The Sister

By: Louise Jensen

Narrated by: Natalie Blass

Length: 9 hrs

Publisher's Summary

"I did something terrible, Grace. I hope you can forgive me."

Grace hasn't been the same since the death of her best friend, Charlie. She is haunted by Charlie's words the last time she saw her and, in a bid for answers, opens an old memory box of Charlie's. It soon becomes clear there was a lot she didn't know about her best friend.

When Grace starts a campaign to find Charlie's father, Anna, a girl claiming to be Charlie's sister, steps forward. For Grace, finding Anna is like finding a new family, and soon Anna has made herself very comfortable in Grace and her boyfriend Dan's home.

But something isn't right. Things disappear, Dan's acting strangely, and Grace is sure that someone is following her. Is it all in Grace's mind? Or as she gets closer to discovering the truth about both Charlie and Anna, is Grace in terrible danger?

There was nothing she could have done to save Charlie. Or was there?

©2016 Louise Jensen (P)2016 Bookouture

On My All-time Favorites List

I loved this book. It has all the makings of an all-time favorite. It's about friendship, family, first love, and fate. It made me laugh, cry, and scratch my head trying to figure out the mystery that flows through the whole story. When I give reviews I don't mention specifics so I can't accidentally spoil any of the story. I will just tell you that you want to read this, trust me. So worth it. It's one of the best books I've read in a long time. Perfect summer read.

Surprised.

I almost passed this up because it did not rate high, but whoever was rating it got it wrong. Excellent book. 1st time in many books I have stayed up into the night not wanting to shut it off.

story is OK. but narration is amazing.

story was not so surprising but interesting enough. what made unique was the narration, top notch voice acting and beautiful accent.

Not totally sorry 1 credit's gone....

It was fine. Not gripping. Not enthralling. Fine. Good. Not sorry I heard it. If you want something to listen to on a drive, it will do. I was convinced based on other reviews of "a twist you won't see coming!" Not true. If, like me, you figure it out 1/4 of the way through, it's still not bad, but don't go on thinking you're going to be floored, because you won't be.

Great suspense with unsual twists, turns and spill

This is one of the best suspense stories of the year. Even if you figure out the plot, which thankfully I didn't because that can spoil the book, there are still added surprises. There are bits and pieces of classic suspense novels and films but not enough to make this story feel like a copycat. It's not without some flaws but like with many in this genre you have to suspend some disbelief. It’s crafty, mind bending and has tender moments. Plus, I am left pondering - why are there so many spills in this book? It seems like red wine, water, tea, coffee, any damn liquid are being sloshed over, thrown, tipped, etc. What is the significance to this? And warning, lots of vomiting too. Highly recommend for a scary night in October.

Very impressed

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Definitely. The reviews didn't see to be that good for this book, but Audible recommended it to me, and since Amazon/Audibles tends to have excellent suggestions, I gave it a shot, and I'm very glad I did. I couldn't stop listening as I got towards the end, I did not want to put it down, and I would recommend this to everyone.

It was pretty good

Normally I don't do full detailed reviews at all and it's really hard to disappoint me. I just felt like the story took forever to start getting good. The last 2 1/2 hours were really good but the first 6 1/2 hours kind of dragged on, I get that there was important information that we all needed to hear but they put a lot of details where I felt it wasn't necessary. All in all it was a good book the twist wasn't as incredible as I thought, I kind of guessed it while it was happening.

Original storyline, but...

It was a good story, but the narration was dull. I found my attention kept wandering, which isn't a good sign when I'm listening to a book. Thinking back on the story itself, I feel a different narrator could have made this a much better listen

BRAVO for this plot and ending

The ending reminded me of the book The Husband's Secret. Really a nail biter as you had no idea why Anna was doing this and who she really was. I wanted to reach through my radio and smack Grace for not seeing what was going on.

I had some ideas, but no where near what the really happened, I love that I was so off and blown away. Usually books are easy to predict, so BRAVO for this plot and ending.

NO SPOILERS...I don't want to give away anything, it's so intense and awesome. I did actually feel bad for some characters even though I shouldn't, after all circumstances beyond their control made them who they were. Lies and half truths destroy everyone.

Suspenseful and riveting!

I loved the twists and turns of this novel. I also enjoyed the narration. After my long car trip, I kept looking for more moments to listen because I needed to know what happened next. Can't wait for another book from Jensen!

Weaves a delicate tale

Any additional comments?

This is not your usual psychological thriller. Do not listen to The Sister if you expect murder bloodshed and being given sleepless nights filled with fear; this is a more subtle storyline than that. The tale is as delicate as spider’s silk, and weaves a web that will trap you inside and make it impossible for you to escape until you reach the end. The detailed writing packs every sentence with vivid pictures and atmosphere.
I listened to it on audiobook, rather than reading it, and it was a great escape from my housework! I really liked the narrator, too and thought she did a brilliant job.
The story itself starts with a fascinating set-up that hooked me from the start, and I was really keen to find out more. There were times when I found Gracie a little pathetic, but there are reasons why she is the way she is, which are slowly revealed.
The Sister features a lot of twists and turns that are intricately woven and well-written, and is a good read but just falls short of the promised greatness. Louise Jensen is an author with a lot of potential; one who I will watch eagerly in the future.

The Sister, A Gripping Story....

Would you consider the audio edition of The Sister to be better than the print version?

I really enjoyed the audio version of The Sister, I think audio and print versions of stories go hand in hand together.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favourite character was Grace as I found it really easy to imagine her in my mind and really felt for her throughout the story.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

I enjoyed the parts where Grace thought back about Charlie as she discovered more about her life and secrets. I also loved the scenes with her granddad.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did feel emotional when her cat got killed and she was burring it. And when Grace thought of Charlie and her time with her.

Any additional comments?

The Sister is a really emotional and some what chilling story about Grace as she tries to work out what Charlie did before she died. I loved how this book hops from her thought of Charlie in the past and her discoveries of what Charlie did and who Anna really is after she claims to be Charlies sister and poison her cat. Will she find out or will Anna do more damage in her life? Listen to this audio book to find out.

Intruiging

Any additional comments?

The story is a bit far fetched. Anna was horrible and in reality, anyone would've thrown her out of their house after a day! Grace was too gullible. I persevered with the book as the story line was intriguing even though it was a bit unbelievable. It's got a lot of good reviews so I wouldn't put anyone off reading it. I only finished reading it a few days ago and have already forgotten what it was about really. Maybe it's just me!

Slow start.....but keep with it

Would you consider the audio edition of The Sister to be better than the print version?

they are probablyof equal footing, i have not read the print version, i prefer to have someone read to me! it helps me to emerse myself in to the story more.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I rather enjoyed Lexi's character because she of her complex past and her crazy ways.

Which character – as performed by Natalie Blass – was your favourite?

Lexi

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I loved the scenes with Grace and her Grandparents, especially her grandfather the obvious love that they shared stood out

Any additional comments?

I was excited about reading this book....i found it a little slow to start with, and was not sure whether to carry on listening to it, but i stuck with it and am so glad i did it soon picked up and the twists and turns kept me listening for hours...however i did predict what was going on..... definitely worth a read

Impressive debut

What made the experience of listening to The Sister the most enjoyable?

The plot of this book was very good, plenty of twists and turns and it moved at a really good pace to keep you gripped.

What did you like best about this story?

Guessing what the secret might be - I think I guessed at everything apart from what it actually was!

What does Natalie Blass bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

She had a pleasant tone that made the book enjoyable to listen too.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I did something terrible Grace...

Any additional comments?

Really enjoyable and a cracking debut - well worth a listen and easily 5 stars - I love a good psychological thriller!!

*Good Intentions, Secrets & Lies*

Childhood friends Grace and Charlie have been friends from day one of meeting. One day as they approach their 18th birthday Grace starts receiving awful notes and which seem sinister. It is blamed on jealousy but still life goes on. Charlie has always wanted to find her father but their conversation is overheard unbeknownst to them. This comes back to bite Grace later on. One day whilst running a race tragedy strikes how will Grace move on.

As the years go on Grace is settled with her boyfriend Dan from her school days but there is still a hole in her heart. She decides to search for Charlie’s Dad and she receives a reply from the mysterious Anna.

In Grace’s effort to cling on to the past she decides to let Anna stay for a while. Then life starts to change, why is Dan so offish about Anna? Why has life for Grace turned into a nightmare? Secrets start to unravel and soon Grace is in trouble…..

Good thriller

Very well narrated book. Good twists and turns. Really enjoyed it. . . . .

Satisfying Psychological thriller

In the present, after the death of her best friend, Charlie, Grace Matthews digs up a time capsule buried by them ten years earlier. When she opens it she finds a letter that Charlie slipped in without her knowledge and it's contents make her think about the past and what happened. "I did something terrible, Grace. I hope you can forgive me."

The story alternates between past and present and follows Grace and Charlie from children to adulthood. I felt like no one could be trusted in this tale of secrets from the past coming back to haunt the present. The tension builds up slowly throughout the book and gave me a real feeling of dread for what might come next. A satisfying psychological thriller.

The sister

loved the storyline, I didn't even mind the toing and froing of the then and now as it all made sense had to get to the end .

Meh.

I struggled to finish this. I found the ending quite predictable and I found there was a lot of background and build up which didn't really amount to anything after unfortunately.