Status
Available
Genres
Publication
Atria Books (2019), Edition: Reprint, 352 pages
Description
Fiction. Literature. Suspense. Thriller. HTML:A "haunting debut: suspenseful, atmospheric, and completely riveting" (Megan Miranda, New York Times bestselling author of All the Missing Girls) about a young woman who returns home to care for her ailing mother and begins to dig deeper into her sister's unsolved murder. Sixteen years ago, Sylvie's sister, Persephone, never came home. Out late with the boyfriend she was forbidden to see, Persephone was missing for three days before her body was found�??and years later, her murder is still unsolved. In the present day, Sylvie returns home to care for her estranged mother, Annie, as she undergoes treatment for cancer. Prone to unexplained "Dark Days" even before Persephone's death, Annie's once-close bond with Sylvie dissolved in the weeks after their loss, making for an uncomfortable reunion all these years later. Adding to the discomfort, Persephone's former boyfriend is now a nurse at the cancer center where Annie is being treated. Sylvie has always believed Ben was responsible for the murder�??but she carries her own guilt about that night, guilt that traps her in the past while the world goes on around her. As she navigates the complicated relationship with her mother, Sylvie begins to uncover the secrets that fill their house�??and what really happened the night Persephone died. The Winter Sister is a "bewitching" (Kirkus Reviews) portrayal of the complex bond between sisters, between mothers and daughters alike, and "will captivate you from suspenseful start to surprising finish" (Kathleen Barber, author of Are You Sleep… (more)
Similar in this library
User reviews
LibraryThing member miss.mesmerized
It’s been sixteen years since her sister Persephone was murdered. Sylvie has created herself a new life, far away from home, but now she has to return to her hometown and confront her seriously ill mother. It doesn’t take long until all that happened that winter night comes back to her,
Megan Collins’ debut is at the first glance a typical murder case: an 18-year-old girl is strangled and the murderer has been running free for sixteen years. However, at the second glance, it is much more a story about family relationships, about secrets and about love and trust. The small family of three females lived on secrets and lies, had they ever been open and honest with each other, the death of one daughter could have been prevented. Yet, that’s how human beings are, sometimes they lack the necessary courage to do what is right and thus risk to lose all they love.
The novel is well-created, even though at a certain point it is quite obvious how all the dots are linked, I found it full of suspense. Telling the story through Sylvie’s eyes gives you a certain bias at the beginning, but the missing pieces and gaps add to the thrill and the big questions marks Sylvie herself feels can also be experienced by the reader. Collins’ biggest strength is certainly the creation of the characters who all act convincingly and appear quite authentic. I am looking forward to read more from the author.
Show More
especially when she meets Ben, her sister’s boyfriend, her sister’s murderer. Yet, Ben insists in his innocence. But can she trust him? And what about her mother who always refused to tell the girls who their respective fathers are and who also refused to talk about that night. Is it time now to open Pandora’s box and let the truth out? Megan Collins’ debut is at the first glance a typical murder case: an 18-year-old girl is strangled and the murderer has been running free for sixteen years. However, at the second glance, it is much more a story about family relationships, about secrets and about love and trust. The small family of three females lived on secrets and lies, had they ever been open and honest with each other, the death of one daughter could have been prevented. Yet, that’s how human beings are, sometimes they lack the necessary courage to do what is right and thus risk to lose all they love.
The novel is well-created, even though at a certain point it is quite obvious how all the dots are linked, I found it full of suspense. Telling the story through Sylvie’s eyes gives you a certain bias at the beginning, but the missing pieces and gaps add to the thrill and the big questions marks Sylvie herself feels can also be experienced by the reader. Collins’ biggest strength is certainly the creation of the characters who all act convincingly and appear quite authentic. I am looking forward to read more from the author.
Show Less
LibraryThing member LibStaff2
3.5-3.75 Stars
A thriller that's part coming-of-age story and part family tragedy. This novel reveals the plot one clue at a time like peeling back the layers of an onion. Interesting character dynamics, solid writing and pace for a debut author, although the ending could be better. It's definitely
Net Galley Feedback
A thriller that's part coming-of-age story and part family tragedy. This novel reveals the plot one clue at a time like peeling back the layers of an onion. Interesting character dynamics, solid writing and pace for a debut author, although the ending could be better. It's definitely
Show More
a page turner and I will look for other works by the author in the future.Net Galley Feedback
Show Less
LibraryThing member dpappas
I haven't been this engrossed by a book in a while. This book follows Sylvie as she goes back to care for her cancer stricken mother. Going back to her hometown will dredge up guilt regarding her sister's unsolved murder.
From start to finish I was interested in this. I just had to know what
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the galley.
From start to finish I was interested in this. I just had to know what
Show More
happened to Persephone. Not only do you get to find out just what happened to Persephone but you also find out other secrets. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the galley.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Dianekeenoy
Sixteen years ago, Sylvie’s sister, Persephone, never came home. Out too late with the boyfriend she was forbidden to see, Persephone was missing for three days before her body was found. Her murder remained unsolved.
In the present day, Sylvie has returned home to care for her estranged mother,
As Sylvie starts to work around the complicated relationship with her mother, she starts to uncover secrets that still fill her old house and what really happened that night. Once you get into this book, you will continue to turn the pages until the end. Very well done!
In the present day, Sylvie has returned home to care for her estranged mother,
Show More
Annie, who is going through cancer treatment. Their close bond disappeared in the weeks after Persephone’s death. Taking her mother to the hospital for treatment, Sylvie finds that Ben, Persephone’s boyfriend is now a nurse at the hospital. Sylvie has always thought that Ben was responsible for her sister’s death, but she has her own guilt about that night as well that keeps her from moving forward from this tragic past.As Sylvie starts to work around the complicated relationship with her mother, she starts to uncover secrets that still fill her old house and what really happened that night. Once you get into this book, you will continue to turn the pages until the end. Very well done!
Show Less
LibraryThing member over.the.edge
The Winter Sister
by Megan Collins
due 2-5-2019
Touchstone/ Simon & Schuster
4.5 / 5.0
Sixteen years ago in Spring Hill, Connecticut, young Persephone went missing for 3 days, and once her body was recovered, it became a murder case that was never settled or closed.
Slyvie, Persephone's sister, a
Absorbing and suspenseful, I immediately felt an interest
in the characters and was drawn into Persephone's murder, Sylvies secrets and past and their mother, Annie's dysfunctional lifestyle and cancer. It felt as if I was reading about people I knew, with brilliant twists and surprises that kept the story fresh and the momentum fast. Complicated, obsessive and totally accessible, this is a story of secrets, consequences and a study of how each of use respond and react to tragedy.
Great story, looking forward to more from Megan Collins.
Thanks to Touchstone and Megan Collins for this e-book ARC for review.
#NetGalley #TheWinterSiste
by Megan Collins
due 2-5-2019
Touchstone/ Simon & Schuster
4.5 / 5.0
Sixteen years ago in Spring Hill, Connecticut, young Persephone went missing for 3 days, and once her body was recovered, it became a murder case that was never settled or closed.
Slyvie, Persephone's sister, a
Show More
tattoo artist in Rhode Island, returns to Spring Hill to care for her mother while undergoing chemo therapy for cancer.Absorbing and suspenseful, I immediately felt an interest
in the characters and was drawn into Persephone's murder, Sylvies secrets and past and their mother, Annie's dysfunctional lifestyle and cancer. It felt as if I was reading about people I knew, with brilliant twists and surprises that kept the story fresh and the momentum fast. Complicated, obsessive and totally accessible, this is a story of secrets, consequences and a study of how each of use respond and react to tragedy.
Great story, looking forward to more from Megan Collins.
Thanks to Touchstone and Megan Collins for this e-book ARC for review.
#NetGalley #TheWinterSiste
Show Less
LibraryThing member MinDea
16 years ago, Sylvie's sister was found strangled and has been haunted by her death since. With her mother diagnosed with cancer she has to go back home to take care of her. Being home only reminds her of Persephone's unsolved murder. Who killed her? It had to be the last person who saw here alive,
This book kept my attention, but geez was Sylvie annoying. Can't we get a Mystery/Thriller with a reliable and very capable and confident narrator? I thought things were over explained and this book was longer than it needed to be. It didn't blow my socks off but if you're looking for a quick read then I'd say give it a shot.
Show More
her boyfriend, Ben. How could they just let him get away with it?This book kept my attention, but geez was Sylvie annoying. Can't we get a Mystery/Thriller with a reliable and very capable and confident narrator? I thought things were over explained and this book was longer than it needed to be. It didn't blow my socks off but if you're looking for a quick read then I'd say give it a shot.
Show Less
LibraryThing member PattyLouise
The Winter Sister
By
Megan Collins
What it's all about...
Sylvie and her sister Persephone have secrets...secrets that they keep from their dark and often depressed mother. The secrets involve a boy that Annie...the mom...doesn’t want Persephone to see but that Persephone cannot stay away from.
When
My thoughts after reading this book...
This book was a tad questionable for me from the beginning. I didn’t like Annie. Sylvie was a mess and only Annie’s sister Jill kept this family together. Jill even stepped in as Jill’s guardian and helped her get through high school and college. But as I read deeper and deeper into this book...I understood the characters much more. I still didn’t like them but I at least understood them.
What I loved best...
Sylvie stays away from her mom for years but has to come home when her mom has cancer. Annie remains gruff and mean and there are far too many secrets about Persephone and about Annie, too. Sylvie always believed that Ben...her sister’s boyfriend...was responsible for her sister’s murder...so running into him was not anything she planned. In fact running into him was her unraveling...until the real truth was revealed.
What potential readers might want to know...
This book is about secrets that have been kept for far too long. It wasn’t a happy joyful book but rather an exploration of how some people deal with relationships and deep debilitating pain . Readers who appreciate this kind of book should enjoy this one.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley and Edelweiss. It was my choice to read and review it.
By
Megan Collins
What it's all about...
Sylvie and her sister Persephone have secrets...secrets that they keep from their dark and often depressed mother. The secrets involve a boy that Annie...the mom...doesn’t want Persephone to see but that Persephone cannot stay away from.
When
Show More
Persephone is found murdered...Sylvie’s life is forever changed. My thoughts after reading this book...
This book was a tad questionable for me from the beginning. I didn’t like Annie. Sylvie was a mess and only Annie’s sister Jill kept this family together. Jill even stepped in as Jill’s guardian and helped her get through high school and college. But as I read deeper and deeper into this book...I understood the characters much more. I still didn’t like them but I at least understood them.
What I loved best...
Sylvie stays away from her mom for years but has to come home when her mom has cancer. Annie remains gruff and mean and there are far too many secrets about Persephone and about Annie, too. Sylvie always believed that Ben...her sister’s boyfriend...was responsible for her sister’s murder...so running into him was not anything she planned. In fact running into him was her unraveling...until the real truth was revealed.
What potential readers might want to know...
This book is about secrets that have been kept for far too long. It wasn’t a happy joyful book but rather an exploration of how some people deal with relationships and deep debilitating pain . Readers who appreciate this kind of book should enjoy this one.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley and Edelweiss. It was my choice to read and review it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Beamis12
Obsessive love and major dysfunction. Sylvie returns home after an absence of sixteen tears to take care of her mother who has cancer. When she was a pre teen her older sister disappeared and was found murdered. Sylvie has always believed the boyfriend Persophone snuck out to meet was her murderer.
Family secrets abound here, and the pace and constant revelations keep the pages turning. A good story about the repercussions of an obsessive love, and the grief that swallows when a child is gone. The ending however, I found both rushed and implausible.
ARC from Netgalley.
Show More
The case never solved, Sylvie finds herself once again on the trail of a killer.Family secrets abound here, and the pace and constant revelations keep the pages turning. A good story about the repercussions of an obsessive love, and the grief that swallows when a child is gone. The ending however, I found both rushed and implausible.
ARC from Netgalley.
Show Less
LibraryThing member seasonsoflove
I received an ARC of this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.
Sylvie's sister was murdered sixteen years ago, and the murderer has never been brought to justice. Forced to return to her hometown by her estranged
Sylvie is a very compelling character you can't help but feel for, and Collins explores her family dynamics and drama in a very realistic and sometimes heartbreaking way. This book feels real, like it could be a real case I was reading articles about.
The mystery is very suspenseful, and I did not guess who the murderer was at all. I love when a book can surprise me like that.
I did call one of the major twists about halfway through, which did lessen the surprise and suspense somewhat, though it did not lessen my enjoyment of the book.
I would recommend this book. It's compelling, well-written, and the mystery is mixed really well with an exploration of the dynamics of troubled and broken families.
Sylvie's sister was murdered sixteen years ago, and the murderer has never been brought to justice. Forced to return to her hometown by her estranged
Show More
mother's cancer diagnosis, Sylvie finds herself brought back into contact with her sister's ex-boyfriend, who she always believed guilty of the crime. But Sylvie is dealing with guilt of her own, and her presence begins to bring out dangerous secrets from the past.Sylvie is a very compelling character you can't help but feel for, and Collins explores her family dynamics and drama in a very realistic and sometimes heartbreaking way. This book feels real, like it could be a real case I was reading articles about.
The mystery is very suspenseful, and I did not guess who the murderer was at all. I love when a book can surprise me like that.
I did call one of the major twists about halfway through, which did lessen the surprise and suspense somewhat, though it did not lessen my enjoyment of the book.
I would recommend this book. It's compelling, well-written, and the mystery is mixed really well with an exploration of the dynamics of troubled and broken families.
Show Less
LibraryThing member marykuhl
Persephone dies. Her mother sinks into despair and forgets that she has another daughter. The surviving daughter, Sylvie, returns home years later to take care of her dying mother. Her sister's murder has never been solved, and Sylvie is determined to bring her killer to justice. I was annoyed by
Show More
Sylvie a few times because she kept changing her mind on her she was so sure was her sister's killer. But the ending twisted so much that I was truly surprised. Show Less
LibraryThing member sbenne3
A pretty good thriller - not very deep so an easy travel read. This would have been better with a little more character development - there was a lot there, but it wasn't fully vetted out.
LibraryThing member LeslieWilding
A little slow in parts but good story line.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2019
Physical description
352 p.; 8.25 inches
ISBN
198210015X / 9781982100155