Hush, Dear Sister

by Audra McElyea

After a tragic accident she can’t quite remember, forty-something-year-old beloved Hollywood actress Annette Taylor finds herself bound to a wheelchair with several injuries. Living in Crawford Manor, the Gothic Hollywood mansion from the film that made her famous, has become too much for her to handle alone, so she must rely on her estranged, child-star sister, Sophia, to help take care of her.

Shortly after a serial killer targeting actresses emerges, the sisters agree to be filmed in the house together for renowned producer and director Frank Baxter’s new documentary about their life. Only Annette seems to be getting worse, and the rumored hauntings inside Crawford Manor prove to be more than just Hollywood legend.

When Annette’s ex-fiancé, Charlie, and her actress best friend, Monroe, grow suspicious of Sophia’s motives, they plan to remove her from Annette’s house, but more trouble ensues when they're faced with accusations of their own. Everyone finds themselves at odds with one another in a race against time and a serial killer, but trying to figure out what happened the night of Annette’s accident and how it’s connected to the Red-Carpet Killer could give them all the answers they’re looking for.

HUSH, DEAR SISTER is a haunting Hollywood thriller full of twists, turns, and buried secrets that will have you reading one more chapter until you’ve binged the whole story.



A fast-paced and addictive tale of old betrayals, secret jealousies, and the relentless hunger for fame.
-Kimberly Belle, internationally bestselling author of THE PARIS WIDOW

A thrillingly spooky tale of lies and deception with a Gothic twist, HUSH, DEAR SISTER will keep you guessing all the way until the gripping climax. You'll want to read this one with the lights on!
-Bradeigh Godfrey, author of THE FOLLOWERS

HUSH, DEAR SISTER has everything I love in a a tragic accident. A creepy manor. Complex characters. A serial killer on the loose. Secrets and lies. And oh so much betrayal. A perfect thriller, from the first line to the last page!
-Rea Frey, #1 bestselling author of DON’T FORGET ME

Genres: Thriller, Audiobook

Paperback

First published June 11, 2024

About the author

Audra McElyea is a former corporate buyer and magazine contributor turned thriller author who writes books in their villain era.

She's a self-deprecating, anxious, introvert at heart who loves her husband, little boys, and dog even more than books and movies (which is a lot).

Her taste is broad though. She loves watching Marvel and Christopher Nolan films just as much as she enjoys classic noirs like Hitchcock and Agatha Christie.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, exercising, and listening to Taylor Swift songs over and over.

Audra is represented by Liza Royce Agency in New York.

Reviews

[Jennifer *Nottoomanybooks* · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had serious ominous vibes going on and I was here for it! Sisterly drama, injuries, and lies sum this one up! It was a quick, easy read that I flew through! If this sounds like your jam, I highly recommend it for you!

[Susan Z (webreakforbooks)]

In Hush, Dear Sister you have a complicated sibling relationship, a Gothic spooky mansion, a reality show, and many things that go bump in the night. You aren't quite sure if you have an unreliable narrator or paranormal activity.

I did have an inkling where this one was going, but I was still gripped by the story. I was a huge fan of Annette, I thought she was a great character and so well developed.

I definitely look forward to reading more by this author.

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

With this title, I knew this was going was going to be one CRAZY thriller.

When two sisters agree to a reality show, one is hesitating and the other wants the attention and the money it will bring in. Annette’s health is declining and the medical bills are piling up. Sophie and Annette lost their parents when they were younger and are now living in their home. They agree to cameras and the reality show and persuade Dr. Lange to agree to be filmed as well as they follow Annette’s progress.

With creepy noises, hallucinations and other health concerns Annette thinks she is going crazy! I do NOT want to spoil this PLOT, but let me say this story makes you REALLY want to know those closest to you. How well do you know your family, friends or medical doctor?

This was my second by this author, and I will continue to read her books. She has a way with thrillers that draw the readers in UNTIL the very last page.

[Carrie Shields]

...𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐦 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐞'𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬.

A Gothic home rumored to be haunted, a home invasion, a debilitating accident, AND a reality show? Count me in!

40-something-year-old Hollywood actress Annette Taylor is confined to a wheelchair with several serious leg injuries after suffering injuries from a home invasion. But the man arrested for the crime says that Annette was already lying at the bottom of the stairs when he broke in. Crawford Manor, the Gothic mansion from the movie that made her famous, is where Annette calls home. But after breaking up with her fiance after the accident, she needs someone to care for her, and that means relying on her estranged sister Sophia. Sophia was a child star who never received the accolades her sister did, probably due to her hard partying ways.

Right when news about a serial killer targeting actresses emerges, Sophia announces that a documentary filmmaker wants to shoot a reality show about the sisters' lives. Curiously, Annette's pain and mobility seems to be worsening, and the strange noises she hears when she's in the house alone are becoming more intense.

While this book had promise, it was just too convoluted and disjointed for my taste. It was blatantly obvious to me what was going on, and while I hoped I was guessing wrong, I wasn't. There was too much back story left out that was needed and too many extraneous details given that weren't needed. The motives and actions of the villain were just not believable in the least.

I did enjoy the author's last book, and I will definitely give her next book a try. This one just wasn't it for me. I do thank Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse for the early copy. This book published May 9, 2024.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Audra’s third book and it did not disappoint! Twisty and dark for sure. Two famous sisters living together in an old house that gives everyone the creeps. They sign up to do a reality TV show inside the house and so many shocking events happen.

I loved the story. I read it in a day, but I normally can’t put Audra’s books down! Thanks for allowing me to be an ARC reader again!!!

[Michelle Godard-Richer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A suspenseful and captivating read that blends murder and strained family relationships into a bingeable thriller. The main character, Annette Taylor, is an actress recovering from a horrific fall down the staircase in her home that left her in a wheelchair. She invites her estranged sister, Sophia, to move in and help with her care, hoping to repair their relationship. I loved the tension between Annette and Sophia combined with the external tension of other actresses being murdered and the creepy happenings around the house. Fans of popcorn thrillers will love this book.

[Mickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

After Annette has an accident leaving her in a wheelchair, she is left in the care of her older sister. Along with the fact she doesn't seem to be getting better, there are also strange noises and she thinks she's started hallucinating the weird things going on in her home. Is her house really haunted? Is there a stranger hiding in her attic? Or is someone in her life messing with her?

I loved everything about this book. It had everything you could want. Family drama, a serial killer, a haunted gothic home, suspense... what more could you possibly ask for?
Throughout the beginning of the book, I kept thinking this had similar vibes to my favourite Hitchcock movie, Rear Window. And then, Annette sits and watches the movie while home alone, so I think the similarities were intentional. Honestly, everything about this one was just spot on, and the author does a great job of messing with the readers mind, and making us question everything and everyone until the very end.

[Samantha (bookstasamm)]

Sibling rivalry, a reality TV show, a haunted house, and a serial killer? Sign me up!

After being injured during a home invasion, Hollywood actress Annette Taylor is confined to a wheelchair. Her sister Sophia moves into her Gothic mansion to help take care of her. The sisters agree to be filmed for a reality TV show focusing on Annette’s rehabilitation and Sophia’s caregiving. When strange things start happening in the house Annette begins to think it might be haunted.

This book started out great! I was hooked from the beginning and loved the haunted house aspects of the story. The sibling rivalry between Annette and Sophia was palpable and it made for some tense moments in the book. There is a lot going on in this story though so at times it felt disjointed to me. I figured out early on what was happening, but I couldn’t put the book down just in case I was wrong.

I really enjoyed this author’s previous book, but this one didn’t work as well for me. It had great potential, but I wished that it had more of a focus and not so many plot points. There were some twists that just didn’t make sense to me and some storylines thrown in that weren’t fully explained. It was a fast read though and a great setting.

Thank you Triller Book Lovers: The Pulse for the early copy.

[Farah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actress Annette is recuperating at home with her sister Sophie playing nurse. When the two are approached by a tv producer wanting to film them in real time, the two decide to go ahead. But then things start to happen. The house starts making noises, there are voices being heard and word on the street is there is a celebrity serial killer on the loose targeting actresses. 

I'm not going to say anymore except that this one was a wild ride! I did manage to pick what was going on quite early but it didn't dampen my enjoyment as I kept reading. The author has a fantastic writing style and always manages to keep me wanting to read just one more chapter. I can't wait to see what she comes out with next.

[Christina (ChristinaBethReads)]

Hollywood actress Annette Taylor is bound to a wheelchair after an accident that she can't recall. Confined to a Gothic Hollywood mansion that's rumored to be haunted, she relies on her estranged sister, Sophia. Saddled with medical bills, the sisters decide to film a reality show to make ends meet. There's also a serial killer targeting actresses and whispers swirl that her ex has a new leading lady - her best friend. Are the mansion's rumored ghosts real or is something far more sinister happening? Unraveling the truth behind Annette's accident may be the key. Can she unearth what happened before the serial killer claims another victim?

This is a very fast paced book filled with buried secrets, betrayal and multiple storylines.

Read if you like:
✨Sister relationships
✨Hollywood storylines
✨Books where you question everyone's motives

[Marissa (holdme.thrillme) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A creepy house, a series of murders, deception? What’s not to love! This thriller really checked all the boxes for me and once I started reading it I couldn’t stop. Poor Annette really went through the wringer in this book! Not only was the book great, but I so in love with the cover 💜

[Christina Faris (books_by_the_bottle) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Audra McElyea and Counterplay Press for the ARC!

“Hush dear sister, just close your eyes…sissy’s right here, so don’t you cry”…

After a horrible fall leaves her confined to a wheelchair, actress Annette Taylor finds herself relying on her sister, child star Sophia, for help. Sophia never got the same success as her sister, leaving her bitter but Annette is hoping this time helps them grow closer. Shortly after, a serial killer is targeting actresses and the sisters are approached by a TV producer to film a documentary about their lives. Annette lives in a famous Gothic mansion that’s rumored to be haunted, so it seems like a good fit. But soon after things start happening - the house makes strange sounds and Annette’s pain gets worse.

I loved this author’s previous book, “If You See Me”, so when my friends at The Pulse started talking about it, I had to check it out! I loved the spooky atmosphere of Crawford Manor, and from the beginning, the tension between Annette and Sophia was palpable. Without giving any spoilers, I really disliked Sophia from the start. Obviously bitter, she seemed to take enjoyment out of Annette’s needing her now. With its fast pace and short chapters, this story held my attention and I read it in one day - I couldn’t put it down! If you enjoy thrillers with a quick pace and atmospheric settings, give this one a try :)

”Hush Dear Sister” releases June 11, 2024. This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle).

[Chelsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Siblings can be your best friend, or your worse enemy! Well known actress Annette suffered some major injuries and is currently wheelchair bound. Still unsure of what really happened, she has to rely on her sister to help care for her while she works through healing and hopefully down the road therapy to be able to walk again. But it seems with this accident a lot in her life has fallen apart and just when she wonders how she will keep the house and bills paid, her sister comes with a proposal that is hard to pass up. A reality show of them working together to get Annette healed and how they've changed for the better to be close once again. Annette is still unsure, she knows Sophia's past but her sister has been showing she is a changed person. Agreements signed, cameras are all over the house and recording more than Annette is often uncomfortable with, and when she starts hearing and seeing things in the house she really wonders what is going on. Her sister and doctor insist she is still healing and having trauma from the accident, but Annette knows there is more to it. She knows she is not going crazy but appearances can be deceiving and her sister is now in control of almost everything. As more things happen, Annette realizes what is happening and knows the person she can rely on is herself to get her out of this situation. Will she be able to prove these deceiving appearances or might she end up like others in her past? This was a good twisty sibling thriller read. Thank you to the author for the complementary ebook. Thriller Book Lovers the Pulse is excited to be reading, talking and posting about this summer thriller!

[booked.with.julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a dark and twisty read that we are loving over here at @thrillerbookloversthepulse !
After a tragic attack, Hollywood actress Annette, is left in a wheelchair with nerve damage. Her sister, Sophie, moves in and they agree to do a reality tv show showcasing their creepy house they live in and life taking care of her sister. Annette is not sure about it especially with Sophie’s past and their rocky relationship but Sophie wants the limelight. There is also a celebrity serial killer on the loose. And actresses are being picked off one by one.
As soon as the green light goes on the cameras, creepy things start to happen to Annette. She isn’t sure if she is hallucinating, going crazy or if this is all actually happening and the killer is in her house.
When a doctor moves in, things get even crazier. The doctor and her sister assure her that it is her trauma from her accident. But Annette knows somethjng else is happening. And she’s going to get to the bottom of it.
This was soooo good. I couldn’t stop reading and this was so twisty I had to see what was happening. Definitely a good one for thriller fans!

[Rudrashree Makwana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tragic accident turns beloved Hollywood actress’s life upside down. She has poignant past too. But that’s not it, supernatural happenings makes her believe that Crawford Manor is haunted. It’s a gothic Hollywood Manor that made her famous. While Charlie, her ex-fiancé wants to come back in her life but accepting things takes time. Back to unthinkable happenings, there might be a serial killer targeting celebrities. Due to twist of fate, Annette Taylor finds herself on wheelchair while one of the actress dies on red carpet. When Frank offers to make documentary of Annette and Sophia’s life, Annette is afraid of accepting the offer in regard of their safety. But she accepts it. Either the Manor is haunted or someone is playing tricks with her mind.

The book is full of deceit, lies, buried secrets, betrayal, enviousness and creepy twists and turns. The ending was jaw dropping. The characters were kind of mysterious. Setting is spooky. Truth comes out with secrets and unthinkable happenings. I loved the character of Monroe. The book is definitely fast paced and the writing is gripping.

Thanks to the Author, Publisher and Netgalley

[Ashley (adoseofthrills) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"𝘏𝘶𝘴𝘩, 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘚𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴...𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘺'𝘴 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘴𝘰 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘳𝘺."

When I read the synopsis of this book I knew immediately I wanted to read it! A creepy house, a recovering actress who’s wheelchair bound, a serial killer on the loose, rebuilding a relationship with her sister all make for a crazy thriller! This book kept me engaged and guessing the entire time. Another great story by Audra.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @audramcelyeaauthor for my complimentary copy. This one comes highly recommended by my friends @thrillerbookloversthepulse. My thoughts are my own.

This highly entertaining thriller is reminiscent of old Hollywood, but takes place in the present, with two sisters who happen to be Hollywood actresses with their best days behind them. They live in an old mansion that is rumored to be 𝗵𝗮𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱!

The story is told from the perspective of actress ANNETTE TAYLOR, who loves living in the old mansion where one of her horror flicks was actually filmed. But when she nearly dies after a terrible fall in her own home, she is left with lots of pain and no sensation in her legs. She is forced to rely on medication, her wheelchair, and the help of others in order to survive. Her sister, former child star SOPHIE TAYLOR, comes to live with her and is excited to announce that Annette’s home is going to be the setting for a new reality tv show! With the recent murders of Hollywood actresses, the sisters decide that the constant presence of cameras in their home may even keep them safe. But that is definitely not the case!

This page-turner unfolds with twists and turns, questionable characters, hallucinations, eerie noises, and a secret passage! What’s not to love? I loved the storyline and literally could not put this one down!

Read this if you love stories with:
🎭Family Drama
🎭Reality TV Shows
🎭Hollywood Drama
🎭Unreliable Characters
🏚️Haunted Houses

[dianas_books_cars_coffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the author's last book, IF YOU SEE ME, last year and loved it, so I knew I had to read this one.

Hollywood actress Annette Taylor lives in Crawford Manor, the gothic mansion from the movie that made her famous. After a tragic accident that leaves her in a wheel chair, her estranged sister Sophia, who was a child star, comes to live with her and help. Their relationship has been very strained, and Annette hopes the time together will help fix that. When news of a serial killer targeting actresses emerges, both sisters are high alert. Movie producer Frank Baxter approaches them about a documentary of their lives, and they agree. There will be cameras all over the house filming everything that happens. This could add a level of security. However, as filming starts, it seems Annette is not getting any better. She seems to be getting worse and even having hallucinations. She's convinced there's someone in the house when no one's there. Nobody seems to believe her. They all think she's suffering from a psychotic break or PTSD from her accident. Annette doesn't remember what happened the night of her accident, but could it be tied to the "red carpet killer"?

This book was entertaining. I knew very early on what was happening, but I read it in one sitting to make sure I was right. I enjoyed the atomspheric setting of the gothic mansion and the family drama. There were so many secrets and lies. Annette had no idea who she could trust. If you're looking for a spooky thriller with sibling rivalry, I would recommend this one.

[Dea Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annette Taylor is wheelchair bound and pretty much stays in her gothic mansion, Crawford Manor. She was involved in an accident that she couldn't remember the details of exactly how it happened. Her once estranged sister, Sophia, is now living with Annette to help manage her care. Now, there's a serial killer on the loose, and both sisters agree to film a live documentary of them living together during Annette’s healing. Instead of getting better, Annette is getting worse, and the rumors of Crawford Manor being haunted don't seem like rumors at all. Is Annette’s accident linked to the serial killer?

There's a song about playing games with your heart. Well, this book is all about playing games with your head. There's two once fueding sisters who are trying to mend their broken relationship, an eerie possibly haunted mansion, and a TV producer trying to exploit both of these things. Annette starts to hear voices and footsteps, but no one believes her. At times, you're not even sure whether it's all in Annette's head, if someone is messing with her, or if there's something paranormal in the house. This one just whips your head left and right and has you screaming at your Kindle like the first time you watched the movie Scream. It's steeped with lies, secrets, deceit, family drama, thrills, and chills. It's one that will keep you up late into the night reading until you've gotten to the very last page.

[Adanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hollywood star Annette Taylor is confined to a wheelchair after a tragic accident that she doesn’t remember. Her estranged sister Sophie moves into Annette’s Gothic mansion to care for her. To help with the mounting bills, attention seeking Sophia convinces Annette to film a reality show about her recovery. As soon as the cameras start rolling, other actresses are targeted and weird things are happening in the house. Is Annette still in danger? Or is someone in her life messing with her?

Hush Dear Sister is a quick, fast-paced read that includes lots of secrets, sibling rivalry, plenty of suspicious people, a possible serial killer, and a house that might be haunted. The Hollywood/reality tv angle and Hitchcock’s Rear Window vibes add a lot to the story. It was entertaining to see how all of this unfolded.

[Karen Goosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!! This book was amazing! I really enjoyed it. It’s a thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. I was determined to finish it while on vacation and I did. So freaking good!!

[Donna Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic read, full of suspense with plenty of twists and turns.

An actress, Annette has suffered an accident that leaves her in a wheelchair, she has no memories off. She lives alone in a gothic mansion, so she gets in contact with her previously estranged sister, Sophia, who was a child star herself, who moves in with her. They agree to be filmed as part of a reality TV show. Meanwhile a serial killer is on the loose, targeting actresses. Is she in danger, or is Annette losing her mind?

A page turner, and read in one sitting.

[Bobi Jo Bartow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read!

This book had lots of twists and turns I didn’t see coming. Very well written and look forward to reading more from Audra

[Books with Bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did I stay up late to finish this? Yes,yes I did. Do I have regrets about it? Nope!!!! What a read! All I was missing was some popcorn. The story is fast paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat. All the characters were well written. And that ending.....

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. From the beginning, you could tell what was going to happen, but the ending was a lot worse than I was expecting with what the bad guy did.

[Arianna Mclaughlin (arianna.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hush, Dear Sister is my first read by Audra McElyea. The title immediately made me think of the classic Bette Davis and Joan Crawford film, #whateverhappenedtobabyjane. Yes, please. Many of my thriller besties @thrillerbookloversthepulse have read Audra McElyea’s work so I had to join in the fun and jump on her latest book!

✨

After an accident she can’t remember, actress Annette Taylor is confined to a wheelchair in her Gothic (haunted?) mansion with her estranged sister Sophia as her caretaker. Sophia craves the spotlight and Annette needs money so cue a reality TV show about the true story of two sisters picked to live in a house…work together and have their lives taped…to find out what happens when sisters stop being polite and start getting real… and unveil their secrets on national TV…

Read Hush, Dear Sister if you like:
✔️ Hollywood - the good, the bad and the ugly
✔️Noir and Gothic vibes
✔️Dysfunctional family dynamics
✔️Twisty turns that require you to suspend belief
✔️Sister relationships

As a fellow and Hitchcock fan (I wonder what the Venn diagram looks like on that one…), I look forward to reading more of Audra McElyea’s books!

Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy to read and review 💜

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dedication in this book says it all. “For my sister Laura. Thank God we aren’t like these broads.” When I read it I knew i was in for a twisted sister story and I was not wrong. The sisters have a love/hate - mostly hate - relationship but must work together in order to help their financial situation and to help one sister recover from an attack. The setting is a creepy old mansion one of the sisters lives in. From the beautiful cover I could picture the mansion and felt like I was in the story. I flew through this book. It’s a story of suspense, greed, love, deceit, and so much more. I loved the characters and the skillful writing that made me feel part of story.

[Heather Flaherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. All the drama, murders, accidents and conspiracies all seem to be connected. Sisters, Sophia and Annette have not gotten along for years. But since Annette’s accident, Sophia has moved in to help Annette. Strange things start happening making me think that maybe my house is haunted. What is going on and who is behind it?

[Christin Monroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow!! So amazing. So many twist and turns. In the beginning you don’t know who to trust but in the end it was shocking to see what length the person went to just to be famous again!! Very well written!!

[Reagan Hopper · Rating 5 out of 5]

She’s done it again! I could not put this book down, I finished in roughly 2 hours. The plot and characters were incredibly well done and kept you wondering who could be behind all of the chaos! Completely recommend.