The Missing Sister by Lucinda Riley Summary

The Missing Sister is the seventh book in Lucinda Riley's bestselling Seven Sisters series, following the six D'Aplièse sisters as they search for their elusive seventh sibling. With only one clue—a star-shaped emerald ring—the sisters travel across New Zealand, Canada, England, France, and Ireland to find Merope and unite their family before the first anniversary of their adoptive father's death. The story weaves together a contemporary mystery with a historical narrative set in 1920s Ireland during the War of Independence, exploring themes of identity, heritage, and the sacrifices made by brave women throughout history.

Lucinda Riley was a Northern Irish author born in 1965 who became an international bestselling writer of historical fiction. Before writing, Riley was a professional actress and ballet dancer, beginning her career at age 16 after training at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts. Riley wrote her first novel at 24 after illness ended her acting career, and later created The Seven Sisters series, which sold over 30 million copies worldwide and was translated into 37 languages. Riley was diagnosed with cancer in 2017 and passed away on June 11, 2021, leaving behind a remarkable literary legacy.

The Missing Sister appeals to readers who love sweeping historical sagas, family mysteries, and stories about identity and belonging. Fans of multi-generational narratives spanning different continents and time periods will appreciate Riley's intricate plotting and emotional depth. The book is ideal for those who have followed The Seven Sisters series and want to discover the missing piece of the D'Aplièse family puzzle. Readers interested in Irish history, particularly the War of Independence, will find the 1920s storyline compelling and richly researched.

The Missing Sister delivers an emotionally satisfying addition to The Seven Sisters series with its unique approach to the mystery of the seventh sister. Unlike previous books, this installment follows the sisters' collective search rather than focusing on one sister's individual journey, creating fresh narrative tension. Riley masterfully interweaves historical fiction set in 1920s Ireland with contemporary storylines, offering both suspense and historical insight. For series fans, The Missing Sister provides crucial pieces to the overarching puzzle while standing as a poignant testament to Riley's storytelling prowess, completed shortly before her death in 2021.

Reading The Seven Sisters series in order significantly enhances understanding of The Missing Sister, as this seventh book builds on relationships, mysteries, and character development established in previous installments. Each earlier book focuses on one sister discovering her heritage, creating emotional connections that deepen the impact of their collective search in The Missing Sister. However, Lucinda Riley provides enough context for new readers to follow the main storyline. For the richest experience, start with The Seven Sisters (Book 1) and progress through the series, as The Missing Sister serves as a culmination of plot threads woven throughout the entire saga.

The Missing Sister spans multiple countries across three continents, with primary settings including Norfolk Island in New Zealand, where the missing sister Merry McDougal lives at her family vineyard. The D'Aplièse sisters travel from their childhood home at Atlantis to locations including Canada, England, France, and Ireland as they follow clues to Merope's identity. The historical narrative unfolds in County Cork, Ireland during the 1920s War of Independence. This global scope reflects the series' pattern of connecting diverse cultures and locations through the adopted sisters' heritage stories.

The star-shaped emerald ring serves as the crucial clue linking the D'Aplièse sisters to their missing seventh sister in Lucinda Riley's novel. This ring becomes the physical evidence the sisters need to identify Merope, as it matches a picture provided by their late father's lawyer. The ring's discovery creates narrative tension as the sisters must verify whether Merry McDougal's jewelry matches their only lead. Beyond its plot function, the emerald ring symbolizes the connection between the sisters' present-day search and the historical Irish storyline, bridging past and present.

The Missing Sister incorporates the Irish War of Independence of the 1920s through its historical narrative strand featuring a young woman named Nuala. This period of Irish history involved armed conflict between Irish republicans seeking independence and British forces attempting to maintain control. Lucinda Riley explores how ordinary Irish citizens, particularly women, participated in the independence movement despite significant personal risk. The historical sections reveal themes of courage, sacrifice, and political resistance that parallel the contemporary storyline's exploration of identity and belonging, demonstrating Riley's commitment to weaving authentic historical detail into her fiction.

The Missing Sister breaks from The Seven Sisters series formula by focusing on the collective search rather than a single sister's individual journey of self-discovery. Unlike previous installments where one D'Aplièse sister uncovered her heritage, this seventh book features all six sisters working together to find Merope, who has no connection to the family or knowledge of her significance. The missing sister herself remains unaware she's being sought, creating unique narrative tension. This collaborative approach allows Lucinda Riley to revisit beloved characters while introducing the mysterious Merry McDougal, whose Irish past holds secrets that could finally complete the family.

The Missing Sister explores identity, family bonds, and the quest for belonging as central themes throughout the narrative. Riley examines how heritage shapes individual identity and how adopted families create meaningful connections despite lacking biological ties. The book also addresses themes of sacrifice and courage through its historical Irish storyline, showing how women throughout generations have risked everything for causes larger than themselves. Additional themes include the tension between past and present, the legacy of historical trauma, and reconciliation with one's origins, all woven together through Riley's signature multi-layered storytelling approach.

The Missing Sister deeply engages with Irish history through its 1920s narrative set during the War of Independence in County Cork, Ireland. Lucinda Riley, who was born in Northern Ireland, drew on her cultural heritage to create an authentic portrayal of this turbulent period. The historical storyline follows characters involved in the republican movement, exploring themes of national identity and resistance against British rule. These Irish connections extend to the contemporary narrative, as Merry McDougal's mysterious past in Ireland becomes key to understanding her identity as the missing seventh sister, demonstrating how historical events shape present-day lives across generations.

Lucinda Riley passed away on June 11, 2021, shortly after The Missing Sister was published, following a four-year battle with esophageal cancer diagnosed in 2017. Despite her illness, Riley continued writing prolifically, producing five novels during her cancer treatment, demonstrating remarkable dedication to her craft and readers. She was unable to complete the planned eighth and final book in The Seven Sisters series, Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt, before her death. Her son Harry Whittaker completed the series, and Atlas was posthumously released in May 2023, providing closure to the beloved series and honoring Riley's literary vision.