The Split

By: Kit Frick

Narrated by: Kelsey Navarro Foster

“It’s great fun to watch [Kit] Frick’s two narratives collide and diverge.” —The New York Times Book Review
An Elle Best Mystery and Thriller Book of 2024

From critically acclaimed author Kit Frick, this “storytelling feat, with twin narratives that race each other to a satisfying—and shocking—conclusion” (Riley Sager, New York Times bestselling author), follows a pair of sisters into a family’s dark past, illuminating how a single choice can drastically alter the trajectory of a life.

Sisters Jane and Esme used to be thick as thieves. But as adults, pragmatic, dependable Jane regrets the distance that has grown between them. So when beautiful and impetuous Esme calls Jane during a flash summer storm, announcing she’s left her high society husband, Jane is shocked to learn that her little sister wishes to stay with her. Could this be an opportunity for them to become close again? The only catch: Esme needs a ride from the city to their small Connecticut hometown, and Jane is terrified of getting on the highway. The storm is raging, and Jane can’t escape the horrible memory of how she nearly killed Esme while driving in a downpour when they were teens.

Jane must either let Esme stand on her own two feet for once or swallow her fear and jump to her younger sister’s rescue—and her choice cleaves her life in two.

In one reality, Jane tells Esme to crash with a friend. Twenty-four hours later, her sister is missing. Tortured by regret, Jane dedicates herself to piecing together Esme’s life before her disappearance, unraveling a web of lies, broken relationships, and, finally, the truth.

In the other reality, Jane gets in the car and offers her less-than-grateful sister a ride. But while Jane hopes living together in their childhood home will be healing, Esme is aloof and increasingly reckless. The tension between the sisters builds until they are finally forced to reckon with the explosive secret from their past that could destroy their fragile bond—and both their lives.

With a breakneck pace and shocking twists and turns, The Split captivatingly explores how little we know the ones we love—and how one small choice can change everything.

Unlikable characters, boring story

The narration was sooo bad…she speaks with such a sardonic, unemotional cadence that it was impossible to like or feel anything for the characters. The story itself was implausible, meandering, and a bit boring although the split story idea could have been interesting. Will not be seeking this author out anytime soon and NEVER the narrator.

A little confusing but enjoyable

Sometimes the switching of plot lines got confusing, trying to remember what happened in each. But overall it was engaging.

How well the two alternate timelines worked

I loved it all. In the beginning I had a hard time following the timeline but you begin to catch on that when it’s titled “home” Esme is fine and with her sister and when it’s titled “gone” Esme is missing.