Sister (edition 2010)

Bee's sister Tess is missing and subsequently found dead. The death is ruled a suicide, but Bee is certain her sister was murdered. The book is written in the form of a letter from Bee to Tess outlining what happens from the time Tess is determined to be missing and Bee's struggle to get anyone to believe her.

There is a twist at the end of the book, but for me it wasn't as shocking and unexpected as others have deemed it. Although it does give the story a nice little edge I actually found it, in hindsight, to be rather logical.

One thing I will say, is that I really dislike it when an author leaves the outcome of the story up to the reader. ( )

"Fresh Meat" by Amy Dalton for Criminal Element

When done well, extra description is extra delicious—like sprinkles on your cupcake.

The sibling relationship is explored in Rosamund Lupton’s debut novel Sister, featuring Bee (Beatrice) telling her statement to a lawyer regarding the disappearance of her pregnant sister, but often addressing her sister directly.

She begins with their mother's call to her in New York, prompting her to fly back to London to try and find Tess. The police ask Bee to recreate Tess’s last known whereabouts on film, so they can show it on the news and see if they can find any witnesses.

Read the rest at http://www.criminalelement.com/blogs/2011/05/fresh-meat-rosamund-luptons-sister

Read from June 12 to 14, 2011

I stayed up way too late because I had to finish this book!

The narrative is told through Beatrice's letter to her sister Tess...and I don't want to ruin it so you just have to read it! But you're given hints along the way, but then it's like, "BAM! Fooled ya!" ( )

Beatrice Hemmings's younger sister, Tess, disappears after giving birth to a stillborn child. Beatrice returns from America to the family's British home and finds that Tess has died under mysterious circumstances. Unable to accept the police's verdict of suicide, Beatrice investigates her sister's life and death. In the process she learns a lot about herself and her family, and emerges a bit from the caution that has ruled her choices.

The book is narrated by Beatrice, who is reviewing the sequence of her thoughts and actions with the aptly named Mr. Wright. She is convinced that her sister was murdered, but the police do not take her seriously, so she investigates on her own. She addresses Tess directly throughout the novel, and reflects on their relationship and how they differed. The book combines elements of family drama and mystery, with considerable insight.

Tess is a very different person by the end of the novel. Her story is credible and fascinating. I will definitely seek out more works by this author. ( )

Usually, I don't go for this genre, but struggled to put down this particular book so I could get to bed! ( )