The story ARC would appear familiar ——> Twins, Edie and Tess, one popular, other not so much, both angry, mother dies, then one of the twin disappears, 20 years later, skeleton found at the bottom of the reservoir ——> Who killed Edie?
Olivia Issac Henry’s debut had some gripping scenes, unreliable always-drunk main character Tess, hidden secrets, illicit affairs, weak-willed characters, and hidden anger. I could feel the adolescent angst, the dependent twin syndrome, possessiveness, pain, rebellion, and along with the strange feeling of being lost in this wide world that the twins went through post their mother’s death. Dual timelines and dual POV and short chapters makes this a fast read, YET it was a slow burn suspense.
The author had designed an intricate web for me to fall into, but the web was a bit too prickly. Hence I couldn’t stick well to it. The story though gripping didn’t really overwhelm me with interest. The speed of my pulse remained at a plateau. My niggles kept popping up, and I really didn’t like a self-destructive, drunk, not-in-senses main character, however much I understand the reasons for it.
Overall, an enjoyable read with a surprise ending.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Avon Books UK, and this is my journey into its pages, straight from the heart!!
All my reviews can be found here
Do you feel the missing-later-dead sister tropes are done too frequently? Have you read the book? Did you enjoy it?
In addition to writing novels, Olivia Isaac-Henry is a crime drama lover, occasional keyboard player, and backing vocalist in the band The Protaganist. She grew up in Worcestershire but now lives in London, where she loves the theatres, food markets and festivals.
Tess Piper was fourteen when her adored twin sister Edie disappeared.
She has spent the last twenty years building a life away from her fractured family, desperate to escape the shadow of the past.
Only now she needs to confront the huge hole her sister’s disappearance left in her life, because a body has been found. The police are shining a spotlight on the Piper family. And secrets are about to surface.
What really happened to Edie Piper?
Publication Date: 4th February 2019
Publisher: Avon Books UK
50 Responses
Great review ,Shalini !
Thank you so much Chloe
Great review 💣!!!
Thank you Priyasha 😍❤️
Great review, Shalini! I haven’t seen this book before but the plot kind of feels familiar with the whole missing eventually dead sister thing.
Yes, it is kinda familiar.. Thank you Rachel 😍❤️
That’s too bad. I loved your honesty here. Awesome review Shalini 🙂
Thanks Erica…you are so supportive.
I am Going to ask you here, do you want to take part in a cover reveal on Friday? Book 3 by James J Cudney.. He has a blog – This Is my Truth Now
Sure! Just checked my sched. Friday would be nice 🙂
Oh wow Erica sending you mail right now
Sent you mail… WP is behaving funny, no idea why it unfollowed you
I’ve been having issues with WP too! With scheduling posts and it is frustrating.
Yes the missing sister/mother/child/husband trope is one that is popular with writers. Is it overdone? It depends if readers are rushing to buy these books, but they do need to be convincing to remain popular.
I agree… Well maybe they should space them
Too bad it missed the mark for you, the premise sounded interesting
Hey DJ, sorry for non appearance on your post… Down with bad flu.. Unable to read
Thank you ❤️
Glad you enjoyed it, Shalini, despite that reoccurring niggle.
Aww Jonetta.. Thank you so much
Great review!! I’m going put this on my Want to read shelf on Goodreads!! ❤
Aww how sweet 😍 😍 😘
Nope. I literally couldn’t read passed “unreliable, always drunk..” ugh. I am so tired of those characters in thrillers. Lol!
Hehehe 😂 😂 I read through it in my flu… Imagine that
I agree, there appears to be a lot of missing sibs lately. We seem to go through phases in fiction and they can get overdone rather quickly. I wonder sometimes if all of the authors go on a retreat and are given slips of paper with a “theme” written on them. 😉
Hahaha it was so wonderful to imagine that. I think publishers should discuss amongst each other and only twice a year similar arc to be released 😂
LOL! I seriously cannot imagine the publishers getting together and fighting over who gets to publish what trope! Wonderful review though!
Hahaha it would be a fun scenario and cozy mystery could happen from that 😍😂🤣
Dang, sorry that didn’t get your vibes twanging. Guess they can’t all do that, but can be a let down. Yeah, had enough of the drinkers…
Maybe I should start drinking.. I might just appreciate these books more with a vodka or two🤣🤣😂😂
“I really didn’t like a self-destructive, drunk, not-in-senses main character, however much I understand the reasons for it.” 😂
Great review, Shalini. 🤗
Hahaha Laurie… I think I need to start drinking to understand these characters more… 😂 😂
Don’t do that, Shalini!! 😂
🤣😂
Wonderful review, Shalini!!! I love the way you write!
Mackie… I miss you… I think my flu has caused a lot of posts to be missed 🤗😘 thank you ❤️
I hope you feel better!!! I miss you too!
I have just caught up with your posts… Check If my comments are going to spam.. A couple of bloggers have told me…
At least the ending still managed to bring some surprise. Better luck with being gripped by the story for the next one.
Oh yes, the virus has gripped, countering it with a gruesome thriller… These are fighting words, baby 🤣🤣😂😂
Time to throw down with this flu!
Thank you for another great review, Shalini! Hope you recovered very well. Michael
Oh Michael… I wish…
? 🙂
I am not well… Hence I wish I was
Hope the recovery will start asap, Shalini! Wish you all the best. Every tried hot soup with a lot of garlic? 😉
Are you making one for me? 😋😉😂
😂 Yes, this could be great! 😂
Woohoo… Waiting for the transporter device so that you can pop here with the soup
Waiting too! 🙂
😍💖❤️