My Sister’s Keeper
Anna Sweet Mystery Series, Book #1
By Brenda Chapman
ISBN 9781771530040
Author Website: brendachapman(.)ca
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Summary:
Anna Sweet, ex-cop turned waitress, is bar-hopping her way across the U.S.A. But a middle-of-the-night phone call to Anna’s hotel room in Kermit, Texas, is about to end her life on the road. The brakes on her sister Cheri’s car have failed, and she’s lying banged up in an Ottawa hospital. Cheri warns that unless Anna comes right home, she will be dead by Christmas.
Anna has more than enough reason to stay away from her hometown. Yet her sister’s terror is a calling card she cannot ignore. Is Cheri’s life really in danger? Or is this another bid for attention? A doubting Anna Sweet is about to find out. (Goodreads)
Review:
Given that I like author Brenda Chapman (Stonechild and Rouleau Mystery Series), I decide that I would read her Anna Sweet Mystery series. I do so with a bit of trepidation as I am usually not a fan of novella’s. However, given my enjoyment of previous titles by Ms. Chapman, I forge ahead. Much to my delight, I really enjoyed the first book in the series, My Sister’s Keeper.
We learn that Anna Sweet used to be a police officer in Ottawa but circumstances led to her giving up her career and she now is a waitress, in various bars across the United States. First thing I thought of – what is she running from and when will she address this issue and finally return home? As it turns out – her sister, Cheri, ends up in the hospital as a result of what looks like an attempt at her life by damaging the breaks on her car. Cheri convinces Anna to return home and help her figure out who and why someone has targeted her. There is messy family stuff between Cheri and Anna – but family is first so Anna heads home to Ottawa to help her sister.
What ensues is a methodical, attention grabbing process to whittle through the potential suspects to find out the who and why. Through this process, Anna comes to terms with some of her past issues. She also strikes up (well, actually re-establishes) a friendship with a previous co-worker. I won’t go into any more details as I think each reader should have the pleasure of discovering this gem of a story for themselves.
If you enjoy quick reads with a surprising amount of depth with good character development and an interesting mystery, then I suggest picking up this first book in the series and read away for a few hours. Having enjoyed this story so much, I shall proceed with this series of novella’s! Actually, given the ease of reading I am now on to reading book 3!
