When I was asked to take part in this blog tour the first thing I did was to research Jess Ryder.
I’m so glad I did, what an inspirational woman. If there is anybody who doubts the need to be flexible as an author, they should look at her writing history.
It turns out that Jess Ryder is a pseudonym, her real name is Jan Page.
Jan Page has written since she was a young girl, for pleasure; and as a woman, has made a living out of writing children’s books a and producing Children’s TV series’.
As Jess Ryder, she is writing a genre of books she has wanted to write for some time, psychological thrillers. Her first one, “Lie to Me” was a big success and her publishers, Bookouture, asked her to write more.
I found this quote from Jess Ryder’s web site
“When Bookouture asked me for some more novel ideas, a story about a pair of half-sisters popped into my head. I have no idea why – I don’t have a sister and have no experience of how that relationship works.”
Well, I think there are two half-sisters in their somewhere one named Jan Page, and the other Jess Ryder, they just occupy the same body.
Thank god Jess has emerged and started writing because THE GOOD SISTER is one of the best, and most original, psychological thrillers I have ever read.
What do I think of it?
This is my original blog.
The Good Sister Jess Ryder
This may be a short book, at 230 pages, but it packs more twists and turns than a Himalayan Mountain track.
When a University Lecturer dies, speeding down a country lane on his motor bike, nobody could expect the secrets that are about to be revealed.
Two women, that could look like twins, born five days apart proclaim to be his daughter.
They could not be any different.
Josie “A boring young fogey, the easy-care daughter”
Valentina “wild, daring, spontaneous, unrestrained”
Both living completely separate lives, but one of them has been having dreams for years that she has a sister, and that she was hurt by her, badly.
The story sees both girls getting to know each other. The wild Valentina causing chaos in the quiet reserved life of Josie.
The family of both girls dealing with the death of the man, who called himself their dad, but did either family know about the other.
Threatening text messages, from a mysterious person who watches every move Valentina makes.
From the posh houses of a London suburb, to the squalid existence of a derelict pub; from a leafy Derbyshire Cottage, to a run-down student terrace in Manchester the plot unfolds.
Jess Ryder wrote the story in the first person, alternating chapters from Josie’s point of view to Valentina’s. That is what makes this story so good; because at times you don’t know which sister is carrying the narrative. Then oh it’s her, really?
There are times when I thought, is there only one woman and does she have split personalities.
Then I wondered if one of the sisters was imagining some of the things that were happening to her.
I felt empathy for Josie, then I felt empathy for Valentina.
I liked and hated both women equally through the story. It’s a testimony to Ryders writing that my loyalty swung from one to the other all the way to the end of the book.
The twists in the plot are brilliantly penned with the last twist coming right at the end; and I didn’t see it coming.
It’s hard to write too much about this book without giving plot spoilers. So much happens in such a short space of time.
All I can say is READ IT!!!!!!!
I promise you’ll love it.
When you make your mind up which is the “Good Sister” let me know; because I still can’t make my mind up.
So, what do you think, which one is the good sister.
Have a look at these two websites and make your own mind up.
Like I said. I’m just glad we have both Janet and Jess, especially Jess, she writes my style of book.
nigeladamsbookworm 