The Golden Sister

by Suzanne Do

A sister's death, a lost child, a coastal community that's not always close-knit - this is the best new Australian fiction you'll read this year.


Lili Berry is busy curating a tidy life for herself in the charming coastal village of Swanning, before the death of her beautiful sister, Honey, upends everything.

A shocked Lili sets out to discover the cause of Honey's death, finding relief from her raw grief amid a flurry of investigative activity.

Pete, a cultivated man who seems to live on the streets, has his own tragedy to the disappearance of his little boy fifteen years ago.

When Lili learns Pete was the one who found her sister's body, she trades beer for swimming lessons and plunges head-first into a web of secrets and lies, before emerging to confront the truth.

Achingly funny and heartbreakingly sad, The Golden Sister celebrates the intensity of families, the solace of strangers, and the unparalleled power of love.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook

336 pages, Paperback

Published July 29, 2025

About the author

Suzanne Do is an Australian writer and former lawyer. She co-wrote the feature film, Footy Legends, as well as the award-winning children’s book, The Little Refugee. The Little Refugee was the winner of the Indie Awards Children’s Category 2012, and runner-up for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year 2012.

Suzanne lives with her husband, four children and two dogs on the south coast of New South Wales. The Golden Sister is her first novel.

Reviews

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find myself still thinking about this book and its characters. They feel like real people and I care about them, particularly Lili and Pete (such an interesting and fresh portrayal of a homeless man. I think he was my favourite character) There was great warmth and humanity in this book, which you don't come across very often in fiction these days. It's my favourite book of the year. I hope there's a sequel coming!!!

[Geeg · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ⭐️

There wasn’t a single point during this book that I could actually answer: why was this book written?

A whirlwind of random events, telling and not showing, and unsubstantial plot points. There was a lot of words, yet nothing was said. A frustrating read with heaps of flip flopping of the protagonist’s goals and opinions, and the most one dimensional book I’ve read in a long time. There were so many opportunities to dive into the thoughts and emotions of the traumatic and unsettling events of the protagonist’s life, but they were just glossed over again and again.

I was waiting for the ending to wrap everything together, but instead it delivered a conclusion that discounted 90% of the book. Meaning, most of the characters and sub-plot points were completely pointless to the finale.

The world and characters were so restricted, each chapter only serving one specific purpose and never explored outside of that bubble. There were also a lot of cliches built into character’s dialogue and actions. It’s a hard one to explain, but essentially the world and its characters felt shallow and colourless.

I cant say id recommend this, but can still appreciate the effort of Suzanne Do to bring this story of complicated characters and circumstances to life. For me, it just didn’t hit the mark.

[Maddie Lindberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had an authenticity that reminded me of Trent Dalton. The mystery element also reminded me of Liane Moriarty’s books, but the characters in The Golden Sister seemed very original to me. I adored all the main characters, especially Lili. I so desperately wanted things to work out for her. The book ruined my sleep for a couple of nights because I stayed up late reading it! It was worth it though. The ending completely blindsided me, it was devastating, unexpected and hopeful all at the same time. 6 stars for this one!!

[Theresa Smith]

I started this one this morning, but after 100 pages, it was a DNF for me. This one was just very basic in both writing and plotlines. I didn't particularly like the character - whining because her landlady takes her washing off the line and leaves it at her door in a basket. Can someone please do that for me?

Particularly though, I didn't like the way psychological treatments were portrayed through the descriptive language used and I have issues with a storyline that sees a character having knee surgery and being prescribed opiates for the long term as a teenager so they can 'get through the HSC'. I've been a parent of a teenager having that exact surgery. This doesn't happen.

I'm not going to dip too far into a romance subplot of a woman in her early 20s beginning to develop feelings for a homeless man in his 40s because he 'looks good without a shirt on, really, not even like a homeless person'. Sorry. No.

It's not my place to wonder out loud about whether or not being the wife of a celebrity trumps writing talent these days, but hey, work it if you have it.

There is no rating on account of not finishing.

[Karen Dodds · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolute page-turner of a book! I read it in 2 days and I was really taken in by all the twists and turns and genuinely surprised by the unpredictable things we discover along the way. I loved the warmth of the unlikely friendship of Pete & Lili and I must say that my favourite character is the troubled, tragic & difficult Maz. The scruffy chihuahua was hilarious too. All the characters had a depth and authenticity to them that I haven’t encountered often in fiction. The setting (where the mountains meet the sea) was like a character in itself - so visual! I’m sad to have finished the book. Netflix, please make it into a series!!

[Jacinta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really don’t know how I felt about this book… probably a generous 3 star. It didn’t really go anywhere and none of the characters were very likable?

[Claire O · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book so much. The characters here are superbly drawn with such recognisable flaws, strengths and heart. The twins were so real and Pete, the homeless man, was a truly unique character. I haven’t come across someone like him in fiction before. This is my favourite book this year, I would recommend it to anyone!

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book… intriguing, lots of twists and turns. Strong characters ….. each chapter kept me guessing….
What a great storyline. Congratulations to author Suzanne DO

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

really random and nothing connected in a satisfying way imo. the side characters didn’t add much value and i thought the use of their gossip sessions at the pub as a plot device was certainly a choice for sure. if i wasn’t on a plane with nothing else to do, i don’t think I would’ve finished this.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually an avid non-fiction reader, I picked this up after hearing so many rave reviews. I honestly can’t remember the last time I was unable to put a book down, but this story drew me in from the very first page. I felt like the kid in the attic in The NeverEnding Story, completely immersed in the characters, the plot twists, and the deeper themes of humanity and compassion. There’s so much beneath the surface of this book that has, quite unexpectedly, rekindled my love of fiction. I'm ready for the next one!

[maija · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not like this book and also I have no profound thoughts about it. Way too much happening with not enough depth into anything that’s happening. Didn’t like the characters. Didn’t like the writing. Didn’t like the plot. Also like undertones of shaming drug addicts and shaming homeless people, which I thought would turn into a commentary about how we shouldn’t be shaming homeless people and shaming drug addicts, but then simply didn’t do that. Idk weird.

[H. E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book - one of my fave reads of the year already!!

Lili Berry, a rental manager in a coastal Australian suburb, lives with control and order—until the sudden death of her twin sister pushes her into uncharted waters. What follows is a moving search for truth, courage, and connection. Suzanne Do writes with humour, warmth and compassion - I thought this was a heartfelt exploration of how we face loss, embrace change, and discover resilience.

This one is going to be my go-to gift for friends. It goes to some hard places, but it really lifts you up in the end. I loved how Australian it was, too!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A frank portrayal of an Australia that many of us have the privilege to overlook. Reminiscent of Trent Dalton in her tender depictions of flawed characters bursting with heart. I cared deeply about Lili, Honey, Frank... even Maz. Their choices were imperfect but profoundly human. Love at the core of it all, even in the final awful plot twist.

A few things did pull me out of the story. The moment with the dad’s girlfriend in the window felt a bit too neat, like it was just there to push the plot along. Frank teaching Lili to swim didn’t quite ring true for me, and his storyline felt rushed.

Despite this, the complexity of the characters and the choices they made —born out of love shaped by their circumstances— made this an enjoyable read I can’t stop thinking about.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big thanks to Pan Macmillan for sending us a copy to read and review
Life’s gritty realism comes to fruition in a read that does not colour code happiness.
The death of Lili’s twin sister creates an emotional reverberation.
Honey died of a drug overdose and was found by the resident homeless man.
Lili was from a dysfunctional family and her self centred mother was not the best role model for the girls.
To understand what happened and get the answers so she could move on was only possible if she engaged the help of Pete who lived on the streets.
Pete is broken and is dealing with his own demons.
The broken pair find they help each other with their brokenness.
A slow burn that was both funny and sad was reflective in family intensity and the richness of unexpected friendships.
An anecdote about impromptu pet ownership and how kids tire of responsibility so quickly was so accurately painful to read.
Elements of reality like this kept it grounded and the mystery element kept me guessing.

[Georgia Vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It has the same intense, yet reflective energy as Trent Dalton’s Lola in the Mirror. The characters have stuck with me and made me think more deeply. I think the book lends itself well to a tv adaptation and could be extended into a sequel as there was definitely more to the story.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Nikita T Khan · Rating 2 out of 5]

you read a book and then think,'Why did i read all that'

No character growth, characters used as filler to make more pages. The murder solving part was realistic in a way that no civilian could just barge in and start a full-blown investigation.

why was Hugh's girlfriend even in the story?

[Azzzz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t love the story or style of writing. Also didn’t love any of the characters. But I did want to know how it ended.

[Rahni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm, this book was pretty depressing from the get go but I’m not sure what else I expected. The last 10% of the book was the best. That’s all I’ve got.

[Denise Tannock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story but finished too quickly.

[Fabienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars 🌟

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhere between 3.5 to 4 stars. Enjoyed the story and Pete stood out as a character I haven’t come across before in a book. Would’ve preferred if the ending was slower and each mystery was revealed gradually so I could sit with each revelation for longer

[Maddie Twomey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Indi Dorcich · Rating 2 out of 5]

All of the subplots went literally nowhere. I thought she was gonna find out HH was her dad

[Colette Godfrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

three and a half - I was surprised that I didn't really connect very much with this one and it was the story of one of the side characters that affected me more!

[Melie Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Too much; it was all too much” p300

📖 Why!? So much heaviness and dysfunction with not a single bit of lightness to carry you through. The curiosity that drove me to finish of “what happened to Pete’s son?” & “who killed Honey”…boy I could have done without knowing. Too much

[Kerry Good · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read!!! Suzanne writes in a similar vein to my favourite author Trent Dalton, which is great praise.
Beautifully rounded characters with a sensitively told story.
A MUST READ!!!!

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light read. I couldn’t get truly invested in the characters for some reason, and I read it fast to discover the end. I’m not sure the quotes on the front cover truly delivered for me. (Maybe I am just hard.)

It felt like some things fell too easily into the protagonist’s lap. She didn’t have to work too hard for the truth, but got dumped on over and over, so she certainly had my pity.

Not a lot of likeable characters either - especially the workmates who were truly and intentionally horrid! I didn’t like the sections where they went to the pub and bitched and moaned about the protagonist - they felt disjointed.

Much of the writing is slick and sharp, with some wonderfully evocative images of ocean and sky, the wild storm, and the pain of grief and loss. An ultimately sad story that takes on a bold premise and tells it well but there is no happy ending here, and in fact all feels flat and hopeless.

[isobel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you PanMacmillan Australia for the chance to read this advanced proof copy of Suzanne Do’s upcoming book The Golden Sister!

This is a book for enjoyers of small town mysteries and stories that explore grief and human relationships.

Set in a coastal Aussie town, this story follows Lili, after the death of her twin sister, as she tries to bury her grief by investigating her sisters death.

With a set of very real and very flawed characters in a very real world, this book was an easy read to dive into.

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was readable, but like lots of other reviewers have said, most of the characters felt extremely one dimensional and it was hard to root for any of them. And then in the end, when Lily blows up her life, it doesn’t feel like we conclude anything. It was all a lot about not much for me.