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The Sister-in-Law: A gripping psychological domestic thriller full of suspense and shocking twists
Living with family can be murder.
I’ve never met my husband’s sister, because she’s been in prison for as long as I’ve known him. If that’s not a warning sign, I don’t know what is. I should have paid attention to that. Maybe then I wouldn’t be in this situation.
Abby is lovely when she’s first released, which makes it easy to let her move in with us. But it doesn’t take long for the cracks to show. Although she’s nice to me when her brother is around, she becomes a different person as soon as he leaves the room. No, not a person — a monster .
She’s threatened me one too many times, and now my marriage is at stake. Daniel doesn’t believe the things she does, and the whole village is starting to think I’m crazy. I’ll have to discover her dark truth and prove how dangerous she is, but I’ll only get one chance at this.
Because I’m playing with fire.
THE SISTER-IN-LAW is the new psychological thriller from Bristol author AJ Carter, whose books are bursting with mystery, danger, and multiple dark twists.
I’ve never met my husband’s sister, because she’s been in prison for as long as I’ve known him. If that’s not a warning sign, I don’t know what is. I should have paid attention to that. Maybe then I wouldn’t be in this situation.
Abby is lovely when she’s first released, which makes it easy to let her move in with us. But it doesn’t take long for the cracks to show. Although she’s nice to me when her brother is around, she becomes a different person as soon as he leaves the room. No, not a person — a monster .
She’s threatened me one too many times, and now my marriage is at stake. Daniel doesn’t believe the things she does, and the whole village is starting to think I’m crazy. I’ll have to discover her dark truth and prove how dangerous she is, but I’ll only get one chance at this.
Because I’m playing with fire.
THE SISTER-IN-LAW is the new psychological thriller from Bristol author AJ Carter, whose books are bursting with mystery, danger, and multiple dark twists.
326 pages, Paperback
First published September 19, 2023
1484 people are currently reading
1748 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Carter
30 books213 followersAJ Carter is a psychological thriller author from Bristol, England. His first book, The Family Secret, is praised by critics around the world, and he continues to regularly deliver suspenseful novels you can’t put down.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
April 22, 2024
This one wasn’t for me so much.
Louise is married to Dan. Dan’s sister Abby is getting out of prison, after serving years for for vehicle or homicide
Of course, Abby has no place to go. So being the good brother that he is, Dan invites her to live temporary with him and Louise. Only there’s a slight problem.
The problem is that Abby despises her brother’s wife at first sight, and makes her feelings known, but only when her brother is not in the room.
Of course, Louise makes her displeasure known but stunningly or not so stunningly as it goes in domestic thrillers, her darling husband takes his sister side each and every time .
I really didn’t much care for this. I think it might be kind of my fault for choosing it. I’ve just read too many books with the same premise.
And also, the husband is so infuriating, is such a wimp, that it really interferes with my enjoyment of the story. I like Louise but frankly, she should’ve been out the door in the first hour, as it was readily apparent that something was very very wrong.
Now there’s going to be some
SPOILERS
I really didn’t care for the direction the book took. . Honestly, even though I wasn’t into it very much I probably would’ve rated
It higher if it did not not take the turn. The thing I don’t understand about this book and other books that do the same thing with unreliable narrators is it doesn’t make sense if we’re just Reading their thoughts.
Throughout the majority of the book, we see the husband musing on how much he loves his wife. He’s not telling us that, he’s thinking that to himself so I don’t get introducing him as an unreliable narrator, because I guess it was his thought process that was unreliable ?
Throughout most of the book, he thinks about how much he loves his wife. So it didn’t make sense when his thoughts changed him into a completely different person.
I’m aware that this is a literary device that’s coming up in more and more domestic thrillers and perhaps there is a huge fan base for this kind of thing. I don’t know, but I know that I am not a fan of this particular device, and I found it bewildering more than anything else.
I also didn’t believe it. It almost felt like I was reading two different books. The wimp turns into a psychotic lunatic so quickly that it just wasn’t believable to me. I sort of wanted him to stay the wimp and have Louise tell him off and leave.
I admit I’ve just gotten back into domestic thrillers after taking about a year and a half off from the bulk of them so it’s possible I’m just not into the new style? I have found some new literary devices being used in various domestic thriller books that I’m just not into and this is one of them.
Louise is married to Dan. Dan’s sister Abby is getting out of prison, after serving years for for vehicle or homicide
Of course, Abby has no place to go. So being the good brother that he is, Dan invites her to live temporary with him and Louise. Only there’s a slight problem.
The problem is that Abby despises her brother’s wife at first sight, and makes her feelings known, but only when her brother is not in the room.
Of course, Louise makes her displeasure known but stunningly or not so stunningly as it goes in domestic thrillers, her darling husband takes his sister side each and every time .
I really didn’t much care for this. I think it might be kind of my fault for choosing it. I’ve just read too many books with the same premise.
And also, the husband is so infuriating, is such a wimp, that it really interferes with my enjoyment of the story. I like Louise but frankly, she should’ve been out the door in the first hour, as it was readily apparent that something was very very wrong.
Now there’s going to be some
SPOILERS
I really didn’t care for the direction the book took. . Honestly, even though I wasn’t into it very much I probably would’ve rated
It higher if it did not not take the turn. The thing I don’t understand about this book and other books that do the same thing with unreliable narrators is it doesn’t make sense if we’re just Reading their thoughts.
Throughout the majority of the book, we see the husband musing on how much he loves his wife. He’s not telling us that, he’s thinking that to himself so I don’t get introducing him as an unreliable narrator, because I guess it was his thought process that was unreliable ?
Throughout most of the book, he thinks about how much he loves his wife. So it didn’t make sense when his thoughts changed him into a completely different person.
I’m aware that this is a literary device that’s coming up in more and more domestic thrillers and perhaps there is a huge fan base for this kind of thing. I don’t know, but I know that I am not a fan of this particular device, and I found it bewildering more than anything else.
I also didn’t believe it. It almost felt like I was reading two different books. The wimp turns into a psychotic lunatic so quickly that it just wasn’t believable to me. I sort of wanted him to stay the wimp and have Louise tell him off and leave.
I admit I’ve just gotten back into domestic thrillers after taking about a year and a half off from the bulk of them so it’s possible I’m just not into the new style? I have found some new literary devices being used in various domestic thriller books that I’m just not into and this is one of them.
September 19, 2023
Well!, what a pretty much pitch perfect psychological thriller this is
Featuring one of the most manipulative characters I have ever read about, she made me want to shout out in frustration as she played her game, but what a delicious character she is, possibly the best worst ‘love to hate’ character ever
It’s a fabulously twisty tale with a punch of multiple endings and what I thought I had worked out…..I hadn’t
Very carefully crafted and excellently written it more than covers all bases needed for a truly exciting and dark tale, one which you will remember for a long time
Not just good but really really good.
Featuring one of the most manipulative characters I have ever read about, she made me want to shout out in frustration as she played her game, but what a delicious character she is, possibly the best worst ‘love to hate’ character ever
It’s a fabulously twisty tale with a punch of multiple endings and what I thought I had worked out…..I hadn’t
Very carefully crafted and excellently written it more than covers all bases needed for a truly exciting and dark tale, one which you will remember for a long time
Not just good but really really good.
November 18, 2023
Apparently I'm the only person who finds this "The Silent Patient"-style lying first-person perspective literary mechanism annoying. But I wish there could be a label content warning for books that contain it. And it's becoming increasingly popular. A first-person character lies to us about their experiences, thoughts, and feelings throughout the book and then ends up being the villain who actually had completely different experiences, thoughts, and feelings. In other words, we live in their heads, they supposedly think loads of stuff that isn't true, and then ... suddenly, they start thinking the truth towards the end of the story, just because the plot requires it. As a literary mechanism, it's goal is purely to surprise the reader. It adds nothing to the story itself. In this book, we could just as well not have read half of the first 75 percent of the story, because none of it was true.
The final twist regarding Martin was also unnecessary. It made the one of the two main characters who was still left by that point impossible to like, and it thereby added to the feeling that the book was a waste of time to read.
I'll increase my rating from 1 (which I usually reserve only for extreme racism/sexism) to two stars because of the suspenseful scenes between 75 and 90 percent through the story.
The final twist regarding Martin was also unnecessary. It made the one of the two main characters who was still left by that point impossible to like, and it thereby added to the feeling that the book was a waste of time to read.
I'll increase my rating from 1 (which I usually reserve only for extreme racism/sexism) to two stars because of the suspenseful scenes between 75 and 90 percent through the story.
September 22, 2023
WOW The Sister-in-Law a psychological thriller by A.J. Carter was an edge of the seat read which I could not put down and stayed up until the early hours of the morning as I enjoyed it so much as it was so exciting and made the hairs on my back stand up and my blood to boiling point as this roller coaster sped on to the grand finale.
Louise has been married to prominent doctor Daniel for the last four years and they have a beautiful baby daughter Mia and life was so good for them all.
Then Daniel drops a bombshell on Louise that his sister Abby has been released from prison after serving six years for vehicular manslaughter and having been released he has offered her a place in their home until she gets back on her feet and finds a place of her own.
Abby is like Jekyl and Hyde and shows her Jekyl side to Louise and her Hyde side to Daniel and is going to make poor Louise's life an utter misery.
Unbeknown to Abby their is someone called the Watcher who is following every newspaper article and news that she can garner in order to save Louise's life.
There are many twists and turns in this helter skelter thriller which was absolutely riveting.
Louise has been married to prominent doctor Daniel for the last four years and they have a beautiful baby daughter Mia and life was so good for them all.
Then Daniel drops a bombshell on Louise that his sister Abby has been released from prison after serving six years for vehicular manslaughter and having been released he has offered her a place in their home until she gets back on her feet and finds a place of her own.
Abby is like Jekyl and Hyde and shows her Jekyl side to Louise and her Hyde side to Daniel and is going to make poor Louise's life an utter misery.
Unbeknown to Abby their is someone called the Watcher who is following every newspaper article and news that she can garner in order to save Louise's life.
There are many twists and turns in this helter skelter thriller which was absolutely riveting.
August 1, 2024
Meh. Easy read but Louise was insufferable when trying to make her marriage with Daniel work. Just throw the whole man away, he sucked.
December 31, 2023
Phew that was intense! Excellent twist x2 and actually a fairly decent ending for once!
Really enjoyed this and will definitely be looking for more books from this author in 2024!!!
Really enjoyed this and will definitely be looking for more books from this author in 2024!!!
January 9, 2025
Wow. The plot twist shocked me. This is definitely a twisted book I like. Look forward to more books by this author.
November 7, 2023
okay i didn’t enjoy this book that much BUT it was such a good thriller and i had all the emotions a good thriller gives you. that’s y im rating it 5. at the end of the day i was absolutely shook and when i thought nothing else crazy could happen i was wrong.
September 25, 2023
Daniel and Louise seem to have the perfect life with their beautiful home and baby daughter Mia…… Until, Daniel’s sister Abby is released from prison and goes to live with them.
Things become unbearable. Louise can’t bear Abby and the feeling is mutual ! What is Abby’s problem with Louise? No matter how many times Louise tries to tell Daniel that Abby is nasty to her and telling lies about her he just won’t listen and always takes Abby’s side!
What will the outcome be and what will be in store for them all?…..you will have to read to find out!!!
Another fantastic story by AJ Carter. He knows how to keep his readers gripped to a story always throwing in lots of twists to keep you page turning to the very end. Another 5 ⭐️ book
Things become unbearable. Louise can’t bear Abby and the feeling is mutual ! What is Abby’s problem with Louise? No matter how many times Louise tries to tell Daniel that Abby is nasty to her and telling lies about her he just won’t listen and always takes Abby’s side!
What will the outcome be and what will be in store for them all?…..you will have to read to find out!!!
Another fantastic story by AJ Carter. He knows how to keep his readers gripped to a story always throwing in lots of twists to keep you page turning to the very end. Another 5 ⭐️ book
November 14, 2024
Such a tension filled, fast paced, entertaining read! A.J. Carter is a new author for me. I stumbled upon him when browsing for books online. I’m so happy to have found another thriller-mystery author to add to my to-be-read list. The Sister-In-Law was an engaging psychological mystery thriller that I flew through. I found myself eager to read every time I picked up this book.
The story was equally character and plot driven. Some of the characters were extremely irritating to the point where I couldn’t help but hate them, and yet there was one character, Louise, who I couldn’t help feel for her, and therefore, I rooted for her until the end. I also liked how the plot was as intriguing as the characters. It had a couple twists that made for amusing surprises.
Carter alternated between two of the characters perspectives, Louise and Daniel, and The Watcher. Although I predicted who The Watcher was early on in the story, I liked Carter’s approach with the multiple points of view-it gave the story and the characters more depth. It also kept the story moving along while keeping me engaged throughout.
Overall The Sister-In-Law was an engrossing thriller that was an equally satisfying read. I recommend this book to those that enjoy fast paced, psychological thriller mysteries. If you love Kiersten Modglin and/or Danial Hurst, you’ll most likely be entertained by A.J. Carter books too!
The story was equally character and plot driven. Some of the characters were extremely irritating to the point where I couldn’t help but hate them, and yet there was one character, Louise, who I couldn’t help feel for her, and therefore, I rooted for her until the end. I also liked how the plot was as intriguing as the characters. It had a couple twists that made for amusing surprises.
Carter alternated between two of the characters perspectives, Louise and Daniel, and The Watcher. Although I predicted who The Watcher was early on in the story, I liked Carter’s approach with the multiple points of view-it gave the story and the characters more depth. It also kept the story moving along while keeping me engaged throughout.
Overall The Sister-In-Law was an engrossing thriller that was an equally satisfying read. I recommend this book to those that enjoy fast paced, psychological thriller mysteries. If you love Kiersten Modglin and/or Danial Hurst, you’ll most likely be entertained by A.J. Carter books too!
May 12, 2024
Steady paced book with a big twist I didn’t see coming!
May 26, 2025
Wanted a little more, the twist was a lifetime movie I’ve seen lol
May 26, 2025
While the twist was great, I just could not like the characters. They just seemed so dumb and dramatic, especially the husband.
December 31, 2024
I only finished this book so I could leave a review.
This book is poorly written. The writing style and language is choppy and uninspired. The concept of the plot sounded intriguing but was poorly delivered.
The fact that Daniel doesn’t even for a moment side with his wife indicates there is something off with their marriage. Him using phrases such as “I hate my wife. I want a divorce. She’s a liar. Etc” suggests that his connection to her isn’t as deep as you would think a spouse would be, and therefore he is likely involved as the perpetrator. The phrases and actions he takes while comforting Abby give incestual vibes, so the “shock factor” towards the end isn’t really a shock at all. The brief chapter involving Martin seems like an afterthought, with no real relevance to the story.
This book is poorly written. The writing style and language is choppy and uninspired. The concept of the plot sounded intriguing but was poorly delivered.
The fact that Daniel doesn’t even for a moment side with his wife indicates there is something off with their marriage. Him using phrases such as “I hate my wife. I want a divorce. She’s a liar. Etc” suggests that his connection to her isn’t as deep as you would think a spouse would be, and therefore he is likely involved as the perpetrator. The phrases and actions he takes while comforting Abby give incestual vibes, so the “shock factor” towards the end isn’t really a shock at all. The brief chapter involving Martin seems like an afterthought, with no real relevance to the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2023
I was not expecting the twist in this one at ALL. It bumped the rating from a 3 star to a 4 star for me.
The book changes perspective every chapter or so from husband to wife and back. The husband’s chapters were quite insufferable in the beginning, but made more sense after the twist.
Overall a good, fast paced read!
The book changes perspective every chapter or so from husband to wife and back. The husband’s chapters were quite insufferable in the beginning, but made more sense after the twist.
Overall a good, fast paced read!
August 9, 2024
The best thing about this book is the villian. Very spot on depiction of a psychotic personality. Kudos for that.
However, the big 'twists' at the end were a little hard to buy. There is no foreshadowing, (which i suspect is intentional because the author wanted to shock and awe) and they managed to throw me out of the story.
And the final 'twist' just seems like a throw-away.
It was good enough to keep reading but doesn't really stand out in the already crowded field of domestic thrillers that are in trend now.
However, the big 'twists' at the end were a little hard to buy. There is no foreshadowing, (which i suspect is intentional because the author wanted to shock and awe) and they managed to throw me out of the story.
And the final 'twist' just seems like a throw-away.
It was good enough to keep reading but doesn't really stand out in the already crowded field of domestic thrillers that are in trend now.
April 12, 2024
Classic read with a storyline you can predict. Good one day read that doesn’t require much effort👍🏼🤓
July 24, 2024
wowwww!!!!
This book had me so mad at times I wanted to put it down but I had to keep reading it to see how things played out!! Finished it in less than 2 days!!
This book had me so mad at times I wanted to put it down but I had to keep reading it to see how things played out!! Finished it in less than 2 days!!
August 29, 2025
Surprise, Surprise
Great psychological thriller with twists and turns throughout and even at the end. Great book. Worth your time to read.
Great psychological thriller with twists and turns throughout and even at the end. Great book. Worth your time to read.
March 22, 2024
I was so pissed 😤 but good writing , fast paced and quick read
August 11, 2024
What did I read absolutely enjoyed this and the twist coming
June 12, 2025
Loved it, physiological thriller that played with my head, as well as Louise, her hubby Daniel is controlling, his sister Abby is a total psycho, twisted shocking ending
January 7, 2026
I was hooked for about 75% of this book, totally prepared to give 5 stars, then the wheels fell off. The whole storyline turned 180° and went manic and improbable.
November 2, 2023
Great fast read
This book was an excellent fast read, with an ever changing twist! I did not expect the outcome, and certainly did not see the twist 3\4 of the way through! I read it in just 2 days.
This book was an excellent fast read, with an ever changing twist! I did not expect the outcome, and certainly did not see the twist 3\4 of the way through! I read it in just 2 days.
October 5, 2023
AWESOME ENDING!
This is for sure a fun & intriguing read!
There is a lot of tension, especially the deeper you get. Almost unbearable, in the best way possible, until a twist occurs & from there on out it’s simply a wild ride!
The Sister-in-Law is a solidly written story, with loads of extremely well-crafted character development. AJ Carter’s world building is all you’d want it to be as well.
Overall this book’s a winner! Ever increasing emotional & mental tension, surprise after surprise, frustration & then redemption, speeds up in the last quarter — everything a great psychological thriller should be.
Highly recommend!
This is for sure a fun & intriguing read!
There is a lot of tension, especially the deeper you get. Almost unbearable, in the best way possible, until a twist occurs & from there on out it’s simply a wild ride!
The Sister-in-Law is a solidly written story, with loads of extremely well-crafted character development. AJ Carter’s world building is all you’d want it to be as well.
Overall this book’s a winner! Ever increasing emotional & mental tension, surprise after surprise, frustration & then redemption, speeds up in the last quarter — everything a great psychological thriller should be.
Highly recommend!
February 11, 2024
Ever watched one of those cheap so-called, psychological thrillers on Channel 5 on a week day afternoon? Here it is in book form. A tale about as believable as ….well….cant actually think of anything less believable. Repetitive, overly detailed, ridiculous story which has so many holes in it: a protagonist who you just want to shake some 21st century gender equality into. Louise has it all: huge home, pots of dosh, beautiful wife to the village GP, Daniel, and mother to 1 year old Mia, in a beatific marriage. No sign of her working (or a previous career), and all is written in perfect prose. Enter newly-released-from prison, psychotic sister-in-law Abbey, who makes life hell for Louise while a seemingly oblivious Daniel can’t understand why his two favourite women aren’t getting along. Of course, it’s all a ruse and poor Rachel’s being had by the scheming pair who aren’t really related, have been shagging for years, and intend to steal little Mia for their own to live happily ever after. At the nth minute, the police pop up and plans are scuppered. Oh, what a surprise! First book read by this author and shan’t be making a return. I’m sure for those who love chick lit drama with a hint of maniacal mothers, there’s a market. But not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2023
Look no further for a fast-paced psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat and keep you up all night reading til the explosive ending. The author gives a sensational, unexpected twist that is a real nail biter. Prepare yourself to take this electrifying roller coaster ride. Highly recommend !
August 26, 2024
If this story was written well, the plot may have been interesting. I started skimming the text and only reading the dialogue just to finish the story and figure out the ending. I was not interested in the main character, hard to like and sympathize with her, the events seemed unbelievable and the ending was too easy.
December 16, 2023
Highly recommended!
This story hooked me straight in! The concept was brilliant and I didn’t see the big twist coming in a million years. I’m diving straight into another book by this author - loved it!
This story hooked me straight in! The concept was brilliant and I didn’t see the big twist coming in a million years. I’m diving straight into another book by this author - loved it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews