Really engrossing Audio Book (AUD)

Puzzling and haunting family drama, with a needle-sharp sting that will pierce your heart!

I was a really big fan Matthews debut novel, The Prank, last year and had really high expectations for The Twins. Matthews does not disappoint and The Twins demonstrates what a gifted writer she is. In many ways, this is a more accomplished book than The Prank (which is very hard, as that is such an engrossing and satisfying thriller!), with a complex yet exhilarating plot and exceptionally developed characters. Not only does Matthews deliver a tense and twisted narrative, she writes some incredibly beautiful prose that is woven seamlessly into the dark tale between these pages.

There’s something very Hitchcockian about The Twins, with the core characters skirting around obsession, madness and deception. I can fully see how the master of cinematic thrills could have adapted this novel and brought it to the screen (and I hope that someone does do this, even though Hitchcock himself can’t). This novel is very much about its central characters and I was immediately drawn in to both Margo and Cora’s lives. Unlike a lot of twins, these two are like chalk and cheese and I was absolutely fascinated by the contrasting lives and personalities of both sisters. As Margo delves deeper into past traumas and Cora’s role in Margo’s life begins to become clearer and clearer, I can honestly say that neither sister was who I initially thought they would be. The format of the book really helped with this too and I really enjoyed the chapters alternating between the two distinct voices of Margo and Cora. Matthews is a master herself at leading readers down a certain path, only to unceremoniously rip the rug out from under and completely flip the story on its head. It makes The Twins an exciting and pacy, character driven read that is nigh on impossible to put down.

Without revealing too much of the perfectly plotted story, this book deals with some incredibly difficult and affecting issues too. Matthews does this with sensitivity, whilst also packing a massive, powerhouse of a sucker punch ending that I didn’t see coming until exactly when she wanted me to. It’s an incredibly satisfying conclusion that neatly brings all of the different elements of the story together and immediately made me think, “Of course!” and berate myself for not picking up on all of the clues that are so expertly dropped like Hansel & Gretel’s proverbial breadcrumbs through the course of the narrative. As the final revelations come to the forefront, I found this a heart-wrenching and powerful story in a way that I wasn’t expecting. I will be thinking about it for a long time and highly recommend it to those who enjoy a solid thriller with a deeper, thought-provoking meaning.

Exquisitely dark and mysterious as the unique bond between twins is glimpsed at angles Ive never before seen. The whole story is very smoke and mirrors and flits in and out of our consciousness so that you never quite feel in control or that you know what is happening, which imitates the experience of the main character. Something very bad has happened in the past but at times you feel you may never quite know what that was or who it might be dangerous for.
The dynamics between families and sisters is deeply explored as is the innocence of children and the intricacies of the human mind and the lengths that family and your mind will go to for self preservation.
It is hard to accurately describe the storyline without giving away the ending and twists and turns but needless to stay, stick with this one as all will eventually become clearer, if not absolutely clear. I’m still not sure! It was definitely a lot of food for thought and quite a journey. Very enjoyable.

This book was like an express train I couldn't get off! The tension builds so perfectly throughout the book and the ending, once you know, is hinted at so often and yet hidden so well. I loved it, a brilliant read!

It's literally my favorite thriller book so far! THE PLOT TWIST!!!! I did not see it coming at all. I've never felt this way about any other character like I did with Cora—I genuinely loved, hated, admired, and got pissed at her throughout the whole book. And Margo, oh my god, I loved her so much. I felt peace whenever I read her POV, but I was also anxious because something could always happen. She’s worried all the time, and she made me worried too.

I've never felt so many active emotions while reading a book. My heart ached during that scene where Ralff passed a note to Margo in class. I felt her pain and her invisibility. As someone with two sisters close to my age, my biggest nightmare is being seen as competition to each other, and this book touched me deeply.

There were no plot holes whatsoever—it all made so much sense in the end. Not that it didn’t as I was reading, but looking back, I’m like, OOHHHH. When Cora signed a note with the same nickname as their old nanny's sister, it itched my brain in the best way, and the switch of POVs near the end between the twins when "they" went to talk to the therapist UGH. I LOVE THISSSS. PLEASE READ IT!

Overview: Okay so...this book surprised he hell out of me. There I was enjoying a great story between twins who are completely different with a bit of a mystery thrown in and then...BAM! That twist happens and I'm left with my jaw hanging. And I don't know why I didn't see it coming because it's a similar twist to my own psychological thriller series! Completely amazing and thoroughly enjoyable read.

Good Points: Both twins were basically opposite of each other which I love. As an identical twin myself I can relate so much to their bond even during their arguments. (Don't worry I have a great relationship with my twin!) The plot was slow to start but built and built until that twist and by then it was late at night and I couldn't put it down.

Not so Good Points: To be honest I have none. I know Cora was supposed to be the "bad" twin but I actually loved her. I didn't like Raff much but other than that it was a perfect thriller!

Thrillers lovers...read this book! You won't be disappointed. Also thanks to L.V. Matthews for chatting to me about this book when I finished it

P.S. If you loved this book then you'll love the My...Self series (not sorry about the shameless self-promotion there!)

What a fabulous book.

I love a psychological mystery and this one gripped me immediately. Any story with twins appeals to me because I find them so fascinating; there is so much we don’t understand about the relationship between identical twins and what could be described as an almost sixth sense that it offers a plethora of opportunities for authors.

This book is so well-written and gripping, that although I had my suspicions about the ending, it still threw me a little because there were a few layers. I also found myself thinking about it for several days afterwards.

For me, what made this book so good were the characters who are wonderful.

Cora and Margo were both intoxicating and intriguing, with their differing lifestyles and strained twin bond. As we read more, the hints at a traumatic past become clearer and we understand more about why they are the way they are.

Aside from Margo and Cora, I also loved reading about the children, the friends and the family. These people really add to the intricacies of the plot and help to confuse readers as they try to figure out what took place all those years ago and what is going to happen if those events catch up with them.

As the twins’ lives spiral out of control and start to collide, will their bond be shattered forever or will they be reconciled and face their tragic past?

A brilliant psychological thriller that is unputdownable.