What do readers think of The Sister's Curse by Nicola Solvinic? Write your own review.

Something is in the water. Something wants revenge.

In small-town Bayern County, drowning victims are stacking up and none of it feels accidental. Lieutenant Anna Koray, daughter of a notorious serial killer, thought she’d outrun her past. Now she’s dragged into an investigation tangled with wealthy families, local legends, whispers of witches, and rumors of revenge. The deeper she digs, the more danger rises to the surface. The question is whether she’ll uncover the truth in time or get pulled under with it.

Spillin’ the Book Tea:
I liked this one a lot. I didn’t realize it was connected to another book until after I finished, and while it works as a standalone, I probably would have enjoyed the backstory a little more if I’d read that first. Even without it, I still found this book to be solidly entertaining.

What really pulled me in was the mix of thriller and horror, with that slow creeping dread that never lets up. Solvinic writes in a way that fully immerses you. The pacing is fast but not rushed, and the tension ramps up chapter by chapter. I felt like I could practically hear the water dripping and the whispers in the woods.

Anna is the kind of protagonist I like... strong, determined, a little haunted but not broken. Her problem-solving skills kept the plot moving and her bond with her dog Gibby gave the story a grounding warmth. Small detail, but Gibby deserves all the pets.

The slow-burn reveal really worked here. It’s part mystery, part local legend, with just enough horror elements to keep it unsettling without going over the top. I didn’t know who or what to trust until the very end, and honestly, I love when a book keeps me guessing like that.

Thanks to BookBrowse for the advanced copy.

The Vibes It Brings:
?? Family Secrets and Old Money
?? Small Town with Big Superstitions
????? Strong Female Lead
?? Faithful Dog Companion
?? Power, Corruption, and Revenge
?? Generational Trauma Lurking
?? Folklore and Local Legends
?? Justice is Personal
? Slow Burn but Worth the Wait

TL;DR:
If you like your thrillers with a side of folklore and a protagonist who never quits, this one delivers. Fast-paced, atmospheric, and soaked in small-town secrets, The Sister’s Curse hooks you early and keeps the tension rising. Perfect for fans of slow-burn suspense with a supernatural edge. Bonus points for Gibby the dog.

This was an unusual thriller. Supernatural events can be distracting but here they add a layer of interest to the mystery. The characters were developed well enough to make them relatable but at times Anna's back story could have been filled in more fully. The ending was satisfying but not a contrived "everything worked out" kind of satisfying. Overall a book I talked about to friends and one I will recommend.

This book mixes a lot of elements including a bit of horror, serial killers, witches, religious fanatics, legends/curses and environmental poisoning along with a murder mystery/cold case. Even though that seems like (and is) a lot and could be overwhelming, it all worked very well together and captured my attention from the first few pages. It's a quick read with interesting characters and the storyline worked well from beginning to end. The main character has an interesting backstory and conflicts. Really enjoyed this book and have already added her other book to my 'to read' list.

A well-crafted crime thriller with an element of the supernatural, A Sister's Curse is a blend of suspense with a touch of horror. I enjoyed the many little twists and turns that were uncovered slowly chapter by chapter, and there was just enough character development for the main actors to keep them feeling relatable and me somewhat sympathetic reader.

The tangled lives of everyone in this story are beautifully knotted in a way that is reflective of our own messy reality.

If you're looking for suspense that is wrapped up very neatly with a bow, this isn't it! There will be closure, but it doesn't feel like a totally satisfactory conclusion - which is perfect for this genre.

I enjoyed this supernatural mystery. I like novels with strong female, problem solvers and police officer, Lt. Anna, certainly fits that criterion. The novel deals with the 25 year anniversary of the disappearance of a young girl and the curse put on the men she was last seen with by the victim's sister. Interspersed in that story is Anna's memory of her mother's miscarriage of her sister due to chemical spills in the water.

Events in the story are fast and furious, the glue that helps keep the story relatable are the other characters, especially Anna's supervisor, Monica, and her kind and patient boyfriend Nick. Anna's dog, Gibby is also a plus. I did not read the prequel to this novel, it may have added to my enjoyment of it, but I was able to follow the story line and fill in the blanks in Anna's life with the flashbacks the author provided.

I enjoyed this supernatural mystery and would recommend it to readers who like unique novels with interesting characters. Thanks to BookBrowse for providing me with this ARC.

The Sister's Curse is the second novel in Solvinic's Anna Koray series. While it is a series, the book can stand alone, but does rob the reader of a complete understanding of the characters, especially Anna and her past. Solvinic uses a police procedural and very adeptly adds gothic horror to bring some creepy images to life. If you are a fan of things that grab you when swimming, eyes that peer out of a deep dark forest, and witches chanting vengeful curses into a warm moonlit night, this book is for you. It is also a book about revenge served cold and love that will stand strong through anything.

There were some moments of confusion and it may be because this was book 2, and therefore the author assumes you already know the background. Overall, it's a solid mystery, with a spooky factor that will stay with you, and make you think twice about stepping foot in a pond or river! Thank you Berkley Publishers, Bookbrowse.com and Netgalley for the Advance Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a captivating mystery due to its touches of magical realism and possible horror in the waters of Bayern County. Anna Koray is a detective in the Bayern County Police Department confronted by a series of mysterious drownings in the river. She's also grappling with her past as the daughter of a serial killer. As she delves into the drownings, Anna is confronted by her past and a mysterious force working in the river.

The book is a gripping good read, filled with an anxious aura of unbelievability yet one you want to believe because it could be real. It also tackles themes of misogyny and abuse. I want to thank Book Browse and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

I enjoyed this faced paced horror. The elements of the supernatural were engrossing. The FMC was a mixture of morally grey and conflicted. The story was atmospheric and the descriptive writing style made the eeriness more prevalent. The plot was original and I felt the story was suspenseful.

I do suggest you read The Hunter's Daughter first, as that story contains important backstop for the FMC and her parents. There were things mentioned or alluded to that I felt, having not read the first book, took away from the story foundation.