Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for the ARC!

This one was painful. The serial killer edge and the trying to guess which sister was powerful and cool, but honestly, even without that, I would've read the story for the sisters. The tragedy, pain, and horror that those sisters went through, their fractured relationship, the trying to move forward? It was painful to read. I had to stop reading at parts to cry because it was just so real and beautiful.

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had been somewhat anticipating this book for a while - the premise was so intriguing to me. However, there were so many things that fell flat, when this had so much potential.

I'll start with what I really enjoyed - because honestly, this book could have been AMAZING. I loved the premise of three sisters, one is a serial killer, and we don't know who. Chapters would switch among the sisters, following their struggles and essentially setting them all up to be the potential killer. There were also chapters written from the serial killer's POV, which were graphic, dark and brutal. Until the last few chapters I truly was going back and forth with my thoughts of who actually was the killer - all of the sisters had motive and potential. I thought this was extremely well-done. I also appreciated the messiness of the lives of all of the sisters - each were different from one another and unique, and yet you could still see each of them as a killer. Again, they were well-written.

Several parts of this awesome potential really fell flat for me - first of all was the pacing. The writing took a while for me to get into, and even then, with how interesting the lives were for these sisters, I found myself extremely bored with their chapters. Not sure if it was just too much fluff and not a lot of events or points to progress the plot, but it felt stagnant. Because of this, the chapters with from the unknown serial killer's POV felt really out of place. There were these brutal murders happening, but then these women were just vaguely aware of it in the background? It just didn't really stick together for me while I was reading. Along this train of thought, I felt like the chapters with the detective were also just extra fluff. He wasn't as developed of a character, and it felt like more added fluff. His chapters actually took me more out of the story because I just didn't see the point of having his POV be included. The last part that really irritated me was the random, surprise pregnancy thrown in. I guess I understand how that could play into the plot, but at the same time, I am just sick and tired of books using this for shock value. It's always the same: a woman who doesn't want a child at the time shockingly falls pregnant. Also, the outcome is always the same - they keep the baby they didn't want in the first place. All of this, to me as someone who is childfree, feels like subtle propaganda to push the narrative that women should be having children, and it's their purpose in life. Whether or not the author actually believes this doesn't matter, the fact this always is added into books where it's not really needed, and the outcome is always the same, it just feels slightly judgmental. If you like this trope, that's fine. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But I just wish there was more books for the audience of people who either don't want kids, or are having trouble conceiving.

Overall, I thought this book was just ok. It actually had a ton of potential, but for me I felt like it just dragged at parts and needed more of the fluff cut out. If you think this is worth a shot, be aware there is a level of child SA and incest included, so it's pretty dark.

I enjoyed the POVs from each sister and the killer which kept the story layered and engaging. The mystery of which one was “SHE” was well done, and the tension built in a way that made it feel like it could have been any of them. While I wasn’t totally surprised by the reveal, I still liked the execution and the darker tone of the book overall. I recommend for readers who enjoy the darker side of fiction and stories about fractured families unraveling under pressure.

Thank you NetGalley & Poisoned Pen Press for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

This is a dark, gripping thriller that was nearly impossible to put down.

The story follows Kate, Aurora, and Peggy, three sisters who are each dealing with their own secrets and painful past. When Kate decides to return to their grandfather’s old coastal home, she starts remembering things that twist the entire family narrative inside out. Add in a brutal serial killer who’s stalking men in the community, and the fact that one of the sisters might actually be the killer, and you get a story that kept me second-guessing every chapter.

What I loved most is how the author plays with unreliable narration. I was constantly rethinking what’s real, what’s trauma, and what’s delusion. The writing is vivid and unsettling, and some scenes are genuinely hard to stomach. But despite how dark it gets, it’s a total page-turner. I found it really hard to put down.

If you're a Karin Slaughter fan, you would probably vibe with this. It's dark, twisty, and haunting and will stick with me for a while.

Thank you to KD Aldyn, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I wanted to like this one, but unfortunately, it was a letdown. There were parts where the story felt too jumbled together. At times, it was hard to keep track of not only characters and what was happening, but also the timeline.

Now let's get to the end, where the pacing sped up. The writing felt rushed. I feel like there was stuff missing.

Phew. This is a rough, brutal, visceral wild ride. I honestly am not quite sure how to review this because it's so unlike anything I've read! What I can and will say... is that if you are not squeamish, and if you don't have many TWs, and you're in the mood for something different and graphic and violent and gory and sad and twisted... this may just be the book for you!

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

K.D. Aldyn’s Sister, Butcher, Sister is a moody, atmospheric debut that blends gothic horror with psychological suspense, offering readers a complex meditation on grief, sisterhood, and inherited trauma. Though the novel brims with potential and showcases Aldyn’s talent for unsettling imagery, uneven pacing and underdeveloped characters ultimately prevent it from fully realizing its ambitions.

The novel follows estranged sisters Kate, Aurora, and Peggy, reunited after Kate having bought their grandfather’s home—a home they spent most of their time at as children. The sisters return to their decaying ancestral home—only to uncover disturbing family secrets, cryptic journal entries, and a sinister legacy tied to their bloodline. As the boundaries between memory, myth, and reality blur, Kate, Aurora, and Peggy must confront both external horrors and the festering resentments between them. All the while a serial killer, SHE, is targeting bad men.

Aldyn excels at crafting an oppressive, eerie atmosphere. The house itself feels like a character—alive with creaks, shadows, and unsettling whispers. The imagery is vivid, with decaying walls, blood-soaked family history, and flashes of folkloric horror that evoke both Shirley Jackson and Silvia Moreno-Garcia. There are moments of genuine tension and disturbing beauty, especially in the novel’s more surreal, dreamlike sequences. This book had me guessing to whom the serial killer was all the way until the end.

However, the novel’s strengths in mood and setting are undermined by a sluggish plot that takes too long to build momentum. The first half of the book is heavy on cryptic conversations and internal monologues, but light on actual narrative progression. When the story does escalate into full horror, it feels somewhat rushed, especially the ending, with key revelations delivered hastily and emotional payoffs that feel unearned.

Character development is also a mixed bag. While the sister’s fraught relationships offer glimpses of emotional depth, their personalities feel frustratingly opaque. Aldyn gestures toward themes of generational trauma and the ways in which women inherit silence and violence, but these ideas never fully coalesce. Secondary characters, meanwhile, feel thinly sketched, existing primarily to nudge the plot along or deliver exposition. I will say however that the gore is quite metal and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it.

In terms of style, Aldyn’s prose is lyrical and evocative, though at times it veers into overwrought territory. The frequent use of fragmented sentences and abstract imagery can create mood, but also occasionally muddles clarity and dilutes the emotional impact.

Ultimately, Sister, Butcher, Sister is a solid but flawed debut. It will likely appeal to readers who enjoy slow-burn horror, gothic settings, and explorations of familial dysfunction. While it doesn’t quite deliver the narrative punch its premise promises, Aldyn’s voice and atmospheric world-building suggest she’s an author to watch. For those willing to overlook pacing issues and uneven character work, this eerie tale of sisterhood and secrets offers just enough to satisfy.

Recommended for: Fans of gothic horror, Shirley Jackson, and dark family dramas with a slow-burn structure.

I didn't know too much about this story when I started it. This story did not start off action-packed, its a real build of characters. We are getting to know these sisters and through their points of view, getting to know SHE. One of them is a killer.

I enjoyed the character development, they were relatable while also so wild because we know one is a killer. I really love having a POV from the view of the killer, that is exciting and questioning. I want to say it was more gruesome than I expected but that is part of the story!

As someone who really loves fast paced thrillers this was out of my comfort zone.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an eARC of Sister, Butcher, Sister in exchange for my honest review!

This is a solidly suspenseful mystery-thriller that has the guts to dive into some grisly and weighty material. The chapters that focus on the POV of She, who's presumably one of the three Rowling sisters, are especially engrossing thanks to their gruesome atmosphere that digs up plenty of flesh and blood for us readers to wade through. These are the parts of the book that do the best job at pulling me deep into the narrative's psychological landscape—a landscape that exposes me to the killer's brutally bloodthirsty and vengeful heart. But I don't feel this as strongly while exploring Kate, Aurora, and Peggy's chapters—something that I wonder if it's an issue because of how this novel deploys its nonlinear storytelling. I can't quite get a clear sense of the timeline on some occasions, which can make the journey less smooth to process. Once this reaches its conclusion, though, I'm pretty satisfied with what it does to lay out the truth and wrap things up.

Overall, I'm officially rating Sister, Butcher, Sister 3.5 out of 5 stars, which I'm rounding down to 3 stars. While I wish I could love this more powerfully, it's still a decent time that's able to sensitively handle its heavy subject matter. I'll keep an eye out for more of K.D. Aldyn's work.

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Press for access to this title. All opinions are my own.

Three sisters. An ancestral home. A serial killer looking for revenge. A police detective determined to find out all the secrets. But don't worry, detective, the sisters are starting to remember. Is one of them the killer?

What a wild ride! Australian author, K.D. Aldyn had me right on the edge of my seat. When I thought I had it figured out, another clue would lead me astray. I haven't heard many people talking about this title... yet. Trust me, it will keep you up past your bedtime and asking to keep the lights on. Certainly worth the mystery thriller label that it has on the spine!





#sisterbutchersister #NetGalley
Publication Date 10/06/25
Goodreads Review 29/06/25

I was excited to read this book because the premise sounded really good, but this was just an average thriller for me.

There are several perspectives in the story and it became hard to keep track of everything that was going on after a while. There are the perspectives of the three sisters and the point of view of one of the sisters as she is killing and mutilating these men. There’s also the perspective of the lead detective on the case. The sisters’ perspectives, going about their daily lives, did not interest me whatsoever. I liked getting the point of view of the serial killer, and trying to figure out which sister it was. The parts with the killer were very gruesome and descriptive, but they were the most compelling moments in the story.

I thought about DNFing this book a few times, but as I got towards about the last 20% of the book, it started to become more interesting. I knew we were getting closer to finding out which sister was the killer. I was surprised by who the killer was.

If you enjoy mystery thrillers with multiple perspectives, you might enjoy this story, but it was just not for me.

I was so excited for this book, but I ended up struggling to keep reading it. At first it got my attention, but the changing few points & all the different people in their lives was just a little too much. I made it to 56% before I DNF'd it. Personally, I think the story would've been better if it would've done each sister in parts vs back & forth, but kept the pov of "She" how it was.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow.

This book was DARK. I enjoyed the writing style and I have to admit I could not figure out the plot twist.
This story had me on the edge of my seat. Definitely needs trigger warnings.

3 sisters who’ve been no contact because of a dark family secret find their way back to each other and people end up dead. We follow multiple point of views to keep you guessing who the killer is and reveal this deep dark secret.

I enjoyed!

This book revolves around three sisters, and we get each of their POV's and must figure out who the killer is. There is so much suspense and wanting to know who the killer is keeps you wanting to read more.

Thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for the eARC!

The writing and story line were interesting however it reminded me of a book that I already love. This will do it for some though!

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for my gifted ARC!

Sultry, dark, atmospheric. Whoa. This one… this one is something else. It left the hair on the back of my neck standing on end, and I think I might be in a book slump because of it. Be considerate of the trigger warnings before you go in, because some of the subject matter is difficult. But it was so wonderfully written.

First, please take the content warnings/trigger warnings at the beginning of the book seriously: addiction, CSA trauma, SA, mental health issues, and graphic violence.

This book is told from multiple POV’s: the three sisters, Kate, Aurora and Peg; “She” aka the killer; and the principal detective investigating the cases.

The book begins with one of the sisters setting fire to a neighbor’s home. The reason is implied at this point.

Throughout the book, family secrets are brought into the light and the reader is never really sure who “She” is. It could easily be any sister at any point throughout the book.

This book is well written but dark and easily could read as true crime and is perfect for fans of dark crime thrillers. I would like to thank the K.D. Aldyn, Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and my review is voluntarily given.

Unfortunately, Sister, Butcher, Sister was not what I expected. I picked this book up on three separate occasions and could never get into the story. I was really intrigued by the synopsis, but this one was not for me. I never connected with any of the characters and the writing did not work for me.

I'm happy I ended up guessing the correct sister at the end. I thought it might be a fake out with DID but luckily that's not the case. Book deals with CSA so if that's a trigger, might want to skip this one. The suspense and differing POV were easy to follow and made it seem like any of the 3 sisters could be the killer. My only complaint is that the book has so much buildup then to finally reveal the killer the end. I would have liked a little more resolution.

This story centres around 3 adult sisters who have gone on to reasonably successful lives, but who all harbour their own issues following traumas from their past. Despite their secrets which threaten to rise to the surface, they all have happy memories of spending time at their parents grandparents' home. When the eldest sister, Kate, has the opportunity to purchase this house, she jumps at the chance but does not anticipate how old wounds and memories will resurface as a result. When she moves into the house, Kate starts to experience 'loss of time' where she passes out and wakes up hours later with no recollection as to what has occured. Aurora, the middle sister, is a married mother of 2 with few recollections of their childhood and she doesn't understand Kate's obsession with the house. Peggy, the youngest sister, is a recovering addict who struggles to move on from her past which still haunts her.

The shocking truth is that one of these sisters is a brutal murderer who has killed a number of men. As the police investigation progresses, they begin to suspect one of the Rowlings' sisters may be responsible. This chilling story is cleverly told in a manner that keeps you wondering which sister is ultimately responsible for the terrible crimes and what has taken them to such a dark place.

This psychological thriller deals with some difficult, dark family traumas so be warned for anyone considering reading this book. It explores what happens when people repress issues they were never able to deal with and how they impact us well into adulthood. An extreme but solid read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.