The Missing Sister by Lucinda Riley: The long awaited 7th book of the Seven Sister Series was a vivid weave from 
start to finish. Opening with the hunt to locate the missing sister Merope – commonly known as Mary McDougal, the scattered global locations of Pa Salt’s 6 adopted daughters enables a world-wide hunt and run to occur, as Mary sets out on her world tour after husband Jock has recently passed away in their home town on the South Island of New Zealand.
As each sister closes in on the leads, it appears Mary is petrified of being found due to a significant trauma that she has been hiding from and whilst she began her journey with the intent of closing some chapters on her past, she fears that after 37 years what she ran from in the beginning, is about to catch up with her.
Forced to head to her homeland Ireland weeks pre-mature of her intended travel itinerary, Mary begins to unravel pieces to her puzzle all the while believing her own adopted daughter Mary Kate is potentially the missing sister the girls are searching for.
As always, Riley’s brilliant historification is the real winner, and the depth of her authorial research is evident as she pulls Mary’s tale back to 1921 in the midst of the Civil War in Ireland. Using the rarely heard-before voices of the women who were the fundamental backbone of liberating the isle from British occupation, the harsh religious times and the extremes of poverty were painted bleakly, and yet, deep love of family, and deep love of country were a beacon of light and hope throughout.
Consistent with the rest of the series, was the effective time loops that unpacked the past in order to contextualise the here and now, and whilst present-tense Merry was slightly less likeable comparative to the other central characters within the series, her past tense backstory was incredibly detailed, powerful and engaging. The story within a story structure, which is the absolute golden element of the series, provided insight into a horrific time of conflict and bloodshed that still lingers in the hearts and minds of the Irish people and will no doubt continue to do so for generations to come.
Leaving us on yet another cliff-hanger, The Missing Sister delivered in more ways than one, and without a shadow of a doubt the anticipation of the final book in the series is motivation enough to read all 7 books again in the event some key clues have been missed. Summarily, I highly recommend The Missing Sister and simply cannot wait for what dramatic twists and romantic turns the 8th book has up its sleeve.
Book Info:
Publication: 27th June 2021 | Blue Box Press | The Seven Sisters #7
The six D’Aplièse sisters have each been on their own incredible journey to discover their heritage, but they still have one question left unanswered: who and where is the seventh sister?
They only have one clue – an image of a star-shaped emerald ring. The search to find the missing sister will take them across the globe; from New Zealand to Canada, England, France and Ireland, uniting them all in their mission to at last complete their family.
In doing so, they will slowly unearth a story of love, strength and sacrifice that began almost one hundred years ago, as other brave young women risk everything to change the world around them.
