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The Sister-in-Law
From the USA Today bestselling author of Little Deadly Secrets comes a gripping story about the frailty of family and a battle of wills between a wife and a sister-in-law, bent on revenge.
She stole my husband. So I'd steal her life.
The Wife
Lane won Candace's heart over chocolate martinis and karaoke. But weeks into their whirlwind marriage, Candace realized Lane came with burdensome baggage in the form of his possessive live-in sister and her eerily watchful six-year-old son. Lane had a secret that seemed to hold him hostage, and Candace would do anything to uncover it.
The Sister-in-Law
Harper was the kind of woman who cooked homemade meals and dusted under the furniture. It was the least she could do for her brother after her husband's mysterious death, and Lane took her and her kids in. Then Candace showed up like a tornado passing through, threatening and destructive. But Harper had other plans for her new "sister," plans Lane could never find out about.
The Husband
All Lane had ever wanted was a white-picket-fence life. The wife. The two-point-five kids. The happy little family. Everything seemed to be falling into place with Candace ... until Harper's jealous streak got in the way, again. But choosing between his sister and wife would be costly ... and knowing Harper, the price would be blood.
She stole my husband. So I'd steal her life.
The Wife
Lane won Candace's heart over chocolate martinis and karaoke. But weeks into their whirlwind marriage, Candace realized Lane came with burdensome baggage in the form of his possessive live-in sister and her eerily watchful six-year-old son. Lane had a secret that seemed to hold him hostage, and Candace would do anything to uncover it.
The Sister-in-Law
Harper was the kind of woman who cooked homemade meals and dusted under the furniture. It was the least she could do for her brother after her husband's mysterious death, and Lane took her and her kids in. Then Candace showed up like a tornado passing through, threatening and destructive. But Harper had other plans for her new "sister," plans Lane could never find out about.
The Husband
All Lane had ever wanted was a white-picket-fence life. The wife. The two-point-five kids. The happy little family. Everything seemed to be falling into place with Candace ... until Harper's jealous streak got in the way, again. But choosing between his sister and wife would be costly ... and knowing Harper, the price would be blood.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 10, 2021
117 people are currently reading
5502 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Crane
25 books792 followersTo know PAMELA CRANE, you first need to know her husband. He sleeps with one eye open. He checks the knife block to make sure none are missing. Why? It could be because they have four kids and a farm full of mischievous animals. Or it could be because she writes murder mysteries, and about the occasional woman who has lost her marbles (not based on her real-life psyche, she swears!) Don't worry—her husband is safe...for now. Her books range from witty whodunnits to psychological suspense and even humorous women’s fiction thrown in for good measure. She’s a USA TODAY bestselling author of over a dozen novels (who’s counting?), but her biggest accomplishment is keeping her zoo of animals alive…and her husband in check. Grab a free book at www.pamelacrane.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 378 reviews
August 10, 2021
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!
A book with ‘in-law’ in the title doesn’t sound very original, but I was pleasantly surprised.
The shenanigans begin right away as Harper arrives home to find that her husband, Ben, has killed himself. Instead of calling the police like a normal person, she calls her brother, Lane. He helps her stage the body to look like murder so that she can get Ben’s life insurance payout. Completely logical thinking, right?
A little later, Harper doesn’t want to live in the house at the moment due to bad memories, but can’t sell it while the investigation into Ben’s death is ongoing. She decides that she and her two children, a daughter and a creepy son who likes to randomly appear right behind people, will stay with Lane for a while. Imagine Harper’s surprise when she finds out Lane is living with a woman named Candace...and that they are newlyweds.
Candace and Harper get off on the wrong foot...repeatedly. Harper doesn’t think Candace is good enough for Lane, and is pretty sure she’s hiding unsavory things from him...which she is. Candace can’t stand that Harper is trying to get in the way of her happiness, and will not put up with it.
Both of them have a lot to lose, and neither of them will give up.
This book is bonkers in the best type of way, and I am “bonkers for the books”! 😉 It exceeded my expectations at every turn. The official synopsis is both a bit spoiler-ish...and yet not completely accurate. There is a lot more beneath the surface here than the typical ‘in-law’ thriller.
Author Pamela Crane writes rich characters with secrets galore, and does an amazing job using three POVs (Harper, Candace, and Lane) to slowly and tantalizingly bring those secrets to light. I was rooting for one character who I didn’t think I would root for, but was never quite sure I was cheering for the right one. This family has some major issues that I won’t spoil by discussing, and it was great fun seeing them all play out.
The Sister-In-Law is like a rollercoaster ride of dread and tension (and some appreciated dark humor) that speeds up and plunges towards the finish line. While it likely won’t be one of my yearly top reads, I can’t deny how much of a blast I had with these delicious characters. A very satisfying read.
Thank you to William Morrow and Edelweiss for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 8/10/21.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
A book with ‘in-law’ in the title doesn’t sound very original, but I was pleasantly surprised.
The shenanigans begin right away as Harper arrives home to find that her husband, Ben, has killed himself. Instead of calling the police like a normal person, she calls her brother, Lane. He helps her stage the body to look like murder so that she can get Ben’s life insurance payout. Completely logical thinking, right?
A little later, Harper doesn’t want to live in the house at the moment due to bad memories, but can’t sell it while the investigation into Ben’s death is ongoing. She decides that she and her two children, a daughter and a creepy son who likes to randomly appear right behind people, will stay with Lane for a while. Imagine Harper’s surprise when she finds out Lane is living with a woman named Candace...and that they are newlyweds.
Candace and Harper get off on the wrong foot...repeatedly. Harper doesn’t think Candace is good enough for Lane, and is pretty sure she’s hiding unsavory things from him...which she is. Candace can’t stand that Harper is trying to get in the way of her happiness, and will not put up with it.
Both of them have a lot to lose, and neither of them will give up.
This book is bonkers in the best type of way, and I am “bonkers for the books”! 😉 It exceeded my expectations at every turn. The official synopsis is both a bit spoiler-ish...and yet not completely accurate. There is a lot more beneath the surface here than the typical ‘in-law’ thriller.
Author Pamela Crane writes rich characters with secrets galore, and does an amazing job using three POVs (Harper, Candace, and Lane) to slowly and tantalizingly bring those secrets to light. I was rooting for one character who I didn’t think I would root for, but was never quite sure I was cheering for the right one. This family has some major issues that I won’t spoil by discussing, and it was great fun seeing them all play out.
The Sister-In-Law is like a rollercoaster ride of dread and tension (and some appreciated dark humor) that speeds up and plunges towards the finish line. While it likely won’t be one of my yearly top reads, I can’t deny how much of a blast I had with these delicious characters. A very satisfying read.
Thank you to William Morrow and Edelweiss for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 8/10/21.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
September 13, 2021
"The Sister-in-Law" by Pamela Crane is one crazy ride!
What would you do if you return home to discover your husband dead on the couch? There's also a suicide note next to his body blaming you? Would you call the police? Or, would you call your brother to help stage the scene to make it look like a murder?
Oh, and there's a ginormous life insurance payout to consider, too!
So...the scene is staged and Harper finally calls the police to report her husband's 'murder'.
And that, folks is how this crazy story begins. But wait, there's more...
Harper doesn't want to live in the house where her husband was 'murdered' and decides to rent it out for income. She packs up her two kids and, uninvited, moves into her brother's house.
This is when Harper meets Lane's new wife, Candace. Harper is suspicious of Candice's past and the quick, secret marriage! Candice is upset at the lack of privacy and wants Harper and her kids to go!
Yep! These two sister-in-law's clash. Game on!
This story plays out through alternating chapters told in the first person point-of-views of Harper, Candace and Lane. I loved reading through each short chapter learning their backstories and secrets from their past. And, the secrets keep coming...
There are twists and turns that keeps the story moving nicely and made me anxiously to see how it would end. Although the characters are not a bit likable, the author does a great job making them interesting enough to love-to-hate. They are a messed up bunch, for sure and that's what made this one so much fun!
This is the first Pamela Crane book I've read and I'll definitely look at doing so again! I highly recommend this book to those who love Domestic Thriller's with crazy characters!
Thank you to Sam Glatt at William Morrow for a widget of this ARC through NetGalley. It has been my pleasure to give my honest and voluntary review.
What would you do if you return home to discover your husband dead on the couch? There's also a suicide note next to his body blaming you? Would you call the police? Or, would you call your brother to help stage the scene to make it look like a murder?
Oh, and there's a ginormous life insurance payout to consider, too!
So...the scene is staged and Harper finally calls the police to report her husband's 'murder'.
And that, folks is how this crazy story begins. But wait, there's more...
Harper doesn't want to live in the house where her husband was 'murdered' and decides to rent it out for income. She packs up her two kids and, uninvited, moves into her brother's house.
This is when Harper meets Lane's new wife, Candace. Harper is suspicious of Candice's past and the quick, secret marriage! Candice is upset at the lack of privacy and wants Harper and her kids to go!
Yep! These two sister-in-law's clash. Game on!
This story plays out through alternating chapters told in the first person point-of-views of Harper, Candace and Lane. I loved reading through each short chapter learning their backstories and secrets from their past. And, the secrets keep coming...
There are twists and turns that keeps the story moving nicely and made me anxiously to see how it would end. Although the characters are not a bit likable, the author does a great job making them interesting enough to love-to-hate. They are a messed up bunch, for sure and that's what made this one so much fun!
This is the first Pamela Crane book I've read and I'll definitely look at doing so again! I highly recommend this book to those who love Domestic Thriller's with crazy characters!
Thank you to Sam Glatt at William Morrow for a widget of this ARC through NetGalley. It has been my pleasure to give my honest and voluntary review.
March 27, 2022
In the opening scene, it looks like someone may have killed Harper’s husband Ben, despite a suicide note, and staged the scene to look like a Suicide.
So when Harper finds Ben and the note, she calls her brother Lane in a panic. He arrives and the two stage the scene to make it look like a murder instead.
After all, there is life insurance money to collect and policies don’t pay on Suicides.
But with the investigation ongoing, and the money being withheld, Harper feels like it would be best to rent out her house to get some income and escape the memories…so she packs up her two kids and arrives, suitcases in tow, at Lane’s doorstep.
There is just one problem-Lane has married Candace after a whirlwind romance and failed to tell her.
Whoops!!
Candace isn’t happy when Lane refuses to turn his sister and the children away and neither woman is happy to learn that she has a “sister-in -law” -especially because the two are just about polar opposites in every way!
Which woman will drive the other one out of Lane’s house? 🍿
Well, the one who can discover the bigger secret, of course! And, just when you think you have heard the last one-you will become privy to another!
Yes-this gets a bit CRAZY but I was entertained from beginning to end, so props for that!
I have been meaning to read something by Pamela Crane for awhile now, so I am glad that I finally did! This may have been the first but I feel quite certain it won’t be the last!
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up for this psychological thriller!
So when Harper finds Ben and the note, she calls her brother Lane in a panic. He arrives and the two stage the scene to make it look like a murder instead.
After all, there is life insurance money to collect and policies don’t pay on Suicides.
But with the investigation ongoing, and the money being withheld, Harper feels like it would be best to rent out her house to get some income and escape the memories…so she packs up her two kids and arrives, suitcases in tow, at Lane’s doorstep.
There is just one problem-Lane has married Candace after a whirlwind romance and failed to tell her.
Whoops!!
Candace isn’t happy when Lane refuses to turn his sister and the children away and neither woman is happy to learn that she has a “sister-in -law” -especially because the two are just about polar opposites in every way!
Which woman will drive the other one out of Lane’s house? 🍿
Well, the one who can discover the bigger secret, of course! And, just when you think you have heard the last one-you will become privy to another!
Yes-this gets a bit CRAZY but I was entertained from beginning to end, so props for that!
I have been meaning to read something by Pamela Crane for awhile now, so I am glad that I finally did! This may have been the first but I feel quite certain it won’t be the last!
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up for this psychological thriller!
October 12, 2021
This is my kind of thriller! The characters are well developed, especially the two protagonists, and the twists cause you to rethink your own guess(es). I even found myself imagining the next possible twist, and some of my musings may have made for a more scandalous and convoluted, although not necessarily better, story. But still it was fun to imagine what the next twist might be and where the story might go.
I liked that all the suspects had some sort of mental issue, so on that basis you couldn't quite discount anyone immediately. Even the kids had some disturbing issues that made them possible culprits and this made for a potentially extra thrilling twist if it did turn out to be one of them.
I am always pleased with myself when I am able to piece things together and this one did not disappoint. I didn't get it all exactly right but that's part of the fun and the challenge. If I was able to figure it all out, then what would be the fun in reading?
I listened to this on audio cd, and at the end I was confused by the timeline; it didn't make sense. I picked up a copy of the book to check some facts and it does play out correctly, its just very easy to mistake the order of events when listening to the audio version. My husband listened to this with me and he also questioned the timeline at the end.
A nice, neat wrap-up of everything at the end gave me the closure I needed. I hate getting to the end and having to wonder how some elements settled. I would recommend this entertaining thriller centered around one family's secrets to those who enjoy being intrigued until the end, yet still find the answers to the lingering bits and pieces.
I liked that all the suspects had some sort of mental issue, so on that basis you couldn't quite discount anyone immediately. Even the kids had some disturbing issues that made them possible culprits and this made for a potentially extra thrilling twist if it did turn out to be one of them.
I am always pleased with myself when I am able to piece things together and this one did not disappoint. I didn't get it all exactly right but that's part of the fun and the challenge. If I was able to figure it all out, then what would be the fun in reading?
I listened to this on audio cd, and at the end I was confused by the timeline; it didn't make sense. I picked up a copy of the book to check some facts and it does play out correctly, its just very easy to mistake the order of events when listening to the audio version. My husband listened to this with me and he also questioned the timeline at the end.
A nice, neat wrap-up of everything at the end gave me the closure I needed. I hate getting to the end and having to wonder how some elements settled. I would recommend this entertaining thriller centered around one family's secrets to those who enjoy being intrigued until the end, yet still find the answers to the lingering bits and pieces.
June 25, 2021
The Sister-in-Law by Pamela Crane will keep you in panic mode. I had a hard time relating to any of the characters. In the beginning, Harper is in a panic because her husband was found dead with a suicide note nearby blaming her for his demise. You realize her close attachment to her brother Lane when he decides to help her stage the death as a murder so she can collect the Life insurance money. The whole time you are screaming at them "Just call 911" ...Problems come to surface with that staging....investigation proceeds throughout the book.
Nearly losing her house, Harper and her two children move in with her brother and his newly-wed Candace. Candace is in a panic because her house is invaded by in-laws. Not to mention she comes with a shady past that leaves you second guessing her throughout the book.
"She stole my husband. So I'd steal her life." A scorned woman is the theme. But who is scamming who? A lot of deceit, lies and murder with the warning 'trust no one' in this book.
Told from different perspectives, you humorously find out what each character is thinking about the other. A little iffy on Harper's dark-willed little boy. "He sees dead people." A deadly accident with Harper's two year old daughter is the saddest engaging moment of the whole book leaving you to question the stability of all.
It was just okay for me. The funniest unrelated part of the book is Pamela Crane is my sister-in-law's name and she is opposite of these girls...thank goodness 😂
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I have seen the reviews of her other books and they do sound better.
Nearly losing her house, Harper and her two children move in with her brother and his newly-wed Candace. Candace is in a panic because her house is invaded by in-laws. Not to mention she comes with a shady past that leaves you second guessing her throughout the book.
"She stole my husband. So I'd steal her life." A scorned woman is the theme. But who is scamming who? A lot of deceit, lies and murder with the warning 'trust no one' in this book.
Told from different perspectives, you humorously find out what each character is thinking about the other. A little iffy on Harper's dark-willed little boy. "He sees dead people." A deadly accident with Harper's two year old daughter is the saddest engaging moment of the whole book leaving you to question the stability of all.
It was just okay for me. The funniest unrelated part of the book is Pamela Crane is my sister-in-law's name and she is opposite of these girls...thank goodness 😂
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I have seen the reviews of her other books and they do sound better.
September 5, 2023
3.5 STARS
Started great, then dragged with a lot of family bickering between the sister in laws!
Just okay for a popcorn read, a little flat though with unlikeable characters.
Free from Hoopla!
Started great, then dragged with a lot of family bickering between the sister in laws!
Just okay for a popcorn read, a little flat though with unlikeable characters.
Free from Hoopla!
April 10, 2021
THE SISTER-IN-LAW: A Novel is my fifth read of a Pamela Crane novel, and I found it to be another winner! Her characters come alive on the page. Full of suspense and intrigue with relatable characters allows it to relate to a wide audience.
Harper Paris walks into her home to find her husband, Ben of twelve years was on the sofa with a knife sticking out of his chest cavity. He was dead. He had left a suicide note and blamed his wife with his message making her feel guilty with regret.
Should she call the police? Instead, she calls her brother, Lane, a nurse at the hospital and he shows up to help his sister frame her husband’s suicide as a murder. Together they staged the scene as a robbery/murder, as Insurance companies do not pay out on suicides, which means Harper would lose everything, and be unable to support her children, eleven-year-old daughter, Elise and six-year-old Jackson.
Lane and Candace were just newlyweds, and she didn’t want Lane’s extended family moving in with them. But when Harper showed up at Lane’s house with her children, under financial distress, Lan put his sister first, before his wife and accepted them. Now after only a few weeks married, they now had live-in guests. No privacy!
“If this living arrangement didn’t kill me, my wife would. We were barely two hours into Harper’s move into the house, and already my wife and sister were at each other’s throats.”
Harper is an old-fashioned woman, a good mother who cooks home-made meals, does the laundry and keeps a spotless house…while Candace was not domestic at all.
The battle now starts between the wife and the sister, but both are hiding so many secrets... And Candace starts asking questions.
Favorite quote: “But the truth of the matter is this: a heart that is broken doesn’t work anymore, and so it can’t forgive. All it can do is ache.”
The POV alternates each chapter between all the main characters, which provides for substance to the situation.
This was a well-written novel, slightly slower in the middle, but one of dark secrets, lies and betrayal.
Many thanks to the author for my digital copy.
Harper Paris walks into her home to find her husband, Ben of twelve years was on the sofa with a knife sticking out of his chest cavity. He was dead. He had left a suicide note and blamed his wife with his message making her feel guilty with regret.
Should she call the police? Instead, she calls her brother, Lane, a nurse at the hospital and he shows up to help his sister frame her husband’s suicide as a murder. Together they staged the scene as a robbery/murder, as Insurance companies do not pay out on suicides, which means Harper would lose everything, and be unable to support her children, eleven-year-old daughter, Elise and six-year-old Jackson.
Lane and Candace were just newlyweds, and she didn’t want Lane’s extended family moving in with them. But when Harper showed up at Lane’s house with her children, under financial distress, Lan put his sister first, before his wife and accepted them. Now after only a few weeks married, they now had live-in guests. No privacy!
“If this living arrangement didn’t kill me, my wife would. We were barely two hours into Harper’s move into the house, and already my wife and sister were at each other’s throats.”
Harper is an old-fashioned woman, a good mother who cooks home-made meals, does the laundry and keeps a spotless house…while Candace was not domestic at all.
The battle now starts between the wife and the sister, but both are hiding so many secrets... And Candace starts asking questions.
Favorite quote: “But the truth of the matter is this: a heart that is broken doesn’t work anymore, and so it can’t forgive. All it can do is ache.”
The POV alternates each chapter between all the main characters, which provides for substance to the situation.
This was a well-written novel, slightly slower in the middle, but one of dark secrets, lies and betrayal.
Many thanks to the author for my digital copy.
March 20, 2021
I really do enjoy Pamela Crane books but this one was not my favourite. It started with a bang and ai was excited for what was coming. After that though I felt that it dragged out a bit until the last third where it ramped up again.
The characters were all totally unlikeable and in the end I found that I didn’t really care what happened to them.
Thanks to Avon Books UK, sorry I didn’t enjoy it more
The characters were all totally unlikeable and in the end I found that I didn’t really care what happened to them.
Thanks to Avon Books UK, sorry I didn’t enjoy it more
March 7, 2021
This is my third read of a Pamela Crane novel and this novel continues the trend of exciting, entertaining reads. Full of suspense and really good characters, this is a real page turner.
Candace moves in with husband Lane after a brief romance and wedding but weeks into their marriage, Candace realises that moving in with Lane also means moving in with his possessive, uptight sister, Harper. Their perfect marriage cannot survive with all three of them. Harper is an old fashioned woman who believes in cooking homemade meals and regular cleaning and she feels it is only right given that Lane shared his home with her family since the mysterious death of her husband. Now with Candace asking questions he feels less than comfortable. Lane felt everything was in place to fulfil his family dreams but now that all seems in doubt with Harper showing her jealous streak. Torn between his sister and wife will not only end up in tears but could be far more costly.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Avon Books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Candace moves in with husband Lane after a brief romance and wedding but weeks into their marriage, Candace realises that moving in with Lane also means moving in with his possessive, uptight sister, Harper. Their perfect marriage cannot survive with all three of them. Harper is an old fashioned woman who believes in cooking homemade meals and regular cleaning and she feels it is only right given that Lane shared his home with her family since the mysterious death of her husband. Now with Candace asking questions he feels less than comfortable. Lane felt everything was in place to fulfil his family dreams but now that all seems in doubt with Harper showing her jealous streak. Torn between his sister and wife will not only end up in tears but could be far more costly.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Avon Books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2023
"Guests, like fish, start to spoil after three days." My sister-in-law (who is fabulous, by the way) once jokingly shared this quote when my family of 6 was staying at her home. We all laughed, but there's some truth in there! That tiny anecdote was the seed...and this book grew from that.
This isn't like my other books. It started off as a heart project, a way to dump some pain onto the pages as I grappled with some personal stuff going on. While I can't go into details here about that, most of us know loss. Most of us have felt defeated. Some of us have some pretty dark secrets we hope stay buried until we are. If you've ever been in that spot, you'll understand these characters, Harper and Candace.
When Harper suddenly loses her husband (was it suicide like they thought? or something more sinister at work?) and is left with a huge stack of bills, no money, and two kids to feed as a single mom, all she wants is a break for once. After all, she's already been through hell and back. Her brother Lane, who she usually can count on, suddenly has his own life and family...and Harper doesn't really fit into it anymore. I feel you, Harper.
Once you get to know Harper and Candace, you'll see they both carry baggage...and I connected with both in different ways. Pieces of me clung to each--the sense of loss, the victimhood, the anxiety, the internal battle of trying to shove down my dark parts and be a shinier version of myself. It's not easy being everything to everyone, leaving little for yourself. Eventually if you do that long enough you start to crumble.
While this isn't an action-jackson kind of thriller, it's got the pulse of a psychological mystery with deeper characters and darker narrative. My goal was to nudge you into the soul of these characters' pain, and show you what secrets can push people to do--how they manifest and eat you alive, taking those around you as collateral.
The plot took on a life of its own as mysterious things start to happen in the house where they're all living (loosely based on a true story). Add to it that the SIL Candace is running from her past, but it's catching up to her. I was lucky enough to marry into some great sisters-in-law, but I know others who haven't been so lucky. That kind of family tension is the root of this book. Toxic relationships create pools of drama. Secrets eventually expose themselves. When you pile on frustrating guests living in your home with personality clashes, you can imagine the sparks flying.
For those willing to take a chance on this book, I hope you enjoy it. It's one of my deeper books, but I of course had to throw in a little murder mystery to solve for fun. <3
This isn't like my other books. It started off as a heart project, a way to dump some pain onto the pages as I grappled with some personal stuff going on. While I can't go into details here about that, most of us know loss. Most of us have felt defeated. Some of us have some pretty dark secrets we hope stay buried until we are. If you've ever been in that spot, you'll understand these characters, Harper and Candace.
When Harper suddenly loses her husband (was it suicide like they thought? or something more sinister at work?) and is left with a huge stack of bills, no money, and two kids to feed as a single mom, all she wants is a break for once. After all, she's already been through hell and back. Her brother Lane, who she usually can count on, suddenly has his own life and family...and Harper doesn't really fit into it anymore. I feel you, Harper.
Once you get to know Harper and Candace, you'll see they both carry baggage...and I connected with both in different ways. Pieces of me clung to each--the sense of loss, the victimhood, the anxiety, the internal battle of trying to shove down my dark parts and be a shinier version of myself. It's not easy being everything to everyone, leaving little for yourself. Eventually if you do that long enough you start to crumble.
While this isn't an action-jackson kind of thriller, it's got the pulse of a psychological mystery with deeper characters and darker narrative. My goal was to nudge you into the soul of these characters' pain, and show you what secrets can push people to do--how they manifest and eat you alive, taking those around you as collateral.
The plot took on a life of its own as mysterious things start to happen in the house where they're all living (loosely based on a true story). Add to it that the SIL Candace is running from her past, but it's catching up to her. I was lucky enough to marry into some great sisters-in-law, but I know others who haven't been so lucky. That kind of family tension is the root of this book. Toxic relationships create pools of drama. Secrets eventually expose themselves. When you pile on frustrating guests living in your home with personality clashes, you can imagine the sparks flying.
For those willing to take a chance on this book, I hope you enjoy it. It's one of my deeper books, but I of course had to throw in a little murder mystery to solve for fun. <3
August 7, 2021
Twisty, twisted fun! This domestic thriller starts out fast and furious and just the way I like — with a murder. Or was it a suicide? Either way, Harper’s beloved husband Ben is dead and the note left behind shows that Ben — and possibly a murderer, too — had more twisted secrets than she ever knew.
Distraught, Harper reaches out to her brother, who (in a pretty unbelievable yet still fun turn of events) suggests staging the suicide scene as a home invasion to avoid suspicion and collect successfully on Ben’s generous life insurance policy. And that’s only the beginning of the craziness. Because next Harper goes to stay with her brother and learns he has married his loony, very short-term girlfriend, Candace. Let’s just say Candace and Harper don’t exactly get along like a house on fire….although a house on fire DOES feature later in the incredibly twisted and wild plot.
This was my first Pamela Crane book, and her fast-paced, juicy, page-turning writing style made me hungry for more! If anyone has suggestions of a book by Pamela Crane to read next, please let me know in the comments!
Four stars for an unapologetically fun and crazy thrill ride by a new-to-me author. Looking forward to reading more of her books. Thanks to William Morrow and Custom House, NetGalley and the author for the very fun ARC! I always enjoy reading a thriller that knows exactly what it wants to do, and goes for it!
Distraught, Harper reaches out to her brother, who (in a pretty unbelievable yet still fun turn of events) suggests staging the suicide scene as a home invasion to avoid suspicion and collect successfully on Ben’s generous life insurance policy. And that’s only the beginning of the craziness. Because next Harper goes to stay with her brother and learns he has married his loony, very short-term girlfriend, Candace. Let’s just say Candace and Harper don’t exactly get along like a house on fire….although a house on fire DOES feature later in the incredibly twisted and wild plot.
This was my first Pamela Crane book, and her fast-paced, juicy, page-turning writing style made me hungry for more! If anyone has suggestions of a book by Pamela Crane to read next, please let me know in the comments!
Four stars for an unapologetically fun and crazy thrill ride by a new-to-me author. Looking forward to reading more of her books. Thanks to William Morrow and Custom House, NetGalley and the author for the very fun ARC! I always enjoy reading a thriller that knows exactly what it wants to do, and goes for it!
August 13, 2021
Timing can play a role in the whole book reading experience. I've been busy the past week or so and this was a book I kept picking up and then setting down, never having much time to get in a good stretch of reading. That probably had an effect on my interest level in the story as time went on but I do think regardless of whether or not I read the book in a day or a week, I'd still have some issues with the characters and plot.
Candace and Lane briefly dated and quickly got married. It all happened so fast Lane hasn't told his sister, Harper, the news yet. After the mysterious death of Harper's husband, Ben, she shows up on her brother's doorstep with her two kids looking for a place to stay. Let's just say Candace ain't too happy with this living arrangement and wants them out of there ASAP. And let me also mention Harper does not care for Lane's new bride. I'm not really sure which genre this book falls under but it has thriller, suspense, and mystery elements.
I love how right away you find out Candace is a self-involved person. Normally, in these type of in law stories the new wife would bend over backwards trying to be friendly with her husband's family and just keep her true feelings about them to herself until it becomes unbearable. I really liked the author's unique approach to the character of Candace. With the biting remarks exchanged between the two female leads I was hoping for a juicy soap opera type tale and an added bonus of the mystery of what exactly happened with Ben.
Unfortunately, the story lost steam for me around the halfway mark. I can handle unlikable characters but there needs to be some compelling reason for me to feel invested in their lives. When the plot started to drag on a bit, I just stopped caring about their messy drama. I was hoping for a big payoff of an ending but I found it to be less than satisfying as well.
Started off with lots of potential but didn't amount to more than just an average read. I'll still seek out future books by this author because I did like her last book, Little Deadly Secrets.
Thank you to William Morrow for providing me with an advance copy as part of #WMTastemakers. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
Candace and Lane briefly dated and quickly got married. It all happened so fast Lane hasn't told his sister, Harper, the news yet. After the mysterious death of Harper's husband, Ben, she shows up on her brother's doorstep with her two kids looking for a place to stay. Let's just say Candace ain't too happy with this living arrangement and wants them out of there ASAP. And let me also mention Harper does not care for Lane's new bride. I'm not really sure which genre this book falls under but it has thriller, suspense, and mystery elements.
I love how right away you find out Candace is a self-involved person. Normally, in these type of in law stories the new wife would bend over backwards trying to be friendly with her husband's family and just keep her true feelings about them to herself until it becomes unbearable. I really liked the author's unique approach to the character of Candace. With the biting remarks exchanged between the two female leads I was hoping for a juicy soap opera type tale and an added bonus of the mystery of what exactly happened with Ben.
Unfortunately, the story lost steam for me around the halfway mark. I can handle unlikable characters but there needs to be some compelling reason for me to feel invested in their lives. When the plot started to drag on a bit, I just stopped caring about their messy drama. I was hoping for a big payoff of an ending but I found it to be less than satisfying as well.
Started off with lots of potential but didn't amount to more than just an average read. I'll still seek out future books by this author because I did like her last book, Little Deadly Secrets.
Thank you to William Morrow for providing me with an advance copy as part of #WMTastemakers. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
August 24, 2021
This one gave me so much anxiety in a good way!! So twisty and full of suspense. I'm still creeped out. I didn't put this book down. I was up until 4am flipping pages. That's what I want from a book. Grab me and don't let me go. Fun freaky ride!
August 14, 2021
You can’t let the authorities know Ben killed himself. You won’t get the insurance money, Harper.
With that statement, Harper’s brother, Lane, staged a robbery and told the police that the intruder had to have murdered Ben.
Lies, lies, lies, and secrets present and past greet us as we read about the cover up as well as adding Lane's wife of one week to the mix.
Harper couldn’t afford her huge home now and moved into her brother’s home which didn’t sit well with his new wife.
The move-in wasn’t a good idea for Lane, Harper, or the new wife, Candace. Two women can’t live in the same home especially with one with secrets she shares with her brother and the other with major secrets of her own.
And the sister-in-law feud begins.
Which one can be the more evil and annoying one or plan the most evil, annoying way to get on each other’s nerves?
Every time you turned the page, a hint of someone’s past transgressions came to light.
This is a page turner because of the characters and the guessing game of what really happened to Ben and what happened in the pasts of the characters that would cause each person to act as they do.
Everyone seemed to be a mess mentally - even the kids.
The tension increases as the book gets better and better and the guessing game ramps up.
This was my first book by Ms. Crane. I really like her writing style. It has good flow and kept my interest even though the only likable character was Lane.
Readers who enjoy trying to figure out each character and their motives as well as who the murderer is, will want to add THE SISTER-IN-LAW to their reading list.
The ending is great, and I bet you will guess incorrectly!! 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
With that statement, Harper’s brother, Lane, staged a robbery and told the police that the intruder had to have murdered Ben.
Lies, lies, lies, and secrets present and past greet us as we read about the cover up as well as adding Lane's wife of one week to the mix.
Harper couldn’t afford her huge home now and moved into her brother’s home which didn’t sit well with his new wife.
The move-in wasn’t a good idea for Lane, Harper, or the new wife, Candace. Two women can’t live in the same home especially with one with secrets she shares with her brother and the other with major secrets of her own.
And the sister-in-law feud begins.
Which one can be the more evil and annoying one or plan the most evil, annoying way to get on each other’s nerves?
Every time you turned the page, a hint of someone’s past transgressions came to light.
This is a page turner because of the characters and the guessing game of what really happened to Ben and what happened in the pasts of the characters that would cause each person to act as they do.
Everyone seemed to be a mess mentally - even the kids.
The tension increases as the book gets better and better and the guessing game ramps up.
This was my first book by Ms. Crane. I really like her writing style. It has good flow and kept my interest even though the only likable character was Lane.
Readers who enjoy trying to figure out each character and their motives as well as who the murderer is, will want to add THE SISTER-IN-LAW to their reading list.
The ending is great, and I bet you will guess incorrectly!! 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
November 9, 2021
The Sister-in-Law by Pamela Crane follows the perspective of two very different women. Harper is a widow with two children and Candace is a young, free spirited newlywed. The two have nothing in common except they both love, Lane, who happens to be Harper's brother and Candace's new husband. When Harper and her two children move in with Lane and Candace after her husband's mysterious death, the two women take an instant dislike to each other. Candace thinks Harper is too possessive over Lane and is taking advantage of his kindness. Meanwhile, Harper thinks Candace is a gold digger and not who she says she is. As they continue to butt heads, it becomes clear that Lane is going to have to choose: his wife or his sister.
This book is a mix between a psychological thriller and a family drama. I enjoyed it. The cattiness between Harper and Candace was certainly entertaining and while both women are not the most likable characters, I couldn't help but sympathize with them at times over what they had been through. But throughout the story, you're definitely left wondering who is the ultimate bad guy? Is it Candace or Harper? does Candace have an ulterior motive behind marrying Lane? How did Harper's husband really die? And who is behind all the strange events occurring now? With both women plotting against each other, it becomes clear that only one of them can have a happy ending.
Plenty of twists and turns, family secrets, and murder make this a solid thriller that kept me on my toes. The twist wasn't earth shattering but still very clever and it took me a while to figure out what was really going on.
Like I said, a solid thriller.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a mix between a psychological thriller and a family drama. I enjoyed it. The cattiness between Harper and Candace was certainly entertaining and while both women are not the most likable characters, I couldn't help but sympathize with them at times over what they had been through. But throughout the story, you're definitely left wondering who is the ultimate bad guy? Is it Candace or Harper? does Candace have an ulterior motive behind marrying Lane? How did Harper's husband really die? And who is behind all the strange events occurring now? With both women plotting against each other, it becomes clear that only one of them can have a happy ending.
Plenty of twists and turns, family secrets, and murder make this a solid thriller that kept me on my toes. The twist wasn't earth shattering but still very clever and it took me a while to figure out what was really going on.
Like I said, a solid thriller.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 17, 2021
The Sister-in-Law by Pamela Crane is one wild and crazy ride folks! I loved that it immediately started with some action, and it hooked me right away making me wonder where it would be going. I thankfully did not read the synopsis again prior to reading the novel, and I think going in as blind as possible is going to be a benefit. This is a psychological thriller/domestic drama mix, and while it is a slower burn the pacing is perfect, so it doesn't really feel like one. I'm not sure I felt like any of the characters were super-likable, but I did find the dynamic between Harper and her brother Lane really intriguing. I especially enjoyed the drama between Harper and her SIL Candace, and boy watch out because things get CATTY. There is a bit of a mystery in here thanks to Harper's husband and other suspicious deaths, and as the book went on, I could see some parts coming but there were other twists that completely surprised me.
The audiobook is narrated by Melissa Moran, Jonathan Todd Ross, & Nicol Zanzarella and it was really nice having the different narrators for different characters. I really enjoyed listening to each and every one of them and would gladly listen to any of them again narrating other books. I am kind of kicking myself for not reading any of Crane's other novels yet, but that is an issue I plan to remedy sooner rather than later. This was a great page turner and there was enough going on that I never felt bored. It was a bit like watching a train wreck in progress, and I loved the little bits of foreshadowing that the author threw out. I would get to the end of a chapter and have a hard time not moving onto the next, and you know that is always a dang good sign. I don't know if the end really made sense for the characters but besides that I thoroughly enjoyed this crazy train and if you like thrillers and don't mind the dash of unbelievable, The Sister-in-Law is for you.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The audiobook is narrated by Melissa Moran, Jonathan Todd Ross, & Nicol Zanzarella and it was really nice having the different narrators for different characters. I really enjoyed listening to each and every one of them and would gladly listen to any of them again narrating other books. I am kind of kicking myself for not reading any of Crane's other novels yet, but that is an issue I plan to remedy sooner rather than later. This was a great page turner and there was enough going on that I never felt bored. It was a bit like watching a train wreck in progress, and I loved the little bits of foreshadowing that the author threw out. I would get to the end of a chapter and have a hard time not moving onto the next, and you know that is always a dang good sign. I don't know if the end really made sense for the characters but besides that I thoroughly enjoyed this crazy train and if you like thrillers and don't mind the dash of unbelievable, The Sister-in-Law is for you.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
August 9, 2021
3.5/5
This was my first book by the author and right when I started I was immediately curious, it definitely began really strong and had a great hook. I was drawn into the lives of Harper, Lane and Candace and knew there would be much more to all three of them than meets the eye. Flipping back and forth between all three characters in each chapter was fun, you get to see the inner thoughts and secrets from everyone which just added to the tension and secrecy. As much as I was hooked in the beginning, the middle was drawn out and I felt the pacing could have been a little faster and more exciting. I was compelled enough to keep reading as the author was revealing the secrets everyone was hiding very slowly, but it was a little frustrating to be spoon fed things so very slowly. By the last quarter things did pick up and overall I was satisfied with how it all wrapped up, I just wish the middle matched the strong opening and closing. Overall a decent thriller, I would read more by the author for sure. I think anyone who doesn’t mind a slower burn would like this, especially if you enjoy unlikable characters and devious behavior.
This was my first book by the author and right when I started I was immediately curious, it definitely began really strong and had a great hook. I was drawn into the lives of Harper, Lane and Candace and knew there would be much more to all three of them than meets the eye. Flipping back and forth between all three characters in each chapter was fun, you get to see the inner thoughts and secrets from everyone which just added to the tension and secrecy. As much as I was hooked in the beginning, the middle was drawn out and I felt the pacing could have been a little faster and more exciting. I was compelled enough to keep reading as the author was revealing the secrets everyone was hiding very slowly, but it was a little frustrating to be spoon fed things so very slowly. By the last quarter things did pick up and overall I was satisfied with how it all wrapped up, I just wish the middle matched the strong opening and closing. Overall a decent thriller, I would read more by the author for sure. I think anyone who doesn’t mind a slower burn would like this, especially if you enjoy unlikable characters and devious behavior.
August 7, 2021
Twisty, twisted fun! This domestic thriller starts out fast and furious and just the way I like — with a murder. Or was it a suicide? Either way, Harper’s beloved husband Ben is dead and the note left behind shows that Ben — and possibly a murderer, too — had more twisted secrets than she ever knew.
Distraught, Harper reaches out to her brother, who (in a pretty unbelievable yet still fun turn of events) suggests staging the suicide scene as a home invasion to avoid suspicion and collect successfully on a Ben’s generous life insurance policy. And that’s only the beginning of the craziness. Because next Harper goes to stay with her brother and learns he has married his loony, very short-term girlfriend, Candace. Let’s just say Candace and Harper don’t exactly get along like a house on fire….although a house on fire DOES feature later in the incredibly twisted and wild plot.
This was my first Pamela Crane book, and her fast-paced, juicy, page-turning writing style made me hungry for more! If anyone has suggestions of a book by Pamela Crane to read next, please let me know in the comments!
Four stars for an unapologetically fun and crazy thrill ride by a new-to-me author. Looking forward to reading more of her books. Thanks to William Morrow and Custom House, NetGalley and the author for the very fun ARC! I always enjoy reading a thriller that knows exactly what it wants to do, and goes for it!
Distraught, Harper reaches out to her brother, who (in a pretty unbelievable yet still fun turn of events) suggests staging the suicide scene as a home invasion to avoid suspicion and collect successfully on a Ben’s generous life insurance policy. And that’s only the beginning of the craziness. Because next Harper goes to stay with her brother and learns he has married his loony, very short-term girlfriend, Candace. Let’s just say Candace and Harper don’t exactly get along like a house on fire….although a house on fire DOES feature later in the incredibly twisted and wild plot.
This was my first Pamela Crane book, and her fast-paced, juicy, page-turning writing style made me hungry for more! If anyone has suggestions of a book by Pamela Crane to read next, please let me know in the comments!
Four stars for an unapologetically fun and crazy thrill ride by a new-to-me author. Looking forward to reading more of her books. Thanks to William Morrow and Custom House, NetGalley and the author for the very fun ARC! I always enjoy reading a thriller that knows exactly what it wants to do, and goes for it!
March 17, 2021
Wow this was quite entertaining! Siblings Harper and Lane are very close and will do anything for one another, even if it ruins his marriage. Harper is grieving the loss of her husband and is financially stressed having been a SAHM, she is anxiously waiting for her husband’s insurance policy to come through. Harper decides to rent out her house and moves into Lane’s place with her two kids. After a short romance, Candace and Lane gets married without telling anyone. Candace gives off mean girl vibes, it’s a hot mess with everyone bickering, living in tight quarters, but I couldn’t put this down! This is quite twisty, a fun whodunnit to read in one sitting! Thank you to Avon Books UK, NetGalley, and the author for a gifted copy. This is my honest review.
February 17, 2022
THE SISTER IN LAW
Pamela Crane
So, the day you come home and find your husband with a knife in his chest and a suicide note that basically blames you, you know it is a bad, bad, bad day. If you are smart, you will call 9-11, if not, call your brother.
This is one twisty little book! But let's go back to the living room with your dead husband, Ben. So, maybe take the note? Ok, I mean who stabs themselves in the chest? Ben. But then Lane, the brother, stages a crime scene to look like home invasion and murder, but the police aren't fools.
NOw what? All of a sudden (or so it seemed to Harper) Lane is married to basically a stranger, Candace. But Harper and Candace do not hit it off from the start. Candace tries to scare Harper's children, she thinks she is funny. But it is going to backfire. So put one on each side of Lane and that puts him in the middle, but it seems there might be more players than those we can clearly see! If I say anymore I am going to ruin it for someone.
BUT, the ending... and what an ending... This has a quirky side and I had to get used to that, but in the end, I rather liked it. It was sarcasm in such a good way.
4 stars
Happy Reading!
Pamela Crane
So, the day you come home and find your husband with a knife in his chest and a suicide note that basically blames you, you know it is a bad, bad, bad day. If you are smart, you will call 9-11, if not, call your brother.
This is one twisty little book! But let's go back to the living room with your dead husband, Ben. So, maybe take the note? Ok, I mean who stabs themselves in the chest? Ben. But then Lane, the brother, stages a crime scene to look like home invasion and murder, but the police aren't fools.
NOw what? All of a sudden (or so it seemed to Harper) Lane is married to basically a stranger, Candace. But Harper and Candace do not hit it off from the start. Candace tries to scare Harper's children, she thinks she is funny. But it is going to backfire. So put one on each side of Lane and that puts him in the middle, but it seems there might be more players than those we can clearly see! If I say anymore I am going to ruin it for someone.
BUT, the ending... and what an ending... This has a quirky side and I had to get used to that, but in the end, I rather liked it. It was sarcasm in such a good way.
4 stars
Happy Reading!
August 23, 2021
Lane is a man caught in the middle. His wife. His sister. Only one can be first place in his life for him, and by rights, it should be his new wife Candace. However, Lane shares a secret with his sister Harper, and keeping this secret proves to be the source of great contention in his marriage.
Harper was the quintessential wife. A stay-at-home mother to two children, and more than happy. However, one day she finds her husband dead at his own hand. She has led a privileged life and knows that a big life insurance policy will not pay out if his death is ruled a suicide. Relying on her brother Lane for advice and help, Harper makes an irreversable decision.
Lane and Harper carry out a plan that eventually has Harper and her children moving in with Lane and Candace. Harper is hoping that the police will not rule her husband's death a suicide and that she can collect on the policy. However, for now, she does not have enough means to support her family, thus her need to move in with Lane.
From the instant they lock eyes, Harper and Candace are at war. An example of their contention is that Harper is industrious and Candace is lazy. Also, Candace is not comfortable around Harper's children, especially her young son. Then there is the fact that Candace is hiding a secret, a secret that Harper soon discovers.
This thrilling book proved to be a roller coaster on many levels - whether it is the secrets that are hoevering about, the actions Lane and Haprer took, or Harper's past where her children are concerned.
Many thanks to William Morrow and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Harper was the quintessential wife. A stay-at-home mother to two children, and more than happy. However, one day she finds her husband dead at his own hand. She has led a privileged life and knows that a big life insurance policy will not pay out if his death is ruled a suicide. Relying on her brother Lane for advice and help, Harper makes an irreversable decision.
Lane and Harper carry out a plan that eventually has Harper and her children moving in with Lane and Candace. Harper is hoping that the police will not rule her husband's death a suicide and that she can collect on the policy. However, for now, she does not have enough means to support her family, thus her need to move in with Lane.
From the instant they lock eyes, Harper and Candace are at war. An example of their contention is that Harper is industrious and Candace is lazy. Also, Candace is not comfortable around Harper's children, especially her young son. Then there is the fact that Candace is hiding a secret, a secret that Harper soon discovers.
This thrilling book proved to be a roller coaster on many levels - whether it is the secrets that are hoevering about, the actions Lane and Haprer took, or Harper's past where her children are concerned.
Many thanks to William Morrow and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
February 27, 2021
Harper has been through a lot and she has quite the secret she is holding on to. Fortunately, Harper has her brother to turn to, he is her best friend and her rock. Unfortunately, her brother has a new wife and Harper knows she is not the woman for him and she is determined to prove it. This is a very addicting thriller. I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
January 28, 2022
Told from the point of view of Lane, the husband, Candace, his wife and Harper, his sister, this is an intriguing read. Despite none of the characters being particularly likeable, with the possible exception of Lane, the story compels the reader to keep turning the pages. Will the police discover Harper’s husband’s death was a suicide or murder! And what will that mean for Harper? As it is with finances tied up Harper and her children had to move in with Lane an Candace, a fact Candace is not thrilled about. Will they be able to get along.? Or what does the future hold for these three who are all keeping secrets. But secrets have a habit of spilling out.
Page 119 Ben’s view of social media presents an interesting view.
Page 119 Ben’s view of social media presents an interesting view.
May 1, 2023
I didn’t find this book as suspenseful as I had hoped and I don’t think it was helped by my dislike of the main characters. All of them are significantly flawed and I was frustrated by the squabbling between Harper and Candace.
These two belong in the school playground! Living with each other, there is definitely no love lost between them. The petty comments and behaviour made the two women appear rather infantile and I just wished they would grow up, for the sake of Harper’s children. Harper barely knows Candace and takes an instant dislike with her; despite them apparently trying to build bridges, this just resulted in them being burned and even more spiteful towards each other.
The novel opens with the death of Harper’s husband. Rather than phoning the police or ambulance when she discovers Ben’s body, she phones her brother, Lane, and the two of them manipulate the scene so that it no longer looks like a suicide, but a murder – all for the sake of the life insurance pay out. However, the police are never fooled and they continue to circulate around Harper and her family, especially when a witness steps forward.
On the other hand, Candace herself is not all innocent either. Crane makes it clear early on that she has a shady past and the story gradually reveals her secrets. To be honest, none of the revelations were particularly surprising and I guessed most of the plot development a long time before they were shown. This made the novel more of a hard slog than a nail-biting thriller, especially as I thought the story a little too predictable.
I really appreciated the cyclical nature of the story and liked how some elements were repeated from the beginning. I thought this made the plot more interesting and I liked drawing comparisons between the two. Other than that, I just could not connect with any of the characters and even found minor personalities like Harper’s brother and her mother, to be just as irritating.
Personally, I think there are far more gripping narratives than this one. A slow-burner, I don’t think the story ever really gets going and stays at the same pace all throughout. I did not get a sense of any danger or tension, but instead wanted the female characters to get a grip and stop squabbling.
With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
These two belong in the school playground! Living with each other, there is definitely no love lost between them. The petty comments and behaviour made the two women appear rather infantile and I just wished they would grow up, for the sake of Harper’s children. Harper barely knows Candace and takes an instant dislike with her; despite them apparently trying to build bridges, this just resulted in them being burned and even more spiteful towards each other.
The novel opens with the death of Harper’s husband. Rather than phoning the police or ambulance when she discovers Ben’s body, she phones her brother, Lane, and the two of them manipulate the scene so that it no longer looks like a suicide, but a murder – all for the sake of the life insurance pay out. However, the police are never fooled and they continue to circulate around Harper and her family, especially when a witness steps forward.
On the other hand, Candace herself is not all innocent either. Crane makes it clear early on that she has a shady past and the story gradually reveals her secrets. To be honest, none of the revelations were particularly surprising and I guessed most of the plot development a long time before they were shown. This made the novel more of a hard slog than a nail-biting thriller, especially as I thought the story a little too predictable.
I really appreciated the cyclical nature of the story and liked how some elements were repeated from the beginning. I thought this made the plot more interesting and I liked drawing comparisons between the two. Other than that, I just could not connect with any of the characters and even found minor personalities like Harper’s brother and her mother, to be just as irritating.
Personally, I think there are far more gripping narratives than this one. A slow-burner, I don’t think the story ever really gets going and stays at the same pace all throughout. I did not get a sense of any danger or tension, but instead wanted the female characters to get a grip and stop squabbling.
With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 24, 2021
In this domestic thriller there were too many twists thrown in so that the pacing was uneven and, at times, that made the story hard to follow. That aside, it was overall a satisfying read that held my interest despite the occasional head scratching moments.
Harper returns home to find her husband with a knife through his heart. One's first reaction should be to call 911, right? Nope! Harper finds a suicide note and realizes the insurance company won't pay out unless it looks like murder so she calls her brother Lane to help her stage a break-in. Flash forward a few days and Harper and her two children show up at Lane's house, suitcases in hand, ready to move in. Imagine Harper's surprise when she finds out her brother is now married. After a whirlwind courtship, Lane marries a newly pregnant Candace whose background is shrouded in mystery. Harper is shocked and the two women at the center of Lane's life take an immediate dislike to each other. Harper is determined to dig up her newly acquired sister-in-law's secrets and Candace is equally invested in ousting Harper from her life. Cat fights ensue that are some times funny, but mostly hurtful.
My biggest problem with the book is that I didn't find any of the characters worth rooting for, including the dead husband. Lane is a doormat caught between the two women in his life and trying to placate both of them. Both Candace and Harper have secrets that are a slow reveal. Both have tragic backgrounds that make them scratch and claw for any happiness they can get. Overall, I liked the book. I did think it wrapped up too quickly and glossed over some emotional scars suffered by the characters.
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for an early copy of this book. The publication date is August 10, 2021.
Harper returns home to find her husband with a knife through his heart. One's first reaction should be to call 911, right? Nope! Harper finds a suicide note and realizes the insurance company won't pay out unless it looks like murder so she calls her brother Lane to help her stage a break-in. Flash forward a few days and Harper and her two children show up at Lane's house, suitcases in hand, ready to move in. Imagine Harper's surprise when she finds out her brother is now married. After a whirlwind courtship, Lane marries a newly pregnant Candace whose background is shrouded in mystery. Harper is shocked and the two women at the center of Lane's life take an immediate dislike to each other. Harper is determined to dig up her newly acquired sister-in-law's secrets and Candace is equally invested in ousting Harper from her life. Cat fights ensue that are some times funny, but mostly hurtful.
My biggest problem with the book is that I didn't find any of the characters worth rooting for, including the dead husband. Lane is a doormat caught between the two women in his life and trying to placate both of them. Both Candace and Harper have secrets that are a slow reveal. Both have tragic backgrounds that make them scratch and claw for any happiness they can get. Overall, I liked the book. I did think it wrapped up too quickly and glossed over some emotional scars suffered by the characters.
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for an early copy of this book. The publication date is August 10, 2021.
August 6, 2021
Candace falls head over heals for Lane. They are married in no time and begin a life together. Shortly after the wedding, Candace meets Lane’s sister Harper. Harper and her children have been living in Lane’s home since her Husband died. Candace quickly realizes that Lane is extremely possessive of her brother and seems to be intruding on their new marriage. Harper hatches a scheme to take care of the situation. Will Lane ever find out? Lane realizes that he will have to chose between his wife and his sister. What will Lane do in this impossible situation?
A fantastic thrill ride from expert word slinger Pamela Crane. I really enjoyed this one and I couldn’t put it down until all of secrets were revealed! If you enjoy thrillers, definitely check this one out.
Many thanks to William Morrow Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) on August 10, 2021.
A fantastic thrill ride from expert word slinger Pamela Crane. I really enjoyed this one and I couldn’t put it down until all of secrets were revealed! If you enjoy thrillers, definitely check this one out.
Many thanks to William Morrow Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) on August 10, 2021.
September 10, 2021
Harper Paris finds her husband dead of a knife wound on their couch. So does she call 911? Noooo, she calls her brother Lane who tells her not to call 911. Strange....that's sure not what I would do. So Harper decides to pack up and move in with Lane. Candace, Lane's wife of 3 weeks, is not on board with this. The two women hate each other on sight.
The writing was fine but the characters did not move me. Harper seemed spineless and too clingy to Lane. Bohemian Candace was self centered. Lane was wimpy and couldn't choose between the two women. Son Jackson was creepy. I struggled mightily until about the halfway point when at least some twists begin. I give credit for the way the second half twisted but even that could not redeem my dislike of the characters. This book was obviously not the one for me.
The writing was fine but the characters did not move me. Harper seemed spineless and too clingy to Lane. Bohemian Candace was self centered. Lane was wimpy and couldn't choose between the two women. Son Jackson was creepy. I struggled mightily until about the halfway point when at least some twists begin. I give credit for the way the second half twisted but even that could not redeem my dislike of the characters. This book was obviously not the one for me.
June 10, 2021
Page turner !
This was the first book I have read by this author. The story is told from different perspectives and timelines and there are plenty of twists & turns and a lot of drama. The Sister In Law is an entertaining and fast-paced page-turner.
I enjoyed reading this novel that mainly dealt with relationships, deceit, lies, murder and so many secrets that will slowly reveal themselves over time. The Author, Pamela Crane fleshed out the characters very well. I loved Candace, she won my sympathy.
An intriguing whodunnit thriller with many twists and turns – it kept me guessing until the last page.
The ending totally surprised me just like a slap in the face! 😅
All my guesses were wrong!
Well done, Pamela Crane, well done!
4/5 💫
This was the first book I have read by this author. The story is told from different perspectives and timelines and there are plenty of twists & turns and a lot of drama. The Sister In Law is an entertaining and fast-paced page-turner.
I enjoyed reading this novel that mainly dealt with relationships, deceit, lies, murder and so many secrets that will slowly reveal themselves over time. The Author, Pamela Crane fleshed out the characters very well. I loved Candace, she won my sympathy.
An intriguing whodunnit thriller with many twists and turns – it kept me guessing until the last page.
The ending totally surprised me just like a slap in the face! 😅
All my guesses were wrong!
Well done, Pamela Crane, well done!
4/5 💫
August 10, 2021
Warning - the opening scene was so bone chilling you are not going to want to put this book down!
What follows in this tension filled thriller was an awesome fast paced read with lots of twists.
I loved the well constructed psychological/domestic thriller that was brilliantly plotted and the tension that builds up is quite palpable, just the way I love my thriller reads.
I know you will enjoy this one too!
What follows in this tension filled thriller was an awesome fast paced read with lots of twists.
I loved the well constructed psychological/domestic thriller that was brilliantly plotted and the tension that builds up is quite palpable, just the way I love my thriller reads.
I know you will enjoy this one too!
June 1, 2021
This is a good thriller with characters I absolutely loathed at times, leading to a lower rating.
Harper comes home one night to find her husband dead from an apparent suicide. She calls her brother Lane in a panic, and he helps stage the scene so it looks like an interrupted robbery/murder. This is important to Harper, so she can collect his life insurance, which doesn't pay in the event of suicide.
However, several weeks later, Harper and her two kids still are waiting for the payout and for their accounts to be unfrozen, and so Harper decides it is best to move in with Lane for the time being. But Lane's new wife, Candace, isn't found of this idea at all. She wants Lane all to herself, and wants to spend her time getting ready for the baby she is expecting. This begins a war between the two women, with Lane stuck in the middle.
The story is told from the viewpoints of Harper, Lane and Candace, and this muddies the water quite a bit. One of the things that frustrated me the most was that often what the characters said or thought in those chapters didn't line up with how they acted and said in other chapters. Some of that can be explained by the fact that we may think one thing, but be spurred by anger to react in a different way, but there was still a lot of dissonance that made the story harder to read.
I also did not like these characters. Lane comes across as wishy washy, Harper as a Type-A control freak harpy, and Candace as a gold digging, possessive, user of people. While this got better by the end of the book, and the story explained why these characters were this way, I still didn't like them or understand their motives for certain actions.
There is a big twist at the end, of course, and then the book ends with a happily-ever-after ending that seems to sweep a lot under the rug. This isn't a bad book, but it wasn't my favorite, and I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to readers looking for a summer thriller.
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book!
Harper comes home one night to find her husband dead from an apparent suicide. She calls her brother Lane in a panic, and he helps stage the scene so it looks like an interrupted robbery/murder. This is important to Harper, so she can collect his life insurance, which doesn't pay in the event of suicide.
However, several weeks later, Harper and her two kids still are waiting for the payout and for their accounts to be unfrozen, and so Harper decides it is best to move in with Lane for the time being. But Lane's new wife, Candace, isn't found of this idea at all. She wants Lane all to herself, and wants to spend her time getting ready for the baby she is expecting. This begins a war between the two women, with Lane stuck in the middle.
The story is told from the viewpoints of Harper, Lane and Candace, and this muddies the water quite a bit. One of the things that frustrated me the most was that often what the characters said or thought in those chapters didn't line up with how they acted and said in other chapters. Some of that can be explained by the fact that we may think one thing, but be spurred by anger to react in a different way, but there was still a lot of dissonance that made the story harder to read.
I also did not like these characters. Lane comes across as wishy washy, Harper as a Type-A control freak harpy, and Candace as a gold digging, possessive, user of people. While this got better by the end of the book, and the story explained why these characters were this way, I still didn't like them or understand their motives for certain actions.
There is a big twist at the end, of course, and then the book ends with a happily-ever-after ending that seems to sweep a lot under the rug. This isn't a bad book, but it wasn't my favorite, and I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to readers looking for a summer thriller.
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book!
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