Thicker Than Water

Review

Collins has such a phenomenal way with words, complex relationships, & atmospheric storytelling. Right from the beginning the story kicks off with a murder and makes you question do you really really know your loved ones? Her characters are relatable with flaws, strengths, weaknesses. Thicker Than Water had all the twist & turns and is a wonderful book. I really loved it and would recommend this to those who appreciates murder, mystery, & family ties.

📚Available July 10, 2023 📚

❤️ Thank you Simon & Schuster, Atria Books, NetGalley & the brilliant author Megan Collins. I’m super appreciative & gave my honest opinion❤️

This is really a family drama not a mystery. Megan Collins writes well about female friendships and I enjoyed reading about the wife and sister in law being best friends and how often we see situations the way we want to. Jason, the husband and brother in question is in a hospital induced coma after a car accident and police find evidence in the murder of his boss just a few days earlier. So now we wait for him to come out of the coma to tell us the truth and meanwhile the two women investigate and come to opposite conclusions.

Best Friends.
Sister-Brother.
Husband-Wife.

What bond is the strongest during a murder investigation. Who do you trust? In this book, Thicker Then Water, that bond is truly tested.

Over all the story line was good. The only part they got a little long was the ending. I felt like it took forever to reach the end and it was drawn out.

I enjoyed this mystery/thriller but there were some strange elements at play in this story. Not a perfect novel by any means, but a fun read.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57892578

I really loved the concept of this book but it did fall a little flat for me. To be honest, I think the book would’ve been much strong from Julia’s POV only. Sienna was so hot headed that she annoyed me and even when she was right I couldn’t get past her bullheadedness.

The ending was strong although slightly predictable and some of the characters rationale was weak but I still enjoyed it.

Solid 3 star thriller.

I give this 2.5 out of 5 stars. I wasn’t crazy about both of the main characters - Julia and Sienna. I sided more with Julia’s thoughts and viewpoints than Sienna who was honestly extremely annoying. The author, Megan Collins, did a good job of writing about complex family relationships for this story. There was psychological depth to the storyline that was interesting. The first 10% of the book was compelling but the other 90%, especially the ending, was pretty underwhelming. I expected more from it. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing the e-ARC for an honest review.

I flew through this twisty dramatic family mystery full of secrets upon secrets and unhealthy relationships and so many layers of events and suspects. I really enjoyed the alternating narrators so that I got to see both Sienna and Julia’s sides of the story. They were both really troubled in their own ways., which made it hard to not be like “oh my god NO” to their actions (especially Sienna) and thoughts sometimes, and definitely led to feeling like they were unreliable narrators because of their own hangups. Watching them both develop and figure themselves out was really interesting for a thriller about something as dark as a man being murdered and having his lips sewn shut. Collins did a great job balancing their relationship, their individual growth, and a propulsive story to figure out what the hell happened.

Although this book is classified as a mystery or thriller, those seeking a true thriller will likely be disappointed. The plot twist isn’t particularly unpredictable nor are there many tense, suspenseful moments. I would classify this novel as a domestic drama with a mystery thrown in.

It’s primarily an exploration of the relationship between Julia and Sienna, who are sisters-in-law. Julia is married to Sienna’s brother, Jason, who is in a coma after a car accident and who has also been accused of murdering his boss. The mystery would be easily solved if only Jason weren’t in a coma, but he is, so Julia and Sienna are left waiting, wondering, and sleuthing before they can get the answers they seek.

Circumstances challenge the years’ long friendship between the two women: Julia questions Jason’s innocence, but Sienna adamantly defends her brother. In the past, their personality differences have complemented their business relationship and close friendship, but the ways their individual strengths previously have made up for each other’s deficiencies now threaten to drive them apart. By the end, they have a deeper understanding of themselves, their relationship to each other, and how they feel about others who hold important positions in their lives.

The novel is an entertaining read with dual POVs that was hard to put down but won’t be particularly memorable.

3.25 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book. My review is voluntary and reflects my honest opinion.

2.25/5 stars! The premise of this book sounded like it should be a movie, so I had really high expectations going into it. I enjoyed the characters themselves and there were parts of the story that were successful. However, overall, this good didn't read like some big plot-twist Hollywood thriller that it should have become based on the premise. The writing was awkward and the dialogue didn't fit the characters speaking at several times. I think the author needs work at connecting the story and the character. Once that happens, I'd love to read more by them.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Megan Collins toys with your inner detective and keeps you engaged with her fast paced storytelling. She leaves you with new conclusions and questions at the end of each chapter. Once again, Collins displays her mastery of the mystery thriller with Thicker Than Water. But the story is really about best friends Julia and Sienna. Will these sister-in-laws who helped each other survive their traumas of the past get through the biggest trauma they have ever faced - together? Or, will good intentions gone wrong turn this new divisive terror into the end of them - and their family?!!

A diabolical story of a two sisters in law in business together and best friends. Jenna and Sienna are their own family with their shared brother Jason to Sienna and husband to Jenna between them. Their bond however is put to the test when Jason is found in a coma following the unexplained death of his boss. When the police tie the murder to Jason. Sienna and Jenna do not know what to think nor who to trust, including each other!
If you love a twisty story, this book is for you! #ATria #ThickerThanWater #MeganCollins

Sienna and Julia are sisters-in-laws and best friends. Then their life is turned upside down when the man that binds them is accused of murder. Good mystery, but better story of female friendship!

I loved The Family Plot, so I was so excited when my request to review Thicker Than Water was approved. However, this one fell really flat for me. I couldn't connect with the characters or the plot, and nothing about the story held my attention. Unfortunately, this was a miss for me, but I'm still open to trying one of Collins' books in the future.

This was quite the page-turner!! One twist after another kept the plot of Collins’ latest hit moving along at a very and exciting pace.

This suspenseful book will have you wondering until the very end. Two sisters in law and the man connecting them is a suspect in a murder. The Ladies do some detective work and try to set out to find out who really did it- unless it was Julia's husband?? This was an emotionally charged and propulsive thriller that will have you guessing all throughout.

I'd recommend any Megan Collins book to my thriller friends- her unique characters, complex relationship dynamics, and ability to manipulate the storyline keeps readers enthralled. Another great work.

I was lucky enough to be able to read and review Thicker Than Water by Megan Collins before release, thanks to NetGalley. I haven’t had the pleasure yet of reading any of her other novels but will do so after previewing this one.

Thicker Than Water follows Julia, a reserved and nonconfrontational middle-aged mother and wife and her best friend Sienna, who happens to be her sister-in-law, that has a hard to crack mentality and overly confrontational demeanor. The two have a bond like no other, but that bond is quickly tested when Julia’s husband and Sienna’s brother, Jason, is involved in a terrible car accident that leaves him in a coma. As if that isn’t tragic enough, while in the hospital, Jason is named the prime suspect for his bosses’ murder. Sienna makes it her mission to exonerate her brother while Julia tries to understand her son’s unusual behavior, but while doing so secrets will be revealed that will change the trajectory of their relationship and family dynamic forever.

I read this book in less than two days because I could not put it down! This thriller and domestic suspense novel kept me wanting more and guessing through each chapter. I love a book that doesn’t get too complicated with too many character perspectives, and Collin’s nailed that dynamic going back and forth between the sisters-in-law’s and gave you the perfect amount of perspective while being able to follow a great story line.

I highly recommend this novel, when it is released July 2023, to anyone that needs a good quick read to get out of a book slump or someone that loves an excellent domestic suspense/thriller. I am excited to read Megan Collin’s other novels after reading this one.

Thank you NetGalley, Artia Books, and @megancollinswriter for letting me read “Thicker Than Water” in exchange for an honest review.

A thrilling book that keeps you turning the pages until the shocking ending. Full of twists and turns and shocks. Brilliant!’ I rate this book five out of five stars.

I enjoyed this book. Kept me guessing the whole time. I would recommend if you are looking for a thriller that is not scary.

This book had me hooked from the start. This was a fast read that I couldn’t wait to see what the ending was going to be. I didn’t think that who done it actually done it so it was a good twist. But once you know you are like……ohhhhhhhh..
I love her books and always entertaining. Thanks NetGalley for this advanced copy of this book.