This book was not everything I thought it was in the synopsis. It rarely kept my attention and the characters were boring to me. I DNF at about 30%

thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the eGalley!

i dnf’d this book at 25% unfortunately the book wasn’t for me. I recieved this book when i first opened my netgalley account and didn’t know how to properly review and selected “will not give feedback”.

Why, oh why, are synopses of books waaay better than the ACTUAL book??

Didi is a housecleaner's daughter, who thinks she has been born into the wrong family and has been dealt a raw deal in life with all the trauma she had endured in her youth.

Ava and Jamie are the Blackworth siblings, living in a "haunted" house in their childhood, only to find themselves back in the same home as adults to unwrap the mystery of their parents' respective deaths.

All in all, a fine setup...... however, while reading this story, it becomes evident that the characters are incredibly one dimensional, lacking any intense feelings regarding death, ghosts, or their own safety. The one thing that I will say is that the house itself became a pseudo character in this story, as the history of its previous residents and all the hiding nooks and crannies came to (imaginary) life. Sadly, the "twist" is not as horrific as one is led to believe by the synopsis but, in actuality, quite tame, based on the variety of breadcrumbs left for the reader to piece together. This book was a tolerable thriller but not exceptional by any stretch.

Shadow Sister by Lindsay Marcott is a gem of a book, offering a compelling and darkly atmospheric read. From the very first page, I was captivated by its unique and gothic storyline, which is filled with a host of fascinating characters.

The plot is exceptionally well-crafted, with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. The suspense builds masterfully, culminating in a crescendo that leads to a satisfying and well-executed conclusion. Ava's adventures in Blackworth Mansion were particularly tense and gripping, adding to the overall allure of the narrative.

One of the standout aspects of this book is its character development. The characters are well-written and engaging, each adding depth and complexity to the story. I found myself invested in their journeys and intrigued by their interactions.

The gothic elements of the book added a unique and creepy factor that I don’t typically experience in the police procedurals I usually read.

Overall, Shadow Sister is a brilliant read that blends suspense, gothic elements, and compelling characters into a memorable and thrilling story. If you're looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat with its twists and turns, this is the one. I loved every second of it and highly recommend it to fans of suspenseful, gothic mysteries.

Thank you Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer & Lindsay Marcott for the arc!

Not for me unfortunately. Remembered I never left a review here. It's been a while since I read it so my review isn't going to help very much! I haven't been on my Netgalley in years.

I'm thrilled that I picked up this book because it surpassed my expectations by leaps and bounds. The narrative revolves around Ava's return to Blackworth Mansion, driven by a persistent need to unravel the mystery surrounding her mother Christina's death seventeen years ago. Despite the official verdict of natural causes, Ava has harbored suspicions suggesting a darker truth. Memories haunting her suggest foul play, prompting her to question whether Blackworth itself is haunted or if her mother truly fell victim to something sinister.
Her brother Jamie, indifferent to Ava's convictions, urges her to sell Blackworth, partly influenced by his new partner, Sarah. Sarah, though not previously acquainted with Ava and Jamie, eagerly integrates into their lives, desiring familial connection. Their instant rapport leads Ava to confide in Sarah about her family's history and the purported haunting of Blackworth by a ghost known as Cinderella, a victim of a tragic incident within the mansion. Sarah's interest and support offer Ava newfound hope in uncovering the truth behind Christina's demise.
The narrative grips you from the start, holding your attention steadfastly throughout. Even if you anticipate the twists and turns, the storytelling captivates with its depth and intrigue. It's a tale that keeps you engaged until the very end, delivering a satisfying reading experience that's hard to surpass.

Lindsay Marcott's "Shadow Sister" captivates readers with its eerie atmosphere, familial mysteries, and a protagonist haunted by her past. This gripping tale earns a solid four stars for its skillful blending of suspense, family drama, and a touch of the supernatural.

Ava's journey begins in a haunted mansion, the site of her childhood thrills turned nightmares after her mother's mysterious death. Marcott skillfully navigates the delicate balance between the allure of the paranormal and the chilling reality of the unresolved secrets surrounding Blackworth Mansion. The narrative unfolds seamlessly, drawing readers into Ava's quest to uncover the truth about her mother's demise.

The author excels in creating a palpable sense of tension and unease. As Ava returns home after seventeen years, the mansion's haunting presence is felt anew, intertwining with the complexities of family relationships and unresolved traumas. Marcott's ability to evoke both sympathy and fear for Ava establishes a strong emotional connection with the protagonist.

The supporting characters add layers of intrigue to the narrative. Ava's estranged father, her mysterious sister-in-law, and the enigmatic girl haunting the grounds contribute to the multifaceted plot. The romance subplot with Ava's first crush is skillfully woven into the story, adding depth to the protagonist's personal journey.

As Ava delves into the secrets lurking in the mansion, the pacing remains steady, with each revelation heightening the suspense. The author masterfully creates an atmosphere where the line between reality and the supernatural blurs, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

While the resolution is satisfying, some elements of the plot could benefit from further exploration. Certain character arcs and the paranormal aspects, though intriguing, are introduced without fully capitalizing on their potential depth. A more nuanced exploration of these elements could enhance the overall impact of the story.

In conclusion, "Shadow Sister" is a compelling and atmospheric mystery that immerses readers in a world where secrets and shadows intertwine. Lindsay Marcott's storytelling prowess shines through, delivering a captivating narrative that keeps the reader guessing until the final revelation. For those who enjoy a blend of family drama, suspense, and a touch of the supernatural, "Shadow Sister" offers an engaging and haunting journey into the mysteries of the past.

Shadow Sister by Lindsay Marcott unfortunately didn't work for me.
While I thought that the setting was atmospheric and pacing kept my attention, I found the plot rather predictable, the characters unlikeable and the language a little stilted.

This was a fun and easy read, but I was hoping for more with the premise. I guessed the twist, but enjoyed what got me there.

Ava grew up in the haunted Blackworth Mansion. Her mother's mysterious death was ruled to be from natural causes, but Ava believes otherwise. Seventeen years later, Ava returns to Blackworth Mansion. She is still not over her mother's death. As Ava tries to figure out what happened in the past, more secrets are flushed out. To complicate things, her brother, Jamie, marries Sarah, who he barely knows. Along with some other characters from her past, Ava has to determine whether to team up with Sarah or to be suspicious of her motives.

This book has it all - mystery, family secrets, revenge, and creepiness. It is told from multiple perspectives. I found these perspectives interesting and enough to keep me wanting more. I also really enjoyed the plot itself. The ending fit well, but was predictable.

In terms of pitfalls, some things just didn't make sense. Some things are messy and are never fully explained. Nonetheless, it is still an intriguing read.

Thank you Thomas & Mercer for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love love love finding books I would not have otherwise heard about had it not been for this book loving community .

Big thank you to Thomas & Mercer, who shared this book with me . It was above and beyond what I could have ever expected .

This is a slow burn murder mystery jam packed with details and an explosive narrative . I read The Shadow Sisters in one sitting and I was left with my jaw on the floor. Never, could I have anticipated all this book holds.

Long buried secrets are soon exposed….

Teaser:

Ava grew up in a haunted mansion, envied by all her friends. But when her mother died mysteriously there, the thrills of Blackworth Mansion became nightmares. Ava never accepted that her mother perished from natural causes, but no one would believe her.

Seventeen years later, Ava returns home to unravel the truth of her mother’s death—and her own demons quickly follow. Her estranged and vindictive father may be stalking her. Her secretive new sister-in-law lands on her doorstep with troubles of her own. And then there’s the strange girl who may or may not be haunting the grounds. Even Ava’s romance with her first crush is shadowed by her suspicions.

When Ava makes a terrifying discovery on the property, she must decide just how far into the past she’s willing to go. Some secrets can be deadly—especially the ones Ava’s kept hidden in the dark.

I really wanted to love this book, but it was so long and drawn out that I lost interest half the time. The creepy factor was just not there at all, I kept waiting for the ghost to show up, and for the father to truly be stalking the main character. Told in multiple POVs, all female, and even though they are labeled when they change, it was still hard to figure out who was who. None of them were reliable, or likable. Ava was oblivious to many things, and seemed that she did not know the truth of anything. Sarah was controlling and overstepped at every corner. Who plans renovations on a house that is not theirs, and does not tell the owner? Who thinks it is a good idea that taking your husband to his childhood home, that he does not want to return to, for recovery from a car accident? Didi was whiny and troubled teen who places her frustrations on others and steals to try to make things "even." This made it hard to connect to any of them and keep interest in the book. Is the mystery supposed to how the mother died? Even though this is a main fixture of the novel, it did not seem as though Ava was trying to figure out who killed her at all. The twist was predictable, and did not add any shock value to the novel.

I want to thank Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC of this book.

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy.

Enjoyed the atmosphere of the manor and the "cinderella" ghost aspect - slow in the beginning - but got better. Then it was predictable at the end.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the ARC. I tried to get in the story but I couldn't so I end up dnfing it about 50% away. I may come back to it later.

this was definitely an improvement over Marcott’s previous book but i felt like i had similar issues - really interesting premise and concept but the story was a bit all over the place and this one felt unnecessarily long to the point it dragged

In Lindsay Marcott’s Shadow Sister, this psychological thriller is dark as noir and twisted as they come to give you the chills. At age 14, Ava Holland’s mother had strangely died to an unusual death. She always believed her father had killed her mother. During her youth, her mother Christina had told a ghost story about a murdered girl named CInderella haunted their historical family mansion. Now, 17 years later, Ava wishes to return home to San Francisco and be reunited with her brother Jamie. When he met Sarah Davis, a rich widow, and later married her, things aren’t what they seem, when she moved into her life. Ava’s also reunited with her high school crush, Thomas Rainier, who works in architecture and construction. For Sarah Davis, she had found the perfect way to become a Holland, and that’s to seduce the object of her obsession, Jamie. But to keep the truth distorted from the lies, we flash back to what happened in 2006 for Didi Morrison, a housekeeper’s heavyset daughter, who everyone had treated cruelly. When Jamie gets into a car accident and is badly hurt, Sarah swoops into the family mansion and shakes things up for Ava as her sister-in-law. The closer to the truth she becomes to discover who Sarah or Didi is, it’s a battle of life and death for her and her breath in the end.

This bone-chilling psychological thriller will make you stay up all night with the light on. I cared for Jamie and Ava, who had been blindsided and swindled by an evil person. All they wanted was truth for the answers, when things went bad from worse. It had set me on edge. The location of San Francisco California had dreary and compelling scenic settings to paint the scene. The theme of the story is if you have nothing else to say, don’t say it at all, since revenge is best served cold.

This twisted thriller will give you goosebumps and chills all over. I rated this book, four out of five stars for no reason. If you love twisted psychological thrillers with non-stop action, plenty of dramatic suspense, and sharp surprises to keep you guessing, pick up a copy of Shadow Sister today. This book is recommended for fans of thriller novels, TV shows, and movies like You, Lisa Gardner, Erica Spindler, and Lisa Jewell.

I was lucky to receive an advance copy of Shadow Sister by Lindsay Marcott from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review and opinions. This was a great book to read that kept me guessing until the end and believe it or not but I actually figured it out. That NEVER happens! :) I really enjoyed the writing style by this author and I look forward to reading more by her in the near future.

This book was perfectly written! Going into it you’re just expecting a wicked family history with many many secrets ~ then it takes a twist, Ava has found out information that TRULY brings you in. I could not put this book down, finished it in less than two days!

Atmospheric creepy novels are a favorite. Ava returns to her childhood home, (a haunted mansion) hoping to unravel the mystery of her mother's death. It was listed as natural causes, but Ava has never believed that. As the book progresses, we aren't sure if it's the people around Ava, or is it Ava herself that is the danger?

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC!