Her Sister's Child
Lizzie Armitage was an alcoholic who gave birth to twins alone in her home. Immediately after, the babies went missing and the next day she was found dead. Years later, her sister Paula is searching for the truth and trying to discover what happened to these children. Where the trail leads her will uncover long-held secrets and involve another family whose story is entwined with hers in ways she could never have imagined.
For those of us in America, many will know exactly what I mean if I say this book reads like a slightly more sedate Lifetime movie. We all know these movies, though: a story with a far-fetched plot, loads of family or relational drama, extremely convenient plot points, usually an emotionally fraught, OTT ending, and as many hot topics du jour as you can fit into two hours. Teen pregnancy? Got it. Mental Illness? It’s there. Infidelity and divorce? Of course! You get the idea - only add in adoption, kidnapping, the dark web, family secrets, skeletal remains in the backyard, and completely unqualified amateur sleuthing and … well … you’ve at least scratched the surface.
By now you must think: wow, Kat, you just roundly mocked this story. That’s not my intention. I think books such as this one, like the aforementioned movies, can be a lot of fun if you’re in the mood for them. The truth is: it’s really not bad, and even further, I actually enjoyed it for the most part. Did it shatter any literary boundaries? No. Was it almost entirely predictable? Yes. Would I read more from this author? Probably. She wrote a perfectly decent work of mystery/suspense/psychological fiction which held my interest throughout. The reason I’m rounding down to 3 stars rather than up to 4 is simply because I feel confident I’ll forget this story quickly. It was a fun snack while it lasted, but I’m going to want a meal soon.
★★★ ½ (rounded to 3)
Thanks to Bookouture, NetGalley and Alison James for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. It was published on Nov. 26, 2020.
For those of us in America, many will know exactly what I mean if I say this book reads like a slightly more sedate Lifetime movie. We all know these movies, though: a story with a far-fetched plot, loads of family or relational drama, extremely convenient plot points, usually an emotionally fraught, OTT ending, and as many hot topics du jour as you can fit into two hours. Teen pregnancy? Got it. Mental Illness? It’s there. Infidelity and divorce? Of course! You get the idea - only add in adoption, kidnapping, the dark web, family secrets, skeletal remains in the backyard, and completely unqualified amateur sleuthing and … well … you’ve at least scratched the surface.
By now you must think: wow, Kat, you just roundly mocked this story. That’s not my intention. I think books such as this one, like the aforementioned movies, can be a lot of fun if you’re in the mood for them. The truth is: it’s really not bad, and even further, I actually enjoyed it for the most part. Did it shatter any literary boundaries? No. Was it almost entirely predictable? Yes. Would I read more from this author? Probably. She wrote a perfectly decent work of mystery/suspense/psychological fiction which held my interest throughout. The reason I’m rounding down to 3 stars rather than up to 4 is simply because I feel confident I’ll forget this story quickly. It was a fun snack while it lasted, but I’m going to want a meal soon.
★★★ ½ (rounded to 3)
Thanks to Bookouture, NetGalley and Alison James for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. It was published on Nov. 26, 2020.
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