Library Journal - Audio
06/01/2022
Desiree Scott, a Black reality star, is found dead on a Bronx playground just after her 25th birthday. Everyone, including the police, consider it an open-and-shut case, except for her sister Lena Scott. In an effort to find the truth behind her sister's untimely death, Lena embarks on a twisty, red-herring-filled search to suss out her sister's true cause of death, using her sister's various social media accounts to recreate her final days and find the killer. Garrett's ("Detective by Day" series) new novel is a suspense-filled psychological thriller. Garrett also uses the book to wrestle with racial and socioeconomic inequalities, deftly fleshing out the various factors at play in Desiree's death. VERDICT The narration by Bahni Turpin showcases her talent as she brings Garrett's characters to life, easily giving each their own personality that adds to the mystery and intrigue of the story.—Elyssa Everling
Publishers Weekly
★ 01/10/2022
Agatha winner Garrett (the Detective by Day series) delves into the vagaries of families, fame, and wealth in this insightful, briskly plotted novel. Columbia graduate student Lena Scott, who’s working on her master’s in nonprofit management, has been estranged for years from her younger half-sister, Desiree Pierce, a former reality TV star turned Instagram darling. When Desiree’s body is found in a Bronx playground the morning after her 25th birthday party, the authorities attribute her death to an overdose. Despite their differences, Lena, who knows Desiree was terrified of needles, begins her own investigation. In her search for answers, Lena gets back in touch with her famous hip-hop producer father (whose financial support she refused), forcing her to reevaluate her childhood and the choices she’s made. Lena regrets having been alienated from Desiree and is jealous of the friends who became Desiree’s substitute sisters. Garrett explores racism and sexism with aplomb, as shown by the sarcasm Lena displays when others underestimate her because she’s a young Black woman. This talented author has upped her game with this one. Agent: Michelle Richter, Fuse Literary. (Mar.)
From the Publisher
Kellye Garrett is impressive on paper and, in conversation, a force of nature… [Like a Sister is a] briskly plotted, socially astute new thriller.”—The Los Angeles Times
"A mystery that has everything I love most about the genre: an intriguing set up; an absorbing storyline that kept me guessing; a satisfying ending; and most of all, incredibly well developed characters that I kept thinking about long after I finished the book. I want everyone I know to read it so we can talk about it.’”—Jasmine Guillory, The Today Show
"Kellye Garrett, a break-out star in crime fiction since her debut, has upped the ante with her latest, Like a Sister. A traditional mystery set in the world of reality television and Instagram influencers, it is equal parts charm and heartbreak, with razor-sharp insights on class, race, and family. I'm happy to know that Kellye Garrett is just getting started. I can't wait to see what she does next."—Laura Lippman, New York Times bestselling author of Lady in the Lake
"This juicy and twisty mystery will be impossible to put down whether you read it while lounging on the sand or curling up in an air-conditioned room this summer.” —Oxygen, July Book Club Pick
"Lights, camera, corpse . . . Garrett’s taut novel dishes up the glitz of the haves and the struggles of the have-nots in a New York cleaved along lines of race and class, infusing classic noir storytelling with Big Apple glamor and buzzy texts and tweets—#pageturner."—Oprah Daily
“Noir for the media-struck generation . . . Character and voice mesh with Like a Sister's explorations of race, class and family in an arresting combination.”—NPR.org
“Delivers a heady mixture of secrets, red herrings and shadows, told by a narrator who instantly becomes a friend you root for…Though this is a dark, thriller-adjacent tale, spending time with Lena is a pleasure.”—The Seattle Times
"While the plot has its fair share of twists and turns, Lena’s voice makes the novel shine. She alternates between interrogating suspects in her 'Super Black Woman Cape,' and making funny observations about music, reality TV, and more. Lena’s wit plus a packed plot will grab and hold your attention." —Time Magazine
"Brimming with suspense and wit, Like a Sister is a tense, twisting mystery that explores the complex bonds within family and the elusive nature of truth. Smart, sharp, and completely engrossing—an absolutely can’t-put-it-down read!"—Megan Miranda, New York Times bestselling author of All the Missing Girls and Such a Quiet Place
“In addition to creating a satisfying, twisty mystery and eloquently depicting the complexity of family relationships, Garrett explores racial identity, privilege, and discrimination as an organic part of the novel, with a deft, often funny touch. Here’s hoping to see more of Lena.”—Library Journal (starred review)
“A crackling domestic suspense that has you turning the pages to see what happens next. . . . The novel explores difficult family dynamics, interrogates class and race, dismantles the 'Strong Black Woman' fallacy, and highlights a search for justice that Black women are often denied. These elements are carefully layered into a suspenseful and voicey narrative with a heroine you're rooting for from page one. Garrett's wry humor, attention to detail, and deft pacing are a tension wire pulled taut against the compelling mystery driving the novel; Like A Sister is one of those books that's best prepared for ahead of time, because once you pick it up, it will be difficult to put down.”—Alyssa Cole, Entertainment Weekly
“Like a Sister is one of those reads whose tight plotting and suspenseful pacing might tempt you to rush to its twisty end, but take your time and enjoy the ride as Kellye Garrett fills these pages with humor, heart, and whip-smart insights into class, race, family, and our contemporary media culture. Garrett deserves every bit of praise Like a Sister is certain to earn.”—Alafair Burke, New York Times bestselling author of The Better Sister
“Set in New York’s seductively glamorous world of hip hop billionaires and dazzling reality stars, Like a Sister is a riveting, read-through-the-night thriller by a masterful storyteller. From the very first page to the jaw dropping finish, this is one you need to put at the top of your reading list.”—Liv Constantine, bestselling author of The Last Mrs. Parrish
“Arresting . . . this family-oriented thriller is anything but ordinary . . . A twisty murder mystery with nuance and heart.”—BookPage
“Insightful, briskly plotted ... Garrett explores racism and sexism with aplomb.”—Publishes Weekly (starred review)
“I can’t say enough good things about Kellye Garrett’s highly anticipated new novel. Like A Sister is a smart, twisty, timely thriller that kept me guessing the whole way through. Garrett is a rising star, and a refreshing, standout voice in crime fiction.” —Jennifer Hillier, award-winning author of Jar of Hearts and Little Secrets
“A murder mystery that tests all the boundaries of family love, friendship, and the ephemeral trap of social media fame. Smart with twists you never see coming, Garrett's novel delivers all that you want in a read you can't put down.” —Walter Mosley, New York Times bestselling author of Blood Grove
"Sharp, smart, and heartbreaking."—Reader's Digest
“Terrific . . Like A Sister is a superb, twisty domestic noir. . . . It pulses with a rich vein of sarcastic humor and explores ideas around fame, race, and celebrity."—Mystery Scene
“Like a Sister is a marvel and a must-read story for the current moment. Garrett, with deft humor and perfect eye for the blurred lines of social media and reality TV, has crafted a gripping narrative of domestic suspense which delivers hard, essential truths about race, class, and makes us question why some women's stories are too often disbelieved.”—Ivy Pochoda, author of These Women
“Like a Sister combines the voice and humor Kellye Garrett fans have always loved with a twisting and surprising story sure to attract new readers. Domestic suspense for the Instagram gen. #lovedit.”—Lori Rader-Day, Edgar-nominated author of The Lucky One
"Kellye Garrett is a fantastic new voice in crime fiction, and Like a Sister is her best book yet. A twisty mystery that takes a deep dive into celebrity, social media—and the dangerously false perceptions they can create—Garrett's latest is razor-sharp and utterly absorbing. I dare you to try and put it down."—Alison Gaylin, author of If I Die Tonight
“The writing is sharp, the commentary wry, and Lena is irresistible . . . [a] whip-smart, heart-hurt, very entertaining heroine."—Kirkus Reviews
“Like A Sister is a wholly captivating novel, one that grows more complicated—and tense—as the story unfolds. Loaded with twists and turns, this book will keep you guessing, and reading, until the last shocking page.”—Samantha Downing, bestselling author of My Lovely Wife and He Started It
"With utterly convincing family relationships, a deft eye for the slippery nature of trust, and a red-hot take on right now, Like a Sister sees multi-award-winning cozy author Kellye Garrett laying down a very different beat to bring us a sure-fire hit. Magic!”—Catriona McPherson, award-winning author of Strangers at the Gate
“A tour-de-force by one of crime fiction’s best, Kellye Garrett delivers a knock-out in Like A Sister. Garrett’s incredible range and depth of storytelling bring New York City to life as this thriller unfolds layer-by-gripping-layer. Through the inevitable media boil surrounding celebrity death, a powerful family keeping secrets of their own, and a grieving sister’s relentless quest for answers, Garrett clarifies an important truth about the voicelessness of the dead: When they’ve left a sister behind, they often aren’t.”—PJ Vernon, author of Bath Haus
Library Journal
★ 03/01/2022
Two years ago, Lena Scott walked away from her half-sister, unable to deal with Desiree's wild, drug-fueled lifestyle. Lena had already distanced herself from the high-profile, lavish world that her hip-hop mogul father reveled in, and chose to live with her aunt in the Bronx. When she learns that Desiree has been found dead in a Bronx playground, Lena is convinced her sister was coming to see her. The cops quickly conclude that Desiree died of an overdose, but Lena doesn't believe that. She looks to connect with her sister's friends, including Erin, whose photos and posts were plastered all over Desiree's social feeds. Erin offers herself as guide to the Instagram-ready world Desiree lived in—foreign territory for Lena. As she unravels the events of her sister's last night, Lena struggles with knowing whom to trust; a mistake could cost her everything. VERDICT In addition to creating a satisfying, twisty mystery and eloquently depicting the complexity of family relationships, Garrett ("Detective by Day" series) explores racial identity, privilege, and discrimination as an organic part of the novel, with a deft, often funny touch. Here's hoping to see more of Lena.—Julie Ciccarelli
Kirkus Reviews
2022-01-12
When her estranged ex–reality-star younger sister turns up shoeless and dead of an overdose on a Bronx playground, Lena Scott has to prove to herself—and everyone else—that it was not an accident.
Lena may be just 28, but she’s as hard-boiled as a millennial gets. A loner, she hasn’t had a relationship with her hip-hop–mogul father since she was 4; her mother and grandmother both died five years ago; and she hasn’t seen her best friend, who’s burying herself in a master’s program in nonprofit management at Columbia, in a year. A fan of friends with benefits, she’s “never been big on relationships.” She doesn’t even do social media except to keep tabs on her sister, Desiree, another exile from her life after Desiree's DUI two years ago. Since the police have zero interest in pursuing what Lena knows are suspicious circumstances around Desiree’s demise, she hits the streets, uptown and down, by foot and bike, mass transit, and Uber, tracking down leads with baby sister’s friends, flings, and—uncomfortably for her—family. If the first 60 pages have a few too many implausibilities (ubiquitous dashing reporters) and bad similes (“her eyes were as dry as my sex life”) and the last 60 devolve into eye-glazing digital forensics (“I was about to close Safari when I noticed the GoFundMe site”) and a rushed, too-pat end, everything in between crackles. The writing is sharp, the commentary wry, and Lena is irresistible: “I’d never wanted to see a cop more in my twenty-eight years of being Black.”
Come for the not-so-bad whodunit, stay for the whip-smart, heart-hurt, very entertaining heroine.
