Thicker Than Water - by Megan Collins

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"--

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

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

"A page-turner told from alternating points of view, this thriller from Collins (The Family Plot) will especially appeal to those who enjoy exploring complicated female friendships."
--Library Journal

"Megan Collins does it again, bringing readers another page-turner primed for summer .... This twisty-turny novel shows the fraught nature of relationships, particularly between the family you're born into and the family you choose."
--Bella Media

"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

"Megan Collins proves once again she's the queen of layered family dynamics in this fast-moving mystery where forgiveness, friendship, haunting secrets, and bad behavior mix to deliver an emotional punch."
--Darby Kane, international bestselling author of The Last Invitation

"Thicker Than Water is a complex and moving thriller about the stories we choose to believe, that sometimes paper over the very rotten things beneath."
--Sarah Langan, author Good Neighbors

"A savage murder, the main suspect in a coma and best friends whose lives are changed forever - I relished every moment of this deep, dark exploration of trust, friendship and betrayal. Collins has ramped the murder mystery up a notch to take us on a nail-biting emotional and psychological journey. Leave your expectations at the door because on this ride every twist is a winner."
--Janice Hallett, author of The Appeal

"Megan Collins has done it again! In Thicker Than Water, Collins has given us another immersive nail-biter. Building on her superb talent for creating imperfect, multi-layered characters, Collins has penned a twisty, expertly paced mystery that explores the intricacies of friendship, family, and the depths one will go to protect those they love. Absolutely unputdownable."
--Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author of The Overnight Guest

"Thicker Than Water is a twisty, propulsive thriller with a powerful emotional heart at its core. Through a dark and clever mystery, Megan Collins examines the bonds of family, love, and friendship, and masterfully explores the meaning of culpability and forgiveness."
--Robyn Harding, internationally bestselling author of The Drowning Woman

"Megan Collins's Thicker Than Water is a triumph. Her writing is sharp and perceptive and the dual narrative gallops at a fantastic pace that left me breathless and wanting more. Each twist and turn feels earned as does the resolution. And at the heart is a beautiful friendship that shows how your chosen family can be more important than blood. You need this book in your life." --Catherine McKenzie, USA Today bestselling author of Have You Seen Her