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My Perfect Sister
'Omg what an ending, I did not see that coming! What a brilliantly gripping book... I loved it!' Reader review, 5 stars
Annie is five when her beloved big sister, Gemma, leaves for school and is never seen again.
The police search for weeks and Annie never gives up hope that Gemma will one day come home to her.
Now, twenty years after her sister mysteriously vanished, Annie returns to her childhood home to care for her ill mother.
Opening the door to Gemma's room, Annie finds it untouched from the day her sister disappeared, with her make up still on the dresser and her books open on her bed.
Annie is certain that the answers to what happened to Gemma are here in her old room.
But in the search to finally find Gemma, will Annie discover her perfect sister is not who she thought she was? And will her quest for answers put her in deadly danger?
Someone knows the truth. And they will do anything to stop Annie from finding it...
An absolutely gripping psychological thriller about the dark secrets that lurk behind closed doors, with a killer twist you just won't see coming. Perfect for fans of K.L Slater, Sue Watson and Shalini Boland.
**LONGLISTED for the Guardian's Not the Booker Prize**
Readers and authors are gripped by My Perfect Sister:
'Wow, this book shocked me. I never in a million years would have guessed the ending... Incredible... A must read for anyone who enjoys mysteries/thrillers!' Reader review, 5 stars
'Brilliant... Mind-blowing. Amazing characters... Truly a gripping story' Reader review, 5 stars
'A fast -paced storyline with a completely unexpected ending... Truly suspenseful thriller' Reader review, 5 stars
'Thrilling - a true page-turner in which no one can be trusted' Catherine Cooper, author of The Chalet
Annie is five when her beloved big sister, Gemma, leaves for school and is never seen again.
The police search for weeks and Annie never gives up hope that Gemma will one day come home to her.
Now, twenty years after her sister mysteriously vanished, Annie returns to her childhood home to care for her ill mother.
Opening the door to Gemma's room, Annie finds it untouched from the day her sister disappeared, with her make up still on the dresser and her books open on her bed.
Annie is certain that the answers to what happened to Gemma are here in her old room.
But in the search to finally find Gemma, will Annie discover her perfect sister is not who she thought she was? And will her quest for answers put her in deadly danger?
Someone knows the truth. And they will do anything to stop Annie from finding it...
An absolutely gripping psychological thriller about the dark secrets that lurk behind closed doors, with a killer twist you just won't see coming. Perfect for fans of K.L Slater, Sue Watson and Shalini Boland.
**LONGLISTED for the Guardian's Not the Booker Prize**
Readers and authors are gripped by My Perfect Sister:
'Wow, this book shocked me. I never in a million years would have guessed the ending... Incredible... A must read for anyone who enjoys mysteries/thrillers!' Reader review, 5 stars
'Brilliant... Mind-blowing. Amazing characters... Truly a gripping story' Reader review, 5 stars
'A fast -paced storyline with a completely unexpected ending... Truly suspenseful thriller' Reader review, 5 stars
'Thrilling - a true page-turner in which no one can be trusted' Catherine Cooper, author of The Chalet
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 14, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
June 25, 2020
Very quick read!
When Annie returns home to look after her estranged mother she’s faced with the ghosts of her past and long held secrets regarding her sisters disappearance. She’s desperate to finally have an answer but would she be better off kept in the dark?
I enjoyed this one! It’s not very fast paced, just enough to keep you going and the ending really took me by surprise!
This book was such a super quick read but even still I think it could have been shorter, the writing style was quite descriptive in a way that for me didn’t add to the story and reader assumptions would have suffice .
An example being - “the taxi dropped me dropped me two houses down because there was a huge great van outside mothers house, meaning if the taxi stopped there it would be blocking the road.”
This one is perfect for those in a slump and needing something short!
When Annie returns home to look after her estranged mother she’s faced with the ghosts of her past and long held secrets regarding her sisters disappearance. She’s desperate to finally have an answer but would she be better off kept in the dark?
I enjoyed this one! It’s not very fast paced, just enough to keep you going and the ending really took me by surprise!
This book was such a super quick read but even still I think it could have been shorter, the writing style was quite descriptive in a way that for me didn’t add to the story and reader assumptions would have suffice .
An example being - “the taxi dropped me dropped me two houses down because there was a huge great van outside mothers house, meaning if the taxi stopped there it would be blocking the road.”
This one is perfect for those in a slump and needing something short!
May 17, 2020
Annie is only 5 years old when her sister disappears. The years following find Annie feeling unloved and unwanted. She felt she could never compete with her missing presumed dead sister, Gemma.
It's been many years since the time that changed her forever, and now she has returned to her family home. Annie has been kicked out by her boyfriend, lost her job, and has no money. The only option is staying with her mother, who is terminally ill with cancer.
Much to Annie's angst, Gemma's room has been turned into a shrine. Annie's old room is now her mother's sewing room. Annie's feelings of resentment and anger rise to the forefront as she begins to care for her mother.
She and her friend, Priti, decide that the mystery of Gemma's disappearance needs to be investigated. The police won't re-open the case as their is no new clues. It's up to the two women to search.
There is someone who doesn't want the truth unveiled and will do just about anything to keep their dark secret. As Annie gets closer to the truth, the more danger surrounds her.
Skillfully drawn characters and a tightly woven plot lead to surprising twists and turns that lead to an unexpected, stunning conclusion.
Many thanks to the author / RedDoor Press / Netgalley for the digital copy of this suspenseful thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
May 26, 2020
My Perfect Sister by Penny Batchelor is a most impressive debut, and this is certainly an author I intend to watch. I devoured this one in a single morning.
Annie has returned to her childhood home to nurse her estranged mother as she battles cancer. Almost immediately, Annie is transported emotionally back to 1989, the year that her sister Gemma went missing. Gemma's old room remains a shrine, and everywhere she looks, Annie is confronted by an unresolved mystery that continues to haunt. But upon finding a previously undiscovered photograph, Annie wonders if she has at last found a clue to a secret that has long been buried.
This is a compelling, well-paced read that will have you racing to uncover the truth behind an unsettling disappearance and a family's secrets. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and RedDoor Press for this ARC.
Annie has returned to her childhood home to nurse her estranged mother as she battles cancer. Almost immediately, Annie is transported emotionally back to 1989, the year that her sister Gemma went missing. Gemma's old room remains a shrine, and everywhere she looks, Annie is confronted by an unresolved mystery that continues to haunt. But upon finding a previously undiscovered photograph, Annie wonders if she has at last found a clue to a secret that has long been buried.
This is a compelling, well-paced read that will have you racing to uncover the truth behind an unsettling disappearance and a family's secrets. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and RedDoor Press for this ARC.
January 12, 2025
"My Perfect Sister" by Penny Batchelor is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the complex of sisters. It’s a compelling mystery about the disappearance of Gemma, the "perfect" sister, leaving her much younger sibling, Annie, to unravel the secrets of her life. There’s some childhood trauma that’s built up in the story along with some jealousy thrown in. I thought I had the ending figured out but there was a “surprise” factor.
May 27, 2024
This slow burn book that took forever to get through and every reveal was so anticlimactic. The rollercoaster kept climbing and climbing, and at the top was a plateau, and this is where it ends. Psychological cliffhanger with no dramatic satisfaction.
May 26, 2020
Annie is only five when her "perfect" older sister fails to come home. An already weak family dynamic seems to shatter completely . Annie's youth is plagued by feelings of neglect and she lives in the shadow of her sisters ghost.
After many years she reluctantly returns home to care for her ailing mother. However her resentment towards her mother and sister still simmer just below the surface. Her old bedroom has been converted while her sisters remains untouched. The shrine of a bedroom does nothing to quell this hatred. If anything it ignites a yearning to divulge all her families darkest secrets.
Annie desperately tries to piece together what truly happened when her sister disappeared. But there is someone who would rather the secret stay buried. The closer Annie gets to the truth the more she finds herself in danger.
Everyone has secrets and everyone is lying. Maybe some questions are best left unanswered. This book had me questioning everyone. I honestly thought I had it all figured out and the ending left be shocked. A truly well written plot with perfect twists that lead you to the most unexpected of conclusions.
It is also worth noting that mental health is a underlying theme in this book which I absolutely loved. I felt like it added depth to one of the main characters. In fact character development in general was on point.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
After many years she reluctantly returns home to care for her ailing mother. However her resentment towards her mother and sister still simmer just below the surface. Her old bedroom has been converted while her sisters remains untouched. The shrine of a bedroom does nothing to quell this hatred. If anything it ignites a yearning to divulge all her families darkest secrets.
Annie desperately tries to piece together what truly happened when her sister disappeared. But there is someone who would rather the secret stay buried. The closer Annie gets to the truth the more she finds herself in danger.
Everyone has secrets and everyone is lying. Maybe some questions are best left unanswered. This book had me questioning everyone. I honestly thought I had it all figured out and the ending left be shocked. A truly well written plot with perfect twists that lead you to the most unexpected of conclusions.
It is also worth noting that mental health is a underlying theme in this book which I absolutely loved. I felt like it added depth to one of the main characters. In fact character development in general was on point.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2020
Thank You to NetGalley and RedDoor Press for this Ebook!!
Annie is only 5 years old when her elder sister, Gemma disappears. It changed her life forever., Annie always felt unloved and unwanted. When Annie returns to care for her estranged mother, she’s faced with the ghosts from her past.
In order to move on in life she needs to get over her past, which she can only do so if she finds out what actually happened to Gemma. Desperate for clues, she delves deeper in search of the truth.
It was a good story though I kind of expected the ending. I liked the way Annie developed her character and relationships through the course of the book. Overall it was an okay book, it didnt contain the extra wow factor which could have made this into an extraordinary book.
Annie is only 5 years old when her elder sister, Gemma disappears. It changed her life forever., Annie always felt unloved and unwanted. When Annie returns to care for her estranged mother, she’s faced with the ghosts from her past.
In order to move on in life she needs to get over her past, which she can only do so if she finds out what actually happened to Gemma. Desperate for clues, she delves deeper in search of the truth.
It was a good story though I kind of expected the ending. I liked the way Annie developed her character and relationships through the course of the book. Overall it was an okay book, it didnt contain the extra wow factor which could have made this into an extraordinary book.
June 30, 2024
literally why did I insist on finishing this? why do I insist on finishing books I know I won’t enjoy? 1.5 because I still finished it I guess!!!
June 2, 2020
This is the story of a family broken by the disappearance of their teenage daughter Gemma. How the mother took to her bed and neglected a five year old Annie and how the shadow of Gemma still continues to haunt Annie’s life.
Annie, having lost her job, her partner and her home returns to look after her mum, who is undergoing cancer treatment, after years away. Finding her old room is now a craft room while Gemma’s remains a shrine further builds old resentments and the difficulty of living in her shadow.
With a visit from her best friend Priti showing her that to move on she needs to find answers to put the past behind her. They try to uncover the truth behind Gemma’s disappearance. Not everyone wants her to uncover what happened though.
The strength of this book is the articulate way the author has presented the fractious relationship between a grieving mother and the daughter left behind. This is a real character driven book and I felt real empathy for both of them. Annie understandably has deep rooted issues of feeling unloved and second best to a girl she can never live up to. While Priti offered a little light relief and was the perfect best friend.
Don’t let me fool you when I say it’s character driven though, it also has a solid mystery. I thought I actually had this one figured out until I was hit with the surprising conclusion. Hard to believe this is a debut and I am excited to read future books.
Annie, having lost her job, her partner and her home returns to look after her mum, who is undergoing cancer treatment, after years away. Finding her old room is now a craft room while Gemma’s remains a shrine further builds old resentments and the difficulty of living in her shadow.
With a visit from her best friend Priti showing her that to move on she needs to find answers to put the past behind her. They try to uncover the truth behind Gemma’s disappearance. Not everyone wants her to uncover what happened though.
The strength of this book is the articulate way the author has presented the fractious relationship between a grieving mother and the daughter left behind. This is a real character driven book and I felt real empathy for both of them. Annie understandably has deep rooted issues of feeling unloved and second best to a girl she can never live up to. While Priti offered a little light relief and was the perfect best friend.
Don’t let me fool you when I say it’s character driven though, it also has a solid mystery. I thought I actually had this one figured out until I was hit with the surprising conclusion. Hard to believe this is a debut and I am excited to read future books.
July 25, 2020
I struggled immensely with this book. I thought it sounded much better than it was. For me the book just seemed to drag on and on and then book there's a rushed ending. I also didn't like the characters, in particular Annie. She was just incredibly selfish all the way around.
June 23, 2020
This was a very addictive family drama that has a lot of emotional layers- admittedly I was far more interested in the growing reconciliation between mother and daughter than I was in the missing sister mystery but as a whole story I thought it was great.
Returning home, to a place you thought to leave behind forever has a certain amount of jeopardy attached- even more so when it involves your estranged mother who is battling cancer and the ghost of a sister long lost.
The characters were beautifully formed and highly engaging, the mystery element well achieved even if I didn't really relate to the final resolution.
However this is more a story of family and love with a fair bit of redemption thrown in and as such is a great read.
Returning home, to a place you thought to leave behind forever has a certain amount of jeopardy attached- even more so when it involves your estranged mother who is battling cancer and the ghost of a sister long lost.
The characters were beautifully formed and highly engaging, the mystery element well achieved even if I didn't really relate to the final resolution.
However this is more a story of family and love with a fair bit of redemption thrown in and as such is a great read.
June 22, 2020
This was an interesting read, centered around Annie, who comes home to care for her long-estranged mother with cancer. Annie harbors a lot of resentment towards her mother; her teenaged sister Gemma disappeared when Annie was only 5, and Annie spent the rest of her childhood in Gemma's shadow. She returns reluctantly to help care for her mother, having just broken up with her boyfriend and lots her job, with nowhere else to go. Once home, Annie, along with her best friend and a new boyfriend start to dig into what really happened to Gemma so she and her mother can finally be at peace.
As the story unfolds, you find out more about what was really going on with Annie's parents, which is rather heartbreaking. Some of the decisions Annie made were not good (or at least too rash) decisions, and the childhood background helps the reader make sense of these. I did find myself frustrated with her at times throughout the book.
The pacing of the book is pretty decent, though things seem to move more quickly than they would in real life (such as how quickly the police reopened Gemma's case and interviewed the suspect she called to their attention, and Annie's mother suddenly being willing to clean out Gemma's room which had been a shrine to her for the last 20 years). Likewise, the end came about quickly, and I felt like there should have been more of a lead-in to finding out what happened. That being said, the twist in the last few pages of the book was VERY interesting and unexpected, and earned the book an additional 1/2 star from me.
Overall, I'd give this a 3.5 rating- it was an interesting story overall, with just a few issues around pacing. It's a quick read and I think it's worth it for fans of mysteries and domestic suspense. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As the story unfolds, you find out more about what was really going on with Annie's parents, which is rather heartbreaking. Some of the decisions Annie made were not good (or at least too rash) decisions, and the childhood background helps the reader make sense of these. I did find myself frustrated with her at times throughout the book.
The pacing of the book is pretty decent, though things seem to move more quickly than they would in real life (such as how quickly the police reopened Gemma's case and interviewed the suspect she called to their attention, and Annie's mother suddenly being willing to clean out Gemma's room which had been a shrine to her for the last 20 years). Likewise, the end came about quickly, and I felt like there should have been more of a lead-in to finding out what happened. That being said, the twist in the last few pages of the book was VERY interesting and unexpected, and earned the book an additional 1/2 star from me.
Overall, I'd give this a 3.5 rating- it was an interesting story overall, with just a few issues around pacing. It's a quick read and I think it's worth it for fans of mysteries and domestic suspense. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 16, 2020
Annie is five when her sister Gemma leaves for school one day and never returns. The family’s lives are changed forever with Gemma’s disappearance and Annie feels neglected and unloved. When she is just sixteen, she decides she can no longer live in the shadow of her perfect but absent sister and she leaves home, falling in and out of jobs and relationships, her resentment for Gemma always there, bubbling under the surface.
Many years later she reluctantly returns home to care for her mother, ill with cancer. Her anger only grows when she sees Gemma’s room still kept as a shrine while hers is now her mother’s sewing room, but as she cares for her mum she begins to soften and egged on by her best friend Priti she realises she has to uncover what happened to Gemma, for all their sakes.
Her research puts her in danger but with the help of a fabulous cast of characters and a satisfying twist in the tale, she finally discovers the truth – but can she ever accept it?
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuousluy.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.
Many years later she reluctantly returns home to care for her mother, ill with cancer. Her anger only grows when she sees Gemma’s room still kept as a shrine while hers is now her mother’s sewing room, but as she cares for her mum she begins to soften and egged on by her best friend Priti she realises she has to uncover what happened to Gemma, for all their sakes.
Her research puts her in danger but with the help of a fabulous cast of characters and a satisfying twist in the tale, she finally discovers the truth – but can she ever accept it?
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuousluy.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.
August 15, 2020
"This is not my room anymore; it's the spare bedroom. In fact, it's as if I was never here, as if i didn't exist."
Annie is just five years old when her big sister Gemma doesn't return from school. Her already poor childhood gets worse as her family try to deal with the disappearance. As soon as she is able, Annie leaves home and doesn't look back.
But now, age 30, she is back in her childhood home to care for her sick mother. She decides to try and find out more about the sister she doesn't remember. But soon, she finds more than she bargains for.
This was an excellent debut novel and I definitely think the author is one to watch. It was a very quick read, I finished it in one morning. I couldn't put it down, I was so desperate to find out what happened to Gemma. I loved the little twists in the story although I did guess one of them correctly.
A very enjoyable read.
Annie is just five years old when her big sister Gemma doesn't return from school. Her already poor childhood gets worse as her family try to deal with the disappearance. As soon as she is able, Annie leaves home and doesn't look back.
But now, age 30, she is back in her childhood home to care for her sick mother. She decides to try and find out more about the sister she doesn't remember. But soon, she finds more than she bargains for.
This was an excellent debut novel and I definitely think the author is one to watch. It was a very quick read, I finished it in one morning. I couldn't put it down, I was so desperate to find out what happened to Gemma. I loved the little twists in the story although I did guess one of them correctly.
A very enjoyable read.
May 26, 2020
Recently single, Annie returns home to care for her ailing estranged mother. In 1989, Annie's older sister went missing and her bedroom has been kept as a shrine. Between shuttling her mother to medical appointments, Annie decides to search the room for clues, hoping to finally find out what happened to Gemma.
I've been in somewhat of a book rut recently. I've read several good books, but they've taken me quite a long time to get through them. My luck seems to have changed with My Perfect Sister.
I enjoyed this book, and read it quickly. I found the conclusion to be quite surprising. Early on, I thought I knew exactly what happened and though I don't mind predictability in a well written book, I also thoroughly enjoyed being wrong in this case.
While reading it, I was reminded of Gillian Flynn's book Sharp Objects in both the writing style and the surprising ending.
4/5
*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my review.
I've been in somewhat of a book rut recently. I've read several good books, but they've taken me quite a long time to get through them. My luck seems to have changed with My Perfect Sister.
I enjoyed this book, and read it quickly. I found the conclusion to be quite surprising. Early on, I thought I knew exactly what happened and though I don't mind predictability in a well written book, I also thoroughly enjoyed being wrong in this case.
While reading it, I was reminded of Gillian Flynn's book Sharp Objects in both the writing style and the surprising ending.
4/5
*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my review.
May 22, 2020
this book is a must read keeps you gripped to the end . Anna s sister never came home . Anna was only a child . her mother was never a mother two her or her sister as soon as she was old enough she left home and never went back only for her fathers death . then years later her aunt asks her to come home to help her mum as she has cancer . she starts to wonder what did happen to Gemma and does her own digging is very sad i cried but so so twisty so recommend
October 13, 2020
I chose this book for my book club's September read. Members enjoyed it very much. It is an enjoyable story with a fantastic twist. Great for lovers of domestic noir stories.
May 27, 2020
This was a well-written mystery and while I "kind of" figured out who was responsible for Gemma's disappearance, it turned out I only had it half right. I am always happy when at the end there's still a twist I didn't anticipate and this book did not let me down.
I liked that the author kept developing Annie as a person, with her working towards a career and having goals. Her friendship with Priti added to the story as well.
Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I liked that the author kept developing Annie as a person, with her working towards a career and having goals. Her friendship with Priti added to the story as well.
Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 25, 2020
This was an interesting story full of misconceptions and misunderstandings. A mother who suffered from post natal depression at time when it was not a recognised illness and hidden away and a daughter who disappears and another who suffered as a result.It is all resolved with an abrupt twist at the end which I didnt like..
October 20, 2020
Liked it all but the last 2 pages were a fail! Made no sense and there were so many other ways to finish it.
July 3, 2024
Predictable, "twist" at the end made me roll my eyes
January 22, 2025
This book is a fast-paced psychological thriller that pulls you in with its premise and keeps you turning the pages. However, while it starts strong, it ultimately falls short with a predictable plot and an ending riddled with loose ends.
The story follows Annie, whose sister Gemma disappeared when Gemma was a teen and Annie was about 5. Years later, Annie returns to her hometown to help care for her ailing mother, reopening old wounds and uncovering buried secrets about what really happened to Gemma. Through a mix of flashbacks and present-day events, the truth gradually unravels, and we learn that nearly everyone in Annie’s life had some connection to Gemma’s disappearance.
Spoilers Ahead
At first, I was convinced that Gareth, Annie’s current love interest, was the one who killed Gemma. His fixation on both sisters was unsettling, and it felt like he had ulterior motives in pursuing Annie. However, it turns out Gareth didn’t harm Gemma—he just had an obsessive crush on her and likely only liked Annie because of her connection to Gemma.
Reg, the creepy guy who lived next door, was another obvious suspect. He buried Gemma’s body, but his actions were motivated by a desire to protect Annie rather than guilt over murder. In a surprising twist, it’s revealed that Annie herself accidentally killed Gemma. During an argument, she pushed her sister, who fell and hit her head. Reg witnessed the incident and covered it up, possibly because he believed Annie was his daughter from a one-night stand with their mother, Diana.
While this twist was intriguing, it wasn’t entirely surprising. The foreshadowing made Reg an easy target for suspicion, and Annie’s involvement felt telegraphed early on.
What really disappointed me was the ending. Reg dies suddenly, leaving no opportunity for closure or further revelations. Then, the narrative jumps forward several years, where Annie reads a letter Reg wrote to her mother. The letter raises more questions than it answers, and we never find out how Annie feels about learning that Reg might have been her father or that he was protecting her. To make things even more frustrating, a new character, Craig, is introduced near the end, but their role and significance are left completely unexplained. The book closes with so many unresolved threads that it feels incomplete.
The story follows Annie, whose sister Gemma disappeared when Gemma was a teen and Annie was about 5. Years later, Annie returns to her hometown to help care for her ailing mother, reopening old wounds and uncovering buried secrets about what really happened to Gemma. Through a mix of flashbacks and present-day events, the truth gradually unravels, and we learn that nearly everyone in Annie’s life had some connection to Gemma’s disappearance.
Spoilers Ahead
At first, I was convinced that Gareth, Annie’s current love interest, was the one who killed Gemma. His fixation on both sisters was unsettling, and it felt like he had ulterior motives in pursuing Annie. However, it turns out Gareth didn’t harm Gemma—he just had an obsessive crush on her and likely only liked Annie because of her connection to Gemma.
Reg, the creepy guy who lived next door, was another obvious suspect. He buried Gemma’s body, but his actions were motivated by a desire to protect Annie rather than guilt over murder. In a surprising twist, it’s revealed that Annie herself accidentally killed Gemma. During an argument, she pushed her sister, who fell and hit her head. Reg witnessed the incident and covered it up, possibly because he believed Annie was his daughter from a one-night stand with their mother, Diana.
While this twist was intriguing, it wasn’t entirely surprising. The foreshadowing made Reg an easy target for suspicion, and Annie’s involvement felt telegraphed early on.
What really disappointed me was the ending. Reg dies suddenly, leaving no opportunity for closure or further revelations. Then, the narrative jumps forward several years, where Annie reads a letter Reg wrote to her mother. The letter raises more questions than it answers, and we never find out how Annie feels about learning that Reg might have been her father or that he was protecting her. To make things even more frustrating, a new character, Craig, is introduced near the end, but their role and significance are left completely unexplained. The book closes with so many unresolved threads that it feels incomplete.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2020
The Perfect Sister is full of mystery right from the off. We meet Annie who has gone back to her childhood home after being away for years. Nothing strange about that, apart from the fact that when she starts reminiscing about her childhood and delves deeper. We get the understanding that all is not so normal.
Annie's big sister Gemma went missing. Annie was 5 at the time and Gemma was 16. From the start we get the sense that as soon as Gemma went missing, Annie's parents especially her mother kind of gave up on life. This meant Annie had to fend for herself a lot, or depend on the hospitality of her neighbours.
Annie is back, and not because she wants to but because she hasn't got anywhere else to go. She has split up from Shaun, but there is mystery surrounding what happened and why they split.
Also, her mother has been diagnosed with kidney cancer and needs someone to take care of her. The Perfect Sister is mysterious from the word go. And, I couldn't wait to turn those pages to find out what had happened.
I must say I didn't take to Annie much, I found her a bit too needy. But, given her past it made sense for her to be that way. She learnt to deal with things differently as the story went on, and it was nice to see a development in her.
Now let's talk about Priti. Annie's friend. This woman needs a novel all for herself. She practically solved the case of missing Gemma all by herself. What the police couldn't solve all that time ago, Priti has pieced together everything using her laptop from the comfort of her house miles away. Amazing.
My Perfect Sister is full of mystery and keeps you wondering along the way. A great debut novel for Penny Bachelor.
Annie's big sister Gemma went missing. Annie was 5 at the time and Gemma was 16. From the start we get the sense that as soon as Gemma went missing, Annie's parents especially her mother kind of gave up on life. This meant Annie had to fend for herself a lot, or depend on the hospitality of her neighbours.
Annie is back, and not because she wants to but because she hasn't got anywhere else to go. She has split up from Shaun, but there is mystery surrounding what happened and why they split.
Also, her mother has been diagnosed with kidney cancer and needs someone to take care of her. The Perfect Sister is mysterious from the word go. And, I couldn't wait to turn those pages to find out what had happened.
I must say I didn't take to Annie much, I found her a bit too needy. But, given her past it made sense for her to be that way. She learnt to deal with things differently as the story went on, and it was nice to see a development in her.
Now let's talk about Priti. Annie's friend. This woman needs a novel all for herself. She practically solved the case of missing Gemma all by herself. What the police couldn't solve all that time ago, Priti has pieced together everything using her laptop from the comfort of her house miles away. Amazing.
My Perfect Sister is full of mystery and keeps you wondering along the way. A great debut novel for Penny Bachelor.
May 28, 2020
Thank you to reddoorbooks and the author Penny Batchelor for allowing me to be a part of the blog tour for this gripping book.
Wow! I would be lying if I said this did not keep me hanging on with suspense through the whole book.
My mind changed several times about what may have happened to Gemma, I had several scenarios in my head, but the thought never even crossed my mind about what ACTUALLY happened!
I felt really bad for the relationship between Annie and her mum, they are both clearly very badly troubled and were unable to reach out to each other for a very long time!
Grief can come out in very funny ways!
An absolute recommend MUST READ!
Wow! I would be lying if I said this did not keep me hanging on with suspense through the whole book.
My mind changed several times about what may have happened to Gemma, I had several scenarios in my head, but the thought never even crossed my mind about what ACTUALLY happened!
I felt really bad for the relationship between Annie and her mum, they are both clearly very badly troubled and were unable to reach out to each other for a very long time!
Grief can come out in very funny ways!
An absolute recommend MUST READ!
May 24, 2020
Annie's sister disappeared years earlier, and Annie spent the rest of her childhood feeling neglected by her mother, compared to the missing sister. Now that Annie's mother has cancer, she has moved back home to help, while also trying to meet up with some of Gemma's old friends to try to get an idea of what happened to her. This wasn't really a straight up mystery, what happened to Gemma, but also the story of Annie finally getting to know her estranged mother. It was a good story, 4 stars.
December 23, 2024
Holy smokes, I did not expect the ending!
This is a very compelling read with plenty of misdirection to keep you guessing right up until the final chapter. If you're looking for a suspenseful, fast read that will suck you in, look no further. This novel will have you racing through the pages to find out what really happened to Gemma.
This is a very compelling read with plenty of misdirection to keep you guessing right up until the final chapter. If you're looking for a suspenseful, fast read that will suck you in, look no further. This novel will have you racing through the pages to find out what really happened to Gemma.
August 12, 2021
I found this to be a really great thriller. I had no time getting into the storyline. The author did an excellent job with character and plot development. I was able to guess how the book would end, but I still really enjoyed it. I really recommend this read.
May 22, 2020
this book is a must read keeps you gripped to the end . Anna s sister never came home . Anna was only a child . her mother was never a mother two her or her sister as soon as she was old enough she left home and never went back only for her fathers death . then years later her aunt asks her to come home to help her mum as she has cancer . she starts to wonder what did happen to Gemma and does her own digging is very sad i cried but so so twisty so recommend
February 6, 2026
Just wasn't for me.
January 10, 2022
First thriller of the year - I'm trying to be a bit more discerning with the thrillers I read as I seem to have fallen into a phase of reading terrible books that don't do the genre any justice. This didn't disappoint - it had enough drama and surprises whilst still being an enjoyable read. The characters felt actually believable and had more depth than some books of the same genre. An enjoyable read.
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