The Sister’s Curse is a brilliantly rendered, chilling paranormal thriller that hooked this reader the moment I cracked open the cover, refusing to let go even after I read the final page. Author Nicola Solvinic seamlessly blends folklore, magical realism, procedural crime, Gothic horror and domestic drama in this mesmerizing follow up psychological thriller to last year’s critically acclaimed The Hunter’s Daughter in which readers were introduced to protagonist Lt. Anna Koray, the daughter of a serial killer. 

I’ll admit to being skeptical that the author could deliver another masterpiece like the first book, but I’m delighted to say she delivered in spades, raising the bar to another level. Clear your schedule and settle into your favorite reading spot before starting this one because it’ll grab and hold you to the volatile end.

Lt. Anna Koray has settled in Bayern County, where legends, myths, and curses thrive. While Anna’s still haunted by dark memories and nightmares of her serial killer father’s final days, she’s moving toward the light with a man she loves and her loyal dog by her side. All’s good until the day she jumps in a lake to save a young boy who’s drowning only to find herself fighting against an evil force that’s sucking her and the boy under the water. When they finally escape, Anna is shocked at the strange marks on the boy’s body as well as on her own. What evil lurks beneath the dark, swirling water? Was this an accident or is something more sinister brewing here? Days later, another victim is pulled from another lake with the same strange marks, leaving Anna’s warning bells sounding. Something or someone is killing people in Bayern County. As it turns out, all the victims have a connection to a group of influential, wealthy men known as the Kings of Warsaw Creek. The same group of men who were accused, but not convicted, of being involved in the unsolved disappearance of a young girl years ago in which the sister vowed revenge. As the story unfolds, Anna is reminded she needs to tread carefully while conducting her investigation or suffer the consequences. With each new revelation, she’s drawn deeper into the darkness suffering extended periods of paranoia and illusions when she can’t distinguish reality from dreams. What’s happening to her? Is her biggest fear coming true? Has she inherited her father’s evil traits? Is she truly her father’s daughter? 

Small town secrets and rumors abound in The Sister’s Curse, a haunting tale that explores the age-old themes of nature vs. nurture and the life-altering effects of childhood trauma. Anna is a strong yet emotionally fragile protagonist who remains tormented by a deep-seated fear of inheriting her father’s genes and propensity for ritualistic killing despite her vow to protect not harm. Her emotional psyche is tenuous at best as she’s also scarred by her mother’s accusations and abandonment and by vague memories surfacing about her mother’s shadowy activities during periods of time when her father wasn’t home. The story alternates between the present and flashbacks to Anna’s childhood relayed through Anna’s point of view. The well-timed pace steadily increases as the violence and Anna’s hallucinations accelerate throughout the story, propelling an alarming tone of malice. A well-developed support cast muddies the water with a sordid range of possible villains, challenging readers to sift through the clues to solve the case and mystery. The Hunter’s Daughter explored Anna’s relationship with her father; The Sister’s Curse takes a deep dive into her relationship with her mother both of which contribute to Anna’s fractured psyche.

The Sister’s Curse is a hauntingly beautiful, evocative masterpiece of magical realism that takes a closer look at the long-lasting, potentially deadly results of childhood trauma and family abandonment in an age-old battle of good vs. evil and men vs. women. Highly atmospheric, the tension ladened story immerses readers in a mystic world where witches cast curses, the darker side of man rears its’ ugly head, and enraged women seek vengeance. Steeped in legends, myths, folklore and the supernatural, Lillie’s lyrical prose and vivid imagery catapult this story to the next level. Highly recommended for fans of mystical realism, paranormal mysteries, and dark thrillers.