Customer Reviews

The Twin's Daughter

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This deliciously gothic tale opens in the early 1900s when narrator Lucy Sexton is thirteen years old. After answering the doorbell, Lucy is shocked to see her beloved mother Aliese standing before her gaunt and in rags. Only the woman isn't Lucy's mother. The woman quickly reveals herself to be Aliese's twin sister Helen, separated at birth on the recommendation of a psychic and sent to live in poverty while Aliese was raised with luxury. Claiming no resentments on either side, Helen is welcomed into the family and quickly given a wardrobe, lessons, and all of the accoutrements of a lady. Lucy is overjoyed by her aunt's presence, finally feeling like she has a friend and sister. However, nothing is as it seems, and as the differences between Aliese and Helen are smoothed away leading to confusion as to which twin is which, secrets, jealousy, and resentments simmer beneath the façade of civility.

This book is perfect for those days when you want to curl up in a comfortable chair with a warm drink while the weather rages outside. Perfectly atmospheric, The Twin's Daughter wraps you up in layer upon layer of mystery as it steadily builds to a shocking climax--only the story doesn't end there. Baratz-Logsted treats us to not one, not two, but three jaw-dropping climaxes with each revelation providing more clues that both answer questions and send the reader down garden paths. At one point I was absolutely convinced I had it all figured out (I was even slightly annoyed with the main character for not having realized the answer sooner) only to discover that I was completely wrong! You're kept guessing up until the very end, but even if a reader were more accurate in their conclusion than I was, the story is still entirely absorbing.

Lucy is an excellent narrator whose voice is both appealing and evocative. Her manner of speech and observations all help build the setting, effectively transporting the reader into Lucy's world. Her innocence and naïve descriptions of things she does not understand juxtaposed with the sinister occurrences and dark foreshadowing we the reader accurately recognize is especially effective in building tension and fear for Lucy.

Though Lucy's story begins when she is only thirteen and ends when she is in her late teens, her role and narration style help The Twin's Daughter transcend the YA genre. Lucy's recounting of the mysteries surrounding the adults in her life leaves her in the position of almost an omniscient narrator, and though the main character is a young adult, the story is primarily about the adults she observes. Adults who shun this book on the grounds that it is a YA title are doing themselves a disservice.

That isn't to say the book is entirely observational. Lucy endearingly relates her changing feelings for her neighbor, a wry boy named Kit who first teases her and later falls in love with her. Kit and Lucy's relationship is tender and perfectly paced (a stark contrast to the love at first sight romances that seem to make up a large bulk of YA lately). Baratz-Logsted sensitively recounts Lucy's development from a young girl to a woman, realistically portraying her thoughts and feelings to the events she experiences and their effect on her personality.

Fans of gothic novels like Diane Setterfield's The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel, John Harwood's The Seance, and Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights(all books I adore) will delight in The Twin's Daughter. The Twin's Daughter is a perfect example of classic storytelling. Highly recommended.

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, 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. 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.

I'm going to keep this short: I LOVED this book! I am not generally enamored of gothic books. I can't compare this book to anything and I don't want to--I just want to spread the word that it's a SUPER read: I literally couldn't put it down! This book kept me up all night. It is a page-turner in the most classic--and best--sense of the word. Beautifully written, engaging, teasing, in turns lighthearted and dark, this book leaps genres and holds your attention relentlessly and seductively. Do you enjoy the thrill of a good read? The fun of a glorious trilogy of romance, murder and gaslight? Pick up "The Twin's Daughter," find a comfortable place to sit, and prepare yourself for being there until the last page is turned. Congratulations to Baratz-Logsted: I am a fan for life!

Alright, now, I'll start by saying that I totally admit that I was worried after I started this book. Because thus far I've liked all of this author's work but with this book it took me a full two-weeks to get through the first 100ish pages. For a reader like me (slow, slow, slow) that's bad news! If a book doesn't grab me right off and keep me moving along pretty quickly it's fair to say the probability of me liking it is pretty low. Thankfully, a trusted blogger friend reviewed the book that same week and though I didn't read her whole review for fear of being spoiled I did see her say it was a favorite of the year. That gave me the impetus to push through and boy am I glad I did.

Victorian era gothic-vibed murder mystery? Sign me up please!

Once I got to Part 2 of this book the background was done being set and the action began. What action it was too! Baratz-Logsted had built an intricate and compelling mystery through the pages of The Twins Daughter. Given the fact that the murdered party is one of the two twins you can imagine how many twists and turns there are leading the reader in both directions. I was pleased that in one chapter I thought Lucy had lost her Aunt Helen and then a chapter later I though that maybe it was her mother instead. It was literally the very bitter end when all of the answers were revealed and boy I just adored how the finer details told throughout the story ended up fusing back together to give the answer of not only who the murdered party was but also who did it.

Have I mentioned that the characters weren't half bad either?

Lucy was the perfect combination of endearing, trusting, intelligent and inquisitive to be able to be both mislead by the perpetrator yet still spearhead the investigation into what truly happened that murderous night. As a character, she exemplifies what it means to be a powerful young woman who has the ability to show a level of grace under pressure. Having found herself smack dab in the center of the most extreme of circumstances she could have collapsed into herself or allowed a man to take charge but instead she continued to follow her instincts until she found satisfaction.

Baratz-Logsted also did a fantastic job taking what was a very dark story and infusing bits of light. The addition of Kit as the boy next door/partner in crime was a stroke of genius. The push and pull of their friendship turned romance gave Lucy both an excellent source of distraction but also much needed support. As her confidant Kit was able to be the sounding-board for ideas as well as the inspiration for resolution. The romance itself was well written, it was chaste enough for the time period but contained enough passion to express their feelings for each other.

Skillfully plotted and wonderfully written The twin's Daughter is an excellent read that spans across age and gender boundaries. It's filled with the perfect amount of intrigue and action to enthrall mystery fans while still latching on to the romance crowd as well.

So, what else can I tell you about this book? Not a whole lot, I don't want to ruin the fun of the mysterious experience. All I can do is encourage you to enjoy it for yourself.

I've been a big fan of Lauren ever since I read her previous release, The Education of Bet. Her terrific writing and knack for developing a strong, likable main character returned in The Twin's Daughter and I can't wait to see what's next for her!

To begin with, the plot was fast paced and addicting. Each page was filled with a new plot twist and I never knew where things were going. At first, it was just an ordinary, albeit interesting, story of a young girl who discovers her mother had a twin sister that she was separated from at birth. Helen arrives disheveled and poor, so her twin decides to get her a new wardrobe and much more until the two sisters look identical and even the main character is not always sure which twin is her mother.

From here things begin to get more and more twisted and complex. When a horrific event occurs Lucy is left to unravel the mystery and is truly put to the test of believing who is who.

Lucy is a fabulous main character. Her personality is unique and likable. She comes from a family of great wealth but she isn't snobby or disagreeable, she stands up for what she believes in and stays strong through all the events that tear her life apart.

Aunt Helen, Lucy's parents, Minerva... every character introduced in this novel left an impact on me in some way. They were well developed and seemed so realistic. Especially Kit. His character was crafted so well I felt like I had known him all my life. The connection between him and Lucy was instantaneous and I knew from the start how perfect they were for each other.

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and Lauren presents it perfectly. The historical details are prominent and through her writing I was transported back in time.

The Twin's Daughter had a little bit of everything- mystery, romance, history, suspense, friendships, and family. It was definitely unique and I am looking forward to discussing it with others who have finished the book.

Overall, I really enjoyed this. It was twisted and suspenseful and kept me guessing until the very end. I loved Lucy and Kit!

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

Lucy Sexton's life is perfectly ordinary until the day she answers her front door, only to find a bedraggled and gaunt version of her mother. Her entire household is shocked to find that Aliese Sexton has a twin sister, separated at birth, and raised in a much coarser manner than Lucy's mother. And so the Sextons conspire to keep Helen a secret, training her and making her into a proper, cultured woman. Lucy is delighted--it's like having an older sister. But then both Aliese and Helen start acting oddly, and a few times even Lucy has a hard time telling them apart. And then one day, she stumbles upon the scene of a vicious murder, leaving one twin dead and one alive...but who? And who is the murderer and why did they only kill one of them?

The Twin's Daughter is a clever and dark new historical fiction from Lauren Baratz Logsted. She takes a slightly far-fetched plot and winds it into an engaging and atmospheric psychological thriller. Though the book starts out lightly with Lucy being young and naive, growing up, and making friends with boy-next-door Kit, there are hints at darker plots and hidden agendas from the very beginning in Helen's dissatisfaction at her treatment, her untrustworthiness, and how she delights in Lucy's father's company and being mistaken for Aliese. The book becomes more ominous after the murder and Lucy is forced to grow up quickly. However, she doesn't start to question the identity of the surviving twin until another death occurs, and then it's a whirlwind of unveiled secrets and surprise twists that lead to a dramatic end. The Twin's Daughter is not without humor or its light bits, but it is mysterious and suspenseful novel about mistaken identity, revenge, passion, and love that will surprise you.

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, 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.

The life that Lucy Sexton lives could very easily be described as idyllic: a very comfortable home with parents that dote on her. However, her life takes a strange twist when one day a mysterious lady shows up at the Sexton home claiming to be none other than Lucy's aunt. A twin sister that strangely no one, including Lucy's mother, knew about. As the tale unravels, the plot thickens in this glorious gothic novel where nothing is as it appears to be.

The Twin's Daughter is a beautiful gothic novel that will have readers on the edge of their seats dying to get to the bottom of the Sexton family's secrets. In a novel where nothing is as it appears to be, readers will find themselves constantly attempting to guess how the story will unfold. And believe me when I tell you, nothing about this novel is predictable. Every time I believed that I had the mystery solved, Ms. Baratz-Logsted threw a delicious curve-ball which made me completely second guess what I had already thought to be true.

Now, the novel is more than just about a mystery. It is also a love story. Lucy's love story. And it is safe to say that her story, and eventual future, are as much in the foreground as the mystery. Lucy is a delightful character who I immediately bonded with. She is quick witted and humorous female very ahead of her time period. She and Kit, her love interest, provided me with hours of entertainment. Their banter is top notch and had me laughing so hard at times that I cried.

The only downside to The Twin's Daughter is its slow beginning. However, I personally did not mind it too much. I enjoyed that I really got to know the Sexton family. From their day to day life to the sudden interruption of Helen's entrance into the family, these details actually made the tale, and later mystery, that much more engaging.

The Twin's Daughter is a fascinating look at the influences that outside forces can have on a family dynamic. From jealousy and intrigue to romance, you will find this and so much more in The Twin's Daughter.

I adore Lauren's talent for writing historical fictions, as she paints a vivid picture of the era and has this ability to make me feel like I'm apart it. Like The Education of Bet, The Twin's Daughter is a well written historical fiction/ victorian era book.

The Twin's Daughter has a cast of great characters, a fast paced plot full of twits and turns that left me quickly turn pages to figure out the "who done it", and a beautiful victorian era setting. The mystery unfolds within the very beginning of the book when young Lucy, the main character answers the door to find her mother's (unknown) twin sister. From there, the plot thickens and becomes much more twisted.

Through the education of Aunt Helen, the twin sister to Lucy's mother, Lauren allows us to be educated in the ways of society during this era. Lucy's is an only child, and comes from a well to do family. Helen's transformation not only gave me the chance to see what she needs to do to be accepted into London's higher society, but also what's excepted of women during this time.

I liked reading the book from Lucy's perspective. While she's innocent and at times seems naive, her voice is strong and what surprised me most about her, is her ability to observe. I know that's weird to say, but with all that goes on with the story, if Lucy's observance of the little details hadn't happened, than she never would have been able to solve the murder-mystery. Lucy is a very likable characters, as her family's wealth and privilege put her in the higher class in society, but she isn't a character who's snooty or a snob. She's humble, and has a silent strength that is well developed as she privately tries to unravel the mystery behind horrific death that occurs in her families home.

My two favorite supporting characters are Helen and the love interest Kit. They were the most realistic to me and were also well developed. Lauren did a wonderful job at growing Helen and Lucy's relationship, as well as Kit and Lucy's. I liked the immediate connection Lucy and Kit had. Their relationship wasn't one that was rushed and one I felt grew naturally and was very fitting for their time period. I really, really adore these two characters.

The Twin's Daughter is a wonderful read, as it offers a little bit of everything to it's readers. It's a brilliantly written historical fiction, as it's vividly detailed historical setting, realistic family dynamics, and sweet romance draws you and makes you feel like you're apart of another era. It's the suspense wrapped around it's twisted murder mystery that will leave you glued to the pages until the very end and as you try to figure out what really happened.

Lucy Sexton is completely surprised when her mother's long lost twin sister shows up on their front porch. Somehow Lucy's mother didn't even know anything about her sister, Helen. In The Twin's Daughter by Lauren Baratz-Logsted, Helen comes with a very detailed and sad story about twins, separated at birth. She is talking about herself and Lucy's mother. Lucy's family takes Helen in and begin to educate her. They introduced Helen into society only when she has been trained to speak, act, and write exactly like Aliese, Lucy's mother. Shortly after Helen is introduced to society, a brutal murder takes place in Lucy's house. At first she is positive that it's her mother still alive, but then she starts to think that it might be her aunt acting like her mother. She has to find out exactly who is alive, who died, and why it all happened. Along the way she must learn to confide in one person, her best friend and neighbor Kit who helps her through the many different trials that happen to Lucy.

I was a little hesitant to read this book because while it is a very original plot, but it seemed a little far-fetched and really quite odd to me. As I read the story, I became very engrossed and never really wanted to stop reading until the story was completely over. I loved how much detail the author put into the story, and how the final twist in the plot resolved all of the questions that Lucy had. I really liked Lucy's character, and felt myself relating with her on many levels. Overall, I thought it was a fantastic book with a very surprising, yet wonderful ending!