My Sister's Downfall

I have no words… and not for lack of interesting things to say but just because it feels like my brain stoped working. WHAT A BOOK! WHAT A PLOT! WHAT A TWIST! Honestly, while reading my mind was continuously coming up with possible answers and scenarios but non of them came even close with what actually happened and whose fault it was. I absolutely LOVED that for me! Being able to be surprised or shocked in a mystery/thriller book is one of the best feelings ever. Because it’s expected to try and solve the mystery so the brain comes up with a lot os possibilities. The characters were wonderful in a kind of concerning twisted way. Their actions and their reason for acting that way were explained so well that sometimes felt like I was part of the story… and that scared me a little in the best way. And if that wasn’t enough… THE VERY LAST PLOT TWIST? HELLO? I wasn’t expecting that at all and it was so shocking I spent the next five minutes just staring at nothing trying to process what I had read.

To those who love a good mystery/thriller book, with real characters and with mind blowing plot twists… this one is for all of you!

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the eARC.
Wow, I absolutely loved this, sooo good !
Once started, I couldn't put this book down, But I don't want to go into details because I might leak some details that will spoil the read for others.
The two sisters are very close, they love each other and just want what's best for their sibling ... or do they?
All I can say is, read this book, you won't be sorry, it's terrific!

Told from several different points of view, this book leads you down one twisting path before swiftly redirecting you altogether. I loved the final twist most of all, so cleverly prefaced almost casually much earlier in the book. The author writes really well with a great balance of pace and descriptiveness. I loved it.

This was an excellent book that kept you in suspense until the end. The story of 2 sister’s and how their lives evolve after their parent’s death when they are only teenagers. Both of them seem to have issues but it’s not what you expect and the twist at the end shocked me. I would love to have seen a sequel to the epilogue even if it was a novella.

May and Isabella. Sisters who have the closest and most loving sibling relationship and also the most toxic.

Isabella is campaigning to become the leader of her party and it seems it’s a slam dunk - Isabella is the future Prime Minister.

Don’t be put off if politics aren’t your thing, they’re not mine, but this book totally is!

The story is mostly told by Isabella and May, and their characters as well as Andrew, Isabella’s campaign manager, and James, the police inspector who investigates the sinister notes Isabella is receiving, are so well written. The sinister undertone running all the way through the book had me on tenterhooks right until the end. The twist in the final chapter though, OMG!

An absolutely brilliant thriller!

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, SM Thomas and BooksGoSocial for an ARC in return for an honest review.

My Sister’s Downfall is a psychological thriller from SM Thomas. After a tragic accident, we follow two sisters, Isabella and May as their secrets start to unravel and we learn what happened on that tragic night.

The book is told in dual perspectives which is something I think works really well in thrillers. The fact that the narrators of the story were unreliable, it made you question everything they said. I think that is one of my favourite things about unreliable narrators, it keeps you engaged and helps to build up the tension. While the story was told from the sisters’ perspectives, the supporting characters were just as unreliable. There was very strong character building throughout the book which helped to give the characters depth. My only critique on the characters is that I felt like May could have had more of a personality like Isabella did.

There was constant alluding to multiple secrets throughout which definitely kept me hooked. I struggled to put the book down. While I am usually more of a fan of fast paced psychological thrillers, the fact that this book was more of a slow burn worked really well for the story. It was helpful to have so much depth from each of the sister’s perspectives.

When reading thrillers, I have a habit of trying to guess who the villain is as I am reading (I know I am not the only one who does this). I can safely say I didn’t manage to guess the bad guy or the outcome, which shows how well-written this story was. There were many twists, you just never knew what was going to happen next. My favourite highlight was the final twist of the book, it felt like a very satisfying ending for the story and there was a sense of justice.

My only critique overall was that I was unsure of the setting. We learnt that May is an accountant in a central London firm and she travels on a train to see her sister, but it was hard to decipher where the rest of the story took place. We do know that it was a town with a lot of big buildings but I wasn’t 100% on the setting. My GoodReads score for My Sister’s Downfall was 4 stars out of 5.

I would recommend this to fans of Gillian Flynn, Freida McFadden and Lisa Jewell. It’s a good choice for anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers and/or those who are wanting to start reading psychological thrillers.

*I came across this advanced copy on NetGalley and it is my first review for them!*

The plot of this story was a bit different, which made it interesting. It had the mystery and intrigue of a good thriller but also good writing style. The big twist at the end left me shocked for hours!

Many thanks to netgalley, the author and the publisher for approving my request to read this book.

I absolutely loved this book and found myself very reluctant to put it down! This story involves the lives of two sisters who only want what is best for each other, or do they?

My sisters downfall is an excellent, fast paced psychological thriller that will most certainly keep you on your toes with twists a plenty and an ending that will leave you slightly speechless, this book is an absolute must of you like this particular genre.

At no point did I guess the ending or who was responsible. Not for lack of trying, but literally every answer I THOUGHT I knew, wrong. The story was so riveting and kept my attention. If you are a fan of thrillers and mysteries and books that will keep you up late because you JUST have to know what is happening next, I HIGHLY recommend.
Thank you NetGalley and authors for this ARC.

I LOVED THIS BOOK.. so muh so once I started reading I could not and did not stop til the very ;ast page.

I enjoy family dramas and this book about two sisters who seeming have a good relationship was just brilliant.

There is a massive fabulous plot twist which makes talking about this book difficult. Spoilers spoil don't they.. All I can say is this book is perfect for the upcoming bad weather season so settle down, make a cuppa and just read.. it's an excellent read and hughly recommended...

This was a different type of read than what I’m typically accustomed to, and I won’t lie, I almost did not finish it in the beginning. When I realized the book had a spin incorporating politics into it, I was immediately discouraged… but I kept reading and I’m glad I did, because that’s what made it unique! It’s a great read with a different sort of twist from your typical psychological thriller. I highly recommend to anyone wanting something a bit different than their typical thriller!

A haunting tale of two sisters. The story starts with a heart pounding scene of one sister watching the other fall from a building surrounded by a crowd of on-lookers. You don’t know which sister was watching and which was falling, while the story unfolds, alternating chapters from each sisters point of view leading up to the fateful prologue scene.

I really enjoyed this book. Not only did it keep me guessing, but also surprised me more than once. The last third of the book was nothing short of phenomenal. It was a terrific view into the secrets kept within families, the denials we use to cope with out daily life, and the desperate attempt to create a sense of security and control in our paths, no matter what the cost.

There were times where I felt the story lulled a bit, but the writing style was engaging and felt effortless to read. There was a really creative use of repetition in certain moments of the story and the difference of views from two people experiencing the same thing.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that loves exploring family dynamics, mental health struggles, women who are willing to do anything to reach success, and some salacious family secrets that can turn deadly.

What a great fast paced read. I couldn't put it down. thanks so much for the opportunity to review I will be recommending it to others

This book was such a hit! I will be reading more from this author. From the reviews, I was expecting something as thrilling and similar to 'Gone Girl', but in actuality, it was more intense that that. As I was reading, I couldn't decide if it was more like Shutter Island or Split; where the reader wasn't sure which reality was the true self. Great book written from 2 different 1st person narratives. I enjoyed the dynamic between the sisters and felt they truly loved one another. The author did a fabulous job conveying the love between the two, which simply added to the mystery. Kudos to the author for this one!

i can't describe how much i loved this book i could not put it away! I read a lot of thriller and psychothriller books but i never read something like this. The author described the feelings of the characters in this book perfectly it was like i could see into their heads i really liked it. While you're reading this book you think that you know what happened and what the plot is but the ending was so unexpected i would have never thought about that. I really needed some minutes after i finishes this book to realise what i read right now, i loved it!
This is one one the greatest thrillers i have read so far and i would definetely recommened it to everyone who loves thriller, plottwists and the thoughts and feelings of mentally unstable people.

If you’re after a twisty thriller where you’ll find it hard to catch your breath, this one is for you. My Sister’s Downfall features May and Isabella, two sisters, both unreliable narrators, complex and unlikeable. The reader is led to believe the women want what’s best for each other, except there’s an unsettling undercurrent throughout the novel that sweeps us along, particularly towards the end. I found Isabella’s deep ambition (she’s a politician on track to becoming prime minister) particularly fascinating. This is a great psychological thriller which I highly recommend.

Thank you to SM Thomas and Netgalley for my advance copy.

". . .it's my job as her older sister - her only family - to make sure Isabella keeps her wits about her." - May


May has looked out for Isabella since the loss of their parents. Being a big sister but also a parental figure hoping to help Isabella in her drive to be the future Prime Minister! Isabella always knew she was meant to be in politics and has devoted her life to said dream. Watching out for her big sister as well. The two are very close and want nothing but the best for one another.



But when threatening notes begin making their way into Isabella's life the sisters may have to live under the same roof again. Being able to be near one another and keep each other safe. Only as threats increase and deadly cases that hold possible connections pop up things begin to unravel. Lines begin to blur, suspicions rise, mistrust increasing, and the question of which sister dies in the end. . .



"My sister is dead. My sister has died. And it is all my fault."



The above line is not a spoiler! It's literally from within the prologue that had me stating "yup, I'm going to read this thriller until the very end!" I love the author and how her work has improved with each book! Was excited to get to read another psychological thriller by her! I was hooked since the prologue and the first POV with May had me actually speechless!



Both sisters are very devoted to one another and the safety of the other. They've grown into fine women with stable careers, Isabella already knowing how her end goal in politics will look like. The future Prime Minister! But there's always a risk to one's life whilst pursing politics. So, when the first note comes, Isabella brushes it off. Until things start getting personal and too close to home.



What had me engaged with the story the most is how the perfect, picturesque bond between the sisters began to lose its luster. Unraveling truths and lies to see how the prologue even came about. Beginning to question which sister was in the right and which one is the innocent one. Having dual POVs to really dissect the inner workings and mechanics behind their sibling bond. I loved both of their characters for different reasons and how they were written!



This story is a thriller with deaths, the prologue really jumps into things! Understanding of politics and some of the nasty games that are played within the building walls. Reputations to keep up and the right appearances made. There's language spread throughout the book along with manipulation tactics. Some of the twists and conclusions may be triggering for some readers. Medical problems and a need for trips to a mental institution.



We do get a little bit of a romance; it isn't the main focus though. Sexual tension and attraction plus one of my favorite characters cockblocking as often as possible. Implied MF action or want of it, but it's closed door.



I was able to figure out a lot of the twists and my theories proved correct. The writing though! It kept me engaged and just wondering how this was all going to go down. The psychology involved as well had my interests piqued. I did get angry toward the end of the book until I read the epilogue which had me grinning like an idiot. Partly because I didn't see it coming. The book does end but there are some things that you can use your imagination for. Cannot wait for the next read!



Enjoy the psychological thriller with picture, perfect, loving sisters. . . Don't forget to give the author some stars!


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My Sister's Downfall
by SM Thomas
Pub Date: Sep 17, 2024

My Sister's Downfall is an absolutely brilliant thriller! A great book written from 2 different 1st person narratives. It was so obvious the sister's truly loved each other, the author did such an excellent job portraying those feelings! It was a fast addicting read, I definitely recommend this book to anyone that is a fan of thrillers!

Synopsis: A woman’s scream echoes through the night, a haunting cry that pierces the air as she plummets towards the unforgiving ground.
It’s a scene of chaos and confusion, as her sister desperately races towards her, her heart pounding in her chest. But it’s too late. Gravity has already claimed its victim.

Many thanks to #MySistersDownfall #NetGalley and #BooksGoSocial for providing me with an E-ARC of this book.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

A brilliant thriller that kept me guessing throughout, My Sister's Downfall is full of intriguing twists and takes in topics such as mental illness and the thirst for power at all costs. Without wanting to say too much, the narrative focuses on two sisters whose relationship is dysfunctional to say the least, and those around them have a habit of dying. I enjoyed the circular structure of the book where we actually begin at the end and then work our way through the events that lead to that conclusion. With a British feel like The Girl on the Train, I'd recommend it to fans of taut, well-paced mysteries.

Wow! I highly recommend this one! I was unsure what type of book I was getting myself into. I thought it would be more of a political thriller, but it was not! Don't let that keep you from reading this fast paced thriller.

May and Bella are sisters and have what they want people to think is a close and honest relationship, but there are definitely secrets they each have. There is manipulation, betrayal, and selfishness in this story. The plot develops from May and Bella's POVs and as the chapters alternate between the two, more and more secrets and twists are revealed. I had so many guesses on what was going to happen, but they were all wrong. The epilogue completely caught me off guard, but it was SOOO good!

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.