Best friends and sisters-in-law, Julia and Sienna, find themselves caught up in a murder investigation when Jason, Julia's husband and Sienna's brother, is in a car accident that has left him in a coma. Evidence that Jason may have committed the crime was found in his car.

They are all hiding things from each other, and it leaves a web of broken trust in each other.

I loved the relationship between these two sister-in-laws, they love each other and are best friends, but of course they are not as open as they could be. Jason isn’t perfect, and Julia feels that Sienna would stand up for him not matter what. That’s why she feels she can’t tell Sienna some things.

I will say the ending is kind of mild, where there wasn’t a major sense of danger like most thrillers have. I really predicted that some twisted things might happen, but it wasn’t like that at all. I was expecting a major twist but that isn’t what happened. Which is why it was only a 4 star read for me.

2.75 rounded up to 3 stars.

Part family drama, part murder mystery, Thicker Than Water kept me guessing. I enjoyed the family dynamics, especially between sisters-in-law Julia and Sienna.

I found their relationship actually more compelling than either of their relationships with Jason.

As someone who is very close to her family, this book hooked me with its take on family dynamics! I did not see the twist or any part of the plot or character dynamics coming. I loved the take on the sister in law relationship! The murderer identity had me guessing to the very end.

I became a Megan Collins fan immediately after reading The Family Plot and Behind The Red Door. This book was one of my most anticipated books of 2023, however it didn’t quit live up to the previous books in my opinion. It is a solid mystery that leaves you guessing and at one point, brought me to tears. My only downfall really was that it was kind of blah in between the occasional excitement. It wasn’t a “couldn’t put it down page turner”, but was still a good book overall.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. I think this is Megan Collins' best work! I loved her last book but this Thicker Than Water is on another level. Domestic suspense, family drama, and gasp out loud twists! I cannot wait for the next one!

You think you know but you have no idea! The story follows 2 sisters in law who have overcome their own life tragedies and band together for yet another one and become detectives in the mean time. Instant best friends, Julia and Sienna, they came together after the accident of brother and husband Jason. Now in a coma after a car accident he is also wanted for the murder of his boss. They once thought Jason as a do no harm type of guy.. but the more they uncover the more his wife questions his innocence in the days leading up to his boss’ homicide! Love this thriller and highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria books for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Julia is married to Jason and for the most part, things are good. Julia is also best friends with Jason's sister, Sienna. Frankly, Julia and Sienna are so close they can't imagine life without each other. Then, disaster strikes and Jason is in a serious car accident. To add insult to injury, he is now also a suspect in the murder of his boss. However, he can't provide any information because, due to the accident, he's in a coma.

What follows is Sienna and Julia trying to piece together what really happened regarding the crime and accident. While the story itself was pretty good, I had issues with three things. One, was Sienna's anger. It was almost as if it was being glorified and while it was addressed as it being a problem finally at some point, it just got old at times. There were times she acted like a petulant child. The second thing was, the mystery part was pretty easy to figure out. I know I couldn't do a better job, but for me, it was too easy. Finally, I found Sienna's and Julia's relationship to be a little too much. I don't want to criticize it, it just seemed a little far fetched. I don't know of two grownups who hold hands as much as they did.

The book was good enough to hold my interest, it just left me feeling a little underwhelmed and aggravated at some of the characters' behavior. Thank you to the publisher.

The latest book by Megan Collins, Thicker Than Water, could very well be her best yet. I have read the three previous books, which I loved. Thicker Than Water is a compelling murder mystery and like her other books was completely engrossing. It was a quick page turner that I did not want to put down. The story kept me guessing right up to the end. I highly recommend Thicker Than Water.

ARC review! A year ago I was introduced to Megan Collins via instagram and her book “The Family Plot”. I really enjoyed that book, and based on interactions I’ve had with Megan, she is a five star person! I was stoked to be selected by Atria through NetGalley to get an early copy of Megan’s latest book, “Thicker Than Water”. Here are my thoughts (release date 7/11/2023):
This book is told from two view points, Julia and Sienna who are sisters in law. Julia is married to Sienna’s brother, Jason. Jason is in a horrible accident, right after his boss is gruesomely murdered. The cops assume Jason did it, to the shock of everyone who knows this seemingly self-sacrificing man. As the story unfolds with intricate twists and turns, you get to see how this once unshakable bond between women is tested to the max. Will differing opinions on Jason’s innocence tear them apart? How far can love, whether romantic or not, actually be pushed? I loved this story. I loved the bond between the women, and how they’re described as soul mates (I am a firm believer of platonic soul mates!). The references to things in major television events (I won’t spill them here!) were perfect. This book has a lot of raw moments with different family dynamics that were so well done and weaved perfectly into the thriller aspects. I could go on and on, but I’m afraid I’ll spill the beans on all the good stuff.

This is a story about two women, sister in laws, business partners and emotional soulmates. It is a story about the secrets we keep from each other and more importantly the secrets we keep from ourselves. Their lives are upended when the older brother of one, who is the husband of the others, first goes into a coma from an accident and then becomes the main suspect in a murder. He has always been the good guy, the rescuer, but what is underneath that persona? Could he be guilty and will their friendship survive the truth about him. This is a psychological thriller but more so a book about growth and love and forgiveness A unique spin with relatable characters

This was a well written slow burn thriller. Two women, sister in laws, business partners and best friend, both with secrets love Jason who is one of their over protective brothers and is married to the other one. He is in a coma following a car accident, and becomes a suspect in his boss's murder. Past and present intertwine and relatable characters, the main two women at least make for an intriguing story. Loved it

Part family drama, part murder mystery, Thicker Than Water kept me guessing. I enjoyed the family dynamics, especially between sisters-in-law Julia and Sienna. While some of the characters made questionable decisions, I was eager to follow along with them as they discovered clues into who the killer might be. I wasn’t able to figure this one out ahead of time, so the twist was really well done. Full review will be posted closer to publication date as requested.

This was a ok read for me. It was more suspense than actual thriller. I liked the relationship between the 2 women more than the actual plot.

This was my first book by this author and let me say it was so good! I will definitely be looking for more! It was intense in all the right ways!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy for an honest review.


This book didn’t work for me. I’m happy to try more from the author in the future though. This book drug on and on. I felt like parts were repeated and didn’t add to the story. I couldn’t get invested in any of the characters and therefore didn’t care what happened to them.

A man is found murdered. Then someone who works for him ends up in a wreck and the suspect of the murder. Will his wife and sister figure out what happened?

I’m so glad I got to read a galley of this upcoming novel. This is by far my favorite by the author so far. I will be recommending this book to everyone that will listen!!

Thicker than water by Megan Collins
⭐⭐/5

I was really hoping this would be a wonderful domestic thriller liken to the previous "the family plot" by this Author which I absolutely adored. Sadly . This story just didn't capture me as her predecessor did , and I'm bummed .

The story starts off strong . When a man is found murdered.. stabbed, suffocated and lips sewn shut . Its all so eerie , and then when the main suspect Jason ends up in a serious car accident that leaves him in a coma his sister Sienna and wife Julie are left to try and piece together this web of deciet and find out if the man they both love dearly could actually have the ability to commit such a violent crime .
" how well do you know this man "

The book itself was more of a slow burn than Id have liked it to be in order to enjoy it more . . .
I rrally just didn't connect or sympathize with any of the characters. Sienna was annoying. Julie wasn't much better .

I honestly really don't understand the over all high rating of this one , as I feel like I not only wasted time reading this - but excitement waiting for this one to come out / be given an early review copy .

There were so many references to "hands" it almost made me stop reading .

Thank you @netgalley and @atriabooks for the early E-arc of this novel .

Full of suspense and suspicion, I kept thinking I had it figured out only to have it move in another direction. My favorite part might have been the friendship turned family that was ever present throughout. Sometimes blood isn’t as thick as friendship.

Huge fan of this author so I was so excited for this new story. Love her writing style. It has a creepy style and keeps you guessing. Definitely enjoyed it and would highly recommend.

A mystery that is so good you may want to read it in one sitting.

Julia and Sierra are friends who share a link - Julia's husband and Sierra's brother Jason.

Jason is in an accident and lies in the hospital in a coma. This is when the friends learn that Jason is being charged with a murder. The wedge comes between them as secrets and searches take over.