Know that DI Sam Clayton's sister doesn't figure as much as you might think. That said, it's a nicely done crime novel with good characters (some trope-y police but hey..). It will keep you guessing.

Omg omg omg .......... this book was amazing I could not put it down I read every word on the edge of my seat I loved the story line, i loved the way the story just kept us guessing all the way threw I loved all the twists and turns and would defiantly recommend this book it was so believable and kept the reader engaged I love it

A literary technique is to write SHOWING, NOT TELLING the scenes. This book is ALL telling, regrettably., thereby making the scenes dull, without emotion. The hook at the beginning was great, but became a laborious read due to the aforementioned and poor characterization. The protagonists as well as the antagonists are flat and uninteresting. The reader is never informed about their motives. The plot is somewhat interesting, but I kept waiting for that “ killer twist” that was promised, but never materialized. It was almost a DNF, but I was determined to read it to completion to give to a chance for redemption and a honest review. It never redeemed itself, but did get my honest review.

The Bad Sister by Anne Penketh was a quick read that held my interest. It follows detective Sam Clayton as he investigates (directly and indirectly) a slew of various crimes and eventually discovers how they intertwine. There were several plot twists that I did not see xoming, and I enjoyed learning a bit about the duties of an investigator along the journey. I highly recommend this book.

Great story, fun twists and turns. The book did slow down in the middle.

A mystery novel that I really could not get into so not for me. The story was interesting but the main characters got on my nerves not a fan.

Very interesting plot that swerves and twists revealing a fascinating plot. Look forward to reading more books.

This is a brilliantly written thriller, which is face paced, with a great storyline and strong characters. There were a lot of surprises in the plot which I really enjoyed. A real page turner. Highly recommend this book.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Anne Penketh for providing me with a copy of this book. I agreed to give my unbiased opinion voluntarily.

THE BAD SISTER
by ANNE PENKETH
Joffe Books
Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date 30 Sep 2017   
I am reviewing a copy of Bad Sister through Joffe Books and Netgalley:
When Detective Sam Clayton is called to a murder scene in Holt, he is more than a little surprised to see his estranged sister at the scene. Even more shocking is the fact it is his Sister’s husband Henry Lambdton who has been murdered. Due to his connection with the victim and potential suspect he is taken off the case and DS Julie Everett is called to continue the investigation.
After being pulled off his brother in laws murder case Clayton focuses on a vicious arson attack in Norwich, which leaves a Polish family dead. It is seemingly a part of a series of arson attacks that is attached to a series of attacks that is likely part of an extremist group.
Will they be able to solve these cases, and stop more attacks from coming?
Could they be related?
Find out in the Bad Sister five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!

The second book in the D.I. Clayton series and Sam is just beginning to grow on me! He is an unlikeable but endearing lead character. Two plots run side by side in this book and it is very well written. It slowed a little in the middle and the ending was just a bit rushed for me. I hope there is another book though as I would like to see a bit more warmth from Sam. Thank you Net Galley for my copy. I reviewed on Goodreads.

This was the first book I read by Anne Penketh and the second in a series featuring D. I. Sam Clayton. Once again, I failed to note that there was a prior book. However, for me at least, the story itself seemed to stand alone. I do plan to read the first book and will update this review if my opinion changes.
Two cases are being investigated. One, involving arson and murder, and one with a man found murdered in his car. D. I. Clayton, initially assigned to the murdered man’s case is surprised to discover that his sister is the man’s wife. Long estranged, he still harbors a deep resentment against his sister. He is reassigned to the arson/murder investigation and D.S. Julie Everett works to solve the man’s murder.
Both plots held my interest, but I couldn’t really connect with D.I. Sam Clayton. He came across as ornery and I just couldn’t find anything about him to like. On the other hand, D.S. Julie Everett had an interesting backstory and was more engaging. After I read the first book in the series, I should have a better understanding of Sam and hope that some additional information makes him more endearing to me.
Thank you, Anne Penketh, Joffe Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The only word I can think of to describe this book is lacking.
There is a lack of drama, pace and detail that makes the storyline drag on and leaves the reader feeling you have missed out on a really good read.

3 stars

DI Sam Clayton and DS Neil Pringle have a spate of hate crimes to investigate. The last attack turned out to be murder. And DI Hewett and DS Julie Everett take on the case of a man bludgeoned to death in his garage. His name is Henry Lambton and his wife is Clayton’s long-lost sister Melanie. Clayton is excused from the Lambton case and is told to instead focus on the hate crimes/murder case.

Are the arson/murder cases examples of a hate group called England for English, also called “E4E,” or are they the result of the victims refusing to pay protection money to the local Polish criminals?

Although this book is better than the first one, I find that I still don’t like the main character, DI Sam Clayton. He is cranky and irritable and carries a major grudge against his sister Melanie. Liking a main character seems really important to me, so I only gave this book three stars. Written not too badly and well plotted, this book has a little more to offer than the last. I liked the endings to the cases, although they seemed a bit rushed.

I want to thank NetGalley and Joffe Books for forwarding to me a copy of this book to read.

DI Sam Clayton is shocked when he is called to a murder scene to find the widow of the killed man is his sister. He hasn't seen her in more than 20 years and thanks to Botox, would never have recognized her. Her husband, an antique car dealer, was brutally beaten to death and Sam wouldn't be surprised if his sister proved to be the killer. To say he hates her is not an exaggeration.
At the same time a vicious hate crime kills a young Polish couple and their baby in a fatal fire. Because Sam cannot handle the murder case involving his sister, he heads the hate crime case. He suspects a right wing group (B4B - Britain for British) of recent hate crimes, which now includes murder, but rumors of a Polish protection scheme offer another possibility. The local Polish community isn't talking, afraid of reprisals. He is keeping an eye on his sister's case as well, and often discusses it with DS Julie Everett, a divorced mother of a young son, who was my favorite character.
Sam is a difficult man, prone to angry outbursts (no dustbin is safe from his kicks) and a bit of a loner, especially after his wife left him. He's growing on me and I hope a little romance in the 3rd book will see him softening a bit.
Both cases have surprising outcomes and the end is very satisfying and leaves you on an upbeat note.
I'm looking forward to no. 3 in the series.
Thank you Netgalley and Joffe Books for the eARC.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of The Bad Sister, the second Norwich based police procedural to feature DI Sam Clayton.

Sam is called out to the murder of Henry Lambton. To his astonishment the grieving widow is his sister Mel whom he hasn't seen for over 20 years and didn't recognise. He immediately recuses himself from the case and concentrates on an arson attack which killed a Polish family while DI Hewitt and his sergeant Julie Everett take over the Lambton case.

I enjoyed The Bad Sister much more than the first novel in the series, Murder on the Marsh. The dual plotline is not as difficult to keep up as I envisaged as Sam pokes his nose into the murder case from time to time. Both cases are well thought out and take some unexpected turns which kept me glued to the pages. I particularly like the arson investigation which is very topical with the potential involvement of a right wing group, E4E (England for English), which is so catchy I'm surprised it hasn't been used before.

I think Ms Penketh is on shakier ground when it comes to her characterisation. Sam Clayton is a most unappealing protagonist, angry with unresolved issues. There is a glib explanation for it but it's unconvincing. In fact I don't find any of the characters convincing. Fortunately the plot is the main thing and it's well done.

I think 3.5* is a fair assessment for this well plotted novel.

I really enjoyed this book it was a great follow up to Murder on the Marsh. It was full of twists and turns that I didn't see coming and I didn't guess the ending which is always good. I had a hard job putting thi one down as it had me fully engaged and wanting more. Highly recommend this book a solid 5 stars.

This book was brilliant from start to finish it was totally gripping from the first page I have read this book in one setting it was so good I didn't want to put it down.
When you first meet detective inspector Sam Clayton, you are drawn to him straight away and that never changes, and it was really refreshing to like the character from start to finish you just want everything to work out for him.
Sam gets called out to a murder and it turns out to be his sister's husband which he does not realise until he sees his estranged sister Melanie.
But sam does not like her after what she did to him when they were teenagers and all through the book they still do not talk. Melanie gets shot and Sam spends 30 minutes at the morgue and you think that maybe Sam has forgiven her or maybe he just wants to make sure she is dead.
Sam also has to deal with a bent copper on his team and there are race attacks and hate crimes which Sam and his team have to solve but the gang is always one step ahead because of this bent copper and Sam gets attacked a few times because of the bent copper.
This book is brilliant it keeps you gripped from the first page and it keeps you gripped until the end. There is so much that is going on but all really believable the details of the murders is brilliant. Also I liked it when brother and sister hate each other it makes a nice change from them living happily ever after.

DI Sam Clayton gets a real surprise when called to investigate a murder. He finds his sister whom he hasn't seen in 20 years. Her husband was found murdered. Clayton is taken off the case, for which he seems extremely grateful. Another of Clayton's team takes over, DS Julie Everett.

Meanwhile, Clayton looks into the arson fire of a Polish family; a man, his wife and child died in the fire. What he finds is a plot that orders the Polish people to pay protection money ... money which most of them do not have. Was this the reason these people died?

It seems that Clayton has come too close to the case, as he becomes the target of a masked man on a motorcycle. Who is he and what part does he play in the crime?

The story bounces back and forth between the cases. Both Clayton and Everette face personal issues, as well as professional ones. This is a well-written crime thriller featuring characters that are stand-out unforgettable.

Many thanks to the author / Joffee Books / NetGalley for the advance digital copy of this crime thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.