Which Sister

by Jack Dane

Both had a reason…but which sister killed him?

Judith, the younger Rose sister, has always been more successful. After marrying Mark, her sister Katie’s former husband, she finally has it all. The perfect job, apartment, and relationship. The perfect life…until secrets about Mark come to light. Secrets worth killing over.

Katie couldn’t be a more total opposite. After her alcoholism ended her marriage, her life began to spiral. And when Mark seeks full custody of their young daughter, Katie has nothing left to lose.

So when Mark goes missing in Central Park, all eyes turn to the Rose sisters. Both have a reason to kill Mark–and both have something to hide.

As the police begin to dig into the sisters and their bitter feud, two facts become Someone is guilty, and no one can be trusted.

Only one question remains…which sister is a killer?



Fans of Freida McFadden, Daniel Hurst and Kiersten Modglin will be utterly glued to the pages as twist after twist is delivered until the mind-bending final reveal that’ll have you gasping out loud.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Mystery, Suspense

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2025

Reviews

[WHL (Bill) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Been a while since a psychological thriller hit right—this one did.
First time reading Jack Dane. Impressive. Both sisters had motive… but which one killed him?
That final twist? Didn’t see it coming. Solid read.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack Dane impressed me with a recent short story, so it felt only fair to tackle one of his full-length novels. This psychological thriller was exactly what I needed to get my mind spinning.

Of the two Rose sisters, Judith has always been the more successful. Younger by a few years, she knows what she wants and makes sure she gets it, most notably by marrying Mark, her sister Katie’s former husband. At first, everything appears to be going smoothly, until a faint sense of unease settles in and subtle truths begin to surface.

Katie, by contrast, is barely holding herself together. Her emotional anchor is Amelia, the five-year-old daughter she shares with Mark. Amelia is what keeps Katie going, so when Mark and Judith announce their intention to seek full custody, Katie is pushed to the brink. She is determined to keep her daughter in her life, no matter the cost.

When Mark suddenly goes missing in Central Park, both sisters have compelling reasons to want him dead—making them equally viable suspects in the eyes of the police. With persuasive motives and mounting evidence on both sides, the central question becomes unavoidable: which Rose sister is the killer? Dane masterfully turns the story on its head for the attentive reader.

I particularly enjoy psychological thrillers that move briskly, only to deliver a well-timed twist, and Jack Dane does this exceptionally well. The narrative develops smoothly, fueled by strong ideas and propelled by short chapters that create a steady rhythm. Just as everything seems settled, the truth emerges and derails all expectations. While no one could truly see it coming, careful readers will appreciate the trail of clues laid out before revelation becomes unavoidable.

The characters are well crafted and serve the story beautifully. Dane shapes the Rose sisters in sharp contrast to one another, making their differences impossible to ignore and encouraging readers to form strong allegiances. As the story unfolds, Mark’s presence looms larger, driving tension and forcing both women into increasingly desperate positions. Each has reason to want him gone, yet both claim innocence, leaving the reader guessing as subtle hints and character flaws gradually reveal the truth.

A successful psychological thriller demands momentum, and Jack Dane delivers on all fronts. He spins a story that seems to be moving confidently in one direction, only to reveal that everything has been unfolding along a very different path. Just when the reader believes they have the answers, another revelation upends those assumptions. Discovering Mark’s fate—and determining which Rose sister belongs behind bars—requires careful attention, but the payoff is more than worth it. This is a masterful read, and I will gladly be seeking out more of Jack Dane’s work as I add him to my list of authors to follow.

Kudos, Mr. Dane, for a gripping thriller that left me in awe.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Lindsay Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great thriller! Definitely kept me interested and maybe im a newbie to Jack Dane, but I didn't see the ending. another great read from Jack and will definitely read more of his!

[Julie Zack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as suspenseful as stated.

I read the reviews and they were great but I found it not as good as others did. The author shows promise though for future novels.

[Ashley Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Judith Rose has always been the golden child, the successful sister, and the reliable one. And after marrying Mark, her sister Katie's ex-husband, Judith believes she finally has everything she's ever wanted. But when disturbing secrets about Mark begin to surface, Judith realizes perfection was only an illusion. Katie Rose on the other hand, has already lost nearly everything. Her battle with alcoholism destroyed her marriage, her reputation, and now threatens to take away the one thing she still loves... her young daughter. When Mark announces his plan to file for full custody, Katie reaches her breaking point. She's desperate, cornered, and out of time. So when Mark disappears, suspicion falls immediately on the Rose sisters. Both have motive. Both have secrets. And both are lying.

Jack Dane delivers a sharp story of rivalry, resentment, and the dangerous lies families tell themselves. Judith and Katie are perfect main characters, two sisters bound by blood but torn apart by jealousy, addiction, and a man who came in between. Every twist feels earned and the slow unraveling of secrets is addictive. The tension simmers until the final pages where the truth expertly lands and leaves you second-guessing everything. This one is definitely a great read for fans of domestic suspense and siblings gone wrong type thrillers!

Thank you to NetGalley and Jack Dane for this eARC! Publication date was November 7th, 2025.

[Tuwanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Which Sister. This was a great quick psychological thriller, a true page turner. The pace is set in the first chapter and doesn’t let down. The writing style is easy to read and doesn’t have an abundance of fluff to set the scene. You either like the characters or you don’t although all of the characters can seem to be relatable with the realistic actions. As soon as I thought I knew the ending, I realized I was wrong twice. The length of the book was good and the ending was a shocker.

[Lauren Speringo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Between 2 and 3 stars. It wasn’t a badly written book it was just…missing something. And I’m not sure what. Too much internal monologue. I found myself skimming most of the second half. The twist was revealed in the last 10 percent of the book and while I didn’t see it coming, it wasn’t worth the wait.

[Janae’ Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m reading this and thinking oh I know who killed him, but as I keep reading I’m like yeah no way.. wouldn’t have guessed that. I love his quick paced writing and shocking twists that I didn’t see coming at all.

[Courtney Teague · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book has been sitting on my TBR for so long, and I’m so glad I finally picked it up. It was such a good, twisty read that kept me hooked the entire time. The pacing was great, and the surprises genuinely caught me off guard. This author has easily become one of my favorites, and I’ll definitely be reading more from them.

[Susan Belman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack Dane is quickly becoming one of those authors I know I can rely on for tight pacing and clean, addictive writing. Which Sister wasn’t my favorite of his, but there’s still a lot here I enjoyed — especially the way he structured the story. I’m a huge fan of multi-POV thrillers, and the alternating chapters between Judith, Katie, Mark and then the investigative threads were exactly the kind of storytelling rhythm I love. The chapters hit that sweet spot: short enough to keep me saying “just one more,” but long enough to give each perspective weight.
The dynamic between the sisters was genuinely compelling. I liked how their relationship kept shifting as layers peeled back, and the mother–daughter bond added heart to a story that could have otherwise felt very cold. Watching the same situation unfold through each woman’s eyes is where the book really shines.
Where it fell a little flat for me was the motive(s) behind the killer(s). The reveal felt a bit too fictional for my taste — not quite grounded enough to pay off the tension that had been building. I found myself wishing the reasoning had been developed or executed just a bit differently, because the setup had so much potential.
Overall, this is a solid, fast-moving thriller with strong character dynamics and a structure I loved, even if the ending didn’t quite land for me. Still, Dane’s writing is so clean and engaging that I’ll absolutely continue reading more from him.

[Sananda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick and easy read. I was completely engrossed in this fast-paced, fascinating read right away! The opening chapter establishes the tempo, which is maintained throughout. There isn't a lot of extraneous detail to set the context, and the language is straightforward to read. Even if all of the characters look relatable due to their realistic actions, you either like them or you don't. I appreciated how the narrative had me wondering right up to the very end, despite its tension, secrets, and family drama. The dramatic stakes remain high throughout, the rhythm is precise, and the unexpected turns hit flawlessly.
P.S.: Thanks to NetGalley, the author Jack Dane, and Back Alley for providing me with the ARC copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Elisa Martins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the chave to read this ARC in change of my honest review.
First of all, this book was a great psychological thriller. Very fast pace, with very intriguing characters that keep you gripped to the plot and wanting to keep reading. And that plot twist was a great touch. Overall a great read for people who enjoy psychological thrillers or trying it as a new genre to get into. A solid 4 ⭐️

[Sandy Verschoore · Rating 1 out of 5]

Which Sister

The kind of book you can just skim and understand. Lots of yabber, yabber repetition. Murdered? They never said a body was found.

[Hannah Benniman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to start by saying I’m not generally a thriller reader, and apologies if I’ve got the genre wrong here. I thought I’d give it a go because I liked the cover!

I’ve only read a handful of thrillers before, so I am by no means an expert, but I enjoyed this read. The book only really becomes exciting in the last 15%-20%, which I have struggled with when reading previous thrillers. However, I found that the unique situation in which our characters found themselves was enough to pique my interest. I also really disliked one of the characters and I think that helped.

I really liked one of the other main characters and was rooting her for to get through this and get better. When we do get the final reveal, my jaw was on the floor and I really enjoyed the twists. I didn’t predict the outcome and I would definitely give something else by this author a go!

Thank you NetGalley and the author, Jack Dane, for allowing me to read this as an advance copy #NetGalley #WhichSister #JackDane

[Annemarie Vicary · Rating 1 out of 5]

So there is clearly something in the publishing world where books are being written far too quickly. This is leading to poorly developed storylines or weak endings. This book was recommended to me due to its brilliance and I will never trust this person again 🤣. The page back blurb is promising but the actual book is not. The first part of the storyline is well written and keeps you engaged and then when Mark is believed to be dead and the sisters thought to be involved the writing is poor, repetitive and boring. Such a shame as the plot twist is clever, however rushed and under developed. Advice I’ve read it you don’t need too! 3/10

[Shauntelle (shauntellereads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Which Sister is domestic suspense at its absolute messiest and most addictive, the kind of story that pulls you straight into the Rose sisters’ chaos and refuses to let you get comfortable.

Judith and Katie Rose have always been bound by blood but divided by jealousy, resentment, and one very complicated man. Judith has the picture perfect life on the surface, but the cracks around her marriage start showing fast. Katie, still reeling from addiction, heartbreak, and the threat of losing custody of her daughter, is one bad day away from snapping. When Mark disappears in Central Park, the spotlight lands on both sisters, and every chapter peels back another layer of their rivalry until you’re not sure whose version of the truth you trust more.

That is what makes this book hit, the emotional tension isn’t just vibe, it is lived in. Years of bitterness, guilt, and hurt simmering beneath every interaction. The pacing stays tight throughout, the reveals land exactly when they need to, and the psychological unraveling is messy in the best way.

Sharp, twisty, and emotionally charged. If you love domestic thrillers where family drama collides with obsession and buried secrets, you’ll inhale this one.

[lacie goodlett · Rating 3 out of 5]

thank you to netgalley & jack dane for a copy of this arc in exchange for an honest review! this was such a quick, easy read. i absolutely loved the first 60-ish% of the book, and i absolutely loved that judith and katie reunited their sisterly bond at the end, but the reveal of who the killer/killers ended up being just didn’t sit right with me. it made an odd sort of sense, but i honestly just didn’t really like it. the characters just fell really flat for me as well, as i don’t feel like there was much development or investment on the reader’s part in their stories. this book was definitely very readable and unpredictable, but overall, i wouldn’t really recommend it. i do love this author’s writing style, however, and definitely plan to read more from him in the future.

[Carolanne Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, this was a solid thriller fast paced, and an easy read. I genuinely had no idea where the story was heading, and the twist took me by surprise.

However, as an avid thriller fan, I couldn’t help noticing a few plot holes that pulled me out of the story. I.e., the mum disguises herself as a runner to hand in the phone... just didn’t feel remotely plausible. I also kept feeling like I’d missed something, as nothing ever seemed to confirm for certain that Mark was actually killed.

Unfortunately, those details spoiled the experience a little for me. I was really enjoying it right up until about 85%, but the ending left me feeling disappointed after such a strong start.

[MaryLee Huerta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack Dane is the king of psychological thrillers. He sets up the path, writes wonderful characters and then puts in twist and turns to make you doubt what you think will happen. I thought I knew the ending. I was wrong.

[Blaque Ace · Rating 1 out of 5]

Utter fucking trash

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

A 1.5 (rounded up because writing a book is hard). Wasn’t a fan of the pace of the book nor the actual outcome or “twist”. I definitely wouldn’t recommend this to anyone.

[Rajiv · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twisty but Underdeveloped (3/5 Stars)

Having read most of Jack Dane's books, I know how gripping the author’s work can be. Which Sister has its moments, but it doesn't quite hit the heights of his best stuff.

What Works:

Dane still delivers those signature twists that catch you completely off guard. The climax packs genuine surprises that make the read worthwhile. Katie works well as the lead; her fractured memory and uncertainty about her own actions create real tension. You feel her confusion deeply. Similarly, Judith and Mark also bring interesting energy, with Dane writing them as distinct individuals rather than simple foils.

What Falls Short:

The opening feels jarring, like walking into a movie halfway through. There's so much history between these three characters already, but we get dropped into the middle without proper buildup. It's tough to connect with anyone or really care about their stakes when you're playing catch-up from page one.

Katie's chapters also get repetitive. She keeps waking up with no memory, fighting drinking urges. While the author handles the alcohol struggle authentically, these loops don't actually push the plot forward. You start feeling stuck alongside her rather than propelled toward answers.

Verdict:

Which Sister offers enough twists and solid character work to satisfy existing Dane fans, but the fragmented structure and repetitive middle keep it from ranking among his stronger efforts. New readers should definitely start elsewhere in his bibliography as this isn't the introduction his talent deserves.

Perfect for:
Jack Dane completists and readers who enjoy unreliable narrators with memory gaps.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two sisters, Kathie and Judith, have more than blood in common. They have both been married to Mark. A situation that has caused the two sisters to not see or speak to each other in almost two years. When Mark turns up missing, Judith, his current wife becomes a problem me suspect. Kathie, however, worries that she may have been involved in Marks disappearance as well being that she is an alcoholic and suffers extended black out when she falls off the wagon. As the investigation continues , secrets are revealed that may play a part into the investigation. A fragile reconciliation between the two sisters occurs to possibly clear Judith but may at the same time implicate Kathie. An enjoyable psychological thriller in which the conclusion became obvious to me before the end but nevertheless was definitely worth reading.

[Melissa Kirkman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Which Sister by Jack Dane is a psychological thriller. Two sisters - but which one did it?? This is a twisty family drama which will keep you guessing. Katie's alcoholism ensures that she is isolated in this book which gives it a 'no one to trust, not even myself vibe' which can be very unsettling. While I enjoyed this book, its not one of my favourites. I would still recommend to psychological thriller fans as it was easy to read and a page turner. It just didn't stick with me after the fact.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in return for an honest review.

[Kathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like any of these characters - Katie, Judith or Mark. This was so repetitive. I was skimming chapters. Katie's part was particularly repetitive. She kept going over the same thing again and again. Then when you find out what really happened, it was a real stretch to believe it. The whole story was pretty unbelievable. Katie is married to Mark. She has a drinking problem. Mark leaves her and the marries her sister, Judith. Judith kept saying how she hated Katie. I would have thought it was Katie who hated Judith.

[Rita Batra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast, messy thriller about two rival sisters, a missing husband, and a lot of secrets. I flew through this short read and liked the constant twists and shifting suspects, even if the beginning felt slow and a bit repetitive. I did see the ending coming but the final reveal still made it worth it. Entertaining, just not as shocking as I expected. 3.5 /5

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Tesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first one, but definitely not gonna be my last.

This is a first for me from this author, and I gotta say, it didn't pull a Netflix original and completely tank. I really enjoyed it, and just when I thought I had the whole "whodunit" thing figured out—plot twist, I was absolutely wrong. But my second guess? Nailed it like I was Sherlock Holmes on a really good day. I seriously enjoyed this book and I'm definitely ready to dive into the next one before I forget what happened.

[Beleisha Bernhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Which Sister" was a great, short read. Jack Dane did a great job of writing a story that left open enough possible twists that you were never quite sure which directions it was going to go while wrapping it all up nicely at the end.

Thank you Netgalley and Jack Dane for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT!!!! Very unique

Really thought I had it at the beginning after you didn't know who did it. The mother is the only thing I didn't catch. still a great book. A little heavy on the mental issues but I understand why.
They always referred to murder, but without a body I highly doubt Judith would have been thrown in the slammer so fast.
Will read others by Jack.

[Amanda Lopez · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟

This book was a great, short but fast-paced thriller that did its job! There was plot twists sprinkled out that you weren’t sure which direction it was going to until the very end, which honestly caught me by surprise. Jack Dane is a new author that I will definitely be reading more books from!

A big thanks to NetGalley and Jack Dane for the opportunity to read this ARC.