The Winter Sister

By: Megan Collins

Narrated by: Rebekkah Ross

Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

In this spellbinding and suspenseful debut, a young woman haunted by the past returns home to care for her ailing mother and begins to dig deeper into her sister’s unsolved murder.

Sixteen years ago, Sylvie’s sister, Persephone, never came home. Out too late with the boyfriend she was forbidden to see, Persephone was missing for three days before her body was found - and years later, her murder remains unsolved.

In the present day, Sylvie returns home to care for her estranged mother, Annie, as she undergoes treatment for cancer. Prone to unexplained “Dark Days” even before Persephone’s death, Annie’s once-close bond with Sylvie dissolved in the weeks after their loss, making for an uncomfortable reunion all these years later. Worse, Persephone’s former boyfriend, Ben, is now a nurse at the cancer center where Annie is being treated. Sylvie’s always believed Ben was responsible for the murder - but she carries her own guilt about that night, guilt that traps her in the past while the world goes on around her.

As she navigates the complicated relationship with her mother, Sylvie begins to uncover the secrets that fill their house - and what really happened the night Persephone died. As it turns out, the truth will set you free, once you can bear to look at it.

The Winter Sister is a mesmerizing portrayal of the complex bond between sisters, between mothers and daughters alike, and forces us to ask ourselves - how well do we know the people we love most?

©2019 Megan Collins (P)2019 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

“Sharp and mysterious, The Winter Sister explores the complex bonds between families, the secrets that tie people together - and those that break them apart. A haunting debut: suspenseful, atmospheric, and completely riveting.” (Megan Miranda, New York Times best-selling author of All the Missing Girls and The Perfect Stranger)

"Atmospheric and heart-rending, The Winter Sister brilliantly weaves together a gripping, suspenseful plot with a compelling character study of a grieving family. From the mysterious mother with a hidden past, to the guilt-ridden sister who now must solve her sister’s murder years ago, these characters will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page. Wonderful!" (Wendy Walker, best-selling author of All Is Not Forgotten and Emma in the Night)

Fantastic read!

I loved this book so much that I listened to the audiobook all in a day. I just could not put it down, it was wise, sometimes funny, and most of all, suspenseful! Very psychologically insightful and well-written. I would love to read more from this author. Great job by the narrator as well.

a little boring

not horrible. but I found myself pretty bored. I actually put the audible version on 1.7 times speed near the end so I could get it done a little faster. didn't want to give up on it though.

The Winter Sister is hard to put down

This book will appeal to mystery fans. It keeps the reader’s attention. The family has so many interesting situations and the characters are each in challenging times in life. It is a satisfying plot. I am glad I read it!

This book

This book was great I did not love the ending but Rebekkah Ross is a awesome narrator her voice and the way she reads I love it

Well written, well told

The story kept me engaged. It was well thought out. I Loved the voice of the narrator. I could not give it full stars. I found that I would get impatient with all the “ as Ifs “ just too many analogies. Overall I would definitely recommend this book and I already have.

Compelling

Overall this was just a really good read; a tale of self-forgiveness and redemption intertwined with a good page turner of a story. I liked the atmosphere of it; and enjoyed the complex relationships between parents and children, as well as between past and present, portrayed here. The narrator was good, but I just think not completely right for the story - I wonder if I'd have loved it even more if I'd read instead of listened. Even so - I really enjoyed this book.

page turner

I loved this book!! definitely a page turner! You would think one thing would happen, and then be mind blown that it was something else. I love how Megan Collins makes sister relationships relatable. She also doesn't make you feel confused about the characters.

Jolting pronunciation

Very hard to listen to the reader saying R I S D rather than RIZ - DEEas it is pronounced by everyone who knows the school.

Gripping!

such good character and story development. deeolyreal and raw in its capturing of regret and grief

Tossed me between reality and unbelievable.

Easy listening enjoyed the narration. Pulled in in several different directions from the believable to the unbelievable.