Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC (2010), Hardcover, 400 pages
Description
In Victorian London, thirteen-year-old Lucy's comfortable world with her loving parents begins slowly to unravel the day that a bedraggled woman who looks exactly like her mother appears at their door.
User reviews
LibraryThing member allureofbooks
You guys, when the summary says that this book will keep you guessing to the very end - it ain't kidding. This plot will have you so twisted up into knots that you will be devouring it to get to the end. It is really rare to find a mystery where you aren't mostly certain what the outcome will be,
When I was a kid, I read Victoria Holt novels obsessively. I loved them. They are gothic mystery/romance novels written back in the 1950s-60s...my mom read them back in the day, she is the one who got me hooked on them. As I got into high school, they stopped feeding my gothic addiction. The fact that they have little to no character substance or development became a glaring problem that I couldn't ignore. This book reminds me of those books, because it is exactly what I wish a Victoria Holt novel could be.
Basically, I have nothing negative to say about the story. As I've already said, the plot is brilliant and one of the best written mysteries I've ever read. The fact that it is a stand-alone is another huge plus. It seems like everything is a series lately. And the characters? Yeah. They're amazing too. Lucy Sexton is the perfect heroine. She gets caught up in the mystery between her mother and newly discovered aunt - and we have to try puzzling things together along with her. All the things she considers and discovers are completely believable and perfect to fit the story.
Suspense, mystery, love, family dynamics and a rather large creep factor all come together in a perfect balance to make one fantastic story. I highly recommend picking this up.
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and The Twin's Daughter is the answer to that problem. When I was a kid, I read Victoria Holt novels obsessively. I loved them. They are gothic mystery/romance novels written back in the 1950s-60s...my mom read them back in the day, she is the one who got me hooked on them. As I got into high school, they stopped feeding my gothic addiction. The fact that they have little to no character substance or development became a glaring problem that I couldn't ignore. This book reminds me of those books, because it is exactly what I wish a Victoria Holt novel could be.
Basically, I have nothing negative to say about the story. As I've already said, the plot is brilliant and one of the best written mysteries I've ever read. The fact that it is a stand-alone is another huge plus. It seems like everything is a series lately. And the characters? Yeah. They're amazing too. Lucy Sexton is the perfect heroine. She gets caught up in the mystery between her mother and newly discovered aunt - and we have to try puzzling things together along with her. All the things she considers and discovers are completely believable and perfect to fit the story.
Suspense, mystery, love, family dynamics and a rather large creep factor all come together in a perfect balance to make one fantastic story. I highly recommend picking this up.
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LibraryThing member TheLostEntwife
I love it when books change right in the middle of the story.
The first half of this book had me thinking the following:
- Interesting, but is there any point to this?
- This is a pleasant story, kind of simple, but pleasant.
- Okay I see maybe where she is going, a sort of coming-of-age story.
And
THE TWIN'S DAUGHTER reminds me of a YA version of Anna Quindlen's EVERY LAST ONE. Although the stories are different the style and the shock value is the same. Set up your story with background and then hit your reader with something horrifying.
That said, the last half of the book was everything that the first half wasn't. It was gripping, had me turning pages quickly and every time I thought I came to a conclusion it tore that conclusion away from me.
Before picking this story up I recommend you think about this question:
"Does every daughter really know her mother?"
The first half of this book had me thinking the following:
- Interesting, but is there any point to this?
- This is a pleasant story, kind of simple, but pleasant.
- Okay I see maybe where she is going, a sort of coming-of-age story.
And
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then.. the book took a violent turn.THE TWIN'S DAUGHTER reminds me of a YA version of Anna Quindlen's EVERY LAST ONE. Although the stories are different the style and the shock value is the same. Set up your story with background and then hit your reader with something horrifying.
That said, the last half of the book was everything that the first half wasn't. It was gripping, had me turning pages quickly and every time I thought I came to a conclusion it tore that conclusion away from me.
Before picking this story up I recommend you think about this question:
"Does every daughter really know her mother?"
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LibraryThing member bookwormygirl
I have to start this review by saying... I didn't see that one coming!
Ms. Baratz-Logsted masterfully creates a tale full of twists and turns that I have to admit kept me wondering... I kept trying to figure it out and every time I thought I had it, I was thrown for a loop. Kudos to Ms.
Lucy - who is about 13 when the novel starts - has a very distinct voice. Her inquisitive nature and attention to detail are really what kept this novel going for me. She lives with her wealthy parents and lives a comfortable yet dull life. When a woman with a striking resemblance to her mother knocks on her door she finds that her life is turned upside down. Lucy has quite the vivid imagination and shortly after meeting the recently acquired Aunt Helen, she begins to doubt her and her intentions. After a gruesome murder of one of the sister's, Lucy finds herself wondering which twin lived.
Aside from the mystery aspect of the novel, there was also a very sweet romance between Lucy and her neighbor Kit. I loved the way their relationship and feelings for each other matured throughout the story. I found myself looking forward to their moments together.
One other thing that I thought was very well done was the setting. I think Ms. Baratz-Logsted does a wonderful job in capturing the time the story is set in (I would say circa World War I - although the time frame is never really established), London.
All in all, I truly enjoyed this gothic tale of murder, mystery, love and so many twists and turns you'll feel like your head is spinning. A fantastic read for teens and adults alike.
Ms. Baratz-Logsted masterfully creates a tale full of twists and turns that I have to admit kept me wondering... I kept trying to figure it out and every time I thought I had it, I was thrown for a loop. Kudos to Ms.
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Baratz-Logsted - because yes, I did not see that one coming! Lucy - who is about 13 when the novel starts - has a very distinct voice. Her inquisitive nature and attention to detail are really what kept this novel going for me. She lives with her wealthy parents and lives a comfortable yet dull life. When a woman with a striking resemblance to her mother knocks on her door she finds that her life is turned upside down. Lucy has quite the vivid imagination and shortly after meeting the recently acquired Aunt Helen, she begins to doubt her and her intentions. After a gruesome murder of one of the sister's, Lucy finds herself wondering which twin lived.
Aside from the mystery aspect of the novel, there was also a very sweet romance between Lucy and her neighbor Kit. I loved the way their relationship and feelings for each other matured throughout the story. I found myself looking forward to their moments together.
One other thing that I thought was very well done was the setting. I think Ms. Baratz-Logsted does a wonderful job in capturing the time the story is set in (I would say circa World War I - although the time frame is never really established), London.
All in all, I truly enjoyed this gothic tale of murder, mystery, love and so many twists and turns you'll feel like your head is spinning. A fantastic read for teens and adults alike.
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LibraryThing member sithereandread
THE TWIN'S DAUGHTER, by Lauren Baratz-Logsted, absolutely blew me away. At the beginning of the book, I was not sure if I would be too invested in this young girl and her hoity-toity lifestyle, but when Aunt Helen appeared, I was captivated.
I do not think I have ever read a book that tossed me for
Lucy was a great character to experience. She was tenacious, and reminded me of Elizabeth Bennett (from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice). She was well off, but she stayed honest to herself and always asked questions and spoke her mind freely. I adored the friendship between Lucy and Kit. I always knew of his intentions for her, but Lucy's ever-active brain unknowingly brushed him aside.
Overall, this was a fantastic book. There was romance, intrigue, mystery, and high volumes of suspense that will keep you reading until the final page.
I do not think I have ever read a book that tossed me for
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a loop so many times than this one. I fell in step along with Lucy not being able to trust anyone who she thought was close to her. As a fourteen year old, she was fascinated with her long-lost aunt who was doing anything and everything to fit into the mold of her well-off twin. I was suspicious of her intentions to be too much like Aliese but when a terrible tragedy struck, I immediately sided with Lucy in her deductions of what happened. As the story continued, my suspicions were once again raised as her family structure was slowly crumbling. Lucy was a great character to experience. She was tenacious, and reminded me of Elizabeth Bennett (from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice). She was well off, but she stayed honest to herself and always asked questions and spoke her mind freely. I adored the friendship between Lucy and Kit. I always knew of his intentions for her, but Lucy's ever-active brain unknowingly brushed him aside.
Overall, this was a fantastic book. There was romance, intrigue, mystery, and high volumes of suspense that will keep you reading until the final page.
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LibraryThing member samantha.1020
What would you do if you found out that you had a twin sister that you had never known?? Lucy opens the door one day and the life that she knows changes forever as she meets her mother's twin sister for the first time. At first her mother and her new found aunt are completely opposite in every way,
This book had such a unique premise that instantly intrigued me. I loved the idea of finding a long lost sister and seeing how it would affect the family and their everyday lives. The author gives the story a creepy, dark atmosphere where I was constantly questioning Lucy's new aunt and her motives and actions. The book had a sinister feel to it throughout that really made the book more enjoyable in my opinion. I liked getting the chance to see how Lucy's Aunt Helen affected the entire family and their everyday lives. As Helen began to act more and more like Lucy's mother, I became more and more invested in the story. I had to know what was going to happen next. The ending of the book was quite intense and I was hooked until the last page. My only complaint with this book was that I had trouble connecting to some of the characters at times. I'll admit that after the book finished everything made a bit more sense and helped to tie up the loose ends for me. All in all, an interesting and suspenseful read that I would recommend to fans of gothic novels.
Bottom Line: An intriguing premise and a solid read!
Disclosure: I checked this book out from my local library.
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but as time goes on Lucy begins to realize that it is getting harder and harder to tell them apart. And then the unthinkable happens...This book had such a unique premise that instantly intrigued me. I loved the idea of finding a long lost sister and seeing how it would affect the family and their everyday lives. The author gives the story a creepy, dark atmosphere where I was constantly questioning Lucy's new aunt and her motives and actions. The book had a sinister feel to it throughout that really made the book more enjoyable in my opinion. I liked getting the chance to see how Lucy's Aunt Helen affected the entire family and their everyday lives. As Helen began to act more and more like Lucy's mother, I became more and more invested in the story. I had to know what was going to happen next. The ending of the book was quite intense and I was hooked until the last page. My only complaint with this book was that I had trouble connecting to some of the characters at times. I'll admit that after the book finished everything made a bit more sense and helped to tie up the loose ends for me. All in all, an interesting and suspenseful read that I would recommend to fans of gothic novels.
Bottom Line: An intriguing premise and a solid read!
Disclosure: I checked this book out from my local library.
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LibraryThing member dk_phoenix
What a strange book. I'm still not sure what I think of it, though I might have enjoyed it? It's hard to say. The premise of the book is that the main character's mother has a twin that no one knew about, who shows up on their doorstep one day unannounced. The family is shocked but graceful about
...and the second half of the book deals with this unexpected and, admittedly, shocking twist. I was very surprised because what happens is quite brutal, violent, and messy -- very unlike anything we'd seen so far -- and I found myself pulled out of the story and feeling confused about what the point of the book was supposed to be.
And it's a long book. A loooong book. I'm not sure we needed so much time to deal with the mundane, and I think we could have experienced and understood what was going on if it had been somewhat condensed... and that said, I'm still left scratching my head, trying to figure out if I should recommend it or not.
I really have no idea. Go read someone else's review... they might be more helpful!!!
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the newly-discovered aunt's situation (she's homeless, has no manners, and obviously has had a rough life up to this point), and they take her in. As time passes, the aunt becomes more and more like the mother, until the daughter begins to mistake one for another by accident. This takes us halfway through the book, when sudden tragedy strikes and throws the main character's world into a tailspin....and the second half of the book deals with this unexpected and, admittedly, shocking twist. I was very surprised because what happens is quite brutal, violent, and messy -- very unlike anything we'd seen so far -- and I found myself pulled out of the story and feeling confused about what the point of the book was supposed to be.
And it's a long book. A loooong book. I'm not sure we needed so much time to deal with the mundane, and I think we could have experienced and understood what was going on if it had been somewhat condensed... and that said, I'm still left scratching my head, trying to figure out if I should recommend it or not.
I really have no idea. Go read someone else's review... they might be more helpful!!!
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LibraryThing member TnTexas
While the pacing wasn't the smoothest (started out a bit slow and took awhile gather steam then seemed to rush on towards the end like a runaway train) and I felt like clues (mainly where the villain's motivation was concerned) for the ending could have been incorporated into the first part of the
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story better than they were, I enjoyed the story overall and am looking forward to reading more by this author. Show Less
LibraryThing member TheMadHatters
This book was much better than I was expecting. Lucy's family takes in the destitute, long-lost twin of her mother and introduce her to the socialite life she should have had. Before long, the twin seems to want more than her own station--she wants to take Lucy's mother's place altogether. I
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thought I had the main twist figured out from the beginning, thinking it was so transparent, but I was dead wrong. The writing could have been stronger, but the mystery itself was enough to keep me reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member CherieReads
I'm giving this 4 stars based soley on the fact that I enjoyed it enough to lose precious sleep and stay up late to finish it. As my hubby will tell you, you don't mess with my sleep so that's saying something. Now, I'm not saying this is a great piece of literary fiction - only that I enjoyed it.
I stayed up late because I really wanted to know what the hell was going on in that house! Through most of the way I thought I knew what was going on and was going to give a lower star rating because it was predictable. Then things started to turn around and I didn't know where it was going.
Not a whodunnit but an enjoyable mystery and historical fiction.
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I stayed up late because I really wanted to know what the hell was going on in that house! Through most of the way I thought I knew what was going on and was going to give a lower star rating because it was predictable. Then things started to turn around and I didn't know where it was going.
Not a whodunnit but an enjoyable mystery and historical fiction.
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LibraryThing member greisn1
Who is the victim?
When her mother's identical twin shows up out of nowhere, Lucy Sexton's world is turned upside down. Her aunt takes the place of a sibling she never had as she begins to teach her the ins and outs of society. But just as life begins to feel normal again, tragedy strikes leaving
The premise of Lauren Baratz-Logsted's The Twin's Daughter had me very intrigued from the first time I read about it. It's a story that you hear on the news: "Twins reunited after 35 years; story at 11." With all of the technology we have, it's become very easy to find out information on people all around the world. But this story is set in the 1800s. With no internet or telephones, how did Helen ever find Aliese? This is what quickly drew me into the story, the mystery of it all.
Although I haven't been fourteen in roughly ten years, Lucy's character was very relatable. I loved how Baratz-Logsted showed Lucy's character maturing and becoming a woman. Even her relationships with other characters slowly became deeper and more mature as the novel progressed.
If there was any part I did not like, it was that it took me a while to figure out when and where the story was taking place. Many other books I read (at least, those that are set somewhere other than Anytown USA in the present) tell you in the beginning the year and location. London is mentioned in the novel a few times, however I couldn't figure out the time period at all. It may have been something I missed, but I eventually figured it out by looking up when the mention Gilbert and Sullivan opera was active.
This book definitely had me guessing all the way until the end. And it wasn't just guessing about the main mystery. There were many different things for the reader to try and figure out. How did the tunnel come to be? Would Kit return? Who was the red-headed man? Even if a reader did not get lost in Lucy's life, all of the mystery and intrigue that Baratz-Logsted wound through the story would keep them reading until the end.
I give The Twin's Daughter five stars because as soon as I finished it, I was ready to read it all over again. I would recommend this to those that love a good mystery, 19th century London, or historic crime novels. Actually, I'd recommend it to any readers, as it seems there is something in it for everyone.
When her mother's identical twin shows up out of nowhere, Lucy Sexton's world is turned upside down. Her aunt takes the place of a sibling she never had as she begins to teach her the ins and outs of society. But just as life begins to feel normal again, tragedy strikes leaving
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Lucy feeling alone. But who is the victim?The premise of Lauren Baratz-Logsted's The Twin's Daughter had me very intrigued from the first time I read about it. It's a story that you hear on the news: "Twins reunited after 35 years; story at 11." With all of the technology we have, it's become very easy to find out information on people all around the world. But this story is set in the 1800s. With no internet or telephones, how did Helen ever find Aliese? This is what quickly drew me into the story, the mystery of it all.
Although I haven't been fourteen in roughly ten years, Lucy's character was very relatable. I loved how Baratz-Logsted showed Lucy's character maturing and becoming a woman. Even her relationships with other characters slowly became deeper and more mature as the novel progressed.
If there was any part I did not like, it was that it took me a while to figure out when and where the story was taking place. Many other books I read (at least, those that are set somewhere other than Anytown USA in the present) tell you in the beginning the year and location. London is mentioned in the novel a few times, however I couldn't figure out the time period at all. It may have been something I missed, but I eventually figured it out by looking up when the mention Gilbert and Sullivan opera was active.
This book definitely had me guessing all the way until the end. And it wasn't just guessing about the main mystery. There were many different things for the reader to try and figure out. How did the tunnel come to be? Would Kit return? Who was the red-headed man? Even if a reader did not get lost in Lucy's life, all of the mystery and intrigue that Baratz-Logsted wound through the story would keep them reading until the end.
I give The Twin's Daughter five stars because as soon as I finished it, I was ready to read it all over again. I would recommend this to those that love a good mystery, 19th century London, or historic crime novels. Actually, I'd recommend it to any readers, as it seems there is something in it for everyone.
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LibraryThing member susanbevans
The Twin's Daughter was as suspenseful and captivating a read as anything I've read in the last few years. Author Lauren Baratz-Logsted keeps the reader breathlessly turning pages to find out what really happened between Helen and her sister - every guess I made was wrong! By the time you start to
The pacing of The Twin's Daughter is perfection and the characters (though not terribly likable) were realistically portrayed. Dark and Gothic in feeling, this is an interesting and captivating read that will keep you guessing right up to its extraordinary ending. The Twin's Daughter is a top-notch YA mystery that is full of suspense and intrigue.
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see the big picture, you're completely hooked!The pacing of The Twin's Daughter is perfection and the characters (though not terribly likable) were realistically portrayed. Dark and Gothic in feeling, this is an interesting and captivating read that will keep you guessing right up to its extraordinary ending. The Twin's Daughter is a top-notch YA mystery that is full of suspense and intrigue.
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LibraryThing member LarissaBookGirl
Part I. In which an aunt is introduced. It was quite a shock for Lucy to see her mother on the doorstep, dressed so poorly. It was quite another shock to learn that this was not her mother at all but a sister, a twin, which no one had ever known existed. What could they do but invite her in, accept
Part II. In which a new friend is made. Lucy is not accustomed to other young people in her life, being an only child and almost always surrounded by adults. But meeting her new neighbours and their son Christopher, or Kit as he is known, has given her the opportunity for friendship. Something that she is very much thankful for after the tragic incident on New Year's Day, the murder of a twin.
Part III. In which love is declared. It is only after Kit has left to take up his commission and serve in Africa, do Lucy and Kit declare their love for each other, both knowing that there is every possibility that Kit may not return alive. It is also a time of great changes in Lucy's home life, ever since the murder her father has been changed, over eating, drinking more, taken up smoking, it is little wonder at the consequences of these actions.
Part IV. In which the truth is finally revealed. Lucy, convinced that she knows the identity of the surviving twin, has come to terms with the events of that horrific New Year's Day, where she stumbled upon the bloody scene of the twins, one dead, one alive. However after a slip of the tongue, Lucy must admit she is no longer sure and so takes drastic action to uncover once and for all the events of that tragic News Year's Day and learn which twin survived.
The Twin's Daughter has her world shaken upside down when she can no longer recognise her own mother from her identical aunt. Lucy's sheltered childhood, with only her mother for a friend, and wealthy upbringing has done little to educate her in the ways of the world, her knowledge of such things coming only from books. A story of jealousy that slowly builds into a murderous mystery, culminating in a dark, twisted ending in which happiness is found.
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her as one of the family, and once living among them educate her in the ways of the upper-class.Part II. In which a new friend is made. Lucy is not accustomed to other young people in her life, being an only child and almost always surrounded by adults. But meeting her new neighbours and their son Christopher, or Kit as he is known, has given her the opportunity for friendship. Something that she is very much thankful for after the tragic incident on New Year's Day, the murder of a twin.
Part III. In which love is declared. It is only after Kit has left to take up his commission and serve in Africa, do Lucy and Kit declare their love for each other, both knowing that there is every possibility that Kit may not return alive. It is also a time of great changes in Lucy's home life, ever since the murder her father has been changed, over eating, drinking more, taken up smoking, it is little wonder at the consequences of these actions.
Part IV. In which the truth is finally revealed. Lucy, convinced that she knows the identity of the surviving twin, has come to terms with the events of that horrific New Year's Day, where she stumbled upon the bloody scene of the twins, one dead, one alive. However after a slip of the tongue, Lucy must admit she is no longer sure and so takes drastic action to uncover once and for all the events of that tragic News Year's Day and learn which twin survived.
The Twin's Daughter has her world shaken upside down when she can no longer recognise her own mother from her identical aunt. Lucy's sheltered childhood, with only her mother for a friend, and wealthy upbringing has done little to educate her in the ways of the world, her knowledge of such things coming only from books. A story of jealousy that slowly builds into a murderous mystery, culminating in a dark, twisted ending in which happiness is found.
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LibraryThing member lexilewords
Going into The Twin's Daughter I wasn't sure what to expect. When I first heard about it from the blog-o-sphere it was labeled as a 'gothic young adult historical' and this certainly fits that mold. From the family secrets, odd behaviors, late night visitations, a touch of romance and death, all we
I suppose the well appointed house in London's fashionable wealthy area will make do, especially considering all that transpired there.
The course of the novel is about five or six years, we start when Lucy is thirteen years old and meeting her Aunt Helen, her mother's twin sister, for the first and we end with Lucy roughly nineteen and contemplating the nature of love, family and betrayal. Lucy's recounting of the events leading up to the first of several deaths is vivid and full of emotion. Her confusion over what had happened, the shocking way her mother began acting and the rapidly deteriorating state of her father's health--she tells us about this while growing up and realizing her feelings for her friend next door Kit.
There are two sides to this book; on the one hand there is the twisted love square of Aliese, Helen, Richard and Frederick and on the other is the blossoming innocent love of Kit and Lucy. Whereas the adults love lives are better suited for a Jerry Springer episode, Kit and Lucy build a relationship based on mutual trust, affection and need. So you have the dark side of love and the light side of love, coinciding side by side.
I was more interested in the dark side of the book; Helen's jealousy, Aliese's steadily building coldness and Richard's presence in general. Like Lucy, in hindsight a lot of what Aliese (her mother) said or actions she thought was her mother but could have been Helen (or vice versa) began to click into place. It paints a truly horrifying picture of dysfunction of the highest level. Who knows how greed and resentment will twist a person? How one person's act to find the sister she's always wanted to meet might destroy a family completely?
Lauren has written a historical novel before, The Education of Bet, that I enjoyed but had a few qualms with (mainly that the ending felt rushed), I have no such issues with The Twin's Daughter. Lauren moved the plot along at a healthy clip, but it never felt rushed or abrupt. The transitions in time (often entire months just being jumped over) made sense; if Lucy's life was pretty much the same day in and day out after Emma's birth, we don't need 6 months to relive it. Her relationship with Kit felt natural, though I laughed out loud when Kit demonstrated his feelings for her. Lucy was utterly oblivious and made a lot of assumptions based on circumstantial things--something bites her in the butt more than once.
There was a definite menace to the novel, a shadow that permeated the entire book as one bad turn happened after another to Lucy with no real indication of why. Its a chance comment on an important day from her mother that Lucy is finally able to put it together. A tale of betrayal, love and contempt is what transpired and makes me heartily glad that Lucy chooses a different path.
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needed was a windswept castle out in the hinderlands of England!I suppose the well appointed house in London's fashionable wealthy area will make do, especially considering all that transpired there.
The course of the novel is about five or six years, we start when Lucy is thirteen years old and meeting her Aunt Helen, her mother's twin sister, for the first and we end with Lucy roughly nineteen and contemplating the nature of love, family and betrayal. Lucy's recounting of the events leading up to the first of several deaths is vivid and full of emotion. Her confusion over what had happened, the shocking way her mother began acting and the rapidly deteriorating state of her father's health--she tells us about this while growing up and realizing her feelings for her friend next door Kit.
There are two sides to this book; on the one hand there is the twisted love square of Aliese, Helen, Richard and Frederick and on the other is the blossoming innocent love of Kit and Lucy. Whereas the adults love lives are better suited for a Jerry Springer episode, Kit and Lucy build a relationship based on mutual trust, affection and need. So you have the dark side of love and the light side of love, coinciding side by side.
I was more interested in the dark side of the book; Helen's jealousy, Aliese's steadily building coldness and Richard's presence in general. Like Lucy, in hindsight a lot of what Aliese (her mother) said or actions she thought was her mother but could have been Helen (or vice versa) began to click into place. It paints a truly horrifying picture of dysfunction of the highest level. Who knows how greed and resentment will twist a person? How one person's act to find the sister she's always wanted to meet might destroy a family completely?
Lauren has written a historical novel before, The Education of Bet, that I enjoyed but had a few qualms with (mainly that the ending felt rushed), I have no such issues with The Twin's Daughter. Lauren moved the plot along at a healthy clip, but it never felt rushed or abrupt. The transitions in time (often entire months just being jumped over) made sense; if Lucy's life was pretty much the same day in and day out after Emma's birth, we don't need 6 months to relive it. Her relationship with Kit felt natural, though I laughed out loud when Kit demonstrated his feelings for her. Lucy was utterly oblivious and made a lot of assumptions based on circumstantial things--something bites her in the butt more than once.
There was a definite menace to the novel, a shadow that permeated the entire book as one bad turn happened after another to Lucy with no real indication of why. Its a chance comment on an important day from her mother that Lucy is finally able to put it together. A tale of betrayal, love and contempt is what transpired and makes me heartily glad that Lucy chooses a different path.
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Language
Original publication date
2010
ISBN
1599905132 / 9781599905136
Local notes
Lucy Sexton is stunned when a disheveled woman appears at the door one day who bears an uncanny resemblance to Lucy's own beautiful mother. It turns out the two women are identical twins, separated at birth, and raised in dramatically different circumstances. Lucy's mother quickly resolves to give her less fortunate sister the kind of life she has never known. And the transformation in Aunt Helen is indeed remarkable. But when Helen begins to imitate her sister in every way, even Lucy isn't sure at times which twin is which. Can Helen really be trusted, or does her sweet face mask a chilling agenda?