This review was originally published as part of the team at Whispering Stories and my thanks to Stacey for allowing me to reproduce it below.
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pages: 267
Publisher: Independent
Release Date: 6 October 2023
Star Rating: 3.5
I received a free copy of this book
Synopsis
In a web of deceit, escape is just the beginning.
Ava Cressman’s life takes a twisted turn after her divorce from Spencer. Seeking comfort, she falls into the arms of a mysterious man named Joel Carney, a former college acquaintance. However, when Joel meets Ava’s sister, Tanya, an unsettling connection sparks between them.
Tanya, seemingly innocent, invites Ava and her twin sister, Belle, on a secluded trip to a remote lodge. From the moment they arrive, an ominous atmosphere hangs in the air, hinting at a hidden darkness beneath the surface. As shocking truths emerge, will Ava find a way to expose the tangled labyrinth of secrets before it’s too late?
The Sisters is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the depths of manipulation, betrayal, and the darkest corners of the human mind. As Ava fights for her freedom and tries to untangle the lies, she also must face her own demons and find the strength to outsmart those who want to control her life.
Review
‘The Sisters’ is the latest novel from the pen of British-based author, Ruth O’Neill. It is written in the third person and the past tense with most of the action being seen through the eyes of Ava Cressman, although occasionally we see things from the perspective of others. Ava has two sisters, Belle, her twin, along with an older sister, Tanya. The story starts in Bath, an area which the author clearly knows very well, and then moves to the Solway area of Cumbria.
Ava is in the process of putting her life back together after an amicable divorce from Spencer, her husband of fourteen years. She tentatively dips her toe into the world of dating again when she connects on social media with an old college acquaintance, Joel, and they quickly establish a relationship. Her life seems idyllic and, content in her happy bubble, Ava agrees to go away on a fortnight’s holiday with her sisters. She hopes that spending time particularly with Tanya will help heal old wounds which are still haunting her from childhood. They hire an isolated lodge in Cumbria but Ava soon realises that something is very much awry and the bonding holiday quickly turns into a hellish nightmare.
As the main character, Ava seems remarkably naïve at times which appears at odds with her professional persona. I would have liked more layers to fully explore the motives of some of her foils which seem obscure.
The pace is rather erratic and the structure suffers as a result. Some aspects of the story are covered in great detail and others feel rushed and vague, such that I needed to re-read some sections to make sure I hadn’t missed something relevant. The plot raises more questions than it answers, not least the foreshadowing which hint at a sinister episode from the past which, when revealed, was unconvincing. The story is though saved by some sections of flowing prose. Fans of this author will no doubt enjoy the tale which intermittently, has the potential to be gripping.
This has the bones of a good story. With the pacing issues addressed, along with a stronger and more balanced plot, it would definitely warrant a higher star rating. In its present form, I award three-and-a-half stars.
About the Author
Ruth O’Neill grew up in the ancient Roman city of Bath England, a beautiful peaceful city whose locations are often referred to in her first book ‘Sunshine & Tears’.
Ruth has always enjoyed helping others and is very committed to her job as a Teaching Assistant where she supports young people with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities
Julie Haiselden 