Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Harper (2015), 384 pages
Description
In the tradition of The Girl on the Train comes the UK bestseller THE ICE TWINS, a terrifying psychological thriller with a twisting plot worthy of Gillian Flynn. One of Sarah's daughters died. But can she be sure which one? A year after one of their identical twin daughters, Lydia, dies in an accident, Angus and Sarah Moorcroft move to the tiny Scottish island Angus inherited from his grandmother, hoping to put together the pieces of their shattered lives. But when their surviving daughter, Kirstie, claims they have mistaken her identity--that she, in fact, is Lydia--their world comes crashing down once again. As winter encroaches, Angus is forced to travel away from the island for work, Sarah is feeling isolated, and Kirstie (or is it Lydia?) is growing more disturbed. When a violent storm leaves Sarah and her daughter stranded, they are forced to confront what really happened on that fateful day.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member DeltaQueen50
The Ice Twins by S. K. Tremayne is a psychological thriller with a strong sense of place and that includes both a mystery and a touch of a ghost story. I wasn’t very enthralled by this story, finding nothing new here to hold my attention.
Moving to a small island off the coast of Scotland seemed
My quibbles with The Ice Twin is one that I often have with stories of this nature. As with most thrillers the reader needs to accept a certain amount of implausibility in order for the story to work and I had some difficulty with that. Although this book wasn’t one that totally worked for me, many people have raved about this dark atmospheric story that revolves around a family broken by grief, loss and betrayal.
Moving to a small island off the coast of Scotland seemed
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to be a good way for the Moorcroft family to get a fresh start and continue to recover from the death of one of their twin daughters. But when their surviving daughter, Kristie, claims to actually be the other twin, Lydia, their world starts to disintegrate all over again. As her husband, Angus is forced to work away from the island, Sarah is left alone, feeling isolated and trying to cope with her increasingly disturbed daughter. As the surviving twin, Kristie, becomes more and more disturbed, it starts to appear as if she is possessed by her dead twin, Lydia. Or, could it possibly be that Lydia is alive and that it was Kristie that died.My quibbles with The Ice Twin is one that I often have with stories of this nature. As with most thrillers the reader needs to accept a certain amount of implausibility in order for the story to work and I had some difficulty with that. Although this book wasn’t one that totally worked for me, many people have raved about this dark atmospheric story that revolves around a family broken by grief, loss and betrayal.
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LibraryThing member pgchuis
** spoiler alert ** Sarah, Angus and their daughter Kirstie move to a remote Scottish island to make a fresh start. Just over a year ago Kirstie's twin sister Lydia died in an accident, but suddenly Sarah is no longer sure that Lydia was the daughter who died. When I read the description of this
I liked the basic premise and found the research the author had obviously done about identical twins very interesting. The island setting and the descriptions and photos of the cottage were also well done. However, I disliked this book in the end for various reasons. I found the pace rather slow and most of the characters unlikeable (apart really from Josh and Molly). I don't like books which hint at the supernatural/ghosts etc. I found the way Sarah and Angus parented their extremely troubled daughter to be appalling. I know they were supposed to have compelling motivations for squashing/not delving too deeply into what she said, but these were not revealed until the end and even then did not form adequate justification in my view. The reveal at the close of the story of what Sarah actually did on the day in question was completely out of left field for me (maybe I missed clues - I know Angus kept going on about how he couldn't forgive her, but still). Also, would you really have sex with some one you have just met in the middle of the afternoon with your six your old daughters knocking on the door?
Disappointing.
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book, I assumed that the twins were older and that the surviving daughter had much more deliberate agency in what happened to her sister. I was disappointed to find that Kirstie/Lydia is 7 when the story opens and essentially a victim in the story of what her parents did and do. I liked the basic premise and found the research the author had obviously done about identical twins very interesting. The island setting and the descriptions and photos of the cottage were also well done. However, I disliked this book in the end for various reasons. I found the pace rather slow and most of the characters unlikeable (apart really from Josh and Molly). I don't like books which hint at the supernatural/ghosts etc. I found the way Sarah and Angus parented their extremely troubled daughter to be appalling. I know they were supposed to have compelling motivations for squashing/not delving too deeply into what she said, but these were not revealed until the end and even then did not form adequate justification in my view. The reveal at the close of the story of what Sarah actually did on the day in question was completely out of left field for me (maybe I missed clues - I know Angus kept going on about how he couldn't forgive her, but still). Also, would you really have sex with some one you have just met in the middle of the afternoon with your six your old daughters knocking on the door?
Disappointing.
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LibraryThing member brokenangelkisses
Twins are fascinating. None more so than identical twins. How they relate to each other, how they relate to other people, even how you can tell them apart: these are all rich sources of material for a writer, but S. K. Tremayne's gothically charged novel starts from the end in a sense by exploring
--- What's it about? ---
Fourteen months ago, Lydia Moorcroft died in an accident. Now her devastated parents, Sarah and Angus, move with their dog, Beany, and surviving twin, Kirstie, to a remote Scottish Island. (Handily, Angus' grandmother has left him the island as a bequest in a will. As you do.) Their hopes of a fresh start dim when Kirstie declares that she is actually Lydia. Her parents know that one of their completely identical daughters died. But do they know which one? As Kirstie/Lydia's identity shifts and confuses, the gaping cracks in her parents' relationship become wide enough that a person could fall through them, and on isolated Torran, no-one would hear their cries for help...
--- What's it like? ---
Creepy. Ambiguous. Filled to the brim with guilt. Sarah's readiness to believe that they have identified the 'wrong' twin as living for the last fourteen months is strange, especially as it is initially based on one statement made on one evening. Gradually she starts to collate 'evidence': the dogs' responses to the twins; a shift in academic abilities; and a favourite toy that's been recovered from Lydia's boxed-up belongings. It's easy to believe that this could simply be wish-fulfilment: Lydia was Sarah's favourite out of the twins, after all. Does she simply want her favourite back? Is Kirstie just trying to please her deeply distressed mother?
Then the narrative shifts to reveal Angus' perspective and the level of threat increases exponentially. Angus is pleased that, 'On Torran they would be safe at last. No one would ask questions. No interfering neighbours. No friends and relatives. No police.' What exactly is he afraid of? What happened to Lydia? And why does he seem to hate his wife?
The sense of threat is heightened again by the move to Torran. Angus wonders how many people drown each year trying to cross the flats, concluding that it's still safer than London. Readers may feel otherwise! In this deeply unsettling environment, in a cottage that's definitely breaking down rather than simply ramshackle, Angus becomes a potential Jack Torrance, (is it a coincidence that he lives on Torran?) and Sarah becomes increasingly convinced that he is hiding something terrible from her. Meanwhile, Lydia's attempts to make friends suffer from Kirstie's continued presence...
--- Final thoughts ---
I loved the creepiness, the uncertainty and the harsh environment. Sarah tries to paint over murals left by squatters on the cottage walls, but as nature continues its assault on their little corner of the world, the murals come back. Defiant. Daring Sarah to face them. And the truth will do the same. (Though I wonder whether some feminists might criticise the 'truth' that is finally revealed; arguably, a woman is harshly punished for acting in defiance of traditional roles.)
I was annoyed by the insistent use of colons. 'The wine came: plentifully.' 'The anger rises inside me: like fire.' Etc. There are a million examples like this, presumably intended to create a more dramatic tone and mood, but their prevalence irritated me, especially as the vast majority were unnecessary, and they detracted my attention from the story.
The story dips into supernatural territory throughout, but there's always an alternative, rational explanation available, which I liked. In fact, the disturbing ending is even more chilling if you discount the possible supernatural explanation, which I prefer to do.
Genuinely gripping, disturbing and a compulsive page turner, this kept me awake til 3am one night.
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the tensions inherent in one twin relationship after the loss of a twin.--- What's it about? ---
Fourteen months ago, Lydia Moorcroft died in an accident. Now her devastated parents, Sarah and Angus, move with their dog, Beany, and surviving twin, Kirstie, to a remote Scottish Island. (Handily, Angus' grandmother has left him the island as a bequest in a will. As you do.) Their hopes of a fresh start dim when Kirstie declares that she is actually Lydia. Her parents know that one of their completely identical daughters died. But do they know which one? As Kirstie/Lydia's identity shifts and confuses, the gaping cracks in her parents' relationship become wide enough that a person could fall through them, and on isolated Torran, no-one would hear their cries for help...
--- What's it like? ---
Creepy. Ambiguous. Filled to the brim with guilt. Sarah's readiness to believe that they have identified the 'wrong' twin as living for the last fourteen months is strange, especially as it is initially based on one statement made on one evening. Gradually she starts to collate 'evidence': the dogs' responses to the twins; a shift in academic abilities; and a favourite toy that's been recovered from Lydia's boxed-up belongings. It's easy to believe that this could simply be wish-fulfilment: Lydia was Sarah's favourite out of the twins, after all. Does she simply want her favourite back? Is Kirstie just trying to please her deeply distressed mother?
Then the narrative shifts to reveal Angus' perspective and the level of threat increases exponentially. Angus is pleased that, 'On Torran they would be safe at last. No one would ask questions. No interfering neighbours. No friends and relatives. No police.' What exactly is he afraid of? What happened to Lydia? And why does he seem to hate his wife?
The sense of threat is heightened again by the move to Torran. Angus wonders how many people drown each year trying to cross the flats, concluding that it's still safer than London. Readers may feel otherwise! In this deeply unsettling environment, in a cottage that's definitely breaking down rather than simply ramshackle, Angus becomes a potential Jack Torrance, (is it a coincidence that he lives on Torran?) and Sarah becomes increasingly convinced that he is hiding something terrible from her. Meanwhile, Lydia's attempts to make friends suffer from Kirstie's continued presence...
--- Final thoughts ---
I loved the creepiness, the uncertainty and the harsh environment. Sarah tries to paint over murals left by squatters on the cottage walls, but as nature continues its assault on their little corner of the world, the murals come back. Defiant. Daring Sarah to face them. And the truth will do the same. (Though I wonder whether some feminists might criticise the 'truth' that is finally revealed; arguably, a woman is harshly punished for acting in defiance of traditional roles.)
I was annoyed by the insistent use of colons. 'The wine came: plentifully.' 'The anger rises inside me: like fire.' Etc. There are a million examples like this, presumably intended to create a more dramatic tone and mood, but their prevalence irritated me, especially as the vast majority were unnecessary, and they detracted my attention from the story.
The story dips into supernatural territory throughout, but there's always an alternative, rational explanation available, which I liked. In fact, the disturbing ending is even more chilling if you discount the possible supernatural explanation, which I prefer to do.
Genuinely gripping, disturbing and a compulsive page turner, this kept me awake til 3am one night.
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LibraryThing member nicx27
Kirstie and Lydia are monozygotic twins, i.e. identical. Even their parents, Sarah and Angus, struggle to tell them apart and only do so by either dressing them in different colours or by a couple of particular traits. When Lydia dies in a tragic accident, Sarah, Angus and Lydia take up residence
I found this to be a real page turner of a book. The descriptions of the island and the surrounding areas are beautiful and so evocative and in a lot of ways the place is the real star of the book. I thought it unfolded well and drew me into the story from the beginning. It's all quite creepy and this intensified as the story went on. I love a good psychological thriller and this is one of them, very atmospheric and absorbing.
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on a remote island off the coast of Skye, where they are the only residents. But when Kirstie insists that she is in fact Lydia things take a more sinister turn and Sarah starts to wonder what is true and what is not. I found this to be a real page turner of a book. The descriptions of the island and the surrounding areas are beautiful and so evocative and in a lot of ways the place is the real star of the book. I thought it unfolded well and drew me into the story from the beginning. It's all quite creepy and this intensified as the story went on. I love a good psychological thriller and this is one of them, very atmospheric and absorbing.
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LibraryThing member mind_ju
Here there be (mild) spoilers.
On the one hand the book was very well done and in some ways very successfull, on the other the main character Sarah became increasingly unlikeable and too self centered to let me still care about her. In the end I was annoyed the book invests so much time in her and
Also the POV thing in the very last chapter... why? That was a very cheap way of creating a final "twist" and left me closing the book feeling cheated.
On the one hand the book was very well done and in some ways very successfull, on the other the main character Sarah became increasingly unlikeable and too self centered to let me still care about her. In the end I was annoyed the book invests so much time in her and
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not the father, who had the much more interesting story to tell. (Which at the beginning was only hinted at to keep the tension growing and once revealed was pretty much glossed over.)Also the POV thing in the very last chapter... why? That was a very cheap way of creating a final "twist" and left me closing the book feeling cheated.
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LibraryThing member Cherylk
I had this book on my list to check out. So I was thrilled when I got a copy of this book to read. Sadly, I quickly realized that what I hoped and what actually was the results are two different things.
At first I went along with the story, even though there were parts that seemed unbelievable and
At first I went along with the story, even though there were parts that seemed unbelievable and
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the characters were just alright. Like really how does a mother not really be able to tell the difference between her twin daughters. I thought it was a mother;s instinct to be able to tell the difference between her children even if they looked alike. Then there are the interactions of Kirstie as Lydia. This "transformation" was not interesting. That was the problem with this book, the characters and the story were slow paced and the characters were not that inviting and intriguing. If these things had been beefed up then this book actually would have been a good read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Beamis12
Moving to an inherited island in Scotland, this family wants only the chance to start over after the death of their daughter, one of a set on identical twins.
The setting was alternately beautiful and intimidating. Very descriptive writing and the suspense and tension rarely let up, throughout the
A good, twisty and creepy, a little suspension of belief is needed here as we follow the unbelievable, and attempt to learn the secrets of that fatal day. Loved the black and white pictures before each chapter. Really helped me picture their location.
Good story that kept me reading to find out what would be the final reveal. Did I guess? No I am never food at that even though with all the mysteries I read one would think I would be a pro. Oh well.
ARC from publisher.
The setting was alternately beautiful and intimidating. Very descriptive writing and the suspense and tension rarely let up, throughout the
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entire book. But which twin died? Who is keeping secrets and is the twin that is left telling the truth? A good, twisty and creepy, a little suspension of belief is needed here as we follow the unbelievable, and attempt to learn the secrets of that fatal day. Loved the black and white pictures before each chapter. Really helped me picture their location.
Good story that kept me reading to find out what would be the final reveal. Did I guess? No I am never food at that even though with all the mysteries I read one would think I would be a pro. Oh well.
ARC from publisher.
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LibraryThing member PattyLouise
The Ice Twins
By
S.K.Tremayne
My " in a nutshell" summary...
Lydia and Kirstie are identical twins...so identical that there is no way to tell them apart. Unfortunately there is a horrible accident and one twin dies...but which twin really died? To survive...this family is moving to an isolated
My thoughts after reading this book...
This family is a mess...Angus the father drank himself out of a job...Sarah the mother is a mess...an affair has made her relationship with Angus very fragile and suddenly the surviving twin is full of secrets. Not a lovely family at this point in time.
What I loved about this book...
I loved the angst and mystery and the creepiness...it was so well done.
What I did not love about this book...
Just the thought of living on that desolate isolated island gave me nightmares...no matter how beautiful it would be in the summer...it's quite cold, stark and awful when this family is there.
Final thoughts...
This was a really dark and disturbing book that I could not stop reading. If you like this kind of book...you will like this one. I have read that this book was in the style of The Girl On The Train...but I didn't see that comparison at all. It stood on its own...all alone!
By
S.K.Tremayne
My " in a nutshell" summary...
Lydia and Kirstie are identical twins...so identical that there is no way to tell them apart. Unfortunately there is a horrible accident and one twin dies...but which twin really died? To survive...this family is moving to an isolated
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inherited island with a plan...a plan for survival.My thoughts after reading this book...
This family is a mess...Angus the father drank himself out of a job...Sarah the mother is a mess...an affair has made her relationship with Angus very fragile and suddenly the surviving twin is full of secrets. Not a lovely family at this point in time.
What I loved about this book...
I loved the angst and mystery and the creepiness...it was so well done.
What I did not love about this book...
Just the thought of living on that desolate isolated island gave me nightmares...no matter how beautiful it would be in the summer...it's quite cold, stark and awful when this family is there.
Final thoughts...
This was a really dark and disturbing book that I could not stop reading. If you like this kind of book...you will like this one. I have read that this book was in the style of The Girl On The Train...but I didn't see that comparison at all. It stood on its own...all alone!
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LibraryThing member SusieH5
Absolutely chilling! Kirstie and Lydia are identical twins, very close, with their own private twin language. When Lydia dies the family is distraught. But was it Lydia who died, or Kirstie? There is some understandable confusion some months after the death about the identity of the surviving twin.
Does the move solve their problems? Are they able to move on? Read this fascinating book to find out.
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Grief-stricken parents Angus and Sarah are falling apart and unable to support each other adequately. Financially they are suffering too as Angus loses his job. Angus inherits a small Scottish island and they plan to sell up, move there, refurbish a decrepit house and start afresh. Does the move solve their problems? Are they able to move on? Read this fascinating book to find out.
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LibraryThing member kdabra4
S K Tremayne, a pseudonym for we-don't-know-who, male or female also unknown, has written a superlative little thriller that will keep you guessing until the very last page! The author knows his/her stuff when it comes to the psychology of twins and in this case, an identical twin who has lost her
While the suspense was first class, the characters were really some of the dumbest people you'll ever meet in fictionland. One naive, wrong decision after another. The ending wasn't exactly what I wanted, but OK, I'll take it. I loved the setting with its loads of atmosphere and am a sucker for twins, the creepier the better. And being from the Midwest, reading about tides always fills me with wonder. So this was a good read for me, but not perfect.
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sister through a tragic accident. The tragedy wreaks havoc on the emotions of the surviving twin and both parents. All of them are carrying around baggage and secrets and loads of mistrust. With winter approaching, they go to live on a family-owned island near the Isle of Skye, Scotland, to try a fresh start at things; and at first I was thinking, ach, don't do it, remember what happened in The Shining! It all builds and builds, and if you are like me, you will not be able to put the book down. While the suspense was first class, the characters were really some of the dumbest people you'll ever meet in fictionland. One naive, wrong decision after another. The ending wasn't exactly what I wanted, but OK, I'll take it. I loved the setting with its loads of atmosphere and am a sucker for twins, the creepier the better. And being from the Midwest, reading about tides always fills me with wonder. So this was a good read for me, but not perfect.
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LibraryThing member jmchshannon
The loss of a child can and does rip apart families as easily as one can rip a piece of paper. However, how does a family survive such a tragedy when that loss is one-half of a set of identical twins? For a year now, Sarah and Angus must face this exact question as they deal with the ramifications
In The Ice Twins, much of the novel revolves around the identity confusion Kirstie or Lydia exhibits and the odd but real possibility that Sarah and Gus buried the wrong child. This is one of those odd scenarios that seem to strange to be true, but when dealing with genetically identical twins, the rules fly out the window. How does one ever know which twin is which? Then there is the issue of loss and ongoing trauma that occurs every time Kirstie or Lydia looks in the mirror and sees, not herself, but her dead twin. That there are no easy answers only adds fuel to Sarah’s paranoia.
Adding to the considerable tension of a fracturing family is the fact that Angus and Sarah are essentially bankrupt. Their move to northern Scotland is a move of desperation not only for their family psyche but also for their finances. The stress of being on the brink of disaster means that not only are there any easy answers but there are no alternatives they to which they can afford to escape. They must deal with the drafty, rat-infested cottage with creepy murals and incessant damp as well as the near constant isolation that is now their life. As such, the emotional suspense is every bit as intense as one would imagine.
What gives The Ice Twins its true power are the emotions of the characters. Gus and Sarah do not hide the fact that they still love and desire each other, but their deeper feelings resulting from the tragedy seem to be impeding them from finding solace in each other’s company. Sarah’s guilt – at not being there to prevent the accident, at not know which twin is still living, at not being able to help the living twin through her grief – is devastatingly real and every bit as intense as the suspense of the story. Gus’ anger, inexplicable but still very much a factor in his state of mind, is palpable and frankly eerie. Readers know that this combination of roiling emotions is a bomb ready to explode. The anticipation of this is what makes the story so difficult to set aside for real life.
The Ice Twins is the best kind of thriller. Not only does it have an excellent story with intense characters, the remote Scottish landscape takes on a life of its own. Sarah’s and Gus’ ongoing emotional trauma at the loss of their daughter is palpable, adding a layer of complexity and heightening the story’s tension. The harrowing conclusion is equal parts tragic and exciting, while the lingering questions that remain solidify the ominous tone of the story. While probably not an ideal beach read, The Ice Twins is still a fantastic story, impulsively readable and one that will grab a reader’s attention until the very end.
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of a tragic accident and the ensuing guilt. Readers know very early in the story that there is more than meets the eye to Sarah’s and Gus’ stories. As they move forward with their lives on the family-owned island in the Hebrides, secrets will out and sanity, or something more sinister, will unravel their lives. They thought they knew tragedy, but in reality, it was only just beginning.In The Ice Twins, much of the novel revolves around the identity confusion Kirstie or Lydia exhibits and the odd but real possibility that Sarah and Gus buried the wrong child. This is one of those odd scenarios that seem to strange to be true, but when dealing with genetically identical twins, the rules fly out the window. How does one ever know which twin is which? Then there is the issue of loss and ongoing trauma that occurs every time Kirstie or Lydia looks in the mirror and sees, not herself, but her dead twin. That there are no easy answers only adds fuel to Sarah’s paranoia.
Adding to the considerable tension of a fracturing family is the fact that Angus and Sarah are essentially bankrupt. Their move to northern Scotland is a move of desperation not only for their family psyche but also for their finances. The stress of being on the brink of disaster means that not only are there any easy answers but there are no alternatives they to which they can afford to escape. They must deal with the drafty, rat-infested cottage with creepy murals and incessant damp as well as the near constant isolation that is now their life. As such, the emotional suspense is every bit as intense as one would imagine.
What gives The Ice Twins its true power are the emotions of the characters. Gus and Sarah do not hide the fact that they still love and desire each other, but their deeper feelings resulting from the tragedy seem to be impeding them from finding solace in each other’s company. Sarah’s guilt – at not being there to prevent the accident, at not know which twin is still living, at not being able to help the living twin through her grief – is devastatingly real and every bit as intense as the suspense of the story. Gus’ anger, inexplicable but still very much a factor in his state of mind, is palpable and frankly eerie. Readers know that this combination of roiling emotions is a bomb ready to explode. The anticipation of this is what makes the story so difficult to set aside for real life.
The Ice Twins is the best kind of thriller. Not only does it have an excellent story with intense characters, the remote Scottish landscape takes on a life of its own. Sarah’s and Gus’ ongoing emotional trauma at the loss of their daughter is palpable, adding a layer of complexity and heightening the story’s tension. The harrowing conclusion is equal parts tragic and exciting, while the lingering questions that remain solidify the ominous tone of the story. While probably not an ideal beach read, The Ice Twins is still a fantastic story, impulsively readable and one that will grab a reader’s attention until the very end.
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LibraryThing member smik
This was certainly a gripping read, and the reader is never quite sure where the truth lies.
The story is narrated principally by the two parents, Angus and Sarah, and you become aware that each sees what happened the day that Lydia died differently. Angus seems to be shielding Sarah, and she for
The locals say that the Moorcroft's new island home is "thin", that is, close to the the line that divides this world from the next. It is possible that the lighthouse keeper's cottage is haunted, and certainly previous residents have found it impossible to stay.
There was always a strong bond between Lydia and Kirstie, they had their own language, and almost telepathic communication. Their parents found it impossible to tell one from the other, and Sarah becomes convinced that they have wrongly identified the one that died.
Highly recommended.
The story is narrated principally by the two parents, Angus and Sarah, and you become aware that each sees what happened the day that Lydia died differently. Angus seems to be shielding Sarah, and she for
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her part doesn't quite trust him. Both had some sort of breakdown after Lydia died. The story peels back layer by layer.The locals say that the Moorcroft's new island home is "thin", that is, close to the the line that divides this world from the next. It is possible that the lighthouse keeper's cottage is haunted, and certainly previous residents have found it impossible to stay.
There was always a strong bond between Lydia and Kirstie, they had their own language, and almost telepathic communication. Their parents found it impossible to tell one from the other, and Sarah becomes convinced that they have wrongly identified the one that died.
Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member nfmgirl2
This novel was based on an interesting concept, and that was what grabbed me. However I was left feeling the concept wasn't that well executed and the story felt a little slow. I think that was just the nature of the story. It was suspenseful with a bit of paranormal thrown in, and simply wasn't an
I don't know. Great concept, but it fell a little short of the mark. I was left feeling a little "meh".
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especially "exciting" story. And the longer it went on, the stranger it felt, the more "otherworldly" and odd. There were a couple of nice twists thrown in, but things felt a little jumbled. I had a hard time following along at times, some characters were thrown in briefly and then disappeared and felt incomplete (like the doctor).I don't know. Great concept, but it fell a little short of the mark. I was left feeling a little "meh".
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LibraryThing member amandacb
I tried to get through this book three times and then finally gave up for lack of caring. I get that it is trying to be creepy with the whole "the wrong twin died" thing, but I just found is incredibly boring. Factor in that I just didn't care much for the mom, and BLEH.
LibraryThing member nyiper
Loved the writing but I had to laugh when I saw a description of the book after I finished, claiming that you would either love it, or hate it, passionately! Well, not quite---but I did think it was creepily intriguing and I just couldn't put it down after about page 150....I just sat there and
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read until I was done!!! Show Less
LibraryThing member marcejewels
From my blog
This is one of the weirdest books I have read. I can't imagine having identical twins and only knowing them apart by their personality. When they were babies into toddlers, one had a nail painted pink and the other blue to help identify them. I can understand the frustration and
Unreliable characters are one of my favourite styles but I was more frustrated reading this one. The mom tells the story and I wonder if she needs help, they all need help. The author did a good job on allowing me to feel the pain and frustration the family did, all in different ways but the ending helps to understand why. This is such a sad quote.
".....now that Lydia is alone she may lead a more normal life, you know, twins are so different, now she is more normal, in the most terrible way, of course." Kindle 71%
Can you imagine saying that to a mom, outrageous.
As I learned all the secrets throughout the story I was angry, how can parents be that ignorant, what they put on their child was unbelievable to me, no wonder she was confused and it became scary. This story truly made you consider believing in ghosts, now I can understand the main word used to describe the book, chilling.
When you are guilty of an act that you end up with amnesia, how do you heal and move on? This is the question and who is guilty, mom, dad or the surviving twin?
This is one of the weirdest books I have read. I can't imagine having identical twins and only knowing them apart by their personality. When they were babies into toddlers, one had a nail painted pink and the other blue to help identify them. I can understand the frustration and
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chilling scary moments for the mother. As the reader I just wanted to get to the end to understand the story but I was able to put it down, it never had me on the edge of my seat. Which twin died, Kirstie or Lydia, you truly didn't know and it was quite confusing. Unreliable characters are one of my favourite styles but I was more frustrated reading this one. The mom tells the story and I wonder if she needs help, they all need help. The author did a good job on allowing me to feel the pain and frustration the family did, all in different ways but the ending helps to understand why. This is such a sad quote.
".....now that Lydia is alone she may lead a more normal life, you know, twins are so different, now she is more normal, in the most terrible way, of course." Kindle 71%
Can you imagine saying that to a mom, outrageous.
As I learned all the secrets throughout the story I was angry, how can parents be that ignorant, what they put on their child was unbelievable to me, no wonder she was confused and it became scary. This story truly made you consider believing in ghosts, now I can understand the main word used to describe the book, chilling.
When you are guilty of an act that you end up with amnesia, how do you heal and move on? This is the question and who is guilty, mom, dad or the surviving twin?
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LibraryThing member Dianekeenoy
Wow, this was an exciting book, impossible to put down. Can you imagine losing one of your identical twin daughters and then having your surviving daughter tell you that she is the twin you thought had died? That's why I read this straight through!
LibraryThing member vibrantminds
What appeared to be the perfect family comes to an abrupt halt when a horrific accident occurs leaving them shattered and one child, a twin daughter, dead. As the family begins to patch back their broken family they decide to move to Torran, an island with a lighthouse, where Angus, their father,
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spent much of his growing years. They hope that Torran will give them the solace they need in order to heal and move on. However, Torran is haunted by their dead daughter, Lydia and the living daughter, Kirstie becomes confused as to her true identity. To make matters worse their mother, Sarah, is convinced they have made a terrible mistake that the daughter that is still alive is Lydia and Kirstie is the twin that died. A twisted tale of betrayal and loss and how the mind uncoils to make sense of it all. Show Less
LibraryThing member SheilaDeeth
A psychological thriller, set around a grieving family on an isolated Scottish isle, S. K. Tremayne’s The Ice Twins is enthralling, definitely creepy, and intriguingly dark. Intertwining mysteries surround what seems like a simple question – which six-year-old died. But the problem’s far
The author makes me believe in the central mystery – that it really would be possible not to know which twin had survived. But now there are other issues to resolve – whose guilt, what guilt, and why? Meanwhile the creaks and groans of a settling cottage, so evocatively described, might be haunted footsteps in the night.
I wished the parents kept closer watch over the children. I found myself frequently begging them not to leave the survivor alone. But I believe, by the end; they really would behave this way; and it’s sad and it’s real... and it’s haunting. A very cool, dark, scary blend of horror, mystery and drama, The Ice Twins is a fast, enthralling read with a satisfying end.
Disclosure: It was a mothers’ day present.
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deeper than that, as the survivor’s identity shifts and changes while grieving parents struggle to carve a space to believe in themselves.The author makes me believe in the central mystery – that it really would be possible not to know which twin had survived. But now there are other issues to resolve – whose guilt, what guilt, and why? Meanwhile the creaks and groans of a settling cottage, so evocatively described, might be haunted footsteps in the night.
I wished the parents kept closer watch over the children. I found myself frequently begging them not to leave the survivor alone. But I believe, by the end; they really would behave this way; and it’s sad and it’s real... and it’s haunting. A very cool, dark, scary blend of horror, mystery and drama, The Ice Twins is a fast, enthralling read with a satisfying end.
Disclosure: It was a mothers’ day present.
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LibraryThing member miyurose
Honestly, I didn’t finish this book. It rides the line between psychological thriller and ghost story, but even that and the “creepy little kid” trope weren’t enough to keep me going.
I just couldn’t relate to or understand ANYTHING the mother did. Or most of what the father did. Starting
I get the whole thing about the creepy location adding to the creepy story, but the rest of the story just doesn’t hold together to me. There are some things you can excuse under the guise of “grief may make one act unreasonably”, but as a whole it all added up to one big nope. In fact, the first big “twist” was the point where I put the book down and didn’t pick it back up again.
This was a book club read so I was able to find out what the resolution to the story was, but once I did, I didn’t feel like I had missed anything.
I just couldn’t relate to or understand ANYTHING the mother did. Or most of what the father did. Starting
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with moving their family to a house they haven’t even set eyes on (her) or set eyes on in a couple of decades (him). A house that is barely holding itself together. A house with a phone line you can’t hear, no cell service, and questionable electrical service. I guess it had working plumbing? Oh, and it’s on a desolate island you can only access via boat or mudflats that are maaaaaaaybe passable by foot at low tide (if you move fast enough). AND THEY DON’T OWN A BOAT.I get the whole thing about the creepy location adding to the creepy story, but the rest of the story just doesn’t hold together to me. There are some things you can excuse under the guise of “grief may make one act unreasonably”, but as a whole it all added up to one big nope. In fact, the first big “twist” was the point where I put the book down and didn’t pick it back up again.
This was a book club read so I was able to find out what the resolution to the story was, but once I did, I didn’t feel like I had missed anything.
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LibraryThing member Nataliec7
I liked this book - ALOT. I did not know what was going on at times and that kept it interesting!
So Angus and Sarah have identical twins and tragically one of them dies aged 6. Lydia, it appears. Then all of a sudden, Kirstie says, 'Why do you keep calling me Kirstie, I'm Lydia!' This happens 14
Now Sarah doesn't know if she got her twins mixed up and its actually Kirstie who died! Angus seems to know the truth but doesn't share it with Sarah and just goes along with whatever she thinks. Amidst all that, there's a move to Scotland on an island.
What kept my interest most was the little girl, who ever she was. I didn't know which one she was myself really. Sarah seemed to be having a lot of issues, not uncommon after the death of her daughter, Angus was an alcoholic, they had no money, their relationship was strained... but I was sympathetic towards them all. The family unit was down by one and they were all trying to cope.
I found the end, fitting though, not at all unexpected but by then I had a grasp of what was going on. A great book in my opinion, one I wanted to read for some time and I'm glad I found it. Now off to something cheery as I read this just after reading The Vanishing act of Esme Lennox (very good)and I need joy in my life!
So Angus and Sarah have identical twins and tragically one of them dies aged 6. Lydia, it appears. Then all of a sudden, Kirstie says, 'Why do you keep calling me Kirstie, I'm Lydia!' This happens 14
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months after the death of Lydia or Kirstie?!Now Sarah doesn't know if she got her twins mixed up and its actually Kirstie who died! Angus seems to know the truth but doesn't share it with Sarah and just goes along with whatever she thinks. Amidst all that, there's a move to Scotland on an island.
What kept my interest most was the little girl, who ever she was. I didn't know which one she was myself really. Sarah seemed to be having a lot of issues, not uncommon after the death of her daughter, Angus was an alcoholic, they had no money, their relationship was strained... but I was sympathetic towards them all. The family unit was down by one and they were all trying to cope.
I found the end, fitting though, not at all unexpected but by then I had a grasp of what was going on. A great book in my opinion, one I wanted to read for some time and I'm glad I found it. Now off to something cheery as I read this just after reading The Vanishing act of Esme Lennox (very good)and I need joy in my life!
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LibraryThing member flourgirl49
Good book - creepy, ominous, menacing, and with an ending that kept me guessing until the very end.
LibraryThing member seasonsoflove
Recommended If You Like: thrillers, psychology, creepy children, unhappy families, uncertainty, the possibility of the paranormal
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of this book, or my review itself.
The Book:
Angus and
But Lydia died, and the remainder of their family has moved to a small island, easily isolated, in an attempt to start over. This attempt is shattered when their remaining child claims she is Lydia, not Kirstie--that they have been mistaking her identity for months.
As their daughter seems to break down, so do Angus, Sarah, and their marriage; until finally, one night, when the terrible truth comes crashing down around them.
What I Liked:
This is a book that keeps you on your toes. Is Kirstie actually Lydia? What really happened the night one of the twins died? What does Angus know? And Sarah? Is there something paranormal occurring? I appreciate a book that keeps me guessing, especially one with an ending that catches me completely by surprise.
Anything I Didn't Like?
This book took me longer than I thought it would to get through--and at times, it did feel like I was getting through it. It was so so dark, without really any spark of light. I read a lot of dark books, and love them, but something about this felt almost overbearingly sad.
It might have been that children were involved. I tend to have trouble with books where bad things happen to kids, and this was centered around that theme.
It was also hard to find any character really to root for. All the adult main characters were so unlikable, and Kirstie/Lydia felt difficult to connect with because of the innate strangeness of her situation.
So...?
I wanted and expected to like this book more than I did, but that doesn't mean I didn't find it a good read. I think I just felt weighed down in all the darkness. A little levity, even just a dash here and there, would have made a big difference for me.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of this book, or my review itself.
The Book:
Angus and
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Sarah Moorcroft once had two daughters, identical twins, Lydia and Kirstie.But Lydia died, and the remainder of their family has moved to a small island, easily isolated, in an attempt to start over. This attempt is shattered when their remaining child claims she is Lydia, not Kirstie--that they have been mistaking her identity for months.
As their daughter seems to break down, so do Angus, Sarah, and their marriage; until finally, one night, when the terrible truth comes crashing down around them.
What I Liked:
This is a book that keeps you on your toes. Is Kirstie actually Lydia? What really happened the night one of the twins died? What does Angus know? And Sarah? Is there something paranormal occurring? I appreciate a book that keeps me guessing, especially one with an ending that catches me completely by surprise.
Anything I Didn't Like?
This book took me longer than I thought it would to get through--and at times, it did feel like I was getting through it. It was so so dark, without really any spark of light. I read a lot of dark books, and love them, but something about this felt almost overbearingly sad.
It might have been that children were involved. I tend to have trouble with books where bad things happen to kids, and this was centered around that theme.
It was also hard to find any character really to root for. All the adult main characters were so unlikable, and Kirstie/Lydia felt difficult to connect with because of the innate strangeness of her situation.
So...?
I wanted and expected to like this book more than I did, but that doesn't mean I didn't find it a good read. I think I just felt weighed down in all the darkness. A little levity, even just a dash here and there, would have made a big difference for me.
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LibraryThing member jenladuca
The Ice Twins is one of the most hauntingly beautiful books I’ve read in a long time. Sarah and Angus Moorcraft used to have a very happy life; they had a good marriage and beautiful twin daughters, Lydia and Kirstie. Their story begins 14 months after Lydia has died in a terrible accident, an
This is an intensely dark and creepy psychological thriller, I absolutely loved it! I was questioning my own sanity at times trying to figure out if their daughter was actually Kirstie or Lydia and wondering, as a parent, what it would feel like to make such a grave error. Initially Sarah doesn’t tell Angus what Kirstie has told her, she tries to get to the bottom of it herself. The story is told primarily by Sarah but every few chapters it switches to Angus’s POV and we find out that he’s also hiding things from his wife. He is filled with such rage and hate towards her, but why? That’s what Sarah starts to wonder and as a reader you quickly realize there’s so much more to this mystery than a possible mistaken identity.
The author does a great job revealing hints that make you think you’ve figured out what happened and who really died, then a few chapters later something else is revealed and your theory is thrown out the window! This story was well thought out and researched; I found all the information about twins in general to be truly fascinating. This is a perfect read for a chilly winter day; you’ll find it hard to tear yourself away from this one, I know I did. I thought the ending was perfect; all your biggest questions are answered yet a few smaller things are left open to interpretation, just enough to have you questioning whether or not you really understood what had happened, very clever!
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
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accident that Kirstie witnessed but was unable to stop. The Moorcrafts are still grieving their loss but also desperate to overcome this tragedy and possibly give Kirstie a fresh start they believe she needs. Angus has just inherited a remote Scottish island after the recent passing of his grandmother and they believe it could be just the thing their family needs to finally start over. But as Sarah begins packing and preparing for the move and their new life Kirstie makes a shocking claim. They have mistaken her identity, she is in fact Lydia and that it was Kirstie that had died.This is an intensely dark and creepy psychological thriller, I absolutely loved it! I was questioning my own sanity at times trying to figure out if their daughter was actually Kirstie or Lydia and wondering, as a parent, what it would feel like to make such a grave error. Initially Sarah doesn’t tell Angus what Kirstie has told her, she tries to get to the bottom of it herself. The story is told primarily by Sarah but every few chapters it switches to Angus’s POV and we find out that he’s also hiding things from his wife. He is filled with such rage and hate towards her, but why? That’s what Sarah starts to wonder and as a reader you quickly realize there’s so much more to this mystery than a possible mistaken identity.
The author does a great job revealing hints that make you think you’ve figured out what happened and who really died, then a few chapters later something else is revealed and your theory is thrown out the window! This story was well thought out and researched; I found all the information about twins in general to be truly fascinating. This is a perfect read for a chilly winter day; you’ll find it hard to tear yourself away from this one, I know I did. I thought the ending was perfect; all your biggest questions are answered yet a few smaller things are left open to interpretation, just enough to have you questioning whether or not you really understood what had happened, very clever!
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
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LibraryThing member jhullie
Hmm, an interesting concept that never quite gave me the chills that I was expecting and wanting. The twins connection was, as ever, intriguing but there were so many subplots and suppositions that I did become a little bemused by it all. I didn't feel much for either parent but Lydia and Kirstie
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had my whole-hearted attention and sympathy. Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2015
Physical description
384 p.; 7.83 inches
ISBN
000745922X / 9780007459223