The author brings a unique narrative style to the story alternating between the three sisters, Kate, Peggy and Aurora as well as SHE. A very cryptic, and dark character who has a thirst for blood. Someone who death brings them joy. SHE feels as if the work she is doing, hunting and deconstructing bad men, is necessary and right.

As the story progresses, we get the background of the girls who have had anything BUT an ordinary childhood. Each one has their own perspective of events, but it is important to pay attention to each one’s memories and keep in mind that we all process things differently. I found myself cheering on SHE and believing her mission.

With three conflicting narratives, each with their own unreliable narrator, figuring out which sister the voice of the killer in this novel is will be a challenge.

Trigger warning for: CSA, animal abuse/mutilation (only discussed, no actual animals are harmed in this novel), body mutilation, killing, rape (mentioned), medical gaslighting

I enjoyed the beginning of this book, as we learned and explored each of the women’s perspectives and histories, but as the story progressed I felt at times that the author was intentionally muddying their narratives to try to make the resolution at the end more “dramatic.” I kind of figured out which was the voice of the killer from the start, if only because only one character didn’t have so many red herrings that made me mentally go “well it can’t be that one it’s too obvious,” but even with the ending I felt like the timeline and explanation kind of fell apart at the end.

By the ending of the novel I was confused about both the timeline, as well as the actual crimes committed when they were children, as so much of this book focuses on hiding specific details to keep the reader guessing that I think the author forgot that we (as the reader) aren’t privy to the same information if she hasn’t written it down. As we follow each sister - one, with false memories of being abused by her grandfather, one obsessed with her grandfather’s house and needing to purchase it, and the other with fond memories and hating their sister with the memory issues - we are slowly able to piece together the entire story of their past. Except…each of them has some conflicting narratives, memory lapses, and pieces that don’t add up.

And then by the ending, we’re still left with some questions about their actual past. We find out where the one sister’s false memories come from, yes, but we’re never given answers for questions that are even explicitly asked in the novel. Why do they spend so much time at their grandfather’s house? What exactly is going on? We’re given some nuggets of information in the literal last chapter or so, but nothing that fully closes the holes in the narrative during the rest of the novel, and that made the ending feel incomplete.

(Also. Not fully related, but, uh. An “intact hymen” isn’t an indication of virginity, nor do you need to bleed during your first sexual experience to prove you were a virgin. Strange inclusion to have in this book.)

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Poisoned Pen Press for providing this e-ARC.

This was definitely very twisty dark read!! Make sure to check for trigger warnings but I personally love dark and gory so I really enjoyed this book! The writing is razor sharp, evocative and unwavering, drawing you in from the beginning into the world where nothing is as it appears! Thank you NetGalley and publisher for ARC of this book!

Engaging and entertaining. A recommended purchase for collections where crime and thrillers are popular.

This one had quite the engaging premise.
Three sisters who face the loss of their father, and another point of view told by a killer of men. I loved the vengeance filled scenes the most! However, the way this was written was all over the place. The timeline was consistently difficult to nail down and it truly felt almost unedited. I adored the story and the sisters, I just wish it had made more sense within the scope of the plot and the story told.
With some things regarding the timeline tightened up, l'd have rated this one so much higher.
Thanks so much to the author and publisher for the eARC!

3 sisters traveled different paths in life, but are finding their lives and secrets slowly entangled, as a serial killer hunts through town.
I really loved the premise of this book, trying to determine which sister might be involved, and what bodies were buried in the past. However, I struggled to feel connected to any of the sisters, whether intentional to maintain the mystery or otherwise, which led to struggling to immerse myself in the story. When the truth unravels, I felt like we brushed over some fairly monumental side plots that were just dropped.
If you like a slower paced mystery, with that slice of life element I think you could definitely dive in and enjoy more than I did!

Thanks to NetGalley, PoisonedPenPress, and Sourcebooks providing me with an eARC of "Sister, Butcher, Sister."

Sister, Butcher, Sister isn't just another thriller – it's a masterclass in psychological tension that will consume your thoughts. Through frighteningly authentic characters, K.D. Aldyn explores the dark corners of sisterhood and survival with unflinching precision. The relentless pacing and carefully crafted suspense make it impossible to stop reading, while the eerie atmosphere seeps into your bones.

An unforgettable psychological journey that demands to be read.

***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of SISTER, BUTCHER, SISTER by K.D. Aldyn in exchange for my honest review.***

Sister, Butcher, Sister is a psychological thriller that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The novel follows three sisters—Kate, the eldest who is obsessed with their grandfather’s house and tends to run off and do what she wants, when she wants; Aurora, the “clean cut” sister who has their stuff together; and Peggy, the recovering addict who really is working to get her life together after a family falling out. When some gruesome murders shatter their community, suspicion falls on the sisters, but the truth is far from simple.

The book does an excellent job of building tension, with each chapter peeling back layers of secrets, rivalries, and long-buried childhood resentments. Throughout the novel, the reader is left questioning who the real killer is. Each sister has moments where they seem guilty, and the author skillfully plays with perception, leading the audience down multiple paths before the shocking twist at the end.

While the suspense is engaging, the novel does have its flaws. At times, the pacing drags, particularly in the middle section, where the backstories of the sisters become repetitive. The final reveal, while unexpected, feels somewhat rushed, leaving a few loose ends that could have been better resolved.

Overall, Sister, Butcher, Sister is an entertaining read with a gripping mystery that will keep readers engaged, even if the execution isn’t perfect. I recommend this read if you are into slow burns.

Dark, twisted, and impossible to put down, Sister, Butcher, Sister is a gripping blend of psychological tension and raw emotion. K.D. Aldyn crafts a chilling tale of sisterhood, trauma, and survival, with characters who feel unsettlingly real. The story is fast-paced and packed with suspense, keeping you on edge as secrets unravel. While some moments could have used a little more depth, the sharp writing and eerie atmosphere make this a hauntingly memorable read.

Thanks to NetGalley, PoisonedPenPress, and Sourcebooks for this copy of "Sister, Butcher, Sister."

It starts with a wallop - one of the three sisters (but we don't know which one) is 10 years old and burning down a house with someone inside.

The story unfolds to share the lives of the three sisters (we later learn which one burned down the house, why they did it, and who was inside.)

Kate is a lawyer and obsessed with their grandfather's house which she buys at the beginning of the book.
Aurora, the middle sister, is a musician with two children.
Peggy, the youngest, has had a rough life and hourly fights to stay sober.

Their parents were distant and the sisters often stayed with their grandparents, but they each have different memories of their experiences there.

For me, the ending felt a little abrupt and I would have liked more since we just shared this introspective and suspenseful journey with the sisters. But cheers to author Aldyn for a fantastic, chilling debut novel!

3.5 Stars

Content Warnings: child sexual abuse, rape, murder, incest

“Sister Butcher Sister” is a chilling tale about 3 sisters all living their very separate lives until they all move back near each other. They come back together again- bringing up memories and snippets of a dark past within their childhood, trying to remember what happened so many years ago.

The premise is intriguing, blending familial bonds with eerie, unsettling themes that keep you on edge.

The writing is descriptive which adds to the overall tension. Most of the story I was curious which sister could possibly be the killer until a certain spot towards the end where I was pretty convinced I knew it was and was correct.

This book is graphic and intense, but for readers who enjoy dark psychological thrillers, it delivers on its promise, making it worth picking up if you’re in the mood for something daringly unsettling.

This wasn’t what I was expecting at all! I think I liked it. I will definitely check this author out again.

Sister Butcher Sister
KD Aldyn
Poisoned Pen Press
06/10/2025

Three sisters. One killer. Which one is SHE?

When you give me a tag line, like the above, I am going to run as fast as I can to get the book. Sister Butcher Sister is unyielding and macabre. In her debut novel, Alyden Immerses readers in a captivating psychological thriller where family ties, hidden truths, and relentless tension intertwine.

The author brings a unique narrative style to the story alternating between the three sisters, Kate, Peggy and Aurora as well as SHE. A very cryptic, and dark character who has a thirst for blood. Someone who death brings them joy. SHE feels as if the work she is doing, hunting and deconstructing bad men, is necessary and right.

As the story progresses, we get the background of the girls who have had anything BUT an ordinary childhood. Each one has their own perspective of events, but it is important to pay attention to each one’s memories and keep in mind that we all process things differently. I found myself cheering on SHE and believing her mission.

I’m utterly blown away by Sister, Butcher, Sister. From the very first page, this book seized my attention and never loosened its grip. The writing is razor-sharp, evocative, and unwavering, drawing you into a world where nothing is as it appears and every character harbors a secret. This is a chilling exploration of obsession, trauma, and the tangled dynamics of retribution and forgiveness. You will be thinking about this book long after it is finished.

Three sisters, one of them a murderer.

From the very first pages, I caught a slight hint of Karin Slaughter’s style in this book, and believe me, that’s high praise.

This thriller is truly exceptional. The author kept me on edge from start to finish, masterfully playing with red herrings and unexpected twists. I absolutely loved how they managed to mislead the reader while dropping subtle clues along the way. My only advice: pay close attention to the details!

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each of the three sisters, uncovering their secrets, and understanding the heavy past that haunts them. Each character is complex and compelling, which only adds to the intensity of the story.

Although I’m not usually a fan of third-person narration, this book completely won me over. The writing is incredibly smooth, making the story easy to follow without ever feeling lost.

In short, this is a gripping, cleverly constructed, and deeply addictive thriller.

So thrilling that I could not put it down. Who is the killer sister? I could not figure it out and I'm planning on rereading the book to see what leads I missed. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to review a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Book review 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Sister, Butcher, Sister by K.D. Aldyn 📚
Pub Date: Jun 10 2025

Wow! This book was unexpected and I really didn’t see that ending coming. I just had my heart set on which sister was the butcher and ran with it. I kinda wanna reread some parts to see how the author got me to sway towards one sister. 🤔🧐

The author’s writing style was descriptive and easy to read, which I look forward to in my reads. Soon as I seen Karin Slaughter in the description of the book, I knew I would love it!

Synopsis: Three sisters. One killer. Which one is SHE?

The Rowling sisters have always been people you can understand – with partners and children, homes and dreams. And secrets, the sisters have those too. But when Kate, the eldest, finally returns to buy her late grandfather's home, the dark things each sister has kept buried soon rise to the surface.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy!

Add to your tbr!!

hree sisters. One killer. Which one is SHE?

The Rowling sisters have always been people you can understand – with partners and children, homes and dreams. And secrets, the sisters have those too. But when Kate, the eldest, finally returns to buy her late grandfather's home, the dark things each sister has kept buried soon rise to the surface.

Is Kate having unexplained visions tied to a past she can hardly recall? Is Aurora, the married mother of two, finally acting out in the face of her sisters' indiscretions? Is Peggy, the youngest and a recovering addict, able to move on from the memories that haunt her?

And then there's SHE.

SHE is one of them, but SHE is not like them at all. SHE is defined only by the carnage she lets the world see, the murders that have swept through their coastal community. And as the police close in on their newest serial killer, scrutiny lands on the Rowlings, forcing them to face their demons and reveal all they have kept hidden.

THIS BOOK!!! WOW!! I really enjoyed this read!

4.5

I really enjoyed the premise of this story and the backstories of each sister, the story kept me guessing and even when I thought I had guessed which sister the ending surprised me. I often thought about this book when I wasn't reading it and would recommend.
Some may find the graphic content squeamish but I thought it was daring, the female characters were written well and had dimension. This is a fantastic debut novel by KD Aldyn and I would read further stories from her.

Sister, Butcher, Sister by KD Aldyn

This book reels you in from the very beginning!

This story follows sisters Kate, Aurora and Peggy and their complicated relationship. The oldest sister Kate decides to purchase their grandpas house in which they spend most of their childhood in. Troubled memories begin to emerge and each sister question why they spent much time at grandparents house.

There’s a killer on the loose targeting men and the 3 sisters are the main suspects.

Fans of Karin Slaughter will love this!

TRIGGER WARNINGS: sexual and child abuse

Firstly thank you to the publishers for my early access in exchange for a review.
I’ve reviewed a few of this authors books and this is definitely one of their strongest .
Thought provoking and well written