Carla B

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.