Quick take
A DNA test turns a family's life upside-down in this unpredictable thriller of buried secrets and betrayal.
Good to know
Multiple viewpoints
Slow build
Family drama
Puzzle
Synopsis
THE TRUTH
Sisters Kate and Lauren meet for Sunday lunch every week without fail, especially after the loss of their father.
THE LIE
But a knock at the door is about to change everything. A young woman by the name of Jess holds a note with the results of a DNA test, claiming to be their half sister.
THE UNTHINKABLE
As the fallout starts, it's clear that they are all hiding secrets, and perhaps this family isn't as perfect as it appears.
Free sample
Get an early look from the first pages of The Half Sister.
The Half Sister
1
Kate
Kate sees the familiar nameplate on Dr. Williams’ office door and feels a knot in her stomach. She doesn’t know why, after all this time, it still affects her like this—she should be used to it by now. But every time she walks through his door she’s filled with hope, and every time she walks back out, she feels utter despair and sadness, unable to believe that fate could be so cruel.
As if he knows what she’s thinking, Matt grabs hold of her hand as they sit in the clinic’s waiting room. Squeezing it, as if he is somehow able to transfer his boundless optimism onto her.
He kisses her head as she leans into him. “I think this might be the one,” he says, over-enthusiastically, as if believing it hard enough will prove him right.
“It’s certainly the last one,” she says wearily.
“Let’s see,” says Matt with forced joviality.
“Kate!” exclaims Dr. Williams as he opens his door.
She should call him Ben, as he’s requested a hundred times. But using his first name means she knows him well, and if she knows him well, it would be admitting how long this has been going on for.
“Doctor,” she says, as she stands up and walks toward him with an outstretched arm.
“Good to see you,” says Dr. Williams. “Matt, how are you?”
Why I love it
Sarah Pekkanen
Author, The Golden Couple
A top literary agent once told me that if a manuscript doesn't hook her within the first couple of pages, she’ll put it down and reach for the next submission in her pile. I understand why: Given all the terrific books out there, why force yourself to read something that doesn't thoroughly engage you? Luckily for us Sandie Jones fans, her new novel, The Half Sister, illustrates once again that she's a writer who can command our attention.
The book opens with sisters Kate and Lauren, who are visiting their widowed mother's house for a family meal. Plenty of sibling rivalry and old grievances are served up along with the roast beef and vegetables. But this family really starts to crack apart after the doorbell rings, and a complete stranger standing on the stoop claims she's the third sister.
Jones has a breezy, engaging writing style—perhaps due to her background as a celebrity journalist—and the surprise twists keep popping up like fireworks. If, like me, you’ve been desperately craving an escape, this book is the ideal prescription.
Member ratings (2,370)
Anna G.
Corpus Christi, TX
While I wouldn’t classify this as a thriller, it was still a pretty good domestic suspenseful novel! It kept me guessing most of the time. I did feel like the ending went a bit off the rails though.
Theresa T.
Huntersville , NC
Suspense novel that keeps you guessing until the end. The twists and turns and secrets that a family have kept for years all come to light after a DNA ancestry site reveals that there is a half sister
Joanie B.
Youngstown , OH
This was truly one if the best books I have read. The characters were easy to love and also some were very easy to hate. The ending was shocking. I was right about the one person who was a liar & evil
Kelisey D.
Magnolia, NJ
I was iffy about this book pick, man was I wrong. This was such a quick read because i could not put it down. Sandie left you wanting more and added the twists at the perfect timing. I would recommend
Susan H.
LEXINGTON, KY
I couldn't put this book down! Even though I got pretty frustrated with the characters at times, I still liked them and wanted a good outcome for them. Plus the story kept me on the edge of my seat.