Cover Image: The Other Sister

The Other Sister

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

This was a brilliant read. As soon as I started reading this book I just knew I was going to love it. Highly recommended

Was this review helpful?

Omg talk about a roller coaster read wow this book kept me on the edge of my seat threw out I just couldn't put it down this writer keeps you hooked and once your hooked your not letting go I found this book thrilling the characters were fantastic and well thought out and the little clues all the way threw keep you guessing until the end this book stays with you long after you close the book this book is well worth the read I promise you wont be disappointed

Was this review helpful?

It was a good twisty brilliant read. It was nice to read and had some surprises that I didn't see coming which I love when I don't see things coming. It was very intriguing read and a different way of storytelling that is for sure.

Was this review helpful?

The Other Sister was twisty brilliant, a pleasure to read with surprises around every corner and some truly memorable characters.

Was this review helpful?

Good book. Page turning, plenty of twists and psychological thriller. Just like her other books definitely could not put down and does not disappoint.

Was this review helpful?

This was a new author to me, so I didn't know what to expect, and goody, I wasn't disappointed. The book had me gripped from the beginning and I couldn't put it down. Recommended and can't wait to get stuck into her next offering.

Was this review helpful?

This is one to chill your bones. More twists and turns than a Rubik cube. Another good read by Elle Croft. Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group

Was this review helpful?

Fantastic and gripping read, real page turner that is full of twists and turns, which made this a fantastic read, it was brilliant! Book which uncovers the lengths people will truly go to in order to get what they want

Was this review helpful?

I could not put this one down! It’s the quintessential psychological thriller that will keep you up at night and keep you guessing with every page.

Ryan Mills is thrilled that his sister Gina is back in his life after many years of estrangement, relating to the family’s breakdown after the tragic loss of their younger sister Cassie. He’s shrugged off his initial wariness and has fully embraced having a sister again, inviting her to live with him in their childhood home now that their parents have emigrated to live in Florida.

Ryan lives a carefully consistent life. It’s clear that his younger years were marred by unpleasantness and he’s doing his best to dispel the ghosts and continue as best he can to get back on track and maintain his equilibrium. Gina too seems to be doing all she can to live an ordinary, unexciting life. She gave up her journalist job to return to London with her boyfriend Julian, and although she longs to be a news presenter and lands a job (with Julian’s help) at Channel 8, her tough boss Jacqueline isn’t interested in viewing her as anything more than a PA – in fact she makes it crystal clear that she views Gina as lower than something she’d discard from the bottom of her shoe!

But one night, she leaves work late and takes a shortcut home. Walking through an alley she knows she shouldn’t be taking, she stumbles on the body of a murdered woman. She’s shocked and terrified, but in an instant, she decides to grab her chance and broadcasts the news live via the Channel 8 Facebook page. She’s wholly unprepared for the backlash that follows. Surprisingly, she doesn’t lose her job, but she’s propelled into a world of uncertainty, sure she’s being stalked, not knowing who’s out there just waiting for some harm to befall her. And then the unthinkable happens … another dead girl turns up right in front of her, once again! What does Gina do now?

Told in alternating points of view, we hear from Gina, her brother Ryan, and the inspector on the case, Detective Adam Adebayo. The narrative also takes us back to 1996, with some chapters being related by Gina and Ryan’s mother Sharon, which adds an entirely different perspective to the already rather dark picture!

Elle Croft’s characterisation is excellent, but I think in this story, it’s the concept that steals the show. I can’t say much more about that as I don’t want to give any spoilers, but I found it quite mind-blowing! It made me really start to wonder … what if?

This one will have you guessing all the way through, and you’ll change your mind on every page with all the twists and turns it takes you on. It’s a solid 4.5 from me.

Was this review helpful?

Gina Mills is an aspiring news reader but despite Her dedication and determination to progress, her boss has no desire to help her in her career walking home from work one night, Gina stumbles across a dead body. Determined to make it as a news reader, she decides to broadcast her findings live on Facebook.

Throughout then book, more “findings” are discovered and a further body is stumbled across by Gina. Quickly, Gina begins to think that she is being targeted into finding these bodies.

The book was very gripping and I was racing to the end of the book to find out how the book was going to end and what was going to happen to Gina.

The main character did not seem to have many morals and at times I did find her to be annoying and quite unlikeable.

Overall, the book was fast faced, had lots of energy and gusts and was a good read.

I would give this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this author’s previous book, The Guilty Wife so I was thrilled to see that this book, her second was being released – I jumped at the chance to read it and I thought it was superb!!

The book has some fascinating characters that are very well developed and the work brilliantly within the plot. I thought the story was crafted very well and it had a lot of suspense for me, I was hooked after the first few pages and couldn’t wait to see how it all ended!

Five stars from me, a well written and thoroughly enjoyable story – highly recommended and really looking forward to seeing what she releases next!!

Was this review helpful?

Wow, what a fabulous read. Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Written in three timelines: the past, the present, and one year ago. The story has alternating points of view between Sharon, Ryan, Gina, and the detective. Pieces of information are scattered in these timelines.

This story uncovers a family secret left hidden for many years, which reveals haunting memories from the past. This book has many twists and turns and is full of suspense. Recommended.

Was this review helpful?

This book has a really twisted plot. I had shivers running down my spine. The whole book is really cleverly written and brilliantly thought out. I was gripped from the start. I would definitely recommend this book and I will be looking out for more books by Elle Croft.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Was this review helpful?

I love a nice twisty psychological thriller and that's exactly what The Other Sister is. Gina Mills had a sister but she died many years ago and that loss has always been there in the background for her and her brother Ryan. Gina is trying now to forge herself a career as a newsreader at Channel Eight but her boss doesn't want to know. When she comes across a body one night on her way home and decides to live broadcast it on the internet, it brings her a certain notoriety.

The second body she stumbles across turns a tragic discovery into a rather shocking coincidence. It seems unbelievable that it could have happened to her twice but that is indeed the case. Could it be possible that she was meant to find both bodies?

Well, to find that out you'll have to read the book but, let me tell you, I could never have imagined the turn that this book would take. As it progressed I started to get an inkling, but Elle Croft has written the story in such a way that it's impossible to second guess anything that's happening. You just have to go with the flow and see where the story takes you which is no bad thing at all.

It's a very original storyline, slightly incredible as is the way with many psychological thrillers, but yet also completely possible. I loved the way the story jumped around between various points of view, that of Gina, Ryan, their mother back in 1996, and the detective investigating the two women's deaths. It enabled me to see the story from different angles. I still didn't know where it was going though!

I found The Other Sister to be a gripping and thrilling read. I liked the characterisations, particularly Gina and her boyfriend, Julian, and the story was so clever, particularly the ending which blew my mind a little bit. All in all, a great read, one that kept me guessing from start to finish and one which I thought was unusual and skilfully plotted.

Was this review helpful?

Having read and loved Elle Croft‘s debut, The Guilty Wife, I was delighted to be offered the chance to read her follow up, The Other Sister, and to take part in the blog tour.

The book opens with an intriguing and bloodied prologue then shifts back in time to properly introduce us to siblings Gina and Ryan, and further back to their mother, Sharon. I love multiple narrators and I love a dual timeline, so win-win!

The story is a great premise and very timely, bringing to the fore current topics of press intrusion and the role of social media. The characters are well described and – for the most part – completely believable.

There’s two real mysteries to uncover: what has gone on in the past narrative and that of the brutal murders in the present day. Both storylines are gripping, as well as creepy and disturbing, and develop well.

There are several surprising twists in the tale and the final third is an absolute rollercoaster of revelations. I really enjoyed this second book from Elle Croft, from the start to its shockingly dark ending, and I look forward to her next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Alainna Hadjigeorgiou at Orion Publishing for the ARC of The Other Sister.

Was this review helpful?

Elle Croft's latest book The Other Sister is a story that will get under you skin and will have you questioning and doubting everything you read. It's a complex story revolving around a dark family history, toxic relationships, the influences of social media and the power of suggestion which all play a part to make this such a intriguing, compelling read.

Gina has been estranged from her family for many years but a return to London sees her reconnecting with her brother Ryan, and her boyfriend Julian's connections sees her landing a job for a struggling TV Channel. It's not her desired job as a reporter but at least it's a foot in the door and a chance encounter presents her with the perfect opportunity to be in the spotlight...

The story is told from the viewpoints of multiple characters, Gina and Ryan in the present day, but we also get to see recollection of events in 1996 from Sharon, Gina and Ryan's mother. At first I wasn't really sure of the relevance of Sharon's viewpoint but then over time more and more memories are revealed which gives us a clearer insight into the family dynamics and shows how events from the past have caused relationships to shatter. Is time a healer for them and can their relationships be rebuilt?

The final character we hear from is Detective Adam Adebayo who we are introduced to after Gina's discovery of the first body. His chapters give us an alternate viewpoint into everything that is unfolding, the murder investigation as well as the police reaction to Gina's subsequent actions. It's down to him and his colleagues to get to the truth, to discover who is responsible for the killings, whether Gina is truly an innocent passerby as she's claiming or is someone playing them all?

It's fair to say that Gina was a complex, flawed character who didn't seem to have any moral compass as to what was right or wrong. She had her reasoning and explanation for everything she did and made it all seem completely plausible even if it's not something that any normal person would do. I would hope that if I ever was unfortunate to discover a dead body, I would report it to the police immediately and I wouldn't go live on social media to report the story afterwards!

The Other Sister is a dark and twisted story that certainly makes for some uncomfortable reading at times. But at the same time I found myself just wanting to read one more chapter to see how it would play out as I was impatient to find out if my suspicions as to who was involved were correct.

Was this review helpful?

Gina Mills dreams of being a newsreader but right now she’s stuck at her PA job at Channel 8. She has reconnected with her brother, Ryan, after many years of radio silence, following the death of their younger sister Cassie. One night Gina walks home and comes across a body of a young woman. Yes, she does what’s required, calls the emergency number, but also logs into Channel 8 Facebook account and reports the murder live online – this must please her boss, right? But this decision is going to change her life in many different ways, and both good and bad attention comes her way. And then she discovers another body… Is it accidental? Or is someone targeting her? Is it connected with the events from her childhood?

The characters in this book are deeply flawed. They’re not likeable – you may feel pity or sorry for them but I don’t think it’s possible to like them. They’re full of dark secrets, they lie and are putting the blame on other people. But they are wonderfully, brilliantly complex and not straightforward, they are challenging and this is how I liked them to be. The story is told from a few points of view, those of Gina, Ryan, their mother Sharon, and also Adam, the police officer investigating the crimes. Our main character Gina is a very colourful one, and she made me feel confused many, many times. I really wasn’t sure if she’s honest, if she’s playing, or if she really has such a bad luck, and I really liked this, her not being straightforward but complicated and complex. The story jumps between 1996 and the present and the pieces of information are scattered and slowly – but not too slowly – being dosed to us to eventually show us a picture that I’ve never seen coming.

I think I’ve never before came across this method of murder – to be honest, it made me feel such disgust, and even more so when the author, in a very detailed way explained the motives of those murders. Yes, I can probably see that this modus operanti may rise an eyebrow or two but let’s be honest, finally it was something different, something totally unique and unexpected, and it worked for me.
The writing style is captivating, flowing so seamlessly and effortlessly, in a great and compelling way peeling off layer after layer, slowly putting the puzzle together, until we reach the finale. On the one hand, I wanted more from the ending, on the other it was great end that – please don’t judge me – made me smile under my breath. Sure, this story could be better in some aspects, there were moments it felt too far – fetched and some of the events and things happened just too conventionally but it kept me hooked and this is what counts.

For me personally this book was better than “The Guilty Wife”. It was a real page – turner that I couldn’t put down – well, I’ve read it in about eight hours, continuing deep into the night and all the time repeating “only one chapter more”. It was dark, twisty and unpredictable psychological thriller. The author has managed to pull wool over my eyes to be honest – I was extremely sure that I know who’s the killer and why and I think I don’t have to mention that I was wrong. Very wrong. I somehow guessed the “why” but not the “who”. I adored the way the author has made her plot so complex, throwing suspicions on different characters, once making them vulnerable and scared and in the next moment adding a red herring that would change my mind about them. There were so many questions: why does someone murder the women? Why is it always Gina finding them? Is it a coincidence? Is she the target of the killer? What’s going to happen??? It was full of tension and suspense, secrets and intrigues and a totally surprising outcome.

I’ve raced through the pages, literally. I was totally engrossed in this compelling and gripping story. It was not only the pace that made me read so quickly, it was the plot, the characters , the changing moods and this feeling of uncertainty, of something bad that was going to happen, of simply wanting to reach the conclusion as quickly as possible. It was twisty, but not in your usual psychological thrillers way, Ms Croft has twisted her plot in the most clever, compelling and original way. It was very dark and also very literal, some of the descriptions may be putting off, but just close your eyes and read further. “The Other Sister” is a book that’ll make you want more and more, to see more and more, to hear more. You’ll feel disgusted but also, in a teasing, sadistical way it won’t be enough for you. It was so refreshingly original, captivating, addictive and be warned – it’s going to chew you and spit you out and yet you’ll still want more and more. Highly recommended!

Was this review helpful?

Elle Croft really knows how to keep the readers on their toes. After her debut novel, The Guilty Wife, which I truly enjoyed, she is back with a new dark and twisty novel that kept me completely engrossed.

Family secrets are at the center of the novel. Ryan and Gina Mills are brother and sister. When they were young, their youngest sister, Cassie, died. Her death led to a fracture in the family, but now they are both adults, they recently reconnected, and they are both living in the family home. Ryan is single, he has a good job, and he leads an ordinary and regular life. On the other hand, Gina is completely in love with her boyfriend Julian and she works as a PA for a TV producer but dreams of becoming a journalist. She has her chance when, after a night out with a friend, she finds the body of a woman. Following this horrific discovery, Gina makes a series of decisions that lead her not only at the center of the investigation, but also of the media. Ryan, in the meantime, is dealing with his guilt over a past that he can’t forget.

The author is really good at creating complex and unreliable characters that make you question everything that is happening in the story: the novel is told from the point of views of the various protagonists (in addition to Gina and Ryan, their mother Sharon with flashbacks from 1996, and Adam Adebayo, the detective in charge of the murder investigation), but you can’t completely trust what they are saying or what they do. The author gives you only a glimpse of what is really going on and when the truth is finally revealed you are left with your mouth hanging open in surprise because you really didn’t see it coming. At least, that’s what happened to me.

The story is brilliantly plotted, full of suspense and surprises, and with a final shocking twist at the last page. THE OTHER SISTER will keep on the edge of your seat, page after page, and I’d like to thank Alainna Hadjigeorgiou and Orion for providing me with a copy of the book and inviting me to take part in the blog tour.

Was this review helpful?

I can safely say when reading this taut thriller I had questions all the way through the book! This author kept me guessing all the way through, I had questions and questions and guess what MORE questions!

We are shown the story through different points of view.

We have Gina, walking home one night and discovers something horrifying! A dead body in an alleyway and once she called the police, she streams it live on the Channel 8 Facebook page. The backlash that follows spirals as she loses her friends, comes under vicious cyber attacks, as well as scary photos of her and rocks through the window at home! Terrifying! But hang on a second….her story does not quite add up. One thing to the police, another thing to someone else, what is going on here???

Then another body shows up with the same MO………

Ryan, Gina’s brother, adjusting to life since Gina came back into her life six months ago! But he has his own secrets and what happened to Cassie, their younger sister all those years ago? Why is she haunting him in every face he sees?

Detective Adam Adebayo, on the team to solve the murder, he is enamoured with Gina one minute and angry the next. Trying to understand what is going on! I loved his point of view, he was not the lead in the case, but one of the “bods” and it was quite refreshing, to see a crime being solved this way working with their team.

Lastly, back in time, 1996 to be precise, Sharon the mother of Ryan, Gina and the mysterious Cassie, this is told in the third person. And it is not a nice recount of the past, made me sad in places and angry at times, as you unravel what has made her disown her daughter. Why the hatred?

The short chapters from each character, leave you with intrigue. You will see everything unravel slowly, teasing and encouraging you to “one more page” not relenting as it sticks with you making you carry on. This is so twisty and dark it keeps you hooked, I am so glad I got the chance to read it.

Man, it was such a thrilling read, I feel like I can unwind a bit now, been through the ringer and at least I can say I come up smelling of roses. Not everyone else did. I can safely put my hands up and admit, I did not have a clue how this would end, it is unpredictable and I got frustrated I could not read it quick enough. The writing is so fluid and mesmerising, that it was not an effort to read at all, and I enjoyed every second of this journey!

Elle’s other book The Guilty Wife is now calling loudly to me!

Was this review helpful?

I was a big fan of Elle Croft’s debut novel The Guilty Wife, which I read a short while ago, so I was excited to pick up her second book The Other Sister. Elle Croft puts her characters in extraordinary situations, but they don’t feel too far-fetched, and in both of her books she has come up with an ingenious plot that is utterly engaging, with characters that hide dark, dark secrets. And her latest is just as gripping as her first.

What I have come to expect from Elle Croft’s writing is that you can never trust any of her characters, and there is always something new to find out about them. In her latest book, a family secret is what holds her plot together, and it is very well plotted. Her characters will have you questioning their motives through the book. One of her protagonists, Gina Mill’s, is desperate to be a news reader, and currently, she works for news station Channel 8. She has recently become reacquainted with her brother, Ryan, who she hasn’t seen for many years. When Gina discovers a body one evening, she makes the decision to film the discovery and broadcast on Channel 8’s social media channels.

Elle Croft really makes you think about her characters; I wanted to find out what was going to happen to Ryan and Gina, and especially what was hiding in their past, and there are some shocking revelations about them which are dark and chilling. I also liked the detective, who was investigating the deaths of the murdered women and I wanted to see if he was going to get the bottom of what was going on.

I was chilled by the final scenes in this book, which will keep you thinking about the plot and those final twists which explore a really scary idea. This is a dark, immersive crime thriller. Once again I really enjoyed Elle Croft’s writing. The Other Sister is definitely recommended by me.

Was this review helpful?