The Winter Sister Review

Photo Courtesy of Simon and Schuster Canada

Content warning: alcoholism, mentions sexual assault, cancer

Megan Collins debut novel The Winter Sister is a story about grief, family, and the secrets that threaten to tear them apart. Sylvie has tried to move on with her life, including separating herself from her alcoholic mother, after the murder of her sister Persephone sixteen years prior. When Sylvie receives an unexpected phone call about her mother’s newly diagnosed cancer, she must leave the life she’d cultivated and return to her childhood home. All of the feelings from the past come back to haunt Sylvie as she is forced to confront her mother about the past and in the process being to unravel not only what happened to Persephone that night, but the secrets’ that are woven tightly around her family.

While the plot can feel predictable at times The Winter Sister is still a heartwarming story that centres around grief and the art of letting go. Collins connects a lot of points throughout the story and doesn’t leave and stone unturned so the reader will feel satisfied with how the story ends. There are times when the story feels like it’s dragging on but overall, it’s an enjoyable mystery to get lost in. Sylvie is relatable and the reader will find themselves rooting for her to uncover the mystery surrounding her sister’s death. Collins includes themes such as alcoholism, family dynamics, the mother-daughter relationship, the bond between sisters, and grief to create a story that reminds readers that sometimes the best thing we can do for ourselves is to move on. I cannot wait to read more of Collins work!

Thank you, Simon and Schuster Canada for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Winter Sister Summary

Sixteen years ago, Sylvie’s sister, Persephone, never came home. Out late with the boyfriend she was forbidden to see, Persephone was missing for three days before her body was found—and years later, her murder is still unsolved.

In the present day, Sylvie returns home to care for her estranged mother, Annie, as she undergoes treatment for cancer. Prone to unexplained “Dark Days” even before Persephone’s death, Annie’s once-close bond with Sylvie dissolved in the weeks after their loss, making for an uncomfortable reunion all these years later. Adding to the discomfort, Persephone’s former boyfriend is now a nurse at the cancer center where Annie is being treated. Sylvie has always believed Ben was responsible for the murder—but she carries her own guilt about that night, guilt that traps her in the past while the world goes on around her.

As she navigates the complicated relationship with her mother, Sylvie begins to uncover the secrets that fill their house—and what really happened the night Persephone died.

Summary from Simon and Schuster Canada