Sisters Under the Skin

by Willa Marsh (Pseudonym), Marcia Willett

Stepsisters Olivia and Emily are at daggers drawn until the arrival of their half-sister, Rosie, when they unite in their hatred of the newcomer. Rosie, Mummy and Daddy’s little Princess, can certainly look after herself though, and cunningly throws secret spanners in the works for her sisters. As the girls grow older, Rosie becomes more and more manipulative and her schemes soon take on a more malicious note. But even she can go too far and, when Olivia and Emily find out what she has in store for them, they decide the time has come to put a stop to their sister’s antics once and for all… Sisters Under the Skin is a darkly comedic story of sibling rivalry in the sweeping countryside. P

Genres: Fiction

193 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Pseudonym of Marcia Willett.

Four books were written under this pseudonym: Amy Wingate's Journal, Facing The Music, The Quick and the Dead & Sisters Under The Skin.

Reviews

[Laetitia Mars · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent moment de lecture, avec des personnages aussi détestables qu'attachants, et qui montre que parfois, les liens du sang font bien pâle figure face à la famille qu'on s'est choisie.

[Ingrid Fasquelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ce roman à l'humour noir et au cynisme délicieusement "british" a décidément quelque chose d'arsenic et vieilles dentelles ! J'ai tout de suite su que j'allais l'adorer et je ne me suis pas trompée ! Manipulations à gogo, vengeances, complots sournois et machinations tortueuses... C'est un véritable petit bijou d'humour noir, acide et réjouissant, comme je les aime ! Des personnages déjantés, extravagants, à la fois attachants et perfides, attendrissants et cupides. Tout ce que la nature humaine a de plus mesquin, de plus laid et d'immoral, Willa Marsh a parfaitement su le décrire ! Avec une rigueur et une précision quasi scientifiques, elle signe une comédie grinçante et brosse un tableau acide des relations fraternelles. Je n'ai jamais autant ri des coups bas et des petites manigances de ces trois soeurs vachardes prêtes à tout pour empoisonner l'existence de l'autre ! C'est tout simplement jubilatoire !

[El · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought I should give Ms Willett another try after my first attempt at her oeuvre. Sadly, this one was even more disappointing as the plot was thin and the characterisation weak. I had little interest in it from the start as the characters were so unsympathetic and there was no gripping plotline to detract from the characters' unlikeability. I think this style of book is aimed at a very specific readership and I am not part of that demographic.

[Saadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Génial! j'ai beaucoup adoré cet roman, il m'a fait sourire et serré le cœur à tour de rôle. On ne s'ennuie à aucun moment, j'aurais aimé que ça soit plus long.
l'auteure a bien su décrire le coté obscure et pitoyable de la nature humaine dans la relation entre les trois sœurs.

[Janet Abrahamson]

It was a fun read!! I recommend it for a quick light mystery.

[Katie Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite (deliberately) formulaic in places but with touches of the Willett writing I love. Wondering why these were published under a different name at the same time as the others.

[shirley nicholls · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was like a farce, really funny. Someone in the TV or theatre business should make it into a play.

[Bryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Vitriolic folk light read. Nothing special.

[Beverly Ipock · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Marcia Willett, was surprised to see this newest book, so had to read it. Light, not serious, but still a mystery--until it wasn't. Her books generally positive, and reflective of my imagined English countryside.

[Lea Tassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful story, about various members of a diverse family, and how everything comes out right in the end.

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite forgot how Marcia Willett is able to completely suck me into her stories. The way she writes always paints very vivid pictures in my head, so I hadn't forgotten about what happens in the story despite it being decades since I read it first. But I was feeling a little anxious to read it again because my tastes have changed so much over the years. I needn't have worried - I fell for its charms all over again. The story is elegant in its simplicity albeit maybe with one or two convenient coincidences too many. Nevertheless, reading it was like sitting in front of a roaring fire with a delightful cup of tea and the rain pouring outside. Just the little escapism I needed.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cynisme et humour sont au rendez-vous au sein de cette famille. Dommage que ce soit aussi court et que l'auteure ne soit pas allée plus loin dans le cynisme.
Ce roman résume bien la perfidie de l'être humain...

[Helena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this on audiobook - an intriguing read. Marcia Willetts manages to weave in so many twists and turns into her novels, and the tale of these two sisters ( under the skin) is well told and full of humour.

[Julie Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

L’ambiance est assez acide, et l’histoire avance à toute allure sur une cinquantaine d’années en seulement 250 pages.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully entertaining short story!

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite enjoyable

[Julie Legru · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personnages attachants mais sans plus

[Geethanee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Digne d'arsenic et vieilles dentelles ! Jouissif et vicieux scénario familial : à savourer

[cami · Rating 4 out of 5]

"- C'est marrant, dit Liv, si on ferme les yeux, le bruit de l'autoroute ressemble au bruit de la mer."