REVIEW: The Third Twin by CJ Omololu

Adopted twins, Ava and Alexa (Lexi), have lived a privleged life. As children they playfully created a third twin, Alicia, whom they blamed whenever they got in trouble.  As seniors, the girls haved upped the game, giving Alicia a false identity, each posing as her for fun and to scam boys neither has the intention of seeing again. However, the game turns deadly when "Alicia's" last date turns up murdered. Both Ava and Lexi swear they had nothing to with the violent death, but suspicion grows as they learn someone else really is living life as Alicia and all criminal evidence in the mounting crimes points back to their identical DNA.

What I liked...

This is a well structured mystery thriller.  There are certainly enough twists and turns to keep any reader guessing whodunnit. I admit I had my suspicions but I was totally wrong which was refreshing. The characters are pretty well developed if a bit predictable with some of their actions. The Third Twin reminded me of some of those great R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike reads of my youth but I liked the modern update with the larger discussion of identity theft and to some degree a commentary on Catfishing.

What I didn't like...

There wasn't much I disliked other than the plot is so outlandish. I was betting on some switch up that reminded me of Alfred Hitchcock's Marnie.  The stage is set pretty well for this to be some sort of twisted psychological created third person. I was pretty surprised when it wasn't. However, the next level of the villain reveal took it a bit far.  That being said, teen fans of Pretty Little Liars and the like will enjoy this book.

I recommend this for purchase for a public or school library.  Notes of caution are some graphic violence. The opening scene is Lexi's near rape in a dark parking lot.  The scene isn't all that graphic but the intention is implied.  Likewise, the description of later deaths are provided in realistic detail. No red flags for language per se. Target readership is ninth grade and up.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars



#YAlit #review #mystery #thriller #identitytheft #thethirdtwin