The Wrong Sister

Tasha and Aaron’s precious holiday in Venice does not begin well. They are staying in Tasha’s sister, Alice’s, apartment, having left their young children in the UK under the care of Alice and her husband Kyle. On their first night in Venice they are chased by a man with a knife. On the second day they hear that Alice and Kyle have been attacked in their house in the UK. Kyle is dead and Alice injured. They rush home, fearing the worst, but the children are fine, being looked after by Aaron’s mother Viv.

The story is mainly about each character’s psychological struggle as they try to make sense of the situation. Tasha has always been slightly envious of high-achieving Alice. Both sisters are aware that they had a third sister, Holly, who was snatched from her pram outside a shop when she was a baby. Their mother, Jeanette, currently lives in France but returns to take over the child-care of the grandchildren from Viv.

Each chapter is narrated by of one of the key family members, some more angst-ridden than others. Despite the downside of living inside someone else’s head, experiencing their thoughts and worries, the story progresses swiftly, so keeping it interesting. Suspicion focusses on different people at different times.  At the start of the book and in between some of the chapters are small sections written in italics, threats made by someone who is watching Tasha, although as the plot plays out to a conclusion it is not clear precisely who these threats are from.

The story is set in the Bristol area, and descriptions of the outlying villages ring very true with the large houses in rural village settings with views of the Mendip Hills. A number of things make the village feel very realistic: the shop, outside of which Tasha and Alice’s sister was taken many years ago and in which neighbours still cross paths; the local social life taking place in the village pub where Viv works at times behind the bar; and Aaron’s job in the local garage, are all very natural in the way they are incorporated into the story.

The issue of adoption and the worry and anxiety caused when truths are hidden is sensitively handled, as is the issue of sibling rivalry and trust between partners. The pressures of family loyalties and the perceived responsibilities and associated guilt of different generations is touched on too. The book is well-written and readable, with an effective mixture of the slowness of a psychological novel, and the faster-moving crime action.