kbranfield's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Sister Dear by Laura McNeill is an intriguing whodunit that has plenty of unexpected twists and turns.
Granted an early release after serving ten years for voluntary manslaughter of high school football coach Boyd Thomas, Allie Marshall is looking forward to two things: clearing her name and most important, getting to know her now fifteen year old daughter, Caroline. Neither task is easily accomplished nor is settling back into life in her small hometown but Allie bides her time while waiting for things to settle down. Hoping her younger sister, Emma, who has been caring for Caroline, will help smooth the way for the much anticipated reunion, Allie is confused by her sister’s sudden withdrawal and overall lack of support. When she begins looking into Boyd’s murder, she runs into interference from Sheriff Lee Gaines who warns her to leave the past alone. Convinced Sheriff Gaines is somehow involved in Thomas’s murder, Allie keeps searching for answers, but are some secrets better left buried?
Despite the unplanned pregnancy that slightly derailed her plans, when Allie is arrested for Thomas’s murder, she finally has her life in order. She has just been accepted to medical school, she is engaged to be married and five year old Caroline is thriving. However, Allie is greatly troubled by some of the changes in some of the high school football players’ behavior and her recent letter in the newspaper angered many of town’s residents. With the football team standing a good chance of winning the championship, no one wants to hear anything negative about the coach who turned the team around. Lacking irrefutable proof about her suspicions, Allie is accelerating her plans to leave town when she stumbles onto Boyd immediately after he is attacked and despite her assertions of innocence, she is quickly arrested, tried and convicted of his murder. Her time in prison does not break her and now older, wiser and more patient, Allie is more than ready to reclaim her life and her daughter but she has no intention of giving up on her plans to find the information that will exonerate her.
Emma is the only person who stood by Allie once she began serving her sentence. She willingly became her niece’s guardian and she is extremely protective of Caroline. While Emma initially appears concerned and supportive of Allie, it quickly becomes apparent that she will go to any lengths to maintain the life she has made for herself in Allie’s absence. She is quite manipulative, calculating and vindictive as she plots and schemes to hold onto Caroline’s affections. Emma’s motives for undermining Caroline and Allie’s relationship quickly become suspect as she reminisces about the months leading up to Boyd’s death.
Sheriff Gaines is nearing retirement and he has no intention of letting anything mar his spotless career. He is less than enthusiastic about Allie’s return and he makes no effort to hide his animosity towards her. Allie has never given up her theory that he was somehow involved in Boyd’s death and when Gaines pays her visit after her release, she grows more certain he is hiding something. Determined to uncover the truth, Allie ignores his threats and keeps digging for the truth but she is unprepared for the shocking secrets she is about to unearth.
Written from multiple points of view, Sister Dear by Laura McNeill is an interesting mystery that, while impossible to put down, falls a bit flat due to the rather obvious suspect, unsympathetic characters and a somewhat implausible plot. Despite these issues, the storyline is engaging and while the killer’s identity is very easy to predict, the motive for the crime remains unclear until the novel’s dramatic conclusion.
Sister Dear by Laura McNeill is an intriguing whodunit that has plenty of unexpected twists and turns.
Granted an early release after serving ten years for voluntary manslaughter of high school football coach Boyd Thomas, Allie Marshall is looking forward to two things: clearing her name and most important, getting to know her now fifteen year old daughter, Caroline. Neither task is easily accomplished nor is settling back into life in her small hometown but Allie bides her time while waiting for things to settle down. Hoping her younger sister, Emma, who has been caring for Caroline, will help smooth the way for the much anticipated reunion, Allie is confused by her sister’s sudden withdrawal and overall lack of support. When she begins looking into Boyd’s murder, she runs into interference from Sheriff Lee Gaines who warns her to leave the past alone. Convinced Sheriff Gaines is somehow involved in Thomas’s murder, Allie keeps searching for answers, but are some secrets better left buried?
Despite the unplanned pregnancy that slightly derailed her plans, when Allie is arrested for Thomas’s murder, she finally has her life in order. She has just been accepted to medical school, she is engaged to be married and five year old Caroline is thriving. However, Allie is greatly troubled by some of the changes in some of the high school football players’ behavior and her recent letter in the newspaper angered many of town’s residents. With the football team standing a good chance of winning the championship, no one wants to hear anything negative about the coach who turned the team around. Lacking irrefutable proof about her suspicions, Allie is accelerating her plans to leave town when she stumbles onto Boyd immediately after he is attacked and despite her assertions of innocence, she is quickly arrested, tried and convicted of his murder. Her time in prison does not break her and now older, wiser and more patient, Allie is more than ready to reclaim her life and her daughter but she has no intention of giving up on her plans to find the information that will exonerate her.
Emma is the only person who stood by Allie once she began serving her sentence. She willingly became her niece’s guardian and she is extremely protective of Caroline. While Emma initially appears concerned and supportive of Allie, it quickly becomes apparent that she will go to any lengths to maintain the life she has made for herself in Allie’s absence. She is quite manipulative, calculating and vindictive as she plots and schemes to hold onto Caroline’s affections. Emma’s motives for undermining Caroline and Allie’s relationship quickly become suspect as she reminisces about the months leading up to Boyd’s death.
Sheriff Gaines is nearing retirement and he has no intention of letting anything mar his spotless career. He is less than enthusiastic about Allie’s return and he makes no effort to hide his animosity towards her. Allie has never given up her theory that he was somehow involved in Boyd’s death and when Gaines pays her visit after her release, she grows more certain he is hiding something. Determined to uncover the truth, Allie ignores his threats and keeps digging for the truth but she is unprepared for the shocking secrets she is about to unearth.
Written from multiple points of view, Sister Dear by Laura McNeill is an interesting mystery that, while impossible to put down, falls a bit flat due to the rather obvious suspect, unsympathetic characters and a somewhat implausible plot. Despite these issues, the storyline is engaging and while the killer’s identity is very easy to predict, the motive for the crime remains unclear until the novel’s dramatic conclusion.
meezcarrie's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
Sister Dear by Laura McNeill is a book that captivates and intrigues as it weaves a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The shifting perspectives between different main characters as well as between the past and the present heightens the dramatic tension and allows for greater insight into the psychology of each character. As with all well-written psychological suspense, Sister Dear is less of a mystery and more of a chilling look into the twisted reality of a disturbed soul. Less time wondering who did it (although there were a couple of moments where I wondered exactly how deep this cover up extended) and more time watching for the thread that will cause it all to unravel.
Sister Dear is well-written, gripping, and entertaining. Though not overtly spiritual, there are some underlying themes that give me the satisfaction of redemption that I look for in every story. Particularly the healing power of forgiveness vs the pervasive destruction of bitterness. The elements of psychological suspense are riveting, and all the dynamics between the varied characters add extra depth to this aspect. While there is a hint of a romantic angle to the story, I would have loved to see this particular element developed further (which should come as no surprise to anyone).
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
Reviewer’s Note: Though Thomas Nelson is a Christian publishing house, there are a couple of VERY minor uses of the word “hell” as profanities toward the end of the book. While unfortunate, it does fit with the drama of the moment and the characters’ backgrounds.
Sister Dear by Laura McNeill is a book that captivates and intrigues as it weaves a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The shifting perspectives between different main characters as well as between the past and the present heightens the dramatic tension and allows for greater insight into the psychology of each character. As with all well-written psychological suspense, Sister Dear is less of a mystery and more of a chilling look into the twisted reality of a disturbed soul. Less time wondering who did it (although there were a couple of moments where I wondered exactly how deep this cover up extended) and more time watching for the thread that will cause it all to unravel.
Sister Dear is well-written, gripping, and entertaining. Though not overtly spiritual, there are some underlying themes that give me the satisfaction of redemption that I look for in every story. Particularly the healing power of forgiveness vs the pervasive destruction of bitterness. The elements of psychological suspense are riveting, and all the dynamics between the varied characters add extra depth to this aspect. While there is a hint of a romantic angle to the story, I would have loved to see this particular element developed further (which should come as no surprise to anyone).
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
Reviewer’s Note: Though Thomas Nelson is a Christian publishing house, there are a couple of VERY minor uses of the word “hell” as profanities toward the end of the book. While unfortunate, it does fit with the drama of the moment and the characters’ backgrounds.
vickimarie2002's review against another edition
5.0
Such an incredible book! I was rooting for Allie the whole time but there are so many twists and turns in the storyline. I loved the bouncing back and forth between present day and the past until we find out what really happened to the Coach. Laura McNeill is an awesome writer and I can't wait to read more books by her!
michellef's review against another edition
"Sister Dear" written by author Laura McNeill is a mystery/suspense novel. Allie Marshall spends 10 years in jail for a time she didn't commit. Will she be able to clear her name and make a new life?
The year is 2016 and Caroline wants nothing to do with her mother who has recently bailed from jail after spending a decade for something she didn't do. Caroline spent this time with her aunt, Allie's sister, and wants her aunt to adopt her.
Caroline's best friend, Maddie, was boy-crazy with a never ending list of boyfriends. Sheriff Lee Gaines and his k-9 dog, Chief, work well together. His wife, June, lived in a nursing home, wheelchair bound, because of brain damage.
I had a hard time with this book and was unable to finish it. I did not like the sexual innuendoes including the explicit sexual themes. I would not recommend this book to anyone. I think I was expecting something entirely different than I got. I was expecting one sister helping and caring for another. In this case, I should have chosen `a book by its cover`. The cover looks dark and dreary.
Disclaimer: I received the ARC of the e-book from LitFuse Publicity for my honest opinion.
The year is 2016 and Caroline wants nothing to do with her mother who has recently bailed from jail after spending a decade for something she didn't do. Caroline spent this time with her aunt, Allie's sister, and wants her aunt to adopt her.
Caroline's best friend, Maddie, was boy-crazy with a never ending list of boyfriends. Sheriff Lee Gaines and his k-9 dog, Chief, work well together. His wife, June, lived in a nursing home, wheelchair bound, because of brain damage.
I had a hard time with this book and was unable to finish it. I did not like the sexual innuendoes including the explicit sexual themes. I would not recommend this book to anyone. I think I was expecting something entirely different than I got. I was expecting one sister helping and caring for another. In this case, I should have chosen `a book by its cover`. The cover looks dark and dreary.
Disclaimer: I received the ARC of the e-book from LitFuse Publicity for my honest opinion.
paperbacks_n_frybread's review against another edition
5.0
I can NOT imagine being locked up for a crime I didn't commit. I especially could not do this, with a child on the outside. It honestly gives me anxiety even contemplating such a thing.
But, this is exactly the case when it comes to Allie Marshall, in Laura McNeill's "Sister Dear". And if you're like me and you get emotionally attached to your characters-then your anxiety will heighten to with this read.
This is a suspense/mystery novel with a very slow burn. I consider this a good thing, because finding out the truth is as difficult for the reader as it is for the characters! There are multiple point of views from chapter to chapter, which kept my interest peaked. The writing was really well done. It caught and held my attention from the very first chapter!
But, this is exactly the case when it comes to Allie Marshall, in Laura McNeill's "Sister Dear". And if you're like me and you get emotionally attached to your characters-then your anxiety will heighten to with this read.
This is a suspense/mystery novel with a very slow burn. I consider this a good thing, because finding out the truth is as difficult for the reader as it is for the characters! There are multiple point of views from chapter to chapter, which kept my interest peaked. The writing was really well done. It caught and held my attention from the very first chapter!
rosanatc's review against another edition
4.0
I had just finished the book and I'm very grateful this reading. It's a thriller good structured with cliffhangers and a good plot. Maybe the suspense wasn't so good although the way she told us the facts is good but little predictable. Well, I liked Laura writing and the way she explains facts and describes feelings and action. Caroline's little hard to handle but in the end, I understand her actions and all her fear with her mother. About other characters: Emma's a difficult temper and strong personality, Allie's mother and father are neutral. Sheriff Gaines it's mysterious and all worried about appearance. The city where is situated the story is a typical small town in the countryside , with all the gossip and judgments. Anyway, I really enjoyed this reading and a great book for everyone who wants new adventures.
crolovr's review against another edition
5.0
This is the first book I have read by Laura McNeill. Allie is paroled after serving 10 years for a crime she didn't commit. Allie is determined to clear her name and reconnect with Caroline, her now teenage daughter. Her hometown is not welcoming her home with open arms and the town Sheriff is keeping a close eye on her. Allie's sister Emma has been raising Caroline while she was in prison. Emma is doing everything in her power to keep Caroline from Allie. The story is told from the past and present by several characters. Characters are well developed and I found myself routing for Allie. The book is fast paced with several twists. I read this book in two days and the last 50 pages I could not read fast enough. This book is a must read!
jillhannaha's review against another edition
5.0
I started this book a couple months ago and had to put it aside right away due to other reading deadlines. But I'd read enough of it where the nagging "what happens next" kept me in suspense until I could pick up the book again.
You may think you've got this mystery/suspense novel figured out, but you will likely be wrong. About 3/4 of my way through SISTER DEAR, I told my husband I knew the underlying secret of the plot. I finished the book last night and had to admit. I. Was. Wrong.
The author weaves you in to caring what really happened to Allie, who was wrongly accused of murder ten years ago.
Yes, the author shows her hand in what likely happened, but the "why" and the twists are what keeps you reading (and keeps you surprised to the end.)
A great read!
You may think you've got this mystery/suspense novel figured out, but you will likely be wrong. About 3/4 of my way through SISTER DEAR, I told my husband I knew the underlying secret of the plot. I finished the book last night and had to admit. I. Was. Wrong.
The author weaves you in to caring what really happened to Allie, who was wrongly accused of murder ten years ago.
Yes, the author shows her hand in what likely happened, but the "why" and the twists are what keeps you reading (and keeps you surprised to the end.)
A great read!
mxrg_z's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5