My Sister's Lies

by Rachel Hargrove

The man of dreams is too good for my sister. But I played by the rules. I stepped aside. I honored their sham of a marriage and watched a good man rot while my sister destroyed him from within. But then...my sister went missing. So I saved her husband's life. I loved him like he was my own. And I protected him from the truth. I had to do it. You would've done the same. From the author of Sick Girl comes a mind-blowing psychological thriller that'll keep you turning the pages until the dramatic final twist. Read the gripping novel readers are calling "Gone Girl on steroids!"

Genres: Drama

330 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2018

About the author

Rachel Hargrove is from Montreal, Canada. She earned a BA in English and Comparative Literature at San Jose State University and worked as a data analyst in a biotechnology company. When she turned 26, she left her career in tech to write fiction full-time. Rachel now lives in Seattle.

Rachel’s debut psychological thriller Sick Girl is available now in eBook, Paperback and Audiobook!

You can drop her a line at admin@rachelhargrove.com

Reviews

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Sisters Ashes was a book that had me turning pages into the night needing to know what happens next. I absolutely loved Sick Girl earlier this year and couldn't wait to read this one.

Naomi is a famous artist married to Jay. Their marriage is not what it seems and Jay wants out. Naomis sister Opal is in love with Jay. And then Naomi disappears - and Jay is convinced that she has killed herself. Or has she.

So many lies and twists in this book. Do not pick up unless you have time to keep reading!

Thanks to the author for an advanced copy of this book. Highly recommended!

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

She's what we would call a mean girl in high school. But she's a grown woman who seemingly has it all ... a handsome husband who does on her .... a sister who does everything she tells her do ... she's a celebrity and makes lots of money.

But her husband isn't happy and he wants a divorce. Before he can continue with that, he finds his wife's body in the dumpster. And he does what anyone would do ... right? He assumes her stalker killed her, so he wraps her body up and disposes of it.

He tells everyone, including the sister, that she has died by suicide.

Instead of being upset over her sister's death, her first thought is that her sister's husband is now free ... in fact, everything that belonged to her sister can now belong to her.

What really happened that night? Was she murdered by a stalker? her husband? her sister? a jealous rival artist?

This one has twists and turns you never see coming and the lies just keep coming... surprising suspects and an even more surprising ending.

Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this well-written psychological thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Melodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Naomi is a narcissistic artist desperate for any and all attention. Opal is her sister, desperately unhappy with her job and her role as perpetual second fiddle to Naomi. And there is Jay. Married to Naomi, desperately seeking an easy out of his miserable marriage. Three desperate people in close proximity to one another. What could possibly go wrong?
This story had so many twists, turns and switchbacks I got reader's whiplash. None of the principal characters were especially sympathetic and I wasted not on ounce of concern on them. But, they were all part of a fascinating story with greed at it's core. And greed makes a most excellent motive for a whole host of crimes and or sins. I enjoyed it.

[Petra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wild, crazy story that required some willing suspension of disbelief. I enjoyed it in parts and it was fast-paced but all the lying, mean characters made it impossible to feel concerned for any of them.

[Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review also posted in my blog
https://onewordtoomuch.wordpress.com/...

This is one interesting psychological thriller. I have to admit, I got hook up from the first page. Finished it in 2 days (I’m not a fast reader).Talking about love triangle, deception, betrayal and craziness thrown together into a single story. Rachel Hargrove really pulls out the worst of a person’s attitude in the characters. All the selfishness, egocentric, madness, love, self pity are mix up into this book (which is an autobiography from 1 of the character).

The story is divided into 2 point of view: Opal and Jay. In the center of the story is Naomi, who is an artist (painter). The problem with Naomi is she’s dead. What’s left of her are some body parts, some blood in her studio and Jay who hasn’t got a clue on what happen to his wife. Jay keep looking for his wife, seeing her everywhere and putting out missing person posters. Opal on the other hand, is starting to get comfortable with her sister gone. Little by little, she crept into Jay’s life. She started using Naomi’s clothes and stuff.

As the story evolved, turns out that Naomi has been hiding in a cabin by the sea. And being Naomi, she can’t handle a mundane task of taking care for herself. So Opal, the good sister, is dividing her time between work and Naomi. Things get complicated when Opal gets pregnant with Jay’s baby. And then, Naomi comes back from the death, claiming that what she did is a performance art. The death scene, the funeral, the confusion are all created by Naomi. She didn’t care whether she destroys her sister’s and husband’s life by showcasing it to the media. All she cared for is the review and critics while harboring a darker secret in her past.

The characters are interesting. Jay is pictured as the meek husband. In love with his wife but sick of her at the same time that he can’t stand the sight of her. Opal is this regular girl, a bit fat, uninteresting, not fashionable and only runs a mundane life. She’s secretly in love with Jay and finally got her wish comes true. Naomi is the bomb in the story. Highly emotional, self centered, egotistical, she would for sure pulled off some drama in both Opal and Jay’s life. Reading her character makes me kind of feel sorry for Jay and Opal.

The end comes with a bit of a twist. Well, it’s still a happy ending for Opal and Jay. But somehow, Jay is still in a limbo between Opal and Naomi. What’s interesting is how Opal’s behavior. The story is a book by Opal. So this is like reading an autobiography by Opal about her sister’s life. With it, comes fame. And by the end, the true Opal comes forward. Money and fame does something to a person’s personality. Creepy? Yes, a bit. Weird? Very much so. This is a bit of an unusual read with surprises along the way.

I would love to read more title from Rachel Hargrove and review it here. Don’t forget to read my review on the previous book by Rachel Hargrove: Sick Girl

Recommend for those who love psychological thriller, unusually explosive drama and characters and a twisty plot with surprises until the end.

[Janice perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book! It had such great twists and turns. I really enjoyed the characters and plot.

[Dalene W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent thriller/suspense novel. I really enjoyed this read and it kept me guessing until the end. Great read!

[JWinter · Rating 1 out of 5]

The blurb does not match the story correctly. The MCis an unreliable narrator, and it reflects in the blurb!!

I hate unreliable narrators. I have only come across one book that did it in a way I like. This was not it.
The book is the MCs diary/ biography of events. The only POV that was reliable was the husbands. I wish I knew that going into this. This might have been a pleasant read if I knew who to believe from the get go. Otherwise I felt like I wasted time.

[La Femme Readers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can you imagine your brother-in-law telling you your sister committed suicide, and not showing any proof of it? With a missing body and no evidence of a goodbye letter, what really did happen to Naomi? You'd think Opal, her sister, would be grieving, instead she finds solace in his pants. Now, if that's not crazy, I don't know what is! This bizarre story, will have you questioning everyone's motives. Was it the tired husband, or the jealous sister...or is it more sinister then they imagined?

I absolutely love Rachel's writing, my first exposure came with SICK GIRL, and it's one of my favorite thrillers. With that being said, MY SISTER'S LIES, also known as MY SISTER'S ASHES, sadly did not live up to my expectations.

As much as the story flowed beautifully and it held up my curiosity, I just couldn't get passed the annoying characters. Each individual lacked empathy, and showed signs of sociopathic behavior. It made me cringe everytime they would expose the selfish nature within them and I couldn't help but roll my eyes 90% of the time. In addition, parts of the story were just unrealistic, I get the whole dramatic effect, but this was just out there and all over the place.

In the end, I did enjoy the unexpected twist, and how all the dots connected. Even though Rachel has a knack for writing thrillers, I would not recommend this one. You'd have to have a very high threshold for asshole characters who lack relatability. I'd still recommend SICK GIRL by her though, now that's a great book! With thrillers, it's either hit or miss, this time around, I hate to say it but it was a miss for me.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the author in exchange for an unbiased review. I enjoyed her debut thriller, Sick Girl, so I was excited to read this one. Once again, the author's characters were extremely unlikeable, unreliable, and completely messed up which made for a roller coaster ride of a story with a lot of twists. The plotline revolves around two sisters, Naomi and Opal, and Naomi’s husband, Jay. Both sisters have a pathological need for attention and fame (Naomi is a “transformative” artist while Opal is an aspiring author). Jay is Naomi’s disgruntled assistant and possibly mentally ill. He appears to have homicidal tendencies... or fantasies. The first chapter starts out with a grisly description of Jay calmly disposing of Naomi’s dismembered body that he found in a trash can in his garage, but later there were inconsistencies in the story that made me question who or what was actually in the trash can. There was also a scene with an art critic named Maria, who was afraid of Jay for some reason. A tragedy resulted, but it was unclear if it was a result of Jay's actions or just an accident. It was also unclear if Opal played any part in her sister's ultimate demise. The book was well-written, but there were a lot of unanswered questions.

[Shelley C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Naomi is a famous artist married to Jay. Their marriage is as far from what he imagined when they got married! Unfortunately, after consuming far too much alcohol after another fight, he goes to try find Naomi the next morning, but what he discovers is more shocking than anything he could have imagined. Opal is Naomi’s older sister and she has always had a crush on Jay. After constantly being unable to reach her sister, she immediately assumes the worst and Jay confirms it when she goes to their house. The events after this confirmation are diabolical and dark but with each event I grew a little more frustrated as I read the story - mainly with the characters and their lack of for a better word “adulting”. Some twists and turns I didn’t see coming and at one point I thought perhaps that Opal was Naomi and had a mental illness with a split personality. Not sure I will read anymore of these as the ending wasn’t quite what I like in wrapping things up, even though dark stories are something I enjoy!

Thanks to Booksprout and Rachel for the advanced copy for which I leave my honest review.

[Renee(Reneesramblings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read and enjoyed Sick Girl by Rachel Hargrove, so I was excited to see that she had written another book, My Sister's Ashes.
For Jay, life with his wife Naomi has been on a downward spiral for quite some time. He may have wished her gone many times, but he certainly didn't wish her dead( or did he). Then there is Opal, Naomi's older sister, forever in Naomi's shadow and secretly coveting her brother-in-law. Opal may have fantasized about having Naomi's life and her husband, but she didn't wish her dead(or did she). Lots of people are upset with Naomi, including her stalker Mitchell, but he didn't want her dead(or did he).
Jay tells everyone that Naomi committed suicide, and that's only one of many lies that will be exposed as you read this dark and twisted tale. What happened to Naomi and why? All will be revealed by the final page as surprising revelations just keep on coming. This one kept me guessing and entertained and I look forward to what comes next from the author.
Thank you, Rachel Hargrove, for the digital copy.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is filled with so much angst and so many twist and turns I had no idea how it would turn out. From the first few pages I found myself screaming at Jay in my head not understanding him and that carried out throughout the book! Naomi is as narcissistic as they come. I was really rooting for a happy ending for Opal but again I ended up screaming at Jay in my head....think Gone Girl on crazy steroids...

I have a love/hate relationship with this book as I am left wanting more from it..don’t get me wrong it gave me enough but I think this requires me to read more than once to get the full story without any confusion on all the different twists in the books...all I can say is I hope people aren’t like this in real life because it’s messed up and not in a beautiful disaster sort of way.

Definitely a great psychological thriller!

[Linda Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic 5 star story that will really get your mind working overdrive at all the twists and turns in this book.
It's definitely a thought provoking emotionally charged book.
I'm new to reading Rachel Hargrove but I will definitely be a life long fan after reading this masterpiece.
The storyline flows really well and hooks you in from the beginning and doesn't let you go until you read the end and what a fantastic ending it was.
I absolutely devoured Opal,Naomi and Jay's story.
The story got me invested in all the words and I couldn't believe how quickly time flew when I was reading it.
This book is so good and you really need to one click this book as soon as you.
I'm voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy of this fantastic book.

[Nora Flood-Houston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will wreck havoc with your mind. Naomi and Jay have been married for seven years.He has faithfully supported all her artistic endeavors but not without a cost to his autonomy. When Jay awakens from a drunken night he finds blood everywhere and evidence to the fact that she’s been murdered. He believes it is his fault that her stalker, Mitchell, got to her. Opal, Naomi’s sister, is devastated when Jay finally tells her why Naomi is not around. She’s dead. Let the games begin! This is a masterful psychological thriller that will keep you on your toes until the very end! A must read!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rachel Hargrove won me over with her debut book, Sick Girl, so I was excited to receive an ARC of My Sister’s Ashes in exchange for a review. I devoured the book in one weekend, drawn in by the duel points of view of the grieving husband and sister. Both narrators seemed unreliable and possibly mentally ill, and while they weren’t completely likeable, they were interesting!

While I loved the premise of the ending, it seemed to highlight some plot holes. Perhaps I missed something, but I also wish Hargrove would have explored Jay’s drinking black outs more, and delved deeper into how he found his wife’s body in the beginning of the book.

I would give this book a solid 3.5 stars.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like psychological thrillers like Gone Girl then you will love this book. There were so many twists and turns that I never saw the end coming until it was right in my face. What happens when you have a narcissistic artist, enabling family members (both husband and sister) and a delusional stalker? You get a mystery that holds your attention until the very end. But, there is no clear winner with the conclusion of this book. And, I believe that is how the author intended it IMO. I definitely recommend this book!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pamela Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Psychotic twin Naomi controls every one in her life she is a narcissistic artist with a God complex. Her dumpy twin sister Opal gets walked over daily. Her husband Jay is tired of her histrionics and wants a divorce. She has done some bad things in her past and they are about to catch up with her so she plans a terrible way to get out of it. Lots of things backfired and Karma comes back to bite her in the behind. Her stalker had never left, everyone turns on each other! You only live once but you can obviously die more than that. Adultery, murder, pregnancies, kidnapping, divorce a little something for everyone in this mystery thriller.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did Opal's sister really commit suicide or was she murdered? Either way, she is gone and now Opal is in the spotlight. After all, everyone wants to know the story behind a celebrity's death, especially one as scandalous as this. Now Opal has book deals and the life she feels she deserves, including her sister's husband at night. Soon the stories start flying about Opal and her brother in law. Did they kill her sister so they could be together? Were they having an affair before her sister died? Plus many other accusations. What is the truth? Will it tear them apart? You will need to read the book to find out. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Dawn Byers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the author I was given this book for an honest review.
A husband is searching the internet for a cheap divorce lawyer - when he suddenly finds his wife's dead body - he wraps it up and disposes of it.
She was an artist who had a stalker, she had a sister who was jealous of her, a husband wanting a divorce and so - who wanted her dead - or did she kill herself ?
And then there are signs she is alive -
What's really going on?
This book will keep you spinning with its twists and turns.

[Sophie Bristow Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back in March this year, I read and highly enjoyed “Sick Girl” by Rachel Hargrove, so when I discovered she’d written “My Sister’s Ashes - I just knew I had to read it!
The book features 4 main characters which were quite unlikeable people! Saying that though, this is a fantastically woven story, full of hidden secrets and betrayal. The chapters are brimmed with red herrings, keeping the reader guessing as to the final outcome. A fantastic psychological thriller which kept me entertained and mystified for an enjoyable few days. I can’t wait to see what Rachel Hargrove comes up with next, it’s sure to be another corker of a read.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great suspense story by a good suspense author! I have not read this genre without romance for quite awhile and I find it to be really strange to read a good story about crazy fiction. I am not sure if I will enjoy reading much more of this genre but the author has me intrigued so I will take them one at a time until I get tired of the lack of romance. I received a gifted copy. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review. I honestly am intrigued by this story and this author! Opal could not see that My Sister's Ashes also described her own moral compass.

[Meetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was crazy insane! The more I read, the harder it was to put down. When the ending came, I was not expecting it at all. I’m still processing what I read. I’m so used to reading books with HEA and likeable characters. The characters in this book….I just don’t even know how to begin. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a psychological thriller. After reading this one, I’m going to have to read more. The writing style was different, but I liked it.

I received an arc through Booksprout to read and provide an honest review.

[Linda Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book! It's a psychological twisty book, keeps you guessing until the end for sure! I love books about sisters, especially the ones with complicated relationships. Jay seems stuck in the middle of the twisted hold that Naomi has over her sister and himself. The ending left me wondering if there isn't more to Jay's personality than we found out in the book. Perhaps that's how the author wanted to leave us, a bit befuddled? I'll definitely read more of her work! Starting on The Sick Girl next!

[Sabrina Pawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was definitely mind blowing. Just when you thought you had it figured out, it has its twists and turns and leaves you wanting more.

At first it was hard for me to get a feel for this book and I’ll admit..., I didn’t love this book or hate it because I felt that Naomi was just crazy and conniving, Jay was a pompous jerk and Opal I just felt bad for because she always came second.

Everything leading up to how it ended had me finishing the book because I wanted to know what happened. I don’t like how it ended and I’m hoping Opal gets the happiness she deserves.

[Leslie Nugent · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book kept you reading for sure. There was not one character who you could like. The story did keep you guessing till the end. I do have to say the sisters were quite dysfunctional. My reason for three stars was I couldn't believe sisters could do this to each other.

This book kept you guessing. You wanted to know what cruel thing the sisters would do to each other next. This was very dysfunctional at best. There were some surprises. My reason for three stars was...how plausible could this be?

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first read by Rachel Hargrove and I am a fan! My Sister's Ashes is suspenseful, thrilling, and full of so many twists and turns! Just when you think you know what is going to happen or what has happened.....it goes in another direction. A total page turner! Jay's, Naomi's, and Opal's story keeps you entranced and surprised at every turn!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is the truth? The characters are questionable human beings. At first, I thought Opal and Jay are decent. Naomi was hands down narcissistic but Opal devolved into a duplicitous individual and Jay was just weak. It’s creepy that Mitchell may be the only one true to form. Wow, what a story! Just like Naomi’s art, shocking! But well-written. [I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.]

[Tracy Fritts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a good story it had many twist to it. I really enjoyed the storyline and learning about the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was interesting and wonderful all at the same time . It kept me on the edge of my seat. Every time I thought I knew what was happening something changed. I loved this book so much. I feel like I was there in person or watching a movie. The author really knows how to put you on the edge.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.