"A missing woman leads her twin sister on a twisted scavenger hunt in this clever debut novel of suspense for readers of Luckiest Girl Alive and Reconstructing Amelia. Ava Antipova has her reasons for running away: a failing family vineyard, a romantic betrayal, a mercurial sister, an absent father, and a mother slipping into dementia. In Paris, Ava renounces her terribly practical undergraduate degree, acquires a French boyfriend and a taste for much better wine, and erases her past. Two years later, she she must return to New York. Her twin sister, Zelda, is dead. Even in a family of alcoholics, Zelda Antipova was the wild one, notorious for her mind games and destructive behavior. Stuck tending the vineyard and the girls' increasingly unstable mother, Zelda was allegedly burned alive when she passed out in the barn with a lit cigarette. But Ava finds the official explanation a little too neat. A little too Zelda. Then she receives a cryptic message - from her sister.
Just as Ava suspected, Zelda's playing one of her games. In fact, she's outdone herself, leaving a series of clues about her disappearance. With the police stuck on a red herring, Ava follows the trail laid just for her, thinking like her sister, keeping her secrets, immersing herself in Zelda's drama and her outlandish circle of friends and lovers. Along the way, Zelda forces her twin to confront their twisted history and the boy who broke Ava's heart. But why? Is Zelda trying to punish Ava for leaving? To teach her a lesson? Or is she simply trying to write her own ending?"
I will have to say that this was the first novel that I have read where the characters are outrageous, frustrating, compelling, and fascinating all in one. This novel kept me guessing, twisting, and turning right until the very end. I discovered and uncovered secrets about every single one of the characters, big and small. I really felt myself connecting with Ava, a very interesting main character. I love how Caite Dolan - Leach narrated her character so well. In the breath taking beautiful "wine country" it is crystal clear that dark secrets can lurk and destroy a so called "perfect" family. I enjoyed how Ava jumped from clue to clue discovering secrets about Zelda. I believe that when Ava was searching for Zelda, Ava actually found herself. This is a suspense novel between two twin sisters whose lives are finally brought back to each other through tragedy. You will end up getting pulled into their tragedies and their secrets. Caite Dolan - Leach's writing style was vivid, mesmerizing, and filled with detail. Her words came to life throughout the pages. I honestly cannot believe this was the very first time I had ever heard or read anything by this author. This novel will forever keep you on your toes.
I give this novel a 4 out of 5 stars.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy!
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