Second Sister is an incredibly clever high-tech thriller set in Hong Kong. If you are at all concerned about the invasiveness of technology, its potential for misuse or worry we are becoming a surveillence society then you may be alarmed at the extent to which the enigmatic N – part detective, part hacker – is able to insinuate himself into the lives of others. And bear in mind, the book was written in 2020 so technology has progressed (if that is the right word) since then. It may well make you want to move off-grid, grow your own food, communicate only by letter and adopt a disguise whenever you go out in public. Some of the tech stuff I’ll admit went over my head but I wasn’t alone there as Nga-Yee struggles with it too, much to N’s impatience. By the way, kudos to Jeremy Tiang for being able to translate all the tech stuff from Cantonese into something understandable by English-speaking readers.

The book definitely immerses the reader in the fast-paced environment of Hong Kong with its high-rise apartments, shopping malls, karaoke bars and noodle shops. For the more affluent Hongkongers it’s all about having the latest phone, looking the part and achieving your career aspirations. I think it would definitely be an advantage to have an idea of the geography of Hong Kong as the plot takes the reader to many different districts of the region, many of which have their own distinct economic and social characteristics.

The book exposes some of the darker features of modern day society including sexual harassment, online bullying and teenage suicide. It also explores the desire for revenge and whether this can ever be justified or even bring happiness if finally exacted.

My main criticism of the book is it’s about 150 pages too long and, at times, it does get bogged down in the technology stuff. Having said that, the increasingly frequent twists and reveals make it difficult to stop reading. It is incredibly well-plotted with the two main storylines coming together very cleverly in the final chapters.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Guys this was such a unique read, set in Hong Kong, it features a twenty-three year old woman seeking revenge for her younger sister's untimely death.

I've lots of love for this book, as it combined a very unlikely timid hard-working heroine with a moody cyber spy. Watching their respect for each grow was in turns unsettling and perfection. The underlying themes of cyberbullying, twisted revenge, corruption, and social media abuse made this a thrilling read, as I just needed to know what happened next.

I did find the pace at the start a little slow, but it was necessary to sketch out the family history and explain the social situation in Hong Kong. After that I definitely had no complaints about a slow pace.

Everything in Hong Kong seems to be eye-wateringly expensive, life appears fast-paced and crowded, and I thought it added a vibrant and exciting backdrop to the plot. Dark and deadly secrets are hidden deep within the dark web and our duo have to dig them up and then dish out just deserts.

I loved the hide and seek hunt through social media sites, and it raised some interesting moral dilemmas too.

Thumbs up for this one.

WHO SHOULD READ SECOND SISTER BY CHAN HO-KEI?

Highly recommended if you enjoy books that feature gossip and revenge set deep within the dark underbelly of the internet. Fans of authors such as Harlan Coben and Catherine Ryan Howard should also enjoy. A huge highlight for me was the Hong Kong backdrop, so if these also appeals to you, then I think you’ll really enjoy this book too.

A detailed, technical crime thriller set in HongKong. Nga-Yee doesn't believe her sister committed suicide. Did someone provoke her untimely death? With no close family, Nga-Yee focuses all her grief on getting justice for her younger sister. Referred, to the enigmatic 'N' she's unsure if she can trust him. Desperation forces her, to forge an unlikely alliance with the Hacker, who has many faces and even more secrets.

The plot uncovers cyberbullying, educates in the art of hacking and cybercrime and reveals some hard to like characters. The pacing is good, and although it plunges into technicality in parts, this is integral to the story and lets the reader learn things at the same pace as the main protagonist Nga-Yee. The plot has many twists and layers, and though you many guess part of the story, the ending may still surprise you.

Nga-Yee is a courageous woman, who is easy to empathise. N is eccentric, intelligent and streetwise. Although lacking in social graces, his actions recommend him, and his loyalty redeems his lack of social grace.

The atmospheric setting and cultural references are engaging and the story balances the factual and crime investigation with the emotional side of its characters well. The ending is satisfying and positive.

I received a copy of this book from Head of Zeus in return for an honest review.

Copycat by Diane Saxon is the second instalment in the DS Jenna Morgan series and I just loved it! This new book by Diane is a great mix of psychological suspense and police procedural and they worked so well together I was hooked within the first few pages and just wanted to read more. I love a book that does this, especially as you become apart of the story and you become hooked!
Detective Sergeant Jenna Morgan and some of her team are called out to Marcia Davies house in Lawley. She was found by her ex-partner and has been murdered, Marcia Davies has beautiful red hair and is a nurse but now she is not a pretty sight .
When Detective Constable Ryan Downey see's the woman, he becomes shocked, runs outside and is sick. All eyes turn to him and Jenna wants to know why? Marcia Davies went on a date with Detective Constable Ryan Downey last night.

When Detective Sergeant Jenna Morgan and her team know starts to investigate her murder they know who the murderer is.......However, the offender is currently serving a stretch in HMP Long Lartin. Hmmmmmm.

It soon becomes to light that they are looking at a Copycat killer is on the loose.

Will they catch this killer before they kill again?

This book was an enjoyable read and what was great about Copycat it can be read as a stand-alone, though events from the first book are mentioned throughout.

Big Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC

Really good story. Great to read a story set in Hong Kong. It was interesting to read about daily life. This is a compelling read. There are some really interesting characters and a plot that kept me guessing.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Thank you very much NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this book before publish date.

This was a good book but not a great book only because of the way that it was translated. I think the way the translator was trying to get the character development across when translating it, it made the book sound repetitive instead of very interesting. The book was still very enjoyable and it did keep my interest. I really wanted to see what happen to the sister if she killed herself or if someone killed her. It did come out to be clear in the end but it took a long time to get there which made the book longer than it was needed to be. Thank you once again and I hope to obtain more arcs in the future.

Loved reading this book! The story set in Hong Kong and the crime surrounding the city! Loved the narration of the book too!

Second Sister by Chan Ho-Kei is set in Hong Kong and as well as a great story-line gives the reader a fascinating insight into life in the fascinating former British colony with its familiar tale, echoed worldwide,of the ultra rich living alongside the more average citizens who are struggling to get through life in so many ways,
The story begins with the suicide of teenager Sui-Man , her sister Nga -Yee tragically witnesses the aftermath , and the latter's search for those she believes have driven her to such lengths via malicious posts online. She approaches an investigator who in turn advises her to seek the help of "N", short for Nemesis,a technology maestro who makes Machiavelli seem like an amateur. N might be a genius but he's also a very obnoxious character and his constant ignorant put-downs of Nga-Yee grated on me. That aside this is a great read and a very clever story and N comes across as a combination of Sherlock Holmes and Evan Smoak of the "Orphan X" books with his powers of deduction as well as his computer expertise and range of gadgets. To be fair to N, his rudeness and annoyance is explained when the story is shown from his perspective and the reader realises how often Nga-Yee's interference nearly wrecks some of N's meticulously planned operations. That's the real beauty of this book,like Nya-Yee the reader sees exactly what is going on only for N time and time again to show that the author has yet again thrown a curve-ball. The story often repeats the same events from the perspective of different characters and not much is as it first appears.
Nga-Yee and Sui-Man were orphans and being entirely alone in the world and thinking she's badly let Sui-Man down Nga-Yee pledges everything she's got to N as payment for tracking down Sui-Man's tormentor, or is it tormentors? When the truth is discovered there's the issue of revenge ,which is just as fascinating as "the hunt" itself.
I really enjoyed this book,as the tale progresses Chan Ho-Kei throws in, via his characters, all kinds of side issues like cyber security, the behaviour of people online,peer pressure, the growing societal divide in Hong Kong , bullying and social media amongst others.
It's quite a "techy" book,N's fantastic schemes are explained in detail for those of us who find information technology a dark art ,which is fascinating but at times the explanations are much longer than the deed itself,necessary I know to explain things but at times I found my eyes glazing over as my poor old brain tried to take it all in.
Mention should be made of the translation, a great job by Jeremy Tiang translating a quite complex novel in a way that flows and makes sense.
Having read Second Sister I'll definitely be reading Cahn Ho-Kei's previous book,the much acclaimed ,"The Borrowed".

Thanks to Chan Ho-Kei, Head Of Zeus and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

What a book. I loved this and loved the setting of Hong Kong. A first for me. Brilliant, dark and compelling, A gret crime thriller for the digital age Highly recommended.