Member Reviews
I really enjoyed this! I loved the setting and the family. The mishaps that kept happening to them were at times both funny and eye-roll inducing. The family dynamics were funny and sad at the same time. Although the family was pretty dysfunctional, they came together when it mattered most. Remi does talk about her anxiety A LOT, and this got to be very repetitive, other than that, it was great!
I think the author wanted to write a story about a murder mystery, but included enough twists and turns and chose to go the comical way instead of using thrills and secrets. She does achieve the latter at the end of the book, but by then you are too exhausted with the farcical play of events to truly appreciate the reveal of the murderer and their reason.
Coombs has the requisites — a hippie family, three sisters; the youngest estranged from her two elders, a campsite, and an unwelcome visitor. Oh, it is the Fourth of July, so fireworks and alcohol are involved.
Pretty soon, a dead body turns up and therein begins the scramble to find out who is the murderer here? Is it someone from the family? Where is the body, how did it disappear? Who called the police?
Told from the narrative of Remi Finch, the youngest sister, the story unfolds in a comical manner. The plot twists and turns turn sillier as you turn the page, and the story sidetracks to a bearing romance between Remi and Mr Hot Park Ranger.
I wish each sister had gotten a POV instead of just Remi. Remi is whiny, very. Lost in her inner turmoil, her lashing out at her sisters seems unforced. anyone who grew up with siblings would realise how painfully immature her arguments sound. She never grew up.
If it weren't for Remi, I think this would have been a good murder mystery to read with the hippie family trope — the message at the end of the novel is that even at odds, family is all you have. Something right out of a fast and furious movie.
I enjoyed this book a lot! It has mystery, sister and family bonding, some romance and plenty of humor.
Favorite quotes:
"The great outdoors is overrated."
"Sisters. They're the worst. Even when they're helping you avoid jail for an accidental murder."
" - 'Thank you, sweetheart. But I think your father and I have learned our lesson'. - 'Not to interfere with our lives?' - 'Not to do drugs in state parks.' "
** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/author for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. **
This was a fun read and I can't wait to see where the series goes. Three sisters that while they are adults, they still bicker like they are kids. But when the going gets tough and they accidentally kill someone, they stick together to work things out. Throw in a cute park ranger and Buffy, their dog and I found I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next. The characters are so quirky and different but ultimately balanced themselves out.
I had all sorts of guesses that involved every one of the characters, so I was bound to be right, if you can call it that when I suspected everyone. But I'll take it as a win. It's a little tongue in cheek and reminded me a little bit of the Spellman series.
Soneela Nankani did an excellent job with the narration of the audiobook. She was able to bring all three sisters and their quirks to life.
A bit too predictable to be a five star read but enjoyable nontheless. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this free eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This one teeters for me between 3 and 4 stars. My biggest gripe was just the predictability. Of course he was the fugitive. Of course the whole family is involved. I just wanted to be a bit more caught off guard.
Overall, this book was entertaining and I enjoyed it. However, the main character was dreadful most of the time and I’m saying that as someone who also has anxiety. She just complained A LOT. But I liked the book for a fun mystery!
Thank you to Mindy’s Book Studio and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately this book had to have the most annoying narrator and no I'm not just saying that because I'm an older sister. The constant whining and feeling sorry for herself was not for me. I didn't find the ending as upsetting as I found the pace. Despite it being a relatively short book, the middle portion was so repetitive and talking in circles. I could maybe listen to the next book as an audiobook, but I just don't think this series is for me.
Camping with your family is one thing—camping with your family and stumbling across a dead body? That’s the chaos Remi finds herself navigating in this quirky, fast-paced story. The three sisters are a mess (in the best way), their dynamic swinging between bickering and bonding as they deal with a murder no one asked for.
The mystery is more of a backdrop for the family drama and Remi’s personal struggles, which gives the story a cozy, character-driven feel. There’s humor, a little romance, and plenty of entertaining moments to keep you hooked. It’s a light, fun read that doesn’t take itself too seriously, perfect for fans of dysfunctional family tales with a twist.
A family camping trip has been arranged to celebrate her parents’ fortieth wedding anniversary. Even though she’s never had a desire to go camping, Remi (accompanied by her dog, Buffy) is on board for the sake of her parents. Best not to dwell on the presence of her two older and distant sisters. Besides, what could possibly go wrong in just a few days? For starters, maybe it’s the body she and her sisters have to deal with.
What a ride! Drop Dead Sisters is a fun read, with an abundance of quirky characters and a somewhat abnormal family….but who knows what normal really is when it comes to families. There’s humor throughout the book, but it’s well-done and adds to the overall enjoyment. The sisters’ relationships are a huge part of the story and I enjoyed how they bonded over a dead body. Ok, so that’s not exactly normal activity but it works in this situation.
Drop Dead Sisters devotes a fair amount of time to the three sisters’ relationships as well as Remi’s anxieties and self-esteem issues. As a result ,the mystery is sometimes sidelined a little. Nevertheless, this is an enjoyable mystery/family drama/light romance kind of book and I enjoyed it. It’s 3.5 stars for me. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.
Vacation Turns Fatal..
The first outing in the Finch Sisters series of mysteries and a family vacation which turns fatal brings the sisters together in ways that they could never have imagined. With an eclectic cast of larger than life characters and a pacy plot populated with twists, turns and a dark edge of humour this is a frothy romp with an unexpectedly heartwarming undercurrent.
digital arc was provided by Netgalley and Mindy's Book Studio
Drop Dead Sister was a really cozy read! I loved the whole dysfunctional-but-still-kinda-normal family vibe. The three sisters were such a fun group to follow, even though their bond was more like covering each other’s tracks in a murder mystery than anything heartwarming. The story takes a bit to get to the actual murder, but once it does, it’s a wild ride—think slapstick comedy mixed with a bit of a steamy romance. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to laugh so much, but I definitely did. The ending was a nice little twist too! Overall, just a fun, lighthearted mystery with family drama and a lot of humor. Highly recommend if you want something entertaining without taking it too seriously.
3/5
Read the ARC on NetGalley. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
This is a cozy mystery and although I usually don't like cozy mysteries very much, this book is just very well written. It is said that this book is a compulsive read and I don't usually believe marketing words but this is a compulsive read. I finished the book in record time, I don't remember the last time I have read a book this quickly.
This book follows three sisters who have gathered for their parents' "vow renewal"
The elder two sisters are close with each other and they both don't go along well with Remi, their youngest sister. The major characters are well established. But the mystery is not that deep and the book focuses more on the Remi's love life than focus on the mystery at all.
Three estranged sisters reunite for a camping trip on July 4th. Nothing brings people together quite like a shared enemy or... a dead body.
This fun read is packed with family drama and is a light murder mystery. If you enjoy dark humor, this book is for you.
Thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for this copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
I’m always hesitant to start a series, but I really enjoyed this book. Three sisters, not close, get themselves tangled in a murder mystery. I loved the writing, just the right amount of sarcasm. Add a bunch of kooky characters, a cute park ranger, and you’ve got a great book. Can’t wait for the next one. Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.
This book is the perfect mix of humor and mystery.
I loved the MC’s inner voice. It’s sarcastic and funny and when it’s not, you can relate to her pain and struggles.
I loved the interactions between the sisters. Their differences and relationship with each other. How they view each other. The way the author let us perceive their life in relationships with the MC was brilliant because you could actually feel what she was going through at the moment. And it was all relatable and believable.
⚠️ Trigger Warning: attempted rape and vivid descriptions of panic attacks.
The mystery regarding a dead body was well written. I loved the way it brought the sisters together while keeping realistic and not sugarcoating any bit of it. They still clashed and was the perfect opportunity for the author to bleed each character. I also loved how the MC talked about panic attacks. It was well executed by the author, very accurate and it resonated with me.
This was a new author for me and a fun refreshing read.
#dropdeadsisters #ameliadianecoombs#netgalley
Drop Dead Sisters is book one in The Finch Sisters series by Amelia Diane Coombs.
A compelling mystery about three estranged sisters who accidentally kill someone.
Now this was such a fun and interesting story!
I had the best time devouring the pages!
The drama, the murder mystery, the humor….. just perfect.
I can’t wait for book two!
Thank you Netgalley and Mindy’s Book Studio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“Drop Dead Sisters” by Amelia Diane Coombs is a delightful "thriller lite" book that brings together dark humor and sisterly dynamics (with a dash of romance) into a quirky family-centered mystery. The story follows Remi and her two estranged sisters, Maeve and Eliana, who are reunited for a family camping trip to celebrate their parents’ anniversary. Their bond is strained, marked by years of emotional distance and a wide age gap, but when a shocking incident leaves them with a body to hide, they’re forced to put aside old grievances and work together in a hilariously unpredictable caper. If you are a younger sister (especially with a large age gap), you may find this book very relatable, especially with the sister dynamics shown throughout.
The book offers both lighthearted fun and introspection, balancing the darkly comedic premise of hiding a body with honest, sometimes messy conversations between the sisters. Remi, the youngest sister and main character, struggles with feelings of unworthiness and self-doubt, stemming from her inability to forge close relationships. Her introspection was a bit redundant with her blaming others for her own faults, but it adds depth to her character and gives insight into why reconnecting with her sisters is both daunting and necessary. The sisterly reconciliation is heartfelt, even if it seems a bit sudden considering the years of separation. The sisters also made some pretty stupid decisions throughout, and I wanted a bit more of their development.
Amid the chaos, a romance blooms between Remi and Leo, a charming park ranger who becomes an unexpected ally. Their chemistry is genuine and develops realistically despite the short time frame, adding a touch of warmth without overwhelming the plot. Also in the story, Coombs subtly weaves feminist themes towards the end of the book, particularly around the importance of family support. The book’s dark humor shines through, especially in scenes involving the eccentric family members and the sisters’ harebrained plans to evade trouble. The parents were my favorite part, and I want to learn more about how they were on shrooms when Remi was going to prom.
While “Drop Dead Sisters” may not be the most realistic thriller, its charm lies in its relatability and the flawed yet endearing characters who make it hard to put down. It’s a quick, enjoyable read with enough twists to keep you engaged, even if some are easy to predict. Fans of lighthearted mysteries and stories of imperfect family bonds will enjoy this entertaining romp that reminds us how family—however dysfunctional—can be counted on, even when the stakes are outrageously high.
Pretty good read. The dynamic between Remi and her family, especially her sisters can be best described as super dysfunctional. The twists in this novel were fairly predictable but still very engaging. There were quite a few comical moments which had me audibly laughing out loud.
Such a cute and very funny story! I laughed out loud MANY times.
I will highly recommend this book to all of my friends.
I got this as a read it now.
Thanks so much.