A review by Nalini Haynes
Naomi is seeing Mia, a therapist, as part of recovering from the trauma of her sister’s murder. Mia suggests Naomi attends her group session. Naomi is skeptical. Then the group of seven sisters starts talking about murdering the men who murdered their sisters. Everything changes.
For those outside Australia, this book will be released soon! The author is in talks!
Domestic violence
It seems like everywhere we turn these days there’s talk of domestic violence.
Or talk of men who kill their intimate partners who are, despite the murder, described as “loving husbands”. Poor dears.
It’s worse for disabled people. The Disability Clothesline talks about some of these stories.
There is no justice for murdered women. The judiciary seem to treat murdered women as if women were still legally chattel. A woman who “fell” from a balcony during a domestic dispute vs her footballer partner: who gets the blame?
Katherine Kovacic took these stories and many more to heart when writing Seven Sisters. We talk about it in this podcast (also available on all good podcasting platforms).
So these fictional women decide to do a Strangers on a Train and swap murders.
Sympathetic characters
Every one of these women would-be murderers is a sympathetic character. If in doubt, the first murder involves an abused dog rescued by the murdering woman.
As Seven Sisters unfolds, we see the men who murdered the sisters all have patterns of behavior. They’re either currently abusing a partner or they’re looking for another. And too many incel “dating tricks” like negging and manipulation come to the fore.
The verdict
I can’t talk about Seven Sisters much because I love it so much and, at the same time, I’m concerned I’ll spoil it. So, suffice to say, read it. And, if you’re not in Australia so you can’t access this novel yet, watch Katherine Kovacic’s website and/or newsletter for news of the wider release of this delicious novel.
Book details
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
ISBN: 9781460761885
ISBN10: 146076188X
Imprint: HarperCollins AU (HarperCollins)
Released: 2023
Format: I read the ebook. The paper copy has 320 pages
Category: FICTION, Thriller, Suspense, social issues
