THE NIGHT SISTER is a creepy supernatural mystery that, while well written, isn't as equally well told. The story's full of contrived and forced plot points, with information being artificially withheld in order to set up convenient reveals later on.
I think the best stories work when you can't see the author in the narrative. Unfortunately, we can see the author in every shift of the timeline here, especially towards the end when the POVs change specifically to keep the reader in the dark to lengthen the story and prolong the mystery. It's contrived vs. clever, which means you feel little to no tension and aren't really invested enough to care as much as you should.
I also didn't connect with any of the characters or their relationships during any of the time periods. They all felt very much like stick figures, distantly strange and unrelatable, or just plain unlikeable; especially Amy, a character who was basically idolized by two of the others for no good reason whatsoever.
There was an Alfred Hitchcock/Hollywood theme included that felt like a waste since it was a focal point that basically went nowhere, ever so slowly.
The tone changes dramatically by the end, with a resolution that felt more like something you'd find in a comic book than a quality supernatural thriller. Perhaps they'll adapt this as a graphic novel? I think that would work really well!
So all in all, I give THE NIGHT SISTER a C+. I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as I did THE WINTER PEOPLE, which felt like a truly inspired and clever story verses one that's being forced together. I will still be on the look out for the author's next release because I do think her writing's still a cut above the average commercial fare.
I think the best stories work when you can't see the author in the narrative. Unfortunately, we can see the author in every shift of the timeline here, especially towards the end when the POVs change specifically to keep the reader in the dark to lengthen the story and prolong the mystery. It's contrived vs. clever, which means you feel little to no tension and aren't really invested enough to care as much as you should.
I also didn't connect with any of the characters or their relationships during any of the time periods. They all felt very much like stick figures, distantly strange and unrelatable, or just plain unlikeable; especially Amy, a character who was basically idolized by two of the others for no good reason whatsoever.
There was an Alfred Hitchcock/Hollywood theme included that felt like a waste since it was a focal point that basically went nowhere, ever so slowly.
The tone changes dramatically by the end, with a resolution that felt more like something you'd find in a comic book than a quality supernatural thriller. Perhaps they'll adapt this as a graphic novel? I think that would work really well!
So all in all, I give THE NIGHT SISTER a C+. I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as I did THE WINTER PEOPLE, which felt like a truly inspired and clever story verses one that's being forced together. I will still be on the look out for the author's next release because I do think her writing's still a cut above the average commercial fare.
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