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"Lupton enters the highly charged ring where the best psychological detective writers spar... Like Kate Atkinson, Patricia Highsmith and Ruth Rendell… Both tear-jerking and spine-tingling, Sister provides an adrenaline rush that could cause a chill on the sunniest afternoon." –The New York Times Book Review
When her mom calls to tell her that Tess, her younger sister, is missing, Bee returns home to London on the first flight. She expects to find Tess and give her the usual lecture, the bossy big sister scolding her flighty baby sister for taking off without letting anyone know her plans. Tess has always been a free spirit, an artist who takes risks, while conservative Bee couldn’t be more different. Bee is used to watching out for her wayward sibling and is fiercely protective of Tess (and has always been a little stern about her antics). But then Tess is found dead, apparently by her own hand.
Bee is certain that Tess didn’t commit suicide. Their family and the police accept the sad reality, but Bee feels sure that Tess has been murdered. Single-minded in her search for a killer, Bee moves into Tess's apartment and throws herself headlong into her sister's life—and all its secrets.
Though her family and the police see a grieving sister in denial, unwilling to accept the facts, Bee uncovers the affair Tess was having with a married man and the pregnancy that resulted, and her difficultly with a stalker who may have crossed the line when Tess refused his advances. Tess was also participating in an experimental medical trial that might have gone very wrong. As a determined Bee gives her statement to the lead investigator, her story reveals a predator who got away with murder—and an obsession that may cost Bee her own life.
A thrilling story of fierce love between siblings, Sister is a suspenseful and accomplished debut with a stunning twist.
Hitchcockian spookiness in this tale of two sisters—one living, one dead—in London.
Beatrice Hemming hurries back to London from her home in New York when she hears her younger sister Tess is missing. Tess is an artist and a bit unpredictable, so it's not clear when (or whether) she'll turn up, but after a few days the police find her body in a public bathroom in Hyde Park. Not only that, but she had been pregnant and had just a few days before her death given birth to a stillborn child. Because Tess is found to have cuts on her arms and because her behavior had been erratic, her death is officially ruled a suicide arising from postpartum depression. But Bea is convinced Tess had been murdered. The prime suspect is Emilio Codi, Tess' art professor, a married man who got her pregnant and who made it clear he wants nothing to do with the child. Beatrice (or Bee, as her sister called her) decides to turn detective, and she does this in part by inhabiting Tess' former life. Bee lives in Tess' apartment, takes over Tess' waitressing job and even befriends someone who'd been involved with Tess in an experimental medical program during her pregnancy. Other suspects include a prominent doctor involved in this experiment to "cure" Tess' unborn child of cystic fibrosis, and the head of a biomedical company about to make a killing in the stock market for a cure for CF. But Bee finds deeper mysteries—for example, that Emilio is not a carrier of the CF gene and hence could not be the father of her child. Lupton's decision to make Bee the narrator—and to have her write to her dead sister—enhance the book's eeriness.
A skillfully wrought psychological thriller.
angeleyesAS
Posted June 14, 2011
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Sister is an engrossing, emotional thriller touching on devotion, betrayal, self-absorption, madness, and grief. It keeps you wondering just how unraveled Bee is going to become and wondering what really happened to Tess. The story is cleverly plotted and fast paced. Bee is the responsible sister and Tess is an impulsive free spirit who sees the beauty in the world around her. When Beatrice learns that her beloved sister has disappeared, she rushes home to London. But when the police find young Tess's body, everyone seems ready to accept it as suicide. Everybody, that is, but Beatrice. While bureaucracy stands in her way, she leaves the rules behind and goes in search of the truth. Her search and discoveries blend romance, politics, and science in surprising ways. When everyone is sure that her pursuit of Tess's killer is a delusion, she has to nurture that so-called delusion to unlock the truth. This selective turn of the head gives her a vivid personality. The book is highly compelling and totally riveting. The writing is excellent.
18 out of 18 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 17, 2011
Riveting thriller that had me torn between not being able to put the book down with not wanting to finish it because I loved the characters and storyline so much.
12 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 26, 2011
I couldn't put this book down! The plot kept me guessing and just when I thought I had the mystery solved it would twist and turn again. Writing was smart and characters well developed. The beautiful relationship of Bee and her sister brought me to tears. LOVED IT!
10 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.carol68CR
Posted June 16, 2011
After reading the reviews I couldn't wait to download this book and curl up for a good read. I was very disappointed. For me it was just a long drawn out letter and I couldn't wait to finish it and get back to my usual mystery writers. Maybe the fact that I don't have any sisters kept me from being able to appreciate her drive to find the truth behind her sisters life and death. Sorry guy's
5 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 21, 2011
Overall a pretty good read, not great. There were numerous points in the story i wanted the author to just get to the point. The ending was alright.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.One of the things that I am enjoying about being involved in Goodreads and writing a blog, is the amount of new authors that I have been exposed to. Rosamund Lupton is another one of those authors. Sister is her debut novel, and it is well worth the read. What Lupton gives us is a tale of the relationship between two sisters all wrapped up in a mystery. Rather than taking away from either story, these two stories fit well together and keep the reader involved. Bee flies to London as her sister is reported missing, only to have the police discover her sister's body and to have the coroner declare it as a suicide. Bee does not believe Tess would commit suicide and proceeds to try to prove otherwise. The story is told in the form of letters to her sister and Bee's ultimate recollection of events. I found both stories captivating and engrossing. The characters were excellently portrayed and believable. The relationship story had the right mix of nostalgia and poignancy. The mystery was excellent, complete with all the right twists and turns and an ending that was surprising on more than one level. Great debut by Ms. Lupton and I am looking forward to reading her next book.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 28, 2011
I truly felt connected to Bee and Tess, until about page 200, then it seemed like the story just strayed too far from their relationship and on to a very twisty reality of Beatrice. A turn in the novel that I wasn't expecting and believe may have hindered the initial plot. It was unexpected and a unique turn but seriously under developed and rushed. Still, I will recommend this book and look forward to watch/reading as this author perfects her style!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 19, 2011
I heard an interview with the author on NPR and decided I would pick this up. It was great, as I have a sister and it was so real, I totally understood the prespective of the narrator and couldn't put it down until I was finished!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 5, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed this beautifully written book. The characters are wonderful, the essence of the story was captivating. Would love to read other books written by Rosamund Lupton. I have recommended this book to many friends already. Enjoy, Luv 2 read.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 16, 2012
This book is suspenseful with enough twists to keep you thinking, guessing & interested. I was a bit underwhelmed with the overt genetics underpinnings. I also at times had to focus on the setting - are we in the past or the present?; however, there is an eventual payoff to the reader. The best part of this novel the author's ability to vividly portray the bonds of sisterhood.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Rosamund Lupton has become one of my author's to watch with Sister. This isn't a murder mystery novel as much as it is a story that demonstrates the power of the bonds of sisterhood under the worst of circumstances. Through Lupton's writing I began to find myself mourning for Tess, the lost sister, and desperately wanting to see Beatrice succeed in proving Tess didn't kill herself. Sisters made me long for the bond that these two sisters had in my own life.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 21, 2011
I really loved this book....can hardly wait for her next one! The end was especially good. I did not see it coming and it definately left me wanting more books from this author! This book would also make a good book club read because it has mystery, suspence, and romance. In other words, a little bit of something for everyone.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 9, 2011
I muddled through this book hoping that it would get better...it didn't. The author did manage to convey the loving bond between the sisters. Not a page turner.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 19, 2013
Wow. Very imaginative story. I did not see that one coming...
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 30, 2013
Np ty just broke up with me 2 days ago
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 2, 2013
U here?
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 31, 2013
What no what happen
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 11, 2013
Hey
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Thiltpold
Posted February 8, 2013
The story started out slow during the introduction of characters but mid way through so much was happening I could not put it down. A very interesting account of "who done it".
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Good book overall. A bit sad.
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Overview
"Lupton enters the highly charged ring where the best psychological detective writers spar... Like Kate Atkinson, Patricia Highsmith and Ruth Rendell… Both tear-jerking and spine-tingling, Sister provides an adrenaline rush that could cause a chill on the sunniest afternoon." –The New York Times Book Review
When her mom calls to tell her that Tess, her younger sister, is missing, Bee returns home to London on the ...