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The Other Sister
Two sisters who couldn't be more different come together to plan a shocking revenge in this "addicting" ( Hello Giggles ) domestic thriller.
Two sisters. One murder plan.
Everyone thought reckless, troubled Geraldine Monroe was the bad sister -- especially when she fled town after her mother's death twenty-five years ago.
But people don't know the truth.
Marie Monroe knows. She was there for their father's cruel punishments, the constant manipulation, the lies. Everyone thinks she's the perfect daughter -- patient and kind, and above all obedient. No one would suspect her of anything. Especially not murder.
Now Geraldine's home again, and she and Marie have united in a plan for the ultimate revenge. But when old secrets and new fears clash, everyone is pushed to the breaking point . . . and the sisters will learn that they can't trust anyone-not even each other.
"The story of Geraldine's return to her roots is vividly told... [for] readers looking for something to follow Jeanette Walls' nonfiction The Glass Castle ." -- Booklist
"An excellent psychological thriller that's filled with dark family secrets and plenty of intrigue." -- New York Journal of Books
Two sisters. One murder plan.
Everyone thought reckless, troubled Geraldine Monroe was the bad sister -- especially when she fled town after her mother's death twenty-five years ago.
But people don't know the truth.
Marie Monroe knows. She was there for their father's cruel punishments, the constant manipulation, the lies. Everyone thinks she's the perfect daughter -- patient and kind, and above all obedient. No one would suspect her of anything. Especially not murder.
Now Geraldine's home again, and she and Marie have united in a plan for the ultimate revenge. But when old secrets and new fears clash, everyone is pushed to the breaking point . . . and the sisters will learn that they can't trust anyone-not even each other.
"The story of Geraldine's return to her roots is vividly told... [for] readers looking for something to follow Jeanette Walls' nonfiction The Glass Castle ." -- Booklist
"An excellent psychological thriller that's filled with dark family secrets and plenty of intrigue." -- New York Journal of Books
384 pages, Paperback
First published August 28, 2018
101 people are currently reading
3134 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Zettel
60 books437 followersSarah Zettel is the critically acclaimed author of more than twenty novels, spanning the full range of genre fiction. Her debut novel, Reclamation, won the Locus Award for Best First Novel. Her second release, Fool’s War, was a 1997 New York Times Notable Book, and the American Library Association named Playing God one of the Best Books for Young Adults of 1999. Her novel Bitter Angels won the Philip K. Dick Award for best science fiction paperback in 2009. Her latest novel, Dust Girl, was named as one of the best young adult books of the year by both Kirkus Reviews and the American Library Association. Zettel lives in Michigan with her husband, her rapidly growing son, and her cat, Buffy the Vermin Slayer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
August 29, 2018
4 Slow Burming Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Once upon a time... in a house made of roses... there lived a good sister named Marie, and a bad sister named Geraldine....
This was a dark, eerie, domestic thriller, with a fairytale vibe... not only was Geraldine’s PhD in the study of folklore and fairytales, but we also got little snippets and analysis of different fairytales throughout the book... I thought this was a very appropriate addition to the story, because there were so many similarities to fairytales.... and I’m not talking about Disney fairytales, but the true dark Grimm fairytales.... The story was dark... there was a definite battle between good and evil... the sisters had lost their mother and had a very ogre like father... their Aunt looked like a witch... not to mention they lived in a house called the rose house....
The story is told from the sister’s alternating points of view... from the beginning we are led to believe that Marie is the good sister and Geraldine is the bad... but as in all good stories things aren’t always as they seem.... The characters in this book were very well-developed, however they were not tremendously likable or relatable... this made it difficult for me to connect with the characters therefore I never completely engrossed myself in the story.... I felt like an onlooker rather than a participant...
The story unravels its self slowly.... and as the layers were peeled away more and more secrets were revealed and more and more lies were told... and just like the characters in the book I had no idea who to trust or who to believe... The ending to this book was satisfying, but not shocking....
Recommend if you enjoy a dark domestic thriller where the characters don’t necessarily live happily ever after...
*** many thanks to Grand Central for my copy of this book ***
Once upon a time... in a house made of roses... there lived a good sister named Marie, and a bad sister named Geraldine....
This was a dark, eerie, domestic thriller, with a fairytale vibe... not only was Geraldine’s PhD in the study of folklore and fairytales, but we also got little snippets and analysis of different fairytales throughout the book... I thought this was a very appropriate addition to the story, because there were so many similarities to fairytales.... and I’m not talking about Disney fairytales, but the true dark Grimm fairytales.... The story was dark... there was a definite battle between good and evil... the sisters had lost their mother and had a very ogre like father... their Aunt looked like a witch... not to mention they lived in a house called the rose house....
The story is told from the sister’s alternating points of view... from the beginning we are led to believe that Marie is the good sister and Geraldine is the bad... but as in all good stories things aren’t always as they seem.... The characters in this book were very well-developed, however they were not tremendously likable or relatable... this made it difficult for me to connect with the characters therefore I never completely engrossed myself in the story.... I felt like an onlooker rather than a participant...
The story unravels its self slowly.... and as the layers were peeled away more and more secrets were revealed and more and more lies were told... and just like the characters in the book I had no idea who to trust or who to believe... The ending to this book was satisfying, but not shocking....
Recommend if you enjoy a dark domestic thriller where the characters don’t necessarily live happily ever after...
*** many thanks to Grand Central for my copy of this book ***
August 12, 2018
3.5 stars to The Other Sister! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ .5
I think “sister” books might be the next new thing replacing “neighbors” and “liars?!” I read another book recently where two sisters collaborated in a murder plot, but luckily the two had a significantly different feel so I could easily keep them straight.
Geraldine and Marie are sisters, but it’s Geraldine who is known as the troubled sister, the “bad sister.” She left town years ago after the death of their mother. Marie is the opposite of Geraldine, and the “good sister.” She is loving and kind and a wonderful mother.
Their father, Martin, is a snaky patriarch who controls the entire extended family. The description of him screams villain!
Geraldine returns to town shrouded in mystery. Everyone questions just why she is there.
The sisters who have previously had very little in common suddenly are united in a murderous plot against their father… to obtain justice, but for what?
The Other Sister alternates between Marie and Geraldine as narrators. I questioned each of them in their reliability throughout. The Other Sister is very much a slow burn, a slow churning and unraveling of the cloud of secrets that has enveloped this family for years. To me, this is a domestic noir more than a thriller, and I enjoyed the author’s engaging writing style and the dark, creepy tone of the book. I look forward to Sarah Zettel’s next book!
Thank you Grand Central Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
I think “sister” books might be the next new thing replacing “neighbors” and “liars?!” I read another book recently where two sisters collaborated in a murder plot, but luckily the two had a significantly different feel so I could easily keep them straight.
Geraldine and Marie are sisters, but it’s Geraldine who is known as the troubled sister, the “bad sister.” She left town years ago after the death of their mother. Marie is the opposite of Geraldine, and the “good sister.” She is loving and kind and a wonderful mother.
Their father, Martin, is a snaky patriarch who controls the entire extended family. The description of him screams villain!
Geraldine returns to town shrouded in mystery. Everyone questions just why she is there.
The sisters who have previously had very little in common suddenly are united in a murderous plot against their father… to obtain justice, but for what?
The Other Sister alternates between Marie and Geraldine as narrators. I questioned each of them in their reliability throughout. The Other Sister is very much a slow burn, a slow churning and unraveling of the cloud of secrets that has enveloped this family for years. To me, this is a domestic noir more than a thriller, and I enjoyed the author’s engaging writing style and the dark, creepy tone of the book. I look forward to Sarah Zettel’s next book!
Thank you Grand Central Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
July 29, 2018
The Other Sister delivers a dark, creepy, and twisted story about two sisters that are keeping a dangerous secret.
Geraldine is titled as the "bad sister" and ran away after the death of her mother. Marie on the other hand is known as the "good sister" who is raising her teenage son. Of course... as the web begins to unravel it's not all as it seems with the good sister and the bad sister.
The story is told from Geraldine and Marie's POV alternating between timelines. Geraldine and Marie are harboring this dangerous secret that ultimately reveals a family's dysfunctionality to its CORE.
Together Marie and Geraldine plot to kill their father Martin.... but why would the sisters want to kill their father?!
So.. I would recommend this to fans that enjoy a dark family story.. that continues to unravel the web. The author does any amazing job keeping you on the edge of your seat until the end... not being able to trust any of the characters.
So, why you ask only 3 stars? I just felt kind of meh when I finished it.... and was waiting for it to pick up as I was reading and just didn't feel that overall connection.
It was a tad slow for me... and felt mediocre upon finishing this thriller. Although, this was my first read by Sarah Zettel and would be interested in connecting with her future reads! :)
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Morgan, and Grand Central Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest review.
Published to GR: 7/29/18
Expected publication date: 8/28/18
Geraldine is titled as the "bad sister" and ran away after the death of her mother. Marie on the other hand is known as the "good sister" who is raising her teenage son. Of course... as the web begins to unravel it's not all as it seems with the good sister and the bad sister.
The story is told from Geraldine and Marie's POV alternating between timelines. Geraldine and Marie are harboring this dangerous secret that ultimately reveals a family's dysfunctionality to its CORE.
Together Marie and Geraldine plot to kill their father Martin.... but why would the sisters want to kill their father?!
So.. I would recommend this to fans that enjoy a dark family story.. that continues to unravel the web. The author does any amazing job keeping you on the edge of your seat until the end... not being able to trust any of the characters.
So, why you ask only 3 stars? I just felt kind of meh when I finished it.... and was waiting for it to pick up as I was reading and just didn't feel that overall connection.
It was a tad slow for me... and felt mediocre upon finishing this thriller. Although, this was my first read by Sarah Zettel and would be interested in connecting with her future reads! :)
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Morgan, and Grand Central Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest review.
Published to GR: 7/29/18
Expected publication date: 8/28/18
July 31, 2018
Two sisters, a mysterious death and a murder plan. Sounds pretty sinister, right?
This was a very dark, ominous story and the dysfunction of this family was off the charts(And I do mean the whole entire family). Martin Monroe is the very controlling father who didn't seem to have many redeeming qualities. We find out right away who the good and the bad sister are and the author did a great job with character development, but I struggled relating to either of them.
The story is told from the POV of the two sisters and alternates from their childhood days to present day. A lot of family secrets and history is revealed, but I thought parts of the story moved a bit slow. I did want to know how it would play out in the end which kept me reading on.
Recommend for those who enjoy a slow unraveling of secrets, lies, and a dark family tree.
Thanks to the publisher/Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very dark, ominous story and the dysfunction of this family was off the charts(And I do mean the whole entire family). Martin Monroe is the very controlling father who didn't seem to have many redeeming qualities. We find out right away who the good and the bad sister are and the author did a great job with character development, but I struggled relating to either of them.
The story is told from the POV of the two sisters and alternates from their childhood days to present day. A lot of family secrets and history is revealed, but I thought parts of the story moved a bit slow. I did want to know how it would play out in the end which kept me reading on.
Recommend for those who enjoy a slow unraveling of secrets, lies, and a dark family tree.
Thanks to the publisher/Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 15, 2018
The Other Sister by Sarah Zettel is a thriller that is told by switching the point of view between the characters and also going back into the past. It’s one that has all of that family drama and secrets that need uncovering from years before to find what is going on in the present.
Geraldine is somewhat the black sheep of the family as she left years before after her mother’s death. You see, Geraldine thinks she killed her mother and almost took her own life back then so returning to her sister and father hasn’t been easy.
Geraldine’s sister Marie knows however about the past, the cruel way their father treated them and just what happened all those years before. Now that Geraldine is back it’s time for the sisters to both learn the secrets long ago buried.
Well, for me the Other Sister was one of those thriller books that I just did not find that thrilling to be honest. The story started off alright but I had trouble connecting to the characters and really getting engaged with their story as the pacing in this one was incredibly slow to me. While a slow build is one that easily loses my attention I’m sure some would still enjoy this one as the ending wasn’t too bad when the twists were revealed but just not my cup of tea overall.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Geraldine is somewhat the black sheep of the family as she left years before after her mother’s death. You see, Geraldine thinks she killed her mother and almost took her own life back then so returning to her sister and father hasn’t been easy.
Geraldine’s sister Marie knows however about the past, the cruel way their father treated them and just what happened all those years before. Now that Geraldine is back it’s time for the sisters to both learn the secrets long ago buried.
Well, for me the Other Sister was one of those thriller books that I just did not find that thrilling to be honest. The story started off alright but I had trouble connecting to the characters and really getting engaged with their story as the pacing in this one was incredibly slow to me. While a slow build is one that easily loses my attention I’m sure some would still enjoy this one as the ending wasn’t too bad when the twists were revealed but just not my cup of tea overall.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
September 19, 2018
One thing is sure, nothing is at it seems in this book. As the story progresses do we learn more about Geraldine and Marie's childhood. About how their father poisoned their life, not to mention their mother's life. We also learn that not everything is what it seems that the characters in this book have deep dark secrets. THE OTHER SISTER is a book about a very dysfunctional family. Martin Monroe is not a man you feel a bit sympathy for, vice versa actually. He's rotten to the core. And, his daughters are planning his downfall. Will they succeed? Or are the secrets they keep from each other to great for them to work together?
THE OTHER SISTER was an interesting book, although I felt it was a bit uneven. Sometimes it captured my attention and other times I felt that it dragged on a bit and I wished I had connected much more with the sisters. I feel that it was good enough to read and I wanted the ending, wanted to know how it all would end. And, yet I felt a bit disconnected with it, the story never really took flight. I wanted to feel more for Geraldine and Marie. It's a good book. Just not really thrilling.
THE OTHER SISTER is a book that I felt worked on some levels for me. I liked the last part the most when the big confrontation between the sisters and their father occurs. The story had its ups and downs, and ultimately I felt that it's an OK book. I have to admit that there were moments at first when I doubt that I would finish the book, but it got better as the story progressed. So, I'm glad that I did not give up because I did end up enjoying the book, despite all the ups and downs.
I want to thank Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
THE OTHER SISTER was an interesting book, although I felt it was a bit uneven. Sometimes it captured my attention and other times I felt that it dragged on a bit and I wished I had connected much more with the sisters. I feel that it was good enough to read and I wanted the ending, wanted to know how it all would end. And, yet I felt a bit disconnected with it, the story never really took flight. I wanted to feel more for Geraldine and Marie. It's a good book. Just not really thrilling.
THE OTHER SISTER is a book that I felt worked on some levels for me. I liked the last part the most when the big confrontation between the sisters and their father occurs. The story had its ups and downs, and ultimately I felt that it's an OK book. I have to admit that there were moments at first when I doubt that I would finish the book, but it got better as the story progressed. So, I'm glad that I did not give up because I did end up enjoying the book, despite all the ups and downs.
I want to thank Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
September 28, 2018
Geraldine and Marie's mother died over twenty years ago, and Geraldine left shortly after her death. Their mother was an alcoholic, and Geraldine spent a good deal of time taking care of her. Though Geraldine left, Marie stayed in town and helped her father with the home and business. The father, Martin, was cruel and controlling. The home life of the girls was less than ideal, though they put up a good front that things were better than they appeared. Many years have passed, but with Geraldine back in town, old wounds are reopening.
Geraldine is back in town for her nephew's graduation, and it looks like she'll be staying for a while. Her sister, Marie, is happy to have Geraldine back, but their father, Martin, is suspicious of Geraldine's reasons for being in town.
This book uses alternating points of view, plus multiple timelines. Most of the story takes place in present day, but a good deal of the book is devoted to flashbacks of when the women were young girls and teens. I found the alternating points of view to be fine, but the alternating timelines were not as well done. The story lost focus and too much was happening.
I did enjoy the excerpts of Geraldine's book on fairytales that she is writing. Her excuse for staying in town is because she is writing a book, and her field of study is fairytales. This added to the atmosphere of the story, and gave it a little bit of an eerie feel.
The story about the sisters is intriguing. They have difficult pasts and uncertain futures. This was more of a slow burn story, but things do pick up toward the end of the book. Dark, convoluted, and treacherous.
Geraldine is back in town for her nephew's graduation, and it looks like she'll be staying for a while. Her sister, Marie, is happy to have Geraldine back, but their father, Martin, is suspicious of Geraldine's reasons for being in town.
This book uses alternating points of view, plus multiple timelines. Most of the story takes place in present day, but a good deal of the book is devoted to flashbacks of when the women were young girls and teens. I found the alternating points of view to be fine, but the alternating timelines were not as well done. The story lost focus and too much was happening.
I did enjoy the excerpts of Geraldine's book on fairytales that she is writing. Her excuse for staying in town is because she is writing a book, and her field of study is fairytales. This added to the atmosphere of the story, and gave it a little bit of an eerie feel.
The story about the sisters is intriguing. They have difficult pasts and uncertain futures. This was more of a slow burn story, but things do pick up toward the end of the book. Dark, convoluted, and treacherous.
November 8, 2021
It’s a psychological thriller featuring the dynamics of twisted dysfunctional family. The sisters...Geraldine and Marie …. grew up in Michigan in an emotionally abusive family with a manipulative and cruel father, and an alcoholic mother. Geraldine left town twenty-five years ago after her mother died under mysterious circumstances...she was thought of as “the bad sister”. Present day finds that she is a lecturer at a college....and very rarely ever returns home.
The other sister...Marie...stayed in their hometown and became her father's assistant. The father is now wealth and entirely “in control” of his entire family. He has also managed to become a respected member of the community. Marie is the good daughter/sister, in the eyes of the community. She follows her father's every direction and command. Marie has asked Geraldine to come home for her son Robbie's graduation party....and their plan is now put into motion. The novel follows multiple timelines and points-of-view as the past and the present are both revealed. The relationship between the sisters is to put it mildly...complicated. Neither of them is completely reliable, or believable.... but they need to trust and believe each other...the questions is...can they? Which of them is really the good sister and which is the bad, will fluctuate as the novel reveals an intricate web of embedded secrets of their earlier years and those from more recent events. The characters are very well drawn... but as I have stated, none of them are reliable or likeable. Sarah Zettel has done an excellent job with the dialogue and creating a distinctive voice for each character
The other sister...Marie...stayed in their hometown and became her father's assistant. The father is now wealth and entirely “in control” of his entire family. He has also managed to become a respected member of the community. Marie is the good daughter/sister, in the eyes of the community. She follows her father's every direction and command. Marie has asked Geraldine to come home for her son Robbie's graduation party....and their plan is now put into motion. The novel follows multiple timelines and points-of-view as the past and the present are both revealed. The relationship between the sisters is to put it mildly...complicated. Neither of them is completely reliable, or believable.... but they need to trust and believe each other...the questions is...can they? Which of them is really the good sister and which is the bad, will fluctuate as the novel reveals an intricate web of embedded secrets of their earlier years and those from more recent events. The characters are very well drawn... but as I have stated, none of them are reliable or likeable. Sarah Zettel has done an excellent job with the dialogue and creating a distinctive voice for each character
August 28, 2018
Release Day review...
*Many thanks to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and the author for the opportunity to read a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Any of the ways I have tried to write this review including a summary of the book have only led to some sort of spoiler, so I will just describe it like this:
-Multiple timelines
-Two POVs (Marie & Geraldine, sisters)
-Unreliable narrators (yes, both of them)
-Unlikable characters - how many? Mostly all of them. No, really
-Pervasive mysteries (yes, more than one) throughout the book that only become clear(ish) at the end
-Numerous triggers for some: emotional abuse, drug abuse, rape, alcoholism
This book did not click all my boxes. As a fan of thrillers/mysteries, I usually am all for the sociopathic character who wreaks havoc throughout a town or family. And this book had that; however, there is all kinds of crazy going on in this story.
There are no likable characters. None. Zero. Zip. Zilch. Nada. The father is controlling and terrible in all ways. The men around him are subservient tattletales. And the women around him - including our MCs - are weak and emotionally and/or mentally unhinged. Who is there to cheer for?
I didn't relate to anyone in this book. The "victims" only became so due to their own acquiescence. Even Geraldine, who is characterized as "The Rebel", only rebels in fits and starts and never enough to purposefully affect true change even though we are led to believe that that is her plan.
The MCs'parents are both despicable in their own ways, and though I do feel pity for some of the other family members and friends for getting caught up in this sick, twisted web, pity does not equal likability.
Also, I felt like I was never invited into the story. I was an outsider the whole time - not knowing any of the secrets or motives until the very end. Feeling separated from both the characters and the story is not a winning combination. I toyed with a two-star rating, but I don't want to discourage others who don't mind stories that develop that way.
So... a reluctant 3 stars for a book that I really wanted to like much more than that rating reflects.
*Many thanks to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and the author for the opportunity to read a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Any of the ways I have tried to write this review including a summary of the book have only led to some sort of spoiler, so I will just describe it like this:
-Multiple timelines
-Two POVs (Marie & Geraldine, sisters)
-Unreliable narrators (yes, both of them)
-Unlikable characters - how many? Mostly all of them. No, really
-Pervasive mysteries (yes, more than one) throughout the book that only become clear(ish) at the end
-Numerous triggers for some: emotional abuse, drug abuse, rape, alcoholism
This book did not click all my boxes. As a fan of thrillers/mysteries, I usually am all for the sociopathic character who wreaks havoc throughout a town or family. And this book had that; however, there is all kinds of crazy going on in this story.
There are no likable characters. None. Zero. Zip. Zilch. Nada. The father is controlling and terrible in all ways. The men around him are subservient tattletales. And the women around him - including our MCs - are weak and emotionally and/or mentally unhinged. Who is there to cheer for?
I didn't relate to anyone in this book. The "victims" only became so due to their own acquiescence. Even Geraldine, who is characterized as "The Rebel", only rebels in fits and starts and never enough to purposefully affect true change even though we are led to believe that that is her plan.
The MCs'parents are both despicable in their own ways, and though I do feel pity for some of the other family members and friends for getting caught up in this sick, twisted web, pity does not equal likability.
Also, I felt like I was never invited into the story. I was an outsider the whole time - not knowing any of the secrets or motives until the very end. Feeling separated from both the characters and the story is not a winning combination. I toyed with a two-star rating, but I don't want to discourage others who don't mind stories that develop that way.
So... a reluctant 3 stars for a book that I really wanted to like much more than that rating reflects.
July 20, 2020
Geraldine is titled as the "bad sister" and ran away after the death of her mother. Marie on the other hand is known as the "good sister" who is raising her teenage son. Of course... as the story begins to reveal itself it's not all as it seems with the good sister and the bad sister.
Talk about dysfunctional family. Wow!
This story switches back and forth of the POV. You are able to keep track though as the chapters tell whole POV it is. Also from the past and to today.
Their mother died 20 years ago and their father was abusive towards Geraldine but he is emotionally abusive to Marie.
Geraldine thinks she killed her mother and Marie knows about the past.
I hated the father in this book and found him a horrible, abusive, controlling person.
I received this book from Grand Central Publishing.
Talk about dysfunctional family. Wow!
This story switches back and forth of the POV. You are able to keep track though as the chapters tell whole POV it is. Also from the past and to today.
Their mother died 20 years ago and their father was abusive towards Geraldine but he is emotionally abusive to Marie.
Geraldine thinks she killed her mother and Marie knows about the past.
I hated the father in this book and found him a horrible, abusive, controlling person.
I received this book from Grand Central Publishing.
October 4, 2018
Review can be found on my blog here: https://booksonthebookshelf.wordpress...
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and Hachette Book Group Canada for providing me with a free physical copy of this book to read and review.
The description of this book completely sucked me in and I knew it would be a book that I would really enjoy…
Two sisters, one murder plan. One sister is bad…one sister is good.
Geraldine Monroe is the bad sister. She is a troubled girl who often finds herself in trouble and causing trouble for others. She often makes a scene and embarasses herself and her family. She is reckless, disobedient, and suddenly disappeared after their mother’s death 20 years ago.
Marie Monroe is the good sister. She is polite, obedient, and follows the rules. She does anything to please her father, and lives at the family home with her father and her teenage son.
Their father Martin Monroe can be overbearing and controlling. Afterall he does have a family reputation to uphold. A lot of the things thriving in the city have been because of the Monroe family. Marie is the one who takes it upon herself to follow her father’s orders to please him, thus is the good sister.
This book sucked me in from the beginning. The Other Sister is so full of family drama, family secrets, deception, betrayal and lies. A complete recipe for the perfect disaster. I found initially that both sisters are completely different. You have the trouble maker and you have the innocent obedient one.
The Monroe family is so concerned with keeping up appearances and seeming like the perfect, respectable family. Their father, Martin, is especially dark and twisted. The sisters have a secret though. They have a plan to work together to stop at nothing to destroy the one person responsible for destroying their family and them – their father.
It was easy for me to quickly despise the father Martin. He was twisted and evil, and I had no use for him. Geraldine, the troubled sister, had her issues but I found myself many times feeling sorry for her and her situation. Marie, the good sister, I seemed to like but she is hiding her fair share of secrets as well.
Without giving too much away I enjoyed this book. There are many characters you will learn to love and despise, and lots of twists and turns and shocking secrets revealed that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you read this book.
3.5/5 stars
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and Hachette Book Group Canada for providing me with a free physical copy of this book to read and review.
The description of this book completely sucked me in and I knew it would be a book that I would really enjoy…
Two sisters, one murder plan. One sister is bad…one sister is good.
Geraldine Monroe is the bad sister. She is a troubled girl who often finds herself in trouble and causing trouble for others. She often makes a scene and embarasses herself and her family. She is reckless, disobedient, and suddenly disappeared after their mother’s death 20 years ago.
Marie Monroe is the good sister. She is polite, obedient, and follows the rules. She does anything to please her father, and lives at the family home with her father and her teenage son.
Their father Martin Monroe can be overbearing and controlling. Afterall he does have a family reputation to uphold. A lot of the things thriving in the city have been because of the Monroe family. Marie is the one who takes it upon herself to follow her father’s orders to please him, thus is the good sister.
This book sucked me in from the beginning. The Other Sister is so full of family drama, family secrets, deception, betrayal and lies. A complete recipe for the perfect disaster. I found initially that both sisters are completely different. You have the trouble maker and you have the innocent obedient one.
The Monroe family is so concerned with keeping up appearances and seeming like the perfect, respectable family. Their father, Martin, is especially dark and twisted. The sisters have a secret though. They have a plan to work together to stop at nothing to destroy the one person responsible for destroying their family and them – their father.
It was easy for me to quickly despise the father Martin. He was twisted and evil, and I had no use for him. Geraldine, the troubled sister, had her issues but I found myself many times feeling sorry for her and her situation. Marie, the good sister, I seemed to like but she is hiding her fair share of secrets as well.
Without giving too much away I enjoyed this book. There are many characters you will learn to love and despise, and lots of twists and turns and shocking secrets revealed that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you read this book.
3.5/5 stars
August 29, 2019
We have two sisters that is opposite of each other. One is a rebel while the other is obedient. One is a chaos while the other is in order. You get the picture. You'll probably think they may be at odd with each other because of the clash of personality, well, you're wrong. You see, both sisters have a plan. A huge plan that is 20 years too late in my opinion but a plan nonetheless.
One huge flaw of this book will be the pace. It's a slow burn. For a thriller, it's not thrilling enough. You know something big is going to happen and you're waiting for it. But when it did happened, that's it, will probably be your first reaction. You're hoping for something more dramatic. This is a revenge being plan for 20 years and finally going to be execute after all.
There's a lot of thing happening. Some, don't even add up to the entire plot. It's there either to lengthen the book or take us away from the main plot so that when we finally connect the dot, we may get that eureka moment. All in all, it's a good read. Slow but good.
One huge flaw of this book will be the pace. It's a slow burn. For a thriller, it's not thrilling enough. You know something big is going to happen and you're waiting for it. But when it did happened, that's it, will probably be your first reaction. You're hoping for something more dramatic. This is a revenge being plan for 20 years and finally going to be execute after all.
There's a lot of thing happening. Some, don't even add up to the entire plot. It's there either to lengthen the book or take us away from the main plot so that when we finally connect the dot, we may get that eureka moment. All in all, it's a good read. Slow but good.
December 6, 2022
2.5 stars
This is a random book I decided to pick up. I thought the characters in this story were written pretty well. But, there was just something missing for me. For some reason the story didn't flow as smoothly as I was expecting. I wanted more details about the family, and maybe more about the past.
This is a random book I decided to pick up. I thought the characters in this story were written pretty well. But, there was just something missing for me. For some reason the story didn't flow as smoothly as I was expecting. I wanted more details about the family, and maybe more about the past.
January 24, 2019
I really didn’t care much for the characters, but did enjoy the slow build. The author loved directly telling the readers that the sisters were going to murder their father, which spoiled the book pretty quickly.
Great general story, poor characters and very unexplained account of what happened to Tyler.
Great general story, poor characters and very unexplained account of what happened to Tyler.
July 15, 2018
This is a good and harrowing tale of the Monroe family of The Rose House. I am not giving spoilers on this one but I can say that there is some very well done writing. I especially loved the excerpts of Geraldine's work and dissection of fairytales (can't post them from the ARC but I wish I could!). I highlighted quite a bit of those as they were not just clever but memorable. There's a good bit of wit amongst the dark, so points for that as well.
The story is told through various timelines through the POVs of sisters, Geraldine and Marie. They are the daughters of Martin & the departed Stacey. Geraldine is the outcast and Marie, the "good" sister. I felt Geraldine's POV chapters were best done as she had scars and a tanker's worth of problems but she didn't read as deranged and on the cusp of snapping, like Marie. Marie's chapters made me uncomfortable and did, about halfway through, feel like prolonged misery. I got exactly why she was as she was but it was more bloodletting than I was up for. By the time we reach the denouement, you know there's no way this family will ever be quite right but survival is its own victory.
Martin was so extreme, I'd wished he'd had POV chapters but then I wonder if reading such a thing would put a reader off the story. There are some heads you just don't want to inhabit because brain bleach isn't yet a thing. He's thoroughly grotesque and morally bankrupt. Grandmother Millicent was a strange one as well and seriously made me wonder just how many generations we needed to go back to find the initial source of the family weirdness. To be fair the Monroes weren't the only family trees here with flawed branches, theirs was just more spectacularly on display.
I would recommend this one to those who love a dark family tale. This is like King Lear or the Julians level family dysfunction so be advised. This one takes no prisoners and the summary doesn't even hint that this story goes so far down in the depths. This is the second book I've read this year where a person's fixation on a house/property has gone overboard with ruinous results (The Beloveds by Maureen Lindley)
Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC via Netgalley.
The story is told through various timelines through the POVs of sisters, Geraldine and Marie. They are the daughters of Martin & the departed Stacey. Geraldine is the outcast and Marie, the "good" sister. I felt Geraldine's POV chapters were best done as she had scars and a tanker's worth of problems but she didn't read as deranged and on the cusp of snapping, like Marie. Marie's chapters made me uncomfortable and did, about halfway through, feel like prolonged misery. I got exactly why she was as she was but it was more bloodletting than I was up for. By the time we reach the denouement, you know there's no way this family will ever be quite right but survival is its own victory.
Martin was so extreme, I'd wished he'd had POV chapters but then I wonder if reading such a thing would put a reader off the story. There are some heads you just don't want to inhabit because brain bleach isn't yet a thing. He's thoroughly grotesque and morally bankrupt. Grandmother Millicent was a strange one as well and seriously made me wonder just how many generations we needed to go back to find the initial source of the family weirdness. To be fair the Monroes weren't the only family trees here with flawed branches, theirs was just more spectacularly on display.
I would recommend this one to those who love a dark family tale. This is like King Lear or the Julians level family dysfunction so be advised. This one takes no prisoners and the summary doesn't even hint that this story goes so far down in the depths. This is the second book I've read this year where a person's fixation on a house/property has gone overboard with ruinous results (The Beloveds by Maureen Lindley)
Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC via Netgalley.
September 9, 2018
Please see all of my reviews on my blog at www.robinlovesreading.blogspot.com.
4.5 Stars
In this story we are presented with the fact that Geraldine is the bad sister. She has is arriving at her family home in preparation for her nephew's upcoming graduation party. Geraldine disappeared twenty years ago after the strange death of their mother. Oh, she has been back from time-to-time, but this visit will be different than any others.
Marie has always been deemed the good sister, the apple of their father's eye. She is the mother of Robbie, who is the one about to graduate. Although Marie knows her sister's visit will bring a lot of trouble, she also knows the visit is inevitable. Her sister cannot deny her nephew's desire for her to attend, even though her father and other relatives are very wary. Her father, Martin Monroe, is a case, a very hard man who rules the entire family due to his money and coldhearted nature. Although very wary of Geraldine's visit, he is confident that Marie will continue to stand by him and resist any machinations that Geraldine will inflict upon the family.
What Martin does not know is that Geraldine and Marie have made a strong plan to right the wrongs of the past. What is more is the plan that the sisters have concocted. But they must be very secret, and very careful. As time progresses, the situations continually change and then everyone, including Geraldine and Marie, are not sure if they can trust anyone, even each other. As children, they were torn apart by their parents. As adults, they are forced to come together. But, will it last?
The Other Sister is told in varying timelines and points of view. The story brings the past and the present together at a pace that flows rapidly. The twists and the turns are shocking, scary and kept me turning pages as fast as possible. There was so much darkness, so many revelations and secrets that I just had to know what was going to happen.
I have never read a book by Sarah Zettel before, and I must say, she is a fabulous writer. She manages to keep the story utterly riveting, terrifying and, at times, heartbreaking. The Other Sister refers often to dark fairy tales and consistently brings in several parallels. This adds to the intensity of the story. The plot is evil, the story is riveting, and the conclusion is shocking. If you pick up this book, I dare you to try and put it down. I couldn't.
Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
4.5 Stars
In this story we are presented with the fact that Geraldine is the bad sister. She has is arriving at her family home in preparation for her nephew's upcoming graduation party. Geraldine disappeared twenty years ago after the strange death of their mother. Oh, she has been back from time-to-time, but this visit will be different than any others.
Marie has always been deemed the good sister, the apple of their father's eye. She is the mother of Robbie, who is the one about to graduate. Although Marie knows her sister's visit will bring a lot of trouble, she also knows the visit is inevitable. Her sister cannot deny her nephew's desire for her to attend, even though her father and other relatives are very wary. Her father, Martin Monroe, is a case, a very hard man who rules the entire family due to his money and coldhearted nature. Although very wary of Geraldine's visit, he is confident that Marie will continue to stand by him and resist any machinations that Geraldine will inflict upon the family.
What Martin does not know is that Geraldine and Marie have made a strong plan to right the wrongs of the past. What is more is the plan that the sisters have concocted. But they must be very secret, and very careful. As time progresses, the situations continually change and then everyone, including Geraldine and Marie, are not sure if they can trust anyone, even each other. As children, they were torn apart by their parents. As adults, they are forced to come together. But, will it last?
The Other Sister is told in varying timelines and points of view. The story brings the past and the present together at a pace that flows rapidly. The twists and the turns are shocking, scary and kept me turning pages as fast as possible. There was so much darkness, so many revelations and secrets that I just had to know what was going to happen.
I have never read a book by Sarah Zettel before, and I must say, she is a fabulous writer. She manages to keep the story utterly riveting, terrifying and, at times, heartbreaking. The Other Sister refers often to dark fairy tales and consistently brings in several parallels. This adds to the intensity of the story. The plot is evil, the story is riveting, and the conclusion is shocking. If you pick up this book, I dare you to try and put it down. I couldn't.
Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
August 29, 2018
Geraldine Monroe thought she killed her mother 25 years ago and then went away. It was believed that her mother killed herself. Now, Geraldine is back in Michigan to attend her sister, Marie’s son, Robbie’s high school graduation, Geraldine is a lecturer at a small college in New York. While Geraldine has been back to Michigan several times, now her sister wants her to stay.
Marie lives with her father, Martin, and her son, Robbie. Marie helps Martin run their business. Their’s is a small town where tourists like to vacation. Marie is always striving to keep life running perfectly for her father to keep him happy. Geraldine’s return to town upsets their lifestyle because her father doesn’t approve of her.
This story switches back and forth in time and between the point of view of Geraldine and Marie. It builds from the times the sisters are small as they observe their parents’ relationship. There are many secrets that must remain that way so no one could ever look down on the Monroe family. As the family tension builds, the secrets start to emerge to bring the story to its end.
I thought this would be a “real” thriller and kept reading, hoping that something exciting would happen. To me, this is an example of a sick and pathetic family. I was not impressed by the book and found it to be, quite frankly, a waste of time. Too dark and depressing for me.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Marie lives with her father, Martin, and her son, Robbie. Marie helps Martin run their business. Their’s is a small town where tourists like to vacation. Marie is always striving to keep life running perfectly for her father to keep him happy. Geraldine’s return to town upsets their lifestyle because her father doesn’t approve of her.
This story switches back and forth in time and between the point of view of Geraldine and Marie. It builds from the times the sisters are small as they observe their parents’ relationship. There are many secrets that must remain that way so no one could ever look down on the Monroe family. As the family tension builds, the secrets start to emerge to bring the story to its end.
I thought this would be a “real” thriller and kept reading, hoping that something exciting would happen. To me, this is an example of a sick and pathetic family. I was not impressed by the book and found it to be, quite frankly, a waste of time. Too dark and depressing for me.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2018
I liked this book. Both sisters, Geraldine and Marie were equally good. Although, the story tried to make Geraldine out to be the bad sister. Once, the secrets were revealed, it ends up that Geraldine was just misunderstood and she got the short end of the straw. Not to say that Marie was the "bad" sister. In fact, there really were no winners in this story; other than Geraldine and Marie. A sister's bond is really strong.
The family secrets revealed were just as strong a part of this story. In fact, I might have liked it a little more than the present. Yet, as much as I really liked this book, something held me back from fully embracing the characters. Plus, my tone with the book was medium. Still, this is a good read.
The family secrets revealed were just as strong a part of this story. In fact, I might have liked it a little more than the present. Yet, as much as I really liked this book, something held me back from fully embracing the characters. Plus, my tone with the book was medium. Still, this is a good read.
February 4, 2019
Wow! I loved everything about this contemporary Southern (set in Michigan) gothic psychological suspense novel. Very well-written; excellent characterization; pacing and story structure that heightened the tension until almost the very last page. I especially liked the way the author began each chapter with musings on the original (and very scary) Grimm’s fairy tales. This is the first book by Sarah Zettel that I’ve read. I was lucky enough to find it on the New Books shelf at my neighborhood library. I now look forward to reading more by her. I highly recommend The Other Sister!
February 21, 2022
I really didn't enjoy this. I find it difficult to get into books where all of the characters are unlikable. This one switches between 2 sisters who are both a mess. One is a university lecturer has been fired for having an affair with one of her students and the other is completely under the control of their psychotic father. I was confused during a lot, didn't care throughout and am not really sure why I took the time to finish this. The ending was also anticlimatic.
September 30, 2018
#FirstLine ~ Twenty-five years ago, I killed my mother.
I really could not get into this book, but that is just my humble opinion. I know that some of you many really love this book. I am not going to say much because I don't want to deter others from trying this read.
I really could not get into this book, but that is just my humble opinion. I know that some of you many really love this book. I am not going to say much because I don't want to deter others from trying this read.
September 2, 2020
First time I tried to read this I got to about 5%. This time (and don't ask me why I checked it out of the library for a second time) I got to about 16%. All the characters seemed a bit shallow and cliche, as did the story.
July 15, 2018
I'm sure that other readers are really going to enjoy this novel. It just wasn't for me. It felt like it was taking forever to get to the "so what" of this book that I simply gave up.
September 5, 2023
Dnf 1st time > halfwayish?
2nd time NO DNF :D
I honestly don't know how to feel about this book 😳
2nd time NO DNF :D
I honestly don't know how to feel about this book 😳
August 8, 2018
Sarah Zettel, one of the hardest writing women in the business – her career has embraced science fiction, cozy mysteries, fantasy, young adult, and historical fiction – has written a book that it seems like she may have been dreaming of writing for her entire life. Her passion is on every page of this dense psychological thriller, framed by fairy tales.
Zettel doesn’t use the sanitized Disney version of fairy tales when framing her story, however, she instead goes back to the twisted, harsh source of our essential cultural tales, the Brothers Grimm. But even without the chapter framing device of fairy tale analysis, her story of two sisters trapped by an evil father couldn’t be more redolent of our first, primal stories. What happens to the sisters is weirdly familiar in some ways.
In the present, troubled sister Geraldine is coming home, ostensibly for her favorite nephew’s graduation party, and she joins a family party in full swing. The whole family – in fact, the whole tiny Michigan resort town where the family lives – are controlled by the sister’s father, Martin Monroe. Geraldine and her good sister Marie are out to change that dynamic.
In the past, the story goes back and forth through the sister’s childhood, which sounds nightmarish. Their beautiful mother, Stacy, was an alcoholic. Very early, Martin put Geraldine in charge of her mother – putting her to bed, running the family store, making sure there was no public mess – while taking on the lovely, pliable Marie as a business asset. And as the story also makes clear early on, Stacy is long dead, but the facts of her death, as well as who might be responsible for her death, are a little more cloudy.
One of the central themes in the novel is trust, as in, who can be trusted? While Marie and Geraldine definitely have a bond they also have some trust issues, which have only been made clearer by different lives and years apart. When it becomes clear Geraldine has come home in disgrace, unbeknownst to Marie, the trust issues are again magnified.
The house where Marie and her father live – the Rose House – filled with stained glass depicting forests and roses are a wicked fairy tale setting for the backdrop of the story. Each sister knows many secrets, but not all of them, and it’s that lack of knowledge that ultimately trips them up.
I got close to the end of this book without having a clear idea of where the author was taking her story for her finale. As a reader, I always appreciate a true surprise, and Zettel gave me one. Her fairy tale, set on the beautiful Michigan lakeshore, couldn’t be more memorable or haunting. There’s even a zinger in the very last line.
Zettel doesn’t use the sanitized Disney version of fairy tales when framing her story, however, she instead goes back to the twisted, harsh source of our essential cultural tales, the Brothers Grimm. But even without the chapter framing device of fairy tale analysis, her story of two sisters trapped by an evil father couldn’t be more redolent of our first, primal stories. What happens to the sisters is weirdly familiar in some ways.
In the present, troubled sister Geraldine is coming home, ostensibly for her favorite nephew’s graduation party, and she joins a family party in full swing. The whole family – in fact, the whole tiny Michigan resort town where the family lives – are controlled by the sister’s father, Martin Monroe. Geraldine and her good sister Marie are out to change that dynamic.
In the past, the story goes back and forth through the sister’s childhood, which sounds nightmarish. Their beautiful mother, Stacy, was an alcoholic. Very early, Martin put Geraldine in charge of her mother – putting her to bed, running the family store, making sure there was no public mess – while taking on the lovely, pliable Marie as a business asset. And as the story also makes clear early on, Stacy is long dead, but the facts of her death, as well as who might be responsible for her death, are a little more cloudy.
One of the central themes in the novel is trust, as in, who can be trusted? While Marie and Geraldine definitely have a bond they also have some trust issues, which have only been made clearer by different lives and years apart. When it becomes clear Geraldine has come home in disgrace, unbeknownst to Marie, the trust issues are again magnified.
The house where Marie and her father live – the Rose House – filled with stained glass depicting forests and roses are a wicked fairy tale setting for the backdrop of the story. Each sister knows many secrets, but not all of them, and it’s that lack of knowledge that ultimately trips them up.
I got close to the end of this book without having a clear idea of where the author was taking her story for her finale. As a reader, I always appreciate a true surprise, and Zettel gave me one. Her fairy tale, set on the beautiful Michigan lakeshore, couldn’t be more memorable or haunting. There’s even a zinger in the very last line.
August 29, 2018
AudioBook Review
Stars: 4 Narration 4 Story 4
I’m not usually one who grabs suspenseful tiles, but how could I resist one that has two sisters, one good, one bad, and neither have descriptions that quite fit? I couldn’t, and then I spent the next several hours unable to walk away, completely tense and feeling on edge as the story is revealed. Geraldine (the bad sister) and Marie (the good one) have been out of touch since the death of their mother and Geraldine’s running away. But now Geraldine is home, and no one can quite trust that she is there for the reasons she claims, or if she is to be trusted. Her father, Martin, rules over the family as he always had: harshly and roughly with not a bit of fear instilled at childhood that still rushes to the surface in the girls now.
But years have passed, even as memories haven’t – and Geraldine and Marie are together in a tentative sense of the word, at least until the first fissures in their relationship starts to work its way to the top. As the story unfolds with alternating perspectives from Marie and Geraldine, and bringing history of their lives and relationship to the listener: the descriptives of both girls seem to switch from one moment to th next. Is there really a good or bad – or is either one capable of carrying that add-on to their name at any point in time, circumstances depending? It’s quite a journey through a difficult childhood, some deeply buried secrets, traumas and even the secret that could shatter their entire family – the story is gripping, tense and almost left me needing to curl up under a desk somewhere in all the best ways.
Narration is by Angéle Masters, Brittany Wilkerson and Courtney Patterson and while I can’t speak to one specific narrator, the combination of the three brought Grace, Marie and all of the secondary characters to light, allowing for an almost tentative start in their interactions, to fully realize the withholding of secrets, memories and worries as the story develops with present and past –giving an actual sense of the internal tumult within, and a sense of the listeners inability to actually trust in either sister – as nothing is ever quite as it seems. Providing answers to all the questions as it poses new ones, the story is a thrill ride from beginning to end, just don’t listen with the lights out.
I received an AudioBook Copy of the title from Hachette Audio for purpose of honest review: I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
Stars: 4 Narration 4 Story 4
I’m not usually one who grabs suspenseful tiles, but how could I resist one that has two sisters, one good, one bad, and neither have descriptions that quite fit? I couldn’t, and then I spent the next several hours unable to walk away, completely tense and feeling on edge as the story is revealed. Geraldine (the bad sister) and Marie (the good one) have been out of touch since the death of their mother and Geraldine’s running away. But now Geraldine is home, and no one can quite trust that she is there for the reasons she claims, or if she is to be trusted. Her father, Martin, rules over the family as he always had: harshly and roughly with not a bit of fear instilled at childhood that still rushes to the surface in the girls now.
But years have passed, even as memories haven’t – and Geraldine and Marie are together in a tentative sense of the word, at least until the first fissures in their relationship starts to work its way to the top. As the story unfolds with alternating perspectives from Marie and Geraldine, and bringing history of their lives and relationship to the listener: the descriptives of both girls seem to switch from one moment to th next. Is there really a good or bad – or is either one capable of carrying that add-on to their name at any point in time, circumstances depending? It’s quite a journey through a difficult childhood, some deeply buried secrets, traumas and even the secret that could shatter their entire family – the story is gripping, tense and almost left me needing to curl up under a desk somewhere in all the best ways.
Narration is by Angéle Masters, Brittany Wilkerson and Courtney Patterson and while I can’t speak to one specific narrator, the combination of the three brought Grace, Marie and all of the secondary characters to light, allowing for an almost tentative start in their interactions, to fully realize the withholding of secrets, memories and worries as the story develops with present and past –giving an actual sense of the internal tumult within, and a sense of the listeners inability to actually trust in either sister – as nothing is ever quite as it seems. Providing answers to all the questions as it poses new ones, the story is a thrill ride from beginning to end, just don’t listen with the lights out.
I received an AudioBook Copy of the title from Hachette Audio for purpose of honest review: I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
April 1, 2019
Dr. Geraldine Monroe is an expert on the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm and her family’s black sheep, the one that got into trouble as a kid and who stays away as an adult.
But in her family, staying away might not be such a bad thing.
Her father Martin Monroe, the family patriarch, rules with a smile and a melodious voice. He is responsible for both pulling his family and their town up from nothing to esteem, but he and his velvety iron fist might also be responsible for some very dark deeds.
The subsequent, pervasive fear keeps his family picture-perfect and in check.
Except for Geraldine, that is.
The Other Sister.
In The Other Sister, author Sarah Zettel introduces us to the Monroe family whose secrets are meant to stay secret. Among other family members, there’s Geraldine, Martin, and Martin’s older daughter Marie, the picture-perfect one, the one who stuck around to help with the family business, always abiding by Martin’s every wish and command. Although Geraldine’s and Marie’s paths have differed, their years as Martin Monroe’s daughters have taken their toll on each of them.
And now they want to end it.
But how?
The Other Sister is a gripping, dysfunctional family odyssey that is replete with bad memories, questionable alliances, and familial distrust. It’s fraught with tension -- the internal tensions that plague Martin’s family members are palpable. They all feel stuck with little recourse to transform their lives and move out of his grasp. This feeling of helplessness extends not only to Martin’s daughters, but is pervasive among the Monroe’s extended family as well.
Theirs is a story of suffering and the hope of healing, however distant and improbable, that pulls the reader in from the very first sentence. If you’re a fan of fairy tales, the parallels that Geraldine draws between the Grimm tales and her own family dynamics are interesting.
Frequently changing points of view throughout the novel, author Zettel oscillates between Gertrude‘s and Marie’s own perspectives at varying points in their lives, moving between the past and the present effortlessly between chapters as the story develops.
All the while, she constructs the story of a perfect family set to implode.
If only everything goes as planned.
The Other Sister is a good read and is available from your library.
- Katina, Area Librarian
ARE YOU AND THIS BOOK A GOOD MATCH?
DISCOVER MORE WITH NOVELIST APPEALS!
GENRE: Psychological Suspense
TONE: Suspenseful
STORYLINE: Intricately Plotted
WRITING STYLE: Well-Crafted Dialogue
SUBJECT: Family Secrets; Fathers and Daughters; Manipulation; Mothers; Murder; Parricide; Secrets; Sisters
But in her family, staying away might not be such a bad thing.
Her father Martin Monroe, the family patriarch, rules with a smile and a melodious voice. He is responsible for both pulling his family and their town up from nothing to esteem, but he and his velvety iron fist might also be responsible for some very dark deeds.
The subsequent, pervasive fear keeps his family picture-perfect and in check.
Except for Geraldine, that is.
The Other Sister.
In The Other Sister, author Sarah Zettel introduces us to the Monroe family whose secrets are meant to stay secret. Among other family members, there’s Geraldine, Martin, and Martin’s older daughter Marie, the picture-perfect one, the one who stuck around to help with the family business, always abiding by Martin’s every wish and command. Although Geraldine’s and Marie’s paths have differed, their years as Martin Monroe’s daughters have taken their toll on each of them.
And now they want to end it.
But how?
The Other Sister is a gripping, dysfunctional family odyssey that is replete with bad memories, questionable alliances, and familial distrust. It’s fraught with tension -- the internal tensions that plague Martin’s family members are palpable. They all feel stuck with little recourse to transform their lives and move out of his grasp. This feeling of helplessness extends not only to Martin’s daughters, but is pervasive among the Monroe’s extended family as well.
Theirs is a story of suffering and the hope of healing, however distant and improbable, that pulls the reader in from the very first sentence. If you’re a fan of fairy tales, the parallels that Geraldine draws between the Grimm tales and her own family dynamics are interesting.
Frequently changing points of view throughout the novel, author Zettel oscillates between Gertrude‘s and Marie’s own perspectives at varying points in their lives, moving between the past and the present effortlessly between chapters as the story develops.
All the while, she constructs the story of a perfect family set to implode.
If only everything goes as planned.
The Other Sister is a good read and is available from your library.
- Katina, Area Librarian
ARE YOU AND THIS BOOK A GOOD MATCH?
DISCOVER MORE WITH NOVELIST APPEALS!
GENRE: Psychological Suspense
TONE: Suspenseful
STORYLINE: Intricately Plotted
WRITING STYLE: Well-Crafted Dialogue
SUBJECT: Family Secrets; Fathers and Daughters; Manipulation; Mothers; Murder; Parricide; Secrets; Sisters
August 30, 2018
The Other Sister by Sarah Zettel is a highly recommended psychological thriller featuring the dynamics of twisted dysfunctional family.
Geraldine and Marie Monroe are sisters with a plan. The two grew up in Michigan in an emotionally abusive household with a manipulative, cruel father, Martin, and an alcoholic mother, Stacy. The younger sister, Geraldine left town twenty-five years ago after her mother died under mysterious circumstances. She was labeled as the bad sister, Now she is a lecturer at a college, specializing in the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, and very rarely returns home.
Marie stayed in their hometown and became her father's dutiful assistant. Martin is now wealthy, in control of his whole extended family, and a respected member of the community. Marie is the good daughter in the eyes of the community as she follows her father's every direction in his successful real estate business. Now Marie has asked Geraldine to come home for her son Robbie's graduation party - and to put their plan into motion.
The novel follows multiple timelines and points-of-view as the enigmas of the past and the present are both revealed. The relationship between the sisters is complicated. Neither of them may be completely reliable narrators. They need to trust and believe each other, but can they? The perception of who really is the good sister and the bad sister will fluctuate as the novel reveals an intricate web of embedded secrets of their earlier years and those from more recent events. The characters are well-developed, but none of them are reliable or likeable. Zettel does an excellent job with the dialogue and there is a distinctive voice for each character.
At the beginning of each chapter is an analysis of various fairy tales by Geraldine which serves to compliment the plot. Contained within the narrative are multiple mysteries and secrets, and the analysis of the fairy tales can be an interesting juxtaposition in comparison to the narrative. The plot does move a bit slowly at times, but Zettel has packed a lot of depth into the novel making this an interesting psychological thriller.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Grand Central Publishing.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2018/0...
Geraldine and Marie Monroe are sisters with a plan. The two grew up in Michigan in an emotionally abusive household with a manipulative, cruel father, Martin, and an alcoholic mother, Stacy. The younger sister, Geraldine left town twenty-five years ago after her mother died under mysterious circumstances. She was labeled as the bad sister, Now she is a lecturer at a college, specializing in the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, and very rarely returns home.
Marie stayed in their hometown and became her father's dutiful assistant. Martin is now wealthy, in control of his whole extended family, and a respected member of the community. Marie is the good daughter in the eyes of the community as she follows her father's every direction in his successful real estate business. Now Marie has asked Geraldine to come home for her son Robbie's graduation party - and to put their plan into motion.
The novel follows multiple timelines and points-of-view as the enigmas of the past and the present are both revealed. The relationship between the sisters is complicated. Neither of them may be completely reliable narrators. They need to trust and believe each other, but can they? The perception of who really is the good sister and the bad sister will fluctuate as the novel reveals an intricate web of embedded secrets of their earlier years and those from more recent events. The characters are well-developed, but none of them are reliable or likeable. Zettel does an excellent job with the dialogue and there is a distinctive voice for each character.
At the beginning of each chapter is an analysis of various fairy tales by Geraldine which serves to compliment the plot. Contained within the narrative are multiple mysteries and secrets, and the analysis of the fairy tales can be an interesting juxtaposition in comparison to the narrative. The plot does move a bit slowly at times, but Zettel has packed a lot of depth into the novel making this an interesting psychological thriller.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Grand Central Publishing.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2018/0...
December 4, 2021
Okay. Where to begin..
Sarah Zettel really did something here. Initially, I was engaged but could feel myself losing interest. There’s only so much I can read about a rich, shitty white man. BUT THATS THE BEAUTY OF IT. I was swept away by this story of two sisters. The imagery is wonderful and the parallels between this story and classic fairytales is perfectly sculpted. The format of the story keeps you questioning and engaged up to the bitter end. You’re essentially solving several mysteries over the course of the book and each one slaps you with a new twist. Truly amazing writing.
This story slapped me straight in the feelings. As an older sister, I completely understand Marie. You feel a responsibility for them. To protect them. To put on a performance to keep the attention on you so the younger sister(s) don’t become the object of attention. I understand the masks Marie wore and the parts she played to keep herself in a certain light. Everything she did, she did to keep not only herself safe, but more importantly to keep her little sister safe.
I also completely understand Geraldine. To stand up and be your own person. To not play the part your abuser wants you to. To stand up for those weaker than you and to take the backlash for all of it.
This is such an engrossing story but it’s also a beautiful story of sisters. You can lie to each other and fight and argue. You can scrutinize and play your separate parts. But nobody, and I mean nobody, will see you the way your sister sees you. In all your raw and unfiltered glory. The good, the bad, the weird, and the awful. A sister can see through your masks and straight to your gritty center. They know your past and why you are the way you are, they know what you are capable of and what you’ve done. Nobody sees you like a sister sees you. And for everything, I think that’s what this story is about. So if you have a sister you’re close to, definitely read this book. You’ll understand.
Sarah Zettel really did something here. Initially, I was engaged but could feel myself losing interest. There’s only so much I can read about a rich, shitty white man. BUT THATS THE BEAUTY OF IT. I was swept away by this story of two sisters. The imagery is wonderful and the parallels between this story and classic fairytales is perfectly sculpted. The format of the story keeps you questioning and engaged up to the bitter end. You’re essentially solving several mysteries over the course of the book and each one slaps you with a new twist. Truly amazing writing.
This story slapped me straight in the feelings. As an older sister, I completely understand Marie. You feel a responsibility for them. To protect them. To put on a performance to keep the attention on you so the younger sister(s) don’t become the object of attention. I understand the masks Marie wore and the parts she played to keep herself in a certain light. Everything she did, she did to keep not only herself safe, but more importantly to keep her little sister safe.
I also completely understand Geraldine. To stand up and be your own person. To not play the part your abuser wants you to. To stand up for those weaker than you and to take the backlash for all of it.
This is such an engrossing story but it’s also a beautiful story of sisters. You can lie to each other and fight and argue. You can scrutinize and play your separate parts. But nobody, and I mean nobody, will see you the way your sister sees you. In all your raw and unfiltered glory. The good, the bad, the weird, and the awful. A sister can see through your masks and straight to your gritty center. They know your past and why you are the way you are, they know what you are capable of and what you’ve done. Nobody sees you like a sister sees you. And for everything, I think that’s what this story is about. So if you have a sister you’re close to, definitely read this book. You’ll understand.
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