The Other Sister

by Sarah Zettel

Overview

Two sisters who couldn't be more different come together to plan a shocking revenge in this "addicting" (Hello Giggles) domestic thriller.

Two sisters. One murder plan.
Everyone thought reckless, troubled Geraldine Monroe was the bad sister -- especially when she fled town after her mother's death twenty-five years ago.
But people don't know the truth.
Marie Monroe knows. She was there for their father's cruel punishments, the constant manipulation, the lies. Everyone thinks she's the perfect daughter -- patient and kind, and above all obedient. No one would suspect her of anything. Especially not murder.
Now Geraldine's home again, and she and Marie have united in a plan for the ultimate revenge. But when old secrets and new fears clash, everyone is pushed to the breaking point . . . and the sisters will learn that they can't trust anyone-not even each other.
"The story of Geraldine's return to her roots is vividly told... [for] readers looking for something to follow Jeanette Walls' nonfiction The Glass Castle." -- Booklist
"An excellent psychological thriller that's filled with dark family secrets and plenty of intrigue." -- New York Journal of Books

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538760895
Publisher:	Grand Central Publishing
Publication date:	08/28/2018
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	826,861
File size:	631 KB

About the Author

Sarah Zettel is an award-winning author. She has written more than thirty novels and multiple short stories over the past twenty-five years, in addition to hiking, cooking, stitching all the things, marrying a rocket scientist, and raising a rapidly growing son.

Editorial Reviews

07/01/2018
Geraldine Monroe, a recently fired professor specializing in the works of the Brothers Grimm, returns to the Michigan hometown she had fled two decades ago after her mother died under suspicious circumstances. Her sister Marie remained at home with their father, Martin, and over the years has helped expand his real estate business by working as his dutiful assistant. Although Martin is highly regarded in their town, the sisters have suffered years of emotional abuse under his rule. Geraldine's return and erratic behavior serve as the perfect distraction from the real purpose of her visit—she and Marie have devised a plot to murder their father. But as family secrets are revealed, Geraldine and Marie both begin to question if they can trust each other to follow through with their plan. In this foray into adult domestic suspense, "House of Spies" series YA author Zettel's knack for writing realistic dialog, as well as her ability to juggle multiple time lines and narrators, keep the tension high. Readers will wonder who's the good sister, the bad sister, and the villain, even after the story is finished. VERDICT An engaging psychological thriller, perfect for its sharp dialog and portrayal of not-so-happy families.—Anitra Gates, Erie Cty. P.L., PA

Library Journal

06/18/2018
This uneven fairy tale–tinged mystery from Zettel (Let Them Eat Stake) features two sisters—one good, one bad. Troubled Geraldine Monroe left her hometown of Whitestone Harbor, Mich., soon after their mother’s death, which she blamed on herself, more than 25 years ago. Marie Monroe stayed in the family home, called the Rose House, a loving mother to her son, Robbie, but under the thumb of their manipulative father, who may have been responsible for his wife’s death—as well as other murders. Now Geraldine has returned, supposedly for Robbie’s high school graduation, and she and Marie concoct a potentially lethal plan. The book’s strength derives from the sisters’ pathological love/hate relationship, their inability to fully trust the other, and how they deal with their father’s viciousness. At first, allusions to fairy tales complement the plot, but it stalls midway through with repetitive action before succumbing to a predictable and uninspiring ending. Hopefully, Zettel, a popular SF author, will do better next time. Agent: Lucienne Diver, Knight Agency. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

"Sarah Zettel's The Other Sister is as dark and twisted as they come; a compelling and sinister psychological thriller in which every character is deeply flawed, their desire for revenge understandable and relatable. With its intricate web of secrets long buried, readers won't be able to stop turning the pages!"—Karen Dionne, internationally bestselling author of The Marsh King's Daughter

"An exhilarating ride full of twists and turns, this page-turner will leave you guessing until the very end!"—Steena Homes, New York Times bestselling author of The Forgotten Ones

"The story of Geraldine's return to her roots is vividly told... [for] readers looking for something to follow Jeanette Walls' nonfiction The Glass Castle."

—Booklist

"An excellent psychological thriller that's filled with dark family secrets and plenty of intrigue."— New York Journal of Books

"An unexpected and entertaining read."—The Michigan Daily

From the Publisher