This story had everything that I love about a mystery: a small town, rich people behaving badly with a supernatural twist. The whodunit was obvious from the get go, but it was the build up and the continued frustrations of these suspects slipping through the cracks that made me want revenge even more. The story wove from past and present centering on a twenty-five year old disappearance intertwined with the suspicious activities in the present with a woman officer with a foul mouth, in the mix… with her own secret to bury.

The Sister’s Curse by Nicola Solvinic is a chilling, atmospheric thriller that perfectly blends small-town secrets, folklore, and police procedural tension. Lieutenant Anna Koray is a compelling lead haunted by her serial killer father’s legacy yet determined to root out the truth when a string of mysterious drownings points to something far more sinister than accidents. The novel masterfully keeps you guessing, weaving whispers of witchcraft and revenge into a taut investigation that blurs the line between myth and reality. With rich, moody prose and an undercurrent of dread that builds with every chapter, this is the kind of book that pulls you under and doesn’t let go until the final, haunting reveal.

2.5 to 3 stars Thank you to BookBrowse for the chance to read and review this ARC. Publishes October 21, 2025

Immersed in supernatural events, a young police woman, Anna Koray, tries to unwind many mysteries. Both past and present problems plague her. Coming from a very dysfunctional family she finds current solace with her boyfriend Nick and her dog Gibby. However she is totally alone when the Rusalka takes over her body!

I did not realize this was the second book of a duology. I have not read book number one [book:The Hunter's Daughter|196848536] - which would probably have made a difference and brought me into the present in this book. I thought that the writing was good in this book, although it meandered quite a bit, and since I am really not much into mythology or curses or the mystic theme that this book follows - author 4 stars, book content 2 stars.

Something is in the water in Bayern County, Lieutenant Anna Koray has been put on the case. Her life is finally on stable land but this case could topple it to the ground. A boy nearly drowns and is left with mysterious scratches. What could those be from in a small pond? When another near drowning displays similar scratches, Anna starts a deeper investigation. Connecting the circumstances to a decades old case, she will be left with more questions then answers. Superstition begins to take hold of the truth and quickly, Anna is pulled into old memories connected to her childhood. The cases keep piling up, can it be solved before Anna's life is pulled under?

This is a second book in the series following Lieutenant Anna Koray. Highly recommend reading in order even though they stand well on their own. I love Anna as a character. She's determined and strong, however she also doesn't take orders well. There is a folklore connection within the stories that make it stand apart from other thrillers/procedural novels. Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for the advanced copy of this book.

I was so excited to get an ARC of this book by Nicola Solvinic and to find out that it was the second installment where we follow our MC, Lt. Anna Koray. I read The Hunter's Daughter earlier this year after hearing several people rave about it. I loved The Hunter's Daughter - top notch police procedural! So, diving back into Anna's world and tagging along with her on her next case was very exciting!
The Sister's Curse follows Anna as she investigates the cold case of a missing girl in Bayern County and the ties that some local 'kings' of the county might have to the case. That is really skimming the surface, but it is much more satisfying to take the time to let the story unravel as you read it. I love Solvinic's writing and the way she crafts her stories. She does an excellent job of weaving magical realism, folk tales, beautiful nature writing, and gritty suspense all together into a propulsive novel. In this book, we learn about a water spirit, but that is all I will say! I loved this book, and am eagerly awaiting the next book that Solvinic writes!
Thank you to Berkley and BookBrowse for providing the advanced copy!

Yikes! What’s in the water that terrorizes a small town that has witches in its history? Anna fights her own demons while trying to figure out what’s going on. Nail biting!

Very good! I received an advance copy via BookBrowse for review. I hadn't realized it was a sequel when I requested the novel. So I read The Hunter's Daughter first, which was very good. Reading The Sister's Curse was even better. The spirits of the forest and the water, the investigation of a 25 year old murder, and the life of Elena/Anna were are amazingly written. I look forward to reading more Nicola Solvinic novels.

This book with a 25 year old abduction, present day murders, some really bad guys and a bit of witchcraft hooked me from the start. Good characters, some likeable, some not. Enough mystery to keep you wanting more, good suspense and it moved along well. One minor criticism is that it got a bit long towards the end but didn't detract from my enjoyment. Thanks to Netgalley for this advance copy.

The Sister's Curse is about a member of law enforcement with lingering childhood trauma surrounding her family members. The writing is above the standard of a typical suspense story or "unputdownable" read, though it is compelling and provides enough of a mystery to indeed make you want to keep reading. I got a little lost and/or less interested when some of the more supernatural elements of the story were introduced. I did not at all expect any kind of social statement, but ultimately got something akin to that. I was overall happy with this read for an easy summer read, though I will not hunt down any sequels or series with this character. #TheSister'sCurse #NetGalley

BOOK REPORT
Received a complimentary copy of The Sister’s Curse, by Nicola Solvinic, from Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.

Doing the same Book Report for The Hunter’s Daughter and The Sister’s Curse, both by Nicola Solvinic, even though I only obtained the latter as an ARC. (Got the other from a public library.)

I got about a quarter or a third of the way through The Sister’s Curse when it dawned on me that I was reading something that felt awfully sequel-y. But it was fast-paced and interesting enough to hold my attention, so I didn’t look up to see if this was a series until I’d finished enjoying it. To my credit, there was nothing in the write-up about it to clue me in for certain.

And, even on Goodreads, there’s nothing (as of this writing, July 2025) to indicate that the two books should be read in order, as part of what I hope will be a long-running series.

But, trust me, they should be. I think I would’ve enjoyed the second book more had I had all the context of the first.

If you’re not into things that get a little…..shall we say “woo-woo”?.....then you probably won’t enjoy either of these books. But I am, and can get myself more proper terrified in a shadowed forest or swamp than in any big city, so these books were right up my alley. Three stars trending upward for both.

DESCRIPTION
There’s something in the water in Bayern County…

When mysterious drownings plague her small town, a detective haunted by her serial killer father must uncover whether revenge, ancient legends, or something darker lurks beneath the surface.

Lieutenant Anna Koray thought she'd finally found solid ground and escaped her past as the daughter of a notorious serial killer. A loving boyfriend, a loyal dog, a life that almost feels normal—except darkness has a way of seeping in. When she saves a boy from drowning, the strange marks on his body tell a disturbing story: something in the depths tried to drag him under.

Days later, another victim surfaces with identical marks and Anna's instincts scream that these are no accidents. Both victims are connected to the Kings of Warsaw Creek—men of the town's wealthiest and most influential families. And they have enemies.

Others whisper that there are witches in Bayern County, seeking revenge for a long-ago murder. Perhaps it's the work of Vivian Carson, the enigmatic bartender who’s rumored to cast hexes on those who wrong her. Or maybe it’s a secret coven who’s been leaving serpentine symbols and skulls behind at the scenes of the drownings.

But Anna's investigation reveals an even more sinister truth: something is stirring in the water, and it wants the Kings to pay.

With time running out and more victims appearing, Anna must separate superstition from truth. But in Bayern County, where legends and curses run deep as the water itself, one wrong step could drag her into the depths—this time for good.

I don't understand why this isn't advertised as a sequel. The story arc is standalone, but there are tons of references to the first book. My advice is to read The Hunter's Daughter first.

Missing backstory aside, I enjoyed this book. It's wonderfully atmospheric, twisty, and fast-paced. I like that it keeps you guessing until the end. The only other thing that bugged me was I feel like most of the twists worked because you don't really get to know anyone. I found most of the characters a little one dimensional, and I had a hard time connecting to the MC. I imagine if I had read the first book, it would have been different.
Still, if you're looking for a creepy, engaging paranormal thriller...this one is definitely for you.

Fast Moving Story
This book is everything I want in a book! It has a strong female lead/main character with a dark past that she works feverishly to overcome, while she deftly manages to preserve and maintain a solid future in a stable relationship.
It has a great storyline full of folklore and supernatural forces. The main character's flash backs are woven into the story in a thoughtful, carefully scripted way. The story flows as gently as a River when it needs to, with the added rapids and directional changes and diversions of a raging River, at times.
This book dabbles on the occult, witches, curses and crystals in a very convincing manner. Plenty of interesting and suspenseful encounters with creatures of the deep and things that go bump in the night!
I love the way the author describes the elements of nature and shows the reader the adverse effects the mismanagement of chemical waste can have on animals and reptiles. The reader instantly learns to have a tender heart for snakes!

This book is a crime mystery with an underlying paranormal element. It tells the story of Anna who is the daughter of a serial killer. She works to slove a cold case that is crippling a small town. Her determination to get to the bottom of a years old murder are admirable. With professed witches and the presence of the dreaded Rusalka, the story takes on some paranormal elements that keep the reader guessing. I did find a few slow spots in the story but overall this was entertaining.

Something is in the water. Something wants revenge.

In small-town Bayern County, drowning victims are stacking up and none of it feels accidental. Lieutenant Anna Koray, daughter of a notorious serial killer, thought she’d outrun her past. Now she’s dragged into an investigation tangled with wealthy families, local legends, whispers of witches, and rumors of revenge. The deeper she digs, the more danger rises to the surface. The question is whether she’ll uncover the truth in time or get pulled under with it.

Spillin’ the Book Tea:
I liked this one a lot. I didn’t realize it was connected to another book until after I finished, and while it works as a standalone, I probably would have enjoyed the backstory a little more if I’d read that first. Even without it, I still found this book to be solidly entertaining.

What really pulled me in was the mix of thriller and horror, with that slow creeping dread that never lets up. Solvinic writes in a way that fully immerses you. The pacing is fast but not rushed, and the tension ramps up chapter by chapter. I felt like I could practically hear the water dripping and the whispers in the woods.

Anna is the kind of protagonist I like... strong, determined, a little haunted but not broken. Her problem-solving skills kept the plot moving and her bond with her dog Gibby gave the story a grounding warmth. Small detail, but Gibby deserves all the pets.

The slow-burn reveal really worked here. It’s part mystery, part local legend, with just enough horror elements to keep it unsettling without going over the top. I didn’t know who or what to trust until the very end, and honestly, I love when a book keeps me guessing like that.

Thanks to BookBrowse for the advanced copy.

The Vibes It Brings:
🐍 Family Secrets and Old Money
💧 Small Town with Big Superstitions
👩‍✈️ Strong Female Lead
🐕 Faithful Dog Companion
🪙 Power, Corruption, and Revenge
🩸 Generational Trauma Lurking
☠️ Folklore and Local Legends
⚖️ Justice is Personal
⏳ Slow Burn but Worth the Wait

TL;DR:
If you like your thrillers with a side of folklore and a protagonist who never quits, this one delivers. Fast-paced, atmospheric, and soaked in small-town secrets, The Sister’s Curse hooks you early and keeps the tension rising. Perfect for fans of slow-burn suspense with a supernatural edge. Bonus points for Gibby the dog.

The Sister’s Curse is the second novel in Solvinic’s Anna Koray series. While it is a series, the book can stand alone, but does rob the reader of a complete understanding of the characters, especially Anna and her past. Solvinic uses a police procedural and very adeptly adds gothic horror to bring some creepy images to life. If you are a fan of things that grab you when swimming, eyes that peer out of a deep dark forest, and witches chanting vengeful curses into a warm moonlit night, this book is for you. It is also a book about revenge served cold and love that will stand strong through anything. There were some moments of confusion and it may be because this was book 2, and therefore the author assumes you already know the background. Overall, it’s a solid mystery, with a spooky factor that will stay with you, and make you think twice about stepping foot in a pond or river! Thank you Berkley Publishers, Bookbrowse.com and Netgalley for the Advance Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Dark, unsettling, and atmospheric, The Sister’s Curse explores grief, sisterhood, and buried family secrets. Solvinic’s writing is haunting and lyrical, drawing readers into a slow-burning psychological thriller with gothic undertones.

The story blurs reality and delusion, keeping you guessing until the end. While the pacing is slow, the emotional depth and eerie tension make it worth the ride.

Best for: Fans of The Push or Sharp Objects who enjoy dark, character-driven suspense.

“The Sister’s Curse,” marks the second novel featuring LT Anna Koray, and after how strong the first book was, I was excited to dive back in. While it doesn’t quite hit the same atmospheric highs as its predecessor, it still delivers a fast-moving, character-driven story that keeps you turning the pages.

Anna continues to grow as a protagonist—there’s more depth this time, more emotional layering, and her inner conflicts feel sharper. I’m really enjoying watching her evolve, and I’m definitely here for wherever Solvinic takes her next.

The cast of characters is interesting and distinct, including a possible witch (or something even stranger), which adds a nice eerie layer. The occult angle is intriguing, but I did wish it had been explored a little more fully. There were moments that hinted at something richer and more chilling, but the pace moves so quickly, it doesn’t always pause to dig in.

Still, it’s a solid story—smart, sharp, and laced with just enough dread to keep things tense. Solvinic has a strong voice and clearly knows how to build a compelling mystery. Looking forward to seeing where Anna Koray goes next.

Thank You NetGalley and the Publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thriller/horror meets Slavic Folklore. Exquisite.

The only downside is that I (like many I see) wasn't aware this was a sequel until afterwards. But that's ok, I'll look up book 1 later because I think it will be worth it.

Nicola Solvinic is an incredibly descriptive writer and it brought me right into the story.

Despite feeling like I've missed a bit of background this is a quick paced read packed full of suspense.

Told from POV of LT Anna Koray. The author did a good job of developing LT Koray's character. This was a fantasy with a mysterious disappearance 15 years ago that the LT was trying to solve. Are some of the deaths caused by the fantasy water creature Rusalka? The book has a lot of interesting characters: Viv--a suspected witch, religious zealots, abused kids, a deputy who wasn't who he presented himself to be, and LT Koray's jewel of a husband. No one is that perfect!

This was a new to me author and i was not disappointed. I thought the story was enjoyable and original. For me it was fast paced and a page turner. It was definitely interesting and a fun ride! Will read from this author again and would recommend the book.