The Unsound Sister by Lelita Baldock
This week on the blog, I’m reviewing The Unsound Sister by Lelita Baldock. After really enjoying the author’s two historical fiction novels, I was excited to read this book, a contemporary murder-mystery thriller. Before we dig into the review, here’s the blurb to give you a flavour:
The Blurb
Are you responsible for a crime you can’t remember?
Grant Huxley is dead. Found brutally stabbed in his hotel room in Beesands. His estranged wife Eloise Lane-Huxley and her sister June Lane are discovered at their home in Torcross, covered in blood and in possession of a pair of bloody crafting scissors.
DS Robert Fields interviews the sisters. Despite having no memory of the events surrounding the murder of her husband, Eloise is charged with murder.
Young and ambitious defense lawyer Harriet Bell is hired to defend Eloise. She quickly ascertains that a defence of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity – Automatism is the best chance of supporting her client.
Interviewing family and witnesses, Harriet uncovers secrets and hidden scandals and begins to doubt her client’s guilt. Against the challenge of her own family history she works to uncover the truth.
Who really killed Grant Huxley?
The Unsound Sister – my review
The Unsound Sister is a fast-paced thriller. The twists and turns kept guessing and doubting the two sisters. Sometimes suspecting others, too! The lawyer, Harriet, is a fantastic character to root for. I really felt her empathy and her passion for justice.
Though an entirely different era and genre, this novel had the same exceptional story-telling and writing as Baldock’s historical fiction. There’s excellent pacing as the person I thought ‘whodunnit’ regularly switched between characters. I really liked the character of DS Robert Fields, too.
I really hope there is a sequel that continues this story. I’d also love to see Harriet dig into other cases.
A note for readers – this novel is contemporary and gritty in style, therefore there is frequent strong language, especially in dialogue.
I highly recommend this novel. Hit the links to check it out on Amazon!
Thanks for Reading
Thanks so much for reading!
While you’re here you can check out my other blog posts or my published books. You can also head to my indie bookshelf to see what I’ve been reading recently.
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Till next time,
Maria.
Sounds like this book has an intriguing storyline. I would like to check it out. Thank you for sharing.