Wow! This book was fantastic. Although, it is not for the faint of heart. The sisters, Kate, Aurora, and Peggy are mending the hurts from there childhood and working to get along and reconnect. Meanwhile, one unnamed sister is also a serial killer hunting down men that she feels have no right to live on this Earth. As the story unfolds, we learn that the sisters upbringing was not the best and their grandfather was a safe haven from their unstable parents. Peggy, the youngest and a recovering addict, nearly destroyed her relationship with her sisters when she accused their grandfather sexual abuse. As the story goes on, we learn more about the sister and complex dynamic. I'm the end one sister will be revealed for her heinous crimes. This was everything I wanted in a book. I love gory thrillers with female serial killers and this has it all. It also kept me wondering if my original hypothesis about who the killer is was right. A solid ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

This is such a good read. The pacing is intense and the book is full of suspense and is so atmospheric with some really dark parts. The twists kept me guessing and I didn't know what to think or who to believe

3.50 stars
The beginning of the book really had me hooked, and the different pov of the sisters added to the mystery. I switched my mind several times. It was also a nice twist to see a female serial killer. However it kinda fell a little flat at the end and the ending felt abrupt. This was my first book by this author and I would be willing to read another.

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC of Sister, Butcher, Sister by K.D. Aldyn. This book started off strong, with the first graphic killing in chapter 2. Alternating viewpoints between the three sisters and "she" kept the book interesting, but the timeline was foggy and extremely unclear as to how much time has passed in the duration of the book, and the author seemed to skip transitions between scenes sometimes, such as jumping from being on the phone to all of a sudden taking a walk. I started losing interest very quickly, as the only excitement in the book was the killings. The conflict between the sisters could have been more interesting, the investigation could have been explained in further, and the memories could have been cleared up and explained a bit more. I did enjoy the fact that I went back and forth throughout the book of trying to figure out which sister was the killer, but I did have my suspicions. Overall, it was not a bad read, but I felt like it fell a bit flat for me, especially the ending, as it was not as satisfying as I had hoped it would be.

First of all, thank you for giving me the opportunity to be an early reader and reviewer for this novel.

I cannot believe this is K.D. Aldyn’s first crime thriller!

This story had me hooked from the get go. Great pace and build up and I loved how it kept me guessing until the very end.
The tension, the build up, the reveals and the in dept characters were a pleasure to read. I honestly love a good mystery thriller and this one aced it. I can keep this brief: Great writing, gripping and original story, can only recommend!

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.