Having enjoyed the previous instalment in the series, I was excited to revisit DS Kat Ballantyne. We catch up with Kat as she begins an investigation into the murder of a fitness enthusiast who is killed in an extremely unusual way. When other murders start occurring, Kat quickly establishes a connection which suggests they have a potential serial killer on their hands.

I again enjoyed the characters, even if they do rather fit into certain stereotypes of the genre. There were certain details in the book that I didn’t see the relevance of, but perhaps these are setting us up for future storylines later in the series. Overall, the pacing was good and I didn’t see the ending coming.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

Another excellent novel from Andy Maslen

Real page turner

Couldn’t put it down

Love all his work and this is no disappointment

This book has me hooked from the very beginning which I love most about books! The plot was enthralling and I loved the characters.

The Unseen Sister stands out as a strong entry in the crime thriller genre, combining a well-crafted plot with rich character development. Maslen has created a compelling sequel that not only advances Kat Ballantyne’s story but also delivers a thrilling and satisfying mystery. Fans of the genre will find much to appreciate in this gripping and immersive read.

Interesting plot and characters! The first chapter set the tone and had me invested from the beginning. By the end of it though, the writing style started to bug me. I get the whole “asking questions to keep the reader engaged” bit, but it stated to be done entirely too frequently. Other than the authors overuse of this writing bit, this was an interesting read.

In The Unseen Sister, the second installment in Andy Maslen’s gripping Detective Kat Ballantyne series, readers are thrust into a whirlwind of suspense and intrigue that masterfully intertwines personal turmoil with professional challenge.
Detective Sergeant Kat Ballantyne is still grappling with recent revelations that have upended her personal life when she’s called to a case that demands her full attention. The body of a woman is discovered is found in suspicious circumstances at Bowman's three sisters trio of Standing stones, another soul gone from Middlehampton before their time and what initially seems like an accident soon reveals deeper, more sinister implications when the body is found among a scatter of gym equipment. The woman dead is Jo Harris, a personal trainer and fitness coach. The death looked a lot like a sure cause of anaphylaxis. Looked like the woman was burnt in the post mortem in a sadistic manner, and Kat is drawn into a dark and complex investigation.
Maslen does an exceptional job of blending character development with a taut, suspenseful narrative. Kat Ballantyne is a compelling protagonist, and her struggles with her own personal demons add layers of depth to the story. Her resilience and dedication shine through as she navigates the maze of her own issues while pursuing justice for the victims.
The plot is tightly woven, with Maslen skillfully building tension through unexpected twists and turns. I an Morris becomes the main suspect who is Jo's Husband. But then the discovery of a second victim, killed under eerily similar circumstances, heightens the urgency of Kat’s quest for answers. As she delves into the lives of the victims and the possible connections between them, the reader is kept guessing until the very end.
Maslen’s portrayal of the investigation process is both authentic and riveting. The clues and red herrings are presented in a way that keeps the reader engaged without feeling manipulated. The depiction of the small-town setting and its enigmatic history adds an atmospheric quality that enhances the mystery.
One of the novel’s strengths is its exploration of themes such as trauma, resilience, and the search for truth. Kat's personal challenges are seamlessly integrated into the narrative, making her a relatable and empathetic character. The emotional weight of her struggles is palpable, and it enriches the overall story.
The Unseen Sister stands out as a strong entry in the crime thriller genre, combining a well-crafted plot with rich character development. Maslen has created a compelling sequel that not only advances Kat Ballantyne’s story but also delivers a thrilling and satisfying mystery. Fans of the genre will find much to appreciate in this gripping and immersive read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for an advance copy for my honest review.

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Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Andy Maslen’s “The Unseen Sister” is the second installment in the Detective Kat Ballantyne series. This gripping police procedural takes readers on a thrilling journey through the dark and twisted corridors of human nature. Set against the eerie backdrop off Middlehamptom, UK, the story begins with the discovery of a woman’s body among the standing stones known as the Three Sisters. 

Detective Sergeant Kat Ballantyne is still reeling from personal revelations that have upended her life. However, she is quickly drawn back into the fray when a dog walker stumbles upon the body of a woman. As Kat delves deeper into the investigation, she uncovers shocking secrets and a web of deceit that connects the victims. 

Maslen excels in crafting realistic and relatable characters. Kat Ballantyne is a compelling protagonist, juggling her turbulent private life with her professional duties. Her determination and vulnerability make her a character readers can root for. 

“The Unseen Sister” explores themes of family secrets, betrayal, and the lengths people will go to protect their loved ones. The novel delves into the psychological impact of trauma and the resilience required to overcome it. 

Maslen’s writing is crisp and engaging, with a keen eye for detail. The pacing is well-balanced, maintaining tension throughout the novel. 

“The Unseen Sister” is a captivating read , with its well-crafted plot, engaging characters, and thought-provoking themes, it is a worthy addition to the Detective Kat Ballantyne series.

“The Unseen Sister” by Andy Maslen is the second book in the Kat Ballantyne series and is a gripping thriller. I had previously read “The Seventh Girl” which I enjoyed that introduced Detective Kat Ballantyne.

Detective Sergeant Kat Ballantyne is a very interesting character, dedicated but vulnerable as many book detectives seem to be. There is a good mix of the plot itself as well as the personal side of Kate which makes an entertaining read. Still struggling with a personal revelation that has sent her life into a spin, Kat is now dealing with the body of a young woman that was discovered by a dog walker.

First impressions appear to be an accidental death but this changes when Kat finds an infinity symbol branded onto the victim’s abdomen. The case is complex and Kat attempts to balance the demands of the investigation and the upheaval happening in her personal life.

When Kat starts looking into the victims life she discovers shocking secrets that throw up several potential suspects, all of which have motives. This is a fast paced novel and the investigation accelerates when a second woman is found murdered with a similar MO.

I am enjoying this series, good relatable characters with well thought out plots and delivered at a fast pace. Bring on the next instalment.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for supplying a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.

Great, multi-faceted characters. Suspenseful and interesting plot. Vivid descriptions. A REALLY great read! Can't wait for this series to continue!!!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

Maslen is dependable for a good read, and this is no exception. Not obvious who the killer is till near the end, so a true mystery. I will be back for book 3.

Andy Maslen is a brilliant writer. I enjoyed the storyline and found the characters well crafted.
I would thoroughly recommend this book

Painfully slow.

Very police procedural but with an off feeling. A body is found at a three sisters monument, she died of an allergic reaction, but had her epipen on her, and was branded post death. Kat says she doesn’t focus in on one suspect and only follows the clues, but she’s has little to no clues and is so focused that the husband did it. Even though someone knew drugs and epipen would work together to cause death and it wasn’t found in an easy google search so why would the husband know that info, she’s just focused on him.

Then, at almost 60% of the book, Kat calls the childhood bestie, they were bullies together, and mere hours later she calls 911 to say she’s been poisoned and dies, but how does she know she was poisoned, plus she was branded, and she calls 911 about it but they get no info about the guilty party from her? Bad 911 operator right there. Oh you’ve been poisoned? Okay well send someone, bye. No question of by who, or how do you know, or what happened. Also she called 911 to say she was poisoned but also was sprayed, knocked to the ground, branded and potentially died quickly. Then her home was locked with no sign of forced entry. It literally doesn’t make sense.

It got better as she actually started to follow clues to try to solve the crimes but it seemed like she never did her job right, asking the right questions or fully following clues until she basically led the murderer to the final “sister”. And then the epilogue ending. She just has money in her account and literally doesn’t look at where it came from or anything? Ugh. I know there’s another book in the series but I just feel like it never properly follows anything and Kat is bad at her job.

The Unseen Sister is a great addition to the Kat Ballantyne series, a solid thriller from start to finish and one that kept me guessing with the curve balls it throws along the way, it originally makes you think it's a fairly straightforward whodunnit, but it turns into something much more sinister and intriguing! I can't wait to get stuck in to #3.

The second novel in the Detective Ballantyne series, The Unseen Sister is a great read with so many twists and turns. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The characters are excellent and there is a bit of a cliff hanger at the end. Make sure you read book number 3.....

As ever a great read from one of my favourite authors. Twists and turns a plenty and the plot keeps you hooked throughout.

Thanks to NetGalley, I recently had the opportunity to read "The Unseen Sister" by Andy Maslen. This book had several positive elements that stood out to me. I was particularly drawn to the main character, Kat Ballantyne, and her bagman, Tom. Tom's fresh perspective as a new cop and Kat's unique detective methods made their dynamic intriguing and accessible for the reader.

The plot was full of intriguing elements and kept me on my toes with plenty of red herrings. However, the abundance of characters made it a bit challenging to keep track of everyone, which slowed down the pacing at times.

One aspect of Kat, the protagonist, that piqued my interest was her flawed nature as a detective. Her tendency to make false arrests and occasionally disregard protocol made her character more complex and added an element of frustration, both for the reader and within the storyline.

Despite my initial concerns, just when I thought I had the story figured out, a clever twist at the end left me eagerly anticipating the next installment. Overall, "The Unseen Sister" is an engaging read with enough suspense and unexpected turns to leave me wanting more. I'm already counting down the days until I can open the next book in the series.

This is the second book in this series. Although it was a bit slow the story still kept me reading. Jo was murdered and its up to Kat to find out who did it! Was it her husband? As she digs into the case she finds out something about her own family. Really like this series .

The long anticipated follow up to the first book in this series, The Seventh Girl, didn't disappoint!

I really enjoyed returning to the life of DS Kat Ballantyne and her colleagues. Picking up from where we were left at the end of book one, Kat is still reeling when a body is discovered at the Three Sisters stones. Thrown straight back in at the deep end, Kat and Tom soon discover some disturbing history about the woman and a shocking secret sends Kat spinning. When a second murder is committed, with a clear link to the first victim, it is apparent that the team have a serial killer on their hands and are in a race to find the killer before they strike again.

Brilliant writing, great characters and some hilarious "Tomsplaining" had me hooked and I am delighted to see that we don't have long to wait until book three, because the ending was some kind of cliff-hanger!

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Andy Maslen and Thomas and Mercer for an ARC in return for an honest review.

The second novel in the Detective Ballantyne series, The Unseen Sister is a great read with so many twists and turns. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, it was unpredictable leaving you constantly guessing 'whodunnit'.
You can go into reading this book not reading the first, but I had read the first in the series "The Seventh Girl' and I did find having read that helped a lot with majority of the characters mentioned.
DS Ballantyne is back investigating another murder - though at first it is made out to look like an accident. The story line kept me hooked and wanting to find out what happened. The ending has left me reeling - I will definitely be reading the next installment.

The Unseen Sister by Andy Maslen. Police procedural thriller with a well-written plot and realistic characters. Kat strives to balance her career and personal life while learning secrets from her family's past. This book expands on the relationships introduced in the first book (Van, Riley, Tom and Carve-up, Kat's father, and her friends. Some amusing moments via "Tomsplaining" (and, to be fair, "Katsplaining"). A page turner full of twists, action, and suspense. The ending is surprising with the reveal of the killer and a cliffhanger,
Thank you to Andy Maslen and Thomas and Mercer , and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.