Thicker Than Water by Megan Collins – a Review

Thicker Than Water by Megan Collins – a Review

 

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Description:
Julia and Sienna Larkin are sisters-in-law, connected by Julia’s husband and Sienna’s brother, Jason. More than that, the two have been devoted best friends since Jason introduced them. To Sienna, Jason can do no wrong, and although Julia knows he’s not perfect, they’ve built a comfortable life and family together. Recently, Jason has been putting in long hours to secure a promotion at work, so when his boss is found brutally murdered–his lips sewn shut–the Larkins are shocked and unsettled, especially as local gossip swirls.

A few days later, Julia and Sienna’s lives are upended when Jason gets into a car accident and is placed in a medically induced coma. Worse, the police arrive with news that he’s the prime suspect in the murder investigation. With Jason unable to respond–and with Julia and Sienna working to clear his name–the two women find their friendship threatened for the first time: Sienna staunchly maintains her brother’s innocence, but as their investigation uncovers a complicated web of secrets, Julia is less sure she’s willing to defend her husband.

 

 

 

Review:

Thicker Than Water by Megan Collins is a very good standalone novel.  The story revolves around Julia and Sienna Larkin, who are sisters-in-law, as well as best friends; Julia is married to Sienna’s brother, Jason.  Julia and Sienna are partners in their own business, and in Sienna’s eyes, her brother can do no wrong; but though she still loves her husband, Julia has not been happy with some issues of recent; which has also affected their son, Aiden, who has become distant.  Though they are extremely close, both Julia and Sienna have kept some secrets from each other.  Julia never told her about some problems with Jason, which included withdrawing 10 thousand dollars from the joint account, that was being saved for a special occasion. Sienna has kept her secret from Julia, about her having resumed her affair with her ex, Wyatt (who had previously cheated on her). 

A few things happened that drastically changes everything.  Jason’s boss, is found brutally murdered, with his lips sewn shut. A couple of days later, Jason was in a terrible car accident, and is put into a medically induced coma.  Shortly thereafter, to their shock, the police arrive at the hospital to let them know that Jason is now the prime suspect in the murder investigation.  With Jason in a coma, both Julia and Sienna team up to prove his innocence.  Sienna is determined to convince the police they are looking at the wrong man, but when they keep finding evidence, Julia begins to worry that Jason is in fact a suspect. This will cause some friction between Julia and Sienna, especially with Jason’s co-worker, Maeve, revealing even more information.

What follows is an exciting and intense story, with filled with secrets, lies, family, drama and truths to be revealed. When Jason comes out of his induced coma, what will he reveal? Thicker Than Water is an excellent mystery thriller, with a family in the center of this drama.

Thicker Than Water was so very well written by Megan Collins.  I loved Julia and Sienna being the major part of the story, their determination to find the truth, as well as their wonderful friendship. The last half of the book was so exciting, I was unable to put the book down.  You need to read this book, without me revealing what happens.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Thicker Than Water by Brigid Kemmerer-a review

THICKER THAN WATER by Brigid Kemmerer-a review

Thicker Than Water

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 29, 2015

On his own

Thomas Bellweather hasn’t been in town long. Just long enough for his newlywed mother to be murdered, and for his new stepdad’s cop colleagues to decide Thomas is the primary suspect.

Not that there’s any evidence. But before Thomas got to Garretts Mill there had just been one other murder in twenty years.

The only person who believes him is Charlotte Rooker, little sister to three cops and, with her soft hands and sweet curves, straight-up dangerous to Thomas. Her best friend was the other murder vic. And she’d like a couple answers.

Answers that could get them both killed, and reveal a truth Thomas would die to keep hidden

•••••

REVIEW: THICKER THAN WATER by Brigid Kemmerer is a young adult, paranormal, suspense-filled story line that focuses on eighteen year old Thomas Bellweather-the prime suspect in the strangulation death of his mother- ten days following her marriage to a local cop. When Thomas is befriended by Charlotte Rooker, a seventeen year old girl whose three brothers and father are all police officers, things go from bad to worse when a number of incidents and accidents befall Charlotte all pointing to Thomas as the guilty party. What ensues is a police investigation by Charlotte’s brothers that finger young Thomas regardless of his declaration of innocence or clues proving otherwise.

Brigid Kemmerer writes a story that is both emotional and frustrating as it pertains to Thomas’s innocence or guilt. As the number one suspect he is always on the cop’s radar, as well as the focus of public accusation and the mistaken belief that our hero is guilty of any number of crimes. As the story line builds the finger of guilt continues to point at Thomas Bellweather but we are well aware that our hero is always in the right place at the wrong time.

THICKER THAN WATER is told from alternating first person points of view (Thomas and Charlotte) that allows the reader into the mindset of a young man whose life imploded upon the murder of his mother. Living in a strange town, with a man he barely knows, Thomas becomes the target and a victim when the past returns for a final showdown.

To address the paranormal aspect of the story line, I think I would have enjoyed the story line more if this particular trope had not been included. THICKER THAN WATER made for a great murder-mystery, a story of accusation, suspense and betrayal but the ‘supernatural’ element is a big of a red herring that added an unbelievable aspect to the story.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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