Scarlett Thomas Seaside

Seaside

Scarlett Thomas

Justin Charles, Nov 2005, $24.95, 320 pp.

ISBN: 193211209X

In the seaside town of Torquay, eighteen years old twins Alexandra and Laura Carter seem like typical teens until one dies. The police investigation supports an apparent suicide yet in spite of the slashed wrists, some things do not add up properly. First and foremost the suicide note left behind is signed by Laura, but the surviving sister claims she is Laura.

Novelist Emma Winters offers successful amateur sleuth university instructor Lily Pascale (see DEAD CLEVER and IN YOUR FACE) ten thousand pounds to determine whether the victim was murdered, who committed the act if it is a homicide, and which twin lives. Though she vowed to never do any more investigations, the money is great and the case interesting so Lily accepts heading to wintry Torquay unaware the danger that awaits her there if she gets too close to the truth.

Readers along with the police and others will wonder which teen lives and did the survivor pull a Cain and Abel on her sister. The story line is character driven as Lily investigates the case in the freezing seaside town. Lily is a terrific protagonist as her inquiries make for a fine time for sleuth fans. This is one mystery readers will find fascinating.

Harriet Klausner