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Little Sister
In the dead of night, Kate receives a phone call. Police have recovered her sister Anya's clothes and personal belongings by the poolside of a remote hideaway in Mexico - a place she had no idea Anya would be. Anya was last seen getting into a vehicle with a local diving instructor but now he's missing too.
Their relationship has been complicated ever since a devastating tragedy blew their family apart, but Kate cannot believe Anya would willingly travel somewhere so isolated with a man she barely knows . . . would she?
In a race against time, Kate must fight to find her little sister before it's too late.
Their relationship has been complicated ever since a devastating tragedy blew their family apart, but Kate cannot believe Anya would willingly travel somewhere so isolated with a man she barely knows . . . would she?
In a race against time, Kate must fight to find her little sister before it's too late.
388 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
19 people are currently reading
434 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Dawson
26 books659 followersLucy studied Psychology at Warwick University before becoming a children’s magazine editor. Her first bestselling book – His Other Lover – was published in 2008. Since then she has published four other novels and her work has been translated into numerous other languages. She lives in Exeter with her husband and children. Lucy finds writing in the third person uncomfortable.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
December 22, 2020
When Kate receives a phone-call in the middle of the night informing her that her younger sister, Anya is missing in Mexico of all places - Kate's happy life is sent in to turmoil. Trying desperately to find a way to locate Anya 'before it's too late' is all Kate can focus on. Meanwhile, Anya is in Mexico. In a place no one would ever think to find her. And fighting for her life with every breath.
This is told from Anya, Kate and sometimes Will's (Anya's best friend) perspective
This is told from Anya, Kate and sometimes Will's (Anya's best friend) perspective
November 24, 2014
I've read a couple of other books by Lucy Dawson and really enjoyed them,this one not so much though.
The story focuses on Kate who finds out that her sister Anya has gone missing following a dive in Mexico,and how she copes with trying to find her.
The story is told from the point of view of both sisters but also flits between present day and their teenage years. There was a bit too much jumping around for me and would have preferred it to focus more on the present day story.
Probably more of a 2.5 than a 3!
The story focuses on Kate who finds out that her sister Anya has gone missing following a dive in Mexico,and how she copes with trying to find her.
The story is told from the point of view of both sisters but also flits between present day and their teenage years. There was a bit too much jumping around for me and would have preferred it to focus more on the present day story.
Probably more of a 2.5 than a 3!
November 27, 2013
I have never read a book by Lucy Dawson. All of her books that I have looked up seem to appeal to my kind of reading. I think this novel has something for everyone to like. The characters and some of the scenes are so real about life. Some people do get calls in the night about loved one's. Little Sister is about Anya who travels with a man who is a local diving instructor to remote hideaway in Mexico. One Wednesday In the middle of the night Kate gets aharrowing phone call from Mexico to say they have discovered her sister's by a fresh waterpool, and that the hotel that she was staying at have not seen her since Sunday. Also that the local man that she had been seen with is missing. There appears to be a truck abandoned near by that has camping stuff and Anya's bag inside. The call leaves Kate confused and frightened. Kate knows that her sister Anya is a really good diver she was so good enough that she could teach diving. Now the emergency teams and the federal police have to search for Anya. Highly recommend Little sister to all readers no what matter what your your age. I hope that many other readers will enjoy Little Sister by Lucy Dawson as much as I have.
October 12, 2012
I've read all of Lucy Dawson's books and unfortunately I don't think this is as strong as the rest. There's a huge amount of back story which slows down the pace substantially and, in my opinion, overall it doesn't grip you in the way that either His Other Lover or What My Best Friend Did. Like Lucy's other stories this is a study about relationships and she can really get inside her character's head so if like that type of story then you may enjoy it. However, I would have preferred a stronger plot which may have made the story less passive and a more compulsive read.
December 27, 2019
Unfortunately this book wasn't for me. The timelines and povs jumped around way too much for me to even want to follow the story. I barely liked any of the characters and it didn't seem to actually be a thriller, more contemporary fiction with a tiny bit of mystery.
December 18, 2021
This is the second Lucy Dawson book I’ve listened to and both the main characters were annoying and unlikable in both. It jumps back and forth between sisters and I got confused.
August 28, 2019
3.5⭐️
I liked the story but lost interest partway through.
I listened to this on audio and the narrator makes both Kate and Anya very whiny and unhinged.. which took away from the story and put my teeth on edge.
I enjoyed the chapters which delved into the past but didn’t think the present sections were very enjoyable and I wasn’t very invested in Anyas rescue 😬
I liked the story but lost interest partway through.
I listened to this on audio and the narrator makes both Kate and Anya very whiny and unhinged.. which took away from the story and put my teeth on edge.
I enjoyed the chapters which delved into the past but didn’t think the present sections were very enjoyable and I wasn’t very invested in Anyas rescue 😬
September 13, 2022
DNF on audio. Boring
August 5, 2019
A good read.
Kate gets a phone call to say that her sister has gone missing in Mexico during a diving trip. She doesn't know what to do but sets about trying to workout how to get her sister back.
The story goes from now to years ago when a family tragedy happens and it shows how it ripped the family apart and what affect it has on them all. The story goes back and forth from the present to the past.
It reveals some big tragedies.
Kate gets a phone call to say that her sister has gone missing in Mexico during a diving trip. She doesn't know what to do but sets about trying to workout how to get her sister back.
The story goes from now to years ago when a family tragedy happens and it shows how it ripped the family apart and what affect it has on them all. The story goes back and forth from the present to the past.
It reveals some big tragedies.
Read
January 19, 2023Round up to 4.5 stars.
March 10, 2020
There are three things which influence my reaction to a book: style, characters and plot. In this work, the style annoyed me as the author used an over-abundance of adverbs, and often in a strange way. (The baby snored fatly.) It was as if every verb had to be qualified by an adverb whether necessary or not. In terms of the characters, there was hardly one who was sympathetic and Anya was hard to like which made caring about her plight difficult. The plot was interesting enough until the denouement which seemed to offer more than it gave. I imagined that there was going to be a big reveal about the cave diving incident but it just fizzled out. And the mother and father's stories stretched credulity.
I listened to the audiobook version of this which might have influenced me negatively as the narrator used a very melodramatic and hysterical tone for Kate which was very irritating. Maybe the written word, where you can add your own voice, would have improved it?
I listened to the audiobook version of this which might have influenced me negatively as the narrator used a very melodramatic and hysterical tone for Kate which was very irritating. Maybe the written word, where you can add your own voice, would have improved it?
May 18, 2019
Read until the end hoping for an exciting twist, but it did not happen. Sadly a bit of a nothing read. Someone on here has described this book as ‘passive’ and I think this sums it up. A passive non-thriller. Sadly not what I had expected.
June 24, 2019
This one took me a while to get into, then when I did the payoff wasn’t quite worth it. The characters were annoying, a lot of information wasn’t really relevant, and the most exciting parts were buried at the end, and seemed rushed.
October 21, 2019
I didn't enjoy this book. The characters were unlikeable and their decisions and actions are strange and do not evoke sympathy. I actually thought the husband might be in on it because he was being so awful to Kate when she was panicking.
Not gripping or interesting. Predictable and dull.
Not gripping or interesting. Predictable and dull.
October 18, 2013
It was okay. A little on the chick lit side . The emotional questions posed in the story mad you think. A likeness to Picoult.
September 25, 2023
When Kate receives a phone-call in the middle of the night informing her that her younger sister Anya is missing in Mexico, Kate's happy life is sent in to turmoil. Anya hasn’t been back to her hotel for 3 days, a local man that she was seen with is also missing, and now a pile of her clothes have been found by a waterpool.
Kate must do everything she can to find her sister & get her home, but the more she reads on the internet the more confused she gets – could Anya have been kidnapped? Did she go diving in the pool? Meanwhile, Anya is in Mexico but nobody knows where she is, nobody would ever think to look there, and she may run out of oxygen soon …
The story is told from the points of view of Kate, Anya & occasionally Will (Anya’s best friend). It jumps between present day & their teenage years, highlighting a family tragedy that tore the family apart.
Unfortunately this book wasn't for me. It is essentially a story about family relationships & I was hoping for a good suspenseful thriller. The book failed to build the tension that a “thriller” requires, and I wasn’t invested in Anyas rescue. In addition, the acknowledgements at the start of the audiobook revealed that there was cave diving & cave rescue involved which essentially ruined the “twist”. I didn’t feel that the author knew enough about cave diving to make the present day story really authentic.
I listened to the audiobook and whilst the narrator did differentiate between the sisters, they both came across as quite whiny. The present day character of Kate didn’t seem to fit with the Kate portrayed in the past, and whilst I liked the idea of the storyline, the “past story” rather dominated the book. If the present day mystery had related to something that had happened in the past, the flashbacks would have been relevant but they should have been far more incidental to the story & their inclusion left far too little room for the present day story to be told.
I can see this being made into a “made for TV” film, and it could work very well for that … but as a book it was too slow, and not enough tension was building up. I wasn’t invested in Anya’s story at all, and I wanted to strangle Kate (I suppose it’s the sign of a good writer to write a character so awful that the reader loathes them so much?!)
Kate must do everything she can to find her sister & get her home, but the more she reads on the internet the more confused she gets – could Anya have been kidnapped? Did she go diving in the pool? Meanwhile, Anya is in Mexico but nobody knows where she is, nobody would ever think to look there, and she may run out of oxygen soon …
The story is told from the points of view of Kate, Anya & occasionally Will (Anya’s best friend). It jumps between present day & their teenage years, highlighting a family tragedy that tore the family apart.
Unfortunately this book wasn't for me. It is essentially a story about family relationships & I was hoping for a good suspenseful thriller. The book failed to build the tension that a “thriller” requires, and I wasn’t invested in Anyas rescue. In addition, the acknowledgements at the start of the audiobook revealed that there was cave diving & cave rescue involved which essentially ruined the “twist”. I didn’t feel that the author knew enough about cave diving to make the present day story really authentic.
I listened to the audiobook and whilst the narrator did differentiate between the sisters, they both came across as quite whiny. The present day character of Kate didn’t seem to fit with the Kate portrayed in the past, and whilst I liked the idea of the storyline, the “past story” rather dominated the book. If the present day mystery had related to something that had happened in the past, the flashbacks would have been relevant but they should have been far more incidental to the story & their inclusion left far too little room for the present day story to be told.
I can see this being made into a “made for TV” film, and it could work very well for that … but as a book it was too slow, and not enough tension was building up. I wasn’t invested in Anya’s story at all, and I wanted to strangle Kate (I suppose it’s the sign of a good writer to write a character so awful that the reader loathes them so much?!)
June 25, 2024
This family story involves three sisters and although it opens with the middle one embarking on some crazy adventure with a man she’s just met in Central America, the pivot of the tale is a terrible accident thirteen years ago which tore the family apart.
Guilt over the smaller sister’s ghastly death has destroyed the girls’ parents, killed the grandparents, been suppressed by the oldest sibling, the home-maker Kate, only to return shockingly when she learns that Anya, the wild one, a diver, has disappeared with a local guide in a deep pool in the Mexican jungle.
With the mother an alcoholic, the father a recovering drug addict living with his new wife – a fierce guardian – Kate turns for help to Anya’s steady friend, the adoring and selfless Will, having dismissed her lovers as broken reeds. Will drops everything, including his current partner, and heads for Mexico, keeping in touch with Kate by mobile and stricken with dread when a man’s body is recovered from the pool.
The narrative switches between the main characters, between present and past tenses, from Kate and Will to Anya – who is trapped in some dark place, alone and in danger of drowning, and trying to survive by reliving the past. Meanwhile Kate sits at her computer torn between rage, frustration and terror, alternately bullying and pleading with suspect people in Mexico, with the Foreign Office and the Press while trying to juggle a new and fractious baby and a concerned but often disapproving husband.
Less a crime novel, more romance with malice aforethought, it sets out to depict the mending of a disrupted family and to focus on one sister whose development has been curtailed by devastating shock but who matures in the end. A bit girlish in style, too much emoting but basically thoughtful.
Guilt over the smaller sister’s ghastly death has destroyed the girls’ parents, killed the grandparents, been suppressed by the oldest sibling, the home-maker Kate, only to return shockingly when she learns that Anya, the wild one, a diver, has disappeared with a local guide in a deep pool in the Mexican jungle.
With the mother an alcoholic, the father a recovering drug addict living with his new wife – a fierce guardian – Kate turns for help to Anya’s steady friend, the adoring and selfless Will, having dismissed her lovers as broken reeds. Will drops everything, including his current partner, and heads for Mexico, keeping in touch with Kate by mobile and stricken with dread when a man’s body is recovered from the pool.
The narrative switches between the main characters, between present and past tenses, from Kate and Will to Anya – who is trapped in some dark place, alone and in danger of drowning, and trying to survive by reliving the past. Meanwhile Kate sits at her computer torn between rage, frustration and terror, alternately bullying and pleading with suspect people in Mexico, with the Foreign Office and the Press while trying to juggle a new and fractious baby and a concerned but often disapproving husband.
Less a crime novel, more romance with malice aforethought, it sets out to depict the mending of a disrupted family and to focus on one sister whose development has been curtailed by devastating shock but who matures in the end. A bit girlish in style, too much emoting but basically thoughtful.
August 19, 2021
3.5⭐️
🎧version. A new to me author with this family drama, which has some suspense with the missing sister. Most of the interest comes from the family and relationship dynamics rather than the plot.
Kates family has already been devastated once with the death of her youngest sister when they were teenagers. Now she receives news that her younger sister has gone missing while on an irresponsible adventure in Mexico.
The time line jumps from the past when the first tragedy strikes to the present. The main points of view are the 2 sisters, with some from Will who is Anya’s friend. I think with the audio it would have been beneficial to have different narrators for the sisters to easily identify who was who quickly.
It has a good pace with plenty going on. It kept my interest throughout when I’d given up on 2 previous audiobooks. It’s an easy listen.
For a seasoned traveller I felt Anya was naive in her decision making. I didn’t find her character very likeable.
The most likeable character for me was Will.
I felt that it came across as overly melodramatic in places. I don’t know if that was created by the author or the narrator.
Overall I found this a quick easy light entertaining listen but nothing special.
🎧version. A new to me author with this family drama, which has some suspense with the missing sister. Most of the interest comes from the family and relationship dynamics rather than the plot.
Kates family has already been devastated once with the death of her youngest sister when they were teenagers. Now she receives news that her younger sister has gone missing while on an irresponsible adventure in Mexico.
The time line jumps from the past when the first tragedy strikes to the present. The main points of view are the 2 sisters, with some from Will who is Anya’s friend. I think with the audio it would have been beneficial to have different narrators for the sisters to easily identify who was who quickly.
It has a good pace with plenty going on. It kept my interest throughout when I’d given up on 2 previous audiobooks. It’s an easy listen.
For a seasoned traveller I felt Anya was naive in her decision making. I didn’t find her character very likeable.
The most likeable character for me was Will.
I felt that it came across as overly melodramatic in places. I don’t know if that was created by the author or the narrator.
Overall I found this a quick easy light entertaining listen but nothing special.
June 22, 2017
This is a story about sisterly love.
When Kate receives a phone-call in the middle of the night informing her that her younger sister, Anya is missing in Mexico of all places - Kate's happy life is sent in to turmoil. Trying desperately to find a way to locate Anya 'before it's too late' is all Kate can focus on. Meanwhile, Anya is in Mexico. In a place no one would ever think to find her. And fighting for her life with every breath.
As a sister myself, I really felt the emotions Kate and Anya went through and found both accounts
from the sisters' touching. This is told from Anya, Kate and sometimes Will's (Anya's best friend) perspective - All I would say on that note is I would like it to have been set out a little clearer RE: Who is talking when. It wasn't headed or split in to chapters so you had to concentrate.
A great read - unique and enjoyable.
When Kate receives a phone-call in the middle of the night informing her that her younger sister, Anya is missing in Mexico of all places - Kate's happy life is sent in to turmoil. Trying desperately to find a way to locate Anya 'before it's too late' is all Kate can focus on. Meanwhile, Anya is in Mexico. In a place no one would ever think to find her. And fighting for her life with every breath.
As a sister myself, I really felt the emotions Kate and Anya went through and found both accounts
from the sisters' touching. This is told from Anya, Kate and sometimes Will's (Anya's best friend) perspective - All I would say on that note is I would like it to have been set out a little clearer RE: Who is talking when. It wasn't headed or split in to chapters so you had to concentrate.
A great read - unique and enjoyable.
November 25, 2020
I listened to this on audiobook.
Having read & liked a couple of Lucy's books previously I thought I'd give this a go. It was an okay read but not as gripping as I'd hoped it would be. I thought the storyplot was quite weak and spent majority of the story waiting for the big reveal or some sort of twist but nothing.
I think the parts I enjoyed most was the stories from the past when Kate and Anya were younger, and there recollections of what happened to their sister Emily and how it affected their future.
However despite that it was well written, with well developed characters. The narrator was easy to listen to also.
Having read & liked a couple of Lucy's books previously I thought I'd give this a go. It was an okay read but not as gripping as I'd hoped it would be. I thought the storyplot was quite weak and spent majority of the story waiting for the big reveal or some sort of twist but nothing.
I think the parts I enjoyed most was the stories from the past when Kate and Anya were younger, and there recollections of what happened to their sister Emily and how it affected their future.
However despite that it was well written, with well developed characters. The narrator was easy to listen to also.
April 18, 2020
Audiobook... read ok... described as...
"A haunting, emotional and unnerving thriller laced with psychological suspense."
Not a fair description, in my humble opinion. Rather a exploration of family dynamics and tragedy. Thriller, no, emotional, yes, psychological suspense... well it runs along its path, no twists or turns. Ultimately, disappointment and a tad depressing. Not read others by author... might do, no prejudice.
"A haunting, emotional and unnerving thriller laced with psychological suspense."
Not a fair description, in my humble opinion. Rather a exploration of family dynamics and tragedy. Thriller, no, emotional, yes, psychological suspense... well it runs along its path, no twists or turns. Ultimately, disappointment and a tad depressing. Not read others by author... might do, no prejudice.
October 23, 2021
This was not my favorite book by this author, but I still enjoyed it. This one was not so much a mystery, but a suspense. There wasn't a big twist like I expected from a Lucy Dawson story. But something about her writing style always keeps me engaged. She develops her characters so well that they seem real. The narrator did an excellent job of reading this story. 5 stars for the narration. It was read by Emma Gregory.
December 12, 2024
Not one of Dawson's best. It was finishable but there's a few things I didn't like:
⭕The nasty feckless little sister puts herself in danger and expects everyone else to drop literally everything for her trope (which they do) is starting to annoy me. Quite honestly, I want them to get their just desserts now.
⭕Will is supposed to be an enigmatic and wonderful man but he just came across as creepy and stalkerish. I hated him.
⭕The nasty feckless little sister puts herself in danger and expects everyone else to drop literally everything for her trope (which they do) is starting to annoy me. Quite honestly, I want them to get their just desserts now.
⭕Will is supposed to be an enigmatic and wonderful man but he just came across as creepy and stalkerish. I hated him.
May 4, 2017
I listened to this on audio book and enjoyed it but it was a slower burn than I expected. It was quite dark and traumatic for the characters as the story unfolded. There is a level of human despair that no family should ever have to experience. This is the story of horrible events happening to a normal family. A good read.
June 26, 2019
I think I have read all of Lucy Dawson's books now. This one is the most straightforward - not that much mystery, just a story about a family over the years, a family that had been touched by tragedy in the past, and a crisis when a family member went missing abroad. No particular twists or big surprises. I enjoyed it as a family saga type read, not so much as a thriller.
December 8, 2020
I love seeing a different location altogether for the plot in this story. The books I've read (actually I've listened to 7 books in 2 weeks on audiobook) until now could really have been based anywhere, so it made it quite interesting that the location and theme was so unique.
In all of the author's books I've really enjoyed seeing how she explore and describes each character's life in such detail that allows you to get to know them but it also enhances their importance for the plot and shows the characters as real because they live such natural and real lives.
In all of the author's books I've really enjoyed seeing how she explore and describes each character's life in such detail that allows you to get to know them but it also enhances their importance for the plot and shows the characters as real because they live such natural and real lives.
January 31, 2021
I love Lucy Dawson but I felt this book was just... lacking. The ending was a little disappointing and the build up just didn’t climax in the way that Dawson’s books normally do. It was very readable, and the characters were both likeable and somewhat relatable, but something just fell flat for me.
August 15, 2022
This book was just okay. There wasn't much of a storyline, it is definitely not a thriller and doesn't have any notable twists. It's more of a family drama/trauma under the guise of a missing sister storyline.
I didn't feel much for nor think much of any of the characters. Though readable, it was just lacking all round.
I didn't feel much for nor think much of any of the characters. Though readable, it was just lacking all round.
October 17, 2024
Book 81 rated 4.5
Kate who is a new mum, receives a phone call from Mexico to say that her younger sister Anya is missing. Her clothes and wallet have been found next to water.
Is she dead? Where is she and why is she in Mexico?
It is a slow unwrap of a story but a real page tuner.
I also learned about cave diving.
Kate who is a new mum, receives a phone call from Mexico to say that her younger sister Anya is missing. Her clothes and wallet have been found next to water.
Is she dead? Where is she and why is she in Mexico?
It is a slow unwrap of a story but a real page tuner.
I also learned about cave diving.
August 27, 2018
I was so excited to read this book. Based on the blurb I thought it was going to be part thriller, part travelogue, exactly the kind of book I love to read. Unfortunately there was hardly any travel and there were really no thrills either.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews