Blog Blitz | Book Review: Sister, Psychopath by Maggie James

Welcome to my stop on the blog blitz for Sister, Psychopath by Maggie James, I’m delighted to be sharing my review with you today. After reading ‘The Second Captive’ earlier this year, also by James, I jumped at the chance to read this novel, it’s been republished by Bloodhound Books, who have fast become a reliable publisher for good crime fiction novels.

Book Description:

When they were children, Megan adored her younger sister Chloe. Now she can’t bear to be in the same room as her. Megan believes Chloe is a psychopath and her sister does appear to be a textbook case: cold, cruel and lacking in empathy.

Why does Chloe want to taunt Megan at every opportunity?  And why does she persist in manipulating their mentally ill mother, Tilly?

When Tilly, under Chloe’s malignant influence, becomes dangerously unstable, the consequences are ugly. Megan’s world falls apart. Her sister’s out of control and there’s little she can do about it. Until Chloe’s actions threaten the safety of Megan’s former lover. A man from whom she has kept an important secret…

A study of sibling rivalry and dysfunctional relationships, Sister, Psychopath tells the story of one woman’s struggle to survive the damage inflicted by her own flesh and blood.

My Thoughts:

If there were ever a book synonymous with its title, it’s this one! Yes, there is sister and she is, by my judgement, definitely a psychopath! Sister, Psychopath is a whirlwind of a read, you can fly through it in one sitting, as I did. Events move at a fast pace, the chapters are short and have that ‘one more chapter’ feeling, as you wonder what psychotic thing will happen next.

If you’ve ever hated being an only child, read this book, it’ll make you thankful to be an only child. The relationship between Megan and her sister, Chloe, is ghastly – Chloe just oozes malice. The entire read you’re wondering when Chloe will take things too far, one too many sour remarks, how long before she pushes someone over the edge!? Because it’s not just Megan and their mother, Tily, who fall prey to Chloe, it’s everyone she comes into contact with.

Now, I don’t want to sell a book solely on its plot twist, but here, it is totally necessary, because it was so good! I had several scenarios in my head and I was almost anticipating writing my review, stating I knew something like this was coming. But no, my predictions were nowhere near what happened.

Interestingly, I didn’t feel drawn to any of the characters in this book but because events moved at such a fast pace, it didn’t much matter. I’m not a monster, I did feel for Megan for having a sister like Chloe and was saddened by Chloe’s manipulation of their mother, Tily. However, there was no one character I felt a deep connection with.

My only niggle with this book was the detail that was lost through the rapid pace of the novel; at certain times, I would have liked to have paused, zoned in a bit on Chloe’s thoughts. I believe there were some real moments to throw in some psychological thrills that would chill the reader. A few missed moments that could have pulled the reader into the darkness, maybe.

However, this rapid pace did build up a picture of the characters, seeing so many ‘situations’ allowed the reader to get to know the nature of the characters. And the ending was so good, it went a long way towards making up for my above minor complaint.

If you enjoy fast-paced novels centred on siblings and don’t mind not delving deep into the psyche of the characters, then give Sister, Psychopath a read.

This book is available to buy from: Amazon UK / Book Depository

*My thanks to Bloodhound Books for providing me with a digital copy of this book and inviting me to participate in the blog blitz*

About the Author:

Maggie James is a British author who lives in Bristol. She writes psychological suspense novels.

Before turning her hand to writing, Maggie worked mainly as an accountant, with a diversion into practising as a nutritional therapist. Diet and health remain high on her list of interests, along with travel. Accountancy does not, but then it never did. The urge to pack a bag and go off travelling is always lurking in the background! When not writing, going to the gym, practising yoga or travelling, Maggie can be found seeking new four-legged friends to pet; animals are a lifelong love!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MJamesFiction/ //  Twitter: https://twitter.com/mjamesfiction  // Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/828751.Maggie_James //  Blog: http://www.maggiejamesfiction.com/blog //  Website: http://www.maggiejamesfiction.com

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