The Golden Sister (Suzanne Do, Macmillan)

The Golden Sister is a fast-paced mystery set in a small fictional NSW coastal town, exploring complex and dysfunctional family dynamics and the impact of grief. Suzanne Do’s prose is unpretentious, straightforward and narrative-led, prioritising dialogue to carry the reader through the novel. The story follows Lili, a 26-year-old woman who never seems to be good enough for her boss, coworkers and even her mother. After the death of her twin sister, Honey, Lili works to uncover the truth. Faced with one tragic twist after another, Lili is forced to make decisions about her own life and what truly matters. With an eccentric cast from various walks of life, The Golden Sister reveals the tension and drama of a small community rife with gossip and oddball characters, from the Hugh Grant lookalike and wealthy local Harry Hawke to Chupa-Chup, a loveable and highly food-motivated family dog. Juxtaposed against this near-comedic backdrop, the novel tackles a plethora of difficult topics – sudden and mysterious death, guilt, trauma, addiction and a missing person – within a relatively light and quick read. At the same time, Do shows us the plight of a young woman who is dissatisfied with her life but lacks the confidence to change it. Do’s debut novel is a good choice for readers who enjoy a fast-moving read with layers of intrigue and the occasional laugh.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Ash Davida Jane is a writer, editor and reviewer from Aotearoa currently living in Naarm. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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