Rating: 1.4/5

"The Wrong Sister" is the fourth novel by Claire Douglas that I have read. My first experience of her work was the splendid "The Couple at No.9", but unfortunately each book I have read since that one has impressed me less than the one before. Sadly, that trend has continued with this latest offering, which I think is easily the poorest example of this author's output that I have read.

The novel actually opens in quite promising fashion and I was looking forward to Claire Douglas bucking the trend and returning to the quality on offer in "The Couple at No.9". However, that is not the case and it doesn't take overly long before it develops into fairly typical genre fodder, with no shortage of the associated hackneyed tropes, as well as unconvincing melodrama oozing from every chapter.

There are attempts at carrot-dangling suspense with elements of sub-plots being drip-fed into the narrative, but it is all quite clumsy. There are sections written in italics that represent a character with malicious intent and are, no doubt, supposed to build a sense of persistent background menace, but instead, it just seems a bit silly and overdone. I know from previous experience that Claire Douglas can deliver high quality, compelling writing, so I kept hoping that those skills would come to the fore and steer the storyline onto a more creditworthy track. That isn't what transpires, though. There are dramatic plot developments later in the piece, but they exacerbate matters rather than salvaging the situation. I have deliberately avoided calling them "twists", because that implies some clever manipulation of the plot by the writer, which warrants recognition and appreciation. The developments in this novel are of the "rabbit out of the hat" variety, which is just cheating.

It is too early to say for certain whether this fourth experience of this author's work will also be my last, but it may well be.

As ever, I would still like to convey my thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review. It is a pity I was not in a position to pass more favourable comment on this occasion.

Always a big fan of this author, and this is another great read. Loved the descriptions of Venice, very precise and easy to get lost in the magic of the atmosphere but the story turns dark. Good twists, pacey. Read it in two sitting pretty much.

While I've generally taken a break from this sub genre of thriller (sisters/ friends/ family/ relationship with a secret if one were being overly reductive) due to so many recent readings feeling too similar, I read this (my first novel by Claire Douglas), as the author is going to be appearing at an event I'll be at in early 2024.
While there were some familiar themes (Small village/ siblings and family history secrets) I felt this was this type of book done at its very best: a fast, page turning read where you can congratulate yourself on certain aspects but not spot the 'fair' clues left for the bigger picture mystery. I also appreciated that there are a couple of plot elements which are not directly explained (without spoilers, I'm thinking an element from the trip to Venice), but can be extrapolated/ guessed at easily enough if the reader desires.
I read this one in two sittings which gives an indication of my involvement in it and am sure it will be a huge success with fans of the author's previous work and new readers alike.

Did I stay up until silly o’clock in the morning to finish this read? Absolutely! Did I predict the conclusion? Half of it! (No spoilers here!)

Another well written psychological thriller by Claire Douglas. Tasha and Alice’s relationship is the most compelling out of the characters, and they are both deeply passionate about loyalty to each other. The bond they share is pushed to the limits and I enjoyed seeing this develop throughout the story.

The plot twists, fast paced storyline and the element of suspect was again flawlessly executed by this author. A perfect introduction to this author’s work and/or genre.

Due for release in March 2024, this is a highly recommended five star read! Don’t delay pre-order today!

I have read most of Claire Douglas’ books and she didn’t disappoint! Sisters Natasha (Tasha) and Alice swap residences for a week - suburban neighborhood with 2 nieces and an apartment in Italy.
Alice lives the glamorous, rich life with her husband, Kyle. Tasha married her high school sweetheart, Aaron, and lives a comfortable life with their 2 girls. Things take a turn and the sister’s lives turn upside down. This was a quick, suspenseful read! Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for a gifted copy.

Complex story with ancient mysteries alongside the current crime. Families coved in secrets - most born out of love. A little too long winded to be excellent, it was still a good read.

Spoiler Alert
Familiar with this author’s work, I eventually hit on the correct perpetrator but was pleased to see how well it was wrapped up.

Thank you to Claire Douglas and Penguin Michael Josephs for my E-ARC of The Wrong Sister on NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Claire Douglas has done it again, another book in the favourites pile from her catalogue and oh my, it definitely deserves to be there.

A story of murder, twisted lies and family ties with a secret, all told from multiple perspectives that intwine seamlessly, leaving you desperate to know more.

Tasha and Aaron 'life-swap' with her sister Alice and her husband Kyle, going on holiday to Venice while Alice and Kyle stay with their twin neices. Little did they know what would happen while they were away, and just what secrets would be unearthed in the aftermath.

I struggled to put this book away and concentrate on daily life, I just had to keep reading as I was gripped right from the beginning. The more I read, the more entranced and captivated I was. Claire Douglas is the Queen of storytelling, she grabs your attention and keeps it fixed for the entirety, only letting you come up for a breath every so often. I gasped, I had wide eyes, I laughed, I held my breath, and, most importantly, I was shocked. So very shocked but in the best way possible.

This is truly a book that should not be missed, trust me, the late nights will be worth it. It's heart pounding, spine tinglingly tense and definitely worth my 5 star rating.

4.5🌟 I was so happy to be approved for an early copy of The Wrong Sister by Claire Douglas.

The story is told from multiple POVs and there are lots of details to keep the reader engaged.

I was a bit over the ‘who done it’ books, but The Wrong Sister certainly didn’t feel like reading the same story all over again.

I didn’t guess the outcome and found it very intriguing.

I think I would have liked more of their little life swap experience, but it was an enjoyable read nonetheless.

Really enjoyed this thriller/whodunit.

Alice and Tasha had another sister Holly. Holly disappeared when she was only months old.

Now Alice's husband has been murdered.

Are these connected or simply random coincidences?

Kept me guessing until the very end. Read it in 2 days.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC in return for my honest review.

Here's the thing about Claire Douglas - she can take the most standard thriller ingredients and somehow deliver up a story that leaves you gasping.

In The Wrong Sister, we meet Tasha and her family: husband Aaron, young twin daughters Elsie and Flossie, older sister Alice, and mother Jeanette. Alice and her husband Kyle are a power couple, madly in love and free of kids. By contrast, Tasha and Aaron lead a very ordinary life, and are more than a little overwhelmed by their financial issues and the caregiving for two small children.

So when Alice generously offers them the use of her and Kyle's luxury home in Venice, they accept with gratitude. And initially, this anniversary trip seems to be working out well - until they have an ugly encounter on the night-time streets of the city.

But there is worse to come. Out of the blue, the couple get a call informing them that Alice and her husband have been attacked, and that Kyle is dead. But who would do such a thing? Perhaps the person who left a note under Tasha and Aaron's door a few days later, telling Tasha that "the wrong sister" had been hurt...

Despite the horror of what has happened, this is not the first time this family has been exposed to inexplicable tragedy. Nearly 3 decades ago, Tasha's baby sister Holly was snatched, and she was never found. Yet now, DNA gathered at the crime scene in Tasha's home where Kyle was killed indicates a familial match of some kind.

And with that, Douglas takes you on the ride of your life. Twists and red herrings come at the reader thick and fast, muddying the waters quite effectively. The action is consistently fast-paced, and the storytelling compelling.

I was able to guess a few elements of the story (only because as a writer myself I tend to read analytically and try to think ahead), but there was plenty to keep me guessing in this story. And with a fiendishly clever twist at the end, readers will not be disappointed! Highly recommended.

Oh my word, I've read the last few books by Claire, and they just get better and better. I just hope my review gives the book justice because so much happens, and I don't want to give out any spoilers.

Told from multiple points of view, it seems everyone has a secret, and a series of events has them all being revealed. I just loved the dogs name, and when he popped up later in the book, my jaw dropped.

This was so twisted, brilliantly written, and I was constantly flipping my theories. I didn't guess. This had me hooked from the start, and I loved watching it all unravel.

I always love it when books I've read pop up within a storyline. I loved how The Girls Who Disappeared was now a podcast. It was a 'blink and you missed it' moment, but it made me smile.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I've read a lot of Claire Douglas' books and this was one of my favourites. It was fast paced and kept me guessing right up until the end. Loved it!

#TheWrongSister #NetGalley
Best of 2024
Tasha and her husband Aaron are having a much-needed week away in Venice. With their two young children being cared for back home by Tasha’s older sister Alice, it’s the perfect opportunity for them to reconnect as a couple. Until they start to feel they’re being followed. Then Tasha receives a phonecall to say Alice and her husband Kyle have been attacked. Alice is in intensive care, and Kyle has died. The twins are, miraculously, safe. They rush home to be with their daughters, to support Alice, and to help with the police investigation. But in the middle of it all a note arrives, addressed to Tasha: It was supposed to be you. What soon emerges are secrets buried far deeper than any of this family realise. Everyone has a history. But how far would you go to protect those you love?
Thanks to NetGalley Penguin Michael Joseph UK for giving me an advance copy.

The Wrong Sister by Claire Douglas

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I could not put this one down!

The novel begins with two very different sisters, Tasha and Alice, who agree to swap lives for one week. Tasha lives the simple life in the picturesque village of Chew Norton with her husband Aaron and their nearly three-year-old twin girls. Alice, on the other hand, is a wealthy biochemist living in London who recently married the equally wealthy and successful, Kyle. To allow her sister to celebrate her anniversary in style, Alice loans Tasha her holiday home in Venice and moves into the Chew Norton address with her husband Kyle to look after her nieces. Tasha is anxious to leave her two girls and it turns out rightly so. What unfolds is a tense plot of murder, mystery, and family secrets.

I loved this book! So much so, I devoured it in two days! The characters are well-drawn and I enjoyed the alternating points of view and multiple storylines that all tie in together. The plot is absorbing and incredibly well-paced, and kept me guessing till the very end. I’ve read most of Douglas’ works and can say that this one is a firm favourite. If you pick up any thriller in 2024 make it this one!

Release date: 14th March 2024

Huge thank you to @netgalley and @michaeljbooks for this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I have read most of the author's novels and this was definitely my favourite.
When Tasha and Aaron are away on a romantic break in Venice her sister Alice, who is looking after Tasha's children is attacked and her husband Kyle is killed. On Tasha's return she believes that the wrong sister was attacked and that she and her family are in danger.
This was such a compelling and gripping thriller, well paced , full of twists and turns and I loved the way the multiple storylines came together. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
4.5 stars

This was a stunning thriller from one of my must read authors, definitely one of her best. When Tasha and her husband Aaron are given the opportunity of a week in her sister Alice and brother-in-law Kyle’s Venetian apartment whilst Alice and Kyle babysit their young twin daughters they are horrified when after a couple of days away there’s a brutal attack in their home leaving Alice with a head injury and Kyle dead. There’s so many characters in here that are cause for suspicion specially after Tasha receives a note implying she should have been the one attacked as well as a tragic family backstory this is a very strong story with many twists and turns and an ending I only saw coming at the last minute. This had me engrossed from start to finish and the perpetrator left me chilled.

Claire is one of my favourite authors, though nothing will come close to her first novel in my opinion. Until this one came along that is! A fabulously scary read, and I could totally imagine myself there. It's full of twists and turns, and I second guessed so much, wrongly I might add! Brilliant!

3.5 🌟


A good paced read, with decent plotting, that does keep you wondering the who and why all the way through.
Throws in some nice surprises along the way.
It had me turning pages pretty fast.
A seemingly ordinary, fairly routine toddler mum the intended victim of an attack? Tasha seemed far too likeable to cause any offence.
The questions kept coming to the very last page!

I have read all of Claire Douglas’s books but this was the best one by far. It was excellent and I could not put it down meaning I was reading this until very late and then waking up at 6am to finish it.

The story is all about Tasha and her sister Alice who have totally different lives. They decide to do a life swap for a week for Tasha to spend some quality time with her husband. What transpires from this throws her life into complete and utter chaos

The story was fast paced, gripping and I was totally engrossed from the first page.

The characters were excellent and I really felt like I was in their lives with them.

I had no idea what would happen and guessed the wrong outcome multiple times which shows how fantastic this book was.

I would give this 6 stars if I could.
Thanks to Netgalley, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and Claire Douglas for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.