In Missing Sister, Joshilyn Jackson (The Almost Sisters; The Opposite of Everyone) crafts a propulsive mystery that links a grieving young police officer seeking vengeance for her twin's death and a murderer committed to finding out what happened to her own sister. Jackson's 12th novel is a gritty, poignant story of sibling love devastated by violent acts against women.
Neophyte cop Penny Albright's beloved twin, Nix, died of a fentanyl-laced drug overdose following years of despair over a brutal rape. Penny is haunted by the promise she made not to reveal Nix's abuse or attackers. She reports to her first murder scene with trepidation, thinking, "Something awful and unfair had happened, and we had to try to make it right." But then Penny identifies the victim as one of the men she holds responsible for Nix's death, and the desire for revenge overcomes her professionalism. When the apparent killer, Thalia Gray, whispers "sisters," Penny is certain the woman knows and shares her grief, and rashly helps her escape, launching bizarre cat-and-mouse game centered on a common cause.
Smart, sympathetic Penny struggles to balance grief with justice. While she's consumed with harboring the secret of Thalia and where their relationship might lead, she also supports her brilliant teenage niece, suspended for hacking the school website, and her nomadic brother; both are quirky, likable characters. Clues about Thalia drive Penny to dangerous sleuthing that reveals a surprising connection between the two women. This well-crafted, complex thriller leads to a satisfying climax and hope that Penny finds peace. --Cheryl McKeon, Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany, N.Y.