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The Stepsister
She should never have let her go. That was her first mistake. She trusted him. That was her second...
When a stranger leaves stepsisters, Victoria and Ness, a half-share in a house in Holland, they think it must be a mistake.
But there's no mistake when Ness goes missing.
Desperate for the truth, Victoria travels from Guernsey to Holland to find out what’s happened to her. Has she, as her texts show, embarked on a whirlwind romance? Has someone abducted her or even worse?
What she doesn’t know is there’s someone watching, and that person wants her dead.
Can Victoria find out the truth before it’s too late?
When a stranger leaves stepsisters, Victoria and Ness, a half-share in a house in Holland, they think it must be a mistake.
But there's no mistake when Ness goes missing.
Desperate for the truth, Victoria travels from Guernsey to Holland to find out what’s happened to her. Has she, as her texts show, embarked on a whirlwind romance? Has someone abducted her or even worse?
What she doesn’t know is there’s someone watching, and that person wants her dead.
Can Victoria find out the truth before it’s too late?
319 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 29, 2018
About the author
Jenny O'Brien
29 books182 followersHi and thanks for stopping by.
I took up writing about twenty years ago when I first came up with a plot for a book, and I haven't stopped since. When I’m not writing, I’m ferrying around 3 teenagers or working as a nurse. I’m also an all-year-round sea swimmer.
I write what I love to read, which is romance and thrillers.
My next release, out February, 2026, is The Resistance Knitting Club, a World War 2 historical novel set in Guernsey, the UK and France. I am currently working on my third WW2 novel.
If you like my writing please get in touch - my social media links are below (I’m rarely on Goodreads so it’s best not to drop me a message here). I also have a newsletter, which you can sign up to via my website.
Jenny O
Facebook: Jenny O'Brien Guernsey Writer
Twitter: scribblerjb
Instagram: scribblerjb
I took up writing about twenty years ago when I first came up with a plot for a book, and I haven't stopped since. When I’m not writing, I’m ferrying around 3 teenagers or working as a nurse. I’m also an all-year-round sea swimmer.
I write what I love to read, which is romance and thrillers.
My next release, out February, 2026, is The Resistance Knitting Club, a World War 2 historical novel set in Guernsey, the UK and France. I am currently working on my third WW2 novel.
If you like my writing please get in touch - my social media links are below (I’m rarely on Goodreads so it’s best not to drop me a message here). I also have a newsletter, which you can sign up to via my website.
Jenny O
Facebook: Jenny O'Brien Guernsey Writer
Twitter: scribblerjb
Instagram: scribblerjb
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 76 reviews
November 5, 2018
I died yesterday, or so I’ve been told.
With an opening line like that I was quickly captivated by this book... a thriller with a bit of everything including a splash of romance... A twisted family drama with a bit of a somber tone...
Victoria and her stepsister Ness are surprised when they inherit a house from a complete stranger... now has this ever turned out well in a book? Seriously if I Ever inherit anything from a complete stranger I’m turning it down! Well unless it’s cash😉 being the more adventurous of the two Ness heads to Holland, to check out the house... leaving Victoria with her poodle Nigel... can I just say that Nigel was one fantastic dog! Soon after this Victoria receive a message from Ness letting her know that she is getting married and is heading off on a romantic Trip... after some time passes without any contact Victoria become concerned and heads to Holland with, Nigel in toe... then The thrills begin!
This was a dark story with plenty of twists... The kind of story that keeps you up way past your bedtime frantically turning the pages.... there are a few moments of confusion and a bit of impossibility, but it’s all tied up nicely in the end!
Recommend to those of you who enjoy a well written thriller with some family drama and a darker side...
*** A huge thank you to Rachel and the author for my copy of this book ***
With an opening line like that I was quickly captivated by this book... a thriller with a bit of everything including a splash of romance... A twisted family drama with a bit of a somber tone...
Victoria and her stepsister Ness are surprised when they inherit a house from a complete stranger... now has this ever turned out well in a book? Seriously if I Ever inherit anything from a complete stranger I’m turning it down! Well unless it’s cash😉 being the more adventurous of the two Ness heads to Holland, to check out the house... leaving Victoria with her poodle Nigel... can I just say that Nigel was one fantastic dog! Soon after this Victoria receive a message from Ness letting her know that she is getting married and is heading off on a romantic Trip... after some time passes without any contact Victoria become concerned and heads to Holland with, Nigel in toe... then The thrills begin!
This was a dark story with plenty of twists... The kind of story that keeps you up way past your bedtime frantically turning the pages.... there are a few moments of confusion and a bit of impossibility, but it’s all tied up nicely in the end!
Recommend to those of you who enjoy a well written thriller with some family drama and a darker side...
*** A huge thank you to Rachel and the author for my copy of this book ***
April 30, 2020
I enjoyed the two settings of the story, although most takes part in Holland. I was a little envious of Victoria travelling to Holland, though of course not under the circumstances. With her sisters dog Nigel in toe, Victoria tries to find out what has happened Ness, due to the police not taking it seriously enough.
Not sure if it’s because I am a dog lover or the dog is slightly humanised with his name, but I couldn’t help, like Victoria, to get quite attached to him. In parts, I was as much concerned about him as the characters! He is a bit of an “underdog” literally.
There is a sense of foreboding throughout the story. It made me second guess everyone that we get to meet as to whether they are trustworthy or not. Along with what is going on with the disappearance of Ness, there is another thread to do with Victoria and the relationship with her mother that I was equally interested in.
The Stepsister is a dark and sinister read. Victoria isn’t the most likeable of protagonists but she grew on me the more I got to know her. The dynamics of the story kept me hooked, urging me to turn those pages to see how things were going to end. My first book by the author and certainly won’t be my last.
Not sure if it’s because I am a dog lover or the dog is slightly humanised with his name, but I couldn’t help, like Victoria, to get quite attached to him. In parts, I was as much concerned about him as the characters! He is a bit of an “underdog” literally.
There is a sense of foreboding throughout the story. It made me second guess everyone that we get to meet as to whether they are trustworthy or not. Along with what is going on with the disappearance of Ness, there is another thread to do with Victoria and the relationship with her mother that I was equally interested in.
The Stepsister is a dark and sinister read. Victoria isn’t the most likeable of protagonists but she grew on me the more I got to know her. The dynamics of the story kept me hooked, urging me to turn those pages to see how things were going to end. My first book by the author and certainly won’t be my last.
November 3, 2018
Stepsisters Victoria and Vanessa (Ness) are both convinced that it's a big mistake. It has to be right? Why would a total stranger leave them a half share in a house, in Holland of all places?
Ness flies over to Holland from Guernsey to check the house out and promptly disappears.
Victoria is convinced that something isn't right,Ness would never abandon their mother or Ness`s beloved dog Nigel (who the hell calls their dog Nigel...lol)And as for the texts that Ness has sent about a whirlwind romance and Ness marrying some man called Manus Van Der Hooke. That's not the actions of the sister that Victoria knows.
So Victoria and Nigel fly over to Holland to try and find out what has happened to Ness.
But someone is watching Victoria,someone who wants her dead.
Can Victoria find out the truth before it is to late?
I really liked Victoria,she had a wicked sense of humour,even during her bouts of amnesia she was able to see humour in the situation. She was a complex,vivid character who found herself in a number of life threatening situations as the story unfolded. I loved her interactions with Nigel,at first looking after him was just a inconvenience but she gradually ended up loving the lazy mutt. The authors descriptions of Victoria's fear and confusion as she struggled with her amnesia were realistic and believable. As were Victoria's conflicting feelings and doubts about Doctor Manus Van Der Hooke. Could she really trust him? Did he know what had happened to Ness? Where was Ness? Who was their mysterious benefactor? Was Nigel the laziest dog in the history of literature?. Apart from Victoria and lazybones Nigel,my other favourite character was the Inspector (poor bloke didn't even have a name) who was investigating Victoria's case,he was a very likeable,kind and caring character.
How can anyone not be drawn into a story that opens with the line "I died yesterday,or so I've been told" It's a fast paced,part romance/part mystery that is packed full of twists and turns.Had a number of life threatening situations and keeps the reader guessing and held my attention throughout the whole book. It's very well written,the authors words flow with ease,drawing you into Victoria's complicated life and conflicting emotions. Very good book and highly recommended by little old me.
Many thanks to Rachel Gibley (Rachel's random resources) for the opportunity to read and review this enthralling thriller
Ness flies over to Holland from Guernsey to check the house out and promptly disappears.
Victoria is convinced that something isn't right,Ness would never abandon their mother or Ness`s beloved dog Nigel (who the hell calls their dog Nigel...lol)And as for the texts that Ness has sent about a whirlwind romance and Ness marrying some man called Manus Van Der Hooke. That's not the actions of the sister that Victoria knows.
So Victoria and Nigel fly over to Holland to try and find out what has happened to Ness.
But someone is watching Victoria,someone who wants her dead.
Can Victoria find out the truth before it is to late?
I really liked Victoria,she had a wicked sense of humour,even during her bouts of amnesia she was able to see humour in the situation. She was a complex,vivid character who found herself in a number of life threatening situations as the story unfolded. I loved her interactions with Nigel,at first looking after him was just a inconvenience but she gradually ended up loving the lazy mutt. The authors descriptions of Victoria's fear and confusion as she struggled with her amnesia were realistic and believable. As were Victoria's conflicting feelings and doubts about Doctor Manus Van Der Hooke. Could she really trust him? Did he know what had happened to Ness? Where was Ness? Who was their mysterious benefactor? Was Nigel the laziest dog in the history of literature?. Apart from Victoria and lazybones Nigel,my other favourite character was the Inspector (poor bloke didn't even have a name) who was investigating Victoria's case,he was a very likeable,kind and caring character.
How can anyone not be drawn into a story that opens with the line "I died yesterday,or so I've been told" It's a fast paced,part romance/part mystery that is packed full of twists and turns.Had a number of life threatening situations and keeps the reader guessing and held my attention throughout the whole book. It's very well written,the authors words flow with ease,drawing you into Victoria's complicated life and conflicting emotions. Very good book and highly recommended by little old me.
Many thanks to Rachel Gibley (Rachel's random resources) for the opportunity to read and review this enthralling thriller
October 29, 2018
I was sucked in from the first line - 'I died yesterday, or so I've been told' and found it hard to stop reading until the very satisfying end - but to get there you have to survive the twists and turns that take you from England to Holland and back. When Vee and her stepsister, Nessie, are left a house in Holland, they think it must be a mistake - but it isn't, it's the start of a roller-coaster ride that ends with Nessie vanishing and Vee desperate to find out the truth. I've been a fan of Jenny O'Brien's romance novels for years but with The Stepsister she has changed to the psychological thriller genre - and boy does she do it well! This has to be the best novel I have read this year.
October 29, 2018
the story of vee and her stepsister nessie these two are left a canal house in holland the netherlands. nessie sends a text from holland saying she has met a dutchman and telling vee not to get in touch, its all so strange and after a month there's still no word from nessie, vee sets out to go over to find out what nessie is up to, and making usre she is ok a wedding is planned with this mystery guy MANUS VAN DER HOOKE and this mystery house in holland. i found this book so gripping right through and sent chills through me with lots of twists and turns along the way. i so enjoyed it and it hits you with lots of surprises. great book
November 1, 2018
Jenny O’Brien has surprised me by turning her hand to psychological thrillers and as I adore her romances I just had to explore this new direction. And what a brilliant decision it was as I absolutely LOVED The Stepsister! It grabbed me from the first shocking few pages and didn’t let me go until that wonderfully emotional final denouement.
When stepsisters Victoria and Ness are left a house in Holland they are rather puzzled as they have never heard of their mystery benefactor! The girls have very different personalities therefore they also have differing views about what they should do with their inheritance. When Ness goes off to The Netherlands to find out more, she goes off grid after announcing she has had a whirlwind romance with a Dutchman she met there. So Victoria chases after her with dangerous consequences for them all.
What a fabulously twisty read this was! And all brought to life in two gloriously described settings so that the reader really developed a great sense of place throughout. The scenes in the canal side house in Delft brought back so many memories of time spent there and having also spent that time in Dutch houses, especially those of the older generations, i know that they can be decidedly dark and foreboding due to the traditional furnishings. So the inherited house where lots of the action took place was a creepy, realistic portrayal of the Dutch architecture and lifestyle.
One character who stood out for me was, unusually, not a human one! Nigel the poodle was a brilliant addition to the cast and one that needs to make an appearance again as I loved him so much! Ness and her mother weren’t as likeable but as with all good psychological thrillers, the reasons for this are slowly unraveled with a variety of plot devices.
Once again Jenny O’Brien has opened up my emotional floodgates and I did have a bit of a weepy session towards the end. She writes so beautifully that I am always completely caught up in the actions of her characters and their lives. This change of genre worked well as I could still get an essence of who Jenny is as an author which showed throughout with her delicately handled twists and turns.
Absolutely loved this and can’t wait for more of the same (and a guest appearance from Nigel perhaps?!)
When stepsisters Victoria and Ness are left a house in Holland they are rather puzzled as they have never heard of their mystery benefactor! The girls have very different personalities therefore they also have differing views about what they should do with their inheritance. When Ness goes off to The Netherlands to find out more, she goes off grid after announcing she has had a whirlwind romance with a Dutchman she met there. So Victoria chases after her with dangerous consequences for them all.
What a fabulously twisty read this was! And all brought to life in two gloriously described settings so that the reader really developed a great sense of place throughout. The scenes in the canal side house in Delft brought back so many memories of time spent there and having also spent that time in Dutch houses, especially those of the older generations, i know that they can be decidedly dark and foreboding due to the traditional furnishings. So the inherited house where lots of the action took place was a creepy, realistic portrayal of the Dutch architecture and lifestyle.
One character who stood out for me was, unusually, not a human one! Nigel the poodle was a brilliant addition to the cast and one that needs to make an appearance again as I loved him so much! Ness and her mother weren’t as likeable but as with all good psychological thrillers, the reasons for this are slowly unraveled with a variety of plot devices.
Once again Jenny O’Brien has opened up my emotional floodgates and I did have a bit of a weepy session towards the end. She writes so beautifully that I am always completely caught up in the actions of her characters and their lives. This change of genre worked well as I could still get an essence of who Jenny is as an author which showed throughout with her delicately handled twists and turns.
Absolutely loved this and can’t wait for more of the same (and a guest appearance from Nigel perhaps?!)
November 3, 2018
Victoria’s life seems to be falling apart around her ears when she receives a letter telling her that she’s inherited a house from a stranger with her stepsister Ness. Uninterested she lets Ness go over to Holland to sort out the sale.
When she doesn’t hear from Ness for a while she’s not overly worried. Then she receives a text saying that she’s got married to a man named Manus Van Der Hook. Alarmed she ventures over to Holland only to find Ness is missing.
Staying in the house searching for her sister, strange things start happening. She’s in danger but from who? Can she find her sister before it’s too late?
So this is my first Jenny O’Brien novel and I believe the author’s first foray into psychological thrillers, having previously romances (for those who are fans of those books there is a bit of romance in this one too!).
‘I died yesterday, or so I’ve been told.’
Wow what a killer opening line! We start off in the present with a woman who doesn’t remember her name or how she ended up in a hospital in a foreign country. We’re then catapulted back in time to meet stepsister Victoria and Ness, who couldn’t be more different, Ness a lawyer, Victoria an artist.
Poor Victoria, abandoned at birth by her mother and adopted by a woman who didn’t have time for her, she hasn’t had the best of starts in life. Add to that her boyfriend of ten years dumps her for a younger woman! I just wanted to give her a great big hug.
An Honorary mention has to got to Nigel the dog, just because he’s a dog named Nigel!
I liked the setting of Holland, I don’t think I’ve actually read many books set there, or if they were it was focused on the slightly more unsavoury aspect of the country.
I have to be honest it’s written in the first person (not my favourite of POV’s) and I did find with hearing the character’s innermost thoughts, it did get a little rambly in places but of course that is just my opinion.
Overall The Stepsister is chock full of intrigue, suspense with a little hint of romance that will keep you enthralled until the very last page.
When she doesn’t hear from Ness for a while she’s not overly worried. Then she receives a text saying that she’s got married to a man named Manus Van Der Hook. Alarmed she ventures over to Holland only to find Ness is missing.
Staying in the house searching for her sister, strange things start happening. She’s in danger but from who? Can she find her sister before it’s too late?
So this is my first Jenny O’Brien novel and I believe the author’s first foray into psychological thrillers, having previously romances (for those who are fans of those books there is a bit of romance in this one too!).
‘I died yesterday, or so I’ve been told.’
Wow what a killer opening line! We start off in the present with a woman who doesn’t remember her name or how she ended up in a hospital in a foreign country. We’re then catapulted back in time to meet stepsister Victoria and Ness, who couldn’t be more different, Ness a lawyer, Victoria an artist.
Poor Victoria, abandoned at birth by her mother and adopted by a woman who didn’t have time for her, she hasn’t had the best of starts in life. Add to that her boyfriend of ten years dumps her for a younger woman! I just wanted to give her a great big hug.
An Honorary mention has to got to Nigel the dog, just because he’s a dog named Nigel!
I liked the setting of Holland, I don’t think I’ve actually read many books set there, or if they were it was focused on the slightly more unsavoury aspect of the country.
I have to be honest it’s written in the first person (not my favourite of POV’s) and I did find with hearing the character’s innermost thoughts, it did get a little rambly in places but of course that is just my opinion.
Overall The Stepsister is chock full of intrigue, suspense with a little hint of romance that will keep you enthralled until the very last page.
October 31, 2018
Prepare to have your mind blown with this book! Jenny O’Brien had my mind and stomach in knots throughout this brilliantly written novel!!
This review will not be a lengthy one because I don’t want to spoil this wild ride for anyone. Victoria and Ness are stepsisters who have inherited a home in Holland from a complete stranger, and this is where the story really begins. Victoria wanted no part of this, but Ness was determined to go to Holland to see the home herself. Not long after being there, she disappears and Victoria has no choice but to go looking for her. What she finds only leads to more questions and a lot of danger.
This is a psychological thriller, but it’s also a story about two women thrown together when they are just children and how that affects them each individually and as sisters. That background figures pretty heavily into the storyline and adds even more to it in my opinion.
It most definitely is a thriller. I never knew what secret or twist was coming next. O’Brien did a fabulous job of that in the very beginning of the book! That was a brilliant hook! She also did a wonderful job of connecting the dots and the entire story itself…the cover even tied in. Art is connected the book also, and I loved how the illustrator reflected that in the cover.
I will warn you that once you begin reading, you won’t be able to do anything else until you have finished the very last page. Excellent read, and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author!!!!
This review will not be a lengthy one because I don’t want to spoil this wild ride for anyone. Victoria and Ness are stepsisters who have inherited a home in Holland from a complete stranger, and this is where the story really begins. Victoria wanted no part of this, but Ness was determined to go to Holland to see the home herself. Not long after being there, she disappears and Victoria has no choice but to go looking for her. What she finds only leads to more questions and a lot of danger.
This is a psychological thriller, but it’s also a story about two women thrown together when they are just children and how that affects them each individually and as sisters. That background figures pretty heavily into the storyline and adds even more to it in my opinion.
It most definitely is a thriller. I never knew what secret or twist was coming next. O’Brien did a fabulous job of that in the very beginning of the book! That was a brilliant hook! She also did a wonderful job of connecting the dots and the entire story itself…the cover even tied in. Art is connected the book also, and I loved how the illustrator reflected that in the cover.
I will warn you that once you begin reading, you won’t be able to do anything else until you have finished the very last page. Excellent read, and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author!!!!
December 22, 2020
A thoroughly pedestrian yet another of those female driven female authored thrillers somewhat elevated by fairly decent writing and somewhat exotic Dutch and Guernsey locations, but then thoroughly hampered by muddled plotting and constant veering off into the romance territory.
This debut features two stepsisters, as different as different can be, who don’t really get along outside of basic familial obligations, but then find themselves out of the blue inheriting a Dutch estate. The responsible lawyer sister goes over there to deal with the paperwork and the free spirited though depressed due to a recent dumping artist sister (and our main protagonist) stays behind. The lawyer sister vanishes after some uncharacteristic and thus suspicious texts, so it’s up to the artist sister to snap out of her blues and go figure out what’s going on
Next thing you know, she wakes up from a brutal attack which left her for dead with an amnesia and everyone thinks she is her sister. Including her new Dutch beau. Or is she? Who’s who? What’s going on here?
Usually I’d say read and find out, but honestly this wasn’t really worth reading. It isn’t especially original or interesting to stand out from the homogenous sea of this genre and, while the writing’s decent and the main character is reasonably likeable and compelling in all of her confusion, it just isn’t enough to justify the read. Especially once the novel takes a proper slide down the romance trash shoot.
This might work as a mindless beach read or for those who prefer their thrillers wrapped in romance, but otherwise it’s just ok. Then again it was a freebie and did read very quickly.
This debut features two stepsisters, as different as different can be, who don’t really get along outside of basic familial obligations, but then find themselves out of the blue inheriting a Dutch estate. The responsible lawyer sister goes over there to deal with the paperwork and the free spirited though depressed due to a recent dumping artist sister (and our main protagonist) stays behind. The lawyer sister vanishes after some uncharacteristic and thus suspicious texts, so it’s up to the artist sister to snap out of her blues and go figure out what’s going on
Next thing you know, she wakes up from a brutal attack which left her for dead with an amnesia and everyone thinks she is her sister. Including her new Dutch beau. Or is she? Who’s who? What’s going on here?
Usually I’d say read and find out, but honestly this wasn’t really worth reading. It isn’t especially original or interesting to stand out from the homogenous sea of this genre and, while the writing’s decent and the main character is reasonably likeable and compelling in all of her confusion, it just isn’t enough to justify the read. Especially once the novel takes a proper slide down the romance trash shoot.
This might work as a mindless beach read or for those who prefer their thrillers wrapped in romance, but otherwise it’s just ok. Then again it was a freebie and did read very quickly.
October 30, 2018
Two stepsisters Ness and Victoria are amazed to find out that they have been left a house in Holland by an elderly gentleman. Victoria, a troubled artist refuses to believe it but the more outgoing Ness can’t wait to get on the next plane. She leaves her little dog Nigel with Victoria and sets off to claim their inheritance. However, Ness goes missing and Victoria has a feeling that her stepsister could be in danger. She sets off for Holland too, with Nigel beside her.
The book is narrated in parts by both sisters. The descriptive writing built up a tremendous amount of suspense. The story was deeply intriguing and complex and had me sitting up all night to finish it. There were several layers to the plot, a twist, a loss of memory a feeling of impending danger and a great deal of mystery. I loved the addition of Nigel the poodle who remained extremely loyal throughout.
I don’t want to risk revealing a spoiler so I have kept this review brief. I will say that the book is highly enjoyable and recommended for lovers of crime and mystery thrillers. I look forward to reading more from Jenny O’Brien in the future.
The book is narrated in parts by both sisters. The descriptive writing built up a tremendous amount of suspense. The story was deeply intriguing and complex and had me sitting up all night to finish it. There were several layers to the plot, a twist, a loss of memory a feeling of impending danger and a great deal of mystery. I loved the addition of Nigel the poodle who remained extremely loyal throughout.
I don’t want to risk revealing a spoiler so I have kept this review brief. I will say that the book is highly enjoyable and recommended for lovers of crime and mystery thrillers. I look forward to reading more from Jenny O’Brien in the future.
November 23, 2020
This was the most confusing book I have ever read. At one point I felt that I too was descending into the dementia, or rather the madness, the author talks about throughout the book. The 2 sisters are together at the opening of the story and one leaves for Holland because they have inherited a house there. We hear nothing else about her for several hundred pages! The other sister also goes to Holland and the story gets stranger and stranger! She is later found beaten and bound and winds up in a hospital. A man arrives who says he is her husband but she has no memory of him. Her sister is found dead. She and her trusty dog go home with this un-husband and live together. Strange things happen for which there is no explanation. Finally the surviving sister goes back to Guernsey to pack up and return to Holland and to the non-husband. A famous painting is involved and is the cause of all the killing! I hate that I wasted my time trying to read this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2018
This is an enthralling debut Thriller and new Genre for this author, and wow its certainly an unputdownable gripping read. It's set in England and takes you to Holland where Vee and her Stepsister Bessie, have been left a house in Holland by a complete stranger. They don't believe its correct and think its a mistake......but in actual fact its true and this very cleverly written story begins. You will be kept on your toes and quivering in your boots, with all the emotions, twist and turns that you don't expect.
This book is a must read for Crime and Mystery fans.
I'm so looking forward to Jenny O'Briens next book.
This book is a must read for Crime and Mystery fans.
I'm so looking forward to Jenny O'Briens next book.
November 12, 2018
I tore through this book. The set-up is great, with an opening that shows you just how dramatic things are going to get, followed by a section of the novel that lets you see some of what led up to that moment. The structure and the story left me desperate for answers! I loved the setting too – I’ve never visited Holland but The Stepsister made me want to. I read the second half of this book standing up on a crowded train between Peterborough and York. I don’t think there are many things that could have made that journey go quickly, but The Stepsister did. I’m looking forward to more psychological thrillers from Jenny O’Brien.
March 31, 2020
What an excellent psychological thriller this was, my first read by Jenny O’Brien and it definitely won’t be the last.
A shocking start and an emotional ended to boot.
Victoria and Ness are the recipients of a house in Holland left to them by a mystery benefactor. The girls have differing views on what to do with the house but then Ness goes to Holland, gets involved with a Dutch man and goes missing.
To say more would spoil it for others. This one was full of twists and turns which at time took my breath away.
Brilliantly written with a great plot and characters that come alive on the page.
A shocking start and an emotional ended to boot.
Victoria and Ness are the recipients of a house in Holland left to them by a mystery benefactor. The girls have differing views on what to do with the house but then Ness goes to Holland, gets involved with a Dutch man and goes missing.
To say more would spoil it for others. This one was full of twists and turns which at time took my breath away.
Brilliantly written with a great plot and characters that come alive on the page.
October 30, 2018
The story has a sense of creepiness which is all-pervading and very cleverly told. There is also a wonderfully evocative portrayal of the merchants' houses typical of parts of Holland - I really could see the story taking place in front of my eyes. However, from the middle onwards as the plot begins to unfold, I did find myself getting confused and at times the storyline seemed somewhat implausible. It was all neatly unravelled by the end but not in the way I had imagined. There is a lot of sadness and poignancy in the relationships, especially between Victoria, Vanessa and the stepmother. I didn't feel that this is a happy read but felt that there was closure and a sense of hope at the end. It's a book which has stayed with me long after I finished it.
November 20, 2020
Am surprised by the high ratings. There were times throughout the story where the author's talent with words shows, in her turn of phrase, metaphors, descriptions. But the story itself, the plot, I found totally boring and predictable. I didn't see any of the twists and turns that other readers are raving about. It's obvious, super duper obvious from the start who Aldert is. Duh. And the parts of the plot where V is in danger etc are skimmed over; it's like watching a movie where a character drives into a brick wall at 1000 miles per hour and the next scene they are back home in bed drinking tea. There was zero intrigue for me, the characters were cutouts. Throw in a sappy cheesy ending which I found embarrassing to read. Pure sap.
October 30, 2018
The Stepsister is an excellent read. Well written, and fast moving - yes, a real page turner. I loved Nigel - but then I am a dog lover. A suspenseful story with a great twist at the end. Well done.
October 27, 2018
A thriller with a twist. I couldn't put it down. I am not going to tell you the story, read the blurb and enjoy the book. I had to keep turning the pages to find out what happened. One of the best thrillers I have read to date. The plot, twists and suspence just pulls you right in. I highly recommend this book. An amazing debut thriller by Jenny O'Brien. Congratulations it is definitely a keeper.
October 29, 2018
This book has a lot of twist and turns. The plot flows well and the characters have great growth. Its worth reading of you enjoy thrillers.
January 9, 2019
My Rating 3.5*
She should never have let her go.
That was her first mistake.
She trusted him.
That was her second...
The Stepsister is the latest book from Jenny O’ Brien and was published on 29th October 2018.
Described as a ‘gripping psychological thriller with a wicked twist’, it is a departure in genre for the author, having previously written, primarily, romantic novels.
“I died yesterday, or so I’ve been told.
Yesterday is the day my life changed but how or why is still a mystery. There are things I know and there are things they’ve told me but I can’t seem to trust any of it
I know I’m a woman but I don’t know my age……somewhere along the way, someone cared enough to drill manners into me. Those are the things I know, the things I can trust but as for the rest….”
The very intriguing opening lines from The Stepsister.
Who is this person? What is her name? Where does she come from? What happened to her? All questions, as a reader, that you automatically ask yourself, as you read on, in an attempt to unravel the truth and the identity of this stranger.
Victoria and Ness, stepsisters, receive a very unexpected letter in the post. On opening it, they discover that they have been left a house in The Netherlands by a mysterious individual, unknown to either. Victoria is in the middle of a personal crisis, having just come out of a relationship with Robert, the man she thought was The One. An artist by profession, she has never achieved any great financial success but thought that Robert was all she needed to be happy, to live the life she hoped for. Victoria was abandoned in her early years and was taken in by Ness’s mother, a woman who never showed Victoria any love or affection of any kind. With Robert now gone, Victoria feels betrayed and forlorn, disheveled and quite despondent with the direction her life has taken. Victoria has no intention of chasing this inheritance in The Netherlands, wanting nothing to do with it. Ness, a lawyer, takes the lead and suggests she travel and sort out the necessary paperwork, in the hope of discovering who this mystery benefactor is.
After a short period of time, a message arrives for Victoria from Ness, explaining that Ness has met and fallen passionately for a local Dutchman, Manus van der Hooke, and that she will contact Victoria again in her own time. Victoria is frustrated and angry. Having been left with Nigel, Ness’s dog, to mind, aswell as having to visit her stepmother, Marilyn, in a nursing home, Victoria feels her world is closing in on her. When no further contact is possible with Ness, Victoria gets concerned and makes the decision to travel to Holland, bringing Nigel with her.
As Victoria soon discovers, all is not quite as it seems. A web of intrigue and danger awaits her. Never knowing what is real and what is a fabrication. Victoria begins to doubt her own self, as she finds herself in situations way outside of her comfort zone.
The Stepsister is a novel packed with plenty of twists and turns. It’s hard to believe that this is Jenny O’ Brien’s first foray into the thriller genre. It has suspense and a quite a complex plot-line, with that fantastic opener, the perfect hook, to draw the reader deeper into the story. An enjoyable read!!
She should never have let her go.
That was her first mistake.
She trusted him.
That was her second...
The Stepsister is the latest book from Jenny O’ Brien and was published on 29th October 2018.
Described as a ‘gripping psychological thriller with a wicked twist’, it is a departure in genre for the author, having previously written, primarily, romantic novels.
“I died yesterday, or so I’ve been told.
Yesterday is the day my life changed but how or why is still a mystery. There are things I know and there are things they’ve told me but I can’t seem to trust any of it
I know I’m a woman but I don’t know my age……somewhere along the way, someone cared enough to drill manners into me. Those are the things I know, the things I can trust but as for the rest….”
The very intriguing opening lines from The Stepsister.
Who is this person? What is her name? Where does she come from? What happened to her? All questions, as a reader, that you automatically ask yourself, as you read on, in an attempt to unravel the truth and the identity of this stranger.
Victoria and Ness, stepsisters, receive a very unexpected letter in the post. On opening it, they discover that they have been left a house in The Netherlands by a mysterious individual, unknown to either. Victoria is in the middle of a personal crisis, having just come out of a relationship with Robert, the man she thought was The One. An artist by profession, she has never achieved any great financial success but thought that Robert was all she needed to be happy, to live the life she hoped for. Victoria was abandoned in her early years and was taken in by Ness’s mother, a woman who never showed Victoria any love or affection of any kind. With Robert now gone, Victoria feels betrayed and forlorn, disheveled and quite despondent with the direction her life has taken. Victoria has no intention of chasing this inheritance in The Netherlands, wanting nothing to do with it. Ness, a lawyer, takes the lead and suggests she travel and sort out the necessary paperwork, in the hope of discovering who this mystery benefactor is.
After a short period of time, a message arrives for Victoria from Ness, explaining that Ness has met and fallen passionately for a local Dutchman, Manus van der Hooke, and that she will contact Victoria again in her own time. Victoria is frustrated and angry. Having been left with Nigel, Ness’s dog, to mind, aswell as having to visit her stepmother, Marilyn, in a nursing home, Victoria feels her world is closing in on her. When no further contact is possible with Ness, Victoria gets concerned and makes the decision to travel to Holland, bringing Nigel with her.
As Victoria soon discovers, all is not quite as it seems. A web of intrigue and danger awaits her. Never knowing what is real and what is a fabrication. Victoria begins to doubt her own self, as she finds herself in situations way outside of her comfort zone.
The Stepsister is a novel packed with plenty of twists and turns. It’s hard to believe that this is Jenny O’ Brien’s first foray into the thriller genre. It has suspense and a quite a complex plot-line, with that fantastic opener, the perfect hook, to draw the reader deeper into the story. An enjoyable read!!
December 17, 2018
I have to admit I m not always the quickest off the mark when it comes to figuring stuff out, discovering twists and ingenious little placements of happenings that are significance in the book. As a result, when a book opens with a scene that is designed to make you sit up and wonder what’s going on, you can bet I’m going to sit up and scrutinise even more than the average reader.
And so it begins with a Liz Nugget-esque beginning: ‘I died yesterday, or so I’ve been told.’ We see that there’s someone who has no recollection of anything and no clue of who she is other than the ‘V’ tattoo on her body. Intrigued? Well I was!
I read this book in one night, my eyes never even dipping in a book that was extremely atmospheric. It is quite a headachy book until you get used to the tragic circumstances and dour personality of the protagonist who is searching for her stepsister who has gone to check out a house in Holland that the pair have been left in a will. I quickly accepted that not all books require a lead to be positive (how many bookish people who know my reviews and writing are laughing at this? Yes I do know that negative people deserve to exist too!!!) and you move on. Obviously the selling point in this book is the twist and I searched for it throughout, and had an idea due to the scattering of clues in a trail to an ending which was divisive for me, I appreciated part of it and yet didn’t feel some of it necessary. I saw in a review a special shout out for the dog, Nigel and I have to agree, he holds a special place in this book, which is a search for someone and something and is utterly unputdownable, but at the same time a very sedate read that is not for action-o-holics. Thanks so much to the author for this book in return for an honest review.
And so it begins with a Liz Nugget-esque beginning: ‘I died yesterday, or so I’ve been told.’ We see that there’s someone who has no recollection of anything and no clue of who she is other than the ‘V’ tattoo on her body. Intrigued? Well I was!
I read this book in one night, my eyes never even dipping in a book that was extremely atmospheric. It is quite a headachy book until you get used to the tragic circumstances and dour personality of the protagonist who is searching for her stepsister who has gone to check out a house in Holland that the pair have been left in a will. I quickly accepted that not all books require a lead to be positive (how many bookish people who know my reviews and writing are laughing at this? Yes I do know that negative people deserve to exist too!!!) and you move on. Obviously the selling point in this book is the twist and I searched for it throughout, and had an idea due to the scattering of clues in a trail to an ending which was divisive for me, I appreciated part of it and yet didn’t feel some of it necessary. I saw in a review a special shout out for the dog, Nigel and I have to agree, he holds a special place in this book, which is a search for someone and something and is utterly unputdownable, but at the same time a very sedate read that is not for action-o-holics. Thanks so much to the author for this book in return for an honest review.
May 10, 2020
If you fancy a twisted thriller that keeps you on your toes, never quite sure in which direction it will take you, this book is for you.
From its intriguing opening line, the author draws us into the prickly world of stepsisters Victoria and Nessie. Bequeathed a canal house in Holland by a mysterious benefactor, they argue over what to do with it. Victoria is still reeling from a relationship break-up, and it's left to Nessie to travel from their homeland of Guernsey to discover more about the unexpected legacy. Add to the mix Victoria's unusual — and heartbreaking — start to life, her strained relationship with her ailing stepmother, and an adorable dog called Nigel (who is more than a bystander in the tale), and you have all the ingredients for a nail-biting read.
When a book captures my attention so thoroughly, I like to note down stand-out lines. Here are just a few:
It's funny how one thought, one memory is one too many.
Her mind, always the sharpest of blades, has blunted to a weak parody.
But still, the distant cord of sight, sound and smell wraps me in its silken thread …
The routineness of it all, swiftly followed by the look of surprise on Manus's face only added to the gloss of normality I'd started smearing across my life with a liberal hand.
The locations are painted evocatively, and art plays more than a pivotal role in the unfurling of the story. There is drama, intrigue, romance and much, much more within the pages of this mesmerising and memorable work.
From its intriguing opening line, the author draws us into the prickly world of stepsisters Victoria and Nessie. Bequeathed a canal house in Holland by a mysterious benefactor, they argue over what to do with it. Victoria is still reeling from a relationship break-up, and it's left to Nessie to travel from their homeland of Guernsey to discover more about the unexpected legacy. Add to the mix Victoria's unusual — and heartbreaking — start to life, her strained relationship with her ailing stepmother, and an adorable dog called Nigel (who is more than a bystander in the tale), and you have all the ingredients for a nail-biting read.
When a book captures my attention so thoroughly, I like to note down stand-out lines. Here are just a few:
It's funny how one thought, one memory is one too many.
Her mind, always the sharpest of blades, has blunted to a weak parody.
But still, the distant cord of sight, sound and smell wraps me in its silken thread …
The routineness of it all, swiftly followed by the look of surprise on Manus's face only added to the gloss of normality I'd started smearing across my life with a liberal hand.
The locations are painted evocatively, and art plays more than a pivotal role in the unfurling of the story. There is drama, intrigue, romance and much, much more within the pages of this mesmerising and memorable work.
January 20, 2021
First, I’d like to say that what I enjoyed the most was the book’s descriptions of The Netherlands and the canal houses. For me, it brought back pleasant memories of my own time there.
The story was a bit “bare-boned”. In a nutshell, the story is: English stepsisters Victoria and Ness inherit a Delft canal house, Ness goes to Delft to check out the house (and disappears), Victoria goes to Delft to find Ness (a nearly impossible task once Victoria completely loses all her memories after an attack by an unknown assailant).
The story begins after Victoria has lost her memories. Victoria learns that, before the attack, she met the owner of the adjacent canal house, the two had a whirlwind courtship and now they are married (even though she went to Delft to find her stepsister!). But Victoria has no memories of her husband. The book spent more time with Victoria wondering whether or not she can trust her husband than with Victoria wondering what happened to her sister. Indeed, as there is so much more interaction between Victoria and her husband than between Victoria and her stepsister, the book seems misnamed. (I.e., perhaps “The Husband” instead of “The Stepsister”.)
I called this book a “decent little book” because, although it kept my attention, [1] there are few characters, [2] the action & interactions all take place in just a few locales and [3] some puzzling aspects can’t be figured out (by me, anyway) until explained at the end of the book.
The story was a bit “bare-boned”. In a nutshell, the story is: English stepsisters Victoria and Ness inherit a Delft canal house, Ness goes to Delft to check out the house (and disappears), Victoria goes to Delft to find Ness (a nearly impossible task once Victoria completely loses all her memories after an attack by an unknown assailant).
The story begins after Victoria has lost her memories. Victoria learns that, before the attack, she met the owner of the adjacent canal house, the two had a whirlwind courtship and now they are married (even though she went to Delft to find her stepsister!). But Victoria has no memories of her husband. The book spent more time with Victoria wondering whether or not she can trust her husband than with Victoria wondering what happened to her sister. Indeed, as there is so much more interaction between Victoria and her husband than between Victoria and her stepsister, the book seems misnamed. (I.e., perhaps “The Husband” instead of “The Stepsister”.)
I called this book a “decent little book” because, although it kept my attention, [1] there are few characters, [2] the action & interactions all take place in just a few locales and [3] some puzzling aspects can’t be figured out (by me, anyway) until explained at the end of the book.
December 10, 2020
A really good story, tense and dark with an original premise. It kept me guessing for quite awhile before I could figure out what was going on. I would have given it a higher rating, and I got the book free so I really shouldn't complain, but it is filled with amateurish mistakes and misused language. I mean, even the title is a mistake - the two women in the book are never stepsisters; they are adoptive sisters. The author compounds this mistake throughout the book by constantly using the terms stepsister and stepmother - incorrectly. There are myriad other mistakes throughout - using the name Holland although the country is properly known as the Netherlands, expresso for espresso, intransient for intransigent, Belgium for Belgian, alter for altar, decent for descent, and Rejksmuseum for Rijksmuseum. As a former copy editor, these things plus poor comma usage and awkward sentences ('Enough said about that the better') drove me crazy. I urge the author to either find a friend who has a better command of grammar, language and punctuation, or hire a professional editor for future books.
November 1, 2018
Oh…my…GOSH, this book. THIS BOOK. My mind has been blown. I’m having difficulties gathering my thoughts because The Stepsister was just so good.
I really love the plot. Psychological thrillers are generally some of my favorite books. They make you think, they keep you on edge, they throw in red herrings to keep you from guessing what’s going on too soon. I love the two sisters and how their backgrounds affect the story.
Jenny O’Brien is a fabulous writer. She delivers a twisting, turning, mind-bending story, leaving you feeling like you just in awe of what you read. All the dots were connected, it kept me turning the pages. I read this one in a day, and I’m sure you will too if you pick it up. I can’t stop praising The Stepsister. This is one you have to read!
*I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour. All opinions are my own.*
I really love the plot. Psychological thrillers are generally some of my favorite books. They make you think, they keep you on edge, they throw in red herrings to keep you from guessing what’s going on too soon. I love the two sisters and how their backgrounds affect the story.
Jenny O’Brien is a fabulous writer. She delivers a twisting, turning, mind-bending story, leaving you feeling like you just in awe of what you read. All the dots were connected, it kept me turning the pages. I read this one in a day, and I’m sure you will too if you pick it up. I can’t stop praising The Stepsister. This is one you have to read!
*I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour. All opinions are my own.*
April 28, 2020
What a read! Nothing is what it first seems and the ending? Wow! Smoke and mirrors springs to mind . . .
Stepsisters Victoria and Ness get the unexpected news that they have inherited a house in Holland - and by someone unknown to them. Ness heads off to to visit that country, with the aim of putting the house on the market. Victoria doesn't really want anything to do with it, but when Ness goes missing she finds herself following on - whether she wants to or not...
I've read this author's work before, but it did not prepare me for this excellently plotted novel - I didn't see it coming and to be honest, knowing what I know now, I still don't think I'd have worked it out! An absolutely superb read; a gripping thriller and one I'm very happy to recommend. It's unique to me and I suspect it will be to you too!
Stepsisters Victoria and Ness get the unexpected news that they have inherited a house in Holland - and by someone unknown to them. Ness heads off to to visit that country, with the aim of putting the house on the market. Victoria doesn't really want anything to do with it, but when Ness goes missing she finds herself following on - whether she wants to or not...
I've read this author's work before, but it did not prepare me for this excellently plotted novel - I didn't see it coming and to be honest, knowing what I know now, I still don't think I'd have worked it out! An absolutely superb read; a gripping thriller and one I'm very happy to recommend. It's unique to me and I suspect it will be to you too!
August 15, 2019
Gripping!
Victoria and Vanessa are step sisters. They are completely opposite from each other. Victoria is an artist while Vanessa is a lawyer.
They are both willed a house from someone they don't know. Vanessa leaves Nygel her dog for Victoria to watch while ahe takes a flight to Holland to look at the house they've inherited.
After being away for six weeks, Victoria goes to the police and reports her step sister missing.
I thought I had this book clearly figured out, but a left hook came out of nowhere and threw me for a loop! I encourage you to read this book, I promise you will not be disappointed!!!!
Victoria and Vanessa are step sisters. They are completely opposite from each other. Victoria is an artist while Vanessa is a lawyer.
They are both willed a house from someone they don't know. Vanessa leaves Nygel her dog for Victoria to watch while ahe takes a flight to Holland to look at the house they've inherited.
After being away for six weeks, Victoria goes to the police and reports her step sister missing.
I thought I had this book clearly figured out, but a left hook came out of nowhere and threw me for a loop! I encourage you to read this book, I promise you will not be disappointed!!!!
January 2, 2019
Oooh this book gives me shivers just thinking about it!
I absolutely loved this read and could not put it down. There were so many unexpected twists and turns. Just as you think you've got everything sussed out, you don't!
I really loved the characters in this and how you get completely sucked into their lives. I also love how the story is so unique and not something I could dream up in a million years.
If you're looking for something to enjoy, entertain and keep you on the edge, this is a great choice. Would highly recommend.
I absolutely loved this read and could not put it down. There were so many unexpected twists and turns. Just as you think you've got everything sussed out, you don't!
I really loved the characters in this and how you get completely sucked into their lives. I also love how the story is so unique and not something I could dream up in a million years.
If you're looking for something to enjoy, entertain and keep you on the edge, this is a great choice. Would highly recommend.
January 20, 2022
This was a fairly riveting psychological thriller, and I had trouble putting it down. There are so many things going on, you don't know what to focus one until it is too late. Then you spend the rest of the time trying to figure out who is a good guy and who is a bad guy, until everything culminates for the final twist. The rest of the book is spent tying up loose ends, which is appreciated, as so many others like it leave you wondering what happens to the characters you get to know so well after all the pieces fall into place.
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