Thicker Than Water - by Megan Collins (Paperback)

About the Book

"Two sisters-in-law find themselves at painful odds when the man who connects them-the brother of one, the husband of the other-is accused of a brutal crime in this twisty thriller from the author of the "exceedingly entertaining" (The New York Times) The Family Plot. Julia and Sienna Larkin are sisters-in-law, connected by Julia's husband and Sienna's brother, Jason. More than that, the two have been devoted best friends since Jason introduced them. To Sienna, Jason can do no wrong, and although Julia knows he's not perfect, they've built a comfortable life and family together. Recently, Jason has been putting in long hours to secure a promotion at work, so when his boss is found brutally murdered-his lips sewn shut-the Larkins are shocked and unsettled, especially as local gossip swirls. A few days later, Julia and Sienna's lives are upended when Jason gets into a car accident and is placed in a medically induced coma. Worse, the police arrive with news that he's the prime suspect in the murder investigation. With Jason unable to respond-and with Julia and Sienna working to clear his name-the two women find their friendship threatened for the first time: Sienna staunchly maintains her brother's innocence, but as their investigation uncovers a complicated web of secrets, Julia is less sure she's willing to defend her husband. With her signature "moody and atmospheric" (USA TODAY) writing, Megan Collins has crafted a suspenseful story that explores just how fragile our closest bonds can be"--

Book Synopsis

In this "twisty, propulsive thriller" (Robyn Harding, internationally bestselling author) from Megan Collins, two sisters-in-law are at painful odds when the man who connects them--the brother of one, the husband of the other--is accused of a brutal crime.

Julia and Sienna Larkin are sisters-in-law, connected by Julia's husband and Sienna's brother, Jason. More than that, the two are devoted best friends and business partners, believing that theirs is a uniquely unbreakable bond. To Sienna, her protective brother can do no wrong, and although Julia knows he's not perfect, they've built a comfortable life and family together. Recently, Jason has been putting in long hours to secure a promotion at work, so when his boss is found brutally murdered--his lips sewn shut--the Larkins are shocked and unsettled, especially as local gossip swirls.

A few days later, Julia and Sienna's lives are upended when Jason gets into a car accident and is placed in a medically induced coma. Worse, the police arrive with news that he's the prime suspect in the murder investigation. With Jason unable to respond--and with Julia and Sienna working to clear his name--the two women find their friendship threatened for the first time: Sienna staunchly maintains her brother's innocence, but as their investigation uncovers a complicated web of secrets, Julia is less sure she's willing to defend her husband.

With her signature "moody and atmospheric" (USA TODAY) writing, Megan Collins has crafted a rich, gripping story that explores just how fragile our closest bonds can be.

Review Quotes

"Thicker Than Water starts off with a bang and never lets up! Collins has crafted a taut, emotionally-charged, and propulsive thriller that will have you burning through the pages until you reach the completely unpredictable and shocking conclusion."
--Jeneva Rose, USA Today bestselling author of The Perfect Marriage

"[An] impressive thriller . . . . Admirers of William Landay's similarly themed Defending Jacob will be riveted."
--Publishers Weekly

"A twisty, expertly paced mystery that explores the intricacies of friendship, family, and the depths one will go to protect those they love."

--Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author of The Overnight Guest

"But as followers of Megan Collins's novels know, nothing is as it seems and her latest, Thicker Than Water, a fast-paced thriller, is no different."

--Northwest Indiana Times

"Megan Collins plumbs impressive new depths in Thicker Than Water, which is deceptively immersive but carries a deadly undertow that threatens to pull you down, down, down. The whirlpool effect of the sisters-in-law dynamic, the sensational nature of the crime, and the sophisticated narrative structure results in a story that's as strongly crafted as it is memorably told. Like her earlier works, the book is utterly distinct yet bears an unmistakable, and highly addictive, touch. Put your floaties on because this one may just sweep you away..."

--Criminal Element

"This touching and twisty story is about finding the truth, dealing with one's own weaknesses, and being able to forgive others. It's about friendship, trust and honesty, and we really feel fulfilled by the end when we see how both women have changed for the better as a result of their trials."

--Book Reporter

About the Author

Megan Collins is the author of Cross My Heart, Thicker Than Water, The Family Plot, Behind the Red Door, and The Winter Sister. She taught creative writing for many years at both the high school and college level and is the managing editor of 3Elements Literary Review. She lives in Connecticut, where she obsesses over dogs, miniatures, and cake.