1 of 1 copy available
An Elle Best Mystery and Thriller Book of 2024
From critically acclaimed author Kit Frick, this "storytelling feat, with twin narratives that race each other to a satisfying—and shocking—conclusion" (Riley Sager, New York Times bestselling author), follows a pair of sisters into a family's dark past, illuminating how a single choice can drastically alter the trajectory of a life.
Sisters Jane and Esme used to be thick as thieves. But as adults, pragmatic, dependable Jane regrets the distance that has grown between them. So when beautiful and impetuous Esme calls Jane during a flash summer storm, announcing she's left her high society husband, Jane is shocked to learn that her little sister wishes to stay with her. Could this be an opportunity for them to become close again? The only catch: Esme needs a ride from the city to their small Connecticut hometown, and Jane is terrified of getting on the highway. The storm is raging, and Jane can't escape the horrible memory of how she nearly killed Esme while driving in a downpour when they were teens.
Jane must either let Esme stand on her own two feet for once or swallow her fear and jump to her younger sister's rescue—and her choice cleaves her life in two.
In one reality, Jane tells Esme to crash with a friend. Twenty-four hours later, her sister is missing. Tortured by regret, Jane dedicates herself to piecing together Esme's life before her disappearance, unraveling a web of lies, broken relationships, and, finally, the truth.
In the other reality, Jane gets in the car and offers her less-than-grateful sister a ride. But while Jane hopes living together in their childhood home will be healing, Esme is aloof and increasingly reckless. The tension between the sisters builds until they are finally forced to reckon with the explosive secret from their past that could destroy their fragile bond—and both their lives.
With a breakneck pace and shocking twists and turns, The Split captivatingly explores how little we know the ones we love—and how one small choice can change everything.
-
Creators
-
Publisher
-
Release date
February 13, 2024 -
Formats
-
OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9781797170862
- File size: 262482 KB
- Duration: 09:06:50
-
-
Languages
- English
-
Reviews
-
Starred review from February 12, 2024
YA author Frick (The Reunion) makes an auspicious adult debut with this knotty Sliding Doors–esque thriller about two sisters who share a dark secret. Jane Connor has moved back to her Connecticut hometown to help care for her dementia-stricken mother. She’s surprised when her impulsive sister, Esme, calls during a storm one night and says she’s left her wealthy husband and needs Jane to come pick her up in Manhattan. The request paralyzes Jane, who immediately flashes back to the last time she drove Esme in inclement weather—a trip that ended with Esme severely injured. From there, the narrative fissures into two timelines: in one, Jane picks Esme up and their relationship implodes; in the other, she refuses, and Esme goes missing. As the parallel stories swerve into murder, betrayal, and exhumed family secrets, Frick keeps readers deliriously off-balance, tossing out just enough breadcrumbs to make the truth seem obvious only in hindsight. The format gives new life to the unreliable narrator trope, and Frick is excellent at establishing a plausibly lived-in dynamic between Jane and Esme. It’s an exhilarating puzzle. Agent: Erin Harris, Folio Literary. -
May 31, 2024
Jane Connor has spent the last 15 years atoning for a decision that almost cost her younger sister Esme her life. The sisters have since become estranged, so Jane is shocked when Esme calls one night and asks to stay with her while navigating a separation from her husband. Should Jane set out into the night to give her sister a ride and start to mend their rift, or are the risks of repeating the past too great? The consequences of her decision are explored in two split realities that demonstrate the impact of even the smallest choice. In her adult debut, YA author Frick (The Reunion) presents complex psychological suspense, bouncing between two distinct storylines. With only brief chapter headings to distinguish the dual timelines, this listening experience demands full attention. Narrator Kelsey Navarro Foster gives an expressive performance of the compelling, character-driven tale, capturing all its tension and twists. VERDICT This audio will appeal to listeners seeking an intricate suspense full of sordid family secrets. Recommended for fans of Riley Sager, Jamie Day, and Shari Lapena.--Lauren Hackert
Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
-