The Sister

I may get some pushback from the 4 and 5 star reviewers. Yes, the author has crafted an in-depth multi-genre novel. I am amazed how well the story is woven through so many characters and so many years. The author is to be complimented for keeping it all straight.

However, the complexity of the story was also its' downfall for me. This is a complex novel that requires the reader to really concentrate on the who, what, where, and why. For a novel of such length, that is not easily done. This is not a read for awhile, put down, and pick up novel. You really need to keep at it and take your time recognizing that it is important to concentrate on the characters and storyline. That decreased the enjoyment for me.

If you are someone that can show more dedicate the time and energy to a well crafted tome, this may be a good endeavor for you. The ending wraps up all bits of the story except for the serial killer so there is the potential for a sequel. show less

A sadistic, intelligent, evolving serial killer that makes effective use of boiler suits. A traumatized young boy who grows up to be a private investigator with a supernatural gift. A head constable who finds himself an unwilling blackmailed pawn to the killer's machinations. A reclusive psychic with a powerful black stone. A deadly secret cult seeking global power and control. With 500 pages and 156 chapters, Max China has woven an intense novel of paranormal suspense that requires a lot of patience from the reader. Swinging back and forth from detailed back stories, multiple major and minor character points-of-views and different story arcs through thirty years, this novel took a lot of note-taking and bookmarking from me to help show more follow the threads as they came together near the end. The author would have made the story easier to follow if he had grouped the chapters of the various story arcs into sections, giving the reader transition marks to sort out the grand story along the way. show less