Sneaky Sisters

By Aleksandr Jarid

All Annabelle and Lucy have in the world is each other.

Twin sisters who share everything. They depend on each other in ways no one else could understand. But when something threatens their connection, how far will they go to protect ea

• Language: English
• Publisher: THE BLUE PRINT WORKS LIMITED
• Release date: Dec 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9781739231958

Book preview

Reader Reviews

An engaging tale that pulls you in

A twist ending I didn’t see coming

Sit back, buckle up and prepare to lose yourself in the hunt

Gripping, fast paced

Phenomenal writing

Every sentence drew me deeper into the story

Ending is mesmerising

Once again, Aleksandr Jarid did not disappoint

A gripping first-person narrative that gets into our cerebral folds and gives an eerie feel time and again.

Alternating between the past and present, this is truly a highly engrossing tale which shows us just how perspective is the key to achieving and there is nothing that remains constant, not even our struggles.

Sunflower is a deeply character-driven novel, and the author has done a superb job developing the emotionally vulnerable characters and allowing the reader to connect with them.

Phenomenal writing, timeline switches, and a well-developed, interesting plot make this one of the best books I’ve read this summer.

This is one of the most well-written thrillers I have read in recent times. It constantly kept me on the edge of my seat.

Tears blind my vision as I type out this review because that is how powerful this story was.

The plot of the book is really engaging and interesting.

This is my first book of the author. A must-read.

Aleksandr Jarid is my new favourite author.

23 minutes : I can’t deny that this book is an evoking and revolutionary novel written across time and place.

I loved the raw conversational narration of the story, which made me more immersed in the story.

I just loved the way this book is written. The author has a thing for telling stories in unconventional way.

The author paints a big picture on the canvas through his story.

The writing style was the best thing and then comes the story which is mind blowing as well.

This author writes from the heart, taking his readers on an epic adventure.

Unique storyline and narrative.

This is something which I’ve never seen before in a book, and it’s something which I think works really well. It’s a unique way to tell the story.

Imagine a book that transposes into prose the music of Ludovico Einaudi and Michelangelo’s frescos.

An absolute page turner. Beautiful narrator voice and an ending leaving reader longing for more.

It was an excellent suspenseful thriller with twists of speculative fiction and history. The plot is very interesting and different to anything I have read before.

I felt the characters really complex, both their personalities and their relationships between them, the author manages to make the reader feel a connection with them.

Another thing I loved about Jarid’s writing is the maturity and intelligence of his writing. He incorporates history, art, and conspiracy into such an impactful story.

It’s very unique; I’ve never seen a single book do anything like this in my life.

None of his books will disappoint you! They are all phenomenal!

I am going to begin my review with the explanation of how my mind and heart feels at this moment. From the beginning of opening 23 minutes (with no inclination as to what to expect) until the moment I read the last word (and I mean the last word in this very book) my mind is smiling from the intriguing thoughts this novel caused and my heart is smiling from the resolution of everything.

Each word is carefully crafted so that the mystery of the story is always just a finger touch out of reach.

This my dear readers, just know, be prepared to be completely immersed in a world full of visual aspects and magical mystical feelings.

Sneaky

Sisters

Aleksandr Jarid

Contents

Reader Reviews

Pre Prologue

Interview

Annabelle - After The Death Of The Neighbour

Prologue: Annabelle

Hello!: Annabelle

New Beginnings

Blackcurrant Ribena

Idiots Guide To Business

Talk Through The Bedroom Door

Telephone Manners

Cosy Pink Jumper (Again)

Verbal Diarrhoea

Americano Hangover

The Arse Business

The Squirrels

Lucy - Before The Death Of The Neighbour

Prologue: Lucy

Hello!: Lucy

Meeting Jack

Home. The Flat

Dr Steiner

The Twin Sister

Laurel And Hardy

The Extra Shift

The Big Day

Crisis Intervention

Ooh-Lan-Zee-Peee

New Friends?

Annabelle - Before The Death Of The Neighbour

The Special Bond

Walking On Eggshells

Hoodies And Nail Polish

Helping Out – The Extra Shift

Meeting Oliver Aka Jack

Cosy Pink Jumper

Being A Caring Sister

Operation Beatrice

Library Outing

Ribbed

Lucy - Time Of Death Of The Neighbour

Recap The Plan

The First Kiss

Opening Up About Childhood

Jack And The Puddle

Spotlight On Sister

Fired For Buns

Focusing On How It Started

Annabelle And Lucy - After The Death Of The Neighbour

Sisterly Love

New Beginnings...

Epilogue: Lucy

Epilogue: Annabelle

Epilogue: Lucy And Annabelle

PRE PROLOGUE

INTERVIEW

‘Sometimes things just happen. There isn’t a rational reason why. It just happens. That’s all I can say about everything that happened to me. It wasn’t some master plan by me that one day I sat down, put pen to paper, and hashed out. Like some evil mastermind. Yes, sure, there would have been reactions to situations and certain situations would have made me think and react with some degree of planning, but the majority was probably my impulse.

‘Let's take my relationship with Annabelle, my sister, for example. She always needs instructions and for me to be the voice of guidance and reason in her head. She never really has any thoughts for herself or would be the first voice of the two of us to have a say or valid opinion. It is always me who took the lead. I mean, what was stopping her from being here and speaking? She could well have been present, having her say. But she isn’t. It’s me. It is always me. Maybe she will have her say also perhaps? But, yes it gets frustrating most of the time and I will admit that it pushes me to the edge. But, she is my sister. What am I supposed to do? To ignore her? To stop listening to her voice? No. That is not an option, and certainly, we have come so far with each other, that we are committed to being together until the end. So, with Annabelle, I just navigate issues the best I can. As and when they arise. That’s how it has been and I suppose that’s how it will be. It has always worked in the past. This particular incident may be different perhaps. If today is anything to go by, maybe the road we both were on will take an abrupt change of destination. But in the end, no matter where it takes me now, we still will be together I assume.

‘The situation with Jack and the events ultimately with our neighbour. Well, yes, I admit, that needed more of a planning aspect. But, if I think about it clearly, there were a lot of impulsive reactions there also. I had no choice really. Annabelle and I are family and that special bond has and always will come first. No matter what. All we have is each other to look out for.

‘Jack. I am sad over Jack. I really liked him. But in the end, there really was no other way out. He was the perfect tool for us to use. Sounds really horrible, doesn’t it? Putting it like that. Like we used him as a tool. But really, there wasn’t any other way to deal with the neighbour. I had to protect Annabelle and me. If only that stupid neighbour had kept her nose out of our business, none of this would have happened. You see my point. There wasn’t really any planning, it was all an impulse reaction by me to the situation caused by the bloody neighbour! There was no need for her to call the police like that. Then Jack got involved. His hands got dirty with it all; before you knew it, we had two bloody bodies lying on the floor in our flat!

‘Once again, Annabelle was no use in that situation. She just vanished. Hid away. So I had no choice but to improvise and think quickly. Luckily, Jack pulled through eventually. It was touch and go for a while, but, I think it all worked out in the end. Well, maybe perhaps not, now that I am sitting here, saying all this. But, at that moment, with Jack, I thought we had done it and pulled it off.

‘And then comes along Oliver. Well, that was very unexpected. This is where Annabelle should get the courage to speak up and have her voice heard. To explain her actions. To say I am disappointed, well, that would be an understatement. I honestly didn’t know she had it in her. Maybe it was all my fault? Maybe I didn’t clearly explain or teach her what should or what should not be disclosed. Maybe I didn’t speak out clearly enough for her to keep my words clear in her head. Or maybe she is too thick to understand the real picture here. OK, that was a bit mean to say. It’s not my fault that I got dealt all the clever genes out of the two of us. But seriously, what was she thinking? She knew I had to sacrifice being with Jack because of everything and to protect her and myself. And then she goes ahead and finds this Oliver just like that and forgets the whole plan! Just so disappointing. I think she should be the one here and you hear her voice and thoughts on all this. I am sick of covering for her! It’s like the circumstances surrounding our parents’ death all over again.

‘To be honest, I was slightly surprised at how easy it was and how incompetent the authorities were back then when they investigated the death of our parents. I could even go as far as to say that you guys made it easy to get away with. I mean, not you personally. I mean the system at large. Maybe if the deaths were investigated differently and more attention was given to me and my sister at the time, perhaps the path would have ended there. Then this neighbour would maybe still be around and would not have died. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I am not pointing the finger at anyone for the death of our parents, that does rest exclusively with me, well, with Annabelle and me, she knew everything, every single detail. But what I am trying to say, I suppose, is that it would have stopped us in our tracks, had the truth come out back then, all those years ago. But it was just all so easy. I guess everyone saw our sad, tearful state and no one ever thought outside of the box. Maybe it planted something deep within the subconscious at the time. How I could go on to keep protecting both Annabelle and myself from anyone that tried to keep us apart? It was always just Annabelle and I. Two peas in a pod and all that. So you see, all we had was each other to protect, at all costs, no matter who or what from. But how funny that it takes a boy, Oliver, to blindsight my sister and I end up sitting here explaining for both of us. Typical Annabelle and typical me, cleaning up all the mess.

‘Anyway, I am so sorry, I have been rambling. What did you ask me again, officer?’

‘Umm. Well. Thank you for all of that. But all we needed to start with was if you could state your full name and date of birth for the start of this interview into the investigation of the circumstances surrounding the death of your previous neighbour. But now, it would be interesting to understand more about the death of your parents also …’

Oh shit. ‘Oh. Sorry. Sure. My name is Lucy …’

ANNABELLE

After the death of the neighbour

PROLOGUE

ANNABELLE

I don’t want to leave the bedroom. I am shaking like a leaf! As soon as the police turned up outside and knocked on the neighbour’s door, I froze. I just don’t know how Sis can be so in control and calm in these stressful situations! It’s just full of official-looking people outside. All in their respective uniforms. Police, paramedics, fire services. Like a scene from one of those blockbuster disaster movies! Then the knock on our front door. It was like the thudding you hear on a large wooden door of some haunted castle. Errghh I still have goosebumps!

I could hear the muffled voice of the police guy at the door speaking to Sis. He asked when the last time my sister had seen the neighbour. To which Sis explained a couple of weeks ago when they had tea together. Thankfully Sis didn’t say I was also there, having tea! She didn’t even mention Jack being there at the planned tea time.

Oh no! Did I just hear Sis telling me that they are bringing out a body, under a cover, from next door?! This is horrible! I don’t think I can take this. I can’t stop shaking or crying! If Sis hears me crying, she’ll tell me to grow up and get a grip! Just as I thought, she has just shouted for me to ‘grow a pair’.

Slow deep breaths Annabelle. Slow deep breaths. Everything is in control. Sis is here; she always has protected both of us and has a plan. Nothing we can’t get through together!

HELLO!

ANNABELLE

I was nothing special, well, I feel I still am, just a middle-of-the-road, Plain Jane or Average Joe, type of person. You know the type. Just blends into the background, someone who watches the world go by without actually seeming to participate in it or to cause any major fundamental change with one’s existence. In other words, if I was not here, if I was not born or if I disappeared, well, nothing would matter. People would continue their daily and nightly routines without batting an eyelid if I was present. But, that’s not quite true with this story. With my story. You see, it turns out that I did matter. Not that I, or for that matter, the world around me, understood that fact at the time until it was too late. It’s taken me a while, but I am now strong enough to tell my story. No sorry, rephrase that. I am now strong enough to share my story. Sharing means it may make you feel emotions as it unfolds. Some of those emotions will be pleasant, others will be uncomfortable. Then some will just be, well, nightmarish.

Oh, my name is Annabelle by the way. Apparently one of the rules of writing a book, story, statement, memoir, whatever this is, is to name the characters pretty quickly. So, there it is, Annabelle. Probably best I don’t reveal my surname, just in case you guys start Googling me and get distracted with the facts from fiction or vice versa.

Oh before I forget, the sections headed ‘Extract from Journal’ are real and actually from my Journal. The order may not be chronological at times, but I stuck them in at the places I thought would explain some of the context around the events that occurred.

Finally, before we get down to the nitty and gritty, writing must be personal. The person reading the words should feel like they were written only for their own eyes. The words should jump off the page and speak to that person. Wrap around them like a warm blanket that smells of their favourite washing products. I suppose that’s the secret to how some books become bestsellers and others just fade into the ether. I would like to think that my words, the words of the simple part of me as a person, have some affinity to you, the reader. After all, it's all I have left now …

NEW BEGINNINGS

Gosh, he keeps staring at me. I wonder if he knows me. Maybe he recognises me from somewhere, why else would he be staring at me so much? It’s a little unsettling to be honest. Very creepy! Maybe if I hold my book up a little higher, covering my face, he will get the message. Nope, that didn’t work, he is still looking over this way. Oh dear, was that a smile he just gave me? I am sure it was. What would Sis do in this situation I wonder?

‘Excuse me?’

Oh no. ‘Umm, me?’

‘Yes, sorry to disturb you, just that you look so familiar but I can’t put my finger on where I know you from.’

Keep a low profile. Don’t draw any unwanted attention. Stay out of sight for a while. Those were the instructions from Sis. ‘I think I just have one of those faces to be honest. I am new to the area so don’t really know anyone here.’

‘Any good?’

‘Huh?’

‘The book I mean. Is it any good? The title seems interesting, How to Kill Your Family. Trying to pick up any ideas?’

His laugh comes across as though he is slightly nervous. ‘Oh, it’s a fun read. Nothing too serious at all.’ Come on dude, just walk away. I don’t need this, we don’t need this. Sis and I!

‘Oliver. My name is Oliver.’ He tells me his name while holding his hand out to me. Oh dear, this isn’t going well at all is it? I don’t want to get in trouble with Sis, but I don’t want to seem rude to Oliver. Wait a minute! Oliver! Why does that name ring a bell in my head? Maybe we do know each other from somewhere? Maybe he has mistaken me for my sister? Oh dear! This may be problematic!

‘Annabelle. Nice to meet you, Oliver.’ He does have a cute smile after all.

‘So where did you move from? Obviously, I don’t know you if you have just moved here recently. I haven’t really left this area since I was born.’

Think Annabelle. Think. What did Sis tell me about the story to stick to if we were ever asked where we moved from? I feel so under pressure, this isn’t going well at all. What’s this? He is moving to sit down opposite me? No, no, no, no. ‘Oh, well not too far away, but far enough.’ Was that enough information and vague enough for him? There’s that smile again from him.

‘Well, Annabelle,