Cover Image: The Better Sister

The Better Sister

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Member Reviews

This book started a bit slow but ended up captivating my attention.

Which one is the better sister? This is a good question to ponder. This story proves that people can change and not everything is as it seems on the surface.

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I must confess - I haven't read any other titles from this author but holy smokes - I'm now a fan for life!
The Better Sister had me guessing from start to finish, and best part is, I was never correct in any of my predictions!

As a big fan of this genre - the domestic thriller - I'm always skeptical that I'll actually be surprised by the unfolding narrative. But plain and simple - this was some of the best fiction writing I've ever come across. Burke doesn't play by conventional rules of this genre and in actually breaking the rules, she has crafted a truly fascinating, engaging, and surprising mystery.

No doubt this will become one of the hottest reads of the summer!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

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The title of this book begs the question, Who is the better sister? I enjoyed following the characters through this story, even though it's difficult to relate to the rich and (somewhat) famous. I thought that there should have been more character development of the husband--I know we find out bits and pieces about him as the story moves along, but I feel like he exited the story line too soon. Ultimately, I was disappointed in how rushed the last 1/3 to the last 1/4th of the story felt, and I thought the ending was something of a let down, especially compared to some of Burke's other novels (which I've loved!)

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Another amazing book by Alafair Burke. Having "discovered" her books a few years ago, I have managed to read them all. This is certainly one of her best. I read it in a day and a half and could not put down. The twists and turns made me curious right up until the end. Thank you for the ARC. I will definitely be recommending to all my friends.

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This is my second Alafair Burke title. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC. I enjoyed the story and was very invested in the plot line and characters, wanting to see how the story unfolded. I'm learning that Burke is a master at keeping details and motivations hidden until she is ready to reveal them. As with The Wife, there are twists and turns you don't see coming, and characters that you like, then don't. She keeps the reader guessing.

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I just finished reading The Better Sister and I loved it. Alafair Burke's books are like peeling an onion. At first you think you know what is going on and then another layer is peeled away, and another, and another.

Chloe is editor in chief of a women's magazine that is doing pretty well in print and online and she recently oversaw the publication of a lot of #metoo stories about non-celebrities. She is somewhat well-known in a positive way, and also hated by anonymous web commentators who threaten violence. She is married to Adam, a former US attorney who has recently become a partner in a law firm. They live together with their son, Ethan. Well, Ethan is Adam's son with his first wife, Nicole who happens to be Chloe's sister. Because Nicki had drug and mental problems, Adam easily took primary custody of their son early on and she has limited contact with him. From the outside, their marriage looks perfect, but nothing is as it appears.

When Adam is murdered and Ethan is arrested, the two sisters must put aside old resentments and uncover the truth.

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Chloe and her estranged sister Nicky come together in support of Ethan, Nicky’s son and Chloe’s stepson, when he is accused of murdering his father in Alafair Burke’s latest suspense. I’ve enjoyed all of Burke’s books and this was no exception. Unlike her others, though, this was more of a slow burn in the middle which dragged a little at times. The pace picked up towards the end and there were a couple of big twists, one of which I predicted and one I didn’t. Overall, a fun, entertaining read from a solid suspense writer.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Harper and Alafair Burke for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

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Put this in your beach tote, this is the ultimate beach read. Very exciting story of 2 sisters, the husband they both married and the son they shared. Somehow, Burke makes all these dissonant situations work, beautifully.

Chloe and Nicky both married Adam, but when he is found dead, all the evidence points to their son. This book is an exciting page turner. Burke is able to make the 3 main characters believable and give them motives in Adam’s death.

There are lots of twists and turns which make it hard to close the cover before all the threads are pulled together, and Burke does it perfectly.

Again, this book, like so many recently written, deals with the topic of domestic violence, which will give reading groups a lot to discuss.

Have fun, bring sunscreen and enjoy.

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I sped through The Better Sister, trying to figure out what was really going on. Alafair Burke does an excellent job with just giving you enough, but not so much you can crack it!
Chloe and Adam are married, and live with Adam’s son Ethan. Ethan’s mom is Nicky, who happens to be Chloe’s sister. Adam ends up dead, and Ethan is the main suspect. Nicky comes back into their live, and the family secrets and dysfunctional dynamics start to spill out.
The characters are well developed, and I wasn’t sure who was the good guy and who was the bad guy until the end. I don’t want to give up too much, but the ending was brilliantly satisfying.

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