Missing Sister
- Judith D Collins
- 5 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
By: Joshilyn Jackson
Narrator: Joshilyn Jackson
ISBN: 9780063158719
Publisher: William Morrow
Publication Date: 03/02/2026
Format: Hardcover
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
From the New York Times bestselling author of Never Have I Ever comes a chilling story of sisters and revenge.
Revenge. It's all relative.
Born three minutes apart, Penny and Nix Albright grew up doing everything together, close as only twins can be. But when Nix dies in a tragic accident soon after college, she leaves behind a cryptic voicemail that has Penny guilt-ridden and desperate for justice.
Five Years Later
Penny has found new purpose as a rookie cop. She’s working to fulfill Nix’s dream of making the world a safer place, but following that dream becomes a nightmare when she’s called to her first murder scene. When she sees the victim, she knows him instantly. It’s Danny Bowery—one of three men she’s long blamed for Nix’s death—splayed in a pool of blood outside a posh Atlanta shopping center, almost as if she’d wished it so.
Stunned, Penny steps away to catch her breath and discovers a blonde in blood-drenched clothes gripping a box cutter. Before Penny can arrest her, the woman reveals that Bowery’s murder is part of a larger story that is far from over. A story about sisters. And with that, the killer disappears.
Now, Penny will stop at nothing to pursue this dangerous woman and learn why she’s avenging Nix’s death. The deeper she dives into the mystery, the less clear it becomes who is hunting whom in this captivating page-turner of hidden motives and deadly consequences.
My Review
Joshilyn Jackson, renowned Southern storyteller and "Queen of Twists," masterfully weaves a propulsive, gritty, and intricately layered psychological thriller in her latest work, MISSING SISTER, that delves deep into the complex relationship between twin sisters and revenge.
This compelling narrative plunges into the labyrinthine dynamics of twin sisters, unraveling their complex relationship with a blend of raw emotion and unforeseen plot turns. Jackson's masterful storytelling pulls readers into a gritty world where secrets lurk beneath the surface, leaving them breathless with each suspenseful twist and layered revelation.
Exploring themes of generational trauma, the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood, and a rookie cop’s relentless quest for vigilante justice. From the echoes of the past to the unfolding present, Jackson deftly prompts readers to grapple with the nuanced shades of morality on the often treacherous path toward redemption.
As always, the author skillfully crafts a tale that compels you to turn the pages voraciously, eager to uncover the choices her protagonist will ultimately confront.
Highlights...
Backstory:
Identical twins Penny and Nix Albright were inseparable until Nix was raped in college and subsequently spiraled into drug addiction. Five years before the novel's start, Nix died of an overdose, leaving Penny with a cryptic voicemail and immense guilt.
A Familiar Victim:
Now a rookie police officer in Atlanta, Penny is called to her first murder scene: a stabbing at an upscale shopping village. The victim is Danny Bowery, one of three men Penny blames for Nix’s downfall and death.
The Confrontation:
At the scene, Penny discovers a woman drenched in blood and holding a box cutter. The woman, identifying herself as Thalia Grey, whispers that this is part of a "bigger story about sisters".
The Choice:
Instead of arresting the prime suspect, Penny allows Thalia to escape and pockets the murder weapon. This decision leads to her suspension from the force but allows her to investigate Thalia's motives privately.
The Pattern of Revenge:
Penny discovers that Danny Bowery isn't the first of Nix's attackers to die; another man, Xav Castillo, was murdered around the second anniversary of Nix’s death. Now they are both in search of the third man in this twisty mystery.
The Investigation:
As Penny hunts for Thalia, the narrative explores whether Thalia is an "avenging angel" for Nix or if she has her own separate "sister story" involving the third attacker.
The Climax:
The story concludes with several rapid-fire twists in the final third, examining the "shades of morality" and the lengths sisters will go for one another, even after death.
My thoughts...
Twisty, provocative, gritty, and thought-provoking, the author cleverly uses short, sharp scenes to weave together past and present with a multi-layered mystery that moves the plot along with heart-pounding suspense.
As a devoted admirer of the author, for years, I have eagerly immersed myself in every one of her works. Each book is a delightful journey through her vibrant Southern storytelling, brimming with sharp wit, captivating suspense, and heartfelt emotions that linger long after the final page is turned.
Penny is an intriguing character and continues her investigation despite being suspended from operating as a private citizen who knows exactly where to look for clues that other police are ignoring.
Instead of hunting Thalia to arrest her, Penny seeks her out to understand her motives and the "sister story" she mentioned at the murder scene. With the help of her family, Grand (brother) and Shadow (niece), with her hacking skills.
Thalia is a complex character, a systematic killer who targets men involved in past assaults, framing her actions as a "story about sisters". Her character is built around themes of trauma-driven revenge rather than traditional villainy. She is highly intelligent and manipulative, using cryptic messages to convince Penny to let her go while at the first crime scene.
Despite her cold exterior, her motives are rooted in a fierce, protective sense of sisterhood. Both women have been "shaped by unfair and unjust life experiences," and their character arcs revolve around realizing they are not as alone as they believe.
As the mystery unfolds, it is revealed that "Thalia Grey" may be one of several aliases, including Polly and Clio, reflecting her ability to move through the world undetected. Penny is drawn to Thalia because she recognizes a shared loneliness and trauma. Thalia represents the path of violent justice that Penny—as a cop—is forced to choose between supporting or stopping.
In MISSING SISTER, the narrative focuses on the moral "gray areas" of justice and the messy bond between siblings. Penny carries immense guilt for not "saving" Nix. Her investigation is less about solving a crime and more about finding a way to forgive herself for being the twin who survived.
Themes...
~The Weight of Sisterhood
~Vigilantism vs. Legal Justice
~Generational Trauma
~The Cost of Secrecy
~Redemption and Absolution
~The Dangers of Addiction
~Grief and Guilt
~Morality in a "Broken World."
The relationship between Penny and her niece Shadow (Nix’s daughter) serves as a mirror for Penny’s unresolved grief and a warning about the cycle of trauma. Penny’s major choice and the identity of the third attacker bring her journey from "rule-following cop" to "avenger" to a head. The climax forces Penny to reconcile her oath as a police officer with her personal need for retribution.
Sinister, chilling, and powerful!
Jackson focuses on the dark side of human nature, skillfully examining the "shades of morality" involved when good people make questionable decisions in the face of deep injustice. The duo finds common ground in their shared experiences of being shaped by an "unfair and unjust" world.
Jackson fans will eagerly immerse themselves in the gripping suspense of MISSING SISTER, a thrilling narrative that promises to keep readers on the edge of their seats. As you delve into the story, you will be captivated by the dynamic duo of Penny and Thalia—two distinct characters whose extraordinary talents shine through in their quest for justice.
The anticipation of a potential sequel only heightens the excitement, leaving readers longing for further adventures with these compelling characters as they navigate the challenges that lie ahead.
The title...
The title is significant because it functions on multiple levels, referring not only to the physical absence of Penny's deceased twin, Nix, but also to the metaphorical missing parts of their lives and the introduction of a new, unknown "sister" in the form of the killer Thalia. The title, therefore, also refers to the universal, powerful, and sometimes dark bond that all sisters share, and the lengths they will go to for one another, even after death.
Recs...
If you’re digging the gritty, morally complex vibe of MISSING SISTER, these psychological authors hit the same notes of family trauma and vigilante justice in their novels: by Karin Slaughter, Sally Hepworth, Lisa Unger, Mary Kubica, Jennifer Hillier, and Lisa Gardner.
Special thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for graciously providing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. I look forward to listening to the audiobook (Mar 3), which is always a treat narrated by Joshilyn!
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Mar 03, 2026
My Rating: 5 Stars
Praise
“Deliciously sinister, this exploration of the uniquely intense bond only twins share is a winner. Joshilyn Jackson’s twisty storytelling is not to be missed.”
- #1 NYT bestselling author, Karin Slaughter on Missing Sister
"Penny is the perfect narrator: Whip smart, funny, flawed, big-hearted, and caught up in a wild ride of a story that kept me up way past my bedtime."
- Sara Gruen, #1 NYT bestselling author on Missing Sister
"A thrill ride that kept surprising me, but the real treasure is the family at the heart of this fast-paced tale of sisters and revenge. I loved every breathless minute of it."
- Abbott Kahler, NYT bestselling author on Missing Sister
"Gaspingly sinister, deeply emotional, and an absolute page-turner, Missing Sister is a beautifully written exploration of the dark and powerful depths of the human heart — into sisterhood, into grief, and into terrifying revenge. Multi-layered and constantly surprising, Missing Sister is a master class in voice and a terrific mystery — and proves, yet again, that Joshilyn Jackson is among the premier talents writing today. Do not miss this!"
- Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today Bestselling author of All This Could Be Yours
"Jackson’s mystery is tight and breathless, but it’s the characters who shine, especially smart, loyal, wounded Penny, but also her cast of supporting family members, her tough but fair mentor, and steel-eyed Thalia. A finely wrought, character-driven thriller with a propulsive and satisfying climax."
- Kirkus (starred review)
"Stock multiple copies; this book will fly off the shelves. Perfect for fans of Jackson’s previous work and anyone who loves psychological thrillers full of heart-pounding suspense." - Library Journal (starred review)
"The payoff comes for those who like depth in their suspense novels as the pace and twists increase."
- Booklist
About the Author
New York Times and USA Today bestselling novelist Joshilyn Jackson writes page-turning suspense novels that revolve around timely women’s issues, raising questions about justice, motherhood, career, class, and the thorny mechanics of redemption. She previously penned eight works of Southern fiction, all of which have a murder mystery or thriller lurking inside the family drama. Her critically acclaimed work has been translated into more than a dozen languages, and Jackson is also an award-winning audiobook narrator. She lives in Decatur, Georgia, with her family. WEBSITE
