This is my first novel in the Jonah Sheens series. Fortunately, I found it quite easy to read and understand without having read the prior three novels. This novel was a bit of a surprise, it didn’t end up the way I thought it was going to. It started out as an abduction and ends up as a sort of redemption story. The story centers around two troubled sisters who have spent most of their lives in foster placement. The sisters were always together, so when one sister walks out of the woods covered in blood, detectives can only assume the worst has happened to the younger sister. Jonah’s unit hasn’t prepared themselves for Keely. A mega manipulator, Keely has invested a lot of time giving the police the right dog to chase. Things become a little messy for me in the later part of the novel when the truth is finally revealed. I generally enjoyed this story. I wasn’t as big of a fan of the character reveals. Thank you to Netgalley for the copy in exchange an honest review. ( )

Little Sister by Gytha Lodge is a 2022 Michael Joseph publication.

A teenager covered in blood, emerges from the woods, just as Jonah was taking a small breather from work and his heavy home life. Jonah and his team quickly become involved, learning that the young woman’s name is Keely, and she has a sister, Nina, who is missing.

But instead of acting traumatized or desperate to locate her sister, Keely begins telling a story about how she and her sister were abused while in foster care, only dropping hints, and leaving clues as to where her sister might be or if she’s okay or not.

Jonah, Ben, and Juliette are all sent on wild goose chases, while they ponder Keely’s controlled narrative, and possible psychopathic tendencies, as she regales them with tales her life in foster care, and the abuse and neglect she was subjected to. As the team works to find Nina, Keely’s games leave Jonah fighting through a murky fog of possibilities-

Is Keely a victim? A Vigilante? Or a stone-cold killer?

This is my fourth book by Gytha Lodge and so far, we are four for four. I thought the plot here was imaginative. The story employs a sort of Scheherazade style format. Keely takes charge of the narrative, in segments, and Jonah tries to dissect the hints she drops, while the rest of his team is out in the field following up on Keely’s clues. It’s genius in a way and is absolutely riveting!

While Jonah is wrapped up in this case, working long hours, his thoughts are still conflicted about his feelings for Michelle, who is at home struggling through the first stages of motherhood alone.

This story is a dark portrait of abuse, power, control, manipulation, and deals with uncomfortable topics. But, the plot is wholly unique, which is very rare these days. This year's thriller's have been so tepid, which really makes this novel stand out, and is why I think it deserves the full five star treatment. ( )

Little Sister by Gytha Lodge is an excellent example of the British police procedural model. This is the fourth instalment of the Detective Chief Inspector Jonah Sheens series but it reads well as a stand-alone, with the author updating the reader of any pertinent details from the previous novels. Two young girls are at the center of this mystery. One sister, Keely, shows up at DCI Sheens’ pub, with a jumbled tale, so intriguing that he can’t help but give her the benefit of the doubt. It appears that her younger sister, Nina, is missing. Both girls had been in care for several years, following the death of their mother. The mystery starts there and will lead the DCI and his detectives on a path of confusion and danger, while time is running out. Nothing is as it seems. The girls had gone from foster home to foster home, the last being worse than the previous. The DCI’s team are totally dedicated to getting to the bottom of Nina’s disappearance and that journey makes for a fascinating read. The characters are colourful and well-drawn. The plot captivates as the reader attempts to solve this mystery. Little Sister is well worth the read. This is my first Gytha Lodge book but I look forward to reading the others. Highly recommended. Thank you to Random House Publishing Group, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. ( )

Why would you harm your little sister?

Keely and her sister were in foster care since their mother died and both left the care home they were in without permission, but Keely is the only one who makes it into the public eye and tells the police her story.

Where is her sister Nina?

Keely won’t tell the police why Nina wasn’t with her, but seeing Keely covered in blood made DCI Jonah Sheens and his team know it is urgent to find her as soon as possible.

The team was definitely challenged as Keely was hinting at clues to her sister's whereabouts as she told her story about their days in foster homes and as the team tried to interpret and figure out the clues they knew Keely was weaving into the story.

Her story is chilling, and her personality is frightening.

She grins when she sees the team thinking they have figured out a clue, and she enjoys seeing that her tricks worked to lead them in the wrong direction.

Keely is a tough one...manipulative, angry, unlikeable, brilliant, and cruel.

The reader is frustrated along with the police team as they try to figure things out and figure out where her sister is before it is too late.

Those readers who “really” enjoy guessing will not want to miss this twisty, creative read.

Ms. Lodge brilliantly kept us at bay and created another amazing thriller. 5/5

**Be aware that child abuse is part of the story line**

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review. ( )

"Little Sister" is a psychological thriller with more twists and turns than Deals Gap. It is the fourth book in the series, but having never read the previous books, it was able to stand on its own. The story follows the Lennox sisters, and the mysterious disappearance of the younger one Nina.

Although the story itself is good, this book just wasn't for me. I found much of the plot to be unbelievable and had difficulty connecting with any of the characters. I did enjoy that it was told from different POVs and the twist at the end. I also appreciate the fact that the book itself shines a light on the flawed foster care system.

A huge thank you to Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley for the chance to review this book before it comes out on June 28, 2022. ( )