A well-written, engaging and tense family thriller—I read it in an evening, and couldn't put it down! . The characters are very well drawn and I enjoyed detesting Imogen! Calling her irredeemable feels like an understatement; even her inner dialogue is so self-absorbed and nasty,

The plot is pacey and unfolds perfectly, giving us an insight into the awful dysfunctional family. A great and satisfying read. Highly recommend.

I enjoyed this book. It had alot of family drama. Not just between the sisters. Everyone in the family was REALLY messed up to put it lightly. It kept me interested, but was a slow burn. It also ended weirdly. It left alot unanswered. Other than that, the book was great. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

4.5 stars

This was a really well-written, tense family thriller. The characters were fleshed out quite impressively, to the point that I have to say I was thoroughly chilled by Imogen; to say she has no redeemable qualities is an understatement. Even her own inner dialogue is so self-absorbed and spiteful as to be sociopathic. How she and her younger sister Rachel - who is Imogen's complete opposite in terms of being hardworking, family-oriented, loving, etc. - could ever be related is such a mystery to me.

The story itself meted out plot points in a satisfying way so that we got enough backstory at a time to understand a little more about how this family is so utterly dysfunctional. Seriously - just about every problem in this story could have been avoided or mitigated if any of them knew how to communicate effectively with each other in the slightest. But no, every single person in this family HAD to keep things to themselves to "protect" each other and end up destroying any chance of real happiness between them. Except Imogen. I don't think more communication would have helped her at all; she was so entirely wrapped up in herself and her own dramas. What a nightmare human.

Thanks to NetGalley, author Helen Matthews, and Bloodhound Books for giving me access to a free eARC of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and are provided here voluntarily.

I received this book from NetGalley.

The book starts a little slowly but there is also a lot happening. It definitely keeps you wondering because you want to know what all of the secrets are.

Rachel hiding things from Jack, her partner, is unacceptable. I understand that she made a promise to her parents but he is her family too and her hiding things, especially about finances is unacceptable. She also wonders why he thinks it's a money tree - maybe because she hasn't told him the truth about anything!

Very inappropriate of Jack to go to Imogen's place, especially knowing that her and Rachel don't get on very well. Also, they're not friends and barely know eachother.

Rachel also needs to do what's best for her and leave her parents to fend for themselves. Harsh but true. She's losing her own time with her family because her parents are selfish.

Imogen really is a horrible woman. A grown woman acting like a spoiled child; and her family allow her to do it.

The book just kind of...ends. I feel like there are still things that could have happened and things I want to know.

Overall the book was good, but it felt long considering there were still unanswered questions.

I consider this book more as a family drama with a mystery than a psychological thriller. The story centers on two sisters—one responsible and successful, the other resentful and entitled—and their tense family dynamic filled with grief, guilt, manipulation, and blackmail. The descriptive writing was engaging and the premise was intriguing so I was eager to uncover the family secrets driving the plot. However, the tension didn’t really kick in until about 70%, and the pacing felt a little too much of a slow burn for my taste. While it had its moments, the slower buildup kept it from being as gripping as I’d hoped.

"The Stapleton family had buried more skeletons than a graveyard..."

Indeed.

Give me a messy family drama any day. Even better if it's one about sisters. And this one is called "The Sisters"?!? Of course I spent the last three hours hungrily turning virtual pages to see how this dastardly tale would unwind.

Rachel and Imogen are the titular sisters, estranged. Imogen's been living abroad in Ibiza, they haven't seen each other in years, and a tragedy sends her running back to England, to her parents Max and Miriam, and their old house. Everybody's hiding something, nobody's innocent. Switching perspective between Rachel and Imogen, going back and forth in time from the present to the years the family spent in Tunisia for Max's work, the truth is revealed layer by layer. Yes, tragedy seems to follow the Stapleton family.

A twisty mystery, red herrings, sisterly tension (to put it mildly), teenagers, exotic locations, secrets and lies. Yes, I ate this one up.

My thanks to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for the digital ARC. "The Sisters" was originally released in 2020 titled "Façade" and was republished December 2024.

I really enjoyed this novel about a family haunted by secrets and regrets and jealousy. The portrait of the two sisters was chilling and at times goosebump-inducing. I'm still mulling over the ending--I would have welcomed an epilogue or taking the story just a little further into the future, but this was a solid read.

*I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

The Sisters by Helen Matthews is a psychological/suspense thriller that has you questioning everything and everyone. Centered around a tragic event in the past, this book goes on to explore the fragile relationships of a family wracked with grief and guilt. The Sisters draws you right in and doesn't let go as it builds up the suspense. The tension builds throughout steadily as the characters hidden secrets and motivations come to light. This is a dual narrative so you get to learn about what motivates each of the two main characters. I really liked this book, but one thing I felt was missing was a fully fleshed out ending. I just felt like I wanted a bit more, but I'm not quite sure what. This was my first book by Helen Matthews but it will not be my last. Big thank you to NetGalley, Bloodhound Books, and Helen Matthews for this ARC. Published on December 2nd 2024.

A really enjoyable read that I could not put down. Perfectly paced and full of suspense. Kept me guessing all the way through

3,5 / 5

(English is not my native language, so I apologize for any mistakes.)

Most of the time I read police mysteries story. This was very different. But that is OK.

This is a mysterie story about the terrible history of a family. The family still has its problems. The story was interesting, but I am missing some answers. What about Gavin for example.

Years after the drowning of their baby brother, Rachel is trying to reinvent herself and Imogen still lives with the tragedy.

What are the secrets that are being kept and will the past finally catch up.

I loved this book. it is pacy, packed with drama, a kittle sad and OMG THE TWIST!!

This is a read that I will be talking about and recommending for the next few months .. It's a popper..

A drowned child. Estranged sisters. A home steeped in sorrow. Rachel thought she could outrun her past. But when her sister Imogen returns home after years abroad, the walls Rachel built around her begin to crumble. Imogen wants what she believes is hers no matter the cost. Twenty years after the tragic drowning of their baby brother, Rachel has constructed a life that appears perfect on the surface. A successful career, a loving daughter, and a claim on her parents’ beautiful family home, The Old Rectory. But the cracks are starting to show! Good book! This book had light suspense, intriguing, murder, mystery, gaslighting, and some wild twists! The storyline was interesting! I definitely recommend reading this one! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

The Sisters - Helen Matthews
Rachel has a job, family and a life that she has renewed after an accident has happened.
Imogen is Rachel’s sister and is going through a hard time dealing with secrets in the family.
The link between the two sisters is the accident and the drowned child. There is another subplot where there is an accident that happened, the man was found to be alive again but we do not know how this connects the characters yet.

I loved the writing style and the adventurous tone of the writing. You figure things out along with the characters, that’s the best thing about this thriller. I like the mystery aspect at the beginning where Rachel is figuring out her life after what happened.

I quite liked this book, there is nothing that could be better.

Helen Matthews’ The Sisters is a gripping psychological thriller that captivates with its intricate web of secrets and suspense. In a genre crowded with familiar tropes, Matthews manages to craft a story that feels refreshingly unique, keeping readers hooked as the layers of the mystery gradually peel away.

From the outset, The Sisters draws you into its atmospheric world, where nothing—and no one—is quite as it seems. The narrative unfolds at a measured pace, allowing the tension to build steadily as the characters’ hidden pasts and motivations come to light. Matthews excels at weaving in subtle twists, ensuring that each revelation lands with impact and keeps readers guessing.

The characters are well-drawn and compelling, adding depth and complexity to the story. Their psychological struggles and moral dilemmas make them feel authentic and relatable, enhancing the emotional stakes. Matthews’ writing style is polished and evocative, bringing the characters and their turbulent world to life with vivid detail and nuance.

While the novel delivers on suspense and intrigue, some readers may find the ending leaves them wanting more. It resolves the central mystery but doesn’t tie up every thread as neatly as one might hope. However, this open-ended conclusion can also be seen as a strength, inviting readers to reflect on the story’s deeper themes and implications.

Verdict:

The Sisters is a standout psychological thriller that offers a fresh and engaging take on the genre. Helen Matthews combines compelling characters, well-paced twists, and a richly atmospheric setting to create a memorable reading experience. Despite a slightly underwhelming ending, the novel remains a must-read for fans of suspenseful and thought-provoking fiction.

Fabulous storyline with well written characters.
My goodness what a family!
So many lies and secrets and so many twists
As for Imogen, wow!
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.
This was a fast paced read which i read in a couple of sittings.

Rachel thought she could outrun her past. But when her sister Imogen returns home after years abroad, the walls Rachel built around her begin to crumble. Imogen wants what she believes is hers – no matter the cost.

I freaking loved this story. So many layers and the characters were relatable.

Will recommend to others.

This was a wondeful read! I could not put it down! I was invested from the start and when I thought I knew something, I was wrong. That made me even more invested!