Second Sister by Chan Ho‑Kei: Mystery Thriller Review & Key Themes
Why I Chose to Read Second Sister After 13·67
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| Official cover image of Second Sister by Chan Ho-Kei (Bloomsbury Publishing) |
After reading Chan Ho-Kei’s 13·67, I wanted to read more of his work. So, I picked up Second Sister, which is a very different kind of mystery.
From the start, the story shows the case as a suicide. Because of this, readers who expect a strong mystery from the first page might feel the beginning is calm. But as the story goes on, it becomes clear that Second Sister is not just about finding the criminal.
If you are interested in Chan Ho-Kei’s most famous book, you can check [the 13·67 book review] (plot summary, explanation, and my personal thoughts) in another post.Second Sister Book Information (English Edition Details)
- Title: Second Sister
- Author: Chan Ho-Kei
- Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Suspense
- Length: Over 700 pages
In modern society, the online and offline worlds are closely connected and impossible to separate. However, this convenient connection can sometimes threaten personal safety and everyday life.
Second Sister directly addresses the dark side of modern society, including online anonymity, cyber violence, and collective harassment hidden behind the internet.Main Characters in Second Sister
✔ Nga-Yee Au – The Sister Searching for the Truth
The older sister, who doubts her younger sister’s death and begins searching for the truth. She constantly struggles between revenge and justice.
✔ Au Siu-Man – A Victim of Cyberbullying
A victim of cyberbullying. Although she is no longer alive, she remains at the centre of the story and represents how easily society can destroy an individual.
✔ Hacker N – The Face of the Network Society
More than just a helper. He exposes the hidden desires and structural problems of network-based society.
Second Sister Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
Fifteen-year-old Au Siu-Man suddenly dies. Although the case is officially ruled a suicide, her older sister Nga-Yee Au feels that something does not make sense.
Believing that her sister’s death was not simply a personal choice, Nga-Yee seeks help from the legendary hacker N, who lives in hiding. Together, they begin investigating the truth. |
| Representation of online bullying and social pressure - image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay |
As the investigation continues, it becomes clear that the case is connected to:
- Online harassment
- Violence hidden behind anonymity
- The spread of rumours
- Crimes rooted in the real world
While the novel follows the structure of a traditional mystery, it raises a deeper question:
not “Who is the criminal?” but “Why was this tragedy possible?”
Second Sister Full Plot Explained (🚫 Spoilers below)
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| image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay |
Au Siu-Man’s death is revealed to be the result of collective and anonymous online violence, not simply a suicide.
After Au Siu-Man experienced sexual harassment on the subway, Violet To uploaded a false anonymous post online. The rumour spreads rapidly, socially isolating Siu-Man and pushing her into extreme psychological distress.
Violet’s older brother, Christopher Song, is also deeply involved. Although they never physically harmed the victim, they became perpetrators by inflicting overwhelming mental and emotional damage.Legally, the case remains a suicide, meaning no punishment is given. This creates a strong sense of irony, as the tragedy is clearly the result of these two siblings’ actions.
Using advanced computer and network skills, along with exceptional social engineering techniques, Hacker N not only exposes the truth but also carries out a form of “eye-for-an-eye” revenge.
Second Sister Review – Strengths and Weaknesses
What Works Well in Second Sister
- It shows real social issues in a mystery story in a natural way
- The book shows the characters’ thoughts and feelings in detail.
- Complex case structure with gradually revealed truths
- Fascinating use of hacking and social engineering
- It shows bad people get punished in some way in the end
What Might Feel Heavy for Some Readers
- The length (over 700 pages) may not suit all readers
- Readers looking for a light mystery may find the themes heavy
Who Should Read Second Sister?
- Readers interested in cybercrime and modern social issues
- Fans of psychological thrillers and social mysteries
- Those who enjoy long novels with strong immersion
- Readers interested in psychological revenge rather than legal punishment
Is Second Sister Worth Reading Today? - Final Thoughts
These days, with so much AI and fake information, it is getting harder to know what is true and what is false.
Behind the convenience of anonymity, people easily criticise and attack others. And there is no guarantee that one day, the victim will not be ourselves.
Nga-Yee decided to stop the revenge at one point, yet watching N psychologically pressure the offenders was difficult to read.It is not like the usual detective story plot, but Second Sister still asks important questions that people today should think about.
It is also worth noting that a film adaptation based on this novel was recently released in Korea.
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| image by Riki32 from Pixabay |
Second Sister vs 13·67 – Which Chan Ho-Kei Novel Should You Read First?
13·67
- A collection of separate stories
- A classic mystery with a clever detective
- Shows Hong Kong’s history through each story
Second Sister
- Focuses deeply on a single case
- Emphasises social issues and modern themes
- Explores the internet, anonymity, and collective psychology
Final Comparison
- Classic mystery structure → 13·67
- Social issues & modern themes → Second Sister
- First-time Chan Ho-Kei readers → 13·67
- Expanded reading after entry → Second Sister
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