There’s so much to love about this novel. Its characters are so rich and their lives feel so lived in. There’s a mystery at the center of the story, that every thread is tied into, but its the badly damaged relationship between mother and daughter that really delivers the real knockout punches here. Collins doesn’t take any shortcuts. She makes sure that each encounter is earned and each revelation worth the wait. The dialogue is crisp and cutting, many times leaving me breathless at the end of a scene.
If you’re looking for a thriller with more than just cops chasing bad guys, this is one to grab off the shelf immediately. Be prepared to feel emotionally drained when the ride is over, but damn, what a great ride it is.

"The Winter Sister"
by Megan Collins
Atria Books


Women's Fiction -- Release Date: February 5, 2019


ReaderToReader.com review for NetGalley download


Sylvie O'Leary has been carrying the grief of her older sister, Persephone's death for years. The two were close and when Persephone secretly started seeing Ben Emory, Sylvie covered for her. Their single mom, Annie forbade both girls to date, and though Persephone was eighteen, she had to sneak out to be with Ben.

One winter night, Sylvie locked their bedroom window so Persephone couldn't get back in. Sylvie was tired of covering for her and assumed Persephone would ring the doorbell and her secret would be out. She heard Persephone knocking but feigned sleep and wouldn't let her in. Instead, she watched her leave and head back to Ben's car. Only, she never returned.

Distraught, Annie phoned the police and her sister, Jill who stayed with them until they received word that Persephone's body was discovered dumped under a snow bank. A hysterical Annie hid in her room and began drinking.

Sylvie felt Persephone would still be alive if only she let her in. Her relationship with her mom soon became intolerable so she went to stay with her aunt Jill. After high school, she left Connecticut to go to college and live in Rhode Island.

Now, sixteen years later, Jill summons Sylvie home to care for Annie who is undergoing cancer treatment. She does not want to return but is obligated to. But, she wants answers. What exactly happened to Persephone that night? Who killed her? Thinking it was Ben she confronts him and sees he is still grieving over her loss. Conversation with her distant mother brings no resolution and though the case is still open it's now cold.

Familial bonds are shattered, hearts are broken, and secrets are withheld until the ugly truth is exposed. "The Winter Sister" is a mesmerizing, complex thriller.

This book was offered to me by a publisher for review purposes, based on…well, based on tons of similar books I read. Female authored female driven mystery thrillers. There are so many of them out there, it really takes something spectacular to stand out. And this book wasn’t especially spectacular. It was well written, all the more so for a debut, but…here comes the but…so it’s essentially a mother/daughter story. Originally there were two daughters, but one, ominously named Persephone, was murdered when she was 18 and the crime remained unsolved. The family didn’t survive it as a cohesive unit, mother drifted to drink, daughter to her aunt to stay and then to college and then to a decent if not especially deliberate or well thought out life. But now 16 years later the two are begrudgingly reunited, the murder still hanging over them, casting a pall on their lives and seems like it’s finally time to find out the truth. So yes, ok, a mother/daughter story, very dramatic, obviously expecting much emotional involvement from the readers, but the author made the mother character (who is dying and therefore should be considered kindly, you would think) so unpleasant, so hideously thoroughly loathsome, just a morally repugnant person who spent her entire life loving and pining away for an equally terrible person no matter what it did to those around them, including her own children…and it’s just very difficult to care. And you’re supposed to, that dynamic is the primary plotline, the main dramatic narrative. Obviously, I’m not saying every character in the book should be a morally upstanding and all around terrific person, they can be good or evil or anywhere in between, but they have to be interesting, compelling, complex…and this was neither, this was much too one note, arc free, pitiable certainly and tragic, but the main emotion you’d get reading it was anger. Families…boy, do they f*ck each other up. Probably not the right message for a book read on Thanksgiving. And it dragged on somewhat too, the revelations came slowly, the things with the bruises alone was so predictable and made so much out of and the prerequisite twisted ending was plausible and kinda sorta (not too much, I’m glad to say) predictable too, mainly due to the fact that there just weren’t that many main players. No, actually, mainly because of how uncompromisingly irredeemably evil the author writes her antagonists. There just wasn’t enough moral ambiguity to lay blame at random, it was a pretty concentrated affair. And yet, the book was entertaining, it read well and I made it through in one prolonged sitting. Yes, it was more frustrating than I would have liked, but it passed the time decently enough and the author certainly shows promise. Thanks Netgalley.

Families. They really suck, unless they're other peoples. Then my fascination is endless, don't you think? Oh, then to be a fly on the wall.

THE WINTER SISTER is kinda one of those. It's also pretty unputdownable. The writing is crisp and the editing - even in my advance copy - is faultless.

The story is a simple one. 18 year old Persephone is killed late one night after a date with her boyfriend. The case goes cold. Sixteen years later her half sister comes home and lies begin to unravel.

This was an amazing book. I'm so happy that Simon and Schuster offered me an advance copy. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys mysteries and thrillers.

I rather enjoyed The Winter Sister. Lies run deep throughout this well-written page-turner. It was nearly impossible to put down and, even though I had figured out what was going on, I was still thoroughly impressed with the way the story played out.

I am excited to read more from Megan Collins in the future.

This book had me hooked instantly and kept me until the very last page. That's not always the case for me, especially if I'm not reading a fluffy YA romance. It came to me with a "if you like Megan Miranda" tagline, so I dove in.

The story starts with Sylvie the night her sister disappears. Sylvie's young and Persephone has snuck out to be with her boyfriend, whom Sylvie things abuses her sister because she always comes back covered in bruises. Persephone has been forbidden to date so Sylvie is the one who lies for her. But Sylvie gets tired of lying for her sister. And then her sister never comes home.

After Persephone's death, things with Sylvie and her mom get worse. She's practically raised by her aunt and manages to get into art school and eventually move away. When her mother gets sick and her aunt can't help anymore, Sylvie comes home.

I love the dark feel of Sylvie, knowing that she's trying but she's also still suffering so much. She lives a sad, simple life and no one, not even her family truly knows her. I definitely got some Gillian Flynn vibes from Sylvie. She's obsessive and angry, but uses it to find her answers. When she see's Ben again she immediately goes to the police like a crazy person. I can definitely appreciate the drama with her.

Persephone's story unfolds quickly, not too many unnecessary things happening. The story unfolded nicely and I really liked the interactions between Ben and Sylvie. Annie's story is sad, but it worked well with the story. I would have liked to have had more with Ben and Sylvie, so I ended up with four stars.

Huge thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing and ARC free of charge.

Thank you to Touchstone, Atria books, and NetGalley for an advanced read in exchange for this review.

Sixteen years ago, Sylvie's sister, Persephone, was murdered.  The murder remains unsolved.  Sylvie has now returned home to take care of her ailing mother.  She runs into Ben, Persephone's boyfriend at the time.  She's always suspected Ben was responsible for her sister's death.  As more secrets begin to unravel, will the truth finally come out?

What a wild ride!  The story alternates between chapters of the present of Sylvie and Persephone and Sylvie in the past.  Her relationship with her mother is strained, and Sylvie has to learn how to deal with her mother while figuring out what she wants to find out about her sister's death.  There are some elements of surprise as the plot begins to take shape.  I found some of it to be a bit messy, but it works for the story.  Really enjoyed this one.

The Winter Sister is a beautifully written family drama and psychological thriller that has a cast of highly intriguing characters, an emotionally resonant storyline and an edgy literary vibe that really involves the reader in this intricate familial web.

Sylvie returns home years after her Sister’s murder, to look after her Mother who is battling cancer. The relationship between these two is strained and unpredictable, both are hiding things surrounding the killing of Persephone, the once loving mother daughter bond dissolved. As the story unfolds, layer upon layer of secrets fall away until Sylvie is left with the stark, horrific truth.

This was a complex character study, extraordinarily fascinating especially in the very different perceptions of the Sisters when it comes to their Mother. Annie is hugely secretive and obviously damaged, Sylvie in her childhood memories gets that across even as she struggles to understand it herself.

The mystery element is very much secondary to the exploration of parent/child relationships and the events that can form a personality.  Who killed Persephone is all tied up in the forming of bonds, the choices we make and the different ways we define love.

It was excellent. Disturbing, intelligent and hugely addictive, with a strong emotional sense, The Winter Sister works on many levels.

Recommended.

I don’t usually care for books about women obsessed with men who done them wrong or bad mothers. This one has both so I was surprised that I liked it so much. This mother is one bad mother. But the rest of the story is really good even though it is built around a well worn trope: the unsolved murder of a sibling. This is a strong debut and I will definitely be recommending it and be eagerly awaiting her next.

This is an extraordinarily compelling book. It truly is a sit and read through novel.
That being said, I had almost no compassion for the protagonist, Sylvie, notwithstanding her age at the time of the pivotal event. Overarching ignorance of the legal system is troubling at best, and she exemplifies it. Selfish assumption of burdens not one's own are an excuse for a lack of boundaries. Being excessively judgmental becomes somehow a justification for the anger and damage she seems bent on spreading. Sylvie lacks compassion and thus garners none.
Nonetheless, the book is compelling

This was an interesting mystery thriller whose plot twists I could see developing miles away. Probably the only reason it still intrigued was the reveal and motive of the killer which unfortunately didn’t pay off as much as I expected. Nevertheless, it was interesting to read and put together the puzzle pieces.

I think Sylvie felt stuck. She was aware that her moment of selfishness and the mistakes she made when she was a kid, may have led to her sister’s unresolved death leaving her with too much guilt to move on and find direction in her life. Her character played a major part in turning the cogs that lead to the solving of her sister’s case, which I wouldn’t say resolved her life, but it definitely set her up for it by the end.

The main characters were deeply flawed – whether by circumstance or their own follies – and its these flaws in the end which contributed to Persephone’s death; some more than others. I was appalled at the behaviors of some of the parental figures and I couldn’t get myself to empathize with them because they were too hurtful and selfish.

I felt like miscommunication or even lack of any communication amongst the characters played quite a major role in the novel and this somewhat irked me. Sometimes the motives of some of the characters were confusing – especially that of Will Emory and Annie.

The novel deals with how much a child needs a parent, how abuse and neglect can shape a person’s life leaving a deep impact and how complicated relationships can be. Melancholic and a page turner, The Winter Sister was a commendable debut which despite the little bit of predictability was intriguing enough that it kept me engaged till the end.

Lying has dire consequences.

Sylvie O'Leary knows this first hand. She's been covering up for her older sister, Persephone, for some time. Persephone has been sneaking out to meet her boyfriend, Ben, at night when her mother thinks she asleep in her room. The girls agreed upon leaving the bedroom window open a crack so that Persephone can ease the window open later.

But this night, this fateful night, Sylvie takes it upon herself to stop the deceit by fully closing the window. Her plan will force Persephone to ring the front doorbell in order to get in. A row will surely take place between mother and daughter, but the underhanded behavior will finally stop. Sylvie will no longer be at the mercy of her sister's lies.

There will be no mercy that night. Persephone never comes home. Her body is found along a lonely road buried in snow. Years pass and the police are not even close to finding who murdered Persephone. The impact of her death sends her mother, Annie, into a downward trajectory as she becomes a raging alcoholic who takes to a reclusive life. Annie's sister, Jill, tries her best to keep Annie functioning somehow, but her efforts seem to go nowhere.

Sylvie moves out on her own. Sixteen years have passed and a phone call reveals that Annie has cancer and must undergo chemo. Jill begs Sylvie to come home to care for her mother.

Megan Collins has set the stage for the heavy-duty consequences of a mountain of deceit. The lies took root long before Persephone's death and they continue to wind their way through the lives caught in the bramble. Collins twists the branches tighter and tighter as Annie's prior life becomes the focus. The pace gains more and more momentum causing the reader to quickly flip pages.

The Winter Sister becomes a zigzag of a character study. Individuals become more and more complicated as we walk around inside their heads. You'll find yourself almost irritated by some of their questionable behaviors.. Obsession will sit in the front row. It does finally get sorted out at the end. Some will find it unexpected and some will already see the headlights coming from afar. The predictability left me a tad disappointed. Regardless, it still is an entertaining read.

I received a copy of The Winter Sister through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Touchstone and to Megan Collins for the opportunity.

A gorgeous, haunting debut about loss, regret, and family. Megan Collins's writing is stunning. The first sentence puts its hooks in you and the book never lets you go for a minute after

I absolutely loved this debut novel about family secrets and heartbreaks that literally consume the main characters years after Persephone is found murdered. Her sister, Sylvie returns home in her thirties to care for Annie, her mother who now has cancer. Old wounds are opened and probed as Sylvie feels guilt but also is compelled to solve the murder of her sister. Convinced Persephone's forbidden boyfriend, Ben is the culprit, Sylvie works to uncover the truth. There are so many lovely things about this novel! One is the lyrical quality of the writing which mirrors the myth of the tragic Greek Persephone and her mother, Demeter, Another is the mystery surrounding the death as well as the strained--often shattered--relationship between Annie and Sylvie as Sylvie blames her mother for the Dark Days she remembers and the alcoholism that robbed her of the loving mother she once knew as a child. What a complicated mess families can be! But in addition to the pain, Collins shows the disparity that exists within familial bonds as deep love exists in spite of the wounds created unknowingly. And that--beyond the mystery--reveals the true depth of characters that on the surface appear to be unfeeling and callous. I look forward to more by this author as I devoured it like a satisfying meal!

Megan Collins’s compelling debut is at once a page-turning whodunit and a thoughtful examination of a family broken by tragedy. With a protagonist haunted by her sister’s unsolved murder, a less-than-happy homecoming, and the slow unraveling of decades of explosive secrets, The Winter Sister will captivate you from suspenseful start to surprising finish.

Fascinating glimpse into the frailties of family bonds, and the betrayals in which some family members engage. When discord is a family dynamic, sometimes elaborate lies and self-deceptions become tangled, and this amazing book perfectly illustrates this type of dysfunction. This is a suspenseful tale, from start to finish, and it's expertly woven premise captures and holds your attention from start to finish. Great book, and highly recommended.

Riveting story of the murder of a teenager that becomes a cold case. Years later her younger sister returns to her home town to care for her dyng mother, and stirs up old emotions and memories. Extremely well written.

Total page-turner! I raced through the first half of this, not sure what I was getting into but happy to follow along.

When she was 18, Persephone disappeared one night and was soon discovered dead, strangled and left in the snow. Her younger sister Sylvie was devastated because she believed she could have prevented her death. Ben, the boyfriend, is the young son of the influential town mayor, who seemed to be in love with her but was never allowed to be seen with her. Although many considered him a suspect, he was never charged and her murder went unsolved.

Cut to many years later, and Sylvie is still torn up about the murder. Her mother has become an alcoholic recluse. She and Sylvie are estranged until a cancer diagnosis. Sylvie returns home reluctantly and immediately becomes embroiled in the unsolved murder of her sister.

Lots of twists and turns! Thanks to Netgalley for the arc to review. Highly recommended to lovers of thrillers!

This book sucked me in right from the first page. It was difficult to put down. My emotions were all over the place throughout the story- feeling sad, angry and hopeful, sometimes all at the same time, for the characters. I highly recommend this to those who like a good mystery.

This book did NOT disappoint. In fact, it surprised me. The Winter Sister is an intricate tale of family intrigue and lies, and the story is tightly woven with mostly realistic characters. It's a fun read and had me enthralled from the first page this morning until I finished this evening.

When you live in chaos, it isn't chaos to you, it's just life. When you live in chaos and something doesn't make sense, there's no need to question it because your life is chaos and chaos is normal (yes I learned this from past experience).

There were quite a few moments when I felt a character wasn't behaving correctly, or wasn't reacting to another character in the way a logical person would. At first I worried it was due to poor character development. But eventually you discover it's because, for these characters, the lies had been part of their life story. The deceptions were such a part of their entire lives that the weird reactions and behaviors were not noticed, even if it was apparent to an outsider that something wasn't right. It takes time for the characters to start raising questions that an outsider would have asked right off, or been more firm in demanding answers. And in terms of this story, that delay was realistic.

I was so pleased to discover that my worries were for naught, that this was actually an excellent thriller/mystery. Most questions were answered, and no major plot holes, just a great ride as we fly through the history of two families trying to find out who murdered the Winter Sister. The only remaining question I had was about the meaning of Tommy's doll, but that wasn't really part of the plot, and his other bizarre behavior was explained. The police, who absolutely botched their investigation because they certainly should have asked the questions the family didn't think to, at least admitted they had dropped the ball.

I was relieved to note that the book ended at just the right point too, and wasn't dragged on and on just to answer the outcome for every single character. We can guess the outcome for the bad guy/girl, we can assume the outcome for the good guys/girls, but the mystery itself is resolved and that is what I ask for in a book of this type.

The cover is beautiful and most important: it relates to the book. It's not just a random picture, it definitely relates to the story and I appreciate that. What I don't love, and what is my only criticism, is that Persephone has blonde hair, not black. The girl on the cover has to be Persephone, but what I see with my (aged) eyes is a brunette. Persephone's blonde hair is mentioned over and over in the book so it's really odd to me that a brunette would be on this otherwise perfect cover.

So enjoy the cover, forget the hair, and read this book!

Thank you so much to Touchtone Books and Netgalley for the advance copy. I have no qualms in recommending this book, just clear your schedule because you won't want to put it down.