Sinister by Lisa Jackson, Rosalind Noonan, Nancy Bush

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INITIAL THOUGHTS

I picked up Sinister for book club because I was intrigued by the idea of a suspense novel co-written by three authors. I wondered how cohesive it could be with each part written by a different voice, and I was pleasantly surprised. I was in the mood for something twisty and dramatic, and this hit the spot. The blend of family drama, romance, and small-town secrets had me flipping pages fast. Though I’ll admit, the page count was too much for my usual taste.

WHAT IT IS ABOUT

The Dillinger family returns to Prairie Creek, Wyoming, for a controversial wedding and walks right into a storm of arson, murder, and secrets that won’t stay buried. As old lovers reconnect and family feuds ignite, a killer strikes, forcing the Dillingers to face the ghosts of their past before more lives are lost.

MY REVIEW

Writing Style

Even though three authors contributed, the book feels impressively cohesive. Each section focuses on a different romantic pair, but the suspense storyline carries smoothly across all three. The tone is consistent, and the transitions between perspectives are clear and well-paced.

Themes & Messages

At its heart, Sinister explores family legacies, small-town gossip, jealousy, and the damage secrets can cause. The story leans into themes of redemption and confronting the past. I appreciated how each character had to reckon with long-standing hurt or unresolved tension.

Characters

The rotating focus on different couples kept things fresh. Sabrina, Colton, Ricki, Sam, Delilah, and Hunter all had compelling chemistry and believable histories. Kit stood out because her unexpected role as the heroine added a unique, satisfying twist. Ira Dillinger is the grumpy patriarch who makes everything worse and somehow more interesting. The antagonists were believable in their motives, if a bit over-the-top in execution.

Vibes, Settings, and Tropes

You’ve got small-town claustrophobia, second-chance romance, family feuds, secret affairs, and a classic “everyone’s a suspect” murder mystery vibe. The setting in rural Wyoming made the drama feel even more isolated and intense. There’s also that “returning home” tension that always works well in romantic suspense.

Favorite Quotes

“Then why not slow down a little? What happened? You’ve got Viagra with an expiration date or something?”

“Wasn’t it funny how some things just worked out? That the tall cowboy from the bar would turn out to be her savior, her Good Samaritan—maybe a friend and a lover if things developed right. You couldn’t fight destiny.”

“Don’t do it, Amber. Don’t toy with a man you don’t know. Think of Robert, and for God’s sake, be careful. So he’s hot. So what? Be smart. For once in your life, don’t do something just for the hell of it, for the adventure. You know it’s never worth it.”

What Worked For Me

• The romantic arcs were satisfying and emotionally grounded.
• The murder mystery had enough twists to keep me guessing.
• Kit’s arc was unexpected and rewarding.
• Despite three different authors, the narrative remained consistent.
• The setting was atmospheric and rich in small-town tension.

What Didn’t Work For Me

• At 437 pages, the book was drawn out. Some scenes could’ve been trimmed without losing impact.
• The dual-killer reveal, while shocking, might feel like too much for some readers.
• Ira’s drama-heavy character sometimes overshadowed the central mystery.

Final Thoughts

Sinister is a compelling read if you’re in the mood for romantic suspense with a side of family dysfunction and serial arson. It’s got romance, murder, mystery, and a touch of melodrama in all the right ways. Perfect for fans of Nora Roberts’ romantic thrillers or anyone who loves a juicy small-town whodunit.

Let’s Talk

Would you want to see more books written this way, where they are split into parts by different authors? And which couple were you rooting for most?