Isla and Annie, were so close as children but have grown apart in adulthood but still love and care for each other. When Isla receives a dramatic call from her nephew she rushes to help and shocking secrets start to be revealed . . . If you enjoyed stories with plenty of history, oodles of mystery and twists galore all entwined in an unfolding family drama, get yourself a copy of this fantastic book.
This is definitely a story where the less I say, probably the better as it is a read that is an emotional, rollercoaster journey that continues to shock with each new revelation, leaving readers reeling and re-evaluating their assumptions. It is a murder mystery where just when you think you know exactly who did what, when and why is when the author adds another element that throws your ideas into disarray. With characters to empathise with and others to be wary of, this is a fascinating read, a real page turner with a brilliant plot that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys being kept guessing and surprised!
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.
This is definitely a story where the less I say, probably the better as it is a read that is an emotional, rollercoaster journey that continues to shock with each new revelation, leaving readers reeling and re-evaluating their assumptions. It is a murder mystery where just when you think you know exactly who did what, when and why is when the author adds another element that throws your ideas into disarray. With characters to empathise with and others to be wary of, this is a fascinating read, a real page turner with a brilliant plot that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys being kept guessing and surprised!
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.
July 20, 2021
What if your sister is dead & the happy life you believed she lived, was a lie? What do you do?
The story of Isla and Annie is told in alternating POVs and flash between the past and the present. Sisters Annie and Isla share a very close bond as most sisters do. Isla lives in London and Annie lives in Scotland with husband Dominic and son Callum. Isla receives a call no one ever wants to get…Annie and Dominic are dead. Isla travels to Inveraray to uncover the truth of what happened to her sister. The story is told is such a way that I was clutching my chest at the emotion of it. I could feel Isla’s pain and anger as she grapples with finding out the truth. Her sisters truth. The truth of the life she was living. The book did start a little slow for me but once it got going, it was fast paced with a plot twist that left me…WOW. Definitely a book that leaves me thinking in the end.
I would advise there is a trigger warning for domestic physical and emotional abuse.
Thank you Netgalley & Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story of Isla and Annie is told in alternating POVs and flash between the past and the present. Sisters Annie and Isla share a very close bond as most sisters do. Isla lives in London and Annie lives in Scotland with husband Dominic and son Callum. Isla receives a call no one ever wants to get…Annie and Dominic are dead. Isla travels to Inveraray to uncover the truth of what happened to her sister. The story is told is such a way that I was clutching my chest at the emotion of it. I could feel Isla’s pain and anger as she grapples with finding out the truth. Her sisters truth. The truth of the life she was living. The book did start a little slow for me but once it got going, it was fast paced with a plot twist that left me…WOW. Definitely a book that leaves me thinking in the end.
I would advise there is a trigger warning for domestic physical and emotional abuse.
Thank you Netgalley & Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 20, 2021
I would like to thank the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-book in exchange for my review.
Unpopular opinion here - everyone else seems to love this book based on the 4 & 5 star reviews, and I can't help but wonder if I got a different book. I dont' think I've read anything by this author, and based on this book, I'm not sure I would read another book. It's just too long. There are so many descriptions, so much inner dialog - it slowed down the story for me so much, I just couldn't get into the characters or their progress or really even care what happened. Clearly this just wasn't the book for me.
I'm rating 2 stars for 'it was ok' only because leaving a 1 star review seems really harsh.
Unpopular opinion here - everyone else seems to love this book based on the 4 & 5 star reviews, and I can't help but wonder if I got a different book. I dont' think I've read anything by this author, and based on this book, I'm not sure I would read another book. It's just too long. There are so many descriptions, so much inner dialog - it slowed down the story for me so much, I just couldn't get into the characters or their progress or really even care what happened. Clearly this just wasn't the book for me.
I'm rating 2 stars for 'it was ok' only because leaving a 1 star review seems really harsh.
June 28, 2021
There's a chance that you're reading this review having stumbled across my new blog. Or more likely, been alerted to it via one of several Facebook posts about it that are going out this morning. If that's the case, perhaps you don't know that since reading my first book by Susie Lynes in December 2019, she has become one of my top two or three favourite authors. I have loved all bar one of every book she's written. And the fact that I didn't love - but still liked - the other one is OK too, because it just shows that even the most talented humans are still, well, human and can't hope to please everyone all of the time.
So there you go. If you didn't know that already, you do now.
This meant that when I first heard about this, her latest book's release date, I didn't even need to read the blurb in order to feel that childish flush of excitement similar to that of school breaking up for the long summer holidays. And when I got the email to say that I had been approved by Netgalley to read an early copy, I might actually have emitted a delighted little squeal.
First things first: I love the cover. I want to find that house, live in it and build a home office / reading room so that I can spend most days staring at the stunning sea views behind it. But I know that the book is a psychological thriller, so behind the seemingly wonderful surface there'll be something about to go horribly wrong ...
We find out what that something is as early as Chapter 2. Isla is at home and a bit drunk after a hard week at work when she gets a frantic phone call from her nephew Callum. There has been a fire at her sister, and Callum's mother Annie's house in Dorset. Annie and her partner Dominic are both dead. And it's only a few chapters later that Isla's already shattered world is turned upside-down when Callum is arrested and charged with Annie's murder.
The problem after this though is that with Callum in jail, awaiting trial and refusing to speak to Isla, the book is left with quite a lot of space to fill until the trial actually starts. These chapters are told alternately from the points of view of Annie, and the slow - ever so slow - unravelling of her seemingly idyllic life with the seemingly charming Dominic - and Isla's soul-searching of whether her nephew really can have killed her sister. What alternatives are there? How can she find out? And who can she trust?
I don't mind a slow opening to a book. Rather than have a thrill-a-minute, which gets my heart racing but my brain insisting that what's happening really isn't plausible, I'm quite happy to be gently drawn in to the characters' lives so that I'm sharing, believing, feeling everything they go through. This is something that Susie Lynes does beautifully and it's one of the reasons I love her books so much. Here, though, I couldn't help but feel that the opening was a little too slow and took a little too long.
Take the opening chapter, which starts with Isla looking at a photograph of her and Annie and recalling every detail of it being taken, which in turn leads to a rush of other memories from that time and after it. I loved it, but that's because my grandad was a photographer and the way he behaved when taking the picture was exactly - and I don't mean similar to, I mean exactly - as Susie Lynes has described it. But is it really relevant to the rest of the book? I'd have to say ... not really.
In the early chapters narrated by Annie, we get no clue as to what her life will turn into. We only know that something has to go drastically wrong because of Chapter 2, and because the book is a psychological thriller so that's fundamental. Meanwhile Isla's chapters largely involve her searching her own memories, trying to find that extra clue as to what might have happened on that fateful night. This is something that works wonderfully in Susie's previous novel, The Housewarming, in which a mother has somehow to deal with the sudden and unexplained disappearance of a child. But here, it worked less well for me for the simple reason that we already know Annie is dead and that actually, Isla didn't know her all that well. So the magnitude of the wondering, the fear, the desperation is lower. This meant that while I read the book easily, and with interest, I missed the hard emotional punches that I just know this author is able to deliver so well.
And then, finally, at about two-thirds in, comes the trial and Callum's first account as to what really happened on the night Annie died. There. There it is. There at last is that hold your breath, get punched and gasp moment that left me with the feeling that's alien in almost every other book I read, but that's becoming all too familiar in a Susie Lynes novel. The sensation of my hands starting to tremble as they hold my kindle, and my eyes starting to feel a bit warm and moist. From that point on I was well and truly glued to the book until the end, so it seemed only a few minutes later that the revelation came and ... wow. I had thought of several possible solutions to the story but hadn't seen THAT coming.
And there, really, is the book's best feature but also it's only real problem. It shows flashes of brilliance. The trouble is that the main theme - that of relationships turning abusive, and how the first reactions of the abused are to try and hide that even from themselves - is one that the same author has done so wonderfully in the outstanding and unforgettable The Lies We Hide. I read that book a year and a half ago and still remember how it had me in tears by Page 40 and gasping out loud in horror just a few chapters later. The One to Blame just isn't quite as powerful.
I know - because Susie took the trouble to explain it to me - that The Lies We Hide took longer to write and research than it's possible to undertake to meet a normal publishing deadline. I also know that she wrote The One to Blame during the second lockdown, at a time when she and her family were affected by Covid. I'm therefore probably being unfair here. However, the cold hard facts are that she has written The Lies We Hide, and that I can't help but make the comparisons. And in comparison ... I can't call The One to Blame disappointing, that would be ridiculous. I can't even write well enough myself to find the right words. But it somehow missed that ... that something.
The best I can do is to liken it to Isla's native Scotland. The One to Blame is a bit like Dumfries and Galloway. As you drive there from central England, leaving the Midlands, Manchester and Lancashire behind, you feel as though you're entering a new, open and somehow more peaceful world. And by the time you arrive and see the beauty of the area for the first time, you feel those troubles from the world you left behind fall off your shoulders. It's beautiful, I love it and I'd go back there again in a heartbeat.
But it's beauty can't help but be a bit diluted if you visit the area on your way home from the Western Highlands - pick just about anywhere between Fort William and Mallaig. This is where The Lies We Hide ranks - as does Can You See Her, for that matter. Every view you see is so breathtaking that you want to stop and take a photograph to try and keep it in the memory. Turn just one corner and the next is even more spectacular. And everywhere, all the time, is that beautiful.
My thanks - and they really are big, big thanks - to the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for an ARC of this book, which I have reviewed voluntarily and honestly. I will post my review on Goodreads now and on Amazon on publication day.
(4.5 stars)
So there you go. If you didn't know that already, you do now.
This meant that when I first heard about this, her latest book's release date, I didn't even need to read the blurb in order to feel that childish flush of excitement similar to that of school breaking up for the long summer holidays. And when I got the email to say that I had been approved by Netgalley to read an early copy, I might actually have emitted a delighted little squeal.
First things first: I love the cover. I want to find that house, live in it and build a home office / reading room so that I can spend most days staring at the stunning sea views behind it. But I know that the book is a psychological thriller, so behind the seemingly wonderful surface there'll be something about to go horribly wrong ...
We find out what that something is as early as Chapter 2. Isla is at home and a bit drunk after a hard week at work when she gets a frantic phone call from her nephew Callum. There has been a fire at her sister, and Callum's mother Annie's house in Dorset. Annie and her partner Dominic are both dead. And it's only a few chapters later that Isla's already shattered world is turned upside-down when Callum is arrested and charged with Annie's murder.
The problem after this though is that with Callum in jail, awaiting trial and refusing to speak to Isla, the book is left with quite a lot of space to fill until the trial actually starts. These chapters are told alternately from the points of view of Annie, and the slow - ever so slow - unravelling of her seemingly idyllic life with the seemingly charming Dominic - and Isla's soul-searching of whether her nephew really can have killed her sister. What alternatives are there? How can she find out? And who can she trust?
I don't mind a slow opening to a book. Rather than have a thrill-a-minute, which gets my heart racing but my brain insisting that what's happening really isn't plausible, I'm quite happy to be gently drawn in to the characters' lives so that I'm sharing, believing, feeling everything they go through. This is something that Susie Lynes does beautifully and it's one of the reasons I love her books so much. Here, though, I couldn't help but feel that the opening was a little too slow and took a little too long.
Take the opening chapter, which starts with Isla looking at a photograph of her and Annie and recalling every detail of it being taken, which in turn leads to a rush of other memories from that time and after it. I loved it, but that's because my grandad was a photographer and the way he behaved when taking the picture was exactly - and I don't mean similar to, I mean exactly - as Susie Lynes has described it. But is it really relevant to the rest of the book? I'd have to say ... not really.
In the early chapters narrated by Annie, we get no clue as to what her life will turn into. We only know that something has to go drastically wrong because of Chapter 2, and because the book is a psychological thriller so that's fundamental. Meanwhile Isla's chapters largely involve her searching her own memories, trying to find that extra clue as to what might have happened on that fateful night. This is something that works wonderfully in Susie's previous novel, The Housewarming, in which a mother has somehow to deal with the sudden and unexplained disappearance of a child. But here, it worked less well for me for the simple reason that we already know Annie is dead and that actually, Isla didn't know her all that well. So the magnitude of the wondering, the fear, the desperation is lower. This meant that while I read the book easily, and with interest, I missed the hard emotional punches that I just know this author is able to deliver so well.
And then, finally, at about two-thirds in, comes the trial and Callum's first account as to what really happened on the night Annie died. There. There it is. There at last is that hold your breath, get punched and gasp moment that left me with the feeling that's alien in almost every other book I read, but that's becoming all too familiar in a Susie Lynes novel. The sensation of my hands starting to tremble as they hold my kindle, and my eyes starting to feel a bit warm and moist. From that point on I was well and truly glued to the book until the end, so it seemed only a few minutes later that the revelation came and ... wow. I had thought of several possible solutions to the story but hadn't seen THAT coming.
And there, really, is the book's best feature but also it's only real problem. It shows flashes of brilliance. The trouble is that the main theme - that of relationships turning abusive, and how the first reactions of the abused are to try and hide that even from themselves - is one that the same author has done so wonderfully in the outstanding and unforgettable The Lies We Hide. I read that book a year and a half ago and still remember how it had me in tears by Page 40 and gasping out loud in horror just a few chapters later. The One to Blame just isn't quite as powerful.
I know - because Susie took the trouble to explain it to me - that The Lies We Hide took longer to write and research than it's possible to undertake to meet a normal publishing deadline. I also know that she wrote The One to Blame during the second lockdown, at a time when she and her family were affected by Covid. I'm therefore probably being unfair here. However, the cold hard facts are that she has written The Lies We Hide, and that I can't help but make the comparisons. And in comparison ... I can't call The One to Blame disappointing, that would be ridiculous. I can't even write well enough myself to find the right words. But it somehow missed that ... that something.
The best I can do is to liken it to Isla's native Scotland. The One to Blame is a bit like Dumfries and Galloway. As you drive there from central England, leaving the Midlands, Manchester and Lancashire behind, you feel as though you're entering a new, open and somehow more peaceful world. And by the time you arrive and see the beauty of the area for the first time, you feel those troubles from the world you left behind fall off your shoulders. It's beautiful, I love it and I'd go back there again in a heartbeat.
But it's beauty can't help but be a bit diluted if you visit the area on your way home from the Western Highlands - pick just about anywhere between Fort William and Mallaig. This is where The Lies We Hide ranks - as does Can You See Her, for that matter. Every view you see is so breathtaking that you want to stop and take a photograph to try and keep it in the memory. Turn just one corner and the next is even more spectacular. And everywhere, all the time, is that beautiful.
My thanks - and they really are big, big thanks - to the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for an ARC of this book, which I have reviewed voluntarily and honestly. I will post my review on Goodreads now and on Amazon on publication day.
(4.5 stars)
June 3, 2021
Wow! Just wow. This book grabbed me by the throat from the outset and didn't relinquish its grip until the very end. The story of sisters Annie and Isla — so close and yet so far apart in some ways — is painted with exquisite detail, and I literally had tears in my eyes on so many occasions.
The first jab to the gut comes very early. I'd like to say more but don't want to spoil it for others. What I will say is, as a mother, it tore at my emotions on a visceral level. When all you believe is shaken up, overturned and doubt needles you with relentless fury. Who — and what — to trust when all you thought was true may well turn out to be a strewn pack of lies.
There are characters to take to your heart, characters to make you simmer with rage. Scenes that will have you gasping (I did literally scream out loud at one point). And lines that stand out, as is always the case in the author's books.
I park up outside my sister's cottage. Tiredness and grief are rocks in my pockets.
I close my eyes. Funny how it's our eyes we close to somehow hear less, when in fact it concentrates the sense even further.
Am I the only one who isn't trying not to smile all the time, the only one who feels that just because it's been explained doesn't make it less complicated?
Some books, regardless of their efforts to woo us with their trickery and fish shop quota of red herrings, fail to hit the mark. They fade from memory when the last page is read. Trust me, this book will linger long after the closing pages.
The first jab to the gut comes very early. I'd like to say more but don't want to spoil it for others. What I will say is, as a mother, it tore at my emotions on a visceral level. When all you believe is shaken up, overturned and doubt needles you with relentless fury. Who — and what — to trust when all you thought was true may well turn out to be a strewn pack of lies.
There are characters to take to your heart, characters to make you simmer with rage. Scenes that will have you gasping (I did literally scream out loud at one point). And lines that stand out, as is always the case in the author's books.
I park up outside my sister's cottage. Tiredness and grief are rocks in my pockets.
I close my eyes. Funny how it's our eyes we close to somehow hear less, when in fact it concentrates the sense even further.
Am I the only one who isn't trying not to smile all the time, the only one who feels that just because it's been explained doesn't make it less complicated?
Some books, regardless of their efforts to woo us with their trickery and fish shop quota of red herrings, fail to hit the mark. They fade from memory when the last page is read. Trust me, this book will linger long after the closing pages.
August 3, 2021
Annie and Isla are sisters; Annie is married to Dom and they live in a gorgeous house by the sea, whilst Isla lives in London. One night, Isla receives a phone call from Callum, her nephew. He tells Isla that Dom and Annie are both dead so Isla heads off to Dorset.
As a habitual reader of novels by Susie Lynes, I couldn't wait to get started on this novel. It was equally as good as the others I've read, and I found it captivating. The twisty tale is artfully narrated through Isla in the present and Annie's flashbacks. The clarity of Susie Lynes's writing made it an easy story-line to follow, and the evenly paced and tense plot went down a treat. The author's writing is of a variety that any thriller fan can appreciate -first class - and she was able to create a tone of intensity that continued until the very last page. A mesmerising and riveting story. 😊
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
As a habitual reader of novels by Susie Lynes, I couldn't wait to get started on this novel. It was equally as good as the others I've read, and I found it captivating. The twisty tale is artfully narrated through Isla in the present and Annie's flashbacks. The clarity of Susie Lynes's writing made it an easy story-line to follow, and the evenly paced and tense plot went down a treat. The author's writing is of a variety that any thriller fan can appreciate -first class - and she was able to create a tone of intensity that continued until the very last page. A mesmerising and riveting story. 😊
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
July 25, 2021
Isla and Annie are close sisters. They were brought up in a small Scottish town by strict parents. Annie has married Dom and moved away while Isla has made her life in London. Isla takes a call in the middle of the night, her sister and her husband are dead and when she goes to her sisters house she realises that Annie’s life hasn’t been the expected happy one. So what exactly happened?
This book had me hooked from the beginning. The plot is cleverly told by Isla with flashbacks from Annie. This is another of S E Lynes brilliantly structured mysteries which will keep you guessing right to the end.
I would recommend this wholeheartedly!
This book had me hooked from the beginning. The plot is cleverly told by Isla with flashbacks from Annie. This is another of S E Lynes brilliantly structured mysteries which will keep you guessing right to the end.
I would recommend this wholeheartedly!
May 30, 2021
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review early. A resounding five stars from me. Susie Lynes just gets better and better with her signature combination of emotional intelligence, quality writing and a cracking plot. When Isla's older sister Anna and her husband Dominic are killed in a fire in her art studio Isla arrives in Cornwall to support Anna's son Cal. The characters are brilliantly portrayed, with Dominic, Anna's husband, particularly standing out for me. A murder mystery/psychological thriller that has jaw-dropping surprises and heart.
June 2, 2021
Wow what a compelling book from start to finish. Yet another masterpiece written by Susie Lynes.
Young love, broken promises, family ties and unique bonds are the crux of this story. Strong believable characters.
Young love, broken promises, family ties and unique bonds are the crux of this story. Strong believable characters.
June 22, 2021
I received an ARC copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. I guess I am one of the few that did not enjoy this book. Part 1 was long and boring. Part 2 picked up with the court proceedings, and part 3 had a few twists.
July 11, 2021
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Her Sister's Secret' by S.E Lynes. Previously titles 'The One To Blame'
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for S.E Lynes, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 13th July 2021.
This is the third book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'The Housewarming' and 'Can You See Her? ' which I highly recommend.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'Fans of Lisa Jewell, Gillian Flynn and Louise Candlish will love it.' I am a huge fan of Lisa so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of S.E Lynes and if this is as good as 'Can You See Her?' or 'The Housewarming' it is sure to be an epic read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 52 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in London and Dorset 🏴 , UK 🇬🇧 . I always enjoy when books are set in the UK as I'm from Wales and have sometimes visited areas mentioned in the book. This makes it easier to picture where the scenes are set at times. I have in fact visited Dorset on many occasions including going there on holiday last and this year so am looking forward to possibly recognising name places.
This book is written in a mix of third and first person perspective and the main protagonists are Isla and Annie. The benefits of having both first and third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out on anything.
'Her Sister's Secret' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book S.E Lynes discusses/includes Domestic abuse.
Another fantastic psychological thriller. Well done S.E Lynes!!!
This book is extremely well written with descriptions that leave you hearing the seagulls on the beach and feelong the sand on your feet. The storyline is filled with suspense, secrets, loss, lies and a shocking ending!!! I was completely gripped throughout this page turning thriller. I enjoyed seeing what was going on through both Isla and Annie's eyes and I love at the end how everything is wrapped up nearly, I hate loose ends. I absolutely loved the explosive ending which I was not at all expecting!!! It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture. This book was previously titled 'The One To Blame' but I definitely think 'Her Sister's Secret' suits the storyline better!!! I was completely invested throughout the storyline and addicted throughout. I absolutely love this bit "To think of Swanage is to think of Annie, Cal and me sitting on the old harbour wall eating fish and chips, our legs dangling, seagulls screeching and dive-bombing overhead." I have done exactly that, in fact less than a year ago which definitely brought the story more to life for me.
The characters were all realistic and sadly what went on between Annie and Dom was also realistic. I ccoouls not stand the man and I'm glad that Annie actually hit back at him. I had zero sympathy for him as he was a dispicable person and I genuinely think he got what he deserved. I loved watching the relationships between Annie, Isla, Cal, Daisy and Jan grow, develop and change throughout the book and each character was unique and strong.
Overall an absolutely gripping thriller with an explosive ending
Genres covered in this novel include Psychological thriller, Suspense, Mystery and Psychological Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Lisa Jewell and anyone who loves a book with an unexpected twist.
299 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon or free on kindle unlimited which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#HerSistersSecret #Bookouture #SELynes #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@SELynes @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
Review for 'Her Sister's Secret' by S.E Lynes. Previously titles 'The One To Blame'
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for S.E Lynes, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 13th July 2021.
This is the third book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'The Housewarming' and 'Can You See Her? ' which I highly recommend.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'Fans of Lisa Jewell, Gillian Flynn and Louise Candlish will love it.' I am a huge fan of Lisa so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of S.E Lynes and if this is as good as 'Can You See Her?' or 'The Housewarming' it is sure to be an epic read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 52 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in London and Dorset 🏴 , UK 🇬🇧 . I always enjoy when books are set in the UK as I'm from Wales and have sometimes visited areas mentioned in the book. This makes it easier to picture where the scenes are set at times. I have in fact visited Dorset on many occasions including going there on holiday last and this year so am looking forward to possibly recognising name places.
This book is written in a mix of third and first person perspective and the main protagonists are Isla and Annie. The benefits of having both first and third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out on anything.
'Her Sister's Secret' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book S.E Lynes discusses/includes Domestic abuse.
Another fantastic psychological thriller. Well done S.E Lynes!!!
This book is extremely well written with descriptions that leave you hearing the seagulls on the beach and feelong the sand on your feet. The storyline is filled with suspense, secrets, loss, lies and a shocking ending!!! I was completely gripped throughout this page turning thriller. I enjoyed seeing what was going on through both Isla and Annie's eyes and I love at the end how everything is wrapped up nearly, I hate loose ends. I absolutely loved the explosive ending which I was not at all expecting!!! It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture. This book was previously titled 'The One To Blame' but I definitely think 'Her Sister's Secret' suits the storyline better!!! I was completely invested throughout the storyline and addicted throughout. I absolutely love this bit "To think of Swanage is to think of Annie, Cal and me sitting on the old harbour wall eating fish and chips, our legs dangling, seagulls screeching and dive-bombing overhead." I have done exactly that, in fact less than a year ago which definitely brought the story more to life for me.
The characters were all realistic and sadly what went on between Annie and Dom was also realistic. I ccoouls not stand the man and I'm glad that Annie actually hit back at him. I had zero sympathy for him as he was a dispicable person and I genuinely think he got what he deserved. I loved watching the relationships between Annie, Isla, Cal, Daisy and Jan grow, develop and change throughout the book and each character was unique and strong.
Overall an absolutely gripping thriller with an explosive ending
Genres covered in this novel include Psychological thriller, Suspense, Mystery and Psychological Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Lisa Jewell and anyone who loves a book with an unexpected twist.
299 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon or free on kindle unlimited which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#HerSistersSecret #Bookouture #SELynes #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@SELynes @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
July 10, 2021
SE Lynes’ The Housewarming was one of my favourite reads of last year, so I couldn’t wait to read her latest.
What I love most about Lynes’ books is that she instantly gets you to connect to her characters. The Housewarming really grabs you emotionally so I prepared myself not to expect that same level of engagement with this one, but I felt just as strongly about these two sisters this time around.
Lynes always manages to set the mood early with her books which is what helps you to engage on more of a personal level. Her Sister’s Secret explores the emotions and connections in a relationship from both sides, looking at themes of rejection, manipulation and gaslighting but also of sisterly bonds and unconditional love. But while Lynes tackles some hard-hitting subjects, she does so in such a sensitive way that you’re also left feeling full of warmth and support.
The tension builds gradually with this one, as everything leads up to Callum’s trial to find out the truth of that eventful night. I didn’t feel like I was gripped at first, but as soon as I put this book down, I realised how desperate I was to find out the truth and had to keep picking it back up again.
There are some great twists and turns along the way, but there’s also still so much more to come when you think that everything has been laid bare. As the layers slowly peel away, you become more and more intrigued as you grow wary that something else must be going on here. Is there? Well, let’s just say that you won’t be disappointed in how this one plays out.
I always find it so easy to become engrossed by Lynes’ writing and Her Sister’s Secret is another highly suspenseful read. She’s an author who I now look out for and I definitely recommend that you pick up one of her books if you haven’t already. This is most definitely a great place to start!
What I love most about Lynes’ books is that she instantly gets you to connect to her characters. The Housewarming really grabs you emotionally so I prepared myself not to expect that same level of engagement with this one, but I felt just as strongly about these two sisters this time around.
Lynes always manages to set the mood early with her books which is what helps you to engage on more of a personal level. Her Sister’s Secret explores the emotions and connections in a relationship from both sides, looking at themes of rejection, manipulation and gaslighting but also of sisterly bonds and unconditional love. But while Lynes tackles some hard-hitting subjects, she does so in such a sensitive way that you’re also left feeling full of warmth and support.
The tension builds gradually with this one, as everything leads up to Callum’s trial to find out the truth of that eventful night. I didn’t feel like I was gripped at first, but as soon as I put this book down, I realised how desperate I was to find out the truth and had to keep picking it back up again.
There are some great twists and turns along the way, but there’s also still so much more to come when you think that everything has been laid bare. As the layers slowly peel away, you become more and more intrigued as you grow wary that something else must be going on here. Is there? Well, let’s just say that you won’t be disappointed in how this one plays out.
I always find it so easy to become engrossed by Lynes’ writing and Her Sister’s Secret is another highly suspenseful read. She’s an author who I now look out for and I definitely recommend that you pick up one of her books if you haven’t already. This is most definitely a great place to start!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews