The Unseen Sister by Andy Maslen. Police procedural thriller with a well-written plot and realistic characters. Kat strives to balance her career and personal life while learning secrets from her family's past. This book expands on the relationships introduced in the first book (Van, Riley, Tom and Carve-up, Kat's father, and her friends. Some amusing moments via "Tomsplaining" (and, to be fair, "Katsplaining"). A page turner full of twists, action, and suspense. The ending is surprising with the reveal of the killer and a cliffhanger,
Thank you to Andy Maslen and Thomas and Mercer , and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

This book focuses on Kat who is a detective. She comes up on a suspicious death and needs to find the killer. This book has a good premise but the deliverance was a bit of a struggle for me. There were some good shock moments and twists that did make me gasp so that was nice. I wasn't a fan that she focused most of the book on one suspect and when there is finally an alibi, they are never talked about again. There was a lot of scene descriptions and information that wasn't helpful to the plot. It was a decent read and I would be curious to read another book by Andy. Maybe going back to read the first one might help me a bit.

This was another great read and I enjoyed the storyline, there were loads of surprises dotted throughout and it was a quick read. I was disappointed that there wasn't more of the Kat and Tom relationship and was a bit annoyed about how Kat is always keeping quiet things she shouldn't. Apart from that I enjoyed this one and look forward to the next.

I have read many books by this author and somehow each one seems better than the one before. I love the little details. I also enjoy not knowing who did it until near the end. Another great job Andy, thank you.

I quite enjoyed this second book in the DS Kat Ballantyne series. Female victims are found with symbolic brands on their abdomens after dying horrific deaths. Kat and her team need to locate the connection between the two women before any other victims suffer the same cruel fate. The first body was found by a mystical monument of three standing stones, so they looked into that aspect as well as delving deep into the personal lives of the victims. But nothing can prepare Kat for what she uncovers, and I think readers will be pleasantly surprised, as well.

I did find the cause of death for the first victim to be a bit over-complicated. There are much simpler ways that the murderer could have managed the same effect. It just leans towards slightly unbelievable for no reason, really. Now, the second murder was the complete opposite, apparently very quick, but with no real description of how the culprit was able to kill that way – it sounded pretty cool and morbid, and I wish the author would have expanded on that more!

I’m hoping there will be more crime headed Kat’s way so I can see what they get up to next! I’m so glad there is a new series to follow.

A woman found dead at a local spot called the Three sisters apparently by an anaphylactic shock, but there's more to it suspects DS Kat Ballantyne. With plenty of suspects and twists along the way to keep you guessing. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for this review ARC.

The Unseen Sister by Andy Maslen is the second in the Detective Kat Ballantyne police series. This story was about two women being murdered, branded and then poisoned.
The storyline centres on the Three Sister stones, where the first victim was found and then later in three sisters in a family and whom the eldest sister was bullied and branded whilst at school.
The murder team look at various suspects who could have murdered the two women but it is only when the third women of the trilogy of schoolgirls, returns from holiday that the investigation will be completed.
I enjoyed reading this book and thought the storyline was excellent and kept the reader intrigued until the end.
Highly recommended

The second in the DI Kat Ballantyne series. In separate incidents, the bodies of two women are found at local stones known as the Three Sisters. Both have been branded on the stomach.

Kat races against time to solve the crime. There are plenty of suspects and she finds herself unexpectedly linked to one of the victims. As usual her boss is no help, conspiring with her father to constantly diminish her.

A twisty and intriguing plot. Looking forward to the next Kat Ballantyne.

Detective Kat Ballantyne finds herself on a new homicide case which ends up being closer to home than she first realised. Debuting as the second novel following Kat’s life as a Detective, The Unseen Sister follows its predecessor, The Seventh Girl, into a world of serial killers, drug dealers and lies.

First and foremost, the plot was great from the get-go with twists and turns around each corner. I found myself confidently picking out the Murderer to only realise a few chapters later, I was clearly on the wrong track. Who doesn’t love a book that keeps you guessing?

Kat lives a relatively bland and normal life with her son and husband at home. I felt we needed more insight into her Husbands new client and the constant remarks / breadcrumbs about Kat’s concerns regarding an affair. I suppose that could always crop up in another book?

Without spoiling anything, I thoroughly enjoyed the link to Kat but was hoping it would cause more issues than it actually did. Maybe that’s the morbid thinker in me.

I enjoyed the ending and it coming full circle. I like that things wrapped up nicely and we weren’t left with many loose ends. Did I see the ending coming? Not 100%! I definitely picked the wrong killer.

Downside; the book dragged a little for me. I think there was a lot of description/scene building where it wasn’t needed. That being said, it was a quick read.

3.75 stars from me.

DS Kat Ballantyne is still reeling from a revelation that turned life as she knew it upside down. But when a dog walker discovers the body of a woman among the standing stones known locally as the Three Sisters, there’s no time to focus on her own troubles. Kat is drawn back to work to investigate.

At first, the death appears to be an accident. But then Kat discovers an infinity symbol branded onto the dead woman’s abdomen. She’s convinced there’s a vicious killer at large. Still juggling her turbulent private life with her professional duty, she begins to dig into the victim’s past. There, she uncovers shocking secrets and several potential suspects. When a second woman is found killed in similar circumstances, Kat needs answers fast.

This is the first Andy Maslen book I've read—I haven't read the first one with Kat, and I think you're fine to read this without it. (Although I plan to go back and read it now!) I really enjoyed seeing Kat balancing family and work, but still keeping her focus on finding the killer. I also like reading about the 'good guys' that are sometimes willing to bend the rules for justice. Excellent novel!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

Fitness enthusiast Jo Morris is found dead after a workout near the Three Sisters rock formation. Although it initially appears to be an allergic reaction, the actual cause of death was far more sinister. Jo was supposedly loved by all, and signs are pointing to the husband as the prime – after all, it’s always the husband, isn’t it? But when a second body turns up with striking similarities, the police are forced to admit something darker is happening. Maybe there was more to Jo Morris than the loveable philanthropist persona she presented to the world.

I loved the first DS Kat Ballantyne book, The Seventh Girl! If you did too, you won’t want to miss this worthy second installment. The Unseen Sister is twisty, turny, unpredictable, and cleverly plotted. There’s no shortage of suspects and their possible motives kept me guessing the whole time. Kat is a fantastic character – she’s a dedicated and tenacious detective, but also emotionally vulnerable and slightly morally grey. This installment has Kat struggling to balance her home life and her work life, with enough attention paid to her marriage and motherhood to be compelling but still allowing the police procedural aspect to take center stage. This story ends with a major cliffhanger, so I am eagerly awaiting The Silent Wife, which is scheduled to be released later this year

Fans of Isabella Maldonado or Tami Hoag (one of my all-time favorite serial killer/police procedural authors) will definitely enjoy The Unseen Sister and this series as a whole! Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me an advance copy of this book.

This is the second in a series and important that you read the series in order. If you don't, some of the background information will be lost and a few of the arcs carry over from the first book. (Though as a general rule I would always recommend reading a series in order anyway.)

Kat is investigating what is determined to be a murder. As she starts looking in to the victim's past, it intersects with her own in a surprising way. At the same time, her own conflicting feelings towards a coworker get projected onto her husband and she starts thinking he might be having an affair. All of this together at the same time is a lot and Kat starts to feel the effects. Does it make her miss clues? Does it sabotage her investigation and career? Will her actions in the first book come back to haunt her? Will her marriage survive? It is a lot to fit into one book but it keeps the tension and the pace high. I am looking forward to the next book(s) in the series!

The second Kat Ballantyne book is quite dark and twisty. As always, I learn something characteristically British from reading a Maslen book. This time, it was a sport called Netball. I like how Kat's relationships (husband, son, father, colleagues, antagonist in the Department, etc.) introduced in the first book are further developed in this book. The plot and events are not as dark as those in Maslen's Stella Cole series, it doesn't shy away from the cruelty that can happen between people.

The big theme for me was the lack of concern we show for each other nowadays (and in the recent past). The storyline was predicated on the long-term effects and disruptions bad (not necessarily evil - sometimes callous is sufficient) acts can have on a person's life.

I'm looking forward to the third book to see what happens next with Kat and company.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, action from start to finish, an edge of the seat page turner. I look forward to reading more of this Detective.

Detective Kat Ballantyne stories are just getting better, they have humor, sass, mystery and action all in good measures. She has to deal with a chauvinist boss and and traitorous father but to balance it all she has a great husband and son and her newfound partner adds positively to the balance. The Unseen Sister is a rollercoaster of emotions for Kat as she will discover many secrets that are related to her own life and they will deepen the chasm between herself and her father. Another great story masterly delivered by Mr. Maslen.
I thank the author, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

The Unseen Sister is book two in the Detective Kat Ballantyne series by Andy Maslen.
I really enjoyed book one The Seventh Girl. So starting TUS was exciting!
I just loved the main character DS Kat Ballantyne she was wonderfully written with plenty of flaws to her character but she is a strong and wonderful police officer.
A very well written crime thriller. With tons of suspense and intrigue that kept me up way too late.
I hope to see a third book coming soon because I’m addicted.

Thank You NetGalley and Publisher for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

An excellent police procedural thriller with a well written storyline and great realistic characters. A page turning read with plenty of action and suspense. Lots of surprises and keeps you guessing to the very end. Very enjoyable and highly recommended murder investigation.

Detective Kat Ballantyne gets an early morning call about a dead woman found outdoors at a local park. At first look it appears to be an accident'; it's not. Digging into the woman's past brings up several leads to follow as to who and why someone would want the woman dead. The investigation links the victim to two other women who were very close back in school. Is that the connection Kat is looking for? When one of those women is found dead Kat is sure of the connection and vows to keep the third woman safe. Easier said than done. While doing her investigation Kat also learns some troubling information that involves her own family and must keep it quiet or risk being pulled from the case which she vows will not happen. In finalizing her case Kat and her partner learn the disturbing lengths someone will go to for what they consider justice.

The Unseen Sister by Andy Maslen
A Detective Kat Ballantyne Band 2)
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 16 May 2024

For DS Kat Ballantyne, the hunt for a murderer hits close to home. Still grappling with a life-altering revelation, Kat's world is further rocked when a woman's body is discovered among the ancient standing stones known as the Three Sisters. With no time to dwell on her own troubles, Kat dives back into her work to unravel the mystery.

Initially dismissed as an accident, Kat's attention is grabbed by an infinity symbol branded on the victim's abdomen, sparking her conviction that a ruthless killer is on the loose. Balancing her tumultuous personal life with her professional duties, she delves into the victim's past, unearthing shocking secrets and a roster of potential suspects.

As another woman meets a similar fate, Kat races against the clock to uncover connections between the victims and catch the culprit before more lives are lost. With each revelation, Kat inches closer to the truth, determined to bring justice to the victims and closure to their loved ones.

This instalment marks the second book in the Detective Kat Ballantyne series. Despite not having read the first book, I found that while there were occasional references to it, they didn't hinder my understanding of the story or ability to connect with the characters.

I found Kat to be a compelling character, balancing competence in her work with a fulfilling family life despite the demands of her job. Contrary to expectations set by the blurb, her personal life didn't overshadow the narrative, which I found refreshing. Furthermore, I appreciated the meticulous development of every character, from Kat's colleagues to the suspects, adding depth to the story. The author's attention to detail in depicting investigative methods and criminal procedures also deserves commendation.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer, and the author, Andy Maslen, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the copy of The Unseen Sister by Andy Maslen. This is book two in the Kat Ballantyne series, but you can read it as a standalone. I love how Kat tries to balance her professional life with her private life, and learning more about her family is a plus! The story was really intriguing with lots of surprises. This Is the book for you if you want to be engrossed in a story with interesting characters. 4 stars.