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If You Knew My Sister
In the vein of Ruth Ware's In a Dark, Dark Wood comes a novel of psychological suspense form debut author Michelle Adams, where a woman returns to her family's home to learn the truth and escape her sister's influence
If you knew my sister, you’d run too…
First there was the Robert Kneel incident.
Then what happened to Margot Wolfe.
And now she’s found me again.
Dr. Irini Harringford was given away by her parents just before her fourth birthday. Although she has spent her whole life trying to convince herself she doesn't need them, deep down Irini longs to understand why she was abandoned, while her parents kept her older sister, Elle.
So when Elle gets in touch with news that their mother has died, Irini reluctantly agrees to return to the family home. But she is ill at ease. She and Elle are not close. Irini knows only too well what Elle is capable of. Inexplicably drawn to her enigmatic sister, yet terrified of the sway she holds, Irini tries to protect herself even as she is sucked back into her family's toxic web of secrets...and soon realizes that the past is more complicated than she imagined, and that her very future rests upon discovering the truth about why she was really given away.
If you knew my sister, you’d run too…
First there was the Robert Kneel incident.
Then what happened to Margot Wolfe.
And now she’s found me again.
Dr. Irini Harringford was given away by her parents just before her fourth birthday. Although she has spent her whole life trying to convince herself she doesn't need them, deep down Irini longs to understand why she was abandoned, while her parents kept her older sister, Elle.
So when Elle gets in touch with news that their mother has died, Irini reluctantly agrees to return to the family home. But she is ill at ease. She and Elle are not close. Irini knows only too well what Elle is capable of. Inexplicably drawn to her enigmatic sister, yet terrified of the sway she holds, Irini tries to protect herself even as she is sucked back into her family's toxic web of secrets...and soon realizes that the past is more complicated than she imagined, and that her very future rests upon discovering the truth about why she was really given away.
378 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
119 people are currently reading
4098 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Adams
4 books320 followersI was born in 1981, the youngest of five and the only girl. For a short period of time after that I might have been my mum's long awaited princess, but it became obvious that I was the kind of child who was more into mud pies and catching insects than I was pretty dresses. I loved my purple Doc Marten's, hated my floral wallpaper, and was never allowed to paint my bedroom black. No, not even the ceiling.
I went to school in Warwick, UK, and throughout my school years I loved art, music, and English, yet somehow managed to end up studying clinical science at university. Despite my graduation and subsequent employment as a physiologist in cardiology, my creative tendencies were never far away. And the one aspiration I could never let go of was that of being a writer, so on a wet new year's eve sometime around the turn of the millennium, I announced to a friend that I was going to write a book. It took another five years of note taking and day dreaming, but eventually I sat down to complete my first manuscript. It didn't get picked up, but it drove me into writing the second, and third, and so on and so forth. By early 2015 I had finished writing MY SISTER, and I was offered representation by the Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV, and Film Agency. MY SISTER became my debut, and it is hotly followed by BETWEEN THE LIES in July 2018.
Now I write almost every day, starting at nine, finishing at some point in the afternoon. Sometimes people ask me where I get my idea's from, and it's a hard question to answer. Lot's of things inspire me, but if I had to sum it up in one word the answer would probably be people; the things we do, say, and the different ways in which we behave towards one another. When I’m not writing I love to read. The first book that I didn't want to end was Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, and the first book that broke my heart was Captain Corelli's Mandolin. Gerald's Game by Stephen King was the spark that made me want to write in the first place. I think I was probably about nine when I read that.
I like people who don't give up on their dreams, and those who show compassion for other people. I am crazy about my cat, and fortunate that the other people in my house tolerate him. I love travelling, and am lucky enough to live close to Greece which has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. I'm currently training for the London marathon, so if you've got training tips, or ideas on how to avoid shin splints, I want to hear them. Finally, if you love Game of Thrones you can count me as a friend, but if you shared my theory regarding the Tower of Joy before you watched THAT episode, or have access to a pre-release copy of The Winds of Winter, you can count yourself part of the family.
I went to school in Warwick, UK, and throughout my school years I loved art, music, and English, yet somehow managed to end up studying clinical science at university. Despite my graduation and subsequent employment as a physiologist in cardiology, my creative tendencies were never far away. And the one aspiration I could never let go of was that of being a writer, so on a wet new year's eve sometime around the turn of the millennium, I announced to a friend that I was going to write a book. It took another five years of note taking and day dreaming, but eventually I sat down to complete my first manuscript. It didn't get picked up, but it drove me into writing the second, and third, and so on and so forth. By early 2015 I had finished writing MY SISTER, and I was offered representation by the Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV, and Film Agency. MY SISTER became my debut, and it is hotly followed by BETWEEN THE LIES in July 2018.
Now I write almost every day, starting at nine, finishing at some point in the afternoon. Sometimes people ask me where I get my idea's from, and it's a hard question to answer. Lot's of things inspire me, but if I had to sum it up in one word the answer would probably be people; the things we do, say, and the different ways in which we behave towards one another. When I’m not writing I love to read. The first book that I didn't want to end was Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, and the first book that broke my heart was Captain Corelli's Mandolin. Gerald's Game by Stephen King was the spark that made me want to write in the first place. I think I was probably about nine when I read that.
I like people who don't give up on their dreams, and those who show compassion for other people. I am crazy about my cat, and fortunate that the other people in my house tolerate him. I love travelling, and am lucky enough to live close to Greece which has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. I'm currently training for the London marathon, so if you've got training tips, or ideas on how to avoid shin splints, I want to hear them. Finally, if you love Game of Thrones you can count me as a friend, but if you shared my theory regarding the Tower of Joy before you watched THAT episode, or have access to a pre-release copy of The Winds of Winter, you can count yourself part of the family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 403 reviews
April 18, 2017
A really stand out psychological thriller here from Michelle Adams – great depth to character and setting, beautifully done, not easily anticipated which is a huge plus and generally I’m a big fan of this one.
The two sisters are oh so very different – Irini, given away by her parents, never grasped the full reason, over the years her intermittent contact with sister Elle brings a whole world of trouble. When we meet Irini she has spent a while trying to escape Elle’s vortex, moving and hiding, again we are not sure why but a single phone call brings her back into Elle’s world and back into that destructive sphere of influence.
I loved My Sister for its eloquent descriptive sense, especially of the relationship between the sisters which is difficult to grasp and even harder to hold onto. Michelle Adams brings a sense of menace to the whole story but mostly to Elle who is definitely a character I will never ever forget. Divisive, out and out scary occasionally, her loyalties questionable but unbending – it is no surprise that Irini cannot stay steady or react logically in her presence. Irini has been formed by that sense of abandonment, that inability to discover why she was discarded. Both Elle and Irini are fascinating, compelling and completely unpredictable, it is gripping gripping stuff.
The plotting is taut and effective – sitting at the heart of it, these two girls, but the multi layered mystery element is completely clever, the resolution when it comes is one of those you go away and think about for ages afterwards. My Sister is about family dysfunction, about parental love and security, about what you do to keep those you love safe. It is a psychological thriller with a whole heap of heart and I was agog at every page. You know how sometimes you actually talk out loud to a book while you are reading it? Ok maybe that’s just me then but “My Sister” and I had many discussions. I could not put it down.
Flipping awesome.
Highly Recommended.
The two sisters are oh so very different – Irini, given away by her parents, never grasped the full reason, over the years her intermittent contact with sister Elle brings a whole world of trouble. When we meet Irini she has spent a while trying to escape Elle’s vortex, moving and hiding, again we are not sure why but a single phone call brings her back into Elle’s world and back into that destructive sphere of influence.
I loved My Sister for its eloquent descriptive sense, especially of the relationship between the sisters which is difficult to grasp and even harder to hold onto. Michelle Adams brings a sense of menace to the whole story but mostly to Elle who is definitely a character I will never ever forget. Divisive, out and out scary occasionally, her loyalties questionable but unbending – it is no surprise that Irini cannot stay steady or react logically in her presence. Irini has been formed by that sense of abandonment, that inability to discover why she was discarded. Both Elle and Irini are fascinating, compelling and completely unpredictable, it is gripping gripping stuff.
The plotting is taut and effective – sitting at the heart of it, these two girls, but the multi layered mystery element is completely clever, the resolution when it comes is one of those you go away and think about for ages afterwards. My Sister is about family dysfunction, about parental love and security, about what you do to keep those you love safe. It is a psychological thriller with a whole heap of heart and I was agog at every page. You know how sometimes you actually talk out loud to a book while you are reading it? Ok maybe that’s just me then but “My Sister” and I had many discussions. I could not put it down.
Flipping awesome.
Highly Recommended.
July 20, 2019
Sitting down with a good book to read is one of my life pleasures. Michelle Adams is a genius writing her first thriller, MY SISTER. I can’t wait to read this authors next book. I do advise every reader that loves a good thriller MY SISTER is it. It's definitely the book to read.
Irini's parents gave her away to her Aunt and Uncle and she never knew why, nobody would never tell her the truth. Aunt Jemima never wanted Irini’s sister Elle in their lives and Irini never knew the reason why.
Years later when Irini and her Italian boyfriend live together she receives a phone call from her sister Elle informing her that their mother has died. Irini has kept her number and address private so Elle couldn’t find her. So how did Elle get Irini’s telephone number?
When Irini arrives back to the family home for the funeral she is there for one reason she needs to know why they gave her away and not Elle. And why did her parents spend so many years keeping their distance from her. Will Irini find the answers to past that she is looking for? My Sister is certainly with unsettling family twists to excite you all.
October 18, 2017
Ahh sister relationships never fail to intrigue me, especially messy ones and Irini and Elle have one of the most complex relationships I’ve read about in awhile. Irini was sent to live with relatives when she was just three and she has no idea why, so when her mother dies and Elle summons her back home the idea of finally finding out some answers is too much for her to resist. Elle is toxic, manipulative and calculating but she is Irini’s sister and her hold on her is very strong.
I was dying to learn exactly why Irini was sent away and to find out if Elle was really as crazy as Irini remembered, there was definitely that sense of uneasiness about both women throughout. Elle is clearly unbalanced but there were times that something about Irini seemed off as well. There was a heavy ominous undertone, something sinister and creepy lurking around that I really liked, it messed with my head in the best possible way. Put that together with really strong writing and I’m super impressed it was Adams debut, she has a subtle, nuanced style that worked really well for me.
There was something intoxicating about this book, it almost had me in a hypnotic state while I was reading it, I was that captivated by it. Despite it being a true psychological thriller I found it to be heavy on the psychological aspect and pretty light on the thriller part, but that did not in any way stop my enjoyment of this one. I actually think it further enhanced my experience and forced me to savor this read instead of rushing through it like I sometimes do in a twisty, fast paced thriller.
I was dying to learn exactly why Irini was sent away and to find out if Elle was really as crazy as Irini remembered, there was definitely that sense of uneasiness about both women throughout. Elle is clearly unbalanced but there were times that something about Irini seemed off as well. There was a heavy ominous undertone, something sinister and creepy lurking around that I really liked, it messed with my head in the best possible way. Put that together with really strong writing and I’m super impressed it was Adams debut, she has a subtle, nuanced style that worked really well for me.
There was something intoxicating about this book, it almost had me in a hypnotic state while I was reading it, I was that captivated by it. Despite it being a true psychological thriller I found it to be heavy on the psychological aspect and pretty light on the thriller part, but that did not in any way stop my enjoyment of this one. I actually think it further enhanced my experience and forced me to savor this read instead of rushing through it like I sometimes do in a twisty, fast paced thriller.
September 8, 2019
𝔸𝕟𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕞 𝕞𝕪 𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕠𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝕓𝕒𝕔𝕜 𝕝𝕚𝕤𝕥 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕟𝕘𝕖 𝕤𝕙𝕖𝕝𝕗 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝟚𝟘𝟙𝟡.
𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕚𝕤 𝕒 𝕔𝕣𝕖𝕖𝕡𝕪 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕟𝕘𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕖𝕖𝕣𝕚𝕖 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕.
𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕥𝕨𝕠 𝕤𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤 𝕨𝕙𝕠 𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕞𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕓𝕖 𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕪 𝕕𝕚𝕗𝕗𝕖𝕣𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕚𝕟 𝕞𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕦𝕡 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕒𝕝𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕓𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕣𝕒𝕚𝕤𝕖𝕕 𝕓𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕙𝕒𝕤 𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕓𝕖 𝕤𝕠 𝕕𝕚𝕗𝕗𝕖𝕣𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕞𝕖 𝕒𝕗𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕒𝕝𝕝.
𝕀 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕤𝕠𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕣! 𝕀’𝕞 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕤𝕦𝕣𝕖 𝕨𝕙𝕪 𝕀 𝕕𝕚𝕕𝕟’𝕥, 𝕀 𝕙𝕒𝕕 𝕒 𝕔𝕠𝕠𝕪 𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕞 ℕ𝕖𝕥𝕘𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕪, 𝕒 𝕡𝕒𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕒𝕔𝕜 ℂ𝕠𝕡𝕪 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕟𝕠𝕨 𝕀 𝕘𝕠𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕖𝕥!
𝔹𝕖𝕔𝕒𝕦𝕤𝕖 𝕀’𝕧𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕖𝕟 𝕝𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕠 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕠𝕟 𝕒𝕦𝕕𝕚𝕠 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕥 𝕗𝕖𝕨 𝕕𝕒𝕪𝕤 𝕨𝕙𝕚𝕝𝕤𝕥 𝕛𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕟𝕖𝕪𝕚𝕟𝕘, 𝕕𝕠𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕣𝕖𝕤 𝕖𝕥𝕔
𝕀’𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕘𝕝𝕒𝕕 𝕀 𝕘𝕠𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤.
𝕀’𝕧𝕖 𝕟𝕠𝕨 𝕡𝕣𝕖 𝕠𝕣𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕖𝕕 𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕟𝕖𝕩𝕥 𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕.
𝕍𝕖𝕣𝕪 𝕥𝕒𝕝𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕕.
𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕚𝕤 𝕒 𝕔𝕣𝕖𝕖𝕡𝕪 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕟𝕘𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕖𝕖𝕣𝕚𝕖 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕.
𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕥𝕨𝕠 𝕤𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤 𝕨𝕙𝕠 𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕞𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕓𝕖 𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕪 𝕕𝕚𝕗𝕗𝕖𝕣𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕚𝕟 𝕞𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕦𝕡 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕒𝕝𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕓𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕣𝕒𝕚𝕤𝕖𝕕 𝕓𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕙𝕒𝕤 𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕓𝕖 𝕤𝕠 𝕕𝕚𝕗𝕗𝕖𝕣𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕞𝕖 𝕒𝕗𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕒𝕝𝕝.
𝕀 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕤𝕠𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕣! 𝕀’𝕞 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕤𝕦𝕣𝕖 𝕨𝕙𝕪 𝕀 𝕕𝕚𝕕𝕟’𝕥, 𝕀 𝕙𝕒𝕕 𝕒 𝕔𝕠𝕠𝕪 𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕞 ℕ𝕖𝕥𝕘𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕪, 𝕒 𝕡𝕒𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕒𝕔𝕜 ℂ𝕠𝕡𝕪 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕟𝕠𝕨 𝕀 𝕘𝕠𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕖𝕥!
𝔹𝕖𝕔𝕒𝕦𝕤𝕖 𝕀’𝕧𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕖𝕟 𝕝𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕠 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕠𝕟 𝕒𝕦𝕕𝕚𝕠 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕥 𝕗𝕖𝕨 𝕕𝕒𝕪𝕤 𝕨𝕙𝕚𝕝𝕤𝕥 𝕛𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕟𝕖𝕪𝕚𝕟𝕘, 𝕕𝕠𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕣𝕖𝕤 𝕖𝕥𝕔
𝕀’𝕞 𝕤𝕠 𝕘𝕝𝕒𝕕 𝕀 𝕘𝕠𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤.
𝕀’𝕧𝕖 𝕟𝕠𝕨 𝕡𝕣𝕖 𝕠𝕣𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕖𝕕 𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕟𝕖𝕩𝕥 𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕.
𝕍𝕖𝕣𝕪 𝕥𝕒𝕝𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕕.
May 21, 2017
This was reccomended by the local bookstore. Something different to the usual cop/killer crime novel. Psychological thriller family drama. Very good 1st person narrative, extremely well written, great characters (both sisters are completey different) and the plot is unfolded at the perfect pace. Really amazing book. Not something I usually pick up but is definitely something I'll be reccomending to others. My only negative was that the main characters decisions in some instances were a little stupid/silly as well as being quite naive in her surroundings most of the time.
April 1, 2017
This is a really good book. I didn't gallop through it as I normally would and I think perhaps it was because mentally this book just tires you out.
The book revolves around Irini, given away by her patents at age 3 to an aunt and uncle who seemingly never wanted her and did little to hide the fact. She struggles with the fact that her parents chose to keep her sister Elle instead of her. Was it because she was damaged with her disfigured hip? Never having been given an answer to any of her questions and being kept away from her family for most of her life, the news that her mother has died may perhaps give her the chance to get the answers she so badly needs....but to do that she needs to face her sister Elle who is unstable and vindictive but who in a very strange way Irini loves.
The games that Elle plays with Irini as the story unfolds are unsettling and you can see it coming, Irini can too but she just cannot help herself. This is a great read....hard on the head at times but so worth it!
The book revolves around Irini, given away by her patents at age 3 to an aunt and uncle who seemingly never wanted her and did little to hide the fact. She struggles with the fact that her parents chose to keep her sister Elle instead of her. Was it because she was damaged with her disfigured hip? Never having been given an answer to any of her questions and being kept away from her family for most of her life, the news that her mother has died may perhaps give her the chance to get the answers she so badly needs....but to do that she needs to face her sister Elle who is unstable and vindictive but who in a very strange way Irini loves.
The games that Elle plays with Irini as the story unfolds are unsettling and you can see it coming, Irini can too but she just cannot help herself. This is a great read....hard on the head at times but so worth it!
August 24, 2017
Adorei completamente este livro, não conseguia parar de ler. Suspense de início ao fim, cheio de descobertas. Os segredos que podem destruir uma família e que é melhor que fiquem guardados. Este livro fala do poder do amor e da família e dos mistérios que rodam a mesma.
June 8, 2017
Hmm, I thought that the characters were awful, the plot was a bit unbelievable and I guessed the ending
October 7, 2017
IF YOU KNEW MY SISTER —British author, Michelle Adams’ riveting dark and spellbinding psychological debut thriller of two broken sisters.
As dark and sinister as The Sinner, by Petra Hammesfahr (TV-mini-series-which I loved) and Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn. Multi-layered, Complex, Spine-tingling, and Twisty, with an explosive conclusion you do not see coming.
Narrated by Dr. Irini Harringford, (an anaesthetist at Queen’s College Hospital); the unwanted little girl now a woman living in London —haunted by the scars, unknowns, and mysteries of her past. The missing gaps.
Daughter of Maurice and Cassandra and sister, Elle in Scotland. Only for three years. Then she was sent away. She was the good daughter (age three). Why did they keep the bad daughter Elle (age seven) and send her away?
The years of studying to become a doctor to wear a mask so people would not see the real her. Maybe she does not recall. A life where she had parents. A past with somebody other than Elle.
Elle is her sister. Her only sister from a previous life from which she has kept a few memories. Some are blurry, some are hauntingly real. She is the last remaining connection to a past she has tried desperately to forget. Elle is her destiny.
She is utterly inescapable. She is back to ruin things. Torment her, and create havoc in every part of her life. She even killed their family dog, Toto, plus so much more . . . (way more than Irini knows)
Irini is living with a man Antonio whom she will not marry. She had no role models. She really would like a family, but it feels too dangerous. She only needs someone to care for her for the last twenty-nine years.
When Irini was only three-years-old her parents sent her away. They kept one daughter, Ella, and sent her away. She has never discovered why.
Presently, her sister Ella has found her once again. After six years of absence, she has managed to worm her way back into her life. Ella is a dark monster. One she runs from. One she is indebted to.
A message, that their mum (Cassandra) has died. Of course, a mother is nothing more to her than an idea. A dream. A childish hope. However, she is curious. Ella needs her. Once again after six years, of keeping her distance, she weakens her. She makes her feel guilty. She owes her. Ella constantly reminds her.
She agrees to return home. Possibly she will use this as an opportunity to find answers to her past. Maybe she will find the truth from her father. The why? Why did she have to leave her home and family to go and live with a woman who did not want her?
The missing part of this puzzle. Why did her aunt continue to move them each time Elle found them. How can she pass up the chance to know why they gave her away and kept Elle?
Elle is everything superficially, Irini is not. Irini has a limp due to her dysplastic hip. She is a cripple. She has deep scars. She is chubby. Elle is beautiful, thin, fit, enigmatic captivating, and has confidence.
Elle is the one person who never tired of finding her. This knowledge was for Irini, an addiction. The fact no matter how far she runs, Elle will find her. The only thing worse than her absence was her presence. A risky game of cat and mouse.
But it is too late to ask for answers because all that remains is her mom's grave, the secrets of the past buried with her and out of reach. The little butterfly returning to the nest. The grand Victorian house with all its wealth. One she was not a part of. One giant black hole waiting to suck her in.
With all their wealth, she had to settle for hand-me-downs. Discarded things for a discarded child.
The return was not as she expected. She does not belong here. Ella is still manipulative and evil. She was the one they kept. Even after they sent her away, Ella would seek her out and deliver her from the bullies. The late-night trips she would leave Aunt Jemina’s house to meet her sister. She was hoping her father would explain.
Now, she still has no answers. Irini wants to leave. She feels trapped. Ella drugs her in order to get her to stay. Two broken girls. Mental illness. Dysfunctional family. However, there is much more to the story than Irini can imagine. What is everyone covering up?
Before she can speak to her father. He suddenly dies but not before he redoes his will. Leaving everything to the daughter he gave up.
Is Elle setting her up for a fall? Now the police are questioning her about the death of her father. How is Antonio mixed up in all of this? What do the strange numbers mean on the will? Then she meets a friend of Elle. Matt. Everyone knows Elle is a sociopath. Reckless. Manipulative. A killer.
Are we our parents? "We are what they make us either by their presence or through their absence."
Were they really trying to protect her by sending her away? A cover-up? What do suicides in the 1990s at Fair Fields along the Scottish Border have to do with her sister?
Is Elle a scared girl running from her past. Is she a murderer? Who will stop her? Killed to save her sister and to save herself. Will Irini keep her secrets?
I was glued to the pages of this page-turner! Love stories of hidden secrets of families. Elle will give you the spine-tingling chills! (Was dying to find out the mystery. It is a big one and one you do not anticipate.) Unpredictable.
I am shocked there has not been more "hype" surrounding IF YOU KNEW MY SISTER (prime for the big screen). As I was reading, was strongly reminded of The Sinner, in many ways with the toxic relationship and deep scars of two sisters. The forgotten past. The missing links. The dysfunction, violence, abandonment, and the tug and pull between the two sisters. The dark secrets, drugs, manipulation, evil, and the love/hate relationship. Was one sacrificed for the other?
Family. The butterfly effect. (many relations to butterflies). Hidden meanings. . . Madame Butterfly.
The ending left unanswered questions, so wondering if we may get a sequel, or meant to leave us pondering. Would love to learn more about these haunting characters and secrets of Fair Fields and Elle's POV. An ideal choice for books clubs and further discussions.
Well-written, dark, disturbing, twisty, and unsettling. Looking forward to reading more from the talented author. Fans of Lisa Unger, Ruth Ware, Jennifer Jaynes, Alessandra Torre, and Jennifer Hillier will enjoy Adams' breakout debut IF YOU KNEW MY SISTER.
A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an early reading copy. I also purchased the audiobook narrated by Emily Pennant-Rea for an engaging listening experience.
JDCMustReadBooks
As dark and sinister as The Sinner, by Petra Hammesfahr (TV-mini-series-which I loved) and Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn. Multi-layered, Complex, Spine-tingling, and Twisty, with an explosive conclusion you do not see coming.
Narrated by Dr. Irini Harringford, (an anaesthetist at Queen’s College Hospital); the unwanted little girl now a woman living in London —haunted by the scars, unknowns, and mysteries of her past. The missing gaps.
Daughter of Maurice and Cassandra and sister, Elle in Scotland. Only for three years. Then she was sent away. She was the good daughter (age three). Why did they keep the bad daughter Elle (age seven) and send her away?
The years of studying to become a doctor to wear a mask so people would not see the real her. Maybe she does not recall. A life where she had parents. A past with somebody other than Elle.
“Sometimes I think I can remember my mother’s face: like mine, only older, redder, wrinkles like a spider’s web weaving around her lips. Other times I’m not so sure. But I’m sure that she didn’t offer any last-minute advice to be a good girl, no quick kiss on the cheek to tide me over. I would have remembered that, wouldn’t I? She slammed the car door, stepped back, and my aunt and uncle drove me away from her like it was the most normal thing in the world. And even then, I knew something was over. I have been given away, cast out, dumped.”
Elle is her sister. Her only sister from a previous life from which she has kept a few memories. Some are blurry, some are hauntingly real. She is the last remaining connection to a past she has tried desperately to forget. Elle is her destiny.
She is utterly inescapable. She is back to ruin things. Torment her, and create havoc in every part of her life. She even killed their family dog, Toto, plus so much more . . . (way more than Irini knows)
Irini is living with a man Antonio whom she will not marry. She had no role models. She really would like a family, but it feels too dangerous. She only needs someone to care for her for the last twenty-nine years.
When Irini was only three-years-old her parents sent her away. They kept one daughter, Ella, and sent her away. She has never discovered why.
Presently, her sister Ella has found her once again. After six years of absence, she has managed to worm her way back into her life. Ella is a dark monster. One she runs from. One she is indebted to.
A message, that their mum (Cassandra) has died. Of course, a mother is nothing more to her than an idea. A dream. A childish hope. However, she is curious. Ella needs her. Once again after six years, of keeping her distance, she weakens her. She makes her feel guilty. She owes her. Ella constantly reminds her.
She agrees to return home. Possibly she will use this as an opportunity to find answers to her past. Maybe she will find the truth from her father. The why? Why did she have to leave her home and family to go and live with a woman who did not want her?
The missing part of this puzzle. Why did her aunt continue to move them each time Elle found them. How can she pass up the chance to know why they gave her away and kept Elle?
Elle is everything superficially, Irini is not. Irini has a limp due to her dysplastic hip. She is a cripple. She has deep scars. She is chubby. Elle is beautiful, thin, fit, enigmatic captivating, and has confidence.
Elle is the one person who never tired of finding her. This knowledge was for Irini, an addiction. The fact no matter how far she runs, Elle will find her. The only thing worse than her absence was her presence. A risky game of cat and mouse.
But it is too late to ask for answers because all that remains is her mom's grave, the secrets of the past buried with her and out of reach. The little butterfly returning to the nest. The grand Victorian house with all its wealth. One she was not a part of. One giant black hole waiting to suck her in.
With all their wealth, she had to settle for hand-me-downs. Discarded things for a discarded child.
The return was not as she expected. She does not belong here. Ella is still manipulative and evil. She was the one they kept. Even after they sent her away, Ella would seek her out and deliver her from the bullies. The late-night trips she would leave Aunt Jemina’s house to meet her sister. She was hoping her father would explain.
Now, she still has no answers. Irini wants to leave. She feels trapped. Ella drugs her in order to get her to stay. Two broken girls. Mental illness. Dysfunctional family. However, there is much more to the story than Irini can imagine. What is everyone covering up?
Before she can speak to her father. He suddenly dies but not before he redoes his will. Leaving everything to the daughter he gave up.
Is Elle setting her up for a fall? Now the police are questioning her about the death of her father. How is Antonio mixed up in all of this? What do the strange numbers mean on the will? Then she meets a friend of Elle. Matt. Everyone knows Elle is a sociopath. Reckless. Manipulative. A killer.
Are we our parents? "We are what they make us either by their presence or through their absence."
Were they really trying to protect her by sending her away? A cover-up? What do suicides in the 1990s at Fair Fields along the Scottish Border have to do with her sister?
Is Elle a scared girl running from her past. Is she a murderer? Who will stop her? Killed to save her sister and to save herself. Will Irini keep her secrets?
I was glued to the pages of this page-turner! Love stories of hidden secrets of families. Elle will give you the spine-tingling chills! (Was dying to find out the mystery. It is a big one and one you do not anticipate.) Unpredictable.
I am shocked there has not been more "hype" surrounding IF YOU KNEW MY SISTER (prime for the big screen). As I was reading, was strongly reminded of The Sinner, in many ways with the toxic relationship and deep scars of two sisters. The forgotten past. The missing links. The dysfunction, violence, abandonment, and the tug and pull between the two sisters. The dark secrets, drugs, manipulation, evil, and the love/hate relationship. Was one sacrificed for the other?
Family. The butterfly effect. (many relations to butterflies). Hidden meanings. . . Madame Butterfly.
The ending left unanswered questions, so wondering if we may get a sequel, or meant to leave us pondering. Would love to learn more about these haunting characters and secrets of Fair Fields and Elle's POV. An ideal choice for books clubs and further discussions.
Well-written, dark, disturbing, twisty, and unsettling. Looking forward to reading more from the talented author. Fans of Lisa Unger, Ruth Ware, Jennifer Jaynes, Alessandra Torre, and Jennifer Hillier will enjoy Adams' breakout debut IF YOU KNEW MY SISTER.
A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an early reading copy. I also purchased the audiobook narrated by Emily Pennant-Rea for an engaging listening experience.
JDCMustReadBooks
September 10, 2017
2.5 Stars
I'm not sure how I feel about this one. It's billed as a thriller but not as suspenseful as I hoped. A large part of it reads as a twisted family saga with Irini trying to figure out her past and Elle manipulating everyone. I didn't really care for Irini's character, but I thought Elle was the perfect blend of crazy. The twist near the end is decent, but I didn't like the ending itself.
I'm not sure how I feel about this one. It's billed as a thriller but not as suspenseful as I hoped. A large part of it reads as a twisted family saga with Irini trying to figure out her past and Elle manipulating everyone. I didn't really care for Irini's character, but I thought Elle was the perfect blend of crazy. The twist near the end is decent, but I didn't like the ending itself.
October 27, 2018
Wow, this book was a lot. I found myself yelling at Irini through out the book to just LEAVE. It was a good book and I think the author did a great job depicting the toxic relationship between the sisters. The big "mystery" as to why she was given away was obvious from the beginning, but there were still a lot of surprises and twists I didn't see coming. 3.5 stars
July 2, 2019
Enjoyed, was a page turner but I've got to give it four stars as the last couple of chapters seemed rushed.
January 14, 2019
DNF this book was just...ugh I can't believe I wasted time reading it. I don't know if I have ever read a book where the main character was as stupid as Irini. It got to the point where I really didn't care what happened, or why it happened. I just couldn't continue wasting my time reading this book.
February 15, 2018
Thank you to Netgalley, Headline and Michelle Adams for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance reader copy of this book.
You can find my review on both Goodreads and Amazon. On goodreads.com/karenwhittard and on Amazon under k.e.whittard from publication date.
I found this book rather hard to read. Some of what goes on and the language used is a little unsettling. I'm not one for the c word sorry. It tends to put me off things.
My attention was grabbed my this story however and I did read it in one sitting. It's a rather good pyscological thriller that I'm sure will be spoken about everywhere this year.
Happy reading everyone
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance reader copy of this book.
You can find my review on both Goodreads and Amazon. On goodreads.com/karenwhittard and on Amazon under k.e.whittard from publication date.
I found this book rather hard to read. Some of what goes on and the language used is a little unsettling. I'm not one for the c word sorry. It tends to put me off things.
My attention was grabbed my this story however and I did read it in one sitting. It's a rather good pyscological thriller that I'm sure will be spoken about everywhere this year.
Happy reading everyone
December 4, 2017
If You Knew My Sister is a novel about Irini returning to her family home to learn the truth of why she was given away by her parents. It’s also a story following Irini’s journey trying to escape her sister’s influence.
Michelle Adam’s writing was great. It was the only redeeming thing about this book for me. The characters, especially Irini’s sister, Elle, was detestable. I had a difficult time connecting with the characters and the plot. The premise of the book was good. I liked the idea, but the plot fell flat for me. I could put the book down and be totally fine going days without reading. The plot did not pull me in. The characters were unlikable. However, the ending answered a lot of questions I had and overall I was happy that it was over. I will say that I am I’m willing to giving Michelle Adams another chance.
Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Griffin and Michelle Adams for an opportunity to read and review this novel.
Michelle Adam’s writing was great. It was the only redeeming thing about this book for me. The characters, especially Irini’s sister, Elle, was detestable. I had a difficult time connecting with the characters and the plot. The premise of the book was good. I liked the idea, but the plot fell flat for me. I could put the book down and be totally fine going days without reading. The plot did not pull me in. The characters were unlikable. However, the ending answered a lot of questions I had and overall I was happy that it was over. I will say that I am I’m willing to giving Michelle Adams another chance.
Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Griffin and Michelle Adams for an opportunity to read and review this novel.
June 7, 2020
Achei a história bastante inverossímil.
September 9, 2017
Macabra esta história..
Lê-se num instante, manteve-me intrigada do princípio ao fim.
Gostei muito e reconendo
Lê-se num instante, manteve-me intrigada do princípio ao fim.
Gostei muito e reconendo
August 30, 2017
Embora o inicio se tenha revelado um pouco "difícil" por ter embirrado com uma das personagens, e ter pensado em abandonar a leitura por várias vezes, valeu a pena ter continuado a não ter desistido.
Um thriller psicológico que envolve e que nos faz querer saber que mais reviravoltas a estória irá dar, quando pensamos que já se descobriram os segredos todos
Um thriller psicológico que envolve e que nos faz querer saber que mais reviravoltas a estória irá dar, quando pensamos que já se descobriram os segredos todos
July 7, 2017
Muittoo bom :)
Pensava que sabia a verdade mas passaram-me a perna. Adoro quando isto acontece.
Opinião a ser publicada brevemente no Efeito dos Livros
Pensava que sabia a verdade mas passaram-me a perna. Adoro quando isto acontece.
Opinião a ser publicada brevemente no Efeito dos Livros
August 28, 2017
4,5* Um livro de leitura fácil e viciante, cheio de descobertas e suspense. Uma leitura empolgante do início ao fim em que nada do que lemos é como parece e e ninguém é quem aparenta ser.
Um thriller psicológico brutal.... Há segredos que devem permanecer para sempre segredos
Um thriller psicológico brutal.... Há segredos que devem permanecer para sempre segredos
June 13, 2019
What a load of old tosh. Don’t bother; complete and utter balderdash. Dreadful writing, silly plotting, awful characters and an utter disregard for the integrity of the reader. How in the world did this get by the publishers? Must have taken all of an hour to write; yet it’s taken a couple of hours of my life that I will never get back.
April 7, 2017
My Sister as a really creepy vibe running right through it, and its one that I just couldn’t put my fingers on. The whole story is very intriguing and more-ish, and that feeling lasts even after I’ve finished it. I want more!
The story centres on the relationship between two sisters. Irini and Elle and its all from Irini’s perspective. For there is one big thing in their past that has affected the sisterly relationship. For Irini was given away to her aunt when she was just 3 years old, while Elle was kept by their parents.
Irini has always wanted answers while feeling like she just wasn’t good enough, and has only met up with her sister a handful of times over the years, with a variety of outcomes. Irini though is properly estranged from her parents and so it is a rather odd feeling when their mother dies, and she returns to the family home for the first time in years.
The whole way through the book you get the feeling something is just not quite right with Elle, but the specifics are only drip fed to us throughout the story, as a way to keep us interested.
I was hooked on trying to discover along with Irini, just what happened all those years ago, and just what the family secrets are. Some you may be able to guess, others probably not, as there were definitely elements that I didn’t see coming at all.
I can’t put my finger on what it is that makes this book so good, I just know I enjoyed it a lot and that it just works. What a great debut from Michelle Adams. My Sister comes heartily recommended as a suspenseful tale of sisters, betrayal and secrets.
Thank you to Bookbridgr for this copy of the book which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
The story centres on the relationship between two sisters. Irini and Elle and its all from Irini’s perspective. For there is one big thing in their past that has affected the sisterly relationship. For Irini was given away to her aunt when she was just 3 years old, while Elle was kept by their parents.
Irini has always wanted answers while feeling like she just wasn’t good enough, and has only met up with her sister a handful of times over the years, with a variety of outcomes. Irini though is properly estranged from her parents and so it is a rather odd feeling when their mother dies, and she returns to the family home for the first time in years.
The whole way through the book you get the feeling something is just not quite right with Elle, but the specifics are only drip fed to us throughout the story, as a way to keep us interested.
I was hooked on trying to discover along with Irini, just what happened all those years ago, and just what the family secrets are. Some you may be able to guess, others probably not, as there were definitely elements that I didn’t see coming at all.
I can’t put my finger on what it is that makes this book so good, I just know I enjoyed it a lot and that it just works. What a great debut from Michelle Adams. My Sister comes heartily recommended as a suspenseful tale of sisters, betrayal and secrets.
Thank you to Bookbridgr for this copy of the book which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
November 30, 2017
I finished this book in two days - it was tense, suspenseful and filled with drama. Plus the setting (a large family home in rural Scotland filled with secrets) is great for these kind of familial sagas. I really enjoyed it, but the ending left me with several questions.
The plot revolves around the complicated relationship between sisters Irini and Elle. Elle grew up with their parents and their parents’ money, while Irini was given away to relatives and only had hand-me-downs growing up. Irini receives a call from Elle asking for her to come to the family’s estate for their mother’s funeral. Irini plans for it to be a final goodbye to her past, but as events unfold, the secrets in the past threaten to take over Irini’s life.
I loved this book and its plot. I was getting anxious as Irini’s trip home became more and more fraught with tension. I was upset for her. I couldn’t stop turning pages until I found out certain things. There’s not much “mystery” here, plenty of foreshadowing left me with a pretty ok idea of some plot points. But there’s some twists and questions about how it’s all going to shake out in the end.
And this book stayed with me long after the ending. I was looking over my shoulder the entire night, lol.
And in the end, those twists and revelations come fast furious - perhaps a little to fast. Some things kind of got glossed over. And some things weren’t fully explained. I don’t want to spoil it, because it’s really worth reading yourself, but I’d love to discuss with someone, so feel free to comment if you’ve read this one.
Overall, I really did love this book - it has a great, exciting plot that will keep you reading. Just be prepared to want chat about it. It’d be perfect for a book club.
The plot revolves around the complicated relationship between sisters Irini and Elle. Elle grew up with their parents and their parents’ money, while Irini was given away to relatives and only had hand-me-downs growing up. Irini receives a call from Elle asking for her to come to the family’s estate for their mother’s funeral. Irini plans for it to be a final goodbye to her past, but as events unfold, the secrets in the past threaten to take over Irini’s life.
I loved this book and its plot. I was getting anxious as Irini’s trip home became more and more fraught with tension. I was upset for her. I couldn’t stop turning pages until I found out certain things. There’s not much “mystery” here, plenty of foreshadowing left me with a pretty ok idea of some plot points. But there’s some twists and questions about how it’s all going to shake out in the end.
And this book stayed with me long after the ending. I was looking over my shoulder the entire night, lol.
And in the end, those twists and revelations come fast furious - perhaps a little to fast. Some things kind of got glossed over. And some things weren’t fully explained. I don’t want to spoil it, because it’s really worth reading yourself, but I’d love to discuss with someone, so feel free to comment if you’ve read this one.
Overall, I really did love this book - it has a great, exciting plot that will keep you reading. Just be prepared to want chat about it. It’d be perfect for a book club.
July 8, 2020
not so bad 45 stars the writing is excellent :)
April 25, 2017
Michelle Adams' debut novel, My Sister, is probably number one contender right now for most creepy, unsettling, and deliciously sinister book of the year. This book got under my skin right from the very first page and kept me hooked from beginning to end.
It starts when Irini gets a late night phone call from her sister Elle to tell her their mother has passed away. Immediately there's an intriguing tension between the two sisters and it's clear that this is a family with a lot of skeletons in the cupboard. Irene doesn't know her parents, having been sent to live with an aunt when she was very small and she wants to know why was she sent away and not her sister. What did she do to make her parents abandon their relationship with her in favour of Elle. So she goes back home for the first time since she was a child hoping for answers. But no-one seems to be able to tell the straight truth, least of all her increasingly erratic sister.
God, this was such an intense read. The relationship between the two sisters was fascinating and I thought Elle in particular was written very well. She was terrifying, clearly damaged and dangerous, yet also compelling and addictive. I could see why Irene both idolised and feared her. As far as characters go, she's one of the most chilling and intriguing I've come across in a while. In contrast, Irini is delicate, easily manipulated and at times weak. I found her frustrating now and then, wishing she'd get a back bone and stop skirting around issues with her family. Some of decisions she makes seem a little foolish and contrived, considering what she knows about her sister. Other times I felt only sorry for her, as it seems everyone around her manipulates and mistreats her.
Despite being very much a modern story, set firmly in the present day, there's a feel of the gothic novel to this story. The huge, eerie house, the pained and silent father and the devoted staff who help to keep the hideous secrets of the family firmly kept all serve to create a wonderful atmosphere of sinister suspense. I wanted to know as much as Irini did why she'd been sent away, what had caused Elle to be so disturbed and what the secrets of this toxic relationship were. There's some real shocking moments which had me on the edge of my seat, and a very clever twist at the end which I would never have guessed in a million years.
My Sister is a gripping story, and Michelle Adams' writing is filled with tension and atmosphere, meaning that I devoured this book in two sittings. It's pretty twisted at times and probably not for the fainthearted, but I loved this sinister and chilling book and I'd happily recommend it to anyone who loves a story of tangled, twisted and toxic relationships and sinister settings.
It starts when Irini gets a late night phone call from her sister Elle to tell her their mother has passed away. Immediately there's an intriguing tension between the two sisters and it's clear that this is a family with a lot of skeletons in the cupboard. Irene doesn't know her parents, having been sent to live with an aunt when she was very small and she wants to know why was she sent away and not her sister. What did she do to make her parents abandon their relationship with her in favour of Elle. So she goes back home for the first time since she was a child hoping for answers. But no-one seems to be able to tell the straight truth, least of all her increasingly erratic sister.
God, this was such an intense read. The relationship between the two sisters was fascinating and I thought Elle in particular was written very well. She was terrifying, clearly damaged and dangerous, yet also compelling and addictive. I could see why Irene both idolised and feared her. As far as characters go, she's one of the most chilling and intriguing I've come across in a while. In contrast, Irini is delicate, easily manipulated and at times weak. I found her frustrating now and then, wishing she'd get a back bone and stop skirting around issues with her family. Some of decisions she makes seem a little foolish and contrived, considering what she knows about her sister. Other times I felt only sorry for her, as it seems everyone around her manipulates and mistreats her.
Despite being very much a modern story, set firmly in the present day, there's a feel of the gothic novel to this story. The huge, eerie house, the pained and silent father and the devoted staff who help to keep the hideous secrets of the family firmly kept all serve to create a wonderful atmosphere of sinister suspense. I wanted to know as much as Irini did why she'd been sent away, what had caused Elle to be so disturbed and what the secrets of this toxic relationship were. There's some real shocking moments which had me on the edge of my seat, and a very clever twist at the end which I would never have guessed in a million years.
My Sister is a gripping story, and Michelle Adams' writing is filled with tension and atmosphere, meaning that I devoured this book in two sittings. It's pretty twisted at times and probably not for the fainthearted, but I loved this sinister and chilling book and I'd happily recommend it to anyone who loves a story of tangled, twisted and toxic relationships and sinister settings.
February 12, 2018
This unsettling and absorbing drama following the twisted relationship between two sisters had me hooked from start to finish!
After receiving a call from her sister Elle to say their mother has passed away, Irini travels back to the family home she hasn't seen since she was 3 years old. Her parents sent her to live with her Aunt and Uncle as a toddler and wanted no contact with her again. The only person who has stayed in touch with her is Elle. Elle is the child their parents kept, and it still tortures Irini that she has never found out why. Now her mother has gone, Irini hopes she might find the answers she needs from her father, but her homecoming is far from the return she'd imagined and her life is once again plunged into chaos.
From the start, you realise that there are tensions within the sisterly relationship. The story entices you to read on as you are slowly fed details of their past, including Elle's psychotic tendencies which are chilling to say the least! I guessed why Irini was given away quite early on, but I think the twist was more to do with the reason Elle was kept and this was nicely played out. The other major reveal was well plotted and I hadn't seen that coming. Dark and gripping, this was a real page-turner.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
After receiving a call from her sister Elle to say their mother has passed away, Irini travels back to the family home she hasn't seen since she was 3 years old. Her parents sent her to live with her Aunt and Uncle as a toddler and wanted no contact with her again. The only person who has stayed in touch with her is Elle. Elle is the child their parents kept, and it still tortures Irini that she has never found out why. Now her mother has gone, Irini hopes she might find the answers she needs from her father, but her homecoming is far from the return she'd imagined and her life is once again plunged into chaos.
From the start, you realise that there are tensions within the sisterly relationship. The story entices you to read on as you are slowly fed details of their past, including Elle's psychotic tendencies which are chilling to say the least! I guessed why Irini was given away quite early on, but I think the twist was more to do with the reason Elle was kept and this was nicely played out. The other major reveal was well plotted and I hadn't seen that coming. Dark and gripping, this was a real page-turner.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 21, 2017
8,5 de 10*
“O meu nome é Irini. Eu fui dada… O meu nome é Elle… Eu fiquei…” Bastou ver este mote na capa do livro para ficar desejosa de o ler! A verdade é que, depois de um início um pouco estranho, principalmente pelas atitudes submissas e pouco compreensíveis para o leitor de Irini, a história foi muito bem desenvolvida, transformando-se num thriller muito interessante.
Comentário completo em:
http://abibliotecadajoao.blogspot.pt/...
“O meu nome é Irini. Eu fui dada… O meu nome é Elle… Eu fiquei…” Bastou ver este mote na capa do livro para ficar desejosa de o ler! A verdade é que, depois de um início um pouco estranho, principalmente pelas atitudes submissas e pouco compreensíveis para o leitor de Irini, a história foi muito bem desenvolvida, transformando-se num thriller muito interessante.
Comentário completo em:
http://abibliotecadajoao.blogspot.pt/...
December 27, 2019
Thriller psicológico que não se consegue largar pelo suspense criado através de uma narradora que nos agarra. Há vários segredos na vida desta narradora que ela precisa de descobrir para se tornar mais segura. Porque a terão os pais entregue a uma tia com 3 filhos se ficaram com a irmã mais velha e não tinham problemas monetários? Conhecemos a irmã e sabemos que sempre quis estar na sua vida, mas percebemos que também ali há coisas por contar... O final não me agradou...
October 14, 2018
Irini’s haunted by her past and this has serious repercussions for her love life as it makes her doubt the person currently in her life. Just thinking about what her parents did, giving her up at the age of 3 and keeping her sister, Elle, made me instantly sympathetic and cautious of her parents. Was it because she had a handicap, was it because she was unlovable, she never knew the reasons. What she does know is that she doesn’t want to have children of her own, that’s how big the toll is because of their decision in the past. Truth be told, there was one member of the family who wanted her in her life, her sister has tried to find her again and again and she also succeeded. Isn’t it ever so strange though that she ran from her sister so many times then, going so far as moving and changing her phone number? I was wondering what happened right away. Now that Elle finally caught up with her again Irini decides to take the opportunity and find out the answers she’s always been craving.
This need to know her parent’s motives and the reason why Irini would run from her sister are at the core of the novel and there’s a lot of darting around the answers throughout the story. It was a bit transparent for me though why her mother and father sent her off and the biggest mystery was discovering why she and her sister have such a dysfunctional relationship and what happened in the past between them to cut all contact.
Sister relationships are always interesting to read about and the push and pull between the two sisters was no different. Their interactions make great waves and especially the domineering personality of Elle over Irini. Even though I sympathised with Irini at first and how she was hurt like that, the feeling waned and I can’t say I liked either of the sisters in the end, but Elle really is the worst character I’ve come across lately. Elle’s issues make her very manipulative and controlling and Irini is of course the perfect victim. It was impressive what Elle was capable of and fascinating to watch their interactions.
However, I didn’t always understand why Irini just went along with everything and not once stood up against her or told her off. I knew quite soon that there was something off about Elle so why she got so much credit from Irini I never fully understood. I also found it slightly unbelievable that nobody told her anything throughout her life about the reasons why her parents made the decision and in hindsight also why they didn’t even follow up on her from a distance, they could have at least sent a birthday card each year, right?
There were quite a lot of events unfolding in the last part of the novel and that’s the part that I really enjoyed best, the more you read the better it gets. I’m still not entirely sure about Elle in the end though, is she evil or disturbed, I’m still doubtful. Maybe a bit both.. you’ll have to make up your own mind.
This need to know her parent’s motives and the reason why Irini would run from her sister are at the core of the novel and there’s a lot of darting around the answers throughout the story. It was a bit transparent for me though why her mother and father sent her off and the biggest mystery was discovering why she and her sister have such a dysfunctional relationship and what happened in the past between them to cut all contact.
Sister relationships are always interesting to read about and the push and pull between the two sisters was no different. Their interactions make great waves and especially the domineering personality of Elle over Irini. Even though I sympathised with Irini at first and how she was hurt like that, the feeling waned and I can’t say I liked either of the sisters in the end, but Elle really is the worst character I’ve come across lately. Elle’s issues make her very manipulative and controlling and Irini is of course the perfect victim. It was impressive what Elle was capable of and fascinating to watch their interactions.
However, I didn’t always understand why Irini just went along with everything and not once stood up against her or told her off. I knew quite soon that there was something off about Elle so why she got so much credit from Irini I never fully understood. I also found it slightly unbelievable that nobody told her anything throughout her life about the reasons why her parents made the decision and in hindsight also why they didn’t even follow up on her from a distance, they could have at least sent a birthday card each year, right?
There were quite a lot of events unfolding in the last part of the novel and that’s the part that I really enjoyed best, the more you read the better it gets. I’m still not entirely sure about Elle in the end though, is she evil or disturbed, I’m still doubtful. Maybe a bit both.. you’ll have to make up your own mind.
October 6, 2017
I couldn’t get enough of this twisted psychological thriller! I wanted to skip work and hide myself away until I could devour the whole book.
Irini spent a good portion of her life trying to hide from her older train wreck sister. She moved,changed her number, yet Elle was able to find her again and again. Wherever Elle went, she left a path of destruction, the levels of crazy were way off the charts. Yet Irini still felt a connection; Elle was the only part of a family she knew nothing about. Irini
was given away as a young child, so much of her childhood was a mystery to her and all of her life she had questions about why her parents gave her away and kept her sister.
When her mother dies, she goes back to the hometown she never knew and back to the family that wanted nothing to do with her after she was 3. She has no memory of her mother but by going back, she thinks that maybe now, she can finally get answers from her father. She is a successful doctor in a long term relationship but the mystery of her childhood still clouds her whole life.
But this wasn’t the homecoming she had in mind. She finds herself wrapped again up in Elle’s chaos and her father is cold and lets her know that she does not belong there. After another tragedy, Irini flees, hoping to never have to come back, leaving the answers to her questions behind. But she can’t stop there and keeps digging into her past. But, be careful what you wish for; the answers that Irini craves may be more than she bargained for.
Layer by layer things are revealed and we understand more. A few twists and surprises, my brain scrambled to figure out how it all came together and what everything meant. The biggest shock; I am a little skeptical at how that was able to play out, the logistics a little weak. But this was one fantastic story I would love to see as a movie. The story telling is addicting and I wanted to forget everything just read. This is definitely one of my favourite this year.
Irini spent a good portion of her life trying to hide from her older train wreck sister. She moved,changed her number, yet Elle was able to find her again and again. Wherever Elle went, she left a path of destruction, the levels of crazy were way off the charts. Yet Irini still felt a connection; Elle was the only part of a family she knew nothing about. Irini
was given away as a young child, so much of her childhood was a mystery to her and all of her life she had questions about why her parents gave her away and kept her sister.
When her mother dies, she goes back to the hometown she never knew and back to the family that wanted nothing to do with her after she was 3. She has no memory of her mother but by going back, she thinks that maybe now, she can finally get answers from her father. She is a successful doctor in a long term relationship but the mystery of her childhood still clouds her whole life.
But this wasn’t the homecoming she had in mind. She finds herself wrapped again up in Elle’s chaos and her father is cold and lets her know that she does not belong there. After another tragedy, Irini flees, hoping to never have to come back, leaving the answers to her questions behind. But she can’t stop there and keeps digging into her past. But, be careful what you wish for; the answers that Irini craves may be more than she bargained for.
Layer by layer things are revealed and we understand more. A few twists and surprises, my brain scrambled to figure out how it all came together and what everything meant. The biggest shock; I am a little skeptical at how that was able to play out, the logistics a little weak. But this was one fantastic story I would love to see as a movie. The story telling is addicting and I wanted to forget everything just read. This is definitely one of my favourite this year.
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