My Sister’s Keeper by Mari Hannah

I’ve slowly been collecting the Stone and Oliver series over the past year, dropping into charity shops in Northumberland and Barter Books in Alnwick to find the paperbacks so I could read them all in order. Then this blog tour offer came along so I jumped at reading this one. Now I can’t wait for the rest of the story!

Frankie Oliver and David Stone have been working together in the same MIT for the a few years, jokingly referred to as ‘Middle-Earth’. This book starts in a much darker place, many years before, when another detective is called to a body found on some waste ground. Horrified, he drops to the floor unable to contain his devastation. The body on the ground is his daughter. It’s such a powerful and emotive opening, leaving us in no doubt that this is a defining event for the loved ones of this girl. An absence that they still feel every day. For her dad it’s complicated by the fact he missed Joanna’s last call. It’s arguable that this case is the very reason that Frankie Oliver became a detective. She and David are an incredible team at work and have the potential to take their relationship further. It’s clear there’s been some ‘will they won’t they’ over the course of the previous novels. Now Frankie is taking a break from the team in Newcastle, a promotion to DI means she must fill a post back in uniform for a while, based out of the most northerly police station in the county, Berwick-Upon-Tweed. Frankie accepts and the team organise a leaving ‘do’. It’s there that Dave overhears an argument that immediately propels him back to the murder of Joanna, Frankie’s sister. What’s said between the two men outside the venue sparks an idea in Dave’s mind. He has had an idea of how to investigate the cold case, but knows that he doesn’t want to bring more pain to the family. Hopefully Frankie’s secondment to Berwick means they won’t have to.

Meanwhile Frankie’s first job is an RTC on the A1 and in the total chaos she finds a little boy handcuffed in the back of a van. The driver and passenger are dead and the van is a write off so Frankie can’t believe this little boy has survived. As she rescues him, an onlooker tells her that a man escaped out of the back doors straight after the crash. This opens up a trafficking case that might take her straight back out of uniform again. The boy, Amir, takes to Frankie. Possibly the first person in a long time who has made him feel safe. She shows a real maternal side with him and her sister-in-law Andrea is sure that Frankie’s sister Rae will feel the same. Andrea and Rae have been looking at fostering, much to Frankie’s surprise. Could they be the right fit for this terrified boy? Dave has been missing Frankie’s presence but he knows that solving the case of what happened to Joanne matters to her more than anything. He has just one officer -Indira- and a limited time scale to investigate. Frankie is the only person he wants to talks to but she can’t know until and if, they make an arrest.

This really is a nail-biting story, written in very short chapters that are easy to devour very quickly. So many have a cliff-hanger ending too. The setting is beautifully captured in it’s contradictions: the modernity and buzz of Newcastle with the contrast of the wild countryside and beautifully rugged coastline. There are differences in policing too as we can see from Frankie’s time on the Scottish Borders. I really fell in love with Frankie’s family, because they are so loving and nurturing with each other. I could see how taking in Amir might put the tightly knit Olivers under stress or even into danger. I kept thinking about how distraught the family would be if something happened to him or to those like Andrea and Frankie who are trying to put the child trafficking gang out of business. The author cleverly uses these family dynamics, as well as Dave and Indira’s gentle and nuanced interviewing, as a contrast or perhaps a breather between Frankie’s more nail-biting action sequences. The only drawback was that I’d be so desperate to know what happened next for Frankie that I might not take in all the detail of the quieter chapter in between. Of course that says more about my lack of patience than the book. As for the relationship between Frankie and Dave, I was very much invested despite not knowing everything that’s gone before. I can see both their perspectives and there are so many reasons not to take a risk, but if we never take the risk we might never know what might have been. It reminds me of the inspirational quote about falling; ‘but what if you fly?’

A new instalment of the Stone and Oliver series from Mari Hannah, is always a thrill, and following the events at the close of Black Fell, our two police officers find themselves embroiled in two very different investigations…

I think it’s a testament to the skill of Mari Hannah’s writing that her characters always somehow seem to linger in the back of your mind, so that when you dive into the next book, it’s an experience akin to pulling on a comfy pair of slippers. You feel like you know these characters intimately, their strengths, their foibles and what makes them tick, and this can be applied equally to the author’s other series featuring DCI Kate Daniels, and I enjoy the familiarity this brings, despite how hard Hannah puts them all through the emotional wringer at times. in this series Stone and Oliver are the perfect foils for each other, as their characters are in stark contrast to each other. DCI David Stone has a solidity about his character and a meditative and more taciturn nature, but is the consummate professional police officer, who values his team’s contributions and is not afraid to challenge his superiors. Newly promoted DI Frankie Oliver is much more mercurial and quick to anger, prone to headstrong and sometimes foolhardy courses of action, but again, this all feeds in to her absolute aptitude for the job, and her tenacity to seek justice for the victims of crime. Of course, both carry some emotional baggage, as all the best fictional coppers do, and this comes to the fore, as Stone embarks on a clandestine reinvigorated investigation into the cold case involving the murder of Oliver’s sister some years previously. As their personal and professional relationships comes under pressure in the light of this, will they both emerge unscathed?

By separating her two central protagonists in this book to allow them the time and space to embark on different investigations, Hannah’s skill at plotting and the arc of the narrative works incredibly well throughout, and also allows room to grow some of the other characters. To aid his secret investigation, Stone enlists the help of office aide Indira Sharma, who proves herself a steadfast and intuitive colleague, and I liked the way her character developed. Equally, as Oliver finds herself in charge of another team, new characters are introduced or existing ones further fleshed out, and I enjoyed the way that Oliver also has to work with an officer who has close connections to Stone’s time in the London Met, which did raise the emotional tension further.

The superb characterisation taken in tandem with the divergent and then convergent plotting, leads me to safely say that this is one the most polished instalments of this series to date. The emotional intensity and peril of Oliver’s investigation into a ruthless child trafficking ring, the sensitivity of which is adroitly handled, and Stone’s equally perturbing delve back into the past to root out her sister’s killer, and the suspects it uncovers, are both handled beautifully throughout, with a nifty turn of pace and building tension. Hannah once again proves herself as one of the most accomplished crime writers in the genre, and the fact that both of her main series display this quality consistently is yet further testament to her skill as a writer. All the stars from me and highly recommend.

Hang on to your hats because this one will blow you away! You can absolutely read this as a stand-alone, but I’ll eat said hats if afterwards you don’t want to go back and gorge on the whole series.

Her Sister’s Killer is a book that fizzes and crackles with tension and turbulence. It pulsates with a sense of urgency that kept me on edge throughout. There are so many things that make this an absolute belter, but as always in Mari Hannah’s writing, two things are front and centre. First is her sense of authenticity. You know you are in safe and assured hands with a Mari Hannah police procedural. She understands cops better than most and the foundation of her novels is always grounded in realistic police work.

The other is her sense of place. Set against the backdrop of Northumberland, the novel evokes a vivid sense of place, capturing both the beauty and isolation of the rural landscape. Hannah’s descriptions immerse us in the setting, enhancing the narrative’s tension and mood. The sense of policing a large rural area, understaffed and suffering from years of cutbacks is so well done that the remoteness really connects when danger is in the air.

Mari Hannah’s writing is characterised by its sharpness and precision. The novel’s structure, composed of short, impactful chapters, ensures a brisk pace that keeps us wholly engaged. This is character driven story telling that really makes an impact.

Inspector Frankie Oliver is a third-generation cop; there has been a Frank Oliver in the force since 1966. DCI David Stone used to be her partner. They gelled well and shared a sense of humour – and when they fought, sparks flew.

Now though, there is a separateness and tension between them that Frankie can’t quite put her finger on. It started at her promotion party and has grown since then. The plot of Her Sister’s Killer intricately weaves together past and present, as new evidence in Joanna’s decades-old murder case comes to light. DCI David Stone’s decision to investigate without Frankie’s knowledge introduces elements of secrecy and potential betrayal. This choice amplifies the suspense, leading readers through unexpected twists and turns. The gradual unfolding of the mystery is both compelling and emotionally charged, creating suspicion, fear and incomprehension. The secrecy is so complete that it is hidden from all but one of DCI Stone’s team.

At the same time, Frankie has accepted, as part of her promotion, that she has to head up a rural police station rather than remain with the Murder Investigation Team. She wants to get back to MIT, but she knows it’s the price she must pay for gaining the rank of Inspector. That distance adds more than miles between her and DCI Stone.

Frankie Oliver is a complex character; her life overshadowed by the tragic loss of her sister in 1992. This personal tragedy is the driving force behind her career in law enforcement, fuelling her relentless pursuit of justice. As she transitions into her new role as a rural station leader in Northumberland, we can feel her grappling with the challenges of leadership while still haunted by past traumas.

An accident on the winding Northumberland roads leads to her heading up a potentially major case and Frankie finds herself fighting for a child’s life as her heart overrules her head when she finds this child injured.

This storyline offers us an intimate portrayal of Frankie’s vulnerabilities, especially when new evidence about her sister’s case surfaces, threatening to unravel her composure. Her interactions with colleagues, particularly DCI David Stone, are strained, reflecting the emotional weight she carries. The novel delves deep into her emotional turmoil as she confronts the haunting unsolved murder of her sister, Joanna.

At its core, Her Sister’s Killer is an exploration of grief, obsession, and the enduring quest for closure. Frankie’s emotional journey is portrayed with depth and sensitivity, allowing us to empathise with her internal struggles. Her isolation, exacerbated by professional challenges and personal demons, resonates deeply, making her a relatable and compelling protagonist. The narrative’s emotional weight is further enhanced by Hannah’s nuanced portrayal of human frailty and resilience. This authenticity imbues the story with a poignant realism that lingers long after the final page.

Verdict: Her Sister’s Killer is one of my crime books of the year so far. Mari Hannah’s prowess in crafting intricate crime narratives that are as emotionally engaging as they are suspenseful. Through meticulous characterisation, authentic procedural details, and evocative settings, the novel offers a rich and immersive experience that will captivate both those of us who are long time fans and new readers alike. It is an absolute must read – a masterclass in police procedurals.

This is the fifth in the series of Stone and Oliver books. It’s the first one I have read and it definitely can be read as a standalone although now I really want to go back to the beginning and see the spark between the main characters ignite.

You can feel the heat between Frankie and David which adds to the tension throughout the story.

Whilst Frankie’s promotion and temporary move to uniform in a different team separates them physically, David’s clandestine investigation into the death of Frankie’s sister Joanne in 1992 widens the gap.

Frankie knows he is keeping something from her as she feels his emotional distance, her own investigation into child trafficking keeps her busy but David is running out of time to find Joanne’s killer before Frankie discovers what he is keeping from her.

I love both of the main characters especially Frankie, she is headstrong and likeable. I really like her relationship with her family in particular her dad and her sister in law Andrea.

The overall plot is well paced and kept me hooked, the romantic subplot added to this and I found myself really routing for them to get it together. The characters are well developed and believable.

Overall a really good read, looking forward to catching up on the previous books in the series.

this book has extra emotion and depth than your usual thriller or crime novel. because this one is ectra personal for our detective. we are finally going to learn what happened to her sister.
i felt so much for Frankie. i automatically wondered how she would handle not knowing but also what comes after the knowing. there is also the added layer that the person she trusts is going behind her back to investigate this.
such an emotional and gripping read.

First time I have read anything from this author and I enjoyed the style of writing. It was fast paced with a good original storyline. Plenty of suspense throughout. I would definitely read the next offering. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

Her Sister's Killer by Mari Hannah

Another brilliant novel from the author and you always know you are in for an excellent read.

This is the latest series but if the wonderful Stone and Oliver, but in this book are working apart following Frankie's promotion.

We find out the killer was responsible for the murder of Frankie's sister , and David is covertly investigating the crime which when found out puts their relationship under threat .
Excellent.

This is a first class, well written and tension filled read, from the start right until the last page. What a rollercoaster of emotions as Frankie and David investigate separate cases in Northumbria. This book delivers everything you could want from a thriller, a complex piece of plotting, great characters and a satisfying ending. I absolutely loved it! Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

The pace felt a little slow at the get go and it took me a little while to get into, but once the action started, I whizzed through it! Not my favourite of the series so far, but still a very enjoyable read.

Despite My Sister's Killer being her umpteen book about crime in the beautiful county of Northumberland - I'm biased I live there - beginning with a horrifying opening and ending with a breathtaking finish, Mari Hannah has produced an amazing book yet again. Her characters pop into life fully formed as though they'd just been waiting for the reader to apply air by opening the book. Her storylines are exciting, compelling and complicated and she brings them all to a satisfying conclusion. Her attention to detail is second to none. I've lost track of how many books Mari has written but checking in the front of the book I've read and enjoyed every single one. I think that says it all. Do the same and you won't be disappointed.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

The next book in the stone and oliver series.
As Frankie oliver has had a promotion to DI, she has to do a stint in uniform before she can step up into her team Frankies sister was called Joanna she was murdered when only 19, her serving police officer dad Frank found her when called to the scene. They never found the killer, can they now???? Oliver and Stones relationship has become strained but why?
Really enjoyed this, there always seems to be the right amount of action and the characters always seem to gel. Highly recommend

I found it somewhat difficult to get into this book. There seemed to be an awful lot of backstory from several different people to get to grips with and I found it distracting. It was possibly not helped by the fact that the ebook I received often had no line spaces between sections. Therefore, one person's point of view would be immediately followed by another person's pov with no space between them - and often on the same line. This made it confusing.

I found myself more drawn in by the cold case part of the story. I did not warm to the child abduction part.

I'm sorry to be negative and, as a lot of other people seem to have greatly enjoyed it, maybe it was just not for me.

Another brilliant novel from the prolific and consistently excellent Mari Hannah. This is a superb series but in this instalment Stone and Oliver are working apart following Frankie's promotion. The titular killer was responsible for the murder of Frankie's sister and David is investigating on the quiet, putting their relationship under huge pressure. A delight!

This was a really great read which was well written with at times very sad situations and a great insight into the very difficult work faced by the police forces. Frankie and David were great characters and I found their back story very interesting. It was beautifully written with difficult subjects covered with care and sensitivity. It was a tremendous thriller and a real page turner.

Wow, wow, wow.

Frankie and David are back with a bang, I've been eagerly awaiting this next book and boy did it deliver.

Frankie having been promoted ends up back in uniform for a short time, which as this is Frankie doesn't exactly go according to plan, when she arrives on the scene of a rta one evening, things change ina very unexpected way,

meanwhile david is being very shifty and Frankie wants to know what he is hiding from her.

I can't say any more as I don't want to give away any spoilers.

I raced through this book staying up late into the night as I had to finish it.

5 stars

Oh my, I have been waiting all year for Mari Hannah's new novel and boy oh boy I was not disappointed!

Absolutely brilliant. Couldn't put it down and certainly didn't want it to end. Frankie and David are such brilliant characters, love them!

No spoilers, just brilliant writing! Seriously can't wait to read Mari's next one.

Highly recommend.

My thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy in return for an honest review.

Stone and Oliver are back for their fifth outing and what an outing. Oliver has been promoted and must return to uniform whilst working in Berwick on Tweed. Whilst there she finds herself heading a team to investigate a gang who are trading in vulnerable people, children in particular. Stone overhears a conversation which may help him solve an old case, the murder of Frankie Oliver's sister.

Prepare yourself for plenty of tension, with emotions running high over whether there is something more than just a working relationship between the pair. If you love police procedural then this gets a great big tick. If you love well written, character driven crime novels this gets another big tick and is a must read if you love the North East of England,

There is no northern author better then Mari Hannah, she delivers with every novel. When will we see these on TV......that's the big question.