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Her Sister's Death
She wanted the truth. She should have known better.
When her sister is found dead in a Baltimore hotel room, reporter Val Ritter’s world is turned upside down. What’s worse—an empty pill bottle at the scene leads the police to believe the cause of death is suicide. With little more than her own conviction, Val teams up with a retired detective who has his own personal interest in the case.
But digging into the corners of her sister’s life and retracing her last days, will lead them to the hotel’s dark, sordid history. In 1921, another guest on the brink of womanhood, will soon marry an eligible older man, sure to be a comfortable match—or is it?
With time running short, Val races to uncover the truth behind her connection to the woman in 1921, and the detective who knows more than he should about her sister, the hotel, and its sinister secrets.
When her sister is found dead in a Baltimore hotel room, reporter Val Ritter’s world is turned upside down. What’s worse—an empty pill bottle at the scene leads the police to believe the cause of death is suicide. With little more than her own conviction, Val teams up with a retired detective who has his own personal interest in the case.
But digging into the corners of her sister’s life and retracing her last days, will lead them to the hotel’s dark, sordid history. In 1921, another guest on the brink of womanhood, will soon marry an eligible older man, sure to be a comfortable match—or is it?
With time running short, Val races to uncover the truth behind her connection to the woman in 1921, and the detective who knows more than he should about her sister, the hotel, and its sinister secrets.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published December 13, 2022
348 people are currently reading
10133 people want to read
About the author
K.L. Murphy
13 books283 followersK.L. Murphy is the author of The Great Forgotten (January 2026) as well as the award-nominated Her Sister’s Death, a January 2023 Once Upon a Book Club Pick. Of Her Sister’s Death, Publishers Weekly said, “Murphy keeps the tension high…” and “readers will eagerly turn the pages” and Library Journal called the book “[A] riveting tale…”
In addition, she is the author of the Detective Callie Forde Mysteries: Last Girl Missing and the forthcoming The Murderer’s Girl (August 2025) and the Detective Cancini Mystery Series featuring A Guilty Mind, Stay of Execution, and The Last Sin. Her short stories are featured in Deadly Southern Charm, Murder by the Glass, First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder and Friend of the Devil: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of the Grateful Dead. She also co-edited and is featured in Crime in the Old Dominion. K.L. makes her home in Richmond, VA, where she loves spending time with her family, friends, and two amazing dogs.
In addition, she is the author of the Detective Callie Forde Mysteries: Last Girl Missing and the forthcoming The Murderer’s Girl (August 2025) and the Detective Cancini Mystery Series featuring A Guilty Mind, Stay of Execution, and The Last Sin. Her short stories are featured in Deadly Southern Charm, Murder by the Glass, First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder and Friend of the Devil: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of the Grateful Dead. She also co-edited and is featured in Crime in the Old Dominion. K.L. makes her home in Richmond, VA, where she loves spending time with her family, friends, and two amazing dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 302 reviews
November 25, 2023
When her sister is found dead in a Baltimore hotel room, apparently a suicide, reporter Val Ritter teams up with Terry Martin, a retired detective, to try and prove that her sister didn't kill herself.
Along with Val and Terry's investigation into her sister's death, we are also privy to a parallel story in 1921 some of which takes place in the same hotel room and features a young woman who has just married an older gentleman. These are good characters and the story is engrossing especially as we try to determine what the one story has to do with the other. Even though the book ventured into what I consider "woo woo" territory towards the end, it was a really good story and well presented. I listened to the audiobook and liked the narrators, especially the female voices.
Thanks to CamCat Books via Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook. All opinions expressed are my own.
I'm not sure why this book was still available as Listen Now on Netgalley. I thought the publication date was December 13th but realize now that it was publlished December 13, 2022.
Along with Val and Terry's investigation into her sister's death, we are also privy to a parallel story in 1921 some of which takes place in the same hotel room and features a young woman who has just married an older gentleman. These are good characters and the story is engrossing especially as we try to determine what the one story has to do with the other. Even though the book ventured into what I consider "woo woo" territory towards the end, it was a really good story and well presented. I listened to the audiobook and liked the narrators, especially the female voices.
Thanks to CamCat Books via Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook. All opinions expressed are my own.
I'm not sure why this book was still available as Listen Now on Netgalley. I thought the publication date was December 13th but realize now that it was publlished December 13, 2022.
November 22, 2023
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, K.L. Murphy, Independent Book Publisher’s Association (IBPA), Members’ Audiobooks, and CamCat Publishing for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
New to the world of K.L. Murphy, I eagerly grabbed this audiobook to see what it was all about. A mystery straddling two time periods and an intense story to boot kept me listening long into the evening, as I sought to uncover the truth. When a reporter’s sister turns up dead in a Baltimore hotel, things take a significant turn. Was it murder or might it have been suicide? As Val Ritter tries to use her resources to uncover the truth, she comes upon a mystery in the hotel that is close to a century old. All this, in a jam-packed pice that will have the reader rushing to get answers.
After learning that her sister has been found in a Baltimore hotel room, Val Ritter is on edge and highly concerned. A reporter by trade, Val is always one to ask questions and probe for meaningful answers. However, an empty pill bottle by the side of the bed leave the police all but sure that this was suicide. Val cannot fathom that and pulls on the expertise of a retired detective to hep her fully investigate.
Digging into what happened can be helpful, but there are times when the truth that emerges is something best left in the box. Such is the case here, as talk of affairs and secret-keeping flood the investigation. There was also a similar case in the hotel’s confines back in 1921, when a woman faced some of the same pressure’s as the current victim. Ready to wed, it should have been a time of bliss. Instead, a body and questions that the police could not answer.
As Val races against the clock to find the truth, she must also come to terms with the hideous events in 1921 and how they could not only relate to her sister’s death, but a family mystery that has never been discussed. In a gripping story, K.L. Murphy takes the reader on a journey like no other and keeps the twists plentiful.
While I do enjoy discovering new authors, I am never sure what to expect. Some pack a punch with their writing while others push things along without any real spar. K.L. Murphy impressed me with a great narrative base, on which she added strong characters and a decent plot. The mystery blooms into two stories, leaving the reader to follow them both and understand what is at stake. Murphy handled the back and forth well, developing a great cast and plot twists that kept the reader eager to learn more. Rushing to ensure the truth makes sense to all, Murphy layers her parallel storylines wonderfully and keeps the reader guessing until it all fall into place, allowing the reader that lightbulb moment. A great piece and I will be sure to return for more.
Kudos, Madam Murphy, for a great first impression.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
New to the world of K.L. Murphy, I eagerly grabbed this audiobook to see what it was all about. A mystery straddling two time periods and an intense story to boot kept me listening long into the evening, as I sought to uncover the truth. When a reporter’s sister turns up dead in a Baltimore hotel, things take a significant turn. Was it murder or might it have been suicide? As Val Ritter tries to use her resources to uncover the truth, she comes upon a mystery in the hotel that is close to a century old. All this, in a jam-packed pice that will have the reader rushing to get answers.
After learning that her sister has been found in a Baltimore hotel room, Val Ritter is on edge and highly concerned. A reporter by trade, Val is always one to ask questions and probe for meaningful answers. However, an empty pill bottle by the side of the bed leave the police all but sure that this was suicide. Val cannot fathom that and pulls on the expertise of a retired detective to hep her fully investigate.
Digging into what happened can be helpful, but there are times when the truth that emerges is something best left in the box. Such is the case here, as talk of affairs and secret-keeping flood the investigation. There was also a similar case in the hotel’s confines back in 1921, when a woman faced some of the same pressure’s as the current victim. Ready to wed, it should have been a time of bliss. Instead, a body and questions that the police could not answer.
As Val races against the clock to find the truth, she must also come to terms with the hideous events in 1921 and how they could not only relate to her sister’s death, but a family mystery that has never been discussed. In a gripping story, K.L. Murphy takes the reader on a journey like no other and keeps the twists plentiful.
While I do enjoy discovering new authors, I am never sure what to expect. Some pack a punch with their writing while others push things along without any real spar. K.L. Murphy impressed me with a great narrative base, on which she added strong characters and a decent plot. The mystery blooms into two stories, leaving the reader to follow them both and understand what is at stake. Murphy handled the back and forth well, developing a great cast and plot twists that kept the reader eager to learn more. Rushing to ensure the truth makes sense to all, Murphy layers her parallel storylines wonderfully and keeps the reader guessing until it all fall into place, allowing the reader that lightbulb moment. A great piece and I will be sure to return for more.
Kudos, Madam Murphy, for a great first impression.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
January 11, 2023
I read this book in one sitting. Stayed up most of the night. It was well worth the lost sleep. Journalist Val Ritter is devastated when her sister is found dead in a Baltimore hotel. Police insist she died by suicide but Val knew Sylvia better than anyone. With the help of a retired detective, she won't stop until she unearths the secrets that led to her sister's death, but the revelations may put her life in danger. There is an additional storyline in the book that takes place in the 1920s that is equally as compelling as Sylvia's mysterious death and Murphy ties it all together nicely--and in a very satisfying way--at the end. This book is why the word page-turner was created. It is a gripping, heart-rending, clever mystery that will keep you enthralled. You'll get nothing done until you've reached the end of this excellent book!
November 28, 2023
I listened to the audiobook of this one and I have to say the narrators did an excellent job bringing this story to life. I really liked the dual timelines and how they came together at the ending (although I did guess how they would come together). I found the present tense mystery to be fascinating and full of some good twists, but I honestly was more hooked on the past tense story. It was very compelling. Present tense - Val Ritter is distraught when her sister dies because the police believe it to be suicide and she is certain that her sister would not have killed herself. Val has a run in with retired police detective Terry who then helps her to investigate what truly happened the night her sister checked into the Franklin, a hotel with a history for people dying. Past tense Bridget is on the cusp of marriage and while she knows she should be feeling lucky there is something she can’t articulate making her nervous. I found Val and Terry’s journey to move a little slower than I would like, but overall I thought this book was excellent.
December 19, 2023
This is the first book I've read by K.L. Murphy. The book is split into two timelines - 1921 and present day.
The modern day timeline is of Val whose sister has just died. The death was ruled a suicide, but Val believes she was murdered. Some chapters in this timeline were told through the perspective of Terry, an ex-police officer with an unknown history.
The 1921 timeline is of a young woman on and around her wedding day. Some parts of this timeline were very difficult to read. The connection between the timelines was not disclosed until the very end.
I thought this was a very good story and both of the timelines were interesting. I think I actually preferred the present day timeline a bit, just because of the subject matter of the earlier timeline. I will be interested in reading more of Murphy's work.
Thank you to NetGalley, CamCat Publishing, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), and Members' Audiobooks for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Trigger warnings:
The modern day timeline is of Val whose sister has just died. The death was ruled a suicide, but Val believes she was murdered. Some chapters in this timeline were told through the perspective of Terry, an ex-police officer with an unknown history.
The 1921 timeline is of a young woman on and around her wedding day. Some parts of this timeline were very difficult to read. The connection between the timelines was not disclosed until the very end.
I thought this was a very good story and both of the timelines were interesting. I think I actually preferred the present day timeline a bit, just because of the subject matter of the earlier timeline. I will be interested in reading more of Murphy's work.
Thank you to NetGalley, CamCat Publishing, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), and Members' Audiobooks for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Trigger warnings:
February 18, 2023
TITLE: Her Sister’s Death
AUTHOR: KL Murphy
PUB DATE: 12.13.2022 Now Available
When her sister is found dead in a Baltimore hotel room, reporter Val Ritter’s world is turned upside down. An empty pill bottle at the scene leads the police to believe the cause of death is suicide. With little more than her own conviction, Val teams up with Terry Martin, a retired detective who has his own personal interest in the case, to prove that something more sinister is possible.
In 1921, Bridget Wallace, a guest on the brink of womanhood, is getting ready to marry an eligible older man. But what seems like a comfortable match soon takes a dark turn. Does the illustrious history of the stately Franklin hotel hide another, lesser known history of death?
THOUGHTS:
Sister’s suicide
Suspenseful
Sinister
Told in dual timelines and in multiple first person POV’s, this intriguing and hard to put down murder mystery with some historical elements had my attention from the very start.
Val a crime reporter from Baltimore lost her sister to suicide. That’s what the police are saying, but Val suspects foul play. Val secures the help of Terry, a retired detective who helps with Sylvia’s murder at the Franklin Hotel - known for its dark past.
I love the red herring and the major twist, the engaging story, the historical element, and how the stories were weaved together.
AUTHOR: KL Murphy
PUB DATE: 12.13.2022 Now Available
When her sister is found dead in a Baltimore hotel room, reporter Val Ritter’s world is turned upside down. An empty pill bottle at the scene leads the police to believe the cause of death is suicide. With little more than her own conviction, Val teams up with Terry Martin, a retired detective who has his own personal interest in the case, to prove that something more sinister is possible.
In 1921, Bridget Wallace, a guest on the brink of womanhood, is getting ready to marry an eligible older man. But what seems like a comfortable match soon takes a dark turn. Does the illustrious history of the stately Franklin hotel hide another, lesser known history of death?
THOUGHTS:
Sister’s suicide
Suspenseful
Sinister
Told in dual timelines and in multiple first person POV’s, this intriguing and hard to put down murder mystery with some historical elements had my attention from the very start.
Val a crime reporter from Baltimore lost her sister to suicide. That’s what the police are saying, but Val suspects foul play. Val secures the help of Terry, a retired detective who helps with Sylvia’s murder at the Franklin Hotel - known for its dark past.
I love the red herring and the major twist, the engaging story, the historical element, and how the stories were weaved together.
December 24, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you K.L. Murphy and Partners In Crime Tours. I'm excited to be a part of this tour.
Her Sister’s Death is an unputdownable novel that will have you hooked from the beginning. I enjoyed the way the author wove together several sub plots that nicely wrapped up at the end. I love crime thriller and this one did not disappoint. Told in dual timelines and from multiple perspectives, the writing is so good, I felt like I was bouncing back and forth along with the characters.
The characters are brilliantly written and full of depth. I empathize with Val as she grieves for the sister, she thought she knew though I also found her to be impatient and rude at time. Terry was excellent as Val’s partner to solve this crime with. He was patient with her and kept her moving forward.
This book has it all dysfunctional family dynamics, intrigue, and suspense. At one point or another, I suspected them all. There is also a final twist you won’t see coming but is a big one! I recommend this book and look forward to reading more from this author!
Her Sister’s Death is an unputdownable novel that will have you hooked from the beginning. I enjoyed the way the author wove together several sub plots that nicely wrapped up at the end. I love crime thriller and this one did not disappoint. Told in dual timelines and from multiple perspectives, the writing is so good, I felt like I was bouncing back and forth along with the characters.
The characters are brilliantly written and full of depth. I empathize with Val as she grieves for the sister, she thought she knew though I also found her to be impatient and rude at time. Terry was excellent as Val’s partner to solve this crime with. He was patient with her and kept her moving forward.
This book has it all dysfunctional family dynamics, intrigue, and suspense. At one point or another, I suspected them all. There is also a final twist you won’t see coming but is a big one! I recommend this book and look forward to reading more from this author!
February 7, 2023
I discovered this book from fellow GR member and best-selling author, Lisa Regan, who I follow. Lisa comments that, “this book is why the word page-turner was created”. I’m going to concur with her on that; I read this book in two sittings, one being a late night because I couldn’t go to sleep until I knew how it ended.
The book summary pretty much lays out the primary storyline: proving that Val’s sister, Sylvia, did not commit suicide. Val is convinced that there is a much more nefarious motive to Sylvia’s death in a room at the Franklin Hotel, and she teams up with Terry Martin, a retired cop to help her prove it. Terry, who conveniently met Val in a local library after she has a meltdown in front of him, four days after Sylvia’s death. Hmmm…maybe it’s just me or maybe I have read waaayyy too many of these types of books, but I’m suspicious of Terry from the get-go as well as the Franklin Hotel that has a long history of deaths.
The story flips back and forth between two timelines: present-day and 1921 as well as three different narrators: Val, Terry, and Bridget a woman from 1921, who married a violent abuser and spent her honeymoon at the Franklin Hotel. Most of the story has Val and Terry doing their own investigation of Sylvia’s death because Val doesn’t agree with the police about Sylvia’s death and feels that they didn’t do a very good investigation. As for Bridget, most of the story has her discovering how horrible and abusive the man she married, Lawrence, is and dreading the thought of spending her life with him.
For most of the story, I was confused as to what the connection of the two deaths were (other than the hotel room) and what Terry’s connection to deaths and/or victims was. I actually love stories and writers that can keep me guessing during the story. I love trying to guess “whodunit”, but in this case I was just stumped. The ending was kind of weird, but it did merge the two different storylines. Satisfying ending.
The book summary pretty much lays out the primary storyline: proving that Val’s sister, Sylvia, did not commit suicide. Val is convinced that there is a much more nefarious motive to Sylvia’s death in a room at the Franklin Hotel, and she teams up with Terry Martin, a retired cop to help her prove it. Terry, who conveniently met Val in a local library after she has a meltdown in front of him, four days after Sylvia’s death. Hmmm…maybe it’s just me or maybe I have read waaayyy too many of these types of books, but I’m suspicious of Terry from the get-go as well as the Franklin Hotel that has a long history of deaths.
The story flips back and forth between two timelines: present-day and 1921 as well as three different narrators: Val, Terry, and Bridget a woman from 1921, who married a violent abuser and spent her honeymoon at the Franklin Hotel. Most of the story has Val and Terry doing their own investigation of Sylvia’s death because Val doesn’t agree with the police about Sylvia’s death and feels that they didn’t do a very good investigation. As for Bridget, most of the story has her discovering how horrible and abusive the man she married, Lawrence, is and dreading the thought of spending her life with him.
For most of the story, I was confused as to what the connection of the two deaths were (other than the hotel room) and what Terry’s connection to deaths and/or victims was. I actually love stories and writers that can keep me guessing during the story. I love trying to guess “whodunit”, but in this case I was just stumped. The ending was kind of weird, but it did merge the two different storylines. Satisfying ending.
February 18, 2023
I really loved the mystery, but I was not a fan of the flash-back chapters. I felt like the paranormal aspect was more of an afterthought and how they tied the past to the present didn’t really seem to have an impact on the overall story to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2022
In Her Sister's Death, author K.L. Murphy transports the reader to Baltimore, Maryland, for an intriguing mystery tale that will keep the reader guessing and turning the pages.
The story centers around Val Ritter, a crime investigative reporter for the Baltimorean Daily newspaper, who is determined to find out the truth behind her sister Sylvia's death at the Franklin Hotel. The police investigation claim the death preliminarily a suicide until the Medical Examiner's report is completed. Val meets Terry Martin, a retired detective who currently runs a security firm at the local library, and after she explains what happened to her sister, Terry tells her that the Franklin Hotel has a dark history of deaths occurring there, and he teams up with her to find out if Sylvia's death was a suicide, or if someone else caused her death. Terry knows the dark history of the Franklin Hotel, but he doesn't tell Val everything that he knows about it, especially about the story of a young woman named Bridget Wallace who stayed at the hotel in 1921 on the night of her honeymoon to a much older man, and the traumatizing events that occurred in the same suite that Sylvia stayed in. Can Val and Terry find out the truth about Sylvia's death at the Franklin Hotel, and how her death can be interconnected to the hotel's dark past of deaths that occurred there?
Author K.L. Murphy weaves a slow building and suspenseful mystery tale written in the alternating first person narrative that follows Val and Terry's investigation into Sylvia's death, and the third person narrative that follows the story of Bridget Wallace's stay at the Franklin Hotel in 1921.
The reader is easily drawn into this well written story with its richly descriptive plot and setting. It is filled with enough family drama and secrets, motives, possible suspects, action, and intriguing twists and turns that definitely keeps the reader guessing until the surprising conclusion.
This was a really intriguing story to read! The author does a wonderful job of providing enough clues to engage the reader, and I found myself so caught up on trying to figure out how Sylvia really died. I loved how Val and Terry used their expertise to put all the pieces of the puzzle together to get to the truth, and how Bridget's traumatic story was connected to their investigation. I was absolutely stunned by the conclusion! I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the hotel's dark history of death was eerie, and when you add in the tragedy behind both Bridget and Sylvia's stories, you can't help but feel goose bumps run up your arms.
Her Sister's Death will definitely take mystery readers on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Tours.
https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
The story centers around Val Ritter, a crime investigative reporter for the Baltimorean Daily newspaper, who is determined to find out the truth behind her sister Sylvia's death at the Franklin Hotel. The police investigation claim the death preliminarily a suicide until the Medical Examiner's report is completed. Val meets Terry Martin, a retired detective who currently runs a security firm at the local library, and after she explains what happened to her sister, Terry tells her that the Franklin Hotel has a dark history of deaths occurring there, and he teams up with her to find out if Sylvia's death was a suicide, or if someone else caused her death. Terry knows the dark history of the Franklin Hotel, but he doesn't tell Val everything that he knows about it, especially about the story of a young woman named Bridget Wallace who stayed at the hotel in 1921 on the night of her honeymoon to a much older man, and the traumatizing events that occurred in the same suite that Sylvia stayed in. Can Val and Terry find out the truth about Sylvia's death at the Franklin Hotel, and how her death can be interconnected to the hotel's dark past of deaths that occurred there?
Author K.L. Murphy weaves a slow building and suspenseful mystery tale written in the alternating first person narrative that follows Val and Terry's investigation into Sylvia's death, and the third person narrative that follows the story of Bridget Wallace's stay at the Franklin Hotel in 1921.
The reader is easily drawn into this well written story with its richly descriptive plot and setting. It is filled with enough family drama and secrets, motives, possible suspects, action, and intriguing twists and turns that definitely keeps the reader guessing until the surprising conclusion.
This was a really intriguing story to read! The author does a wonderful job of providing enough clues to engage the reader, and I found myself so caught up on trying to figure out how Sylvia really died. I loved how Val and Terry used their expertise to put all the pieces of the puzzle together to get to the truth, and how Bridget's traumatic story was connected to their investigation. I was absolutely stunned by the conclusion! I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the hotel's dark history of death was eerie, and when you add in the tragedy behind both Bridget and Sylvia's stories, you can't help but feel goose bumps run up your arms.
Her Sister's Death will definitely take mystery readers on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Tours.
https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
February 14, 2023
Mystery fans…this book is for you!
A rumored haunted hotel, suspicious deaths, dual timelines, and abusive husbands gave this book the perfect mix of suspense and mystery that made me fly through the book in one sitting!
This book has two storylines from the present and one from 1921.
Present Day: Val Ritter has been informed that her sister has committed suicide in a classic hotel in Baltimore, yet she doesn’t think for a second that her sister would do such a thing. She tells her story to a PI, Terry, who is intrigued by her story due to tales of many woman over the years dying. This hotel is rumored to be haunted but its all speculation.
1921: Young Bridget is to be married by a worldly man and her parents are pushing and encouraging her that he is the right man for her. Bridget has seen darker sides of him during their courtship, yet she keeps this a secret. They are married and their honeymoon stay is in the upscale Baltimore Hotel.
The author did an amazing job interweaving the two and I was shocked at how the two were connected.
Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours @k.l_murphy and @camcatbooks for the gifted copy and having me on tour.
A rumored haunted hotel, suspicious deaths, dual timelines, and abusive husbands gave this book the perfect mix of suspense and mystery that made me fly through the book in one sitting!
This book has two storylines from the present and one from 1921.
Present Day: Val Ritter has been informed that her sister has committed suicide in a classic hotel in Baltimore, yet she doesn’t think for a second that her sister would do such a thing. She tells her story to a PI, Terry, who is intrigued by her story due to tales of many woman over the years dying. This hotel is rumored to be haunted but its all speculation.
1921: Young Bridget is to be married by a worldly man and her parents are pushing and encouraging her that he is the right man for her. Bridget has seen darker sides of him during their courtship, yet she keeps this a secret. They are married and their honeymoon stay is in the upscale Baltimore Hotel.
The author did an amazing job interweaving the two and I was shocked at how the two were connected.
Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours @k.l_murphy and @camcatbooks for the gifted copy and having me on tour.
March 5, 2023
When her sister is found dead in a Baltimore hotel room, reporter Val Ritter’s world is turned upside down. An empty pill bottle at the scene leads police to believe it was a suicide. Val teams up with Terry, a retired detective who has a personal interest in this case, to prove something more sinister is possible.
In 1921, Bridget, a guest on the brink of womanhood, is getting ready to marry an eligible older man. But what seems like a comfortable match soon takes a dark turn.
Does the illustrious history if the stately Franklin hotel hid another, lesser known history of death?
Sounds good right? Seriously, let’s get this book all over! It is THAT good!💕 I enjoyed both of the mysteries, but especially the storyline from the past. I loved seeing how the two stories were connected. My only gripe is I felt it ended abruptly, other than that, I couldn’t put this down!
December 16, 2022
Val is a reporter and a loving sister. When she finds out her sister, Sylvia, reportedly committed suicide, she does not believe it. Sylvia would ever leave her children behind. One day, Val meets a retired detective, Terry, that becomes interested in her sister's case. While they investigate her sister's last days, they learn that the hotel where her sister dies has a mysterious past.
HER SISTER'S DEATH was a great novel. I found myself reading it all day to find out what really happened to Sylvia. I loved the dual timeline and the creepy hotel secrets. This was a well written book filled with many surprises. If you enjoy a good mystery, I can highly recommend this one to you.
Many thanks to @suzyapprovedbooktours, K.L. Murphy and CamCat Books for my copy.
HER SISTER'S DEATH was a great novel. I found myself reading it all day to find out what really happened to Sylvia. I loved the dual timeline and the creepy hotel secrets. This was a well written book filled with many surprises. If you enjoy a good mystery, I can highly recommend this one to you.
Many thanks to @suzyapprovedbooktours, K.L. Murphy and CamCat Books for my copy.
December 20, 2023
This high quality audio concentrates on two different stories in two different times told by 3 different narrators to give 3 pov.
The first is rhe present day and focus eson finding out the truth about how val's sister died. She us aided by Terry an rx cop.The other is much older and is quite brutal and focuses on Bridget and her abusive life.. All narrators put emotion into their performance dealing with complex emotions. The story us full of red herrings and has rhe hint of supernatural. The final reveal explains how the stories come together and is a satisfactory ending. This was a tad slow paced for me and I became more interested in tge past because it was beutal. The level of description could be triggering for anyone deal with complex issuses of suicide and abuse. That said it was true to life and the cgaracters wrre well narrated. The side characters fitted into the story well.
I did enjoy yhis mystery. A solid 4.5 star lisyen alrhough short could feel long in places this is due to character development . Thank you netgallery and publisher and author and narrators.
The first is rhe present day and focus eson finding out the truth about how val's sister died. She us aided by Terry an rx cop.The other is much older and is quite brutal and focuses on Bridget and her abusive life.. All narrators put emotion into their performance dealing with complex emotions. The story us full of red herrings and has rhe hint of supernatural. The final reveal explains how the stories come together and is a satisfactory ending. This was a tad slow paced for me and I became more interested in tge past because it was beutal. The level of description could be triggering for anyone deal with complex issuses of suicide and abuse. That said it was true to life and the cgaracters wrre well narrated. The side characters fitted into the story well.
I did enjoy yhis mystery. A solid 4.5 star lisyen alrhough short could feel long in places this is due to character development . Thank you netgallery and publisher and author and narrators.
October 21, 2024
This was a decent thriller with good pacing and a dual timeline, the events of each timeline connected to the Franklin Hotel.
I enjoyed the 1921 timeline more, which features a young woman called Bridget who marries a man much older to her and finds out too late the nightmare she has entered. Bridget's story was more compelling, tense and I was interested in knowing how it would end for her. However, the ending of Bridget's story, alongside the big reveal, in the present, about the hotel room's supernatural secret was a bit rushed.
The audiobook was very well narrated by all the three narrators and overall I enjoyed listening to it.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher CamCat Publishing/IBPA Audiobooks and the author K.L. Murphy for the ALC.
I enjoyed the 1921 timeline more, which features a young woman called Bridget who marries a man much older to her and finds out too late the nightmare she has entered. Bridget's story was more compelling, tense and I was interested in knowing how it would end for her. However, the ending of Bridget's story, alongside the big reveal, in the present, about the hotel room's supernatural secret was a bit rushed.
The audiobook was very well narrated by all the three narrators and overall I enjoyed listening to it.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher CamCat Publishing/IBPA Audiobooks and the author K.L. Murphy for the ALC.
November 24, 2023
WOW! Why are more people not talking about this one? How did this get swept under the rug while, cough, other authors are being recommended every day?!
This book has two timelines and three pov's, which all work together much better than I expected them to. While some of the plot twists are easy to guess, it's still a great read.
My only disappointment is that it ended way too soon! Everything tied up in the epilogue in an epic "tell don't show" sprint. I really wish Murphy had fleshed out the ending with more care like throughout the rest of the story.
Thank you to netgalley for this copy!
This book has two timelines and three pov's, which all work together much better than I expected them to. While some of the plot twists are easy to guess, it's still a great read.
My only disappointment is that it ended way too soon! Everything tied up in the epilogue in an epic "tell don't show" sprint. I really wish Murphy had fleshed out the ending with more care like throughout the rest of the story.
Thank you to netgalley for this copy!
December 24, 2023
I love the dual timeline and present-day setup of this story. The dual line story was more interesting to me.
While I enjoyed the mystery, I was hoping for a better way for both timelines to tie up.
The ending felt a bit underwhelming.
While I enjoyed the mystery, I was hoping for a better way for both timelines to tie up.
The ending felt a bit underwhelming.
December 15, 2022
This novel has an interesting plot, exploring the determination of a woman to prove that her sister did not commit suicide. I had trouble liking Val. She was grieving but she was often just rude, would ignore comments or be way too impatient when others were trying to help her. I really liked Terry. He was patient with Val to the extreme.
You have to pay attention when you read this novel as it is a dual time with chapters focusing on three different people. There is one character in 1921 and two in the present day. The present day scenes are in first person, Val and Terry. I had difficulty remembering through whom we were seeing action and experiencing thoughts. Add in Val's memories of her conversations with her sister and there is even more to keep straight. Also, the current narratives are written in present tense while the one from 1921 is in past tense. Interesting writing style all around.
Potential readers should be aware that there are some intense scenes of spousal abuse. They seemed a bit graphic to me and might elicit strong feelings if a reader is sensitive to the issue.
While there were issues with this novel, I did like it. It is an interesting turn on the locked room kind of murder where it seems to the police suicide is the only answer to explain the death.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
You have to pay attention when you read this novel as it is a dual time with chapters focusing on three different people. There is one character in 1921 and two in the present day. The present day scenes are in first person, Val and Terry. I had difficulty remembering through whom we were seeing action and experiencing thoughts. Add in Val's memories of her conversations with her sister and there is even more to keep straight. Also, the current narratives are written in present tense while the one from 1921 is in past tense. Interesting writing style all around.
Potential readers should be aware that there are some intense scenes of spousal abuse. They seemed a bit graphic to me and might elicit strong feelings if a reader is sensitive to the issue.
While there were issues with this novel, I did like it. It is an interesting turn on the locked room kind of murder where it seems to the police suicide is the only answer to explain the death.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
February 11, 2023
This was good, but I wanted more from it. I expected more paranormal aspects in it, but really it didn’t play much of a part at all until the end. The ending was kind of a let down. I really enjoyed it at times, and other times I was just kind of bored. It’s worth a read, but not my favorite mystery thriller.
January 7, 2024
Her Sister‘s Death is the first of K.L. Murphy’s books that I’ve read, but it won’t be the last. I was extremely impressed and surprised. I especially loved the mystery components and the interweaving of history with the present.
It is a well written story of a dedicated sibling who is determined to find the truth out about her sister‘s death. Working with a retired police detective with secrets of his own, the two venture on a dangerous and compelling sleuth mission.
The characters were empathetic and relatable, and as they dive deeper into the investigation, more clues are unraveled, adding to the mystery. All of it was wrapped up neatly and believably. I highly recommend this book.
It is a well written story of a dedicated sibling who is determined to find the truth out about her sister‘s death. Working with a retired police detective with secrets of his own, the two venture on a dangerous and compelling sleuth mission.
The characters were empathetic and relatable, and as they dive deeper into the investigation, more clues are unraveled, adding to the mystery. All of it was wrapped up neatly and believably. I highly recommend this book.
April 30, 2024
3.5
Predictable but enjoyable. A little slow in the beginning but picked up.
Predictable but enjoyable. A little slow in the beginning but picked up.
July 29, 2023
The main character was pretty annoying but I ended up liking the book.
May 13, 2025
Once I cracked the book, I hated to stop reading. I literally wanted to go to sleep but just kept turning the page! I finished the book in just days because I read it every second that I could. I never do that!
A sister who thinks she knows her older sister well is shocked by her sister's suicide. She works with a retired cop turned security man to put the facts together when the local police are content to call it a suicide and close the case.
The author seamlessly toggles between three viewpoints, which keeps the reader in suspense. Loved The Franklin Hotel, the period feel of it and how in the end it fits into the story. It spans a period from 1921 to present time. Murphy painted one wicked husband on a honeymoon in the twenties. In present day drama, Val and Terry work well together to help the sister reach closure about her the sister's suicide. Good characterization. Good plotting. The culprit is not who you think it is. And Murphy has added some ghostly interference as well. The ending is a rolling coaster ride.
A sister who thinks she knows her older sister well is shocked by her sister's suicide. She works with a retired cop turned security man to put the facts together when the local police are content to call it a suicide and close the case.
The author seamlessly toggles between three viewpoints, which keeps the reader in suspense. Loved The Franklin Hotel, the period feel of it and how in the end it fits into the story. It spans a period from 1921 to present time. Murphy painted one wicked husband on a honeymoon in the twenties. In present day drama, Val and Terry work well together to help the sister reach closure about her the sister's suicide. Good characterization. Good plotting. The culprit is not who you think it is. And Murphy has added some ghostly interference as well. The ending is a rolling coaster ride.
March 8, 2023
I thought this was a really well written book, I like the twist as I really thought it was someone else but at times I also thought it was suicide.
March 9, 2023
Read if you like the idea of murder mysteries connected over decades.
At the surface, it seems really intriguing: the 1920s, murders, ghosts!! I really wanted to love this one. On the surface, it's exactly my kinda book.
But, it's almost like Murphy was too afraid to go there with the paranormal part. This could have been a really creepy setup with lots of scares and unsettling along the way; especially with the security cameras. Instead, it was just kinda thrown in there at the end without any build up, so it felt a little random when it did happen.
The mystery itself was intriguing as it went. I kept looking for clues along with Val and Terry. I wanted to know how Bridget's story ended. I was hooked!!
... Then it was solved, and the clues that solved it weren't really given until after the reveal. It's frustrating to get those without knowing their meaning.
While it was a page turner until it wasn't, I probably would not recommend this to a friend.
At the surface, it seems really intriguing: the 1920s, murders, ghosts!! I really wanted to love this one. On the surface, it's exactly my kinda book.
But, it's almost like Murphy was too afraid to go there with the paranormal part. This could have been a really creepy setup with lots of scares and unsettling along the way; especially with the security cameras. Instead, it was just kinda thrown in there at the end without any build up, so it felt a little random when it did happen.
The mystery itself was intriguing as it went. I kept looking for clues along with Val and Terry. I wanted to know how Bridget's story ended. I was hooked!!
... Then it was solved, and the clues that solved it weren't really given until after the reveal. It's frustrating to get those without knowing their meaning.
While it was a page turner until it wasn't, I probably would not recommend this to a friend.
July 29, 2022
This mystery was a very good read. There were definitely some areas that were more sensitive content, but they were there to add to the story.
There were a few pieces of information brought up that I believed did not serve a purpose to the story, however, they may have just been there to distract the reader from discovering the truth behind the mystery too soon.
Val was a very devoted sister, but I would have liked to see more about her life, it seemed that she lived and breathed only for her sister.
Overall, the story was intriguing and the ending was surprising!
There were a few pieces of information brought up that I believed did not serve a purpose to the story, however, they may have just been there to distract the reader from discovering the truth behind the mystery too soon.
Val was a very devoted sister, but I would have liked to see more about her life, it seemed that she lived and breathed only for her sister.
Overall, the story was intriguing and the ending was surprising!
February 19, 2023
I am not a fan of true crime. This is basically a novelization of a true crime story. Val was frustrating. She wants answers. She's a reporter. Every time someone tries to talk to her or give her answers, she ignores them. I had to tell myself it was due to her grief but that got old quick. This edition was beautiful. Once Upon A Book Club made a stunning edition. Still, it's going in the giveaway pile because I just don't care for brutality and crime. This wasn't the book for me but a crime fan may love it.
January 12, 2024
Sylvia Ritter, a mother of two, is found dead in a run-down hotel. Her sister Val, a journalist, strongly believes that it was not a suicide. With the assistance of Terry Martin, a former homicide detective who now runs a security firm, they set out to uncover the truth. The missing diary could hold the key to the mystery.
I found Val unsympathetic and overly posed. The search with Val & Terry remains superficial and lacks some action.
Although the story is mostly dialogue-driven, I kept listening because I wanted to know how the second timeline was connected to Sylvia's death.
In Val’s & Teddy’s timeline there is merely talk and investigation of what happened, at a later point camera footage is reviewed to see who might have been involved in Sylvia's murder.
The second timeline is set during the Prohibition era and provides insight into the life of Bridget, a naive young woman. Bridget has a good relationship with her sister Margaret and is engaged to Lawrence. Despite her parents' approval of Lawrence, Bridget harbours a deep-seated fear of him due to his past with his first wife, who was institutionalised.
The narration is a little slow, so I listened to the audiobook at 1.25x speed, which worked much better for me.
I regretted that the author did not elaborate further on 'the voices,’ in my opinion, the history of the Franklin Hotel could have been explored a bit further.
The author keeps the listener in suspense for a VERY long time.
It seems that the author wanted to show the consequences of choosing: if Bridget had chosen Joseph, her life would have turned out different. It is sad to realise that if Bridget had been able to switch between the timelines, she would never have been convicted. I found the second timeline the most gripping and compelling to listen to.
I despise a man who thinks he can beat his wife. I therefore find it somewhat difficult to digest that the men in this story face few real consequences for their abusive behaviour, and like I said, a shorter story with more twists would have resulted in a more balanced and engaging narrative.
A tad too long, but still interesting enough to keep listening and find out how the two timelines were connected. The narration voices are really good.
3.5 stars
Thank you CamCat Audio & Netgalley for the review copy. I leave my review voluntarily.
I found Val unsympathetic and overly posed. The search with Val & Terry remains superficial and lacks some action.
Although the story is mostly dialogue-driven, I kept listening because I wanted to know how the second timeline was connected to Sylvia's death.
In Val’s & Teddy’s timeline there is merely talk and investigation of what happened, at a later point camera footage is reviewed to see who might have been involved in Sylvia's murder.
The second timeline is set during the Prohibition era and provides insight into the life of Bridget, a naive young woman. Bridget has a good relationship with her sister Margaret and is engaged to Lawrence. Despite her parents' approval of Lawrence, Bridget harbours a deep-seated fear of him due to his past with his first wife, who was institutionalised.
The narration is a little slow, so I listened to the audiobook at 1.25x speed, which worked much better for me.
I regretted that the author did not elaborate further on 'the voices,’ in my opinion, the history of the Franklin Hotel could have been explored a bit further.
The author keeps the listener in suspense for a VERY long time.
It seems that the author wanted to show the consequences of choosing: if Bridget had chosen Joseph, her life would have turned out different. It is sad to realise that if Bridget had been able to switch between the timelines, she would never have been convicted. I found the second timeline the most gripping and compelling to listen to.
I despise a man who thinks he can beat his wife. I therefore find it somewhat difficult to digest that the men in this story face few real consequences for their abusive behaviour, and like I said, a shorter story with more twists would have resulted in a more balanced and engaging narrative.
A tad too long, but still interesting enough to keep listening and find out how the two timelines were connected. The narration voices are really good.
3.5 stars
Thank you CamCat Audio & Netgalley for the review copy. I leave my review voluntarily.
February 25, 2023
#StoryGraph: fiction mystery dark mysterious tense crime
Hardcover 352 pages • Kindle 464 pages • first pub 2022
• Once Upon a Book Club #OUABC January 2023 Monthly Box (Special Edition Hardcover 314 pages)
“When a reporter’s sister is found dead in a swanky Baltimore hotel, the police suspect suicide. Determined to prove them wrong, she partners with a detective who knows more than he admits about her sister, the hotel, and its history of death.” ~ Once Upon a Book Club
DESCRIPTION
May we introduce the newest Once Upon a Book Club Experience Edition to your shelves. January's adult box, the Mystery at the Grand Hotel featured this stunning edition of Her Sister's Death by K.L. Murphy!
This month's selection features exclusive customizations including:
🗝 a custom designed dust jacket
🗝 beautifully foiled hard case
🗝 foiled page edges
🗝 themed end papers
She wanted the truth. She should have known better.
When a reporter’s sister is found dead in a swanky Baltimore hotel, the police suspect suicide. Determined to prove them wrong, she partners with a detective who knows more than he admits about her sister, the hotel, and its history of death.
This suspenseful novel will keep readers on the edge of their seats as they delve deeper into the past of a hotel famous for its macabre history of deaths in a single room on the 13th floor. Past and present timelines are flawlessly woven together to give readers an emotional look into how far one woman will go to prove that something sinister happened to her sister, and just how unlucky the 13th floor of a historic hotel can truly be.
From the author of the Detective Cancini Mystery series comes a haunting and mysterious tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.
Hardcover 352 pages • Kindle 464 pages • first pub 2022
• Once Upon a Book Club #OUABC January 2023 Monthly Box (Special Edition Hardcover 314 pages)
“When a reporter’s sister is found dead in a swanky Baltimore hotel, the police suspect suicide. Determined to prove them wrong, she partners with a detective who knows more than he admits about her sister, the hotel, and its history of death.” ~ Once Upon a Book Club
DESCRIPTION
May we introduce the newest Once Upon a Book Club Experience Edition to your shelves. January's adult box, the Mystery at the Grand Hotel featured this stunning edition of Her Sister's Death by K.L. Murphy!
This month's selection features exclusive customizations including:
🗝 a custom designed dust jacket
🗝 beautifully foiled hard case
🗝 foiled page edges
🗝 themed end papers
She wanted the truth. She should have known better.
When a reporter’s sister is found dead in a swanky Baltimore hotel, the police suspect suicide. Determined to prove them wrong, she partners with a detective who knows more than he admits about her sister, the hotel, and its history of death.
This suspenseful novel will keep readers on the edge of their seats as they delve deeper into the past of a hotel famous for its macabre history of deaths in a single room on the 13th floor. Past and present timelines are flawlessly woven together to give readers an emotional look into how far one woman will go to prove that something sinister happened to her sister, and just how unlucky the 13th floor of a historic hotel can truly be.
From the author of the Detective Cancini Mystery series comes a haunting and mysterious tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.
March 12, 2023
I know many a sister (or brother) that would go to lengths unknown if their sibling was found dead in a hotel room. I know I would. Val’s life is toppled when she’s told her sister has committed suicide, that pills are present and the police are closing the case as cut & dry, she knows in her heart and gut that something is not right. She decides she’s going to look into this further, using her skills as a homicide reporter (with a backstory of obituary writing), and the love she holds for her sister. Twist after twist we learn things about Val, her sister’s ex, the retired detective that’s helping on the case, and the past history of the Franklin hotel. Between past (1921) and present chapters, the story reveals itself and what you thought was truth will in fact be false.
As a special edition received from Once Upon a Book Club this book is a little more abbreviated from listed editions, but no less powerful.
Content Warnings: abusive marriage, forced marriage, death of a sibling, suicide, & cheating. All are throughout the story and it makes the overshadow of darkness and evil that much darker as you fall deeper into the history of the hotel.
As a special edition received from Once Upon a Book Club this book is a little more abbreviated from listed editions, but no less powerful.
Content Warnings: abusive marriage, forced marriage, death of a sibling, suicide, & cheating. All are throughout the story and it makes the overshadow of darkness and evil that much darker as you fall deeper into the history of the hotel.
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