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Anna Sweet Mystery #1
My Sister's Keeper
Anna Sweet, ex-cop turned waitress, is bar-hopping her way across the U.S.A. But a middle-of-the-night phone call to Anna's hotel room in Kermit, Texas, is about to end her life on the road. The brakes on her sister Cheri's car have failed, and she's lying banged up in an Ottawa hospital. Cheri
warns that unless Anna comes right home, she will be dead by Christmas.
Anna has more than enough reason to stay away from her hometown. Yet her sister's terror is a calling card she cannot ignore. Is Cheri's life really in danger? Or is this another bid for attention? A doubting Anna Sweet is about to find out.
warns that unless Anna comes right home, she will be dead by Christmas.
Anna has more than enough reason to stay away from her hometown. Yet her sister's terror is a calling card she cannot ignore. Is Cheri's life really in danger? Or is this another bid for attention? A doubting Anna Sweet is about to find out.
62 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
13 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Chapman
40 books356 followersI'm an Ottawa author with 18 published novels in the mystery genre, both adult and YA. I am currently writing two adult mystery series: The Stonechild and Rouleau police procedurals from Dundurn include Cold Mourning (2014), which was shortlisted for an Arthur Ellis Award for crime novel of the year, Butterfly Kills, Tumbled Graves, Shallow End and Bleeding Darkness. Turning Secrets, 6th in the series, will be released spring 2019.
The Anna Sweet mysteries are novellas from Grass Roots Press for adult literacy or those wanting a quick read. My Sister's Keeper and No Trace were both shortlisted for an Arthur Ellis award and The Hard Fall and No Trace were shortlisted for the Golden Oak award.
Previous published fiction includes: the Jennifer Bannon mysteries for ages 10+, a full length adult murder mystery In Winter's Grip (Dundurn 2010), and a Rapid Reads mystery The Second Wife (Orca 2011), which was shortlisted for a Golden Oak award. Second Chances, a YA novel for ages 13+ was released by Dundurn in September 2012.
The Anna Sweet mysteries are novellas from Grass Roots Press for adult literacy or those wanting a quick read. My Sister's Keeper and No Trace were both shortlisted for an Arthur Ellis award and The Hard Fall and No Trace were shortlisted for the Golden Oak award.
Previous published fiction includes: the Jennifer Bannon mysteries for ages 10+, a full length adult murder mystery In Winter's Grip (Dundurn 2010), and a Rapid Reads mystery The Second Wife (Orca 2011), which was shortlisted for a Golden Oak award. Second Chances, a YA novel for ages 13+ was released by Dundurn in September 2012.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 25, 2015
The Book Blurb:
Anna Sweet, ex-cop turned waitress, is bar-hopping her way across the USA. But a middle-of-the-night phone call to Anna's hotel room in Kermit, Texas, is about to end her life on the road. The brakes on her sister Cheri's car have failed, and she's lying banged up in the hospital in Ottawa. Cheri warns that unless Anna comes right home, she'll be dead by Christmas.
Anna has more than enough reason to stay away from her home town. Yet her sister's terror is a calling card she can't ignore. Is Cheri's life really in danger? Or is this another bid for attention? A doubting Anna Sweet is about to find out...
Thoughts:
I enjoyed this book, and it really caught my attention from the beginning. It's a very quick read being under 100 pages, but the author does a good job with character development. Cheri doesn't know if it's her estranged husband Jimmy who is trying to harm her or not. Jimmy is the source of tension between the 2 sisters, as he was first engaged to Anna and ends up having an affair and later marrying Cheri. The cast of characters are introduced and Anna begins to narrow down the list of suspects. But is Cheri actually making everything up? Everything stops when Jimmy and their son, Evan, are going to move back in with Cheri.
When the story does come to a conclusion, I think it was a great ending. (I don't want to give it away, it was very believable and tied up all the loose ends, something that I like!) Anna now has agreed to stay in Ottawa and join her old friend in starting up a PI agency.
Recommend this book, great quick read for the beach or anytime really. 2 thumbs up!
Anna Sweet, ex-cop turned waitress, is bar-hopping her way across the USA. But a middle-of-the-night phone call to Anna's hotel room in Kermit, Texas, is about to end her life on the road. The brakes on her sister Cheri's car have failed, and she's lying banged up in the hospital in Ottawa. Cheri warns that unless Anna comes right home, she'll be dead by Christmas.
Anna has more than enough reason to stay away from her home town. Yet her sister's terror is a calling card she can't ignore. Is Cheri's life really in danger? Or is this another bid for attention? A doubting Anna Sweet is about to find out...
Thoughts:
I enjoyed this book, and it really caught my attention from the beginning. It's a very quick read being under 100 pages, but the author does a good job with character development. Cheri doesn't know if it's her estranged husband Jimmy who is trying to harm her or not. Jimmy is the source of tension between the 2 sisters, as he was first engaged to Anna and ends up having an affair and later marrying Cheri. The cast of characters are introduced and Anna begins to narrow down the list of suspects. But is Cheri actually making everything up? Everything stops when Jimmy and their son, Evan, are going to move back in with Cheri.
When the story does come to a conclusion, I think it was a great ending. (I don't want to give it away, it was very believable and tied up all the loose ends, something that I like!) Anna now has agreed to stay in Ottawa and join her old friend in starting up a PI agency.
Recommend this book, great quick read for the beach or anytime really. 2 thumbs up!
July 25, 2020
I accidentally read this book thinking it was the book by Jodi Picoult with the same title
September 24, 2021
https://openbooksociety.com/article/m...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Given that I like author Brenda Chapman (Stonechild and Rouleau Mystery Series), I decide that I would read her Anna Sweet Mystery series. I do so with a bit of trepidation as I am usually not a fan of novella’s. However, given my enjoyment of previous titles by Ms. Chapman, I forge ahead. Much to my delight, I really enjoyed the first book in the series, My Sister’s Keeper.
We learn that Anna Sweet used to be a police officer in Ottawa but circumstances led to her giving up her career and she now is a waitress, in various bars across the United States. First thing I thought of – what is she running from and when will she address this issue and finally return home? As it turns out – her sister, Cheri, ends up in the hospital as a result of what looks like an attempt at her life by damaging the breaks on her car. Cheri convinces Anna to return home and help her figure out who and why someone has targeted her. There is messy family stuff between Cheri and Anna – but family is first so Anna heads home to Ottawa to help her sister.
What ensues is a methodical, attention grabbing process to whittle through the potential suspects to find out the who and why. Through this process, Anna comes to terms with some of her past issues. She also strikes up (well, actually re-establishes) a friendship with a previous co-worker. I won’t go into any more details as I think each reader should have the pleasure of discovering this gem of a story for themselves.
If you enjoy quick reads with a surprising amount of depth with good character development and an interesting mystery, then I suggest picking up this first book in the series and read away for a few hours. Having enjoyed this story so much, I shall proceed with this series of novella’s! Actually, given the ease of reading I am now on to reading book 3!
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Given that I like author Brenda Chapman (Stonechild and Rouleau Mystery Series), I decide that I would read her Anna Sweet Mystery series. I do so with a bit of trepidation as I am usually not a fan of novella’s. However, given my enjoyment of previous titles by Ms. Chapman, I forge ahead. Much to my delight, I really enjoyed the first book in the series, My Sister’s Keeper.
We learn that Anna Sweet used to be a police officer in Ottawa but circumstances led to her giving up her career and she now is a waitress, in various bars across the United States. First thing I thought of – what is she running from and when will she address this issue and finally return home? As it turns out – her sister, Cheri, ends up in the hospital as a result of what looks like an attempt at her life by damaging the breaks on her car. Cheri convinces Anna to return home and help her figure out who and why someone has targeted her. There is messy family stuff between Cheri and Anna – but family is first so Anna heads home to Ottawa to help her sister.
What ensues is a methodical, attention grabbing process to whittle through the potential suspects to find out the who and why. Through this process, Anna comes to terms with some of her past issues. She also strikes up (well, actually re-establishes) a friendship with a previous co-worker. I won’t go into any more details as I think each reader should have the pleasure of discovering this gem of a story for themselves.
If you enjoy quick reads with a surprising amount of depth with good character development and an interesting mystery, then I suggest picking up this first book in the series and read away for a few hours. Having enjoyed this story so much, I shall proceed with this series of novella’s! Actually, given the ease of reading I am now on to reading book 3!
January 31, 2021
I like a good mystery. This book wasn’t the best, but it wasn’t the worst either.
October 15, 2023
Very short story; not a very interesting story-line; predictable; boring prose. It seemed like a high school writing assignment. Thankfully it was short. I understand it is intended to be read by students struggling with reading, so it makes sense that it is so simplistic. I wish I had realized this before spending time with it.
July 16, 2018
Good for a really short book
March 9, 2024
A quick read but great plot! Looking forward to the next one!
April 15, 2024
I read the wrong book
August 12, 2024
Accidentally read this book thinking it was the one by Jodi, but rlly likes it overall. It was clean, interesting, and quick. I read it in two hours
August 25, 2024
Did this as an audio, it's a short story. I really enjoyed this and did find it suspenseful.
October 9, 2024
Pretty good for a short, short story.
September 28, 2021
https://openbooksociety.com/article/m...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Given that I like author Brenda Chapman (Stonechild and Rouleau Mystery Series), I decide that I would read her Anna Sweet Mystery series. I do so with a bit of trepidation as I am usually not a fan of novella’s. However, given my enjoyment of previous titles by Ms. Chapman, I forge ahead. Much to my delight, I really enjoyed the first book in the series, My Sister’s Keeper.
We learn that Anna Sweet used to be a police officer in Ottawa but circumstances led to her giving up her career and she now is a waitress, in various bars across the United States. First thing I thought of – what is she running from and when will she address this issue and finally return home? As it turns out – her sister, Cheri, ends up in the hospital as a result of what looks like an attempt at her life by damaging the breaks on her car. Cheri convinces Anna to return home and help her figure out who and why someone has targeted her. There is messy family stuff between Cheri and Anna – but family is first so Anna heads home to Ottawa to help her sister.
What ensues is a methodical, attention grabbing process to whittle through the potential suspects to find out the who and why. Through this process, Anna comes to terms with some of her past issues. She also strikes up (well, actually re-establishes) a friendship with a previous co-worker. I won’t go into any more details as I think each reader should have the pleasure of discovering this gem of a story for themselves.
If you enjoy quick reads with a surprising amount of depth with good character development and an interesting mystery, then I suggest picking up this first book in the series and read away for a few hours. Having enjoyed this story so much, I shall proceed with this series of novella’s! Actually, given the ease of reading I am now on to reading book 3!
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Given that I like author Brenda Chapman (Stonechild and Rouleau Mystery Series), I decide that I would read her Anna Sweet Mystery series. I do so with a bit of trepidation as I am usually not a fan of novella’s. However, given my enjoyment of previous titles by Ms. Chapman, I forge ahead. Much to my delight, I really enjoyed the first book in the series, My Sister’s Keeper.
We learn that Anna Sweet used to be a police officer in Ottawa but circumstances led to her giving up her career and she now is a waitress, in various bars across the United States. First thing I thought of – what is she running from and when will she address this issue and finally return home? As it turns out – her sister, Cheri, ends up in the hospital as a result of what looks like an attempt at her life by damaging the breaks on her car. Cheri convinces Anna to return home and help her figure out who and why someone has targeted her. There is messy family stuff between Cheri and Anna – but family is first so Anna heads home to Ottawa to help her sister.
What ensues is a methodical, attention grabbing process to whittle through the potential suspects to find out the who and why. Through this process, Anna comes to terms with some of her past issues. She also strikes up (well, actually re-establishes) a friendship with a previous co-worker. I won’t go into any more details as I think each reader should have the pleasure of discovering this gem of a story for themselves.
If you enjoy quick reads with a surprising amount of depth with good character development and an interesting mystery, then I suggest picking up this first book in the series and read away for a few hours. Having enjoyed this story so much, I shall proceed with this series of novella’s! Actually, given the ease of reading I am now on to reading book 3!
February 5, 2017
Anna was a cop in Ottawa until she was forced to kill someone in the line of duty. Though she was found not guilty of any wrong doing, she quit the force and started mindlessly traveling around the States picking up waitressing jobs.
Anna gets a call from her dad that her sister, Cheri, was involved in a car accident and needs to speak with her. Cheri is recently separated from her husband and fears he is trying to kill her. So Anna heads home to Ottawa to unofficially investigate what's going on.
This is the fifth book I've read by this author and I liked it. It's a quick read at less than 100 pages. It's set in the author's hometown of Ottawa ... it's always fun to read a book set in Ontario and Canada. I like this author's writing style. It is written in first person perspective in Anna's voice. It is the first in the Anna Sweet series and I look forward to reading the others.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2017/01...
August 3, 2016
Looking for a good mystery to read in one sitting? Check out this first book in the Anna Sweet series!
Ex-cop Anna returns home at her father's request to help her sister, who is in very real danger of being murdered. Despite personal and professional heartache in her past life, Anna realizes that home and family aren't so bad after all.
Brenda Chapman writes a great little mystery. I enjoyed the quick-paced plot in the familiar setting of Ottawa, and getting to know the characters in this new series. Anna's family is slightly dysfunctional but likable. Anna herself is smart and independent with a good heart. I look forward to her next case in The Hard Fall.
Ex-cop Anna returns home at her father's request to help her sister, who is in very real danger of being murdered. Despite personal and professional heartache in her past life, Anna realizes that home and family aren't so bad after all.
Brenda Chapman writes a great little mystery. I enjoyed the quick-paced plot in the familiar setting of Ottawa, and getting to know the characters in this new series. Anna's family is slightly dysfunctional but likable. Anna herself is smart and independent with a good heart. I look forward to her next case in The Hard Fall.
May 30, 2014
This was an excellent read. I liked the character development. There were some good twists to the plot. It flowed well and held the reader's interest.
April 30, 2016
I read this short story in about an hour. This is my second short story from Chapman that I've read. I enjoy her style.
Read
June 11, 2025listened to the audiobook version of this and it was a quick one. interesting short story but nothing too special or unique
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews